Copyright 2005 Daniel N Brown
I believe we create our own luck, whether it's good or bad. Consciously, or unconsciously, we may have ourselves at some time or another, produced our current conditions, either in our bodily health or other circumstances.
Because not much happens by chance, most things, good or bad, comes into our lives as a result of the thoughts we engage in, or by what God ordains to get our attention.
It's easy to blame someone, or something outside of ourselves, and make excuses as to why we may be experiencing certain unpleasant situations. But, we must be mature enough to take full responsibility for our own lives and quit playing the part of the victim. It's liberating when you can say, "I got myself into this, and with God's help, I can get out." There is no power in acting like a victim.
There is no easy way out of trouble, but there is a simple way. Think rightly instead of wrongly, and conditions will begin to improve.
What is thinking rightly? It's what the bible says about you, your circumstances, and God. It is the truth. Thinking wrongly has to do with our emotions. Since emotions are inconsistent, they cannot be trusted. Unfortunately, this is where most people make major choices in life, during an emotional high or low. It's a recipe for disaster! A person should never make a decision based on emotion.
As long as we go on thinking wrongly about ourselves and our lives, the same sort of difficulties will continue to harass us. Every seed must inevitably bring forth after its own kind, and thought is the seed of destiny.
When we think rightly, by doing and saying what God's Word says about our situations, sooner or later, all ill health, poverty, loneliness, and inharmony must disappear. Proverbs 23:07 says, "As a man thinks, so is he."
John 10:10 says since Christ died, we may have life and have it to it's full, but also in this same Scripture, it says the devil comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.
Life is a battle. As long as there is a devil out there we must constantly be aware that he is always trying to influence our thinking in one way or another. He wants us to agree with him so he can control us. If you're speaking garbage out of your mouth, then the devil's got you right where he wants you. That's why we must speak God's Word in faith concerning every aspect of our lives. We need to agree with God!
Even though life is a battle, it's also a glorious adventure, full of choices. There used to be a bumper sticker that read, "God is my co-pilot." Later, someone created another one that read, "If God is your co-pilot, switch seats." No, it was right the first time. God has put you in the drivers seat. He said, "I set before you life and death, blessing and cursing, therefore, choose life" (Deut 30:19).
About the author:
Daniel N. Brown is an entrepreneur, teacher of biblical success principles, and the author of the popular ebook, "5 Biblical Keys to Your Abundance and Prosperity." Get his FREE report entitled, "How to Receive from God" when you sign up for his FREE weekly newsletter. http://www.SecretPlaceOnline.com
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Thursday, October 19, 2006
RIGHT THINKING VERSES WRONG THINKING
TURNING 50
I remember turning 50 with the usual fear and denial that accompany those of us who could not understand how quickly the years have sped by. Am I really turning 50 now? What happened?And with that came a sense of urgency—there was not much time left and still so much to do. What of the Great Novel that has yet to be written? What of all the marvelous places that have yet to be seen?
So much to do; not enough time. And like many others, I did nothing—paralyzed.Then the answer hit me one day like a slap in the face. Before my husband passed away, he made a batch of pickles that we had somehow left in the cellar store room—half forgotten. The Christmas my daughter in law became pregnant, she found the pickles and brought them upstairs for the guests. “These are delicious,” she told us. “Why have they been left unused?”She said the word “unused” as though a tank of oil had seeped to waste.
The word festered in me for weeks. What else have I left unused?Perhaps it is this repositioning of our assets that makes the fifties such a powerful time in our lives. Think of all the unused powers that we have left forgotten, unused during the years we pursued a career, raised kids, looked after husbands and parents and scrubbed our houses clean.
This power lay dormant in us, a sleeping giant, until we are somehow made ready-- incubated-- by time.Now at 55, I can honestly say that I love every moment that my power is made manifest. This is the best time in my life: the body has negotiated its way through the tunnel, not necessarily into light, but into the understanding that the journey, with its necessary turmoil, never ends and that while there are never guarantees in life, this is the reason why the trip is so magical.
