“The world you see has no effects. It merely represents your thoughts.”—A Course in Miracles 
I recently wrote a story for CNN on this summer’s bumper crop of new roller coasters.
The really insane ones, the ones with the 85-degree vertical drops and the seven inversions usually have a camera poised right where the coaster plummets 185 feet.
If you look at the photos these theme parks somehow manage to process and have waiting for you to purchase when you step, wobbly-kneed, off the ride, you’ll notice the teenagers usually have big smiles on their faces with their hands in the air. The adults? They usually look terrified, even though they know, theoretically, they’re perfectly safe.
Life is a lot like those roller coasters. It sometimes looks like we’re in danger, but, as my lesson today in A Course in Miracles reminds us, “The time has come to laugh at such insane ideas. Nothing external to your mind can hurt or injure you in any way. No one but yourself affects you.”
So let’s join the teenagers, put our hands in the air and shout with glee, even when the coaster car appears to be heading downhill.
Pam Grout is the author of 17 books including E-Squared: 9 Do-it-Yourself Energy Experiments that Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality and the soon-to-be-released sequel, E-Cubed, 9 More Experiments that Prove Mirth, Magic and Merriment is your Full-time Gig.
8 Responses
just loved your book. love your e mails also. just ordered greg kuhns book.
This touched me on the inside. Thanks, Pam.
I loved your book as well…and I can’t wait for the new one and I’m reading Greg Kuhn too!!! and I do wonder about what TCIM read…about nothing external hurting you…no one but yourself affects you…”
That sounds terrific…and then I think about the people being slaughtered by ISIS and the young girls being given to these madmen by their families under threat of death and I try to think of that in the light of TCIM…and wonder…is it a mass hallucination by these people in Iraq…if one is beheaded is that an insane idea? I’m not sure how to think of this…is it all simply reflecting our thoughts? Yikes.
Dear Artist,
Thank you so much for bringing up the million-dollar question. I, too, have spent time pondering such questions. I’ve also spent many a year “fighting evil.”
And here’s what I finally concluded. Again, this is MY thought process. Doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone.
I realized that, while I can’t personally do much to address international issues dominating the news, there’s a lot I can do within myself. There’s a lot I can do right here in my neighborhood, in my hometown.
I feel that the most important way I can serve humanity is by becoming peaceful within my own mind. And, just like I don’t notice my lipstick is smeared and then try to fix it on the mirror, I don’t try to fix external events without going within and cleaning up my own head space.
I really believe that the happier I become, the quicker peace will come on the planet. I believe that what we’re seeing “out there” is a reflection of what’s “in here.”
I no longer march for peace or tie myself up in knots about outer events. I just keep going back inside and examining where I can soften my own shell.
And besides, fighting evil is best left to Batman, Superman and Wonderwoman.
Love this! I’ve been holding on too tight lately…….my arms are up in the air and ready for what is coming next!!!
The biggest risk in life is pretending you’re not on the coaster.
You’re on it; throw up your arms and have fun!
Reading Pam Grout is like a spiritual experience. Thank you for everything,
Hello!
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Regards, melanieambrosonkeller