Messages & Miracles~ ACIM~ Lesson 17

My Favorite number; 17.

I have had many incredible, life-changing moments over the past couple of days. I have been able to focus on what it is that I truly want; consciously able to choose from among my many thoughts (and I do have many!), which ones will carry me forward and which ones have held me back.

I can also say that the stories that often played in my mind, just don't.  A young lady from my meditation class offered her awareness on this. She shared a mantra; as we breath in, we breath in the good 'stuff', and as we exhale, we let go the bull'stuff'. I keep this close in my mind and as memories knock at my door, I take a deep and relaxing breath, to focus. I know which memories hold me back in fear. I now offer to challenge them. Memories are exactly that; they represent the past and their only job is to shed light on a situation/experience; but not own it. Memories can help us to ask, 'is this memory serving me?' 'how would I do this differently?' 'what can I change?'  'is this memory mine and/or has it grown tainted by the experience of another?' and finally, 'did I bring forth this challenge to gain knowledge & experience?'  Those a just a few of the questions that I present to myself to keep my vision focused.

Our Energy is sent out to what we Focus on. This is where the real Power is. We are the Creators of our own Destiny. The time has come for me to be completely accountable. I realized, in one moment of thought, that many many miracles have taken place, to show me, to guide me. Miracles of survival, miracles of strength, miracles of love, laughter & joy. We often think in terms of survival of the fittest, but the truth is that the meaning is presented to us, not in the manner in which we have been told. Miracles exist when we bare our souls, when we are completely pure in thought, of our goal; that is when miracles exist.

I have learned to give Gratitude in the present; for all that I am grateful for, the big, the small, the

funny, the nurturing, the nourishing, the love, the gifts, the tears, the many experiences that have brought me to here, this moment; into today; even (and perhaps more so, the experiences that have caused anger and tears. I saw, today, how I was the creator of these experiences. With that, I give Gratitude. To have experienced all that I have experienced, has allowed me to see with greater vision; with greater clarity.

A Course in Miracles; Lesson 17 ~ I see no neutral things

All I see is energy, of this I must remember, there is no neutrality. Today's idea is another step in the direction of identifying cause and effect as it really operates in the world. You see no neutral things because you have no neutral thoughts. All thought has energy.

It is always the thought that comes first, despite the temptation to believe that it is the other way around. We then have the opportunity to add fuel to it or let it burn out. This is not the way the world thinks. It's time to understand. If it were not so, perception would have no cause, and would itself be the cause of reality. That statement is profound in and of itself. Perception has often become the reality, however perception is tainted by many influences. 

In applying today's idea, say to yourself, with eyes open:  I see no neutral things because I have no neutral thoughts.

Then look about you, resting your glance on each thing you note long enough to say:

I do not see a neutral ______ because my thoughts about ______ are not neutral.

For example, you might say:

I do not see a neutral wall, because my thoughts about walls are not neutral.  I do not see a neutral body, because my thoughts about bodies are not neutral.

It is essential to make no distinctions between what you believe to be animate or inanimate; pleasant or unpleasant. Regardless of what you may believe, you do not see anything that is really alive or really joyous. That is because you are unaware as yet of any thought that is really true, and therefore really happy.

Three or four specific practice periods are recommended, and no less than three are required for maximum benefit, even if you experience resistance. However, if you do, the length of the practice period may be reduced to less than the minute or so that is otherwise recommended.

Peace & Love along your Journey <3 LoriLynn