Unity Radio Show Interview

Happy Holidays!

Rev. Jennifer Hadley
Rev. Jennifer Hadley

Recently my family and I were interviewed by our friend Rev. Jennifer Hadley on her Unity Online Radio show “A Course in Miracles: Walking the Talk”.

Our episode: Gary Renard and Family ACIM practice aired on November 25, 2014 .  You can listen by clicking the link above and scrolling through program archives to the episode title.

A Course in Miracles says , “The sign of Christmas is a star, a light in the darkness.  See it not outside yourself, but shining in the Heaven within….”

Remember to let your light shine brightly this holiday season and always.  It reminds others they can do the same.  Have a wonderful and joy-filled season!  Be well everyone.

Clearing Your Energy Field

24th Hour BugAs spiritual growth and healing excite more and more people these days, it is becoming increasingly beneficial to clear your energy field and use techniques to release any emotional “baggage” or negative patterns in your life.  Some of the more sensitive of you have  noticed a shift in energy levels on the planet and it’s harder to live amidst all the anger, fear and negativity prevalent in our society.  This can manifest in your life in several ways: you’re growing tired of the escalating violence on TV,  you feel more compassion towards others, your current job is not fulfilling, you lose interest in certain activities, or you feel there’s a higher purpose to your life and you’re being guided to explore something new.  No matter how it’s manifesting for you, there is a discomfort or restlessness as old patterns, habits and judgment of others  seem to fade away in favor of a more peaceful way of life.  This can be unsettling at times because it feels like you’re entering the “unknown”.  Awakening to Spirit isn’t always comfortable because the ego will fight for its “familiar” existence.  What can you do?  Listen to your inner voice-what is it whispering to you? Trust it and gently move in the direction of its suggestions.  How do I listen to my inner voice?  1.  Ask to connect with your higher Self.  ” I ask my  higher Self to assist me.”  2.  Ask a question out loud or in your mind.  ” Is this new job opportunity a good fit for me?” Or “What is holding me back from moving forward?” 3. Take a deep breath, exhale, and pause…you can feel good because you put your question out there.  4. Check in with how you feel.  Are any messages, ideas or thoughts coming in to your mind? If not right away, they will eventually. The message(s) you receive will feel different to you when it’s coming from your higher self…probably like a  gentle suggestion or a “knowing.”  Do this exercise at your own pace.  There is no pressure or hurry for answers, rather allow a gradual process of guidance to unfold one step at a time –  steps that your mind can accept without fear.  There is an individualized curriculum just for you!   Let your new ideas and insights unfold in a relaxed way 🙂  Be well everyone!

The Illusion of Perfectionism

Perfection doesn’t exist – not really.  How many of us keep chasing it hoping to get to the “feeling” that whatever we’re doing is “good enough”?   While we’re chasing an illusory concept, projects are left hanging and following through on tasks is draining, etc.  However, if we focus on bringing our own “perfection as spirit” into everything we do, what automatically follows is fulfillment.  The energy behind everything we “do” has changed.   Not being good enough, or having to impress others drops away in favor of aligning each moment with spirit.  The irony is,  when you listen to spirit or your higher Self and take “inspired” action, everything  feels perfect.  Being authentic to yourself and your process is being on purpose with your life.  Let your gifts and talents shine forth unimpeded by fear, which manifests as self-doubt and insecurity.  I surrender to my highest wisdom when I feel stuck.  I am aware that “I” don’t have all the answers, but I know who does….Be well everyone!

“perfection as spirit”

An Old “New” Kind Of Corporation

Created over a century ago, The John Lewis Partnership ( JLP) in England is the largest department store chain in the country with 35 department stores and 272 Waitrose grocery stores.  It is 100% employee owned.  It was created with fairness in mind.

As Marjorie Kelly notes in her article “The Good Corporation” in Yes! Magazine, there are economic alternatives to capitalism, akin to JLP, emerging as cooperatives, employee-owned firms, social enterprises and community land trusts.  Ownership by its employees unites these new models.

Our current economic system is crumbling.  As old systems break down, corporations and individuals alike would benefit from redefining their company purpose.  Instead of only answering to shareholders, enabling a “few” to profit, holding a shared vision of keeping the planet and all its inhabitants thriving would be a welcome change.  Embracing healthy sustainability and fairness empowers employees and their communities to flourish.

How do we make the switch to this alternative?

Fortunately, companies like JLP and Organic Valley serve as examples.

Organic Valley is a farmer-owned cooperative where the owners are the suppliers.  Kelly points out the shared benefits of this model:  ” Farmers benefit from healthy income. Employees benefit from stable jobs and rewarding work. Customers benefit from chemical-free food. Investors in the firm’s preferred stock benefit from dependable rates of return. Farming communities benefit from the return of vitality that flows from farmers’ prosperity.”

Change emerges through unity by holding the highest intentions for all involved – whatever the business, idea, or project.

