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Those of you who attend on Sundays know that since the first of the year, I've been basing my Sunday lessons on the foundational Unity text, "Lessons in Truth", by H. Emilie Cady. Here are a few of her words:
"Seek to be the Truth, consciously, to be Love, to be wisdom, to be Life (as we really are unconsciously) and let results take care of themselves."
The first time I read those words, I couldn't imagine how we could really do that: BE Truth, BE Love, BE wisdom, BE Life? What, really, does that mean? And where was the how-to? The first time I read Lessons in Truth, I was overwhelmed. There was so much to take in, so much to learn, and hard as I looked, I never did find the chapter on "How Exactly To Do This".
While Life presents us with many choices, most of us haven't learned to choose skillfully. As we claim a very clear intention, it becomes easier to choose. Our intention becomes the foundation, the essence of what it is we seek to express in our lives. While I still didn't understand the how-to, on some level, I knew that Cady's words encapsulated my deepest intentions for my own behavior.
For some unknown reason, culturally we've accepted the idea that we have to be one person at work, another with our friends, someone else when we're at a parent-teacher meeting, and still another when we are with our family. Even as so many of us find ourselves swapping one mask for another, generally speaking, the attribute which people say they value most is authenticity. We want to know that the people in our lives are trustworthy, that they are honest, and they really are who they seem to be. Does it seem at least a little bit bizarre that we're all wearing ourselves out trying to be who we think other people want us to be when really, authenticity is the thing most respected by others?
Continually trying to figure out who people want us to be, and then trying to be that, is exhausting. Authenticity is actually quite simple. In the beginning, it does require a certain amount of willingness: we must be willing to listen to the Truth within us, and we must be willing to actually do things differently than our habitual behaviors. Like anything, it becomes easier with practice. We also need to recognize that "habitual" is just another way of saying mindless. We need a strong desire and intention to override the mindless behavior in our life.
When I first started learning about willingness, I thought it was a way to hedge my bets. I could be "willing" to do something without actually having to do it. I could be "willing" without actually changing. What I didn't realize was that "willingness" is actually a sort of spiritual code word for courage. It turns out that, if we are truly willing, we will find that courage is already within us. If we are willing to do what is required, we can be and do whatever we choose. When we "seek to be the Truth, to be love, to be wisdom, to be Life" we are actually stating our willingness to be authentically what we are.
Along my own path of willingness, I realized that the habitual, mindless choices I made were generally made from fear. I also realized that, while I thought this whole "willingness thing" was a way to hedge my bets, somehow, over time... I changed. I started to say "yes" more than "no". At another point, I realized that I could still say "no" when it was appropriate to do so. Along the way, it began to feel safe to speak Truth, to accept that I AM wise, that it is okay to love, and to live Life in ways which authentically express That Which I Am.
The next time you have a choice to make, pause for a moment, claim willingness, and listen. There is wisdom within you, just waiting to guide you in the ways of being Truth, being Love, and expressing Life. Take one authentic step, then another, and another. With practice, this becomes easier, choosing becomes simpler, and - as Emilie Cady assured us - the results will take care of themselves.
Blessings and Namaskar (the Divine within me blesses and honors the Divine within you)
  
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Aviva Children's Services - Bags For Kids
Saturday, February 13, 10:00am - 3:00pm
Because Every Child Matters -Aviva provides services that improve the quality of life for children who are victims of neglect, abuse and poverty and who are in the care of Child Protective Services. We'll be making duffle bags for the children Aviva provides services to. Come spend the day with us and/or drop in for an hour or two! No sewing or other experience is necessary, and we've got lots of different things that need to be done. Please download the flyer for complete information!
Celebrate your Valentine at a
Re-commitment of Vows Ceremony for all couples
Sunday, February 14, 2016, 12:00 noon, after Sunday service
Please reply to this email to RSVP, and you'll be connected to one of our Licensed Unity Teacher Candidates, Lynne Booth and Sue Nyhus. Spiritual Education class: Keep a True Lent
Wednesdays, Feb. 10 - Mar. 9,
10:30 - 12:30pm(love offering)
Probably the clearest and most accessible of Unity co-founder, Charles Fillmore's books, Keep a True Lent not only defines and explains many New Thought concepts, but provides a daily practice of transformation. Rev. Nita will facilitate the class, which may be taken for Unity Institute elective credit. A limited number of books will be available in class, or may be obtained through your favorite online bookseller.
Thursdays, Feb. 4 - March 3,
9:00 - 11:00am (love offering)
Participants will explore one of Eric Butterworth's most intriguing books. Butterworth suggests it is time to "break" the Ten Commandments and live from them rather than by them. Learn to unscramble the Ten Commandments and unlock the deeper, metaphysical meanings. Sue Nyhus, LUT Cand.will facilitate the class.
The Power of Myth - Final Session
Saturday, Feb. 20th 9:30 - 12:30 Our last gathering to view the Bill Moyers PBS series with Joseph Campbell will include two episodes, and time for discussion. Bring your lunch!
Annual Membership Meeting and Leadership Council Service Opportunity
Our annual meeting will be on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 12:00pm
Please plan to attend. If you are already a member, attend regularly, and are interested in becoming more involved in leadership, please speak to Nita or any current Leadership Council member.
So you know...
Some of our participants have breathing problems which are exacerbated by fragrances. Fragranced products can adversely affect people with allergies, asthma, migraines. Thank you for considering lessening or eliminating your fragrance use when attending classes or other events
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Support Unity Spiritual Center of Peace through AmazonSmile
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 You can help support our center every time you shop at Amazon.com just by selecting us to receive a portion of each purchase. You pay nothing extra, and we'll receive .5% of every purchase. (Please Note: When you search for us, look for Unity Spiritual Center of Peace Tucson. Thanks!)
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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 ICS, contact their Volunteer Coordinator, Tori Carlson, either by phone at 520-297-6049 ext. 217 or visit their website
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