Align With Love

And to the Republic…

A Requiem for the America I used to know, or a bugle call for a new day?

American flag on flagpole with starry night sky and trees in the background — The American flag waves prominently against a backdrop of stars on a clear night

For 250 years we have been a free nation. The 4th of July has passed as I write this, and as you read this. This is a mile-stone, a marker, and a moment. I can’t just let it slip by and not add my thoughts to it, with my own perspective.

This particular 4th of July, in 2026, saw some parts of the country get hit by some serious storms. Where I live in the Hudson Valley of New York was particularly hit hard. For a time in the aftermath of the storm, cell service was spotty or just not working at all. I was quickly aware of how much I refer to my phone for weather, to look things up, or communicate in some fashion. But all of that was cut off. I had no service and no signal.

That got me thinking. Have we, in America, gotten different signals? As in, where do we get our views of America? Some of it was in school, of course. Some of it is just life here in this country. There are many ideals that are just “there”, that we take for granted. We all know the phrase” It’s a free country…” It is often said sarcastically when we do not like the choices another person is making! But in that freedom, we choose to listen to others. What can happen sometimes, I think, is we start only listening to our own “tribe”, or our kind of people. Growing up Christian, I was of course, taught a world view. I was taught America was a “Christian Nation”, and “liberal” ideology was to be opposed and refuted. Furthermore, “liberals” were determined to take away my freedom to worship and “follow God”, or so I was told.

Was any of this true? Were “Liberals” the enemy? No, I think not. As I have gotten older, I am seeing Jesus as much more liberal and conservative at the same time. But neither views are as we think of them now! My “signal” was to be opposed to what was seen as unbiblical and untrue. But the danger here is that it creates an “us versus them” mentality. I have written before about how “christian” our Founders really were, and I know that is seen as sacrilegious by some. But we have to be honest about our imperfections here in America!

Our Declaration said “All men are created equal…” But those Founders didn’t seem to mean black men, and they certainly weren’t talking about women. It would take wars, mass political movements, and Supreme Court rulings to make these changes, in order to move us to a “more perfect union”. My point is, it was a process. And it is not done yet–not by a long shot.

We the People had to make the changes, and we can make the wrong choices.

Now we stand at a crossroad of division, divisiveness, and vitriol. We have been here before, and we can be here as many more times as we like, as a country. What will we choose?

If you have read this blog from the beginning, and if you haven’t, go back and read some of the earlier writings under the Archives Page. If you have read this blog at all, you know I will say that I choose love. I have probably moved a lot to the Left as I have gotten older, and that is the result of many factors, but part of it is that I have come to agree with Father Richard Rohr in his notion of non-dualism. The wonderful book of many of his ideas, “Yes, And…” often comes to this point. Why must we always embrace either/or thinking? This person is “right” or they are “wrong”, but are they? Yes, I do believe in objective, fundamental Right and Wrong, but most people are not purely one or the other.

I recall a day when our politics were points of discussion, and even of heated debate. But we voted, we respected that process, and we moved on. Now, a vote is “rigged”, and the “other” party is the tool of the Devil, or communist, or Nazi, or whatever mud we want to throw at each other.

Jesus himself said: “A house divided against itself can not stand…” (Matthew’s Gospel, 12:25). Too many of us think that if we could “get rid of the Libs”, or dial-down the Christians, all would be well. If we could just get the “foreigners” out, or if we could just get the Bible back in the schools, on and on. Too many of us are oddly fixated on the ancient Hebrew Laws, but forget that those same laws were not adhered to by those same ancient people. If the people who had the Ten Commandments given to them with fire and smoke could not obey them, why do we think that displaying them on a wall will magically cause moral change? (I am not saying that these foundational laws should not be displayed somewhere.) But it seems to have been forgotten that Jesus summarized the “Law” as follows:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.This is the first and greatest commandment.And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew’s Gospel, 22:37-40.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

That means to love the MAGA following, Trump loving, flag waving, staunch Republican as yourself.

It means to love that uber-liberal Socialist Democrat, who might even be Muslim, as yourself.

It means to love that gay person, or transgender person, as yourself.

It means to love that less educated person as yourself.

It means to love that person with multiple degrees, as yourself.

It means to love that Black/Brown/Latino/Asian Foreigner as yourself.

It means to love that Evangelical Christian as yourself.

