A Year on the Journey: Your Companion in Co-Creating a Truly Useful and Fulfilling Relationship with God

By Deanna Allcorn Smith RScP and Rev. Liesa Leggett Garcia D.D.

Within these pages, you will find personal, practical guidance for creating a Joy-filled and effective relationship with God. A Year On The Journey offers a unique approach to teaching spiritual principles, spiced up with stories, allegory and metaphor, deductive reasoning, humor, and real-life experiences.

In 366 daily ‘lessons’ in New Thought spirituality, a rewarding and fulfilling way of living are found. Readers are guided to consider compelling possibilities — how to create a truly useful God consciousness, or to build upon the ones we already know. The principles presented are logical and yet profound, challenging us to find, and live, our highest Good.

Author Deanna Allcorn Smith weaves exhilarating and thought-provoking prose, lighting a way for a greater experience of life. Her deep commitment to her spiritual path shines through her words, paving a delightful path of God’s Love, Power, and Peace.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Dec 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9798765236710

Deanna Allcorn Smith RScP

Deanna Allcorn Smith has a vision for her life. After dedicating 30 years to her career in the Tech Industry, she was not satisfied to simply retire. She prefers the word ‘repurpose,’ and that is exactly what she has done since 2012. It was then that she began training to become a Licensed Professional Prayer Practitioner with Center For Spiritual Living, Reno. Since earning her license, Deanna has practiced her faith by serving as a Spiritual Counselor to private clients, and offering prayer support to individuals, both in person and in written letters. With practice, she has honed her spiritual understanding and skill in communicating these useful, inspired thoughts through writing. Deanna continues to serve her Spiritual Center, and other community service organizations, dedicated to the vision of ‘a world that works for everyone.’ She lives in Reno, Nevada with her husband, Mike, and their cats, Majus and Zuzu.

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Balboa Press rev. date:  01/19/2023

Contents

Acknowledgments

Foreword

Pre-Amble

About Me

About This Book

About The Cairns

About Capatalization

About The Quotes

About Repitition

About The ‘Law’

About You

January

We Welcome The New Year

100% Spirit

I Know Better

New Thought

Our Word Of Power

Knowingness

Mental Equivalent

Overriding Habitual Thinking

The Spiritual Body

Gaining Effectiveness

That Wonderful Moment

Being A Witness

The Law Abides

God Needs Me

Within Our Reach

Honoring Our Purpose

Letting God

Realization Of Oneness

Made Of God

Return To Faith

Sacred Sight

Our Divine Inheritance

True Beauty

Challenging False Beliefs

Making Friends With Solitude

Living Our Best Life

Creating Happiness

Shift Happens

Accepting The Changeless

A Cheerful Heart

A New World

February

Designing A Life

Effective Prayer

Mastering The Basics

Living In Concert

Turn Within

Ever Present

A Conspiracy Of Good

Our Word Carries Power

Sowing New Seeds

Power In Prayer

Embracing Agelessness

One Power

Breathe, Speak, Praise

God Is Love

Keeping Our ‘Windows’ Clean

The Unconscious Invitation

We Spiritualize The Material

All Is One

Tend Your Own Garden

Practicing Pronoia

Being At Choice

We Walk On Water

God Serves Us

Expectancy Of Good

Ancient Wisdom

Divine Intelligence

Embracing Our Ignorance

Forever United

Achieving Self-Love

March

Wonder

Belief Is Creative

Practicing Healthy Thinking

Return to Peace

Walking The Labyrinth

Welcoming Serenity

Building A Blessed Life

Testing Our Autonomy

One Power

Seeing Beauty Everywhere

Namaste

Our Privilege, Our Responsibility

Attracting Friends

Heaven, Here And Now

Waiting Openly

All Is Made New

Enter The Kingdom

Attracting Happiness

Let Go, Let God

Prayers Answered

Made Of God

The Power Of Repetition

Creatures Of Choice

At God’s Right Hand

Training Our Thinking

Useful Faith

Accessing Divine Guidance

Suffering = Opportunity

The Seismic Shift

No Two Alike

Mind Your Perceptions

April

The Formula

Focused Within

Embracing Diversity

The Awakening

Calling for H.E.L.P.

