Courting the Presence at all times in and as the life we are. The presence of kindness, gentleness, love, forgiveness, tolerance, enthusiasm, joy, harmony, peace, goodwill, compassion, empathy, trust, understanding, endurance, patience, acceptance, etc., is the essence of a fulfilling life. Practicing the presence of all the fruits of the spirit. This is the divine inner path we take that leads us to the wisdom that makes the difference in the quality and fulfillment of our life. As Joseph Campbell so wisely expressed it, "We are here to be happy and to be living a life of fulfillment".
We can learn a better way to live! A more harmonious, joyfelt, lovefelt and fulfilling life is ours to know, realize and experience when we discover and practice this "wisdom to know the difference".
As truth seekers we become aware that the point of power is always in this now moment. This now moment holds all the possibilities and potentials for us to effect a change. "This year, keep in mind that every moment of every day is an opportunity to begin again." (Mary-Alice and Richard Jafolla).
This statement sounds good and when practiced has great merits and benefits toward living and realizing a happy, healthy, stressless and fulfilling life. In truth, every day is given to us as an eternity to be happy.
Wow! What a fantastic lifestyle and a miraculous way to live. And it is when practiced and realized. As we all know, to be proficient and successful at any discipline takes practice, practice, practice and more practice.
As humans, change doesn't come easily for us because our tendency is to resist the new and to resist change. We get caught up in the trap of complacency because we feel comfortable in the known. But do we ever really feel content in the known? For those of us on a Spiritual Path, I would have to say, "No".
Life is a forward progression and an ongoing process of choice, renewal, reprogramming, awakening, learning, bending and growing.
With the spiritual foundation of God's promises -- "I give you eternal life and everlasting love" -- what more could we ask for? In truth, we already have it all . . . all life as designed and created by our creator.
In the Twelve Step Programs there is a saying, "A change of attitude can be of boundless help." This is a powerful suggestion and aid in recovery from any addictions, and is the primary force for good that results in experiencing a happier, healthier and wiser life. Attitudes are contagious, so you might want to ask yourself "Is my attitude worth catching?" However, for me I choose to replace the idea of "recovery" with the idea and realization of "spiritual awakening". In my opinion, there is nothing to recover from but rather an infinite and unlimited source of good, possibilities and potentials to awaken to. Created in God's image and likeness we can only accept that we do have it all and we are already expressions of eternal life and everlasting love.
What could we not accept if we but knew and embraced that everything that happens, all events, past, present and to come, are gently and carefully planned by one whose only purpose is for our good?
We are spiritual beings having human experiences in this here and now. As such we have eons, eons and eons of human conditioning to let go of and release in the process of discovering and realizing our real self . . . the divine essence and creation we are . . . children of God and worthy inheritors of the kingdom of heaven and the treasures thereof.
So, stop allowing yourself to be limited by who you think you are. Now is the moment to claim your true identity. Right now, in this now moment, you have a choice as to what you are going to think. You are in charge of your thoughts. You are in charge of your present, You are in charge of your future. Trust your choices to your positive inner guide. Nothing from the past can block you or hold you back.
Each of us has a Higher Self or Higher Power which is the invincible, infinite, invisible presence within us that is an eternal incarnation of the wisdom of the ages. It is an invocation of a divine b1essing for us to awaken to, to acknowledge and to accept this truth as the reality of our true nature.
When we know, feel and experience this connection and oneness with our creator, we are alive and living in the Christ Spirit of life. We are courting the presence and abiding in the mainstream of eternal wisdom. Oh, what a treasured gift wisdom is to each of us. Truly a divine benevolent gift to behold. Give yourself a wake-up call! Celebrate "the wisdom to know the difference'' and you will be happy and you will be living a life of fulfillment. Namaste.
Rev. Pat Cross is staff minister of the New Thought Science of Mind Center, Tampa, Florida, and founding minister and director of the Holiday Science of Mind Center. Holiday ,Florida.(813) 934-6730