Fear

Is fear an expectation?

"...in each instance you did NOT fear the "reality" that was right in front of you in the moment of now, but the negative expectation— thought— of what bad thing might happen next."

Quote from this blog post:
Fear is a Hoax (and Happy Halloween)

Seek Joy!

Awakening Joy by Cindy Teevens
It follows everything I have learned thus far via ACIM, Abraham-Hicks and others.
It was easy reading, made sense to me and I found it a good addition to my LOA learning!

Get your free ebook version here:
http://awakeningjoy.ca/wp/2009/09/free-meditative-audio-mp3/

Are you happy?

I found this chart while cruising the 'net.
It's too good not to share.
Everyone should have a copy of this to follow! : )

















I found it here:
http://www.joemunzer.com/2009/10/13/the-worlds-shortestyet-most-profound-blog-post/

Where's the baby?

The following expression has been quite useful in my life,
many times over:

"Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."

Sometimes I meet people that I disagree with or
follow a different life philosophy than me.

Rather than dismissing the person as someone that I
don't need to know, interact with or be friends with,
I try to find something I can relate to and start
from there. Often such people give me my greatest
lessons in life.

This applies to groups or situations as well
(church, school, society.)

Here is an example:
I love animals. (I was a even a vegetarian for awhile.)
The idea of hunting an animal saddens me.

But I learned to get beyond that initial feeling
and not judge someone who hunts because I disagree
with hunting.

Same thing with religion.
Some people have beliefs that I do not share.
Sometimes I'm pulling my hair out in frustration,
yelling "But..." (in my head, not at them.. lol)

I have gotten quite a few "aha" moments on my own journey
from people who think differently than me.

My point in this post is to keep your mind open.
Don't worry I'm not looking to convert anyone. ; >
We all have our own path to walk.
.. and we can all learn from each other.

Seeing is Believing

This kid just knows that there truly are NO LIMITS to what we can achieve!

Click here to see Ben's story!

The Butterfly Circus

Question

Question Authority

WHO is this Authority and WHY should you obey?

Question Reality

What is real? Are you sure? What makes it real?

Love comes in many forms

Watch CBS Videos Online

Looking for the snake

Last week I was getting the mail from the mailbox. As I was coming back up the hill, I almost stepped on a snake.

Since then, I look all around where I'm walking (just when I'm going for the mail) to be sure I don't step on him.

I had a thought.. "why am I looking all around when I only need to look right where I'm walking?"

This thought could apply to life in general. Focus on your own path.. not someone else's path.. not on the sidelines or in the forest.. focus on YOUR path.

hmmm...

Awake

The egg has cracked.

There is no turning back.

Utopia

I had a dream last night about society.

There were different "lands" and each had their own way.

One was like Utopia.. everyone's needs were taken care of.

How? By everyone sharing and utilizing their talents..

and.. everyone was happy doing so.. it just worked.

Other lands had monsters and fear.

There was a great mist coming and it was dangerous.

The only way to stop it was for everyone to share their "gifts"

whatever they were.. no matter how insignificant they seemed

(hint: no gift is insignificant.. all are important!)

The Utopian land needed to reach out to the others who lived in fear

and help them to understand that they could join all the people in

Utopia.

To join Utopia, you just need to accept yourself; accept your greatness

(not in a prideful way but as a thing of beauty) and share your love

whenever and wherever you can.

Eternal Happiness, or a Ham Sandwich?

Which is Better:  Eternal Happiness, or a Ham Sandwich?*

(answer below)

V

V

V

*A ham sandwich.  This is easily proven with logic.  Of course nothing is better than eternal happiness; but then, it must be said, a ham sandwich is certainly better than nothing.  Hence a ham sandwich is better than eternal happiness.  (Credit/blame goes toRaymond Smullyan for that proof.)

Where did I find this?

Here: http://druidjournal.net/2008/07/03/selling-salvation-how-much-is-it-worth/

btw: the post from that link is good, too! : )

Awareness and Choices

This is deep. Read it over several times slowly.
Allow the words to speak to you in your world.
- afg

AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS

by Portia Nelson

I

I walk down the street. 
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk 
I fall in. 
I am lost ... I am helpless. 
It isn't my fault. 
It takes me forever to find a way out.

II

I walk down the same street. 
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. 
I pretend I don't see it. 
I fall in again. 
I can't believe I am in the same place 
but, it isn't my fault. 
It still takes a long time to get out.

III

I walk down the same street. 
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. 
I see it is there. 
I still fall in ... it's a habit. 
my eyes are open 
I know where I am. 
It is my fault. 
I get out immediately.

IV

I walk down the same street. 
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. 
I walk around it.

V

I walk down another street.

Blessing people blesses you... yes, really!

