Recess from the Recession

Downward trend, negative growth, significant decline are all terms used to define a recession. In other words, we take a ‘recess’ from spending money all at the same time. Why? The best I can figure out, the economic forecasters study the numbers and report on economic trends. When numbers are on the decline they report that a recession is looming and all the rest of us clutch our wallets, cease extraneous activity and hide under the covers until the forecasters say it’s ok to come out.

I’m glad there are people that crunch numbers and look out for us.
What’s unfortunate is the way the subject of recession is continually hashed and re-hashed until the message of doom and gloom follows us wherever we go.

Fear is a powerful force. In the M. Night Shyamalan movie, The Village, the elders of the town used fear as a way to control everyone and keep them from asking questions or wandering out of the village. The elders’ plan brought them great pain as their own children became victims of the contrived fear.

We can turn fear into faith by making conscious choices. Instead of focusing on the fear, why not take some positive action like committing to a monthly savings plan, balancing the checkbook, keeping a gratitude journal. When we are proactive we avoid being reactive to events around us.

Let’s take a recess from the recession. If we all put attention on faith in each other and in the universe, we could impact our own personal experience. As Ernest Holmes states “And the Light shed by this faith will light the way for others.” Blessings for an abundant month.

Releasing Doubt

I was noticing when doubt shows up. It is most noticeable when I need approval and recognition. I can make a decision but then I look over my shoulder to see if anyone noticed or if they approve. When I don’t receive any input or feedback, then I start to doubt. A whole lot of conversation goes on in the brain when there is no outward feedback.

The remedy is similar as handling worry. There are three steps: The first is to STOP the imagination from running wild. It takes discipline to tell the brain to stop obsessing. The second is to put my attention on Spirit. I find using the Prayer of Protection or reciting affirmations helps me to stop obsessing and find calmness. Calmness creates clarity which enables me to take action which is the third step. When I take action I move from the victim mode to feeling empowered.

The Gift of Listening

In our Speaking with Intention class, we discussed the power of fully listening to what another is saying.

Very often we think we are listening but the mind is wandering to other topics. This is very prevalent today as we engage in multi-tasking in a very unhealthy way. We may be on the phone with someone, but responding to emails, reading mail, driving the car or engaging in any number of other tasks. It is rare to have a one-to-one conversation any more! We lose sight of the divinity of the other person when we listen in this way.

Other times we think we are listening but we are so reactive to what the person is saying that we are busy formulating a reply and not really listening to what they are saying at all. We’re cheating the person speaking out of truly hearing what they have to say.

The true gift of listening is where we are fully present and receptive to what another person is saying. We may not fully agree with what they are saying, but we honor and listen to their story.

Words of wisdom from Fred Rogers, host of “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood” :

“The greatest gift that you can give another person is to gracefully receive whatever it is that they want to give us.”

We are giving others the greatest possible gift by gracefully listening to them.

I was talking with a friend over the weekend and she was sharing about her new job and new home. She was very grateful for this sudden turn around in her life. I reminded her of her years of trial and error, of dedicated spiritual practice and of faith.

This is similar to when people say that an actor or actress was an ‘overnight’ success. There was nothing ‘overnight’ about it. It was long journey of hard work, patience and dedication. It always seems overnight because when good happens it is sudden and profound.

The same is true of our spiritual journey. It is so important to stay connected to our spiritual practice, intentions and purpose. The Good that we desire is coming...it may not happen on our timeline but it absolutely is on God’s time.

A Mountain of Doubt

It’s our two year anniversary of being in our new home. We love it and always feel such gratitude for it. But I remember when we were in the closing process when I began to feel a hesitant and uncertain about our purchase—maybe we were making a hasty decision. Then there were reservations about the paperwork. Suddenly it became this mountain of doubt, wondering about my ability to buy a loaf of bread let alone a house!! (By the way, I am grateful for my patient, non-judgmental husband who lets me work through my process!!)

Doubt is debilitating, disempowering and diminishing. Doubt makes us afraid to take a step forward in fear of what would happen. What if I make the wrong decision? What if things don’t work out? ‘What if’ is similar to the energizer bunny; it keeps going and going and going… It saps our energy and renders us ineffective.

How do we overcome this mountain of doubt? Faith. Faith is defined as believing unconditionally. Faith is knowing that the next step I take will lead me closer to my goal. Faith is believing that whatever I need will be provided. Faith is a deep conviction of belief.

Deepening faith doesn’t happen overnight. It is monitoring our emotions, reprogramming old thoughts into new ones. It is picking ourselves up when we feel beaten down or finding something to be grateful for in the midst of challenges.

Ernest Holmes states in the Science of Mind, “In order to have faith, we must have a conviction that all is well. In order to keep faith, we must allow nothing to enter our thought which will weaken the conviction.” I am grateful for tools to scale the mountain of doubt and find peace in the midst of uncertainty. Blessings for a peaceful and faith-filled journey.

Love as Intention

What a powerful Speaking with Intentions class ! We spent a majority of time discussing emotions. Often times we speak ‘off the cuff’ and in response to something or someone that has stirred up our emotions. As we deepen in spiritual practices we become an observer to emotions. The emotions we feel can give us information about our beliefs based on our past experiences. By spending time in meditation and journaling we can identify the experiences that caused the beliefs and have a greater understanding of our feelings and compassion for ourselves.

We also talked about setting intentions for our speaking. So that we speak from a loving centered place and not one of reaction.

In the book, The Prospering Power of Love, Catherine Ponder states, “As you begin developing love from within outward, you are truly proving your method to be spiritual, scientific, and satisfying. You no longer feel at the mercy of people, situations, and conditions. You become master of your world and free from hurt, fear, disappointment and disillusionment.”

Love is truly a powerful intention to speak from.

Piercing the Fog

Life can be so intense these days. We have instant news that is up close and personal, whether events happen in Iraq, Africa or West Virginia. Dealing with all of it can sometimes leave feeling like we are moving through a fog: a little unclear what step to take next and most uncertain about what is on the other side.

The fog clouds the mind and creates confusion, low energy, high anxiety and an inability to accomplish anything. The impulse is to shake off the fog as quickly as possible and get on with life. Don’t stop, don’t look back, move on ahead.

I recently found myself in such a frustrating state. I can’t afford to be in a fog when I need to be working on my goals, checking off my to-do list, leaping over tall buildings with a single bound and other such activities in my quest to serve the world.

I stopped where I was and took some time to meditate. By focusing on my breath instead of my thoughts, I felt more centered. With my mind at rest I felt more peace in my body. As I felt peace in my body, I was open to possibilities. I eventually got back to my list and my life.

Taking the time to meditate connects us with our divinity. We don’t have to do things alone, we can access the universal power that surrounds us and nurtures us. It is the power that pierces the fog and guides our journey with grace. Blessings for a clear and peaceful journey.