1. ACCEPTANCE
There’s this thing called The Serenity Prayer which goes something like this: God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference. The thinking here was that once you deeply accept that only you have the power to move forward in your life, then you can take the action to do it. Now, there are also things that you cannot change, and the work there is to accept that you can’t manage that situation or this person or that thing.
This begs the question, “What is it in your own life that you are resigned to accepting but, in truth, have the power and right to change?” You may find the answers astonishing.
2. LIVE YOUR TRUTH
You’d be surprised how many lies you tell yourself and how many times you suffered because of them. The lies you tell yourself feed into the lies you tell other people and will leave you isolated when all you ever craved was connection. Can you believe that? your cure for loneliness is isolation.
This will change when you start to speak your own truth and give the people around you the opportunity to truly know who you are and what you stand for. We live in fear of what other people will think or say about us, but do you really want those kinds of people in your life today?
Tell your truth and embrace who you are. Let the naysayers know that if it’s going to make a difference as to whether they love you or not, then it should start making a difference now.
3. REMAIN GRATEFUL
Practice gratitude also. Recognize that, in today’s world, it is easy to become entitled, walking around with a sense of indignation, losing sense of the things that really matter, and falling away from gratitude.
Everything in your life is worth exploring, whether it’s the fact that you can walk and run, or knowing that if it ever gets to be too much, the world is designed to accommodate you and help you not feel abandoned or alone.
4. HAVE FAITH IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
We come into the world, each of us, with our own baggage (sometimes it’s an abandonment issue; sometimes it’s simple trust issues, etcetera). We acquire these as children, but we discover that these lessons no longer serve us in adulthood, and we become forced to re-parent or reeducate ourselves.
Part of this means learning how to trust our friends and partners and spouses. These relationships are important and you need to think of them as a carefully concocted stew of love, patience, and understanding. When we distrust the people closest to us, what we are actually doing is adding negative ingredients to the pot — jealousy, possessiveness, suspicion . . . of course, they are going to react in a negative fashion.
We are often shocked when conflict arises, but it is conflict that could have been avoided if we’d made a conscious decision to come from a place of love, rather than one of antagonism and unrest.
People are sometimes going to let you down. This is a fact of life. It is our responsibility to not create an arena for them to do so.
5. BE OF SERVICE
Don’t look for a payoff for simply being of service. It isn’t an act of kindness if you expect something for it. Once you remove the payoff from the equation, you will find yourself catapulted to the next level of true selflessness, understanding that the reward for loving is love; the reward for being of service is being of service.
The self-esteem that comes from reaching out and helping other people is invaluable. It gets you out of your own head and helps you not feel overwhelmed by problems or other concerns. It helps you feel connected.
6. LAUGH AT YOURSELF
Learning how to laugh at yourself can help build stronger relationships.
Your family and friends should not be made to feel as though they need to walk on eggshells around you; it’s up to you to create a safe, non-judgmental space for those around you. It is only in this space that you can experience the joy of authentic laughter.
7. LIVE IN THE MOMENT
Your past is inescapable, your future is unavoidable, but your present is forever unrestrained.
We sometimes spend more time obsessing over things that have happened and dreading some unforeseen future that we forget the simple truth that, right now, in this moment, we are okay. No matter what is happening, even now — reading this — you are okay. Take a breath. Enjoy this one, perfect moment, because it is yours.
You have plans and obligations, sure, but we’re not there yet. Right now, it’s just us, living in this wonderful moment, and reveling in the fact that, in and of ourselves, we are complete, we are worthy of connection, and we are enough.
When things get hectic, remind yourself of this and get centered. Only in the moment are we ever our perfect selves.
8. PRACTICE RESTRAINT OF PEN AND TONGUE
Adopt a new way of relating to other people. Ask yourself, “Does this need to be said? Does this need to be said now?” And finally, “Does this need to be said by me?”
The three simple questions, in one fell stroke, will eliminated so much pain and drama in your life that it will leave a huge space to be filled with a new influx of love and understanding. Not only will people suddenly want to be around you , but the problems that you think can only be managed by yourself seem to work themselves out on their own.
