Think Bigger Than Big!

Procrastination: My Co-dependent Trigger to Eat

2011-11-30T13:00:00.001-08:00

We all know that everyone procrastinates from time to time. However, in a recent article in “Psychology Today”, I read that nearly 20 percent of us are true procrastinators; which mean we consistently avoid difficult tasks and deliberately look for distractions, such as eating food, preparing food, or planning our next meal, as a diversion to bigger issues.

Psychologists suggest that procrastination most likely reflects our difficulty in regulating emotions. Like many procrastinators I often say I perform better under pressure, but according to Psychology Today, that's just one of many lies that I tell myself. As I travel this journey toward my goal for losing 107 pounds, I find my awareness of how I “do Jack” reveals even deeper issues for me to address. When I read the article on Procrastination, I heard Spirit whispering to me: “That’s you.”

I know that this is true for me and now I’m exploring why. Here’s what I’ve discovered.

There is an adrenaline rush for accomplishing something at the last minute. When I was in High School, I remember how good it felt to write a 500 word essay 30 minutes before class - even when I had an entire week to do the assignment. I knew I could do it. I just couldn’t seem to get started. I can remember getting distracted by watching a movie on TV, talking to my best friend, and yes, eating. I’d go to bed each night feeling guilty about my procrastination for not doing my homework. I would comfort myself by eating a salty snack and hide out in my bedroom engrossed in sedentary activities such as watching even more TV, or lying in bed reading. I would have six days of anxiety and one day of an adrenaline high. Which was more significant?

When I would awaken at 6:00 a.m. and write the essay in one draft, I would celebrate by having three pieces of toast lathered in butter instead of two. However I would also have eaten a bag of chips the night before staring at the TV to comfort myself for being lazy and not doing my homework - hiding from my friends and family. I frequently received an “A” or a “B” for my essay, so it wasn’t about my “ability” – it was about my behavior. This behavior has played out over my entire life.

What began in High School still is a pattern I execute today. I still procrastinate doing, what I know needs to be done and what I’m quite capable of doing, until the very last minute. I still eat to comfort the anxiety and celebrate the victory. Today, when I’m acknowledged for pulling something great off at the last minute, it feels good to hear the praise; but I also hear myself saying: “Oh, if they only knew how much better this could have been, had I done it a week ago.” Even though it’s a win, I still feel inside my soul that the victory merely covered up the failure. To comfort myself, I’d hit the drive through on the way home – while no one was looking or with me.

Today, I claim this condition as being healed. I no longer choose procrastination as my co-dependent trigger to use food to comfort either my anxiety or to celebrate my victories.

It is possible to overcome procrastination—with effort and determination I keep my attention on my intention and do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done and I celebrate this accomplishment with nourishing Spirit filled praise. – Rev. Jack

Occupy Wall Street? Let's Have a Tea Party and Think About It!

2011-10-19T14:34:00.000-07:00

Occupying Wall Street?Let’s have a Tea Party and ponder this pickle that we’re in.My step-dad survived the great depression. He worked hard, tried to live right and always put family first. One of the best lessons he ever taught me was about money. I wanted to spend it – he wanted to save it. When it came to be getting something I wanted the answer was usually “no”. When it came to something I needed the answer was always “yes”. Each Friday when he got paid, he’d go to the bank and cash his check. He’d bring all the money home and then as he would say: “Time to fill my buckets”. His buckets were envelopes. He laid the cash out on the kitchen table. 10% would go into the “church” bucket. Then whatever bill was due, the cash went into that envelope for the full amount due. He’d then put $60.00 in an envelope for my mom as grocery money. He’d also tuck away $20.00 each week into a “secret” hiding place – which we’d know about, when the time came for us to know about it. Then once all the money was disbursed into the proper bucket, he’d go back to the bank and deposit the rest. He’d pay each bill in person – and with cash. He rarely wrote a check and never would touch a credit card. He was forced to retire after working 49 years and 9 months for one company. Nope, they wouldn’t give him a gold watch – after all, they said: “You didn’t work 50 years.” He did alright. His home was paid for, and he drove a brand new car every year. So did my mom. In his life time of “working for the man” as he would say; he only earned $ 449,000.00, or a little over $20,000 annually. But yet, he had over $100,000. In the bank when he retired. His definition of prosperity was: “To do whatever I want, whenever I want to.” And he did. He fished and hunted. Took vacations, volunteered, took my mom out to dinner two or three times a week. Owned every tool you could imagine in his work-shop and spent hours on end, making things, refinishing things or shooting the breeze with his buddies around the potbellied stove. He had a good life. He would say a prosperous life. “I never had a debt, that’s the secret to success – and always pay cash!” The day he died, my mom told me about his secret hiding place. When I looked behind the bread drawer I found a bag full of $20.00 bills. We took it to the bank and after they counted it the total was just a few dollars less than $8,000.00. The cost of his funeral was $7,900.00. It was paid for, in cash, just like he would have wanted. He’d be amused by the “Occupying Wall Street Protestors. “If you’d paid cash for things; only bought what you needed rather than what you wanted and stayed out of debt you wouldn’t be in this pickle now!” He’d be right. I guess I’ll give his “prosperity plan” a try – I certainly don’t have anything to lose.”

My Journey to Shanghai 谢谢

2011-09-30T08:14:00.000-07:00

谢谢“One word or phrase a day! I’m going to learn and use one word a day”. And Ms. Branice Mckenzie kept her word. Branice and the other 11 E Company members that joined me last week in Shanghai, no doubt came home with many new phrases to say; however, there was only one phase I came home with and it was xie, xie; (pronounced shay shay) or 谢谢.

To recap this trip in 600 or so words would not do it justice. All I can say it was a transformational lifetime experience on so many levels. And to be perfectly honest: I haven’t digested all that there is for me to absorb by this transformation journey. Yes, there are great stories to tell; photos to see; and gifts to exchange; but none of those elements really touch the depths of my journey to Shanghai.Perhaps, I haven’t absorbed all that there is for me to absorb because so much of my time was focused on “others”. This allowed me to be a witness to other’s transformation, but unaware of my own – in the moment. And I don’t regret that at all – in fact I would say 谢谢. However, I did come away with an awareness, that if I put as much attention on my life, as that I put on others – just think of what I could create. But then I realize that my life is about creating experiences of transformation of others. It’s what I do. And for that I say, 谢谢. Thank you for a life that allows me, gives me and I might say, insists that I live my vision. My journey to Shanghai began 14 months ago when I was introduced to Cheyenne Lu the playwright that wrote the play “At the Playground”. Cheyenne gave me a copy of her play, asked me to review it, direct it and perhaps take it back to her home town (Shanghai) someday. Her request would serve as a catalyst of how I structured my life over the past several months. Little did I realize that by fulfilling her dream, the experience of doing so would then become a metaphor how I will structure my life going forward.Every major turning point in my life has begun with the awareness – actually hearing myself saying out loud: “My life just changed”. It’s a spontaneous pronouncement. Not anticipated – it just arrives when it arrives. It happened when I said yes to moving to California; met my partner of 12 years; invited my godson into my home and life; and now once again after what I thought was going to be a casual meeting with the owner of the PG Theatre in Shanghai. My friends, I heard those words once again. “My life just changed” was ringing in my head as I stepped into the elevator following that meeting. In that meeting he asked me to fill his stage with American musicals and plays and to work with him to develop a musical depicting the diversity of Shanghai. “I want you” – he said. “You are a smart man. You understand that theatre comes from the heart.” I know my life just changed, and once again, all I can say is: 谢谢

My Divine Urge!

2011-07-18T19:34:00.000-07:00

Divine Urge – The inner desire to express life!
Your Divine Urge is the desire to do and accomplish more, to be more completely happy, prosperous and well, is right. It is part of that eternally progressive spirit of unfoldment, and we should surrender toe entire situation to the working of Intelligence, with the conviction that Intelligence will use us as a perfect channel.
--Ernest Holmes

To quote a dear friend: “This is the busiest time of my life!" and to add my own two bits; “And I couldn’t be more pleased.” I have been guided to know and have identified my purpose: “I am called to preach, teach and write”. By honoring that calling I am honoring the Divine Urge within me. I have reached a plateau where I’ve integrated all that I love to do, into a fully balanced and satisfying life. Now, (quoting that same dear friend) I must keep my attention on my intention to live my calling. Doing so will create the opportunity to say yes to some things; to say not right now, to other things and to say no, to all the rest.

Each day I awaken and meditate; for me it’s a time for prayerful discernment. I ask Spirit to guide me to see what it is that I am to do that day, to keep my attention on my Intention - my calling. Sometimes my ego doubts the request of Spirit and I end up doing “what I what to do” as opposed to what Spirit has suggested. Frequently that leads to a day of ciaos, confusion, and distraction. Usually when I’m standing in the middle of the muck, I have the epiphany to return to what Spirit has guided me to do that day – and then I immediately do it. Doing so tends to bring about order to the most chaotic day.

Recently, Spirit has been nagging me (okay that’s my word); Spirit has been “consistently suggesting” that I return to my work as a Spiritual Life Coach. And of course, I have been endeavoring to bargain with Spirit to put this off for a little while, after all – this is the busiest time of my life. I know it is needless to say, but I will say it: Spirit doesn’t bargain. This past weekend, not one, not two or three or even four people came to me; five people came to me to me and asked: “Rev. Jack – what would it take to work with you on a one to one basis? There’s this one area of my life that needs a Spiritual nudge and I get that it’s you that can assist me in getting unstuck.”

Sunday afternoon, as I drove back to Tracy from Oakland, I kept hearing Spirit whisper “make yourself available - now”. I heard my ego’s voice saying: “Really? Now?” As both Spirit and ego chatted, I reflected that in the past two years, Spirit has really been persistent about this whole “now” thing. I also remembered that whenever I listened to Spirit and honored the “now” amazing results manifested. So all there is to do is to say Yes.

I am pleased to announce that I am now accepting appointments for individuals and couples to meet with me as their Spiritual Life Coach.

What Is A Spiritual Life Coach?

Spiritual Life Coaching is a profession that is profoundly different from consulting, mentoring, advice, therapy, or counseling, but yet it contains elements of each and every one of those disciplines. As your Spiritual Life Coach I engage a process that addresses specific personal projects, business successes, general conditions and transitions in your personal life, relationships or profession by examining “what is”, discovering what your obstacles or challenges to what “might be”, and to assist you in choosing a course of action to that will give you the opportunity to experience all that your life can be. To live the life that you have been “called” to live to fulfill the Divine Urge within you.

How Does Spiritual Life Coaching Work?

The Life Coaching Format:

• Complimentary 30-minute Coaching Consultation
• 60 to 90 minute "Value Sorter© Exercise " first session
• One 30 to 90 minute phone call per week (session length depends on coaching objectives) for a minimum of eight weeks.
• Unlimited Email support
• Occasional brief check-in calls

Spiritual Life Coaching is a mutually agreed upon covenant between coach and client where the coaching relationship continually gives all the power back to you, the client. I believe that you know the answers to every question or challenge you may have in your life, even if those answers appear to be obscured, concealed or hidden inside. Each session and/or correspondence is sacred and held in the confidence of the Minister to congregant oath of confidentiality.

My Role:

My expertise is in knowing that Spirit will guide me to ask the right questions and to utilize the right tools and techniques to empower you to find those answers within yourself.

Your Role:

You are the only expert in your entire life who truly knows who you are, what you need and what it is that you’ve been “called” to do in your life. You are the only expert who can recognize what is absolutely best for you and to discern when Spirit is speaking directly to you.

As a Spiritual Life Coach, I guide you through the process known as personal transformation. We will utilize various techniques such as visioning, journaling, and prayerful discernment. As your coach, I am here to assist you in the discovery of knowing your unique calling.

Every day we make choices to do or not do many things. These choices may range from profound to trivial and each one has an effect that makes our lives more fulfilling or less fulfilling, more balanced or less balanced, that makes our process of living more effective or less effective.

It is my intention that by working with me as your Spiritual Life Coaching you will learn how to make choices that create an effective, balanced and fulfilling life. I will assist you in connecting your head and your heart in a way that will transform your passion and your dreams into the experience known as your life.

The work that we will do together will transcend all areas of your life (Mind/Body, Career, Finances, Family, Significant Relationships, Spirituality and Community).

However special attention may focus on your intentions surrounding:

• Relationships and Intimacy
• Stress Management and Life Balance
• Spiritual Calling
• Personal Growth
• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Development
• Career Planning and Development
• Motivation and Time Management
• Creativity for Artists, Writers, Musicians and Performers http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
• Finances and Budgeting
• Health, Aging, Lifestyle and Self-Care
• Family and Parenting
• And much more

So I invited you to take a moment and reflect and ask yourself: Is working with a Spiritual Life Coach, the right thing for me to do? Then ask: Is working with Rev. Jack as my Spiritual Life Coach, the right thing to do? If yes to both is your answer, then I invite you to contact me for your complimentary consultation to find out what Spiritual life coaching can do for you. This one click can change your life forever. Click here to visit my website at www.revjackrelliott.org.

