“The world will persist in exhibiting before you what you persist in affirming the world is.”—Emma Curtis Hopkins
For a long time, I’ve clutched to the story that I wasn’t a good speaker. I’ve guarded this ridiculous belief like a treasured jewel.
I’ve mentioned it in my books and on this very blog. And I was tempted once again to repeat it during the morning session here at my beloved spiritual home away from home.
In less than three weeks, I’m slated to give a keynote at a September Retreat for the Unity Ministers of the Mid-Atlantic States. It’s called Rising Together, it’s open to anyone and well, the planning committee seemed to think I should show up and drop a little wisdom.
As I begin contemplating what bars I wanted to lay down, the old terror began to arise.
But then I remembered the quote shared here Sunday at Michael Gott’s amazing Unity service.
“The world will persist in exhibiting before you what you persist in affirming the world is.”—Emma Curtis Hopkins
And I got it.
It is utter nonsense to persist in affirming that crusty old “I’m too scared to speak” story. There is absolutely no reason to drop my sad tale on even one more living being. Heck, for all I know, they might even start to believe it, might add energy to that nonsensical belief.
So I refrained from “processing it” with the group. I may have briefly mentioned it to my friend, Dayna, but hey, she knows, like me, that anything stained by limitation is a bunch of hogwash. It simply can’t be true.
So guess what?
I woke up this morning with a near fully-formed talk complete with what feels like a holy intention, a revelatory idea and stories to illustrate my points.
So, guys, if I can surrender this woe-is-me-tale that I’ve been dragging around for decades, you, too, can let go of any story, any belief, any notion that is keeping you from knowing your true self.
I’m heading off now to a session here that has something to do with Ramana Maharshi.
Love you all to the infinite cosmos and back.
#222 Forever!
Pam Grout is the author of 22 books including E-Squared, Thank & Grow Rich , The Course in Miracles Experiment: A Starter Kit for Rewiring Your Mind (And Therefore Your World)and her latest, The Ego’s Playbook.
25 Responses
Thank you! I also saw an opportunity come up for me and I had fear set in. However, after reading this it feels like a sign that I should pursue this amazing opportunity. Go into it without letting my head contemplate the what the outcome will be.
Fear is an imposter! No need to pay it heed.
You go, Pam!! I love every word that floats out of your spirit and onto the page. Let your lips in on the action! 🙂 Pam, the Keynote. Yes indeed
Thanks, friend!!!
Pam, I think you are a great speaker! You go girl! You got this, and I have seen you on youtube and hay house speaking. You’ll be so booked once you get out there. And think only of the importance of your “so true” message!
Oh, I’m not getting out there, wherever there is. I’m just looking forward to presenting some of the ideas that my muses are currently whispering in my ear!
Hello Pam,
I absolutely loved the quote you shared by Emma Curtis Hopkins, and it’s so true! The lens through which we view life will be reflected in our apparent world. When we take love with us it will, for the most part, be reflected back to us.
I think it’s amazing that you’ve decided to stop telling yourself the old “I’m too scared to speak” story. Bravo! It takes courage to let go of these old stories we tell ourselves. I can relate to one story that I have as yet to transcend–a story that I dance like Elaine, from the Seinfeld sitcom! 🙂
I hope that the Unity retreat in September will be amazing for everyone involved. I’m sure it will be. How, in fact, could it be other, when Unity relates information about our spiritual nature, shared oneness, and empowerment through conscious awareness?
I hope you won’t mind, but I’d like to add a short quote from “Who Am I?” which chronicles talks between seekers and Sri Ramana Maharshi. In one question, a seeker asked: “Is there no difference between waking and dream?” Sri Ramana Maharshi replied: “Waking is long and dream short; other than this there is no difference. Just as waking happenings seem real while awake, so do those in a dream while dreaming. In dream the mind takes on another body. In both waking and dream states thoughts, names and forms occur simultaneously.”
Blessings to you, Pam. 🙏🏻
Thanks, I always love me some Ramana.
Would love to attend, where is the talk to be held? The neuroscience of rumination is rather daunting. The simple phrase “we get what we focus on” is the key to both understanding the pattern and breaking the pattern. For instance, one who says, “I really want to stop smoking” is retaining a focus on smoking. Seems counterintuitive since they are stating their desire to stop, but they are simply ingraining the smoking into their synapses.
Love your enthusiasm and confidence with your presentation in mind. Create a new mantra, new focus based on this confidence.
Hi Ace! It’s in Asheville, North Carolina.
Here’s a link if you’re interested: https://ummas.org/event/september-retreat-in-north-carolina/
I love the photo!
Me, too! My precious Taz!
Pam,
You go, girl! You’ve always had the power to make this happen, and now it will! Your talk will enlighten and inspire as only you can! Enjoy this new freedom to be yourself! As Louise Hay always said – the Universe supports your highest good !
Indeed. Thanks, Sandi!
What you resist, persists!!
You got this, Pam!!!!
Love you, and look forward to hearing how all goes!!! WootWoot!!!😉♥️👍🏻
I hereby affirm that it will change lives, change me, change the planet! And so it is!
Peace out Pam. Love your photo. Love you.
Love you, too, Shirley!!!
Well, Pam if it helps–I saw you speak at Cayce’s A.R.E. and I thought you were GREAT! I never would have guessed you might have any misgivings… (I’ve been a speaker there myself since the mid 1980s, and have attended many conferences with top speakers— I know GREAT when I see it, LOL!) I’m glad you decided on a new story…xoxo
I get what you are saying. (I had a speaking coach point out to me that I could switch my fear into excitement, and this worked for me really well—SOOOOOoo excited to go give that speech!) You are amazing and I would love to be in your audience!!
Yay Pam!! I’m so pleased you’ve squashed that pesky old belief! And how cool that you woke with your talk almost complete in your mind, with no stress or hard work or time to be scared!! Yes! So thanks for sharing with us and encouraging us that we, too, can let go of any belief or story or idea etc that is holding us back or keeping us stuck. Yeah! Yay! Woohoo! 🥳 And I love love love that quote by Emma Curtis Hopkins! 😍 And I love, love, love YOU Pam Grout! Thanks for loving all of us here too! 😍💃🕺💃😍
Love you beyond words… can’t speak????? you might want to look around at your audience of a trillion❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I could never get into speaking in front of an audience. Then, one day, my blind pianist didn’t bring his introduction material with him to a concert he was playing for a women’s group in town. The organizer said to me – could you do the introduction? I didn’t hesitate. Sure, I said. Nothing I liked talking about more than him. Nailed it, and not a jitter along the way.
I was always saying to my husband – if you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right!! Sometimes, darn him, he would throw that one back at me. But we proved to ourselves we could do anything we set our minds to, as my mother used to say. Miracles happened most days of our life together. Even now, I get help from him with the big and the little things. What color am I going to crochet this shawl? What is my next step in my life of living on the streets? People expect me to “have a plan”, to accept whatever is thrown my way, even when I know it is not the right step for me at this time. I chose to walk the talk and believe I will be given what I need when I need it, no matter what. Am always cared for in every way. And will be given the “head’s up” when it is time for me to act.
fabulous
Pam! C’mon!
This is going to be fantastic!
I hope it is recorded and that we all get to hear and/or watch your keynote.
So excited for you!
xox