“What time but now can truth be recognized?”—A Course in Miracles 
With all the uncertainty right now, it’s tempting to fill in the blanks with despair. When we don’t really know what’s going to happen—with the pandemic, with the economy, with the daily unrest—it’s easy to fast forward to fear.
Lately, I’ve been doing just that, listening to my ego instead of the Voice for Truth.
My ego is like a panther, perched and ready to pounce at the first sign of mind wandering. If I go even a day or two without meditating, without counting my blessings, without tuning into a higher truth, that ornery ego slithers right in like a slimy used car salesman.
It tries to convince me that things NEED TO CHANGE. That things are definitely NOT OKAY. In my case, it especially likes to throw down the old “childless mother” card.
“You have good reason to feel sorry for yourself. You lost your only child, for God’s sake. You have every right to be miserable.”
And that’s exactly what I’ve been doing. Moping around. Focusing on what the Course calls “the valueless.”
In other words, I was focusing on a narrative that doesn’t serve me. It doesn’t serve my happiness, my highest intentions or the expanded awareness to which I am committed.
Just like I choose between eating junk food or healthy, nutritious meals, I choose between thoughts that are valueless (“Eeks! Everything’s going to hell”) or thoughts that are valuable (“This next breath is a lot more real than anything in the news, anything in my past.”)
Some argue that digging up the deep-seated past, addressing unconscious childhood wounds, failed relationships, etc, is how we feel better.
But I’ve discovered that the Course is right. The past is a valueless narrative with a bottomless pit. Most of it’s not even true–or not true right now.
It is only in the present that I can be free. More time, more rehashing, more ‘woe is me!’ never works.
The Course in Miracles urges me not to use these excuses, not to employ these grievances to attack myself. Those things, it tells me, reside in the lower frequencies. They’re fine, if I want to spend the rest of my life there–in the material, in the limited, in the fear.
But I made a commitment to Taz, to God and to myself that I was going to live in the higher frequency, the expanded consciousness, in what the Course calls, “the ancient peace I carry in my heart.” That’s where Taz is, that’s where we’ll all be eventually.
Every day, I get this choice. To chose a narrative of sorrow and pain. Or a narrative that brings me joy. For me, it has to be a daily practice.
A couple things that have brought me joy recently: The Space X flight a couple weeks ago was launched at exactly 2:22 my time. I enjoyed concocting the homemade yard sign in the above picture.
And this morning at Dunkin Donuts, we drove to the window only to be told that our lattes were paid for by the car in front of us. We offered to pay for the car behind us and the guy at the window said, “That’s what’s been happening all morning long.”
That’s love, guys, the only thing there is when we commit to focus on the nourishing narrative, the expanded consciousness, the Truth.
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).
64 Responses
I love you, Pamela Sue!
xox
Pamela Joy
Back at ya, Pamela Joy!
Thank you PG!
This is exactly what I needed to hear today!
LF👋🤗🙏😉
Thank you for the reminder!
This struggle is NOT real, I am reminded to let it go, thanks again Pam!
You’re welcome. The struggle is always created in our minds, not in Truth.
Funny, because it’s exactly what I needed to write.
YES
–Siree!!
Thanks Pam, I definitely needed to hear this today. I love the idea of “health food thoughts” vs. “junk food thoughts” – I’m going to remember that every day when I’m choosing my thoughts, the same way I would when choosing my breakfast. I’ll see you around the higher frequencies!
Wow! Absolutely helpful when we actually realize we can choose the thoughts we want, and that will help make out day perfect. Thank you.
Yes, let’s meet in the higher frequencies.
Oh, yes! I’ve been better at choosing good food. Now to choose ‘good mood’! Thanks.
Thank you for the reminder. God bless
Thank YOU for the compliment.
Thank you so much for the beautiful reminder of Truth today. It really helped to shift my focus from the fear. Much love!
Diane
I get a smile on my face anytime I hear the words–shift and focus. Thanks!
Ahhhh….. “the ancient peace I carry in my heart” That one line brought such a glow of uplifting Light. Thank you, dear Pam, for YOUR beautiful heart. My mantra: Trust in the Magic. Much love, Maureen
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Love your mantra! And I also love that ancient peace line straight from the Course.