"Be Quiet" - Whispered Spirit

2011-05-18T11:49:00.000-07:00

I woke up today with Spirit whispering to me – “Be quiet.”

Not in a loud authoritative voice, but a gentle voice – like that of a grandparent comforting a fearful child. As I lay in my bed, my mind started to race with thoughts of “what does it mean?” “I don’t have time; I have too much to do….”

“Be quiet.” whispered to me once again.

Instinctively I reached over and shut off the TV and listened. At first I heard the typical sounds that resonated throughout the house. Furnace running, pipes expanding and contracting, and the refrigerator’s motor churning away.

“Be quiet.”

Now, I heard my mind racing with thoughts once again. But this time I was able to observe my mind chatter…I could witness that all of my chatter was “fear based”. Every thought was a thought depicting my potential failure to deliver on some task or expectation - if I didn’t get up immediately.

“Wow! How could I awaken with such anxiety?” I pondered.

“Be quiet”.

I took a deep breath and exhaled and with my exhale I realized that each morning I awake with the perception – that my energy is already zapped. I’m already late, I’ll never catch up, they’re going to be pissed, and I’ve got to get going…”

Then I heard spirit say: “When was the last time you awaken with joy?”

I felt a tear rolling down the side of my face – “I don’t know.”

“Now you know. We’ve got work to do” Spirit whispered.

I listened for a few minutes and started to hear the birds chirping outside my window, and the rain gently falling on the patio stones. I instinctively reached for “I Am The Word” a channel work by Paul Selig that was on the bookcase near my bed. As I picked it up, it opened to page 225. It was the beginning of a new chapter titled: “I Am My Knowing”.

“I am my knowing” …we want you to repeat this as often as you can. Once you are in your knowing, you begin to accomplish things that you could not have otherwise, because understand that the level of fear that precludes you from your knowing takes up most of your energy.”

I placed the book on my chest and repeated “I am my knowing” as often as I could for about a minute. Now my only “mind chatter” seemed to be: “What is it that I need to know?”

As I picked the book up once again, the pages fell open to where I had stopped reading yesterday on page 159.

"I am willing now to stand firm in my willingness to see that which I need to clear once and for all to bring me into alignment with my own Christed Self. (What I would call my “Higher Spirit”). I am willing to become aware of those behaviors and those patterns, those belief systems, those boulders of pain that stand in the way of my achievement and my design as a Christed Being come into form. I affirm now that I am being supported in the release in perfect ways by the energies, the powers, the guides, and the teachers who are working on this passage in Christed Self awareness and achievement. And I do this now with joy and with willingness. I am Word through the intention. Word I am Word."

My friends, I know it’s time for a cleansing in my house. It’s time to refocus, refresh, let go, and move into my higher Knowing. If it’s true for me, then it’s also true for you. I know that I am being called into a higher frequency than I’ve ever known before and I am willing. I know and accept that the “how to” and the “when to” will be revealed in perfect order. For now, my priorities for today are to listen, see, cleanse, forgive, release, and to be in gratitude for taking the time to “be quiet” and to listen so that I may receive the gift of a deeper knowing. As so it is – Rev. Jack

Do Not Miss What You Are Called To Learn

2011-05-07T18:37:00.000-07:00

Spirit is Substance and Substance is supply.

Today’s message is for those of us coping with a new economic reality. Maybe you’ve lost a home, a car or even a job. The survivor aspect of our ego may want to be angry, hurt, react inappropriately or label ourselves as having failed.

If you remember; each word we speak – is a prayer – is an affirmation – is indeed The Word that we proclaim as our Truth. Therefore, when I speak of lack, then the Universe has no choice but to show me evidence of my perception of lack.

So I want you to immediately STOP! And make another choice. I want you to remember what we’ve been taught in our Science of Mind and Spirit studies. We were taught to know God is Spirit. Spirit is Substance and Substance is supply. So regardless of the circumstance that we may see before us; we are surrounded by abundance – abundance that will sustain us.

Ernest Holmes states to remember this is essential to a experiencing an abundant life. “It is a right that we should be successful, for otherwise the Spirit is not expressed.”

I was asked once; “how do you define prosperity?” My answer almost flowed from me before I could intellectually form my thoughts. “For me, prosperity is the availability of resources to do whatever I want – whenever I want.” As a more mature practitioner, I come to know that in Truth, I have the availability of resources to do whatever I’m Divinely called to do. If I am truly doing what I’m called to do – my universe is full of abundant supply.

Paul Selig’s channel work "I am the Word" teaches us:

“…God does not decide one day that Frank is going to be a missionary any more than he decides that Sheila is going to be a temporary worker in an office. That’s not something that is decided on a higher level. However, you each have journeys and you are part of navigation of them from birth because you are always creating. So the reason that you took the job in the temporary agency that placed you in the office may be to teach you a skill that you will use years later when you are doing something quite different.”

So consider this: the fact that you were laid off from what you believed to be the perfect job and forced to go to work in the factory to feed your children – may not be something that happened to you because you failed or was the victim of circumstance.

It may have happened to you because Divinely you are to destine meet a co-worker in the factory. A co-worker, who may, at a later time in your life, becomes your spouse, mentor or catalyst for being in service to a divinely inspired calling.
Don’t overthink your current circumstances. Instead – ask for insight, guidance to know all that you’re called to know. If you focus solely on the circumstance of your current situation, you may miss what it is that you are to learn; to experience; or to have. You are the Word, and your are Loved! - Rev. Jack

Seasons of Love

2011-04-13T11:56:00.000-07:00

“Just what message are you trying to provoke or promulgate by doing a show with drag queens, HIV and AIDS?” The question stunned me a bit when the reporter asked it yesterday during a telephone interview surrounding the opening of Jonathan Larsen’s Rock Musical RENT. My silence – really my need to take a breath before I responded – gave her the opening to ask a follow up: “Is this really the type of Theatre you think the Tracy audience wants to see?” My response flew out of my mouth before I had a chance to snatch it back. “Theatre isn’t about what the audience wants to see – sometimes theatre is what they need to see. Theatre is our history. It reminds us of times, choices, and attitudes we held that define who we are today. Yes, I’m guilty of endeavoring to provoke thought, however it’s not my intention to promulgate any particular point of view. That’s up to the audience to discern for themselves what they want to take away from their experience of seeing RENT. My job as the producer is to give them that opportunity.” I went on to tell her: “RENT is a story about the truth about Love. Love isn’t perfect. Love is and isn’t about the fireworks. Love and RENT is about knowing when to fight and knowing when to surrender with dignity. RENT is about the metaphorical “Seasons of Love”. Season being a period of time when a group of people came together to witness and experience the truth about love. A “season” during which, each person realizes that they are living in a significant moment in time that will forever leave an impression on their hearts and minds. And when that story is performed before an audience – that audience will be forever changed as well. – That’s why I choose to do this show. I lived during that period of time. I had such a circle of friends – now I am the only one left to tell their story. To honor them, to give voice to how passionately they lived, to how deeply they loved and to witness the manifestations of their dreams realized on their behalf. What a gift they gave me. This is why I’m doing this show – for them. For Steven, and for Gary, Glenn, Bob, Ray, Tom, Gene, Michael, Patrick, and Duane. All my friends from a wonder season of love. - I'm doing it for them. - Jack www.atthegrand.org

Surrender into the Presence of Good

2011-01-11T08:39:00.000-08:00

Good surrounds us. However, from time to time, we take our focus off of good and see evil or the dark side of humanity. That is human.

Sometimes, we either consciously or sub-consciously choose to dwell there - stewing in a concoction misery. If we choose to dwell there, within a short period of time, all that we will see, smell, hear, and feel will be misery. We will be certain, (affirmed by our experience) that there is nothing but misery in the world. This would be an error.

When you find yourself immersed in misery remember this keystone principle “If you want to change your life – change your mind.” Choose to see the good. In fact, surrender to the Presence of Good.

When you surrender to the Presence of Good, you will invite in all the good that surrounds you and you will come to understand that this good had never left you. It was there all along, you merely choose not to see it, experience it or know it.

Let this be your affirmation today:

“If there is anything in me that denies the Power of Good within me, I loose it and let it go. I surrender to and fully accept the Presence of Good.”

Don’t believe me – go test it for yourself and let me know how your day turns out!

Stand In Your Truth

2011-01-10T10:11:00.000-08:00

Monday’s are great days for taking a look at what is. How much money is in the checking account; what bills are due this week; what appointments must be kept and what communications must be delivered. Just know that “whatever is – “is”.

To pretend that it’s not there doesn’t make it go away. Denying it doesn’t make it disappear. “It” whatever it is – still is making an impress on your psyche.
Today you must have the courage to stand in your truth. Once you do that, then you can be open to the knowing, that which you have made – can be re-made. That which you have molded – can be re-molded. That which you’ve created (and yes you created “it”) can be re-created. You are that powerful.

If you find yourself about to deny; avoid or lie today - stop! Take a breath and know that the Truth will always serve you. Then stand in your truth. Acknowledge what is and be open to receiving the inspiration that will be the solution to the re-creation of a new reality.

My Effort To Keep The Arts Alive

2011-01-07T20:24:00.001-08:00

Jack Elliott is back to what he loves best — being involved in theatrical productions.

Elliott has turned a once-vacant space next to the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts into a rehearsal space, a 70-seat theater and an art gallery. Open since October, the E Gallery and Performance Annex has given Elliott another hands-on role in the local art world and has enhanced the artistic offerings at the Grand.

“Since he took the space over, he’s helped us out more,” said Jeffrey Haskett, the Grand Theatre’s technical supervisor. “He’s increased the arts and appreciation in Tracy, and he’s doing that through his own operation, which is great. … If we want to continue to grow our audience, having another performance space is great.”

Tickets to the annex are sold at the Grand Theatre’s box office. And the gallery, which is run by Elliott, serves as another space for artists to show their work, along with the Grand’s two main galleries.

“I happened to know the space next to the Grand was empty and had been empty a number of years,” said Elliott, who has been a Tracy resident since 2002. “We could not have this space anywhere else in town and have it work. One of the things that it does, it brings in more foot traffic to downtown.”

Elliott had his first production at the annex with a poetic reading of Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven,” and also hosted a dinner theater performance of “The Santa Clause.”

Elliott majored in theater at Indiana State University. While a student, he served as the business manager of Indiana State’s theater department. Following college, he managed a General Cinema theater in Indiana. But after relocating to California in 1978, Elliott served as a senior human resources executive for three corporations, taking a 26-year hiatus from theater.

His only theatrical connection during that time, Elliott said, was through community productions and as a patron.

Still, Elliott itched to get back into the art world, and from 2004 to 2008, he served as a Tracy arts commissioner. That led to a stint on the board of directors for the Tracy Performing Arts Foundation, where he remains a member.

In September 2007, when the Grand Theatre opened its doors, Elliott knew he would have to get involved.

“By serving (as arts commissioner) and being around for the Grand’s opening, it really awaked that passion within me,” Elliott said.

“He’s been a patron of the arts for so many years,” Haskett said. “He’s kind of dedicated some of his efforts to improve what happens at the Grand.”

Elliott not only strives to bring great theater to Tracy, he also hopes to develop strong local actors and oversees 60 actors in E Company.

“What we’re really working toward is developing an accredited acting program for (people who seek) a career in the performing arts and/or getting admitted to a performing arts college,” Elliott said.

Elliott has a packed scheduled for E Company this coming season. He’s producing “Doubt: A Parable” from Feb. 3 to 6; “At the Playground,” a world premiere by playwright Cheyenne Lu, from March 3 to 6; the rock musical “Rent,” April 14 through 17; and another mystery dinner performance on Valentine’s Day.

“His selection has been very beneficial this year,” Haskett said. “He’s bringing a large diversity to the plays.”

Read more: At the Tracy Press - In the Spotlight Tracy s Jack Elliott makes more room for art downtown. www.tracypress.com

What Do You Think?

2011-01-06T08:50:00.000-08:00

I am in the process of directing a play. One of the actors asked me: “What do you want the audience to think about this scene?” The actor was looking for a specific answer: “Is the man guilty or not guilty?” My response was: “I don’t care what the audience thinks; I just was to know that they are thinking.” I would be fine if half the audience walked away able to justify why they felt the man guilty and the other half of the audience absolutely certain that man was not guilty. Let them discern for themselves.

It is so easily to accept someone else’s thinking as our own. So many times when I ask someone how did you decided to become a Methodist, Baptist, Jew, Muslim, etc. I’m told: “I never thought about it.” I am what I am because it is the religion of my parents, or grandparents. Really?

I was blessed that my parents encouraged me to discern for myself what Spiritual path spoke to me. And even though, I would be the 4th generation of my family to work and serve within our denomination, they wanted me to choose my church for myself.

Go, see, experience were their words of encouragement. And I did. What I discovered was my family’s New Thought, Non-denominational “Movement*” best served my Spiritual calling. And if along my Spiritual journey I “added-on” or modified my practices in some way (such as embracing the Principles of Science of Mind Philosophy) my growth was encouraged rather than reprimanded. I was empowered to think for myself.

