As we focus on Palm Sunday, we could not help but recall a story that Cher's dad (who was a United Methodist minister) told in one of his sermons once. It was a story about a farmer who bought a donkey for $100, but the donkey died the day it was delivered. The seller refused to return the money, so the farmer thought about how he could recapture his money. He decided to have a raffle, selling tickets for $2 each to win a donkey. He sold 500 tickets … $1,000! His son said, “Dad, isn’t everyone going to get mad when they find out the donkey is dead?” His dad said, “Nope – only the winner, and I’ll return his $2. That will give us a profit of $998!!
It's All About Perspective!
There are many different ways to look at things! And so, we are looking at Palm Sunday in a whole different way … from the perspective of the donkey! Luckily, we have a stronger, healthier donkey we are talking about than the one in the story … we're talking about the donkey that Jesus rode on as he triumphantly entered into Jerusalem. And if this donkey could talk, I imagine she would have some pretty interesting things to say. Let’s listen in, and find out how her perspective can help us claim that abiding peace that can transform our lives! We're betting she has three things to say: 1, 2, 3!
#1
“I don’t know where I’m going, but it is obviously some place really good! Listen to the Hosannas! Look at all the people celebrating! You know, I don’t really care where I’m going --- I am just going to let this rider lead the way, and I’m going to enjoy the journey!!”
Our donkey friend is telling us we need to surrender our need for control! We may not always know where we’re headed, or why we’re in a particular situation, but we can be sure we are always in a place where we have an opportunity to use it for good — and we always have access to our Intuitive Wisdom for Divine Guidance. We just need to release our attachment to outcomes, and enjoy the journey. Amazing things happen when we surrender our need to be in control of everything and everyone!
#2
“I’m loving this ride! I don’t have to carry a lot of stuff on my back, like I see other donkeys doing. This passenger I am carrying is so smart! He doesn’t have a lot of baggage weighing Him — or me — down!”
Our donkey guru is telling us we need to surrender our need for possessions — also known as STUFF! It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have material things ~ it just means we want to be sure we own them — and they don’t own us.
Have you seen the commercial of the guy who says how lucky he is. He is counting his blessings: a beautiful family, a big house in a nice neighborhood, a pool in the backyard, a new SUV. He even belongs to the local golf club.
"How do I do it?” he asks. “I'm in debt up to my eyeballs! Somebody please help me!” That’s an example of stuff owning you!
A survey conducted by the Village Voice in NYC evaluated people’s perceptions of how they were doing financially. They interviewed people from varying income levels, from a poet who made $5,000 a year up to an investor who made $410,000,000. Each person, when asked ‘are you satisfied with how much money you make?’ answered that he or she wasn’t quite there yet. Each one felt close, but needed just a little more. There is a common myth in our country that more money equals more happiness. But somehow, there is always something still missing. What’s missing is our awareness of our oneness ... our alignment of our human nature with our Divine Nature!
In Matthew 6:19-21, we are told: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Our real treasure comes when we make time to strengthen our connection with spirit — time at our Spiritual Headquarters, in prayer and meditation that focuses our awareness on the unlimited Divine Ideas and guidance accessible in the field of Infinite Potential; inner peace and activated powers that bring us joy and harmony in life. That’s the true treasure!
#3
“I’ve heard all those other donkeys complaining about their work — but I’m loving this! I get to be in the big city on this exciting day! I get to enjoy all the children, who are petting me and putting flowers on my head! I get to transport someone who is obviously important! What a great life!”
What our wise donkey is telling us is we need to release our need for complaining! Have you noticed how people love to complain about things? Yet what good does it ever do? What if we could transform ourselves from complainers into campaigners for positive attitudes?
Why not take on what we call "The Fillmore Challenge?" Both Myrtle and Charles Fillmore are quoted as saying: "Never make an assertion, no matter how true it may appear on the surface, that you do not want to see manifested in your life! For example, don’t say, money is scarce; the very statement will scare money away from you. Do not say times are hard; the very words will tighten your purse strings. Begin now to talk plenty, think plenty, and give thanks for plenty."
Therein lies the challenge! See if you can go for one full day following this advice! Refuse to speak any words you don't want to see manifested in your life experience! Even something as simple as "I'm having a bad hair day!" should be stricken from your vocabulary! Because who wants more bad hair days?
As simple as this activity sounds, it is difficult ... and a great awareness activity! Add to it the activity of ending each day by creating a Gratitude List for the day ... and you have learned the lessons of our donkey well!
Reflecting on these messages brought back a memory that really illustrates the power of the messages from our donkey friend! It was the week of Thanksgiving, in 1994. Cher was chair of an educational conference held the first part of that week in Phoenix, AZ, so we flew to Phoenix for the conference. Normally we like to add time on when we go somewhere neat, but because we had a houseful of company coming for Thanksgiving, we felt we did not have any time to spare. We had everything planned to a T, to be sure it all came together.
You might recall that this was when Delta airlines was going through a major contract dispute with their flight attendants. When we called to check on our reservations to fly home, we discovered that our flight had been cancelled, along with all the Delta flights, due to the strike with the flight attendants. We got things rescheduled, but would not arrive home until Thanksgiving Day! This blew every single plan we had totally out of control, and the first reaction was absolute panic! But then we did some breathing, praying, meditation (wish we’d known then as much as we know now!), and reached the conclusion that hey—this was totally out of our control! We could sit around, gripe, complain, and be miserable—or we could accept the fact that our plans had been changed and we could make the best of it. And what a great place to make the best of it. We rented a car, and drove up through Sedona to the Grand Canyon. We’d never been, and what a great experience! We took a helicopter ride into the Grand Canyon as our first view (breathtaking!); we rode horses; we stayed at a hotel on the rim. It was great! But what about that houseful of company arriving on Thanksgiving, expecting a perfect dinner? I (Cher) used to be the perfectionist, especially with holiday meals. But we called our son, told him to call Winn-Dixie (that dates the story, doesn't it?) and see if he could pick up anything that resembled a turkey dinner for 12 people, and bring it to the house on Thursday! I’d never done anything like that before. But guess what? It didn’t taste like my usual ridiculously overloaded Thanksgiving dinner — but at our table we were surrounded with close friends and family, we had food to eat (no one cared that it didn’t taste great), and we had unbelievable stories to share! What fun we had! We learned from that experience exactly what our donkey guru was saying:
- Release the need for control, and enjoy the journey!
- Release the need for possessions, and focus on the important things.
- Release the need to complain, and make an active choice to enjoy every moment the way it shows up!
Three lessons -- all about Release -- straight from the donkey’s mouth! Three lessons that can catapult you into a whole new dimension in your spiritual journey through life.
Revs. Drs. Bil & Cher Holton ‧ Co-founders of Unity Center for YOUniversal Prosperity
Combine a flair for the dramatic, a deep understanding of metaphysics, a commitment to a “bumped up theology,” an ability to think outside the box, and a knack for bringing scientific research and spiritual practices to life in practical ways—and you have defined the dynamic duo Revs. Drs. Bil & Cher Holton. They currently lead a global on-line Unity-approved, Events-driven Alternative Ministry dedicated to helping people master the art of living as they walk the spiritual path on practical, positive, prosperous feet.
2 thoughts on “A Donkey’s Tale-Palm Sunday”
Thanks, Renée!! So glad you found it timely and helpful! You’re the greatest, too!!
This was very timely!! Thank you!! You guys are the greatest!!