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Somehow quite a few of us have become quite convinced that Truth, Life, Peace, Good, Heaven... whatever... is always someplace "over there". If we read enough, learn enough, give enough, do enough, we will finally get there. Wherever "there" is. All of the striving and struggling and figuring things out and puzzling over how to put everything in it's right place so that we finally reach our goal is really just the busy-work of ego, trying to convince us it knows best. It does not.
The ego does have a very important job, and we certainly do not want to destroy it. The belief that we must somehow eliminate the ego has become still another thing we've placed on the big to-do list. And that to-do list is standing between our messy human lives and the peace we claim to be seeking.
Throughout time people have placed their Good somewhere just beyond reach: around the corner, beyond that hill, over there where its green and shady. Throughout time, there have also been teachers, wise Ones who taught an incredibly simple message: stop. That which you are seeking is already here, already present. Truth is not "over there", but right here, right now, where we are. Within, without, all around us is Omnipresent Good.
The eternal wheel of life has become a hamster's wheel for many of us. We have come to believe that we must constantly be doing something - anything! We exhaust ourselves, distance ourselves from what we love, thinking we must earn more, do more, be more. The sad, tragic joke is that the more we struggle, the more we lose.
Lao Tzu, Buddha, Jesus, and others have stood still and said, "Wait. Pause. Stop and listen. Breathe. Open your eyes. Wake up!"
It's hard to stop. There's nothing really complicated about stopping, but its very hard to do as long as we insist on trying to figure out in a logical, rational manner exactly how to do it. Yes, of course, we should stop, and we have every intention of doing so, just as soon as we can. Just as soon as this project is done and that remodel is finished and those meetings are taken care of. We really do have to get certain things done if we're to have any hope of ever getting our lives together in any kind of organized and meaningful way.
It's a difficult thing to pause and breathe, unless you just pause and breathe. It's the simplest thing in the world to pause and breathe. You just stop whatever you're doing, pause, and breathe. But if we have to get everything done first, it becomes very complicated. "Of course I should meditate! I know that, and I will. Just as soon as I ......"
So here's the big secret about stopping: you just stop. You make yourself mind yourself and stop. If you must, take out your phone, set the timer for two minutes, and stop. Just sit there for two minutes. Breathe. Tomorrow, claim three minutes. Then four.
Our spiritual practices are important. Our human lives and responsibilities are important. As spiritual beings experiencing life in human form, we have the opportunity to grow and learn and love and BE everything that is really important to us. We can complete the things we need to complete, and still find space in our lives for stillness. We can choose to focus on whatever is most important in each moment, and do that one thing. In the next moment, we can do what is in front of us to do in that moment.
As we learn to honor the moments of our lives, the hours, days, months and years of our lives will take on a depth which we never imagined and could not see as we were running around that hamster wheel. The good you are rushing to find is actually here, now. You already know enough. You already do enough. You already are enough. And, you must stop, pause, and breathe.
Blessings and Namaskar (the Divine within me blesses and honors the Divine within you)
  
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Spiritual Education class: Keep a True Lent
Wednesdays through Mar. 9,
10:30 - 12:30pm(love offering)
Keep a True Lent not only defines and explains many New Thought concepts, but provides a daily practice of transformation. Rev. Nita facilitates the class.
Spiritual Education class: Breaking (Unscrambling) the Ten Commandments
Thursdays through 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.
Remember... Our Annual Membership Meeting
will be on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 12:00pm
Sharing Our Stories
Sunday, March 6th, 11:45
If you would like to join in a conversation about how Spirit works in our lives, please be sure and join us after services on March 6th at 11:45 when we will be sharing real-life stories that demonstrate the power of the Divine in our lives.
If you'd like more information, just reply to this email and your questions will be forwarded to Barbara McLawhorn, LUT.  Save the date... Mar. 13, 2-4:30pm Unleash Your Calling - Create the Work and Life You Love Tama Kieves, author of "This Time I Dance"  Trained at Harvard Law School, Tama quickly realized she hated going to work each day. Taking a step back, she realized there was much more to life that what she was experiencing. Since those days, she has authored book, created tools, and taught others how to reframe, rething, and recreate their lives, following their passion.
Tama will present an inspiring, joyful workshop at our center, which is being co-sponsored by our friends at CSL-Tucson as part of the 2016 Festival of Books. Click here for more information Tickets $25 or 2/$45
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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