What If?: Changing Your Life to Fit Your Truth

By Dr. James H. Young

Mind, Body, and Spirit mysticism/non-fiction

WHAT IF ?: Changing Your Life to Fit Your Truth is Book Six of the MY SPIRITUAL AWARENESS SERIES. The "what if" statements offered in this book are intended to suggest some perspectives on life different from the conventional, and always from a spiritual point of view. The idea is to connect with the spirit of Oneness we are. The key is to understand that we are not ego but rather Spirit individualized. Thus you have the option of living the ego's form or changing your life to fit your Truth. Once you see the Truth of your Being, obedience replaces the illusion of choice. The Truth is that clear and that profound.

As a result of changing perspectives and perceptions, life's meaning for you could well take on a new glow, and your life's purpose become clearer. Continue to reflect, continue to shift your Life according to the Truth you hear within. Continue to acknowledge and appreciate all you already are, knowing that what you are coming to see is the real you, instead of who you have allowed yourself to believe you are. Life demands this of us, those of us who hear life's call. To do less is to dishonor our Truth. Instead, honoring our inner Truth expands the expression of what we really are into the Universe. In a very real sense, it is honoring and benefiting One as all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 6, 2007
• ISBN: 9780595888740

Dr. James H. Young

Dr. James H. Young, a former university president and chancellor now living in NW Arkansas, is an award-winning spiritual writer and poet, and a widely collected documentary/fine art photographer. Young is a ministerial graduate of the Pecos Bene-dictine Monastery?s ecumenical school for spiritual directors and a metaphysician who invokes the reframing of spiritual perspective and perception in his life?s work. A co-founder and facilitator of the Arkansas Metaphysical Society, he is an ardent student of spirituality. Young is an inspirational teacher who takes participants to the threshold of their own Truth, and is available for workshops, seminars, and presentations. For other books and offerings by Jim Young, visit: www.creationspirit.net.

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WHAT IF …?

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Changing Your Life to Fit Your Truth

Book Six: My Spiritual Awareness Series

Jim Young

iUniverse, Inc.

New York Lincoln Shanghai

What If…?

Changing Your Life to Fit Your Truth

Copyright © 2007 by James H. Young

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any

means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording,

taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written

permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in

critical articles and reviews.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any Web addresses

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The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author

and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher

hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Cover photo, God Fills Those Boots, by Jim Young

Author photo: Ted Hood, Jr.

ISBN: 978-0-595-44546-2 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-0-595-88874-0 (ebk)

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

What if we woke up in the morning with our first thought being praise for the gift life is and a promise to live it passionately?

What if we looked at the last drooping daffodil of spring, the telling gasp of summer’s fading rose, and the crisp rustic leaf of autumn beneath our feet as love divine?

What if we knew someone not by his color, her sexual preference, his religious preference or nationality, but instead by the condition of her heart, the strength of his courage, the boldness of her spirit, and his obedience to the truth in which he walks?

What if we looked at a work of art, no matter how sophisticated or naive, and connected only with the divinely inspired heart from which it comes?

What if we looked in the mirror and saw not age or unwanted excess but rather compassion for the image of a loved one abandoned, the fear of one abused, the sorrow of a dream spoiled?

What if we awakened from our nightmare of feeling less than good enough and instead found ourselves connected as one, knowing that life is immortal,perfection eternal, and beauty infinite?

What if we awakened to the clear understanding that all of these previous what if images form the real meaning of love?

What if love were that which made you smile even when you are tired?

What if cooking were seen as loving expressed?

What if you said i love you only if you meant it, and if you meant it, you demonstrated it often so the ones you love wouldn’t forget?

What if the only thing one had to do to help another in grief was not to console but help them laugh?

What if we understood that the ego is just the action of belief?

What if we knew that every creation of a human is a replica of that which makes us human?

What if we trusted our body to support what is best for us?

What if Life were about saging instead of aging?

What if you Loved so loud words needn’t speak?

What if torment by one who hated meant only a belief in hate?

What if all but meant was the seed of doubt or disbelief?

What if trust and respect were gifts instead of something to be earned?

What if forgiveness meant to change our perspective or perception instead of holding someone hostage to our view of Life?

What if a hug were seen as that which seals a relationship with trust?

What if it were none of your business what someone else says or thinks about you?

What if Life were not about doing but about remembering?

What if the only rule were to not take ourselves so seriously?

What if happiness were a decision you make rather than an emotion you feel?

What if we fell in Love with reality instead of one’s potential?

What if Love were more than a thousand kisses deep?

What if we saw in the good old red, white, and blue that other colors were missing?

What if we just practiced what we already are instead of looking for something else to be?

What if you knew you were doing right?

What if Life were not about what it brings you but the attitude you use to face it?

What if belief in Self erased one’s private hell?

What if in the borders that separate we saw our fate in the paths the birds above take?

What if you saw in a handshake an invitation to dine with Me?

What if we could forget what we used to be?

What if we understood that asking if there is a God automatically puts us into separation from God?

