The River of Peace

On March 30, 2023 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Watercolor: http://www.sally-mckirgan.pixels.com

Doubt and especially self-doubt is the opposite of trust! When in doubt we are listening to intrusive negative self-talk. We need to assess ourselves from time to time; what you are doing, your plans etc. but you don’t have to get out the whips and chains and throw the acid of regret and blame on your Holy mind. Forgiveness is a choice; a gift you give yourself. What are you thinking? Is it true and even if it is, do you want to forgive and change your thoughts or remain miserable? Yes or No? If you answer is a weak “yes” then say it louder; louder yet, now scream it…..Y E S!!! If it is no then you are asking to stay in pain and misery of regret. Maybe you like pain because it means you can remain a victim and not be in charge of your thoughts. Is this you? How does pain serve you? Take an honest look and then ask yourself the question again: Do I want to change my self-talk? Do I want to stop believing the thoughts? Yes or No?

Whatever your circumstances you can watch your thoughts and then reject or change them. You no longer have to heed or believe everything you think. Change them for a better thought. For example here are a few:

I will find a good job;

I am capable and smart and great at what I do;

I know the perfect job, partner, or apartment will appear;

I am gifted and have a great personality;

I am friendly and compassionate;

I have a sense of humor and connect with people easily.

I don’t know what someone is thinking about me.

I will stop being fearful or project on others.

What I think of others is up to me.

I no longer judge others.

I swim and flow with the river of peace!

I trust my life is unfolding as it is supposed to.

I now forgive all situations and reverse my thinking.

I will now longer believe thoughts of fear and doubt.

I will replace all thoughts with peace.

To quiet your mind, visualize yourself swimming and floating in a lovely river on a beautiful sunny day. How does it feel? See yourself using your favorite stroke and gliding easily. Now swim through your thoughts like you swim in the water. Now float and decide you will float through the rest of the day in confidence, with trust and faith that the quiet mind of the Holy Spirit is available. Merely ask. His peace is always available. Worries and problems will arise but remember you are in the river of peace and grab the Holy Spirit or Jesus’s hand and float gently down the stream. Know you are safe and you understand how to handle the rapids of fear and doubt with Trust and Wisdom in the River of Peace.

Inspired by: A Course In Miracles, Workbook Lessons 33. There is another way of looking at the world and 34.I could see peace instead of this.

Author: The Gift of the Great Rays, Inner Peace Essays and A Course In Miracles and its Promise of Freedom – available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Softly: Gentleness &Kindness

On February 26, 2023 By SallyIn Uncategorized1 Comment

Recently I listened to the Southern Oregon Repertory Singers perform “Softly” on YouTube. It was composed with Christmas in mind by Will Todd, British Choral composer. However, we need its message throughout the year regardless of our Faith. Below is the YouTube link to their performance and the poem so you can read the words and experience the reality of the softness in your soul, the True spirit of your life.

It is a prayer put to music and it is humanities prayer. We need to be reminded of the mercy always available within our minds. Mercy for ourselves first of all and then extended and seen outside in the world we see. Our thoughts determine the world we see. In A Course In Miracles, early lessons, 16, 17 and 18 we are told that we project out onto the world, the thoughts we are holding and therefore create the world we see. Sounds crazy right? Either your thoughts extend the truth or illusions, love or fear, acceptance or judgment.

We think our thoughts are unimportant but they can be destructive to our peace especially when in a negative frame of mind and if so, you are “deciding” what you will see. If you are thinking thoughts of fear; worry; hate; judgment or condemnation; guilt or negativity you are projecting it out onto the world and coloring your life with the opposite of “softness.” Projection makes perception; you think it and then “see” it out in the world – thus no neutral thoughts. Mystics tell us we think we left God or Love, a negative act and came into the world rejecting love, so we see negativity until we realize we did not leave Love, It is still in us. We can change our “way” of seeing through eyes of fear to eyes of mercy and acceptance. We can see a kind world if we see through eyes of kindness. We will also see softness “out there” being softer.

Experiment with this idea. Decide to see everyone as a loving brother or sister; realize they are doing the best they can; see the rain as the gift it is; the traffic slow down as a gift to slow you down; a crazy driver as someone who is in fear; offer them love; and change judgment from separation to inclusion; think with your inner kindness and True Self. It is a gift you give yourself!

You can also offer kindness to our Home Planet by doing your best to learn how to keep it healthy. Check out www.wakeupworld.earth an educational tool friends Anita and Bob Dygert-Gearheart, formerly of Ashland have created.

Here are both the poem “Softly” and the YouTube link to the So. Or. Repertory Singers performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCSn2EZgdv4

SOFTLY by Will Todd

Softly sleeping, sent from heaven,

Shining light against the cold,

You will renew me, waken my soul.

Bring me out of darkness and waken my soul.

Word of God born in darkness,

Gift of wisdom from afar,

You will refresh me, open my heart;

Bring me out of darkness and open my heart.

And may Your light burn in me;

May Your love endless be.

May You be always with me.

Child of God, sleeping savior,

As You rest my world awaits,

Needing forgiveness,

Needing your kindness.

Now You have found me,

Waken my soul.

Bring me out of darkness and waken my soul.

With Love,

Sally

Author: The Gift of the Great Rays, Inner Peace Essays, A Course In Miracles and its Promise of Freedom. Available on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

You are Loved!

On December 27, 2022December 27, 2022 By SallyIn A Course In Miracles, forgiveness, Guilt, Uncategorized1 Comment

You are loved beyond the moon and the stars. You are held, comforted, surrounded by loving arms and have been and will always be. You are accepted just the way you are because you are perfect. No harm can ever come to you because all things are lessons you have come to learn…..and to forgive. Forgiveness offers everything you want. Forgiveness is to KNOW that you did the best you can.

When you are tempted to feel guilty about something you think you could have done, should have done or did or did not do or to hold a grievance – THAT is a PRESENT DECISION, you have made, TO HOLD ONTO IT. It is a decision, a way of justifing why you do not feel peace and LOVE right now. It is a way of saying “I’m not worthy, my mistake(s) are terrible and not to be forgiven.” You are holding on to the PAST IN THE PRESENT. You are making yourself miserable! This need not be!

That decision is a faulty decision and one you want to change.

No one is a perfect: mother, father, daughter, brother, sister, son, cousin, friend, colleague or neighbor…..freeway driver or annonymous individual you meet on the street or anywhere you go.

Say: “I can still be at peace even though I am not a perfect. No body is. Bodies are not perfect! The Mind Is! I forgive myself for my mistake(s) rather than looking at imperefection or listening to the ego lies. I now have the power to drop the painful memories and mistakes and I choose now to LET THEM GO AND REST IN THE LOVE THAT IS ALWAYS AND FOREVER MINE.”

You are a beautiful MIND. You share that MIND with the LOVE of the Universe! Spirit and Mind is your identiy and far above and beyond the ego. We cannot undo the past and we cannot ensure a happy future but we can do something about our choice to hold on to memories and grievances. Choose NOW TO LET THEM GO and be FREE. That is where your happiness lies.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Author: ‘The Gift of the Great Rays, Inner Peace Essays and A Course In Miracles and its Promise of Freedom.’ Available on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Disengage from the ego….Asap!

On October 22, 2022October 22, 2022 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

“To be free from the ego…..just drop the lesh!!”

The ego is TOTALLY wrong! It is a piece of flotsam and jetsam floating around in your Holy Mind. We come into this world and its voice is what we hear UNTIL we look at it, decide it is wrong and ask for HELP to “see” another way. The ego is usually always fear, mistrust, jealousy, judgment and something is thinks is love.

It makes us become suspicious of the world and what we “think” we see! We ask: Is this all there is? And Why? You may have a list of grievances that have accumulated since the first grade, right? Write them down on a piece of paper. That is all they are…..words on a piece of paper. You don’t have to carry them around and worship them OR continue to “believe it is still true” or pay homage to it or build a victim’s altar to the past in your mind! It is all from the ego and it is the past!

You do have an alternative. That alternative is also in your mind and it is called by many names: Holy Spirit, Truth, Grace, Wisdom, Voice of Truth, Intuition, The Answer and others. It came with you along with the ego however; the ego’s voice is loudest in the world. The alternative is healing; it is quiet, it is Peace. And it is the solution.

All you need to do is find time out of your busy day to be still. Go within to the quiet center. You will know it when you get there. Close your eyes take some deep breaths and go to the place where your mind is still. Thoughts may come but disregard them. Ask the inner wisdom, to “see” through the eyes of peace. Take one particular problem and say: “I need to see this differently. I want another way to see this.” This can be done even when there is chaos all around you, like screaming children, sirens, noise from a crowd or city streets. It only takes a minute to access the Peace that is always available in your mind.

Open to the possibility that help IS available. Change your belief that you are alone and dependent on the ego. You are NOT. Ask for the perspective of wisdom to come to you, the perspective of Peace!

We tend to see only the past because the ego keeps feeding it to us: Take a look at A Course In Miracles, Lesson 7. I see only the past. Most grievances are from the past.

https://acim.org/acim/lesson-7/i-see-only-the-past/en/s/409?wid=search&q=lesson%207

Here is the lesson. Just click on the “speaker” and listen. Take it in and it may not seem like it but we do carry the past our mind and it reflects, projects and “colors” the future. Be Free, look at it and realize it was nothing and let it go. Do not let guilt enter your mind. That is the ego voice coming through the back door!

God Bless

What to take to the REUNION

On August 28, 2022August 28, 2022 By SallyIn Uncategorized1 Comment

From: The James Webb telescope – 1 million miles above you or 1.5 kilometers!

Oh No! I wasn’t sure I wanted to go! After all it had been ?? years since I’ve seen these people!

I’m glad I went! It was “I” who had judged these people so many years ago…..time to drop all judgments!

It was “I” who decided – I was not “good enough, smart enough, rich enough or equal” to them.

It was “I” who judged each of them – mostly better than I. It was I who separated myself!

I don’t know what they thought about me and I have learned since is that it’s none of my business either! I wish I had known that way back then! So here is what to take or let go of – as you go to your reunion! Half of our problem is:

What do they think about me?

The other half is: What do I think about them!

Who Cares??? Reallly???

Decide you will have a wonderful time. It is up to you to decide this before you go because it will set you up for just that! Decide you will have a good experience and it is a worthwhile thing to do and you will enjoy, aka being “in joy”.
Decide you will drop all past judgments you have had about people! You will no longer see the “past” in them but only the Present! Let the past go…..it is gone anyway, no longer here and never to return!
Decide you will not let your past judgments cast any shadow on NOW! Besides your past judgments were probably wrong. Forgive the past, be free of it and have the peace of NOW…..right NOW! You can do this.
Go with an open heart and mind. Relax! Accept how things are NOW and not how they WERE. Love is here right NOW. Acceptance is here right NOW
Go with Faith in yourself and in them…. when you see someone you haven’t seen in awhile ask: What have you done since? ……..High school?……College? or been doing…….since I last saw you. Open them up to bring you up to date with their lives.
Go with Trust…….Trust in your Goodness…..Trust in their Goodness. Go with Love……Trust in Truth! God Bless – A Course In Miracles: Lesson 7. I see only the past.
Lesson 7. I see only the past https://acim.org/acim/lesson-7/i-see-only-the-past/en/s/409?wid=search&q=lesson%207

The James Webb telescope – looking into the past

Why Worry? This need not be!

On August 22, 2022 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

The Courage Bench – Sits at Westpoint, overlooking the Hudson River

I don’t know about you but there are several things going on in my life and in our Country’s life that make me worry. I worry about the division that is making people blind these days. Maybe it has always been and always will be BUT I don’t have to buy into it and take sides. But my ego wants to of course.

The Course reminds us to “look within” and realize it is my choice to be worried but….this need not be! Since it is a choice I don’t have to choose it…..do I? What part of my mind is choosing? Where is my decision maker? A few days ago I caught a thought; actually it was a judgment (condemnation) about a person who was obese. I caught the thought and said “I don’t have to think this or believe this thought – I don’t choose it.” It was disturbing to think it! I stopped the ego – this need not be!

“When your mood tells you that you have chosen wrongly, and this is so whenever you are not joyous, then know this need not be. ³In every case you have thought wrongly about some brother God created, and are perceiving images your ego makes in a darkened glass.”(ACIM, T-4.IV.2:2-3)

That was it! I started seeing the beauty in that individual and the fine intelligent mind that out shown the form in every way. The judgment turned to acceptance and then opened to love.

One night I was worried sick about my son who was very late getting home. I finally decided I would put him in “God’s Hands” and let it go. This need not be!! I went to bed. Everything was fine and even if it turned out differently, he was in God’s Hands forever where I had placed him. The truth is WE, you and I are in God’s Hands too! If we are in God’s Hands then what is there to worry about? “

“Search sincerely for what you have done and left undone accordingly, and then change your mind to think with God’s. ⁶This may seem hard to do, but it is much easier than trying to think against it. ⁷Your mind is one with God’s. ⁸Denying this and thinking otherwise has held your ego together, but has literally split your mind.” (ACIM, T-4.IV.2:5-8)

Denying that we are One with God has left us bereft and lonely. When I am worried I am also sad because I made a mistake and wonder what the consequences will be and then that makes me anxious. This is all 1000% ego thoughts!

“When you are sad, know this need not be. ²Depression comes from a sense of being deprived of something you want and do not have. ³Remember: you are deprived of nothing except by your own decisions, and then decide otherwise. When you are anxious, realize that anxiety comes from the capriciousness of the ego, and know this need not be. ²You can be as vigilant against the ego’s dictates as for them.” (ACIM, T-4.IV.3:1–4:2)

And then I feel guilty because of the mistake – The Course tells us that only the ego can experience guilt and I am not my ego and neither are you!

“When you feel guilty, remember that the ego has indeed violated the laws of God, but you have not. ²Leave the “sins” of the ego to me. ³That is what Atonement is for. ⁴But until you change your mind about those whom your ego has hurt, the Atonement cannot release you. ⁵While you feel guilty your ego is in command, because only the ego can experience guilt. This need not be. Watch your mind for the temptations of the ego, and do not be deceived by it. ²It offers you nothing.” (ACIM, T-4.IV.5:1–6:2)

The Course mentions “sin” in the above paragraph and defines sin as lack of love! That’s it! I’m not sure what Jesus means when he says “to leave the ego to him” but I trust he has a good plan. And the “Atonement” means that we are called upon to Remember we are One with God….That’s it!! You don’t have to give yourself lashes with a whip or “atone” in some other way. We just need to re-member or re-attach ourselves to the memory of God…..we never left God! We SEEM to find ourselves alone in the world without him. Not True! He is with you and will be with you Always because He is in your Mind and always will be.

“Watch your mind for the temptations of the ego, and do not be deceived by it. ²It offers you nothing. ³When you have given up this voluntary dis-spiriting, you will see how your mind can focus and rise above fatigue and heal.” (ACIM, T-4.IV.6:1-3)

DECIDE – to Watch your mind, all thoughts that judge and separate, negative and good thoughts both separate you from others and are dis-spiriting. We are no longer in SPIRIT.

The Course says this is a HABIT to be developed if you let your mind slip, and feel moody, just look and see what you have thought that God would not have thought. Forgive – letting it go! You are FREE!

See Chapter 4. Section IV. This Need Not Be!!

God Bless – you ARE LOVED!!

ONE KINDNESS A DAY…..

On July 6, 2022 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

“One kindness a day keeps the Dr. away” Instead of an apple a day, one kindness a day will keep the Doctor away because when we give, we receive! Try it! I called a Senator who was receiving hate messages from those who disagree with him and told him he is doing a great job and he is appreciated and loved!

I hope the staff passes the message on but whether they do or not, I have sent the message with my heart and mind. I still have that message even though I “gave” it; I have it because when you give you receive! What do you think you receive when you are hold hate in your mind? Guilt!

If we give hope, acceptance and appreciation daily then we have them for ourselves.

You don’t need to say it out loud either. You can hold it in your mind because on some level minds are joined because we are One. Send love to someone you have held a grievance about or perhaps they have passed on. Maybe someone you detest! In that way you release yourself from the hold you have placed on the love that you are. Maybe they insulted you or snubbed you or called you a name. So what? They have a problem, don’t make it yours too.

Those who hate are in pain. Their judgment locks them in a prison of pain and separation. The people who left their message of hate on the Senator’s voice mail did not get rid of their hate just because they “left” the message. They still carry the hate in their mind and heart. They are in fear and need love. They reject love because they are afraid of it. Send them love anyhow. Refuse to hate and sully your beautiful holy mind, which by the way cannot really ever be stained.

When you find yourself upset, disgusted or hating someone STOP! Say: This is the ego’s choice not mine! I refuse to carry this judgment. Then look within to see what the problem is and admit it is also in you. Would you blame yourself for this ego mistake? You are not your ego. So don’t blame them either. If you want peace always go within and listen to the “small still voice”; the voice of the Holy Spirit; Love; mercy; Truth and Kindness. It is always available if we will listen. This is forgiveness and it offers everything you want.

Do yourself a kindness: Forgive and you will be well….all the days of your life!!

Prints of the painting; “Dafodill Love” are available at: http://www.sally-mckirgan.pixels.com

Here is A Course In Miracles, Workbook Lesson 282. I will not be afraid of love today

https://acim.org/acim/lesson-282/i-will-not-be-afraid-of-love-today/en/s/700?wid=search&q=lesson%20282

You are LOVED!!

Merry-Go-Round or Ego-Go-Round

On June 1, 2022June 11, 2022 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

THE CHOICE IS YOURS: HEAVEN OR???!

