Hello Miracle Family,

Holiday time sure is classroom time, all those opportunities to practice the Course show up wrapped in tinsel. The people who know how to push your buttons suddenly pop back in, and that old urge to protect yourself kicks in.

Lesson 135 says, “If I defend myself, I am attacked.” And I’ve learned that every time I start bracing, explaining, or justifying, what I’m really saying is, “I don’t trust Love to handle this.” That’s all it is. Defensiveness is fear pretending to be strength.

Now, I’m not saying you’ll never feel defensive again. I sure feel defensive at sometimes. What I’m saying is, when you notice it, that’s your wake-up call. You don’t have to beat yourself up. You just get to choose again.

So as we move through this season, let’s use what the Course gave us. Let’s practice these seven steps together. They’re simple, but if you use them, they’ll change your whole experience.

7 Ways to Practice Defenselessness This Season

1. Notice the Clench.
The body never lies. When you feel that tightness in your chest or stomach, that’s fear trying to act like power. Smile at it. You just caught the ego in the act.

2. Breathe and Pause.
Take a breath. Don’t rush. That breath is your bridge back to peace.

3. Ask Spirit to Interpret the Moment.
Say, “Spirit, tell me what’s really happening here.” Because nine times out of ten, it’s not what your ego is telling you.

4. Refuse to Decide Alone.
Stop planning your defenses and start inviting guidance. “Spirit, decide for me.” That’s how you stay out of the battlefield.

5. Choose Communication, Not Defense.
Use your voice to join, not to prove. You don’t have to be right — just be real. That’s strength.

6. Act Like Your Safety Is Guaranteed.
Spirit says, “Your safety is guaranteed.” So act like it. Walk into that family dinner or that quiet night alone knowing you’re safe and loved.

7. Repeat the Prayer.

“If I defend myself, I am attacked.
But in defenselessness, I will be strong,
And I will learn what my defenses hide.”
Say it until it moves from your head to your heart.

This is how you use the ideas — not analyze them. So this week, when something or someone tempts you to tighten up, remember: you don’t need armor when Love’s got your back.

If you haven’t watched this week’s class yet, or want to hear it with fresh ears, you can find the replay in your Mighty Companion Community members' area. And as always, your Mighty Companion Study Guide is there to help you go deeper with what’s rising in you now. Check out the updates to Earl Purdy’s ACIM Language of Love Glossary, an ever-evolving list of substitutions that can help make reading ACIM easier.

I love y’all. Let’s walk through this season together — undefended, unafraid, and unbothered.

With love,
Earl

P.S. If you need anything, I’m here. Just reach out: earlpurdy@earlpurdy.com