I discovered a simple little thing that made a big difference in my life.

It sounds a little corny but it's easy to do and won't hurt at all!

When you are driving (to/from work, errands, trips,)

bless the other drivers...

- the ones in front of you, behind you, beside you

- the ones going too slow, too fast or who cut you off

You can do this in your head or say it out loud.

When I say "bless", I am speaking of wishing them well.

Use whatever positive greeting you'd like...

"God bless you" "Have a great day" "Wishing you well"

You get the point.. POSITIVE is the key word here.

When I started doing this, life in general became less

aggravating to me. I could let those little annoying things

slide. Negative people lost their effect on me.

Suddenly it dawned on me...

Happiness really can be a CHOICE.

Thoughts and Consequences

Can Mere Thoughts Be Morally Wrong?

http://maverickphilosopher.typepad.com/maverick_philosopher/2009/04/can-mere-thoughts-be-morally-wrong.html

======

Once upon a time, I would have said "No, thoughts are just that.. thoughts."

Now, though, I know that thoughts are not just thoughts.

Thoughts are very powerful. The universe runs on them.

In that link, please note that the author is not speaking of thoughts that cross

your mind and you let them pass.. no, it's the thoughts that you give credence 

to, give life to. 

The ones that you let in the door and say "Welcome, stay for dinner!"

Sometimes those thoughts enjoy the meal so much that they don't want to

leave and they take up residence.

You are better off to check them at the door and say "No room at the inn, 

tonight, sorry."

Here is an exercise for you: 

keep a journal of your daily thoughts..

- when you're driving

- doing chores

- dealing with the kids

- shopping

etc.

Along with the thoughts, keep track of your mood.

Also, track your actions or reactions that follow.

Do you see a pattern or correlation?

In truth, no man can really be your enemy, all are your teachers

http://www.meilach.com/spiritual/whiteeagle/whiteeagle.html

Thought Power in Service

There are struggling human souls, many, like yourselves, earnestly endeavoring to overcome inner weaknesses which in their own souls they acknowledge. You cannot see or know the inner struggles of another, nor the difficulties and weaknesses which bind him and sometimes make him act in a way you do not understand; but you who are learning, not only from our words but from the promptings of your own teacher, can do so much to help others by the kindly positive thoughts, by seeing the Christ in them. Think of your neighbour as being a child of God, as you yourself, with the same problems that you suffer, the same weaknesses, the same aspirations. Where this or that man stands, only God can know. Nevertheless, all are of the same spirit, and all experience the same struggles and problems and needs as yourself.

So go about life condemning none, but looking kindly and with love upon all; hold no harsh thought even about a so-called enemy. In truth, no man can really be your enemy, all are your teachers; and when you are tempted to feel injured or resentful because of some apparent injustice, look first within yourself and ask, "What has this to show me, what have I to learn from this?" In time truth will reveal itself, so that instead of thinking antagonistically you will be able to say, "Thank you, brother, for you have taught me much, and helped me". The other person's motive is not your business. Behind is the guiding hand of wisdom. The great lords of karma rule your ways, and any apparent injustice can be transformed into a jewel of great beauty in your temple, even as deep suffering can bring divine revelation. So put away any sense of injury and look out upon the world with a calm love.

My thoughts on the passing of my Dad

My father was set free from the shackles of a physical body Saturday evening, March 28, 2009.
While I am sad that I will not see him on this realm, I am happy for his freedom.
It's not the end of his story.. he's starting a new book!

My father never told me I could not do or be.
He always accepted me for me.

His spirit continues on.
His work in this world continues on through me and my siblings;
- through the lessons we learned
- through the feelings and actions he brought out in us

He was important simply because he was our Dad.
What we take away from that experience is entirely up to us.

I celebrate his life.
I celebrate who I am because of him.

I do not weep at his departure.
I offer gratitude that I was able to be a part of his physical existence
and can only hope that I blessed his life in return.

Thanks, Dad, for being you.
Because of that I have learned to accept and love myself, faults and all.
I learned to accept and love others, faults and all.

"See you later, Alligator."
"See you in awhile, Crocodile."

May the Lord watch over thee
while we are apart
one from the other.


~ Gabrielle
================
The light is always on.
God is always home.
Stop in anytime.
================

Which Half?

A glass that is half empty is also half full.

It is two things at once.
Two things which are opposite (empty vs full) depending on how you perceive it.

I am learning a lot about "perception" lately.

Perception is how you perceive things, right?
How you perceive things depends upon your height, weight, color, ethnicity, abilities, disabilities, background, experiences, fears and more.

Perception could be described as your "personal reality"..
Reality perceived by you that is filtered by your life experience thus far.

So, is your glass half empty..
or is it half full?