Dream On! I Salute You!

I write this article to share a personal account; to inspire, not to mourn. It relates to a boat that I once built (I apologize for the poor quality of the photos) and with which I intended to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Surefire had taken me five years of proverbial blood, sweat, and tears to get to the point depicted in the photos. The year was 1990. As you’ve probably guessed, I didn’t make it–not even close. My intended voyage was over before it truly began; on launch day, in fact. TransAtlantic crossings by high-tech rowboats are now, although still not a cake-walk, far more common. When I made my attempt, such crossings were considered relatively rare–if not foolish.

At the time, I was unaware of the True Self beyond the mask of me. I thought I was just a guy with a heart full of dreams. They were my intoxicants. A solo bicycle trip across Canada in 1980 had helped to nurture my belief that I could achieve any goal to which I set my mind; so I knew how good accomplishment can taste. After the experience of my ignominious row attempt, I also learned the painful lesson of how bad a seeming failure can feel. My biggest mistake was that deep down I believed that I was a failure. For many years, I, therefore, believed that the only solution was a second attempt. I worked, I saved, I planned; but for a variety of reasons that second attempt didn’t occur.

Robert Frost one wrote the following line: “Mans reach should exceed his grasp.” This is so true! It is when we are discontent (which doesn’t mean unhappy) that we dare to reach beyond our current circumstances. Every advance in humanity is built on the vision and efforts of dreamers. Each of us is a dream contributor! In our hearts, we hold a reason for being, a purpose, an ideal for which we will rise early and stay up late! If our goal relates to service, invention, and a desire to express the love within our hearts, we are on track! With this type of goal, we cannot fail!

What did I learn through the experience? I learned to dig deep and discover my True Self, the essential “I” that is beyond any of our human drama and suffering. I learned to distinguish between a goal which the egoic self deems so important; and truly worthwhile goals that serve the betterment of everyone. I learned that when we are of service to another, we invariably benefit–for we are all One. I learned that sometimes not getting what we desire works out for the better. I learned to keep on dreaming; and that we only truly fail when we give up trying. I learned the importance of embracing all of me, including the parts that were painful to accept. My message to you is this: Keep dreaming! The way to the achievement of your goal will be discovered as you move forward!

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2020 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones–released September 8, 2020) please press here. May it help you in your spiritual journey.

The Echo of “I Am”

In wisdom teachings about our higher nature, which is identical in quality and nature to God’s (but differing in degree), an analogy is sometimes used of the sun shining as a reflection in water-filled pots. The Sun, which is self-luminous and needs nothing else with which to shine, refers to Consciousness (also known by various Holy names); and the reflection and the pots refers to us, the body-minds or persons. In the analogy, the unaware person assumes there is an individual sun in each pot; of course, we realize that this isn’t the case. The analogy is intended to help us realize that each of us (water-filled pots) is not a source of consciousness unto our self. We shine (or know) by the light of the One-and-Only True Sun, Consciousness.

Another analogy came to me this morning. Imagine the following, if you will: In the beginning: Consciousness, All That Is. Eternally and silently, It thinks, hums, and knows “I AM.” Through its creative faculties, It creates all that apparently is, including us. In our mind, we hear the echo of “I Am“–the Creator that logically would have to be within each and every one of Its creations. The confusion arises when we (through ignorance of the Truth of our Being) mistake the echo as being generated by–and belonging to–our little “i” that walks this earth. Consciousness is not personal; It is Universal. In John 10:30, this same message is related by Jesus: “I and my Father are one.” Through innocent ignorance, the majority of humans believe they are limited to name and form that is born and will surely die. This erroneous belief leads to tremendous suffering.

In case this seems like a whole lot of mumbo jumbo, please know that scientists have been unable to identify biological processes that lead to a supposedly personal sense of “i” within the human being. They never will. Why? Because the Consciousness which creates, and with which we know experience, isn’t personal. In other words, it doesn’t belong to the body-mind. The story of the little “i” that most persons believe themselves to be is known through One Consciousness, the only One there Is. A quote from Joel Goldsmith, who was a noted spiritual teacher, beautifully relates this truth: “Take off your shoes in the presence of the word ‘I’ because you are are speaking the holy name of God.” Logically, we can, therefore, conclude the True Identity of every other “i” with whom we interact, whether he or she realizes it or not.

