Changing Views

 "....Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God..." - Exodus 3:18

This was the view out my hospital room, the second morning I'd been there.  The first night into the morning hours was spent in a windowless emergency room.  This was definitely an improvement, and oddly enough, I felt as though I was on a vacation!  We've hardly gone anywhere since the Pandemic started and not at all anywhere overnight since last October.  Having a new view out my window when I woke up that morning was a welcomed change, though I would have much preferred watching the sun rise over some lovely ocean view.  

Living Thanksgiving

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms."  -Ephesians 1:3

Envy

"Envy is the art of counting the other fellow's blessings instead of your own." --Alan Cohen

Cohen goes on to say, "Jealousy is really a disguised attack on oneself."  

I have never considered myself the jealous type.  I would always be happy for the other person when they were able to have a nicer "whatever" than I had.    Cohen says we should see the person you're envious of as "a harbinger of good for yourself."  He says they are showing us that if they can have something that good, so can we.  

Me - Age 8

I remember in third grade, when I was eight, wishing I could give a party for the whole class like Sonja did for Halloween that year, so I asked my mother if I could have an Easter party.  She agreed to a few friends, but not the whole class.  I remember feeling very pleased with how it turned out.  But, I also remember that Sonja got the lead of Cinderella in the school play that year.  I didn't do too badly because I was chosen as one of the girls who would attend the Ball.....until my mother became ill and couldn't make my costume which meant I had to be one of the serving girls, instead, and wear an apron.  Perhaps that WAS jealousy I felt.  And then for our social studies project her sugar cube igloo won first prize while my Sahara desert tent made from my Dad's old flannel pajama material was rather simple and plain and took no prize.  I KNOW that was jealousy I felt.  I remember thinking bad thoughts about her and may have even complained that she had to have had help from her mother to build it. 

I can see how jealousy is dependent on what you think of yourself.  Concerning the party, I was able to give my own party, and even though it wasn't on the same scale, I'd planned it myself and with my mother's help executed it to my 8-year-old self's satisfaction and felt rather good about it.  But when I wasn't able to wear a pretty costume in the play or make a fancy-looking project, I felt less of myself and therefore was envious of Sonja's success.  

So, it would seem feelings of envy can be a good thing if we use it for good.  It can either act as a catalyst to get us moving in the direction of making that same thing happen in our lives--not because the other person has it, but because it's worth having in its own right.   Or, it can show us where we need to work on our self-worth.  Self acceptance is a large part of that, realizing we do have limitations.  Not everyone is gifted with the same abilities.

If, however, we stew in the jealousy and allow it to become resentment it becomes harmful--not only to ourselves, but to our relationships.

Cohen says a good way to think of envy (N.V.) is as  New Vision.  He says the fact that I can recognize the good others have indicates I'm able to perceive good for myself which is the first step in obtaining it....IF I can reframe my envy as a sign of what I can and will have.  Here is my 8-year-old self "reframed"....rather fancy, if I do say so myself.

Father, above all else I want a content heart, but thank you for showing me that desiring more is not always a bad thing if it helps me to grow or enables me to help others.

Link to scripture:  Philippians 4:8

Take action:  The Four Most Powerful Types of Creative Thinking

Becoming Real

“Real isn’t how you are made…” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”  --"The Velveteen Rabbit"


The "Velveteen Rabbit" is a classic children's book from 1922 by Margery Williams.  This newer edition is my favorite of the various illustrators over the years:

It's the story about a stuffed rabbit that becomes real to the little boy because the boy loves him.  On his way to becoming real he asks the Skin Horse if it hurts to become real. “It doesn’t happen all at once.  You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby."


Eventually he becomes really real when the nursery magic Fairy kisses him and takes him off to live in the land of rabbits.


Alan Cohen says that the world most people consider real "is fraught with illusions...money, fame, power, sex, and material security."  Those things never really satisfy for long.  How often do people achieve their goals only to feel like it isn't enough.  Cohen says the real world is "the world of kindness, caring, vision, and service" because these are our divine attributes--our true, i.e., real selves.  


In "The Velveteen Rabbit" the boy's love made the stuffed rabbit feel real, but it wasn't until the nursery magic Fairy kissed him that he actually became a truly real rabbit.  I think those who have looked for a spiritual meaning in this story have missed the point if they do not take the analogy this further step.  Yes, our earthly relationships can make or break our feelings of whether or not we feel lovable and therefore "real" in the sense we are worthy of being here.  But our true worth comes from being "kissed" by God--that is to say, redeemed and thereby made worthy.  It is only then, that we truly become authentic because Christ reconciled us with God who created us to be One with Him.