How do you tell a good guru from a bad one? The bad guru proclaims: “There is but one path to enlightenment (God) and it must be my way or you will be lost!” The good guru says: “There are many paths to enlightenment (God). Listen to what I’ve been called to say, discern if it is true for you and then choose your own path.” What do you think?

*The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) broke way into what was called a “movement” from the Presbyterian Church at the turn of the 19th Century. It wasn’t until the mid-1960’s that they accepted the term “denomination” in lieu of “movement”. Their guiding philosophy being; “In the essentials Unity; in all else – healthy discussion.”

Hide Not Your Talents!

2011-01-05T11:56:00.000-08:00

A long time friend has been posting some great quotes on Facebook recently. The quote he offered today was from Benjamin Franklin.

"Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?" -- Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

It is a reminder that each and everyone one of us has a calling. We were born to make a difference. It is our nature. It is our devine inheritance. Don't hide your gift under a basket. Today I encourage you to "Speak up and speak your truth." Your opinion counts and needs to be a part of the conversation. I also encourage you to take a risk. Do that one thing you've been procrastining about.

It's been said that Elenor Roosevelt endeavored to do one thing a day that scared her. She did so, not to eliminate the fear but to demonstrate that she had control over her fears. This enabled her to continue to give her gifts to the world. Have a wonderful day!

Love What Is

2011-01-04T15:52:00.000-08:00

My car is just over three years old. However, the tires are worn; the tail light has a crack in it; the manifold is also cracked and there are two distinctive dings in the body. For the past few weeks, I've heard myself say; "I'm ready for a new car." And because I'm ready for a new car, I've really neglected the one I own. I haven't even washed my car or vacummed the interior in about two months.

In fact, as I was about to leave for a meeting today, I actually had to be careful as to how I got in my car, not to soil my dress slacks. That was a turning point. "When did I become like this?" I pondered.

Luckiliy I had enough time before my meeting to drive over to the car wash. While waiting for the car to be washed, I busied myself reading the paper and catching up on a few emails. Soon I noticed the car wash attendant waiving his cloth franically, because the driver of the car he had just finished wasn't walking over to claim the car. My first reaction was; "What a pretty car." Then I realized it was my car! As I walked over to my car, I suddently remembered all the reasons that I loved the car. Great wheels, nice color, sporty look and a beautiful black leather interior. I don't need a new car - I need to appreaciate the one that I have. Even if I choose to trade the car in for a newer modeling keeping it in good repair and clean will only enhance the trade in value. So my counsel is Love what is....And even more will come your way!

Honoring the Body Temple

2011-01-03T10:30:00.000-08:00

When I’m in “action mode” I have a tremendous about of energy and I get things done. In fact; I’ve yet to meet a piece of furniture that I cannot move – by myself. This past weekend, I had two days of being in constant action-mode. I worked two 14 hour days – and then crashed.

As I went about completing one task after another, I paid very little attention to my body. Therefore, when I stopped moving, my body let me know it had been ignored. My joints ached, my knees swelled and my feet throbbed.

Just as I was about to get up and take a pill, I remembered the quote I had just written down earlier in the day:

“My body is the temple of the living Spirit.”

So today, take time to honor this wonderful vessel that you call your body. With every breath you take, see it as perfection, knowing that even when you abuse it, every cell with in it still renews itself. Find some wonderful way today to pamper it, for it has served you well.

Catch A Quote A Day

2011-01-02T09:28:00.000-08:00

Words matter. The Science of Mind teaches use that your spoken word sets the Law in motion. Think of it this way:

"Every word that comes out of your mouth - is your pronouncement of what you want to be."
The result of your word is creation.

The word is the mold, which acting through Law produces form. If you had a teacher, or a mother, that said: "If you can't say anything nice - don't say anything at all." she was on to something - something big.

Ponder this: "The reality you are experiencing right now, was molded by the "words" you've spoken and/or allowed into your universe."
As there are many words, choose words that empower, affirm and define a world/experience that you want.

I recommend that you Catch a quote a day. If you you read or hear a quote that affirms your values - write it down. I have a little booklet of 3" x 5" index cards that are spiral bound.

It is my intention to catch a quote each and everyday. when I do, I write it in my little spiral book. In about 7 weeks I have a full book of quotes, affirmations and wise sayings that mean something to me. Whenever I need inspiration, I reach for one of these little booklets. It serves me well, and it's one more way to Think Bigger Than Big! Have a wonderful day!

Limitless Freedom Is Yours!

2011-01-01T12:39:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Today I encourage you to re-claim your freedom for the New Year. Freedom from the old ways that may have sabotaged you from living the life you deserve; creating what you might name suffering.

I always believed (and taught) that God’s greatest gift to man was freedom, or what I called free-will. But now it has come to me that God didn’t bestow such as gift – we were born free. Free to experience the consequences limitless freedom.

Ernest Holmes responds to this question:

“Why did not God make us free and compel that freedom?” He tells us the answer is apparent when we realize that even God could not do this.

A freedom under compulsion would produce a freedom that would ultimately amount to the very worst kind of bondage. There is no such thing as compulsory freedom; even God Himself could not ordain this; for He could do nothing that would violate His own nature. No; man must be created with the possibility of limitless freedom and then be let alone to discover the fact for himself.

On the road to that discovery he must be subject to the Law of all Life, and if in ignorance he violates the law, he must thereby suffer. This is not, however, because God imposes the suffering or desires it, but simply because it is the necessity of the case. [Ernest Holmes; The Science of Mind, 1926 Text, page 83]

Love and Blessings to you and yours this New Year!

Dream Bigger Than Big!

2010-12-12T15:04:00.001-08:00

Each holiday season I take a discerning look at my life. Not critical. Not judgmental. Merriam Webster might describe it as: An insightful and understanding look at “what is”.

I make it a time for taking stock and then refocus by setting my intentions for the New Year. It is also the time for coming up with new tools for keeping my attention on my intention.

In my life, all things begin with gratitude for what is:

As 2010 comes to a close, I am once again in awe of my life. And I am so very very thankful for all that has manifested in 2010 - especially the people that have come into my life and for the existing relationships that have grown immensely this year .
My intention was to “Think big and go!” And go I did. The results - Amazing!

One year ago, I had no idea that I would have experienced love in so many new ways. I did not know I would travel to London. I had no idea that I would return to world of theatre as the outward expression of my ministerial calling. I had no idea that I would experience the gift of parenthood. But then again….if you commit to thinking big – big thinks happen.

I am also aware that there were times this year when I took my eye off the ball. In fact, I sometimes dropped the ball. In a few cases the ball broke into a million pieces. In other words, I took the attention off my intention and there were consequences.

So as 2010 comes to a close, I invite you to take a discerning look as to what is in each area of your life (Family, Significant Relationship, Career, Finances, Mind/body, Spirit and Community). On a scale of 1 to 10 are you content with the results? (10 equaling most pleased status.)

If not – why not? Where did you take the attention off your intention? How your life looks right now it is the fullest expression of your life to date. Your life “right now” is the demonstration of where you put your attention in 2010. What to make some changes? Sweet! So do I. Let’s do this together.

In 2010 I invited you to think big. In 2011 I invite you to join me as I think bigger than big! We will do this through journaling, blogging and a series of new workshops that will teach you to be authentic to your values so that you will experience the fullest possible expression of Self.

Stay tune for my first workshop of 2011. Dreaming Bigger Than Big! - Rev. Jack

Open Yourself To The Secrets Of The Universe - Terry Cole-Whittaker Part...

2010-08-21T13:43:00.000-07:00

One Step Closer....Step by Step

2010-08-05T08:44:00.000-07:00

The Church has every right to “sanctify” a congregant’s marriage – the state does not.

In a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists, he reminded them that the First Amendment to the US Constitution demonstrates the importance "wall of separation" between church and state. If we honor that value, then we’d understand that the “state” should recognize all marriages as “civil unions”. Let the churches be in a business of “sanctifying” this or that; in alignment with their teachings and doctrine – but only for those that have chosen to adhere to such doctrine.

For, me – I’m blessed to align myself with a Spiritual Community that honors my inherent right as a Divine child of God, to love and to marry whomever I choose to share my life with… an so it is!

To Thy Own Self "Be" True

2010-06-06T21:26:00.000-07:00

“We’re all familiar with being obedient to an enforceable law, but imagine being obedient to an unenforceable law: the integrity, the honesty within you. No one can force you to live up to the best within yourself; no one can make you obey your conscience. Imagine doing those things because you choose to.”

- John-Roger (From Wealth & Higher Consciousness, p. 103).

Each morning I receive an email called “Loving Each Day” It is a free service of the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness which is a nondenominational, ecumenical church that teaches that each of us is divine and we can know our own divinity. I call it – knowing our own unique calling. My daily affirmation from Loving Each Day is how I begin my day.

My inner knowingness is now in tune with the little “chirp” my Blackberry makes whenever my “Loving Each Day” affirmation arrives. I anticipate with joy – reaching – not only for my cell phone, but for the “lesson” that Spirit is sending my way for this day. (And yes, there are other emails that arrive during the night, but I sleep right through those chirps.)

The “values” we live by mold our life. Whatever has manifested in your life right now – is a direct reflection of the values that you have honored. For me, when my like looks like something other than my highest reflection of my “calling” - my purpose for being, I have to go within and look at where I have not been obedient to myself.

Frequently, I can see that I’ve not be obedient when I’ve “sold out” myself to “keep peace” in someone else’s universe. My ego is its own “Rodney King” (Can’t we all just get along?”). I will divert from what I know is appropriate and try to make peace where I anticipate that chaos might be brewing. Metaphorically, robbing Peter (myself) to pay Paul – thinking (hoping) that by doing so – peace will prevail.

Time and time again, such behavior backfires and whenever my course of action is revealed to those I’ve endeavored to help it is seen as an act of manipulation or even lying. How could it not be seen as that? For that, manipulation is the value I honored in that situation.

When I’m being true to my calling (my higher self) I stop (even for a moment) and ask Spirit: “What is for the highest good in this situation?” If I listen, do as guided, and if I am obedient and obey my conscience – the outcome is always as it should be.

I am so thankful to have such daily reminders that assist to keep me on track. I’m also grateful to be surrounding by loving people that are my loving reminders as well. So my friends I leave you with this message for this week. To thy own (highest) self “Be” true – for that is indeed your calling. Love and friends. Rev. Jack

The Gifts Of My Parents

2010-05-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

This week's quote comes from A Course In Miracles" It reads:

I am here only to be truly helpful.
I am here to represent Him Who sent me.
I do not have to worry about what to say or what to do, because He Who sent me will direct me.
I am content to be wherever He wishes, knowing He goes there with me.
I will be healed as I let Him teach me to heal.

[As you read today's blog I invite you to play the song below as inspiration.]

We never know when Spirit is going to reach out and touch our soul. Sometimes it's with the loving words of a friend or teacher. Other times we are inspired by written words on the page. For me I'm most often surprised by Spirit's touch through music.

Yesterday as I scampered about doing Saturday errands, Luther Vandross's "Dance with my Father Again" came forth on my car stereo. I found myself pulling over and
"just listening". Why this song? Why is it touching me so now - I've heard it over a thousand times. Why today? I heard myself say allowed: "It's Mother's Day after all." Then I remembered Mother's Day is May 9th. May 9th is also my Father's Birthday.

From time to time Mother's Day falls on his birthday and when it does I become particularly thankful for the gifts both of my parents gave to me. You see I never lived with my Father. After being married to my mother for over twenty years - he'd had enough. Not enough of her or our family - but enough of not knowing who he was. I'm sure he would have left sooner, but then - surprise - I came along.

My brother, while not even 12-years-old, took up the role of surrogate father for me. He did an admirable job of it. When he was old enough to drive our car trips were to visit "our" father. I adored this man that he called our dad. He was kind, compassionate, funny and very engaging. When you were in his company he made you feel welcomed and appreciated.

I didn't understand what happened between my Mother and Father. As a little boy I would stand outside her bedroom door and hear her sobbing for him. I couldn't reconcile how that nice guy, that I had met on these trips with my brother, could have hurt her so badly. My brother went away to college and my Father moved to Florida. For the most part my Father was not present in my life. Life went on - but from time to time I would dream of him - those early days and him holding me as we'd dance around in his living room. I didn't know why he didn't love her anymore, but I was certain as to why she loved him.

2010 is the twenty-fifth anniversary of my ordination as a Religious Science Minister. During that time the most inspirational moment came when I had the the opportunity to speak at my Father's funeral. I didn't know what to say. I prayed, wrote, and pondered. I kept asking Spirit to guide me. I was inspired to use the title "The Gifts of My Father".

What gifts? The gifts from a man that I probably never saw more than 20 times in my entire life? Then today's quote was the quote I had read the morning of his funeral. "I do not have to worry about what to say or what to do, because He Who sent me will direct me."