There are tremendous benefits that arise with understanding the nature of our True Self; not the least of which is fearlessness regarding death. When we know that the true “I” within us–that “is” us–does not die; we directly realize that we have nothing to fear. Through understanding, we can live–fully–here and now. The only self that dies is the fictional little “i” of name and form, which is rendered by the mind. The Real “I” does not die. It is all that IS, and we are aspects of That.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2020 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones–released September 8, 2020) please press here. May it help you in your spiritual journey.

Be The Change

Mohandas Karamchand (Mahatma) Gandhi(1869 – 1948), is attributed with the following well-known quote: You must be the change you wish to see in the world. The expression–or similar versions of it–has become common, almost to the point of being trite. However, just because we may see it on coffee mugs, T-shirts, and plaques doesn’t mean that we should overlook the wisdom it contains. In this article, we’ll be looking at how it relates to the Law of Attraction.

“What,” you may ask, “can this possibly have to do with attracting a better life?” In short, a great deal. Those of us who’ve been studying the Law of Attraction are already aware of the importance of our Point of Attraction. We realize that it is from here–now–that we attract according to our habitual thoughts and feelings. If we’re feeling down or depressed, we’ll attract (or definitely notice) more situations and circumstances about which to feel sad. Conversely, the same holds true if we’re thinking good thoughts and feeling fine. This is also expressed through Galatians 6:7 KJV: “As ye sow, so shall ye reap.” When we habitually sow goodness, we must reap more goodness.

When we become the change that we wish to see we are actually aligning ourselves with a fundamental law of the universe. This law operates by reflecting back to us our inner state of Being. If we desire to see a more loving world, we must first Be more loving. If we desire to see more prosperity in the world, we must first Be more prosperous. The same applies for other virtuous qualities–such as patience, kindness, and compassion–that we desire to experience in the world. Many of us may wonder, however, how our thoughts and actions could possibly make such a difference.

This will make more sense when we understand (or better yet know) Oneness. Imagine if you will that there is nothing and nowhere outside of One. And–contrary to a common misconception–humankind does not stand separate and distinct, apart from One. Because it can’t! All is intimately connected. When we realize that we are included in Oneness–and that there is only Oneness–we may understand that all of our actions must have an effect upon the whole. How could they not? Therefore, when we lie, cheat, or steal, we literally create a world in which we will experience more lying, cheating, and stealing. Our thoughts and actions are occurring within Oneness…because there is nothing beyond the whole! Conversely, if we think and demonstrate love, patience, and kindness, we are improving the quality of the whole for everyone.

Conceptually, this may be understood more easily if we imagine people smoking within a closed room. At some point, they’re going to inhale that smoke again, for it will return to them. By finding a way to serve goodness to others, we’ll also attract like goodness to ourselves. We must–for our world is a closed system much like the closed room beyond which nothing else exists. The good we create–the smoke in the analogy–must come back.

My suggestion to everyone who desires to create a better life (and to help the world situation) is to live Gandhi’s quote for a week. For seven days, practice it by deliberately expressing the highest ideal that you desire to experience in the world–to everyone, in every situation, in all of your interactions! If it is more love we desire, we must be more loving. If it is more patience, kindness, and sincerity we desire, we must be more patient, kind, and sincere. And when the week has passed, I further suggest adopting this manner of being for the rest of our life. All of us will benefit by doing so.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2020 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones–released September 8, 2020) please press here. May it help you in your spiritual journey.

Steady…”Freddy”

Fred is having an awful day…again; and it’s showing. He feels anxious and fearful; he’s pacing back and forth like a man possessed–and in truth, he is, by the “false guy” pretending to be him. He just can’t keep still. He’s felt this way before–such is his deeply-ingrained behaviour. It usually occurs when Fred gets too caught up in the world around him. He tries to make things right; but on certain days–like this one–nothing he does seems to help. There is no peace to be found.

