Hi Lisa,
I hope you’re having a wonderful 2009 so far. Sending you lots of love & I’m glad we’re friends!

I haven’t posted on your blog in a while. Gosh, there’s been so much craziness here lately with both of my parents sick and my husband and I spending lots of time caring for them. It’s really an honor to be able to give back to them after they cared so beautifully for me all of my life.

I wanted to write you because, I admit it, I’m suffering right now. Today’s lesson (#5) really speaks to me. I miscarried our baby at nine weeks on New Year’s Day. As a student of ACIM I intellectually know that I shouldn’t be suffering. And yet I am. This is the worst thing that has ever happened to me (and I’m talking sexual abuse as a child, rape as a college student, abuse in my first marriage, the suicide of my first husband and two bouts with cancer). I. Am. Suffering.

I read the text and I’m working the lessons. I think I’m rambling right now and I don’t even know what to say. All I can say is that I respect you so much and I know that your thoughts about this will help me. I welcome tough love.

Thank you again for your beautiful spirit and your wisdom. You are a gift, you really are.
Love you,

_________

Dear ______,

I am very happy to hear from you.
The main problem most people have who practice the Course
is trying to be intellectual about it. But that’s not it. You are
asked to go fully into the emotion, to feel everything, to become
aware/conscious of everything, and then to practice the ideas, and let
the Lessons and the Holy Spirit undo false beliefs about the solidity
of this world.

What I know to be true is that the ideas are LIGHT INSERTIONS. As you
use every story, situation, event, person and apply the lesson
(without trying to understand), the light does the work.

Did you get complete the workbook in 2008?

I know there is something spectacular that occurs in a solid
commitment to see things differently, to go the full distance, and let
Jesus’ tough love transform us.

It sounds to me like you really need to set aside time each day to let
all your problems go - sick parents, stories about the past, and just
for a few minutes a day, allow yourself to be above the battleground
with no identity of past or future. To really come into your own
GORGEOUSNESS, your total beauty, your innocence, your joy, your
playfulness to be a Child of God again.

This requires a decision to be new this year, to be new this day.

As I have always said: there is no process involved.

Sounds like what you really need now is for someone to take care of
you now, to let yourself be the little precious creative child that
you are, and let your Father God take of you. He loves you and so do I.

love, lisa

It’s only January 5th and most people’s New Years resolutions have gone down the drain. Why is this?

Because commitment and consistency is a foreign country. You can’t find it on the map. There are only a few people who actually live there as their full-time residence. Many people have visited the LAND OF CONSTANCY but most people can only tolerate it for about a month.

I remember when I first made a commitment to be what I am: all light as God created me. IT WAS HARD!! In the beginning I could only do it for a few minutes a day before veering off into judgment and grievances. I was distracted by every little thing. I couldn’t keep MY WORD to save my life. I was constantly saying I was going to do something, and 5 seconds later I’d be off to something entirely different, forgetting entirely my promises, proclaiming I was going to do that second thing … yes, definitely.

“I’m going to definitely take this all the way to the end.”

LOL.

Even the things I did complete (like high school and college), I did half-hearted and with mediocrity. I have it in me to be an A student, but instead I was lazy and sloppy and was satisfied with C’s and being average.

And basically, that was the story of my life: sliding by in the middle ground, never really giving 100% to anything, always looking for the escape door in case I changed my mind and wanted to quit.

But last year something dramatic changed for me. I decided to make a full-commitment to Jesus. FULLY. 100%. Not half-heartedly. Not 90%. But 100%. I made it my decision to give it all my care, all my focus, all my attention to being the demonstration of Love.

AND MY GOD!

One Hundred Percent is a whole other world. I had no idea until I actually made the commitment and did the work.

Things change drastically, miraculously and spontaneously when you get out of mediocrity. Who knew?

Three days ago someone wrote to me and asked if I would blog about the Course in Miracles workbook lessons again this year, every day in 2009 and that she would pay me, and I said yes. Okay. I will do it.

