Gloria to God:

Dear God, I learn so much from You. On all levels. For example, it wasn't until I asked You what my blocks might be that You mentioned clutter. You didn't bring it up until I asked.

God:

Not that it would be wrong to bring up a matter on your own. You just have to look at the ground you're planting in. Most of the time it's wise to save comment until solicited, but not always.

Fear of mistakes must not rule you. Not fear of wrong action. Not fear of ruining something. Not fear at all.

At the same time, it's good to refrain from making the same mistake over and over again.

Gloria:

When You told me what You thought, I know it was for my benefit, and there was no way I could feel that you were judging me. I rather think you were amused!

God:

It was you who was amused. My answer surprised you, and you like to be surprised.

Surprises are unexpected bonuses. Disappointment is an expectation not realized. Be unexpecting, unsuspecting, undemanding.

Gloria:

The other day someone said that they think the purpose of religion is to teach us how to live life. I would have thought the purpose is to bring us closer to You.

God:

The same thing. They are the same thing. The way to live life is with My love, not superimposed, not ordered, not assumed, but with the vision that allows you to enjoy what is.

When a tot brings its mother a dandelion, the mother is happy. A rose from the child would not mean more. The giving of the dandelion was loved expressed. The child is saying: "I am connected to you. It gives me a good feeling to give you a dandelion."

The child, in truth, was taking. It was taking its pleasure in pulling the dandelion and then giving it away. To pull the dandelion without giving would be less pleasurable.

The purpose of religion and all life is to enrich the heart, open it more, help its owner see My Will in his heart, and live a grander life. Knowing Me and living life are not different.

Gloria:

Karla wrote me that since she has found You, her life is richer and she has more good fortune. For example, she started looking for work and got hired the next day!

God:

Karla is also easier to please, so more pleases her.

Gloria:

She wonders also why some people have easier lives than others. Some people suffer such hard lives.

God:

Better not to compare lives. You can only compare from the outside, and in comparing, you focus on what you see before you, and you see it as either negative or positive, so you judge.

Comparing says one, probably you, is better off than the other. Or comparing says you are the worse off. In either case, how do such thoughts make you feel? Not so good, I think.

Savor your good fortune. Notice that. Notice good fortune.

That comes back to choices or luck. Choose your luck!

Gloria:

Jon was in Hilton Head, a beautiful island, for a week's vacation. It is such a wealthy community that, by comparison, it made his own wealth seem minor. I've had that feeling, going into Saks Fifth Avenue when I usually shop at Walmart and the Bargain Box and My Lucky Day!

God:

Neither turn away from wealth nor feel a lack because either will easily lead to envy and false desire. You do not have to own the goods in order to enjoy them. One worldly status is not better than another. Listen to what I am saying. One is not better than another. Let that sink in.

Welcome sun. Welcome rain. Complain of neither.

Gloria:

God, an artist may see beauty in a slum and paint a masterpiece, but he would prefer to live somewhere else, I bet.

God:

Of course. But happiness is not less in a slum than in a mansion. Happiness in a mansion is not more than in a slum. Just different things to focus unhappiness on.

I have overheard some of My children say that their best time was before they had money. Happiness is available regardless of the circumstances, though hat is hard for you to accept.

A palace without love is a palace without love. Where love is, is glory. And love is everywhere. A heart in a palace can open with love, but it is not the palace that opens it.

Surface is surface. Surface is good, but it has its limits.

There is that which has no limits. Seek that.