It means to love that Atheist, who needs make fun of religion at every turn, as yourself.

It means to love women, not as sex objects to be objectified, used, and discarded, but as yourself.

It means to love children that drive you crazy, and are inconvenient, as yourself.

It means to love people in far away lands, with different ideals, religions, and that frankly hate you, as yourself.

Did I get everyone? Offend anyone? I’m not trying to be offensive, but instead make a point. I know it gets hard to just “be loving” in all of these situations. Many of these issues have complex histories, and involved political and social ramifications. But you know what? We need to grow up in America! We keep saying we are “the greatest country on the face of the Earth”. Why don’t we try acting like it in how we treat each other?

True greatness doesn’t need to announce itself, but should instead give of itself.

Instead of being known often for arrogance and interference internationally, for sometimes good reasons and sometimes made-up reasons, why don’t we Americans be known far more for our kindness? We are a “melting pot” in the USA, right? Why don’t we use those differences to be stronger, united, and better? We put men, and soon women, on the Moon, so we can pull off technical achievements. We defeated tyrants far from our shores. We not only freed our slaves, but put a black man into the Highest Office of the Land. We can do great things, together.

We were told by one of our leaders, we would get “tired of winning”, whatever that was. A lot of people are not winning, here and abroad. For many of those who have power, they either shrink from using it for good, or use it to better themselves, and those they think are like them. When people see the American flag, are they filled with pride, or concern? I feel both. Pride for what we have done collectively, but deep concern about how we go about it. From the sci-fi flick Ender’s Game: “The way we win matters”. Yes, it does.

Turning off foreign aid without looking at it carefully is not the right way to “win”.

Ramming Christianity down people’s throats, making fun of them if they don’t believe, is not the right way to “win”.

Making fun of religious people is not how we “win” either.

Attacking and vilifying each other is not how we “win”.

We win when we work together. When we listen. When we are open. When we stop talking long enough to hear another perspective. We can not expect politicians to magically fix us. Only God can do that, and along with some hard work on our part.

Former President Ronald Regan once said: “It is morning in America…” I chose a nighttime picture for this week’s post, and I feel like it is night right now in America, at least night for a lot of people. But “morning” isn’t to have a Democrat in the White House, or another Republican. Morning is to see past the politics, the arguments, the conspiracy theories, the guns, the election legitimacy questions, and see each other. What do we all want? Our Founders said it: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

But we must choose, each of us, to use our freedom for the good of all.

Why don’t we extend a hand and help the other person” win” with us? No, I do not mean to do away with Capitalism, or have no Sports teams. But why not put a little more effort into benefiting others?My God, can we just try to be nicer when we drive??

Making America great is not one Party triumphing over another, nor is it the rich trampling on the poor, or Christians running everything. America is great when we work together, build together, and love one another. Yes, we don’t have to all agree, but being “American” is to be better, and to do better, at being human.

Let freedom ring! As I said before: Use your freedom to benefit others, to love your neighbor as yourself. Think what we could really be if we thought that way, even just a little bit more.

Then it can be a new morning, in America. And it really will be great.

-Eric, the Wordsmith

July 6, 2026

BP42

Have thoughts or comments? You can click on the comment link below, or you can email me at the address provided. Have ideas you want me to write about, or questions? Want to tell me how much you enjoy (or don’t enjoy) my content? All are acceptable, but be nice, please. Thanks! alignwithlove85@gmail.com.

The Psalms Project (continued)

Open Psalms book with calligraphy pen and ink on wooden table outdoors — An open book of Psalms displayed outdoors with calligraphy pen and ink beside it

Welcome back! If you are new to this blog, on Friday or Saturday I will post something from my Vault, or one of my other Writing Projects. The Psalms Project is my attempt to take the spirit of the Psalms and re-apply them and write new ones for today. I am NOT trying to replace the amazing Psalms already in the Bible! I am in no way trying to paraphrase or restate each Psalm, but I do pay homage to them and other Bible passages, of course. While often meant as songs in the Hebrew Scriptures, mine are more like meditative essays. I invite you to play along, see what you might identify with or relate to in these. So, here is another Psalm for a Modern Day.

(Writer’s Note: I am working on something for America’s 250th, but it will be out next week.)

