| It's really simple, yet the most important thing I can tell | | | | months")? Can you really control the world? Not as |
| you about faith. | | | | much as you think you can. You can only plan, work |
| Faith is a human process (as anything is "process"). | | | | hard, and play a bit - and these will lead to the best |
| God was recognized by man - that perfectionist | | | | outcome that the world ALLOWS, but it's impossible to |
| control freak man is - to take care of those things | | | | completely control a world of change. If you believe |
| man had no control over (all the world's troubles). | | | | that God is the energy that animates this world, then |
| But man is stubborn - he tells himself (herself) that any | | | | God's better equipped to handle these things, and |
| little thing that happens in the world is a result of his | | | | you're better off handing over those aspects of your |
| own ignorance, and being an idealist/perfectionist he | | | | plans you cannot control. If you worry about these |
| bangs into walls trying to control every event. | | | | things you'll go crazy! Even the best actors forget their |
| But he cannot. And his worry over these troubles | | | | lines on opening night! Deal with it. |
| creates over 90% of his problems. He dwells on past | | | | 3) Worst case scenario - your child's dying (to me the |
| mistakes which have no relevance anymore. He | | | | greatest suffering a human can endure). What can |
| dwells in future events which may or may not occur. | | | | you control? Whom can you blame? You heard of |
| And what about the things that are happening today - | | | | other, distant children dying every day, but YOUR |
| right now? No time for that! But really today, if you | | | | universe still seemed orderly; your faith remained |
| need some control, is all you've got. You CANNOT | | | | strong. Can you now blame God? Life is death. If my |
| control the past or the future - LIFE IS CHANGE - and | | | | child died I would hate the world, even hate God. But |
| only NOW is real. | | | | eventually, as is human nature, I would come to some |
| So I pray every morning that I make only TODAY a | | | | understanding that sometimes tragedies happen, and |
| good day, a productive day, for me and everyone | | | | we must suffer. But can we control any of these |
| around me. The things I usually worry about have to | | | | tragedies? We learn to adapt, or we die ourselves. |
| do with their lives anyway, not mine. I can promise God | | | | And for those who waste time worrying about |
| only to try my best for today. | | | | tragedies that have not occurred? STOP! Every |
| As for the past and future, my second prayer... | | | | moment you waste running these terrible things |
| "Father, please take my troubles and handle them as | | | | through your mind blinds you to what's happening |
| you need to; TAKE THESE WORRIES FROM ME, | | | | NOW! And the Present is quickly becoming an |
| and I'll work on helping your other children on earth. I will | | | | UNLIVED PAST! Do your best to secure a good |
| no longer worry over things I CANNOT CONTROL. | | | | future, then leave it to the universe. We suffer. We will |
| These things I offer up to you." | | | | suffer. You cannot avoid it. Why suffer now for |
| I will no longer suffer over things I cannot control. | | | | something that might not occur? Can't you see that |
| These I offer up to you." | | | | you're producing MORE suffering through worry, by |
| I will let God handle the world's problems now, while I | | | | running horrendous scenes, which have not occurred, |
| try my best to make it a bit better for everyone. I'll | | | | over and over in your mind? Tell yourself to stop it |
| work hard to be a kind and compassionate man, and | | | | now. Meditate, seek help. But begin the Process of |
| forgive others their mistakes, especially the mistakes | | | | stopping these horrible apparitions. |
| of the past (mistakes which, I'm sure, are causing them | | | | Our only trouble in the world, therefore, comes from |
| more suffering than they do me). | | | | our intent - if I intend to murder someone then I have |
| So, anytime I begin to worry I give it to God. Since I | | | | real trouble. Trouble with God and the Universe. Then |
| generally cannot control the outcome, I do my best in | | | | I'd worry! |
| the situation, do all I can do, and leave the rest in God's | | | | But if I am not malevolent, if I try to do good things and |
| hands. | | | | help others find peace, then I've done all I can on this |
| Even if you don't see a personal God, answer this - | | | | earth. I cannot control the future, and I cannot re-live |
| How much more can you do? You've worked hard, | | | | the past. I try, and leave the rest to God. |
| done your best. Leave the rest to the Universe - there | | | | We worry approximately half our day over the past |
| seems to be a Universal Protocol for events | | | | and future (some worry more); things we cannot |
| (CHANGE). You've controlled all you can. Now throw it | | | | control. If we're going to worry at all, we should trouble |
| out there on the table and see what develops. You're | | | | ourselves with today. Wake up, and try to make it a |
| done with it, so stop trying to control it! | | | | great day, and deal with any problems that arise. Then |
| Finally, make a list of what bothers you... | | | | go to bed assuring yourself that you did your best. |
| 1) Things I've done in the past I now beat myself up | | | | Another prayer I say... |
| over (can't do anything but improve your behavior, | | | | "Father, please take my troubles from me. I trust you |
| forgive yourself, and learn the lesson. But don't suffer | | | | with them. In exchange I will do my best, and bring |
| anymore. | | | | kindness and peace to my brothers and sisters. Thank |
| 2) What's in the future ("what's coming up in 3 | | | | you for this day. |