A New Generation of Farmers: From Combat Boots to Cowboy Boots

An inspiring article written by Robert Mellinger in Yes! Magazine highlights veterans who are getting a fresh start through several different projects around the country.

The Farmer-Veteran Coalition (FVC) was formed by Michael O’Gorman, a successful organic farmer for 40 years. The FVC “connects veterans to the resources they need to start their farming careers.”   The FVC established the Farmer-Veteran Fellowship Fund which provides “individual grants of up to $10,000 for education, supplies, and equipment.”

The University of Nebraska – Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture has designed “Combat boots to Cowboy Boots” to assist in training military personnel, their families and armed forces veterans to become farmers, ranchers, and business entrepreneurs.

I can imagine how healing it is for veterans to find necessary, meaningful work.  Many soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  Not only do these programs contribute to the healing and transition out of combat for our veterans, but farming also serves the needs of a larger community.  Rebuilding dwindling rural counties and creating new farming communities  will be necessary to sustain us in the future.

As the average American farmer (many baby-boomer farmers born between 1946 and 1964) is nearing retirement age, we welcome a new generation of farmers.

Happiness

We are told that happiness is within, but what does that mean? Happiness is an attribute of love.  Since love is what we are as spirit, when we awaken our mind and recognize this truth it brings us happiness and joy.  Happiness is revealed naturally when our minds choose peace instead of conflict and forgiveness instead of judgment.  The key to happiness is releasing ourselves and others from judgment.  It is comforting that true happiness and peace abide in our mind and do not depend on external circumstances.  Certainly we would not argue that some outward conditions make us happy.  However, it is possible to experience happiness no matter what our outer world is showing us.  How? By remembering that there is always another way to perceive an “unhappy” situation when we ask for right-minded guidance to see things differently.  We’ll get a new perspective if we ask.

Guilt Be Gone!

It is not necessary to feel guilt or embarrassment for having unresolved emotional or physical issues.  In fact most of us cannot be here on earth without having issues to work out, forgive, and eventually release.  Guilt and fear drain our energy.

The good news is that we can learn to heal and release our issues instead of projecting them.  We can show up for ourselves everyday and use our talents and abilities in service to others.  This connection to our “authentic self” , our awareness of spirit and the love we have to share with others is what we really seek.  It is our own integrated guiltless self we all long for!

But how do we change our thoughts from fear to love? It starts with being mindful.  We ask for guidance from our highest self and start one day at a time.  With practice and dedication our thoughts begin to shift on a regular basis.

Hijacked by Emotions

Every once in a while we all want to scream…help! Our emotional responses to the stress of challenging life situations can leave us with feelings of hopelessness, being  stuck, afraid to make a change or a “wrong” decision and so forth.  If we focus on observing our situations in the moment rather than reacting out of fear, we can ask our higher self (God, the Holy spirit, Divine wisdom) to help us see things differently.  Our emotions don’t have to derail us, rather they can be used as a tool to facilitate positive change.  In this new light we are able to receive “inspired” solutions which will relieve us of the burden of judging our situations, giving them power over us and feeling defeated.   It’s a comfort to know that we are not alone and can call on our wisest selves to help us see the bigger picture.  It’s difficult to make decisions while in the “throes” of challenging circumstances- a difficult job, an undesirable relationship, an illness, or trying to integrate life changes.  How do we ask our higher self for help? Take a deep breath, close your eyes and ask for guidance and peace.  Be still.  Wait for a new experience of that moment.  Help is always available.  It gets easier with practice.  We can remember everyday to clear the way for inspiration.

Cooperation Enhances Well-being

Dilemma: Can cooperation “beat out” competition?

A better understanding of the benefits of shared interests versus separate interests allows more room for cooperation in American culture.

Research dating back to the 1800’s repeatedly verifies the benefits of cooperation.   Dr. Perry W. Buffington wrote Competition vs. Cooperationan article detailing interesting findings on this subject.

Cooperating with others makes us feel good.  Good feelings enhance overall well-being creating a better mood.  This results in better decision making.  When making better decisions we feel better about ourselves.  When we feel better about ourselves we are healthier and more productive.  Being productive becomes fun!

Competition, when used to pit one person against another depletes our energy and induces stress.  People often ask, “Isn’t it good to have a healthy sense of competition?” Although this thought is inherent in our culture, many experts favor cooperation.

Solution:

It is helpful to encourage people to their do “their personal best”.  If we can foster a sense of accomplishment for people and provide positive feedback, it wouldn’t be about “doing better than others”.  Rather people would feel good about themselves and their contributions to the whole.  This enhances self-esteem and boosts confidence.  The more confident people are, the less they tend to seek the approval of others.  Then creativity can flow unabated.

Cooperation joins us together, fosters creativity, strengthens community, enhances self-esteem, and allows everyone to share their talents without criticism and fear of rejection.

Cooperation can be as simple as showing appreciation, compromising, or engaging in active listening without judgment.  It’s never too late to find common ground!