What if changing your thinking changed the world?

What if we knew that there is no darkness so deep that Light cannot eliminate?

What if doing only what brought us joy was that which makes Life effortless?

What if we saw buzzards as helpers so great rather than those to eliminate?

What if there were no newspapers, no radio or TV, no telephones, no cyberspace, and the only means of communication was spiritual telepathy?

What if enthusiasm and not mere words were what pointed the way for you?

What if we knew we couldn’t escape immortality?

What if there were no such word or concept as God and Life were used instead?

What if there were no such thing as loneliness?

What if Life were really just dreams within a dream?

What if Life were nothing but activated imagination?

What if we were dependent only on God rather than on material elements or functions for our completeness?

What if we could see that what has already happened is forever lost?

What if believing I can’t were a false assumption about what’s True?

What if secrets were only a cover for fear?

What if fear were nonexistent?

What if you Knew for sure you already were perfect instead of always working to become perfect?

What if the various Holy Books were largely stories of dualism and the ego’s way instead of Spiritual Truth?

What if you treated every divine Idea as though it were a genius at work building something majestic?

What if having were not a factor of wanting or needing but the effect of Being?

What if intimacy were not about relations with others?

What if all we know to be in the world were like drops in an ocean?

What if our purpose for Life on Earth were to express the power of creation while learning its consequences?

What if Loving out loud had nothing to do with words?

What if being retired were but a metaphor for re-tired and ready to roll?

What if the image of a stew pot were adopted as our country’s symbol?

What if centrality of infinite ecstasy instead of productivity were the real measure of creation?

What if there were no wholly masculine men and no purely feminine women?

What if a biography of a person cannot be truly written?

What if being turned on had more than sexual implications?

What if stress were but thoughts that run counter to highest good?

What if real understanding rendered forgiveness unnecessary?

What if there were no reality beyond totality, no power beyond omnipotence, and nothing beyond infinity?

What if there were nothing beyond the everything we already have?

What if wanting peace and end to war was what kept us in wanting instead of Being?

What if Knowing, and not belief, were that which brought us to peace?

What if we replaced self-absorption with Self-Awareness?

What if born again meant we could never again return to what we never were?

What if against the assault of laughter nothing can stand?

What if the only thought we had was about what we already are instead of who we’re not?

What if the sole criterion for Truth were the enthusiasm we feel for Life?

What if our work were not to do, but simply to Be?

What if fear were nothing but a temporary belief in the absence of God?

What if suffering were caused only by ignorance of Truth?

What if our fear of death amounted to a fear that we would turn into nothing?

What if marriage had only to do with our weddedness to the Truth we are?

What if our business were only with God and not between us and others, situations or circumstances?

What if anything not in God’s image and likeness were not real, an illusion created by our thoughts?

What if the cure for all our bodily ills were total dedication to thinking with and about God?

What if our thoughts about our body were better dedicated to our identity?

What if Life were not about loving another as yourself so much as becoming aware that we are Love ItSelf?

What if instead of praying we exercised the prayer we are?

What if there were no such things as health or illness?

What if, just for starters, every time we looked to outside authority for an answer or opinion we instead looked Within for Truth?

What if we thought cleansing our thoughts were as important as washing our clothes?

What if we lived the distinction of being Loving over acting nice?

What if living a balanced diet meant to celebrate the fruit of our passion, the garden of our creation, the milk of human kindness, and the bread of Life called Truth?

What if all Life brings us is really only the demonstration of our thoughts, beliefs and ideas manifested, so we can assess the quality of our creations and hold ourselves accountable for them?

What if it were only vanity that stood in the way of Truth?

What if the one who is running your life turned out to be you?

What if giving didn’t require a return address?

What if Life were about Being Within instead of being without?

What if Justice were honoring our calling from Within, instead of demanding right from without?

What if Power turned out to be the expression of Soul rather than the demand for control?

What if gender were a designation of spiritual completeness rather than a symbol that divides?

What if the need for sex were a seed of Godliness rather than a call out of emptiness?

What if there were no truth in the declaration that God exists and so do you?

What if experience were Life rather than what we get from Life?

What if Loving out loud meant that our actions render words useless?

What if domestication were replaced by Innocence?

What if the only reason we don’t hear God is that we aren’t really listening?

What if it makes no difference that we die but only that we truly live?

What if disease were only a messenger of misplaced thought?

What if nature were but a symbol for our relationship with God?

What if doubt were the ego’s resistance to spiritual reality?

What if there were no such thing as objectivity?

What if Life were not about pleasing but committing?

What if we never allowed ourself to settle for anything less than what is Truth for us?

What if the word family had only spiritual and not biological or even geographical connotations?

What if we did away with all electronic communication devices; printing presses; mechanical means of travel; churches; weapons of warfare; electronic, debit and credit cards and paper funds; fast food restaurants; super highways; taxes; corporate farms; radio and television; and no calendars or means of keeping time?

JIM YOUNG’S WEBSITE

www.creationspirit.net This website contains additional creations to come through Jim Young, including other books and, eventually, collector-quality photography. Speaking services and classes dealing with his writings are also available. Contact: [e-mail].

