BEWARE THE DOG!

If we go down the road of negativity in conversation or thought, we will find ourselves in the grip of morbid reflection. Morbid reflection leads to indignation, self-righteousness, fear, hateful and/or angry words and thoughts, placing ourselves in danger for we always reap what we sow. Few situations in life are ever strictly black or white. When thinking or dealing with others remember there is a little bit of good in the worst of us and a little bit of bad in the best. No one is without sin. None of us live life error free. Remember “Living life is like playing a violin solo in public and learning to play the instrument as we go along” naked. If confronted by an angry dog we remove ourselves from its presence, we do not tarry and try to reason with it. The key hear is to limit the damage once we become aware that we have drifted off the path. We do this by gently turning in prayer to recognize the Presence of God where the disharmony is and ask in meditation to be shown the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love, and then seek counsel from your spiritual adviser to see if any further action is indicated.

Now that you have placed your feet on the path in earnest and are living on the Spiritual Basis the occasions of morbid reflection and negative conversations will have lessened but the discomfort felt when we drift from the path will be more intense. Resist the urge to “beat yourself up” for today we are seeking spiritual progress, not perfection. Be gentle with yourself and thank God for the opportunity to know Him better and demonstrate His omnipotence where the trouble seems to be.