According To Our Belief

Let Go The Past

God, The Lavish Giver

When Hope Becomes Faith

Staying In Alignment

Love Casts Out Fear

Impending Good

Principle At Work

Claiming Our Good

Using The Law

Right Here, Right Now

Meet The Day

The Science Of Faith

The Workshop Of The Imagination

Forever At Choice

Inescapable God

Choosing Our Destiny

Embracing Wholeness

Add A Touch Of Love

God As Energy

Make The Days Count

Turning Toward The Truth

The Big Gift

Abandoning Prejudice

One Power

May

Right-Use-Ness

Binging On Life

Cultivating Right Thinking

Act As If

I Am My Choices

Celebrating Life

The Two Questions

The Bond

An Array Of Light

Our Word

Spiritual Cha-Cha

Honoring Our True Selves

Our New Life Of Choice

Seeing The Value

Finding Sanctuary

Be Specific

Prayerful Action

Weather The Storm

Creative Comparison

Holy Breath

Infinite Source

All Is Well

Being

God As Substance

Natural Thinking

Apply Love

Living On Purpose

Re-Membering The Lost

Unlearn To Learn

Up Until Now

Choosing Wholeness

June

Playing Our Part

Generosity Of Spirit

One With The One

One Body

Revealing Truth

No Private Thought

Even More Good

The Sweetest Harvest

The Uses Of Adversity

Capital ‘T’ Truth

Take Notice

Conscious Emotions

The Cheerful Giver

Be Free

Already One

Living Large

Divine Conspiracy

Practice Makes Permanent

God Is All

Life Is Always New

Mindful Judgment

Living Our Choices

The Gold Mine

The Power Of Trained Thought

Circulation

Choose Again

Exposing The Imposter

Useful Faith

Keep Walking

If / Then

July

Uniquely Ours

Life Mirrors Belief

We Are One

True Freedom

Returning Home

A World That Works

Perfect Sight

God = Life

Infinite Supply

Roll Away The Stone

Inner Security

New Freedom, New Happiness

Affirmative Prayer

Paradise Is Now

Being Wholehearted

Keep It Simple

Uniquely Ourselves

Be Specific

The Spirit Of Nature

Under The Influence

Always New

Cooking Up An Inspired Life

Use Me, God

When Trouble Comes

Free Will

Applying Principle

Greater Works

Unburdened And Free

Get To Work

Living From Our Center

What Goes Around

August

Be At Choice

Developing Trust

Nourishing Solitude

Spirit Revealed As Us

The Sweetest Paradox

Come Around Right

Go! Explore! Excel!

Challenging Limitation

New Beginnings

Embrace The Changeless

Our World As One

The New Spirituality

From Dominion To Glory

Learning Selflessness

A Call To Awaken

Practicing Good Etiquette

Baby Steps

The Great Example

Choosing New Cause

The Gift And The Giver

Remembering To Remember

Love Thy Neighbor

Pushing The Envelope

The Law Says YES!

Exchanging Beliefs

Make Your Own News

Feel The Vibe

Never Too Late

Remaking Our Memories

Harnessing Creative Principle

Closer Than Our Shadow

September

Living In The Moment

Attracting Friends

God Is Love

Nonresistance

God In Action

Words Tell All

Directing Our Focus

The One, Individualized

The Power of Intention

Prescription For Peace

The Quiet Mind

Eliminating Struggle

Turning Away The Unwelcome

Awakening

Stepping Into Oneness

Training The Mind

The Double-Edged Sword

Calm Confidence

Recognizing God’s Substance

Nourished And Healed

Expectancy Of Good

We Are More

On The Frontier Of Faith

Connected By Spirit

Raising The White Flag

The Core Of Faith

Seeing Spirit Everywhere

God-Reliance

Living In Balance

Expect A Blessing

October

Collecting Our Good

Overcoming

Resisting Resistance

Redefining Perfection

Conscious Choice

God Aspires As Us

To Thine Own Self Be True

Answer The Call

Spirit Diffused As Us

Our Christ Nature

Attraction

Build A New Model

Staying In Alignment

I Am Complete

Good Orderly Direction

Intuition

Living As The Light

Open To Healing

Fulfilling Our Purpose

Be Joyful!

