Don't Hug a Thistle!
Part 1

The average person is his own worst enemy. Our chief aim in life is to express the perfection that God has planned for us. Difficulties arise when we inhibit the free expression of God's plan for us.

One of the most persistent hindrances to our full expression of the divine is the trait of mind we call unforgiveness. The person who will not forgive is harming himself. He is like a person who holds a thistle, full of sharp, spiny thorns, close to his breast. the tighter he hugs it the more it hurts him. "But," you might say, "nobody would be silly enough to do such a thing as that." Perhaps not, but many are just as unwise in holding painful grudges and unpleasant hurts in their hearts.

The very unhappiness that you ask God to remove may be the thistle of unforgiveness that you are holding in your heart. Someone will say, "I could forgive as far as I am concerned, but this thing that was done is too terrible to be forgotten. If I am quick to forgive it I may encourage the doing of more such things."

The answer to this argument is that what we dwell upon in thought we are building in thought, and are therefore encouraging. Thought is creative.

When we forgive someone, the very act of forgiving helps to put his misdeed out of our mind, and when it is out of mind we are no longer propagating it by our thoughts. The fact is that many persons hold on to unpleasant conditions with their thoughts, in a morbid sort of way. This practice is simply a bad habit. It can be changed. (Adapted from: Things To Be Remembered by Lowell Fillmore) - Lovingly, Rev. John

Bytes of Wisdom. . .

Depend on the rabbit's foot for good luck, if you will, but remember, it didn't work for the rabbit. - R. E. Shay

I've missed more than 9,000 shots. I've lost almost 300 games. I've failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. - Michael Jordan

It is my view that the vegetarian manner of living, by its purely physical effect on the human temperament, would most beneficially affect the lot of humankind. - Albert Einstein

So that to be a true friend in every relation of life, seems to be the sum of all. - Henry Churchill King

Learn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knocks very softly.

A little humor. . .

It took me more than 17 years to get 3,000 hits in baseball. I did it in one afternoon on the golf course! - Hank Aaron

My husband, an auto mechanic, was on the kidney transplant list, and as you can imagine, it was a tense time for our family. But one day, the phone rang and our teenage son answered. It was the hospital with good news. "Dad," he yelled excitedly, "Your parts are in!" - Bette Larsen

In the mail. . .

Prayers are Helpful! - We love you and the Golden Key Ministry, and appreciate your positive prayers. Thank you for keeping with us. Your prayers add power to our own and are very helpful. Life is much better. Now, we're happily prospering in wonderful ways. Please continue praying with us. We have faith that even more prosperity is forthcoming and will send you a good report soon. Our tithe is enclosed. - R. D. - Quebec, Canada

"Positive Living!" is a brief eZINE sent each Monday by e-mail to help you have a happy, loving, positive, and prosperous week. Your comments are invited. You are invited to pass it along to your friends. Spread the wealth of love and joy! - Namaste!

Dear Friend: Thank you for visiting my website. If you like it and find it helpful, you may show your gratitude in one or two ways: Write a note of appreciation to me, and/or give tax-deductible donations (tithe/love offering) to Golden Key Ministry-Unity. - Lovingly, Rev. John

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Rev. John W. Adams
Golden Key Ministry - Unity
P. O. Box 30989
Phoenix, AZ  85046-0989

602-996-0500

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