REMEMBRANCE

Who I was. It is not who I am now. But I cannot forget. I cannot forget the darkness—oh the darkness, inside and out. It chased me down, made me it’s prey, or did I not fight enough? Perhaps–no, I know, I had no sword then. I didn’t know me, then. I didn’t know YOU, Lord.

So much harm done—so much harm done by a wounded soul—crying out “Save me”.

So often there was silence when I cried out—but it was only silent because I did not know how to listen.

Selah.

Loves lost and dreamed of, longed for, held on to, and dreamed again, collapsing in on themselves. Hoping to find the “look” to make it all better—the look that said I am:

good enough

smart enough

desirable

worthy

good

Then came a Man who taught me, I was already these things—but not of myself, but because of a Tree and One hanged on it.

I can rise and walk, with a limp into the dawn, for He has renamed me.

I am those things I was—but I am more. I live today mindful, so that I may help others not harm from their past.

The ghosts may return to the netherworld—I need not spend more time with them, at least for today.

Amen.

Biblical Reference: Genesis 32, 1st Peter 2:24

-Eric, the Wordsmith

July 2, 2026

BP41-P12

Don’t get hijacked!

Group of four wearing life jackets and helmets rafting on a fast river with rocky banks — A whitewater rafting trip down a rocky river surrounded by forested hills.

No, Dear Reader, I am not talking about literal hijackings. There was a thriller-show on Apple TV, called “Hijack”, featuring Idris Elba in the main role. He was on a hijacked plane in Season 1, and a train in Season 2. (I won’t get into how he got hijacked twice.) His character’s name was Sam, and he had to use his negotiating skills and smarts to beat the Bad Guys and their nefarious plans. Here’s the link, if interested: https://tv.apple.com/us/show/hijack/umc.cmc.1dg08zn0g3zx52hs8npoj5qe3

Without giving away the plot, Sam was in a situation where he was at the mercy of the villains. Their agenda was paramount, and all he could do was use his wits to try to stop them. This got me thinking about how we might get “hijacked” too. But we don’t get hijacked by terrorists, hopefully.

I think we sometimes can get “hijacked” by our emotions and thoughts.

We can get caught in the “rapids” of old feelings and mindsets, and hence the picture for today’s post. I wrote about the “Unholy Trinity” of Ego, Expectations, and Myths some time ago. I am thinking now how we let ourselves get “caught up” in what we want to have happen, our opinions, or our “stories” about what is happening. Link to that trilogy: https://align-with-love.com/2026/03/09/the-unholy-trinity/

I think it is a rare soul who never gets disrupted by their emotions to some degree. I know I get very disrupted by my emotions! I know I can get stuck in “thought loops”, and get “frozen” in fear or anger by some occurrence. I can get stuck ruminating on a future potential conversation or confrontation. What if “they” say this or that? Maybe I feel their request or demand is unfair, or inconsiderate. Maybe I am afraid “they” will be upset, or angry. Childhood trauma can come into play here, if we witnessed violence in our homes, were abused, or manipulated. We can bring these hurts to current interactions with a spouse, child, friend, or coworker. We may take an interaction and blow it way out of proportion in our minds, not realizing that the other person meant something else, or quickly forgot about it. But we didn’t, and are still stewing over it.

As said before: Breathe in those moments. Take some deeper breaths. Sometimes that misunderstanding has put your body back in “fight or flight” mode, and we need to reset. Then we need to review the Ego, Expectations, and Myths of the situation.

Ego: What was I wanting/needing in the situation? How was I hoping to be treated? Did that phone call go “off the rails”? What might be the other person’s Ego wishes in the exchange? What might be the larger issues? Did we talk when we were both tired or “charged up” about other things? I have seen some exchanges with my teenage son go badly, as I entered them upset about other things that had nothing to do with him, and I started verbally lashing out. (No, that was not OK.) I had to get a hold of myself, apologize, and start listening. But I was already “hijacked” by other concerns!

Expectations: What was my hope of how the exchange would go? Be specific. Did I want a deadline extended? Did I think the household chores would be more evenly distributed? Did I think lunch was at 2, and my friend had 3 in their phone? Did I want that other person to be more considerate of me and my feelings? Have I thought about how I may be expecting too much from someone, or that they have no clue how I really feel?

