JULY NEWSLETTER 2015
INTERPERSONAL
CONFLICTS
Inspirationally
received by Yvonne Crespo Limoges
At times, we think
of ourselves so prepared with the moral and spiritual knowledge we have, we may
feel we are handling our lives relatively well.
But if a sudden conflict
or disagreement occurs with a friend, partner, spouse, etc. it can take us by
surprise. Upset in the moment, we may react impulsively or revert to old habits
of behavior because of past experiences with others, and, all we have learned is
not used. In retrospect, we see we
could have handled things better and more in accordance with humility,
patience, understanding and love.
And the other
party, on the receiving end of our behavior (who hopefully knows us as a basically
good person), should try to be a bit understanding of us. Both parties should examine
any feelings of fear, embarrassment, insult, pride, or anger they may have. Generally, both parties involved have hurt
feelings.
Life is full of
disagreements, but it need not cause severe damage or completely destroy a
relatively stable and loving relationship. Both parties should truthfully,
rationally tell their side whilst expressing any sincere emotions to each other
in a calm manner.
Holding inside explanations,
hidden truths or genuine feelings does NOT promote an honest and healthy
relationship. However, by making an effort with moral courage, respectful communication
between the parties can turn out to be productive and satisfying. For we are
here in the material world to learn by interaction with each other, and failure
to try may cause us to miss a great
opportunity for personal growth, and to lose out on a good friendship or a
truly loving relationship.
FORGIVENESS
Inspirationally received by Yvonne Crespo Limoges
Jesus taught us, “To love God above all else, and others as
ourselves,” so we must be willing to forgive all those who trespass against
us.
Words and actions
(like asking for forgiveness, making amends, etc.) by those who may have wronged
us – either by word or deed – can be helpful towards reconciliation and
re-establishing the relationship the parties had. Although, in some cases, the
relationship may not be quite like it was before.
But even if those
who we feel have wronged us take no efforts to make amends, we should still
forgive them in accordance with the Divine law.
We have all done
wrong; whether maliciously, out of neglect or even without thinking, because we
are all imperfect humans. It is
because our spirits are at various intellectual and moral levels of growth.
But…have we not seen
many situations in the news where a parent forgives a criminal guilty of
murdering their own son or daughter? Then, how can we NOT forgive those around
us for simple slights, and/or words or acts that are so much less serious than
that?
Learn to forgive,
for your own moral progress!
If those who have
wronged us don’t care or understand now
what they have done, as they morally and intellectually progress they will eventually,
whether in this life time or in a future one, come to understand the truth and become repentant. For the moral progress
of souls is achieved very, very slowly.
OUR
ENEMIES
Jesus said:“…I say unto you, love your enemies,
bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them
which persecute you;” Matthew 5:44.
Below, excerpt regarding the
above subject from Chapter 12 of Allan Kardec’s The Gospel according to Spiritism translated from the French by
Janet Duncan:
“…If the principle of charity is to love one’s
neighbors, then to love one’s enemies is the most sublime application of this
same principle, seeing that the possession of this virtue represents one of the
greatest victories which can be achieved against selfishness and pride.”
“However, there is usually a
misunderstanding in relation to the meaning of the word “love” in this situation….”
“…Jesus did not mean that each one of us
should have the same tenderness for an enemy as would be felt for a friend…”
“…In short, no one can feel the same
pleasure when they are with an enemy as would be felt when in the company of a
friend….”
“Therefore, to love one’s enemies does not
mean showing affection, which would not be within our nature, as contact with
an enemy makes our heart beat in an entirely different manner to the way it
beats on contact with a friend…” (Or
anyone who is kind, compassionate to us and/or who loves us – Y.L.).
“To love one’s enemy means we should not
hate, nor bear rancor against them, nor desire vengeance. It means to forgive
all the evil they have caused without hidden thoughts and without
conditions. It means to not put obstacles in the way of reconciliation and
to wish them well instead of bad things… Finally, it means to always return
goodness for evil without any intention to humiliate.”
“Whosoever can proceed in this manner
fulfils the conditions of the commandment: Love
your enemies.”
WRONGFUL ADVERSARIES
Written by Julie L. Harper
Erroneous
adversaries do not act from an evolved state.
Forgive
ignorance to detach adverse feelings, and to release attachment to the
wrongdoer.
Your
time and energy is worthy of far greater things than thoughts of revenge or
spent lamenting over others errors or over perceived injustices.
Besides,
no one ever escapes responsibility since each act manifests back unto its
originator by its likeness, always ensuring divine justice.
Consequently,
those who do not love face its alternative, and are in need of prayers to
promote compassion and improved morality.
Stand
for goodness, to move forward with dignity and grace, and to rise above and
beyond wrongful acts while maintaining personal balance.
For
you have your own good progression to attend to regardless of what others may
or may not do, or have done.
Greater
is integrity...and greater are its results, for good always prevails!
FIND STRENGTH FROM WITHIN
Written by Julie L. Harper
Tap
into the essence of your being to find vitality of life.
Herein
lies everlasting inherent characteristics.
Believe
in your indwelling strength and be empowered!
ANGER
A Spirit Communication (see below)
“Pride induces you to judge yourselves to be more than you are and
to repel any comparison which might discredit you. You consider yourselves to
be so much higher than your fellow men or women, be it in spirit, in social
position or even in personal advantage, that the least parallel irritates and
annoys you. What happens then? You give way to anger.”
