Do a quick check-in with yourself: What is going on for you? Is this a peaceful, satisfying moment or is this very moment a time of stress and difficulty? The circumstances of our lives change from moment to moment, and they are neutral. That may sound surprising, but it is true. You may experience the circumstances of your life in this moment as stressful and difficult. Another person may find the same circumstances to be exciting, stimulating, and just exactly what they needed.
Whatever is going on in your life right now will change. Ancient tradition teaches us that the only statement of Truth which can be applied to the outer circumstances of our lives is, "This too shall pass." Good, bad, ugly, indifferent or blissful, this too shall pass. We cannot hold on to this moment any more than we can say to the sunset: "That's it! You are absolutely perfect! Now - stay that way forever!"
Basing our lives and our beliefs on external conditions is building our house on sand. It will shift, it will be blown about, it will be torn apart. That's just the way it is.
The only things that do not change are those intangible, unseen qualities of Life which are based on the unseen realm of the Absolute. Love is always present because the One Power, One Presence we might call God is Omnipresence (everywhere present), and we know (have faith) that God is Love.
Life is eternal, because the One Life we all share is without beginning or end. How Life expresses into human form changes, because - in the human, relative realm - everything changes. But the Life we are does not change. We are, as the fully-Christed Jesus says in the book of Revelation, "the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
If we choose to live wisely in this human experience, we build our house on that which does not change. We become still, we touch the core of Truth within us, and we listen:
"This is what I know to be True: I know that, regardless of the always-changing events of the outer world, that I AM _______. I know that ________."
For me, I know that regardless of the always-changing events of the human experience, I AM God expressing at the point I AM. I know that the eternal Life which I call The Infinite Field of All-Possibility and All-Potential is eternal and inexhaustible. I believe that within that Field of All-Potential is the absolutely perfect solution for whatever human challenge I may be experiencing. I know that - in my human identity - I may experience all sorts of challenges. I also know that I have chosen to build my house on the bedrock of Truth. Having done that, I know that - in any moment - I can choose to turn within, know that I dwell in Truth, and be assured of my Good.
This is Faith as I understand it. During this Advent season, and in all seasons, I claim this Divine Idea as an aspect of the Christ expressing at the point I AM, and at the point You Are. We are not separate. We experience Life differently, we each express God uniquely, and I know that what is True of me and for me is also True of you.
Upon this rock, Faith, we build the experience of Life. It is your choice how to use this gift. Choose wisely.
REMEMBER YOUR TOOLS!
PAUSE: It is amazing how much wisdom you may gather in the span of two or three breaths. Open your heart before you open your mouth.
ASK: What is True for me in this moment? What is eternal and unchanging?
RELEASE: Based on the answer to that question, be willing to let go of your egoic certainty. Be willing to let go of one habit which no longer seems helpful.
BE: Based on the answer to that question, bring your actions into alignment with your Faith. Take one new action which does seem helpful.
CONTINUE: to be still for at least 15-30 minutes each day. Nothing fancy. Just learn to be in stillness with yourself.
DO: Something that you enjoy. Knit. Draw. Dance. Weld. Walk. Play. Write. Fish. Bake. Finger-paint. Build a bicycle. Re-read the Harry Potter series.
REST: Are you tired? Take a no-guilt nap. Go to bed early. Awaken naturally.
