Direct Answers - Column for the week of October 28, 2002
I feel I am at the breaking point. I work at a small school and run the office. I do all the financials, secretarial work, and reception duties. While staffing has increased in the classroom, it has not in administration.
I shared my feeling with the principal on Monday and clearly stated things must change. Teachers need to take more responsibility for their own tasks instead of bringing them to the office via students or teacher aides.
The principal gave a huge lecture to teachers about overloading, looking out for each other, and making sure family life has priority. I felt better. Then he told me he was leaving at 11:30 a.m. and in future would take every Thursday off!
That automatically increases my workload. I resolved not to work overtime, which is usually unpaid, but yesterday was so busy I needed to in order to get my real work done. Everyone else left early!
I enjoy the job and need to work, but no one takes me seriously including my husband who tells me how wonderful I am. I am tired of being superwoman. We have children and visitors from overseas for several months, and I feel any day I will lose my mind!
Blake
Blake, you are hardworking, clever, and do your job well. You need to use that cleverness and work ethic to devise a solution.
You’ve done the most important thing by talking to the principal. He’s already given the speech. In fact, he took a page from what you are feeling and applied it to himself. That sounds awful, but it frees you to act without having to explain your position to everyone.
Your job is like a square box. It doesn’t matter how many people want to put more in the box. When the box is full, it is full. Once other people understand that, they will go look for another box.
Begin with your main duties and center your day around these items. Each time someone brings other work, decide if you can reasonably do it. If you can’t, send it back or offer to show that person how they can do it for themselves. At quitting time, the box is full. Grab your purse and go.
On Thursdays, explain the principal is unavailable. Don’t offer to take messages or handle the situation yourself. At home, tell your husband you are now trading compliments for a load of laundry and help with the dishes. Integrate your house guests into the normal family chores and routine. Most guests actually enjoy it!
Being superwoman is not a compliment, it is a job description. If you don’t reduce your stress level, one day you will quit your job because you simply cannot bear it. No one will gain from that.
Wayne & Tamara
Predicting The Past
My girlfriend thinks I fancy her sister even though I don’t. She and her sister live together so you can imagine the tension. It’s now at the stage that I’m not allowed to talk to her sister or be in the same room with her.
My girlfriend has been hurt before, and that is where this is coming from. She’s afraid I will go off with her sister, though this will never happen. What can I do to help her get over this?
Roland
Roland, if you swear on a bible or promise to put your own eyes out, it is still not enough to satisfy a jealous person. Jealousy is about fear, control and power, not love.
You need to nip this pattern of accusation and denial in the bud. When you talk to your girlfriend, don’t coddle her or try to convince her. That only feeds her jealousy. Let her know she has a choice. She can lose one past boyfriend to his misdeeds, or she can continue to accuse you and lose a second.
Tamara
About The Author
Authors and columnists Wayne and Tamara Mitchell can be reached at www.WayneAndTamara.com.
Send letters to: Direct Answers, PO Box 964, Springfield, MO 65801 or email: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com.
As we grow in awareness of who and what we are, we start to become aware of the influence of the planets and stars on the flow of our life. For thousands of years people have been aware of the subtle effect of the planets in our solar system and their influence on our moods and destiny.
Astrologers have followed the movement of the planets and their relationship to events in our life. This knowledge has led to the creating of astrology, a system to predict future events in our life from the position of the planets at our birth.
If you look into the Kabbalah system of knowledge - an ancient Jewish mystical tradition - you will see that each heavenly body is given the name of an archangel and we can call upon their influence to bring changes in our life.
Each planet is known for its qualities: Venus - the planet of Love, Mars - the planet of War, and so on. These influences set a direction, which is the natural flow of life. But it is not fixed, and in every moment of our life, we can use our free will to create our own future and destiny.
What I am bringing out is the multi-dimensional nature of being human. There are many forces interacting with our body each and every day. The energy field of our body is like a cosmic computer interpreting these influences and always aiming to reach a balance.
We can always use our free will to shape these influences and, using our imagination, create a different dream or path to follow.
