“When the world is in turmoil, it’s time to ‘go fugitive,’ to slow down and receive rather than impose, to feel rather than think. That way we’ll be ready when it’s time to break out of our limited belief systems – for breaking out of our limited understandings is what it will take.”–Carolyn North 
You would think a person who writes books on spirituality and limitless possibility would know exactly what to do when her thoughts go squirrely.
Sadly, that’s not always the case. Like last week, my mind was in full scatter-bomb mode, firing away with non-stop insecurity, doubts and well, let’s just say, you’re lucky you weren’t in the vicinity.
Thankfully, I’m blessed to have very wise friends who reminded me of the following:
1. “Ya know, Pam, that’s just a story.” Boy, did I ever need to be reminded that no matter how something might look, it’s just one story (out of a gazillion) and it’s not permanent or fixed. When you zoom in on anything, you find energy and a bunch of atoms that move around all the time. So why would I ever invest in a story that didn’t feel good? Especially when a simple change in focus moves energy and atoms into a completely different configuration.
2. “What do you think the Dude thinks?” I was moaning about lack of clarity, complaining that the decision I was trying to make was clear as a chocolate milkshake. That’s when my friend, Cindy, very gently pointed out that I could always consult with the One who knows. Why didn’t I think of that?
3. “What my thoughts think of me is none of my business.” We’ve all heard this piece of advice, “What other people think of me is none of my business.” But this one knocked my socks off. Even my own thoughts aren’t my business. Not my real business, not my God business.
Most of my thoughts were created by a culture that tells me how I should and shouldn’t act, that tells me what’s appropriate for a woman my age. As the Course so gently reminds me in lesson after lesson, I am not my thoughts. So whatever stream of negative nonsense that marches through my noggin’ is really none of my business.
My business is to stay present, to keep reaching for stories that make me happy and to trust that the Dude has already worked everything out.
Oh, one other thing I learned this week. A collection of ladybugs is called a loveliness. Fish come in schools, dolphins in pods, but ladybugs, come in “a loveliness.”
Pam Grout is the author of 20 books including E-Squared, E-Cubed, Thank & Grow Rich and her latest book, The Course in Miracles Experiment: A Starter Kit for Rewiring Your Mind (And Therefore Your World).
25 Responses
Ladybugs are a loveliness, that is so cool. I didn’t know that. Shutting off the freak of nature in my mind can be a never ending battle, when it does get to the point where it won’t shut the beep up, I tap. (EFT Nick Ortner, I’m sure you’ve heard of it 🙂 ). It works, and it works fast. I’m not so skilled with the course yet, the book has been on my nightstand for about 7 years. It’s still there which is a good thing but I still have such issues over the terminology. Like really, they are just words!
We just have to keep breathing in and out, repeat.
Beats a Murder of Crows which is rather insulting to crows, an intelligent and clever species but there ya go! I’ve had the original Course on my Bookshelves probably since the day it was published, but while I don’t have issues with the ” God ” word (My father was an Anglican Minister but he was never into the version of a Judgmental Old Sod in the Sky stuff anyway) reading it tended to send me to sleep whereas I think Pam’s take on probably has It has The Universal Force in stitches and laughing Whole Galaxies into existence! In, Out, Repeat!
Thank you, Pam. It would be cool if you combined your blog posts into a Kindle book.
Thank you, Pam. I needed this reminder today. xo
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Awesomeness, Pam! This post is all that, and a loveliness of ladybugs 🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🙃😍🙂
Everyone needs to hear this today with everything that’s going on!! Trying to shut it down…tough to do …THANKS PAM…think I’m just going to shut my phone and my computer down after I post this comment👍👍 Love knowing about “a loveliness”😄😄
Just what I needed when I was bombarding myself with what if over changes at work.
Thank you
Present moment is alot better than changes I see in the future
That’s a great “re”minder. Thank you.
This was much needed. It compounds the negs to keep picking at the scab of “I should know better!”
Love No 3 – further clears the cobwebs collecting in my brain.
Mercury retrograde
Chris
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Mmmmmm…chocolate milkshake.
Thanks so much for this Post Pam, I needed that! Interestingly, I think I WAS in your vicinity last week, at least energetically speaking! The complaints you suffered almost exactly mirrored a rare state of complete misery, confusion and defeatism i found myself in…following several weeks of family dramas and financial stress! I decided this morning that I was done with depression and self pity, and then i read your post! Thank you so much for all that you are. You are absolutely my favourite writer. Much love
Kate xxxx
I so needed this today! Thanks, Pam! I just love you ❤️
I sure needed to hear this today. Thanks!
Thank you so much. My head was in free fall I loveliness of lady bugs Marj
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Thank you Pam, I needed to hear this
Thank you for the reminder Pam, good to know my own crazy thoughts are not my business. I can just let them pass. We currently have an invasion of ladybirds in our house – quite unusual in the UK in winter however makes me happy now I know they’re a loveliness. How lovely!
I have been in bed with the flu and it is amazing how old thoughts and programming can come flooding back. I so needed your reminders in my email today to get back on track. Thank you Pam for being that light for me today so I can get back soon to being a light for others💞
Thank you, Pam..I love – “what I think of myself is none of my business”! And loveliness❤️
Lets all be a collection of Loveliness. Such a gorgeous description, and I believe The Dude absolutely thinks that of you Pam! You are a blessing and a magic tonic:)
Thank you! I needed to hear this today!!!😍
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Love the Einstein photo! lol and the ladybug loveliness! And most importantly your raw honesty helps us all, Most humans live that way all the time and think it’s normal! You bring up everyones awareness!! Thanks so much!
Just when I think your messages couldn’t reach any higher, your latest post boosted my morale at a time when I truly needed it… Thank you!!!
I have been listening to the audio of your latest book The Course in Miracles Experiment in the car and just after you told the story about Taz saying “Hello Mum” via the radio, I needed to stop at a set of lights and while waiting for them to change to green, I turned my head and saw a car rounding the opposite corner with the number plate H 222. So all the way from Perth Australia, Taz says Hello again!! Lots of Love – Linda.