Changes

Let me also point out that character is not something you set out to do through an [[act]] of will. It is not like going on a diet, where you [[discipline]] yourself into thinness, but rather it is the development within the [[soul]] of the [[human being]] that finds nurturance from that which is wholesome and [[satisfying]]. This [[reality]] is developed through your own [[choices]], through your own [[reflection]] of your own behaviors, [[attitudes]], [[beliefs]] and so forth.

Let me also point out that character is not something you set out to do through an [[act]] of will. It is not like going on a diet, where you [[discipline]] yourself into thinness, but rather it is the development within the [[soul]] of the [[human being]] that finds nurturance from that which is wholesome and [[satisfying]]. This [[reality]] is developed through your own [[choices]], through your own [[reflection]] of your own behaviors, [[attitudes]], [[beliefs]] and so forth.

I am reminded of my brother [[Welmek]]'s picturization of character wherein he equates [[personality]] as a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_tree Christmas tree] and the ornaments on the tree as [[character]]. On a [[mature]] tree you will find [[poise]] and [[grace]] in [[personality]] [[manifestation]]. In a scraggly tree, which has weathered the beatings of many storms and has grown in barren soil to have but a semblance of character, you may find its ornaments gaudy with baubles which are designed to [[camouflage]] the crookedness and [[scarcity]] of the tree.

I am reminded of my brother [[Welmek]]'s picturization of character wherein he equates [[personality]] as a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_tree Christmas tree] and the ornaments on the tree as [[character]]. On a [[mature]] tree you will find [[poise]] and [[grace]] in [[personality]] [[manifestation]]. In a scraggly tree, which has weathered the beatings of many storms and has grown in barren soil to have but a semblance of character, you may find its ornaments gaudy with baubles which are designed to [[camouflage]] the crookedness and [[scarcity]] of the tree.

And so, look to your ornaments. Look to your [[personality]] [[manifestation]] of your true character. How are you adorned? And upon what substance do you hang your manifestations of Godlikeness? Return now to character and allow your own character to flourish by giving yourself permission to ask for [[counsel]] and [[direction]] into those realms which will bring forth the fruits of deepened character.

And so, look to your ornaments. Look to your [[personality]] [[manifestation]] of your true character. How are you adorned? And upon what substance do you hang your manifestations of Godlikeness? Return now to character and allow your own character to flourish by giving yourself permission to ask for [[counsel]] and [[direction]] into those realms which will bring forth the fruits of deepened character.

Mrs. M: Well, I have a [[question]] as usual. But Tomas, -- coming from this, almost this [[fundamentalist]] stance from where I came --I had developed a really not helpful [[attitude]] which was... well, of course you know what the fundamentalists say: we're so terrible that you can't do anything about it. They call it "plead the blood" and so you just have to say, "Well, Jesus is going to save me and I know I'm rotten," and so that's the place.

Mrs. M: Well, I have a [[question]] as usual. But Tomas, -- coming from this, almost this [[fundamentalist]] stance from where I came --I had developed a really not helpful [[attitude]] which was... well, of course you know what the fundamentalists say: we're so terrible that you can't do anything about it. They call it "plead the blood" and so you just have to say, "Well, Jesus is going to save me and I know I'm rotten," and so that's the place.

And in [[reading]] these recent things by [[Ham]], it was just a [[revelation]] to me and very exciting about the [[ideas]] that we should not be nit-picking ourselves, so I was remembering a person in [[history]] that I thought in our Western consciousness came very close to trying to improve his [[character]]. My son John pointed out to me [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Franklin Ben Franklin], who had a sort of a system. It's the only time that I heard of a system that sounded as if it had any [[promise]] to it at all, which was, good old Ben would write down a few things that he wanted to develop and then he would [[concentrate]] on one of them for about, I think, three weeks and he felt that he had improved in some way and of course he wrote a lot of [[wise]] old saws anyway.

And in [[reading]] these recent things by [[Ham]], it was just a [[revelation]] to me and very exciting about the [[ideas]] that we should not be nit-picking ourselves, so I was remembering a person in [[history]] that I thought in our Western consciousness came very close to trying to improve his [[character]]. My son John pointed out to me [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Franklin Ben Franklin], who had a sort of a system. It's the only time that I heard of a system that sounded as if it had any [[promise]] to it at all, which was, good old Ben would write down a few things that he wanted to develop and then he would [[concentrate]] on one of them for about, I think, three weeks and he felt that he had improved in some way and of course he wrote a lot of [[wise]] old saws anyway.

But I was sort of impressed by that system. Would that have any [[relationship]] to the [[method]] you're talking about?

But I was sort of impressed by that system. Would that have any [[relationship]] to the [[method]] you're talking about?

Mrs. B: Thank you.

Mrs. B: Thank you.