Myths (Narratives): This one is where a lot of the “hijacking” takes place. We may carry unprocessed hurts, beliefs, or memories into a relationship or interaction. The violence from my Father’s alcoholism I experienced as a child can still pop up in my day-to-day interactions. I can feel unreasonably fearful about making a mistake, or get overly-angry about what someone said or did. I believe I am sometimes filtering these interactions through that trauma, and also trying to appease a dad that is now been dead for years! (I am not a therapist or counselor, but have done some work on these things, and believe this is some of what goes on with me.) It may be similar with you. If you see patterns of dysfunction or unhealthy reactions to people and situations over and over again–get help.

As I have said, my religious practice is Christianity. I have written how I practice a “re-imagined” Christianity, that is rooted in the ancient Church, not dogmatic, and open to the Spirit’s leading. I think when we get in these emotional states, we can also get “hijacked” by the Devil. Yes, if you are not religious, and have been reading along, you are rolling your eyes. I am not one to see the Devil or evil spirits behind every tree, but when we see terrible violence in our culture, such as mass shootings, did that person perhaps get “hijacked”? Did their misperceptions so warp their thinking that they were very susceptible to influence from evil entities? I am not absolving people of personal responsibility, or falling into the “Devil made me do it”!

But Jesus said: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John’s Gospel, 10:10, NIV)

Do we give access to the Thief (Devil) when we let ourselves get too caught up in our own thoughts and feelings? I believe I have. No, I was not plotting to shoot people, but I got stuck in my own ruminations, and started to think very unhealthily about how I would live my life. Maybe I took a bad day at my job, and started to conclude I was “bad” at accounting, and should quit my job. I could go down that rabbit-hole, or realize that somedays I may make mistakes, and tomorrow is another day. I am not saying one should not change jobs or whatever, but we should not chase a Narrative that is simply not true!

Another failed romance may not be proof that you are unattractive or damaged goods! It just may mean you and the other person had too many issues that could not be resolved. If we don’t address our Egos, Expectations, and Myths with each other we will get “stuck” in cycles of misunderstanding and blaming. I would argue that a lot of America is stuck here politically!

The difference with this emotional/mental hijacking is that there are not guns or planes involved. You can escape. You can choose to change your unhealthy, repetitive reactions to sane responses, and you can get out of the crazy. The crazy may be in your own head, or it may be a family or work situation. I know it is not always easy! A job change, or just leaving your family issues, may not be possible, practical, or even right, at the moment. But we can change ourselves.

I just wrote last week to ask God: “Show me, guide me, lead me. “ I am becoming increasingly convinced this is one of the most powerful prayers we can pray, regardless of our religious, or non-religious affiliation!

We can ask to be shown ourselves and our part in the situation. Do we listen, or even ask why so-and-so is late? Do we ask how we could be helpful to that person that is struggling? Do we ever say: Can we discuss this then? Can we ask to be guided to have more compassion on ourselves and others? So much is going on we are not aware of in ourselves and others that are coming up in our conversations and interactions. This is where therapy, counseling, and pastoring is needed, so we can see ourselves better, and others too. Then we can ask to be led. We may be very surprised to find that “Sense” of God/HigherPower I wrote about, giving us a kinder word, or patience, or some compassion that stops the hijacking.

God can land our “emotional planes and trains”. We don’t need Idris Elba to save the day, with no disrespect to his terrific acting. Let God help, even if you long gave up on religion. He/She is not all that you were taught. God is not out to “get you”, condemn you, or send you to hell. God is for you. Does He/She have some thoughts about how to live-yes, I believe so. And one of those things is to not be hijacked by your own mind and feelings. One of those things is to learn how to be Aligned with Love.

As I so often say: watch yourself, and see where you might be getting stuck in thought-loops or emotional states. You can ask God to “un-stick” you, too! Try it. I wasted years of my life being hijacked by my own mind. I want to live differently, and I know God will help. He already has.

God will help you too. Promise. He wants you to have “life to the full”, as John wrote. That does not mean riches and fame, but peace, sanity, True Connection, and True Alignment with Love.

-Eric, the Wordsmith

June 29, 2026

BP40 (Yes, 40th Blog Post! Please take a moment to subscribe. Be one of my OG Followers.)

The Magic-Magnifying Mind*

(From the Vault)

Blue wizard hat with celestial symbols on wooden table beside spellbook and mug near open window showing countryside — A cozy wizard’s study features a magical hat and spellbook near a sunlit window overlooking a scenic meadow.