You are always given a choice to go with the flow of life or create something different, something new, and flow your energies in a different way. Neither is right or wrong, they are just different paths to walk.
Lots of people use gemstones or crystals to enhance the influence of a certain planet. The chakras, the energy vortices of the body, work like radio tuners picking up the energy that is being radiated by the planets, each tuning in to its distinct frequency.
It is good now and again to just relax and let the mind and the body come to peace within themselves, either through meditation or something as simple as fishing or knitting.
As we let go of our ego controlling everything, our energies naturally find their own balance and we become more alert to these subtle influences which are permeating our environment.
As we tune in to the cosmic dance and align our energies with that, we become more in tune with these subtle influences, so they start to support and coordinate our life. We find that they are also giving the same massages to our neighbours and we notice that synchronies start to happen.
We receive the support of the whole universe in every thought, word and deed that flows from us. These synchronies are coordinated and we find that problems naturally drop away from us, as we let go of controlling through our ego. We start to be aware of the subtle energies and feelings that inspire us to action in a natural way.
Self-awareness and becoming conscious of all these subtle influences are bringing a new, deeper connection to the oneness of the energies of which we are a part. As we tune in, so we feel the peace and harmony, and life flows in a happier, more joyful way.
This is all about moving the awareness from the intellect, in the head, down to your feelings, in your heart; living your life from the love radiating from your heart in full awareness.
Message channelled by George Lockett (C) Copyright 2005, All Rights Reserved. Read HealerGeorge’s Blog: Journey into the Self
Yes, I can send you absent/distant healing: this will really help. Just follow the instructions on the home page of my web site at: HealerGeorge Web Site and Distant Healing
As you make your donation you will get the opportunity to put in your personal details, so I can focus the healing directly to you.
Or ask at question at: Ask HealerGeorge
Over the years I’ve learned to challenge my audiences to turn their response to the ideas and information they receive into results. According to the Christian story, the first couple, Adam and Eve, was instructed to be fruitful - produce some results.
Fruitful is kind of an interesting word; it denotes abundance. Here’s what I think fruitful, abundance and productivity mean - to go to work on producing more than you need for yourself. I think we fulfill that command given to us so long ago to be productive, to produce far more than we need for ourselves, by blessing others, blessing our nation and blessing our enterprise.
Challenge yourself to produce more ideas than you need for yourself so you can share and give your ideas away. Produce more in terms of substance and money and treasure and all things valuable to human beings, far more than you need for yourself.
I am reminded of R.G. LeTourneau’s story, the man who built the big earth moving machines; it was his goal to someday give away 90% of his income. Giving away far more than anyone could possibly imagine. 90% is an awful lot to give away, but you should have seen the 10% that was left.
Once abundance starts to come, once someone becomes incredibly productive, it’s amazing what the numbers turn out to be. It’s amazing what it finally totals. So make sure when you are given the opportunity, that you turn your response into results, thus the chance to be more fruitful and more giving.
To Your Success,
Jim Rohn
Reproduced with permission from Jim Rohn’s Weekly E-zine.
Copyright 2005 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved
worldwide. To subscribe to Jim Rohn’s Weekly E-zine, go to
http://Jim-Rohn.InspiresYOU.com
“…beauty on your earth is a shadow of the beauty of our heaven, and it’s a bitter thing to have a blindness for beauty on earth, for it makes a longer teaching to see the beauties of heaven.” Spoken by an Irish spirit in the book The Boy who Saw True (anonymous author).
I have been counseling individuals, couples, families and business partners for the last 35 years, and am the author of eight published books. Since my work is spiritually based, I have developed many ways of helping people open their hearts to love. Opening to beauty is one of those ways.
I have always appreciated beauty. Since I’ve been a small child, I’ve collect beautiful things - shells, rocks, wood, as well as works of art, and there are always lots of plants around. There is nowhere in my environment where there is not something beautiful to look at, both inside and outside in nature. When I walk through my home and the land around it, my heart fills with awe and love as I appreciate the beauty around me. I’ve done this so automatically throughout my life that it never occurred to me that many people do not open to beauty nor create beauty around them.