Acknowledgments

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The Arkansas Metaphysical Society (ARMS), in Eureka Springs, AR, has been the source of great inspiration and comfort to me. Meeting weekly, this core group approximating thirty highly interesting and insightful people, with their keen spiritual intent, brings to bear on various topics and ideas a fresh and stimulating look at Life from a view beyond the norm or the conventional.

It is to this group that I dedicate this book, for they have inspired me beyond my fondest dreams. Indeed, upon returning home from the weekly Monday night sessions, it takes me several hours to become grounded once again. To such a spiritual space have I come in their presence.

They, and a few others like them, have contributed some of the what if statements and ideas which have found their way among those to have come through me, and appear herein. Thanks to one and all for your profound contributions to the good of others!

Also, I express my undying gratitude to my faithful, talented editorial readers, Marguerite Burgin and Marsha Havens, whose insightful and wise suggestions have benefitted the manuscript to no end.

I express my gratitude, as well, to my family, both immediate and extended, for their continuous support of such endeavors; and to those readers of my previous books who continue to encourage me on my way. Last, but hardly least, I express my heartfelt gratitude for all that comes through and to me as the divine gift Life is.

Jim Young

Introduction

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Not too long ago I suggested to our group of metaphysicians who meet weekly that they prepare a few what if statements that we could deal with from a metaphysical point of view at our next meeting. It was suggested that if we could come to see life differently from how we now do that we might make some changes in how we live it. To say that the meeting we had to investigate those statements that night was penetrating and profound would be to utter a great understatement. The group was alive and insightful; brilliant in their perceptions and wise in their conclusions; and inspirational in directions personally chosen.

The what if statements offered in this book are intended for that very same purpose: to suggest some different perspectives on Life, always from a Spiritual point of view. The idea is that we might connect with the Spirit of Oneness we are, instead of simply flailing around in the world of chaos some of us have chosen to install in its place. Thus metaphysics is about shifting perspectives, which allows for perceptions to likewise be reshaped. It’s also about becoming aware of and acknowledging at our deepest levels of Being that Reality is Spiritual, and that the First cause is inextricably inseparable from its effect. This same law operates as perfectly from the the ego’s nightmare or idea as it does from the divine. The key is to understand that we are not ego but rather Spirit individualized, and are to live what we are instead of the illusions the ego wishes us to believe about ourselves. Thus you have the option of living the ego’s form or changing your Life to fit your Truth. Once you see the Truth of your Being, obedience replaces the illusion of choice. The Truth is that clear and that profound.

After a fashion, by virtue of cultivating some different perspectives on life, you could well find that you have initiated differing perceptions that urge a profound change in your lifestyle. If so, life’s meaning for you could well take on a new glow, and your life’s purpose become clearer. Continue to reflect, continue to shift your Life according to the Truth you hear Within. Continue to acknowledge and appreciate all you already are, knowing that what you are coming to see is the real you, instead of who you have allowed yourself to believe you are.

Be bold. Be courageous. Be obedient. Life demands this of us, those of us who hear Life’s call. To do less is to dishonor our Truth, and the Soul we claim will be left to move on in yet another way. Instead, honoring our inner Truth expands the expression of what we really are into the Universe, benefitting one and all. In a very real sense, it is honoring and benefitting One as all. And so it is.

A word of caution: if the emerging pattern mentioned above does not fit what happens to you, fear not. The Truth works through each of us in differing ways. Be patient and kind with yourself, and continue to open up to new perspectives in your own way. Actually, that’s all you can do.

On my way to bed on the evening before the aforementioned meeting of the metafizzies (as we are referred to in the local media) was to take place, I was called to my computer. My Muse has a way of beckoning that is difficult, if not impossible, to deny. Without knowing what was expected of me once I had arrived, I simply put my fingers on the keyboard and, as usual, they ran hither, thither, and yon across the keys to produce the selections which follow on these pages. I quickly came to understand that these first few statements stood as a package, a holistic picture of intention that should be shared with the group at some point in our deliberations.

As we began yet another fulfilling time together, it became clear that the statements of others were to be the evening’s agenda. Pursue theirs we did, with the fullness of enthusiasm for our commitment and with absolute

mutual respect. As is usual, at the end of the evening we gathered in a circle, holding hands and awaiting our closing prayer which would send us on our way with a fond Ñamaste to one and all. (Ñamaste [namaSTAY] is a greeting that conveys the utmost respect and dignity for another’s divinity, extended from the Truth of our very own.) At that point, it became abundantly clear that this bundle of Truth that had come through me the evening before was now to serve as that prayer. So we closed with this:

What if we woke up in the morning with our first thought being praise for the gift life is and a promise to live it passionately?

What if we looked at the last drooping daffodil of spring, the telling gasp of summers’ fading rose, the crisp rustic leaf of autumn beneath our feet as love divine?

What if we knew someone not by his color, her sexual preference, his religious preference or nationality, but instead by the condition