As I took the podium and looked out to the friends and family before me - it was all revealed. They were the gifts of my Father. Without my father I would have never known the love of my brother; my brother's family and their families. Without the gift of life given to me by my father, I would not have known the love of my mother. I would have never have known the love of my friends, and those that I've shared this incredible spiritual journey with. My God, but the gifts of my father were magnicient. Ah to dance with this man once again.

The gifts my parents are tremendous. From my Father I have my sense of humor, my ability to be engaging, compassionate and passionate. From my Mother I have received the gifts of loving, self respect, loyalty, and a willingness to go for it. So today, this day of May 9th that honors each of them; I trust that since they've both made their transition, that now their spirits have reconciled and she has had the opportunity to dance with my Father once again.

Today I give thanks for a wonderfully magnificent life. I know that I was sent by Him, but I'm forever thankful that it was "through them" that I came to be.

Thank you Mother and Dad. - Rev. Jack

Words That Leave An Impress On Our Psyche

2010-05-01T23:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday!

“Mother’s just so disappointed.”

To a five year old – these can be wounding words. Especially if that five year old (me) had worked really hard to put every toy away, to have made my bed and dress myself for my first day of school.
What was my egregious error? I had put on the same shirt that I had worn the day before.

That was the first time I remember the words “Mother’s just so disappointed” being laid upon me; making an “impress” on my psyche. For whatever reason – her tool for coaching was to emphasize her disappointment.

I remember getting my first report card that had actual letter grades posted on it. I had gotten all “A’s” and “B”’s I was so proud! Proud enough to run all the way home to show her – and everyone else along the way! Mr. McCoy at the corner market proclaimed “Great Job Jack!” as he swept the leaves from the front of his store. Mrs. Husdon was walking her little Jack Russell Terrier and she patted me on the head and said “Your mama is going to be so proud”.

“Mother!” I shouted breathlessly from the back entryway into the kitchen where she was working. “ I’m home and here’s my report card.” You’re going to be so happy! Even Mr. McCoy and Mrs. Hudson said I had done – really well!” As soon as I said those words the arms that had reached out to hug me suddenly dropped to her side.
“You showed your report card to everyone else before you showed it to me? Mother’s just so disappointed. “ The impress was made even deeper. Sensing her error, she rallied around and even told me that she was proud – but the moment was lost for me.

For my mom – “stressing her disappointment” was her ultimate parental trump card. It may have served her needs – giving her the opportunity to put in the correction whenever she felt it was appropriate. But for me it created such a impress - I felt as if my psyche had an expressway running through it. The “I’m not worthy” Impress Expressway.

Throughout my academic endeavors, professional career and even my volunteer and scared service giving, I always anticipated the words….”great job Jack – but we’re disappointed that…” “Great term paper Jack, but were disappointed that you didn’t catch these typos, so we’re going to have to give you a “B” not an “A”.

“Great Power Point presentation on your recruitment project Jack, but we’re disappointed that you didn’t include the results from last year so we could have done a comparison.” “Great sermon Rev. Jack, but I’m disappointed that you didn’t have my daughter sing before the offering rather than afterwards. Her song would have been more impactful.”

Every time I hear such words my inter being – my very Spirit – recalls those first words spoken on that first day of school nearly fifty years ago. “Mother’s just so disappointed.” It’s as if she’s saying: No matter how hard you try – you just can’t get it right.” Thus making the Impress Expressway and bit wider, longer and even in some places a two tiered freeway.

What’s different today? Today I throw up a road block. I call it the Rev. Andriette “Tain’t so” road block. In fact my “Impress Expressway” is filled with those “Taint so” road blocks. Some parts have been torn down completely. “Taint so” reminds me of what I learn a long time again when I started to study metaphysics.
The first metaphysical words I ever paid attention to where “What You Think of Me – Is None of My Business”. It was the title of Rev. Terry Cole-Whittaker’s first book. It was if she had written the book just for me.

The book taught me two things that I’ve carried all my life. First, it’s what I think of myself that matters most. What others say – matters more to them than it ever will to me – and I will never fully know why they said – what they said – and it is a waste of my time to try to figure it out.

Secondly, when others speak - my job is to listen, and ask myself (silently and prayerfully) “Spirit does any of this serve me? What is the “Truth” within their words that I need to hear?”

Today if someone chooses to “put in the correction” and begins to tell me “how it should be” or they commence to tell me how disappointed they are in me” I affirm silently to myself “Taint so.” By doing so it allows me to say with a smile. “Ah thank you for sharing that with me. I know it was important to you to say this.” And then I politely walk away trusting that if Spirit did have a truth for me to hear, I would hear it and incorporate it into my psyche where it would manifest into good. As so it is! Rev. Jack

Enlightenment Surrounds You - Just Go!

2010-04-24T09:34:00.000-07:00

Greetings Everyone! This week's lesson comes from the Teaching of Buddha as scribed by Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai.

"Indeed, those who seek for Enlightenment must think of their minds as castles and decorate them. They must open wide the gates of their minds for Buddha (my word: Spirit) and respectfully and humbly invite Him to enter the inmost chamber, there to offer Him the fragrant incense of Faith and the flowers of gratitude and gladness."

Each day, as I prepare to meditate, I ask Spirit to guide me to the book, author, page, affirmation or even prayer, that is to serve as my inspiration for meditation that day. After I've read - what I've been called to read, I light the candle on my "prayer wheel" . The prayer wheel is a small silver dish with a niche for a small votive candle in it's center. Surrounding the candle are the words that I begin my meditation with.

"The Light of God surrounds you. The Love of God enfolds you. The Presence of God watches over you. The Power of God protects you. Wherever you are, God is. Wherever you are, God is. Wherever you are, God is. "

After saying these words aloud, I fall silent and focus on the flickering flame. I allow thoughts of the words on my prayer wheel to clear my mind of the normal "chatter". And then I ask Spirit to show me what it is that I'm to learn from earlier lesson. (The reading I was guided to read.)
Then I listen.

I listen to my breath. As I inhale I say to myself "Wisdom in". As I exhale I say "Excess out". Soon I will have stopped talking and I will start to hear "me speak to me." Spirit using my own voice to speak to me - Enlightening me.

So today, I invite you to try it. I invite you to meditate, pray, treat, get centered and allow yourself to be Enlightened. I will share with you a small reading. Once you've read it - be silent and ask yourself - "What is Spirit guiding me to learn from this lesson?" Enlightenment is all around you. Go get it! Give it away to others and Get use to surrounding yourself with gladness. Here's the story:

"Once there was a boy named Sudhana who also wished for Enlightenment and earnestly sought the way. From a fisherman he learned the lore of the sea. From a doctor he learned compassion toward sick people in their suffering. From a wealthy man he learned that saving pennies was the secret of his fortune and thought how necessary it was to conserve every trifling gained on the path to Enlightenment.

From a meditating monk he learned that the pure and peaceful mind had a miraculous power to purify and tranquilize other minds. Once he met a woman of exceptional personality and was impressed by her benevolent spirit, and from her he learned a lesson that charity was the fruit of wisdom. Once he met an aged wanderer who told him that to reach a certain place he had to scale a mountain of swords and pass through a valley of fire. Thus Sudhana learned from his experiences that there was true teaching to be gained from everything he saw or heard.

He learned patience from a poor, crippled woman; he learned a lesson of simple happiness from watching children playing in the street; and from some gentle and humble people, who never thought of wanting anything that anybody else wanted, he learned the secret of living at peace with all the world.

He learned a lesson of harmony from watching the blending of the elements of incense, and a lesson thanksgiving from the arrangement of flowers. One day, passing through a forest, he took a rest under a noble tree and noticed a tiny seedling growing near by out of a fallen and decaying tree and it taught him a lesson of the uncertainty of life.

Sunlight by day and the twinkling stars by night constantly refreshed his spirit. Thus Sudhana profited by the experiences of his long journey.

Indeed, those who seek for Enlightenment must think of their minds as castles and decorate them, They must open wide the gates for their minds for Buddha (my words: Spirit) and respectfully and humbly invite Him to enter the inmost chamber, there to offer Him the fragrant incense of Faith and the flowers of gratitude and gladness."

[The Teaching of Buddha; Kyokai; "The Way of Practical Attainment - Lesson #9; pages 318-322]

Your Life is Like a River

2010-04-17T09:01:00.000-07:00

This week's dialogue is born out of a quote in my mediation lesson for April 17, in the book "365 Science of Mind - A year of daily Wisdom from Ernest Holmes" it reads:

" If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, 'Be thou removed, and be cast into the sea': it shall be done." - Matthew 21:21.

It's about intention! It's about the power of our words. Each word we whisper, speak, shout, or say silently to ourselves is a declaration of our intention for what we say to be so. Ernest Holmes' lesson went on to say:

Our activity of though is actually a Divine compulsion of the One Mind in us seeking an ever-increasing achievement and expression through us. The forms and outlets for this self-conscious process of though, which appear as a unique creation of life in man, may manifest in many ways.

We each interpret and use the urge for greater expression. For some, the fulfillment of this inner drive may be found in a new home, increased business activity, or better health, as well as in a desire for greater spiritual awareness.

All of these desires are urges of the indwelling Intelligence and we either can combat the urges we feel or we can give then expression. The choice is ours to make. But we cannot stand still. We have to continue to express this action of Life within us because creativity is our Divine Essence.

Our lives and experiences may well be likened to a river. If we stand on the bank of a river and watch it flow by, we become aware that the river never changes but that its content is always new. By analogy, we might say the purposeful dynamic quality of life within us never changes, but the content of our experience of living never remains the same.

So ponder this:

As you meditate today - in your minds eye stand on the bank of the river of your life. See that river flowing before you and notice the content. Don't judge what you see - just notice. Know that whatever is there - is the manifestation of your words. It was born out of an urge, an idea - it was your intention for it to be there. Now, if you no longer desire for "it" to be there - bless it and allow it to flow on by. Allow it to be washed down stream.

Now notice your reflection. Bless the being that is you. Take a breath and notice "what's new". What beautiful new thing has come down stream to enrich your life? Allow yourself to see all that good that surrounds you. This is also the manifestation of your words. Relish in the idea that through the power of your words, you can cast the mountain into the sea. Now "Go" do what you've been called to do. "Give" graciously to those that you have been called to support and "Get" the love and the gifts that are Divinely yours.

Holiday Greetings!

2009-12-24T12:47:00.000-08:00

Wow what a year!

This year I was lead to teach, preach and write about Embracing Change. Now as 2009 comes to a close, I'm reminded of what a wise mentor once told me: "Teach what you need to learn and you will be assured to grow." He was right.

Little did I know at the the beginning of the year, that so much would change in my life. However, I want you to to know that even with all the changes, what I value most still remains at year's end - loving friends and the experience of joy each and every day of my life. so as this holiday unfolds, I will you all health and happiness and I give thanks that you were all a part of my journey.

Please join me in affirming Peace and Prosperity throughout the world. Love and Friends - Rev. Jack

Manifesting a Life That Works Means Embracing and Evoking Change

2009-10-21T11:52:00.000-07:00

From Rev. Jack

Since 2009 is all about Embracing Change, I am committed to evoking positive change in each aspect of my life.

I’m committed to doing only those things that bring me joy and to keep my attention on my intention. It is my intention to teach people how to have a life that works. My vision is to preach, teach and write.

It is my intention to preach the laws of thought; the concept that we all live in a Spiritual Universe that God is in, through, around and for us! I’m committed to writing about how our “values” guide us, shape us and are life right now is the perfect manifestation of our values.

I know and accept that if I am to live a life that works and if I am to keep my “attention on my Intention”. I also know and accept that there are “to-dos” that must be fulfilled. If I do the work, things will move along and I will experience the joy in each and everything I manifest – my life will work!

Rev. Andriette Earl (Heart and Soul Center of Light) teaches us that each morning when we awake we should choose to see the new day as a “clean canvas”. We can create this new day in any way we want to experience it. She suggests that we are to imagine that we’re painting it the way that we want it to be, regardless of the impressions (sketches – pencil marks – imprints – paint strokes) left from the day before. If we don’t like how it looks, paint over it. What an amazing metaphor for Embracing Change.

So I ask you – “What needs to change in your life today? Is there a relationship that you need to see differently?” If yes, how would you have it? How would you depict that relationship on a clean canvas? Visualize how you would want it to be; reflecting on how you will “feel” when the new image does indeed manifest in your life. Now claim it! Let your mantra be: “My life with ____________ works!”

Each and every moment today, when you sense, feel, experience that the relationship with this other person is changing, or demonstrating to you that the relationship is moving toward your vision, say “thank you”. If you don’t experience such a shift - claim it anyway. Then check in with your inner self to make sure that you are “mirroring” how you want to experience this relationship. Choose peace. Choose calm. Choose to see the other person as whole and complete and be patient. Let Spirit intercede and then listen. Listen for Spirit to guide you as to which of your “values” need to be adjusted so that you can have a life that works and that this relationship will indeed be healed. Have a wonderful day!

2009-07-12T10:43:00.000-07:00

I’ve been reading (using) a daily journal called “Spirit is Calling” by Edward Viljoen – better said; I began the year using it.

