By Robin Volker

Myrtle Fillmore, co-founder of Unity, wrote these words in her book, How to Let God Help You: "All of us sooner or later come to the place in our development where we are no longer satisfied to go on living the old life, without knowledge of our oneness with God, the Source of our being.  Sometimes, when we reach this point in our soul's progress, we do not at first know just what is taking place.  We may become restless and dissatisfied.  We may go through experiences which we do not understand.  We may even be tempted to think that our good has gone from us.  But just as surely as there is God the one Presence and the one Power, we shall find that all is well, and that we are but going from one room, as it were, into another, larger and lighter room."

I often counsel and pray with people who are dissatisfied with their lives, yet they are holding on to old thoughts with dear life.   No matter how miserable their lives may be, they cannot or will not let go of the constant parade of old thinking.   In order to have a new life, a better life, one has to be willing to let go of what has not been working.  We have to leave old circumstances, beliefs, habits, and cravings behind.   These are like old heavy suitcases full of mental discard that no longer serves us.  Instead of dragging these old suitcases of junk-thinking around with us, wearing ourselves out mentally and physically, we need to set them down and move on to higher thoughts. 

"What are higher thoughts?"  you might ask.  Higher thoughts are thoughts that make you feel better.  If you are thinking of how badly you feel, try moving your thinking to thoughts of anything that causes you to feel better.  If you are thinking a negative thought about another person, try thinking something pleasant instead of staying focused on the irritation.  It takes a little practice, but every time we move our thoughts from whatever is bothering us to a happier, lighter thought, we are creating an opportunity for God's Power and Presence to make its way into the daily activity of our lives and cause something to shift for the better.   

To quote Myrtle again, "Leave past, present, and future in God's hands.  Leave yourself in God's care and keeping, and just do that which will furnish Spirit with the necessary co-operation and the necessary materials to be converted into harmony of soul, strength, and health of body.  Keep your thoughts free from worry.  Keep them on matters close at hand, on God's presence and power."

Love and blessings,

Rev. Robin