Finding a Spiritual Path

Posted on February 11, 2025 by levasseurjohn

During early sobriety, because I had no idea, I would do anything to define who I was. Others had molded my identity since childhood. The molding started when I was twelve. My father died in a car accident one Friday night. A police officer and the local priest said, “You are now the head of the family.” In essence, I was not allowed to grieve. This was the fork in the road where my purpose in life changed, and not for the better. I became a certified Co-Dependent, going to any lengths to please everyone by seeking their approval.

When life became intolerable, and my poor decisions were finding me behind bars, I realized, finally, after 25 years of drinking, that my life had to change or end. After arriving at the doors of AA, with the help of the court system, I found a different and much more productive way of living. I was still seeking approval, but now I knew who I had become. Around a year sober, my EGO found a sober motorcycle club, which seemed to have it all together, or at least they did in my eyes. It turned out that they were just like me. Within three months, I was a full member, had patches on my vest, and drove a loud Harley. The EGO was now in charge. After a meeting, the club president, whom we called Weebles, said something to me that started a different way of thinking. He said, “I want you to know that I know that you don’t know!” I didn’t want him to know I had no idea what he was talking about, so I walked away. I thought about what he said for a month, and approached him again. I asked, “Weebles, what don’t I know?” His reply was more confusing than his first statement. He said, “You will know what you don’t know when you know it.” Once again, I was confused and walked away. A few weeks later I approached him again for clarity. He said, “A spiritual way of life is all that matters.” I internalized that statement while changing the way I looked at everything. Suddenly, the motorcycle club wasn’t as important as before. Where I lived, the house size, the car I drove, and what I did for work had no meaning outside of a means to get closer to this Power I did not understand.

Slowly, the lights came on, one day at a time. I was now able to see what my EGO was for. I could also see the real me and how a hundred false prophets were driving my bus. As the light became brighter, I could see the material world would pass me by. Jobs changed, cars were only a means to get from one place to another, money was no longer important, and the big one was that I was no longer in charge. I learned that surrendering to this power was the only way to go. Things always turned out for the best when I did that.

Today, after working on me for 38 years, I see the world differently. I truly understand when someone at a meeting says, “My life is 180 degrees from what it was.” I appreciate small things as never before.

After creating oil paints on canvas for three months, nature appears different. Trees have shapes I never realized. Even the grass has different shades of green. It’s a new appreciation of life; I see it as never before. I’m also seeing how my obsessive-compulsive behavior has never left. In those 90 days, I completed 60 paintings and ran out of wall space. I can slow down or buy a bigger house. Laughing at my behavior today has become the norm. I may always be this way and now accept me today for who I am.

Today, I pray that my life will continue to unfold in a spiritual direction. I am so glad Weebles said those profound words many years ago.

“I once was lost, and now I’m found.”

Thank you, God.

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We Will Not Regret the Past

Posted on January 27, 2025 by levasseurjohn

Promise number three in the Ninth Step Promises states, “We will not regret the past, nor wish to shut the door on it.”

When I first looked at this, it didn’t make sense. “We will not regret the past.” How can that be? Is it right to say, “I don’t regret the nasty things I’ve done to those I love?” How can I say I don’t regret being a lousy father, husband, employee, or friend? For me not to have bad feelings for the hurtful things I’ve done, it sounds like I’m putting my stamp of approval or not taking responsibility for my actions.

Regret carries emotions, feelings, and memories for each event. As a practicing alcoholic, there was always an excuse. Someone else was always at fault for my misgivings. People were hurt. How can I say I don’t regret that?

During my first ten years in recovery, I carried a full sack of guilt and shame around with me 24 hours a day. I was constantly looking at the evil things I’d done, reminding myself what a dirtbag I was. These thoughts do not help at all in recovering from a hopeless state of mind and body.

Guilt says, “I’ve done something wrong.” Shame tells me, “There’s something wrong with me.” Guilt is much easier to heal than shame. With professional help, I turned my shame into guilt and started treating the things I had done. I separated myself as a person from the things I did. That made the behavior the culprit, not me as a person.

While looking in the mirror every morning, I recalled parts of my life I regretted. Then I would say, “I forgive you for doing this or that. I like who you have become, and don’t do those things anymore.” This way, I could heal the repulsive feelings about myself and still not put my stamp of approval on the behavior. By not looking for an excuse, I realized I was in the throes of Alcoholism and did the best I could during those years.

