Mother Nature threw us a curve ball this week with some snow on Friday. I had calculated in my head that we were past the time in April for snow. Not the case. It has all melted, but it is a great reminder of how unpredictable weather is. An old model of ministry was one of “predict and control.” It was minister-centric where the ministry revolved around the minister. Ministry has come along and developed into a model that promotes living into your vision, mission, and core values through developing leaders and creating ownership and partnering in relationship with the community. It is a much more organic process than the “predict and control.” I hope this has piqued your interest and that you will stay tuned for more information coming soon!
The message on Sunday was continuing with the book Living Originally by Rev. Robert Brumet. The focus was on deep self-acceptance. It began with a video by Charlie Chaplin called As I Began to Love Myself.
I suggest you watch it a few times this week.
An important point that Brumet makes is his definition of the practice of deep self-acceptance: “Deep self-acceptance is simply the unconditional acceptance of my present moment experience, whatever that experience may be. The self I accept is simply the sense of self I experience each and every moment. This self is not an image but rather a felt experience.”
Deep self-acceptance is allowing each experience to be what it is without interfering in any way. This is not easy when you notice you are resisting, rejecting, judging, and reacting. Then observe yourself and breath into the resistance and return to being Present, allowing what is to just be.
Keep in mind resistance is not a mistake, wrong, or bad. Resistance is showing our unhealed wounds; it is mistaken identity, and we are called to return home to the present moment. See the awareness of resistance as an opportunity for freedom and transformation. Be willing to experience the underlying pain or anxiety beneath the resistance. If we can observe, allow, and create detachment we create space for empowered choices. We will then respond from the wisdom that arises rather than react from our ego.
By responding we are choosing words and actions that keep us connected to our integrity, core values, and Divine Nature. We agree to disagree in Love. Here is the Unity Agree and Disagree in Love document:
Agreeing to disagree in love does not mean I like or agree with what another is speaking or how they are behaving. It means I can disagree while remaining connected to my Authentic Self.
As we live life/move through our day we practice acceptance of our present moment experience, whatever that experience may be. We allow each experience to be what it is.
Formal Practice Daily
• Devoted period of mindfulness in the stillness
• Awareness on the breath and the sensations in the body
• Opportunity to see more clearly ways I resist my present moment experience:
• compulsive thinking
• daydreaming
• sleepiness
• planning
• ruminating
I stay present to the moment allowing each experience to arise, with acceptance, is the key to this practice.
You might also want to revisit the poem by Jennifer Williamson, I Am Enough.
Sunday’s Service includes Robert Brumet’s Deep Self-Acceptance meditation.
Don’t miss next week…Unlimited Forgiveness.
You are a blessing in my life,
Rev. Patricia Bessey
Labyrinths are ancient geometric figures. One leaves one’s worries and stress at the entrance and walks meditatively to the middle. As one walks to the center she/he becomes centered within her/himself, calmer, and more grounded. 