If Fred could only remember to apply the advice he was once given (about how to regain his center), his present situation could improve dramatically. The Core of his Being is there, waiting to be acknowledged. Overworked, overtired, and overstressed, Fred is so wound up that he has forgotten the technique that worked so well for him in the past. He’d been told that when life got stressful, he was wise to become still, take a few slow breaths, and reconnect with his True Self, the witness of all that was seemingly occuring.

The problem basically boils down to one issue: Fred is so busy doing and thinking–which is the case for most humans–that he has lost track of his true identity. He is attached to the personal concept which he erroneously believes himself to be. Behind the facade of his egoic identity, his real “I” is safe and sound…observing the human drama that is playing out on the world stage through its lead character, Fred.

***

You’ll be happy to know, that Fred did actually get steady. Exhausted, he finally lay down; and after a much-needed nap, he was able to regain a relatively stable perspective of the world. Life wasn’t falling apart–it never was. It was only through Fred’s viewpoint that such seemed to be the case. In reflection, he would look at what occurred as one of those “I-don’t-know-what-got-into-me” situations. The true solution for his predicament, which will undoubtedly repeat, is for him to knowingly recognize his essential nature.

The good news is that all of us can learn how to recognize our True Self and, thereby, leave our problems behind with the body-mind (aka, person) that frequently takes life far too seriously. In other words, we can get steady by practicing clear discernment between what’s Real (our Spiritual Self) and the character (insert your name and form) that’s been causing us grief. One of the most potent ways to do this is through meditation. Being still allows us the opportunity to discover That dimenstion of ourselves that is beyond the body and the mind. If you’d like to see a visual illustration of what it feels like to recognize your True Self, press (drumroll…please) here (all credit to ImageMovers Playtone and Tom Hanks). Special Note: No lemons were actually harmed during the writing of this article.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2020 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones–released September 8, 2020) please press here. May it help you in your spiritual journey.

Self Recognition

Until we knowingly reconnect with That which is our essential nature, there will seem to be a deep wound within us that refuses to heal. No matter how much salve we apply–in the form of relationships, financial gain, achievements, and objects of desire–the wound will remain. Due to innocent ignorance of What we truly are, we will repeatedly try to alleviate the pain. It may take countless years, even lifetimes, before we learn that there is one cure only: Recognition.

I, too, suffered under the tyranical rule of my false self for many years–or so it seems. My character “Art” took me down various blind roads before the suffering became so intense that I–as is the case of so many others–was forced to look within. There in the dazzling darkness, I glimpsed my own essence; an essence that I recognized as the Essence of everyone and everything. It was That for which I’d unconsciously been seeking. Words such as beautiful and transcendent cannot begin to express the joy I experienced. I was home…where “I” belong.

When we recognize the Truth of our Being, we realize that appearances–especially of the false self and this “world“–are not as they seem. We also learn that we may question the reality of our personal history. With insight and clear understanding, we’re able to know that we are apparently in the world but not of it. As much as the senses might adamantly proclaim that they’re stating the truth–and nothing but the truth–we literally cannot be the face that stares back from the mirror.

There is one reason only why those who’ve realized Truth share the information that I’ve related in this article: Love. The wonderful and expansive feelings that arise from knowing our True Self–which is the same Self flowing through and as everyone else–are too sublime not to share. Love that is not shared is not love. That is the reason and the purpose behind the writing of my recent book–to share. Be brave, be bold, be earnestly curious and dare to reach for your True Self. You’ll be glad that you did.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2020 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones–released September 8, 2020) please press here. May it help you in your spiritual journey.

Dear “Death”

Dear Death,

Regarding your rather dark and threatening memo dated yesterday, thanks, but no thanks. I’m having no part of the mythical story you’re attempting to spread via fear mongering, subliminal messages, and outright deceit. Nice try; but aren’t you getting a little tired of spreading the same old same old? That skull-and-crossbones logo is passé, don’t you think? Perhaps you could attempt to sell us–the general public–another type of story. You know…a certain bridge for sale; shares in a swampland development; or cures for bunyons, acne, and warts.

Perhaps you haven’t heard, but there’s a spiritual movement that’s gaining momentum, here and now. Human beings are learning that they’re not who they think they are. They’re learning to recognize–and reconnect with–the deeper dimension of their essential nature that is beyond birth and death. They know they’re so much more than mere flesh and bones. They also know that the consciousness through which they live and move and have their being is impersonl–not personal. So basically, my message to you is this: The jig is up. Your pants are down. You can run, but you can’t hide. You may now cease and desist from your scare tactics.