Over time and lots of mirror gazing, I came to like the person looking back at me, little by little. The more I practiced it, the better I felt. Today after many years of healing, I love myself. If I can love my kids, a partner, a job, or a beautiful car, why isn’t it alright to say I love myself?

The second part, “Nor wish to shut the door on it,” was left after the forgiveness was complete. I love who I am today, so why would I continue to punish myself. Forgiveness has placed me beyond that. I still need to remember, in a general way, what happened. Today, when I look, I see what happened in my life while I was drinking in the third person. This realization helps me stay focused on what could happen if I drank again. I no longer have a knot in my chest when a memory returns. I see it, process the memory, and put it back where it belongs, on the pile of mistakes I’ve made, and forgiveness from God has been granted.

Those I’ve hurt have long since forgiven me, so why is it so hard to forgive myself? It isn’t, but it does take lots of effort. You can’t just read the Promises and expect something will change. Knowing how to grow corn will never put a meal on the table. I must put the suggestions into action. When I do, the payoff is huge. It’s way better than I was promised. Being free of guilt and shame is undoubtedly a God-given gift, but I have to take the action of opening my hands to empty all the stuff I’m carrying from the past. Once I let go, there’s room for God’s gift.

What do you have to lose? Start talking in the mirror and begin the forgiveness process. Complete the work and be free, or I’ll return your misery if you don’t feel better within a few months. You may find yourself saying you love who you have become. It could happen next year if you start now!

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My Name is Earl

Posted on January 7, 2025 by levasseurjohn

Recently, I became hooked on the TV comedy series “My Name is Earl.” I realized Earl was working on steps 8 and 9 by the third episode. If you have already seen the series, bear with me. The story is about Earl, a petty crook whose life is a mess. He learns that good things will happen to him if he does good things for others. He creates a list of everyone he has wronged since childhood. As he attempts to do right with each person on the list, things don’t turn out according to his plan. He finds himself in one mess after another, but by the end of each episode, things work out right, and he crosses that person off the list. As he continues to do good, good things happen to him.

In the past few years, I’ve found the teachings of Buddha more and more in line with the way God wants me to act. The Buddhists call it Karma, while in Christian teachings, it’s written: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” If I’m not mistaken, they both say the same thing.

I created my list and completed the amends with those I had hurt long ago. The result was a huge burden lifted off my soul. Since then, I have been trying my best to treat others fairly, hold my hand out to anyone in need, and, equally important, practice Karma on myself. I’m very gentle when criticizing myself, after all, I’m the one I should love the most.

I live in the now, and the result is that I am happy, joyous, and, above all, free.

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Don’t Pray

Posted on December 9, 2024 by levasseurjohn

“If you’re going to worry, don’t bother to pray, and if you’re going to pray, don’t worry.”

When I worry, it means I don’t believe there’s a God who cares about me. Have you ever felt God is so big and has so many people to look after? Is there no way He could make time for this humble servant? Well, He does. How can I say that? It’s one of those things I call knowing. I know about the air I breathe. I can’t see it, and without it, I would die. That makes it necessary, yet I trust it will always be there. When it comes to God, there’s this inner feeling, a knowing that I can’t put into words; it just is. It could be blind faith, but it’s more than that.

The second part is, “If you’re going to pray, don’t bother to worry.” This is the result of praying and trying to let go of fear, which is fueling the problem. For a long time, I wasn’t very successful in letting go. Early on, I called it “Claw marks.” Claw marks were in everything I tried to turn over or let go of. I still doubted Thomas, who needed to put his hand in Jesus’s side to be sure. Most of the time, I am 90% sure, but that nagging 10% can consume my focus.

Each time I turned things over, and the outcome is better than I could have imagined, I learned to trust just a little more. Today I can say I pray all the time and have almost zero worries.

When I pray, it’s not getting down on my knees and saying some rehearsed formal prayer. I do as Jesus taught, “Go into your room, close the door, and talk with your father who is in heaven.” I also know how the Kingdom of Heaven is inside me. We each have a Secret Place if we’re willing to look for it. The Secret Place is where I talk to God as I would speak to a perfect earthly father. I always wanted the “Leave it to Beaver” family, and now I have Him.

For me, the secret to success in prayer is practice. When a difficult circumstance raises its ugly head, take a deep breath before saying a prayer, asking for God’s guidance, and then let it go. Get busy doing something else, like helping others, without expecting anything in return. You will see how the situation unfolds once you step back and out of the driver’s seat. You may be pleasantly surprised how the outcome is far better than it may have been if you bulldozed your way through it.

