I haven't been blogging lately because my computer has been down. Please check in because I hope to be online soon to blog again! I miss blogging and sharing my journey.
I am keeping an attitude of gratitude. I am counting my blessings. I am keeping my heart as pure as possible because I believe that hate in my heart can taint any love in my heart.
What are you grateful for today? Have you counted your blessings? By doing this you will have an attitude of gratitude and the positiveness will outpour in every area in your life.
Have a blessed day!
Quotes of the Day
Monday, April 13, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Today
Today
“Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow.”
Mary Anne Radmacher
Today I will be brave and I will release my fears into the sky and watch them float away. Positive affirmations will be the writing on the wall. I will put my best foot forward and walk with fortitude. I will become braver by acting brave today. I will wear my bravery as a suit of armour and go forth and conquer. :)
Today I want to sit and ask myself what I really want out of life and let the question resonate from within. I won't answer the question, I will just let it echo in my soul. I will play with the question allowing images to come to mind, bringing me the picture of what I want from my life.
I will accept and embrace myself just as I am. I believe acceptance will lead to positive changes within myself. I can't condemn myself and expect positive growth to occur. Today, I will believe in myself and know with all my heart I can conquer any fears I have. I will trust myself to make sound decisions about my own life.
I will forgive myself for not being perfect. I will remember there are no failures in my life, only an opportunity to learn and grow. I will challenge myself and wiggle out of my comfort zone. This is where the real learning begins. I will be honest with myself as this allows for true growth.
I will be authentically me.
“Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow.”
Mary Anne Radmacher
Today I will be brave and I will release my fears into the sky and watch them float away. Positive affirmations will be the writing on the wall. I will put my best foot forward and walk with fortitude. I will become braver by acting brave today. I will wear my bravery as a suit of armour and go forth and conquer. :)
Today I want to sit and ask myself what I really want out of life and let the question resonate from within. I won't answer the question, I will just let it echo in my soul. I will play with the question allowing images to come to mind, bringing me the picture of what I want from my life.
I will accept and embrace myself just as I am. I believe acceptance will lead to positive changes within myself. I can't condemn myself and expect positive growth to occur. Today, I will believe in myself and know with all my heart I can conquer any fears I have. I will trust myself to make sound decisions about my own life.
I will forgive myself for not being perfect. I will remember there are no failures in my life, only an opportunity to learn and grow. I will challenge myself and wiggle out of my comfort zone. This is where the real learning begins. I will be honest with myself as this allows for true growth.
I will be authentically me.
In my Life
“Courage allows the successful woman to fail-
and learn powerful lessons-
from the failure-
so that in the end,
she didn't fail at all.”
Maya Angelou
In my Life........
I have stayed up too late when I should have called it a night
I have worried more about what others think
and less about my own peace of mind
I became really good friends with self pity and regret, rather than learning the lesson and choosing faith
I spent too many nights tossing and turning, replaying episodes of past regrets, rather than letting peace wash over me
I have judged others, when I didn't want to be judged (how soon I forgot how it feels)
I've fallen off my high horse a time or two, a fall from grace sure put me in my place
I have given up, given in and then, by giving back to others I have found life
I have seen the darkness and chose the light
Life is a journey, I've come a long way and look forward to the lessons ahead
“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”
Maya Angelou
and learn powerful lessons-
from the failure-
so that in the end,
she didn't fail at all.”
Maya Angelou
In my Life........
I have stayed up too late when I should have called it a night
I have worried more about what others think
and less about my own peace of mind
I became really good friends with self pity and regret, rather than learning the lesson and choosing faith
I spent too many nights tossing and turning, replaying episodes of past regrets, rather than letting peace wash over me
I have judged others, when I didn't want to be judged (how soon I forgot how it feels)
I've fallen off my high horse a time or two, a fall from grace sure put me in my place
I have given up, given in and then, by giving back to others I have found life
I have seen the darkness and chose the light
Life is a journey, I've come a long way and look forward to the lessons ahead
“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”
Maya Angelou
Monday, March 9, 2009
Healing Through Forgiveness
♥
Myrtle: You know I know this man put a hurtin' on you baby, but you've got to forgive him. No matter what he done, you've got to forgive him - not for him, but for you.
Helen: Forgive him for me?