Then there was a money issue. So I thought: $1 a day, with the option to pay on a monthly basis. It’s totally reasonable.

And here on January 5th and she is already contemplating the time when she will quit. She’s not sure if she wants to do it anymore. She’s not sure if she wants to pay $1/day for 365 days … and she is the reason I started up the lessons again. It’s very funny to me. I’m laughing like crazy. Why is it funny? Because I recognize myself from a past life.

I’ve made the commitment. I said YES. I could quit, but I don’t want to. I want to honor my word. I’m going to do it. All 365 workbook lessons in 2009. WOOHOO! I love it when miracles happen. I love honoring my word. I love being impeccable. I love doing what I say I’m going to do and sticking with it. It’s something brand new for me. I was always “all talk and no action” and it feels to BE ABOUT IT.

I’m learning that it’s really easy to do something when you are totally focused, rather than to do something half-heartedly, or to putt around, contemplate or procrastinate.

For example: I’m the new Innkeeper of a Bed & Breakfast near Madison. My job is to greet guests, make sure they feel at home, cook them breakfast in the morning, clean their room when they leave and keep the house in good condition.

For the first month I was here: IT WAS HARD because I was always puttering. I’d clean a bathroom, and then check email. Then I’d throw in a load of laundry and then cook some lunch or a snack. It would take me all day to clean 2 rooms.

Then I got smart. Set aside one hour and JUST DO IT.

ha!

It’s amazing how much you can accomplish when you put your heart, mind and soul into a project and get rid of distractions. I’m telling you, it’s a whole other world.

Anyways. I’m just blabbering. We are already on Day 5 of the new year, so i would love to hear from you if you plan on completing the workbook lessons in 2009 … because we are already 5 days into it.

It is possible to stay in that spot! And to never leave! To feel full of hope and optimism - to stay above the battleground - every single day of the year, every moment of the year, to be happy always, to witness miracles in every situation.

This is the back cover of my book Gorgeous for God. Staying in the high frequency (God-consciousness) where there are no problems and only love exists.

It’s an amazingly practical simple idea. If you can feel optimistic and hopeful today for a brighter future, then its possible for you to stay in that feeling always, starting right now.

But as we know, no one’s been able to do it. 95% of resolutions fail. The road to hell is paved with resolutions and good intentions. Every one drops back down to doubt and depression. How do you keep the momentum? How do you decide to do something on January 1st that you will stick with through 365 days? And further, through all the days of your life?

Like, take the workbook lessons of A Course in Miracles for example.

If you would like to make a commitment to complete the workbook in one year, how do you do it without missing a single day?

One day at time and through constant reminders of your goal.

Most people’s problems are that they aim too low, setting small goals. Why not decide to do something BIG this year. I mean, really really big. When you set attainable goals, you are destined to fail. Yes, you read that right. When you set attainable goals, you are destined to fail. But when you set a goal that is so far beyond anything you can conceive of, and that is outside your comfort zone, and that seems impossible to achieve, you are destined to succeed.

If you need additional help this year and would like a FREE CONSULTATION with me, click HERE.

You are not alone. Your Friend goes with you. I go with you.

Whatever troubles you, be certain that He has the answer, and will gladly give it to you, if you simply turn to Him and ask it of Him.

How simple! Just know your problems have been solved. Turn to the Holy Spirit with all your troubles and talk to Him, ask Him for help and He will answer you.

Could anything be simpler?

We have learned now to communicate with what is real, and what the body’s eyes will never see. This is fun! It is fun to interact with another world that is seemingly invisible, but truly there.

You are not alone.

No more specific lessons are assigned, for there is no more need of them. Henceforth, hear but the Voice for God and for Your Self when you retire from the world, to seek reality instead.

He will direct your efforts, telling you exactly what to do, how to direct your mind, and when to come to Him in silence, asking for His sure direction and His certain Word.

As always, if this seems like it is not working for you and if miracles are not occurring for you … it is for one simple reason: you don’t want it.