We have a choice to make every second of the day: Am I to believe this thought that is crossing my mind? Is it a thought of inclusion or separation? How does it make me feel? Am I at peace. Can I look at this thought and say…..”No….not interested.”

A thought can lead us to pain and suffering OR Peace!

We can change it with the power that is given us and ask for HELP to see it differently.

We have help via ‘A Course In Miracles’ Lesson 151, All things are echoes of the Voice for God.

In paragraph 4.2.”You have often been urged to refrain from judging, not because it is a right to be withheld from you. You cannot judge. You merely can believe the ego’s judgments all of which are false. It guides your senses carefully, to prove how weak you are; how helpless and afraid, how apprehensive of just punishment, how black with sin, how wretched in your guilt.” Do we listen and believe it?

The ego has our attention but that need not be! We have judged others and ourselves our entire life and believe we are right and know what is true. We were born with a gavel in our fat little hand, leveling judgments as if we were sitting on the “Judge’s bench” knowing everything there is to know about something or someone.

That gavel was bestowed to our hands by the ego, the split off part of our mind that separated from God. And not knowing any better, we listened and believed it. We never thought to question that maybe the stream of thoughts emanating were not really our thoughts! We didn’t know any better. I know, it sounds complicated but just remember: You are Loved and God’s Son regardless of how you see yourself.

Then the Course says that the ego “projects itself onto you.” “This thing it speaks of, and would yet defend, it tells you is yourself. BUT “It is itself alone that it condemns. It is within itself it sees the guilt. It is its own despair it sees in you.” The ego projects its inadequacies and condemnations onto YOU. It does not know anything because it is unsure of itself!

It’s kind of like a blustering Cowardly Lion in Wizard of Oz, so unsure of himself but can never let anyone know his secret….He’s scared and unsure!

But we have believed the thoughts of separation; sin i.e. error, guilt and fear and have done the ego’s work of projecting the ego’s condemnation and despair out onto the world and onto others to get rid of it. We just pass the ego’s judgments along like a puppet doing its bidding UNTIL we decide “Enough of this Ugliness” “STOP with the Baby Business, like Ken Wapnick tells us!!”

I find this to be amazing…….all my life listening to the wrong voice and believing it, until I came across the Course In Miracles, and I know I still listen to it because I catch myself….a lot!! I am responsible for what I think or what I believe from the ego point of view. I must over-ride those thoughts. Like Byron Katie asks: Is that True??? If coming from the ego it is NOT True!

So….now what! Lesson 152. The power of decision is my own! No one can suffer loss unless it be his own decision. No one can grieve nor fear, nor think him sick unless these are the outcomes that he wants. No one dies without his own consent.” And in paragraph 9. We lay aside the arrogance (of the ego) which says that we are guilty, and afraid, ashamed of what we are; and lift our hearts in true humility instead to Him Who has created us in power and in love.” We CHOOSE to drop the hand of the ego and reach for Jesus’. We stop believing the ego thoughts! Now!

“And in humility the radiance of God’s Son, my gentleness, my perfect sinlessness, my Father’s Love, is my right to Heaven and release from hell, is joyously accepted as my own.” Take this in and own it!

We have the power of choice! It means freedom! We are a Decision Making Mind, and we can stop believing the stream of lies that are fed to us. We can encourage our frightened mind with this:

“The power of decision is my own.

This day I will accept myself as what my Father’s Will created me to be.”

“Then will we wait in silence, giving up the ego’s self-deception as we humbly ask our Self that He reveal Himself to us. In patience wait for Him (the Holy Spirit) throughout the day, and invite him hourly. He will substitute the peace of God for all your frantic ego thoughts ( of worry , fear, doubt, guilt) the Truth of God for self-deceptions, and God’s Son for your illusions of yourself.”

Little by little we become the Light of the World as we undo the blocks and recognize Love’s Presence is within, waiting to be acknowledged.

You are Loved!!

Here are the lessons – close your eyes, quiet your Holy Mind and play to listen to them.

https://acim.org/acim/lesson-151/all-things-are-echoes-of-the-voice-for-god/en/s/557?wid=search&q=151

Lesson 151 – All things are echoes of the voice for God.

https://acim.org/acim/lesson-152/the-power-of-decision-is-my-own/en/s/558?wid=search&q=152

Lesson 152 – The power of decision is my own

Who or What Am I?

On May 19, 2022 By SallyIn Uncategorized1 Comment

Who or What am I?

As we negotiate our lives we do wonder who we are.

We have many gifts and perhaps foibles and we wonder who we are.

We make mistakes (never call them sins) and we wonder who we are.

Are you L.G.B.T.Q or? Are you black, white, brown or? But you still wonder who am I, or what am I.

Do you know what you are?

This is what you are:

You are the Holy Son of God regardless of how you identify your body, male, female, straight, L.G.B.T.Q or your ethnicity!!! This is the Truth! Accept it because you are MORE than a body. You are Spirit first!

This is the truth regardless of what your sexual identity, ethnicity, cultural background or white, black, brown, yellow or red!

FACT: You are loved, complete, healed and whole and any uncertainty about that is self-deception.

Do not deny this reality regardless of how you self-identify, or how you see yourself or think others see you. You are a Holy Son of God regardless of what they think, how they see you or judge you and you are This over and above any other self-identification imposed upon you. Holy Son of God comes first!

And regardless of how others self-identify they too are a Holy Son of God, the same as you. Love them because as you judge them, you judge yourself. As you Love them; you love yourself.

And…..this is important: As you hate them you hate yourself.

You are God’s Son in whom he is well pleased! You are his Son regardless of what your doubting split mind may tell you. The ego part of your mind is what has doubts and it is insidious and not your friend. Do not listen to it. Tell it what you are instead.

See A Course In Miracles Workbook Lesson 139. I will accept Atonement for myself.

www.https://acim.org/acim/lesson-139/i-will-accept-atonement-for-myself/en/s/544 (paste in browser)

Click on the “Listen” button and close your eyes, lean back and relax.

Tip: Atonement is defined in the Course as: The separation from God that never occurred. This is different from what some religions teach: that you have done something wrong. You have done nothing wrong but you need to remember you are as God created you; ONE with GOD; have always been and will always be and so is everyone else.

Painting Title: Take Jesus off the Cross – prints & cards available at: https://sally-mckirgan@pixels.com

Just remember when you are down or upset or in self-doubt: I AM LOVED!!

To enjoy the journey: Ask for….

On April 13, 2022April 16, 2022 By SallyIn Uncategorized1 Comment

It is hard to believe that it us up to us to “save” ourselves. What?? HELP! I want someone else to do it. To fix me, love me, tell me I’m loveable, accepted, cared for, protected from all harm, and make me feel secure in the knowledge that all….IS WELL.

We are unaware most of the time that life is a journey, and we have a split mind. But if you are suffering it is probably because of your thinking! Thoughts of judgment, worry, concerns, stress fear, tell you that you are listening to the wrong mind, i.e. the ego. It is the holy mind within that we need to access and listen to, that tells us All Is WELL. Ask for HELP to think the quite thoughts. The Holy Spirit in your Holy Mind won’t shout at you. It won’t attack with….”you should know better.” That is the false, ego mind.

The memory of love aka God comes to the quiet mind. On a scale from 1 to 10%, with 10% being the greatest….how much attention do you give to quieting your mind? Maybe 2% or 5% or none?

This is why we are our saviors. We save ourselves when we access our right mind to take over our daily tasks and thoughts. But we need help because the ego always speaks first. The Course In Miracles says “ask the Holy Spirit” for help. The Holy Spirit is a gift from God or the door to our “right mind.” That is where peace and comfort can be accessed. It’s not in the world, going to the movies, shopping, etc.

“Yet you can ask for everything of the Holy Spirit, because your requests to Him are real, being of your right mind. Would the Holy Spirit deny the Will of God? ” (ACIM, T-9.I.10:6-8)

For example, I recently had to do something I was dreading. When I noticed the ego thoughts running in my mind, I made the decision to change my mind. I called upon the “Holy Spirit” and said I want to see this differently. What came to me was to take “love” with me, carrying it like a “hostess gift” and seeing everyone and circumstances through the eyes of non-judgment and peace. It was an easy afternoon using the gift and you have that gift too.

If you are not familiar with the Course the idea of a “Holy Spirit” may seem strange but….watch your mind and if you see a split between, good/bad, love/hate, friend/foe, misery/peace then you are noticing the split. Just watch how you are feeling, what’s going on in your mind. How do you feel? You are the “Decision Maker” ie. the boss! It is up to you to ask, to lead the way and not follow the ego’s thoughts that lead to no where!

But you have to watch your thoughts. You must be vigilant for those little wisps of unease and if you follow them they grow and become bigger. Don’t judge yourself or make it a big deal, but just tell yourself you are choosing another way.

In A Course In Miracles, Chapter 27. Section VIII, The Hero of the Dream, paragraph 10. (Text page 587) “The secret of salvation is but this: That you are doing this unto yourself.” All judgment makes me miserable. Watch the parade of thoughts, wave, and let them go and ask for another way to see the situation. Ask for HELP!

Art available at sally-mckirgan.pixels.com — “*Help Holy Spirit* ” a reminder to ask by Sally McKirgan

Posters, cards and fliers available at: sally-mickirgan.pixels.com –

Accept: Should or Could

On February 15, 2022February 19, 2022 By SallyIn Uncategorized1 Comment

What “should” I do today? I should wash the kitchen floor; vacuum the living room; check my email for messages, pay some bills and oodles of other things that are needed or….. go for a hike?

I could knock on my neighbor’s door (mask on) introduce myself and tell them I don’t care if they are Democrats or Republican’s, and I don’t care if they are for guns or for fun; or if they are vaxed or not; for choice or not; religious or not; or black, white, brown, yellow, red or purple, I don’t care because we are equal beings of light and love and that is the Truth and Really, LOVE is all that matters.

I could surround the Russian troops gathered at the border of Ukraine with light and love and visualize angles hovering over them telling them that love is stronger than fear because it heals

I could surround every Senator that I now disagree with and who annoys me, with love and light and forgive them for they know not what they do……and neither do I.

I don’t know what anything is for…….except for Forgiveness.

A Course In Miracles Lesson 46. “God is the Love in which I forgive.” This lesson tells us that God does not forgive because He has never condemned, and forgiveness is the great need of this world because it is a world of illusions and that those who forgive as thus releasing themselves from illusions! (And gaining peace by the way!)

As we condemn only ourselves, so do we forgive only ourselves.

What I could do today is…….. forgive. What you could do today is……. forgive. Will I? Will you?

Well why not?

https://acim.org/acim/lesson-46/god-is-the-love-in-which-i-forgive/en/s/448?wid=search&q=46

Prints and art available by Sally McKirgan – www.https://sally-mckirgan.pixels.com

Valentines Day: Activate your DNA

On February 4, 2022February 19, 2022 By SallyIn Uncategorized1 Comment

The Gift of DNA on Valentine’s Day

“God does not hate anyone. Those who preach hate towards any group do not speak for God.” Anonymous

The above message, hand written on cardboard appeared on PBS evening news hour, January 27^th. It was one of several handmade signs lovingly placed with flowers on a New York city street honoring two young Harlem policemen who had been shot and killed.

The message gives me faith that amazing Truth is present even on the pavement of a city street – God only Loves. There is no hate, condemnation or for that matter any notice of skin color, religion, profession, wealth or sexual preference in God. God “sees” nothing because as far as we know of that mystery God does not have “eyes” or a body but is always extending love. It is just bodies that have judgment problems.

Even if we haven’t laid eyes on this mystery called God, every coin and paper dollar in the United States of America says We Trust in God. Do we? Think of the sayings: God willing; God help me and “God bless America” uttered by every American President. Saying: God Bless You/him/them it means: “God loves you/him/them.” Not everyone may believe in God but do appreciate love. English poet and theologian, Edward Young 1683 – 1765 in his poetic book, Night Thoughts said: “By night an atheist half believes in God.”

Valentine’s Day reminds us of romantic love but includes the love of friendship, acceptance, gratitude and unity. What kind of a world would we have if love was absent? Love came with our DNA. It is baked into our being. A mother and father hold their child and what instantly shows up? When my youngest son held his newborn son he said “Mom, I’m in Love!” A son/daughter holds the hand of their dying Father and even if they’ve had differences, what shows up? No person living, dead or yet to come, can exist without love. It may be buried in a grievous life, but the spark is there. Even Hitler loved something: art.

There is evidence of community love everywhere these days in the hospital workers; scientists finding solutions to Covid; policemen; firemen, Mom’s and Dad’s driving children to school, working to support themselves. Love is when we help a friend; neighbor; volunteer; donate to charity; homeless those in need and more. Regardless of circumstances no one can be a loser with an inheritance of love. We are all winners because along with love comes its gentle guidance. No one is exempt. Life is challenging. We all want to feel peaceful, to love and be loved. When I stop judging anyone, those I know, don’t know, present now or passed, that with condemnation stopped I relax, love enters and forgiveness follows naturally.

Consider rising above the battleground of political divisions; masking; vaccinations and ignore the opinions and confusion on TV, internet, social media and go within for the guidance love offers. This Valentine’s Day join me in offering love to everyone no matter whom they are or where they stand on an issue. Love them anyway.

When we give love, there is always more to give and we are IN love. Enjoy the gift of your inheritance. Happy Valentine’s Day!

A Course In Miracles – Text Chapter 1. pg. 14

https://acim.org/acim/chapter-1/the-illusion-of-needs/en/s/58?wid=search&q=perfect%20love%20casts%20out

All aspects of fear are untrue because they do not exist at the creative level, and therefore do not exist at all. ²To whatever extent you are willing to submit your beliefs to this test, to that extent are your perceptions corrected. ³In sorting out the false from the true, the miracle proceeds along these lines:

⁴Perfect love casts out fear.
⁵If fear exists, then there is not perfect love.
⁶But:

⁷Only perfect love exists.
⁸If there is fear, it produces a state that does not exist.

⁹Believe this and you will be free. ¹⁰Only God can establish this solution, and this faith is His gift. (ACIM, T-1.VI.5:1-10)

www.https://sally-mckirgan.pixels.com – art work and paintings

YOU ARE LOVED

On January 20, 2022February 19, 2022 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Please lean back and relax wherever you are.

Repeat slowly several times: I am loved…..Love surrounds me….I am safe I offer love

Now close your eyes and repeat the above over and over.

You are held safely by the Universe for all time. You are eternal, you are innocent, you are loved.

When we extend love, we feel safe!

Love makes us safe. No matter where you go in this crazy world and especially if you feel fearful of something or someone…….think love; send love to everyone!

Do this practice everyday somewhere; at the bank; driving; on the subway; washing your hair; on the computer; on the phone. The more love you send…..the more you will have!

I love you!

www.https://sally-mckirgan.pixels.com – Art work and paintings

Storage Locker for Love & Appreciation

On October 30, 2021October 30, 2021 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Every time something happens to us, something traumatic or hurtful, it is stored away in a locker called resentments and grievances. Those memories keep coming up because that’s the ego’s job, i.e. to continue looping the grievances, hurts and upsets thus keeping love far, far away.

When am I not ruling my mind, the thoughts, feelings, upsets and forgiving which is most of the time, I am listening to the ego. When something nice occurs, the ego easily dismisses it because “you’re not worthy of love so don’t pay attention to that kindness for Heaven’s sake.”

The solution: Have a storage locker for love and appreciation. Be vigilant for them and replay and then give it away. When you receive, and give you have! Appreciate and love yourself, allow it and let it in. The ego will dismiss but don’t accept that thought.

When we judge, (that thought comes from the ego) it is an attack. It is an attack on your mind, your identity. See that and say “No!” I have no need to judge this! “Holy Spirit: What? Help me here.”

The ego doesn’t notice or give any credence to love. It dismisses kindnesses and hangs on to the grievances or the upsets.

But you are responsible for all thoughts. The ego is not your boss! The mind is healed by love, by embracing Love, noticing Love; letting Love In.

Love heals. Your mind is perfect, complete and whole. You are the Decision Maker and you have the power to give love to everything your five senses perceive: see, touch, hear, smell, tastes or thinks of.

For example the January 6^th attack on the U.S. Capitol, if you stand above the battleground and send love to all those who were attacked and those who attacking, you are healing your mind. We don’t know what things are for. Everyone in that situation needs love, the whole country needs love. When you send love you are free and out of the judgment zone. I can’t say I appreciate the situation but I can appreciate the love I now feel. Whether you agree with the attackers or not, you are free because in are remembering love.

When we are in fear, angry, depressed, upset, remembering a grievance, we are listening to the ego, the fear and judgment producer. RECOGNIZE that you don’t want that anymore and ask the Holy Spirit to help you move into the Love column. That is your power!

Forgiveness is for bodies!

We remember resentments because we haven’t forgiven the past, the incidents or traumas. They have a way of sticking because fear and adrenaline is activated and we identify with the body. We fear for our lives or others. Maybe it was a “close call” that could have changed lives forever or maybe it did. Something BIG and important is so disturbing that it is imbedded in our psyche.

There are no accidents as it turns out. So whatever happened we now have the challenge of accepting, dealing with it and forgiving everyone and everything involved. We need to see how everything is for our best interests. We don’t always accept this but ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Where is the Love? Look for the love! It is there somewhere.

Allow Love and Gratitude to be at the top of your storage locker, the things to remember list. Love is never a little thing! Things may seem little but when we appreciate them, the love flows in.

If we develop an “attitude of gratitude” the big traumas won’t seem so big and awful. They will be superseded by the nice, the quiet; the sweet and touching moments.

In A Course In Miracles Manual #23. Does Jesus have a special place in healing? Pg. 58. p.4. s. 6. “And gratitude to God becomes the way in which He is remembered, for love cannot be far behind a grateful heart and thankful Mind.”