In working with some of my clients struggling to keep their heart open, I’ve mentioned focusing on an object of beauty, and have been surprised to find that many of them have no beauty around them - no plants, flowers, works of art or objects of nature. When they look around they see walls, appliances, computers and other buildings. Their left brain functions just fine in this environment, but what about the right - the creative, intuitive, spiritually-connected aspect?
I want to encourage everyone who reads this to consider feeding your soul with beauty. There is nothing like awe and gratitude for something beautiful to open the heart to gratitude in general. If you can love the intricate design in the bark of a tree, or the vibrancy of a flower, or the balance of a beautifully thrown piece of pottery - that might lead you into loving and appreciating the beauty of you and your own soul. It might open you to feeling gratitude for your life and the sacred privilege of experiencing your journey on this planet.
How much of your thinking time is spent being upset or unhappy about something? What if all that time was spent in gratitude for what you have and for the beauty around you? What if you were present enough in this moment to revel in the fact that you can turn on a faucet and have hot water come out? That you have food to eat and a bed to sleep on? If you are reading this, it is likely that you have a computer, which means you have more than most of the people on this planet.
Try this little experiment: find something of beauty - it can be as simple as a leaf, a flower, a photograph, a small work of art or the top of a tree out your window. Now let yourself completely open to the thing of beauty. Let yourself feel the beauty in your body - in your heart, your solar plexus, in your stomach, arms and legs, in your forehead. Let the beauty enliven your body and fill it with vitality. Breathe in the beauty and feel your body’s reaction to it. Open to gratitude, thanking God for this experience of beauty.
Notice the peace and joy it gives you to be in this moment with this simple object of beauty. What would life be like if you spent more moments like this, in the present with beauty and with all you have? How much of your waking time is spent in this way?
Beauty and gratitude are soul foods. When you choose to open to them, you extend an invitation to love, peace and joy. This raises your frequency and opens the door to your spiritual Guidance. Your Guidance is always here for you, helping you on your soul’s journey. Opening to beauty and gratitude, with a deep intent to learn about what is loving to you and others, will open you to your spiritual Guidance.
Margaret Paul, Ph.D. is the best-selling author and co-author of eight books, including “Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By You?” She is the co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding healing process. Learn Inner Bonding now! Visit her web site for a FREE Inner Bonding course: www.innerbonding.com or mailto:margaret@innerbonding.com. Phone sessions available.
Change is difficult for many people. Often times our whole identity is wrapped up in what we’ve learned as children will work for us when dealing with people, allowing us to survive, thrive and fit in. While some people have had to learn to thrive in the midst of change and learned to be adaptable by being open to new ideas and embracing change, many others have had to fight for survival and every table-scrap that came their way. Behavior is learned and it takes work to unlearn and dismantle these old beliefs.
The truth of the matter is that win-win is always possible. When you are able to see beyond the ego and recognize the abundance that is available, people, minds, and ideas come together and can create amazing changes that improve the current scenarios for many, many people. When you work with people who have this abundant and generous attitude, you are uplifted, the team soars, and amazing energy and creativity is unleashed. This is much harder to do, to sustain, and to elevate within others when you encounter individuals driven by the thought of scarcity and competition.
People like Steve Jobs are visionaries that have sought to bring about such shifts in society and in business. One thing I’ve learned along the way is that it is often better to take the high road. This isn’t about judging others as wrong or seeing yourself as better than others. This is about recognizing your truth as to how you wish to BE in the world. Don’t compromise your integrity. Don’t get caught up in the competition. See the vision, see the outcome, feel the purpose and passion you’re driven to offer the world, and give it freely. We all die. You can’t take anything from this life with you. So give what you have to offer the world. What is not given is lost forever.
If your goal is to truly bring about a positive change and serve others, how it is accomplished becomes less important and seeing it accomplished becomes more important. While it may be a blow to your ego when others criticize your inspiration, or someone takes the credit for something you’ve introduced, holding fast to the benefits for everyone will often soften the sting. You do need to pick and choose those places where you’ll offer yourself, the key is to evaluate whether it is serving a common good. When you’re getting compensated for your contributions, gratitude would serve you spirit of peace. If you continually feel abused and stomped on, maybe it is time to move on to a more collaborative team, as well as a more receptive and appreciative audience.
