Lesson 21 – I am determined to see things differently

It has been some time since I last talked about A Course In Miracles, as life gets in the way (as it does), and I’ve been focused elsewhere.

But today I’m back to talk about Lesson 21 – I am determined to see things differently, because mindset has been a big “thing” lately (this course is all about mindset!) and I think it’s important to continue with these lessons. In Pam Grout’s book, The Course In Miracles Experiment, she refers to the experiment as a way to rewire your mind, and therefore the world.

Let’s get started!

Today’s lesson starts off by asking us to search our mind for situations, past, present or anticipated which may bring up feelings ranging from mild irritation to feelings of rage. A slight twinge of annoyance could fall into this category too.

As you work through each situation, repeat the following:

I am determined to see [name of person] differently

I am determined to see [specify situation] differently

Try to be as specific as possible, and you may want to focus your anger on a particular attribute of a person, as one example. You could also repeat the following:

I am determined to see [specify the attribute] in [name of person] differently

What is the purpose of this lesson?

Pam Grout’s take on this lesson makes reference to a friend’s sister-in-law who had misheard the lyrics of a Kenny Rogers song, and had judged Mr Rogers for using “crass” language in that song, so had made a judgement based on what she thought she had heard. Turns out she was waayyy off base!

A Course In Miracles reminds us that we make everything up based on the meaning we apply to it, which is where this lesson comes in. It is asking us to choose to see a person or a situation differently.

An example

Let’s pretend (or maybe it’s true!) that you are in a job you really don’t like. Your boss is a grumpy old fart, your colleagues are lazy, and some days you’d rather poke your eye out with a fork than live through another day there.

You could use both examples above for this one:

I am determined to see [my boss] differently.

I am determined to see [my job] differently.

You can repeat these phrases for every little part of your job, no matter how small or minor. This is bringing your awareness to the fact that you are holding onto “attack thoughts” (these are thoughts which do not serve you), about your job and the people you work with.

Possible outcome

Attack thoughts bring about negative energy, so the reason for this exercise is to bring your awareness to all of those thoughts, no matter how big or small they are, so that you can eventually shift them.

I tell my clients that the first step is awareness. From there, you can take steps to shift these thoughts into more positive ones (by stating that you’re determined to see things differently), and bring about a more positive life!