Hi RellaLou, Almost on a daily basis I am reminded by folks I work with that loving our neighbors as we love ourselves is next to impossible, seems like we must love ourselves before we can come to the point of loving others. Most alcoholics and drug addicts do not love themselves, can't appear to love their neighbors and certainly have valid arguments as to why they sure do not need to love folks who they think are their enemies. Jesus took it an extra step and tells us to love our enemies!
Then in ACIM I am reminded that whatever I think I see in others is a direct reflection of my own self. SOOoooooo, As I see others hate themselves, others and their enemies, I actually can indeed do something about it! If I see on a world level, or on a personal level, hate, fighting, attack, etc., as I am able to change my own mental set, those folks I see all these problems with simply heal! You said in your post below:
"I then distinctly heard, “That is too big for you, rell...see something more your size!”
I wanted to argue, “But I thought of this...if I thought of it, it is surely very important.”
“Not so!” as the Voice came through loud and clear, “Go for something that you as an individual can attain.”
I did feel relieved that I would not be the one to become responsible for Universal Love...
Then this Command just my size, came through clearer still, “Love your neighbor as yourself!” I then knew that was where the power for my thoughts would invest their energy in this evening’s meditation."
Reminds me a lot of the song, "Let There Be Peace on Earth AND Let It Begin with Me!" So what your Inner voice was saying, to me, through your written word is: "Patrick, as you begin to forgive yourself for the things you think you have done, extend that to your enemies, then extend that to your neighbors and friend, YOU will indeed become the savior of your world, no need to work on a world wide basis, as everything we do effects the entire Human Race, my change of mind set indeed causes untold changes, rememberances, if you please...Thank you for your share...no wonder that I Love you, Patrick
Posted on Dec 24, 2006, 8:31 PM from IP address 75.16.97.226