Perception vs Truth

Perception. An idea, a belief or an image we have as a result of how we see or understand something.

Jumping to conclusions because of perception can be dangerous. We get ourselves into mental and Spiritual trouble with mis-perceptions. Others hurt us with their mis-perceptions of us.

Many things influence our perception. Upbringing, religion, education, race, experiences, beliefs, physical appearance, peer pressure, social messages. How can we ever know the truth with so much confusion?

Have you ever realized that perception does not exist in God. He knows. He never has a mis-perception. He knows. Good or bad, He knows. He is the only one who ever truly knows us.

As Believers we have access to His Divine guidance. The Holy Spirit residing in us can see through all of our social filters and programming straight to the truth in any situation, if we listen. Through the Holy Spirit we are able to see and hear without judgement, release attachment to outcome and neutrally view any situation.

When we look at something or listen to something without judgment our emotions stay at bay. We don’t get lost in feelings; our feelings don’t get hurt, and we don’t hurt others.

It requires diligent practice to walk in the Spirit. It’s not a one-and-done kind of thing. But if we take time to practice seeing and hearing through God’s guidance, we may find things are different than we originally thought they were. Through the Spirit our perception gets purified which leads to knowledge of the truth.

Let’s try it today. We will pause our reactions and take a moment to look and listen through the Spirit. In placing our feelings on a brief hold before reacting to any situation we give ourselves an opportunity to see the truth (not our perception), we protect our integrity, and we may prevent ourselves from unwitting hurting another.

E.A. Fussell
06.08.2023

Choose your pieces wisely

Thoughts from this morning’s meditation:

We are each a small piece of the massive puzzle that makes up the world. A puzzle that cannot be complete without us. And each of us is a world of puzzles within ourselves. As we work on piecing ourselves together the world comes together.

An old story came to mind, it goes something like this:

Thoughts from this morning’s meditation:

We are each a small piece of the massive puzzle that makes up the world. A puzzle that cannot be complete without us. And each of us is a world of puzzles within ourselves. The pieces we choose to put ourselves together impact the world surrounding us and vibrates out to infinity.

Note to self:

Be wiser in the pieces you choose as part of yourself.

(An old story came to mind, it goes something like this:

To challenge his young son a dad gave him scotch tape and a map of the world from a magazine page which had been torn into small pieces. The child put it together in record time and took it to his dad. The dad said, “That’s amazing! How did you do that?” The child said, “It was simple. On the back of the page was a picture of a man. When I put the man together the whole world fell into place.”)

E.A. Fussell

06.04.2023

Accountability partner

Do you have an accountability partner? We were created to be connected. The right accountability partner can help you stay on track and reach your target. Whether it is a craft project, financial goal, fitness level, healthy nutrition, anything you want to accomplish may be reinforced with the right partner.

While I am overly connected and accountable in my work life, I shy away from it in my personal life. Thankfully I am able to hire coaches and trainers who hold me accountable. But you don’t have to spend money to have an accountability partner.

It can be a spouse, family member, friend, neighbor, church member, colleague, anyone willing to pray with you, encourage you, and help you stay on track. And, if they have a goal, you can serve as their accountability partner.
Win-Win!

Obviously God is the ultimate partner, but He tells us to connect with others in this life:

Iron, sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Proverbs 27:17 KJ

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat; but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 KJV

Lord, in whatever project or goal we are pursuing, guide us to choose the right accountability partner. Bless the person who agrees to be that partner for us and bless us through our pursuits that we may be a blessing to Your Kingdom. Amen

E.A. Fussell
06.03.2023

Find something that reinvigorates you

Remember playing outside when we were kids? Running around playing games, riding bikes, swimming, fishing, or just laying in the grass looking up at the clouds as they floated by. Then one day we grew up and movement was called exercise and seemed to be more of a chore than a pleasure. What would it take to reinvigorate movement that once brought you joy? Working out does not have to be cumbersome. Find something you enjoy that moves your body, even if it’s just a little bit… and if it gets you outside into nature that’s a priceless bonus.

Video taken on my evening jog in Lago Vista, Texas. (my run times are naturally slow 🐢 but they would be a little better if I didn’t pause so much to enjoy the scenery; oh well, I’ll never be a fast runner so I might as well be a joyful one)

Move Forward

Message from a dream last night:

“Your inner guide can give you guidance but it’s up to you to take the steps.”

What if the most uncertain path can lead to your greatest destination? Keep stepping forward.

E.A. Fussell

06.01.2023

W.A.I.T.

