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I’ve Gotta Be Me!

I had rather speak 5 words with my understanding,
that by my voice, I might teach others also,
than 10,000 words in an unknown tongue.
– I Corinthians 14:19

Believe in Yourself

I wish I could be like…” Have you ever known people who constantly have their eyes focused on others, hoping to emulate those who are successful, famous, prosperous? If they only knew that they, themselves, hold the key to their own freedom. All they have to do is turn this key. However, what prevents them from doing so?

For instance, how many people live in mortal fear of what the neighbors will think or what impression they are creating? The greatest obstruction to being themselves is fear in one of its many forms, such as terror, anger, resentment or jealousy.

Fear is insidious and can be “caught” be merely sitting next to someone on the bus who is fraught with it. Humankind has been taking in fear with its mother’s milk for thousands of years.

What about you? Ask yourself honestly, “What is it I most fear?” Next … face it! This can be done in many ways. One woman actually stood out in the midst of a thunderstorm and was cured of her fear of lightning and thunder. Alternatively, you can confess your fear to someone close to you and then say, “I am fearless. I am right with the Universe and I am right with me.

  • Divine harmony flows through me.
  • All of my obstructions have disintegrated.
  • I am unique and beautiful.
  • I am a lovely and wonderful flower in the Garden of God.
  • Only I can offer my special gifts.

I’ve Gotta Be Me!

rainbow
Rev. Dr. Rainbow Johnson
ADAAP Outreach Minister

I AM a Blessing to Telemarketers!

… And thou shalt be a blessing…
– Genesis 12:2

When we constructively praise & creatively bless,
life abounds with love, peace & joy.
The Science of Mind, pages 434-5

In the 12 Step Program, we like to think that we can either be a blessing or a curse to others. The choice is up to us.

I have learned this lesson dramatically over the past few months through, of all things, my telephone. For months, the phone had been ringing at least a half dozen times a day with the following interaction. “Hello.” Silence. “Hello,” said a little louder. Still silence. “Hello,” said quite loudly. Still silence. “Blessings to you, whoever you may be.” It generally happens around dinner time. It had been puzzling me through the months, but I continued to say “Blessings whoever you may be,” before gently hanging up. A couple of months ago, I received an explanation to this conundrum. I checked my telephone messages and heard a male voice say, “You don’t know me, but I’m a telemarketer. I want you to know how much your outgoing phone message means to all of us here. When we get stressed out, we just call your number and listen to your uplifting telephone message. It puts us back on track, and I just wanted to call you and thank you. By the way, if you ever receive calls where no one speaks, it’s because we just called for your message and really didn’t want to talk to you personally. Thanks again.”

My outgoing message sounds something like this. “Hello you beautiful, magnificent, unique, loving creation of Spirit. Never forget how awesome you are, how amazing you are, how original, creative, and loving you are. Now go forth and spread the Love of God today. Thank you for calling.”

Today I realize that I am a blessing to the world. I see the beauty in everyone I think about, in everyone I meet, and in everyone with whom I talk on the telephone.

I am a blessing to the world!

rainbow
Rev. Dr. Rainbow Johnson
ADAAP Outreach Minister

The World Is a Mirror

For as He thinketh in His heart, so is He…
– Proverbs 23:7

… Life is a mirror, reflecting to us … the images of our thinking. Whatever one thinks tends to take form and become a part of his experience.
The Science of Mind, page 320

Science of Mind tells us that everything we experience in our lives is an outpicturing of what is in our own consciousness. Even though I sometimes forget this, the Universe is very generous about continuously reminding me about it.

One morning when I awoke, I was really feeling bummed out. I said, “Good God, morning!” instead of “Good morning, God!” Everything seemed to be wrong! I went into work and met with my client, Patrick. He was even more bummed out than I was. He began complaining, “I don’t trust anyone. Everyone’s out to get you. Even when they’re nice to you, they’re only doing it because they want something.” I looked at him and asked, “Patrick, are you like that? My mother used to say, ‘The world is a mirror. The way you look at it, it looks back at you.’” He was silent for a while and then said, “Your mother sure was smart! That’s just how I am! I never thought of it before.” I went on to explain to him that we often can’t face our own insecurities, so we project them out onto others and then criticize them for having them. In that way, we don’t have to take responsibility for our thoughts, feelings, and actions. The session began livening up. By the end, he had decided to go to Pharmacy School, and make something of his life.