What we lose at 50 is far compensated by what we gain at the same time. The mind at 50 is different from what it was at 20, 30, even 40—less incisive, manipulative, sharp, more intuitive, porous, connected. The mind at 50 lives in a time-warp, when all moments are simultaneous and infinite. This is a zero-point field where everything or nothing is possible, where all and nothing are essentially meaningless. And where taking a risk can mean everything that lies between aging gracefully and dying before death. At 50, you either make the Great Surrender (if you have not already done so) or you “survive” at your spiritual and emotional peril. There is a “break” at 50 whose manifestation in the physical transformation of the body is but a prelude to its more essential manifestation in the soul.How many of us have given up “work” that challenges our creative selves in order to be financially secure, safe within the walls of respectability and social expectations? How many of us have rotted within corporate positions that promised great compensations but killed our questing spirit?The more I think about this question, the more I realize that this zero-point field of infinite possibilities is what we lived once upon a time (as children). But we lost it by “growing up” and we can once again graduate --yes graduate—to it when we become ready once more in the latter half of our lives.It takes a porous mind to see the field not only as a metaphor or scientific curiosity or even a conjecture, but as an actual, living direction.
Our purpose here in this world is to learn how to relive the paradox of the field, how to gain power by relinquishing power, how to surrender the need to control or be controlled ( a need of ego) by embracing the power that comes from a deeper, more collective and universal source—that which creates something out of nothing, that which sings like a sprouting seed “I am that I am,” that which (for many of us caught up with kids, work, husbands, home the first half of our lives)we can reclaim as our own once again after 50.
About the author:A runner for 27 years, retired schoolteacher and writer, Mary is now doing what she has always done--being engaged in what she loves--running, weight training,writing,helping people reclaim their bodies by seeing that weight is just matter that needs to be processed. Nutrition, exercise, positive vision and purposeful engagement are the tools used to turn this matter into creative selves. a body well-nourished is a mind well-served~ http://www.GreatBodyat50.com Circulated by Article Emporium
WHERE'S YOUR PATH LEADING?
Have you ever stopped to think about where your life's path is leading?
Is it leading you on a journey of ever increasing aliveness and self expression or is taking you to a place of conformity, mediocrity and discomfort?
My Reality Check
A year and a half ago I had to accept the reality that my life's path wasn't heading in the direction that I wanted it to.
On the outside, I had no doubt that I projected an image of success. I had pushed my way up the corporate ladder at quite a rapid rate given my age. I was obscenely well paid, wore tailor made suits and holidayed in exotic locations.
But on the inside, I felt anything but successful. Each day that I dragged myself into office felt as if I was selling another piece of my soul.
For 60-70 hours per week, I performed work that I found deeply dissatisfying in environments that I was completely unsuited to. Now believe me when I say that this wasn't some kind of passing phase either. In my 8-9 working years since graduating from business school, I had managed to secure consulting contracts with some of the most prestigious corporations in the world. Funnily enough, I had similar work experiences in almost all of them.
To add insult to injury, there always seemed to be at least one person in authority that I would mysteriously come into conflict with in each workplace. They appeared to go out of their way to make my working life extremely awkward and uncomfortable.
Early on in my career, I used to fully engage in the drama of being victimised by these evil tyrants! But over time however, I came to the realisation that these people were actually not my enemies, but my teachers. By letting me know that I didn't fit into their model of the world (and I must admit they did have a solid argument!), they were unknowingly pushing me forward to follow my innermost passion for doing bigger things in the world.
So What Was Going Wrong?
Over the span of my corporate career I had plenty of time to think about what was going wrong. On many different levels it seemed as if I was following all the rules correctly. I got good grades, went to a very well respected university and had a CV that most aspiring corporate climbers would kill for. So why then wasn't I experiencing a deep sense of happiness and fulfilment portrayed in the photos of all the corporate recruitment brochures? Why did I feel so empty?
