How is the contrast of this time and place serving you? That is the question that our friend Abraham poses at the beginning of every session.

Contrast is in your life for a reason. It moves us out of our comfort zones. It moves us into places where, if we use it as the opportunity that it is, we can experience the wonder of our lives. Sure, it may seem like we are moving reluctantly, but would we have ever taken steps to reach out and take the leap if not pushed in some way?

All of life is about expansion, about becoming more than we were the moment before. That’s progress and it happens spontaneously. It is a natural part of the cycle of life. We can no longer remain complacent and stay stuck in the same space without feeling and experiencing a lot of upheaval in our lives.

Many people right now are going through tremendous changes. In our own area, metro Detroit, we have the highest rate of unemployment in the nation. And our housing market, forget it! There are so many homes on the market that a buyer can pick and choose and almost name their own price.

Contrast.

Historically, whenever there is a tremendous quantum leap in consciousness, it is usually preceded by challenging times. To quote Dr. Jean Houston, “These are those times and we are the people.” We are the people who are being called upon not only to face these challenges but to do so in a manner different from anything we’ve done in the past. And different it must be for if we continue to do the same thing, we will continue to reap the same results.

Those of us who have taken up the spiritual quest are being called upon to serve right now by empowering others to see another way. We are being shown the tools and given the guidance necessary to help lift and inspire others to their greatness.

When challenging times come, teachers appear in many guises. We are all teachers, you and I. There are those who will seek your counsel, who will rely on your words of comfort and ease. And there will be those who will join with you to help co-create a different worldview.

Are you among those valiant ones who will be willing to step forward to help in this great cycle of empowerment?

If you are reading this publication, you have been preparing yourself. If you are at all hopeful, positive and can see the possibility that change can bring about, then you are the one! We are all in this together and together we can use our collective energies to do the work we are here to do.

And exactly what work is that? It is to support, encourage and remind others of their spiritual heritage. We are here to help each other remember who we really are. We are spiritual beings temporarily housed in physical bodies which means we have the power of the Universe in our corner. That is what is “real” and as A Course in Miracles reminds us, “Nothing real can be threatened and nothing unreal exists.”

We can no longer remain complacent. The time is now... and we are the people. The call is out. Let us walk courageously and help co-create the future together.