Like many of the other ideas I’m trying to convey, it only works if you work it, so start today. Why wait, turn the worry you have right now over to God while stepping back to watch the outcome.

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Being of service to others

Posted on December 4, 2024 by levasseurjohn

Being of service to others comes up as a topic every once in a while. Not often enough for my taste. Service to others is a critical part of our program. In The Promises, number seven shows how “We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.” Years ago, sponsors would have their new person making coffee, setting up the hall, greeting people as they came in, cleaning ashtrays, and, after the meeting, putting everything away. This is how I remember it. I don’t see that happening much in the past ten years. Promise six is the payoff when a new person does the detailed work. “That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.” They become part of the group, not just someone attending meetings.

Several groups have closed because no one stepped up to take responsibility for opening the doors. Right now, one group has an 84-year-old coffee maker. He has been at the helm every Sunday for the past ten years, trying for months to have someone step into his shoes. So far, most would rather see the meeting fold. Where is the old-time spirit of helping others?

 Just showing up for a meeting isn’t being of service to anyone but you. Sure, your ego may say something inspirational when you speak, but for the most part, you’re there because you fear what might happen if you don’t go. Picking up after yourself isn’t considered a service either. Stick around and help clean up. Show up early for the setup. Just because you have a few years under your belt doesn’t mean you’ve put some service in the bank.

Let’s get the new people active again. Have them do what you did to stay sober in those first few years. My sponsee has been making coffee since he first came into the program. He is also the treasurer and secretary. Oh, and he gets the cakes once a month for Anniversary Night. For that, he now has the gift of six years of sobriety. I believe in rotating positions, but it only works if someone is willing to serve. These days, I don’t see it.

What a shame it would be for future alcoholics if AA just faded away because there was no one to open the door. The old timers probably won’t let it happen, but just think of all the benefits that could be gained by new people getting involved. If you are sponsoring someone and they aren’t involved with a group, in my opinion, you are not doing your job. Let’s all pitch in and help the new person help themselves.

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Why is it That Some Get it while Others Don’t?

Posted on November 7, 2024 by levasseurjohn

Ever since the first members stumbled into AA, there has been the question, “Why do some get it while others don’t?” Some stop drinking, come to their first meeting, and never drink again. Others put down the drink for some time but always return to drinking or drugging for one reason or another. Usually, the real reason is well hidden, and an excuse is used instead, or someone blamed for the relapse. I frequently accused is the wife, the job, or the kids. It’s always other than me.

What makes one stay sober while others are trapped in a revolving door?

First, we have to look at what makes alcoholics different from those who don’t have this problem. Most alcoholics grow up with the idea that the world is a cruel and untrusting place and that they are getting what they deserve. The non-alcoholic has this crazy notion that growing up is a fun time. They believe the world is laid out for them and life is beautiful. This group doesn’t need to escape from reality the same way the alcoholic does. For the alcoholic, life is tolerated until the first drink or drug is found. With that, the flight begins. The world became a much better place for me when the buzz was on. I discovered what I thought was reality, but it wasn’t. I followed the dark side, and my life unfolded negatively. At twenty years of age, I became a daily drinker. Life during those years was right on the edge of trudging through or calling it quits.

There came a time when my distorted reality was stronger than the escape tools I used. I could not stand me anymore. After being arrested and jailed, life crumbled before my eyes. I knew I must stop drinking and find a suitable substitute for alcohol.

It was late one Monday night, after attending my first meeting, when an alternative was shown to me. I remember it like it was yesterday. I went home, knelt, and said, “Please God, help me! I can’t stop drinking!” That was thirty years ago, and I haven’t had a drink since.

     I had the substitute but didn’t realize it until many years later. I knew deep within I didn’t have to drink anymore. It took a long time to forgive myself, but with God’s help, it did happen.

My spiritual journey has taken the place of the drugs and alcohol. I have since learned to accept things as they are and how to deal with the adversities life sends my way. Life today isn’t perfect, but it’s a lot better than when alcohol was in the driver’s seat.

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Good Grief

Posted on November 4, 2024 by levasseurjohn

Grief is a topic that only comes up when someone’s in crisis. Losing a wife, sister, mother, or pet can cause an individual to do things common sense overlooks. Understanding how the process works can help when you are going through it. Five stages must be addressed with each loss. There are no shortcuts or easy ways around it, but once you know where you are, you will see the light at the end of the tunnel much clearer. Here is a brief overview of the process:

Denial

The first reaction is to deny its reality. You might hear yourself saying, “This isn’t happening.” Denial is a defense mechanism. It’s a temporary response that carries us through the first wave of pain.

