"When men think a great deal about spiritual things and especially about God as  

an indwelling spiritual presence, both mind and body are thrilled with joy, a feeling of  

satisfaction, and a tendency to break out in songs of gladness."   

Chas. Fillmore, Jesus Christ Heals

Everyone who knows me knows that I am pretty passionate about all of the different things that we can do to facilitate our spiritual growth. As I said in my last email lesson, transformation doesn't require grand gestures, it requires willingness. I know how hard it can be to undertake major change. I also know that if we will actually take one small step after another, and keep taking those steps over and over and over, there comes the day that we look around and realize that we have indeed been transformed. All of those little steps have resulted in an amazing change. This is not hypothetical stuff for me- this is my story, and the story of many of my friends. We know this stuff works because we have worked it!

Most of us have some kind of internal soundtrack of our lives. I have become a huge fan - and advocate - of the relatively new genre of "Positive" music. There are many New Thought artists who are creating a whole new hymnal for the 21^st century, and their music is a useful and enjoyable tool that you can use to help change the internal dialogue that plays in your head. It is so easy to get stuck in our old habitual thought patterns, and this type of music makes a terrific antidote to those negative thoughts. Two excellent websites to begin investigating positive music are the Positive Music Association (our own music director, Marcia Breitenbach is a member) and Empower Music, which is headed by Unity Worldwide Ministries Music director, Richard Mekdeci, LUT.  

Driving, washing dishes, working at your desk, doing housework, paying your bills... all of these activities are opportunities to add another level of positive "programming" to your habitual thoughts. Scientists have been studying the links between music and mood, behavior, violence, physical well-being, and almost every facet of human life. They are finding that music can positively affect all of these areas.  

Music can facilitate healing. It has been used since ancient times in most cultures as a ritual healing agent. My husband, Jon, encountered a serious health challenge a few years ago that required daily radiation treatments for several weeks. While most of the patients in the office compared symptoms with each other, he chose to sing. He would lay on the treatment table and sing positive songs, songs of Spirit, songs of Oneness, songs of Truth. The good news is that he is now completely healthy. The better news is that we both learned that, even in the midst of very scary circumstances, there are things we can do to help stay focused on Good.

W e are blessed this month with two very gifted musical guests: Daniel Nahmod will be here this  Sunday, and our good friend Teri Wilder comes home for a  visit the following week. Both of these artists write songs that allow us to focus inward and connect with our Higher Selves. Daniel and Teri each write music that helps us to bypass our everyday sense-brain and connect to the HeartMind that connects us with the Truth of our divinity, the Truth of Oneness. Additionally, they each are wonderful performers who have the ability to teach us in a way that is inspiring, entertaining, and engaging. As an added cherry-on-top, they are also very warm and approachable people who love sharing their gifts of Presence with all of those they meet. I hope you'll join us!
 

For more information or to purchase your tickets, follow these links to Daniel's concert this Sunday, 2/6 at 1:00pm and Teri's concert next Sunday, 2/13 at 1:00pm.