9. LEARN TO FORGIVE
This one’s a hard pill to swallow. I believe that you have to talk about (and really process) wrongs that have been done to you before you can get to a place where forgiveness is possible. However, I also believe that it gets easier every time you do it, and that the emotional work involved is worth the effort it takes to get there. Some transgressions are unforgivable, true, but most aren’t. Keep in mind, I am not telling you to run out and forgive everyone.
I am telling you to LEARN to forgive, because the spiritual growth comes from the journey toward forgiveness.
10. REMAIN TEACHABLE
Don’t be a huge naysayer when it comes to new concepts and ideas. The simple truth is that we’re so busy seeing through everything that we can’t see anything.. Our capacity for growth is stunted by this inability to embrace new ideas. This doesn’t have to be you.
Allow yourself to have an open mind. Accept that even the worst-dressed person at the party may have something interesting to say to you and put your hand out to say hello. Rediscover your sense of wonder. No matter how old you are, the world still has a lot to show you.
We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having very human experiences. Avail yourself to each and every one.
11. EVERYTHING YOU CAME HERE LOOKING FOR, YOU CAME HERE LOOKING WITH
I cannot tell you how much time and energy I wasted searching for some sort of outside “thing” to fix me. Everywhere I went, the answer was always the same: we’re perfect. In and of ourselves, we are whole and complete. Inner Peace comes from accepting this as your truth.
Granted, there are things about ourselves that we can change. There are outside things that we can acquire to enrich the quality of our lives, but none of those things are the destination of any spiritual journey. Every spiritual journey is designed to help you find yourself.
It is only when you’ve found, accepted, and learned to love yourself that you are capable of connecting with anything else; whether it’s other people, your family, or a God of your own understanding. Believe it.
12. BE COURAGEOUS IN LIFE
Courage is the most important of all the virtues because, without it, you cannot practice any of the others consistently.
It takes courage to love. It takes courage to be honest and to speak your own truth. It takes courage to forgive. It takes courage to reach out and help other people.
I had to learn very early on how to not let fear dictate my behavior. I had to learn how to not let fear inform my decisions. You can do this, too. I promise you. It’s in you. If you’re reading this, then you’re ready to take a few chances and truly grow.
If worse comes to worst, keep this in mind: A turtle cannot walk — it cannot move forward — unless it sticks its neck out.
http://connectiontocreative.com/blog/
Ami,
Are these drawings suppost to be like the Roishit Test, where people
talk about what they see?
It’s not so much the pictures, but what we bring to the pictures with our
preexisting mindset.
Mars opposite Pluto is a curse! I looked up “Westside Story” on the net
yesterday. Not the movie, that I saw a million times, but the various stage
adaptions. It was interesting to see how the play differed from the film.
It WAS different. It got me thinking about all the generations of actors that
played the roles. Some of the original actors must be in their 70’s.
But every generation a new crop of actors resumes these roles. I’m sure these
young kids have the time of their lives being up there on stage. They are just
starting out, so full of life and optamism. We can’t get back our youth!
We have only one shot so we have to make it count. Works of art, like
Westside Story are brimming with love, life and enthuism! How could one
hate, or see the world as a hopeless place after seeing excellence?
But the trouble is, the optamistic mood is hard to maintain. The world knocks
at your door and brings you MISERY!
Did you give up films, because you couldn’t stand the push/pull effect?
You know, the two masks, side by side one with a happy smile, one with a
misrable frown? Were YOU worried that you might follow your son?
Could that be like throwing out the baby with the bathwater? Maybe God does
want us to feel that stuff.
I have not watched TV or any movie, pretty much, for 6 years. I think it is the Scripture about not being in this world and having the world’s values even if it is romantic love. That is a world value, too. God took away my desire for it. I did not have willpower for it. I used to watch soap operas. I watched All My Children for like 20 years. I know all the families and kids etc. It was like my own family. Christians told me soap operas were terrible but I could not give it up. I would go to a Bible study where they would rag on soap operas and come back and watch mine 😀
I never thought I could give up TV but when I heard the voice to study Astrology, God put a distaste in me for TV and it kind of repulsed me. If I started watching series like the Sopranos, Six feet Under etc, I could get hooked again cuz it hooks the flesh but I am not gonna start. I read a lot. Now that, Biblea and I have a book club, I read a book every few days. I read everything. I like Christian fiction the best but Biblea and I have to agree on a book and I will read anything.
