What is faith? According to the dictionary it is: “A confident trust in a person, thing or idea.”
Maybe a better question would be: How do you obtain faith?
Actually – for the person on a spiritual journey –this may be a more important question to ponder. According to the Christian Bible –if you have the faith of a mustard seed- then you can move mountains. That is the type of faith I want to see – that is the type of faith I want to have!
Looking around the world and seeing the mayhem going on everywhere – corruption- crime –war – the sagging economy, it is hard to comprehend how anyone can have faith. When bad things happen to good people – to god fearing people – faith it is hard to come by.
I believe the key to developing faith is to ignore the outside world and concentrate on your world – go inside. This isn’t as egocentric as it appears to be. If you grow stronger spiritually, if you start getting “it” right, then it will flow to the rest of the world.
To convince yourself that good things can happen – make a list of gratitude – things which have gone right in your life. Learn to rejoice in them. A loving God (or whatever you call your higher source/self) will rejoice in your gratitude and want to give you more. In scientific terms – positive energy (the feeling you express with gratitude) will attract more positive energy – and repeal negative energy.
It is important also to develop a relationship with God – or your guides or angels. Talk to them –and listen to what they tell you. They will not lead you astray. They will provide guidance. If you allow them they will protect you.
Every morning when you rise – take a few minutes for prayer or meditation. Talk to God and give him a list of gratitude –and then tell Him/Her what you wish to receive. At the end of the meditation –take a few minutes to listen – what is being spoken to you. You may feel in your heart –or get a warm tingling sensation – but something will come. Some people may even hear words – it doesn’t matter how you receive the message –it matters that you receive it.
Throughout the day –look for signs. Signs may appear as billboards, songs on the radio, or possible something someone says. If you look there will be signs.
It is also important to develop patience. Items you ask for may not come overnight – they will take time to develop. The more you get in tune with the Divine – the faster this process will become.
Another vital step is consistency. You can’t do it once in a while - you need to do the prayer and gratitude on a daily basis. You need to flood your energy field with positive thoughts – it will keep the negative energy away.
Do I have the ability to move mountains yet? Maybe with a bulldozer – but hopefully one day. This journey is a process –it takes time. I am grateful that the readers of the blog –and other friends have chosen to come along for the ride. Together we can figure this thing out.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
FEAR
Fear is a disabling emotion. Yes – it has some usefulness. Fear of being hit by a truck; enables us with the knowledge not to stroll across the road without due to caution. Fear of burning our hand keeps us from touching a red hot stove. So if you are arguing that fear isn’t all bad – you are absolutely correct.
Where fear becomes disabling is when we allow it to keep us from fulfilling are dreams – or being happy.
Some examples (from my own life):
“What if I publish my novel and no one buys it?”
“What if I apply for the promotion and I am turned down?”
“What if I ask the girl out and she says no?”
“What if I allow myself to be happy? It may not last – I may not be worthy.”
“What if, what if what if, what if, what if……………………………………………………………………………….”
If you live in fear – it is difficult to take chances – because we are afraid of what the final outcome may be. Yet – by not taking a chance – we are already determining the final outcome.
When I was a young man (kid) working in a factory – There was a man that worked there in his mid-40s, named Richard. Richard was always telling me what he could have done – he could have played professional baseball – if he had tried, he could have married his high school sweetheart – if he tried, he could have received a college degree if he had tried, he could have opened his own company –if he tried. The litany went on and on.
It was sad – Richard seemed like a smart guy –with a lot of talent. One thing – kept him from pursing any of his dreams – fear. Now it is true – he may have failed in every attempt he made on any items on his list – though it seems unlikely he would have failed at everything. Yet by the very fact of not trying – he failed. He never played professional baseball; he never received a college degree – he did not marry the lady he wanted to. Richard was a middle aged man who allowed fear to control his destiny.
Richard fears – assisted me is making a vow not to be a middle aged man who “could have or should have” – but didn’t – because of fear.
I actually developed a fear of being like Richard – unfortunately –for a while, I was – and then I got motivated –and started thinking it terms of positive potential. Instead of being concerned with what could go wrong – I started by envisioning what might go right.
Has this process provided me with success in all of my endeavors? No – I have some less than stellar outcomes – but at least I know the outcomes are a result of trying – not avoiding. As I work at perfect my own personal processes – my successes will grow – I will have a book on the best sellers list, I will have a mountain house –I will have that perfect love. I know this because I will not allow fear to stand in my way.
Thomas Edison had over 10,000 failures prior to inventing the light bulb – what if fear stopped him at one?
Where fear becomes disabling is when we allow it to keep us from fulfilling are dreams – or being happy.
Some examples (from my own life):
“What if I publish my novel and no one buys it?”
“What if I apply for the promotion and I am turned down?”
“What if I ask the girl out and she says no?”
“What if I allow myself to be happy? It may not last – I may not be worthy.”
“What if, what if what if, what if, what if……………………………………………………………………………….”
If you live in fear – it is difficult to take chances – because we are afraid of what the final outcome may be. Yet – by not taking a chance – we are already determining the final outcome.
