Our Ruts of Fear

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the definition of the word rut, as it relates to how I am applying it within this article, is as follows: “a track worn by a wheel or by habitual passage.” With regard to the human condition, persons often have certain ruts of fear that threaten, or outright deprive us of, our quality of life. For example, some individuals may be fearful of spiders, crowds, or dogs, which, thereby, limit their exploration of environments in which any of those three might be present. For other persons, the ruts of fear may be related to larger subjects, such as love, success, or fame. In any of these cases, either specific or general, our mental ruts are formed by repeatedly travelling the pathways of our fears.

At subconscious levels of our Being, our personal ruts of fear–which pretend to keep us safe–apply their subtle and subversive techniques and manipulation. At the brink of escape, as we reach for that which we most yearn, so-called logic or common sense often claws us back or blocks our pathway to success. It is then that the voice of the rut, most often disguised as a friend, whispers its haunting message: “Come back; come back to the safety of the known.” If given attention, our ruts of fear actually choke our lives of the very reason we breathe in the first place:

If not for the more joyful expression of the gifts within us,

why do we live?

Dear Readers: Please hear this message and let it resonate deeply within your heart. In all of our issues of life, greater awareness is the magic key to greater accomplishment and joy. Let not your ruts of fear keep you apparently safe, while the clock of your lifetime ticks the minutes away. It is only by examining our fears by the Light of Consciousness that they diminish.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones–released September 8, 2020), press here. My YouTube videos may be found through this link. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. 🙏🧡

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Time To Be Still

In the folly of my teenage years, I had a default coping strategy which, although not actually acted upon, most likely set the stage for some problematic years and experiences. Whenever a troubling circumstance or situation felt beyond my skill set, I would visualize running as fast as I could and jumping a freight train. Where was the train headed? In my adolescent mind, the answer was always: “Wherever I could escape having to experience the damned feelings running through me.” The great flaw in this strategy, of course, is that wherever you go, there you are. To run, run, run, run-runaway makes no sense at all. Neither, truly, does anger, when it is a means of coping with fear.

Although I stopped visualizing jumping a freight train to escape uncomfortable or fearful situations many years ago, my childish strategy for dealing with the stresses of life may have covertly morphed into other mechanisms (such as distraction, or a bull-dog “let’s-make-this-right” attitude) that are also ineffective at dealing with the root of the issues. In the first, we’re basically ignoring the hurt through redirection of our attention; in the second, we’re putting our shoulder against the world and expecting it to move. The main point is that unfelt issues related to the human experience–such as loss, embarrassment, guilt, shame, regret, grief, loneliness, ridicule, resentment, and fear–are potentially going to turn around and bite us where it hurts unless we acknowledge them at the time…and feel them. The following are examples of situations that might give rise to uncomfortable feelings:

What does it feel like to lose a loved one?
What does it feel like to experience sudden divorce?
What does it feel like to be given a life-changing diagnosis?
What does it feel like to be faced with homelessness?
What does it feel like to be forced to change careers midlife?
What does it feel like to be estranged from family members?
What does it feel like to have high expenses and low income?

This strategy related to feeling is not intended to bog us down in self pity or remorse. Its effect is actually the opposite–to liberate us. By feeling what needs to be felt, we gain greater clarity of perspective and allow ourselves to positively move forward. I believe that the following quote from Joseph Campbell expresses the best potential result:

“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.”

By simply being with our fears (and, as a dear friend suggested, even welcoming them), we disarm so many of their negative effects. When we take time to be (with the good, the bad, and the ugly), we allow their energies to be felt and accepted. Our intention is not to judge anything; for this is the grand territory of Isness, not the petty place of rightness or wrongness. From the vantage point of Being, we realize that nothing can truly harm us. We are not our stories of triumph or tragedy; nor are we the character playing the starring role in our life movie. Fear, when faced, loses so much of its imagined power.

In my life story, I have come a long apparent way. No longer am I seeking to run away from my fears on a freight train headed for who knows where. Now, I’m willing to sit with what frightens me–including sides of my personality that are less than perfect, and circumstances that feel uncomfortable. This, I believe, is opening me to all of the incredible goodness that this life has to offer. May such also happen for you.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Theo McFacts

Theo McFacts was forty-four going on ninety four, with a spirit so covered with body-mind debris that he seemed more dead than alive. That is to say that his perspective was almost always buried in the dank grave of his present circumstances and his oh-so-terrible personal history. If asked to tell of the last time he really felt unbridled joy, he would have been hard-pressed to offer an answer. Perhaps, that time when a two-for-one coupon unexpectedly arrived in his mailbox–yes; that was pretty neat, yes it was!