Today, ensconced in the surroundings of being back in the comfort of my den, I reached for it once more.As I opened to read the lesson of the day, I noticed that I had last opened the book on April 7th. I paused and asked myself – “What happened on April 8th? Why did I stop?”

The answer: It was on April 8th that I decided it was time for me to return to my house – to my home. In February of 2008, I needed to step away from the home that I thought was to be “our” home. Grieving twelve years of lost expectations had taken its toll and I needed to step away. Now, that I had decided it was time for me to make the house “my home”, I still had fears. I feared the walls would still seep with memories of “us”.

Regardless of my fears, I took the risk. When I opened the door, what I found was shocking. Warped hardwood floors, dirty walls, and backyard that had been ignored for 14 months. Needless to say, not one old memory remained. I could not recognize this house, as anything I would have once called my home. In truth, this disaster was actually a blessing.

I found myself surrounded by friends that jumped in and within 90-days transformed what looked like an abandon rental, into a house that I’m willing to proclaim as “my” home. So today I am so very grateful that the universe sent me the right people, at the right time, to walk with me through this transition.

Thank you Jeff, Deb, Eric and Matthew, the tiling, cutting, drilling, lifting, touting, hanging and moving were effortless because of your willing to help out. And a very special thank you to Diane, who sanded, buffed and painted each and every inch of wall, ceiling, and cabinetry.

I have often said that when the challenge seems too much – just move one rock. 90 days ago, I didn’t know where to begin – but they did. They taught me that it didn’t matter which rock was moved first, just start shoveling and don’t look back.

It’s good to be home.

Surround Yourself with Powerful Woman

2009-07-09T14:55:00.000-07:00

A seminar I attended aimed to encourage executive management to recruit and retain women in a typically male-dominated auto-manufacturing environment. I was already on board for that cause, but as a human resources executive, attendance was mandatory. Perhaps, I looked bored. Maybe the facilitator thought I looked “safe.” But suddenly I was singled out.

She asked: “Who is the most successful woman you know?” and, “who is the most powerful?” The facilitator mistook my delay in responding as an indication I couldn’t name one powerful woman in my life. “Mr. Elliott, can’t you name one woman that you’d consider to be powerful?”

“Oh yes — I can name a dozen.”

She thought I was being sarcastic, but I could easily name 12 powerful women in my life. Most of the other men in the seminar mentioned their wives or a great teacher. But at the end of the day, could only come up with only two or three names.

I left the seminar in a reflective mood. Proud that in my life I’m surrounded by women who are newspaper editors, elected officials, business owners, spiritual leaders, teachers, nonprofit leaders, corporate executives, and home technicians that are all powerful women.

As I drove away, I reflected on the last question of the day: “What aspect of their power influences you or touches you the most?” For me the answer was easy: “Laughter.” All these women love life and love to laugh.

A few years ago, I was visiting two of my friends in their home in Las Vegas. I was in another room, but from the adjoining room, I could hear Vera’s laughter. It was spontaneous, unedited and full of joy. For the first time in my life, I knew what joy sounded like. I could write volumes on this woman’s powerful journey, but for now I’ll say that when I hear her laughter, I know that all is right with the world.

If I have a day when I’m feeling particularly blue, all I need do is conjure up the sound of Vera’s laughter in my mind. I’m immediately healed. Now that’s power.So if you want to be successful, surround yourself with powerful women — women who can laugh.

• Thinking Out Loud runs occasionally in Our Town. To reach Jack, write him at jackrelliott@yahoo.com or call 209 830-7724.

Do You Know Your Neighbors?

2009-04-18T14:20:00.000-07:00

Recently I have been exploring cyber-social networking. One week after joining Facebook, I had nearly 100 friends in my network. I was connected to whom I wanted to be connected; then I heard from the sibling of elementary school chum.

Siblings of school chums? Why? Do I need to know that Dane Starbuck, the younger brother of my best friend in high school, is attending his son’s soccer game in Carmel Indiana. Even so, curiosity had me “Googling” Dane just to see if I could find out something about his brother Steve. What came up in my search were two books Dane had written about my hometown of Winchester Indiana.

One, a biography about Pierre Goodrich a former Governor of Indiana. The other book was a novel “To Love an African Violet”. Then next thing I knew, I was ordering the book on Amazon.com. It arrived last Wednesday.

Thursday morning I was numb from all the news of Sandra Cantu. I just couldn’t take anymore news. As a diversion, I decided to read Dane’s book hoping that it would take my mind off my sadness. About 100 pages in Dane describe an event in the one of his characters life that came directly from my childhood.

“I was comforted by familiar sounds of the trains rumbling through our backyard…but there was another sound, a more distant one that was even more comforting. Each day at 7:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., I would stop whatever I was doing, as if a Muslim obeying the daily ritual of prayers, to listen to the whistle blows at the Local Glass Works – everything in the town revolved around those shift changes.”

That passage took me back to a time when I was Sandra’s age. A childhood filled with good memories and comforting sounds. I knew when that whistle blew; I would either have 8 hours of no supervision, or I had exactly ten minutes to beat my parents home. My parents worked at the glass factory and while they worked – I played. I was out and about all over town riding my bike, studying at the library and hanging out with friends, it was a time and a place when it was safe for me to be on my own. When I read that passage – grief swelled and tears rolled down my face.

I believe that there are no accidents. I needed to read that passage at that moment. I’m thankful that “technology” led me to Dane. In order to grieve, I had to go home. However, I’m sorry that in a world of social networking – where everybody knows every aspect of one another’s life, it’s somehow unsafe for a child to play alone. As a community we must change this. And we must do it to honor Sandra’s legacy.

First published in the Tracy Press on April 15, 2009

Alone on Valentine's Day? Be your own best date!

2009-02-07T12:48:00.000-08:00

If you’re single, Valentine’s Day can be the loneliest day of the year. However, I’m going to suggest that this year – even if you’re alone – you can be your own best date.

Here are 10 things that will assist you to have a nice Valentine’s Day.

1. Have a plan. Everything today is all about you. Do for others another day – this day is your day.

2. .Since eating out at a restaurant alone can be intimidating for some, consider this option. Pre-order your favorite meal, from your favorite restaurant, to be picked up and warmed up for dinner. Also, order two of your favorite DVD’s from Netflix’s or Blockbusters.

3. Spend the day, or at the very least the afternoon, at a place you enjoy going alone. Go for a walk in the park, take in a flea market, or go to a museum or art gallery. . If you’re traveling by public transportation, read a magazine or book you enjoy – not the news. Avoid anything “negative” today. If you are in your car, surround yourself with your favorite music.

4. Return home after picking up your “pre-ordered” dinner. Put on your favorite CD or music mix and sing along as loud as you dare. (No sappy love songs, or victimy – “He did me wrong songs”.) Dancing around in your underwear is highly encouraged.

5. Create a pleasing environment for dinning. Clean the bills off the table and pull out the candles. Set the table nicely for yourself. Use a placemat, your best china and napkins. Dine sitting down. Oh - very important - save dessert for later!

6. After you have finished eating and cleaning up the dishes, indulge in some pampering. Draw a hot bath, give yourself a facial, or perhaps mediate for at least thirty minutes. And get ready to relax.

7. Pop in your first movie, turn off the phone and walk away from the computer. Relax and enjoy the movie.

8. After the movie, reflect on what you liked most about the movie as you indulge in whatever you consider to be the perfect dessert. (If no dessert, consider popping some micro-wave popcorn to enjoy during the next movie.) Don't worry about the calories – that’s why you went for a walk today. Remember, this night is all about you.

9. After you’ve enjoyed your second movie, prepare yourself for bed. Put on some relaxing music and slip in between clean crisp sheets and get nice and comfy.

10. Instead of counting sheep, count your blessings. Don’t focus on what you don’t have, Instead dwell on what you do have with gratitude. You have a warm bed, a full stomach, good memories of people in your life that bring you joy. Think of these things over and over until your fall asleep. I assure you that you’ll have nothing but pleasant dreams and a very happy Valentine’s Day!

Whispering in the President's Ear

2009-01-23T07:49:00.000-08:00

From the Tracy Press Newspaper, Wednesday January 21st, 2009

In President Barack Obama, I see a confident man who understands the truth of what was, the clarity of what is and the confidence to lead us to be accountable for what will be.

I, like millions of Americans, have been fascinated with the transition that our nation has just made.

In my house, the news is always on. Frequently, I have found myself talking to the TV screen. No doubt, my words have fallen on deaf ears. But somehow I feel better just putting it out there.
Usually, my words are words of praise, thanksgiving and joy. But sometimes, I want to put in the correction.

Each time I hear President Obama answer a question, I want to offer my spin as to how I wish he’d answer it. Often, I’m surprised that just as I’m about to speak, he offers words of wisdom that far exceed my humble offerings, so I sit back and just smile. However, if there is one answer that I want to whisper in his ear, it would be this.

When asked how he feels about taking the oath of office on the steps of the Capitol, which were built upon the backs of slaves, or when he’s asked what it feels like to move into the White House, which was also built by slaves, I want him to say:

“Oh, they knew. They had to know that this day would come. That’s why they did such a masterful job. They could not have survived the slurs, the whippings, the belittlement had they not held on to their vision of the dream that this day would someday come to be. As I stand on these steps built by these men, I am truly standing on their shoulders. Their work was not in vain — I would not be standing here, had they not first tilled this land, forged these stones and built these steps. I stand here today honoring their efforts.”

I’m not an advisor — he hasn’t asked my opinion. But if he ever did, that would be the message I’d whisper in his ear.

• Thinking Out Loud runs occasionally in Our Town for the Tracy Press Newspaper. www.tracypress.com.

What's Changed? - What Needs to Change?

2009-01-09T07:59:00.001-08:00

Hello my friend,

I want to ask you this question: “What’s changed in your life?” Or, should the question be: “What needs to change in your life?”

Perhaps in 2008, change was thrust upon you in some “unexpected” way. Or, maybe nothing changed, and you’ve decided that your goal for the New Year is to make a really big (positive) change in your life. Either way, I’m going to show you how to not only embrace change, but to celebrate it!

I’m just finishing a new book called The 4 Steps for Embracing Change. I am inviting you to preview it and experience all that it has to offer before it is sent to the publisher. In fact, I want you to help me write the final chapter. Your story, testimonial and experience for embracing change may be used as part of the final draft.

On January 31st, I’m launching an interactive process like nothing else you’ve ever experienced. Imagine a multi-media, interactive learning experience consisting of live events, webinars, newsletters, audio recordings, blogs, bulletin boards and small study groups, all designed to introduce you to the tools for understanding your true nature, knowing what you value and for showing you the way to make great things happen in your life!

My role is to facilitate a process that will teach you the four steps (affirmation, atonement, forgiveness and gratitude) for embracing change in every aspect of your life. I am also here to remind you that no one is an island. No one has to go it alone. We were born to be in community.

We can help and assist each other to transcend any change that has been thrust upon us and to support one another in manifesting any change we want to make in our lives. We each have unique and tremendous gifts to offer one another. What we learn will come from our shared experience.

This learning experience will kick off with a very special event on Saturday, January 31st. I’m calling it a Spiritual Living Celebration. I very much want you to be there. I know it will ignite a flame within you that will be tremendous. I surround myself with magnificent people, which is why I’m especially inviting you to join me in making 2009 the year we all learn to embrace change. Please join us on January 31, 2009! If you can’t be there in person, visit my website at http://www.revjackelliott.org/ to learn how you can see it as a podcast.

Namaste - Rev. Jack

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T15:17:00.000-08:00

A New Year's Affirmation

My affirmation for the new year is to more fully know my true nature.
My True nature enables me, as Emerson said:

“To laugh often and much,
to win the respect of intelligent people and
the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of
ones critics and endure the betrayal of false friends.

To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others,
to leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child, a garden patch…

To know even one life has breathed easier because I have lived.
This is to have succeeded!”

I would love to know what your affrimation is for the new year.
Click on the comment option below and let me know!

Happy new year! - Jack

Our Voices Must Remain Raised!

2008-12-29T09:29:00.000-08:00

It is a myth that domestic partners (even in California) have the same rights as traditional married couples. In fact there are 1138 rights that domestic partners do not have. More importantly, I invite you to ponder this: I did not join the “No on 8” campaign because I was seeking permission to “be allowed” to marry the one I love. I joined the cause to raise my voice to say: You have no right to tell me that I can not marry the one that I love. I will not be marginalized, nor will I willingly surrender my civil rights to anyone.

I invite everyone to check out www.equalitymatters.org .

Tin-foil Lessons for Aluninum-foil times

2008-12-14T18:38:00.000-08:00

“8,420; 8,440; 8,460; 8,480 . . . ah, sir I don’t think I should count any more – these last bills are disintegrating. Shall I deposit what we have so far?”

That was the last “surprise” my step father left my mother and me after his death. Nearly $8,500, all in twenty dollars bills – stacked neatly into an empty “Wonder Bread” wrapper.
Surviving the great depression taught my parents some interesting values. Lessons regretfully I didn’t fully learn, now as I and many others face the challenges of a mere “recession.”