What has occurred recently that you forgot to add to your list? Today I received an appreciation note; it came out of the blue. The other day a gentleman looked at me and smiled. I don’t know why I just now remembered it but I do remember noticing his smile and smiling back and now I send appreciation and love back because I have them and I can give.

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson 236 – I rule my mind, which I alone must rule.

1. I have a kingdom I must rule. ²At times, it does not seem I am its king at all. ³It seems to triumph over me, and tell me what to think, and what to do and feel. ⁴And yet it has been given me to serve whatever purpose I perceive in it. ⁵My mind can only serve. ⁶Today I give its service to the Holy Spirit to employ as He sees fit. ⁷I thus direct my mind, which I alone can rule. ⁸And thus I set it free to do the Will of God.

2. Father, my mind is open to Your Thoughts, and closed today to every thought but Yours. ²I rule my mind, and offer it to You. ³Accept my gift, for it is Yours to me.

(https://acim.org/acim/en/s/649#1:1-2:3 | W-236.1:1–2:3)

God Is!

Happy August Birthday to me!

On August 23, 2021 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Birthday’s have a way of creeping up even though I have always tried to deny the dreaded approach. Do you remember in grade school the practice was that we were to be spanked for the number of years accumulated? For that reason I always was grateful that my birthday arrived BEFORE school started. In those years it was September but now they have moved the start date into August.

Are we born only to die? And if so Why? That was my waking thought on the morning of a recent Birthday! “What a revolting development this is,” as a character on TV used to say in disgust. Can it be that we are born, enter the body and the world only to ultimately march steady and directly to our death? What a (bad) joke!

First we are born helpless and totally dependent on others for our care. Second, growing up you realize gradually that you have to figure out how to take care of yourself. (I’m still learning.) Growing up is not easy as there are a lot of hoops to jump through. Looking back, I realize I’ve had it easier than many in the world simply because I was born in America.

However, regardless of our ethnicity or gender we are all in the same boat, regardless if we are Democrats, Republicans, Christian; Muslim, Jewish; Atheists; Buddhists; Hindus or no religion. No one is getting out alive and everyone is fighting a hard battle!

Who created this world? Would a God that is Changeless, Eternal, and All Love, have you accumulate some knowledge, express your gifts, overcome challenges, suffer from an illness or accident and then die – kaput – the end? Would a loving God create that kind of scenario?

This is the ego’s world and it is a “bad joke.” God has had nothing to do with it. That thought:”God has nothing to do with it” is the cool breeze on the fevered cheek. This is the ego’s world where it alone rules. It is not True and it is not Real. The only thing in this whole world that is True and Real is Loving Thought. The only reason you are here is to forgive and consequently remember the Loving Thoughts held within your powerful decision making mind.

The ego does not want you to know you have a mind period, let alone a decision making one. In coming to this world the ultimate lesson is to find and follow your inner truth with the beautiful decision making mind that you have. The ego will come up with ways to “seek and do not find.” There are always distractions, carrots and dilemmas that it insists will make you happy and offer up zillions of ideas. Everyone, no matter the lessons that their soul came to learn, has entered a dream, an illusion, and in this world EVERYONE has the same problem. We think we are separate from God, i.e. Love. That is the only problem – our wrong thinking. The good news is: It is not true.

In summing up this Birthday thought: The ego is a parasite attached to the mind. It’s not who we are. It made up a world and bodies that die to separate from Love. If we choose it, which we all did when we came here, it will fill us with doubt, hatred, misery littleness or specialness and grandiosity and throw in a little piece of happiness now and then to keep you going. But it is not True. Only Loving Thought is True. Laugh at the ego and remember that as you go through your life’s lesson, forgive yourself for all mistakes, yours and theirs, and for coming into this illusion, and dream the best dream you can!

There is no death! The eternal cannot die. Realize, what and who you are; embrace the glorious love within that is changless, eternal that will never die. Learn that you are NOT the body! It is not your identity. You are changless, eternal, loving, Spirit and one with God and Every ONE who lives now, has ever lived, or yet to come. Feel the love and be embraced in the light that lasts forever.

You are totally guiltless! Enjoy some Happy Birthday Peace along with your cake!

See A Course In Miracles Lesson 97 – I am spirit!!

” Spirit am I, a holy Son of God , free of all limits, safe and

healed and whole, free to forive and free to save the world.”

https://acim.org/acim/lesson-97/i-am-spirit/en/s/501?wid=search&q=97

Pigheadedness: Who Me???

On May 1, 2021August 9, 2021 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Fisherman's and hunter's shacks, watercolor. Sally McKirgan. — *Fisherman’s and hunter’s shacks, watercolor. Sally McKirgan.*

As Course In Miracles students we know better than to project
our ego darkness on others… right?

Stubbornness, mulishness; pigheadedness and obstinacy: My thesaurus has numerous adjectives for what holding your knee on someone’s neck for over 9 minutes describes. Police Officer Derek Chauvin was unable to be swayed by onlookers in Minneapolis, because he was certain he was right and no one was going to tell him what to do. He demonstrated what it means to be right rather than happy. He could have chosen differently.

I am sure he is sorry on some level. Maybe at least for being found guilty but we may never know. I’m sorry for what he did and for people and children of the world to witness that horror. Evidentially it was inevitable and time for the world to know the truth. He showed the incorrigible treatment of a black brother and the tremendous fear of authority the police present not only to them but to everyone. He also showed us the stubborn hot anger along with zero ability to step back take a breath and consider what he was doing. I wonder how he would have treated a white brother?

But after reflection and being conscious of my projections, I ask myself if I have I been angered to the point of being stupid? Am I projecting my own unregulated anger and dislike onto him? Have I ever done a stupid thing in the name of thinking I’m right. Like the erratic driver on the Interstate, weaving in and out of traffic, endangering others. Should I chase him and wave my fist in anger? Have I ever driven erratically? Sure but I’m not proud of it.

Have I ever pinned someone down and placed my knee on their neck? That is an extreme question to ask but we need to understand that what others do; we also are capable of, maybe not that extreme, but anger is anger, hate is hate. We see in others, what we believe we are incapable of and it’s called projection. It was a horrid thing but the ego part of our mind can never be trusted. When in anger we will not do the right thing. We need to take our personal temperature. Am I upset? It is up to me to change my mind to calm down and choose peace or at least start to approach the doorway to it. Consciously ask: Do I like how I feel? If Chauvin could have asked that and allowed himself a moment of insight, he could have changed his life and saved the life of George Floyd.

Stubbornness is a wonderful thing to change and stubbornness is always of the ego, the false mind. I know policing must be hard and they are trained to react quickly. Parents are actually in that position from time to time. We have rules in society of right and wrong; ethics; stupidly out of control. A mind can be calmed when reason; love and mercy are considered: Do I like how I feel? He had plenty of time to change his mind, nine minutes of it. When is enough, enough? Chauvin showed us what happens when the ego is in charge of a locked dungeon trapped mind.

As students of the Course we are asked to give up.

When we judge we separate ourselves from others and really, it is like holding a knee on their neck. We trap them with our mind, our thoughts. We limit others by our thoughts when we could offer acceptance instead. We also trap ourselves because what we see, we also have. It is our ego or false self that is “seeing” and not the Holy Mind we share with everyone.

The amazing thing about this “dream” is that the entire world watched and knew what Chauvin did was horribly wrong. The goodness and innate ethics imbedded in our soul (thank God) knew what was right. By looking at his pigheadedness i.e. error, we can see our own and choose another way. I am hopeful because it means the many versions of the Golden Rule are alive and well and working in the world. Yay for Jesus….Yay for God!!!

You are a Holy Son of God; Chauvin is a Holy Son of God; George Floyd is a Holy Son of God, and now in a place where there is no death. We are all innocent in the eyes of God, we are on our way Home, it is guaranteed.

You are there… on this tree! Which blossom are you?

The Truth is: You are as innocent as the lovely blossoms on this tree. You are an “innocent” who has come to learn lessons; now willing to look at the false ego with Jesus; holding his hand; feeling loved and waiting… waiting for the voice of reason and solace and refusing to judge. Judgment would never come from Jesus.

Your chosen home is on the other side, beyond the veil. ²It has been carefully prepared for you, and it is ready to receive you now. ³You will not see it with the body’s eyes. ⁴Yet all you need you have. ⁵Your home has called to you since time began, nor have you ever failed entirely to hear. ⁶You heard, but knew not how to look, nor where. ⁷And now you know. ⁸In you the knowledge lies, ready to be unveiled and freed from all the terror that kept it hidden. ⁹There is no fear in love. (ACIM, T-20.II.8:1-9)

Spring Forward into Peace

On March 28, 2021August 2, 2021 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Sea Ranch Iris, watercolor. Sally McKirgan

This month we all set our clocks ahead one hour for daylight savings time. I love it. More Light!!! We need more light in our lives. One way to have more light in our lives is look at and let go of the darkness, daily. Actually moment by moment.

If you cannot access peace you may be on “rewind” and replaying hurtful events from the past. Examine and see if something is bothering you from an hour ago, yesterday or last week?

Are you happy being stuck on automatic thinking about an event, old or new? Are you replaying blame, pain and guilt? Was it their fault or yours? If it was your fault you feel guilty. If it was theirs, you feel victimized. Neither are very happy making!

Why is your mind doing the replaying? Ask Yourself: Do I want peace and joy rather than guilt or victimhood? If the answer is Peace and Joy, then STOP acknowledging or listening to the replay.

STOP listening to the ego. The ego is the part of the mind that is always on replay, fear, negative, self doubt, envy, grievances, etc. It’s purpose is to keep you from realizing your true innocent Self, to keep you from peace.

You have a Beautiful Holy Mind, a Decider! START to “overlook” the disturbing limiting negative thoughts and instead say: “I choose to look at this another way for the sake of my own peace.” You do not have to believe your thoughts. They are coming from the insane ego part of your mind. Listen to Holy Spirit, the guide that was given all of us at the point when we separated from God. He was placed there as the alternative to the ego. You can ask for help and choose which part of your mind you will listen to; the voice for peace or the voice for love.

If you are holding a grievance against someone….it is held in your MIND! You are trapped in the grievance with them. Are you happy? Tell them in your mind and include yourself:

“My brother/sister/: peace and joy I offer you, That I may have God’s peace and joy as mine.”

See A Course In Miracles Workbook Lesson 105.

We don’t realize that if we hold a grudge or a judgement against someone, that we are in effect, denying peace to our Self. If you hold it in your mind, you are victimizing yourself, causing your own suffering.

Do you think your brother is suffering? We don’t know but we know you are. Would you say to that brother?

“My brother/sister/myself: misery and suffering I offer you, That I may have misery and suffering as well.

You have a powerful and Holy Mind at your disposal. The Holy Sprit will take your hand and guide you as you look at any and all thoughts. This looking is forgiveness.

shawn tulips 4

From A Course In Miracles, 1. What Is Forgiveness: p.4. Forgiveness, on the other hand, is still, and quietly does nothing. It offends no aspect of reality, nor seeks to twist it to appearances it likes. It merely looks, and waits, and judges not. He who would not forgive must judge, for he must justify his failure to forgive. But he who would forgive himself must learn to welcome truth exactly as it is.

Accept that peace and joy is your inheritance and that you are worth it. Spring FORWARD into PEACE!!

God Bless!

http://www.acim.org | http://www.facim.org | http://www.miraclecenter.org

Valentine’s Day: Love yourself

On February 12, 2021August 2, 2021 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Mt. Shasta’s Heart, photograph. Sally McKirgan.

Learn to Love Yourself – A Valentine’s Day Gift For You

Do you feel loved? Do you feel un-loved?

Feel love by connecting to the unconditional, non-judgmental love that is within. Choose to go there!

The truth is; you are loved, loving and lovable. It may feel hard to accept that reality but why not try? Close your eyes and repeat to yourself:

“I am Loved, I am lovable and I am love.” Repeat this statement to yourself. Place your hands on your upper arms and hug yourself. Keep telling yourself that you ARE loved, Lovable and Loving. Continue to hug and stroke and affirm the love within.

If there is anyone in your mind that you hold a grievance about, extend love to them. Why not? You do yourself a favor because when you extend love, you also have love by holding it in your mind.

Accept your reality as a loving radiant light and extend it out to ALL. That includes your family, friends, colleagues, the U.S. Congress and Senate and the world.

Write the following down and place it where you can see it several times a day:

I am the light of the world.

I am spirit, loved and loving.

Being love I extend it to all.

Our nation is going through turmoil right now. The truth is, there is always turmoil but when we give someone a smile; a wave of the hand or offer to hold a door open, we are giving love. And as we give, we receive the same inner appreciation in our mind and heart.

When we remember to be kind and loving, our journey is peaceful and joyful. Love is eternal, formless and never ending so it cannot run out. You cannot run out of love. You can give away all you want and it is never gone. It is like the bottle of sherry in a Christmas movie I saw once: it fills up as soon as it is emptied and it never inebriates.

A daily reminder of the love within, will set the belief in your mind. The ego part of your mind will not believe it, but that does not mean that it’s not true. In fact, your ego mind will tell you the opposite and deny the reality of what you are.

You have the power to change your beliefs and thoughts. We all have made mistakes, and have regrets from the past but has remembering or beating yourself up made you happier? When you are in a hole, stop digging.

Forgiveness is remembering you are spirit living in a human body in a classroom called the world.

The Course In Miracles tells us God is love. You do not have to believe in God, just believe in love. Whenever you have a loving thought, you are an extension of love and you are the creator of your life and your world.

You are the light of the world. When you give love you are holding it in your mind, so it is therefore also yours. Exclude no one from your love — including yourself.

See a Course In Miracles Workbook Lessons

#46. God is the Love in which I forgive.

#171 – 180: God is but Love and therefore so am I.

Bully or Beauty

On January 16, 2021August 9, 2021 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

*McKirgan, Sally. Northern California Clouds, Watercolor.*

Bully For you” ….remember that saying. Like its ok to bully your way through whatever, wherever, whenever, go ahead, push, pull, be bold and assert yourself. Yes, there are times when thoughtful goal setting may be necessary in this world but that is not bullying as outlined below. I remember one time when my husband and I pushed our way into a venue to see Barack Obama. Should I call that “soft” bullying? I don’t think we physically harmed anyone or damaged any psyche. My friend Jim sent me the below definitions of the bully. Take a look and do an honest self-assessment. Share this with your friends, kids and grandkids so they realize the injury it does and assess behaviors or themselves or friends. Remember the saying “Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.” There are professionals who refuse to read reviews because they know the hurt. As we grow in our spiritual understanding hopefully we let insults run off and forgive, but younger people and children usually can’t.

Bullying takes many forms. We have an “inner” bully” too. Watch your thoughts to see if you bully yourself or others internally. What is the thought doing to YOU? Is it making you happy? Bottom line is the bully aka everybody, needs love. See love or the call for love. Just change your mind and offer kindness and peace to yourself and to anyone else who bullies. Here are Jim’s definitions. You may have some to add.

Anyone who is unkind to another person is a bully.

Anyone who points at another person who appears different and shouts or laughs at that person is a bully.

Anyone who belittles another person is a bully.

Anyone who threatens or harasses or intimidates another person is a bully.

Anyone who calls another by a derogatory name is a bully.

Anyone who physically or verbally abuses another person is a bully.

Anyone who coerces another person is a bully.

Anyone who joins with others to “mob” or “gang up” is a bully.

Anyone who tries to dominate another person is a bully.

Anyone who spreads false or malicious rumors is a bully.

Anyone who mocks another person is a bully.

Anyone who taunts another person is a bully.

Anyone who “trolls”, who purposely creates discord or starts arguments, is a bully. (Starts flame wars)

Stealing, shoving, hitting, provoking, and destroying another’s property are signs of a bully.

Being rude to, or insulting, or yelling at someone without justifiable cause is a sign of a bully.

Making fun of a person who is different is a sign of a bully.

Unprovoked yelling at someone is a sign of a bully.

Social exclusion and social aggression can be signs of a bully.

Malicious lies, rumor, innuendo, humiliation, and discrediting are signs of a bully.

We all have the capacity to be a bully, but wouldn’t we be happier if we stopped the bullying and were kind to one another.

Bullying is a sign of unhappiness and a lack of love. Be the Beauty of the Perfect Mountain; centered, loved, cherished with a Holy Mind connected to and guided by the Love of the Universe.

See A Course In Miracles – http://www.acim.org Lesson 23. I can escape from the world I see by giving up attack thoughts. Other ACIM websites are:

http://www.miraclecenter.org

http://www.facim.org

United or Divided: Let’s meet with the spark of acceptance.

On November 24, 2020 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

As of this writing, November 24, new President Elect Joe Biden is being allowed to transition his new administration with the White House. But it is evident from watching the voting and election disputes that our beautiful country, lovely America is at odds with one another, Republican’s and Democrat’s. “United We Stand – Divided We Fall” sorrowfully comes to mind. Is that OK with you? No matter who wins, the condemnation and division will make us miserable until we decide or at least try to understand each other and heal the division. Understanding brings acceptance or visa versa perhaps. We need to interview each other, meet up online and reach out to learn what we have in common. We are the same! We live; eat and breathe and we die. We are in the same boat on the same planet. That should be enough to get us to the table of toleration. What do we love? That is the question.

