Lesson 005: ”I am never upset for the reason I think.”
AI Reframe: My emotional reactions usually come from deeper layers than I realize.
Suggested Exercise: for about a minute, (3 or 4 times today) search your mind to identify different upsets (big or small) and apply the idea to both the perceived source of the upset and to the feeling of the upset.
I’m not angry at ____________ for the reason I think.
I’m not afraid of ____________ for the reason I think.
or
I’m not worried about __________ for the reason I think.
I’m not depressed about ___________ for the reason I think.
My take on it: This is one of my top five favorite principles of ACIM and it has helped me greatly. Although, for some reason I haven’t put it into practice in quite some time. That’s why today I’m grateful for the reminder.
An upset I’m currently dealing with is trying to change my medicare healthcare insurance provider. Right now I’m in limbo between the one I want and the one I have…and at the moment it’s totally out of my control. I trying to get approval for a new provider so I can cancel the existing one which is already charging me…so there’s a potential to being doubly charged for this month.
A myriad and degree of emotions come to mind with this one depending on which thought comes to mind. I know enough to set intentions about it and to ask for Divine assistance, which helps for a little bit and then when yet another thought comes up (which I’m reminded, has no meaning) another emotion comes up.
So this is a perfect situation for me and an excellent reminder to do this exercise. Here are a few that came to mind:
I’m not angry at Medicare School for messing up my application for the reason I think.
I’m not afraid of not being able to change providers for the reason I think.I’m not upset at myself for possibly messing up my application for the reason I think.
I’m not feeling guilty for possibly messing up for the reason I think.I’m not worried about WellSpring not accepting my application for the reason I think.
I’m not afraid of having to be stuck with paying for a more expensive provider for the reason I think.
Lesson 5 is about acknowledging that our upsets are not (ever) for the reasons we think. It’s a first step to finding out, though. As an analogy, it’s like walking into a huge mall and going up to the map to find out how to get to a particular store. In order to get there we have to know where we’re starting from.
So in order to arrive at peace, I/we have to acknowledge that peace is my/our destination and in order to get there I/we need to acknowledge what’s keeping me/us some distance away from that peace.
In this step we acknowledge the upset and its emotions. Then we’re acknowledging to ourselves, that we’re not upset for the reason we think—something deeper is going on inside.
Of course, this begs the question: so what IS the reason ? For right now, know that by applying today’s lesson to our upset(s), it has the potential to lessen the degree of the upset right now, thus converting it into a curiosity begging to be explored more deeply.
Also know, that all will be revealed in due time, for now just knowing that we’re never upset for the reasons we think is an excellent start.
“Instead of getting even (with that problem that appears to be out there), I get odd by going inside and knowing that, despite all appearances, the Dude…is simply saying, ‘I love you. I love you. I love you.’”
— “The Course in Miracles Experiment” by Pam Grout
Blessings & Peace,
Maureen,
The Mandala Lady
transforming soul whispers into mandalas and
channeled messages for clarity, peace, and love
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