Father, I prefer Your real world of kindness, caring, vision and service.  Help me to keep my eyes on what is good in this world so that I may be a part of it rather than a part of the illusion.


Link to scripture:  Philippians 4:8

Take action:  Reaching Souls

Memorization

"My heart is ever at your service." from "Timons of Athens" by William Shakespeare

I saw this quote in the Sunday "Mutts" comics for Valentine's Day recently.  Were it as simple to be as loyal as a dog to his master.  

It got me to thinking about the Shakespeare acting class I took in 2001.  I had to memorize a Shakespearean sonnet.  Memorize‽  I couldn't even understand Shakespeare let alone memorize it.  Well, I didn't think I could hardly do it, but I was determined.  What happened in the process surprised even me.  I chose Sonnet #2--I can't even remember now why that particular one.  As I memorized each stanza I found I began to understand it so deeply that I eventually wrote three and a half of my own stanzas in response to what Shakespeare was saying.  He was going on about growing older--perhaps that's why it appealed to me--I'd just turned 50.  Here is an explanation of the sonnet:  Sonnet 2  

I begged to differ with Mr. Shakespeare's conclusion, hence my response, which is in italics:

SHAKESPEARE SONNET #2  

When forty winters shall beseige thy brow

And dig deep trenches in thy beauty’s field

Thy youth’s proud livery, so gazed on now

Shall be a tattered weed, of small worth held.

Then being asked where all thy beauty lies

Where all the treasure of thy lusty days

To say, within thy own deep-sunken eyes

Were an all-eating shame and thrift-less praise.

How much more praise deserved thy beauty’s use
If thou couldst answer, “This fair child of mine

“Shall sum my count and make my old excuse,”

Proving his beauty by succession, thine.

This were to be new made when thou art old

And see thy blood warm when thou feelst it cold.

Alas, even thine own child canst fulfill

The aching heart that longs to be made new

The barren ground awaits the plow to till

Just as the new mown grass drinks in the dew

And so for it to be made known to thee

To understand what lurks down deep inside

Thou must traverse the path beneath to see

To find the place where all thy fears reside

It is indeed a journey full of pain

And strewn with many stones and mountains steep

The sun bears down, the clouds release their rain

But soon the Way is found, sleep, ah, sweet sleep

Then wake to place upon thy altar bare

The only Perfect Love thou canst compare.

Then being asked where all thy beauty lies

Where all the treasure of thy lusty days

To say, within thine own joy-filled eyes

Were an All-creating Love and priceless praise.

This were to be new made when thou art old

And feel thy blood warm when thou seest it cold.                         --cgs (italics) March 2001

Frankly, I didn't know I had it in me to write poetry in the style of Shakespeare.  I'm sure it was because I was so immersed in trying to understand it (because otherwise I'd never been able to memorize it) that Shakespeare began to flow through me.  

This is why memorizing God's Word is important.  As we commit the words to memory our brains make a connection that enable us to recall it later.  It becomes such a part of us--like once you learn to type or ride a bike--you never really forget it.  It's there for you to draw on when you need its wisdom, but more importantly, you are able to act on the meaning of the words because the Holy Spirit uses them to guide and direct you. 

~

Father, You have created us with such amazing brains.  May I use it to glorify You in all that I do.  It, like my heart, is ever at Your service.

Link to scripture:  Philippians 4:8

Take action:   - Scripture Memorization System 
                    

Daily Living

Karla Dornacher's book, "Savor This Moment" is packed full of lovely illustrations, scriptures, and thoughtful words on living in the moment.  Ms. Dornacher's clock, which graces the cover of her book, says it all:

This is what I hope this Blog will be--a place where people can come to receive uplifting reminders of what Alan Cohen ("Deep Breath of Life") calls, "...[making] our life a work of art by paying attention to the details of daily living."  He goes on to say, "Let everything be a dance in which we create poise and grace."


This is Karla's website:  Karla Dornacher


Her book is no longer available through her website but can still found here:  Amazon

Father, may I live each day that You give me with grace, joy, peace, and above all love.


Link to scripture:  Philippians 4:8