When We Change - Everything Changes

"Failure is an opportunity.
If you blame someone else,
there is no end to the blame.

Therefore the Master
fulfills her own obligations
and corrects her own mistakes. She does what she needs to do and demands nothing of others."

"Putting out of our minds the wrongs others had done, we resolutely looked for our own mistakes. Where had we been selfish, dishonest, self-seeking and frightened? Though a situation had not been entirely our fault, we tried to disregard the other person involved entirely. Where were we to blame? The inventory was ours, not the other man's. When we saw our faults we listed them. We placed them before us in black and white. We admitted our wrongs honestly and were willing to set these matters straight."

"Put this program into action, a thousand times:

• Identify the negative feelings in you.
• understand that they are in you, not of this world, not in external reality.
• do not see them as an essential part of "I" - these things come and go.
• understand that when you change, everything changes."

I am willing to see how and where I need to change...


Tao Te Ching
A New English Version
By Stephen Mitchell
Verse #79

Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 67

Awareness - The Perils and Opportunities of Reality
Anthony De Mello
Sleepwalking, pg. 89

Success AND Spiritual Growth

There is a notion floating around in race consciousness that many people believe. It looks something like this; one can be either successful or spiritual.

As if there is a difference. The language used by those who talk about being *successful* and those who talk about *spiritual growth* comes down to a choice of words. And yet they both strive to accomplish the same thing.

Take these two paragraphs:

• (1) Success is a process; thus being successful is a day-to-day encounter. We win some, we lose some, but the important thing is that we learn, and from this knowledge, further success is made possible.
  


• (2) Spiritual growth is a process; thus to grow in spirit is a day-to-day encounter. We win some, we lose some, but the important thing is that we learn, and from this knowledge, further spiritual growth is made possible.

I found the first paragraph in an article dealing with being successful and merely changed a word. The key; both paragraphs say exactly the same thing. Growth of any kind is a process. That is a Truth.

As Spiritual beings having a human experience we win some and lose some. That is a Truth. It's important to learn from all our experiences and use the lessons learned in future endeavors. That is a Truth.

Everyday of your life, you are on a journey of growth. You will see and hear new things - experience new thoughts and emotions - interact with new and different people - or interact with the same people in new and different ways. Each moment of your life is unique. Unlike all others you have experienced before, and unlike all those you will experience in the moments to come.

The question which then comes to mind is this. Why does it seem so important to separate our outer experiences from the source of them? I think its fear. Fear of what *they* might say, feel or think about us. Remember what Marianne Williamson said, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. "Use your power. You can be financially and spiritually successful in the same moment.

Here's how -

• 1. Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life


• 2. Live Your Life On Purpose


• 3. Be Willing to Pay the Price


• 4. Stay Focused to accomplish those four - (a) look inward. (b) develop your potentials. (c) search for meaning. (d) recognize interconnections.

Know that you need not walk the path alone. Find someone in your circle of influence and/or environment who feels good, someone who is gentle, someone you feel you can open up with and ask questions.

Heck, it could even be me!