Every Effort Counts

Keep Positive No Matter What

I wrote this Star Notes blog ‘Every Effort Counts’ on Friday evening before the news came of the terrible shooting tragedy in Paris. After this, my cousin Jeremy Hayward, put the following on Facebook. I share it with you now in case you are not a follower of Facebook:

'Let us hold in the healing, uplifting light of the Christ Star all the people of Paris. We see all who have been violently flung out of the physical life lifted into the heart of the light, safe in the loving arms of the Spirit. We hold all who grieve and all who fear, and see them comforted. They are within the cross of light encircled by light. We see the people of all races and all faiths drawn together in brotherhood in the universal Christ Star.' A deep thank you if you take part in this work. In the Star, we are NOT powerless. We are strong and buoyant for love.’ 

I hope these words will be of comfort and inspiration to you… and now… what I wrote on Friday about ‘Every Effort Counting’:

Here in the UK we have a wonderful event which takes place in November each year. It is called ‘Children in need’ and many events are held all over the UK to raise money for charities which are helping disadvantaged and sick children. I have just been watching a BBC programme devoted to this fundraising cause. What I have found particularly inspiring is the huge number of people who are individually making an effort to raise money to help, or do something themselves to aid those who need care and some extra joy in their lives. Also really moving is the number of children and young people who have special needs themselves and are making supreme efforts and taking on great physical and mental challenges, with generous sponsorship from family and friends, to help others with similar afflictions to their own.

To me these are examples of what White Eagle often reminds us—that the challenges which come into our lives are not punishments (or ‘bad karma’) but opportunities we have actually chosen ourselves to increase our inner strength and resilience, and open our hearts in compassion for others.

Our UK 'Children in Need' programme shows many examples of individual suffering and people whose hearts have been opened by witnessing this and moved to open their purses or get up and do something to help, however small that offering might be.

Actually—as Jesus’ story about how valuable was the widow’s mote, and Mother Theresa’s famous quote about a ‘drop in the ocean’ show—many ‘mites’ and many ‘drops’ add up! There is another factor too, I think, when groups of people get together with one good purpose—to help others with open loving hearts—something magical and miraculous happens. It is like the miracle of feeding the five thousand from the five loaves and two fishes. I was told a lovely story quite recently: 'One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking up something and gently throwing it back into the sea. He asked 'What are you doing?' The boy replied 'Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The tide is going out and if they stay on the beach they will die.' 'Son', the man said 'There are miles and miles of beach and thousands of starfish. Don't you realise you can't make a difference?' The boy bent down and picked up another starfish and threw it back into the surf. Then smiling at the man he said, 'Made a difference for that one!'

White Eagle also reminds us: ‘Never doubt the power of God to work through you… One soul can help the whole world. You say, “I want to do some work. Use me, here I am!” But, my child, you don’t need to come to us to offer yourself. The service is here beside you, and waiting in your own heart every day. The greatest service that anyone can give is to continually to think aright—continually to send forth love, to forgive.’