Oh, yes, and I stopped complaining.

I look into the mirror of my life and I love what I see. I see acceptance. I see love. I see beauty, joy, and peace. I see God’s Light shining through every moment of the day!
rainbow
Rev. Dr. Rainbow Johnson
ADAAP Outreach Minister

Step One – Feeling Powerless

I took it so high, so low, so low, there was nowhere to go…
-Patti LaBelle. “New Attitude”

Ms. LaBelle’s lament embodies the 1st step of the 12-Step Recovery Program which now applies to literally dozens of addictions in addition to alcoholism. That first step says: “We admitted we felt powerless over alcohol, drugs, food, emotions, situations, problems, finances, health, relationships – that our lives had become unmanageable.”

People tend to resist this step because at first glance it sounds like negative thinking. It is enormously difficult to admit feeling powerless because previously we have used our will to try to control our lives over & over again. After all, shouldn’t we know what’s best for us? However, when we come out of denial, we can see that our former way of doing things has not gotten us the results we so deeply desired.

Being the clergy counselor for a 12-Step Rehabilitation program, I see dozens of people recovering from drugs & alcohol each month. One of my clients, Mark, had literally been on every drug possible plus alcohol all at the same time! He was extremely distraught when I met him, yet somehow he felt comfortable enough to tell me his story. When I started talking to him about his Higher Power, he responded disdainfully, “Yeah Right!” When I pointed out that he must have a purpose because he was actually still alive, he gave me a quizzical look. By the end of the session, he was willing to admit he had a serious problem & said, “Well, I’m not promising anything but at least I’ll think about this Higher Power stuff because nothing else has ever worked for me!”

I was overjoyed because the big key to this step is the word “admit.” Only when we “admit” something is wrong, can we “commit” to doing anything about it! It is then, that we become open to change. & once we are open to change, we are ready to move on to joining God as our partner in our program of renewal, recovery, revitalization, & victory!

rainbow
Rev. Dr. Rainbow Johnson
ADAAP Outreach Minister

One Day at a Time

These things I command you, that ye love one another
– John 15:17

Perfect love casteth out fear…
– John 4:18

In almost all philosophies, belief systems, and spiritual practices, the central theme is “Love.” The Bible repeats the two great commandments numerous times. “Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God, with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy strength, and with thy entire mind, and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self.”

Sheila and Carl have been in a very close and intimate relationship for over 12 years. Even though it has been mainly open, supportive, and loving, every once in a while, she gets one of her buttons pushed, and her feelings get hurt.

During one of these times, Sheila came to see me. “Rev. Rainbow,” she began, “some times Carl and I seem so close, we almost know what the other person is thinking! And then, at other times, it feels like we don’t know each other at all, and I get afraid that this relationship is over. I know with God all things are possible, but it sure doesn’t feel like that right now!”

After listening to everything, she had to say, I suggested we look at the situation from a spiritual point of view and proceeded to do a spiritual mind treatment. During the prayer, I heard myself say, “And Sheila is now embodying God’s Love. She is loving Carl one day at a time and letting the past go.” After the treatment, Sheila smiled broadly, took a deep breath and said, “I can do that!”

She called me in a few days and reported, “I’ve never felt so happy. I am seeing beauty and Divinity in Carl I’ve never before experienced. And all because I’m loving him one day at a time!”

Today, I make up my mind to release all past judgments, limiting beliefs, and destructive attitudes. I embody God’s Love as never before. I commit to living in the present, and loving the people in my life one day at a time.

rainbow
Rev. Dr. Rainbow Johnson
ADAAP Outreach Minister

Approach • Desire • Access • Ambition • Possibilities