Life Lesson: "All That Glitters!"

"Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary. Then ask yourself, and yourself alone. Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good. If it doesn't, it is of no use." --Carlos Castaneda

"'All That Glitters' is not gold."

Remember this life lesson.

Sometimes things come across our path through the brilliance they exude.

Examine them more closely.



The same with people.


I try not to be cynical when people seem so "perfect" in their ways. I try not to be. Yet, I always end up knowing my "cynicism" was not unfounded.

This is unfortunate, but the ultimate reality.

The truth is that you feel TRUTH and truthfulness in people in and from your Soul! People can try to fool you in their superficial ways, but your Soul, your spirit, is a very precise radar.

In the last blog post, "Be Two-Faced: Be Real," I wrote about everyone having more than one side to their "face." Many, though, try to fool people that they are consistently one way.

Wait long enough...maybe not even that long...you'll see the other side coming out in small, and in some not-so-small, ways.




There's also another saying, "You can fool some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time."

Yet, "fools" persist in believing that they are fooling "all of the people all of the time."

Reality: they are just being "human."


TRUTH, about anything in life, whether an object or a living, breathing being, comes from within.

I love now how animals can detect my openness to them, since I've grown in consciousness to appreciate that the spirit in them is a radar, too. This guides them in knowing who to fear and who to embrace. Indeed, they know "trouble" when they can feel it in their bones!



Now, whenever I go among animals, especially dogs and cats, I know they sense my kinship with them, and we form an immediate bond. Strangers' and friends' dogs alike seem now to be responding to my enhanced level of spiritual awareness.


As far as objects, too, you can know the truth about them. You don't have to be a connoisseur of any type.

Feel within what the object makes you feel...no matter how brilliant it shines...no matter what the "experts" say.


You'll know the truth about that piece.




If you find it unattractive, it will never bring you joy. Don't buy it, simply because it was deemed an outstanding piece of work. Especially, do not buy it simply because it is expensive! Interestingly, when you "know the truth" about the piece, how much you pay will not be such a major concern, when money is no object.

If an art piece is ugly to you, it simply is: ugly.
Don't be "two-faced" about it. This is the time to show one side: the truth!

Don't vacillate between knowing your truth.



The simple truth is...you don't like the piece, because you find it ugly.

Use the same radar when you go into buildings...into a job interview...and you walk among people, places and things.



If, when you enter, you feel disturbed...

Sit with this feeling for about five or 10 minutes, or as is reasonable and appropriate, then settle in yourself and feel the truth.

If still uncomfortable, leave.

There is a reason your "radar" is signalling that.
We ignore it because it means taking bold actions, and we often aren't prepared to do so.

It truly takes courage to do what Jesus, in a different context, says in Matthew 7:13: "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat."

All over the news today is the story of a recent shooting in a beauty salon in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is newsworthy because eight people were killed by a sole gunman, who reportedly had a bitter divorce with his ex-wife who worked at the salon.

Did any one that day feel in their souls that they should not be at the parlor that day?
Did someone get delayed at home, instead of making their hairdressing appointment?

"Divine Order" is a term I've learned to use through my Unity teachings and in almost any situation that seems to be leading to a negative outcome.


I affirm "divine order" and keep on moving through the seeming negative, releasing the situation at hand. Always...always...and in all ways, everything works for my "highest good."

So, when things come against you, don't panic.

Stay calm and affirm the truth: everything is in divine order in and through my life and affairs.

The simple truth is that when you don't know on the surface why things are happening or unfolding the way they are, the "radar" within you always does know the truth.

God is at work in and through our lives.

God IS our lives.

God is life...love...intelligence...substance.

God is our all in all.

God knows the truth.

God knows the glitter when it truly is not "gold."

God tells us the truth.

Begin to listen.

Begin to look.

Begin to understand and know.

The truth.


"All that glitters" is not gold.

What does your spirit say to that?

Namaste',

Che'
EDITOR'S NOTE: The display of Indian jewelry is featured here because of my admiration for the craftiness of the pieces, not because of any question of authenticity.