After years of considered thought, I discovered that the reason why I was so unhappy with my professional life was the fact that I was following society's preconditioned path of success and not my own. I was trying hard to fit into the corporate world by being someone else. Deep down, the only person I really wanted to be, was me.
I Visualised My Life Not Changing.
The thing that really helped me to make the changes that I needed to make was to visualise how unbearable the rest of my life would be if I didn't find the courage to change. I visualised what it would be like to do the same uninspired job, in the same uninspired work place, with the same uninspired work colleagues, for the next 35 years of my life. It wasn't a pretty picture let me tell you!
The great thing about following this process was that it created a scenario in my mind that was so painful that it propelled me to do whatever it took to make the necessary changes.
So how do you know if you're on the wrong path?
As a society we are conditioned to look to external sources for guidance on what we should be doing with our lives. We are conditioned into mistrusting our own intuition. But when it really comes down to it, the best and most effective way to find out whether or not you are on the wrong path is to look deeply inside yourself.
Taking this kind of approach will take a lot of courage, particularly if you have spent any length of time masquerading as someone else as I had done. Not only that, the answers that you find may not be exactly what you want to hear either. But stick with it. It will be worth it.
Keep pushing yourself to greater and greater levels of self honesty. Let your actions be directed by your new level of self awareness. And most importantly, surround yourself with people that encourage, motivate and inspire you to be all you possibly can be.
About the author:
Damien Senn helps people create compelling futures. He is one of the UK's top Life and Business Coaches as well as a fully qualified Chartered Accountant.
Damien is the author of the 'Senn-Sational Success Journal' and has developed his own coaching model called the 'Senn-Sational Success System'.
For your free download '101 things to do before you die' please click the following link:
http://beta.blogger.com/
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WHAT CHANGES ARE YOU AVOIDING IN LIFE?
As someone who has moved around a lot over the last decade and had four children along the way, I know all too well that change can not only be uncomfortable but it can be inconvenient and, at times, quite overwhelming (as every new mother will tell you). However I also know that unless you are willing to embrace change in your life you will miss the opportunities your ever changing environment presents to you and will be unable to create for yourself a life you really enjoy living.
Perhaps you are someone who feels very averse to change. A 'creature of habit' you call yourself. That is all fine and good. But if your aversion to change has left you unwilling to address the areas of your life you don't feel good about and fulfill your own unique potential then it is coming at a cost to you. In my experience when people choose to avoid change - even positive change - it is because they doubt their ability to take on the challenges that change will bring. Fear keeps them stuck and resigned to the status quo.
Is there something you don't feel completely great about in any of these aspects of your life?
* Your relationships
* Your home and work environment
* Your career (or lack thereof)
* Your health and general sense of well being
* Your finances
* Your sense of community
* Your recreation/leisure time
* Your life in general!
What would need to change to bring into your life more of what you wanted and less of what you didn't in whichever areas you feel dissatisfied with? People who achieve true success in their professional and personal lives are those who view change not as something that is 'bad' and to be avoided but as something that is necessary if they are to move forward toward the goals that inspire them. They don't resist. They embrace.
Likewise the only way you can ever have the life you'd really love to live is by proactively going out and making whatever changes need to be made. But what's that you say? You feel scared, daunted even? Well of course you do… you're human! No-one is born immune to fear and self doubt. We all experience it. Likewise, no one is born with an absence of courage. Courage lies within each of us and is not an absence of fear but action in spite of it. So whatever changes you have been putting off know you are capable of taking on much more than you have been giving yourself credit for. Stop underestimating yourself!
Sure your life right now might be relatively easy and 'comfortable' but that doesn't mean it is truly rich in the stuff that makes it truly rewarding and meaningful. Upgrading your experience of being alive in the world requires willingness to continual personal growth. Growth does not occur in comfort zones. In fact the only way you can grow into your full potential is by stretching yourself a little now and then, and as you do, leaving behind the old in order to experience the new. When you approach change with the right attitude you will become much more confident in your ability to handle life's challenges and to take on bigger, more exciting challenges that really inspire you.