Anger

As denial wears off, reality and its pain re-emerge. We are not ready. Anger may be directed at our deceased loved one or God himself. We feel guilty for being angry, and this makes us more upset. Go easy on yourself. You are not being punished, even if it feels that way.

Bargaining

Secretly, we may make a deal with God or our higher power to postpone the inevitable. “Please, God, bring them back, and I will be a better person.”

Depression

Sadness and regret dominate our emotions. We accept the loss, but the sadness is still overwhelming.

Acceptance

This phase is marked by withdrawal and calm. It’s not a period of happiness but an acceptance of the loss.

Coping with loss is ultimately a deeply personal and singular experience — nobody can help you go through it more easily or understand all the emotions you’re going through. Friends and relatives can be there for you and help comfort you through this five-stage process. The best thing you can do is allow yourself to feel the grief as it comes over you. Resisting prolongs the natural process of healing.

Love, what it is, not what it’s not

Webster’s defines love as:

  1. Strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties

Or maternal love for a child.

Attraction is based on sexual desire.

  1. Lovers feel affection and tenderness.
  2. Affection based on admiration, benevolence, or interest in love for his old schoolmates

After reading this description of love, I still don’t know what love is. The Bible tries in its way in Corinthians 13:4-8:

Love is patient; love is kind. It does not envy, boast, or be proud. It does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, trusts, and perseveres. Love never fails.

I’m even more confused after reading that. The above tells me what love isn’t or what it doesn’t do. It states how love protects, trusts, and perseveres. What does it mean?

In my 30 years in Recovery, I’ve read hundreds of books and attended another hundred lectures and seminars. I have assembled a group of thoughts about what I think love is all about. You may disagree with this conclusion, but this understanding is for me. If you receive any benefit from this explanation, then we are all better off that I’ve written it down.

Everyone agrees love is a strong feeling. It comes from within me. I feel the love from another. Could I feel love if I didn’t already have it in my heart? If I despise myself, can I feel love? Can I give something away which I don’t already possess? The simple answer is no, it can’t be done. I know because I lived it. I would tell my kids I loved them, but it was only a word. In later years, while making a 9th step amend to my son, he said, “I knew you loved me but never felt it.” Could he grow up as I did, not love himself, without a role model?

Love can only be received if you’re ready to accept it. It’s always on me, and the feeling is always inside me. I can tell you I love you, but a sense of connection can only be made if you’re receptive.

In conclusion, to feel love, you must love yourself. Love for oneself can only be achieved through forgiveness. Forgiveness comes about by recognizing your misgivings, looking in the mirror, and saying the words to yourself. It’s a process and takes time, but it only works if you do it.

Today, I feel loved and can try to describe what it feels like to others. We will make the connection if they are in the right place. If not, they are just words without meaning.

This may help you a little, as it helped me a lot.

A Different Way to See God

Some of the ideas expressed in this article are repeats from earlier but apply here as well. The more you study advanced spiritual concepts, the more you will see how it all comes down to a few basic principles.

While attending a church-sponsored memorial service for an AA friend who passed, I was reminded how my spiritual beliefs differ immensely from others in the community. The church denomination isn’t relevant, but it’s not my first choice for a worship place.

For the most part, the service crept into my heart with warm fuzzy memories of my friend. Then, the religious doctrine started, and I had to turn the other cheek while switching channels in my thoughts. I knew there may be a hidden lesson I didn’t see at first. Some in attendance were flailing their arms while a man in the back kept yelling, “Praise Jesus.” He scared the carp out of me when he screamed the first time. I found it hard not to judge initially, but I was successful over time. The lesson was that this church and how the parishioners praised God was their choice and none of my business. Many enjoyed what I first called antics while enjoying every minute of it. Those loving the service and I were at the same service and heard the same sermon but had entirely different views on the spiritual meaning.

It was gratifying and enlightening to be able to accept them at face value and their ways. I took a deep breath and realized this wasn’t designed by me, and I would be leaving soon anyway. The service was about memorializing my friend, and this was the church she was a member of. It was then that I stopped judging.