Besides those basics there is another profound sameness. Mystics and Saints tell us of the spark that is at the center of everyone who is here, has come or is yet to come. This innocent spark at your center is truth that cannot be extinguished. It carries you throughout your life, a north star, the guide to constant peace within. It cannot die and you take it with you when your leave this earthly plane. Cherish and engage this spark, it is your touchstone, your Spirit identity, the driving force that guides you to Truth and the knowledge of what and whom you are. It is the life force living within and without in everyone. It is a guide for any circumstance that comes, if consulted, you will know what to do, where to go and what to say and to whom. There will be no doubts in your holy mind because peace has entered the rock on which you stand as you go forth with the guidance given. Guilt is nowhere to be found in your holy mind. You have nothing that you lack and nothing can endanger or put out this life spark, no circumstance is too difficult to understand and no amount of hate can extinguish its holy light.

The spark is in Trump; Biden; Republican’s; Democrat’s; Independent’s….in everyone. It is in those who protest Black Lives Matter and those who don’t. It is in the shooter who kills and he who is shot. The only difference: refusing to acknowledge the spark in us, is also in the other. We judge “them “as immoral, criticize, and demonize others with aversion, ignoring, denying the spark could possibly be in them. We close our minds but the spark still burns within all of us. Each of us is responsible for recognizing, enriching and honoring the spark in ourselves and in those we condemn. It will emerge, blossoming as we cultivate endeavor to “see” and claim its reality. After all, it is love.

Love and the evidence it brings dissolves the barriers that cover the spark. Look into a little child’s eyes or sweet smile. Hear her call of “Hi” in response to your smile or wave; look into the eyes of your pet; grandchild; look at the love that comes at you. It is a gift from the spark, the spark we share. Love calls to love and cannot be stopped, destroyed, hurt or buried.

We don’t know what will happen with politics but we have a life to live. With Covid we don’t know how long or well but we can still live with the fullest amount of love we can give. If you need to go to a protest in the coming weeks, make a sign “I love you no matter what.” Recognize the spark of love dwells in the person or persons in the next car; to the kid walking down the street; the talking head on TV no matter if you agree with them or not; in the woman in the grocery store line; the homeless guy with the sign; and the person standing or sitting next to you. Send love; send acceptance, toleration and compassion. Open your mind to surround everyone you see and include yourself. Exclude no one from your love or acceptance and we will unite and never be divided by politics, religion or any circumstances life or the world brings. I send Love you – right now!

A Course In Miracles Workbook Lesson: 30 – God is in everything I see because God is in my mind. Click on this lesson and then click on the arrow to have it read to you – close your eyes.

You are Loved!

Lesson 30: God is in everything I see because God is in my mind. • Foundation for Inner Peace: Publisher of A Course in Miracles (ACIM)

The Open Door beneath your Mind

On July 23, 2020July 28, 2020 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

During this Covid 19 pandemic it seems everyone is pretty miserable. How are you feeling? I go in and out of worry and depression but I am always grateful for those who are on the front lines dealing with it. The only way to side step misery is to be aware of how you perceive the situation. Perhaps a change of mind is in order. What you think and the judgments you make will either make you happy or sad. The mind is a beautiful thing to change. It is up to you to change it. Do you dwell in fear or love.

You are 100% responsible for how you think (judge) understand and perceive. We have a choice in “how” we judge things and situations. If we see something as an attack then the ego is in charge. Are you happy when the ego is in charge? If we can view what goes on around us with an iota of lenience – just a little- we begin to open the mind to the idea of tolerance.

I’m thinking of wearing masks as I write this but it could be anything that disturbs your peace. I think everyone should wear a mask. I don’t like them because they restrict air and I need air but I wear one anyway. I can understand why someone would choose not to, but I want peace. So I have to change my mind, on the spot, adding a dash of tolerance and mercy to my thoughts. Just because I disagree I do not have to allow hatred or anger. I can see either love or the call for love. And the call for love is to me, my mind and its need for peace as well as theirs. The ego does not have to run and ruin my life. I choose to sideline the dominant ego’s thought system and choose charity and mercy.

When we give mercy and respect to others, we have mercy and respect for ourselves. We don’t realize how much needless unconscious guilt we pile on our psyche with righteous judgments and opinions feeling certain we are right. Do I want to be right or happy? Letting go of my conviction that I know what’s right when in fact I don’t always know, opens the door to mercy.

We like to think that we know it all. But we don’t know what our soul needs to experience or lessons we have come to learn, until they arrive at our doorstep. We have all experienced being misunderstood or accused of something we did not intend or been unfairly treated. When knowing how it feels to be unfairly treated, we refuse to mistreat anyone. One thing we can always do is offer love and acceptance with our thoughts. In doing so, we open the door in our mind, leading to understanding, and turn from the ego’s decree of punishment, fire and brimstone.

“Then let them (your judgmental thoughts) go and sink below them to the holy place where they can enter not. There is a door beneath them in your mind, which you could not completely lock to hide what lies beyond. Seek for that door and find it. You cannot fail today. There walks with you the Spirit Heaven sent you, that you might approach this door some day and through his aid slip effortlessly past it, to the light.” A Course In Miracles Workbook Lesson 131. No one can fail who seeks to reach the truth.

See A Course In Miracles, Chapter 21. Section II. The Responsibility for Sight, pg. 448

I am responsible for what I see.

I choose the feelings I experience, and I decide

Upon the goal I would achieve.

And everything that seems to happen to me

I ask for, and receive as I have asked.

We are responsible for how we interpret things! It is the mercy within that will allow a true perception to come when we ask the Holy Spirit to help us understand. “Help me see this differently.” Look through His eyes and you will have peace. Me too!

God Is

www.miraclecenter.org

www.acim.org

www.facim.org

Ego Mode = The Virus Blame Game

On April 20, 2020April 20, 2020 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

After listening to a wonderful youtube presentation by Tim Wise and Lyn Corona, see the link below, I realize how addicting the ego voice is. We are in “ego mode” when we MUST find something or someone to blame. But the source of inner pain or even bodily pain is from…..listening to the ego…believing this faulty thinking and that I am right in choosing the ego mode.

Right now we have the coronavirus circling the world. Who are we going to blame? Some foreign people, the military, all the Politian’s? It is the ego part of our mind doing the blaming and we believe it because we want to! We need to blame and project onto someone so we can feel better.

The ego is attracted to pain because it means the body is REAL, the world is REAL and we are important. It keeps us trapped in the dream of being a body in the illusion. We are a puppet of the ego when that happens.

When we decide we are tired of this blame game because of the pain it causes, we look within and see, according to the Course that our only problem is the separation we feel from God. That is impossible. We cannot be separate from God because we are In God at this very moment, but we don’t think we are.

If we choose blame, we are continuing the separation from God because that is what we did to Him when we chose the ego. Yes, the “tiny mad idea” in the Course tells us we chose the ego to be separate from God. If we blame ourselves or feel guilty from separating from God we are still listening to the ego mode and in the blame game.

The solution: We take a deep breath, step aside from the ego in your mind, take the hand of Jesus – the Holy Spirit that connects us to God and say: “I am as God Created Me, help me see this differently.” See A Course In Miracles, Workbook Lesson 110.

We insist on finding a “bad guy” to blame because we don’t want to take responsibility for the decision to separate from God. We do it every time we blame someone and make them the guilty one. We do unto them, what we did unto God.

You are NOT separate from God because that is impossible. But in this dream we “believe” we are. To get out of the dream ask Jesus:

“I am stuck, take my hand, help me see the way you do. Help me let go of this judgment and blame I place on ______ and let go of my projections, believing the ego’s lies.”

The tiny mad idea that we can be separate from God is just that…..a mad idea! An idea is not real. You are not a puppet. You are a Mind, an innocent Son of God with the power in you to follow the loving kindness in your heart, holding the hand of Love and going home to Heaven where you really are and have always been.

Here is the YouTube video with Tim Wise, Lyn Corona and others from the School for A Course in Miracles, discussing the Corona Virus:

Here is the link to the A Course In Miracles – Workbook Lesson 110: I am as God Created Me. https://acim.org/workbook/lesson-110

More Miracles Organizations

http://www.miraclecenter.org

http://www.acim.org

http://www.facim.org

YOU ARE LOVE and YOU ARE LOVED

2020 Moon reminds us: “I am There”

On April 9, 2020 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Spring is here and Easter Sunday always follows the first full moon after the spring equinox. That full moon was shining in my bedroom window last night. Passover is April 9, Easter Sunday the 12^th and Ramadan on Friday April 24. However the only ones feeling “spring like” these days, are the birds and the daffodils. Aren’t they lucky to not have to stay inside or six feet away from each other? Thankfully, we can go outside to visit and thank them for their songs and yellow loveliness. There will be no Religious gatherings indoors this year that I am aware of and I know many will miss this spring ritual. I must admit that Easter always left me feeling sad with Jesus Christ crucified. Even dressing up or hunting for eggs, bunnies and candy never took away the unhappiness.

I felt relief after I began studying the spiritual, psychological, non- dual, mystical and metaphysical book, ‘A Course In Miracles’ where the concept of resurrection is more prominent than crucifixion because as eternal beings our soul never dies. There is no death of the Self we are. The body dies because we are mortal. Being mortal we have a split mind with a treacherous ego that crucifies (like it did Jesus) ourselves and/or others non-stop with doubts, judgment, war and attacks. Jesus in the Course told the scribe, NY Columbia Presbyterian Psychologist Helen Schucman, that he is our equal and elder brother, “The miracle is a sign of love among equals. Equals should not be in awe of one another because awe implies inequality. It is therefore an inappropriate reaction to me. An elder brother is entitled to respect for his greater experience, and obedience for his greater wisdom. There is nothing about me that you cannot attain. I have nothing that does not come from God. The difference between us now is that I have nothing else. This leaves me in a state which is only potential in you.” Text Chapter 1.II.3.4-12.

He assures us that he and the Holy Spirit are always there for us. “I go before you because I am beyond the ego. Reach, therefore, for my hand because you want to transcend the ego. My strength will never be wanting, and if you choose to share it you will do so.” Text Chapter 8.V.6 7-9. If we take his hand he is there to share his strength. He is the Christ but so are you and I and everyone, whether we accept it or not being equally loved by God.

At this time we need a strength that is not of this world. I for one am reaching for his hand to transcend the ego. Many brave people are in the trenches, the Doctors, Nurses, medical staff, sick patients, relatives, friends and you and I are with them. The hand of strength, grace, and faith is there for us. It is waiting by your side, with arms ready to hold you up and kissing the top of your head when you pray. That love is made exquisitely clear in the poem ‘I am There’ by James Dillet Freeman. He is sometimes known as “the poet laureate of the moon” because two of his poems are on the moon. ‘I Am There’ was taken by Astronaut, James B. Irwin in 1971 and ‘Prayer for Protection’ by Lunar Commander ‘Buzz’ Aldrin in July 1969. His poems of assurance are circling above us on the Easter Moon, blessing you and me and our World this spring.

I am There

Do you need Me?

I am there.

You cannot see Me, yet I am the light you see by.

You cannot hear Me, yet I speak through your voice.

You cannot feel Me, yet I am the power at work in your hands.

I am at work, though you do not understand My ways.

I am at work, though you do not recognize My works.

I am not strange visions. I am not mysteries.

Only in absolute stillness, beyond self, can you know Me as I am, and then but as a feeling and a faith.

Yet I am there. Yet I hear. Yet I answer.

When you need Me, I am there.

Even if you deny Me, I am there.

Even when you feel most alone, I am there.

Even in your fears, I am there.

Even in your pain, I am there.

I am there when you pray and when you do not pray.

I am in you, and you are in Me.

Only in your mind can you feel separate from Me, for only in your mind are the mists of “yours” and “mine.”

Yet only with your mind can you know Me and experience Me.

Empty your heart of empty fears.

When you get yourself out of the way, I am there.

You can of yourself do nothing, but I can do all.

And I am in all.

Though you may not see the good, good is there, for I am there.

I am there because I have to be, because I am.

Only in Me does the world have meaning; only out of Me does the world take form; only because of Me does the world go forward.

I am the law on which the movement of the stars and the growth of living cells are founded.

I am the love that is the law’s fulfilling. I am assurance. I am peace. I am oneness. I am the law that you can live by. I am the love that you can cling to. I am your assurance. I am your peace. I am one with you. I am.

Though you fail to find Me, I do not fail you.

Though your faith in Me is unsure, My faith in you never wavers, because I know you, because I love you.

Beloved, I am there.

The Prayer of Protection

The light of God surrounds us;

The love of God enfolds us;

The power of God protects us;

The presence of God watches over us;

Wherever we are, God is!

Blessings on this Easter of 2020!

Many Lessons from A Course In Miracles remind me of these poems: http://www.acim.org – Here are the lessons you can open and click on the arrow to have it read to you – close your eyes and feel the Love that is for You.

Lesson 40: I am blessed as a Son of God.

Lesson 40. I am blessed as a Son of God.

Lesson 41. God goes with me wherever I go.

Lesson 42 God is my strength, Vision is His gift.

Lesson 43. God is my Source. I cannot see apart from Him.

Lesson 44. God is the light in which I see.

Lesson 45. God is the Mind with which I think.

Lesson 46. God is the Love in which I forgive.

Lesson 47 God is the strength in which I trust.

Visit http://www.acim.org

Guilt: The “gift” that keeps on giving until…..

On January 24, 2020January 24, 2020 By SallyIn Uncategorized1 Comment

Spring 2014 2014-03-12 022 Guilt: The “gift” that keeps on giving until…..

The bad news: guilt never gives up.

The good news: you have the power to stop it.

Have you noticed that guilt just doesn’t go away? You observe it but it creeps back again and again and you continue to deny it and let it go but there it is, back again. “I thought I forgave that.” Guilt is the leaky faucet. You think you’ve turned it off but it drips, drips in the background of your thoughts. Where is it coming from? It seeps under the surface like an oil slick on a beautiful beach. Guilt is the energizer bunny with an eternal battery that never runs down and in fact continues to be energized until you look at it with the love, your inheritance, in your mind.

ACIM Workbook Lesson 4. These thoughts do no mean anything.

We believe the thoughts that run through our mind and 99.999% come from the ego (the false self) and that is why they don’t mean anything. But we believe these thoughts. The ego’s job is to keep you from Love and in a state of constant guilt. It feeds guilty thoughts at every opportunity and never wants you to turn against it. We have a split mind. You choose which split, which side to listen to and believe. We can choose between the ego’s ranting and judgments or choose to listen to the voice of peace within (the right mind) the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit that is always available.

Judgment is the origin of all guilt. Our first judgment was a selfish one according to A Course In Miracles; we separated from God at the moment of the “Big Bang” in choosing the ego. It turns out that was a “mistake” (really never happened) because when we chose the ego, we threw God away. But…..it never happened because it is not possible to separate from the God; the God written about in A Course In Miracles that is.

We believe the ego and think we have separated and that is at the crux of our pain and anger. We blame God for the separation instead of ourselves. We made up a false “god”, a punishing, warring, petty vindictive god who angrily threw Adam and Eve out of the garden. Ask yourself: Would a loving God do that? The ego set itself on the ‘god’ throne and we listen to it and obey it. Guilt was born. We are bereft, thinking we threw away our innocence and will never get it back. We either accuse and blame ourselves or project blame onto others, i.e. those guilty and sinful ones. The ego keeps rubbing the guilt wound with self-doubt, blame, selfishness and shame.

Guilt is insatiable. You are its hostage until you decide to be Host to God instead. We need loving help in looking at it. The Course tells us to hold the hand of love that comes from your right mind i.e. Jesus or the Holy Spirit and say “Please look at this guilty thought with me because I want to see it differently.” Visualize a tight grip on a warm hand. When we hold love’s hand and listen, a thought of understanding will come. Maybe tears will come but those tears will dissolve the “blocks to the awareness of love’s presence” that the introduction to the Course describes. Believe and trust that forgiveness will come. We need to forgive ourselves for the separation from God……which never happened because it is IMPOSSIBLE! The thought of Truth will be gentle and embracing.

When a guilty through crosses your mind, say: “This thought does not mean anything. The past is over; I have no need of this. I am One with God.” This is a critical conscious decision; a statement of choice that you will no longer listen or believe the ego. You are a “Decider”, a Holy Son of God and you have the power to no longer let the ego abuse you. You are Host to God and not hostage to the ego.

If you haven’t started them, I recommend the Course In Miracles Workbook lessons. The first lessons deal with letting the past go; focusing on the thoughts that bring pain and realizing they are not of God. There is a lesson for each day and the introduction to the workbook will help you begin.

It is a wonderful adventure. Just do a lesson each day and if you don’t understand it – keep going – don’t let the ego sabotage you. If you don’t understand a lesson, just keep going because the “light” will dawn eventually.

The Love within you will defeat guilt. It is a power within that is your natural inheritance. Accept God’s peace and joy as yours. Your salvation is up to you.

www.acim.org (history and what it says)

www.miraclecenter.org (to find a study group near you)

Experience the Mystery of God

On December 17, 2019December 17, 2019 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

eye 2 - 2014

“The most beautiful and profound emotion we can experience is the mystical. It is the source of all true art and science. He whom this emotion is a stranger who can no longer wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead, can’t know that what is impenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty which our dull faculties can comprehend only in their primitive form, this knowledge, this feeling is at the center of true religion.” Albert Einstein

The time has come to liberate ourselves from the ego and experience God! God is Love the opposite of the ego.

How many of us blame things on God? For example we say that something that happened must have been God’s Will or God’s Plan? Even the Insurance Industries describe disasters as “An Act of God”! Is an earthquake, a forest fire or a hurricane an act of God? We could blame an earthquake on the shifting of tectonic plates or forest fires and hurricane’s on Global Warming BUT that would mean pointing the finger at ourselves.