Pam- thank you for your sharing your vulnerability, your wisdom, your love, your creativity, your dedication to TRUTH. You have made such a difference in my life and in the lives of so many. What an enormous brilliant LIGHT you are. When I see pictures of you, such as the one with your BLM signs, I wish I live near you! XOXO
You live near me in my heart! Thanks!
Love from Namaste….
Thanks, Jeff. I miss all you guys!
The last few weeks have been hell for me mentally. I spent a longer time than i should thinking about harming myself. Today i thought of you and wondered how you are doing and hoped we would hear from you soon and here it is. Thank you xx i see the 222 all the time (but also 333 now).
I’ve noticed hell is always in the mental. Glad you’re here and glad you get the 222 reminders. We’re all on the same team.
💗💗💗
I love this Pam. Just the pep talk I needed, thank you Xxx
Pep talk, eh? I guess my own pep talks help others, too. Makes sense as we’re all one. Love you!
Loved seeing your picture and peaceful artwork Pam. I love how you find the good and miraculous in your day even when your feeling down. Thank you for encouraging all of us to keep the faith no matter what the appearances. A warm hug to you 💜
Those appearances! So glad to know they’re just the mind’s crazy reindeer games.
So beautiful, like you Dear Mama. <3
Thanks, MK!
Love this one PG💜. I got a new license plate the other day-the 3 digits are 222💜🙏❤️
Hugs
Robyne
Sent from my iPhone
So cool! Someone sent me a license plate that literally said Taz22222. I tried to post here, but not tech savvy enough to post photos in comments. I should say, not yet!
Thanks for the wonderful reminder. When life feels too overwhelming and stressful, it’s time to focus on the moment. What’s good right now. What’s going right, right now. What’s my inner truth, my compass telling me right now. How would things feel differently if I drop all judgment?
Two days ago, when I found out about the one mall in our county closing, just after finding out about a favorite restaurant closing, a few weeks after finding out that my hair salon went out of business, I hit the wall. I raged on social media (which I never do), and went downtown to get a blood draw. Guess what? The lab was out of business. It was a rough day. But I’ve discovered another lab, found out that the restaurant is supposedly staying in business just with reduced hours, and at some point I’ll have to find somewhere to get my hair cut. Can’t do much about the mall that’s closing – makes me sad. The broader perspective is that my family and I are well and my husband is employed. We are fine.
Thank you broader perspective!
We love you Pam. You bring calm and reality to us all in your writings. Thank you so much.
You’re welcome so much!
Thank you 🙏🏼
In Grace and Gratitude Shivani Grail 808-281-8565
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Thanks for the grace and gratitude!
Thank you for being you, and sharing all your wisdom. You feel like my best friend You make me better, sure not alone on that. Love, peace and joy! Charlene
So glad to be one of your besties! Thank you!!
Thankyou Pam!
You’ve been in my thoughts the last few days, so I’m glad to hear you’re doing ok now. It’s true that it’s so easy to fall into the “despair space” with all that’s going on globally right now, so thanks for the reminder that we can change our minds and enter the “love space” where all is well right this moment and where love, truth and peace abide.
Peace to you my friend. 🌷💜🦋
PS what do the letters stand for in your yard sign? “Be Loving More?” Or “Boldly Love Meditating?” (Or maybe it’s a typical USA yard sign that I don’t recognise all the way from Australia!) 😁 It’s bold and bright either way! ⭐️
Your question warms my heart! It’s always great when something we think is SO HUGE AND OBVIOUS is not even in other people’s awareness. BLM stands for Black Lives Matter. Here in the States, those 3 words are probably being uttered more than any others right now. Love you!!
Thank you, Love.
Hey Elliot!!! Love seeing your smiling face here.
Morning Pam,
It’s Matt (The Hardest Path, How to be a Buddhist Millionaire, The Last Taboo, Matt).
Everything about this blog post made me smile.
Just saying.
Lots of love
😊🙏
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So glad! Smiles are good!
