As I walked into my 93-year-old dad’s assisted living apartment, I noticed what appeared to be a smashed chocolate on the floor. “I hope that’s candy and not what I think it is.” As I cleaned it up (I put gloves on first, just in case) I took a whiff. “Oh, no! It’s the inedible brown stuff. How in the world did that get in the middle of the room?”
In the past I would have muttered a few choice words and gotten upset at how far my dad has declined. I would have complained about how life stinks and how much I hate it.
But applying the principles of A Course in Miracles has allowed me to laugh in the face of “crap,” both literally and figuratively. As I practice the mind training of the Workbook, I receive miracles daily. “(The miracle) looks on devastation and reminds the mind that what it sees is false.” (W-p.II.13.1:3)
I thank God for the Course every day, because the pain of this world has always been too great for me to handle. But when I look upon the world as a dream that I made up, I can hold to the love behind the images, and let go of the ugly and painful illusion.
A helpful mantra is, “I am never upset for the reason I think. I’m upset because I see something that is not there.” (W-5.h; W-6.h) The body of my dad, the form, is not real. Only the love that he represents is real. That’s why his body can slowly decay and he and I can both laugh at it. My dad is in touch with his Higher Self often—as I help him wipe his butt he starts giggling. “This is comical! Now you’re my mom and I’m the kid.” I am so grateful that my dad is a witness to the Holy Spirit’s vision of this world.
The Manual for Teachers tells us, The world will end in laughter, because it is a place of tears. Where there is laughter, who can longer weep?” (M-14.5:5-6)
Is there something you’d rather laugh at than cry about? Give it to the Right Mind, the Holy Spirit, to change your perception. You’ll be glad you did.
Blessings, Lorri Coburn
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