Breaking Free of Unfulfilling

Paths and Habits

by Joan Baliker

Having been actively searching for my spiritual oneness for the past 30 years, I feel that many of my distractions and unfulfilling habits have been left by the wayside already, thank God! Being a people person, I have always been drawn to others’ approaches to understanding. Something always kept me grounded, though, like a voice that might say, “That’s okay, but it’s not for you. Keep on keeping on!” I finally found my highway through A Course in Miracles (ACIM) and I thought I’d arrived. Not so. The challenge of the last nineteen years has been to discipline myself to practice the teaching (or walk the walk) while my monkey-mind is very active inventing distractions.

Some of the ways I counter are:
1) to make sure I start the day off by surrendering it to God’s plan instead of mine;
2) play instructional or spiritual CDs while driving;
3) when tempted to go, do or see, I ask myself what would be the most helpful right now?
4) observe my thoughts and feelings about things from a detached standpoint;
5) be still, when I can, and listen;
6) be in a thankful mode before going to sleep;
7) ask for guidance throughout the night.

The largest block in my pathway has been, and still is, overcoming a fear of leadership. My small self says, you are not up to this. Someone else is better. My Higher Self continually places me in areas to test this dictum. With each test, I have become stronger and more confident. Still, it persists.

In high school, covered with blemishes and a mouth full of braces, I was drawn to a drama class. I survived because I found by focusing my energy on the character in the drama my fear-filled self dissolved. Many years later, and after four years of hesitation, I entered ministerial training and found it to be right and good for me. The Self we are meant to express is taking the reins and leading me on an exciting journey––our destiny.

In “The Science of Mind,” Ernest Holmes wrote:
It is solace to the mind when we come to understand that all human limitation from the standpoint of the Divinity within us is unnecessary.

Another quote I keep in mind is from author, leadership expert and motivational speaker, Dr. John Maxwell:
If we’re growing, we are always going to be out of our comfort zone.

Vision Quest

Many members of our Native American tribes seek direction for their lives by finding a secluded spot, spending hours or days alone praying in their way for answers. This is the same as the advice given to Christians when they are told, “. . .and all things, whatsoever ye ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:22.

See more of Baliker's work at joanbaliker.com