Hats And Serenity

We have all done it and regretted it afterwards. We are either drawn into or feel the need to volunteer our opinion in someone else's situation. It may be a simple dispute between neighbors, a child rearing issue, a family squabble or something at the work place. The worst possible case is a crisis of romance. What generally happens? The party we were attempting to “help” uses our good intentions to bolster their position, putting us at odds with the other party for in their mind we have now taken a "side". If it is in the relationship arena if they reconcile that "well intended" support often comes back to haunt us, our words of  “comfort” often putting us on the outs with both parties!

“Do not wear another man’s hat” was salient advice given early in the last century by Emmet Fox. Simply, in order to avoid unintended consequences we refrain from gossiping, seemingly well-intended little character assassinations or take sides when family, romance or the heart is involved. If we fail to do this we don the “other man’s hat” and pay accordingly. Our course is simple but not easy, in silent prayer we invoke love for all involved, seeking only to be of service without being negative, being supportive but keeping our opinions close to the vest lest they come back to bite us. It will take time and practice for this to become habit, and none of us will do it perfectly, but it is the path that provides serenity and will help us avoid those hard looks and cold shoulders at work over the holiday dinner table or the backyard fence.

© Vincent Lee Jones Living In Spirit All Rights Reserved

Miracles Of Recovery, The Secret, Wayne Dyer, Recovery, Addiction, Zen, Emmet Fox, Opioids, Four Agreements, Chopra, Heroin, Einstein, AA, Healing Path, Law Of Attraction

Recipe To Succeed

© Vincent Lee Jones Living In Spirit All Rights Reserved

Miracles Of Recovery, The Secret, Wayne Dyer, Recovery, Addiction, Zen, Emmet Fox, Opioids, Four Agreements, Chopra, Heroin, Einstein, AA, Healing Path, Law Of Attraction

Recipe To Succeed

Recipes are typically associated with cooking. However virtually everything in life has a “recipe.” Plastics are very different in their compositions; concrete and mortar have many specific “recipes” for different applications. The paper used in envelopes is a different recipe than printer paper or fine stationary. No cook, builder or manufacturer would leave out an ingredient or add something destructive and expect the final product to embody the qualities or flavor they were striving for, yet this is exactly what many do spiritually. Remember reaping and sowing?

To restate the classic teaching: If we wish to be loved, first we must demonstrate love. If we desire respect, first we must be respectful. If we wish to be known as honorable, we must treat all with honor, regardless of station or how disagreeable we may find them. Living on the new basis, the Spiritual Basis, love and anger do not mix, sarcasm, mockery and disdain are not found in the same bowl with respect, and honor and gossip are never found together.

So, just for today, bless and say a prayer for that inconsiderate driver crossing your path, return a smile when greeted with a grimace. Refuse to engage in gossip, regardless of how juicy it may be. Give a dollar and a smile to someone needy, without comment, except perhaps God bless. In short treat everyone in the same manner you would want to be treated in if the roles were reversed, saluting the Divine in all, regardless of station, economic status or whether you like or agree with them. Employ this recipe and you cannot fail to succeed spiritually.

© Vincent Lee Jones Living In Spirit All Rights Reserved

Miracles Of Recovery, The Secret, Wayne Dyer, Recovery, Addiction, Zen, Emmet Fox, Opioids, Four Agreements, Chopra, Heroin, Einstein, AA, Healing Path, Law Of Attraction