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AUGUST NEWSLETTER 2024 THE DIFFICULT CONQUEST OF PEACE Written by Milton R. Medran Moreira It is one thing to live through a conflict, and quite another to see it from the outside. There are the most intimate conflicts: those we fight with ourselves or those we mumble to others. There are also external conflicts: those we face with our relatives, between parents and children, between siblings, between bosses and subordinates, between co-workers. Finally, there are international conflicts: those that arise from political differences, religious disputes, the desire for supremacy over territories or peoples. The first two give rise to our small daily battles. The last cause the eternal wars: the same ones that everyone claims not to want, but that no one is able to avoid. Once a war is unleashed, the entire world mobilizes in favor of peace. However, the peace that is signed in international agreements is always precarious. It requires vigilance. The effects are often controlled, but the causes are not addressed. Needless to say, we all want peace. Who likes the horrors of war? However, the construction of peace is a delicate process. It depends on the cultivation of values, which do not prosper where there is pride, selfishness, envy, profit and all the lower feelings, still embedded in the human soul. Among many of the current conflicts fueled by racial and religious hatred, or supported by economic interests…which cause humanitarian crises… with no sign of an end on the horizon … and so, we ask ourselves once again: Why are we incapable of avoiding wars, when we all claim to long for peace? Whenever these conflicts are rekindled or aggravated, international organizations are mobilized to mediate …Not always, if not almost never, such movements achieve their objectives. They fail to find, their root and deepest motivations, the causes that actually lead to war. In The Spirits' Book, a work dedicated in every way to the essence of peace, question 743 states: “Will war ever disappear from the Earth?” And, the spirits replied: “Yes, when men understand justice and practice the law of God. Then, all peoples will be brothers.” This means that, in order to achieve lasting peace without the ghost of war continuing to threaten humanity, two premises must be taken into account: the full understanding and assimilation of the law of justice of the Divine emanation of the Supreme Intelligence, and, the consequent experience of the feeling of fraternity. A feeling allied to reason, on the one hand, and effective fraternity, on the other… Only wisdom and fraternal love, intertwined, make possible the end of expressions of barbarism and primitivism such as wars. (Excerpt of article dated Aug. 2023, Spiritist magazine Evolution, Venezuela, translated by Y. Limoges) 2 Spiritist Society of Florida, August Newsletter 2024 OUR WORLD – TESTS & ATONEMENTS “It is only through the plurality of existences and the destiny of the planet as a world of atonement, which it now is, that we can explain the abnormalities in the distribution of happiness or unhappiness amongst good and bad alike. “Nevertheless, these abnormalities exist only in appearance, due to the fact that they are considered solely from the point of view of the present. “If we elevate ourselves, by means of thought, in such a way as to see a succession of existences, we will perceive that to each one is given what is deserved, after taking into consideration that which was gained in the spiritual world. “Only then does it become apparent that God's justice is uninterrupted. Man must never forget that he finds himself in an inferior world to which he is confined, due exclusively to his imperfections. “Each time he suffers a vicissitude he must remember that if he belonged to a more advanced world these things would not happen, and that it depends on himself alone to see that he never returns to this world, by working harder to improve himself… “It is not to be thought, however, that all suffering in this world denotes the existence of a determined shortcoming. Many times, it is simply an ordeal requested by the Spirit, which will help it towards purification and active progress. So, atonement is always a test, but a test is not always an atonement. Tests and atonements though, are always signs of a relative inferiority, as that which is perfect needs no testing… “Any kind of stain prohibits entrance into the blissful worlds…” (Excerpts from Kardec’s The Gospel according to Spiritism, Ch. 5) GOODNESS ELEVATES OUR SOUL Written by Yvonne Crespo Limoges Discussions on the laws of cause and effect mostly focus on the consequences of poor choices, but what of our good ones? In Ch. 7 of Kardec’s Heaven and Hell book the superior spirits teach: “The Justice of God being infinite, an exact account is kept for each soul, of the good and the wrongdoings done by it in the course of its earthly life…” Regarding the good we do: “…no good deed, however minute, no right feeling, however fugitive, no virtuous aspiration, however faint, is ever overlooked, or even remains sterile, even in the case of the most depraved; for those seemingly slight stirrings of the soul, in the direction of truth and goodness, are the commencement of its reformation and progress.” *** The Divine Justice provides we reap the merits of our good thoughts and conduct. The benefits to our soul are very real. Even small gestures or acts of goodness fosters compassion within us, enrichening our souls which help us morally progress, and can make an impact more than we realize on other peoples’ lives. Being a good person with struggle and difficult circumstances, gain us even greater merit. We are all spirits in evolution. It is interacting with each other (most times in painful and hurtful situations) still doing the right thing, is when much moral and spiritual progress is made. Life is a school. We come to learn many lessons so our soul can develop and grow in spiritual purity. 