Myrtle: When some body hurts you they take power over you, if you don't forgive them then they keeps the power. Forgive him baby and after you forgive him, forgive yourself.
(Dialogue from the movie "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" -Tyler Perry 2005
Forgiveness is one of my favorite subjects to blog about and to talk about. I am reminded this morning of the healing transformation that takes place with forgiveness.
Forgiveness allows us to see ourselves in a loving, gracious light. To hold onto anger and bitterness towards a person we feel weighed down with such negative feelings that often become directed at our own selves.
When we feel wounded and hurt because of what another person has done to us, we can be prone to lash out at others. I believe the negative emotions inside of us will be released either by forgiving the one that hurt us or by hurting those around us. Others in our lives will suffer because of our suffering.
When we aren't at peace, those in our lives will feel the effects. Forgiveness is like a healing circle. We feel its healing effects and those around us feel the effects of our loving transformation from the practice of forgiveness.
Forgiving doesn't mean condoning the hurtful behavior of the other person. Forgiveness is about our own heart. Forgiveness doesn't have to be about the other person, it starts with the heart and radiates to everyone in your life. Forgiveness is about healing ourselves. Forgivenes is truly a gift of self love.
♥
Myrtle: You know I know this man put a hurtin' on you baby, but you've got to forgive him. No matter what he done, you've got to forgive him - not for him, but for you.
Helen: Forgive him for me?
Myrtle: When some body hurts you they take power over you, if you don't forgive them then they keeps the power. Forgive him baby and after you forgive him, forgive yourself.
(Dialogue from the movie "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" -Tyler Perry 2005
Forgiveness is one of my favorite subjects to blog about and to talk about. I am reminded this morning of the healing transformation that takes place with forgiveness.
Forgiveness allows us to see ourselves in a loving, gracious light. To hold onto anger and bitterness towards a person we feel weighed down with such negative feelings that often become directed at our own selves.
When we feel wounded and hurt because of what another person has done to us, we can be prone to lash out at others. I believe the negative emotions inside of us will be released either by forgiving the one that hurt us or by hurting those around us. Others in our lives will suffer because of our suffering.
When we aren't at peace, those in our lives will feel the effects. Forgiveness is like a healing circle. We feel its healing effects and those around us feel the effects of our loving transformation from the practice of forgiveness.
Forgiving doesn't mean condoning the hurtful behavior of the other person. Forgiveness is about our own heart. Forgiveness doesn't have to be about the other person, it starts with the heart and radiates to everyone in your life. Forgiveness is about healing ourselves. Forgivenes is truly a gift of self love.
♥
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Life's Lessons
I am creating an entry about the lessons I have learned so far in life. Most lessons I have learned within the past couple of years. I have went through many periods of 'growing pains' over the past couple of years. I have gained wisdom as I chose to emerge from the 'darkness'.
1st Lesson: Forgiveness is so vital to my life. I truly believe I have much more peace in my life because of learning this lesson. I have the burden of bitterness removed from my heart because I practice forgiveness. I refuse to be tied to an event or person by anger, hatred and darkness. I choose peace. Amen!
2nd Lesson: I practice gratitude in my life because it puts my focus where it should be: the positive. I read that the Hebrew term for gratitude is hikarat hatov, which means, literally, "recognizing the good." Gratitude in my life, gives me a good, positive attitude. A positive attitude is what I know for certain I have control over.
3rd Lesson: I choose peace in my life. Peace isn't something that is evasive and I have to chase. Peace is right inside of me. I can breathe in relaxing breaths and focus on now. I can choose to focus on the positive and let grace wash over me.
4th Lesson: I have learned to believe in the Serenity Prayer.
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference". These words have had a major impact on my life. I truly believe in the healing meaning behind these words.
5th Lesson: I have learned to appreciate and feel gratitude towards people in my life who support and love me unconditionally. I have learned to take the time to show these people with my actions how much I appreciate their gentle, loving care in my life.
To be continued :)
1st Lesson: Forgiveness is so vital to my life. I truly believe I have much more peace in my life because of learning this lesson. I have the burden of bitterness removed from my heart because I practice forgiveness. I refuse to be tied to an event or person by anger, hatred and darkness. I choose peace. Amen!
