“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

What is a blessing?

A standard dictionary definition would offer this: a blessing is “God’s favor and protection.” This a potentially a problematic concept for New Thought philosophy given that we do not teach the concept of God separate from the self. So if we are seeking God’s favor and protection, what does that mean? I think it means we can more deeply understand that blessing is an inside job of recognition. To recognize that we ARE God, we are always protected. We are always favored, but no more than anyone else. It becomes our life’s work then to pass the blessing on to others.

“When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them.”
-Matthew 5:1-3

I had this thought today that I could do a little metaphysical interpretation of the New Testament. Now, before you settle into groans, let’s check in. There are many who come to New Thought teachings because they have had a previous relationship with Christianity that was less than ideal. As a result, there can be an attitude of resistance when New Thought ministers begin to utilize aspects of Christian teaching in their work. Yet, these same people will fully embrace teachings of other faith philosophies (like Buddhism, Hinduism, and the like) just because they are different.

“Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are.”
-Harold S. Kushner

Where is the evidence of our love?

Is it in the words we use?

Is it in the actions we take?

“Heaven–as you call it–is nowhere. Let’s just put some space between the w and the h in that word, and you’ll see that heaven is now…here.”
-Neale Donald Walsch

There is an idea that’s been ruminating in my mind this morning. It’s a little bit of a trap. I sometimes find it difficult to be here now. Do you? The practice of being present is so big in our culture right now… and it is one of the most challenging aspects of living a spiritual life. I find myself stuck between my thoughts of who I once was, and who I want to be… not who I am right now. That is a trick of the mind. It’s a little bit of a tennis match, and where I would like to be is perfectly situated and balanced on the net.

“A diamond has many polished facets and it takes them all to make it shine in its full beauty.”
-Emma Curtis Hopkins

Today I am feeling full of life. I am so grateful for this existence and for all the magnificence that accompanies me on the journey of time and space. I relish in the multiplicity that is derived from unity.

“People wrap themselves in their beliefs. And they do it in such a way that you can't set them free. Not even the truth will set them free.”
-Michael Specter

How certain we are that we are right. To believe we are right is the most limiting belief we can have. And I admit, I believe I am right… but I am willing to be wrong. So I keep exploring.