Are you paying attention?

Over the past few months I have been paying attention to what has been happening in this country.   What happened yesterday morning has me completely shaken.   Because at the time that the Terrorist walked into a congregation and shot and killed so many, I too was in church.   Granted a different church but still, a sanctuary of peach and love.

It isn’t the first time we have seen something like this happen.   Sadly it will not be the last time until we change the hearts and minds of so many that find ways to divide people.   This division is hurting a generation of children and all the fear talk and anger is not fixing the situation.

Start Paying Attention

We all need to start paying attention and start changing the conversation.   Christian fundamentalists are to blame here.   Their actions and behaviors are anything but Christlike.   They seem to forget to comfort the sick, help the poor and instead of love they spout hate.   It has to stop!

As a Spiritualist Minister I am growing and I cannot change the world alone, but I can change myself and the way I do things.   I have seen those that have hurt others not realizing they are hurting themselves.   I am blessed to have an amazing mentor and a circle of friends that have helped me become the person I am.  My mentor turned me on to a book “Three Magic Words” by US Anderson.  It brings the concept that I am God, God is me.  God is also you and everyone else as well.

I have to trust that in doing so I will be part of a global shift towards peace.   How many times this year have I written about being kinder, more generous and loving towards each other?  Ask yourself if you are either helping or hindering love in the world.   Jimmy Carter once said:

“I have one life and one chance to make it count for something . . . I’m free to choose what that something is, and the something I’ve chosen is my faith. Now, my faith goes beyond theology and religion and requires considerable work and effort. My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.”

Paying attention – you will see a solution

We need more peace makers, healers and people to wake up and start understanding that our actions have ripple affect of those around us.   That means POSITIVE as much as it does negative.   Last week I had a great example of paying attention at work.   I took a seasonal job here in town with a toy company working on the customer service lines.

After two days of nightmare calls one after another I stood up and said “That is the last bad call I am going to have — from now on I am only dealing with Happy Campers!”  A couple of people laughed at me and said “well you jinxed yourself”.   I didn’t stop there, I also changed my script from “thank you for calling, this is Colleen in Buffalo NY how can I help you” to “it is a great day in East Aurora NY!   This is Colleen how can I help you?”

Guess what has happened?   The problems on the other side of the phone have not changed, but right from the beginning I am disarming them.  Don’t laugh, I can hear the change and the fluster.  One man said “I don’t think you can fix my problem” I responded “challenge accepted!   I like puzzles!”  By the time I finished with that call I had him laughing and happy.

You have Free Will

Some of the people around me still haven’t bought into the through process, but some have.   It makes life easier if you go through it with a smile on your face.     Trust me the greeting has become an affirmation, after you say it 10 or 50 times a day you start to really believe it is a great day!   My days go by easier and there is so much more joy in  doing what I do.   Those that laughed at me — I am watching them deal with frustrating calls and angry consumers.

I know my difference is writing here, lecturing at churches when asked and sometimes it is just making someone a happy camper about a toy.   They are all important parts of making this world a little kinder place to live.    I challenge you to do the same, find a way to make a difference with what you have in your own very personal way.