Knowing that you are accomplishing your purpose and living your passion will be reward. In time, it will be recognized. Imposters will eventually be seen and heart & soul will always outlast the mind & ego. Along the way, through the journey that is your life and career, you will need to hold fast to the true inner qualities and nature of the brilliance that is you. Don’t allow these negative experiences to become something that undermines your value. You are not the negative experience. Often times, the negativity we experience from others, is more a reflection of them and less about who you are.
We all have different lenses, different gifts, different wiring, and different experiences. Difference is not something to be judged, it is a gift of diversity that brings the pieces of the puzzle of life together and creates a society, a solution, a technology, etc., together for the benefit of us all. Don’t doubt yourself when others cannot see the vision you see. Keep true, keep your intentions, and you will attract the right support, the right people, and the right opportunities. Lower the ego and aim high the vision.
Best wishes, Lee
Make a Difference
Lee Down is a Professional Coach, Trainer/Facilitator, Speaker, & Writer of One Man Can Human Capital Development that focuses on relationships, the key foundation to success in business and life. With more than 15 years professional experience and a thirst for truth and understanding, he focuses on the human spirit and human capacity.
Working with clients, he facilitates the breaking down of beliefs, barriers or obstacles that bring clients forward on their journey of discovery with spirit, energy, abundance, passion and purpose, integrating the mind and body experience. Working with business, he brings visionary leadership and relationship skills to the forefront that witnesses an empowered culture evolve and develop directly impacting the improvement to the bottom-line.
One Answer….for all questions - This too will pass…
This meditation technique is quite different from thje conventional meditation techniques. This technique is actually a contemplation exercise and involves thinking over life. Though people of all age can try this technique, it is basically suitable for people with mature age (I mean 18 & above). The reason is that only those who have lived a certain (substantial) duration of life can reflect back on their past. Very young people who are still in the initial phase of their life are less likely (though not impossible) to analyze their life from the angle which this meditation demands. Nevertheless, this meditation technique is very useful for knowing our true self.
Method:
First read this thought provoking story :-
Once a king called upon all of his wise men and asked them,
” Is there a mantra or suggestion which works in every situation, in every circumstances, in every place and in every time. Something which can help me when none of you is available to advise me. Tell me is there any mantra?”
All wise men got puzzled by King’s question. One answer for all question? Something that works everywhere, in every situation? In every joy every sorrow, every defeat and every victory? They thought and thought. After a lengthy discussion, an old man suggested something which appeal to all of them. They went to king and gave him something written on paper. But the condition was that king was not to see it out of curiosity. Only in extreme danger, when the King finds himself alone and there seems to be no way, only then he’ll have to see it. The King put the papers under his Diamond ring.
After a few days, the neighbors attack the Kingdom. It was a collective surprise attack of King’s enemies. King and his army fought bravely but lost the battle. King had to fled on his horse. The enemies were following him. His horse took him far away in Jungle. He could hear many troops of horses were following him and the noise was coming closer and closer. Suddenly the King found himself standing in the end of the road - that road was not going anywhere. Underneath there was a rocky valley thousand feet deep. If he jumped into it, he would be finished…and he could not return because it was a small road…From back the sound of enemy’s horses was approaching fast. King became restless. There seemed to be no way.
Then suddenly he saw the Diamond in his ring shining in the sun, and he remembered the message hidden in the ring. He opened the diamond and read the message. The message was very small but very great.
The message was - ” This too will pass.”
The King read it . Again read it. Suddenly something strike in his mind- Yes ! it too will pass. Only a few days ago, I was enjoying my kingdom. I was the mightiest of all the Kings. Yet today, the Kingdom and all his pleasure have gone. I am here trying to escape from enemies. However when those days of luxuries have gone, this day of danger too will pass. A calm come on his face. He kept standing there. The place where he was standing was full of natural beauty. He had never known that such a beautiful place was also a part of his Kingdom. The revelation of message had a great effect on him. He relaxed and forget about those following him. After a few minute he realized that the noise of the horses and the enemy coming was receding. They moved into some other part of the mountains and were not on that path.
