I have a keen interest in worlds beyond this physical one.
I think I've had this interest ever since I served as an LDS missionary when I was 21.
It was then that I had my first experiences with beings from other dimensions. It sounds like I'm speaking of outer space creatures.
I'm not.
I'm speaking of angels and demons.
It was as a 21 year old, earnest young preacher, that I learned angels and devils were real and are all around us.
This interest in spiritual things is a big part of me. Some of my favorite books to read are of regular people's experiences of dying and then returning back to their body.
There are many, many wonderful books on the subject. I have read several.
I've enjoyed them all.
I think I've had this interest ever since I served as an LDS missionary when I was 21.
It was then that I had my first experiences with beings from other dimensions. It sounds like I'm speaking of outer space creatures.
I'm not.
I'm speaking of angels and demons.
It was as a 21 year old, earnest young preacher, that I learned angels and devils were real and are all around us.
This interest in spiritual things is a big part of me. Some of my favorite books to read are of regular people's experiences of dying and then returning back to their body.
There are many, many wonderful books on the subject. I have read several.
I've enjoyed them all.
I learn and gain so much from other people sharing their personal experiences.
In all of my reading and from my own experiences, I have learning that I am never alone.
For good or ill, I am never alone.
I am constantly being encouraged, protected, loved and guided as I choose light over darkness. And, on the opposite side of the spectrum, I am being discouraged, harmed, hated and confused as I choose darkness over light. It all depends on my choices and the thoughts in my own head. Which thoughts I decide to entertain and which ones I push away.
For good or ill, I am never alone.
I am constantly being encouraged, protected, loved and guided as I choose light over darkness. And, on the opposite side of the spectrum, I am being discouraged, harmed, hated and confused as I choose darkness over light. It all depends on my choices and the thoughts in my own head. Which thoughts I decide to entertain and which ones I push away.
I have been examining my thoughts and feeling more closely. I have been like an armed security guard at the door of my brain. A critical judge of the thoughts rolling through my head lately, especially in times of frustration or fear.
This is when I am most vulnerable to believing sad, angry and untrue thoughts.
I know there are times when extreme thoughts of sadness and anger come traipsing in my brain's door, that I didn't think up. They got in somehow, but their source is questionable. I am being more diligent at insisting on these thought and feelings to leave my mind at once. You are not welcome here.
Let me give you an example.
The other day as I was trying to find the floor of my laundry/mud room, my kids started to fight, again. I was trying to get them to clean up their mess and they start in on another fight and want me to act as referee.
The thought "I hate my children" came walking through my brain.
Really? You do? That's pretty extreme there. I think I am being influenced by somebody who is miserable and would love some company.
Another example.
Sometimes my children hate what I make for dinner. Shocking, I know.
They have no regard for the time, money and effort I have put into making them a meal that is nutritious and in my opinion, delicious.
They say things like "Salmon for dinner? Yuck!"
It's in times like these, extreme thoughts break into my mind. …
"Nothing I do matters. My efforts are futile. Let them eat cereal"
I will then feel resentful and mad.
If I entertain these thoughts, I feel almost as if someone is on my side. I am justified in giving my kids an angry lecture and then topping it off with guilt. I'm so good at topping lectures off with guilt.
I'm happy to say that the armed security guard in my brain has been vigilant. I have been able to dismiss my extreme thought as impostors. I have been able to smile and use a little humor and parental guidance, instead of anger and guilt to get them to eat dinner.
As I think higher thoughts. As I focus on all that I am grateful for. As I look at all the beauty in the natural world around me, I feel so close to my loving family members who have passed on.
I can't express the degree of comfort and courage both sets of my grandparents have given me beyond the veil that separates this world from that.
I have been able to do things that would have been impossible without their encouragement.
I love them so much and feel and know they are in my life today more than they were even able to be when they were alive.
Isn't that wonderful and amazing?! It's a blessing I never saw coming.
Here I am, a grown woman, facing the rigors of raising 5 kids, and all the regular challenges of life. Clearly I could use some help. The beauty is, I have help. I still get to have my grandparents in my life even though they are all passed on.
The comforting truth is, that ALL OF US have this blessing whether we know it or not. If you don't already know it, I suggest strongly that you find out for yourself.
Your angels will be so happy if you do.
This is when I am most vulnerable to believing sad, angry and untrue thoughts.
I know there are times when extreme thoughts of sadness and anger come traipsing in my brain's door, that I didn't think up. They got in somehow, but their source is questionable. I am being more diligent at insisting on these thought and feelings to leave my mind at once. You are not welcome here.
Let me give you an example.
The other day as I was trying to find the floor of my laundry/mud room, my kids started to fight, again. I was trying to get them to clean up their mess and they start in on another fight and want me to act as referee.
The thought "I hate my children" came walking through my brain.
Really? You do? That's pretty extreme there. I think I am being influenced by somebody who is miserable and would love some company.
Another example.
Sometimes my children hate what I make for dinner. Shocking, I know.
They have no regard for the time, money and effort I have put into making them a meal that is nutritious and in my opinion, delicious.
They say things like "Salmon for dinner? Yuck!"
It's in times like these, extreme thoughts break into my mind. …
"Nothing I do matters. My efforts are futile. Let them eat cereal"
I will then feel resentful and mad.
If I entertain these thoughts, I feel almost as if someone is on my side. I am justified in giving my kids an angry lecture and then topping it off with guilt. I'm so good at topping lectures off with guilt.
I'm happy to say that the armed security guard in my brain has been vigilant. I have been able to dismiss my extreme thought as impostors. I have been able to smile and use a little humor and parental guidance, instead of anger and guilt to get them to eat dinner.
As I think higher thoughts. As I focus on all that I am grateful for. As I look at all the beauty in the natural world around me, I feel so close to my loving family members who have passed on.
I can't express the degree of comfort and courage both sets of my grandparents have given me beyond the veil that separates this world from that.
I have been able to do things that would have been impossible without their encouragement.
I love them so much and feel and know they are in my life today more than they were even able to be when they were alive.
Isn't that wonderful and amazing?! It's a blessing I never saw coming.
Here I am, a grown woman, facing the rigors of raising 5 kids, and all the regular challenges of life. Clearly I could use some help. The beauty is, I have help. I still get to have my grandparents in my life even though they are all passed on.
The comforting truth is, that ALL OF US have this blessing whether we know it or not. If you don't already know it, I suggest strongly that you find out for yourself.
Your angels will be so happy if you do.
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