Do you feel like your life is falling apart?
Posted by Joan
Do you feel as though everything you touch falls apart-that your life is in conflict and you feel caught in the dark crevices of life?Be faithful and TRUST GOD in the dark places because that is where you are shown how to grow. It may feel like a test and a challenging moment and it is, but when something is ending in your life and when things are falling apart, it usually means that the old ways must be cut and severed so the New Tomorrowcan be born.
It is easy to get discouraged with life when we are pushed into a dark place of despair and fear. God doesn’t send the difficulties but He allows them so that we can grow our spirit and develop the depths of our soul because in truth that is our true purpose-to grow and move out of our comfort zone. God doesn’t cause the pain but He definitely allows pain to appear because He knows that in our dark places we will get stronger -braver and more in tune with the wonders that God wants us to know.
This may be the time when your faith is stretched and challenged but know that this is also the time when you must develop your spiritual muscles and show God and yourself that you are a winner and will not give up. When I have been challenged in my life, the pain was intense-fear set in and doubt and worry were always present. I soon was shown that this was the time that my soul developed a strength that I would never have understood if I was not brought to this place. God is growing our character-our sense of value and worth to see if we are worthy and up for the task. It is during these times that we are shown who we are and what we CAN become.
God’s message is: We must go through the valley in order to get to the other side-the side where our joys and greatest moments will be revealed. It may not seem fair or just but when you are brought to the other side of the dark valley, you will walk into the brightness of your celebration. God is leading you to your glory but you must first walk through the darkness of the valley if you want to reach your destiny. Believe that on the other side of the valley is the feast prepared for you. The dream you have been dreaming about for a long time is about to be revealed. When you are confronted with your dark places-Trust God-#Believe in His Power and Get Excited because you are being prepared for your greatness. This experience is simply a prerequisite for your extraordinary journey.
We all have questions-we may lack understanding and reasoning but don’t get caught up in the logical reasoning. Instead, continue to honor God, trust in His way and believe that God has a purpose; that the perfect reason of why you were brought to this dark place will eventually make sense.
People do not determine your destiny-God does! Stay in God’s favor-praise and give ‘Thanks’ to God for all that you have. Oh, yes, there will be times when we feel broken, disappointed and move into the darkness ➞but PLEASE ➞ don’t get discouraged or bitter. Stay in faith and do not settle in the valley. Don’t give up and linger in the valley-continue to move through it-push through the darkness and keep going. Soon you will see a small flicker of light and as you keep walking, you will begin to see that small sliver expand into more and more light and finally you will get through and see the beauty that is waiting for you on the other side. No one likes to be buried in the dark places-that is why, you should not linger there. Your potential can only be experienced as you continue to keep walking.
Read this Psalms 23-4-The Lord is my Shepherd:
“He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows…”
I believe that the journey is well worth the passage way through the Valley of the darkness. For me, I know I must keep walking!
How important are you?
Posted by Joan
In a recent story, I read how one teacher made a phenomenal and positive impact on her high school seniors. She handed out blue ribbons to each one that stated, “Who you are makes a
difference.” But the story didn’t end there; she explained why each child was important to her and to the class. Additionally, she handed three extra blue ribbons (to each student) to hand out to others for the same purpose. What transpired was beyond miraculous as one of the blue ribbons inspired one man to become a better person, and even stopped a potential suicide. Imagine having the capability to inspire someone to lead a happier life and inspiring someone else to just live — all through simple recognition?
How important are you? Well, that is truly in the eye of the beholder; but I want to tell you today that who you are makes a difference. In the endless paradox of society, each of us holds a valuable place on the grand stage of life. While some of us are called to duty to be mothers, fathers, leaders, engineers, teachers, and service workers, (among others) we are all a critical part of the Universal flow of energy. What we do today, affects others tomorrow. That’s why it is so important to develop positive patterns in life. When we support, encourage and recognize others, remarkable things happen to us. We learn that by showing appreciation, we are appreciated. We learn that by servicing others, service is reciprocated to us. By showing affection, we gain more love. You see, the power of the importance of you is what keeps the flow of Universal energygoing. One good turn deserves another…and that’s what makes the world a much more special place in which to live.
If you think you are not valued, you are certainly wrong. The mere fact that you have taken the time to read this article makes you an important person to me. This means that you are ready to receive recognition and are ready to accept blessings that are waiting for you at this very moment. When you have a positive attitude of gratitude, you are
ready to become a vital part of the Universal flow of energy. It also means that you are ready to transform your life into a healthier, happier, and more prosperous one.
