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Greetings!
"
I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there's gum in my hair and when I got out of bed
this morning I tripped on the skateboard
and by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sink
while the water was running
and I could tell it was going to be a
terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day."
Alexander, from the book, The Terrible, Horrible,
No Good, Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst
.
Along the course of this day, Alexander gets scolded for singing too loudly, realizes his mom forgot to put dessert into his lunch, has to endure lima beans at dinner, a too-hot bath, and wearing his despised railroad-train pajamas to bed. There's no prize in his breakfast cereal, he gets squashed in the carpool, his teacher tells him he's singing too loudly, and his best friend demotes Alexander to being "only his third best friend." The dentist finds a cavity, the shoes he wants are sold out, and picking up dad at his office goes so horribly awry that he is asked please not to visit anymore. There was even kissing on TV, and (of course!) Alexander HATES kissing! [Click here for book details]
Can you relate? I certainly can; I had one of "those" weeks last week.
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I wish I could tell you otherwise, but no matter how diligently we practice, we will all have days (or weeks) like that. Once upon a time, I thought that the fruit of spiritual practice was that we would never have terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days like that. I was mistaken. No matter how "good" we are, we will still experience situations which trigger stress, and our minds will still veer off into anger, fear, worry, and the like.
Spiritual practice is not a magical inoculation against the seemingly-random circumstances and situations which arise in our human lives. Spiritual practice helps us to recognize the non-productive thought patterns which tend to accompany those situations more quickly. Once we recognize those thought-patterns for what they are, we can chose to use our spiritual tools to shift to a higher level of awareness, and act in a more helpful manner. We can pause, remembering that "this too shall pass". We can break the loop of negative thought by focusing on our hearts and remembering someone or something we love and appreciate. By doing this, we stop the inevitability of the escalation of stress, frustration, or other negative reactions. We can ask the Indwelling Christ to guide us in choosing wise actions. We can utilize our faculty of Strength to follow through and actually do the inner and outer things which will help us to see Good (God) in ALL things.
Shifting from Alexander to Jesus, we now hear these words:
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Mt. 6:19-21 NRSV)
When we only focus our thoughts on material things, we will only get material rewards. And, all of those material rewards will change. Moths and rust, inflation and office politics, weather and the passage of time will eat away at them. If material things are where we have placed our treasure, we will be disappointed. We will be more and more likely to name our days "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days."
Spiritual practices help us store up treasures in heaven. As we do, we will find that even as outer things may seem to be falling apart around us, we will not be quite so devastated. We will more easily keep things in perspective. We will still experience situations and circumstances which don't look like the things we would have selected for ourselves. However, the more habitual our spiritual practice, the more likely it is that we will remember that we could actually choose peace, right here, right now, no matter what. Regardless of what is happening outside of us, we can choose at any time, in any moment, during any situation to remember Truth. We can choose to be thankful. We can choose to celebrate the Peace which is always available. We can choose to rejoice in the Love which is always present. We can always choose, and choose again. If we've previously chosen to call this day (or week, or lifetime) "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad", we can choose, right here and right now, to change our mind. Peace is always an option. Even in the middle of terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days.
Blessings and namaskar (the Divine within me blesses and honors the Divine within you)
 
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Tonight, Wed, May 20th
A New Meditation Opportunity: Loving-Kindness Meditation
Looking for a mid-week lift? Experience a meditation integrating traditional Unity prayer and loving-kindness meditation. We can cultivate an attitude of increased compassion, which benefits us and those with whom we are in relationship, as well as everyone else! 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, thru June 3rd (5/20, 6/3). 5:15- 6:00pm.
Also Tonight, May 20th:
Jesus' Teachings (the final session)
You're invited to join us as we look at some of the things Jesus actually taught. We call him our "Elder Brother", our "WayShow-er" and our "Master Teacher". Let's look at what he may have wanted us to learn. 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Nita facilitates the session. (love offerings will be thankfully accepted)
This Saturday and next, May 23rd and 30th
Spiritual "Potluck" for the Heart and Mind
Not really a class, and you won't know ahead of time what's "on the menu", but guaranteed you'll go home filled with nourishing stuff to think about. Bring your questions,your curiosity, your willingness, and your open minds!Join Rev. Nita on the following Saturdays from 9:30 - 11:30
, May 23, May 30 (love offerings will be appreciatively accepted)
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Coming Soon- Mark Your Calendar...
Our new Health and Wholeness ministry team is presenting
"The Connection"
There is no charge, and you are welcome to bring your friends.
See you there!
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CHILDCARE IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE DURING SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE
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, their Volunteer Coordinator, Tori Carlson, either by phone at 520-297-6049 ext. 217 or visit their website
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