The point of sharing this account about Theo is not to ridicule him; not at all. The point is that without being aware of it, Theo had developed the unconscious habit of arguing for his limitations. Theo McFacts knew the facts, and no one was going to convince him otherwise! If he had been a defense lawyer, he would have won every case! The reason why he couldn’t fall in love again was that he had experienced a painful divorce ten years prior. The reason why he couldn’t start a new successful business was that he had started three that flopped in the past. The reason why he was destined to carry the spare tire of weight around his abdomen was that he had already tried every diet in the books. He would love to date a compatible woman, BUT, you see, it could just never work out. He would love to dream big, BUT, you see, that just isn’t practical. In short, Theo habitually defended an “I cannot” attitude. As many motivational speakers share, Theo was allowing the wake (story) of his boat (person) to determine the direction of his life.

All there is, is NOW. The past does not exist if we stop carrying it forward, through our attention to it. If you know someone like Theo, perhaps the following quotations will help him/her break free:

***

“What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.”

Plutarch

***

“There is but one consciousness in the universe able to think; and when it thinks, its thoughts become objective things to it.”
Charles F. Hannel (The Master Key System)

***

“Certainty, Faith, Belief, is a necessary part of creating wealth–or anything else for that matter. It is that which gives the universe a go-ahead to do as you wish it to do.”
Daivd Cameron Gikandi (A Happy Pocketful of Money)

***

“To know this law is enough: Whatever we accept as a permanent mental image in our consciousness must manifest in our world, for we become in life what we are in consciousness, and nothing can alter the fact.”
U.S. Anderson (The Magic In Your Mind)

***

“All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men [women], for they act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.”
T. E. Lawrence

***

Dear readers: Life is far more magical and vibrant than you may have assumed. The ideas, thoughts, and beliefs that we habitually entertain make a tremendous difference in the apparent circumstances that manifest in our life. Are you living the best life you can imagine?

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Standing “As”

This world can seem a battlefield of challenges and strife. On a daily basis, we directly view or hear reports of varying degrees of conflict. Everyone has preferences: we desire this, but not that. As the number of so-called “others” increases, the issue becomes more complex. Our differing opinions regarding right and wrong leave us with little or no middle ground labelled “Peace.” During such times, it can be challenging to resist the temptation of being “against” a circumstance, rather than having the wisdom of being “for” what feels right in our heart. This metaphysical principle of behaviour (which I refer to as Standing “As”) is vitally important to understand: That to which we give our attention persists more strongly. To improve conditions, we must resolutely place our attention on that which we desire, not its apparent opposite. Let’s imagine, if we can, a peaceful world in which we live by the following:

Can we stand “as” tolerance, without being against intolerance?
Can we stand “as” honesty, without being against dishonesty?
Can we stand “as” selflessness, without being against selfishness?
Can we stand “as” equality, without being against inequality?
Can we stand “as” honour, without being against corruption?
Can we stand “as” love, without giving your energy to hate?
Can we stand “as” peace, without being against war?
In short, can we stand for the result we desire, rather than expending our energy by being against its opposite?”

Through the development of our character, we may exemplify the beliefs that we hold most dear, without becoming self-important or proud. This is clearly illustrated in a famous poem entitled Sermons We See, by Edgar Guest. Here I offer the first stanza:

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

Mahatma Ghandi also expressed this vitally important principle in his famous and succint expression:

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

Perhaps we could develop the habit of asking ourselves, “What attitude am I broadcasting to the world today?” It’s up to us to ensure it’s a good one, born of our highest ideals.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Curses Begone!

Boj (no relationship to Job, I assure you) had it rough. Just ask him, and he would eagerly relate the apparent woes of his life. He was cursed, he was certain. Habitually he thought about, and spoke about, all that was wrong. To him, every day seemed a chore, a battle to be endured from dawn to dusk. He didn’t just believe in Murphy’s Law; he had been the inspiration for its first draft. Boj was infamous for his uncontrollable tirades. It never dawned on Boj that if he changed positively within, that the so-called world without could improve, as a reflection of that change.

