Roy Fisher RIP

Roy Fisher, my dear Lyric Opera supernumerary (acting extra) friend, moved on to that Great Opera House in the Sky on July 4, 2017, during his 91st year. He was loved by many and deserved to be as he was one of the kindest men I know, always with a smiling welcome and a kind comment. 

Last night I dreamed about him and his life partner, Chris. I was taking Chris to the Botanic Garden and Roy was seeing us off. He looked to be in his late twenties and I commented so. I also asked, "May I ask if you have you seen God?"

His reply, with a broad smile and a sparkle in his eyes, was, "Not yet but I have seen much evidence of God's work. And it is beautiful!"

With those words, I awoke to a bright sun shining morning ready to begin my day (with a smile on my face and a bit of wonder on my mind.)

Roy in one of his many supernumerary roles at The Lyric Opera of Chicago

UNITY World Prayer Day - September 10, 2015

I always say I do not pray. I certainly do not bargain or beg or promise. But I do contemplate my behavior, my actions, my wishes and desires; and when I am unhappy with them attempt to change them. Maybe that is what you call prayer. Maybe it is a question of semantics.

I won't even go into "Is there a God?" Lets just say that I respect you calling him/her what you want. I always say I do not believe in God but I do believe that there is something greater than I could ever hope to understand that somehow exists "so far out there" or "so deep inside" that helps govern our world, our lives, our selves.

I believe in meditation. I believe in quieting myself from the daily rigors and activities and craziness of each day and night.

I believe in doing good for those who need our support or help. I believe in lending an ear to someone who needs to talk. I believe in doing something for someone who cannot do it for them-self. I believe in holding someone's hand and sitting together silently.

I believe in doing what I can to help relieve suffering and pain; in myself, in my family and friends, in my community, in my world.

I believe that we, as individuals, by our beliefs and actions can change the world into a better place for everyone who lives here with us.

Then something like UNITY's World Prayer Day occurs and I feel good about it. UNITY is a positive religion that embraces most beliefs. Unity has people and centers that spend their time praying for others and their needs.

Maybe just that outpouring of energy can make a difference, maybe just the good feelings that occur inside a person when thinking and/or believing that this is possible can make a difference, maybe you and I can make a difference.

Here is more information about UNITY's World Prayer Day. Each link opens in a new window.

Click here for the Unity Site
Click here to learn more about World Prayer Day
Click here to light a candle for World Prayer Day
Click here to add names to the World Prayer Day list

An Addition

Interesting addition to my "Search for God" series.

Abraham-Hicks Publications

The God Test

Based on my concept of: The Quinternity.

THE GOD TEST OF MY MOTHER'S PASSING

TRUTH: The truth is that I cannot prevent my mother’s death. The truth is that death is part of life and if you live your life to its fullest you must embrace death to its fullest. The truth is that she had a wonderful number of years enjoying all her family around her on a daily basis, enjoying Gregory and me during our many phone calls and on our brief but love filled visits to Texas, enjoying time with newly made friends. The truth is that she was alert until the end, while not in too much pain, and got to say her goodbyes to each family member. The truth is that I could not up and go to TX to be with her during her final ordeal. The truth is that I called two or three times a day, sent flowers, sent candy, sent a picture of Gregory and me to put by her bedside. The truth is that I told her she should leave when she was ready and not to hold on for any of us.

LOVE: Our relationship was full of love, expressed and otherwise. We had no secrets of significance, no undiscussed issues, no resentment, no hate. 

FORGIVENESS: I forgive myself for feeling guilty at not going to her bedside. I forgive myself for all the pain and sorrow I caused her through our lives together knowing that I did my best. I forgive her for all the pain and sorrow she caused me through our lives together knowing that she did her best.

PEACE: Knowing the TRUTH, based on our LOVE for each other, and being able to have FORGIVENESS for the trespasses of the past, I am at peace with her passing.

FAITH: I have FAITH in the STATE OF MIND that is GOD to know that she is being watched over, as am I, during this joyous but difficult transition for both my mother and myself. I have faith in my abilities to deal with her passing and to live my life filled with love.

On FInding God: The Quinternity

On Finding God

December 2, 2009

“One of the main functions of formalized religion is to protect people against a direct experience of God.” 

C.G. Jung

The Past

I have always, until recently, avoided following a given religion or believing in God. I was raised Jewish, was Bar Mitzvahed, and certainly enjoy the traditions, stories, and foods of the Jewish Holidays. 

