What if everything is working out perfectly?

What if everything is working out perfectly?

Can you imagine if your first thought when something happened was “what if this is working out perfectly?” instead of “what if this goes wrong?” or some variation on that thought.

The ego voice that rents space in my head uses “what if” as a descent into hell. What if this, what if that? What if I lose everything? What if I am crazy and end up on the streets?

Sometimes it will say that it is being helpful. Like using it to “feel better”. Like, well, what is the worst that can happen? How would I be alright - and use that to squelch my anxiety. And it does feel slightly better. I think because it taps into that knowing that in truth I am safe.

However, I’m still focused on the worst that could happen. And I am making plans to defend against it. And we know what the Course says about defending - “If I defend myself I am attacked.” (ACIM, W-135). And we have all heard the axiom “what you resist, persists”. 

What if I focused on the best that could happen instead? And the cool thing is I don’t even know what the best is, so now I just get to lean back, relax, and find out as I stay in peace and follow the path presented to me by my Inner Guide.

In our women’s A Course in Miracles discussion group this past Saturday, Amy shared about how she uses “what if”. She told us a story about entertaining a group of women at her house that she didn’t know very well. And she thought “What if I become best friends with someone tonight?” “What if I have the best time ever?” And she had an amazing time.

A couple of months ago, I had a similar experience. I was out with my husband listening to live music at a local brewery. We had been invited by a friend of mine that I met at my local A Course in Miracles discussion group. 

As we pulled into the parking lot, I suddenly realized that my two worlds were colliding - my husband with music and beer and my spiritual friends. I started to regret the decision to accept this invite.

And I noticed that. And I had the willingness to admit that I wanted a new story for my life.

A story where I go out and have fun with my husband, with friends. A story that is not so consumed by what others think of me (or of my choice in partner).

So I asked for Help to have a peaceful, joyful time.

At one point, as I headed to the dance floor, I saw my husband in conversation with the guy sitting next to him. I noticed the thought “he’s had too much to drink, he is embarrassing me, that guy is probably thinking he is an idiot, see he always does this, blah, blah, blah” 

But then the thought “what if I didn’t think that?”

What if I didn’t believe that thought and just let it go?

And I did.

And I had one of the best nights of my life.

My husband and I came home and made music together - and I mean actual music.

We had both been working on music separately but had avoided playing it in front of each other.

But that night the barrier came down. And all because I forgave a thought.

When we notice a thought, we get to choose whether to keep it or not. We get to decide whether it is helpful or not in meeting our objective. 

Do I want peace or do I want the same story I have been playing over and over again?

I am given the chance over and over to choose Love. How many am I taking?