Lent.
LENT (Let’s Eliminate Negative Thinking)
LENT (Let’s Encourage New Thinking)
|
|
March is here friends. I sense a big sigh, a sense of relief for some that perhaps like me don’t enjoy the winter as much as Springtime. I know, I know, I know, some of you delight in shoveling snow and ice skating in your shoes to your car and wearing five or more layers to snuggle you. It’s fine and it’s NOT my preference.
|
|
I was not raised going to church and hadn’t heard the word Lent until I was an adult (that I remember...). However, from the very first time I heard it and begin to explore what it may actually be — inviting us to and frankly inviting us away from — I knew it was important for me. Not because of my religious threads or theological ties or traditions. Instead, something deep within me that is devoted to using anything and everything that may work to untangle me from patterned worldviews and thinking.
|
|
Over the several years now, I have approached Lent from many angles, including fasting from something(s), daily writings, meditations, surrender processes, withholding opinions, letting anger have its place in me without expressing or suppressing it, etc. |
|
This Quote summed it up for me wholeheartedly: |
|
“Lent is a call to renew a commitment grown dull, perhaps, by a life more marked by routine than reflection."
— Joan Chittist
|
|
I got an email from someone about the Pope’s recommendations for Lent and NO, I didn’t call the Pope to fact-check it. ☺ I simply could see every bit of it would be, could be beneficial to me. Here you go:
|
|
Fast from hurting words AND say kind words.
For example, someone dear to me recently told me that “no one on this earth had ever done anything to make their life easier.” Talk about a gut punch to hear that. Well actually, a heart punch. From my perspective, I have done a mighty great deal to make their life easier. As I practiced this, I had to pause, get quiet, REFLECT before responding. Through that reflection practice, I could see that their hurt, frustration, and doubt about whether they could go on were the driving forces in the energy causing that comment. I also realized that their comment was nothing to do with me or what I have done for them, simply their pain expressing.
|
|
Fast from sadness AND focus on gratitude.
This has been my practice since my earliest memories, HOWEVER, I had to painstakingly learn the difference between fasting from sadness and suppressing/disowning/denying sadness.
|
|
“Life, Lent — It’s all a laboratory for discovery."
— Martha Creek
|
|
Fast from pessimism AND fill yourself with hope.
I’ve had several opportunities to practice this lately. I was talking with a friend recently who generally presents from pessimist thinking and heard him say, “it probably won’t work out.” I was struck by this and how much I don’t actually allow myself to speak these thoughts. The truth is the thoughts are still running in the underworld, the patterning, and the mind. I’ve learned I can’t stop or control the thoughts AND I can be willing for it to work out. What if it does work out or even better? Where have things similarly worked out for me and others in the past? These are examples of questions that lean me back in the direction of hope.
|
|
Fast from complaining AND contemplate simplicity.
These things seemed like two very different worlds to me when I first read this. In reflection, however, I was struck by the power of simplicity that can be applied in every situation. It has helped me keep a broader perspective. Stopping complaining, or for that matter reducing complaining, is its own miracle. For me, it is a life work. It also includes that I allow and accept that others are NOT fasting from complaining. It’s simpler when I allow it.
|
|
Fast from Pressures AND be prayerful.
We live under a great deal of pressure from a myriad of causes. I know that I can’t even glimpse the depth of the human suffering that exists in the world. I work daily in devotion to change what I can, to accept what I can’t change, and the wise surrender to know the difference. I feel better when I pray. Every pressure I have loses some of its power over me when I pray. I have reasons to pray and to give space for it, particularly when pressured.
|
|
“Feeling compassion for ourselves in no way releases us from responsibility for our actions. Rather, it releases us from the self-hatred that prevents us from responding to our life with clarity and balance."
— Ruth Fishel, “The Journey Within”
|
|
Fast from selfishness AND be compassionate to others.