On The Mountaintop

Renewed Thinking

Divine Cycles

Act As If

Spiritual Evolution

Conscious Recognition

The Transformational Presence

There You Are

Spiritual Integration

The Kingdom Within

Be The Change

November

Eternity Is Now

The Sacred Covenant

Never Too Late

Strength

Buoyancy

Intention = Success

Focused Vision

Tapping Into Abundance

Becoming New

Thought Comes First

Inspiration

The Law As Artist

One Life

Simple Faith

Believe, Speak, Create

Play Big

Naming Our Good

Be A Finder

Manufacturing Happiness

Supporters And Detractors

Strength For The Journey

Gratitude And Appreciation

In Community

This Little Light

True Transformation

Love Your Enemies

The Now Moment

Freely Given

Revealing Truth

When Hope Becomes Faith

December

Adding Zeros

Soul Radiation

Serendipity

Inexhaustible Supply

The One Mind

We Are Superheroes!

Allowing Peace

Judge Not

Acceptance

The Source

True Prosperity

Keep On Walkin’

Divine Correspondence

Illumination

As You Believe

Science And Spirituality

Divine Discontent

Rest In Prayer

Dare To Be More

Healing Prayer

Choosing Freedom

Conspiracy Of Good

The Christ Mind

Being A Giver

On Christmas

Exercising Faith

Putting Spirit First

Faith For Its Own Sake

We Are One

Faith As Substance

The Power Of Intention

Index by Topic or Key Word

Permissions

Endnotes

Dedicated to:

My beloved husband, Mike Smith,

who, since 1991, has supported me fully

in every wild-hair activity I have chosen

to involve myself with,

including this one.

And to,

My Forever Friend,

Shirley Burres.

Whatever heaven is, it’s a better place

because you are there.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to my first editor and most enthusiastic cheerleader, Dr. Anne Perrah, Co-owner and ‘Heart’ of A Book-Writer’s Midwife, Reno, Nevada

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-perrah-6884141a

Illustrations and Front Cover Photography by Cris Tulloch

Photo of the author as a child by Howard Warren Lewis

Photo of the author on the back cover by Mark Vollmer

https://sierraarts.org/user/mark.vollmer/.

Photographic services provided by Stephen Wheatcraft

http://www.stephenwheatcraft.com

Foreword

I met Deanna Allcorn Smith in 2009 shortly after she moved to Reno from the San Jose area, and began coming to my church, Center for Spiritual Living. As the Senior Minister, I was aware of her almost right away. What I first observed in her, I would later come to fully appreciate about her. She immediately made friends, got involved, started taking classes and volunteered. She asked questions, was curious, and no matter what was going on, she always wanted to know more.

Deanna got the ‘inner call’ and began her long, committed journey toward becoming a Licensed Prayer Practitioner, essentially a spiritual counselor, at CSL Reno. I was her teacher for her final two years of her studies. All the things I had initially observed and appreciated about her, became more apparent as she dove even more deeply into her spiritual path. She had a thirst for not only wanting to understand how our teaching worked (these vast laws of metaphysics), but she also had a genuine desire to serve people. The perfect combination for someone seeking to be a Prayer Practitioner. She understood the value of offering a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, or sharing a life wisdom. One time in particular when someone called me in crisis, I knew Deanna was the right one to ask to reach out to her. Deanna stopped what she was doing and met with this person, encouraging and offering guidance. I was so grateful for her willingness, as well as her courage to step up.

Deanna officially joined our Prayer Practitioner team in 2014 and she has been a shining asset every single day since. In 2016, I asked her if she’d be willing to be the ‘face’ of our Ministry of Prayer by writing letters to every single person who asked for prayer, acknowledging their request, and offering assurance that their request would be prayed for by all of us. Writing these letters is not an easy job, but I felt that because of Deanna’s beautiful way with words, her stellar reputation for being reliable and dependable, her open and willing heart — that she was the right and perfect person for the job. I was delighted when she said yes! Deanna has the gift to ascertain what it is really being asked in these prayer requests, and to arrive at the Spiritual Truth in the form of a personalized affirmative prayer for them. Each one takes the skill of being fully present and drawing on the One Mind of God. Time and time again, I hear from recipients of these letters how much they have been helped by her words in their time of need, or even crisis. Deanna’s mastery with words, her clear and elegant expressions which always manage to get to the heart of the matter, have been so appreciated. Many have also shared that they’ve read her letters over and over again, finding comfort and encouragement, even keeping these letters by their bedside to read first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Her prayers have brought Healing to thousands of people.

