Soul is the life-spring within me from which I drink when I am thirsty. It is always willing to entertain another point of view, to take a fresh look, to forgive and try again. It is that bubbly, ebullient part of me that comes back for more, that recovers, that wakes into another morning with new energy. It is my soul that wishes to see meaning and beauty in my daily life. When I let myself feel and know that meaning, I am getting to know my own soul.
Soul is the spring from which I drink.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
I couldn't hit a wall with a six-gun, but I can twirl one. It looks good.--John Wayne
Many of us fake emotions because our past experiences never taught us how to use boundaries when dealing with feelings. Now we are oftentimes stumped when it comes to knowing how we should feel or act when we are faced with emotional situations.
Sometimes we need to learn to "fake it till we make it." What is asked of us is to act the part until the part becomes us.
We may not know how to feel anticipation around holidays - but we want to experience joy. We may not know what it feels like to really trust someone, but we would love to be in that position. What we can learn to do is "act as if" - working all the time to liberate the frozen emotions of years gone by - until we actually do experience what we seek.
Like new shoes, my new behaviors and feelings will feel stiff and uncomfortable for a little while. I am willing to live through the "breaking in" period.
Sometimes we need to learn to "fake it till we make it." What is asked of us is to act the part until the part becomes us.
We may not know how to feel anticipation around holidays - but we want to experience joy. We may not know what it feels like to really trust someone, but we would love to be in that position. What we can learn to do is "act as if" - working all the time to liberate the frozen emotions of years gone by - until we actually do experience what we seek.
Like new shoes, my new behaviors and feelings will feel stiff and uncomfortable for a little while. I am willing to live through the "breaking in" period.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Acts of Kindness
Small acts of kindness allow me to touch souls with another person - to
reach out over the great divide and brush for a moment the hand and heart of
another. An act of kindness is never wasted. It benefits the giver as much
or more than the receiver. Anyone who gives with the heart strengthens that
muscle within themselves; it is the aerobic training of the spirit. I will
not expect soul to just enter my life by chance. I will prepare myself,
clean the vehicle that is me, resolve conflicts that tie my mind up and
drain my energy. When I am less self-centered, I am able to take the
person-hood of another into consideration.
I enjoy being kind for kindness' sake.
reach out over the great divide and brush for a moment the hand and heart of
another. An act of kindness is never wasted. It benefits the giver as much
or more than the receiver. Anyone who gives with the heart strengthens that
muscle within themselves; it is the aerobic training of the spirit. I will
not expect soul to just enter my life by chance. I will prepare myself,
clean the vehicle that is me, resolve conflicts that tie my mind up and
drain my energy. When I am less self-centered, I am able to take the
person-hood of another into consideration.
I enjoy being kind for kindness' sake.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Repositioning my Self
I will be willing to reposition myself today. When I lock myself into protective, defensive or aggressive poses, I am making any negotiating impossible. Being stubborn and clinging to my rigid position can be both dangerous and foolish. I can take another look.
I am willing to move and be moved.
Shortly after dark, the lookout on the wing of the bridge reported, "Light, bearing on the starboard bow."
"Is it steady or moving astern?" the captain called out.
Lookout replied, "Steady, captain." which meant we
were on a dangerous collision course with that ship. The captain then called to the signalman, "Signal that
ship: We are on a collision course, advise you change
course 20 degrees." Back came a signal, "Advisable for
you to change course 20 degrees." The captain said,
"Send, I'm a captain, change course 20 degrees." "I'm a
seaman second class," came the reply. "You had better
change course 20 degrees. " By that time, the captain was furious. He spat out,
"Send, I'm a battleship. Change course 20 degrees."
Back came the flashing light, "I'm a lighthouse."
We changed course.
by Frank Koch from 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven J. Corey
I am willing to move and be moved.
Shortly after dark, the lookout on the wing of the bridge reported, "Light, bearing on the starboard bow."
"Is it steady or moving astern?" the captain called out.
Lookout replied, "Steady, captain." which meant we
were on a dangerous collision course with that ship. The captain then called to the signalman, "Signal that
ship: We are on a collision course, advise you change
course 20 degrees." Back came a signal, "Advisable for
you to change course 20 degrees." The captain said,
"Send, I'm a captain, change course 20 degrees." "I'm a
seaman second class," came the reply. "You had better
change course 20 degrees. " By that time, the captain was furious. He spat out,
"Send, I'm a battleship. Change course 20 degrees."
Back came the flashing light, "I'm a lighthouse."
We changed course.
by Frank Koch from 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven J. Corey
Sunday, September 25, 2011
I see soul in nature.
Like two cathedral towers these stately pines
Uplift their fretted summits tipped with cones;
The arch beneath them is not built with stones,
Not Art but Nature traced those lovely lines.
And carved this graceful arabesque of vines;
Listen! the choir is singing; all the birds,
In leafy galleries beneath the eaves,
Are singing! listen, ere the sound be fled.
And learn there may be worship without words.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Uplift their fretted summits tipped with cones;
The arch beneath them is not built with stones,
Not Art but Nature traced those lovely lines.
And carved this graceful arabesque of vines;
Listen! the choir is singing; all the birds,
In leafy galleries beneath the eaves,
Are singing! listen, ere the sound be fled.
And learn there may be worship without words.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Letting Go of Worry
What if we knew for certain that everything we're worried about today will work out fine?
What if . . . we had a guarantee that the problem bothering us would be worked out in the most perfect way, and at the best possible time? Furthermore, what if we knew that three years from now we'd be grateful for that problem, and its solution?
What if . . . we knew that even our worst fear would work out for the best?