I hope this won’t embarrass you, but I shared your recent message with as many people as I could; and I must admit that after reading it, all of us had a good chuckle and then…yawned; especially at that fire and brimstone part. We’ve seen through you. Your story’s getting very old. Perhaps you should engage some good ghost writers to punch up your story line.

As for you–you little beggar, you, I bid you farewell. You need not ever contact me again, either in person or via threatening emails. I’m on to you, and so are a lot of other beings. Personally, I wish you a fine, long, and warm stay in Hello, watching eternal reruns of Gilligan’s Island. Spoiler alert: They never did get off the island.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2020 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones–released September 8, 2020) please press here. May it help you in your spiritual journey.

The Magic of Believing

In 1948, Claude M. Bristol published his little masterpiece entitled The Magic of Believing. It’s still in print to this day; which tells us something of its enduring value and–more importantly–the truth that he shares with its readers. The front matter of the book includes the following passage from Mark 9:23: “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”

In his book, Bristol shares accounts of numerous persons in a variety of situations in which belief–and deep faith–was the cause of seemingly miraculous results. The first sentence of his book about the power of belief reads as follows: “Is there a something, a force, a factor, a power a science–call it what you will–which a few people understand and use to overcome their difficulties and achieve outstanding success? I firmly believe that there is…” To achieve the results that we desire, he also shares techniques that include the practice of impressing the subconscious mind through the repetition of positive affirmations.

This, of course, is nothing new; but the majority of persons may as yet be unaware of the power which is within their own grasp. Knowledge of our essential nature and the power of the mind and the application of that knowledge is key to achieving the results that we desire. Faith is not a dead word; it is vibrantly alive with the power that can move mountains. Here, from the Bible, are ten verses that I hope will provide inspiration to help you keep the faith:

  • Hebrews 11:3: “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”
  • Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.”
  • Luke 12:32: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
  • Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
  • Matthew 9:29: “Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.”
  • Mark 11:24: “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
  • Job 22:28: “Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.”
  • Matthew 17:20: “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
  • John 21:6: “And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were unable to draw it for the multitude of fishes.”
  • Romans 4:17: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”

Knowledge of the power of the mind to produce wonders–in all aspects of our life–has been known for centuries. Today, that power is termed The Placebo Effect; and it is equally powerful in producing both favourable and unfavourable results, depending on the habitual beliefs of the subject. Press here to watch a short Tedtalk about this fascinating subject. It will be easier to understand the power of belief if you realize that mind and matter are not opposite; they are one. We live and move and have our being in a mental universe.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2020 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones–released September 8, 2020) please press here. May it help you in your spiritual journey.

Consciousness Creates

The content of this article may seem challenging to understand or outright ludicrous for the majority of persons who are still clutching the materialist (matter based) paradigm of the world. However, artists and other creative souls who are attuned to the Source of inspiration will more easily realize its truth. As the title suggests, the purpose of this article is to cogently relate that CONSCIOUSNESS Creates–not humankind (alone). If you’re open to transformational knowledge, please continue reading.

I agree that it appears as though Humankind creates; but that’s only due to ignorance of our essential nature and sleight-of-hand tricks that are being played by our perceptions, which are only modulations of thought. Having been conditioned to identify as the false self (the person) since infancy, we, therefore, believe that we see, hear, taste, touch, smell, and act as separate and independent persons. The fact is that our body-minds are products of Infinite Living Mind. The true Creator, CONSIOUSNESS, cannot be sensed via the senses because it is beyond the mind. The same can be stated of our true nature; we are formless, limitless, apsects of Awareness. The fabric of this universe is not matter, as is commonly believed. All apparent actions, circumstances, and objects–including our body-minds–are woven from Consciousness. Doubt this can be true?