And there is nothing in the universe that can help you. I’m sorry. Until you make a decision that you want to be happy, that you want to be at peace, that above all else you want to see differently … no one can help you.

But from the moment you make a decision that you want to see a different world, you will see it because it’s been right in front of you all along. Parallel universe. You can see it when you desire to see it and step right into it.
The end is certain, and the means as well.

To this we say “Amen.”

You will be told exactly what God wills for you each time there is a choice to make.

And so we walk with Him from this time on, and turn to Him for guidance and for peace and sure direction. Joy attends our way. For we go homeward to an open door which God has held unclosed to welcome us.

We trust our way to Him and say “Amen.”

In peace we will continue in His way, and trust all things to Him.

In confidence we wait His answers, and we ask His Will in everything we do.

God loves you. I love you.

God’s angels hover near and all about. His Love surrounds you, and of this be sure; that I will never leave you comfortless.

Here we are. On the last lesson. Lesson 365. This concludes one year.

It is accomplished. The human idea of time and space is to continue to sequence: to start fresh in the new year 2009, to make changes, to make resolutions, to try to get it right this time, to do things better, to make improvements.

But be honest. Has that ever worked for you?

Gurdjieff says an interesting thing (in the 1920s). Someone was questioning him why some people seem to have no problem manifesting and with abundance while others continue to struggle. Sounds like the question people raise with “The Secret.” How come some people have miracles  happening all the time while others can’t seem to make it anything at all happen.

For very simple reasons:

a. they don’t really want it
b. if they don’t use the power that it is given to them, then it is wasted and those that do want that power can now take it for themselves since it is not being used.

It’s like if you walk into a room and you see everyone slouched in a chair, confused, tired, bored, lonely … there is a lot of wasted energy in that room!! You can take it for yourself. When you do this you will become instantly vibrant and energized. I am sure you have been in situations like this where there are 1-2 individuals in a room that are filled with light and joy and happiness, overflowing with enthusiasm and energy while everyone else seems depressed. That’s because they know the secret! They are using all that wasted energy.

What energy you don’t use, others who want it are free to take it and use it for themselves. This is the reason there seems like there is only a handful of elite individuals who seem tapped into “The Secret”.

Being able to awaken and work consciously on oneself requires energy.

The best”resolution” is to become conscious, to become aware from now on when you are wasting the energy that has been given to you.

A lot of people are “waiting” for something to happen, waiting for new energy to energize them, waiting for new things to occur, waiting for a miracle  …. which is hilarious when know the truth because that energy is available for you to use right in this very second. You can just grab it and use it.

When you start bringing in new energies it disrupts old habits and this can be very fearful. Most people have a tendency to contract when this begins to occur and this will result in you feeling tired, angry, or frustrated. It’s energies being mixed up.

The awakened state stimulates energy, and starts shaking out old energy. This typically causes anxiety and discomfort and the tendency is always to try to restore balance by going back to the old habits, and familiar comfort zone.

But this is just delay. The energy then settles back down - like dust that settles when you stop kicking it around - and you will find yourself even more uncomfortable than before the whole process started.

If this kind of thing interests you and you would like to learn more, I will be hosting weekend retreats. Please write to me at: lisanatoli2@gmail.com

I read something really spectacular last night from Deepak Chopra’s book “The Third Jesus”:

“It’s impossible to quantify if you are on the spiritual path or how far along it you may be. But progress is always marked by transformation. The path isn’t about feeling better. It’s not about knowing who you are, or ending your suffering, or finding peace, or healing your deepest wounds. It’s about a transformation so profound that illusion is traded for reality. Jesus survives to this day as a force in the world because he embodied that truth completely. As we are headed for God-consciousness, our own transformation cannot stop halfway; we can’t settle for a better life or even the best life, for a glimpse of God, or even for God as a daily companion. The state of God-consciousness represents a leap in human development that you and I must be prepared to make personally. The middle of the path brings us to the leaping-off point. The end of the journey will look nothing like the world we took the leap from.”