What if . . . we had a guarantee that everything that's happening, and has happened, in our life was meant to be, planned just for us, and in our best interest?
What if . . . we had a guarantee that the people we love are experiencing exactly what they need in order to become who they're intended to become? Further, what if we had a guarantee that others can be responsible for themselves, and we don't have to control or take responsibility for them?
What if . . . we knew the future was going to be good, and we would have an abundance of resources and guidance to handle whatever comes our way?
What if . . . we knew everything was okay, and we didn't have to worry about a thing? What would we do then?
We'd be free to let go and enjoy life.
Today, I will know that I don't have to worry about anything. If I do worry, I will do it with the understanding that I am choosing to worry, and it is not necessary
What if . . . we had a guarantee that the problem bothering us would be worked out in the most perfect way, and at the best possible time? Furthermore, what if we knew that three years from now we'd be grateful for that problem, and its solution?
What if . . . we knew that even our worst fear would work out for the best?
What if . . . we had a guarantee that everything that's happening, and has happened, in our life was meant to be, planned just for us, and in our best interest?
What if . . . we had a guarantee that the people we love are experiencing exactly what they need in order to become who they're intended to become? Further, what if we had a guarantee that others can be responsible for themselves, and we don't have to control or take responsibility for them?
What if . . . we knew the future was going to be good, and we would have an abundance of resources and guidance to handle whatever comes our way?
What if . . . we knew everything was okay, and we didn't have to worry about a thing? What would we do then?
We'd be free to let go and enjoy life.
Today, I will know that I don't have to worry about anything. If I do worry, I will do it with the understanding that I am choosing to worry, and it is not necessary
Friday, September 23, 2011
Worry is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind.
A trickle of water that drains down the side of a hill poses no problem to
the hill, its vegetation, or the people living in the valley. But if that
trickle grows into a stream, the water will erode a path, carrying along
plants, rocks, and soil, endangering the lives and property of the people in
the valley.
When a worry nags us, it is like that trickle. It poses little threat to us
and can be stopped at any time because it is so small. But if we let more
worrisome thoughts feed into the stream, we will allow it to grow until all
of our thoughts and energy are focused on one worry that has attained great
power.
We all have things we worry about. But we don't have to give these worries
more than passing acknowledgment. The trickles that run through our minds
are okay to have. But to keep them at that size, we need to remember what is
important to us at this very moment. We don't need to let the worries grow.
I have worries just like everyone else. However, I don't have to dwell upon
my worries or make them any bigger than what they are.
the hill, its vegetation, or the people living in the valley. But if that
trickle grows into a stream, the water will erode a path, carrying along
plants, rocks, and soil, endangering the lives and property of the people in
the valley.
When a worry nags us, it is like that trickle. It poses little threat to us
and can be stopped at any time because it is so small. But if we let more
worrisome thoughts feed into the stream, we will allow it to grow until all
of our thoughts and energy are focused on one worry that has attained great
power.
We all have things we worry about. But we don't have to give these worries
more than passing acknowledgment. The trickles that run through our minds
are okay to have. But to keep them at that size, we need to remember what is
important to us at this very moment. We don't need to let the worries grow.
I have worries just like everyone else. However, I don't have to dwell upon
my worries or make them any bigger than what they are.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
I Am Light
I am a child of the universe, fundamentally good. If you dig deep within me, you will find something beautiful and real; you will find spirit. I am not afraid of the light within me and I feel no need to bury it today. Rather than hide my own inner light, I will let it shine through me. When I walk through my day, I will let this light be in me, widen and increase; I will let it look upon others. It is a beautiful thing to have a light within me. I radiate, I shimmer, I glow. I am the vehicle through which soul becomes an actualized force. Today I accept that soul works through me.
I am fundamentally good.
Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.
John Wesley's Role
I am fundamentally good.
Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.
John Wesley's Role
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Change of scene has no effect upon unconscious conflicts. --Edmund Bergler, M.D.
There's no running away from the internal strife. Whatever haunts us must finally be confronted and resolved if we're ever to grow and thus contribute to our world its due. When we keep secrets locked away, the secrets begin to keep us locked away as well.
It is folly, and yet entirely human, to think a new location, a new job, a new lover will cure whatever troubles us. The truth is, however, that whatever trips us up is at the same time trying to edge us forward to new awareness, and thus the next level of growth. Our troubles are tools for a strengthened foundation. Without them, we'd soon crumble.
When we consider the conflicts we encounter as opportunities for further development, they excite us rather than provoke anxiety. Changing our perspective can make the same scene appear quite new.
It is folly, and yet entirely human, to think a new location, a new job, a new lover will cure whatever troubles us. The truth is, however, that whatever trips us up is at the same time trying to edge us forward to new awareness, and thus the next level of growth. Our troubles are tools for a strengthened foundation. Without them, we'd soon crumble.
When we consider the conflicts we encounter as opportunities for further development, they excite us rather than provoke anxiety. Changing our perspective can make the same scene appear quite new.
Monday, September 19, 2011
How Amazing Is This World
How fantastic it is to imagine a creator, a force behind this wondrous mystery of life. Could it really be possible? Could life and death still be life? Am I just another aspect of the cycle of life, of soul? Who is this power that creates such beauty? This mystery is beyond my powers of contemplation. It humbles me, it puts me into perspective, it makes everything else seem so much smaller. Life. Where do I begin to wonder about it? Is accepting the mystery enough or do I need to solve it in order to enjoy it? Perhaps I am only meant to accept and live with the mystery in order to participate, to stand in awe before that which I can probably never fully understand. Today, at least, that will have to do.
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