By Dr. Sandy Islands for Conch Color
In Alan Cohen’s book, “Handle with Prayer- Harnessing the Power to Make Your Dreams Come Through,” we are reminded that we are actually praying not to God but from God. When we recognize that the power of God is within us and expresses as us we enable a critical attitudinal shift that allows us to manifest all the good that we wish for and deserve. It takes practice to focus our minds and hearts on the energy of love, appreciation and our highest possibilities. But, practice we must, especially during those times when we slip into self-pity and negativity. Positive thinking draws the support and resources we need for positive change. Faith in a power greater than ourselves opens the door to a life filled with blessings no matter what’s happening in the outside world. We celebrate the people and events that bring us peace and joy. We use those that disturb us to learn more about who we are and what we’re here to do. We step out of our self-created prisons and stand tall in the light of God. We let go of trying to force our way and open to God’s answers. We ask for help in navigating our way through this world and we begin to recognize the hand of Spirit in all things.
Regardless of what the news media is broadcasting, we start trusting that we live in an abundant universe capable of supplying us with all the good that we need. We energize our good by focusing our thoughts, words and deeds on our hearts’ desires. We state our intentions and release them to our Higher Power and trust that unseen forces are taking care of everything that we cannot. We let go of everything unlike our goals and give our attention only to the present and the direction we are going. We look within for our power, success and abundance. Then, we trust that all of our material needs will be met in the spirit of joy and ease. We let go of all adopted limits and open ourselves to be vessels through which great ideas, love and healing can come to life. We move forward with confidence that all the good we seek is available and already done. We celebrate all the good in our lives and find joy in the good that others receive. Within the silence stands a temple of quietude where we can be nourished and healed. We drink deeply of the stream of our inner knowingness and trust that within our souls is the wisdom of the universe available for us to commune with at any time.
As much as possible, we release anxious striving and comfort ourselves in the strong and gentle arms of a loving God. We place our difficulties into God’s hands and celebrate our ability to co-create with this loving Higher Power and receive the blessings of infinite grace. We know our human vision is limited and that we are only seeing a small part of the Grand Plan. We bless those moments that we are lifted above small thinking into the world of miracles. We forgive ourselves and others and invite the reality of love to be the guiding truth in our lives. Through our worldly experiences, we are released from the little laws that we believe bind us. We are then free to live in joyous self-acceptance. As a healed and whole world grows from the seeds of our visions, our thoughts and actions nourish many. Our life is meaningful as we walk our talk and prove the presence of God through our deeds.
This may sound lofty and out of reach, but I invite you to recognize the presence of God in all places and at all times. Prayer is simply talking to God. As we let go of aspiring toward God and become one with God, we find ourselves in a moment beyond time, our questions dissolve and all becomes clear. Even a few moments with God in the golden silence is the gift of a lifetime. Let the journey begin.
Please write to Dr. Sandy Islands at conctalk@bellsouth.net and feel free to browse previous articles at www.sandyislands.com under publications.