Are you getting tired of all the negative news? It seems like everywhere we turn, we see unrest and when protesters stop traffic and destroy property as they have done in my neck of the woods (and probably yours if you live near a big city) it can hurt your heart, because the protesting messages lose their purpose when violence rears its ugly head.
When talented entertainers we love to enjoy as entertainers, spew horrible words, it not only can make us embarrassed for them, those words can make us sad or angry, but we don’t need to respond that way. It gives us the opportunity to pray for them.
Today, more than ever, you have a wonderful opportunity to protest in a totally different way. You 
have the power to watch the negative news, but not let it affect your peace. Pray to be guided out of any sadness, fear or anger that's being broadcast so prevalently at this time. Your power to change the world begins right where you are and how you perceive this amazing world you live in.
If you’re a parent and you experience your child in a meltdown, you don’t judge that he or she is bad, instead you know your child needs a nap or a drink of water or food. And that goes for adults too. Whenever we get so mad we slam doors, drive too fast or scream at the television, we lose our power and it probably means we need to take a nap or get something to eat or drink or go for a walk. All the contention in our country gives each of us the perfect climate to seek ways to be loving, peaceful, joyful, understanding and compassionate in spite of the swirl of the opposite.
Consider this: What if spiritually you chose to come to this planet at this specific time, in this specific body with this specific life? And what if you knew before you came that you'd never be alone, that you'd be protected and loved every moment of your experience during your stay?
What if this life experience you're having as you read this column is exactly what you signed up for? Shakespeare said, “Life is a stage and we are actors upon it.” So imagine before you came here that you went over a bunch of scripts and you picked a play that really intrigued you and after much consultation with your fellow actors, producers, directors, and an angel or two, you decided to come here and be YOU in this play called, “This is Your Life.”
I had a dream many years ago on this topic. I walked into a large conference room with about 12 people sitting at a marble table. There was much laughter. I focused in on a very large, black man dressed in a glorious, white African tribal chief’s robe. When I approached the oval table he looked at me with great love and his eyes sparkled with joy. He asked me if I had any questions about my life, so I asked him, “What happens to evil people when they die?” (I was thinking about my ex husband.)
The holy man looked around the table at his holy colleagues as they exchanged glances and then they all broke out in big smiles. Then he turned to me and said, “God is love and every man is made in his image and likeness therefore there are no evil men, they've just chosen evil roles to create contrast. Before such a man or woman chooses the role of an evil one, there are many meetings and not until all concerned (victims included) have agreed to be involved, will the play transpire.”
I know this was just another one of my crazy dreams, but I woke up thinking about Dennis Hopper and Sandra Bullock in the movie "Speed." Dennis had the evil role, and Sandra was the victim. I thought about the relationship of the two actors after the movie was completed. I imagined the two would have had great admiration for each other and the roles they played. I could imagine them enjoying the rap party and celebrating their time together. There would be no hate, vengeance or bitterness over what happened. What if that’s what happens on the other side, when we leave this plain?
I recently saw the actress who played Nelly Olson on television. She said that she and Melissa Gilbert who played Laura Ingalls were best friends off camera and they loved playing their “fighting” roles with each other.
I do believe that life is eternal and I love the thought that we have come here to enjoy our stay. I can just see myself reading the script of my life and agreeing to come here. And the negative characters in my play have, in retrospect, been my greatest teachers for they have taught me that no one is the source of my happiness. My joy comes from within.
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Go ahead and watch the news, but don’t allow anyone to cause you to get upset. Do your world a favor. Be happy.
If you'd like to read more on this topic, just click on the foggy valley.
And if you'd like to get organized just enough to please you, "The Joy of Being Disorganized" will help you do just that.