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The study and practice of Truth doesn't come in on a white horse and magically slay the dragons of our lives, allowing us to live happily ever after. We seem to think we'll have the perfect job and going to work will be like visiting Disneyland each day. Bills will stop arriving in our mailbox, other people will stop disappointing us, and we'll never again experience fear, pain, or loss. This is the fairy tale our egoic mind tells us. The human mind thinks it can fix everything it sees as wrong. This ought to be that way, and that ought to be this way. Ego wants to create life in its own image of perfection. New Thought teacher Emmet Fox called this "outlining" and assured us that holding these preconceived ideas will only delay our demonstrations of Truth.
First off, I actually used to work at Disneyland, and let me assure you, working at the Happiest Place on Earth is very, very hard work. Talk about living up to others' expectations! Truth doesn't give us a free ride, somehow instantly filling our lives with sparkly fairy dust. We'll still have to pay our bills, feed our families, and interact with other people, most of whom do not subscribe to the same belief system we do.
Our work is to align our human mind with Divine Mind within. That's it. It's not our job to figure things out. It's not our job to worry about the "how" of Divine Order unfolding. When we are in alignment with Truth we allow Truth to emerge into expression in our lives, and something higher and better is always the result.
As long as the ego-mind thinks it can bring about happiness by fixing everything it sees as wrong, we will suffer, because ego-mind cannot control other people or outer circumstances. And if- as sometimes does happen - everything DOES manage to fall into place, we'll likely start worrying about how to keep it that way. After the absolutely picture-perfect wedding and the amazing honeymoon, the bride and groom must still return home to navigate the marriage. Once we do land the perfect job, we still need to learn the culture of that workplace, and become familiar with the various responsibilities and personalities involved. Even if we create a universally-acclaimed artistic masterpiece, we will eventually have to face another blank canvas or page.
Ultimately, we must accept that even if we reach a long-held goal, at some point we must move once again into the void of not-knowing-what-comes-next. Sometimes we must actually come to terms with knowing the long-held goal is not ever going to happen. Maybe Prince Charming is never going to show up, maybe no one is ever going to want to read your book, perhaps it turns out you're not ever going to give birth to a child or maybe you're never going to see your child grow up. These are hard, hard things.
Finding lasting peace requires us to recognize the unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of life on earth. Finding peace requires us to acknowledge the shortcomings of the human mind, to acknowledge our discomfort, to remember that everything changes, and to respond to whatever is happening with Love. This doesn't mean that we say we like what is going on when we don't. It doesn't mean that we stop living proactively or that we pretend everything in our life is wonderful when it seems we are walking through one challenge after another. It means that we continue to be willing to do the work of bringing our human mind into alignment with Divine Mind within.
Paradoxically, this does not mean that we no longer have goals, or that we no longer strive or make plans or look forward to experiences which excite us. It does mean that we stop calling things "wrong" or "bad" when they don't look like we thought they should look. It means that we stop telling our stories of woe to anyone who will listen. It means that we become even more diligent about our spiritual practices. It means that we utilize our faculty of Strength to remain steadfast in our belief that there is ALWAYS good to be claimed, no matter what. We remember that responding with Love means that we do the work of harmonizing our human thoughts with Divine Mind within. We allow ourselves to remain open and receptive to the Wisdom which is always present, and which always guide us forward. Emily Cady, in Lessons in Truth, reminds us that our work is not to force things into manifestation, but to allow:
"Whoever you are that read these words, wherever you stand in the world... seeking Truth, that you may make it manifest in a sweeter, stronger, less selfish life, know once and forever that you are not seeking God [the Omnipresence of All-Good], but God is seeking you. Your longing for greater manifestation is the eternal energy that holds the worlds in their orbits, outpushing through you to get into fuller manifestation. You need not worry. You need not be anxious. You need not strive-only let it. Learn how to let it."
Blessings and Namaskar (the Divine within me blesses and honors the Divine within you)
  
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Upcoming Events
Remember our Good Friday service, March 25 at 5:00 pm.
Our Easter Service with White Stone Ceremony is
March 27 at 10:30 am.
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Spiritual Education Classes:
Embracing the Feminine Nature of the Divine
Thursdays, Mar. 17 - April 14, 10:00am - 12:00noon (love offering)
In her book, Unity minister Toni Boehm suggests the drop of the atomic bomb in 1945 heralded in a new age of consciousness. One that we are just beginning to awaken to. In this thought provoking book participants will explore integrative spirituality, a uniting of the feminine and masculine nature of the divine and what it means for us, as members of a global community. LUt Candidate Sue Nyhus will facilitate this class as part of her teaching practicum. A very limited number of books will be available at class; they are also available through Amazon.
Myrtle Fillmore's Healing Letters
Wednesdays, March 30 - April 27 - 10:30am - 12:30pm (love offering)
Susan Sellers, LUT, will facilitate this exploration of the wisdom of our co-founder, Myrtle Fillmore, who's healing from tuberculosis through prayer was the catalyst for the beginning of the Unity Movement. A limited number of books will be available at class; also available through Amazon.
This Sunday... 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, rethink, 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. Visit Tama's website.
Upcoming Musical Event
Michael Gott in Concert
Sunday, April 17, 3:00-5:00pm
Michael Gott is a multi-talented musician and an engaging speaker who inspires and entertains. He is a pianist, a singer, a songwriter and a minister. Michael travels throughout North America and Europe, singing and speaking at conferences and spiritual centers. In recent years, he has shared the stage with internationally known personalities such as Dr. Wayne Dyer, Dr. Deepak Chopra, and Marianne Williamson. In 2014 Michael Gott was named senior assistant minister at Unity Houston. With his background in disparate musical disciplines such as gospel, pop, opera, musical theater, classical piano and jazz, he has developed a unique performance style that is exciting, engaging and heartfelt. Tickets $20.00 each or 2/$35. Click here for more information.
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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