Judaism, however, based on what might be my limited study has never given me a feeling of peace or an understanding of why life unfolds as it does. It has not given me a “personal GOD” or a “direct experience with GOD.” It certainly has provided me with “questions” but certainly not the “answers” I am looking for.

I have some knowledge of the great religions of the world and not one feels any closer to meeting my needs, although I do appreciate the traditions, stories, and foods of many of those holidays as well. 

I have always said that I have Faith, but am not sure of Faith in what. I have always admired and envied people who could feel a personal GOD (recently I have been searching,) who could Believe (but in what,) who could find solace in Prayers (I don’t.) I have always described myself as a Spiritual Person not a Religious Person and while this has given me a way of explaining myself and my moral behavior, it hasn’t given me much Peace of Mind.

Being Gay doesn’t help. How can one believe in a religion which professes that we “Love Thy Neighbor” and then denies my love. How can any religion say they are all accepting and then not accept my life as I have inherited it and/or chosen it? How can any religion say I am OK as I am, as long as I do not practice who I am? But that is a topic for future discussion!

The Quest

Recently I have been studying this GOD conundrum. With my current, difficult life situation acting as a catalyst in my “Search for God,” I have sought a way to find peace, contentment, guidance, and quite honestly just a way to get outside of myself, my fears, my sadness, and my pain. I cannot imagine seeking drugs or alcohol to do so and have never been a person who buries his head in the sand or enjoys denial. So where do I go? Where do I turn?

In my recent studies, I have read the “Bible” (Old and New Testament,) “How to Practice The Way to a Meaningful Life” by the Dalai Lama, “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz, “There is a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem” by Wayne Dyer, “The Evolution of God” by Robert Wright, among others. I have had deep conversations with my Jungian therapist/psychologist Dr. Peter Demuth. I have drifted off to sleep thinking about my dilemma, my search. I have talked with friends. I have become more aware of similar “searches” in the fiction reading I have done and in the movies I have watched.

While my studies have not yet given me the Peace I am looking for, I believe I am getting closer. I think I have been able to condense what I have gained from all of these studies combined with my life experiences and have begun to see a common thread. I suspect that all of them have assisted me in being closer to obtaining Peace and eventually I will be able to say:

“I HAVE FOUND GOD!”

The Present

A breakthrough came when I entertained the possibility that there could be a SPIRITUAL GOD. Until now I have thought only of GOD in terms of the various formal religions and couldn’t find a fit for myself with this RELIGIOUS GOD. I therefore dismissed any GOD. But perhaps there is, instead, a SPIRITUAL GOD. And perhaps I have found him, or her, or that greater entity!

Even with this new awareness of the possibility of a SPIRITUAL GOD, but based on past history, I must work on not visualizing a white bearded old man who is benevolent or judging or punishing. I try not to visualize a young, good looking teacher with golden flowing hair. Or a Buddha? Or Allah? I must still work at not assuming the word GOD belongs to any particular formal religion. I continue to work at not accepting the Bible as GOD’s law, cannot accept words like Sin or Evil or Ten Commandments (in principal yes but not having been handed down on clay tablets,) and certainly cannot understand killing others in the name of GOD.

On the RELIGIOUS GOD’s side, formal religions vary. Catholicism has the Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit (formerly The Holy Ghost.) Hinduism has the Brahman and his many representations in the form of deities. Islam and Judiasm have One God. Buddhism does not deny the existence of god but rejects subservience to any kind to a supreme God. 

Prayer to the RELIGIOUS GOD, for most people, seems to consist of begging or bargaining or pleading and reciting rote materials which look for, praise, or give thanks for an external existence and/or intervention. While praying at home is acceptable, going to a house of worship where one can “talk” with GOD, seems to get greater results and in some religions, the only place to get results.

NOW FOR THE EPIPHANY. “I’ll take curtain number 3 please”

epiphany |iˈpifənē|

noun ( pl. -nies) (also Epiphany)

the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi (Matthew 2:1–12).

1) the festival commemorating this on January 6.

2) a manifestation of a divine or supernatural being.

3)  a moment of sudden revelation or insight.

On the SPIRITUAL GOD’s side, I have found GOD to be a personal ... STATE OF MIND ... not an external entity. With a SPIRITUAL GOD, I have discovered that instead of a Trinity, or a “One God,” and closer to Buddhism’s lack of a Supreme God, for me a Quinternity exists. The QUINTERNITY of GOD as a STATE OF MIND includes: 1) Truth 2) Love, 3) Forgiveness, 4) Peace, and 5) Faith.

