To visit my art website please click on the link below. You can view various collections from Ocean, Mountains, Dreams and Visionary. Have fun! If you are interested in any painting let me know. I cannot sell original paintings through Fine Art America but Greeting Cards and prints are OK. However I do not receive any royalties because I do not use Pay Pal. So if interested in anything send me an email and we will make other arrangements.
Did you know that!! Do you believe it? Why would a loving God want you miserable or upset? The Course In Miracles tells us that God is LOVE – Only Love, All is Love and loved. You are Loved so is your enemy: Democrat, Republican, Independent, all cultures and Religions. We are all loved equally. There is no wrathful judgmental God in the Course!
The problem we have is we believe “sin” is real and the Course tells us there is no sin! Imagine that! Yes, we all make mistakes or errors but God never blames because all he knows is love. The Course tells us that God’s last judgment of us, His Holy Son is:
“Holy are you, eternal, free and whole, at peace forever in the
Heart of God. Where is the world, and where is sorrow now?”
When we judge anyone or anything we are judging our self because projection makes perception. What we see “out there” we judge…..or not. For example think about the U.S. Capitol on January 6. It was upsetting looking at it through the ego. But if something upsets me, it is up to me to see it as either love or a call for love. I look calmly with love and understand that people are angry. They were suffering and they needed to act out their fear and or rage. If I can see it as a call for love, I extend love to ALL. Did I do that? No! But I know I can do that when I see it replayed on TV. When something upsets me I can change from the ego part of mind, and go to the part of my mind that I share with God. Step back and say: Opps, I can see this with the eyes of Vision and extend love to all. Consequently, I will have love too because when you give you also receive.
We can look upon the scene and remember what Jesus is reported to have said “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” We don’t know their path or what they came here to learn.
It is up to us to allow happiness to be present in our mind, to let all judgment go. You are not guilty but innocent. As we realize that mistakes are part of the learning process of this classroom, we stop blaming because we learned something and it was beneficial. Open up your heart and mind to the beauty of the Love that you inherited from God and in fact are.
God Bless
See and listen to ‘A Course In Miracles’ Lessons 101; 102; 103 & 104
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
Inner Peace For You 