It was a natural progression for Deanna to write this book. She has inspired her friends and colleagues for some time with her daily text messages of inspiration. I’d hear people quoting something she had written, or mentioning how that day’s lesson had lifted them up. It’s such a blessing that she allowed this idea to evolve into writing a whole book! This book! Every day she offers a simple, yet powerful gem to give guidance, inspiration, or even just a little hope. Deanna’s big heart and maybe most importantly, her desire to serve others, comes through on every page. A Year on the Journey offers just that. Keep it by your bedside to read in the morning or at night — or both. Let her words be a blessing to you. They have been for me.

Reverend Liesa Leggett Garcia, D.D.

Senior Minister

Center for Spiritual Living, Reno

PRE-AMBLE

I love to walk. Taking a walk is my grounding point, my exercise, and my private time, nearly every day. Getting ready for my walk involves dressing for the weather and terrain, having a light meal, hydrating, and collecting the accoutrements needed to make my walk comfortable and fulfilling. I call this introduction to my book a ‘Pre-Amble’ because it is akin to the preparation required to begin any journey.

I have chosen to title this book A Year On The Journey because I intend it to be a walk for your spirit. It is a journey I take daily, and I invite you to join me on this pathway of transformation. It’s a gentle walk — an ‘amble,’ if you will, but one that is ripe with rewards.

Just the fact that you have this book in your hands, and are inspired to look deeper, tells me that you have a thirst you are seeking to quench. I know that thirst. I also know how gratifying it is to have that thirst satisfied. It is my hope that this little offering will serve you, opening a door of personal discovery that is unique to you. The destination: A simple, fulfilling, and useful faith that works for you.

ABOUT ME

I began seeking a relationship with God when I was just a child. Because I did not have a strong religious upbringing, and I was one of those kids who was not comfortable asking probing questions, my hunger went unfulfilled for decades. As a young adult, I developed a dependence upon intoxicants, which took me down a rough and dangerous road. In those years, I sought doggedly to find a solution to my problem in the churches and self-help groups — to no avail, or so it appeared at the time. Gratefully, at the age of 33, in 1984, I finally found recovery and have been sober ever since.

Upon immersing myself in 12-step recovery, I was encouraged to develop a ‘God of my own understanding’ which would support me in rebuilding my life. I was delighted to be a part of a group of people who gave me absolute latitude to co-create that divine relationship. I knew it would have to be without some of the traditional religious constraints common in western culture.

It was then that I was introduced to Center for Spiritual Living in my home town of San Jose, California. There, in those early, tentative visits, I first heard the words of Dr. Ernest Holmes, founder of that organization. Simply, powerfully, directly, his phrase, There is a power for good in the universe greater than you are and you can use it. This phrase spoke to me like a thunder cloud crashing over my head. The idea that I can USE this power was something altogether new to me. I did not have to swallow mythological stories. I did not have to kneel and beg for forgiveness. I did not have to trust an invisible being that would punish me or bless me in a capricious, unpredictable manner. This ‘Power’ that I was hearing about was also called ‘God’ or ‘Spirit,’ but it was unlike any conception of God I had ever heard of before.

I did not fully latch on to this spiritual concept for quite a few years. Working my recovery program, raising my son as a single mother, developing a successful career, remarrying, walking my parents home, relocating from San Jose, California to Reno, Nevada — all this took place without the full benefit of a truly useful faith. It was only when I was reunited with Center For Spiritual Living, this time in Reno in 2009, that my understanding and acceptance of these spiritual principles really took hold.

Once I began studying in earnest, committing myself to the enlargement my understanding, and evolving as a student and teacher of New Thought, that Peace came over me at last. I accepted the challenge of training to become a Professional Prayer Practitioner, and received my license in 2014. I love the work it has brought to me, especially the profound privilege of being a spiritual counselor, meeting and praying one-on-one with clients.

