What's your Story?

Our minds, encapsulated somewhere within the gray, squishy brain matter between our ears compose daily, sometimes moment-to-moment stories. They are elaborate, fully choreographed, deliciously dialogued stories; tales of “he said/she said” that we personally fashion to fit our particular need in the moment. They are magical fables, totally self-conceived, that essentially function solely as fuel for the ego mind’s insatiable appetite to bolster its case against trusting our soul’s message: to love, forgive, heal, and learn––with grace and gratitude.

Not too long ago, I listened to a version of my own story swirling inside my mind, feeling like some cheap whiskey inside a Styrofoam cup. It said, “She doesn’t trust you. She’s never really trusted you, so what did you expect?” And other similar words to that effect. And then, just for good measure, my tenacious ego-mind conjured up various old movies from the past, some over 40 years old mind you, to highlight ancient vignettes that would support my personally created stories’ case.

“See? What did I tell you? See how she’s never trusted you? Look at all those times she thought you were full of it. See? See?”

Do you hear the rather large component of self-righteousness, not to mention, arrogance, here? If we allow ourselves to become a good witness for a minute––we’ll discover that the need to be right will take center stage every single time. It’s a very expensive habit we can ill afford, as illness is precisely where we are headed as long as we choose to listen to the ego-mind’s demand to be right.

When something doesn’t go our way, when someone doesn’t do what we think they “should” or “shouldn’t do” we tell ourselves stories as to why they’re wrong and we’re right. If only they did it our way, in our time, everything would be so much better. We make it all up, folks.

It’s the big human pretend movie. We’re not only the star, but since it’s our story, we also play all the roles so that it fits our self-penned narrative to our benefit.

From that place, we completely forget how much we love our partners, friends and children…and life itself. It doesn’t dawn on us to take a breath, or two or three, while we allow ourselves to connect to the incident or person with love and appreciation. When we do, the difference is extraordinary, instantly replaced by colorful blue butterflies, luscious, red rose petals, and passionate air kisses. Or your version thereof.

What if, the next time you become aware of your personally spun yarn, you acknowledge its source, kindly escort it to the exit doors and begin to work on a more loving version of the Truth?

You have nothing to lose.

Accepting a Truth

You know how it feels to have a Truth pierce right through the derma layers, down into the depths of your being? Well, I had an experience with that very thing this morning while on my morning walk with the my three dogs. It wasn't a Truth I hadn't heard before. In fact, I have probably said this Truth thousands of times over the years since I was ordained back in 1972.

Up the hill from my house sits two towering ponderosa pines. Well, they were two trees once, but now they're joined at the hip, so to speak, sharing one skin. The smaller of the two "embraces" the larger one with several of her branches (she represents the feminine to me), while the masculine tree stands guard against our infrequent bouts of severe winds. After giving and receiving my morning tree hug from these two old friends, I stepped out into the early morning sunlight, as I listened for a moment to the braying, whinnying, crowing, and twittering (from birds, not computers or cell phones) coming from the valley below. I call it the Farmland Concert Hour.

Gazing up at the glowing sun in the sky for a moment I wait until my eyes adjust just enough to see the Source of the sun's effulgence. That's when I say the Prayer of Protection:

The Light of God
Surrounds us.

The Love of God
Enfolds us.

The Power of God
Protects us.

The Presence of God Watches Over us.

Wherever we Are, God is,

And God is within.

I also add these prayers:

The Abundance of God
Prospers us.

The Creativity of God
Inspires us.

The Beauty of God
Entralls us.

Remember, I’ve said this prayer thousands of times. Maybe more. But until this morning, they were little more than sweet words of encouragement. Today, they took flight within my soul, soaring up to that burning star in the sky, then back into my heart in one unexpected, but exhilarating motion, revealing the Truth in those few words. When we accept an unlimited God Source, only then can we accept an Unlimited Self. My beloved friend Bee said that. She was so right on.

I accepted that Truth today.

As I closed my eyes at the end of the prayer, the sun's luminosity still burned brightly beneath my eyelids, as a tender reminder to hold it all lightly, as it's a transient, but also ever present Truth.

What if you allowed the Truth to penetrate all your worries, fears and frustrations right now? What if you allowed the Truth to reveal your own unique Beauty, Creativity, Prosperity, Light and Power to Love right now?

You have nothing to lose.