On the Minister’s Mind

by Rev. Laine Morgan

After taking a two-week media break while on vacation, I feel very ambivalent about returning to the nonstop public flow of information that basically says that the world is falling apart. I found it was much easier to maintain spiritual poise surrounded by chosen loved ones in gorgeous natural settings, than it is to practice mental discipline while in the bombardment of judgment and conflicting opinions. I found it simple to see the good in harmonious conversations and delicious experiences with no divisiveness present, but I had to resurface at some point, right?! 

Here's the thing I am acutely aware of at this moment – so many news stories and world happenings unfolded over the past two weeks without my individual consciousness wrapped up in them. Famous people probably did very big things that I may never know. Entities beyond my control probably changed major structures without my knowledge, and I may never notice the change for years. The stock market likely rose and fell and I neither felt excitement nor concern.  Weather events came and went around the world. People died and others were born. All of this happened while I was focused on the present moments unfolding in my immediate surroundings in my life.

Now, I have a choice to make – how much do I want to reengage? What compels me to plug back into more heightened awareness of all that is going on? It isn’t an easy decision after 16 days of media-free existence, even though I know I have the spiritual discipline to not allow myself to be sucked into the negativity.

If so much can occur and the world can go on without my involvement, I must remember that this truth is unfolding always. I am only aware of a tiny fraction of the events of any given day, and I get to choose which of those things get my energy, my attention, my focus, my engagement. Spiritual practice is about choosing wisely and remembering that I magnetize to my awareness that which shows me something I personally need to see or know. 

I invite Spirit to bring to my attention what I need to know about these past two weeks so that I am informed enough to function in this present day, and I release my human desire to know more about the drama that is certainly going on. I also invite Spirit to guide me in choosing my level of consumption in the days ahead. 

There is a lot going on and it can be overwhelming as we try to stay balanced in spiritual truth and remember that all is unfolding as it should for human evolution and betterment, despite appearances. Spend as much time as you can in situations that lift you up and with people who encourage you. 

It felt so good to be unplugged! Yes, I posted scrapbook type photos of our trip on social media and stayed connected to my family and our CSLTB team, but otherwise I remained present in the moment wherever we were. It was beautiful practice that left me feeling energized and centered within myself, ready to come back to class and to the community.

My invitation to myself and to all of us is to hold the news of the day lightly. Let us be very curious about the millions of beautiful and good things that happened without being brought to our collective attention because those types of events are usually boring. It takes discipline to turn off the screens and go look at nature and the faces around us, but it matters…a lot…to your well-being and the well-being of our world.