“The universe looks less like a machine and more like one big thought.”—Sir James Jeans, astrophysicist
So, I went to the 25th annual Kansas Storytelling Festival in Downs, Kansas (pop. 844) over the weekend.
Not only is Downs, Kansas a short six miles from the world’s largest ball of twine (yes, I took selfies), but it’s right next to Waconda Springs, a vortex of artesian water that the Pawnee considered sacred.
Before it got covered by the Glen Elder Reservoir, the water from the springs was bottled and sold across the country. It even won a medal at the 1905 St. Louis World’s Fair for its powerful medicinal properties.
Although the Kansas Waconda is spelled differently, I couldn’t help but think about Black Panther or refrain from shouting (at least in my mind) Wakanda Forever!!
In ACIM Lesson 120, I’m encouraged to rest in Wakanda Forever (did I forget to mention that the Pawnee claim the word means Great Spirit?) and to lay aside any idea that interferes with that truth.
Happiness, light, peace and all those attributes I desire flow in naturally when I quit investing in the alternate reality I made up.
Our faith in this alternate reality of limitation, sickness and gloom forces us to make adjustments in perception. We literally can’t see the real world because of all these perceptual adjustments we “make up” to justify our beliefs.
So today, I will rest. I will let go of my mad ideas and I will remember:
I am responsible for what I see.
I choose the feelings I experience, and I decide
upon the goal I would achieve.
And everything that seems to happen to me
I ask for, and receive as I have asked.
If you haven’t already, you can sign up here for the Hay House World Summit that starts in 4 days. It is completely free (I like that in a program) and has 100 amazing speakers including Deepak, Marianne and other one-name gurus.
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.
30 Responses
I really enjoy your comments that sometime are hard to except but are a new way of thinking. Thank You .
You’re so right on. It’s such a different way of thinking. But oh so powerful!!
As always I thank you and love this as part of my morning practice…
Thank you, Kate, so honored to be part of your morning practice.
Good morning Sister,
It’s a great day to rest in Him and to see that,
I am responsible for what I see.
I choose the feelings I experience, and I decide
upon the goal I would achieve.
And everything that seems to happen to me
I ask for, and receive as I have asked.
Love and blessings to all today,
M.A.S.
Love and blessings indeed!!
It was a treat to see your words in my email today. Again, I am right in sync with what you write. There’s so much work to be done here today but I felt I must rest first. As I laugh and play, so much more is accomplished.
Thank you for continuing with your comments on ACIM with your busy schedule!
Wow, Delaine! No finer words have ever been uttered. As I laugh and play, so much more is accomplished.
I loved this and I love everything you write Pam, and how you help to interpret the CIM. I have a question to pose to all that read here; when a parent loses a child, how does one explain that in relation to this post today? I could never tell my friend that what she is experiencing right now, she has brought to herself. How is death explained and rationalized in the CIM? Thanks to all who take the time to ponder and answer!
I agree that I find much difficulty in “I create my own reality”…..my beloved daughter died 6 years ago (you mean I created that?). I’ve also had an autoimmune disease for 29 years. I am homebound and in a wheelchair (why would I want to create such a life?). I’m beginning to believe ACIM is metaphysical mumbo-jumbo. If you can walk and feel the grass beneath your feet, be grateful. If you can speak on the phone, be grateful. I can still breathe and I’m grateful I can (of course I create this). You are a lovely group of happiness-finders and I love you all. Pam, I’m happy for you and I wish you joy everyday (one day maybe I’ll understand all this “creating my reality”). As Ram Dass once said “we’re all walking each other home”……he “walks in his mind, since his stroke 20 years ago”…..as do I……..I love you all.
Peace to you. I hope you are able to find the answers and peace within yourself to make your journey easier. There is so much mystery when it comes illness right? I am fairly new to the course so I don’t have ACIM reply.
I love you so much, my friend. And I completely agree–gratitude for whatever gifts we have right now is about the only thing we really need. Thanks for sharing and participating in the mumbo-jumbo.
My heart is heavy for you when I read your post. I’m sure you’re heart is heavy everyday with thoughts of you’re beloved daughter. It is a burden you must face and I pray you have the strength to hold all the beautiful thoughts of her alive. There is nothing I say or do that can change your mind about how you feel, that is entirely up to you. But what I am starting to learn from the course is not that it will change the outer world to what you want to see but rather you will learn to see in a new perspective where you will not judge even the damn rock in the driveway because you don’t like its color. You will see with new eyes….
Love and peace to you Brit Bunny,
Michael A. Stilinovich
Hi Marie–That’s such a great question. The Course tells us death is not real. But it also lets us gradually let go of our belief in material reality. It’s a very different way of approaching life and never, ever, ever would I tell someone they brought something on themselves. We can’t even begin to understand the bigger picture. And I certainly don’t try to. I just know my job is to love as much as I can and to turn over all these complicated issues to the Holy S. That’s all I got, my friend!
Thank you for telling this beautiful story and relating it to the work you do with us, your readers.
I grew up 6 miles (on a farm) from the ball of twine – it’s the landmark I used to help my KC friends find my wedding.
Again, you’ve shown that miracles and joy are found everywhere ❤️
Oh! And my hubby grew up less than 400 meters from the Waconda dam. Small world!
We’re neighbors–both metaphysically and geographically–how cool! I wrote about the Ball of Twine in my book, Kansas Curiosities, about the weird and wacky in Kansas–and also in my book, You Know You’re in Kansas When. It’s a great place.
And I love that it was the landmark for your wedding. So fun!
Awwww…you just made my day 🙂
Resting in the great spirit forever sounds wonderful and like pure bliss. I love reminders to REST in spirit/God/The Super Dude/etc rather than to strive to find spirit or work hard to let go of our fears etc so we can find rest. We can rest in the great presence that is love, peace and joy, even when we are in what appears to be chaos, pain, sickness, trouble etc. Maybe those troubles are what will lead us to that inner kingdom of peace, strength and courage where we can rest, knowing we are never separate from Wakanda/Great Spirit/The Dude…..and where we can be the fruits of the spirit no matter what things look like on the outside. Thankyou for these reminders and interpretations of ACIM. They are soooooo helpful! 😊💖🌸
Your comments are SO HELPFUL, as well. Always good to hear the Down Under perspective.
I’ve been reading this over and over trying to absorb it. My brain seems to be in hibernation today. I had a farm in McCune, KS for many years just outside Pittsburg. Wanted to build a house on it but the last husband wasn’t interested in the isolation of 160 acres. Darn, I miss that farm. 🙂 Glad you had another great experience for your life. A storytelling festival sounds like so much fun! Glad to see you back here though. 🙂 Selfish, I know.
I’ll always be back here…even if I occasionally wander. Your farm sounds fabulous!
It was.
What a powerful message, Pam! I love this and am soooo looking forward to seeing you on the World Hay House Summit!!! YAY 😀
A lot of the Summit talks are repeats. The idea (or the hope) is that people missed some of the talks last time around and can catch up now. But of course, it’s great to hear these messages many times.
Yes, INDEED 😀💜
I loved being able to totally trust and rest in God today..thank you💖
So glad, my friend!