Relax

Your weakness is God’s opportunity to show His power! He is not surprised by them and actually knew all about them before you did. So you can relax and enjoy your day while God continues working in you. 

~ Joyce Meyers ~

It's so nice to know that we don't have to stress out about trying to be perfect. We need to remind ourselves that we weren't created that way. And I also think we need to remind ourselves that God knows that.  He sees our struggles and already knows what we are going to do.  

It's so nice to know that, regardless, God continues to work through us, even when we are not at our best.  We can continue to strive to be our best but the pressure is off.  Nice. 

You "can" change!

“A belief is only a thought you continue to think. A belief is nothing more than a chronic pattern of thought, and you have the ability - if you try even a little bit - to begin a new pattern, to tell a new story, to achieve a different vibration, to change your point of attraction.” 

~ Abraham-Hicks ~

One of the beautiful things about being human is our ability to change.  Why is it that some people think that if things have always been this way, they will always be this way?  It doesn't have to be.  

I think all of us have things about ourselves that we'd like to change.  Maybe we don't try because we don't think we'll be successful.  But I believe that we can achieve anything that we want to - if we want it bad enough.  

Be patient though.  Change does not happen overnight and you might not see the change for a while.  But don't quit!  You'll get there in time.

Created from the same dust . . .

After the game,
the king and the pawn go into the same box. 

~ Italian Proverb ~

Isn't that the truth.  We may have different roles to play in life, but in the end, we are all equal.  

This reminds me of a quote from Baha'u'llah:

O CHILDREN OF MEN!

 

Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust?  That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest. Such is My counsel to you, O concourse of light!  Heed ye this counsel that ye may obtain the fruit of holiness from the tree of wondrous glory.

Live your life!

Regardless of the outcome it was still a choice you made. Live without regret, and know that our past is what made us who we are!

When I look back at my life, I wish I could get a few "do overs".  But my husband has always reminded me that everything that happened in my past has helped to make me the person I am today.  Thanks sweetie!

Oprah Winfrey says, "When you know better, you do better." You are the sum total of all your actions and choices so far.  You can't go back and redo anything but you can change your future if you want to.

Keep looking ahead!

“Nobody gets to live life backward. Look ahead, that is where your future lies.”

~ Ann Landers ~

I just went to my 35th high school reunion last week.  So this quote jumped out at me. It was great to see many old faces; some haven't changed at all - others were only recognizable by the name tag they wore!  

It caused me to think about where I was thirty five years ago.  Fresh out of high school and right into a new marriage.  My husband and I (yes, the same guy!) were reminiscing about how different we were back then and how we have changed.  Thirty five years of raising two daughters, going through several job changes and all the ups and downs that inevitably come with a long-term relationship.

Reunions are great.  It's nice to look back once in a while.  Just don't stay there!

Love being you!

“Why compare yourself with others? 

No one in the entire world can do a better job of being you than you.” 

~ Unknown ~

You are unique!  Don't change!  You have all the characteristics that you need in this life and to get through your life.

I was in a course a few years ago and the professor was talking about "negative" traits.  My comment to her was that I think we have to be careful about labeling behavior as "good" or "bad".  For example, stubbornness. At first blush, this might be considered a negative trait.  My younger brother was very stubborn and let me tell you - he could be such a pain when he was a kid!  But, when he was 26 years old, he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and given one year to live.  He lived 13 years.  And I think part of the reason that he lived so long was because he was stubborn!  He beat all the odds.  When a doctor told him that after an operation he would never walk again, he walked!  He was so determined.  So, in this case, I think he was endowed with "stubbornness" because he was going to need it later in life.

Now don't get me wrong. I am not saying that children should be allowed to be belligerent and left unchecked. Not at all.  Children need constant love and guidance.  But if your child has a trait that you're not thrilled with, try to get them to channel that trait in a positive way. They may need it one day.

Dream!

Scientifically a bee is too fat to fly.  It's not aerodynamic enough and it's wings are too short.  But why does it still fly you ask?   Because nobody told him he couldn't!
~ Author unknown ~

What are your dreams?  What things do you want to do but people say it can't be done?  

You never know what you can accomplish until you try.  If you have a goal, start taking the steps to implement it. But be flexible enough to know when to change direction if necessary.

