Let’s Make A Deal

For your consideration…

Obviously today’s message is very light-hearted. We don’t have to take ourselves so seriously all of the time.

All of us have woke up dreading the day ahead or had moments where we just wish we had a different life. That’s ok. We don’t have to beat ourselves up over it. No judgment.

Today’s message just adds a little clarity to “what if” or “if only.” Perhaps, your mom also said to you, “Careful what you wish for.” Yeah, that’s what this message is about. It uses the analogy of the TV show, Let’s Make A Deal.” Contestants can have a great prize right in their hand. They are thrilled with it until another surprise is offered to them. Now they don’t know what that surprise is. It could be something much better or it could be something worth nothing. They have to decide to take the surprise or stick with what they have.

That is how our life is. We can be content with what we have or throw it away in HOPE‘s of something better. Some people do exactly that. They completely walk away from their old life in HOPEs of something better; more exciting, financially better, a new location, a different job etc. Most of us don’t do that. We make change in stages.

We can do that because life is a process. We don’t have to throw everything away and start new. We don’t have to “throw the baby out with the bath water or reinvent the wheel.” We can implement change one step at a time. We can take life surprises and see what they are before then make the decision on what to do with them. We can see how they fit before we give up pieces of our lives. That is the real gift of life. All we have to do is be open to receive them.

That is the HOPE. And so it is.

Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take…

-Affirm…“I am loved.”

-Meditate/pray…ask…”What is my next step for my highest good and the highest good of all?” Listen for the gift.

-Be open and ready to receive it.

-Drink lots of water.

-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths.

What made me smile yesterday…

-Jody and I went to the Treasure Mart. It is always fun to search for treasures. I had a crystal compote bowl I bought in Poland. It was great for salads, layered salads etc. I have not been able to find it for a couple of years. I must have left it someplace. I have been looking for a replacement all year. Yesterday, I found one. It isn’t as beautiful as the old one but very pretty. It was marked $15 and when I got to the register it was marked down to $4.50. Now I love it.

-Zingerman’s for fixings for today’s picnic at Belle Isle.

-A fish lunch at Monahan’s in Kerrytown.

-A good book.

-Finally catching up with Alex.

Love, Blessings and Gratitude,

Rev. Chris