Bless you. You are one of the biggest Inspirations in my life. I love you!
I love you! And I’m honored to be one of your inspirations! My readers are definitely one of my biggest inspirations!
Thank you Pam for this sacred reminder. Daily practice indeed. This was like you just paid for my latte. Now I will pay for someone else’s 😘🙏🏻☕️.
Catherine Rains http://www.catherinerains.com
Sent from my iPhone
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So glad to pay it forward! Let me know how it goes!!
This remaining optimistic. TAKES WORK.
When I focus on the suffering of others, i go down the mental drain.
Thank-you Pam for reminding us to do the work.
We can all use a possibility posse.
That remaining optimistic takes work is one possibility. Luckily, there are many other possibilities–that it could be fun. I heard a great quote about optimists today. They’re not just Pollyannas who overlook problems. They’re people who know there’s a solution for every problem.
Thank you. I needed this message and always think of “Mad Eye Moony” in the Harry Potter series who said, “Constant Vigilance!”
Now, that’s a fun image! Thanks, Mad Eye!
Amen! I realized yesterday that all of the sadness and hopelessness about the world I was swimming in was really a ‘thought virus’. And I needed to expunge it like any other virus but with this one I needed to be sure to read my Daily Word several times a day, do my ACIM exercises, eat better, etc. etc. All the things I know to do but let slip…and maybe a little chicken soup would be good too – just to let my brain know that the “good cops” are now on duty.
I discovered you on Life & Style with Zara on her podcast. So glad I did! I’m a long time ACIM student so it’s good to be reminded, especially now, of what my choices are. Thanks!
Thank you for this & love the handmade signs (& also the open interpretation of Be Love More!)
Ms. Amazing Pam, I heard Robert Holden interview you on a recent Hay House summit. That’s one laid back gal, I thought. Then I bought your latest book (yes, have the big blue tome, & yes, rarely cracked it), & was promptly Blown Away simply by the inside cover—the alphabetical poem of possibilities for this year. Hoo boy!
So I’m grateful for your courage to interpret & deliver ACIM to everyone who so dearly needs it now. I’m cracking up & laughing more just from the love vibes that orange book radiates. Thank you Beaming Light,
With love, Bright Star
I’d like to let you know how much I enjoy the CIM Experiment. I listen to it and read it often It’s life changing in how it can turn my thoughts from fear to love so quickly.
I love your sense of humour Pam. It brings a lightness to some serious teachings.
Thank you so much. 😊⭐️💕
Love and Many Blessings,🙏💕 Sundari 🌻 Sydney, Australia
Sent from my iPhone
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I have a different perspective. Thank you for allowing me to share. I struggled with my demons and misery for years by trying to label it as bad, unfair, something to fix, deny, get over, refuse existence, see only the good, the bad is an illusion and “I” “have to” realize I am peace. All of it changed when i finally accepted it and allowed it to be. Allowed the pain and the misery to just hang around. Not trying to layer it with optimism or anything else. Pain is a human experience and should not be denied. Only when you fully allow it to be will it truly dissipate. You cannot transcend what you have not accepted. It takes days, months, years or lifetimes. Its not a linear process. Its very personal. That is how you truly find your peace.
Rupa can you an example of how this worked for you?
Thank you for sharing your experience towards achieving peace.
It’s exactly like how we treat our bodies in the Western culture. We think if we don’t control what we eat our body will demand only junk food. We don’t trust that our bodies naturally will come to balance. Same with the ego mind. The pain the discomfort needs to be allowed to exist as it is. It will come to balance. If I share my own example, someone might think it’s a perfect process for them to follow. There isn’t. Every moment calls for surrender. Stop trying to manipulate or control reality, your body and your so called “bad” ego. Don’t hide behind positivity. Positivity is just one side of the see-saw. Peace is the balance. Allow everything to be as it is. Surrender.
Hmmmmm… doing my best. Thank you so much for your reply.
Pam: this blog really spoke to my heart — loved the quote “the ancient peace I carry in my heart” — yes, with daily grounding, prayer, meditation and intuitive comes that coherence, that peace that surpasses all understanding! Love you! Great sharing!