I was helping my host tidy up after Thanksgiving when he commented. “Now remember we recycle – think of the planet!” I noticed the aluminum foil wasn’t soiled, so I neatly spread it out and folded it into nice squares for easy keeping. A task I had done a thousand times as a child. In fact, my mother had a “special drawer” dedicated to washed-out zip lock bags, margarine tubs and lids, and aluminum “tin foil” squares that could be used again.

“What are you doing? I’m not going to keep it. I just want you to put it into the “blue” bin out in the garage for the recycle guys.” I made a trip to the garage, but not to put the aluminum foil into the recycle bin. Instead I put the nicely folded squares into my jacket pocket.

As I drove home I reminisced about some of my parents other frugal habits. My parents were not rich. In fact – barely middle class. However, they always had money. They each owned a brand new car every other year. Owned their home and when I say “owned” I mean paid cash for it, never financed it. My college was “paid for” from their savings account. They never had a “debt” of any kind.

Yeah, it was a different time, but not really. Not when you watched how they managed their funds. Every Friday when my Dad received his weekly pay check from the local “glass factory” he’d go directly to the bank and cash the check. He’d bring all the money home and lay it out on the kitchen table.

If the Electric bill was $45.00 dollars, he’d count out two twenties and a five dollar bill and place it into the envelope the bill had arrived in. He’d then count out the cash for every other bill that had arrived. Once all the bills had been “handled” he’d give my mom $60.00 for groceries. He would write into his “ledger” each bill that had been paid.

The rest of the money would go back to the bank after he’d gone downtown to pay each bill – in person. But before he left the house, he’d hustle me out of the kitchen. “I’m going to set a little something aside just in case you need it. Your Mother will remember where it is – if she ever needs it to - put me away.” I can honestly say, I never really understood what he meant.
Several years later, my mom and I came home after making his funeral arrangements. His funeral was going to cost $8500.00. I was stunned at the expense. I asked my mom if that was going to be a burden. And of course her response was – “Well no. We planned for this.” And then her eyes widen. “Oh, the drawer! Jack, go to the “tin foil” drawer and pull it out.”

I went to the kitchen and opened the drawer. I saw nothing but aluminum foil squares, zip lock bags and margarine tubs. “What am I looking for?”

“Pull the drawer entirely out of the counter.”

When I did, I noticed that the drawer was only about ½ as long what I expected it to be. When I looked into the cavity I noticed a Wonder Bread bag. I reached in and pulled the bag out. It was filled with twenty dollar bills.

When the teller stopped counting at $8,480 dollars, I was so touched by the irony that I reached into my pocket and handed her another twenty.

“This makes it $8500. Even. Just enough to “put him away” as he had planned.”

What are you thankful for today?

2008-11-27T09:28:00.000-08:00

In Thanksgiving:

Today, I am grateful for the gift of community. The search toward discovering my “true nature” has been a magnificent journey “within”. But I now get it. I now understand that the journey within is the direct route to the shared journey that we are all traveling together – out there – from the door steps of our soul to the ends of the Universe.

This time I, and I dare say, WE clearly see, and absolutely claim, that the catalyst for change – came from within. Not only have “we” been called – but we’ve been called “together” as a community. We each have unique and tremendous gifts to offer. Together we will weave the most magnificent tapestry of diversity, love and power. Thank you for sharing this journey with me. Thank you to all the friends, family, associates, colleagues, teachers, guides, oracles, and the One Power, One Mind and One Universe that is our community.

And so it is! - Rev. Jack

Looking Back To See Ahead - Rev. Jack Elliott

2008-11-27T09:17:00.000-08:00

[From "Thinking Out Loud", Published by The Tracy Press, Wednesday November 20, 2008]

Another Saturday, another cup of Pete’s coffee and another burst of enthusiasm to put pen to paper – ok fingers to keyboard, to write another column.

Each column I write comes from the heart, and for many of you that really know me – know that it comes from some place more divinely inspired.

I rarely know what I’m going to say when I start typing – Spirit leads me to write – whatever I write. But somehow the words flow and somehow my “point of view, gets communicated within the required 750 words.

Typically, when I write, it’s as if I’m writing to my friends. I have a causal style – that of a “storyteller” rather than a “journalist”. It’s a style that works for me, and I think others enjoy it. Often I hear: “Did that really happen to you?” Or, “I can’t believe you were that honest – I could never say that.”

I especially like confronting myths, stereotypes and contradictions that I notice in society and in our community. And I use my own life experiences and relationships to illustrate such realities. Doing so send a message to those facing the same struggle to – keep the faith – keep your head up – keep a smile on your face, because you’re not going through this alone. I believe that God does not present us any challenge that we cannot push through, go around or rise above.

My intention is to make you think, so you can see things from another person’s point of view. I love the conversations that follow my column on the website. I love to see that my words provoke hearty conversations. I’m inspired that people, who once had a quieted voice, feel empowered to join the conversation.

All of this has been possible, because it has always been safe to “tell the truth” here in Tracy. In the six short years that I’ve lived here, I have truly felt – that I’m a part of the fabric of our community. So it’s in that spirit that I have to share my observations regarding the past election.

In my “His Voice” column (published on October 29th, in the Tracy Press) I made a heartfelt plea for you to support the No. on 8 Proposition. Again, I shared a person story hoping it would plant the seed of empathy. I received many wonderful supportive emails and notes and I received many emails from folks that absolutely refuse to see things from another point of view. That’s okay. It provoked conversation.

When the measure failed, many wrote to say: “Don’t despair Jack, it will be okay.” So, I want you to understand this: I’m not sad, or all disappointed that the No. on 8 Proposition failed. I’m motivated. The cause was only about 500,000 votes shy of passing, which means, there is just a few more folks to educate, to inspire and soon the tide will turn.

In the words of Minster's Joel Olsteen, and Amos Brown (as well as many others that have claimed it as their own...) "A set back, is just a set up for the most magnificent ultimate outcome."

I know for certain, that in time, gay marriage WILL BE. It’s just a matter of time. It will take just a little more time for the bigotry to be subdued by education and the clarity of insight from a younger generation that is tired of hearing the trite old lies told over and over again.

A younger GLBT generation will reap the benefits of being able to marry “whomever” they want to marry and they will not tolerate anyone telling them no. Why? Because of this:

On November 4^th, the ceiling of “No, you are not entitled” was forever broken in the USA. Now, any child can say, “Yes I can!” Martin Luther King had a vision. He absolutely would not allow anyone to deny him his dream of an African American President and a world where “all of” God’s children would live in Unity – not as a “melting pot” but as a beautifully woven tapestry of diversity. Just over 40 years ago, contemplating an African American as President would have seemed – delusionary.

Therefore, I know with certainly that in a few years, someone will be reading the archives of Tracy's daily newspaper and will be amazed that there was a time in this little town, a black person could not legally marry a white person; Latinos (“the Nationals”) had to attend a separate movie theatre; and when someone was couldn’t marry the one they loved, just because they were of the same sex. They will shake their head in amazement that such a time once existed in such a loving little community.

Move One Rock

2008-10-17T07:32:00.000-07:00

In August of 2008, I had published over 100 columns with the Tracy Press. The following article received the most email, phone calls and comments from folks I've run into. In these tough economic times it seemed to touch a cord with many many people. Many of you have asked that I post it here. Enjoy! - Rev. J

“If you want to change the direction of a waterfall –all you have to do is change (move) one rock.“

For me this metaphor offered by my mentor and psychologist, ignited an “ah ha” moment. It reminded me that when it feels like life is “out of control” we can shift the momentum by changing just one thing. Anything – the secret is to take action – just move one rock. Do something - anything. Then observe.

Using the analogy of the waterfall consider what might happen if the rock you move causes the waterfall to split and to go in two different directions. Perhaps the volume of water will be more “manageable” when the force of its delivery is cut in half. Perhaps the water now cascading off to the left is directed to a reservoir that will adequately contain and preserve it for a time when it is needed.

Perhaps, once the water fall is split into two, the void in the middle will reveal the valves and levers that control the pump, thrust, volume and the amount of water released – so you can now shut it off.

For many of us that last couple of years has been like that waterfall. Life (call it recession, real estate crisis, gas prices and/or job downsizing) has been coming at us like a torrent. Some of us have been swept away when we took our eye off our task – for others, the change came out of no where.

Many of us believe we are powerless and surrender to the current and let go and proclaiming “what will be - will be.” Others of us fight the good fight, but learn to late that they were fighting with brawn rather than with brain.

During the last couple of years, I have been drenched by the waterfall. I thought I had a plan. I thought I had life all figured out. But then the water came, I found my plan was obsolete and that I had no “plan B”.

The first wave to hit me was the reality that my 12-year, long-term relationship, was unraveling and coming to an end. I wasn’t prepared – I nearly drowned. Then a good buddy had a major stroke – wave two. I had not anticipated being a caretaker, but I took on the challenge – besides it distracted me from the pain of the first wave.

Wave three came when it was time to refinance the home I’d purchased for my partner and me. Values dropped and it would be impossible to refinance for the amount owed. For the first time in my life I was stunned by realities thrust upon me. Nothing was going to plan and I found myself isolating. I couldn’t preach, teach or write now – my life’s a mess!

When I found myself hovering near the same state of depression that enveloped my life right after 9/11/01, I immediately took action. I call my mentor and psychologist. In the very first session he reminded me of a teaching he’s used as a metaphor time after time: “If you want to change the direction of the waterfall –all you have to do is change one rock. “ Calling him was the demonstration of moving that first rock.

The second rock I moved was to call my mortgage holder. My broker and I laid out the facts. If she called the note due, she’d be getting a house back that she would not be able to sell for anything close to what was owed on it. She decided to “freeze” the note for two years.

Emotionally, I decided I needed to lease the house out for that two year period. I’d purchased the house for “us”, if it ever is to be “my” house – I needed some emotional distance - rock three. I called the landlady that owned the one place I’ve lived in Tracy where I felt good. It was vacant. Moving back was like coming home – rock four.

Now, in a testament of honesty, I must say the waterfall of life is still cascading my way faster than I want, but now I’m endeavoring to use my brain rather than my brawn to calculate which rock to move next. Everything in my life must be re-examined. What was true 18 months ago is not be true anymore. There’s a new reality. There are new rocks to be moved.

If you are experiencing a new reality yourself, know that even in the mist of ciaos you can still effect change. Don’t give up; don’t surrender; don’t let go - Just move one rock.

Keep Moving

2008-10-07T19:36:00.000-07:00

My blackberry beeped at 11:15 p.m. indicating a new email message had just arrived. I was just preparing to plug the phone into the charger for the night and decided to look at the message – to see who I’d have to call back the following morning. I knew far well, I wouldn’t be responding now since I had been ignoring calls all weekend.

The email read: “I can’t take it anymore. The pills, the stress, and the financial burden of working and being sick at the same time - it’s just too much. Do you know anyone – anyone at all that can help me? – I’m thinking about ending it all.”

Instantly, my fatigue was gone. I quickly dashed to the computer and opened the email on the computer. Regretfully, I didn’t recognize the screen name. I responded back by saying: “If it is this bad – it can only get better. Write me back and tell me more about your situation, so I can address it or refer you to someone who can help.”

Instantly, I received an email back: “It’s all just too much.”

“No – keep talking to me!” But that was it - nothing more. The writer remained anonymous. Was it someone that had read my column? Was it someone I knew – and they just assumed I’d recognize there screen name? Did they know that I was clergy? Why me? Why did I receive this message?

Two hours passed then came another “beep” on my Blackberry. I had now taken the phone under the covers with me and while I had been asleep, I was immediately alert.

“What do you know about terminal illness – why would you care?”

That was it. Still not a clue as to who was writing me. I texted back the following:“I know that you are in pain. I know that you’ve reached out for help – but now you must help me – help you. At least send me your name.” With that, I hit send.

I waited for a response. Nothing. I starred at the phone for twenty minutes. “Come on – write me – let me know who you are!” I kept saying that over and over in my mind.

I woke with a jolt at 5:30 a.m. I quickly glanced at the phone. The red light was blinking. I had a new message. All it said was “Tony”.

“Tony, you must let me know more about your situation. Please let me help.” I hit send once again.

As I showered and prepared for the day ahead, I wondered what it must be like to have no one to reach out too. I’m blessed. I have a varied circle of friends and professional colleagues to reach out too when I’m depressed (even though I rarely do) - What must it be like to have no one?

“Beep” – another message: “I live in Concord. I have HIV. – I can’t take it anymore.”

Finally, information I could use. I immediately referred him to the Contra Costa County’s Department of health’s AIDS Services Program. I forwarded the emails to a social worker that I knew there so she could keep the contact alive. For now, my work was done. I was the “bridge”. Hopefully, I had helped.