As I have said, I will try later in the week to post ‘From the Vault’ items from older writings I did years ago. I may have released it in some fashion somewhere, but only to a small audience, or only myself. This one is from a group of writings I called “Essays in Life”, that I wrote in 2003. This one caught my eye, so I felt it was time to re-release it. I do feel it needed some touch-up, like that table you got at the garage sale that you want to paint a different color. These writings are from a much younger me, and are more overtly Christian, but don’t let that keep you from reading, if you are not religious!

Today I shall speak on the topic of “personal magic”. But do not be alarmed, dear reader–we shall not be casting any spells! We shall talk about the “magic” that you have between your ears.

It’s called a mind. It has great power. From the human mind have sprung statues, great paintings, soaring cathedrals, dazzlingly complex equations, and poetry. From our minds have also sprung warped notions of God, suicide bombings, nuclear weapons, sexual misconduct, and this list is probably longer than the good one! But none of this is “magic” in the sense of making incantations and that sort of thing. The magic I speak of is in how you use your mind, or shall I say, in how your mind uses you.

“Oh,” we say, “I have complete control over my thoughts…” Do you? Do I? Let’s look at the day we’re in right now–have we worried today? Did we think ill of somebody today? Did we do something in that dark corner of our minds that we’re very happy that nobody knows about? If we did any of these things–and we all have, and far more–then we have been “used” by our minds. We have let our minds define our reality. We have let our thoughts tell us how to feel and act.

“For as you think in your heart, so are you…”

-Proverbs 23:7, Hebrew Scriptures

The King James translation of the Bible renders this passage better than the NIV, I believe. I have taught before about the number of Scriptures pertaining to how we think and how we use our minds. There are so many of them because our mind has the power to “magically-magnify” whatever it focuses on. If we think our weight is unacceptable, do we not internally cringe every time we pass a mirror ? But we have embraced a concept–this culture’s standard of beauty. We have listened to it–and we have thought about it. We have decided we believe it, and we act accordingly. We eat certain foods, we go to the gym, we choose our wardrobe in such a way to flatter or flatten us, and we think even more about this.

Now, I have spoken amply on nourishing the body-temple. If there are physical things that we sense we should change about ourselves, then so be it. But I believe the self-torture and self loathing I see so many go through is sometimes the result of a misuse of the mind.

Nowhere in the Christian Scriptures is a height or weight requirement given for us. Nowhere are we commanded to wear the latest fashions or be sexy. Instead, we are commanded to cultivate our character, as Jesus’s disciple, Peter writes. “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. ⁴Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” ( 1st Peter 3:3-4, NIV)

Yet, if we look at our culture–many, many people are spending money on gym memberships, lypo-suction, botox, and the like. They may appear to slow the aging process, but eventually they will come to the end of their lives, regardless. How did such people use their magic-magnifying-minds? They used it to focus on appearance. They spent hours striving to be thin and trim. Perhaps a trip to the art gallery would have shown them that only a few centuries ago, extra pounds were considered a good thing! (This proved you were healthy and didn’t have some disease.) Human standards of beauty change over the centuries, and change from culture to culture. A wise person will reflect on this.

Do we “magnify” with our magical minds other people’s faults? Surely we have found fault in our spouses, children, siblings, and parents. There is certainly something they “always” do or say that aggravates us–and we must tell them!! Don’t we say it? “You always leave the dishes in the sink…” “You’re always late…” You’re always insensitive….” But there is the “magic” at work again! We say: “You always whatever!

Stop right there. Are you God? Am I God? No, of course not. But we just made a statement that only God can make: “You always…” We have not been with our spouses their entire lives; we don’t know how they behaved before we met them. We can not be certain that someday they may yet change their behavior. We do not know that the child may yet learn and evolve. Hence, it is erroneous to say: “You always…” to anyone; we aren’t with them always. We weren’t with them always. We may not be with them always.

We have chosen in a split second to use our magical minds to make a forever/never statement. We all know what the reaction to such a statement is: anger. Because we get angry when someone says “You always…” to us!