How, do you ask? Begin making a conscious effort to be grateful for everything and everyone in your life. Here are some simple pointers:
- Thank individuals and acknowledge others more frequently;
- Promote and carry out random acts of kindness;
- Offer assistance whenever you can;
- Express sincere interest in others.
Remember what I said earlier? One good turn deserves another. The more you offer your unconditional love, appreciation, and service to others — the more you receive in return. That’s the critical element to keeping the positive Universal flow of energy going. Additionally, you learn that being important to others is much greater and nobler than being important to yourself.
Are you following the clues presented to you?
Posted by Joan
Known for his music, philanthropy and theology, Albert Schweitzer said, “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”When I wake up in the morning, I know I have a purpose and a calling to do great and inspiring things in my life. I know with each dawn, there is a new day and new opportunity for me to discover. I am mentally and emotionally aware that the Universe is going to speak to me today and I consciously look for the clues. It may be a subtle message, a sign, an encounter or perhaps a chance event that I may not have seen the prior day. I do this each day with a sense of happiness and willingness to receive what life is going to bring me and/or show me. Like Schweitzer, I believe that living in joy is what will lead me to my own success; as it will you.
Truth be told, we are not always walking around with a heightened consciousness. If we were, we would be keenly adept at filtering opportunities in every corner and turn we take. The key is tuning into your intuition so that it is always working with you. I know that I am continually receiving clues that when I pay attention, lead me to another clue or a finding that helps my decision making process and my life in general. When you start following the clues of your life and become more in tune with your heart and soul, prospects appear right where you least expect them. Suddenly, you are awake to possibilities that you may have forgotten or overlooked. Intuition has a subtle way of speaking to you. Are you listening? I know, seeing is believing but, you must first open your eyes to realize the many blessings that are right in front of you or you will be unable to see even the biggest clues placed right in front of you.
When you have gratitude for the things you do have in your life, you gain a deeper appreciation for the things you do not have or those joys you have lost along the way because you were not vigilant. Being grateful for the life you have, your friends and family, co-workers, your pets, your home, even nature that surrounds you allows you to awaken your intuition to not only see what you believe you want to see, but to naturally manifest what you want. It really is not all that difficult when you approach life with happiness, gratefulness and an open heart.
Some may say, “But I am just unhappy with my life. Nothing is going right. Nothing good ever happens to me.” If you are one of these naysayers, then I challenge you to transform these negative statements into something more positive. Instead, begin each day with this: “Today is a brand new day. I am thankful for my life, for the love that surrounds me, and for the blessings I will be shown. I have an open heart to receive, open eyes to see, open ears to hear, an open mind to channel and an open soul to feel all the positive energies that surround me now and the rest of today.” It is okay to give yourself little reminders if you need reinforcement.
No matter what, I do not want you to go back to doom and gloom thoughts. I can almost guarantee you that by repeating this little mantra day in and day out, you will start recognizing the clues presented to you. Don’t give your power away, instead empower yourself to live in joy, to experience happiness and torediscover blessings that will lead you to greater and more prosperous opportunities.
Doing Nothing is a Choice
Posted by Joan
If you are prepared for a hiccup, you can be prepared for anything. A hiccup, you ask? Oh yes. Hiccups are life’s little challenges that we stumble onto from time to time but we move beyond them with ease and peace because we had the foresight to plan ahead. The most crucial part of that preparation is the mental and emotional awareness to contend with whatever life throws our way.
In actuality, life can be cruel, unfair, disorganized, unpleasant and full of chaos. If you appreciate the blessings in your life, you have known hardship. Without hardships, one cannot enjoy the fruits of happiness, health and prosperity. Thus, it is why we are both humane and human. We make choices each and every moment of our lives. The choices we make determine the happiness and the sorrows that we will have in life. Doing nothing is also a choice.
Where are you in your life at the present moment? What choices have you made or are you making? How have these choices affected you, your relationships, your well-being? You realize how important it is to vote – so, for example, if you do not vote, you are making a choice against your own interests. Doing nothing is an active choice you are making to not participate in events that may and/or will affect your future — and even your children’s future. The same holds true for other life choices. If you are dealing with emotional, mental, physical or spiritual problems in your life and are choosing to do nothing about them, then you have consciously made the decision to live with the consequences of those effects.
I do not know about you, but I choose to be happy and healthy. I choose freedom from emotional and mental chains. I choose to feel blessed. I choose an attitude of gratitude. I choose to be proactive in maintaining harmony in my life. I cannot guarantee what tomorrow will bring my way, but I can choose how I am going to react. I can choose how to resolve the situation. I know that if I choose to do nothing, then I am condoning the issue at hand. I am then actively enabling a situation to become worse, or more. What choices can you make today to lead a joy-filled life? Doing nothing should never be your choice.