Some people don’t like to mention God these days because that mystery, whatever it is, now seems to be out of favor like an old computer or girdles. Only the people who are politically on the far right or are religious fundamentalists get to believe in God. But, I’m a liberal, I’m on the left and I believe in God! I know other liberals who believe in God aka a Creator, Yahweh, a Supreme Being, or the Great Mystery. Atheists don’t think there is such a thing and they may be right but I bet when push comes to shove and they are in trouble they say “Please God Help.”

In The Course In Miracles, Manual for Teachers, 20. (pg. 51) What is the Peace of God, states: “It has been said that there is a kind of peace that is not of this world. How is it recognized? God’s peace is recognized at first by just one thing: in every way it is totally unlike all previous experiences. It calls to mind nothing that went before. It is a new thing entirely.” The past just slips away and in its place is everlasting quiet. Only that.”

Our busy ego mind does not like quiet. Are you aware that your mind is always running on some life theme, a problem or fear of the future? The Manual goes on to say “God’s peace can never come where anger is, for anger must deny that peace exists. Who see’s anger as justified in any way proclaims that peace is meaningless and must believe it cannot exist. Therefore, forgiveness is the necessary condition for finding the peace of God.”

This is probably why people don’t think God exists. We enjoy our anger too much to forgive. If we enjoy the anger we won’t forgive so our minds are busy hating and never quiet enough to allow the experience of God, which the ego mind does not want you to have . So it keeps the anger going and the idea of forgiveness never enters and so our chances of experiencing the quiet which allows the peace of God is hijacked! We don’t think God exists. We do not have to allow or give the ego thoughts that kind of power. When the thought comes just say “that is not what I choose to think.” ” I no longer want to hate and be angry.”

We can give up anger if we want to. We can have the experience of the peace of God if we are willing to do that. When we give up anger we are forgiving, letting go and choosing peace. We give up attacking, judging or condemning and we experience the quiet mind and the peace of God. Replace attack and judgment with love.

We can *silence the ego and the Course indictes that we can because it states: “How is the peace of God retained once it is found? Returning anger in any form will drop the heavy curtain once again and the belief that peace cannot exist will certainly return.” So this indicates that we can and will experience God, as we work on giving up anger, and sure enough when anger returns we will feel that heavy curtain again.

“Stop for a moment now and think of this: Is conflict what you want, or is God’s peace the better choice which gives you more? A tranquil mind is not a little gift. “The memory of God comes to the quiet mind.”

We need to decide to forgive everyone and everything including the world! “Forgive the world and you will understand that everything that God created cannot have an end, and nothing He did not create is real.” God created you and you are as real and as eternal as He! Yes, bodies die but never the eternal spirit that you share with God, as his Son. God did not create the ego, the false self, He created His Son as Spirit like Himself.

His Will is without opposite. His Will is yours. “The mighty Will of God Himself is His gift to you. He does not seek to keep it for himself. This is your heritage. God’s peace is the condition for His Will. Attain His peace, (let go of anger and forgive) and you remember Him.” And you will experience the “radiant beauty” Einstein suggested in the above quote.

A Course in Miracles – Manual for Teachers, #20. What is the Peace of God. Page 51.

YOU ARE LOVED!!

*One way to silence and understand the ego part of your mind is to do the Workbook Lessons, one a day for a year’s study. They start you on the path back to the mind you share with God.

Love cannot condemn

On November 19, 2019November 19, 2019 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Is it possible to really love someone and at the same time judge them? “He or she’s really great but……” Maybe they are not doing what you would do or want them to do i.e. teens getting home late; partner over spending or not spending on the right things; children, friends acting out and annoying you. There are irritations in our lives but WHO is annoyed and why? Identify the part of your mind that is upset. It is the part that is impatient, judgmental and is angry demanding punishment. Yes parents need to discipline children but it can be done with love, calmly verses anger or blame. The ego mind judges and demands discipline or punishment but it is not your identity. You are much more than that.

The goal of a peaceful life unfolds when we decide to change our thoughts. We become uncomfortable with our current modus operation. We have a split mind – love and hate. We finally realize the part of the mind where the ego’s schemes are hatched and how it can disrupt our lives. The ego is NOT who we are and we no longer heed its urgings. We gradually awaken to our true identity and accept that we are the love, the Spirit within. The ego tries to cover it up and creates havoc but you take charge and recognize the LOVE within that you are. That love has been there all along.

If we listen to the ego’s voice we will never love un-conditionally. The ego’s way of loving amount’s to manipulation to get its way or giving in order to get. What’s in it for me? Challenge yourself to watch its gyrations and observe it but don’t follow it or feel guilty. We all have ego thoughts. Just look and laugh! Even something as innocent as going to lunch or dinner and seeing someone the ego judges as “different,” maybe it’s their annoying clothes, their voice or the way they chew food. It is a judgment and it is from 100% separation. That person could be someone you have longed to meet (a favorite author or a professor of quantum physics) if you only knew! The ego does not know anything. Judgment separates us into lonely boxes. Even a “good” judgment, for example “what beautiful hair she has,” which really means I do not have hair like that and so we are different. The ego likes to compare. Love never condemns. You have a powerful mind that DECIDES; you can choose to listen or dismiss the judgmental thoughts of separation. And if you judge yourself it is the ego trapping you. Don’t listen!

Imagine what it feels like to be deeply accepted, loved and totally guilt free. Feel that within; give it to yourself and you will give it to others. If you condemn others you are condemning yourself. Jesus said “Judge not so ye be not judged.” Condemn and you are a prisoner of guilt; but love and you are guilt free. Realize how guilty or sorry you feel after you have attacked someone and eventually we know it is not worth it! Love sweeps all ego beliefs away with a gentle hand of compassion.

Love is within and not found out there in the world. Go within and think of someone who has loved you unconditionally. Maybe a grand parent, aunt or uncle? If you cannot identify anyone, then entertain the thought of an all loving Creator; Yahweh; Allah, Jesus; Mohammed; Krishna or God (or your dog) beaming love at you like a laser beam. Feel it – and it is yours. It is your inheritance. You are no longer lost. Love found you. Hear the inner voice of Spirit telling you that you are LOVE; a loving mind choosing love. Everyone is included in the same identity of Oneness.

Wear that identity of LOVE into the world. There is a blessed relief that washes over us when we realize our Oneness with everyone and all things. All bitter struggles, the distractions and loneliness end when we refuse thoughts of separation. Be a love finder, not a fault finder and pure joy will fill your mind and Peace Prevails. “When you want only love, you will see nothing else.” A Course In Miracles T. 12. VII. 8. (pg. 231)

https://acim.org/workbook/lesson-92/

Miracles are seen in light, and light and strength are one. Workbook lesson 92. “If we see others as different from ourselves … we judge and condemn but do not love.”

Click on “arrow” to hear the lesson read to you.

http://www.facim.org

http://www.miraclecenter.org

Open Your Mind: Open Your Heart

On October 7, 2019 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Does an open heart, open the mind or does an open mind, open the heart?

Maybe it doesn’t matter which one happens first, but for me, when I’m waiting in line at the market feeling anxious because the line is slow, my mind is locked, closed and my heart constricted. That is why having a practice in watching the mind helps because when aware of the “agitation” I can say “I want to see this differently” and with that I am open to the Souls who share the line with me and let go and relax. I can see the silliness in spending energy on something trivial like agitation. I want and choose peace, inner peace. The Course In Miracles tells us the goal of the Course is inner peace and the workbook lessons certainly help us look at the blocks we have put up to keep peace away, and as it turns out LOVE too. The ego is the culprit but it is ONLY a thought, we happen to believe.

Monitoring your thoughts and mind is the key: How do YOU feel? Are emotions in charge of you or are “YOU” in charge of your Mind and consequently the emotions. But we have to look at the emotions rather than indulge or believe them and when we look, which is part of the forgiveness instructions, in the What is Forgiveness link below, they dissipate like smoke on a windy day. We no longer live from our emotions or let them run our lives unless it serves us somehow. There are those who like an emotional state of anxiety and fear because they think it keeps them motivated but it is not good for the health of the body, which we need in order to go through the lessons we came here to learn and it is also not good if inner peace is our goal.

We don’t have to believe our thoughts just because we think them. An example is my boss told me he’d like to see me in his office for a meeting the next day at 2 pm. I hadn’t a clue what it could be about but I can tell you thoughts ran rampant through my mind, and they were not all good thoughts. What could it be? Maybe I’d be fired or asked to resign! Well, it turned out I received a compliment and a promotion! All that energy spent in worry, fear of the future, fear of the past! Everything but: “Right Now, all is well.” Ahhhh…..right NOW….all is Well. This instant is the only time there IS! Everything else is my projecting into the future and the ego fear running amok.

As students of the Course we are told we are the Christ, a Holy Son of God and Jesus our elder brother will guide us, if we take his hand and invite him in. Share all your emotions and thoughts with your elder brother. He awaits your invitational prayer – this is one I use:

“Jesus Christ, Holy Son of God, Dear elder brother, please guide my heart and mind and help me look at and remove the blocks to the awareness of love’s presence, which is my natural inheritance, as I journey to the Home and Father, I never left.”

I try to repeat this whenever I am upset about something and especially when I can’t sleep at night because I’m ruminating about a worry; a meeting I dread; a bill to be paid; someone I need to forgive but don’t want to. Unlock your mind and look at all those thoughts with your elder brother; let him give you a thought to replace the ones you think are true…..and your Heart will Open.

Click on these links and click on the arrow, “play” and have it read to you – close your eyes.

ACIM: Introduction https://acim.org/acim/what-it-says/

Workbook Lesson 185. W. pg. 348. I want the peace of God. https://acim.org/workbook/lesson-185/

What is Forgiveness –W. pg. 401 https://acim.org/workbook/what-is-1/

You are worth it because you are LOVED!

Identify with Love and you are safe.

On September 18, 2019 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

In A Course In Miracles Workbook lesson #261 – God is my refuge and security, W.pg 426, we are gently guided to see God aka LOVE as our security blanket in all situations. Yes, you can even suck your thumb if needed!

My youngest son used to drag his security blanket, an old white one that I continually had to make smaller because of the ragged condition, until it finally became the size of a small towel. He would hold the blanket under his arm with his thumb as his comfort. Sometimes he would have “White-ie”, our white cat tucked under his other arm.

So like him we can use God as our security blanket or whatever we imagine God to be, placing Him in a safe spot to carry around during the day.

If you read in the Workbook pg. 425, What Is the Body? Jesus tells us in the last paragraph:

“You will identify with what you think will make you safe Whatever it may be, you will believe that it is one with you. Your safety lies in truth, and not in lies. Love is your safety. Fear does not exist. Identify with love, and you are safe. Identify with love and you are home. Identify with love, and find your Self.”

As you go throughout your day, driving, waiting in line, working, walking or exercising, project LOVE out at the world and everyone and everything. Just look and with your powerful mind…..beam LOVE! Love is our Security Blanket in all situations.

Beam LOE it at yourself in the morning mirror: at your depression, addictions, loneliness, worries or any problems with yourself or anyone you are holding a grudge or grievance. Give it up and Give it to Love!

Here is the link to Lesson 261:

Just click on it and then click on “hear” and close your eyes and listen:

https://acim.org/workbook/lesson-261/

You are LOVED!!

Good Politics: The Service of Peace

On July 14, 2019July 14, 2019 By SallyIn A Course In Miracles, UncategorizedLeave a comment

As a student of A Course In Miracles, I respect all messages of peace. I want to share with you a hopeful message! I recently watched a video called “Pope Francis, A Man of his Word.” If you need some inspiration I highly recommend it. The 52nd World Day of Peace was January 1, 2019. Pope Francis’s message was:

“Good politics is at the service of peace.”

He made several points but the first was “Peace be to this house.” What he was saying was “peace for our family, our house, our communities, our country, our continent and importantly our common home our world.”

Here is the link to his message to paste in your browser:

http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/peace/documents/papa-francesco_20181208_messaggio-52giornatamondiale-pace2019.html

Here is a summary of what he said that was so inspiring for all people of Faith regardless of their religion of spiritual beliefs and especially as our politics take the stage for the next year and we watch the debates and delve into the upcoming election we might keep his thoughtful recommendations in mind.

He expanded on several pertinent points by suggesting that “charity and human virtues along with service of human rights and peace be the basis of politics. He suggested those running for office should recall the “Beatitudes of the Politician” which were proposed by Vietnamese Cardinal François-Xavier Nguyễn Vãn Thuận, who died in 2002.

Here they are:
Blessed be the politician with a lofty sense and deep understanding of his role.
Blessed be the politician who personally exemplifies credibility.
Blessed be the politician who works for the common good and not his or her own interest.
Blessed be the politician who remains consistent.
Blessed be the politician who works for unity.
Blessed be the politician who works to accomplish radical change.
Blessed be the politician who is capable of listening.
Blessed be the politician who is without fear.

He suggests that every election and re-election, and every stage of public life, is an opportunity to return to the original points of reference that inspire justice and law. One thing is certain, “good politics is at the service of peace. It respects and promotes fundamental human rights, which are at the same time mutual obligations, enabling a bond of trust and gratitude to be forged between present and future generations.”
Watching it was like a breath of fresh “political air.” If we look for and vote for those who from all appearances, seem to hold these values we would have leaders that we, the world and future generations deserve.
He also brought up political vices: dishonesty, self-service, corruption, exploitation and denial of rights and plundering of natural resources for the sake of quick profit to name a few. Good politics inspires and promotes participation of the young and trust in others and fosters confidence that we can all work together for the common good. Politics at the service of peace finds expression in the recognition of the gifts and abilities when everyone contributes his or her gifts to help build trust especially in our times marked by mistrust and rooted in fear of strangers. The world has a need for security rather than nationalism and division.
Regarding past wars and the strategy of fear, he says to threaten others is to lower them to the status of objects and deny their dignity. Escalation and uncontrolled proliferation of arms is contrary to morality and politics that blame evil on migrants and deprive the poor of hope is unacceptable. There is a need to reaffirm that peace is based on respect for each person, whatever his or her background.
Lastly he calls for a great project of peace and reminds us of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted after the Second World War: “Man’s awareness of his rights lead to the recognition of duties; the rights are the expression of personal dignity and their recognition and respect by others.” Peace entails a conversion of the heart and soul; it is both interior and communal; and it has three inseparable aspects:
1. Peace with oneself: Rejecting inflexibility, anger and impatience; by showing “a bit of sweetness towards oneself” in order to offer “a bit of sweetness to others”;
2. Peace with others: Family members, friends, strangers, the poor and the suffering, being unafraid to encounter them and listen to what they have to say;
3. Peace with all creation: Rediscovering the grandeur of God’s gift and our individual and shared responsibility as inhabitants of this world, citizens and builders of the future. When any of our brothers and sisters suffers we are all affected. God sees with his heart. Even the atheist shares the same love. Maybe that’s the only common bond we all have, the bond of God’s love. Other than that we are free, even free not to love Him.

Here is more inspiration:

https://acim.org/workbook/lesson-194/

A Course In Miracles Lesson 194 – I Place the Future in the Hands of God

To everyone I offer quietness

On May 15, 2019May 16, 2019 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Are you running on Ego-matic?
The other day I was tooling along not watching my thoughts (as A Course In Miracles asks us to do) but one finally got my attention. It didn’t feel good, it was: “Why doesn’t she do something with her hair?” What part of my mind would care about something as insignificant as someone’s messy hair and why?

When our thoughts run unnoticed, they can easily jump to egomatic. This is not a word my computer thesaurus recognizes but I know what it means. It means senseless; usually condemning; mostly ugly; and always a thought of judgmental ego separation. The mind has been programmed from birth into two columns: love and fear. Everything not from love is in the fear column and that amounts to hundreds perhaps thousands of distinctions. The ego has an endless list. The choice is simple: Heaven or hell.

When practicing the mindfulness of the Course we are in the “heaven” column. We are looking through the Self, i.e. the eyes of Christ, of love, with kindness and accepting of what is. If we ae on egomatic, we are in the “hell” of darkness, believing our misshapen thoughts are true.

Thinking someone has messy hair is up to me. No one can make me think anything. When I think a thought of love, what am I giving/receiving? If the thought is condemning what am I giving/receiving? What I give OUT, I also receive IN.
When my thinking is judgmental: I’m the one with the problem; I feel separate and alone; and in believing it is true, I’m also receiving guilt. That’s why I didn’t like the feeling.

We don’t realize what we do to ourselves, our soul when we place a judgment on someone. Instead of giving the thought away, projecting and getting rid of it, we are in effect keeping it, and making it our problem plus getting a dose of guilt. I judge her for being “messy” but I must also be “messy” in order to know what it is. Projecting is a trick my ego plays to get rid of my messiness by seeing it in someone else. It doesn’t work, I still messy.

In A Course In Miracles, Lesson 108. To give and receive are one in truth.

P.2. “True light that makes true vision possible is not the light the body’s eyes behold. It is a state of mind that has become so unified that darkness cannot be perceived at all.”

Isn’t that the state of mind you want to live in? When you catch the silly judgments think what this lesson reminds us to do. Simply say:

To give and receive are one in truth. I will receive what I am giving now.”

Do I want to receive the judgment I am dishing out? The lesson goes on in paragraph 8.

Then close your eyes and for five minutes think of what you would hold out to everyone, to have it yours. Say:
   To everyone I offer quietness;
   To everyone I offer peace of mind;
   To everyone I offer gentleness

Wait. How do you feel? What you offered will come back to you in the amount that you offered it. That is giving and receiving. Instead of offering judgment or “messiness” to my friend I now offer acceptance and that is what returns to me.
Was I in heaven or hell judging my friend’s hair? I realized I didn’t “feel good” and that feeling of being in “hell” helped me see the egomatic thought process.