Today I encourage you to take one small action toward addressing something you feel dissatisfied with. It may require a change to your daily routine, who you hang out with, your commitments, your eating habits, your spending habits or to your willingness to have a conversation that you've long been putting off… whatever! The most important thing is to step into action and as you do remember that you really are much much more capable and courageous than you think you are!
2005 © Margie Warrell. All rights reserved.
About the author:
Margie Warrell is an Executive & Life Coach, Speaker and Writer who specializes in empowering women to find the courage to pursue the goals that inspire them - personally and professionally - with more success, fulfillment and balance… less the stress! To subscribe to her free monthly ezine or for more information visit http://beta.blogger.com/'http://www.margiewarrell.com'
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WHAT'S IN A WORD?
Words impact our lives and have more power than we can imagine. Words create the core of our communication, personal expression and are powerful enough to manipulate our reality and existence. Think I’m speaking “out of context?” Then, why at age 50 are you still allowing the critical words spoken to you by an angry parent at age 10 to control your life today? Words create an image or perception of ourselves or what we believe others perceive us to be and have an energy that either increases or diminishes our self worth and confidence. Words are power, and yet we are often careless with what we allow to roll off our tongues during everyday conversation. How many of us really “think before we speak?”
Here’s an example. Right now, “try” to stop reading this message. You either stopped reading or you continued to read, but you did not “try” to stop reading. Webster’s definition of the word “try” reads, “to make an attempt.” The word “try” keeps us in process rather than takes us to completion. Yet most of us habitually make daily use of the word “try.” “Try” is a word that tears us down because it traps our energy in process mode rather than free our energy in expressive mode. When you say, “I am “trying” to accomplish something,” you are really saying, “I am making an attempt but not really doing it.” If you say, “I am trying to change a bad habit,” you are really saying “I am making an attempt but getting nowhere.”
Here’s another example. The word “decision” means, “to cut, as if with a knife.” Its root is related to the words suicide, insecticide, pesticide, and homicide. All words related to death. It’s no wonder we often feel stuck when we are in the position of making a “decision.” Unconsciously we are saying: “If I take one option the other option will die. What if my decision is a mistake and there’s no turning back?” By replacing the word “try” with the word “choice,” we change the power of our options. The word “choice” means, ”making a selection, the opportunity or power of choosing” To live in the power of choice frees and expands our energy. The word choice builds up life creates options.
Just think how much we drain our precious life’s energy when we say, “I am “trying” to make a “decision!” We become exhausted, frustrated and often times give up all together. I say, “stop trying!” and never make another “decision” in your life!” Use the power of your words to affirm the choices you claim for your life.
Here are a few other words worth rethinking:
When you say “but” you negate all the words preceding it.
(I like you but…)
The word “just” minimizes the words following.
(I just want to say …”)
The word “remember,” affirms, the words “don’t forget” assign judgment
(Remember to pick me up after school.)
What’s in a word? The energy of your life! Empower yourself to change your life by changing your vocabulary! Think about it!
About the author:
Sharon Marquart is a Certified Personal Coach, inspirational speaker and author. Sharon is committed to bringing Metaphysical and Spiritual Truths into everyday language. Sharon’s clients have a desire to know their presence, feel their power and live their passion. http://beta.blogger.com/'http://www.Livingatyes.com'Sharon @Livingatyes.com
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7 SURE FIRE WAYS TO SABOTAGE YOUR LIFE
We all begin life traveling on the “road to happiness.” At some point during this journey we may come to realize we turned left when we meant to turn right; which sidetracks us and puts us on plan “D” instead of plan “A”. Life’s not exactly “unhappy” - it’s just not as fulfilling as we know it can be. We begin to feel as if life became” sabotaged” somewhere along the way. Now it’s time to regain control and get back on track. You just need to readjust the road map!
That said, you are at “choice point.” Maybe your choice is to continue what you’re doing. OK. Just don’t expect different results. Maybe your choice is to do something different to get different results. Once we set a direction in life, all our habits, behaviors, and choices either support or sabotage us in reaching that destination.