Since that time, my desire to share what I have learned has only grown and matured. In 2016, I began writing daily devotional lessons, and texting them to friends. In the next few years, my collection of these lessons bloomed to over 600 selections. It was then that I began to consider them to be valuable enough to share as a book. The result is this collection of 366 lessons (not forgetting leap day) which you have before you. My gratitude for the opportunity to share them with you is beyond words. Thank you for your attention, and enjoy the Journey!

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Let’s make one thing clear up front. This volume is not intended to convert you to my way of perceiving God. It is intended to assist you in finding your own way of perceiving God. Yes, there are some very specific recommendations in these pages, AND I know you will take some and leave the rest. That’s what all of us do, all day long, with everything. But of highest importance, I seek to honor that which is built into the human experience — that each and every one of us has a unique and unrepeatable concept of God. As much as traditional religion has endeavored to put a box around Spirit by dictating our beliefs, it never truly has. At the most intimate level, all of us have differences, great or small, in how we relate to and embody the Infinite. This is not only how it should be, it is how it must be, according to our individual creation.

So, I submit a number of suggestions, just as they were submitted to me. Applied, I found them life changing. My only desire is to offer you some alternatives to the beliefs you may hold which are not serving you.

Since this is a daily devotional, you may be tempted to simply open the book to today’s date, and begin reading one lesson a day. However, if you have no previous exposure to the concepts of New Thought, you may want to begin reading the selections for January, first. Here, I have concentrated some basics that will help you get started. After that, do as you will! This book is also a great tool for allowing Spirit to speak as you claim Guidance in prayer — open it randomly to have questions answered, or to stimulate new thinking that you can apply to your daily life.

ABOUT THE CAIRNS

As a child growing up in Northern California, my parents taught me to backpack and rock climb. Those years were rich with adventures in the back countries of the Sierra Nevada, the Cascades, the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Wyoming, and the Columbia Mountains of British Columbia. Wherever we went on those rugged treks, I would witness cairns — carefully stacked rocks found at trail heads, on vast sheets of granite, and on summit blocks — a testament to the auspicious nature of the journey, and the exhilarating climax of the destination. I fell in love with these primitive structures, and found spiritual symbology in them.

The uses of cairns throughout history are too numerous detail here, but the ones I’ve seen in the wild always seem to impart this message from their maker: I was here before you. I’ve left these markers for you because I care about you, and don’t want you to get lost. Just follow them, and your journey will be a Joyous one.

In this same way, I have constructed cairns built from words, within the pages of this book. They are here to serve you, as guideposts and milestones. I build them with care, trusting you will sense the great Love with which they are placed here for you. If I can be of service to just one of you, aiding you in finding your way on this journey, my intention will be fulfilled. The illustrated cairns you will find on the title page of each monthly section of this book are symbols of that care, so that you may know I have walked this way before you.

ABOUT CAPATALIZATION

Right away, you’re going to notice certain words capitalized in the middle of sentences in this book. These are words which characterize God (aka ‘Spirit,’) and exemplify God’s Infinite being. They can be referred to as aspects or qualities of God — Universal, Unlimited, or Eternal in nature, unlike human qualities. As you will learn as you read on, I believe that all the qualities of God are also within and as each of us, and we can access them anytime. Find more about this in the selection for June 28, Useful Faith. Also, see the Qualities of God chart which follows this Pre-Amble.

ABOUT THE QUOTES

As we begin our journey together, you’ll notice that each daily lesson is prefaced by a quote. These are often excerpts from books I have read, bible verses, song lyrics, even common phrases or humorous remarks I have heard along my path. Each is placed at the beginning of my writing as an epigraph — the quote is the inspiration for my words to follow. It is placed there as an opportunity for contemplation. Studied for a moment before continuing will allow you to ‘catch the vibe’ and establish a consciousness for the lesson which follows. I hope you will take that moment as you begin reading each day’s lesson, to more fully appreciate the inspiration for it.

To discover the source of any of the epigraphs which came from copyrighted material see the ‘Permissions’ pages in the back of this book.

ABOUT REPITITION

It is my sincere hope that you will make the most of this book by reading a lesson daily. Perhaps you will make some notes about how it spoke to you, and then consider and apply your interpretation throughout the day.

