Greetings All –
Step 109 - I will not be
in a hurry today. (MP3)
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folder or play from Drive – Step PDF also.]
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| "I will not be in a hurry today." Step 109 |
TODAY TAKE EACH STEP GRACEFULLY. Do not be in a
hurry. You need not be in a hurry because you are with Knowledge. You may keep
your appointments in the world and keep them on schedule, but within yourself
do not be in a hurry. You may seek Knowledge, fulfillment and contribution, but
do not be in a hurry. When you are in a hurry, you are neglecting your current
step for steps you find more preferable, and how can steps be more preferable
except when you are ignoring the step in front of you? You need only take the
step in front of you, and the next step will arise naturally. Do not be in a
hurry. You cannot go faster than you can go. Do not miss all that we are giving
you to practice, which will require that you not be in a hurry.
THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY REMIND YOURSELF upon the
hour not to be in a hurry. Say to yourself, “I will not be in a hurry today,” and
think a moment upon this. You may meet your worldly responsibilities without
being in a hurry. You may meet your greater goals without being in a hurry. Take
comfort in the fact that you are a beginning student, for beginning students do
not know where they are going because they are in a position to receive, not to
govern. This is a great blessing for you now and will give you the power in
time to govern your mind and your affairs with Knowledge. You will be a kind ruler
who will not condemn error and will not punish sinners, as you now imagine God
to do.
KNOWLEDGE IS NOT IN A HURRY. Why should you be?
Knowledge may move you quickly or slowly. You may then move quickly or slowly,
but within yourself you are not in a hurry. This is part of the mystery of life
which you can now learn to discover.
PRACTICE 109: Hourly practice.
From
the journal:
12:21
A.M. Tuesday – Nov 2 – today I had no problem being happy. I had so much energy
I stayed up late, over eight and – didn't do the work I should have done, so…
I'll come down… Do but why not enjoy it while I can.
12:35
A.M. brushing my teeth, preparing for bed – trying to understand today's
feeling – the recognition of happiness as the core of my being, regardless of
what is happening.
The
relief of knowing my part is to be determined in process to advance the future…
Amen –
–
The experience of being unburdened and helped by them.
7:10
A.M. S2K – to read – evaluate my thoughts on happiness. Mom always wanted me to
be "happy." I told her to demonstrate it to me. I've had many moments
– I times of meditation and walking in the woods give me satisfaction – and
therefore happiness. ACIM said the Happy Dream is the best we can do here.
Happiness
as equaled feeling good and I seek that with food, candy, drink – coffee and
alcohol. That appetite is never sated – so I get full or woozy – too cheap to
really get drunk.
I've
had periods of being happy, being within the realm of grace and living on the
breath – feeling no need to eat…
So
now I understand this baseline/song line sense of "happy" as the
undercurrent to my life.
– At
the surface are moods, they go up, down or flat – just survive is the mood
often.
– So
there is this resource – Knowledge with me – that… (left blank when written -
noted 11/6/99)
–
Hobbies – things pursued from attraction for "happiness" are really
distractions? Sometimes yes – or what I wanted takes too much energy from my
life.
– My
nature is to promote cooperation for positive benefits to all.
2:54
p.m. Getting lost – lots to do but distracted by other work – very rainy – mood
change – feeling lost – Why am I doing
what I'm doing?
6:35
p.m. home and sane again after a stillness meditation. Even thoughS2K doesn't
call for meditation, I will need to do it every day. I'll just have to get up
earlier.
This
is the second session for re-– evaluating my thoughts on happiness – I lost
energy and did less than I might have at work. It was troubling. As noted about
2:54 PM – I was lost – looking at tomorrow's lesson – 109 – "I will not be
in a hurry today" – I need that today.
Today
I felt unhappy – and could not do the work needed – I was honest – that did not
help. I get in the mood where I'll do the work at night, but I really need to
do the PDC worked in the time allotted so I'll have time for other work my real
regional work.
"Think
of all the ways you have attempted to be happier than you are." I have
attempted to be happy by buying musical instruments – but not taking lessons to
learn how to play or devoting time to practice. At work I've drudge through
pretending people are doing good work. I've lied a lot – accepted last, that
did not know what was better. I tried to work class – I watched entertainment.
My true self has mostly been present – ups and downs – in these journals. I've
had visions – and see potential. I'd rather be content that happy – and I'd
rather there be no conflict. If I stood up for my rights on issues, I'd be
asked "who do you think you are?" And I wouldn't know what to answer.
"Think
of all the expectations and requirements your placed on yourself to be happy
and to prove to yourself and to others your worth."
In
my annual plan I set expectations. I've got business plans – lots of creativity
and ideas… But no audience. I'm always thinking too big. I'm happy with the
thoughts, but not the responsibility – it seems too much – even if I'm only
bringing it through.
People
expect me to be smarter – I know I'm not, it's just that I have ideas. I reread
them again here and him amazed. So seeking to be happy I am confused. I take in
a lot… And want to use what I find to further be creative.
I
don't know how others perceive me. I take most at face value and offer
friendship – a thought to help – a brain stretch.
The
problems are so enormous – in response is so small. I am not to judge. That I
know. Happiness is in the world, but not of the world an interesting variation
of the human spirit's challenge to be in, but not of the world so, I conclude
that happiness is different than what the world thinks.
9:20
p.m. I need my life to be simpler.
10:14
p.m. happiness – I life has been devoted to making others happy so that I might
be happy – to please others to get approval. That is how you fit in – please
others. This became known to me in my counseling years ago. After that I
focused more on doing for myself in the middle class – Lutheran – world it is
guilt for the prosperity that is not. So – I'm not happy trying to make others
happy where to make myself happy. The way to be entertained is to float,
disconnect space but then others can take advantage in the abuse.
What
is happy anyway? To somehow understand? – Or to wander through in the league.
10:41
More spacing out time.
If you read this all the way through, thanks for
your persistence. I hope you got something out of it.
NNC
Journal
second time x2 Step 108.
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.