Let’s take a look at some choices that may be sabotaging your life and solutions that will support getting you back on track.
Sabotaging Choice #1 - Hit the floor running and don’t stop ‘til you drop. Fill your schedule to overflowing so that even taking a moment to catch your breath leaves you hyperventilating!
#1 Supporting Choice - Follow the airplane rule, “put your oxygen mask on first.” Before you wake each morning, give yourself a moment to be still with yourself. Consciously take a few deep breaths. Visualize your day flowing smoothly and easily as you continue to consciously breathe. On today’s calendar, block out 15 minutes and write your name in “pen.” Set your cell phone alarm. When the time arrives, use it to sit and do nothing but consciously breathe. Doing this ensures that you put on your oxygen mask first.
#2 – Sabotaging Choice - Hang out with toxic people who criticize, judge and carry around all their emotional baggage. For added effect and drama, make sure you unpack these people often.
#2 Supporting Choice - Find the “balcony people” of your life. The people who always have “the best seats in the house”- those who make sure to see things “from the top.” There is at least one person who sees the best in you. Make contact with them frequently. Let them cheer you on, inspire, motivate and support you. Begin to create your “team” of balcony people- your own cheering section! (Keep in mind these people are different from the “nosebleed section people.” – those who can’t see anything beyond the tips of their own noses and are committed to sabotaging anyone who attempts to get better seats than them.)
#3 Sabotaging Choice – Procrastinate! – Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow!? Let’s face it, if you let something go long enough, it may just disappear altogether and you’ll be “off the hook,” right?
#3 Supporting Choice - Procrastination is a symptom of a deeper issue and instead of being “let off the hook,” you’re often left “hanging” your head in guilt. Why would you need to feel guilty? You don’t, but you probably have a fear of succeeding and guilt guards you from this fear. (And those guards have some pretty hefty armor, don’t they!?) Instead of lugging around all that heavy guilt, break free, connect with your “balcony people” and let them cheer you on to victory each and every time you follow through! Count all these victories and as they add up, let them empower you to take the next step to success.
#4 Sabotaging Choice - Hold onto the “right” attitude and make sure you’re never wrong. It will keep you feeling like you’re in control.
#4 Supporting Choice - It takes so much energy to be right all the time. Plus you really miss out on other ideas that can enhance your life. Learn to apologize. Learn to forgive. Learn to receive. Learn how to listen. (I could be wrong, but my guess is that there will be many treasures waiting for you when you give yourself permission to not always be right!)
#5 Sabotaging Choice - Fill your life with clutter, stuff and mountains of paperwork. Keep all the drawers empty and the tabletops full!
#5 Supporting Choice - Clutter creates confusion. Confusion clogs your life’s energy flow, your ability to think clearly and to be creative. Clear your space. Begin small. Sometimes it helps to set an alarm for 15 minutes and begin. Take in small bites. As you clear the clutter, even a small corner, allow yourself to feel good. Exhale. Let that good feeling motivate you for another 15 minutes. You’ll be amazed at how quickly de-cluttering clears the mind.
#6 Sabotaging Choice - Ignore self-care. After all, your mind and body are only the mechanics that keep your life running. You put gas in your car and send it for six month tune-ups; why is extending the mileage on a heap of metal and glass more important than extending the mileage on your life’s journey?
#6 Supporting Choice - Taking care of the “self” is a number 1 priority. It is important to remember all areas of self: mind, body and spirit. To begin, make one change in one area. For the body: eat a piece of fruit every day, drink a glass of water, and say one nice thing about yourself when you look in the mirror. For the mind: have an intellectually stimulating conversation with someone; read a book; watch a group of children discovering the world at a playground during your lunch break. For the spirit: sit quietly every day, subscribe to a daily inspiration, and share your gratitude daily. You’ll be amazed at how much more mileage you get with just a little self care.
#7 Sabotaging Choice - Expect perfection or “black and white” solutions for everything. – If it’s perfect, there’s no room for option or choice, which means you don’t have to deal with it!