We have been trained well throughout our formative years and adult lives. But now I can awaken to the fact that my thoughts have consequences on me. We are told that stress causes illnesses. Where does stress come from but our thoughts? This lesson gave me the chance to change my mind and offer quietness to everyone. And when I did, I received quietness.

Go to http://www.acim.org – Workbook Lesson 108 – click to have it read aloud to you!

Remember: You are the Light of the World and God IS the LOVE within!

If you would like to order a greeting card with the above photo you can do so at:

http://www.fineartamerica.com and put in my name: Sally McKirgan

God is Your Hard Drive

On February 24, 2019February 24, 2019 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Workbook Lesson 44. God is the light in which I see

The Course in Miracles Workbook has 365 lessons. These lessons are our pathway to peace. Knowledge is not the goal of the Course. Peace Is.

In Lesson 44. Jesus tells us that we cannot see in darkness but we also cannot make light. God is the light in which I see because God is in my Mind.

We can and do make darkness with our thoughts and misperceptions. The world is a place of darkness and it distracts us constantly with the chaos of war, weather, sickness, death and disaster. Jesus tells us we think we see in the darkness of the world.

But light reflects life and is therefore an aspect of creation. Creation and darkness cannot coexist. It is like trying to mix water and oil.

Light and Life do go together being aspects of creation.
“In order to see, you must recognize that light is within, not without.”

Workbook Lesson 43: God is my Source. I cannot see apart from Him

Perception is not an attribute of God. His is the realm of knowledge. When we link to our Hard Drive, our computer chip aka God and Light, our perceptions will become so changed and purified that it will lead to knowledge.

The light INSIDE of you is TRUE. Light is understanding, it is vision – not the perceptions our stray thoughts and judgments that wander in and out of our awareness.

The equipment for seeing (God and Light) is INSIDE of your MIND.

“An essential part of this equipment is the light that makes seeing possible. It is with you always, making vision possible in every circumstance.”

You cannot be withOUT God. You cannot be separate from God. He is your equipment. He is the computer chip the Processor, Ram, Memory and Hard Drive in your MIND. You share HIS MIND. The Mystery that is God, is within your mind, Eternal, can never die, you can never die, death is impossible because your Spirit and Mind is part of and shared with God.

With God as the Hard Drive, the Light within, your Spirit is one with Him.

Paragraph 7. Let go of every kind of interference and intrusion by quietly sinking past them. Your mind cannot be stopped in this unless you choose to stop it. It is merely taking its natural course. Try to observe your passing thoughts without involvement and slip quietly by them.

You are letting the LIGHT guide you, God is your Source, You cannot see apart from him.

Go to http://www.acim.org Listen to these lessons and you will realize that God is your Hard Drive, the eternal computer chip.

Rest in Love, Rest in Truth

On January 4, 2019January 4, 2019 By SallyIn A Course In MiraclesLeave a comment

Apil 2014 2014-03-19 015

You are loved! Most of us do not allow ourselves to feel it. Why? Don’t we believe we are lovable? You ARE loved, warts, gifts and all! Give yourself the gift of feeling it. Really feel it. Go to a silent place within, close your eyes and feel yourself being held, as if you were a small child again. Feel yourself being rocked gently and a soft hand stroking your cheek and telling you that you are loved. Feel the care and sweetness in your heart. That is how God loves you. Your spirit is love and as bright, as soft and innocent like this blossom.

I invite you to go to the A Course In Miracles website and listen to Lesson 109, I rest in God, being read to you as you close your eyes.

Here is the link to past in your browser: https://acim.org/workbook/lesson-109/

The Course offers 365 lessons, one for each day of the year. We being at lesson number 1 and read a lesson per day and on the 109th day of the year we learn we can and DO rest in Love, in God and can be at Peace. We just need to accept it. At the end of the 365 lessons you will never be lonely again or feel unloved…….when you remember your true identity – God’s Holy Precious Son.

Happy New Year!

Christmas: Giving and Receiving

On November 30, 2018November 30, 2018 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

peace

Years ago our youngest son looked inquiringly at his Dad and said “Why Christmas?” It was a perceptive and honest question from his little three year mind. How would you answer that question? It is a good question to pose to our grown up selves. We rush about planning and making lists and drive ourselves crazy or get on the internet and figure out the best deals. We fret over what to give to whom and will they like it, that’s the big question. And then we imagine them opening it up and watching carefully for the expression that comes in that twinkling moment.

Maybe that “instant” is our gift! That shining twinkling moment when we made someone happy, made them smile and gasp with surprise. Then we hear their laughter, hopefully not a groan, and words of thanks or maybe a smooch!

My husband’s father loved Chocolate Covered Cherries. Every year we gave him a box. Finally one year he opened the gift and said, “Oh No, not Cherries again.” That was the last year we gave him cherries! How many of us have opened presents we definitely did NOT like and managed to feign appreciation showing we “love it” and have “always wanted one?”

Back to Why Christmas? Well it is all about Jesus and his Birth right? Look at how we avoid Jesus and his teachings these days. A few years ago I was reading a book about Jesus. The author had put his beautiful face smack on the cover. A gentleman stopped to inquire what I was reading. I closed the book and showed him the cover. You would have thought I was pointing a machine gun in his face! He was absolutely horrified, shocked! His eyes were big, brows shot up and he looked like someone had hit him with a stun gun. His adverse reaction was palpable. He said “Oh” and hurried away as quickly as he could.

Where does that reaction come from? For over 2,000 years the world has had Jesus to deal with. All faiths have their concepts but where does that “aversion” comes from.

One reason (and I am not a scholar) could be because the Bible claims he is God’s ONLY begotten son. So where does that leave the rest of us and the horrified man? We know of families that have a favorite child whose attributes out shine everyone else; that special child. Could it be collective unconscious jealousy runs through a society feeling resentment and somehow unloved. It can fester over a lifetime and throughout the ages. How many of us, deep down, feel as adored as that baby? The sweet song, ‘Away in the Manager’ always brings tears to my eyes.

If we don’t resent him we may try to out-do him! Climb the highest mountains; make the most money; give the biggest gift; have the biggest house or most expensive car or? We are all looking for love and appreciation. Maybe God (and others) will love us if we do such and such.

And yet we celebrate baby Jesus at Christmas and sing carols to him not knowing that baby is also us, you and me. If we had been students of the spiritual book, A Course In Miracles, at the time our young son asked, we could have told him that baby Jesus was (and still is) loved very much by God and YOU my child, are too! We are all God’s sons, the Christ. God being Eternal Unchanging Love never condemns or rejects anyone. In the First Chapter of the Course Jesus tells us:

“You are a perfect creation, and should experience awe only in the Presence of the Creator of perfection. Equals should not be in awe of one another because awe implies inequality. It is therefore an inappropriate reaction to me. An elder brother is entitled to respect for his greater experience, and obedience for his greater wisdom. He is also entitled to love because he is a brother, and to devotion if he is devoted. It is only my devotion that entitles me to yours. There is nothing about me that you cannot attain. I have nothing that does not come from God. The difference between us now is that I have nothing else. This leaves me in a state which is only potential in you.” ACIM I.II.3.

So….Jesus our elder brother is devoted to us, YOU and ME, everyone! He demonstrates to us our potential. No one is excluded from Love not even a politician. He tells us we are all the same in the ego world because we feel separated from God and our only need is to choose love instead of fear and hatred. And like Jesus we can offer tolerance, love and yes forgiveness too as we free our spirit from the tight grip of judgment and hatred. For 2,000 years his wisdom has endeavored to open our hearts and minds to the clarity of healing light. We come here to learn lessons, to see through the ego and world programming and to exclude no one from our love. All hate is from the ego; all love is God. When we give Love, we receive love.

That is giving and receiving.

Be like God – Love Every ONE!

Visit http://www.acim.org or http://www.facim.org

To find out more about A Course In Miracles

Peace is Release – Release is Peace

On September 10, 2018 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

The Course says that each decision that you make is one between a grievance and a Miracle. Every decision is actually a judgment! Every thought can be one of inclusion or exclusion. The inclusive thought brings inner peace. The exclusive thought brings separation and guilt. It is hard to believe that a judgment can bring guilt but it does. We heap guilt upon our souls with every seemingly insignificant harmless judgmental thought.

But guilt is not harmless. It ego eats at your soul. The ego is addicted to “sugar” – and its sugar is judgmental thoughts, grievances, grudges, jealousy, resentment, worry and the distraction of controversy. The ego seeks to keep you in guilt rather than in the arms of the Holy Spirit and peace. You will never be happy until you look at the ego and examine its hold on your life and how it colors your perceptions.

When you feel the gnawing sense of un-ease in your gut, just retrace your previous thoughts. What has you by the throat? What is it about? Is it a worry a gripe or a grudge against someone, a relative, friend or possibly yourself?

Just LOOK at the unease. Bring all the details into awareness and imagine holding the hand of the Holy Spirit. Say: “Look at this with me. Help me see it differently.” When we share all the details with the Holy Spirit we are taking it out of the ego’s clutches.

Now Wait! You have brought it to awareness. It is no longer festering below in the unconscious ready to percolate to the surface at a moments notice.

This Looking help with the RELEASE. The release is the process of letting go. You have given it to God. Breathe into the letting go to speed it on its way.

The RELEASE comes with looking and by passing the ego. The ego is no longer in charge of the gripe or the grudge or the upset.

Release is Peace! Peace will arrive! The grudge, grievance will lessen and at some point you will laugh at the silliness you put yourself through. We do it to ourselves!

See: A Course in Miracles lesson 78. Let miracles replace all grievances.

” Perhaps it is not quite clear to you that each decision (judgment) that you make is between a grievance and a miracle.”

You are LOVED!!

Visit: http://www.acim.org – click on workbook lessons

Peace and Joy I Offer You

On May 23, 2018 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Water Lillies

We cannot find peace if we continue to remember and replay hurtful events from the past. Are you happy being stuck on automatic thinking about an old event? Are you replaying blame, pain and guilt? Was it their fault or yours? If it was your fault you feel guilty. If it was theirs, you feel victimized. Neither are happy making!

What part of your mind is doing the replaying? Ask Yourself: Do I want peace and joy rather than guilt or victimhood?

If the answer is YES, then decided to STOP replaying the past!

HOW? It is up to you……yes YOU! You are doing the replaying yourself!

You could choose to look at it another way.

Say: “OK – I’ll look at this another way for the sake of my own peace.”

Begin to think of the people involved (or the situation) and realize that you are denying them peace and joy (that is their right under the equal laws of God) AND you are ALSO denying peace and joy to yourself.

WOW: If you hold a grievance against someone….it is held in your MIND! You are trapped in the grievance with them. Are you happy? You are trapping your light and joy!

Think of the people involved a little while and tell them in your mind:

* “My brother/sister/: peace and joy I offer you,

That I may have God’s peace and joy as mine.”

We don’t think that just because we have denied peace and joy to someone that we are in effect really denying peace to our Self. If you hold hate or a grudge in your mind, you are the one doing the HOLDING, so you are the effect of your own suffering! Do you like how you feel?

Do you think your brother is suffering? We don’t know but we know you are.

Would you rather say to that brother?

My brother/sister/myself: misery and suffering I offer you

That I may have the ego’s misery and suffering as mine.

Which version do you choose? If the word God bothers you, take it out. God won’t care. That mystery which is love, never condemns. It doesn’t know how to. Make a copy of the pledge and paste it around the house. Take yourself on as a student and train yourself to accept that peace and joy is your inheritance and that you are worth it.

* The quote is from A Course In Miracles, Workbook lesson 105 God’s Peace and Joy are Mine. Visit www.acim.org go The Workbook lessons and then click the lesson selector. You can also click “hear” and listen to the entire lesson and close your eyes. Choose peace!

Hint: When you give you also receive!

In the fox holes of life!

On March 28, 2018March 28, 2018 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

In the fox holes of life: ‘I Am There.’

Easter and Passover join hands this year! Passover and Good Friday on March 30 and Easter April 1. Jesus always takes center stage for Easter. For years I had problems with the concept of Jesus until I started studying the spiritual psychological non- dual metaphysical book, ‘A Course In Miracles.’ Maybe since he was proclaimed the CHOOSEN one i.e. the favorite son of God, it made me wonder about the rest of us. Did he (God) care about me or anyone else for that matter? I decided probably not. But Jesus in the Course tells the scribe, Helen Schucman, that yes, he is a Son of God but so are you and I. He is not special. We are equals and all equally loved!

“The miracle is a sign of love among equals. Equals should not be in awe of one another because awe implies inequality. It is therefore an inappropriate reaction to me. An elder brother is entitled to respect for his greater experience, and obedience for his greater wisdom. There is nothing about me that you cannot attain. I have nothing that does not come from God. The difference between us now is that I have nothing else. This leaves me in a state which is only potential in you.” T.1.II.3.4-12.

He also says that we do need help and He and the Holy Spirit are here for us.

“I go before you because I am beyond the ego. Reach, therefore, for my hand because you want to transcend the ego. My strength will never be wanting, and if you choose to share it you will do so.” T. 8.V.6 7-9.

Hold out your hand i.e. your mind and he is there. Yes, He is the Christ but so are you and I and everyone, whether we accept it or not.

Another wonderful thing about the Course is that since Jesus’s Mind joined with Helen’s we know he is not dead! He tells us throughout the Course that there is no death. He did not die on the cross! His body did but HE did NOT!

I have come to believe that Jesus is really REAL! Not in the bodily sense but within the fox holes of life where faith holds our hand and trust, the light. God does not need us but we need to know, that HIS love and grace are always here with us – Within.

Recently I learned about the mystical poem ‘I am There’ by James Dillet Freeman. He is sometimes known as “the poet laureate of the moon” because two of his poems are on the moon. ‘I Am There’ was taken by Astronaut, James B. Irwin in 1971 and ‘Prayer for Protection’ by Lunar Commander ‘Buzz’ Aldrin in July 1969. Here are the poems of assurance and a blessed Passover and Easter to all.

I am There

Do you need Me?

I am there.

You cannot see Me, yet I am the light you see by.

You cannot hear Me, yet I speak through your voice.

You cannot feel Me, yet I am the power at work in your hands.

I am at work, though you do not understand My ways.

I am at work, though you do not recognize My works.

I am not strange visions. I am not mysteries.

Only in absolute stillness, beyond self, can you know Me as I am, and then but as a feeling and a faith.

Yet I am there. Yet I hear. Yet I answer.

When you need Me, I am there.

Even if you deny Me, I am there.

Even when you feel most alone, I am there.

Even in your fears, I am there.

Even in your pain, I am there.

I am there when you pray and when you do not pray.

I am in you, and you are in Me.

Only in your mind can you feel separate from Me, for only in your mind are the mists of “yours” and “mine.”

Yet only with your mind can you know Me and experience Me.

Empty your heart of empty fears.

When you get yourself out of the way, I am there.

You can of yourself do nothing, but I can do all.

And I am in all.

Though you may not see the good, good is there, for I am there.

I am there because I have to be, because I am.

Only in Me does the world have meaning; only out of Me does the world take form; only because of Me does the world go forward.

I am the law on which the movement of the stars and the growth of living cells are founded.

Though you fail to find Me, I do not fail you.

Though your faith in Me is unsure, My faith in you never wavers, because I know you, because I love you.

Beloved, I am there.

The Prayer of Protection

The light of God surrounds us;

The love of God enfolds us;

The power of God protects us;

The presence of God watches over us;

Wherever we are, God is!

Learn more about the history and mystery of ‘I am There’ by James Dillet Freeman at http://www.unity.com.

January Peace of Mind

On January 22, 2018January 22, 2018 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Mt. Shasta's Heart

OK – So it is mid January! You may have made some resolutions about things you want to happen or do this year. How you doing? The only part of your mind that would care or “seem to mind” is the ego. The ego is the part of your mind that carries the judge’s gavel and seems to run you around like the cartoon road runner.

But what if you set your goal at the beginning of each day so that no matter what happened that day you would have peace?

A Couse In Miracles Lesson 34. I could see peace instead of this.

“Peace of mind is clearly an internal matter. It must begin with your own thoughts and then extend outward. It is from your peace of mind that a peaceful perception of the world arises.”

Go to http://www.acim.org – click on lessons and then scroll to lesson 34. You can even close your eyes and have it read aloud to you.

So – each morning, before you get out of bed lie there for a few restful minutes and ask yourself: “What kind of a day do I want? What do I want to have happen today? Run through all the events and circumstances that you think the day will hold.

Then looking at them all say:

“But above all, today I choose peace. No matter what happens I want the peace of God.”

Then it won’t matter if you get the job interview; the check you’ve been expecting; the date or meeting you’ve been waiting for or the diagnosis you’re hoping for. No matter what happens since your goal is PEACE, you will have it regardless of the outcome of any of the circumstances in your life.

On my white board in the kitchen I’ve written: Today I want the Peace of God. You can put it on a note card you carry in your pocket.

In Chapter 17. of the Course, Section VI. Setting the Goal, p.4. (pg. 366)

The value of deciding in advance what you want to happen is simply that you will perceive the situation as means to make it happen.”

If we decide in advance what we want, then we will perceive it and even if we don’t, we will be upset and then remember “Oh, I could see peace instead of this.”

Even if you get what you want, how long will it make you happy?

No matter what happens in our crazy mixed up world, you can have peace!

From Darkness to Light

On November 7, 2017November 7, 2017 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

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The Course in Miracles tells us that the memory of God comes to the quiet mind. Is your mind quiet? Do you want it quiet? If so, then why isn’t it?

This is an age old question but the answer is simple: We can’t have a quiet mind if we are judging people. Judging is the ego’s primary goal and it keeps us in separation and guilt. We cannot enter God’s Presence alone. We need to take along our “brother” (the brother we are judging) which means the ACCEPTANCE of Him/Her/Them i.e. everyone.