2nd Lesson: I practice gratitude in my life because it puts my focus where it should be: the positive. I read that the Hebrew term for gratitude is hikarat hatov, which means, literally, "recognizing the good." Gratitude in my life, gives me a good, positive attitude. A positive attitude is what I know for certain I have control over.
3rd Lesson: I choose peace in my life. Peace isn't something that is evasive and I have to chase. Peace is right inside of me. I can breathe in relaxing breaths and focus on now. I can choose to focus on the positive and let grace wash over me.
4th Lesson: I have learned to believe in the Serenity Prayer.
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference". These words have had a major impact on my life. I truly believe in the healing meaning behind these words.
5th Lesson: I have learned to appreciate and feel gratitude towards people in my life who support and love me unconditionally. I have learned to take the time to show these people with my actions how much I appreciate their gentle, loving care in my life.
To be continued :)
Looking at Myself........
"Circumstances are beyond human control but our conduct is in our own power"
-Benjamin Disraeli
When tension arrises from any interpersonal relationship I'm in I ask myself questions......What I could have done differently? What I did or didn't do to contribute to the upset in any relationship I'm in?
I do this not to blame myself. I have learned that I cannot control other people, I can only control myself. I can only control my thoughts, words and actions. I can control my attitude. I have no control over other people.
This line of thinking actually eases pressure off myself because I am no longer trying to do the impossible. It is impossible to control others. I know it is possible, though to change my thoughts, words and actions. I feel blessed for learning this lesson.
-Benjamin Disraeli
When tension arrises from any interpersonal relationship I'm in I ask myself questions......What I could have done differently? What I did or didn't do to contribute to the upset in any relationship I'm in?
I do this not to blame myself. I have learned that I cannot control other people, I can only control myself. I can only control my thoughts, words and actions. I can control my attitude. I have no control over other people.
This line of thinking actually eases pressure off myself because I am no longer trying to do the impossible. It is impossible to control others. I know it is possible, though to change my thoughts, words and actions. I feel blessed for learning this lesson.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Deep Thinking
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~
Anais Nin
We should embrace our past and all the missteps that it we took. The times in which we have been tested and tried build our characters that guides us to more self assured self. We must trust the process,though. We must have faith that God is leading you to be a stronger more 'faith full' person.
I can choose to allow my painful experiences to turn me bitter or angry or I can become better. I can allow myself to grow. I pray to God to show me how I can use the strength and faith I have earned.
Prayers aren't always answered in the way in which we ask. We don't always get what we want but we get what we need. (sorry Mick, for stealing your line) ;) Life isn't about the fairy tales we believed it to be. We won't get rescued by a white knight or a hero who swoops down and saves us from danger.
God does lead us from danger, I believe. We often don't listen to His whispers to lead us to safety. I used to want to do it my way, I learned the hard way it didn't work. I listen more to God now and less to my own fears and doubts. It is our fears that often lead us to danger, which is where we least want to go. How ironic. Our fears can also paralyze us from moving forward.
Love and peace is more evident in my life. I'm not perfect, no, I'm still prone to a little foot stomping when life doesn't go my way.
Learning true forgiveness has brought me to a peaceful loving plateau in my life. From this plateau I can see how far I've come. I can see how my journey, although full of missteps and dark days has led me to a place of light and sure steady steps.
"You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well."
Lewis B. Smedes -
Anais Nin
We should embrace our past and all the missteps that it we took. The times in which we have been tested and tried build our characters that guides us to more self assured self. We must trust the process,though. We must have faith that God is leading you to be a stronger more 'faith full' person.
I can choose to allow my painful experiences to turn me bitter or angry or I can become better. I can allow myself to grow. I pray to God to show me how I can use the strength and faith I have earned.
Prayers aren't always answered in the way in which we ask. We don't always get what we want but we get what we need. (sorry Mick, for stealing your line) ;) Life isn't about the fairy tales we believed it to be. We won't get rescued by a white knight or a hero who swoops down and saves us from danger.
God does lead us from danger, I believe. We often don't listen to His whispers to lead us to safety. I used to want to do it my way, I learned the hard way it didn't work. I listen more to God now and less to my own fears and doubts. It is our fears that often lead us to danger, which is where we least want to go. How ironic. Our fears can also paralyze us from moving forward.
