“We must move to the laboratory where radical change can occur—inside of our very mind, heart, and the cells of our bodies.”—Richard Rohr
The movie Love Story with Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal is one of the highest grossing movies of all times. The thing I remember most is the famous line, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.”
So I won’t say I’m sorry that I’ve been away from the blog for so long, because I know you all love me and I trust that you know I love and adore each of you.
As I mentioned (gulp, three, four weeks ago), I went to Cuba (the above pix is my daughter and me in one of Cuba’s many 60-year-old American cars) and then I went to the Loretto convent in Kentucky and well, I just let time get away from me.
I’ve also been pondering what to say about the political situation in this country that, to my human eyeballs, looks less than amicable. I finally decided to share something Richard Rohr likes to say, “The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.”
By staying outside the system—as much as I can—I hope to, as Rohr says, “find a place of inner freedom, a place where public institutions and systematic paradigms don’t control my thinking or feeling or bottom-line belief systems.”
He suggests first coming to recognize the light within ourselves.
When I begin to recognize that something infinite, immortal, mysterious, loving and alive abides in me, I can bow toward that which is infinite, immortal, mysterious, loving and alive in everybody else. No exceptions.
As Rohr says, only then can I capably re-enter the conversation, the systems, the public institutions, once I become aware of that inner sense of divine union.
Until I can testify to the aliveness and sentience of all things (including myself and our public institutions), until I can see the divine in every single person I encounter or read about in the news, it might be best to keep my opinion to myself.
For now, I’m learning to, as Rohr recommends, “live a generous and just life from my Infinite Source.” Or as ACIM Lesson 178 says, “God is but love and therefore so am I.”
Glad to be back, my friends!
Pam Grout is the author of 19 books including E-Squared, E-Cubed, Thank & Grow Rich and her latest book, Art & Soul,Reloaded: A Year-Long Apprenticeship to Summon the Muses and Ignite Your Daring, Audacious, Creative Side.
60 Responses
Pam, to quote Patricia Arquette in True Romance… “You’re so cool” 🙂
Great article… and so timely. Thank you.
You’ve been missed so much, but that’s ok. It makes us appreciate you more. When I saw your newsletter just now a smile beamed across my face. As for political opinion … we’re on the exact same page. How lovely. Namaste and welcome back. 🙂
So happy your back Pam- I did miss you ! Love getting your emails darling x With Love and warm wishes Anna Gikovski
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Welcome back!!!!
thank you Pam ❤ this was the first thing i read just after i woke early with the 4am horror mind chatter going …feeling the peaceful now .
Glad you are back too Pam. We need this forum to keep us focussed on the solutions ( love love love) not the insanity. Gotta believe the positive energy makes a difference.
Hi Pam, Glad to see you back! I have been thinking about you ! I totally agree with today’s posting. I have been getting bombarded with emails about how we need to “fix this and we need to fix that ” in the world, but I have now come to realise that the best thing I can do is” fix myself”. This will have a natural flow on effect . It all starts with us!
Just joined the blog. I love Richard Rohr. Looking forward to more of your writings. Feeling inspired by your books too! Thanks.
Welcome, my friend!
Love the picture!
Love Father Rohr and your post today.
It’s a blessing to see you back. You ever have so much in your heart that words are impossible to convey your feelings ? Yeah, so do I. All. The. Time.
With Love my Friend,
M.A.S.
Peace *sigh*
Right on sister! The best politics I’ve heard… Jeff
Right on, Jeff!
Yay, you’re back! I was ridiculously excited to see that you posted today. And what a fabulous post it was.
Thank you for returning to your blog. I missed you.
Missed you Pam….Love you and all you write…A daily dose of truth and inner power!!!
So happy you are back and Rock On, Pam 💛 Love and Light rules.
Sometimes recent politics fuels the pilot light of hopelessness in me, so your post was very timely. I am reminded of the power of Love. Thanks for that. 🙂
Love this post. Thanks for keeping politics out of it.
Welcome back. I have missed your oh so real writings about ACIM and life
I am so happy to hear from you! I love your emails, books, audio books etc. I really appreciate your take on the political situation. I get tire of being lectured to from both sides and your point was perfectly spot on for me – so thank you!!! Btw I was in Cube beginning of June, lovely people!
Glad you’re back, Pam! Figured you needed a break.
Love,
Natasha
I missed you Sister in Spirit💖
Joining you in finding peace in the political realm..
Missed you!! Welcome back Pam!!!!
“Ridin’ the Freeway of Love in a Pink Cadillac!”