The examples of the magic-magnifying-mind are endless. I call our minds “magical” because we can alter our perception so quickly by how we think, that it seems like magic. In truth, our minds think as they do as the result of a complex working of biochemicals and electricity. But here is something you may not know–the synapses and neurons of your brain will adapt and change to how they are stimulated. This is why we see the phenomena of addiction. The addict has “rewritten” his or her brain to react to certain external or internal stimuli, and he or she is literally driven to the drug, drink, or process. We often have done the same thing, whether we have labeled ourselves addicts or not.

We are constantly being bombarded with messages: “Be loyal to the country–don’t question the cost or the methods.” “Work hard and make a lot of money.” “You’ll be happy if you find the “right” person.” “Your kids have to be successful as proof that you raised them right.” “You must do well in school to prove you are intelligent.” We act accordingly. We become like those of whom Paul spoke of in his letter to the church in Rome:

28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. Romans 1:28 (NIV)

The word “depraved” is also translated “reprobate” and was used of metals that were of an inferior quality. Such metals were discarded. Thinking as the world does, must be discarded as well. Loved ones, are we too quick to be tools of the Establishment? (The Establishment being this fallen and misguided world.) May I encourage you with this:

“Finally, brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things,” Saint Paul’s letter to the Philippians 4:8 (NIV).

Now I will suggest to you and me how we may use that “personal magic”. I will suggest to you and me how we may best use our magic-magnifying-mind. Think on what God is doing. Think on what God wants you to do. Think on his Word–what Christians call the Scriptures. Some of you have said that Scripture-memorization doesn’t work for you–and that is fine–but at least read the Word and jot down the verse notation for various situations. Many Bibles have such listings tucked away at the back. Turn to His Word when frightened. Jesus said:

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matt 10:29-31 (NIV)

You were worth enough to die for. Your “sin-problem” was so big that it required a God-sized solution: the death of Christ Jesus. Yet if God can raise His Son from the dead and save you from your sin–can He not pay your bills? Can He not heal your ailments and troubled soul? Is anything to hard for Him?

Think on the consequences of your actions. Respond and don’t react. The annoying habits of your family and friends is your opportunity to model Christ’s love! We must change our way of thinking about everything, for everything in our lives needs changing. But it need not all be done today. Decide what’s good about the spouse, child, or parent. Focus on that. When we focus on others’ faults–we magnify them, and they get bigger and bigger. We get more and more bothered by their behavior. We have less and less serenity. Remember: you annoy somebody else. You do and say things that get on other people’s nerves, too. So do I!

See what’s good in the class, the job, or the person. (This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t extricate ourselves from situations that are destructive or unhealthy. It may be necessary to resign from a position, change jobs, or stay away from someone for a season.) But look at what’s right, and not at what’s wrong.

One final example: it seemed that some in the Press loved to rip President Bush (the second) for his mispronunciations and misstatements. And yes, he did flub some words. But no one questioned his eloquence when he spoke to a joint session of Congress just after September 11th. No one laughed when he quoted Isaiah the day the Challenger exploded. My point–when it was really important, I believe President Bush said just the right thing in those moments. I chose to focus on the man’s strengths in those tragedies–not his weaknesses.

Think God’s thoughts after Him. See what’s good in the world. Yes, we must notice the bad to correct it–but don’t focus on it. There’s a New World coming–and our job is to envision it and prepare this one for it’s upgrade, by being loving.

*Adapted from the story: “Doctor, Alcoholic, Addict” from the Big Book of Alcoholic Anonymous, Pg. 452

-Eric, the Wordsmith

June 26, 2026

BP39-V6

Intention. Response. Action.

Part 3: Action

The words: intention, response, and action written in sand near ocean waves — Three of my “Core Concepts” written in sand at the beach.

(Welcome back! If you were looking for my Vault Post or Psalms Project edition, I skipped it last week as I was being a Loving Presence by helping a neighbor move in to his new home.)

On to Part 3: Action. We all have seen a director of a movie yell “Action”. It’s time to act and perform the scene. So it is with Aligning with Love: Nice ideas and concepts are wonderful, but they must show up in our day-to-day lives! I began this trilogy asking what were our Intentions for life, and made the case that being loving is the best intention we can have. I then spoke of Responses and that developing a rhythm of releasing, receiving, and continuing were some very helpful responses. (Scroll back in either WordPress or Substack.)