3 Spiritist Society of Florida, August Newsletter 2024 MAKING DECISIONS IN LIFE & FEAR Written by Gloria Quel Many people see the future with a certain caution and try to make the best decisions in the present so that the future is as they have planned. However, on repeated occasions this fear becomes excessive, causing the sufferer to feel deep anxiety and with multiple effects in the various areas of their life. Life is constant change and making decisions is necessary, and we do not always make the right ones; sometimes they are appropriate, however, other times they do not give the desired result. No matter how much we reflect, think or evaluate the situations, there is always a percentage of discomfort that we may have to tolerate; but if we avoid making decisions, we will not advance and we will remain stagnant in life. There are those people with little tolerance for uncertainty, who find it very difficult to accept a disappointment, no matter how small; and, there are those who need the approval of others to feel sure that the decision they may take is a right one. Sometimes, this fear of the future develops within people because they have learned it within the family environment. Perhaps because a relative has had a drastic or unexpected change in fortune or health, which has shattered their emotional serenity, such as the loss of a job, an illness, the loss of a loved one or any other type of unexpected change that completely shatters the settled life they have built little by little. These experiences, instead of helping them to make intelligent decisions, it reinforces their focus on fear of uncertainty; without stopping to realize each case is unique. It does not have to repeat itself in one’s life if the right measures are taken when thinking about the different options that life offers, such as: taking up studies, choosing a job, buying a house, having a partner, getting married, getting pregnant, etc. No decisions made, due to uncertainty, can lead to a dull life and close many doors. Inaction seems more comfortable. This can cause a blockage in the person's life, avoiding valuable opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment. It is also confused with false prudence, to justify oneself and to avoid realizations, often convenient and necessary. The result of such inaction can cause existential emptiness. Fear paralyzes, and can eliminate enthusiasm in life. In general, making decisions and possible mistakes, is better than not making any decisions and doing nothing, since this is how we learn in life. In addition, not making decisions can have negative consequences, for then others, whether directly or indirectly, will make them for us, then we lose control of our lives. Therefore, fear can come upon us because of our insecurity, because of the doubts that arise in us before the future full of obstacles and tests that we may have to undergo throughout life. It is essential that each of us knows how to steer our ship in the turbulent sea of ​​life, ever towards happiness. We are immortal spirits who need to live material experiences to continue evolving. If we are aware that this progress is very slow, we also understand that the issues we have not resolved or the traumas we brought from previous lives, will need a solution sooner or later… Fear is one of the worst enemies of the being because it anchors itself inside the soul, assaulting its deepest forces. Let us stop feeling trapped by the fear caused by the uncertainty in our lives, which damages our thoughts and emotions. Work daily to accept them or put a stop to them, and let us take control of our lives and feel free again. Let us not have regrets or bypass missed opportunities for possible happiness. For some, the lack of faith in God is because of the belief our future expires with death. However, it is this faith in God that gives us security, that comforts us, and the knowledge that we will always have spiritual guides at our side who will assist us, especially if we ask them for help from the heart. They are the ones who inspire us, support us and strengthen us in the face of life's uncertainties, misfortunes and sufferings. Let us trust, with intelligent effort, strong faith and moral courage. Life is full of wise lessons that help us grow and mature towards infinity. (Excerpts of article dated 10/26/21, entitled Fear of the Future, at Association of Spiritual Studies – Group Villena, Alicante, Spain, website: www.amorpazycaridad.es; translated & edited by Y. Limoges) 4 Spiritist Society of Florida, August Newsletter 2024 YOUTH SPEAKS SPIRIT INFLUENCES and NATURE Inspirationally received by S.P. There is spiritual influence for those who are trying to save and preserve the natural parts of our planet; for people trying to make a difference, and not just on land, but our skies and our oceans, too. Everything natural that exists on our planet helps to keep it alive and makes it easier to live on. If humanity continues to create pollution, destroy natural habitats and its residents, our planet would become uninhabitable. People like Jane Goodall, the Irwin family, Sir David Attenborough, Greta Thunberg, have a mission to save and preserve the natural world. No matter what challenges they must face, they never lose faith and keep fighting to send an important message to all of humanity around the world. For example, Steve Irwin: The Crocodile Hunter, worked for wildlife conservation and even though he passed on, his family has continued to push on, working on the mission that he originally set. They are genuinely fighting so hard to spread Steve’s message to everyone, and now many people around the world are trying to help in any way they can. Many times, having strong, spiritual faith and working hard towards something for the greater good can have a major positive impact. Below, spirit communication received: “We may not fully understand it yet, but in Nature, life has a way of showing us its beauty and its patterns that connect to us in so many ways. The natural world is part of us as much as we are of it. Never forget to remind yourself that even if our spirit leaves, we still can bring good influences to Nature and Humanity.” PRAYER FOR PEACE IN THE HOME Dear God, we are imperfect and ignorant mortals, but, knowing that you are merciful and want us to always enter the good and right path, completely repenting our past debts, we ask for compassion. Comprehending that from Your Omnipotence all emanates, we know that no matter how imperfect we are, we are never abandoned. Since this is true, we elevate our thoughts, so that Peace will be conceded to us as bread for our homes; Peace will be given us for poorness of spirit; and, that Peace will be given us for the submission of hostilities. May we feel fully fortified by the sublime power of the Creator, which will help us to atone for our wrongdoings. May we impart peace, tranquility, and harmony within our homes, beauty to our souls and the world. Blessed Peace, fortify our hearts with virtuous sentiments and never abandon us. We request spiritual strength for our families so that Peace, and only Peace, reigns in the sanctuary of our humble homes. Amen ***** May the superior spirits radiate and spread their beneficial spiritual energies of charity, peace, harmony and love to all! ************************************ Edited by Yvonne Crespo Limoges, Director Email: ylimoges@aol.com Society of Florida (est. 1982) 5042 22 Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33710 Website: www.spiritistsocietyfl.com