The Path of Waking Up

I’ve been nursing a head cold for several days now, God’s way of getting me to slow down. My ears are stuffed up, my eyes watery, my short term memory... well, short - VERY short! So one could accurately say that communication between me and others might not be that clear.

Still, Rog has been patient when I ask him to repeat himself so I can make sure I’ve heard him correctly. I’ve misheard several phrases and we’ve been able to laugh at my perception of what he said. Perception for any human being is difficult on any given day, but in this physical body currently, it’s even more so. We’re accepting the circumstances and one another, doing our best to make ourselves clear speakers and clear receivers. We’re laughing and saying “I love you” when a message gets lost in my mind’s translation.

But what about when we’re all in pretty good physical condition - then what’s the reason behind miscommunication? Do I hear any votes for the ego, for not being in fit spiritual condition? One is either in their ego mind or their God mind - there’s no middle ground.

I have to be in fit spiritual condition to accurately perceive when someone makes accusations towards me that have no basis in reality - well, certainly not mine - that something else is going on with that person. It’s not about me. It’s not personal even if it appears that way. When someone chooses to cling to their position, their ego is at work, keeping them closed to other options and possibilities. And, their heart has been clamped shut. Not a fun place to be for anyone.

I certainly don’t want to live that way and I am grateful to be waking up. It’s not always easy, with relationships and possessions going by the wayside through necessity. Waking up means honestly looking at my inner thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors with a microscope so that I can know and be who I truly am. From there, I walk in this world coming from the place of Spirit. Acceptance, love, compassion, and kindness prevail.

Waking up can be challenging, but sticking with the illusion would mean being an open and willing partner to ego, to unnecessary pain and suffering. Freedom is at stake.

On this new earth we may find ourselves not making the journey with the long-time companions we thought would be accompanying us. But we will all get Home and be reunited with those we needed to let go of along the way of getting there. We are One and that can never change.

Dear Spirit -
Thank You for Your mercy and compassion as we each do what we can to wake up to You and to who we really are. May I demonstrate mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and unconditional love to all on my path, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. And, may each do the same with me!

I Need Do Nothing

Yesterday a stranger started a conversation with Rog when he thought that Rog was carrying a bible. I get tickled pink when people are open to connecting - you never know where that holy instant can lead to.

In this case, it led to a number of lessons for Rog and me. This man’s apparent friendliness, apparent openness was his segue into evangelizing about his religion. His apparent interest in Rog’s beliefs was feigned, as he questioned Rog but then glanced at the newspaper. Grilling Rog, quoting scripture left and right with an attitude of righteousness, this man had an agenda to ‘save’ us.

It is a contradiction to me that someone who espouses Jesus as their savior in the same breath does not respect my belief, but points the finger, tells me I’m wrong, and holds an attitude as ‘less than’ towards me. It’s clear that they really don’t get what the real deal is. This is how wars get started. This is operating from ego, not God.

I do not have to agree with you, but I need to respect you. We are all God’s children, all equal. If I am truly an emissary of God, I extend love, acceptance, and peace. The reminder and lesson (again) was that I also respect myself by not participating in other’s agendas. I think it is worthwhile to know where I stand on issues and to clarify my beliefs. But I’m not obligated to share those when asked, especially by a hostile, close-minded party. I have to keep my boundaries.

Today’s Daily Word is Grace. It is a good reminder that I do not need to be saved, I am already perfect and loved the way I am and there is nothing I need to do to earn God’s love.

“As a child I may have learned that I must earn all good things in life. In school, awards are handed out for special achievement; at work, promotions are given to high achievers. I may also have believed that God, too, rewards only those who make an extra effort.

“Grace teaches me that I am loved right where I am, regardless of what I have or have not done. I do not have to earn God's love. I do not have to achieve a certain status or reach a certain milestone to be loved. Right where I am, God loves me.”

Bless those who cross my path to remind me of my true God nature - even when unintended by them.

Relinquishment

I was reminded about trusting Spirit in an article by Catherine Marshall about the Law of Relinquishment, in essence, acceptance and surrender.

She says that "not even the Master Shepherd can lead if the sheep have not trust and insist on running ahead of Him or taking side paths or just stubbornly refusing to follow Him." How true - how can God help me if I have not trust in Him? The self-will must be given over to God.

“The Prayer of Relinquishment... does not let us lie down in the dust of a godless universe and steel ourselves just for the worst. Rather it says: "This is my situation at the moment. I'll face the reality of it. But I'll also accept willingly whatever a loving Father sends." Acceptance therefore never slams the door on hope.”

And for sure, getting into fear about a situation doesn’t help. “Fear is like a screen erected between us and God, so that His power cannot get through to us.” When we relinquish fear, God and His power - the supreme reality - fear evaporates. Once again, I’m either living in fear or I’m living in faith.

Dear Spirit -
You are my Source, my loving, all powerful Father. May I trust in You in all things, relinquishing my ego so that I may align with Your will, do Your good works, and dwell in peace.

Enlightenment

This morning, during coffee vacation with Rog, my ego got off into expressing itself, venting frustration, fear, and who knows what else. I certainly wasn’t in my right mind as I thought about my current life and what was going on in it, or for that matter, what was not going on it. I was far from being in the mode of acceptance, surrender or joy. I was in a hissy fit.

And so I had to chuckle when I listened to an audio file Rog had sent my way last night. In it, the speaker told the following story.

Edgar Cayce was asked “What is it to be enlightened?” He said, “Prior to enlightenment you would chop wood, build fire, and carry water. Then after enlightenment you would chop wood, build fire, and carry water. The only difference after enlightenment is you would enjoy the process.”

Well I certainly wasn’t thinking in an enlightened manner this morning when my ego took over. I may not always be a happy camper enjoying the process that my life is in the middle of these days. However, if I would ‘just’ stay focused in the Now, on God, I might be enlightened for the moment (my ego would lighten up). And, there I would find peace.

Serenity

My serenity is very dependent on my attitude.

When I hold an attitude of gratitude, I have serenity.

When I hold an attitude of joy, I have serenity.

When I hold an attitude of acceptance, I have serenity.

When I hold an attitude of love, I have serenity.

The list could go on and on, similar to when I draw up a gratitude list. And, simply going through the exercise is sufficient for me to feel serene. Ahhhh.