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I've often wished that our spiritual journey came with a "done" button like the one they put in the Butterball turkey to let you know when it's cooked to theoretical perfection. We'd do our affirmations and denials, forgiveness work, write in our gratitude journals, meditate, pray, read, master compassionate communication skills...and then - DING! The button would pop up and we'd know that we were finally done. Whew! As appealing as that seems, I suspect its not the way things work. And, quite frankly, I've never really had stupendous results from the little pop-up button on my Thanksgiving turkeys, either. Maybe it's just me.
Jon and I recently enjoyed a week at Unity Village for the annual New Thought music conference. We both love music, many of the artists on my iPod playlists attend, and they are, without exception, warm, accessible, and appreciative of the opportunity to share their musical gifts. Unity Village itself is beautiful, and it is good to simply live for awhile with others who have claimed the intention of living in awareness of Oneness. The weather was gorgeous, the food is always healthy and delicious, and the desserts are abundant and glorious.
The flight home was smooth and we got back in time for church on Sunday. Our son came for a visit with his honey and their dog. Our dog and theirs had a good time playing together, and we enjoyed the visit. I went to my office, enjoyed some time with my brother, and we laughed a lot about some goofy family stuff. All seemed well in my universe.
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In the midst of all that wonderful-ness, something made me so angry, resentful and frustrated that, almost instantly, I moved completely into victimhood, and could not seem to escape. The ripples of my anger spread out to include others who - I believed - were keeping me in victimhood. Not only was I a victim of the situation that angered me in the first place, I was also being victimized by those who would not allow me to take the steps necessary to move myself out of victimhood. Then (and you probably already guessed this next part), I became even more angry and resentful at the fact that "they" were "making me" behave this way.
One of the requirements of my ministerial training program is daily journaling. I wrote pages and pages of rationalizations and justifications for my anger. Hundreds of words in defense of my oh-so-obvious innocence in this soap opera. At some point, I looked up and saw the 6-foot whiteboard on the wall of my home office. I read my own words, my own affirmation, my own intention, in my own handwriting: "I AM awake and aware. I move joyously and fearlessly along this experience of Life, because I AM Life. I AM richly blessed by each and every person I encounter along my path, because each is a valuable and necessary dance partner in my song of Christhood. Each and every person I encounter is a friend and teacher, there to help me remember: I AM awake, I AM aware, I AM joyous, I AM free, I AM divine. And so it is - this is the point from which I move forward. Amen"
Okay ...where precisely do anger, blame, resentment, and victimhood fit into that statement? I'd like to say my reaction was one of peace and spiritual realization, but it wasn't. I simply switched to blaming myself. Am I ever going to get it together? How can I possibly aspire to serve in spiritual leadership? How many years have I been at this? And then... I remembered and stopped.
I inventoried my spiritual toolbox - breathing is always my starting point. Conscious breath, in/out, in/out. Affirmations: I AM awake and aware. Denials: this circumstance has no power to hold me in bondage. I AM awake, I AM aware, I AM free, I AM divine. Five-step affirmative prayer: Relax. Concentrate. Meditate. SILENCE! Realize: I AM free, I AM divine. Thanksgiving: now, it was easy. It was good to stop that cycle.
This is why developing a personal spiritual practice is so very important. This is what being "prayed up" is about. It isn't about being "done", and it surely isn't about achieving some mythical point of permanent perfection where the sun always shines and the rainbows always sparkle. We are Divine Oneness, AND we are sharing a very human experience. We practice using spiritual tools so that when we find ourselves stuck in a spiral of negativity we will remember sooner rather than later. During these human experiences, we will get angry. We will be hurt. We will experience victimhood. We will fall stumble and fall down. With a firm spiritual foundation, we are supported when we fall, and then we are helped back to our feet. We can change our mind at any time. We can stop the negative spiral any time. We can stop. We can breathe. We can remember to place Spirit first. And that makes ALL the difference.
The Divine within me salutes and honors the Divine within each of you- Namaskar!
Blessings, Rev. Nita
ENVISIONING OUR PATH TOGETHER
Friday, Oct. 12, 6:00 - 9:00pm
Saturday, Oct. 13, all-day ('til we're done!)
Rev. Jim Marshall, "Open Space Envisioning in Unity", facilitates
We are investing time next week to discerning the shape of leadership in our community as we go forward. No ideas are out of bounds, and there is no bias toward any preconceived ideas or conclusions. This is not a free-for-all: Rev. Jim has facilitated this type of event many times, and will guide us through the heart-centered, prayerful processes necessary for collective spiritual discernment. A couple of ground rules ... participation at Friday evening's session is a firm prerequisite for participation in Saturday's session. If you want to attend Saturday, you must attend Friday night. If you wish to be a part of this, be sure to clear your schedule for the complete event. We rest confidently in the knowledge that absolutely the right and perfect people will be in attendance. If you cannot make it, please don't worry about it! Whatever is ready to emerge will emerge, in the absolutely best possible way for all of us. If you'd like to read a bit about the process, download the brochure by clicking here.
