Most everyone knows that there is power in commitment. The famous quote by W.H. Murray: “Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.”
Courageous and Confident Connections Program
At the beginning of our Courageous and Confident Connections Program, our annual program of commitment, I reminded people that the program was three-fold: to commit to their own spiritual practices, to make a financial commitment for 2019 to our Center and to commit to connecting with the community by fully participating in it.
First, to commit to their spiritual practices for the five weeks of the program.
I encouraged everyone to commit to just a little more than what they were currently doing. I decided to make the commitment myself. I added writing three morning pages first thing in the morning. (Journaling has been taking a back seat for quite some time.) Morning pages is a type of journaling that is stream of consciousness writing first thing in the morning. In addition to writing, I added five minutes to my meditation time. I continue to read the current month’s Science of Mind magazine daily guide, 365 Science of Mind, daily readings, and a 1951 Science of Mind Magazine daily guides including whatever reference the author suggests. (Many days it is a lengthy reading from the textbook; sometimes it is three pages or more.) Then I do a thorough spiritual mind treatment for myself and for the Center. I must admit that I have been challenged to keep my word. At first I thought to myself that I had taken on too much, that I was setting myself up to fail. We are now moving toward week four of our program and I am finding the veracity in Murray’s words in a greater way than ever before.
Keeping My Commitment
I have kept my commitment and Providence has moved too. I do my spiritual practice from 6 a.m to usually 7:30 a.m. Then I go either to a step aerobics class or I work out with a personal trainer. Time has expanded to hold my intentions. I do them without hurry. Often, my friends have set up my equipment for me. Once when I wanted to be in service to another friend, the class was cancelled. All has worked easily, almost effortlessly. One of the unexpected bonuses is I am learning about my spiritual growth through my morning pages. When I first wrote them twenty-five years ago, I was mostly in struggle. Many sentences began “I need to…” I felt stressed and now I feel much freer. I am less likely to criticize myself for whatever that flow of consciousness produces. I have not indulged in complaint about another person for this entire time.
It reminds me of the lyric from a chant by Shawna Carol, Blessed Be. “All is growing and expanding, blessed be, the light has come!” Life is so good!
