Lesson 021: ”I am determined to see things differently.”
AI Reframe: I’m willing to reinterpret my experiences in a more helpful way.
Suggested Exercise:
Do five, one-minute practices, where you begin with stating today’s idea to yourself. Then close your eyes and search your mind for past, present, or anticipated situations that arouse anger in you—from mild irritation to rage, the degree of anger does not matter. Holding each situation in mind, being as specific as possible, tell yourself:
I am determined to see _____________________ [name of a person] differently.
I am determined to see _____________________ [specify the situation] differently.
You can also apply this practice to attributes of a person:
I am determined to see _____________________ [specify the attribute] in ______________ [name of person] differently.
View timelapse of the coloring of today’s mandala
on My YouTube Channel:
https://youtu.be/xyMi70kBpiY?si=z1_BVo5C8YAeQK7x.
Message
Today we build on yesterday’s practice. Not only are we determined to see—we’re determined to see differently, especially in situations that hijack our peace. Whether it’s a mild irritation or full-blown rage, if it “attacks” our peace, the intensity makes no difference.
When we’re enraged, it’s loud and unmistakable. It’s right in our face, waving red flags and demanding attention. There’s no question we’ve missed the peace train. But the subtler forms of anger—petty annoyances, mild irritations, bothersome quirks—are trickier. They slip by quietly. We may not even notice that the peace train has left the station without us. And because they’re so easy to overlook, they’re often the most deceptive. This is why the level of anger is immaterial. The Course reminds us that no “attack,” regardless of its size, is more justified than another.
As the Course reminds us for today’s practice:
“The degree of the emotion you experience does not matter. You will become increasingly aware that a slight twinge of annoyance is nothing but a veil drawn over intense fury.”
Of all the ACIM practices I’ve worked with since first studying the Course in the 90s, this one has been the most impactful for me. Especially in moments when I didn’t want to be angry, yet couldn’t see past my ego-mind’s version of the story. In those moments, I would consciously invoke this idea. And almost without fail, insight would arrive—sometimes from an external source, sometimes from within—offering a different way of seeing the person or situation. That shift alone was often enough to put me back on the peace train.
BTW…This practice isn’t about gaslighting ourselves, denying anger, or stuffing it down and slapping a happy smile on top. Anger isn’t the problem—it’s the signal. What we’re learning is how to notice anger in all its disguises and recognize that, regardless of its volume, it has the same effect: it blocks our peace. Awareness, not suppression, is the focus here.
“Any thought that makes me unhappy (even just a little bit) is misconstrued. And I am determined to see each one differently.”
— “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
▶️ About the 2026 Mandalas of the Day — ▶️ A Note About A Course in Miracles
Mandala of the Day 