Living Consciously April 22, 2009

Dear friends,
I got in the elevator in my building intending to go to the third floor. I was at basement level. I pushed the button and the door started to shut, then opened again with a jerk. I pushed the button again and got the same response. I was about to get out for fear that something was terribly wrong with the mechanism and I did not want to get stuck somewhere between floors. I took a few steps intending to find the manager to report the problem. It was then I realized that I was unconsciously pushing the button to the floor I was on and it was me who was confusing the issue!

This kind of thing can be a great reminder of who is in charge, when I become aware of the undeniable truth that the very thing I am complaining about is caused by me in the first place. It is usually some little thing with the computer or the car, but nonetheless, is a wonderful spiritual lesson.

I am reminded again and again to stop, breathe, look with new eyes and the problem will be solved. Assume that I am involved somehow is the great wisdom inherent in these experiences, which, although minor, can chip away at our good mood. There was a popular song in my youth called Little Things Mean A lot. That is so true. Little things can become big if we do not see our place in creating them. The things we label big problems are those that we feel powerless to solve. Practicing taking responsibility for our day to day experience puts us in the position of power. We will not forget who is in charge when we really need to know it.

Peace and Blessings,

Rev Carol Carnes

Living Consciously April 23, 2009

Dear friends,

I left my home for the office yesterday wearing cotton slacks and a light sweater. What a surprise at five o clock to find my car covered in snow! I thought it was Spring! I had forgotten that the weather forecast suggested a drop in temperature. I didn’t want to hear it. I wanted it to be warm and sunny.

We might think our relationship is just fine and suddenly find ourselves left alone and wondering what happened. A child who seemed to be doing well is found to be addicted to drugs. A dear friend takes their own life. Our job disappears overnight.

Those are the times we say the rug has been pulled out from under us. What we fail to acknowledge is that there were clues. There always are. Big changes come by increments. They creep up with little signs that we choose to ignore. Consciousness is very revealing and can be read. Although we do not want to walk around suspicious of everyone, there are subtle shifts in behaviour that are very indicative of something larger in the making. If we are paying attention to how life happens we will realize that it is constantly changing. How often has hindsight caused us to say I should have seen that coming.

Meteorologists are getting better at tracking weather trends and predicting with some accuracy what we can expect in the near future. In a similar manner, we have the ability to watch our own thoughts, those repetitive ones that create patterns. Left unattended, they will become outer reflections of themselves. We should never be as surprised as we say we are. There were signs. There were indications. There was a cause. We were involved.

Peace and Blessings,

Rev Carol Carnes