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Does this sound at all familiar?
We claim a path of transformation, get enthused and motivated, create new behaviors, and - voila! - change happens. Yay! We celebrate the changes, enjoy the success, declare ourselves transformed, and then... bit by bit... stop doing the things which brought about the transformation. After awhile, without continuing the behaviors which facilitated the transformation, we go back to our habitual inaction and wake up one day realizing that we are, more or less, right back where we began.
Recognizing this, our response tends to be something along the lines of, "I knew it was too good to last" or "See? I knew I couldn't really change" or "I guess I'm just doomed and meant to be... (broke? lonely? sick? fat? drunk? [you may insert your dysfunction of choice here])"
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Finding ourselves back in our original situation, we think that our efforts have failed again. And again. Perhaps even yet again. Really, however, our efforts succeeded. We simply stopped doing the many things which brought about the change we claimed we wanted. So guess what? Once again, life is choices. We can choose to see this cycle as further evidence, actual proof, that it is hopeless for us to try to change. Or, we can see it as evidence, actual proof, that when we choose, time and again, to practice the behaviors which create positive change, positive change happens. Change is, in fact, inevitable no matter what we do. The choice is not whether or not to change, but whether or not to direct the changes in our lives to the best of our abilities.
As with all things in the outer, we once again need to look at the thought or belief in consciousness which underlies the outer evidence. Lest you think this is some deep, dark process of excavating the hidden corners of our psyche, let me assure you it is really quite simple. Remember those statements I mentioned earlier, such as, "I knew it was too good to last"? THOSE are the underlying beliefs I'm referring to. THIS is the point in consciousness at which we must begin our work. Indeed, there may be many deep, dark, long-hidden "reasons" for why we are the way we are, but the practical truth is that we can only change the things we are aware of. Right now, if I am aware that I am sliding back into acting from a belief I no longer choose to follow, I can use the spiritual tools of denial, affirmation, and substitution. I can recognize which of my core 12 Abilities (or Powers) would be most useful, and claim their helpful presence in my life NOW!
"I refuse to allow the power of untrue, negative beliefs to rule my life." (This is the denial. Just say NO!)
"I release all thoughts of lack or limitation." (Claim your Power of Elimination.)
"I am wise, free, and willing to make positive choices."
(Here is the affirmation. Saying "YES!" activates the Power of Life. Feeling and saying these things with passion is your faculty of Zeal, or Enthusiasm)
"Truth - God - Spirit - is eternal and everlasting Good. I place my focus on Truth." (With this statement, we substitute, or "give" Truth "for" error, which is the practical meaning of forgiveness.)
"I have the ability to choose my actions wisely." (claiming our faculties of Will and Judgment).
"I know that when I make wise choices I experience the results I desire." (acknowledging the presence of Understanding and Faith).
"I believe it is possible for me to create positive, lasting change in my day-to-day life." (Activating the awareness of Faith, as well as Strength, our capacity to persevere and stay the course.)
Allow yourself to pause for a few moments, re-reading and integrating those statements of Truth into your awareness. None of this is magical thinking, hoping to make something True which is not. Each of these statements is already True. Our work is to align our thinking and feeling natures with them. What would your life look like if you followed through on each of them? Compared to the hopelessness of failure, what does the possibility of real, lasting transformation feel like? Engage your heart, your mind, your emotions, and your body to inhabit the "mental space" of asking, knowing you have already received. Are you blessed by this awareness of the assurance of success? Feel that gratitude! Be thankful! Create your own affirmative statement to take forth with you, reading it, thinking it, speaking it regularly, and basing your actions upon it.
"My Good is eternal and everlasting. I choose to live in alignment with Truth. I choose to do the things which support my belief that I AM God expressing at the point I AM. I AM blessed, I AM thankful. This is True, this is so, and so it is." To that, if you wish, if you agree, we can say together, Amen.
