Lesson 117: ”Review: God, being Love, is also happiness; I seek but what belongs to me in truth.”

AI Reframe: Love and joy are one, and I seek only what is real.

Suggested Practice:
Devote five minutes twice a day, or longer, to considering the thoughts that are assigned today. Read over the ideas and comments that are written with each. Then think about them while letting your mind relate them to your needs, your seeming problems, and all your concerns.

Today’s Ideas:

God, being Love, is also happiness.

and

“Let me remember love is happiness, and nothing else brings joy. And so I choose to entertain no substitutes for love.”

I seek but what belongs to me in truth.

“Love is my heritage, and with it joy. These are the gifts my Father* gave to me. I would accept all that is mine in truth.” (ACIM, W-117.1:1–2:4)

Then throughout the day, hourly if possible, give the two ideas a brief review: one at the top of the hour, one at the bottom. Conclude each period restating the idea for that part of the hour.

As a reminder, these practices are planned to help you form the habit of applying what you learn each day to everything you do.

* The Course defines God/Father as an impersonal, formless, and infinite principle of pure Love. Substitute whatever term that resonates best and allows you to receive the message.

View timelapse of the coloring of today’s mandala
on My YouTube Channel:

https://youtu.be/hKqm6Gcohpk?si=6ue39-xalhZ5ePlL.

Message

Today’s lesson reminded me of the Beatles’ song “All You Need Is Love.” Our soul knows this, but our ego-mind—the protector of the human body—has other thoughts: I need food, money, a new job, a place to live, and to keep myself safe at all costs.

Technically, per the Course, we don’t need Love—it’s already ours. But for those who find that hard to grasp, this catchy song can be a stepping stone toward that truth. Also, technically, our bodies only need oxygen, water, food, and shelter. Everything else is a variation or expansion of those needs, turning them into wants.

This may seem a little off “Course,” but I promise it ties together. [Fingers crossed.]

Earlier today, I had a vision of a small boy in a toy store having a tantrum over a toy his parent wouldn’t buy him. Sobbing and yelling: “But I NEED it,” “All the other kids have one,” “My life will be awful without it,” “I’ll take good care of it,” and the crowd favorite, “I hate you.”

Here’s someone seeking happiness (truth) outside himself. He’ll only be happy if he gets that toy. Until then, he suffers—along with his parents and every shopper within earshot.

The parents have their reasons for not giving in. One is surely that they know the toy’s happiness will be short-lived, just another addition to the pile of toys from past surrenders.

Then I had a second vision: the same boy walking cheerfully through the toy store, holding his parent’s hand. He enjoys looking at toys but feels content whether he gets one or not. The parent asks if there’s a particular toy he wants. He says, “I’m good. When the store releases the new version of the fire truck on the poster, it would be nice to get it so my friends and I can play with it.”

The moral? Happiness, like love, is an inside job—already inherent. Then we get to decide: do we want to seek suffering or truth? That’s Lesson 103 and 104 in a nutshell.

“Everything but love is make-believe.”
— “The Course in Miracles Experiment” by Pam Grout

Blessings & Peace,

Maureen,
The Mandala Lady

transforming soul whispers
into mandalas & channeled messages
for clarity, peace, and joy

 About the 2026 Mandalas of the Day — ▶️ A Note About A Course in Miracles