Acceptance—No Resistance

I can remember my dad, a father of nine children, in his more harried moments, mumbling under his breath, “acceptance—no resistance.” That was his mantra when he felt overwhelmed and wanted the situation to be different than it was. Whether it was the commotion of many children in our home, or a car that wouldn’t start, Dad had learned a valuable lesson, and, even under his breath, he taught it to me.

I have since learned why “acceptance of what is” can be so important. The situation or circumstance ALREADY IS. We can choose to fight against it and wish and pray it was different, using lots of energy in that effort…or we can ACCEPT what IS, and find our way through it. Acceptance allows us to think more clearly and be better able to deal with the situation.

The second part is equally important. When we RESIST what IS—what we think is causing us pain and suffering—our energy is wrapped up in a “fight” we have already lost. And in the fight we are blocking God—who is always there to show us the way through any situation. In our right minds it seems rather futile, or silly, to try to change something that already IS, but it is a common, and very human, response. We all do it. And we don’t realize that often it’s the resistance that causes a lot of our pain and suffering.

So I am in acceptance–no resistance mode lately:

I accept this heat. I accept that I can’t travel to see my children and grandchildren. I accept that I can’t go to my friend’s mother’s funeral, or a graduation, or wedding, or to visit someone in the retirement home. I accept that my granddaughter will be teaching in a situation she was never prepared for. I accept that some of my children are on the front lines caring for the sick, and are facing very difficult challenges and possible illness.

I also accept that my situation is far different than those who, because of Covid-19, have lost their jobs, their homes, and for many—their loved ones. Those who are struggling to feed their families, and make the difficult decisions around their children’s schooling this fall.

It would be so easy to rail against this virus and the disruptions to our lives, the economy, the schools, etc. To try to find someone or something to blame for its presence in our lives. To cry out to God about the many injustices around it. But it IS here, and it IS changing all of our lives.

And so…perhaps we can say, without resistance, and with trust in God, I accept what IS in this moment. Perhaps then we can use our energy for the actions, and prayer, that will help us get through it.

Acceptance—no resistance lets us be a little more peaceful, to see with greater clarity what we need to do, knowing that God is still in charge. Acceptance doesn’t mean we must be happy about it. It means we accept that “it is what it is.” And that allows us to be able to feel God’s presence in our lives, and hear God’s words of comfort and encouragement.

Acceptance—no resistance. Thank you, Dad.

Let Go and Let God

The two little birds in the nest right outside my door have recently learned to fly. They are still so young, but they have taken to flight without a hitch. I was surprised to see, however, that the parents are still busy flying back and forth to feed the little guys. I guess they haven’t gotten the how-to-catch-insects lesson yet.

And so it is with me. I am being taken—lesson by lesson, closer and closer, to “oneing” with God. (Julian of Norwich) I would like it to be NOW, but there are many lessons I still must learn.

Lately my Angels have been shining a Light on my need to CONTROL. That shows up in many ways, but in the last week I’ve had times when frustration, impatience, and even anger showed up. Is anyone else affected by our current situation that way?

The phrase, “Let go and let God” has come to mind. It rolls so easily off the tongue, but when the lesson is how to actually DO it—not so easy. Letting Go 101 is tough, but just as difficult for my human self is Letting God 102.

LETTING GO is about the very human need to CONTROL. How will the world survive without my help? my best ideas? And— I need to be in control of my life after all. Oh my! In this time of COVID I for one am being shown that we have very little control.

It’s so easy to say I trust in God, but LETTING God be in control (because God is anyway!) is the biggie for many of us. To really BELIEVE that God is in charge …to TRUST that we are loved and cared for…that we are NEVER alone, is the lesson.

The truth is, we are ALREADY ONE-WITH GOD, but we forgot that truth when we came into the world. Our lesson—in this Earth School—is to REMEMBER it. To know that God’s got us. If we could see all the help and Helpers God provides to guide us through each day, we would never fear anything again.

When I do LET GO and LET GOD—and feel that TRUST down deep in my bones—I am transformed. There is an amazing sense of peace and freedom that washes over me and permeates my whole being! There is also a beautiful awareness that I am completely safe—no matter what happens!

This I seek in every moment now, to surrender my will to the Father as Jesus did.

Not my will, but thine be done.

Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Love: Our Source and Substance

Barbara:

Thomas Keating wrote, “We’re all like localized vibrations of the infinite goodness of God’s presence. So love is our very nature. Love is our first, middle, and last name. Love is all; not [love as] sentimentality, but love that is self-forgetful and free of self-interest.”

Oh my goodness I love that quote! It says it all. That’s the part we forget—that we are LOVE in our essence. The part of us that we don’t recognize as our Self…the part that could be called Soul.

Rami Shapiro says, “God is our SOURCE and our SUBSTANCE.” If you substitute the word LOVE for GOD, then you have the real message. LOVE is our source and our substance. We came from Love, and Love is the substance we are made of.

I think of each cell in my body—the smallest particle (or wave) of my self—as a part of God…a part of Love. I dare to say that if God is our Source and our Substance, then WE ARE LOVE. We are the manifestation of God in the world. When the world sees you, it sees God!

There is a beautiful song whose words are attributed to Teresa of Avila:

“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”

Let’s BE that LOVE for a world that is hurting right now.

