The Gift of 2020, by Rev. Staci Hylton

I cannot believe that it is now the fall of this blessed year. It seems like yesterday that many of us sat down dreaming of what the year 2020 would bring. The year of perfect vision! Yes, I remember that feeling as we ended 2019 and anxiously anticipated all the good that would be granted. To be perfectly honest, this writing was supposed to be completed several weeks ago, and there seems to be so much continuously given that I have found myself almost at a loss of where to begin. Now, you may think that I am either being sarcastic, joking, or have simply lost my mind. The latter might be accurate; however, I have thought long and hard about this over the past several months, and 2020 indeed has been the year of perfect vision. 

 As the songwriter, Johnny Nash, might say this year, “I can see clearly now the Pandemic’s here.” I can see all obstacles in my way of creating a world that works for all. It is almost as if every person in the whole wide world was gifted glasses that allowed us to see the good, the bad, and the ugly in the world of effects. We asked for this, right? We at Centers for Spiritual Living have been threatening to create a world that works for all now for years, and so as the saying goes, you cannot change what you do not acknowledge. Usually, the first step in the acknowledgment is seeing them. We do not have to know how this will occur; we know that our prayers will bring it about—just saying!

I have been able to see very clearly what chaos and confusion look and feels like, the effects of fear on society, who the real essential workers are, the continuous harm we as people cause the environment, the state of health care in the US, racial inequity, police brutality, sexism, the effects of income inequality (especially as it relates to children), selfishness, homelessness, joblessness, and a political divide that is worse than ever in the states. Yes, I see it oh so very clearly!

The gift of perfect vision has been given. We can now see very clearly what we as spiritual beings have either created by default or design. We are up close and personal with our choices, and most of us are horrified.

The good news is that 2020 is scheduled to be over in a few short months. However, I doubt that we move through to the next year without some remnants of the chaos we have lived through this year. We want to acknowledge, accept, and evolve from this nightmare of a year. We must remember that our job is to shift and grow our awareness not to have to live from this vantage point. Yes, the gift of perfect vision has been given; the question is now, Do we have the courage to look at what needs to shift to live our very best lives? I guess time will tell!

Staci Hylton, Co-Senior Minister Las Vegas CSL 

Staci Hylton is Co-Senior Minister with her best friend, Rev Cheryl Bell, at the Las Vegas Center for Spiritual Living.  Staci's Great Grandfather was the founding minister of what was once known as Eastside Church of Religious Science in Los Angeles, CA, and that community is now known as LA 3rd, which is still in existence in Los Angeles today.  Staci grew up in the teaching however did not begin taking classes until 2007 under Rev Cynthia Clair, the Founding Minister of the Las Vegas Center for Spiritual Living.  After her first Science of Mind class, is when she really realized the gift of the teaching.  She decided to move forward with her studies, becoming a Practitioner in 2010 and completed ministerial school at Redondo Beach CSL under Dr. Moira Foxe in 2014.  After becoming ordained in 2017, she was elected to the CSL's Minister's Council and is enjoying her various duties as an elected representative for the organization.  Her responsibilities at the Las Vegas Center for Spiritual Living are focused on teaching, community outreach, and facilitating growth for her community's spiritual leaders, including Ministers and Practitioners.  She is proud to say that she and Rev Cheryl are Creating the Beloved Community in what is known as "Sin City."