You may open the book another morning and think, Really? She’s talking about this again today? Why, yes — I am! Repetition is a valuable tool as we pursue the path of transformation. One cannot possibly expect to absorb and apply new ideas after hearing about them once. And so we allow ourselves to be exposed to these principles again and again, perhaps in slightly different language. This is why it’s called ‘practice.’

Earlier, I referred to the desire for spiritual understanding as a ‘thirst,’ and the joy of having that thirst satisfied. But just like physical thirst, it can never be quenched for long. The need for more always returns, and if we are wise, we make the practice of prayer, meditation, study, and community a daily habit.

If you really want to know what to expect from this book, take a moment to look at the index in the back. There you will find a list of topics and key words used in the daily lessons. Right away you’ll notice subjects such as ‘Oneness,’ ‘Consciousness,’ ‘Law,’ and ‘Presence of God,’ and the references to where these topics are found. They occur again and again, because understanding them is key to a truly useful relationship in God. Even the most advanced student of spirituality needs to review the basics repeatedly, and Joyfully partake in daily practice to stay safely on the path.

For more about the value of repetitive practice, see the selection for March 22, The Power of Repetition.

ABOUT THE ‘LAW’

References in this book to ‘Law’ are about spiritual principles. They declare that there are certain immutable Laws at play in the non-material realm, just as the laws of physics govern all that appears in the physical world. Primary among these is the Law of Attraction (also known as Cause and Effect). This Law is an Energy that draws people and experiences to ourselves which are reflections of who we are. If this concept is new to you, more will be revealed as you read on. I encourage you to stay with it, consider it, and observe how the Law is working in your life right now, whether you are making conscious use of it yet, or not. The Law is our friend, a gift of God, and very beneficial when we are mindful of its influence.

ABOUT YOU

You are a totally unique, unrepeatable expression of God! As such, finding and manifesting your highest and most fully-orbed version of yourself is your purpose in being alive. It is your highest Good. It’s true that this book is aimed at the beginner or intermediate level student, although even the most advanced aspirant can benefit from it. Staying engaged and allowing yourself to be lead on this gentle upward trail of enlightenment is the journey of a lifetime. As long as we are alive, there is no destination. Because Spirit is Infinite, there is always more.

My fervent hope and affirmative prayer is that you will benefit from this offering, and it will lead you to still greater teachings and experiences of God’s Unfailing Love for you — for all of us. If my writing has inspired you to turn within, and there discover a God consciousness that is a perfect fit for you, then my mission will have been accomplished.

So, again, WELCOME to A Year On The Journey! I’m so grateful to have your companionship as we amble this path together!

Deanna Allcorn Smith, RScP

Autumn, 2022

Qualities of God

This is a list of words used to define the aspects, qualities or characteristics of God. Due to our limited human perspective, we find it useful to refer to this list when creating an affirmative prayer, or as an everyday reminder of the unlimited and eternal nature of Spirit. A quality of God will always be transcendent and universal in nature, unlike human qualities.

In creating an affirmative prayer, we find the God quality that is the opposite of the condition we are praying about, and claim that God quality to be powerfully present in and as ourselves, the person prayed for, and the situation.

Examples:

• When experiencing confusion, affirm Clarity.

• When in fear, affirm Faith, Freedom and/or Love.

• When in turmoil, affirm Peace.

Absolute

Abundance

Awareness

Balance

Beauty

Changeless

Clarity

Comfort

Complete

Confidence

Constant

Creativity

Divinity

Energy

Faith

Freedom

Fulfillment

Good

Guidance

Harmony

Healing

Health

Infinite

Intelligence

Joy

Life

Light

Limitlessness

Love

Omnipotent

Omnipresent

Omniscience

Oneness

Order

Peace

Perfection

Power

Presence

Prosperity

Protection

Purpose

Radiance

Source

Substance

Success

Sufficiency

Supply

Trust

Truth

Wholeness

Wisdom

0-02.jpg

The author, age 9, placing just one more rock on an

existing cairn while on a family mountaineering trip

in the Bugaboo Range of British Columbia, 1960.

January

0-03.jpg

We Welcome The New Year

January 1

The first problem for all of us... is not to learn, but to unlearn.

