Well, your shadow does, certainly.
I know it’s not popular within the Science of Mind to look at what ails us. I know it’s more important to look forward to what we want, rather than to dwell on the negative part of our lives. I even recognize that the shadow-side of things can be overwhelming and hazardous to attracting our good.
Your Shadow Knows...
But what if there’s no room for the good? What if old ideas, beliefs and habits keep the good life at arm’s length? What if we’re resisting a better life because of what seemed true yesterday?
In a few weeks, the Solstice will begin to bring in more light. I like to use this time of relative darkness to evaluate my shadow-side. What is it, within me, that keeps my good at bay?
I’m not going to judge myself for dark thoughts. I’m not going to re-live dark moments. I’m certainly not going to start the mental game of, “If only I had made a different choice.” Instead, I will simply take time to decide what, within my mind, is most in need of a makeover.
What change in thinking could make the most difference? Is it…
• releasing the need to judge people by their past actions?
• dropping the tendency to believe the day is going to go poorly?
• loosening the barrier that keeps my heart closed to new people and new experiences?
• releasing the belief that I have to work so hard?
• letting go of a particular hurt that I’ve been nursing?
These kinds of thoughts represent the real “evil” in our lives. They hold us hostage by our own hands. They color our lives in resistance and seclusion. They literally prevent us from seeing and claiming new ways of living and loving.
Let us take a moment to decide what of our shadow-side is most worthy of release. Let’s bless the thoughts, ideas and beliefs that go with it. After all, they must have served some function at some time. But then, acknowledge that they have been illuminated. The divine light of God has now shown them as the shadow-things that they are. They can be dispersed, even as the light of morning disperses the evening’s gloom. If such thoughts crop up again, you can just smile and know they have no power over you.
You know what so-called evil lurks within your heart and mind.
And you can do something about it!
Once again, the message in this blog is in tune with other prompts the Universe is sending my way. In another news letter I read that it is time to examine my attitudes and determine which of them are not serving me. Which attitudes are actually blocking the flow of blessing that the One Mind wants to release into my life? I think you are right that this is a good time of year for contemplation. Rather than get caught up in the flurry of consumerism that our society promotes, the long dark evenings are a good time for reflection. There is a quietness in the rhythms of the earth right now that I know my soul and heart need to listen to, to beat with. It is a good time to (metaphorically) sink my toes and my taproot into the heart of the earth, to pay attention to the attitudes that I hold consciously and unconsciously, to engage in contemplation in the encroaching darkness of the season.
Christine, I spent all morning thinking about my ministry and just contemplating how I might expand it to include more people. The “Science of Mind” message is so transformative and freeing that I want everyone to know about it! So, I centered-in on my own connection to God and allowed the ideas to flow. It was so liberating and helpful. What came to me was that I am required to expand–then the people are there. And, of course, that the expansion is in my own consciousness–my own use of and connection to God.
Whew! Meditation and Contemplation are so powerful!
Thank you for your interest, Christine, it’s lovely to know you!