ACIM Lesson 2

I see a telephone on my desk.
I remember it used to be Mr. Lee's garbage.

I see an aquarium next to a TV set.
I remember these used to be Mr. Chan's.

I see a water heater here.
A shoe rack, a rice steamer there,
A book case, a tea pot,
And many cups on the shelves there.
Every one of these used to be someone's garbage.

As I wiped them clean,
I ripped the meaning attached
When they had been thrown away
And gave new meanings to
These pieces of garbage
And gave them new lives.

They are not garbage anymore
Because I've given them
New meanings and
Second chances.

I have given everything I see in this room
[on this street, from this window, in this place]
all the meaning that it has for me.
- Lesson 2, Workbook For Students,
A Course In Miracles (ACIM)