The five parts of the QUINTERNITY are related to and build on each other. This QUINTERNITY exists internally, has to do with how I think, and is part of my moral behavior. It does not exist externally, outside of me in a god, a heaven (and certainly not in Hell.) 

Also I have found SPIRITUAL PRAYER to be a STATE OF MIND that exists internally and reflects my understanding of the five parts of the Quinternity which are the basic principals which guide my life, my thoughts, my actions. Spiritual Prayer consists of meditating on these principals, drawing on them when needed, and in making them part of my daily life. I call this mediation THE GOD TEST of a situation.

The QUINTERNITY of the SPIRITUAL GOD as a STATE OF MIND

TRUTH: Behind every situation (action, event, thought, feeling, illness, response, etc) there is a Truth as to why it is happening or why it has happened. I believe that when one looks for, is aware of, and understands the “Truth in It,” one is better able to accept and deal positively with any situation. I also believe that merely by being aware that a Truth exists, even thought one may not understand the Truth itself (or that a particular Truth has been lost forever but at one time did exist,) one is better able to accept and deal positively with the situation. To me, GOD is the STATE OF MIND behind looking for the Truth in each situation.

LOVE: When you deal with each situation and approach every aspect of your life with Love for others and Love for yourself, you are acknowledging that we all come from and are part of the same Source. We all share similar experiences with differing levels of understanding of the Truth behind those experiences but in one way or another, we all share being alive. To me, GOD is the STATE OF MIND behind Love of self and others.

FORGIVENESS: When you acknowledge that everyone is somewhere along the continuum of awareness and understanding of Truth and Love; you realize that differences, conflicts, and negativity will arise. Forgiveness of others is the ability to realize that these differences, conflicts, and negativity are not personally directed at you and are not indicative of a failure on the part of others. Forgiveness of self is the ability to realize that these differences, conflicts, and negativity should not be blamed on others and are not indicative of a failure on your part. Forgiveness is the ability to move on. Forgiveness allows you to hold on to Truth and Love. To me, GOD is the STATE OF MIND behind Forgiveness of self and others.

PEACE: By always looking for the Truth behind the seemingly uncomfortable and difficult day to day occurrences in your life, by affirming with gratitude the Truth behind the seemingly pleasant and easy day to day occurrences in your life, and by doing so with Love and Forgiveness, conflict and negativity will be minimal or nonexistent. The feeling that comes with this state of being I call Peace. To me, GOD is the STATE OF MIND behind being at Peace.

FAITH: Having Faith allows you to hold on to the understanding that as life unfolds, through its joys and sorrows: (1) Truth exits even if it is not visible, (2) Love allows you to show respect and understanding for yourself and others, (3) Forgiveness allows each of us to be at our unique place on the continuum of Truth, Love, and Forgiveness, (4) Peace will be yours with these realizations, and (5) Faith will help you hold on to these understandings and help you live your life in a way that will allow you to find a Spiritual GOD, your personal GOD, the GOD within you, the GOD who is you, and to have a direct experience with GOD.

My Continued Search for God: FINAL THOUGHTS

FINAL POST - END OF THIS SERIES. Will he find God or not? Read this!

This is a hard one, but let me end my resent "Search for God" postings by saying that I believe there is more to death then nothingness. I believe that we came from some source and will return to that source. I certainly do not understand the nature of that source. I believe that we may come back again, in a different form, to again be part of life and then to return once again to that source. I believe that we may do this to continue to "learn lessons" about this thing called life or Spirit or Karma.

I believe that there is a purpose to my life, if only to love and to be loved. I believe that I can be spiritual without being religious. I believe that I can be a good, moral, kind person without being religious. I believe that I do not have to believe in a God but that doesn't necessarily mean I am an atheist. I just don't know and my studies have not led me any closer to a conclusion. Just because something cannot be proven to exist, does not mean that it doesn't exist. Perhaps God is the search in itself.

I believe that I haven't found a plausable definition or description God. I have not had a personal experienced with God. I just know for sure, that any way any religion might describe God (him or her,) and any way that I might think about or picture God ... that image is NOT God. Descriptions or experiences of God come from thinking human beings and therefore are not close to being able to describe God, if he/she exists.