The King was very brave. He reorganized his army and fought again. He defeated the enemy and regain his lost empire. When he returned to his empire after victory, he was received with much fan fare at the door. The whole capital was rejoicing in the victory. Everyone was in a festive mood. Flowers were being thrown on King from every house, from every corner. People were dancing and singing. For a moment King said to himself,” I am one of the bravest and greatest King. It is not easy to defeat me.: With all the reception and celebration he saw an ego emerging in him.
Suddenly the Diamond of his ring flashed in the sunlight and reminded him of the message. He open it and read it again: “This too will pass”
He became silent. His face went through a total change -from the egoist he moved to a state of utter humbleness.
If this too is going to pass, it is not yours.
The defeat was not yours, the victory is not yours.
You are just a watcher. Everything passes by
We are witness of all this. We are the perceiver. Life come and go. Happiness come and go. Sorrow come and go.
Now as you have read this story, just sit silently and evaluate your own life. This too will pass. Think of the moments of joy and victory in your life. Think of the moment of Sorrow and defeat. Are they permanent. They all come and pass away. Life just passes away.
There were friends in past. They all have gone.
There are friends today. They too will go.
There will be new friends tomorrow. They too will go.
There were enemies in past. They have gone.
There may be enemy in present. They too will go.
There will be new enemies tomorrow and……they too will go.
There is nothing permanent in this world. Every thing changes except the law of change. Think over it from your own perspective. You have seen all the changes. You have survived all setbacks , all defeats and all sorrows. All have passed away. If there are problems in the present, they too will pass away. Because nothing remains forever. Joy and sorrow are the two faces of the same coin. They both will pass away. Who are you in reality? Know your real face. Your face is not your true face. It will change with the time. However, there is something in you, which will not change. It will remain unchanged. What is that unchangeable ? It is nothing but your true self.
You are just a witness of change. Experience it, understand it.
Everyday for 10-15 minutes sit in silence. Just think over the sentence, ” This too will pass.” Pondering over your own life will make you realize the true meaning of this sentence. Everything passes yet your real identity remains the same. That real you is your true self. To know that self is true meditation.
Eklavya is a simple student of meditation based in India. He provides knowledge of meditation through his website Meditation is Easy (www.meditationiseasy.com). This website provides knowledge of meditation (& various meditation techniques) to general public in a simple and idiot-friendly language ! On this website you can will also learn two super powerful and extremely easy methods of learning deep breathing. (www.meditationiseasy.com/mCorner/aids/Learn_deep_breathing.htm )
Apart from learning 112 Meditation techniques of all times (for all people of all age, you will also find on this website : a useful collection of various tips for stress-free life www.meditationiseasy.com/tips/index.htm) including workplace tips, health tips and Soul tips ! Have a look !
In God’s Word, there is a big difference between being a
conqueror and being victorious. You may ask, don’t they
both bring about the same results? And what God wants us
to know is that no, they don’t. If you conquer something, that
means you are giving yourself all the credit for the defeat,
and therefore, you will forever be fighting against this thing. It
will always be around somewhere, to haunt you. This is not
victory in the least. God gives the victory when we step aside
and let Him do His thing His way. He tells us that we don’t
own our battles, they are His and He will take care of them,
as long as we give Him permission.
When God gives us the victory, that means it’s done,
finished, never to be brought up again. It’s “outa here!” Why
do you think God says, “Vengeance is Mine!” He knows if we
take matters into our own hands, we won’t do a complete
and thorough job of it. We may conquer something
temporarily, but victory is not ours.
It’s a common thing for people to seek vengeance on
others. It gives temporary satisfaction to take matters into
your own hands and get revenge. We like to call it, “sweet
revenge”. But it’s not sweet in the least. In fact, it gets putrid
after awhile. Retaliation is a typical human response when
we feel we’ve been wronged. Someone has to pay. But, if
God said it was His job, why then don’t we let Him do His
job? Who do we think we are to play god and make
someone suffer as we suffer? This fulfills the lust of the
flesh, and grieves the spirit. Our type of vengeance is short
lived. We become overtaken with guilt and regret and have
created a negative situation that may never be healed. This
is not what God wants. If He has free reign to deal with our
problems, we can rest assured that we will be more than
conquerors, we will be victorious. When God settles a
problem, it will disappear and we will be free to rejoice.
