"Don't take anything personally. Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the  victim of needless suffering."

The Second Agreement  

from The Four Agreements

Don Miguel Ruiz

During the period of our growing up and early education, we learn to take everything personally. We don't have the opportunity to choose our beliefs; we are told what to believe and what not to believe. We learn that if we agree, we are rewarded and if we disagree, we are punished. So we learn very early in our lives how important it is to please other people, even and often at the expense of pleasing ourselves. Everything that we learn goes into our mind by agreement and it stays in our mind by agreement.

Then Don Miguel Ruiz comes along to suggest that there is another way of being that will return us to our original joy and authenticity. He suggests that we can now make some new agreements which will change and improve our lives forever. He says that if you practice even just the first two agreements which he sets forth in his book The Four Agreements, "Be impeccable with your word" and "Don't take anything personally," you will break seventy-five percent of the tiny agreements you have made over the course of your life that have caused you suffering.

His message is worth paying attention to. Whatever people do, feel, think, or say, don't take it personally. Don't take anything personally because what they say or do is always about them, not you. It is as though everyone perceives everything through his or her own unique lens.  We each are in our own dream....our own movie....in which we are the producer, the director and the major actor or actress. By taking things personally, you set yourself up to suffer for nothing. When you make it a strong habit not to take anything personally, you avoid many upsets in your life. Your anger, jealousy, sadness and envy will disappear. As you make a habit of not taking anything personally, you won't need to place your trust in what others say or do. You will only need to trust yourself to make responsible choices.

If you keep this agreement, you can travel around the world with your heart completely open. Once you realize that nothing anyone says or does is about you, you can be free to open your heart fully....to show up as love everywhere. You can say "I love you," without fear of being ridiculed or rejected. You can ask for what you need. You can say yes or you can say no without guilt or self-judgment. You can choose to follow your heart always and experience great freedom.

In peace and love,    

Rev. Karen Wylie

Appreciation and Thanksgiving 

How grateful I am for our musical inspiration this past Sunday. We had Patricia Cardinali on the guitar, Smitty West on the keyboard and Renee Mandala with her beautiful voice. We were uplifted with their beautiful music, spirit and enthusiasm! The Symphony of Life is musically blessed!

Special Guests at the Symphony of Life Spiritual Center  

We have a special treat this Sunday, August 21st. The dance troupe from the Agape International Spiritual Center (Movement of Agape) will be performing at 10:30 AM at our Sunday morning service, along with Marianne Lewis, who will also be visiting us again from Agape and entertaining us with her amazing voice. We are planning a potluck on that day, so please invite your friends and bring a dish to share!  We are going to have a rousing time!

New Fall Class 

Rev. Karen will be teaching an 8-week class, Science of Mind 102, The Nature of Effective Prayer, on Thursday nights beginning on Thursday, September 15, 7:00 to 9:30 PM. Registration Fee: $50; Tuition $125 (payment plans are available).  Location in Ojai TBD.  We are developing an education program that will lead to becoming a practitioner at the Symphony of Life.  This class is part of that curriculum.  It is an opportunity to create and deepen in your own spiritual practice. The two books that will be required reading are Prayer and The Science of Mind both by Ernest Holmes.  Please plan on having your books by the first night of class.  (No prerequisite required.) Contact Rev. Karen at (805) 640-3743 for more information.

Living the Five Agreements

Come join best selling authors Don Miguel Ruiz and Don Jose Ruiz for an afternoon workshop entitled, "Living the Five Agreements." This workshop is presented by the Symphony of Life Spiritual Center and will be held on Sunday, August 21, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at the Ojai Valley Community Church, 907 El Centro. There will also be a book signing thereafter by Don Jose from 5:00 to 5:30 PM.

Tickets are $30 prepaid; $35 at the door, $25 for Students. There are also group rates available: $25 advance purchase (10 or more paid at the same time). Tickets are available on line at www.solsc.org , and also at the Symphony of Life Spiritual Center this Sunday. Contact Amira Webster for more information about this event, (805) 701-1327.

Creative Adventures Summer Program 

A deep and profound thank you to Rev. Marilyn Miller and Practitioner Todd Chandler who facilitated our children's program this past Sunday. See the wonderful pictures below.

We welcome children 3-11 years of age to enjoy prayer, story telling, visual arts projects and/or music and movement. Our program is enriching and appropriate for young people regardless of their religious backgrounds. Please call Rev. Marilyn Miller, (805) 640-0498 if you are interested in assisting with the children.  

Some of Our Happy Birthday Babies for August

Wanted! Spirit's Calling You!

The Symphony of Life needs a good keyboard for use by our visiting musicians. Donations Appreciated! If you happen to have such a piece of musical equipment lying around the house, please allow us to put it to good use for you.

It has been suggested that we video the highlights of our special events and put them on You Tube. If you are interested in helping develop this idea, please contact Rev. Karen at (805) 640-3743.

We appreciate and are very grateful for your generosity!

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