Love and peace is more evident in my life. I'm not perfect, no, I'm still prone to a little foot stomping when life doesn't go my way.
Learning true forgiveness has brought me to a peaceful loving plateau in my life. From this plateau I can see how far I've come. I can see how my journey, although full of missteps and dark days has led me to a place of light and sure steady steps.
"You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well."
Lewis B. Smedes -
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Change is a comin'
I feel a tremendous peace wash over me as I get closer to understanding true forgiveness and real love. Forgiveness doesn't mean saying the words "I forgive you". I believe it is about surrender.
The biggest heartache in my life has been the aftermath of my divorce. For seven and a half years I watched my children suffer because of the separation of their parents. In the beginning stages of our separation, I retaliated against my ex husbands blows against me. I was angry and hurt and I wanted to hurt him back. I felt it was my right.
Over time, I learned about forgiveness and how it heals. It takes a long time to really understand and apply forgiveness to its full healing effects. I forgave my ex husband and over time let go of the anger. I then began to pray for him. Lately my prayers for him have become more pure and true.
I do not have a family lawyer for our long drawn out case. I let my last lawyer go because I didn't feel she was doing enough for me. There is a court case that is in the hanging, waiting for my lawyer to fight my case. The lawyer that I didn't find. I have decided to not find a lawyer and not go back to court. I am going to pray harder and really bless this situation.
There was a time, until just recently when I wanted to communicate with my ex husband I would do so through a third party. Now, I speak to him directly with respect and honesty. I will treat myself with respect, because I have made this choice doesn't mean will let myself get taken advantage of. I have truly learned about forgiveness. I forgive my ex husband and I have also forgiven myself.
I really believe I have let go of the darkness and anger I felt about our situation. I feel lighter and full of peace.
God has blessed me. God has brought me to a full understanding about love and forgiveness. I thank God for without Him I would be lost in the darkness. I thank God for the heartache I have lived through, as these times were my greatest teacher. I am grateful.
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see."
The biggest heartache in my life has been the aftermath of my divorce. For seven and a half years I watched my children suffer because of the separation of their parents. In the beginning stages of our separation, I retaliated against my ex husbands blows against me. I was angry and hurt and I wanted to hurt him back. I felt it was my right.
Over time, I learned about forgiveness and how it heals. It takes a long time to really understand and apply forgiveness to its full healing effects. I forgave my ex husband and over time let go of the anger. I then began to pray for him. Lately my prayers for him have become more pure and true.
I do not have a family lawyer for our long drawn out case. I let my last lawyer go because I didn't feel she was doing enough for me. There is a court case that is in the hanging, waiting for my lawyer to fight my case. The lawyer that I didn't find. I have decided to not find a lawyer and not go back to court. I am going to pray harder and really bless this situation.
There was a time, until just recently when I wanted to communicate with my ex husband I would do so through a third party. Now, I speak to him directly with respect and honesty. I will treat myself with respect, because I have made this choice doesn't mean will let myself get taken advantage of. I have truly learned about forgiveness. I forgive my ex husband and I have also forgiven myself.
I really believe I have let go of the darkness and anger I felt about our situation. I feel lighter and full of peace.
God has blessed me. God has brought me to a full understanding about love and forgiveness. I thank God for without Him I would be lost in the darkness. I thank God for the heartache I have lived through, as these times were my greatest teacher. I am grateful.
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see."
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Living by Grace Alone
I've wanted to write about my feelings on living by grace for a long time now. I didn't know where to begin. I wanted to express what living by grace meant to me and the meaning seemed to alude me. Like a butterfly, as I got close to understanding the meaning of living by grace, it escaped me.
I was teased by hearing sayings such as 'grace under fire' or 'grace under pressure'. The song 'Amazing Grace' seems to express the meaning perfectly. How do I explain how it translates in my life?
After I made a blog entry about my desire to write a blog entry about living by grace, I met someone who made the understanding crystal clear. What a blessing and a gift that I met her just as I was so fixated with writing a blog on this beautiful subject. I don't think it was a coincedence!
She is a beautiful, energetic, positive, centered woman who just happens to be mobile by means of a wheelchair. This does not define her. Oh no. The reason why I even mention this is because it is incredibly, such a non issue in her life. She lives by grace. She inspired me to write this blog because I finally understood how one lives by grace.
