You can choose the world you live in.

 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.

First, thanks for your patience. Health issues took me off “Course,” which goes to show how difficult it is for many people to keep this up daily. Since January 21 (which was already a delayed start) I’ve taken one short break and two weeks-long breaks. In any case, we’ll be resuming where we left off a month ago.

LESSON 129

Beyond this world there is a world I want. (ACIM, W-129)

The work of 20th-Century mystic Neville Goddard is based on the idea that “Consciousness is the only reality.”

Specifically, my consciousness is the only reality to me, and your consciousness is your only reality. The world, then, is only what you are conscious of. It doesn’t determine your consciousness, your consciousness determines the world. That is, you can only change your world, what you think of as “the world,” by changing your consciousness.

The Course says, “The world you see is merciless indeed, unstable, cruel, unconcerned with you, quick to avenge and pitiless with hate.” (ACIM, W-129.2:3) But this world you see comes only from your own consciousness. You believe that other people and institutions are cruel and uncaring, but it’s really just a matter of perception, of consciousness.

Here’s an example:

Perhaps you know a person you’ve judged to be one who “only does the minimum.” Never comes in early, never stays late, never does more than what is asked. You judge this person unfavorably with another who seems enthusiastic and ambitious, a real leader.

But what can we say of one who “only” does the minimum? They’re reliable; they show up and do the required work.

That is good.

If the standards are higher and more must be done to reach the “bare minimum,” they’ll probably do it. Are they bad for not doing more than asked? Is it their fault that you never asked them?

This person who “only does the minimum” didn’t do anything wrong in the world. It’s just that you live in a world where you resent them when you are fully capable of living in a world in which you appreciate them.

If that’s the world you want, a world where you feel blessed by whatever is good, you can live in it right now. Or you can also choose to stay in a world where you don’t appreciate anyone or anything and then complain the world is cold and uncaring, yourself feeling unappreciated.

That’s the world you made, but you can make a world that you do want.

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)