Page 14 - Horizon October 2017

FROM THE HEART None of us knows how long we or our loved ones will be
here. It could be a very long time or a short time. Some people
preciate the people and gifts in our lives while we have them.
Alan Cohen is the author of A Course in Miracles disappear quickly, without notice. For that reason we must ap-
Made Easy: Mastering the Journey from Fear to Don’t take anyone or any situation for granted. Bless it while
Love. Join Alan and friends in Hawaii, Feb 26- you have it. Tell your close ones that you love them. Thank
March 2 for a rare retreat, Unplugged. Put your them for the good they bring you. Imagine that you might not
devices aside for a few days, liberate yourself see each person after this encounter. What would you say if
from technology, and reconnect with yourself you knew this would be your last meeting?
and your life. For more information about this
program, Alan’s books and videos, free daily Hopefully you will have lots more time with your loved
inspirational quotes, online courses, and weekly ones. Just don’t wait until they are gone or almost gone to
radio show, visit www.alancohen.com. express your heart to them. Likewise, don’t wait until you find
your soulmate, lose 20 pounds, get your ideal job, make your
first million, or attain nirvana before you appreciate who you
GETTING SOBER are. Now is your big moment to fall in love with yourself. Right
where you are. As you are.
In Arthur Miller’s play After the Fall, a character says, “I
I recently learned of the death of a musician I ad- dreamed I had a child, and even in the dream I saw that it was
mire. Ruud was a trombonist in André Rieu’s or- my life, and it was an idiot, and I ran away. But it always crept
chestra. Besides being a talented musician, he was something into my lap again, clutched at my clothes. Until I thought,
of a comic spark plug, performing clever antics in skits the if I could kiss it, whatever in it was my own, perhaps I could
orchestra wove into their performances. I enjoyed watching sleep. And I bent over the broken face, and it was horrible. .
Ruud on YouTube for years. He died suddenly at a relatively .but I kissed it. I think that one must finally take one's life into
young age. one's arms.”
I was surprised at how moved I was at the news of Ruud’s We all have traits in ourselves, our relationships, and our
passing. I found the incident sobering. We usually use the lives that we believe are unlovable. But if we can find beauty
word “sober” as the antithesis of being drunk. When an event and goodness in ourselves and others, even with those traits,
sobers us, it dashes cold water on our face to extricate us we find release that does not come as long as we use judgment
from the drunkenness of the meaningless activities we often to separate ourselves from healing.
engage in. We are awakened from the addictive behaviors we We are now heading toward the holiday season, which
use to distract ourselves from our pain. The list of our addic- brings unique joys and challenges. Family issues arise and
tions, hard and soft, is substantial: Drinking, drugging, email, unhealed relationships get in our face. Perhaps you had a loss
Internet, smartphone, gaming, anxious eating, overworking, or a relationship end during the past year. The season conjures
compulsive shopping, disconnected sex, neurotic cleaning, countless distractions—shopping, parties, social obligations,
mindless babbling, arguing, continual drama, and on and on travel, lavish food, financial issues, and many other tempta-
and on—all tricks we play on ourselves to stay hypnotized by tions to stay foggy. Yet we also have many opportunities to get
emptiness. We each have our preferred escape. sober, to get clear on our values and the kind of relationships
Then something happens that forces us to face ourselves and activities that are truly meaningful to us.
and our lives. A death, divorce, accident, business setback, In my town during the holidays the police set up road-
health issue, legal problem, or weather disaster. Some crisis or blocks to check for drunk drivers. Likewise, it might not be a
emergency. Then we have to think about what is really impor- bad idea for each of us to check in with ourselves occasionally
tant, what our priorities are. Such challenges are painful, they to see if we are staying sober, remembering what is real in the
are also liberating. They jolt us to dig into our soul rather than face of illusions to the contrary. A Course in Miracles tells us
hang at the shallow surface of our lives. When we go through that we have set up the world as a place to hide from our-
such difficulties, we resist and curse them. After we graduate selves, each other, and love. The Course also tells us that we
from the lessons they bring us, we find deep gratitude. have many invitations each day to cross the border between il-
lusion and truth, connect, and live in ways befitting the noble,
magnificent spiritual beings we are.
www.metaphysicianscircle.com When André Rieu learned that his beloved trombonist
Explore the Psychic of 22 years had died in the midst of the orchestra’s tour, he
and Spiritual cancelled the remainder of the tour—a bold move when many
Universe with us! thousands of fans were waiting and millions of dollars were on
Metaphysical the table. But André decided it was more important to honor
speakers, healers, the orchestra’s fallen brother and be there for Ruud’s family.
teachers, more. He reminds us that every moment of life is an invitation to get
Psychic fairs. sober.
321-474-7348 We meet in the Band André Rieu and his orchestra will be in the U.S. for a rare tour this
Room behind the
Oct and Nov. He is one of the great souls on our planet at this time.
Email mabonstar60@gmail.com Melbourne Auditorium He has changed my life, and I heartily recommend you see him. You
$3 fee SUNDAYS 7 - 8:45pm at 1924 Melody Lane, will love his program and be glad you went! Visit andrerieu.com
Melbourne, FL 32901

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