Then why oh why THAT picture of the man and woman fornicating?!
It seems like a BIG double-minded contradiction to me!
You don’t have to watch T.V. and movies to see such vulguar things!
They are in paintings and magazines AND the computer that you spend so
much time with!
How about romance novels, that are the “woman’s pornography?”
I don’t think you’ve solved this “worldly delemma.” You are like a person who
shoves troublesome thoughts out the kitchen window, only to have them return
through the bedroom window!
LOL I hate romance novels, Lon. I like good fiction on anything.
Shall we glorify God by reveling in sin?
What are you talking about, Lon? These personality tests are fun!
I picked number 2.
I wasn’t refering to the personality tests. I was refering to the nudie
pictures.
OK, there was no nude pic on this one.In my defense, that last picture was suggestive only. I have changed up my pics a bit from when you first came on. I have taken what you have said into consideration, Lon.
The relationship we have with Christ is VERY MUCH like the relationship
between husband and wife. After all, the Church IS the “Bride of Christ.”
In the same way that husband and wife are ONE BODY, so is the Church.
The human race, as a whole, is FEMALE in relation to God. So when we take
our “marriage vow” to Christ, (our heartfelt profession of FAITH in Jesus.)
We become ONE FLESH with Jesus! That’s why I say: “NO BASTARD SEX
PICTURES!”
Well, Lon, yesterday I had a client who was a Christian woman and a writer. She was struggling with this. I told her I felt I was supposed to use the pics I do because they express what I want to say. I have led several people to Jesus who came on my site as non believers, so I am gonna stick to what I am doing until I hear from God but we can agree to disagree, Lon dear!
I once knew a self professed Christian who was a very pious man who
said a woman for a man was an absolute requirement. He gave an example
from the Old Testament , and spoke about a prophet who had someone
arrainge a liazion for him in another town. So I said, “You mean ANY woman at
all?” He answered in the affirmative.
You see, I only worked very sparatically, in the evenings from 12 to 8 AM.
It was a security guard job at a defense plant. At these hours, most of the people
spoke largely about sex. There were no female employee guards at those hours,
and most of them spoke about what was constantly on their minds.
Many vulgar comments were made, and even at those times, just like today,
people rewrite the Bible to suit their tastes.
How a scriptually knowledgable “pastor” can claim extramarital sex is O.K. with
the Bible, is anybodies guess. So far as I can see, THIS is what the New
Testament says about sex:
The virginal condition is the best, but if a person suffers from carnal feelings
it is better that they marry then burn with sexual urges, which would interfear
with keeping their virginity.
If a person was married to an unbeliever before they became Christian, the
unbeliver will probably want to leave, so let them.
The Christian should only marry another Christian, least they have divided loyalities
towards God. If they are both belivers, they are ONE flesh, so they would both be
working with each other as opposed to each other.
You can’t form relationships with just anyone who strikes your fancy, because that
is the carnal (sensual) mind.
The carnal mind is ruled by the world, and the world is ruled by the devil.
Yes, Lon dear, so true!
Where can you go to get away from this trash? It’s pushed at you from every
angle!
What do you mean? Don’t you like these tests?
Certainly not the tests. I meant the cesspool culture.
I still get T.V. in my home. I don’t have to tell you what it’s full of!
Something I noticed is that there seems to be a big push to promote
interracial sexual relationships particularly between black men and white
women. It’s the chic thing in the media and culture.
I guess people are simply going to have accept that a white woman who
resembles a model is the cultural standard of ultimate desirabilty.
I feel bad for black women, just like I feel bad for Jewish women.
They’re own men don’t want them, just like the Jewish man perfered the gentile.
People like “forbidden fruit variety,” like what men going over to the Asian woman.
That’s life! But should the media push it?
I have not been ignoring, Lon dear. I got busy on a chart and when I do a professional chart, I eat, breathe and live it. That is just what I do. I will come back and read each and every comment because I value them all and appreciate your taking the time to write them!
I don’t think that is true about Jewish men, Lon.
Well, my parents were the children of immagrents. In their day,
Jews DID marry other Jews. In MY generation no Jew married another Jew.
They were completly assimulated.
You know, I think the only reason that we ALL don’t desend to the level of
animals, is the Grace of God. That, and the Police force.
You are right about that, Lon lol