I said a prayer, thanking God for allowing me to be a conduit for my anonymous emailer. As I prayed, I also wondered – why me? And why did I suddenly no longer feel depressed?
Then it hit me. I had spent the entire weekend – isolating. It’s what I do when I get depressed. I have to get away from those I love; I have to be alone to wrestle my demons. To me, depression feels like an elephant on my chest. It renders me immoveable. In order to crawl out of it - I have to crawl into it.

Over the years I‘ve learned to cope with it by not denying it, but I’ve yet to conquer it. I have even learned to sense its approach. Whenever I feel that it’s about to show up - I endeavor to keep moving. If I keep moving, sometimes I can avoid it, or once it arrives, it leaves more quickly. However, this past weekend – I was too tired to move and it consumed me. But this time, something else intervened. This time, receiving that email jolted it right out of me. Once I received that email – it was gone.

Perhaps the old adage is true – the best way to help your self is to help someone else. As I left the house this morning, I felt good again. I felt like the Jack I know. And then I reflected – was that why I got that email? Did the universe do what I couldn’t do on my own? Maybe so – I know one thing for sure, I’m glad that something bigger than me, intervened. Tony was helped – and so was I. When all else fails – keep praying and keep moving – go do something for someone else!

Thoughts to Ponder...How to think is to learn how to live.

2008-05-12T11:41:00.000-07:00

Have you ever stopped to ponder - just what is prayer?

The Science of Mind teaches us that " A prayer is a movement (flowing) of thought, within the mind of the one praying, along a definite line of meditation; that is for a specific purpose." - SOM p28

Therefore man's thought, falling into - flowing through - his subjective mind, merges with the Universal Mind and becomes the law of his life, through the one great law of all life. How to think is to learn how to live.

Each individual maintains his identity in Law, through his personal use of it. And each is drawing from Life what he thinks into it! SOM p29/30

Therefore, when you pray today - keep your attention on your intention! Pray for a specific "Devine" outcome. Then give your undivided attention to recognizing the answer to your prayer. Claim it as already being so and be greatful for the Life you thought up! - Rev. Jack

2008-02-08T15:22:00.000-08:00

Photographic Memories

January 27, 2008 – Our Town - the Tracy Press

A few weeks before Christmas a friend suggested that I might like to have one of those new digital picture frames as a Christmas gift. “Please no!” was my immediate response…better said; “my outburst".

“Whoa…that was an interesting reaction. Sounds like someone has “ issues” around photographs.”

He was right. I did have issues. I couldn’t imagine making room for one more photo’s picture frame – even if it was digital.

During the holidays, I pulled several photos from my bookshelves to make room for Christmas cards. Once the holiday was over I took down the cards and realized that I like the “spacious look” so I decided not to put all of the photos back up. But who would get edited out?
I have a beautiful photo of my brother, sister-in-law and 3-nephews, but the photo is now twenty years old and my nephews are fully grown men, with families of their own.

“This photo needs to go away – but to where? Do I toss it out? Put it into some photo box to forever live on the closet shelf?”

Then there are the three individual photos of my great-nephews Grant, 13; Ben, 11; and Luke, 8. Each year, my Sister-In-Law (their grandmother) dutifully sends me their class picture. But now, I wonder why does she do this? In the last 13 years, I have seen Grant 3 times; Luke twice and I’ve never met Ben. I’m sure they’re delightful young men, but in reality – I don’t know them. And I doubt if they have any idea who their great-uncle Jack might be. Swallowing hard, their photos went to the pile designated “photo box”.

Then there was the beautifully frame photos of great friends from the late ‘80’s. . Gosh we had some good times together – but now? I have no idea where they live or what they’re doing. I miss them, but it’s time – into the photo box pile they went.

I had a system going. This “cleansing thing” felt okay. If I haven’t seen the person in 7 years, I snatched the photo from the shelf. But quickly I hit a road bump. What about the friends that are gone? As I held a photo of Gary (one of my best buddies) I realized that this “cleansing process” had taken an ugly turn and was becoming more difficult. I had six different photos depicted highlights of our 15 years of friendship. “But Gary died in 1992; isn’t it time?” I heard myself negotiating with myself. “Okay Jack, pick one. Pick your favorite photo of Gary and leave that one up. It’s time to put the rest away.”

Now I’m not someone that lives in the past. My life is about the future. I want my bookshelves to be filled with photos of the loving, caring and wonderful people that surround me today. I heard myself saying: “This task shouldn’t be this hard. If it’s been 7 years – they come down.” Then my eyes came across the photos of my deceased parents. “When is it time to put their photos away?” I asked. The seven year rule just didn’t seem right – it didn’t feel respectful.

“Just one - but which one?” I pondered. “Do I keep up the photo of my mother at 85 years of age, or the one when she was 50 and we visited the Pacific Ocean for the first time? Maybe I keep the photo of us together, taken on my first day of school. Gosh, I love that photo.” I had to stop. I had to take a break and walk out of the room. I knew there had to be another way to deal with this. “Maybe that digital photo frame is a good idea after all.”

Off to Linens and Things I went. I found it – right near all the other popular must have items for Christmas 2007 – my little 5 x 7 digital photo frame. I spent the rest of the evening scanning photos onto my computer and then on to the frame’s memory disk. Soon over 50 photos had been loaded. The new picture frame took its rightful place right at eye level on the second shelf of my bookcase.

Now, each time I look up at the bookcase I see a different photo. Each photo remains on the screen for several minutes, then it gently fades away and another photo appears in its place. If I choose the “random select” option, I never know which photo is going to appear next. I love it. Each time I look up a new photo greats me; it’s as if an old friend or dear relative pops in for a surprise visit triggering the recall of a wonderful moment in time….it’s no wonder they say a picture is worth a 1000 words…… - Jack Elliott

So What Do You Believe?

2007-08-30T14:56:00.000-07:00

Frequently, I’m asked to describe my Spiritual beliefs. And most often, the question is asked in a tone that seems to question my choice to walk both a metaphysical and a more traditional Christian path. Apparently folks would be more comfortable if I “declared” one side or the other. Well that would not be true for me. I’m inspired to chart my own unique path and frequently that has me traveling right down the middle.

But I’ll offer you a little insight as to what I do believe. But don’t follow me — I may change my mind and take you somewhere you don’t want to go!

First off, I start with the one question I most frequently asked, and my somewhat controversial response. “Do you believe in the “literal” word of the Bible?” I believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. And, I don’t believe that God stop inspiring when the Revelation 22: verse 21was completed.

To many scholars Revelation is believed to be a book of hope. It teaches that no matter what happens on earth, God is in control. Therefore, God gets to create it however God wants to create it! And, since each and everyone one of us is created in the image of God and we each our one with God — we get to create it too! We are co-creators with God.

I believe (and teach) that there is an internal flame that burns deep within each of us and that flame is the source of all of our energy and our connection with all that God intends for us. I call that source/connection, Spirit. Others call it Source, “Limitless Intelligence” or Energy, Divine Power and some call it the Holy Spirit. I believe you call it whatever you feel “called” to call it. Regardless of what it’s called, it is where our inspiration occurs and from that comes a fulfilled life.

Your internal flame (Source) may be ignited from reading the Bible or from reading A Course in Miracles, The Prophecy, or even reading Harry Potter. Spirit will create the catalyst for you to be inspired the moment you demonstrate a willingness to be inspired.

I also believe that we are born with a boundless amount of human potential because of the Divine gift of intelligence that comes from Spirit. We merely need to tap into it! How do we tap into it? We ask it to come forth in all that we do. We may pray it up, or we may declare it up — either way we’re calling it into action — for Divine right action.

I believe that each and everyone one of us is “connected” with one universal God. My internal flame is inspired by your internal flame because they come from the same Source. If we are destined to be connected; then we must strive to live in Unity.

Therefore, it makes sense to me that we should “first seek to understand and then ask to be understood”. Communities that are inclusive, open, kind, and compassionate are healthy environments to thrive in. In the essentials seek unity — in all else – healthy discussion!

I believe that positive thinking is far more useful than negative thinking. Positive thinking produces positive results — negative thinking produces negative results. The Spirit/Source within you — listens to what you say and then delivers. If you are constantly putting yourself down, or apologizing for your existence — then your Source will prove you right. If you want to change your life then change your mind!

I also believe that we need to listen and learn from our emotions and feelings. They are the gauge for modulating our well being. They provide insight into both our consciousness and our unconscious choices.

I also believe that we are all seekers. However, instead of looking “out there” to define who we are — we must look within to know for certain. We have to go within to the internal Source. It is within your own mind that most of your spiritual work is done. Prayer, meditation, and silence are all pathways leading within.

Now that you know what I think, let me know what you think? Let the conversation begin. - Jack

Are You Living An On Fire Life?

2007-08-27T16:59:00.000-07:00

Jeff Bordes and I have just launched a new website called Ignition Factor. Ignition Factor's website is a gateway to an inovative coaching enterprise designed to help people live what we call "an on fire life."

It’s our job to provoke the conversation. We’ll throw out the idea — and then you offer the real life examples and/or questions to the topic presented.

Also, if you have a challenge, dilemma, or anything that is keeping you from living an “on-fire life” then we want to know about it. You post the question, and the solution may come from either Jeff, me or another reader.

Here are a few of the questions that have come to us this past week at jack@theingnitionfactor.com — Read the posts, and the let us know what you think.

Let the conversations begin!

Post #1 — The Fire Triangle as a Metaphor

Question: "Why do you use “fire” as a metaphor?"

The Ignition Factor is based on the metaphor of the Fire Triangle, a simple model dating back to ancient Greece, and still used in the modern science of firefighting.

The Fire Triangle represents the three elements fire needs in order to ignite and modulate the burn: Heat, Fuel, and Oxygen. If one of these elements are missing or removed, fire will not exist.

In the Science of Fire, there's a fourth element, combustion. Combustion is a chemical reaction which feeds fire, allowing it to continue and burn hotter and stronger. At Ignition Factor, we teach that the forth element of combustion is the manifestations realized for “purposefully” living an “On-Fire Life. In order to experience “on fire”, we teach that you must accept the responsibility to tend to the three essential elements of the fire within you: You have to be accountable. You have to do stuff. To do so will allow you to feel "on fire" within all 7 major areas of your life: Mind, Body, Career, Wealth, Family, Relationship, and Spirit. Are you On Fire? If you’re not now, you will be after having spent some time with us on this blog site or at www.theignitionfactor.com.

At Ignition Factor, we believe that the only way to experience a truly fulfilled life is to purposefully dedicate oneself to living a life that is consistently and constantly “on fire!” Read on and we'll teach you how!

Post #2 — “Catch Fire!"
[Imagine what it would be like to feel completely fulfilled at the end of each and every day!]

Question: "What does it mean to be fulfilled?"

Before we answer your question, we have a question for you: “At the end of the day — how do you feel?”

• Exhausted and overwhelmed?
• Overwhelmed because of all the “to-do’s that went undone?
• Grateful because you fall asleep counting the wins of the day — like others count sheep?

If you take the time to understand and implement the principles offered by Jeff and I (Your life coaches) at Ignition Factor, you will experience some tremendous new results in your life. You’ll be “fired up” because you will be in control of your own destiny.

Imagine at the end of each day, feeling fulfilled. Feeling satisfied with all that you accomplished and experienced — just in that one day. You can know the gift of falling asleep counting the “wins” of the day rather than sheep. We’ll teach you how! When you visit us at Theignitionfactor.com you can order our 30-day Guide to Living A Fulfilled Life. We believe that at the end of the that thirty days you will be more in control of your time, activities, relationships and you will be well on your way to experiencing what we at Ignition Factor call a fulfilled life.

Post #3 — Begin With The End In Mind

Question: "I think I’m living a fulfilled life, but how do I know?"

Ask yourself this question:

How do you define a fulfilled life? There may have been a spontaneous answer that popped right into your mind. And if that answer “feels” right — then go with it. But if that answer didn’t ignite a spark of motivation within your gut — then perhaps you should ponder the question a bit more.

Some people look at it as a legacy question. They choose to live what we at Ignition Factor call “A Principled Life". It is their intention to make sure that their children and their children’s children understand the values and beliefs that have enabled their family to endure hardships and/or experience success.

Others believe that they were born with a purpose to complete. They endeavor to make the world a better place because they feel called to do so. But this is your journey.
At Ignition Factor our intention is to provide you with tools so you can look back on this journey and say “I did it!” I accomplished all that I wanted. I am fulfilled!

Post #4 — In Order To Be Fulfilled — You've Got To Go To The Source!

Question: "I feel like I’m always fighting fires and that I’ ve lost all control of my life. What can I do?"

At Ignition Factor we use the symbols of fire and especially the “fire triangle” because they serve as a vivid metaphor for living a fulfilled life. For example, in our “Ignite the Spark Within, Seminar and Retreat” we teach students to visualize their own ‘inner flame”. Once they can do that, we then teach them that what they are really witnessing is their “eternal flame.”

That eternal flame is your source. — It is where legacy and fulfillment are manifested. It is what burns within you — it tells the story of who we are and what we came here to do.
We’re lucky. We get to control that eternal flame. We get to fuel it; to modulate the temperature and to control the burn. However, if we do not accept this responsibility, that flame will continue to burn.