“Investigate the origin of these outbursts of passing dementia,
which make you resemble a savage by losing your self-possession and reason; and
if you do, then you will almost always be faced with hurt pride.”
“Perchance, is it not pride which has been hurt by a contradiction which
makes you repel justifiable observations and angrily reject the wisest counsel?
Even impatience originating from contrarieties and often childish ones at that,
comes from the importance which each individual gives to their own personality,
before which it has been given to understand that everyone should bow down…”
“To summarize, anger does not
exclude certain qualities of the heart, but it stops us from doing any good and
may cause us to practice great evil.”
“This then should be sufficient to induce mankind to make the
necessary effort in order to dominate this trait. Moreover, for those who are
Spiritists, there is an instigation to do this for yet another motive that of
anger being against charity and Christian humility.” – A Protecting Spirit (Bordeaux,
France - 1863).
(Excerpt above from Chapter 9
out of Allan Kardec’s The Gospel according
to Spiritism translated from the French by Janet Duncan)
CALMNESS
Spirit communication by Alysia Pape
Calmness is the
key to keeping your mind in check against all those who would try to sway you
into any kind of mood. As Spiritists, we know that we especially need to watch
our thoughts, but in doing this we must remain calm.
No matter what
the situation- a fight with a loved one, spouse, family, co-worker, or stranger
- feelings of anger or hate, feelings of doubt and being worried, all of these
cloud our emotions first and then set into our thoughts, which people and
spirits around us can either help us or make
worse.
But the
hardest part is remaining calm, and keeping a steady clear thought process
after something negative has happened!
Take some deep
breaths, pray to God for resignation!
In the grand
scheme of life, do the little things
that upset us, make us angry, sad, depressed, or disappointed…really matter?
Calm and
remind yourself that it's not what happens that really matters, but how you handle it that truly counts.
WE ARE NEVER ALONE
Spirit communication received
by Yvonne Crespo
Limoges
In the midst of any suffering, please know
that you are never alone! The Creator is All Love and sends Pure Spiritual Love
to all!
Your spirit protectors also constantly send
their loving inspirations and wise guidance…and if you but calm yourselves
enough to feel them and listen to them, with clear minds and open hearts, you
will receive the moral courage and consolation you need to support the trials
and tests of material life.
MOMENTS OF HAPPINESS
Spirit communication by Alysia Pape
Being in a
moment of happiness is a most precious gift from God! For being incarnated we
know that this is a place of suffering for our past indiscretions and
recompense. So, when a true moment, or even longer, of feelings of joy, love,
happiness, rapture, or passion in a pure form comes along, thank God our
Father, with all of your heart for the respite He has given you!
These happy
moments cannot come from things like indulging in vices and in solely material
things, but from pure and charitable ways.
Sharing a day
with your son or daughter and playing a game with them; being able to hold the
hand of the one you love with all your heart; getting a surprise visit from
your favorite person. Getting a beautiful flower on one of your plants you tend;
sitting at the beach feeling the warm sun, the cool wind, and listening to the
sound of the waves; going fishing with your Dad. Laughing good and hard at a
funny movie with the one or few people you wanted to watch the movie with; getting
a surprise note of sentiments of friendship, love or of hope, when you weren't
expecting anything.
Helping
parents or grandparents do something, they will never forget, and that they are
proud of, and can show off to other family and friends. There are two forms of
love and joy here: the satisfaction and joy of love/charity, and being true to
honoring thy father and mother. And, the relief and joy that grandparents or
parents have in knowing they have someone they can count on for help and
assistance.
God gives out
love, happiness, joy and hope all the time. Do not forget to thank God, when He
does give out respites from our suffering. Try to focus on those good moments
when going through life. God is all love and forgiveness!
A PRAYER FOR “PEACE IN
THE HOME”
“Dear Lord, I am one of those
mortals who have so many imperfections
and am in darkness; but, understanding You are so compassionate, and desire I proceed on the right path completely repenting any bad steps
taken, I ask for Your mercy.”
“I understand Lord, that from Your greatness all
is expected, and although the more imperfect we are,
yet always You extend us Your merciful hand.”
“Therefore, Lord, elevate my
thoughts, so You may grant me, as
bread for my home, Peace; as for the poor in spirit,
Peace; as for submission
of tyrants, Peace.”
“That in our brain shine brilliant the star of Peace,
and all be strengthened by the sublimity of your Holy Spirit, as we drink from
the same source so that we are repentant for our detours [away from goodness]; and, we share only Peace, tranquility and harmony in our home;
our humble spirits transported to the world of beauty.”
“Oh Holy Peace! Strengthen our hearts with
your holy emanations, and do not
abandon us. Of Your Magnificence, I ask for strength
for all the other members of my family, so that Peace and only Peace, reigns in my humble
home.”
“Oh, Holy
Jesus! You, that solely taught and practiced Peace during your earthly journey,
keep me within the harmonious chain of my family, and give Peace and
tranquility to my troubled incarnated spirit, so that same Peace is spread within
the sanctuary of my home.” AMEN
(Prayer translated from the Spanish by
Yvonne C. Limoges from the book Collection
of Selected Prayers [Coleccion de Oraciones
Escogidas] by Allan Kardec and other authors. The French version is entitled Devotionaire Spiritiste and the Spanish
version’s translator is listed as “anonymous”)
*********************************
Edited by Yvonne Crespo Limoges, Director
E-mail: ylimoges@aol.com
Spiritist Society of Florida
5042
22 Avenue North,
St.
Petersburg, Florida 33710 Website: www.spiritistsocietyfl.com
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