The Light I AM recognizes, blesses, and honors the Light You Are-
Namaskar- Blessings, Rev. Nita
 
YOU
are invited to
Rev. Nita's Ordination Ceremony
Sunday, March 30
10:30am
Celebration Party and Potluck
11:30am
Each and every one of you has been an important part of the journey.
Please mark the date and be a part of this very special day.
Our service will quite likely run a little long that day.
It's our monthly potluck day- We'll provide the main dish - if you'd like to bring a side dish to round out the meal, that would be lovely!
******************
UPCOMING EVENTS...
Sunday, March 16th, 10:30am
Special presenters, Susan Smith and Sue Nyhus
"Spiritual Substance"
Two of our up-and-coming future Unity leaders will bring a fresh perspective to your understanding of Abundance along the spiritual path. Before proceeding to Leadership-level classes, students complete 250 credit hours of classes; each of these students is nearing completion of that major point along the path to credentialing.
Sunday, March 23rd, 10:30am
Special Guest Speaker, Rev. Brenda Frost
"Choosing the 10% - The Creative Power of Mind"
Unity minister Rev. Brenda Frost was ordained in 1989 and started her ministerial career in Tucson at Unity of Tucson. She later served in San Mateo/Burlingame, CA, and at her home church in Maine. She now serves on Monhegan Island in Maine as a summer visiting minister, and enjoys guest speaking and performing weddings and memorials at Unity of Greater Portland.
She and her partner Gail spend winters in Tucson to be close to their precious daughter and grand-daughter, and to enjoy the warm weather. Spring and summer they are off to Maine to boogie board, take long walks on the beaches, and eat masses of oysters, and lobster, and to spend time with Brenda's large extended family.Please join us in welcoming Rev. Brenda!
Saturday, March 29
NAMI Walk
March Outreach: NAMI Southern Arizona:A
An affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Come join our Unity Spiritual Center of Peace NAMI fund raising walk group and/or support our team!
Walk Details:
Saturday, March 29, 2014!
Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium
2500 E. Ajo Way
Tucson, AZ 85713
5k and 3k Walk! Registration begins at 7 AM, Walk start begins at 9 AM
Not walking? Join our team and bring a chair or blanket and listen to the entertainment from 7 AM to 12 PM.This year the walk will begin from the baseball field! Contact Susan Smith for more information,
Friday, April 11, 7:00pm
Anton Mizerak and Laura Berryhill in Concert
Mount Shasta keyboardist, harmonica and tabla player Anton Mizerak and singer Laura Berryhill will present an evening of Celtic songs, healing music and chants from around the world on Friday, April 11 at 7PM. Visit their website for sample songs and more info. Anton and Laura have toured together extensively performing to acclaim at over 400 venues throughout the 10 Western states. The concert will feature Anton's original music, Laura's Celtic songs and chants from around the world along with mythological storytelling from the Hindu, Buddhist and Celtic traditions. (a love offering will be taken at the concert) April 27 Sky Nelson Music and the Physics of Everyday Miracles Sunday service (10:30) + Musical Workshop/Talk (1:00pm)  Sky combines his love of music and science into a fascinating exploration of spirituality and quantum physics. Prepare to have your thought field expanded! Visit Sky's website for more information. *********** 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. Our nursery is available for the very young ones, as well. We provide professionally trained and screened childcare for those ages 0-3, so that you may enjoy attending service while knowing that your little ones are well cared-for.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
There are many things which need to get done here in our center, and Susan Smith is working to make it easier for you to become involved. Please check at the information table to see what might be fun for you to do.
INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES (ICS) RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES
To volunteer through our affiliation with Interfaith Community Services, you can contact, Sandi Brickley, ICS Volunteer Resources Manager, either by phone at 520-297-2738 ext. 217 or at their website
.
If You Could Benefit from ICS resources, referrals are available
Interfaith Community Services provides a wide range of services for seniors, disabled individuals and people in financial needs. Please contact Susan Smith or Rev. Nita with questions about ICS services. Contact Susan via email.
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