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MOVIE NIGHT "You Can Heal Your Life: The Movie" by Louise Hay and Friends
Friday, October 19, 5:40 - 8:00pm
Come join us at a community showing of "You Can Heal Your Life: The Movie," by Louise Hay & Friends. This 90 minute film gives penetrating insights into author and teacher Louise L. Hay's fascinating personal story and shows how her views on self-esteem, abundance, and metaphysical causes behind physical ailments were developed. It also reveals how she applies these concepts to her own emotional, spiritual and professional life.
Admission is Free. Doors open at 5:40 p.m.; movie starts 6 p.m. with optional discussion after. Doors close 8 p.m. Come early to season and flavor your own popcorn in our well received flavoring bowls. (There IS a charge for popcorn and beverages.)
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"The Five Principles"
(required text by Rev. Ellen Debenport )
Facilitated by Susan Sellers, LUT Cand.
Tuesday evenings 6:00 - 8:00 PM, thru 10/23
The five principles are core teachings of the Unity spiritual movement, founded by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore in 1889. Here's your opportunity to work with these principles, test them, apply them to your life, and WATCH WHAT HAPPENS. This is an excellent class for students who may be new to Unity, as well as seasoned students.
"Ask Yourself This"
A class about you (Required text by Rev. Wendy Craig-Purcell)
Facilitated by Barb McLawhorn, LUT Cand.
Wednesdays 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM, thru 10/24
In this course we will embark on an exploration designed to acquaint you with the fine art of asking yourself the right questions to help identify your deepest beliefs, unlock your own inner brilliance and create the meaningful life you desire. The Twelve Powers of Man
(text by Charles Fillmore)
Facilitated by Rev. Nita Strauss
Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, thru 11/3 (NO CLASS 10/13)
Develop a working knowledge of the Twelve Powers, so that you can put them into practical application in your life. Learn to more fully express the Christ that you already are. ______________________________________________
THANK YOU!
Connor McCain would like to thank everyone who helped support the fundraiser for his Eagle Scout community improvement project. He has promised to share the results of his project!
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SUE K. RILEY AND SLOAN WAINWRIGHT IN CONCERT
"POSITIVE, EMPOWERING MUSIC THAT MATTERS"
October 28 (child care provided)
Sunday service at 10:30, Concert at 1:00pm (tickets $10.00)
Everyone LOVED Sue and Sloan when they visited last year, and we're very happy that they're returning! In addition to their concert, Sue will present her "Sunday Sermon in Song" at our regular 10:30 service. If you aren't yet familiar with their music, visit their websites.
DANIEL NAHMOD IN CONCERT
November 18th (child care provided)
Sunday service at 10:30, Concert at 1:00pm (tickets $15.00ea or 2/$25.00)
We are thrilled to welcome Daniel back from his paternity leave! We enjoy his music frequently during services, and many of us listen to his music on a daily basis. He's been featured on numerous cable and radio broadcasts in over 90 countries; at cultural festivals, interfaith and environmental workshops and conferences, youth rallies, 9/11 services; and as a keynote musical presenter at benefits for such organizations as Habitat For Humanity and the Anti-Defamation League. Invite your friends and family to this special event! For more info about Daniel and his music, visit his website.
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Child care and Sunday School is always available for kids
Our Sunday School teachers look forward to sharing Unity principles with your children aged 4-12. If you've got questions, please speak to our YOU teachers: Cindy Cawthorne, LUT, Barbara Richman, LUT, Judyth Willis, and Sunni Adams. Our nursery is available for the very young ones, as well.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Sunday Lessons
Hard to believe, but fall is almost here, and, almost before we blink, we'll be in the midst of the holiday season. In theory, this is a time of celebration, thanksgiving, and family togetherness. In practice, it is frequently a time of conflict, chaos, financial struggle and fatigue. Over the coming weeks, we'll look at some of the spiritual tools that can help us not only survive, but thrive, as we walk through the holidays. Please join us!
10/7: Everyday Spirituality: Relationships with Others
10/14: Everyday Spirituality: Relationship with the Body
10/21: Everyday Spirituality: Relationship with Work
10/28: (Special Guest) Sue Riley: Everything Changes (POTLUCK)
11/4: Everyday Spirituality: Relationship with Truth
11/11: (Special Guest) Rev. Jim Marshall
11/18: Everyday Spirituality: Appreciation (Special music by Daniel Nahmod)
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