Here are some hard thoughts on religion that I have culled from The Angel’s Game, Carlos Ruiz Zafòn, 2010. I have come across these thoughts in many different forms but Mr. Zafón, as quoted below, sums it up for me. If you are a believer, or a religious person, I respect you and your beliefs ... but as for me, I choose to live by my beliefs. I do not find Mr. Zafón's comments to be comforting and I do not find them to provide peace of mind for me, but they seem to make sense for me ... like your religion and/or your God might for you. I would so love to have someplace to go or someone to talk to that would make everything in my life seem OK. But I do not find this place or this person to exist for me. The Faith and Solace that I do have is in myself and in the knowledge that I will be able to continue to make good decisions about how to live my life.

The Angel's Game

“... a religion is really a moral code that is expressed through legends, myths, or any type of literary device in order to establish a system of beliefs, values, and rules with which to regulate a culture or a society. As in literature or any other act of communications, what confers effectiveness on it is the form and not the content. Everything is a tale. What we believe, what we know, what we remember, even what we dream. Everything is a story, a narrative, a sequence of events with characters communications an emotional content. We only accept as true what can be narrated. … a story for which men and women would live and die, for which they would be capable of killing and allowing themselves to be killed, of sacrificing and condemning themselves, of handing over their souls? .... a story so powerful that it transcends fiction and becomes a revealed truth? (p. 145)

“... faith, the act of believing in myths, ideologies, or supernatural legends, is the consequence of biology ...

“It is part of our nature to survive. Faith is an instinctive response to aspects of existence what we cannot explain by any other means, be it the moral void we perceive in the universe, the certainty of death, the mystery of the origin of things, the meaning of our lives, or the absence of meaning. These are basic and extremely simple aspects of existence, but our limitations prevent us from responding in an unequivocal way and for the reason we generate an emotional response, as a defense mechanism. It’s pure biology.

“.... beliefs arise from an event or character that may or may not be authentic and rapidly evolve into social movements that are conditioned and shaped by the political, economic, and societal circumstances of the group that accepts them.

“A large part of the mythology that develops around each of these doctrines, from its liturgy to its rules and taboos, comes from the bureaucracy, generated as they develop and not from the supposed supernatural act that originated them. Most of the simple, well-intentioned anecdotes are a mixture of common sense and folklore, and all the belligerent force they eventually develop comes from a subsequent interpretation of those principles, or even their distortion, at the hands of the bureaucrats. 

“.... The administrative and hierarchic aspects seems to be crucial in the evolution of belief systems. The truth is first revealed to all men but very quickly individuals appear claiming sole authority and a duty to interpret, administer, and if need be, alter this truth in the name of the common good. To this end they establish a powerful and potentially repressive organization. This phenomenon, which biology shows us is common to any social group, soon transforms the doctrine into a means of achieving control and political power. Divisions, wars, and break ups become inevitable, Sooner or later, the word becomes flesh and the flesh bleeds. (p. 222)

Another look at God

Wanted to share this TEDx video with you. Besides a wonderful treatise on gratitude, the cinematographer, director, producer talks about what people mean when they say "Oh My God!" I liked it.

TEDxSF - Louie Schwartzberg - Gratitude - YouTube

When people say OH MY GOD, what does that really mean?

0H = Means that it caught your attention, makes you present, makes you mindful.

MY = Means that it connects with something deep within your soul. It creates a gateway for you inner voice to rise up, to be heard.

GOD = Is that personal journey we all want to be on. To be inspired. To be connected to a universe that celebrates life.

My Continued Search for God: Die

TWO - COUNTDOWN TO END OF THIS SERIES. Will he find God or not? Stay tuned.

If you have read some of my previous work, you will know that while I consider myself a spiritual person, I do not consider myself a religious person and am not so sure I believe in a God. I have read, studied, discussed and continue my "search for God." The first breakthrough was when I realized  that there could be a "spiritual god", up until then only thinking in terms of a "religious god." But that is a different story. 

This passage from "Love Poems from God" edited by Daniel Ladinsky 2002.Only a few of the poems spoke to me and I continue to contemplate them and document them here for you as well as for my future study.

YOU HAVE TO DIE

The Prophet Muhammad once said,"Die before you die," and a contemporary religious figure, Meher Baba, once said, "Being is dying by loving. Both are speaking of an important transformative juncture through which we all will pass. "My soul is a candle that burned away the veil," says St. John, the veil being that which separates us from God. The veil being the false, the untruths we believe, that we must someday die to, before we are born."

My Continued Search for God: Certainty

THREE - COUNTDOWN TO END OF THIS SERIES. Will he find God or not? Stay tuned.

