Following
this passage from the Course, is an inspiring letter from Annie Kagan, Billy
Fingers’ sister.
But what of
those whose dedication is not to live;
the
black-draped 'sinners',
the ego's
mournful chorus,
plodding so
heavily away from life,
dragging
their chains and marching in the slow procession that honors their grim master,
lord of
death?
Touch any
one of them with the gentle hands of forgiveness,
and watch
the chains fall away,
along with
yours.
See him
throw aside the black robe he was wearing to his funeral,
and hear him
laugh at death.
The sentence
sin would lay upon him he can escape through your forgiveness.
This is no
arrogance.
It is the
Will of God.
What is impossible to you who chose His Will
as yours?
What is
death to you?
Your
dedication is not to death,
nor to its
master.
When you
accepted the Holy Spirit's purpose in place of the ego's you renounced death,
exchanging
it for life.
We know that
an idea leaves not its source.
And death is
the result of the thought we call the ego,
as surely as
life is the result of the Thought of God. (T-19.lV.C.2)
Dear Ray Comeau,
I've
been stressed out lately. The news is daunting; terror attacks, families
fleeing war torn countries, the environmental mess.
In
my book, The Afterlife of Billy Fingers, How My Bad-Boy Brother Proved To
Me There's Life After Death, my brother Billy teaches how to better
navigate life on planet Earth. Amazingly, Billy began sharing this wisdom with
me a few weeks after he died. Two years of our conversations are recorded in
our book.
One
thing Billy says is;
People spend lots of time on things that make them unhappy.
To cultivate joy, pay attention to what you like.
So,
with all the disturbance happening on Earth, I made a list of things Billy says
can soothe the soul.
SPEND TIME IN NATURE
The
light, colors, scents and sounds of the natural world bring pleasure to and
heal the senses. Walking in the forest, planting a garden, or simply feeling
the warmth of the sun on your face, help you tune to the miracle of creation.
SAY THANK YOU
Many
spiritual paths promote the concept of gratitude. Saying "thank you"
may be simpler than trying to feel grateful. Saying thank you to all the things
that please you, silently or out loud, helps you notice the grace in your life.
Thank you is an easy step down the road toward gratitude.
PAUSE FOR BEAUTY
Take
time every day to admire something of beauty. Beauty is evocative; it awakens
something deep inside and transcends the noise and static of the world. Beauty
reminds you of the awe at the heart of life itself.
MAKE LIFE MORE MUSICAL
Singing,
dancing and listening to music connects you to the special pleasure of being
alive. Have favorite songs on standby to enhance your mood or change it. Some
music could be bright and upbeat, some slow and melancholy, some designed for
healing. Melody and rhythm turn the ordinary into the magical.
CHANGE YOUR VIEWPOINT
A
change in perspective is powerful. According to Quantum physics, the way you
see things can actually change them. If something upsets or frightens you, look
for what you like about it. When it comes to people, focus on their deep voice,
their sparkling eyes, their quick smile, their unique wit. When someone senses
positivity coming their way, they may respond in kind.
CELEBRATE THE PURPOSELESS PURPOSE OF LIFE
Joy
comes from doing what we love simply for the pleasure of it. Keep a journal,
learn to surf, sing in a choir, bake bread, plant a garden, feed the birds.
Everything you do doesn't have to lead to an outcome. The doing can be its own
reward.
© 2015 annie kagan
With Love
Your friends
Billy Fingers
Annie Kagan