When circumstances went wrong, as they often did for Boj, his usual way of reacting was a version of the following performance: With his face reddening with building pressure, Boj would bend down into a deep squat (as though gathering energy from Mother Earth), and then spring upward onto his tippy-toes. At the apex of the spike, with his head convulsing from side to side like a ravenous lion, he would roar:

Dam# iT# al&L tH#E waY to $he%Ll and #ba$%%^k! Swee#T Ffly#%ing #fU@g%-a- doodle!

This lifE i$ one #h3!! of a RuFf bu##ggnng ride!

It was on one of these not-so-sweet occasions, that his neighbour, better known as Granny Goodadvice, approached him and softly said, “Having a rough one, Boj?”

“What was your first clue?” asked Boj, with a scowl.

“Oh, I don’t know,” said Granny, with a subtle grin. “A little birdie tol’ me so.”

“So, what of it?” asked Boj.

“Well, I just wanted to share some advice, in case it could be some service to you.” Granny, who was ninety-nine according to neighbours, waggled her index finger at BoJ, with a come-here-sonny look.”

When Boj had moved closer, she leaned close and whispered: “At one time, I was also no stranger to cursing. I knew all of the curse bombs, and I dropped them haphazardly everywhere I went. I could unload great big A-bombs, and strafe the atmosphere with rat-a-tat tat machine-gun ones. But one day, a dear brave soul approached me and tol’ me that my life would improve if I started expressing sincere gratitude…from my heart.”

“That’s it!?” exclaimed Boj. “That’s your great pearl of wisdom?!”

“Uh, huh,” said Granny, with a nod. “Yup, that’s it.”

“And just what,” said Boj, with a scowl, “do you think that I have for which to be grateful?”

Granny squinted like the Clint Eastwood fan she was and said, “Your life, sonny. Your very life.” And with that, she turned and ambled back to her home. It was time to watch her afternoon soap opera.

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

The Better Way

If you are searching (as was I) for a better way to live and, thus, to experience an improvement in the circumstances of your life, I offer you the following examples to consider. When the principle behind them (which is Divine Love by All for All) is applied until it becomes our habitual way of Being, we will definitely notice positive changes in our life. The world of effects is a mirror to our innermost beliefs and assumptions; therefore, we do ourselves and everyone else a favour by maintaining our highest ideals. By practicing this way of Being in the easy times, we develop a strong mental muscle that proves of great service during the most challenging situations. So, onward…to the good life!

***

For that irate driver who swerves suddenly and almost causes an accident–LOVE him/her.
For your children who, unaware of the burden that you are carrying, take you for granted–LOVE them.
For your boss, who piles an increasing work load upon you and rarely, if ever, expresses praise, LOVE him/her.
For your friends, who at times may seem to be only fair-weather friends, LOVE them.
For your spouse who, in the midst of a challenging day, uncharacteristically snaps at you, LOVE him/her.
For your co-worker, who takes credit for your creative ideas, LOVE him/her.
For persons who, in dealing with their own fears, intolerantly demand your behaviour to mirror theirs, LOVE them.
For strangers who, in dealing with their own stressful lives, express anger toward you, LOVE them.
Last, but definitely not least: For you, when you make a mistake regarding best behaviour or the wisest choice, LOVE yourself.

The purpose of these examples is not to turn us into holier-than-thou persons willing to subjugate our needs at the expense of poor behaviour. The principle of Divine Love expressed is to free us from the negative repercussions that we attract when/if we retaliate with negative thoughts and behaviour. Like truly does attract like. Please realize, also, that although I’ve written that we are wise to express LOVE, this does not mean that we are to suppress our true feelings and tolerate abuse, of any nature. If it’s time to exit a situation that is harmful or demeaning, we must realize this and ensure that we protect ourselves and our best interests. It’s true that we teach others how to treat us; therefore, what we tolerate out of fear, we appear to condone.

