Saving the world by moving toward happiness

 Welcome to Daily Miracles, a running commentary on the 365 lessons of A Course in Miracles, an influential spiritual text from the 1970s. I am James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as I go through this material for the first time. 

LESSON 100

"My part is essential to God’s plan for salvation." (ACIM, W-100)

Taking each paragraph of the lesson at a time:

1. Salvation is completion and removes the belief in separation.

2. "God's will for you is perfect happiness."

3. Your joy is the completeness of God and saves the world.

4. Your part in God's plan is to bring joy to the world.

5. Do not be sad, for that is a decision to play another part other than the role of happiness.

6. Today, do not deprive the world of the joy that can be found in your face.

7. Happiness requires no sacrifice.

8. Do not let "little thoughts and foolish goals" get in the way of your joy.

9. God is always present.

10. "You are essential to God's plan for the salvation of the world.

My resistance, or quibble, with the Course is its emphasis on the "salvation of the world." As I wrote about Lesson 95, I wonder if I can save anything but my world.

But it could be a distinction without a difference. How can I save either "my world" or "the world" with sadness and anger? Some people actually do believe these emotions can be used as a call to action to force social change. But is passing new laws (or repealing old ones) the same as saving the world? Aren't a sizable number of people always angry with changes?

If I turn away from the direction of misery and move toward happiness, however, I'm not forcing anything on others. I don't make others feel worse by my smile or generosity or laughter, only better. Moving toward happiness "saves" the world.

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support!

(Photo credit: Ivoronwik)