“If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is: infinite.” -William Blake
I got a comment the other day suggesting that to simply change my thinking is not enough. I must take action.
Since ACIM Lesson 52 is a review, I thought I’d take this opportunity to share my thoughts on taking action.
I agree that taking action is important.
But only when taken from the vantage point of my higher self.
Most action is generated by the part of myself that’s strongly identified with the body, with the viewpoint I see with my human eyes. This limited self still sees bad guys and problems and can’t even begin to believe that death could actually be a more productive state of being.
It’s like standing with my nose against the pointillist painting. It looks like a bunch of dots. But when I step back and look again from a larger vantage point, from the vantage point of my Source, it becomes Georges Seurat’s “Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.”
As this ACIM review reminds me, reality is NEVER frightening. And the only reason it could ever upset me is because I have replaced first generation reality with my illusions.
Instead of reality, I see life through my filters, through the yellow waxy buildup that stops me from seeing the light within every situation, that prevents me from seeing people as they really are—beautiful souls who want nothing but to love and give of their gifts.
When my dog Izzy was a puppy, she ran full speed ahead to every single canine she saw, wagging her tail, wanting to make a new buddy. There were no exceptions to her joy and exuberance.
This is how we would be, too, (running to every other member of the human race in joyful glee) if we hadn’t erected the filters, the yellow waxy buildup.
Every person has immense light and love inside them (no exceptions) and the only reason we cannot see it is because of the lens we laid over it. We covered it up with our beliefs and expectations, with facts that we just KNOW are true. We made a judgment and assume we know what that Republican is up to or that Democrat wants to do to destroy our freedom.
Nothing is as it appears. All we see with the limited five senses is a hologram of our beliefs and expectations. And it’s flawed and it’s getting us in trouble.
Linda from my possibility posse reminded me of an amazing man named Daryl Davis who I wrote about last year.
He’s a black musician whose early years were spent overseas in diverse classrooms. When his parents moved back to the United States, he, like most of the boys in his sixth grade class, joined Boy Scouts. One day, while marching with his troop, people started throwing rocks and sticks at him.
His first thought was, “They must not like Boy Scouts.”
At that point, his parents sat him down and had the race talk with him.
He was stunned.
“How could they not like me?” he thought. “They don’t even know me.”
Since that time, he has taken on the hobby of getting to know white supremacists and, instead of yelling at them, berating them, he sits down and asks questions. He genuinely wants to know what they think.
As he says about engaging his “enemies,” “When you are actively learning about someone else you are passively teaching them about yourself.”
In other words, he takes action from the higher viewpoint. Some activists claim he’s wasting his time talking to all these “horrible, horrible” people.
But as he likes to say, “I’ve got dozens of retired hoods and robes in my closet. How many do you have?”
So, yes, action is vital, but only when taken from the higher perspective.
Pam Grout is the author of 19 books including E-Squared, E-Cubed, Thank & Grow Rich and her new book, Art & Soul,Reloaded: A Year-Long Apprenticeship to Summon the Muses and Ignite Your Daring, Audacious, Creative Side.
20 Responses
Thankyou Pam for that wonderful explanation of acting from the higher viewpoint. The story about Daryl Davis is a perfect example of living that way and I am deeply grateful for your graceful wisdom that helps us see more clearly and with love. You have an amazing gift for explaining these life changing truths so Thankyou so much for sharing your gift with us. Love and blessings from me to you 😊💖🦋☀️
Thanks again Sister,
I believe Daryl Davis is doing what the course would like us all to do and that in itself is just spread the love. It’s not for us to judge period, let alone judge another’s way of spreading as much love as one can. Besides the more you spread the more there is.
To love,
Michael
Thank you for this beautiful reminder. Awesome Pam.
Thank you Pam. A timely reminder. Please can I share this poem with you, which really spoke to me?
The Dash
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning…to the end.
He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time that they spent alive on earth. And now only those who loved them
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own, the cars…the house…the cash. What matters is how we live
and love and how we spend our dash.
So, think about this long and hard. Are there things
you’d like to change? For you never know how much
time is left that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s
true and real and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives like
we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect and more often
wear a smile, remembering that this special
dash might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s
actions to rehash…would you be proud of the things
they say about how you spent YOUR dash?
by Linda Ellis
That’s a beautiful poem Donna. Thankyou for sharing it here so we can all enjoy it 😊
Thank you for this post. Beautiful â¤ï¸ï¸ððð¿
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You answered this, basically, as I thought to myself….”Action is only good after the thought is well-ingrained.” First, you think and then allow your actions to follow your thoughts. Now, that I do this (most of the time), things just “fall together”. It’s absolutely wonderful not to have to worry about what you I do.
Scott
Beautiful, Pam. Thank you.
Hi Pam!
Not that any of your other posts were less amazing but this one my friend I think is incredible; so clear!!! Or maybe it’s just the message I that resonates with me!
Thank you for all your work!!!
Have a great day!
Michelle ________________________________
I agree 100%. It’s like having a cataract. Everything you see is filmy and discolored. So I try to look with my heart instead of my eyes. It’s hard to stay silent when those that continue to badmouth and berate someone or something. We just don’t see the full picture of where this is going. When you say there is a plan in place but we don’t know what it is, they look at you like you’ve lost your mind. Oh well. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
I agree 100% with you beautiful lady…(insearchof itall) thanks for your input as well as Pam’s. I’ve been getting alot of bad mouthing and berating from life long friends on social media because of my opinions on gun violence and trying to be an advocate for child saftey. I’m trying to not take it personally and keep telling myself there is a bigger picture here. Something I can’t see yet, but I feel right in my heart and soul about this…so I am just going to keep moving forward.
I hope you wear a cape! You should. You are my super hero. You inspire me to inspire the world. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks. Gracious!!!
Sent from my iPhone
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Happy Birthday !!! Thanks for your continued reminders, your cheerleading and your assistance with helping me to wash my brain of all the detritus it has accumulated. I hope you have a special day.
Kristy
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Hi Pam, you often mention the “Possibility Posse” Would you go into depth a little more about those meetings?
Thanks much, Brenda
One of my spiritual mentors taught me long ago to wait three days before taking action on anything. In fact, when I first had the idea of becoming a Unity minister, it was suggested that I take 40 days to consider this and meditate on it, to be sure. I’m grateful I followed these suggestions in the past and I will continue to do so because it works. Taking action when coming from the Higher Self brings magnificent results. Thanks for sharing. ~ Blessings, KK
Taking action when coming from the higher self brings magnificent results.That is the truth Kathleen.
Pam’s words and stories bring alot of clarity to the course each day. I love how she simplifies it and brings in daily life examples. Thank you Pam❤.
Anyone have any thoughts on how we can apply all of what we are being given to the teenager who did the mass shootings in Florida?
Great post! With making this important point so simple and easy to understand with you amazing example.
Thank you Pam!
Great post Pam.
<3 <3 <3 !!!
Pam, Your words are like the lighthouse…the love shines through. The complicated becomes clear, simple, and pure. And my heart overflows with joy and happiness when I read them. Thank you!