The discussion in the "Daphne" thread about striving for impeccability, etc., just reminded me of something I've always felt.
True, there is a commitment to the path which is required -- a whole giving over. Then it becomes a partnership with Spirit, with Spirit in charge.
The way this has worked for me, and this might go to the issue of impeccability, to some extent: I have something I like to call a "little will", but it is Spirit's will that drives it all. And any time I 'stray', with idiocy and malintent, I get swiftly shown the error of my ways!! So, while I suppose I can choose to be an idiot at times, I don't feel, and haven't felt for a long time, like I have any choice!
And spirit has quite the sense of humor too!
This happened not long after the tree fell on my house, and I was awaiting repairmen with no heat in the house, on a very cold day. The most dramatic example I can think of how I must exhibit integrity in the simplest of things:
Instant Karma
Many years ago, when I opened to a spiritual path, I found that the results of my thoughts and actions began to come almost immediately -- and not so much in a punitive sense, but in a feedback loop so swift, my own head has spun at times. In particular, I seem bound to behave honorably, or impeccably, or get shown the error of my ways pronto. In many ways, it's like a constant conversation with Spirit. And one is better off in these conversations if one can laugh at self.
Case in point:
I waited for lunch to begin at 11am at a nearby fast-food place (Hardee's --- don't know if you have them where you are...) I drove up there and decided to really stock up, as I hadn't grocery-shopped this week. So the 12-piece chicken was on my order, as well as a few other things ... enough to last me several days. I had already waited in line in my car for 15 minutes after I placed my order and got to the cashier, who told me to pull over, and someone would be "with me" soon. I waited for several minutes and got to thinking about how this is fast food? At any rate, impatience took over and I saw no sign of anyone "coming". I decided to get out of my car and go in, perhaps rattling the order a bit to get it faster ---
Ok --- to go in and show my arse.
I've had a problem with the body for the past year, as yet undiagnosed, but I have trouble walking as a result in anything but short steps -- and I get very winded easily. I mention this to illustrate my horror as the cashier stepped in to tell me: "Your car is rolling...."
YIKES!
There it was, rolling into the 40mph highway, gaining momentum on a decline that was barely visible. Yes -- I had forgotten to pull the emergency brake.
I broke into a sprint you wouldn't believe. I caught my car in the middle of the road, just before it rolled into the ditch. I THANK the cosmos the oncoming traffic hadn't gotten it yet, that no one got hurt, and that I didn't get smacked sprinting out, superwoman-style.
I ran back into Hardee's to get my food, for heaven's sake --- I must have looked a sight, because a couple of people asked if I was okay . My lungs were bursting and it took a good 30 minutes to stop shaking. I'll know in the morning if I did any damage to me --- but if I didn't, what good news -- I must be better off than I think. Nonetheless, some time under the comforter with the kitties sounds like a wonderful prospect at the moment.
But you know, if I hadn't decided to show my arse, none of it would have happened. Talk about your instant karma!~
Talk about Spirit!
I just can't get away with anything, really.