The positive effects of this way of Being in the world will not occur overnight–but “occur” they will when we change within. As we apply the principle of Divine Love for all, our world will begin to change without. As ye sow, so shall ye reap is not a trite saying intended to appease the masses; it is spiritual law. What we sincerely feel in our heart (not that which we think/utter with idle lip service) is reflected back. The world (which is created via, and known by, Consciousness) reflects our innermost way of Being; and when we exercise our inner authority in a positive way, circumstances MUST change for the better. Of course, the way to prove this for yourself, is to put it into practice.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Between “Here” and “There”

I once knew a guy who believed that he would “make it” one day. Okay, confession time: that guy was apparently “i.” I hoped that if I worked hard enough, pushed hard enough, and strived hard enough that I would finally arrive; I would be “there.” It was, as the previous sentence indicates, a hard way to live. Any success that I did achieve was very brittle; thus, easily broken. Why? Because it was dependent on the reflection of circumstances and, of course, the fact that there was always an abundance of more goals that had not, yet, been achieved. I was an onward-marching soldier, in a war I could never win.

Perhaps, I reasoned (with insufficient awareness), I would finally arrive “there” if I could just accomplish this, that, or the other thing, I might reach that blissful point at which I might feel confident, secure, and loved. Yes, that was it–over there, and after that, I might give myself permission to rest. Until then, it was work and more work; a daily grind that taxed my waning energy and blinded me to the inherent beauty of the unencumbered now.

In hindsight, I realize that no one ever “arrives,” at least in the way that we usually conceive. ” Such implies an external place that is static, in an ever-changing Universe. It’s also like trying to claim the beer to which the sign “Free Beer Tomorrow” advertises. That beer and that day DO NOT EXIST; therefore, getting “there” is impossible. We must–first–be it “here.” To get the security and sense of accomplishment that I deeply desired, I had to stop and realize that HERE, where I Am NOW, is the only non-place that I will ever discover the peace for which I yearned.

***

Do you know anyone that might be going through a similar situation, a person who yearns to experience the best that LIFE has to offer? If so, perhaps that person would be willing to sit down and listen, while you assure him or her that he/she is deeply loved; and that NOW–free of the mind’s machinations–all is fine, just…as…it…is. The peace that we’ve been seeking lies waiting within.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Sassafras’s Wisdom

Chase, Chuck, Charlie, and Sassafras were tromping through the wooded areas of their local park on a hot summer day. They were as alive as alive can get; with good wriggley energy pulsing through their young bodies. Unofficially, they were known as The Three Muskeeters–at least that’s what read on the crooked plywood sign above the entrance to their tree fort. Sassafras had recently joined their merry gang, but they had yet to get around to changing the sign to “four.” The three boys, the “C’s,” had been friends since meeting at grade school a couple of years earlier.

The goodies–of licorice, chips, and pop–had long ago been devoured. Now it was time for serious talk, the get-down-to-business part of their outing.

“Let’s take turns sharing what we want to be when we’re grownups!” exclaimed Chase.

“Sounds good,” said Charlie, “but we gotta vote on it.”

With that, the children’s hands spiked upward, signalling that the proposal had carried.

“I wanna be a tax collector,” said Chuck. “It’s government, don’t you know; so at least there’s security. I also hear that the benefit package is quite attractive, with an indexed pension.” The other two boys nodded seriously and gave their thumbs up.

“I wanna be a mortician,” said Chase. “People are always dying–you hear of it on the TV almost every day; so business should be steady. If I salt away some savings on a regular basis and make some savvy investments in a diversided stock portfolio, I think I could do quite nicely.”

“Makes sense,” said the boys in serious agreement.

Next was Charlie. “I’m gonna be the owner of a tech startup. I’ll make sure that I get a ton of options in our initial public offering of stock and make a financial killing when I sell at the peak. That’s a flagpole formation on a trading chart, in case you didn’t know. I’ll make sure to set up some offshore businesses to evade unnecessary tax burden, and I’ll probably be a billionaire before I’m thirty, if I play my cards right.”

“What about you, newbie,” chimed the boys to Sassafras. “What do you want to be?

“True to her deeper nature, Sassafras paused briefly in her tracks and allowed herself a few moments of contemplation before answering: “I think that being born a human being is very special,” she said, “so I want to make the most of it. “I just want to be happy, and I figure that the best way for that to happen is to follow my heart.”

“Nahhhh,” exclaimed the boys! “Seriously, what to you really want to be?!”

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones–released September 8, 2020), press here. My YouTube videos may be found via this link; and my Linkedin profile via this link. May the content help you along your spiritual journey. 🙏🧡

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Light Prevails

The following is “actual” radio communication that was recorded via satellites functioning for Awareness One. I apologize for the poor sound quality:

***

Triple6: “Ccssshh, come in, Bastard Child. This is Triple6.”