What about action? What is it, even? The Dictionary says: a: a thing done : deed b: the accomplishment of a thing usually over a period of time, in stages, or with the possibility of repetition c: actions plural : behavior, conduct https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/action

I love all of these. I like that part of the definition of an action is that it is a process. Being a Loving Presence is a process. You will fail, and I will fail. But we get back up. We ask God–yes, God, for help. If “god” is not something you are fond of–give Him/Her a try. You might be very surprised what may happen. If there is a loving, caring God, (which I believe very much in), wouldn’t He/She be very willing to help their child who is asking to be more like them? I truly think this endeavor to be loving, which seems so absent in some corners of this world, a lot of corners actually, needs Divine Help. Still not liking the “god” idea? Humor me: Just whisper in times of trouble, or when clarity is needed:

“Show me. Guide me. Lead me.”

Can it hurt? What if somebody, or something “picked up”? If you are religious or spiritually minded, you will find this easier, but we all know that sometimes we don’t want to see, be guided, or led. We too often prefer to stubbornly struggle. I know, and I get it, as I do the same thing. As said before, my day job is accounting, and sometimes those numbers don’t want to behave, balance, or reconcile. Sometimes, I do not know what to do–and must go to my “tool kit”, so to speak, of my own past experiences, math, and reports, and the like, to figure out my problem. But the first tool–the first action should be to ask: Show me, guide me, lead me.

In my half-century of life of trying to embrace, live, and deepen into my Christian Practices, I have found that there is a “Sense” in most circumstances, of how to proceed. It may not be the whole picture. For example: I don’t suddenly see an imaginary chalk board with the accounting problem solved on it. But if I can only do some of that releasing I wrote about, I can have a “nudge” to look at this report, or recheck my numbers. In other words, there is an intuition, an “Inner Sense”, of what to do next. It’s not the full solution, but the next step to take. Good Lord, do I stink at actually letting myself be shown, guided, or led! I would rather complain, listen to the false-narrative “I am not good enough, smart enough, etc.” and then spiral down a “slip-and-slide” of internal negative-self talk.

Then I have to eventually “dig myself out” of that headspace with prayer and meditation, reading and journaling, and then get back to the problem. I added drama and time to something, that if I had just listened to what we Christians call the “still small Voice”, (1st Kings 19:11-12 in the Hebrew Scriptures) so much energy and time could have been saved!

Align with Love is not a productivity blog, but so many of us spend so much time in our heads, and headiness, we miss life passing us by! There is a better way: Ask to be shown, guided, and led. I actually start each day that way. I get down on my knees, and part of what I pray is this:

“Show me your Intentions for me today. Guide me in my responses. Lead me in my Actions.”

Does it help? Yes–it does focus me. But I have to keep returning to it. I must keep choosing to receive Alignment. I write it that way, as I don’t think you can really force yourself to be loving, or aligned, for very long. I spoke of this back in the opening days of this blog, in my post “Alignment” https://align-with-love.com/2026/03/02/alignment/ I wrote about the “Great Flow” of the Universe, and that we need to learn how to “flow” with that “Great Flow”. We must learn how to Align ourselves with it, which I believe to be the Spirit of God, inhabiting all things.

So, I ask again: What are your intentions for your life? What will be your responses internally to get you in a mindset, or heart-space, to get there? What actions will you take to become that? You may not like any of my ways of looking at these three. That’s fine–but the questions are valid, regardless. If you are willing to go with me on this journey of Renewed-Loving, ask yourself these questions to start “recalibrating your heart”, to paraphrase the mystic James Finley.

Some of us are tired of losing our temper, again. Some of us are tired of saying that snippy thing, again. Some of us are tired of letting that person hurt us, again, as we still believe the garbage coming out of their mouth. Part of the solution, is to ask to be shown, guided, and led.

It can never hurt to ask. It can never hurt to ask God/Spirit/Great Flow for some help. As said in one of my very first posts, “Transitions”:

Eugene Peterson wrote in his “Message” Translation of Paul’s Letter to the Romans: “And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand – out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.” (The Message, Romans 5:2-12, bold text my own) https://align-with-love.com/2026/02/07/transitions/

God is indeed for you, even if you don’t believe it. (Richard Rohr says this so wonderfully in the “Divine Dance”–highly recommend.) So, try Aligning with this Being, with some new intentions, responses, and actions. Ask for help–it is right there for you. Always has been. Always will be.

Until next time,

-Eric, the Wordsmith

June 22, 2026

BP38