I’ve been afraid of being seen as selfish most of my life. I have such resistance to it and judgment around it, myself, and others. I also know that selfishness is not true in my essence. I am more naturally selfless than selfish and am not compassionate to myself when I fail to notice this. Compassion is more of a natural state than my mind can sometimes navigate to. Compassion fatigue is fairly dominant in us “helper” types of personalities, so I have to be mindful that my compassion includes me too.
|
|
Fast from grudges AND be reconciled.
WHEW! This one got me. I’m full of pride (the problematic kind) about how I don’t hold grudges. Reflecting and practicing this more intently, I became aware of some “injustice collecting” I’ve been doing lately. Unconsciously of course. I’ve experienced some real disappointments in “people’s ways” and what I consider to be dishonest ways to handle some important life/death matters. I realize that my peace is disturbed by these grudges, and therefore my spiritual self is suffering, even though the ego is having a heyday. I’ve learned and am still learning that people are capable of all depths of deceit, manipulation, cruelty, and the full spectrum. I am also aware, that that doesn’t belong to me and my life path. I must wholeheartedly mind my own dog-gone business and make sure I don’t do the very things I find unethical or immoral. That is a full-time job.
|
|
Fast from words AND be silent SO I CAN LISTEN.
I have benefitted from nearly a month of extended periods of silence. I look forward to uplifting this precious practice that has more or less become routine, as I know it is extremely beneficial for my well-being. Uplift me this month, please.
|
|
"When you are compassionate with yourself, you trust in your soul, which you let guide your life. Your soul knows the geography of your destiny better than you do."
— John O’Donohue
|
|
What will this period of Lent look like for you? What strikes you as perhaps something to try, take up, let go of? It’s an experiment that could possibly lead to our own resurrection. Would love to hear from you. |
|
Here’s the link to the recorded readings of Martha’s Pearls that I offered last month:
Here’s the link to the daily reflections from “The Science of Mind”:
Please feel free to use and share them in any way beneficial.
|
|
Happy Eastertime, Springtime, and Reflection time. Repent, Renew, & Remember who and what you are – in Truth. All my best. |
|
Martha Creek
502-905-0783
|
|
Check out the cruises I’ll be taking in 2023 and join in if possible:
|
|
My March 2023 Special Gift for You! |
And here is my special gift to you this month.
Click on the box to open your gift.
|
|
|
Join me at the ANTN retreat conference on Oct 2– 6 in 2023 at the gorgeous Unity Village near Kansas City. www.antn.org/event-4960280. It’s a tremendous week of renewal, learning, and joyful connection.
http://www.danielnahmod.com is our musician. https://jeffonseely.com is a keynote speaker. It includes the largest labyrinth in the US, hand-carved/hand-laid stones, exceptional retreat, and conference keynotes, and the dearest community gathering of New Thought friends in all the land.
|
|
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE
Please subscribe to YouTube channel for immediate notice of all new videos, interview series, etc. Please “like” and “share” postings from Martha Creek public figure media platform.
YouTube handle: YouTube.com/@marthacreek
|
|
|
Purchase the book below: Kindle version $1.99, Print copy (black and white) $11.99 or Full color — loads of photos ($24.99). PLEASE PLEASE leave a review on Amazon to continue to further UPLIFT these teachings.
|
|
Read what someone wrote about the book:
Martha's words are wise, honest, real and come from her heart. Each "pearl" opens my heart and mind to possibilities, to a lesson for me told in her own loving, and very often humorous way. They bring laughter and tears, and a deep gratitude for the wisdom that she shares from her own experiences. Martha's precious personal stories bring her experiences right off the page into my world, allowing me to remember stories of my own. Every page gifts me with an idea, a truth or a lesson that I know will bring me closer to the truth of who I am.... and for this I am eternally grateful.
Bunches of love, Mary
|
|
"I stop seeking anything from another human being.”
— Martha Creek
|
|
Please consider a donation to continue the teachings of Martha Creek. Many of the classes and workshops are offered by donations only, with suggested donations amounts included in the class or workshop description. We welcome your support. |
|
You do not need a Paypal account to make a donation. You can use your debit or credit via PayPal if you don't have a Paypal account. If you choose to send a check, please send it payable to Martha Creek and send it to PO Box 1081, Louisville KY 40201.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
