Pope Francis spoke to thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square today, Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. If you do not know what Lent is it “is a 40-day period of fasting, repentance and reflection leading up to Easter Sunday, when Catholics often give up some earthly pleasure or practice, like eating sweets or using social media.”

Today Pope Francis said that “it is a time to give up useless words, gossip, rumors, tittle-tattle and speak to God on a first-name basis.” Thank you Pope Francis! You are so right. What good is giving up chocolate cake or jelly beans if our thoughts and minds are filled with anger and judgment.

I learned of a practice called L.E.N.T.  It was coined by my colleague Dr. James Mellon. “Let’s Eliminate Negative Thinking.” Yes, what if we were to spend 40 days refusing to think negatively about anything. We wouldn’t gossip or spread rumors. We would not talk about others meanly. We would speak only from the God Consciousness of Love. What a world it would be for 40 days. I would project that there would be healings all around. I know we would begin to create a new state of being that would carry beyond these 40 days.

Let us start with ourselves. Could we spend 40 days eliminating negative thinking about ourselves? Could we rise every morning and commit ourselves to only live as Love no matter what? Could we stop condemning our finances and our health and practice gratitude? I would project that we would heal our lives in all areas. I know we would create a new state of being.

If Law responds to our thoughts, and it does, we would have to demonstrate the effects of this way of thinking. Yes, I invite all who would join me. Let’s Eliminate Negative Thinking no matter what is in front of us. Let’s see through all conditions to Love. Let’s show up with a positive outlook on life. Let’s love those that are difficult to love. Let’s affirm instead of denying our good.

I’ve been using the Hawaiian tradition of Ho’oponono. It is effective in training our mind and bringing peace to our consciousness. Because we all live in the same Field, when a negative thought comes up about someone, even ourselves, Ho’oponono – “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I love you. Thank you” – when repeated clears the Field of ill will and it is felt in the field. Remember the story of Dr. Hui Len and the healing that took place in insane asylum. I invite us to study it, and try it for these 40 days.

Let’s Eliminate Negative Thinking and create a shift in our individual lives, bringing healing to all. Who is in???

In Love and Truth,

Rev. Rita