Although some of the preachings weren’t my cup of tea, I did come away with a better understanding of God as I see Him. My spiritual concepts have many similarities and differences compared to organized religion. The Pastor spoke about our separation from God as sinners. He made it sound like heaven is a real place above the clouds, and we will go there if we do certain things the way they do it. Jesus explained it when his disciples asked him, “Where is heaven?” He replied, “The kingdom of heaven lies within.” So if God is in heaven, He’s inside every one of us, even if we don’t believe. He’s there waiting for us to talk with Him. I think each of us is a spiritual being living a human experience, not vice versa. We are all spirits; each Spirit is within, where God is. My friend was with me in Spirit while she lived. Now that she’s no longer on earth, her Spirit is in heaven with God, which is within me. I guess this means nothing has changed spiritually. Her body has left, but she remains present in Spirit.

Another area I’ve come to understand is why we are here? Of course, this is only my concept; you can believe whatever you like. We are spirits placed here to learn lessons through service. The book of lessons has many pages. The Course in Miracles says, “Life is a series of lessons. We don’t get to choose the experience, but we do get to choose how we react to it.” I must learn all the lessons to become one with God. My Spirit may be in heaven with Him, but we are not entirely one as yet. We’re not separate just not one. Each lifetime there are lessons to learn. Once this Life’s mission is complete, and it may be when I’m 20 or 100, I will return to the source where I’ll be assigned new lessons and return to do it again. As I look at others, I do not know their lessons. It doesn’t matter to me. What’s important is that I know what’s on my path and learn every bit of what I am here to learn.

This makes more sense than the idea that we come here once, die, and live in heaven for eternity. Eternity is a long time, and one’s Life is so short. If one pass is all we get, what’s the real purpose of living this Life? I like my idea better.

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A different way to see God

Posted on October 29, 2024 by levasseurjohn

Some of the ideas expressed in this article are repeats from earlier but apply here as well. The more you study advanced spiritual concepts, the more you will see how it all comes down to a few basic principles.

While attending a church-sponsored memorial service for an AA friend who passed, I was reminded how my spiritual beliefs differ immensely from others in the community. The church denomination isn’t relevant, but it’s not my first choice for a worship place.

For the most part, the service crept into my heart with warm fuzzy memories of my friend. Then, the religious doctrine started, and I had to turn the other cheek while switching channels in my thoughts. I knew there may be a hidden lesson I didn’t see at first. Some in attendance were flailing their arms while a man in the back kept yelling, “Praise Jesus.” He scared the carp out of me when he screamed the first time. I found it hard not to judge initially, but I was successful over time. The lesson was that this church and how the parishioners praised God was their choice and none of my business. Many enjoyed what I first called antics while enjoying every minute of it. Those loving the service and I were at the same service and heard the same sermon but had entirely different views on the spiritual meaning.

It was gratifying and enlightening to be able to accept them at face value and their ways. I took a deep breath and realized this wasn’t designed by me, and I would be leaving soon anyway. The service was about memorializing my friend, and this was the church she was a member of. It was then that I stopped judging.

Although some of the preachings weren’t my cup of tea, I did come away with a better understanding of God as I see Him. My spiritual concepts have many similarities and differences compared to organized religion. The Pastor spoke about our separation from God as sinners. He made it sound like heaven is a real place above the clouds, and we will go there if we do certain things the way they do it. Jesus explained it when his disciples asked him, “Where is heaven?” He replied, “The kingdom of heaven lies within.” So if God is in heaven, He’s inside every one of us, even if we don’t believe. He’s there waiting for us to talk with Him. I think each of us is a spiritual being living a human experience, not vice versa. We are all spirits; each Spirit is within, where God is. My friend was with me in Spirit while she lived. Now that she’s no longer on earth, her Spirit is in heaven with God, which is within me. I guess this means nothing has changed spiritually. Her body has left, but she remains present in Spirit.

Another area I’ve come to understand is why we are here? Of course, this is only my concept; you can believe whatever you like. We are spirits placed here to learn lessons through service. The book of lessons has many pages. The Course in Miracles says, “Life is a series of lessons. We don’t get to choose the experience, but we do get to choose how we react to it.” I must learn all the lessons to become one with God. My Spirit may be in heaven with Him, but we are not entirely one as yet. We’re not separate just not one. Each lifetime there are lessons to learn. Once this Life’s mission is complete, and it may be when I’m 20 or 100, I will return to the source where I’ll be assigned new lessons and return to do it again. As I look at others, I do not know their lessons. It doesn’t matter to me. What’s important is that I know what’s on my path and learn every bit of what I am here to learn.

