For this Sunday, October 20th, the focus for
our meditation will be on Lessons. Frequent flyers know there is an unwritten
but universal code that the poor soul in the middle of a three-seat row gets
ownership of both arm rests. Recently I
was sitting in an aisle seat next to a woman and her husband. He had the window, and she was in the middle
between us. I noticed immediately after
they took their seats that she was not only claiming a stake to the armrest
between us (acceptable behavior) but was also stretching over into my seat and extending
her elbow against me (not acceptable behavior, at least in my book). The struggle began as I firmly resisted her
encroachment into “my space” and would not yield against the obvious pressure
from her arm. I’ll admit that if the middle
seat is occupied by someone who is quite large, I will give them additional
latitude in this matter. She was
slim. Also, if the person in the middle
seat appears to be working on a laptop and needs extra elbow room to be able to
type I will grant them the space. She
was not. So, as the flight took off my
internal seething began to build. I was consumed
with feelings of resentment and superiority and judgment. The laughable thing is I was reading a
spiritual book on my iPad at the time.
Here I was, all absorbed in trying to understand these profound concepts
about brotherly and sisterly love and look how well I actually failed to
embrace them in my life. It was another
one of those “in your face” Lessons from God that crop up any time I think I’ve
got a handle on this whole spirituality thing.
As the beverage service began before I could refuse the flight attendant
plunked down on my tray some packaged snack that is definitely not on my ketogenic
diet. Initially I thought I’d just stash
it in the seat pocket for the next traveler.
But then something urged me to offer it to my seatmate. She was initially startled, then delighted,
and lo and behold a détente was reached in the armrest wars. The ice thawed, we began to engage each other
in pleasant conversation, and whether she no longer extended into my space or I
no longer noticed, I truly can’t recall.
The experience was a small Lesson, but a valuable one, for me and another needed
instance of gently pointing out my tendency toward critical judgment. I can only imagine my spiritual guides
laughing at me as the situation unfolded, saying with glee, “We’ll show her!” There are opportunities for Lessons like this all around us, if we pay careful attention. These are not to belittle ourselves but to
help us recognize our foibles and to ultimately grow. This week in our prayer and meditation time
let us ask for kind assistance in seeing what Lessons life has to bring
that will aid us in our evolution. May
we be gently reminded of all we still have yet to learn and be guided through the
valuable Lessons that life can bring.
In our efforts this week let us also continue to use the energy
of our prayers and meditation to amplify the light that covers and fills this nation. As we perform our meditation this week let us
begin by re-energizing the brilliance and power of the light we create. Just as before, begin by forming a concentrated
ball of light that is so bright it is almost impossible to look directly at it.
Raise this sphere of light up high over
the nation and then let its rays cascade down to create a solid, impenetrable
dome of light that completely covers every inch of our country. From shore to shore and border to border let
the entire continent be filled with this brilliant, dense light that will serve
to magnify the best and highest qualities of our country and the people who
live across its vast lands.
Please follow the same practice as before: Get centered in your
body, ask to bring in your guides and others who are there to assist us and connect
to the circle of others participating in this project.
Ask yourself what do I feel in my body when I recognize the
value of the Lessons that I can be taught through my life’s experiences?
How does it feel in my body when I appreciate the opportunities of growth from life’s
Lessons, even the small ones? Then send the energy and intention
of those feelings to the nation.
Be sure to disconnect from the circle at the end and express
thanks for those who have helped us in this effort.
If you have feedback or experiences you would like to share
please let me know via e-mail to kmiritello@gmail.com
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