It will burn out of control. Relationships, jobs, families and even our own sense of self — will go up in flames. If that happens, we’re accountable. So whenever you hear yourself say: I spent the entire day “fighting fires?” Guess what — you’ve let your "internal" fire burn out of control. You didn’t modulate the temperature and you failed to control the burn!

Therefore you must consciously fuel the flame and modulate the burn so that the results that you want are manifested. By using the principles taught at Ignition Factor you will create results that make you proud — that will add to your experience of living a fulfilled life.

POST 5 — See The End — At The Very Beginning

Question: "I want to turn my life around, but I just don’t know where to begin?"

Do not begin any ask without taking a moment to visualize how you think the end will be. If you’re about to paint your house you just don’t throw up any old color and think that it will do. You imagine your house, beige, blue or green. Then you set out to create your vision.

You carefully select the paint that will fulfill your vision. You anticipate which steps to take first, cut back the shrubs, sand the walls, tape off the windows and then you begin to paint. When you follow “a plan” you’re much more likely to experience the results you imagined. Then off you go – step by step on your journey toward a beautifully painted home.

Along the way, you may discover that “oops this window needs caulking”— so you add a step and then move on — keeping the end in mind. Soon a neighbor comes by and offers a ladder — how helpful! Now you modify your plan, to accommodate the use of your new tool. Soon, by concentrating on the step in front of you — you realize — it’s done! And you say to yourself: “It’s just as I thought it would be!”

What God Doesn't Do and What God Will Do

2007-02-20T08:54:00.000-08:00

With years of life’s ups and downs comes wisdom. Wisdom births a knowingness based on observation, prayer, intuition and faith as to what God does and what God doesn’t do. As lay people, sometimes we get those two things mixed up.

As a pastor I’m frequently asked: Why would God allow this to happen? The tornadoes in central Florida this past week serve as just such an example. A news reporter asks one survivor why her house was spared, while the house on either side of her was demolished. “God just decided to bless us and allowed our things to be alright.”

While the comment might have generated a collective “ah isn’t that nice” from the viewers at home, I’m sure the neighbor’s living on either side of her, felt a bit perplexed What did God have against them? Were they bad people? Was God punishing them for that bender they went on last Saturday night — I think not. That’s not what God does.

As much as some will not want to hear it, God did not favor the Indianapolis Colts over the Chicago Bears in last week’s Super Bowl. God does not have a favorite team.

I’m sure every parent can conjure up a memory of watching their child struggle with a homework assignment. You see the pulling of hair, the tapping of the pencil even those deep sad eyes looking up at you — hoping that you’ll just cave it and give the answer. But you don’t. It’s your job to be the parent, so you allow them to struggle, hoping that they will learn the bigger lesson. Yes, you want them to get the answer, but more importantly, you want them to learn how to find their own answers. — That’s what God does.

You see God gives us free will. God inspires us to use our brain, our talents our gifts to do all the things we want Him to do for us, but because we have this “free will” we get do it all on our own.

God knows we shouldn’t build our houses on a flood zone, but we do anyway. Then the flood comes and we’re mystified that God would allow such a tragedy to happen. “God must be punishing us!” No he isn’t. God doesn’t do that.

God knows we should protect our planet. We have the brain power to eradicate carbon emissions, but our egos like those big SUVs, so we do it anyway. Then when we develop lung disease, asthma and other environmentally developed diseases we once again look to the heavens and say “God why did you allow this to happen?” God didn’t create it, we did.

God didn’t inspire car designers to build beautiful cars that can go from 0 to 60 in 20 seconds because he wanted our children to die driving them. Man did. We took that inspiration and built fast cars because we like excitement. We like the adrenalin rush – we like to have fun….We like this gift of free will — even if it can hurt us.

So we’re clear on what God doesn’t do, so what is it that God does do?

God like that dutiful parent listens with compassion when we pray; “God we do not understand why this accident has happened. There seems to be no sense in the ending of this life — please tell us why?” God does not immediately answer but. . .

God understands that we are puzzled and we are distressed as we come to understand that while we may never know “why” we at least hope and we pray: “God we know of your promise to love all your children, help us to know that your love was never withdrawn form this child that you called home.”

Then in our sorrow we see God in action, we see what God does. God’s inspired word comes to us from clergy, friends, family and others who are there to surround us with love, to help us through. We experience acts of charity in measures that we never dreamed possible. And it’s this demonstration that helps us to realize that there is nothing more powerful than God’s love for our lost child and we know that God was indeed at their side, at there time of transition, even if we couldn’t be there. That’s what God does.

While we understand that God may not give us answers, We trust that He will be there, with us, as we navigate a future without our loved one.

God owns his rightful parental role and listens as we thank Him for the good things in our life and ask forgiveness for those times when we let our loved ones down.

Our healing evolves as we watch God take what has happened and somehow weave it into some loving purpose, so that as a parent that has lost a child we gain the wisdom to know that this child has not lived or died in vain. That’s what God does.

As the sun sets tonight, we are reminded that the darkness does not represent the end, but the beginning of a new day…That’s what God does.

Tag: Rev. Jack Elliott is the Sr. Pastor of Gateway To Hope Christian Church. To reach him about this column, write him at gatewayccpastor@yahoo.com or respond to this blog.

The Noise Has To Stop!

2007-02-19T09:19:00.000-08:00

Larry Burkhart is the father of Anna Nicole’s baby. Howard K. Stern is not. That’s what I believe. However, that’s what I believed 10 days ago when news of Anna Nicole’s death broke. Now over 10,000 news articles and celebrity updates later — I haven’t changed my belief. Why is America obsessed with this story? Do we need another Marilyn Monroe? Did Britney really shave her head because the Anna Nicole story stole the headlines away from her? I can’t take the noise any more — this news junkie has find another way.

I long for the day when I would go to sleep with Anderson Cooper reading the news to me on ABC’s World News Overnight. When Sunday morning offered the anticipation of the intoxicating aroma of Peet’s Coffee brewing and a bagel toasting. Reading my New York Times while watching David Blum and Soledad O’Brian on the Weekend Today Show was my own personal briefing on what was going on in my world. Meet the Press and follow up with a dose of This Week with George Stephanopoulos completed my weekly ritual. Now, local demographics have shifted things around and while I enjoy Lester Holt and Campbell Brown, my local affiliate believes 5:00 a.m. is a better time slot for their show and Meet the Press is best aired at 4:00 p.m.

No doubt some local demographic survey demonstrated that the locals — long for “all things local”. Now, I must endure canned blah blah blah repeated every half hour on the half hour, using the same words to describe the story as they did last night at 5, 6 and 11 p.m. I’m forced to watch traffic traveling down a deserted freeway because they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on “big-brother” cameras to give me travel updates on a road I seldom travel. Any yes, even more noise. Their animated little maps come with honking horns and simulated sirens to enhance “the experience”. The noise has to stop.

So I did something today I thought I’d never do. I turned off the noise. I’m alone with the silence in my house. The master-bedroom TV is silent. The 13-inch TV next to the coffee maker was on only for 15 minutes this morning. The TV in the den which typically informs me while checking morning email remained silent. The addiction has subsided.

I used to subscribe to 4 newspapers. Then as they are began to report the same AP stories and run the same wire photos, I cut it down to one. I no longer subscribe to the East Coast Papers – because they lost their East Coast “feel”. They all morphed into something known as “west coast editions”. Their pages became filled with “local” ads; local sports and weather and local noise.

I want to know how things really are in the Middle East. I want to more fully understand the wars within the war in Iraq. I want to hear about the relief effort in Darfur. I’m not all that concerned about Kenny Chesney’s sexuality and I’m perplexed as to why 60 minutes might be.

I’ll morn a little bit more for the way things used to be and then embrace the new technology that will give me the info I seem to think I need. I’ll join the younger generation and go directly to Google and type in “relief effort in Darfur” to find out what’s going on. Or when I receive a CNN news alert to my email, if it’s something I really feel I need to know I’ll immediately zip over to CNN.com. After all its still Anderson Cooper….

Do you want to know a secret?

2007-02-17T11:23:00.000-08:00

I have always been an optimist. It’s how I’m wired. It’s deep with in my DNA.
I don’t recall making a commitment or entering into any special or secret covenant to be an optimist — it’s a way of life that works for me.

More than once I’ve heard: – “You see the glass half full – I see it half empty.” I do. Guilty as charged. I see the potential in everything and everyone.

Recently friends called, emailed and otherwise sent up various smoke signals to tell me that they’d just watched a Oprah episode called “The Secret” “Oh my gosh – it was if the guests on the show were talking about you!” “You could have been on that panel!” “It was so Jack!”

Having missed the episode, I was first a washed with amazement as to how many of my friends were watching Oprah Winfrey, but secondly hoping that I did indeed live up to their hype I decided I better learn about this Secret and fast.

“You’ve got to bring “The Secret” to Tracy!”

After watching the episode, I had to smile. Yes, they were right. I could have been on that panel. After listening to the panelists like Jack Canfield, who wrote “Chicken Soup for the Soul” I had a sense of gratitude that – yeah people do get me. The key word here is – gratitude. I endeavor to live my life in a context of gratitude.

I’m grateful for the good things in my life. I’m blessed to serve a great God, have wonderful friends, a beautiful home, great jobs and a great community I call home.

You see – The Secret really isn’t a secret at all. Well maybe it is to you, but it isn’t to me. Let me explain:

The Secret is based on a philosophy known as the law of attraction. You know that same little Bible lesson we all learned in Sunday School, “Do unto others as you’d have them to do unto you.” Secular folks would say: “What you put out –you’re going to get back.” Nothing new there — no big secret.

Now let’s reveal why the Secret is so mysterious and why it’s touted as the hush-hush pathway to prosperity and happiness.

It’s all in the marketing…..Think De Vinci Code. For that matter think “Trim Spa”. People love secrets. They love clues, connecting the dots and finding hidden and forgotten treasures. We’re also a society that likes – easy answers. Give me that little green pill and I’ll lose 40 pounds. Never mind that small print saying diet and exercise must also be a part of your weight loss regiment. “Oh if I just won the lottery — I’d be so happy.”

Therefore if your invited to piece together “The Secret” of life,— as if you were watching an episode of CSI or Law and Order, intrigue will lead you to be invested in the outcome — you’ll be hooked. You’ll by the DVD, the book, workbook, calendar and all the accoutrements associated with multi-tier marketing. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

All things considered — The Secret is a good thing. Think of it as a divinely inspired philosophy for living in the 21st Century. The Secret tells us to “Ask, believe and receive.” Okay, Christians do that all the time. They pray (ask), have faith (believe) and know that God will answer their prayer (receive).

Ah, but what about you folks that see the glass half empty. What does “The Secret” offer you? Well, it offers you exactly the same thing. If you believe the world to be an awful place — well what you put out – you will receive.

“I always do horrible on a test”. If that’s you pronouncement then guess what. That’s your prayer (ask). When you used the word “always” it was a demonstration of your faith (believe). And since that was your request – you put it out there – you can not be surprised that you (receive) a low grade on your test.

The bottom line is this. If you put out negative – you get negative. If you put out good – you get good. This is exactly why your Mother use to say: “If you can’t say anything good – then don’t say anything at all.”

So my friends – I would be happy to bring the Secret to Tracy, but it’s already here. It always has been. In fact, it’s always been with you as well. Your attitude, who you hang with and what you value have all come together to give you the life you have today. But remember this, the life you have today is not “who you are” it’s the manifestation of “who you were”. Want to change it? You can. All you have to do is ask, believe and be willing to receive.

The Jolt

2007-02-17T09:57:00.000-08:00

The fire was about 1/2 between my house and the elementary school - but across the street.
I heard a huge "boom" and the house shook about 9:10 p.m. My first thought was, "Oh that must have been one of the earthquakes that's a jolt rather than a rumble." So I went outside to look see and notice a few folks walking north up Central. I really didn't see anything, but heard an alarm ringing and decided that it might be the school alarm. I went back inside to put on some shoes rather than slippers so I could walk up there — but by the time I got back outside the flames were about 8 stories high.

I don't know if I've been watching too many CSI shows or not; but the first thing I noticed was the apartment's kitchen stove laying next to the gutter. I deduced - gas explosion.

Yes there is a fire department is on the corner, but the first engines appeared to have come from downtown fire station. Regardless, where they came from, they were there in a matter of minutes.

The firemen did a terrific job. I'm sure for them it was both sad and exhilarating. I mean how often do you actually get to do - what you've been trained to do. What amazed me most is that they really had a plan, strategy if you will, and they went about executing on it as if it were a well choreographed dance.

Soon the newspaper photographers were there taking photos and the reporters were there interviewing the mayor, firefighters and witnessess.

The mayor did everything mayor's should do. He motivated the fire fighters, spoke with the families forced out of their homes and then stood back and offered words of encouragement whenever appropriate. I was happy to see so many being committed to be in service to others.

I offered friends and neighbors coffee and a use of the facilities should they need it and went back home and lit a candle and said a prayer. - Jack