This week is the last in a five-week Sunday Series called: “The Magic of Story.” Last week, we talked about our personal mythology, and this week the 10:30 am Sunday Lesson is entitled: “Creating a New Story.” Come and discover some ways to change the stories we have been telling in our lives.
Many years ago, I took a course that impacted my life. I still remember some of the examples that were used to illustrate aspects of spiritual awakening and the power of intention. One of them concerned the fact that most people go about achieving their dreams backwards. In other words, they go from “Having,” to “Doing,” to “Being,” instead of the other way around.
Imagine a child who wants to be a ballerina. Generally, she will first want to “have” the things ballerinas have. She will take her parents to the dance store to buy her ballerina outfit and ballerina shoes. Then she will “do” the things ballerinas do, such as take classes and listen to music and dance. And hopefully, if it’s not a passing whim, she may then “be” a ballerina.
Now, imagine a different child who wants to be a ballerina. In her mind, she becomes one. She remembers to stand tall. She walks around like a dancer. She imagines herself dancing on a stage and becoming a great ballerina. She is dancing all the time, making use of whatever outfit she may have on. She dances around the house to music, and when it is not playing, she hears the music in her head, and she dances. She always wants to listen to Swan Lake and other ballet music. Anyone can see that she is already “being” a ballerina. As a result, her parents take her to ballet classes so she can “do” what ballerinas need to do. And finally, she ends up with the ballerina costume, “having” the things ballerinas have.
The natural flow of a true intention or calling is from Being, to Doing, to Having. The second child still had to take her classes to become a skilled ballerina, but she was already one at heart to begin with, as distinct from the first child who was more interested in the outer trappings of “ballerina-hood.”
What are you longing to be? Perhaps you want to be a Nurse, a Writer, or a Musician? Or perhaps you want to be more Peaceful or Joyful or Playful? Whatever it is, ask yourself, “How can I already start being that right now?” Then be it! Next, ask yourself, “What more do I need to do to develop what I want to be?” And finally, “What do I need to have?”
This is a way to being through changing your personal mythology, or the stories and beliefs that you embrace. Being calls upon a higher vision and a centered presence. Doing is the action needed to succeed. Having is the tangible blessing along the path, and the ultimate results.
May you be, do, and have all that your heart desires!
Love & Blessings,
Rev. Kathy