God gives us this perfect example in His Word. We tend to
miss the whole point of His Word if we don’t ask Him to
reveal it to us. We are not wise in our own eyes and can’t
expect to just pick up on the deeper meanings that lay
beneath the words that are written in black and white. God’s
examples are for our own good. We really need to pay
attention to them and put them into action.
This example is given in 1 Sam. 25. The story unfolds when
David had supplied for Nabal’s men, giving them
whatever they needed out of compassion. He had expected
the favor to be returned to him by Nabal himself. Nabal was
a very rich man and very easily could’ve returned the
compassion on David and his men. But because he had a
foolish and wicked heart, which is what “Nabal” means, he
refused David’s request. We all know someone with a
wicked and foolish heart, but we don’t have the right to get
even with them.
This led David to wanting to seek revenge on Nabal’s life.
We tend to over step our bounds like this when someone
makes us mad. We wish to do them harm. At that moment,
we feel that someone else’s suffering will bring us great
satisfaction. All we have on our minds is, “I guess I showed
them.” But, this is exactly what God doesn’t want us to do.
This will lead to greater problems afterward. It’s only our
near sightedness that we don’t look that far into the future.
Thank God, He does and can stop us from making a foolish
mistake that could last a lifetime.
Nabal had a very wise wife named Abigail. Her husband’s
men reported to her what David had done for them.
“So know this and consider what you will do, for evil is
determined against our master and all his house. For he is
such a wicked man that one cannot speak to him.” 1 Sam.
25:17 (Amplified)
David thought it was his right to bring death upon Nabal
because he was so wicked. We experience all kinds of
relationships like that today. We judge others by what we
think of them instead of letting God handle the situation.
When Abigail had heard this, she hurriedly gathered enough
provisions for David and his men and met him half way and
there she pleaded for her husband’s life that David should
not take matters into his own hands. She made David
realize that he was not an evil man that he should do this act
of evil out of revenge.
“Forgive, I pray you, the trespass of your handmaid, for the
Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my
lord is fighting the Lord’s battles, and evil has not been
found in you all your days.” 1 Sam. 25:28 (Amplified)
She goes on in the next verse to tell David that God will
vindicate his battles against his enemies. In verse 31,
Abigail explains to David that he will be spared the
staggering grief of this, he will not have any pangs of guilt
because of his conscience. It’s the guilt we feel afterwards
that is far worse as a result of our selfish pride. So, here,
Abigail is the peacemaker and makes David realize that this
is the Lord’s battle to do with as He wishes only because
David would not be able to do a complete job of it for
himself. That’s the way it is for us today when we plot
someone else’s demise. It will all come back on us in a
bigger way, and we have conquered nothing. We certainly
will not get the victory.
Abigail is also an example of people in relationships that
one may serve God and the other one doesn’t. We can not
allow the weaker link to bring us down to their level. We
must remain faithful and strong in our convictions that God
will settle the matter His way.
When Abigail told Nabal what had happened he got so
upset that he became paralyzed and helpless. After 10 days
God smote him and he died. (1 Sam. 25:37)
This left David praising God for handling the situation His
way, the right way and kept David from doing evil. God had
repaid the wickedness of Nabal and He will do the same for
those who oppose us if they mean to do us harm. Just step
back and let God do what God does best!
This story reflects the true act of love and compassion
through Jesus Christ in our lives. Jesus was not out to get
revenge on those who beat Him, spit on Him, blasphemed
Him, hung Him on a cross and jeered at Him. It was His
final words that they be forgiven. If we are in Christ and
Christ is in us, then shouldn’t we forgive those who hurt us
and ask God to make us victorious so that He will get all the
glory? What are we showing others when we act out in
revenge? Not a thing, and this is not why Christ came to give
up His life for us.
