It’s All About Perspective
Rev. Donna Baranyay
How would you answer proverbial questions – “How would you answer proverbial questions – “Is the glass half full or half empty?” and “How hard is it to hold a glass of water?” The answer will probably depend on the answer to several other questions or your mood, or how you see life exist.
Metaphysics teaches us to see the Divine in all things while not negating the human aspect of life. It can be a balancing act sometimes. Metaphysics also teaches practical application of our principles. That we must incorporate them into our daily lives, our thoughts, choices, and ultimately our actions.
“It is the nature of the universe to give us what we are able to take. It cannot give us more. It has given all, we have not yet accepted the greater gift.” Ernest Holmes
Ernest Holmes in the Science of Mind talks about the concept of mental equivalents. A mental equivalent can be described as having a belief about something and experiencing life to that degree. For example, if I believe something about myself, I will call those experiences to me. What I genuinely believe becomes my reality. It’s all about perspective.
How do I view life? How do I view myself? Am I able to shift my perspectives, my beliefs to be more loving? Accepting? Healing? Embracing what it is I love about life, about the Divine, about one another, and Mother Earth. Am I seeing what I want to change about me or something or am I embracing what I want to manifest, see in the world?
Wayne Dyer used the analogy of an orange. He asked us “What happens if I squeeze this orange?” Orange juice, we would get orange juice…not grapefruit juice, or cranberry juice. He then asked what would happen if we were squeezed. Would anger, bitterness, fear, or maybe love, compassion, show up? I believe it depends on the circumstances in that moment because we have all these feelings inside us at different times and they all serve a purpose.
I would like to invite us to see what the prevailing, most common feeling that shows up in moments like these. We always have a choice as to how we show up. And we can always re-choose if we are not happy with our first choice. Life is made up of sacred moments, moments that are meaningful. Life is short, it is precious, and it is meant to be lived. I would like to end with this story, The Parable of Love, because when I discovered it many years ago it reminded me of the power of perspective. It reminded me that I want to engage in life to the fullest, use our principles in my daily life, and be a conduit of love for the Divine to express through.
Parable of Love – Author Unknown
Once upon a time there was an island where all the feelings lived; happiness, sadness, knowledge, and all the others, including love.
One day it was announced to all of the feelings that the island was going to sink to the bottom of the ocean. So all the feelings prepared their boats to leave.
Love was the only one that stayed. She wanted to preserve the island paradise until the last possible moment. When the island was almost totally under, Love decided it was time to leave. She began looking for someone to ask for help. Just then Richness was passing by in a grand boat. Love asked, “Richness, Can I come with you on your boat?” Richness answered, “I’m sorry, but there is a lot of silver and gold on my boat and there would be no room for you anywhere.”
Then Love decided to ask Vanity for help who was passing in a beautiful vessel. “Vanity, help me please.” Love cried out. “I can’t help you”, Vanity said, “You are all wet and will damage my beautiful boat.”
Next, Love saw Sadness passing by. Love said, “Sadness, please let me go with you.” Sadness answered, “Love, I’m sorry, but, I just need to be alone now.”
Then, Love saw Happiness. Love cried out, “Happiness, please take me with you.” But Happiness was so overjoyed that he didn’t hear Love calling to him.
Love began to cry. Then, she heard a voice say, “Come Love, I will take you with me.” It was an elder. Love felt so blessed and overjoyed that she forgot to ask the elder for his name. When they arrived on land, the elder went on his own way.
Love realized how much she owed the elder. Love then found Knowledge and asked, “Who was it that helped me?”
“It was Time”, Knowledge answered. “But why did Time help me when no one else would?”, Love asked. Knowledge smiled and with deep wisdom and sincerity, answered,” Because only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is.”
May you have a blessed month and remember that you are loved, loving, and lovable.
With Love and Gratitude,
Rev Donna
(Featured Photo used in the blog by Keith Misner on Unsplash)