W.A.I.T. (Why am I talking?)

Try this experiment: pause for a moment when your negative self-talk starts telling you things like, “You’re not good enough. You can’t afford that. You aren’t capable of doing that. You’re too old. You’re too out of shape.” Instead of getting caught up in the poverty mindset of “not enough” (time, money, ability, looks).

WAIT.
Ask yourself,
“Why am I talking?”

Our ego likes to control us by having us compare ourselves to someone else. Someone smarter, more athletic, richer, better looking, younger, healthier. There are many ways a poverty mindset can effect how we speak to ourselves. How we speak to ourselves effects how we live our lives.

We can have whatever we want in life if we learn how to get past our own demeaning, limiting, self-talk. This takes effort and awareness. Continual renewing of our mind.

Wealth and abundance comes in many forms, not just money. Anything that brings your heart joy, from the smallest to the most precious, is a form of wealth for you. Gratitude is a magnet for abundance. Start and end your day in gratitude. Be grateful throughout the day. Say little prayers of thanks thorough out the day.

Suddenly you will realize more things are showing up in your life to be grateful for.

Priceless things that money can’t buy like health, love, friendship. And yes, tangible things like money and the things it can buy. Try it.

W.A.I.T.

E.A. Fussell
05.30.2023

What we reflect back to ourselves

“All encounters are Holy encounters.”

Thoughts from this morning’s reading and meditation:

The thoughts we have about others are a mirror reflection of the thoughts we believe to be real about ourselves. What fear, or perceived lack in my own life, makes me lash out at others? If what I send out boomerangs back to me, why am I sending ugliness back to myself? Why am I choosing to offer myself negative feelings? Why don’t I choose to offer myself love by unconditionally loving others? If I choose to see all encounters as Holy encounters I can change what I am offering myself, I can change how I feel, about others, about myself, about life.

E.A. Fussell

O5.21.2023

Willingness to change

The caterpillar is compelled by its nature to die to its wormy ways in order to become a butterfly. I see the caterpillar turning into a butterfly as a living parable. An example for us.

If we are willing to let go of our base, lower, ugly thoughts and actions then we can rise to something better, higher, more free and beautiful. The caterpillar doesn’t get to decide it either changes or dies. Humans are given free will by God to decide whether or not we change.

Willingness to change is the first step. Willingness to change our thoughts, the words we speak, the food we eat, other substances we put into our body, the things we allow in our life. Addiction comes in many forms: sugar, caffeine, nicotine, gossiping, gluttony, drugs, greed, pornography, vanity, adrenaline, etc. Willingness to change is the first step out of any addiction.

If we are willing, anything can be changed. I am willing to change and daily seek to release my lower self and elevate to a higher Spiritual existence. Are you willing to change? It may seem daunting but there is a way, there is hope. Believers have the promise of God’s help, if we ask for it.

Matthew 19:25-26:
When His disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

E.A. Fussell
05.26.2023

(Butterfly video taken on a hike in Montana)

What we focus on we see

“If you give no power to the fog to obscure the light, it has none.”

My thoughts from this morning’s meditation: We have the ability to see clearly through the thickest fog. Power is ours to give. Our power goes to what we focus on. Focus on fog and it gets the power. Focus on seeing through the fog and then light gets the power. Forgiveness is a power filled tool for changing our focus back to love.

E.A. Fussell

05.15.2023

I surrender

The ego fights to dominate our thoughts because it understands if we are willing to let go of self-doubt, then we are willing to let go of ego which is the one feeding our self-doubt.

The world feeds our ego and then ego teaches us that surrendering is a weakness. When in fact surrendering can be one of the strongest things we do. Surrendering to self-love limits the ego and allows our perspective on life to change.

Humans don’t particularly like change, we like familiarity. Change is uncomfortable. There is comfort in familiarity, even when it’s painful. That is one of the reasons we stay in toxic relationships, unhealthy diets, or other situations that aren’t ideal.

Change, and the uncomfortable feeling it brings, is what we signed up for when we accepted the Universe’s offer presented in the form of this course hosted by Val & Adam. Each day we do our homework we are affirming our willingness to change.

This willingness scares our ego so it will create stumbling blocks of resistance. This morning my ego argued with me over the simple act of getting on my knees as an act of surrender while reading the passage. I ignored Gertrude and got on my knees anyway.

I am willing to do the work required to change. I am willing to let go of my self-doubt. I surrender to self-love.

E.A. Fussell

05.05.2023