#7 Supporting Choice - There is no such thing as “perfect.” Perfect is a relative term. Striving to be perfect fits into the category of needing to be right. Redefine your standards. Consider the option of making gray the “new black” when it comes to savvy thinking!
In reality, each of us practice all 7 of these sabotaging behaviors, so you’re not alone. But you’re also not necessarily in the best of company, either. These alternate ways of thinking and problem solving solutions allow you to begin to make a shift in the way you live your life, make the right turn and get back on track. Choose one solution and begin to put it into practice. You can make a change to empower yourself; and you can ask for help in creating a new pattern. Be inspired this week to stop sabotaging your life and get back on the road to happiness.
About the author:
Sharon Marquart is a gifted Certified Personal Coach, inspirational speaker and author. For more than 13 years she has shared with audiences large and small. Her coaching practice is Living at Yes. Sharon is committed to using Metaphysical and Spiritual Truths and applying them to everyday life. http://beta.blogger.com/'http://www.Livingatyes.com'or Sharon@Livingatyes.com
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Who Is Deciding How You React To Your Feelings?
Are your emotional reactions automatic or on purpose?
Are you frustrated with how you continue to react the same way every time a specific situation or feeling comes up?
Have you desired less stress and anxiety in your life, and more pleasure and happiness?
If you had a choice, would you choose anger, resentment, fear, worry, and jealousy to be a consistent part of your life? More likely, I think you want more happiness, joy, fulfillment, understanding, and love to be present.
Well, you can choose, you can change yourself one small step at a time in all areas of your life if you choose to. Your personal growth is up to you; you can cease allowing your automatic reactions to guide your life.
You can react to your feelings any way that you want?
CHANGING HOW YOU REACT TO A FEELING
Just because you have reacted in a certain way does not mean you must continue to do so. You can actually change your reaction any time you choose.
We all react to the specific feelings that come up when something occurs. And how we react is based on how we perceive the occurrence.
If you can change the way you perceive something, you change your reaction to it. And changing your reaction will alter the outcome of your feelings and actions.
NOTICE, ASSESS AND CHANGE
The first thing is to just notice how you are reacting to a given feeling. This may seem difficult at first, as most likely you are accustomed to living on auto-pilot, allowing whatever thoughts come up, to rule the moment.
You can start by thinking about your reaction after the fact, then gradually as you become more aware of this, you will notice while you are reacting. After awhile, as you become more aware, you will find that you can easily notice your reactions right as they are coming up.
Then you will be able to quickly analyze how you would prefer to react and do so. This can take time, as your habitual reactions will want to slip in as they always have.
With persistence and determination you can take command of your reactions.
VALUES AND DESIRED LIFE
Look at your personal values when deciding how you would rather react. What reaction would better serve the values you want to live by? How would you rather behave in certain situations? Could you reduce negative effects and increase the more desirable?
If your present reaction is one of anger, is anger what you want in your life, or would there be another reaction more in line with how you want to live your life? You can change much of what your experience in life by changing your perceptions
THIS IS CHANGE
You can eliminate the experience and results of your anger if you choose not to allow anger to be a part of your reaction in a given situation. Getting command of your thinking and choosing to direct it how you want, will gradually bring more of what you want into your life.
You will open yourself to a new life with every reaction you alter to more align with how you desire to be. You don't need to continuously be subject to undesirable automatic reactions that are not beneficial to you.
Start noticing your reactions, and see them as something that can be changed. Determine what you DO want in your life. Search within yourself for what you DO want your life to include. What are your values, your purpose, and your mission?
"Our reactions to our feelings are our passport to rebirth."
- Ayya Khema, "Being Nobody, Going Nowhere"
And finally now! Self-improvement tools, tips and resources to assist you with living an effective satisfying life. Get a FREE copy of the newsletter "Effective Personal Development", along with the special 5 part series "Continuous Personal Development". Click Here http://beta.blogger.com/
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