If you have read some of my previous work, you will know that while I consider myself a spiritual person, I do not consider myself a religious person and am not so sure I believe in a God. I have read, studied, discussed and continue my "search for God." The first breakthrough was when I realized  that there could be a "spiritual god", up until then only thinking in terms of a "religious god." But that is a different story. Meanwhile I would like to share a number of "Love Poems from God" edited by Daniel Ladinsky 2002.Only a few of the poems spoke to me and I continue to contemplate them and document them here for you as well as for my future study.

Tukaram (1608-1649) is the most influential figure in the development of Marathi literature, was remarkably prolific with some 8,000 short poet attributed to him.

CERTAINTY

Certainty undermines one's power, and turns happiness

into a long shot. Certainly confines.

Dears, there is nothing in your life that will not

change -- especially all your ideas of God.

Look what the insanity of righteous knowledge can do:

crusade and maim thousands

in wanting to convert that which

is already gold

into gold.

Certainty can become an illness

that creates hate and

greed.

God once said to Tuka,

"Even I am ever changing --

I am ever behind

Myself,

What I may have once put my seal upon,

may no longer be

the greatest

Truth."

My Continued Search for God: Moon Language

FOUR - COUNTDOWN TO END OF THIS SERIES. Will he find God or not? Stay tuned.

If you have read some of my previous work, you will know that while I consider myself a spiritual person, I do not consider myself a religious person and am not so sure I believe in a God. I have read, studied, discussed and continue my "search for God." The first breakthrough was when I realized  that there could be a "spiritual god", up until then only thinking in terms of a "religious god." But that is a different story. Meanwhile I would like to share a number of "Love Poems from God" edited by Daniel Ladinsky 2002.Only a few of the poems spoke to me and I continue to contemplate them and document them here for you as well as for my future study.

Hafiz (c 1320-1389) is the most beloved poet of Persia and is considered to be one of history's greatest lyrical geniuses. 

WITH THAT MOON LANGUAGE

Admit something:

Everyone you see, you say to them, "Love me."

Of course you do not do this out loud,

otherwise someone would call the cops.

Still though, think about this, this great pull in us to connect.

Why not become the one who lives with a

full moon in each eye that is

always saying,

with that sweet moon language,

what every other eye in

this world is

dying to hear?

My Continued Search for God: Otherwise the Darkness

If you have read some of my previous work, you will know that while I consider myself a spiritual person, I do not consider myself a religious person and am not so sure I believe in a God. I have read, studied, discussed and continue my "search for God." The first breakthrough was when I realized  that there could be a "spiritual god", up until then only thinking in terms of a "religious god." But that is a different story. Meanwhile I would like to share a number of "Love Poems from God" edited by Daniel Ladinsky 2002.Only a few of the poems spoke to me and I continue to contemplate them and document them here for you as well as for my future study.

St. Thomas Aquinas. (1225-1274) He is widely regarded as the greatest Catholic theologian.

OTHERWISE THE DARKNESS

I have a cause.

We need those don't we?

Otherwise the darkness and the cold gets in

and everything starts to ache.

My cause has a purpose, it is to love;

If I

Do not fulfill

My heart's vocation,

I suffer

My Continued Search for God: The Journey

If you have read some of my previous work, you will know that while I consider myself a spiritual person, I do not consider myself a religious person and am not so sure I believe in a God. I have read, studied, discussed and continue my "search for God." The first breakthrough was when I realized  that there could be a "spiritual god", up until then only thinking in terms of a "religious god." But that is a different story. Meanwhile I would like to share a number of "Love Poems from God" edited by Daniel Ladinsky 2002.Only a few of the poems spoke to me and I continue to contemplate them and document them here for you as well as for my future study.

Mira (1498-1550) is the4 most renowned woman poet saint of INdia and her songs are sung by Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs alike.

I Write of That Journey

I remember how my mother would hold me.

I would look up at her sometimes and see her weep.

I understand now what was happening.

Love so strong a force

it broke the

cage,

and she disappeared from everything

for a blessed 

moment.

All actions have evolved

from the taste of flight;

the hope of freedom

moves our cells

and limbs.

Unable to live on the earth, Mira ventured out alone in the sky,

I write of that journey

of becoming, as

free as

God.

Don't forget love;

it will bring all the madness you need

to unfurl yourself across

the universe.