She doesn't complain about her life. She is positive and upbeat, she encounters a problem and deals with it head on. She has more energy and courage than most of us on a good day, without the obstacles she faces.
She attempted a walk on the sidewalk and it was full of snow, that hadn't been cleared. She came back in from her errand and immediately called the city to report that she had to use her wheelchair on the street and this was unsafe. She handled this with grace,calmness serenity and patience.
I know many of us would grumble, complain and swear. Many of us would make the call and let anger reign. We would let it effect our entire day. The anger would loom and everyone around us would feel it. She allowed grace to wash over her situation.
I believe living by grace means letting forgiveness be the rule not the exception. Forgiveness is a gift we give to ourselves. It is easy to look at someone and see if they live their life with forgiveness. There is a serenity and a calmness that is so evident. The anger and bitterness that is obivious in some is a sign that forgiveness does not live there.
I believe living by grace means counting our blessings. Gratitude is a way of living by grace. We don't get to choose some of our circumstances, we can only control our attitude. Gratitude is the best attitude.
I believe that living with wisdom means we understand we have no control over certain situations and having acceptance with this. Sometimes we have to accept the circumstances we face and adjust our attitude. Acceptance will allow us to move forward to a place of peace.
Living by grace means to believe in our own strength and have courage for tomorrow. We can control what we focus on. Sometimes the only thing I can control is my breath. I focus on my breath and don't even allow the negativity to enter my mind. I make that choice.
Living with Grace means to me, thanking God for what I have been given. Good or bad, this is my life. I want to learn from all that I face. I know for sure that I learn more from my struggles and tribulations than I do from the path of least resistance. I have been blessed by the pain I have faced, for I have gained much wisdom.
I hope and pray, I live each day by grace.
Amen
I was teased by hearing sayings such as 'grace under fire' or 'grace under pressure'. The song 'Amazing Grace' seems to express the meaning perfectly. How do I explain how it translates in my life?
After I made a blog entry about my desire to write a blog entry about living by grace, I met someone who made the understanding crystal clear. What a blessing and a gift that I met her just as I was so fixated with writing a blog on this beautiful subject. I don't think it was a coincedence!
She is a beautiful, energetic, positive, centered woman who just happens to be mobile by means of a wheelchair. This does not define her. Oh no. The reason why I even mention this is because it is incredibly, such a non issue in her life. She lives by grace. She inspired me to write this blog because I finally understood how one lives by grace.
She doesn't complain about her life. She is positive and upbeat, she encounters a problem and deals with it head on. She has more energy and courage than most of us on a good day, without the obstacles she faces.
She attempted a walk on the sidewalk and it was full of snow, that hadn't been cleared. She came back in from her errand and immediately called the city to report that she had to use her wheelchair on the street and this was unsafe. She handled this with grace,calmness serenity and patience.
I know many of us would grumble, complain and swear. Many of us would make the call and let anger reign. We would let it effect our entire day. The anger would loom and everyone around us would feel it. She allowed grace to wash over her situation.
I believe living by grace means letting forgiveness be the rule not the exception. Forgiveness is a gift we give to ourselves. It is easy to look at someone and see if they live their life with forgiveness. There is a serenity and a calmness that is so evident. The anger and bitterness that is obivious in some is a sign that forgiveness does not live there.
I believe living by grace means counting our blessings. Gratitude is a way of living by grace. We don't get to choose some of our circumstances, we can only control our attitude. Gratitude is the best attitude.
I believe that living with wisdom means we understand we have no control over certain situations and having acceptance with this. Sometimes we have to accept the circumstances we face and adjust our attitude. Acceptance will allow us to move forward to a place of peace.
Living by grace means to believe in our own strength and have courage for tomorrow. We can control what we focus on. Sometimes the only thing I can control is my breath. I focus on my breath and don't even allow the negativity to enter my mind. I make that choice.
Living with Grace means to me, thanking God for what I have been given. Good or bad, this is my life. I want to learn from all that I face. I know for sure that I learn more from my struggles and tribulations than I do from the path of least resistance. I have been blessed by the pain I have faced, for I have gained much wisdom.
I hope and pray, I live each day by grace.
Amen
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