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.