If you attempt to relate evidence of an event that wasn’t experienced via consciousness, in consciousness, you will always come up empty handed. Can you? It is impossible to directly know a supposedly material world beyond our perceptions–namely, seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, and smelling. Any event that apparently occurs is only known by One Knower, CONSCIOUSNESS. Of the supposedly material world beyond consciousness, (which quantum physicists are still attempting to prove exists), we know nothing. How could we? Matter is only a belief that is rendered by the mind; the truth of this is supported by the most rigorous science. In 1909 at Manchester University, Ernest Rutherford discovered that atoms, which were once believed to be physical building blocks of the universe, are predominately (99.999%) empty space. They are more appropriately described as whirling clouds of energy.

Due to the erroneous belief that consciousness is personal (it isn’t), the vast majority of humans believe that they arise in the morning to “reality” and begin their activities. Such persons erroneously mistake the waking state (a clearer and more sharply defined dream state) as the foundation of reality. They are confused but unaware they are confused. To the enlightened, such persons are asleep to their essential nature. Just for the record, the source of consciousness due to biological processes within the brain has never been found…and it never will be. The brain, our body-minds, all objects, and the world itself arise within Consciousness–not the other way around. Through innocent ignorance and the lack of clear discernment, humankind has identified with the creation (the body-mind) and remains unaware of their True Self, which is beyond name and form. We are an aspect of THAT (Consciousness, God) which gives rise to all name and form.

We can directly discover the deeper dimension that is our True Self through the practice of meditation, which is actually a non-doing activity. If we set aside a few minutes each day to still your body and mind, we will soon realize that we, indeed, are the Awareness in which our thoughts, images, feelings, sensations, and perceptions arise; they are not us. All of these appear to our True Self. This explains why the Bible advises us to be still and know that I am God.

One of the easiest ways to understand the creative process is through an analogy that Mike Dooley (noted Law of Attraction author and speaker) shared in one of his recent Notes from the Universe. To read it in full, press here. The information he shared is a fundamental principle of life. We pitch our ideas (via our feeling-imbued habitual thoughts and visualizations) and God hits them out of the park. Contrary to popular belief, “you“–Jane or John–are not the doer. There is One Doer, Consciousness, aka God. A note of caution: Consciousness hits all of our habitual mental pitches out of the park, whether we label them good or bad, favourable or unfavourable. It’s no wonder that we are advised to choose our thoughts wisely. I hope this information will help you understand the following quote attributed to Henry Ford at a deeper level: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” Just know that either way, it’s only going to appear that you’re the doer. All you truly do is…think.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2020 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones–released September 8, 2020) please press here. May it help you in your spiritual journey.

“That” Without a Second

If you are still one of the vast majority who believes that you’re a little self born of flesh and bones, you may benefit from reading this article; making sure to give it ample consideration and contemplation. Why? Because all of us–no matter how spiritual–realize that the body-mind (aka person) comes with an expiry date. This may not seem important now, but someday it most certainly will. The heart of this article revolves around an assumption that by and large goes unquestioned: Am I truly who I think I am?

Our ego would have no part of an article like this; for it believes that it’s in competition with–and distinct from–all of those other selves. It views the world from the perspective of separation, not unity. It sees humans of different colours, forms, and shapes–and conceptualizes them as different from itself. This is no wonder; for we’ve been conditioned to believe this since infancy. As we see ourselves, so we see the world. When we identify with this view of the world, our little “self” (insert your name here) judges everyone as a potential friend or foe; or worse, as something that can be used for its own gain. The ego believes that it must fight for its right to survive; and that means defending itself at all cost. When this perspective dominates the collective consciousness, humans go to war…in the name of peace.

The good news is that we can know (recognize) the Truth of your Being without intensive study; neither does such require that we attend a church, a synagogue, a temple, or a mosque on a regular basis (although doing so may prove beneficial). The Truth of our Being cannot be realized by the mind; for the Truth is beyond the mind. As Sadguru so wisely stated: “Truth cannot be interpreted; it can only be experienced.” To realize our authentic Self all that is required is that we withdraw from the sense world on a regular basis, by stilling the body and the mind. There, in the gap between two thoughts, we may glimpse the still Presence—THAT–which is the Truth of our Being.

