Lesson 26
My attack thoughts are attacking my invulnerability.
We stated before that we are our own biggest bully. Today’s lesson surely shows us this is so,
“The idea for today introduces the thought that you always attack yourself first (ACIM Lesson 26 3:1).”
Because we attack ourselves and since our thoughts create the world we see, we believe in our vulnerability to be attacked. Thus, we live life always on the defense interpreting the world as a threatening, vicious, and vengeful place. We leave the house and believe the person that glances at us must want to do us harm. Someone makes a remark to us and we take it as rude. We walk into a coffee shop and we believe when people look up at us, it must mean that they are talking about us. You just bought some ice cream so the person behind you surely knows that the last thing you need is more ice cream. You are damned. We all are damned. Nowhere is safe. Even our own family and friends are in on the conspiracy.
If you really listen to the tape playing in your head, you will notice how often you say to yourself “I knew it.” I knew I shouldn’t trust that person. I knew I shouldn’t have bought that extra scoop of ice cream. I knew I shouldn’t have worn these pants, everyone is talking about me. I knew I wasn’t good enough to get that job. I knew, I knew, I knew…. Or did the world know what you were thinking and just projected back to you your own attack thoughts?
“And what would have effects through you must also have effects on you (ACIM Lesson 26 1:4).”
As we turn our pointing finger of blame from the outside world, we make a U-turn with it back to ourselves, who is the real aggressor? This is a frightening but true thought. And, usually, the first afterthought of such a revelation is, if I am doing this to myself, how can I even trust me?
“If attack thoughts must entail the belief that you are vulnerable, their effect is to weaken you in your own eyes. Thus they have attacked your perception of yourself. And because you believe in them, you can no longer believe in yourself. A false image of yourself has come to take the place of what you are (ACIM Lesson 26 3:2-5).”
If we are not even safe to be with ourselves, where can we turn? How can we even trust ourselves to then know what is safe?
“Nothing except your thoughts can make you think you are vulnerable. And nothing except your thoughts can prove to you this is not so (ACIM Lesson 26 4:3-4).”
Who can lay the gun down besides the one who is holding it? A friend and creator of One Who Wakes, John Mark Stroud, once told me “if you wait until the mirror smiles first, it is never going to happen. If you want to see that person in the mirror smile back at you, you have to do it first.” This is a beautiful analogy. Give it a try. I have also heard that Louise Hay, inspirational speaker and writer, has mirrors everywhere in her office to remind herself of the Truth of who and what she is by simply looking into the mirrors and stating she is a beautiful, intelligent, radiant Divine Being. Who wouldn’t love that kind of reflection in the mirror? Here are two examples that give you a clue to the answer of the question, where do you turn? To you, that’s who.
If you think about all of this, you will find You are the only one who can grant your salvation. You are the only one that can get that darn reflection to smile back. You are the only one who can look into the mirror and reflect back a beautiful, intelligent, radiant Divine Being. You are that which you seek. We will get to this concept in the coming days but for now find relief that the correction of the mind is coming. You will learn to trust the Real Image of you that you have hidden over your attacking thoughts which have weakened your vision of yourself. Today’s lesson unravels the mind even more for us to see our True Selves.
I encourage you to be diligent about your practice period today and to use this statement any time from this point on when you notice that you do not “feel” like you best self. Let this exercise highlight to you that what you are truly concerned about is nonsense. Let me say, once more, there is a disclaimer that if you are in a harmful situation, then use today’s lesson as a means to give you the strength and insight for your steps of action. This lesson does not mean that we are deserving of harm or the ill will of others as it appears to be a reflection of our thoughts. No, this reflection is calling back to you to take action and to start making your self safe and trusting in the Divine Being that you are which is not deserving of such circumstances.
Once more, we are the angel of salvation we have been waiting for. We merely look within and see it is so. We look within and ask for correction to come so we can see this angel for ourselves. I love the quote “Happiness Is An Inside Job.” We wait on no one except ourselves.
There is joy in today’s lesson and it is sure to bring great revelation. As we walk our journey in miracles, think of your life now as an experiment. Go sit in a cafe or library or bookstore and just begin to smile at everyone who walks through the door. Watch what happens. I am sure they are guaranteed to smile back at you. Let this be the proof of today’s lesson. As the Louis Armstrong song says, “When you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you.” Video Below.
Namaste.
*A great resource to any Course student is the One Who Wakes website. You will find insightful dialogues and a plethora of movies to continue awakening your soul.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOH_mioL3TU