love
At any moment, life can throw a mud ball at me.
Life happens. We can be enjoying life or just getting by; then, something unexpected hits us. We get bad news; someone rejects us or something totally unfair or unreasonable happens. Do we give situations, events, or other people the power to determine the quality of our day? Of our week? Of our life? If we…
Read MoreHappiness and peace are impossible without integrity
INTEGRITY (noun): the quality or condition of being sound; of being un-impaired, undivided, complete, or whole. We are either whole or we have a hole—an inner void. Many people feel this hole, this inner void, like something is missing. We try to fill it with answers taught us and sold to us by other less-than-whole…
Read MoreAcceptance is an essential tool for a peaceful life; however acceptance occurs in stages.
If I keep running headfirst into a brick wall and it always bloodies my head, I can deny that I’m hitting the wall or deny that it’s hurting me (denying the fact of reality); but then, this leads to repeating the same action and suffering the same result. If I want to quit hurting, I…
Read MoreI will live every day until I die; will I settle for mediocrity or reach for happiness and joy?
Some will Say “Duh–that’s dumb. Of course I’m going to live every day until I die. “But what about today, this little 24 hour time period right now? Am I really going to live it or just slide through it? Will I gain a single thing from this day that makes it worth the time…
Read MoreI sometimes take the people closest to me for granted
and fail to extend the respect, courtesy, and love I feel for them. I need to treat the people I love and value as well as I treat co-workers, friends, and casual acquaintances. Without attention and awareness, close relationships can suffer from familiarity—that attitude of quiet indifference. We expect people to know that they are…
Read MoreA loving God does not cause pain, but alleviates our misery;
Does not test his children, but provides solutions when we are tested by life. Does not make us wander in the wilderness of confusion, but offers clear purpose and direction. Does not willingly afflict his children, but soothes and strengthens us when we are afflicted. Does not take people, he receives them. Perceptions and expectations…
Read MoreMy forgiveness for myself is in direct proportion to the forgiveness that I have granted others
If we are not enjoying happiness, peace and serenity, consider the possibility that we may suffer from “un-forgiveness.” Do we experience any internal conflict, guilt, remorse, or regurgitated anger when we remember a past situation? We may be aware of these remnants of the past; they may linger like a shadow just below the surface,…
Read MoreA campfire is easier to extinguish than a blazing forest fire; handling small problems prevents big ones
Common sense dictates that extinguishing a small fire is much easier than trying to control a roaring inferno. The same logic applies to our problems and discontent. Yes, there are problems that come out of nowhere; we have no warning until faced with the raging blaze that demands immediate resolution. But more often, we encounter…
Read MoreI should listen with my heart instead of my ears
Our relationships vary from casual contacts, friends, to those very intimate and loving associations. For each of them, it is important that we actually hear in addition to listening. Listening with our heart includes active listening; we give the person our undivided attention to demonstrate the value we place on them and on their words…
Read MoreThe less love in any person’s nature, the greater his or her need for love
We sometimes encounter people who hurt us, try to use us, or even abuse us. We have a choice in how we respond. Accepting the simple truth that “Those who feel loved, act lovingly” offers a perspective that might temper our response. All true love comes from the divine source, flows to each person, through…
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