Expansion Encounters - with Dusty
"We are As One In the year Two thousand and one."

Thank you to all of you who continue to support Life Now and our ventures!

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If you prefer to read this online, you will find it as "November, 2001"

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I wrote the following when we lived on the desert in California. I grew up near where we now live in the Midwest and I am once again experiencing - and offering gratitude - for this beauty.

Pleasure of Autumn
by Dusty

Pleasant is what the eye beholds
looking across a field of corn
already harvested;
Getting a glimpse of wildlife
making the stubble their home;
Seeing the painting
Mr. Frost has provided
with bright orange, red and yellow;
Bringing back the memories
of the pleasures of autumn.

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"The most precious things of life are near at hand. Each of you has the whole wealth of the universe at your very door. All may be yours by stretching forth your hand and taking it." - John Burroughs

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Excellence
by Dusty Reed

An open mind is a valuable companion. As we study and experiment with excellence, our capacity for understanding will increase. Quality time returns a new awareness of life's process.

When we utter excuses, "I know I should pray or meditate more often but. . ." we can ask ourselves, "what is important?" Is it the football game on television? Maybe it is the evening paper. Is it washing windows or dusting furniture? Life, heaven and earth reward us for time in excellence.

How we invest our time is a determination by each of us. Some may invest only a few minutes a day in meditation and receive rich satisfaction. Others may invest extended spans. Continuous excellence brings the spiritual life into resourceful communication with the Universal Power.

Excellence can become a way of life. It may take practice to have constant conversation with Creation. Or, it may be a gift, easily accepted into a lifestyle. Absorbing Supreme Intelligence for prompt understanding is a valuable way to handle all experiences.

Patience, for results, is also important. The men of ancient learning, who gave their lives to studying the laws of the Universe, didn't receive the information in one sitting.

When we ask favors from friends, we do not just run up and ask them to do something and then run off without their comments or further conversation. The same is true with Nature. Respect and gratitude happen through further communion.

Conversing with the Universal Mind about everything, moment by moment, about every decision and action is worth the energy. This brings continuous excellence into our routine. We then receive guidance in finding happiness. Thanking the Universe for every circumstance permits it to bring goodness into each happening.

Meditation brings unity. It develops a fruitful relationship with the Creator. Meditation is a special time given to Creation. Meditation is quieting the mental and physical body. It is an intimate worship. The joy of knowing and feeling Nature's presence is our reward through meditation. Turning to Nature provides renewed body and mind, refreshed.

Quiet time contributes to inner awareness. With the physical and mental selves relaxed, a new peaceful joy brings harmony. Focus on Divine Guidance does this.

Spiritual observation opens the door to a new ray of sunlight - understanding. Willingness to watch and listen, through communication with the Universe, opens new possibilities of awareness.

Excellence is strength. When we claim Omnipresence, we immediately receive power to understand. It is then our responsibility to recognize and use it.

Many say Cause offers results in its own chosen good time. The Bible says if we ask, we receive. No, it doesn't say when. Rejecting power offered through Divine excellence produces suppression. Our patience is stifled.

If patience is the request, progress may not be inherent until persistence reigns. The strength is within to nurture persistence. As we use excellence, we permeate growth.

Excellence plants the seed of power. We have the responsibility to exercise it, thus to help it grow. The Bible says we can do all things . . . through Christ, who gives strength.

If more of humankind would exercise this given power through excellence, there would be fewer excuses for not receiving answers. Affirm this: "I am thankful. I have energy to recognize and act upon all happenings in my life that give me exercise and growth."

Accepting the Universe within brings about many new and beautiful adventures. It is the Creator of all things. This means it is also the Creator of the inner being. It creates thoughts and feelings.

The ability to find solutions for all situations is the natural process of excellence. This allows each of us to be a powerful person. It gives the capability to do anything desirable.

Prosperity is there for the taking. Good health is there for the taking. Leadership is there for the taking. A cruise around the world . . . Anything through Christ that gives pleasure and happiness is available.

A wise person remembers why we have these things. We offer gratitude to continue in our new found excellence and to obtain more. Then we give some away to others to add the increase for ourselves. As pruning the roses increases their blossoms, so it is with our good fortune.

Faith receives exercise through imagination and observation of the viewpoints and beliefs of others. The Universe provides an open mind.

All beliefs that provide excellence are acceptable to Nature. Per chance, we might be in a state of reincarnation, perfecting our spirit through each learning life cycle. It is possible humankind can have such a close communication with the Universe that we can know what is to happen in the future. Predestination might be a possibility - everything happening for a purpose - with only the Universe knowing what is appropriate. Jesus died and ascended into heaven to allow the Holy Spirit to return to be with us. These are possible questions for us to ponder, despite what we have been taught to believe. What we believe makes a difference in excellence power.

Some of us are afraid to explore these possibilities. Some of us are unwilling to ask for guidance in exploring and then allowing expression of what is good. We assume we know what is right. This blocks the entry of other possibilities for Creation to work through us. The answers are unique for each creature.

Humanity only knows divine will through personal experience. Talk with it, listen, and then act upon its guidance.

How does Nature talk to us? Does it speak through the burning bush or as thunder? Is there a physical nudge on the shoulder? Does it whisper a thought? Does it speak through another person? Does it speak through something we read? Does it speak through repetitious happenings? Does it speak through a feeling, not consciously definable?

Do we often neglect giving recognition to our Supreme Being as the Source when the answers come in many of these ways? Or, do we not recognize the answer when it comes through one of these channels? Do we limit the source of our answers to the familiar? Or are we open to new channels of excellence?

Do we listen? The Universe speaks to us. Unless we hear what it is saying, it is as the forest's theatrical performance with no one to enjoy it. Recognition that Nature is speaking comes only by being close enough to hear its voice. The everyday details in life can keep thoughts occupied. Tuning in to the Universal flow provides active conversation to receive answers, despite many other activities that require our attention.

Excellence is as a child with a broken toy. The child has the choice of giving it to his father in faith the necessary mending will occur. He can occupy his time elsewhere until his father hands the toy back to him, fixed and renewed. Or, he can give the toy to his father and stand close, to be of help if necessary. Or, he can grab the toy back and say he can fix it better himself.

Wouldn't it be preferable to release the toy to the Universe, to wait for our cue when it has become perfection? Faith, letting go, and patience in excellence will repair any toy we present.

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Here are a few sites I find very worthwhile. I will be including those of subscribers so, if you have a site and think I might not be aware of it, let me know!

New Hope

Belief Net

Better Budgeting

Jay and Jean Driscoll publish two interesting little ezines that might be of interest:

"More From GOD" 2 to 4 lines that 'could' have been spoken by GOD. Twice weekly. Subscribe: MessagesFromGOD-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

"Fran's Inspiration" One page of Spiritual Inspiration. Written by Fran Neuk. Sent irregularly usually about once a week. Subscribe: FransInspiration-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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Enjoy every moment to the fullest! - Dusty

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Working toward consideration and to better humanity, we want to encourage free enterprise, free speech. We are Life Now, a spiritual happening on and off the Internet.

Questions? Email Dusty

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