A Gentle Reminder to Look Inside
There are lessons in spiritual truth everywhere…even at the car dealership!
After my car accidents, which I wrote about here, I had to find a car quickly to replace one of our two totaled cars. In the past, I may have looked for the most attractive and flashy looking car that I felt fit with the image I wanted to portray to the world. While I’ve let go of some of my attachment to external appearances and material things, I have to admit, I still cared what the car looked like. That is, until my first visit to the dealership.
When I went to the first dealer, I had two cars in mind that were at the top of my list and I had chosen them because I liked how they looked on the outside – I had not been inside of either one. The salesman thought I might like another type of vehicle, which I had seen on the road and didn’t think it was particularly attractive. He encouraged me to take one for a spin, and I agreed. It look me all of two minutes to fall in love with it. However, it had nothing at all to do with how it looked on the outside.
I loved the attention to detail that the car manufacturer took when designing the interior of the vehicle. It had everything I could ask for and more, and it was in my budget. This such a great reminder for me of the old lessons I learned as a child: “Never judge a book by its cover and “It’s what’s on the inside, not what’s on the outside, that counts.” These sound so simple, but how many times throughout my life have I made a judgement based on how something or someone appeared on the outside without knowing anything about it? Too many to count.
When I picked up my car after the dealer finished cleaning it, I started thinking even more about how important it is to pay attention to the detail inside ourselves. Just like when a car is getting detailed, they clean every nook, corner, and crevice, we must do the same within ourselves. Holding in our emotions and suppressing our feelings won’t help us release them. We have to look under the seat, lift up the mat, dig in the corner, open all compartments, and clean each one thoroughly. After we do that, it’s so crucial that we develop a plan to clean these out more quickly (like my 5 Steps to Releasing Negativity) so that they don’t build up again. That’s where spiritual practice comes in (prayer, meditation, reading the Word, etc.).
“If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” ~Luke 11:36
When we take care of our interior, our exterior will shine more than we an imagine. I am so grateful for this gentle reminder to care for my inner Self. I know that the Spirit that is within me is within everyone else – that’s what I should be seeing in everyone, not the body that is a vessel for It. This can be tough to remember when things are not going great, or certain people or situations are getting on my nerves. I really needed that reminder. I had to share it in case anyone else did too :-).
As an added bonus to this already wonderful car buying process, the salesman that ended up selling me my car was full of Light, and recognized that in everyone around him. He was a joy throughout the entire process, and wasn’t pushy at all. He took his time and showed me how to work everything he could think of in th car. And just when I was about ready to drive off, he asked if he could pray with me. He led a powerful prayer, and I truly felt the presence of God in the car. It’s hard to describe, but it was like the Spirit was speaking to me through him and letting me know that I a protected and I am loved. Amen.
Have a fabulous weekend! Keep shining!
~Kandace
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Kandace Jones
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BLOG: http://kandacejones.wordpress.com
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About the Author: Kandace Jones
I used to live life shackled by fear, doubt, and worry. I put on a happy face while navigating my day-to-day duties, but I was emotionally drained, stressed, and unhappy. When I hit rock bottom, and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, I was determined to live life differently. I knew there had to be another way. Out of that determination, and guidance from Spirit, the "Living in the Light" blog was born. It documents my spiritual journey out of the darkness and into the Light. After nine months of publicly sharing my journey, and consciously releasing my attachment to the ego, I experienced a powerful spiritual awakening. I went from living in fear, doubt, worry, and stress to complete inner peace. My greatest passion has become assisting others on their own journey to inner peace.
My spiritual memoir, From Stress to Peace: An Intimate Journal on the Journey from Living in Darkness to Living in the Light, is available now on Amazon and BN.com. Click the tabs at the top of the page to learn more about the From Stress to Peace 21-Day Challenge, Living in the Light Retreats, 1:1 sessions, and the Living in the Light Community - all of which are designed to support your journey to inner peace. I appreciate you taking the time to visit the blog and look forward to supporting you in any way I can! 