In my mid-30's, I decided I was going to pursue my childhood dream of becoming an elementary school teacher.  So I enrolled in college.  I had to go part-time and it would take me 10 years but I enrolled anyway.  There were some people that were discouraging.  "It's going to take you 10 years?  Wow, that's a long time."  My thought was in 10 years I would be 45 and I could either be 45 with a degree or without it.

I got my degree but I am not an elementary school teacher.  More than half way through my studies, I got an amazing job.  So I changed my major.  I entered school with one intention and ended up with something different.  But it's all good!  I wasn't rigid in my thinking and ended up with what I needed.

We never know what opportunities that are going to come our way.  If you have a dream or a goal, go for it!  No matter what happens, you'll end up where you're supposed to be!

Love, compassion and tolerance

Anger cannot be overcome by anger. If someone is angry with you, and you show anger in return, the result is a disaster. On the other hand, if you control your anger and show its opposite – love, compassion, tolerance and patience – not only will you remain peaceful, but the other person's anger will also diminish. 

~ Dalai Lama ~  

Baha'u'llah said, "All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization. The Almighty beareth Me witness: To act like the beasts of the field is unworthy of man. Those virtues that befit his dignity are forbearance, mercy, compassion and loving-kindness towards all the peoples and kindreds of the earth."

Decision . . . let go . . .

“If you want to reach a state of bliss, then go beyond your ego and the internal dialogue. Make a decision to relinquish the need to control, the need to be approved, and the need to judge. Those are the three things the ego is doing all the time. It's very important to be aware of them every time they come up.”

 ~ Deepak Chopra ~ 

This is such a beautiful reminder of the importance of being mindful. I don't know about you, but I think it can be easy to go through the day as if you're on autopilot.

  I like this quote because it reminds me that I need to "make a decision" about what to do when my ego wants to take over.  I have found that when I start my day with prayer and meditation, I usually have a pretty good day.  When I stray away from this practice, I can get caught up in a lot of "stuff" I usually try to stay away from.  And the longer I stay away from this practice, the more weighed down I feel.  

Thanks, Deepak, for my marching orders today!

The choice is yours to make

“I discovered I always have choices and sometimes it's only a choice of attitude."

~ Abraham Lincoln ~

I am thinking of a friend today whose parents are moving out of state.  She is pretty depressed about it.  It reminded me of the time when my Mom moved away when my first child was just six months old.  I was very close to my Mother and I was devastated.  I was depressed for several months.  Over time I began to feel better but it was tough because I really needed her, especially with my new daughter. 

It would have been better for me to change how I was feeling about the situation.  Instead of focusing on the loss of her living near me, I should have been grateful that she was still around.  I spent a lot of time with feelings that didn't help the situation.  Did our relationship change?  Of course it did.  I couldn't just pick up the phone and make plans to have lunch with her.  I couldn't just hang out with her.  She moved far enough away that it required a plane trip and funds were tight so we didn't get to see each other a lot.  The phone was our only way to connect.

Any change is loss so you have to go through the grieving process. But try to get through it as quickly as possible. If I had it to do over again, I would try to get to a place of gratefulness sooner.  Rather than focusing on the loss, I would focus on being grateful that she was still around, that I could call her if I needed advice.  Nothing good comes out of pining away for someone or being resentful that they aren't easily accessible to you.  Or any other host of negative feelings you can have about the situation, including feeling sorry for yourself. It robs you of precious moments and opportunities to stay connected.

Make the best out of the situation. Accept it as soon as possible. Use technology like Facebook or better yet Skype so you can stay connected.  Put as many systems in place so that you won't feel so separated. 

You have many choices to make.  Try to make the choices that will keep you in a positive place.

Knowing when to adjust

“When you can’t change the direction of the wind – adjust your sails.”

~ H. Jackson Brown ~

My brother Larry was diagnosed with brain cancer when he was 26 (in 1989).  My baby brother Danny was diagnosed with AIDS when he was 26 (in 1993). Larry was given one year to live but lived for 13 years.  Danny lived for 2 years after he was diagnosed.

Did they have to adjust their sails?  Yes they did!!  What amazes me the most of my two younger brothers is that they came to a point of acceptance soon after their diagnosis.  Did they have to go through depression to get there?  I am sure they did.  But they didn't dwell on the past or their illness.  They continued to live their lives in spite of it - inspiring everyone who crossed their path.  

My brothers have been my greatest example of what to do when you can't change the direction of the wind.  Whatever challenges you are going through right now, don't let it leave you sitting idly in the water.  Chart a new course, adjust those sails and head for your new horizon.