We are judging people if we cannot accept them as Holy and therefore we are outside of holiness as well.

Look at the judgments and above all – do not judge yourself for making them or the ego has you by the throat. When you judge yourself (good or bad) you are making the error (the ego and the body) real. When we hang onto the hate, grievance, upset we are keeping it, the ego’s hate ALIVE!

But we have a purpose in keeping the grievance ALIVE?

When we see the other person, in our dream as separate and split off, they serve as scapegoats for the part of our self we do not want to accept or recognize.

If you don’t see others as holy…..you are not holy.

Judgment is purposive. It keeps us unholy and bound to guilt. If we were holy we would be One with God, with Love and we would disappear. Our individuality would be zero. We are afraid of Love. We want to stay unholy, keep the ego and our judgments in order to stay in the world and be FAR away from God….away from Love.

Freedom lies in looking at the hate with Jesus/Holy Spirit beside us. This is a Course in attaining the light by looking at the darkness. We expose the darkness by taking gentle steps. Look at it and going to the quiet center with Holy Spirit say

“I see this anger/hate/fear/grievance, but I don’t want it anymore. It is keeping me away from peace, from God and from Love. Help me see it differently. Help me recognize it is a projection, it is not real, this is a dream and a script I chose to experience when I * separated from God.”

Peace is attained by each one of us looking and undoing the hatred in ourselves. Self-hatred creates guilt and guilt protects us from love. Joy is finally recognizing you are FORGIVEN and all GUILT is GONE!

* We NEVER left God. We just think we did when we chose the ego!

Reference: A Course In Miracles – Chapter 11. God or the Ego, Section III. From Darkness to Light.page 198.

See Love or the Call for Love

On September 18, 2017September 18, 2017 By SallyIn A Course In Miracles, UncategorizedLeave a comment

See either Love or a Call for Love

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The United Nation’s International Day of Peace is Saturday, September 21. Imagine all the people in all Nations of the World stopping for 24 hours to think about Peace! Peace with other countries, counties, family and neighbors! The above symbol is love in Arabic.

We don’t have to hate. Do we? Do we have to judge or condemn? If a trusted adult tells us that others are offensive we may tend to believe them especially when we are young. We are taught and most of us believe and accept but we certainly don’t have to. For example my mother was prejudiced against a certain race. I had played with some of these kids at school and liked them so I did not accept her belief but I did obey her and not go to their house. As it turned out my sister married a man of that race and low and behold, she changed her mind. A mind is a beautiful thing to change. Mom was a lovely person but she accepted her conditioning and passed it on. It reminds me of the Roger’s and Hammerstein South Pacific song, “You have to be taught.” But we do not have to accept society’s teaching. Hate is a choice.

Could it be that a part of our mind enjoys hate? Think about how you feel when you are in the “hate” emotion. Doesn’t it make you feel strong and powerful and above all right! Years ago I worked in an office with a young man who was mentally impaired. He was from a rich family and he annoyed me and I disliked him. Looking back after years of spiritual work I wondered what that was about. I think I hated him because he reminded me of my own mental impairment. I always thought I was stupid! We project onto others that which we have inside yet do not want to see or admit. It is projected out and seen elsewhere but heaven not in me! When I think of him now, I send love to him wherever he is and I believe his soul receives it. I know mine does.

Hate and anger are harmful to the hater in many ways. Have you ever tried to be nice when you didn’t want to? What does that type of mental activity do to the brain/body? Check out the Every Day Health website, https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/ways-anger-ruining-your-health/ this site document from various studies, the side effects of hate and negative emotions on the heart and brain, creating stress hormones causing depression and even inflammation. The ego is the “Master Judge” in our mind that runs our lives until we understand we are in fact miserable and see through the fog and decide to change our thoughts and choose peace. The ego very wisely uses projection and hate as a road block to love. We choose the ego until we decide not to. We however have a choice because we are a decider!

Hate is offensive. When we see angry people it is very ugly and distasteful. We feel a churning inside. TV and movies offer a heavy diet of violence and hate an onslaught to the nervous systems. To be honest we need to admit the hate we see reflected in the world outside, is also within. If we can admit that then we are no longer in conflict and it dissipates. Instead of pulling the “wool” over our eyes we just look honestly and in looking, it dissolves. If we don’t fight it or put up obstacles we avoid a pile of buried guilt being placed deep within the psyche to emerge unexpectedly, which it will. Look squarely at the angry person and see either love or a call for love. Try it. You will access a place of peace. You do not need to say aloud “I love you” merely think it. The mind is choosing love instead of the ego’s automatic response of disgust or hate. Their anger is their momentarily condition but not their reality. In giving love, you receive it. You don’t know if or what you will “do or say” as the situation will depend on wisdom from the higher Self. But you can always think love.

This quote is attributed to Abraham Lincoln: “To defeat an enemy, make him a friend.” You could also say “To defeat an angry person, recognize it is also within and see either love or a call for love.”

If I exclude love from others; I am excluding love from myself. With compassion we no longer condemn.

We are the same, we all people and nations need peace. The Spark of the Divine is within everyone, so I challenge myself to look for it.

We don’t have to hate. Do we?

On August 16, 2017August 16, 2017 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

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Isn’t hate a judgment?

Isn’t hate a decision?

Isn’t hate a belief?

Isn’t hate enjoyable?

Isn’t hate harmful to the hater?

Isn’t hate offensive?

Does hate infect us with psychic guilt?

The answer is YES, to all of the questions.

We cannot hate unless we have made a judgment about someone or something that we decide is offensive. We have decided we KNOW what is right or what is wrong.

We cannot hate unless we have been taught that something is offensive or disgusting. We are the product of our family, societal beliefs and our culture.

We must realize we find a certain enjoyment in hating. Maybe you hate Trump. Isn’t he fun to hate? Maybe you hate Obama. Isn’t he fun to hate? We enjoy hating because it makes one feel big, strong, and above all right. We KNOW we are right and they are wrong. We LIKE being RIGHT.

For example: We decide being a cheat is terrible. We’ve been taught and we believe cheating is bad, even sinful so we hate cheaters. We see the “sin” of cheating in THEM and hate them for it. What we are really doing is projecting our own “cheating sins” onto them and hating them for it and consequently we are released. They are the sinner not me! We all have cheated at one time or another but we know it is wrong so we see it in THEM and that makes us feel innocent.

This is the ego’s strategy to keep us projecting and hating and conflicted and separate!

It also keeps us blinded, in misery because we are bereft of love, which is gleeful to the ego while still being mired in unconscious guilt.

The KKK and Alt Right hate Liberals. Liberals hate the KKK and the Alt Right. Both groups think they are right. Both groups enjoy hating the other and see the other as being sinful and wrong. Both are projecting on the other what they refuse to see in themselves.

The Liberals “hate” the haters, but don’t want to recognize it within and hate the KKK for being blatantly hateful.

The KKK & Alt Right certainly have “hate” but don’t want to recognize it as bad, and hate the Liberals for judging them, something they also do.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hates Trump. Trump hates Kim Jong Un.

We all know deep down that hating is wrong so why do we continue to do it.

The ego wants to keep us in a state of hate because it keeps us mired in guilt. If we are feeling guilty we cannot be happy. Ego’s Mission Accomplished!

Abraham Lincoln said: “To defeat an enemy, make him a friend.”

I say:

1. To defeat an enemy, look within.

2. Find the offense. “I really hate__________.”

3. Realize it is a projection. You don’t have to know “why” just know you are projecting and that is enough.

4. Own It. “I’m doing this, holding this thought. No one is forcing me.”

5. Look at it. “OK, but it’s not pretty” says the ego.

6. When we look, we are actually forgiving. We have exposed it and acknowledge it. We let it go, and we are released from the judgment.

7. We are free.

With understanding we can no longer condemn. We are the same. We all suffer from the same ego judgment. We all feel guilty. We all need release.

I admit I am a liberal. I maintain that if I exclude love from someone; I am excluding love from myself. I do not agree with the KKK because I exclude no one from my love……even them. I know the Spark of the Divine is within them too so I must look for it.

God Bless!

http://www.acim.org

http://www.facim.org

http://www.miraclecenter.org

See! Here is a divine spark. Just like yours!

Am I a Body or Spirit?

On July 21, 2017July 22, 2017 By SallyIn Uncategorized1 Comment

As students of A Course In Miracles we are asked to consider our True Identity.

We are born into a body, in a particular family of certain circumstances but seeking the answer to the age old question: Who am I? We learn (gradually) we are NOT who we THINK we are!

The Course tells us we are Spirit and little by little we come to understand that YES, that is true, our (eternal) spirit does reside in our body for now but the time will come when we will leave the body, thank it for its service and move on. We are really caretakers (or not) of our soul that is currently inhabiting this body!

The more and more we REMEMBER we are in fact SPIRIT, the more peace we will have. When the body has a problem, which it will, it is a chance to say: NOPE – NOT ME!

Of course we take care and “fix” the body and do whatever we can to stay in the world and learn lessons that are sure to come. A elderly friend became sick recently and the sickness was such that she decided NOT to “fix” her body! That was courageous but I know the time will come when I will make that same decision. I will know what’s right when that time comes and I will leave knowing I did the right thing.

Workbook lesson 199. I am not a body. I am free, is a wonderful lesson to explore the feelings of not being the body. You can go to http://www.acim.org and click on lessons and then close your eyes and listen quietly to let it sink in.

Remember, you are a decision making Mind! You have the power to choose! You have two choices: Love or Fear. You can listen to the ego’s fear or listen to the Holy Spirit’s grace and faith.

Isn’t it great to know you have a CHOICE! That is why you are not a victim.

http://www.facim.org – Lesson 199: “I am not a body. I am free. I hear the Voice That God has given me, and it is only This my mind obeys.”

You Are Aware Consciousness

On June 25, 2017 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

“The mind of an enlightened human being is flexible and adaptable. The mind of an ignorant person is conditioned and fixed.” Ajhan Sumedho, ‘Don’t take your life seriously’, Buddhist Publishing Group

As a student of non-duality, a friend recently loaned me the above book. Ajahn Sumedho. Ajahn, (“teacher” in Pali) was born Robert Karr Jackman, July 27, 1934, in Seattle. He is the senior Western representative of the Thai forest tradition of Theravada Buddhism. A bhikkhu since 1967, Sumedho is considered a seminal figure in the transmission of the Buddha’s teachings to the West. During the Korean War he served for four years from the age of 18 as a United States navy medic. He graduated in 1963 with an MA in South Asian studies from the University of California, Berkeley. Per Wikepedia

A Course In Miracles has many similarities with Buddhism and the one that stands out from all others is our judgment of ourselves and others. I don’t know about you but I’ve been fixated on politics, our nation and world conditions since the January changes in government. Chaos and change happens in our lives and that creates nervousness and anxiety, the opposing poles of inner peace. Ajahn says the world is: “just the way it is!” Accept! We are not at peace when we judge anyone; feel superior or inferior to others.” As Babies we were not born with a self-view. That is developed over our lifetime. We therefore become a “created concept” and we suffer and seek answers to the suffering.

Whatever our self-concepts are we are not that! When we choose, we can acknowledge innate pure consciousness to receive wisdom. Wisdom operates through the marriage of awareness joining with consciousness. Suffering is the theme in The Four Noble truths. Judgment is suffering. As we become aware of pure consciousness, judgments shift and soften: “so it is” or “like this” to pure subjectivity. The ego personality says: “I like this or I don’t like that.” It is my choice then, should I get caught up in the annoyance, suppress it or try to change it? I know I want my way but can I be assured that will bring me peace? Until I can accept the world is just ‘like it is’ and ‘what is just – is’, I am the one choosing to suffer. Buddha called it Dukkha.

When you say: “I AM pure consciousness uncreated” your mind is at rest. Say it slowly with eyes closed. Say it slowly with eyes open. Pure consciousness does not have a sex, nationality or a world view. It means, I AM – not a permanent body; rather I am eternal, consciousness. Consciousness is behind awareness and when melded spark an awakening experience, like the Buddha, or Christ .

Contrast this with the impermanent, unsatisfactory “not self” that we think we are. The idea of “me and mine” created out of ignorance and separation from pure consciousness. The personality and life circumstances always change. You don’t stay the same person as the ego personality is reactive. Old age is another seeming failure but pure consciousness does not age. Awareness transcends the conditioned ego state. If we continue to give our allegiance and beliefs to the ego rather than to our natural pure awareness, we will suffer – until we tire of it. We can see seek refuge in awareness and pure consciousness.

As we look at national and world conditions, be aware and say: ‘so it is.’ The Course calls it our script. It just is and we can view it through the ego i.e. suffering or Awareness i.e the Holy Spirit. Consciousness is stainless, it cannot be contaminated. I am reminded of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, working for peace yet staying in pure consciousness throughout the tumult of his life and Jesus who assures us we are “As God Created Us” and not the thing or ego we created.

Perhaps we will become enlightened as insanity propels us to approach pure consciousness; non-attachment vs pure hell. The Holy Spirit within that is the alternative voice to the ego.

As the months and years unfold, our mindful practice, whether with Buddhism or A Couse In Miracles workbook lessons, will guide us to the wisdom and peace available at the center of our One luminous being.

See A Course In Miracles Workbook Lesson 45. God is the Mind with which I think

http://www.facim.org

http://www.acim.org

http://www.miraclecenter.org

Love Makes No Comparisons

On May 29, 2017 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

I have been listening to a CD series of Dr. Ken Wapnick called: The Experience of A Course In Miracles, A Commentary on the section: “Development of Trust.” This 10 CD series covers the development of trust and the six stages a student goes through while on the path set forth by the Course.

All of the ten characteristics of God’s teachers rest on Trust which is the first. The other nine are: Honesty; Tolerance; Gentleness; Joy; Defenselessness; Generosity; Patience; Faithfulness and Open Mindedness. I am sharing the below notes because it is a powerful look at the dynamic of why we “LOVE to hate! (You can purchase the CD series at http://www.facim.org)

Notes from Ken Wapnick, Ph.D. – Development of Trust CD 2.4

“Love makes no comparisons. Love is perfect Oneness. In Heaven there is no duality – no comparing – no judgment. In Heaven there is only ONE – not even God and Christ are separate and that One knows nothing else. God does not know we are here. God does not know of illusions – if He did it would make it true. No Duality – only One. (For those who are put off by the term “God” just think Love because no one knows what the mystery of God could be.)

In this world however, we have the ego’s distortion of love which in the Course is called “Special Love.” Here, in the world of duality, everything is based upon comparisons. You have something that I lack and therefore what I lack is what I want – so I set out to get it from you. We make special relationships very interesting in all the ingenious ways we go about getting or stealing from others what we think we need for our own salvation.

This works both in the forms of special love and special hate. Special hate is when what you have, that I lack, which is innocence, I then feel sinful because I believe I’m a sinner (and I compare you to me) therefore what I do is I project my sin onto you thereby making you the sinner, and thereby making you worthy of my hate!

That’s why we all love to hate in our world. I hate you because if I make you are the repository of sin, then I am innocent because in the ego thought system it is always one or the other. (So when I hate someone that makes him the sinner and therefore I am innocent….. per the ego. This is why we “love” to hate. We get rid of our guilt nice and neatly. I’ve always wondered why it is we “love” to hate – especially those of another political party, or someone who is richer, prettier, more talented, etc. Find an example in your own life to understand the projection/psychology behind it but don’t feel guilty about it just look at what your ego does to keep love away!)

Everything in this world is based upon comparisons. It is impossible to avoid this. Perception is all about comparisons and judgments. You couldn’t see otherwise. When we perceive something we’ve already make the judgment that it is important and everything else is unimportant.

The Right minded use of comparisons is to evaluate the difference between the ego’s thought system and the Holy Spirits. What is the ego’s thought system is all about is judgment and separation. When we catch the ego’s tricks we understand what it is up to. We see it is false and it is all made up. Our resistance in looking is what makes this so difficult.”

I recommend going to the book: A Course In Miracles; see the Manual for Teachers towards the back of the book; and see # 4. What are the Characteristics of God’s Teachers, I. Trust. and A. Development of Trust.

http://www.facim.org

Elusiveness of Peace and Joy

On April 17, 2017April 18, 2017 By SallyIn Uncategorized1 Comment

The Elusiveness of Peace and Joy!

Do you want peace and joy? Of course you do. As least you think you do until you have a judgment or an upset that you won’t let go of. You are sure something was done to you and you are right and the offending party should go to hell. Or places like that. OK – maybe you are right but do you want peace and joy? You can’t have it if you want someone to go to hell or hold onto an upset that you will not consider in another way.

I know someone who is holding onto a grievance. He was actually attacked, pushed up against a fence and would have been hit if someone had not interfered. Why did the perpetrator assault him? He had responded to an insult with his own insult and that angered the attacker and so he took matters into his hands, literally. Who started it? It doesn’t matter. What matters is how we now find the peace that eluded us the first moment we reacted. That will be the subject of another article and an important one for now, let’s look at where we find ourselves and how can we choose another way back to the peace we want.

We have not found peace by remembering and replaying the event because we are stuck in our belief system and we are sure we are in the right. But are you happy being in the right? Would you rather be right or happy? Now when we see that person or think of them we are unhappy. Ask yourself: Do I want peace and joy?

If the answer is YES, then decided to STOP the set belief in your mind (just for a moment) and choose another way to look at this? Say: “OK – I’ll look at this another way for the sake of my own peace.”

