I ALREADY PLAYED THAT GAME

Years ago, I mean YEARS ago, I found myself in a peculiar situation: I found myself penniless, and for one night, homeless; I slept in my car with nowhere to go the next morning, except perhaps, the passenger seat? And when I say slept, I really didn't. I was so angry at me for my circumstances that I couldn't sleep, and in retrospect, it was good thing I kept myself awake. After all, how could I have kicked myself in the behind?

As dawn broke, I could see the pink hue beginning to form on the water. Surfers were unloading gear to catch the best waves, and I did get out of my car to climb into the passenger seat. My mind took me to many places that morning, one of which was just up the highway in Redondo Beach: The Church of Religious Science. Without thought to my dwindling gas tank, I crawled back behind the wheel, for the 20 minute drive. It was a Wednesday, and very early, so as I expected, nobody was there. What was it about that place that drove me to its parking lot? And then, I swear, I heard it...Thank you for the Abundance that is mine to share. Thank you for the Abundance that is mine to share. Thank you for the Abundance that is mind to share. Three times. But what abundance? I was broke...sort of...

So I began to count my blessings. I had gasoline, I had two jobs. (Yes, two jobs, but I had no permanent place of residency. California banks would not allow me to open a checking account with a motel address, soooo-oh-oh-oh, I had a plethora of checks, but no way to cash them. Thus, I was broke...sort of...) I was a single parent, and by a miracle, my mother wanted to take my healthy son, then almost three years old, with her on a camping, Disneyland, etc... vacation just as my motel stay was about to end (due to no money). I had three weeks to get my life back on track. I spent several hours in that parking lot counting my blessings. I had parents that had they known, would have helped.

After contemplation, I realized that I had broken with my common energy - that philosophy we live by whether conscious of it or not. My usual mindset of prosperity and giving thanks to God for it, had left me. I bought into the current climate of gloom and doom. Gasoline was available for a high price and long waits in line. Housing prices and rentals were almost impossible to reach. Unemployment was high. (I had two jobs.)

Several hours later, I left the Church of Religious Science parking lot, to find my own piece of sand where I could contemplate and meditate. I asked for a welcome back, guidance and money. I needed money - greenbacks, Georges, Lincolns, and Ben's. Upon returning to my car I did find a crisp, folded dollar bill. Enough money to buy 5 Snickers bars. That evening when I reported to work (after dressing in the bathroom), I ravaged through left over pot-luck that the early shift left behind.

Many years later, I find our country in similar circumstances. Unemployment is high, inflation is ugly, Government wants too much control, stocks are unstable, but I'm not going to play that game. It's not fun. Instead, I'm going to keep my energy positive and ready to accept The Abundance That is Mine to Share. Thank you, thank you, thank you.