“What will it feel like to finally arrive in God-consciousness? Anyone traveling the spiritual path will naturally ask this question. The middle of the journey isn’t the same as the destination.”

I repeat:

“The middle of the journey isn’t the same as the destination.”

“The mixture of old and new self must eventually resolve into a completely new self. Sin will no longer exist. God’s grace will be abundant, and his presence will guide our every action.”

That’s Deepak Chopra. Amazing, right?

So, if you are in the middle of the journey, all I can say is: Keep Going. Don’t give up. The middle of the journey isn’t the same as the destination. In one stroke of brilliant light, you will be changed in the twinkling of an eye. You will not get a continuation of small miracles and minor transformation (which is what the middle of the journey offers), but in one sudden motion, you will be entirely brand new. That’s the destination.

This holy instant would I give to  You.
Be You in charge. For I would follow You,
Certain that Your direction gives me peace.

I love you. I would do anything for you.

It must be no accident that I am supposed to practice this lesson for 5 straight days in a row. It must have been designed this way - not because of laziness in the final stretch - but rather because this lesson needs to be reinforced so I learn it. Amazing.

These are the final lessons. We are in our final days. It says “Our final lessons will be left as free of words as possible. We use them but at the beginning of our practicing, and only to remind us that we seek to go beyond them. Let us turn to Him Who leads the way, and makes our footsteps sure.”

I love this: “For we would not return again to the belief in sin that made the world seem ugly and unsafe, attacking and destroying, dangerous in all ways, and treacherous beyond the hope of trust and the escape from pain.”

I love it.

I am not going to blog about the lessons in 2009 because I did that in 2008 and I don’t need to repeat what I have already accomplished. All the lessons are archived and they are there for you if you make a decision to complete the workbook in 2009.

If you need additional help, you can purchase my book Gorgeous for God from bookstores or Amazon.

Yes.

Following God’s Plan is the ONLY THING that will give you consistent peace. It is the ONLY THING. I’m telling you. Nothing else will give you peace. Nothing. You can try as many things as you like - new relationship, new job, more money, moving to a new location, changing your body, losing weight, changing your hair color, redecorating your house, taking a vacation - do as many things as you like. I’m telling you. Following Jesus will make you CONSISTENTLY happy.

It’s quite amazing.

If you are not consistently happy, then you must be following your own will.

Because when you follow God’s Will, you will be happy all the time.

Guaranteed.

No exceptions.

Oh my God. We did it. There’s the finish line. One whole year. Ha!

This holy instant would I give to You.
Be You in charge. For I would follow You,
Certain that Your direction gives me peace.

There is nothing left to do but share in the celebration.

From A Course in Miracles:

We are forgiven now. We are restored to sanity, in which we understand that anger is insane, attack is mad, and vengeance merely foolish fantasy.

His is the only way to find the peace that God has given us. It is His way that everyone must travel in the end, because it is this ending God Himself appointed. In the dream of time it seems to be a far off. And yet, in truth, it is already here; already serving us as gracious guidance in the way to go.

Let us together follow in the way that truth points out to us.

And let us be the leaders of our many brothers who are seeking the way, but find it not.

And to this purpose we dedicate our minds, directing all our thoughts to serve the function of salvation. Unto us the aim is given to forgive the world. It is the goal God has given us.

It is the goal God has given us.

God has given me a goal. To forgive the world.

It is His ending to the dream we seek, and not our own. For all that we forgive we will not fail to recognize as part of God Himself. And thus His memory is given back, completely and complete.

Father, it is Your peace that I would give, receiving it of You. I am Your Son, forever just as You created me, for the Great Rays remain forever still and undisturbed within me.

I read something interesting in Carlos Castaneda’s book “Journey’s to Ixtlan” that I would like to share with you.

Don Juan says that this moment may very well be your last moment. Your death is stalking you. He, your death, is standing behind you on your left side, within arm’s reach and you never know when he is going to tap you on the shoulder and take you. This is not to be feared because in truth there is no death. But here in time & space, no form lasts and death is your wisest companion and you should be become best friends with him.