The next time you are faced with a situation that makes you
want revenge, step away from it, and give it to God so that
you will be kept from doing evil. He will make you more than
a conqueror, He will make you victorious!
Remember, God has chosen us for His own elect and we
are sanctified and made righteous in His image. That
means we have an awesome responsibilty to keep up that
image. We are no longer like those in the world, we are His
special saints and just don’t need to stoop to anyone’s level.
Have compassion on those who persecute you, pray for
them and ask God to bless them. This only promotes you in
His kingdom and He will vindicate you without guilt. You are
free! This is being able to step away from what the devil
wants you to do. It’s victorious to know you are no longer
under the enemy’s thumb!
True freedom is not in having your own way, but in yielding
to God’s way!
Vivian Gordon writes inspirational and spiritual articles
in which to help strengthen the Believer’s walk in Christ.
They are often taken from today’s point of view and
used in conjunction with what God says about certain
situations and how we are to handle them. There is
always an answer for every problem. These articles are
not all about asking God “why?” but in finding the
answers.
Life teaches us in peculiar ways. It knocks us down. It makes us struggle to get back up.
Blessings often appear as misfortunes and trials. When we challenge problems with solution-focused thought, needs are filled. We improve the lives of others and ourselves.
Challenging a problem begins with embracing it rather than resisting it. Accepting the truth about what is so places us in a position to learn and move forward.
Of course we will not have positive, accepting feelings each time life knocks us down. Yet we need not allow feelings of frustration to define our outcomes.
We can examine our thoughts and choose constructive reactions, responding consciously. Our faith and determination can be stronger than any misfortune.
Within each storm of life is hidden a key that will unlock another door that you were meant to walk through.
What has been the greatest challenge that you have conquered? What thoughts strengthened you to rise above this challenge? What blessings did you receive?
Challenge each problem you face with purposeful thought and determined action. Resolve that every situation you encounter will make you better, stronger, wiser, more skillful, and more loving.
By challenging problems with faith and conviction, you will create experiences of joy and lasting treasure.
© Copyright by Steve Brunkhorst. All rights reserved. Reprinted from Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration bringing great stories, motivational nuggets, and inspiring thoughts to help you achieve your top potential. Get the next issue by visiting http://www.AchieveEzine.com
Imagine a person in a prison. He/she has been imprisoned for life and will wait till death in the prison.
What can possibly motivate such a person? What do these people look forward to in their lives?
Sometimes, we are also prisoners of our thoughts and our past deeds. We also have nothing else to look forward to. We only have regrets. At least, we can do something about the conditions, but the prisoners can do nothing. Life can be depressing at times. How to inspire ourselves in such conditions?
What is inspiration?
‘Inspiration’ the word as it is commonly understood means to experience a state of mind that propels us to work happily, try to achieve goals, and feel good about ourselves and the world.
How to break open the prison?
When we are not inspired and can set no goals, we feel that we are so helpless that nothing can be done. The first step would be to try finding stories of people such as Helen Keller who overcame so many difficulties to emerge victorious. That will give us a basic thought that things are not that bad. We will open at least one door of our prison with this thought.
Then go back in your memory. Try and think of instances when you felt good because of some achievements. It could be something very small. Anything. Like coming first in the class in your second year in school, or getting a good remark from a teacher for an essay or for a math answer. That will break open another door.
Now begin counting your blessings. Do you have a functioning kidney? Can you see? Can you hear? Can you smell? Are your hands ok and so on. Will you sell your eyes for any price? No! Who said that you have no money? You are a wealthy person who is unaware of your wealth, your blessings, Isn’t it? This will open one more door.
Break the last door open by thinking of the goals you might want to achieve. Believe that you can do that. Start planning. Think of ways. Talk to people. Be ready for a long struggle but with a firm resolve that you will achieve the goals. This will take you out of the prison of your thinking and make you a new person ready to fight.
Get set to go ahead. You are a winner in making!