My Continued Search for God: Amnesia

If you have read some of my previous work, you will know that while I consider myself a spiritual person, I do not consider myself a religious person and am not so sure I believe in a God. I have read, studied, discussed and continue my "search for God." The first breakthrough was when I realized  that there could be a "spiritual god", up until then only thinking in terms of a "religious god." But that is a different story. Meanwhile I would like to share a number of "Love Poems from God" edited by Daniel Ladinsky 2002.Only a few of the poems spoke to me and I continue to contemplate them and document them here for you as well as for my future study.

Kabir c1440-1518) For five hundred years his poems have been recited and sung throughout India. He was a great religious reformer in his time, as well as a famous artist and musician.

A MAN WITH AMNESIA

With a begging bowl in hand a man with amnesia knocks

on his own door.

My guru cured me of that profound illness:

God asking God for

forgiveness or

alms.

My Continuing Search for God: Tenderly

If you have read some of my previous work, you will know that while I consider myself a spiritual person, I do not consider myself a religious person and am not so sure I believe in a God. I have read, studied, discussed and continue my "search for God." The first breakthrough was when I realized  that there could be a "spiritual god", up until then only thinking in terms of a "religious god." But that is a different story. Meanwhile I would like to share a number of "Love Poems from God" edited by Daniel Ladinsky 2002.Only a few of the poems spoke to me and I continue to contemplate them and document them here for you as well as for my future study.

St. John of the Cross ( 1542-1591) has long been recognized as one of the worlds great mystical poets. 

TENDERLY

Tenderly, I now touch all

things.

knowing one day we will

part.

My Continued Search for God: The True Nature

ONLY FIVE TO GO BEFORE MY FINAL THOUGHTS ON GOD!


If you have read some of my previous work, you will know that while I consider myself a spiritual person, I do not consider myself a religious person and am not so sure I believe in a God. I have read, studied, discussed and continue my "search for God." The first breakthrough was when I realized  that there could be a "spiritual god", up until then only thinking in terms of a "religious god." But that is a different story. Meanwhile I would like to share a number of "Love Poems from God" edited by Daniel Ladinsky 2002.Only a few of the poems spoke to me and I continue to contemplate them and document them here for you as well as for my future study.


Hafiz (c 1320-1389) is the most beloved poet of Persia and is considered to be one of history's greatest lyrical geniuses. 


THE TRUE NATURE


Know
the true nature of your
Beloved.


In
His
loving eyes
your every thought, word, and movement
is always, always


beautiful.

GOD

I am writing this about GOD, with ironic or flippant intent, may he/she not strike me down.

If you have read some of my previous work, you will know that while I consider myself a spiritual person, I do not consider myself a religious person and am not so sure I believe in a God. I have read, studied, discussed and continue my "search for God." The first breakthrough was when I realized  that there could be a "spiritual god", up until then only thinking in terms of a "religious god." But that is a different story.

Last week, a number of God related items cropped up AUTOMATICALLY and I ammusedly thought, "Wow, that must mean that there is a God." Here comes the tongue in cheek part.

PROOF THAT GOD EXISTS:

How come when you come across something amazing, you utter, "Oh my God!"

A popular internet response is often, "OMG!"

When you hurt yourself you scream, "God, that hurts!"

When you get angry you vent, "God damn it!"

When you see something troubling you worry, "Dear God!"

When you think of something that you hope will never happen you set up, "God forbid."

When someone sneezes you offer, "God bless you."

When you are worried or facing an extreme difficulty you pray, "God help me!"

All these utterances seem to come automatically and naturally, whether you believe in God or not.

As my therapist likes to say, "Whether you believe in God or not, God believes in you."

Often I will find some writing that speaks to me but tends towards the religious thereby turning me off. Unity's Daily Word, while using the concepts of Christ and God, as a positive based religion seems to come closest to sitting well with me. What I like to do is cross out the religious overtones, sometimes add a word or two, and see if the writing still makes sense. Here is an example:

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 FAITH I respond to life's circumstances according to my faith in myself. Every circumstance is temporary. If I am struggling, I respond to the challenge according to my faith in myself. I turn within for direction and gently release thoughts of lack, limitation or unworthiness. Gratefully I acknowledge that in every moment I am divinely supported by friends, family, and my knowledge of right and wrong. I am a powerful co-creator. In prayer meditation, I connect with the Christ within, knowing that I am being guided toward can reach my highest expression. I have faith that on this journey of becoming the best me I can be, all things are possible. I listen to the wisdom within and know that according to my faith in myself, I make choices that are right for me. I have faith that all is well as I live, move and have my being enfolded in God's goodness knowing right and wrong. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.--Hebrews 11:1