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| "Timpanogos" photo credit: Aaron Springston |
ACIM Workbook Lesson #190 “I choose the joy of God instead of pain.”
The idea that we have a choice between joy and pain may not be easy to accept. Let’s not allow mortal mind or ego to lay a guilt trip on us in this regard. The only thing we are guilty of is a mistaken perception, for which there is immediate remedy: Change your thought! Through the wonder of social media, I have become acquainted with a woman I never would have met otherwise, as her life’s circumstance and mindset are on the opposite side of the world from mine. She openly writes of her pain and weaknesses, lashing out at others in a way so honest my heart aches in empathy. I feel I know this woman, perhaps because there was a point in my life I could have been her. I felt victimized by circumstances and didn’t think there was a way out. It’s difficult to believe we have a choice when everything we see appears solidly hopeless. Unfortunately, it will stay that way as long as we believe it to be true. What can cause our mind to open up to the lightness of hope? The willingness to do so…
Mary Baker Eddy quote: "Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear, — this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony." Science & Health Page 323:32-4
Here's where, for me, when I find myself stuck in a position, I turn to the Rules for Decision in Chapter 20 of ACIM. "At least I can decide I do not like what I feel now." That gets me started in a different direction. And then - "And so I hope I have been wrong." Yes, I can truthfully say both of those things. Then: "I want another way to look at this." "Perhaps there is another way to look at this. What can I lose by asking?" lead me right to the place where miracles occur. So good!
ReplyDeleteBut, of course, one needs to be willing, as you say, to even start such a change of direction. That willingness is sometimes the hardest part.