Great to have you back Pam! Yeehaa! 😁 love the pic, love the song clip, am inspired by your thought provoking words and love the ideas of this Richard Rohr you mention – never heard of him but I’m going to “google him” right now 👍🏻 Big happy hugs from Jenny Louise 💖🌸🌷
I missed you! Definitely grateful that you’re back!
Hi Pam
Welcome back! I’ve missed you!
Sharon
I’m so grateful for your post! I was starting to lose sight of the big infinite picture….getting caught up in the dirt and grime. What a wonderful view shifter! Thank you!
Dear Pam
Welcome back 🙂 I’m happy to read your blog again. But you’ve done well to take some time off and enjoy!
Have a wonderfull day! Sunny greetings from Switzerland Daniela
Von meinem Mobile gesendet
Pam, I have missed you so much. I have been frantically searching my various in boxes to see if I missed something from you. I even wondered, having had a clear out if I cleared out your emails by mistake !!
So good to hear from you my friend and so good to see you and your gorgeous daughter..
Phew, I breath a sigh of relief
Helen xx (I interviewed you remember, you were sooo soo humble Gracios )
I also checked my emails and thought I may have cleared Pam’s emails
out by mistake.
Welcome back!!!! xxx
Welcome Back Dear One!
You have been missed-and I remind myself how important it is to refresh and allow our perspective on life happenig now appreciates the breather…You teach us a great lesson! Thanks for your beautiful wisdom, here. Taking deep breaths, recognizing from where I have come, I love the Peace you invite your reader-friends to embrace.
Love you-Welcome “home!”
Well said – and welcome back.
Susan Winebrenner
Susan Winebrenner (Pacific Time Zone) *ALL 760 area code Office* 510 0066 Fax510 0077 Cell 533 5155
You know, I’ve got a message asking you about it for days. I needed to know how you deal with these external issues, but they affect a whole society. Here in Brazil we live in great conflicts, many of them sponsored by a corrupt political system. But how beautiful your response has already come. Thanks.
Thank you for the wisdom you share….I’m so grateful and look forward to future writings!
What a timely and awesome message! Thank you.
So glad you are back too, also happy that you’ve had a great time.
Thank you Pam:) for reminding me where my Heart truly resides!
Glad you back Pam.. hope you have great time alone, share your experience of being alone.
Love you …
Glad you’re back safely from your journeys. Thanks for posting!
Thank you for coming back. You make understanding the Course so much easier for me. I watch the news after it’s been put on the DVR in fast forward with no sound. I don’t take it into my body that way. I can say I’m informed but it’s not who I am. If it’s something worth listening to, I can stop and listen. I was telling a friend that her philanthropic work and acts of kindness raise the vibration of the planet more than her worry about what’s going on around us. You are doing much the same thing. Raising the vibration, one post at a time. It’s appreciated.
Thank you so much, Pam! Ever since that fateful election, I’ve suffered panic attacks and am now on drugs. I stopped listening to, watching and reading the news and it’s helped a bit, but not enough. Your post helped me, really helped me. Thank you.
We are all doing the best that we can.
Love will be the reward.
Be Kind.
As my dear dear teacher Dr. Wayne Dyer stated.
When you have a choice to be right or kind, chose kind.
And damn it hurts sometime.
Marianne funny author of Diary of a self-help Junkie on Thatchannel
Missed you! Thanks for your many words of wisdom.😍
M•S•P
Maravilha, a leitura de E2 mudou minha vida a partir de 2016, muito feliz em poder acompanhar os post. Abraço!
Welcome back, Pam- I missed you but am happy you were enjoying yourself!
Pam, I am so happy you are back. I missed your words daily! I am also staying outside the system as much as I can. I love the picture of you and your daughter in the car. Living closer to Cuba than Miami has me longing to visit there. Love the lesson today. Thank you!
I jumped for joy to see this email!
Sent from my iPhone
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As all the other commenters state: So very nice to see you back. I know you blessed everywhere your energy touched; such is the power of the Light and Love you share. Thank you for saying “Yes” to all that life brings and being an excellent example of What Love Does.
❤️
Marg Hickman 07967733735
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Cool picture!
Thanks for the advice…and help.
Scott
Great to have you back, Pam, and whenever you write a blog post it’s a gift. Thank you! You are awesome!
pam dearest for some reason i am not getting your posts anymore. i have tried to sign up again A course in miracles acim. but they are telling me that they cannot fetch my information. what to do. i really miss your inspiration. please advise.
this is so beautiful it was not until after i read the essay did i see that it was written by herman hesse