Bastard Child: “Go ahead, Triple6.”

Triple6: “Ccssshh. There’s been a breach.”

Bastard Child: “Go ahead, Triple6.”

Triple6: “Ccssshh. I say again, ‘there’s been a breach.'”

Bastard Child: “Let’s try this one more time. Say again.”

Triple6: “Ccsshhh. THERE’S BEEN A BREACH!”

Bastard Child: Dead line. Buzzzz.

Triple6: “Redial.”

Bastard Child: “Hello, you’ve reached Diablo Incognito. Your call is important to us. All of our Dark Operators are busy right now, but if you care to stay on the line, we’ll have our way with you as soon as possible. Directory options include: Press 1, to enroll in current Dark Classes101; Press 2, for Upcoming Evil Events; Press 3, for Despicable Deeds; Press 4, for Greed/Corruption/Propaganda; Press 5, for Egotistical Leaders of Our Time; Press 6, for all other inquiries. We’re experiencing heavier than expected call volume at this time. Expected wait time is two-and-a-half hours. Key muzak: The Devil In The Blue Dress.

Triple6: (Lights a cigarette, bites his nails, taps his fingers). A finished pack later: Muzak ends:

Bastard Child: “How may I help you?”

Triple6: “We’ve experienced a tear in our narrative.”

Bastard Child: “How big a tear?”

Triple6: “Large–waist to crotch. We are officially exposed.”

Bastard Child: “Are you saying, worldwide?”

Triple6: “Confirmed, worldwide. They know.”

Bastard Child: “Who’s they?

Triple6: “The Awakened.”

Bastard Child: “Any chance that synchronized media patches could cover?”

Triple6: “No possible way.”

Bastard Child: “Be advised, this call never happened; this call never happened; this call never happened.”

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones–released September 8, 2020), press here. My YouTube videos may be found through this link. My YouTube videos may be found via this link; and my Linkedin profile via this link. May the content help you along your spiritual journey. 🙏🧡

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Tony’s Parrot

Once upon a time, there was a lonely middle-aged man named Tony. He’d had several brief relationships; but for reasons unknown to him, they always ended abruptly. The women knew, however; there was an aura about him which they found very unappealing. At one point, Tony’s loneliness became so severe that he decided to purchase a parrot for company. Off he trudged to a local pet store. When he returned home with the parrot, which he named Billy Boy, he hung the birdcage on its stand in front of the television. He reasoned that Billy Boy would, thus, have something to watch while it was locked up in its cage.

None of Tony’s neighbours knew what he actually did for a living. To one, he had claimed to be a rocket scientist; to another, a health professor; and yet another, a political leader. All they knew for certain was that Tony was gone…all day long.

One day, after leaving the T.V. attuned to a non-stop business news program, he returned home and was pleasantly surprised to hear Billy Boy talking. He raced to be at his side.

“The DOW is down, the DOW is down!” squawked Billy Boy, as it shuffled side to side on its perch.

Tony was so impressed that he rewarded Billy Boy with some brown rice, his favourite food.

The next week, Tony returned home and was overjoyed when he heard Billy Boy had learned some more new words.

“The market’s going to crash! The market’s going to crash!” cawed Billy Boy.

Again, Tony rewarded Billy Boy with some more food. This time, he gave Billy Boy steamed vegetables, which he gobbled up.

The following week, Tony returned home; and before he had removed his coat, he heard Billy Boy sing, “Bitcoin’s a buy! Bitcoin’s a buy!”

With tears of joy, Tony approached Billy Boy and embraced its cage. How he loved his little bird, the partner for which he had longed.

***

If persons had heard Billy Boy spew its news about business, they might have assumed that Billy Boy was quite bright–perhaps even a business genius, trapped inside the body of a parrot. We of course, know better; for we realize that Billy Boy was just parroting what it had been programmed to repeat. There was no thinking involved.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Think2wice

CONSCIOUSNESS, SPIRITUALITY, & LAW OF ATTRACTION

Category: Psychology

Our Ruts of Fear

Time To Be Still

Theo McFacts

Standing “As”

Curses Begone!

The Better Way

Between “Here” and “There”

Sassafras’s Wisdom

Light Prevails

Tony’s Parrot

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