Surrender into the Presence of Good

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!

Hide Not Your Talents!

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!

Honoring the Body Temple

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.

Your Life is Like a River

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.

Manifesting a Life That Works Means Embracing and Evoking Change

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!

Surround Yourself with Powerful Woman

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.