I have a friend who asks, “What is mine to do today?” Yes! What is ours—as LOVE–to do today? Amen.

Covid Days

Wisdom:

Pause…look at what surrounds you.

Notice all the blessings–large and small.

Now take a deep breath, and savor the air you breathe.

Giving thanks, go forward.

Enjoy your day!

Covid-19 Days

It is difficult these days of being sequestered, hiding from a tiny virus. Our lives are “different” now, and we don’t always do well with change. The days drone on and on—is it easing?…oops no, it’s still here…and getting worse. So in the midst of these Covid Days, I am led to share a bit of my journey and perhaps find a virtual companion in you as we travel it together. I do pray that you are well and that those you love have not been harmed by this illness.

Remember that Yusef has been called to the “higher heavens to hold humanity in Love.” Now we may have a sense of why. His task is a big one and I am thankful that God has offered us help in that way. I love the idea of Yusef praying for US! Wisdom is with us now and will hopefully offer us some words as we go.

It has been a roller coaster ride for me. On the up days I am prayerful, trusting, finding ways to connect with others and occupy myself—though not always “productive.” 🙂 On the days when I’m in the trough of the ride I find it difficult to connect with God—consumed with the feeling of lack of control, and worried for my loved ones. It is a feeling I recognize as fear. So I beg for the Grace to let go of the fear, and return to TRUST—that wonderful, all encompassing, fearless, I-am-in-the-care-and-presence-of-the-Divine feeling.

Letting go is what this time is teaching me. Letting go of the need to control my life. Letting go of my very human fears (that seem to increase as the number of cases increase). And finally, giving my small human self back to God in Trust—freeing me to experience the joy of God’s love!

With Trust comes the Grace to let go of worries and concerns. Or is it Grace that brings me back to Trust in God again? Falling into the abyss of God’s never-ending Love. The place I never want to be apart from.

To be able to say with Julian of Norwich,

All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.

Wisdom: The Light Within

Remember, no matter what the world tells you, it is tainted by the negative vibrations that surround you at this time.

“Tainted” refers to the overwhelming fear now gripping the Earth that impacts ALL in the Earth environment. Thus much communication [or information] you receive carries a vibration that is detrimental to your health and well-being.

The only counter to this energetic vibration is the vibration of the LIGHT within you.

Do you trust me? Focus on the LIGHT. Us this precious time to improve your focus on love and remembering that you are more than your humanity—you are first a Spirit of Light and Love. Thus will the Light grow in intensity. Practice this focus. When you can see none other than me you have begun to become on the Earth who you truly are.

Then BEAM the Light outward when it has attained sufficient intensity that you can no longer contain it within you. The Heavens tremble at the blessing this will impart to the world.

This is yours to do yet I am also in the LIGHT seeking to shine on all the world. We are ONE. You are blessed in your efforts.

WISDOM

“I, the Lord, am with you, always by your side,” the song says. But I am closer than your side. I AM your very LIFE—the Universal YOU—One with me when you remember who you are.

It is such a big thought for your human mind. So I tell you now, you will not find me in your mind. You may find me—your Universal True Self—in your heart.

Turn from thinking—from the need to understand, or to make sense of it…. It is there I AM.

When these messages grow too difficult for your understanding, or challenge the status quo of your present thinking, take my hand, and I will lead you home to your wondrous [True] Self.

WISDOM

Turn. Turn. When the thoughts, fears, and emotions of the world overtake your peace, turn. Refocus. Remember you are not in charge. You can choose to be in charge but it is generally not beneficial to your human or soul well-being.

Allow me, who am the very wonder of your SELF, to lead you through the path back to me.

Some days we may need a machete to get through the jungle of negative thinking on the earth. Other days we may only need to coax away the mosquitos.

I AM WISDOM—offering to be your Guide through this life you are experiencing. Who would you trust? Your small inexperienced self, or the Lord of the Universes?

Trust me. Lean on me. Let me be with your every step.

Wisdom

It is willing surrender that gains the Grace to move forward—always in my care. Do not take it back once given. Do not dilute the offer. It would be like one step forward and two steps back.

Your surrender to my Will unlocks untold Graces and support from those [Angels and Guides] waiting to serve you.

Remain steadfast, walking with me in all things. Wander not alone—a lonely path. Hand in hand with me always—no matter the circumstance about you.

Do you think for one moment you are not loved and cared for? Entertain not these thoughts. You are held in precious, ceaseless LOVE. You are NEVER alone, never out of my sight, out of my loving embrace. You and I are ONE—inseparable. Never have you, nor could you, experience this love without faith in my presence with you.

Turn again and again to me. We are ONE, not TWO. We walk together. When your WILL is my WILL you will know me.

Wisdom

Look always to me—your Source of LOVE and LIFE. Look to the truth of LIFE in ME. Open your heart to me in your time of trouble. Look to me also when you have all you need and don’t need to fall on your knees crying out to me.

You say it is not real—that what you think is your [human] life is “REAL.” No—you are living an incomplete life without acknowledging the “other side” of your SELF.

You are human, but you are also divine. You are my child—daughter or son of the I AM. Why do you not claim this in its fullness?

What a most wonderful earth experience, to be able to LIVE in fullness of your Human and Divine Self!

We are ONE. Remember, and live that truth.