To my surprise, I’ve managed to keep cool in the 90-plus degree weather we’ve been having.  In order to stay cool though, I have to remain centered in the Spirit.  In the Spirit, I don’t judge by the appearances of things, by the stuff other folks say, by what other people think, or even by what they do.  In the Spirit, I can glide gracefully through the lives moving along warm NYC streets, crowded subway platforms and air-conditioned trains – knowing that God is everywhere present.

My cool begins when I rise.  I shower myself with enough meditation to keep me fresh and centered in the midst of those who don’t know the love of God.  We are not merely here to stay hydrated in the humidity but also to keep our consciousness clean of bad vibrations.  I used to spend tons to exfoliate until I realized that the residue we need to scrape off can easily be removed by wearing the world as a loose garment.

The heat of chaos dissipates when we refuse to give it our energy.  The real cool comes from quieting our own minds by surrendering to Absolute Good.  Absolute Good is in the air that we breathe and the space that we take up.  As Paul says in Acts 17:28, we live and move and have our being in God.  Now that’s cool.  Coolness is the incredible capacity to know what Jesus meant in John 14:20 when he said I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.

On the days when I am likely to get hot under the collar, I meditate twice, and I pray with my entire being by affirming whatever it is I desire.  Jesus was cool about walking on water because he never doubted that he would receive whatever he asked for.  We, too, will receive what we ask for.  Our ability to shape our desires from the ethers is so strong that we have to be careful what we seek because we will find it.

After I shower, I bless myself with a cab and feel the gentle breezes of minutes move me to the gym where I lift and sweat or run and sweat.  Sweat is a cooling agent.  The more we strengthen ourselves to endure sweat the better we are in it.  Not only do our experiences teach us to be our best now, but they also enlighten us to contribute our best later.  My steady winter runs give me the energy for my warm summer jogs.  Movement allows me to shake off the fray and rise into a new dimension of faith.

In Matthew 6:8, Jesus says: “your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask.”  Not even having to ask for what I want and when I want it only adds to my coolness.

I center myself in knowing that God goes before me.  I am cool with the universe conspiring to give me my good.

It may not take shape the way I want it to, but I am always blessed with my greatest good.

We are all dressed with the success of the kingdom of God.  But we may not choose to acknowledge God’s adornment.  The basic necessities of life, the manna that feeds us,  the grace that adorns us, and the cups that fill us are given to us as well.  Matthew 6:33 says that God will give us what we need.  All we have to do is seek first the kingdom of God.

God gives me the words that I need to say (Luke 12:11-12).

God gives me the action that I need to take (Job 23:11).

God performs the work that I have been appointed to do (Job 23:14).

God reveals what I need to succeed (Daniel 2:22).

God knows all things (1 John 3:20).

How could I be cooler than I already am – blessed by God being everywhere?

So even in 90 and 100 degree weather, I stay cool in the unconditional calm of Spirit.

I enjoy surrendering to a power that is greater than man.

I remember how cool Joseph was.  He said even though you mean it for evil, God means it for good.  He never held a grudge or even sought revenge.

He was just cool knowing that no matter what – God had his back.