When you know your death is stalking you, then you will change.

Here is an exchange between Carlos Castaneda and Don Juan:

“You have never taken responsibility for being in this unfathomable world,” he said in an indicting tone. “Therefore, you were never an artist, and perhaps you’ll never be a hunter,” said Don Juan.
“This is my best, don Juan.”
“No. You don’t know what your best is.”
“I’m doing all I can.”
“You’re wrong again. You can do better. There is one simple thing wrong with you - you think you have plenty of time.”
He paused and looked at me as if he was waiting for my reaction.
“You think you have plenty of time,” he repeated.
“Plenty of time for what, don Juan?”
“You think your life is going to last forever.”
“No, I don’t”

“Then, if you don’t think your life is going to last forever, what are you waiting for? Why the hesitation to change?” Don Juan asked.
“Has it ever occurred to you, don Juan, that I may not want to change?”
“Yes, it has occurred to me. I did not want to change either, just like you. However, I didn’t like my life; I was tired of it, just like you. Now I don’t have enough of it.”
I vehemently asserted that his insistence about changing my life was frightening and arbitrary. I said that I really agreed with him at a certain level, but the mere fact that he was always the master that called the shots made the situation untenable for me.
“You don’t have time for this display, you fool,” he said in a severe tone. “This, whatever you’re doing now, may be just your last battle on earth. It may very well be your last battle. There is no power which could guarantee that you are going to live one more minute.”
“I know that,” I said with contained anger.
“No. You don’t. If you knew that you would be a hunter.”
I contended that I was aware of my impending death but it was useless to talk or think about it, since I could not do anything to avoid it. Don Juan laughed and said I was like a comedian going mechanically through a routine.
“If this were your last battle on earth, I would say that you are an idiot,” he said calmly. “You are wasting your last act on earth in some stupid mood.”
We were quiet for a moment. My thoughts ran rampant. He was right, of course.
“You have no time, my friend, no time. None of us have time,” he said.
“I agree, don Juan, but -”
“Don’t just agree with me,” he snapped. “You must instead of agreeing so easily, act upon it. Take the challenge. Change.”
“Just like that??”
“That’s right. The change I’m talking about never takes place by degrees: it happens suddenly. And you are not preparing yourself for that sudden act that will bring about a total change.”
I believed he was expressing a contradiction. I explained to him that if I were preparing myself to change I was certainly changing by degrees.”
“You haven’t changed at all,” he said. “That is why you believe you’re changing little by little. Yet, perhaps you will surprise yourself someday by changing suddenly and without a single warning. I know this is so, and thus I don’t lose sight of my interest in convincing you.”

And how is this like today’s lesson? Because you cannot change in degrees to be the holy Son of God. You cannot change little by little. It happens suddenly and swiftly and in one moment. Because I know this is true, I don’t lose sight of my interest in convincing you.

I always thought I was changing bit by bit, until one day I changed entirely. I was completely brand new. It didn’t happen in degrees. It happened in one second and all my old habits fell away and from that moment on, I thought and acted differently about everyone and everything.

The change that is being offered by Jesus is not self-help. It is not gradual. You will be changed in the twinkling of an eye, absolutely, and forever. You will not be changed a little. You will be changed entirely or not at all.

This is the real Christmas gift given to you by God Himself.

If this complete reversal has not yet occurred for you, I ask you to please stop trying to change yourself a little, and “prepare yourself for the sudden act that will bring a total change.”

We’re coming up on New Years where everyone makes resolutions to change - which are, of course, band-aid solutions. They have never worked before. Why would they work this year? You can’t change a little, and you cannot change one aspect of your life.

Either you will be changed entirely or you are not changing at all.

How do you allow this change to occur? Let this be your very last moment. Know that your death is stalking you. This moment, this one right now, may very well be your last act on earth.

“There is no guarantee that you are going to live one more minute.”

I don’t know about you, but this makes me very happy. It makes me alive. With my death standing behind me at all times, I don’t waste my life in stupid emotions.

My impending death has brought me to life!