===='''''[[New Age]]'''''====

===='''''[[New Age]]'''''====

Mrs. McD: I have a question on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walk-in walk-in] or walk-through business. I encountered an [[individual]], very powerfully [[spiritual]]-[[energy]] person that delivered what I consider now a package deal and I understood -- had been told it was some [[information]] that was very important to me. At the time I didn't know what it was and probably still don't know the whole picture, but this individual was then different later. It was not the same [[personality]]. I believe that was a walk-through or a walk-in. I've been told the name of that individual that delivered that energy package of [[knowledge]].

Mrs. McD: I have a question on the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walk-in walk-in] or walk-through business. I encountered an [[individual]], very powerfully [[spiritual]]-[[energy]] person that delivered what I consider now a package deal and I understood -- had been told it was some [[information]] that was very important to me. At the time I didn't know what it was and probably still don't know the whole picture, but this individual was then different later. It was not the same [[personality]]. I believe that was a walk-through or a walk-in. I've been told the name of that individual that delivered that energy package of [[knowledge]].

TOMAS: You have told me that you [[believe]] this, and who am I to say that your belief is incorrect? I will say that I, Tomas, do not believe it. And that is not to say that you must believe me either, for I, like you and like your [[friend]], are only [[associations]]. I would throw out, just for [[expression]] sake, that there are days that you are not yourself either. That there are days when you thrill to the [[truth]] of [[spirit]] and are infinitely lighter and more [[joyous]] and there are times when you plod along and barely keep your head above water, and this is the case with all [[humanity]].

TOMAS: You have told me that you [[believe]] this, and who am I to say that your belief is incorrect? I will say that I, Tomas, do not believe it. And that is not to say that you must believe me either, for I, like you and like your [[friend]], are only [[associations]]. I would throw out, just for [[expression]] sake, that there are days that you are not yourself either. That there are days when you thrill to the [[truth]] of [[spirit]] and are infinitely lighter and more [[joyous]] and there are times when you plod along and barely keep your head above water, and this is the case with all [[humanity]].

I am inclined to [[express]] that just because you are impressed by a strong [[phenomenon]]-type thing, does not necessarily make it true. The urge to go somewhere or do something or be someone is not necessarily the will of God. It is your [[free will]], however, to take what you like and use it and promulgate it even as you feel this is your [[belief]], but it is not required that others [[accept]] it. This is what [[free will]] is all about.

I am inclined to [[express]] that just because you are impressed by a strong [[phenomenon]]-type thing, does not necessarily make it true. The urge to go somewhere or do something or be someone is not necessarily the will of God. It is your [[free will]], however, to take what you like and use it and promulgate it even as you feel this is your [[belief]], but it is not required that others [[accept]] it. This is what [[free will]] is all about.

And thirdly, I would, my girl, ask you to consider the [[power]] of [[charisma]] which is very [[leading]] in its delivery. Like an [[actor]] who is giving his lines/her lines, the emotional or mental [[message]] may be very powerful and you walk away from the scene believing that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarlet_O'Hara Scarlet O'Hara] will indeed pick up the torch tomorrow, but this is not necessarily [[truth]]. That is for your [[discernment]]. And if you discern, today, that this situation exists, I am not going to pull it out from under you. I am finished.

And thirdly, I would, my girl, ask you to consider the [[power]] of [[charisma]] which is very [[leading]] in its delivery. Like an [[actor]] who is giving his lines/her lines, the emotional or mental [[message]] may be very powerful and you walk away from the scene believing that [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarlet_O'Hara Scarlet O'Hara] will indeed pick up the torch tomorrow, but this is not necessarily [[truth]]. That is for your [[discernment]]. And if you discern, today, that this situation exists, I am not going to pull it out from under you. I am finished.

Mrs. McD: Well, I [[discern]] that on another level there is no [[difference]] … that walk-in [[body]]. There's only one. But still, as we [[perceive]] it, there was [[message]] delivered and it was not by verbal or acting or human [[intention]], it didn't seem. It was very [[unusual]] in our [[experience]].

Mrs. McD: Well, I [[discern]] that on another level there is no [[difference]] … that walk-in [[body]]. There's only one. But still, as we [[perceive]] it, there was [[message]] delivered and it was not by verbal or acting or human [[intention]], it didn't seem. It was very [[unusual]] in our [[experience]].

Anything further?

Anything further?

===='''''[[Sensationalism]]'''''====

===='''''[[Sensationalism]]'''''====

Mrs. M: Are you going to any [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl Super Bowl] parties, Tomas? (Group laughter) You know, we're all a little crazy in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XXX Pittsburgh now], starting just after you leave today.

Mrs. M: Are you going to any [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl Super Bowl] parties, Tomas? (Group laughter) You know, we're all a little crazy in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XXX Pittsburgh now], starting just after you leave today.

Mrs. P: For the next 48 hours.

Mrs. P: For the next 48 hours.