- Gloria Steinem

In our quest to cultivate a rewarding spiritual life, we may find it necessary to unlearn some long-held beliefs and habits, before we can be made new. Like a house stuffed full of possessions, some things must be removed before the new can be brought in. The willingness to rationally identify what has outlived its purpose, and is just taking up space is an important skill to develop as we travel the road of awakening. We look with a discerning eye at our thoughts and beliefs, and become willing to ‘clean house.’

When we commit ourselves to clearly seeing our false beliefs, and ask for Divine assistance, we begin unlearning that which no longer serves us. It can be challenging, since many of our false beliefs may have been with us for decades! They are so familiar, we may feel they are part of our identity. Like a precious child we are sworn to protect, we cling to our beliefs with a mighty grip. But when we come to understand that all ingrained habits of thought and behavior are choices, it becomes easier to release, and choose anew.

Once a falsehood is seen for what it truly is, and dismissed, we make space for healthy, useful, inspired thought to take over. We may begin to wonder what took us so long. We feel lighter, energized, and purposeful. We recognize Spirit urging us on, to grow beyond what we previously believed possible.

So today, as we say farewell to the old year, let’s notice what we are still holding on to that may be as useless as last year’s calendar. Bit by bit, with the aid of Benevolent Spirit, we release the old, and make way for the new.

100% Spirit

January 2

Once you start to make the transformational awakening journey, there is no going back.

- Wayne Dyer

Even though we may speak in such terms, there really is no process of seeking and finding God. Once we latch onto a God consciousness that resonates for us, it’s not that God has suddenly made an appearance! We have simply uncovered what has always been there. We’ve opened our minds and hearts enough to hear Spirit speak in words we can understand. We’ve made a choice to accept what has always been offered.

For many of us, the gift of desperation has been the turning point that allows God in. We’ve exhausted our own resources and nothing’s working. Only then can we consider that a Power Greater than we are is indeed present, and at the ready to give assistance. But where we may go wrong is to adopt the idea that God must be something outside of ourselves, thereby difficult to reach, or perhaps requiring some sacrifice in exchange for Grace. Bargaining is a human activity, not a Divine one.

The alternative is simple, and immediately available. It’s the understanding that God has always been present in our lives. We are saturated in It. To seek God would be like a fish seeking water — it does not recognize the very medium which is its Source and Sustenance. And so a more accurate way of describing our quest for the God experience would be ‘remembering’ or ‘uncovering.’ God’s Presence has always been with us in Its entirety.

When we embrace our Oneness with God, we realize that separation is impossible, and the channel is already open. It’s a Universal experience which is completely unique to each of us, and the details fall into place according to our own one-of-a-kind Divine Nature!

I Know Better

January 3

All the refuge of lies shall be swept away.

- Emma Curtis Hopkins

Once we have grasped the Truth that God is all there is, we begin to see the circumstances of our lives differently. What we once believed to be true may indeed be fact, but only in the physical sense. There is always something greater beneath the limited view of our five senses. Opening ourselves to Spiritual Truth, we begin perceiving life with new eyes.

When we are experiencing human limitations, such as fear, confusion, anger or inharmony of any kind, we are caught up in the temporal. In prayer we find the antidote for this poison — a shift in perception to the Eternal. We pray knowing that we are made in God’s image and likeness, and all that is God is available for us to use and enjoy. God is always Clarity, Confidence, Love, and Peace. In prayer we claim the attribute of God that is the opposite of the appearance — and we watch, as what is false, temporal, and illusionary crumbles in our hands.

Affirming the qualities of God to be our own, these Truths are awakened in us. It takes practice and discipline to make this a habit, but a Peace-filled way of life is the outcome. We begin to look at every challenging appearance with a smile, as we whisper to ourselves, I know better.

Adopting the intention to live in Truth, we can no longer take refuge in the false. Free from belief in any power in opposition to God, we feel our hearts and minds open, and a new vista emerging before us. All the lies that once held us in their grasp are swept away, and we are made new.

New Thought

January 4

The state of your soul is always expressed in your outer conditions and in the intangible influence which you radiate at large.

- Emmet Fox

The notion that we create our reality with our thoughts and beliefs is not a new one. Today’s quote was penned in the early twentieth century, but all of what we now call New Thought harkens back to the teachings of Jesus, who said repeatedly, It is done unto you as you believe.

Observation of our own lives can be the most convincing testimonial of