Rising Hawk Foundation

"Every morning I spend fifteen minutes filling my mind full of God, and so there's no room left for worry thoughts."

Howard Chandler Christy

It really doesn't have to be 15 minutes. It can be 5 minutes or 10 minutes, or if suitably sincere, even 1 minute would suffice. Most people spend their mornings with minds that are filled with worries and concerns and plans for the upcoming day - then it's out the door like a shot to do whatever it is they have planned. A morning like that sets the pattern for your mind, and it inevitably leads to unnecessary stress. A busy, racing mind tightens the gears on your whole system, and a tight system won't flow freely and peacefully. On the other hand, God, by whatever name you may know that Supreme power, is the essence of peace. So, if you spend just a few minutes each morning resting in that sublime peace, [through prayer, meditation, mantra, or any other method you prefer to communicate with the Divine], secure in the knowledge that nothing can separate you from that love and peace that is God, you will slow down those racing thoughts. The power of God can then expand through your mind in such a way as to remove any foothold for worries. But even though you will feel some immediate benefits, it is unlikely that this "expansion" of God in your mind will be complete the first time that you pray or meditate, and worry thoughts may still find room. Spending these minutes each morning is a discipline and practice that builds in intensity and effectiveness over time - it waters and fertilizes your faith so that it may grow into a mighty tree under which you can fully experience the peace of the Divine. Those who want instant gratification will be frustrated and may conclude, "Why bother?" I will tell you why: if you don't start, you will never reach that place of peace. And you can be sure that there is a time drawing near during which you will desperately need that peace to survive. It is worth it to slow down and take those few minutes each morning. It will change your life for the better. Who doesn't want that?

	This Week's Thought
	This Week's Thought


*"Every morning I spend fifteen minutes filling my mind full of God, and so there's no room left for worry thoughts."* Howard Chandler Christy It really doesn't have to be 15 minutes. It can be 5 minutes or 10 minutes, or if suitably sincere, even 1 minute would suffice. Most people spend their mornings with minds that are filled with worries and concerns and plans for the upcoming day - then it's out the door like a shot to do whatever it is they have planned. A morning like that sets the pattern for your mind, and it inevitably leads to unnecessary stress. A busy, racing mind tightens the gears on your whole system, and a tight system won't flow freely and peacefully. On the other hand, God, by whatever name you may know that Supreme power, is the essence of peace. So, if you spend just a few minutes each morning resting in that sublime peace, [through prayer, meditation, mantra, or any other method you prefer to communicate with the Divine], secure in the knowledge that nothing can separate you from that love and peace that is God, you will slow down those racing thoughts. The power of God can then expand through your mind in such a way as to remove any foothold for worries. But even though you will feel some immediate benefits, it is unlikely that this "expansion" of God in your mind will be complete the first time that you pray or meditate, and worry thoughts may still find room. Spending these minutes each morning is a discipline and practice that builds in intensity and effectiveness over time - it waters and fertilizes your faith so that it may grow into a mighty tree under which you can fully experience the peace of the Divine. Those who want instant gratification will be frustrated and may conclude, "Why bother?" I will tell you why: if you don't start, you will never reach that place of peace. And you can be sure that there is a time drawing near during which you will desperately need that peace to survive. It is worth it to slow down and take those few minutes each morning. It will change your life for the better. Who doesn't want that?
		The thought for the week is updated each Monday and makes a great piece for discussion on the Rising Hawk Forum!