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“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
Fred Buechner, Wishful ThinkingA Theological ABC
As you think about what you could do to accomplish the dreams you have for your life, why not think of yourself as your own dream coach? You apply to yourself the techniques and strategies that a business coach would use when consulting with clients. What is good about this is that it gives you a different mind-set: instead of thinking of yourself as perhaps “dabbling” with your dreams, you see yourself as being serious about those dreams and doing something pro-active about them.
Where Do You Start?
The beginning point is obvious. You have to describe where you think your passions lie, and a dream that could embrace those passions. That can be challenging! I often hear women say, “I just don’t know what I want to do.” If I asked you what you would love to do, if you could do whatever you wanted to do, what would you say? Your response shouldn’t be based on whimsy or wishful thinking, but on your heart’s deepest motivations.
If you are not sure what motivates you the most, make a list of your meaningful experiences over the years. There will be a common motivational thread that was always present in your satisfying achievements and accomplishments. Look for what motivated you in each. Write down your answer. Your dream for this year should have those strong desires at its very core.
You can look at that dream and examine it to see the possibilities and truths it contains. Your dream should fulfill the temperament, talents, and desires God has given you. They are the map you need to discover the life that you would find worthwhile. They are also there to fulfill God’s purposes for your life! Many times knowledge of the different things that make up “who you are” can be lacking for several reasons— too busy a life, tending to others at your own expense, just “surviving”, or not fully realizing what makes you special.
What Next?
What are the talents and abilities you have? You can know them by also looking at your most meaningful experiences over the years. List the talents or gifts that you used, or that were part of those experiences. They are there to carry out your desires, and are part of your “design” of abilities. Many times those talents can be transferable to another area of interest or to a new experience. They are part of your personal tool kit. You bring them along with you.
When my husband and I had a label business, I remember hiring a marketing person who knew nothing about labels. We knew that he was a good marketer and would use those talents, which he did! I also remember a friend who was such a good organizer at home and in her volunteer activities. When she got a full time job she suddenly realized that her skills of organization would fit perfectly with her new job. She just had never thought of herself as a “business woman”, and in a way, undervalued the abilities she had “as a housewife”.
Setting Goals
Third, set goals that are based on your dreams. Goals can be defined in baby steps. Sometimes I find that easier and less intimidating than trying to take on everything all at once. Then, too, as one goal is accomplished, it leads to the next, and so on. Goals get you moving. I have often noticed it is when I am not doing anything at the moment, sort of drifting, that I feel the most restless. Goals can be empowering. You are taking action!
Decide what you need to do first as you start to fulfill your dreams. Maybe you need to gather more information about that dream, talk to others, write a business plan if it is called for, or figure out ways you can pursue your dream on a part time basis. I have known people who have done the latter. As their dream grew, so did the opportunity to eventually pursue it full time. Working on their dream “on the side” also provided added motivation for their full time job, because that job was enabling them to even consider a dream. In many cases the full time job later became a part time job, until that job gave way to a dream that was ready to be launched!
Your goals should be specific and well-defined, realistic, and exciting to you. You are identifying what you want to do with your life! Make a list of small things you could do to learn more about your dream, as you consider the reality, challenges, and rewards of that dream. A word here— if God has given you certain desires, He has a plan in mind for your life. Ask that that plan be revealed step-by-step. Remember, it may seem impossible. However, all resources are God’s. When His will and yours coincide, those resources are at your disposal and at the beck and call of the dream. Go forward with the belief that God will provide in accordance with His will and timing. Believe the impossible!
Happy dream journey,
Judy Peterson
©Copyright 2006 - Judy Peterson. All Rights Reserved.
You are free to re-print this article or forward it to someone else as long as you include the following resource box at the end and as long as you link to the URL mentioned in the resource box.
Through life stories, practical help, and inspirational guidance, author and speaker, Judy Peterson helps others identify a God-given dream or passion and pursue their life purpose. This is based on her experience as a businesswoman and on her book, Follow Your Heart and Discover God’s Dream For You. Please visit http://www.followyourheart.info.
Unless otherwise specified, the New International Version (NIV) is used for all biblical verses.
This publication is registered with the Library of Congress in Washington, DC - ISSN 1551-5907.
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