*“Begin to think of that (person) brother who has been denied by YOU the peace and joy that is his right under the equal laws of God. You have denied them to yourself and now you claim them as your own. Think of this brother a little while and tell him in your mind:

My brother peace and joy I offer you,

That I may have God’s peace and joy as mine.”

We don’t think that just because we have denied peace and joy someone else that in so doing we are in effect really denying them to our self. If you hold hate or a grudge in your mind, you are the one HOLDING the hate and the grudge in yourself. You are the sufferer. Do you think your brother is suffering? We don’t know but we do know you are.

Would you rather say to that brother?

My brother, misery and suffering I offer you

That I may have the ego’s misery and suffering as mine.

Which version do you choose? If the word God bothers you, take it out. God won’t care. That mystery is love and love never condemns. It doesn’t know how to. Make a copy of the pledge and paste it around the house. Take yourself on as a student and train yourself to accept that peace and joy is your inheritance and that you are worth it.

* This quote comes from the spiritual book, A Course In Miracles, Workbook lesson 105 God’s Peace and Joy are Mine. Visit www.acim.org go The Workbook lessons and then when the lesson comes up, click on “hear” and listen to the entire lesson and close your eyes. Choose peace!

Hint: When you give you also receive!

Can we ever agree?

On April 11, 2017April 13, 2017 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Yes we can agree and it happens when we find common ground on SOMETHING!

The gift is in finding what that SOMETHING is that we can agree upon!

When we are in agreement there is peace. Where is peace when we disagree?

Eventually when we master the Course In Miracles we will have PEACE even when “disagreement” is seemingly before us.

The Course says “See love or the call for love.”

As we learn to master the Course, little by little the judgments are fewer.

They gradually become challenges to find shared values rather than separation.

I wanted to share the link below of Professor George Lakoff of the University

of California Berkley. He explains why we disagree and has an example of how

we can learn to find common ground and become more agreeable!

It is 27 minutes interview with Tavis Smiley of PBS (if you cannot open it just google

Tavis Smiley)

Professor of Cognitive Science, George Lakoff, UC Berkeley:

http://video.nhptv.org/video/2365951602/

“Teach only love, for that is what you are.” ACIM T.6. I.13.

You Are a Decision Making Mind

On March 30, 2017 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

You are a decision making mind! Right?!

However, you are a decision making mind that has decided it is NOT a decision making mind! At least not all the time and here is why.

IN our world of illusion we have a split mind: the ego and the right mind which the Course calls the part of the mind we use to access the Holy Spirit, Jesus, the Love within. Observe your mind when it is on automatic. There are thoughts of worry, envy, judgments, fear, and also thoughts of appreciation, a friend, a loved one, clouds or spring flowers, raspberries, chocolate, or coffee. Understand that there are various categories of ideas, thoughts running helter skelter, hither and yon and where are you? If you are following your ego lock, stock and barrel you are not using the right mind. You are off course! The Course in Miracles, tells us our egoic thoughts are not out real thoughts. Our real thoughts are the thoughts we share with God, with love. It also says the memory of God comes to the quiet mind.

The Course In Miracles has a workbook of 365 lessons, one per day, that trains us to see through the veil and reclaim our decision making mind. That process helps us learns to make the choice between the ego and the right mind. It is a journey without distance. You don’t need to travel to see a guru or take a workshop but you will be led by a quiet voice of love within. The journey is inner, it is between your Self and the Love within that will hold your hand the entire time and for all time. Take the journey with the intention and determination that you are doing something very Holy. It is truly a mind training and life changing journey and you will succeed.

Take the journey to your real home. Start at lesson number 1 and read one every day no matter if you understand it or not. Keep going!

When you get to lesson 35 you will read: “My mind is part of God’s I am very Holy.”

Keep going – your decision making mind is in charge! You are on your way HOME to the true Self!

www.acim.org – look at the lessons and the text

www.miraclecenter.org – find a study group in your area.

www.facim.org – lots of wonderful books by Dr. Ken Wapnick

The Light Has Come

On March 16, 2017March 16, 2017 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

The Metaphysical/Spiritual book called A Course In Miracles contains a workbook that offers a lesson for each day. The lessons are offered online so you do not have to buy the book to get started. http://www.acim.org – see directions below.

You can start the lessons anytime you want but be sure to start at lesson #1, as they follow a mind training process that is powerful and helps us see through the world and the illusions that make us sad, angry, depressed, anxious, happy at times, sadness over death, destruction, injustice and more. I believe the Course has brought many back from the brink hopelessness because it did for me.

Would you like to forgive the world? It may not seem that you need to but the world has a way of showing us what we dislike as well as what we like. The world is dualistic. It contains the opposites that we then judge as good or bad! We gradually give the world up by forgiving seeing it for what it is and in doing so we become the Light that is our true identity!

Today, March 16th is the 75th day of the year and today’s Lesson 75. The Light Has Come.

The lessons can be read online and they have been recorded so you have the option of sitting back and listen to the lesson being read to you!

“The Light Has Come.”

Go to http://www.acim.org

click on Online Lessons

click on Workbook table of Contents and

Choose 75! Enjoy being in the Light! Listen to a lesson any time you want!

Be 100% Responsible for the “Way” you see!

On March 8, 2017March 8, 2017 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

If we are 100% responsible not for WHAT we see but the WAY we see it we are withdrawing our projections and living the examined life that the Course In Miracle’s is encouraging us to do.

His Holiness The Dalai Lama has said on occasion that we will not have peace in the world until we have inner peace. Many spiritual paths help us become aware of the duality of the split mind containing opposite thoughts of love or fear. The thoughts of the false self, the ego is not who we are but it runs the world and our lives until we begin to awaken and learn to see it for what it is.

On that note, I awoke one morning recently with the following thought: “Our 45^th President is operating from his personality, the false self. This false self, a mask is not the reality of his true identity. He is not that any more than my false self is who I am.” It was an “Ahh ha” moment because I’ve been aware that I certainly lose my peace when I watch him on TV or read the newspapers.

To delve further, it is our thoughts and judgments that determine whether we have the inner peace about which both the Course and his Holiness speaks. We can believe the thoughts or not, that is our choice. Judgmental thoughts come from our perceptions and then are projected ‘out’ and seen in someone else rather than accepted in myself. It’s called projection.

Some history per Wikipedia: “Psychological projection is a theory in psychology in which humans defend themselves against their own unconscious impulses or qualities (both positive and negative) by denying their existence in themselves while attributing them to others. For example, a person who is habitually rude may constantly accuse other people of being rude. It incorporates blame shifting. In 1841, Ludwig Feuerbach was the first enlightenment thinker to employ this concept. The Babylon Talmud (500 CE) notes the human tendency toward projection and warns against it: “Do not taunt your neighbor with the blemish you yourself have.” The term “Projection” was conceptualized by Freud. He considered that, in projection, thoughts, motivations, desires, and feelings that cannot be accepted as one’s own are dealt with by being placed in the outside world and attributed to someone else. What the ego repudiates is split off and placed in another.”

To gain peace we gradually understand the projections we have placed on others by looking inward to see the “offense” is within. As Course students we honestly look and we recognize aspects of similarities if not in the exact form but similar in content. We thus, awaken because we look and gradually this is the way we undo the ego! It is not always easy to do because we prefer denial. But we accept and doing so we in effect forgive ourselves plus the one we are projecting onto. We are the same! We have looked at and withdrawn the projection. We changed our mind.

Inner peace and a piece of wholeness reclaimed is the prize! For example I may not send “tweets” attacking or insulting others but I may harbor judgmental thoughts. They may not be the same but still they are judgments. Freedom is: Looking without judgment, but when we do judge (and we will) don’t feel guilty for having judged! The ego will try and lay on the guilt but instead laugh, chuckle or smile at the folly of the crazy world. Eventually the ego will dissolve.

Why go to this trouble to acknowledge projection? If we keep it buried in our unconscious it will eventually emerge in anger, envy and hate. In making judgments we are in effect, depositing our “darkness or shadow” onto someone else. That may make us feel better for a while because we got rid of it but the downside is the residual blotch of guilt, a gift the ego neatly places in our mind. We are addicted to judgment after all we’ve been doing it since we threw our bottle across the room or whenever we decided we didn’t want to obey our parents, which echo’s the authority problem we have with anyone from bosses to God.

The Course In Miracles in Chapter 11. God or the Ego, Section V. The “Dynamics” of the Ego, pg 202 states:

“No one can escape from illusions unless he looks at them,

for by not looking is the way they are protected.”

Whenever your peace flies away, democrat, republican or independent your ego has taken charge. You are pushing love away. The Course says this is reminiscent of the first thought of separation; the separation from God and from love. Whenever you feel a lack of love, look at your thoughts. Who or what are you judging? Judgment is separation and separation is not love; joining is.

We gradually learn we are One; we are the same; we all have the same false ego and the correction of the higher self.

Know this as you head out the door with your sign standing as a peacemaker -protester but at the same time exclude no one from your love. We can still disagree about policies while holding the hand of the other who sees things differently. Maybe put a few red hearts on your sign sending the subliminal message: Love is the reason I am here.

We are no longer staring at the shadows on the walls of Plato’s cave because we move to the Light by holding the hands of all brothers and trust knowledge and peace will lead the way. We are in good hands, we lack nothing and everyone is loved.

You are complete, healed and whole!

January 21st – Women’s March

On January 25, 2017January 25, 2017 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Can we oppose and still be in peace?

On Saturday January 21st I joined thousands of women, men and children in a “March” from the Library to the Band Shell in Lithia Park. My intention was to choose peace and walk, join in camaraderie with everyone and stand for inclusion and respect for all races, religions, health care and in protection of our environment. More on the March later.

Today I listened to a CD of *Ken Wapnick. He was answering a question about kindness and the question was if when advocating we need to be kind but we also need to make sure we detached ourselves from the outcome or whatever we were advocating for. The answer was Yes and the point Ken made was that “while acting out of kindness we DO need to detach from the outcome, that only kindness counts because kindness multiplies as it is unlimited but do not attach to the outcome and you will be happy whether you win or lose. If you are upset you are invested.”

What I understood is that we need to proceed from a place of “Love” for everyone and exclude NO ONE from our love or oppose anyone or attack in any way. We need to realize that we are all the same. We share the same ego. Everyone wants things “their way.” We share the same correction; the Holy Spirit (the advocate for Good and God) is in every minds. We all carry the LIGHT or the spark of God within that joins us in Oneness.

In a quote I saw recently, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said “We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.” To “make peace with ourselves” we have to look at “what we think” and “watch” our thoughts and judgments. Our thoughts and judgments are what make us peaceful or perturbed, they are our projections.

Watching our projections is a gift to ourself, to our family, community and the entire world. For example, when looking at a judgment about anyone, turn it around and make it about yourself as well. This is hard because the idea about “seeing something out there” means I do not want to “see it in here – in me.” That is why we PROJECT it out. For example our President makes judgments about people all the time. I may think it is terrible but don’t I do the same thing? I don’t put them on twitter or TV and I don’t have the same exact thoughts as he but I do judge. What is important is WATCHING and CATCHING and KNOWING and OBSERVING the ego thought projections so I will REALIZE what I am doing.

Most of us keep our judgments to ourselves or we share them with a close friend. Many of us were taught “if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything.” Or “keep quiet and look intelligent but open your mouth and look stupid.” But even when we think it – the judgment, it still in the mind and it is still separation, condemnation and attack.

We all have judgments and that is why the Dalai Lama says we can never obtain outer peace until we make peace within ourselves. For peace within, we need to be vigilant for the judgments, own them, stop projecting and in so doing you are no longer in the misery of blame, condemnation or separation. We all have an ego. The ego mind separates and the way to peace is to watch it, look at it with the goodness i.e. the Holy Spirit in your Holy Mind and by bringing it to consciousness, it is gradually seen for what it is and diminished.

So back to the Women’s March. There is nothing wrong with sending a message to the President as long as it is done from a place of love and not hate. It is no longer hate, when we cleanse it of projection and separation. I realize that I will be miserable if I continue to judge him instead of his policies. I need to make sure that my advocacy comes from Love but does not exclude anyone. Only loving thoughts reflect Truth and all other thoughts are from the false self or the ego.

I need to remember I can work (and walk) from that non-egoic place of love as guide and as a citizen and peace maker. If I refuse to attach myself to the outcome then I will be happy. I don’t know if my actions will be understood but I cannot worry about that. If I am attached I will not have peace….and that is all I want.

Ken Wapnick, Ph.D. – visit http://www.facim.org – For books, recordings on the spiritual, mystical, metaphysical book A Course In Miracles and workshops by his staff.

http://www.acim.org

http://www.miraclecenter.org

The Gift of the Great Rays

On November 27, 2022November 27, 2022 By SallyIn A Course In MiraclesLeave a comment

EVERYONE NEEDS PEACE – EVERYONE NEEDS LOVE –

EVERYONE NEEDS INNER PEACE

When you give this gift to a friend or relative you never know, but it may be just what they need!

This essay collection offers reflections on choosing peace while living in the world. We live in a world that has problems; the wars, sorrow, tragic killings, and death. But inner peace is possible. It is a choice made consciously, nurtured and attended to carefully.

The world is dualistic with opposites; good and bad; love and fear and life and death. We inherited a split mind. The ego part chooses judgment and separation. It is NOT your friend. It is the opposite of love. It is a manipulator and gives only to get. It must win at all costs, its stingy; jealous; lies; and judges everyone and everything. We learn to watch it and see how it works. Becoming aware is critical to silencing it and choosing the voice for love inside. Just because a thought enters the mind, it doesn’t mean it is true. Don’t believe everything you think. The ego runs on automatic. It makes you miserable, separate and alone.

But the other voice in the mind resides in the higher Self. Turning away from the ego, you have the power to see the world in a different light; thoughts of healing grace and forgiveness. This is your choice: listen to the ego or to the voice of truth residing in your Self. Only you can do it. No one can do it for you. A mind is a beautiful thing to change. When we get tired of the pain, we look for another way; the way of peace. We ask to see things differently.

These essays will help in learning how to access the perennial wisdom residing within. It is simple and it only takes mindfulness, watching and mind training. You are worth it! And so are those you love.

A CHRISTMAS GIFT TO YOURSELF, RELATVES AND FRIENDS.

EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW THEY ARE LOVED!

Available on Barnes & Noble and Amazon

A Gift for the Christ Child

On November 26, 2022 By SallyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Have you been glued to the TV this past political season? Still are? Ohhh the world is a crazy place with its twists and turns, betrayals, ego’s running amuck through the swamp. On one talk show someone quietly and gently mentioned that we needed more acceptance and love. Several politely rolled their eyes as if to say: Love?? What’s love got to do with it? Everything as it turns out.

I’m sure you’ve noticed the ego always speaks first. We think this is natural since we are used to it. When we scoff at an idea that is the ego speaking. Another reason it speaks first is to gain the upper hand. I’m sure you’ve noticed that the ego has created wars since time began. The reason is that the ego is deathly afraid of love. Love is its opposite and would kill it. That is why it asserts itself when nice words like: inclusion; joining; love; same interests; oneness; brotherhood or anything similar is mentioned. Since the ego is terrified of love it will become very vicious knowing its end is near. Poor ego.

There is however another voice. The one the ego is afraid of, the voice that suggested the need for acceptance and love. This voice with a gentle accepting message we’ve known all our lives as well. The ego says those who are different must be condemned; run out of town; the other voice says “love thy neighbor” they would be interesting to. We don’t have to judge or reject someone because they are different but the ego does. It’s impossible to love someone you have condemned. This adversarial stance blocks us from joy and “love” that is ours naturally. We can choose the gentle voice by simply dropping the hand of the ego. It is a simple change of mind; change of heart to choose the gentle voice on the path to inclusion; the path to peace. Just say No ego!

Here is a good way to test the two voices if you haven’t; watch TV for a few minutes. As you watch notice the people, take note of what you see; like or don’t like. What were the judgments like? How do you feel? Now watch TV with and open mind and heart. Now you can feel the difference. Inclusion vs exclusion feels very different. The ego projects guilt out of the mind and makes us feel special and innocent. It’s like a cleaning lady pushing dirt under the rug so we don’t see it or know it is there. What is pushed under the rug emerges in time.

This projection is not evil or bad as long as we recognize it as the ego ploy of separation. Merely look at it and realize it is our stuff; we let it go, forgive it because it is old learning from the past. If the word “forgiveness” bothers you, think of it as giving up grudges; letting go of the past errors to be free. It’s up to you to free yourself. If you still feel some guilt; it’s the ego slipping in. The truth is you are innocent at your core.

Your Christmas gift is to know you can stop believing or identifying with ego thoughts and have peace. There is another thought to choose. You are a Light in the World. That is your reality. Hear the alternative voice which represents understanding and mercy that’s always available.

So this Christmas write down the old ego beliefs; put them in an envelope under the tree with a gift tag; “ToThe Christ Child” or “To God.” Either one will be happy with your gift. God will gladly take it off your hands as he does not judge. This child doesn’t recognize anything but love so it’s not a problem. They know who you are: Eternal Spirit, a loved Son, and a dear Brother. Whatever your concepts of God or the child could be, just think: Love. Love knows your reality.

Extend acceptance to all this Christmas. Why not? When we offer it to all; you accept yourself. Kindness is who and what you are. Welcome to your Self; your true identity offering freedom from separation, pain, worry and have a Merry Christmas.

You are a Light in the World – Go to the following lesson 61 in the Course In Miracles Workbook and click on the microphone to “hear” the lesson.

https://acim.org/acim/lesson-61/i-am-the-light-of-the-world/en/s/464

Author of “The Gift of the Great Rays, Inner Peace Essays, A Course In Miracles and its promise of freedom” available on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

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Learn to Love Yourself – A Valentine’s Day Gift For You

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