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If you follow our church's website, you may recognize
the words above as part of our 40-day prayer drill
which completed May 31. I have chosen the words
because they stood out for me as I participated
in the twice-daily prayer times organized to utilize
the power of prayer when people are dedicated
purposefully to work together to build consciousness.
I have found these words more satisfying than
to affirm EACH DAY I WILL DO MY BEST. As I considered
the latter statement for my website essay, I felt
that (to me) they suggested too much trying on
our part as individuals rather than the affirmation
I have chosen which I think is based more on the
acknowledgement of WHOLE SELF representing our
God endowment. Instead of attempting to do our
best, the WHOLE SELF affirmation accepts more
than our human best self. Letting our God-given
WHOLE SELF freely and joyously express improves
our human best without the possible struggle that
might well come from trying to do or be our best!
Let's take a look at this together.
Putting our WHOLE SELF into everything we do
plus pouring ourself out as a blessing wherever
we are is not a matter of competing with the best
we have ever done and trying to do better. Instead
of focusing on how well or how poorly we are doing
AT THE MOMENT, when we put our WHOLE SELF into
what we are doing EVERY MOMENT, the results logically
get better and better.
The point may be somewhat subtle, but I am sure
you have experienced some moments of better results
when you have relaxed from "trying."
My wife Beryl and I play par-3 golf 3 days a week,
weather permitting, so I have such experiences
from time to time, especially in the amazing difference
when I relax in putting. What a feeling!
The WHOLE SELF approach can make a tremendous
difference in the area defined as competing with
others. Every individual human being has developed
his consciousness, talents, abilities, interests,
degree of confidence, etc., in a unique way. There
is an old statement: I AM EVERY MAN'S INFERIOR
AND SUPERIOR IN CERTAIN RESPECTS. So you may sing
better than I can, dance better, are better looking,
and have a higher IQ. In competition you logically
will do better in the represented areas. But in
other aspects of life, I may do better. All these
things have been given inordinate significance
and importance, but they have nothing to do with
the WHOLE SELF approach unless it is not being
recognized and lived. If I am or you are living
in the joy of expressing our WHOLE SELF (and if
we understand what this means!), we are able to
deal with the seeming comparisons between people.
Isn't it wonderful when we feel genuinely happy
for others when they do well and when we receive
such treatment from them! Beryl and I are happier
when our partner does well (like hitting a great
golf shot) than when we ourselves do it. The WHOLE
SELF approach to life makes this happen!
One more thing: to fulfill the first half of
the affirmation implements the second half. Again:
no trying. It just happens naturally!
Don
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