This Oneness to which I refer, can–and will–give us anything that we desire: health, wealth, and success beyond measure; but It asks–nay, demands–that to receive such favours, we must pay a price in return: We must surrender our erroneous belief of being a separate self. Why? Because as long as we’re filled with what’s false (the ego), we have no room to be filled with the Truth of our Being. Any associated pain or loss that we may feel when we contemplate surrendering our self may be lessened when we realize that what we’ve called “me” has no actual existence apart from the mind. It is wholly a conceptual self. A verse from Mark 2:22 can add to our clarity: “And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.” That new wine is found when we recognize (to know again) our true Self.

So what do we gain when we surrender our false self? We gain recognition of THAT, which is our true birthright. When we give up the false self that has been ruling our life, we gain life eternal in the form of the one-and-only Self. We gain the ability to live from the perspective of Holy Oneness that knows sameness, despite our apparent differences. At the core of our being, we feel Unity, Peace, and Transcendental Love for everyone…everywhere. Nameless, formless, limitless, irreducible, immortal, eternal–we are That, Consciousness. I call THAT God. To my knowledge, Rupert Spira offers the best definition of Consciousness: “That with which all experience is known, in which all experience appears, and out of which all experience is made.” Contrary to popular misconception, the True “You” is neither personal nor mortal. You are like in nature and quality to That which gives birth to universes and human hearts with equal ease. To learn more about your true origin, I offer my own book entitled “This Taste of Flesh and Bones.”

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2020 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones–released September 8, 2020) please press here. May it help you in your spiritual journey.

Bad Things Come in Fours

I’m writing this article as my civic duty, to inform those persons who may be unaware of a change in a law of the universe. When it changed, or how it changed, I know not. I only know that it has changed. Although we were once subject to the law that Bad Things Come in Threes, we must now accept the indisputable fact that Bad Things Come in Fours! Perhaps we can blame the change on cosmic inflation or an ever-expanding universe. It only makes sense. It’s clearly evident that expansion is at play! In twenty years, it’s most likely that bad things will come in fives! The cause truly doesn’t matter; only that we that we’re aware of the change.

Why is this so important? Because we wish to live an orderly life, one in which we’re aware of the facts and live by them. To stumble about through life, ignorant of the laws of the universe, would not only be silly but potentially dangerous! We want to be educated and clear-thinking individuals; not helpless ninnies bumping into one another.

To anyone curious about the time frame under which these bad things must occur, the formal rules are nebulous, at best. This part of the law has never been clearly defined. The period could be twenty-four hours to the minute; loosely based around a period of several days; or even stretch to a week or more. The main point is that the bad things must truly be bad—think severed limbs, overflowing toilets, and neighbours from hell—unless no such bad things are available to count. In such a case, it’s permissible to include matters that might otherwise be viewed as trifling—think smucked in the face with a cream pie. Again, no hard and fast rules exist; discretion is required.

Disbelievers in this law should be cautioned to proceed at their own peril, for the law is operating whether they accept it as fact or not. The situation becomes quite dire, for by and large the masses are unaware of the change! So many unsuspecting people may be going to bed at night, thinking that all is well and fine—having counted their bad things up to three—only to later learn that the fourth bad thing was left uncounted! What tragic fate may befall those people ignorant of the law! We may all do our part by advising two friends–who tell two friends.

So, at least the readers of this article are safe, for they know the truth: Bad Things Come in Fours! Read it. Know it. Commit it to memory! When looking for the bad things it’s imperative to know precisely how many bad things to expect. It’s all about being educated and aware. Realize, too, that if there’s a shortage of bad things in our immediate vicinity, we may lift our gaze and focus upon the horizon until some bad things show up! Invariably they will, and we may include them in the count and rest easy.

And now, we arrive at the serious part of this tongue-in-cheek article. It lies in part of the verse from Mathew 7:7: “Seek and ye shall find.” What does it mean? Basically that people find what they’re expecting to find. For those bent on finding the bad—be that in threes, fours, or fives–they shall aim their attention toward that intention, and such will–for them–become a self-fulfilling prophecy. I’m pleased to report, however, that the opposite is true. There’s a lesser-known saying, one of which many people are unaware: Good things come in innumerable quantities! By seeking the good–and being grateful for the goodness we’ve already experienced—we discover even more! The change occurs within us, not the external world. Attention is key. Simple as that!

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2020 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones–released September 8, 2020) please press here. May it help you in your spiritual journey.