Spiritists’ Responsibilities in Doing Good                    We are all in different relationships throughout our material life (as children, siblings, family relatives, parents, spouses, co-workers, citizens, and even as Spiritists, and mediums) and in these different relationships, we know in our conduct, we should practice love and charity to all. As Spiritists, we know we are supposed to do no wrong, and all the good we are capable of doing. We understand that to do all the good we can do, provides for a higher spiritual maturity. If one professes to be a Spiritist, one must accept this; it is to fully realize that we are to think first of others before ourselves, that one must do good just for goodness sake and not out of self-interest; we are to be self-sacrificing; and, we are to accept without reserve, resentment, or complaint, the fulfillment of the many duties and responsibilities we have to those in our care and who are around us. In order to do this, and practice this love and charity towards others, it takes a change in how we perceive our own wishes and desires. We must stop thinking that we are the only ones who need to be constantly satisfied or fulfilled or happy. Spiritists know that there is no such thing as true happiness upon the earth. Humans are imperfect beings who will have suffering in their lives, in one form or another, due to their very own numerous imperfections. But, we can strive for a certain inner spiritual peace. This can be accomplished with strong faith in God regarding His Laws, which allow us to know with surety that nothing happens to us that we do not deserve, AND, if our conduct be correct and true, we can feel the wonderful inner satisfaction, when we are accomplishing in our lives, what we are supposed to be doing! It feels good inside helping and providing service to others! We can fill an emotional void (in our search of happiness) by knowing we are advancing in our current life by the accomplishment of our duties. If we receive tokens of gratitude for the good we do others, this can feel great as well. But, we should also feel this even when we do not receive acknowledgement for our good deeds to others. God knows what we have done, and that is the most important thing! Besides, although you may not remember it now, you may owe much to those who have been placed in your care in this life! You will be atoning for past life wrongdoings. As Spiritists, we know that we have had a myriad of lifetimes and, have been and done many things. This knowledge should allow us to not feel cheated about the life we may wish we could have. The reason our life’s circumstances are the way they are is because of our own actions in past lives. If we want to improve our future lives, we must act appropriately and fulfill our duties and obligations now in this life. As Spiritists, we know this, so we must come to accept it. So, if we become depressed about our troubles, we must try and snap ourselves out of it. We must pray to our spirit guides and God for spiritual strength to support whatever we are going through, because that is what they are there for. We should not wallow in our miseries as this only makes our situation worse. Each time we come into the material life, we have agreed to take on certain obligations and duties. We need to evaluate where we have been placed in the current reality of our lives, to see where our position puts us, in order to help those around us and who are in our care. To reject our obligations is to deny what we ourselves have promised to do and to reject God and His Just Laws, which are for our own betterment. If we do not fulfill our duties we will be very disappointed when we return to the spirit world, for we will have to go back into the material world and start all over again, like repeating the same grade again in school. So what does all this mean, specifically? It means we must without resentment or bitterness, and in as lovingly a way as possible (for we must be at peace within ourselves regarding our obligations)… we must do charity and all the good we can do by: taking responsibility for the raising, nurturing, and care of our children; be loving, respectful, and supportive of our spouses; go to the assistance of relatives if they need us; love, honor and respect our parents, and assist them as they get older; be caring and good co-workers and good citizens to our fellowman, and help all those around us who may need us, as we are able. As Spiritists, we should try and teach others, who may be receptive, in understanding the principles of Spiritism. If we are also mediums, we should be fulfilling our duties in regards to the proper use of this faculty; for mediumship is given to humans by God first for their own moral betterment and, secondly, for the spiritual and moral education of others. Each of you have now in your hands, by your conduct in this life, the future circumstances you will be born into, in your next life and/or lives. Spiritists cannot claim ignorance of the facts. May your life be one of advancement! You each can succeed, for you have the knowledge and the means!                                    Spirit communication received by Yvonne Limoges