This makes more sense than the idea that we come here once, die, and live in heaven for eternity. Eternity is a long time, and one’s Life is so short. If one pass is all we get, what’s the real purpose of living this Life? I like my idea better.

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A Dog’s Life

Posted on October 16, 2024 by levasseurjohn

If you have a dog, you’ll understand where I come from. Some cat lovers get the same message, but not like a dog. I guess any pet you’re close to would be the same. If you’re not a pet lover, bear with me, you might still get the message.

She’s a 13-year-old Papillion named Cricket. Papillion is not a common breed, but she doesn’t know it. She’s smart, easy to care for, and adorable. She has enormous ears and looks somewhat like a small Collie. Alright, enough about what she looks like. The point is what she’s taught me over the years.

Like most in Recovery, Cricket needs lots of emotional support. In some programs, she would be seen as needy. Whenever I look behind me, there she is. I’ll give her a pat on the head, and she’s satisfied for a while. Do you know people are like that? Most AAs I know require attention, especially early in recovery, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Another cool thing about my dog is she doesn’t need a cell phone to call her mother or friends to chat. She has no credit cards, although when we go to PetSmart, she has no problem using mine. She has no driver’s license either. Of course, that would be silly as she couldn’t reach the peddles. However, she does love to pretend she’s driving when her head is out the window in the wind. It doesn’t matter if its winter or summer, in the wind is where she’s happy. When I drove a motorcycle, I experienced what she loves to do.

She hasn’t a clue if there’s any food in the cupboards or when we might get some. When Mosses was in the desert, God told him not to save food as it would be provided. Somehow, Cricket knows that. She does have health insurance, and it’s a lot cheaper than mine. Her simple life screams, One Day at a Time. Why can’t I live my life like her?

The simple truth is I can if I trust that God will not give me any more than I can handle for today.  Looking back over the years of trusting God, I never was hungry or didn’t have a roof over my head. All the debt I’ve accumulated has been paid. All I had to do was trust. Cricket believes, so why is it that I forget and suffer needlessly? All I have to do is look behind me; all my answers are in these eleven pounds of fur.

God bless man’s best friend.

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Lessons from the Course in Miracles

Posted on October 7, 2024 by levasseurjohn

In 1965, “A Course in Miracles” started with the sudden decision of two people to join in a common goal. Their names were Helen Schucman, who channeled the material from what she says was the Holy Spirit, and William Thetford, who wrote and edited it. After a year, the collaborators published the book in 1977. Their names did not appear on the cover because Helen said the Course can and should stand independently. Its purpose is to provide a way in which some may find their Internal Teacher.

After reading and studying the Course, I’ve concluded that the main driving force comes from two fundamental ways of thinking: perception and knowledge of a few simple concepts.

Perception is inherently illusionary because it’s based upon interpretation, not in fact. Perception is founded on our belief in our separation from God and one another. From these flows a belief in evil, sin, guilt, fear, and scarcity. It is a world of appearances, of birth and death, and constant change.

The world of knowledge, on the other hand, is the truth. The Course teaches that reality, which reflects the fact, can be seen only through spiritual vision and not through the body’s eyes. The world of knowledge is one of unity, love, and abundance. The Course views reality as composed only of God’s thoughts, which are loving, constant, and eternal. Evil, sin, and guilt are regarded as misperceptions. Sin is considered to be a lack of love or a mistake calling for correction and love rather than for guilt and punishment.

My world is not real. It may seem concrete, but it only takes place in my mind with spirit. The outer is but a reflection of the inner. I do not see things as they are but as I think they are. The secret here is that I can change how I view any situation on the outside and change it anytime I want. My reality is the way it’s seen by me and only me.

There is no past or future, only the now. My past was created when the Ego placed what it thought into memory. It’s not necessarily right, true and correct. You cannot touch anything from the past, it’s all in thought. It may seem real, but it’s not. You can change the past any time you like. Just modify the way you think about a thing or situation, and you remake the past. Forgiveness is the tool in changing memories. The future is the same as the past. It’s the Ego, again, projecting the outcome based on what it thinks it knows today. The future is not real. It’s only a thought. I can change the way I look at the future at any time. It’s not real. Accepting that I do not have any control over the future helps as well as staying in the present moment. Enjoy what is now, not what was or what might be.

There is a God, and it loves me just the way I am. It’s always been inside ready to help if I only ask and listen.

If I keep my mind on the now and follow these ideas, my life will be much more pleasant knowing God is in charge, not me and what I think about is my present reality.

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