It is no little wisdom for a man to keep himself in silence and in good peace when evil words are spoken to him, and to turn his heart to God and not to be troubled with man's judgment. -- Thomas A Kempis
Mercy. The things that come to me just as I need them the most are truly of God. I went to bed last night and awoke this morning with a race-race, run-run mind, trying to figure out how I could get that Israeli told off, i.e., set straight...not to mention that less-than-wonderful one who invited him.
I am grateful for the words of Thomas A Kempis for they are the reminder I need to turn my thoughts away from self...for it is in my own ego that agitated, irritated, and resistant thrive. I remember the goal is to resist not evil, and I can change my mind: The Israeli, et al., are my agitated mind's emery board, just what I need to hone my ego-victory thoughts into smooth awareness...unresisting awareness.
Which leads me to another of my favorite quotes: I will fight no more forever. -- Chief Joseph
I'm guessing Chief Joseph, in saying that, did not immediately sprout wings and become saint-like. In my mind (because it is the road I am walking), he continued as he had been, a very human being, doing the best he could, and trying to remember that he'd decided to fight no more forever.
In trying to remember that as my goal, and trying not to be mentally as nasty as I want to be, I can bless all the peoples of my agitated mind...hug 'em and kiss 'em and let 'em go.
And remember Winston Churchill, England's towering hero of World War II, lost his first election after that War. (The devil made me write that.)
Thank you.
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