Greetings All –
Step 242 - My greatest gift to the world is my Knowledge. (MP3)
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| Step 242 - My greatest gift to the world is my Knowledge. |
THIS IS YOUR GREATEST GIFT. It is the gift that
imbues all other giving and gives it meaning. This is the gift that gives value
to all human expression, all human endeavor and all human invention that is
intended to support the well-being of humanity in its evolution. Knowledge is
not something that you can quantify and give, as if you put it into a package
or delineate it with your ideas. It is a presence and a quality of life that is
the very essence of life. It makes all giving and contribution meaningful.
THIS IS YOUR GREATEST GIFT, which you are now
learning to receive. As you receive it, it will give itself naturally, for you
cannot keep Knowledge for yourself. Once it emerges, it begins to express itself
in all directions and specifically in certain directions and in certain
involvements with certain people according to its design and Wisdom. Thus, if
you receive Knowledge, it must be given. It will give itself, and you will want
to give it because you possess wealth, and wealth can only be increased through
giving. Thus, in essence, life is all about the giving of Knowledge. Wherever
this giving cannot be accomplished, there is all manner of deception, disappointment
and despair. But when giving is reactivated in these circumstances, these qualities
of denial will be dispelled, and Knowledge will once again begin to express
itself in very specific ways.
THEREFORE, UPON THE HOUR remind yourself of this
great truth, and in your deeper meditations allow yourself to experience Knowledge.
Allow yourself to receive it. Give yourself to this application of your mind
and your body. In this, Knowledge will give itself, and you will be fulfilled
because you have given life the greatest gift that can be given.
PRACTICE 242: Two 30-minute practice periods. Hourly
practice.
Today is August 29, 2015. In my Outlook calendar I
have an important anniversary noted: “Beginning Student of Knowledge since this day in
1998 – Reading Greater Community Spirituality – Started S2K later on June 27,
1999.” At some point, you might
record similar dates in your life for annual celebration. Though I come quite a
distance, a far greater journey lies ahead. In my years of study I’ve seen
students come and go. Many had great commitment and desire to act, but over
time, were never seen again. It does take persistence, as it proves to be
difficult for others who seek, but are not open to this message.
Yesterday: Step
241 - My anger is unjustified.
Like many aspects of human life, Steps gives a
unique perspective on things we may think we understand. The Step says: “Here you will realize that your anger is something
to be understood. It is not to be rejected, for if you reject anger, you also
reject the seed of anger, which is true communication.”
From the Journal:
10:43
p.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2000 – Tomorrow the Ides of March. Meetings in
Winchester for their Downtown consultant selection 9-12 – then to 4-H for 1 – 3
p.m. Housing Workshop #2. Pam and Helen gone – no problem. Then back to office
and over to Strasburg Rotary to speak on the water issues. Then to office to
prepare for MIF tomorrow. I didn't get to see Sarah all day.
Now
to do the practice for 241 "My anger is unjustified." I read it in
the a.m. and followed it through the day. It treats anger as reflective of a
true emotion – but anger itself a response when there is a failure to apply
Knowledge. Anger, as a response, can generate anger in others.
The
text says> "Knowledge…will redirect anger so that it has no destructive
qualities, …"
Anger
is not justified because it is born of confusion.
…your
anger is something to be understood. It is not to be rejected, for if you
reject anger, you also reject the seed of anger, which is true communication.
The
practice is to look at everything that I am angry about, those things that
upset and discourage me – this is my inventory of anger:
My
greatest anger is with the relationships with women – ---
Lloyd
is to be pitied – and as the deliverer of hard lessons to Sarah – someone to
pity – rage against.
I'm
irritated by others expectations – and I don't know how to be different. Just
now Cindy saying I don't smile enough.
I'm
doing my work – the work as best I can.
What
is the tool/mental trick that gets to the core idea?
–
I've had a "nerv-ecktomy" – I don't react or over-react any proposal.
–
The GC perspective takes some of the sting out of anger – why be mad?
I'm
forgiving of the Exec/Pers Committee – even as they make it a hardship.
I've
always held my anger back – anger about the violation of others, or myself.
I've suffered little in this life.
–
I'm angry that the attitudes of others hurt them so much, and they can't see
it. I'm frustrated, but they are really hurt.
It
could be I over-react, but I offer good – and it is taken as bad. The message
of cooperate is battered by ego – and the retaliation against "men" –
As I
read my inventory – I remind myself that these angers are unjustified – I must
find the seed of true communication in each.
Over time, through shocks, I’d become good at
taking shocks and not reacting. Being Stoic had been a practice of mine. I
mention "nerv-ecktomy," as a reason for not being reactive. Later in life, when my mother would
tell me not to worry, I’d respond: “My worry circuits have been burned out.”
8.1 People with violent backgrounds
8.2 People with intellectual disabilities
8.3 Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
individuals
8.4 People with traumatic brain injuries
8.5 Bullies
8.6 Substance abusers
Still, some small correlation to the Steps approach
can be seen in Some Basics: A goal is to lead an anger-free life.[3] Anger is an emotion the person feeling it can
respond to.[4] People get into trouble because they don't know
enough to keep their cool.[5] They can learn to respond to their anger as
unwanted rather than react to its cause.[5] Forgiveness is a tool to turn anger off.[5] Getting enough sleep is a tool for preventing
anger.[6] Professionals who deal with those who have
trouble managing anger include mental health counselors, psychologists and
psychiatrists.[7]
The Steps understanding of anger is helpful. Other tools
are to be presented. I am more honest today, but there are still things I need
to put into practice. This may help you manage hot-buttons when they get
pushed. No guarantee that button-pushers are out of your life completely. Let
us continue.
NNC
Journal second time x2
Step 241. This is for those who have completed
Steps once. Doing Steps with only the texts, messages and your life experience,
including what you may have studied and practiced is your journey. I’m showing
Step comments after the Step, so as not to influence you in advance. It is a
wilderness trek to be left to your own wits, but then you can also listen more
closely for guides, angels and teachers, always first saying: “I surround and
protect myself with the Love and the Grace of God.” Thankfully, I was taught
this practice in 1989.
P.S. If you’ve some interest due to this or other
Steps, you should go to the beginning blog post. From here you will learn about Steps to Knowledge
and can begin it on the day that makes sense; then progress as needed. You can
use the posts on this blog as a companion if it helps. They will remain in
order in the archives - one post per Step.
Often it takes 18 months to get through the Steps
once. For this blog, the pace is one-a-day, but it really makes no difference
how fast you do it, only that you begin, persist and repeat. Posts here provide
a trail that may let you have a virtual companion when and if you want one. One
may have to study alone, as I did in the beginning. There are other Steps
students blogging their experience and you might find a person more like you as
a companion, or use a number of such Steps journeys. There are options as well
through the Free School of the New Message.