When I was a young man (kid) working in a factory – There was a man that worked there in his mid-40s, named Richard. Richard was always telling me what he could have done – he could have played professional baseball – if he had tried, he could have married his high school sweetheart – if he tried, he could have received a college degree if he had tried, he could have opened his own company –if he tried. The litany went on and on.
It was sad – Richard seemed like a smart guy –with a lot of talent. One thing – kept him from pursing any of his dreams – fear. Now it is true – he may have failed in every attempt he made on any items on his list – though it seems unlikely he would have failed at everything. Yet by the very fact of not trying – he failed. He never played professional baseball; he never received a college degree – he did not marry the lady he wanted to. Richard was a middle aged man who allowed fear to control his destiny.
Richard fears – assisted me is making a vow not to be a middle aged man who “could have or should have” – but didn’t – because of fear.
I actually developed a fear of being like Richard – unfortunately –for a while, I was – and then I got motivated –and started thinking it terms of positive potential. Instead of being concerned with what could go wrong – I started by envisioning what might go right.
Has this process provided me with success in all of my endeavors? No – I have some less than stellar outcomes – but at least I know the outcomes are a result of trying – not avoiding. As I work at perfect my own personal processes – my successes will grow – I will have a book on the best sellers list, I will have a mountain house –I will have that perfect love. I know this because I will not allow fear to stand in my way.
Thomas Edison had over 10,000 failures prior to inventing the light bulb – what if fear stopped him at one?
Monday, September 12, 2011
Creating World Peace
I loved the 60s and the 70s – with “peace signs” hanging from the necks of “hippies” and sewn to their jeans. I fancied myself a hippie a.... 70s hippie – I wore my hair long- I smoked a bit of pot – I wore peace signs on my clothes and around my neck. I listened to protest music. I regretted not being old enough to attend Woodstock. I was for peace.
The “establishment” was anti-peace. After all it was the establishment that got us into wars. Who was the establishment? Politicians, parents, anyone a lot older than I was – and just the “uncool” people in charge.
I am older now – and hopefully a bit wiser. I no longer consider peace an external event; rather I regard it as an internal event which has external repercussions.
Now some may view the unrest in the Middle East or the drug wars at the border of Mexico and The United States, and wonder if I am still smoking a bit of pot – perhaps laced with something stronger.
As I write this blog I am 100% sober.... and in my right mind (which may be subject to opinion). It is my conjecture that in order to create world peace we must as individuals find peace within ourselves.
If I as an individual dedicate myself to a life of peace – I will inevitably inspire others to live in peace by my example – and eventually this will have a domino effect.
For me to live in peace – I have to adopted some self-truths and follow them to the best of my ability.
My 10 Commandments for the creation of my inner peace:
1. Acceptance. I accept my neighbors for who they are – I do not label them as good or bad. I acknowledge they have the rights to their beliefs system –no matter how bizarre it may seem to be.
2. I accept myself – with all weakness and strengths. I acknowledge that I am a beautiful creation.
3. Forgiveness. I am quick to forgive. As Jesus said – “If a man smite you on the right cheek, turn to him the left.” This does not mean that I allow people to abuse me – if there is an incident where I need to call law enforcement – I will. This is just saying I will not hold a grudge. Anger, grudges are forms of negative energy –nothing good is created with negativity.
4. Love. I will love my neighbor as myself. I will wish for good things for all people I know – I will rejoice when good things happens to all people. – I will share their joy.
5. Positive thoughts – I will be positive – realizing each situation has a lesson involved – I will learn that lesson. That does not mean that I am never sad- it means that I will not allow my mind to hang in the dungeon of despair.
6. I will smile – I will smile at neighbors, at friends at perfect strangers. This small act has a dramatic effect – I want to create a positive effect in peoples’ lives.
7. Servitude – I will be of service to others – not because I want to be noticed –rather it is right to give.
8. Prayer/Meditation. I will pray for peace – not my definition of peace – but God’s definition.
9. I will be humble. By practicing humility – it will inspire other people to listen and follow my example.
10. Gratitude. I will live a life of gratitude for all that I have and all that I am.
There are some skeptics who won’t believe this is the way of peace. I accept that and will not argue. However, if more people would try resolutions similar to this – I think there would be a better chance of peace.
Monday, September 5, 2011
PASSION
To be successful in the ways of happiness it is important to understand your passion. What are you really passionate about? What gets the adrenaline flowing? What are you doing to feed your passion? Throughout your life – some of the passions may change – but it always important to be in touch with them. It is my belief that we have certain core passions that stay with us all our lives. To be fulfilled we need to feed our passions.
An interesting experiment would be to ask your closet friends what they believe your passions are – see how many they can name. You might try this with your family too! Of course turnabout is fair play – how many of their passions can you name?
If your friends cannot name your passions – you need to examine why they cannot identify them. There is a high probability that you don’t discuss them enough. There is a possibility –that you spend more time complaining about the things you don’t like – then relishing in things that you do like. According to the laws of attraction – by spending more time thinking about the things that annoy you – that you are attracting more things to annoy you. Ouch!!!!
How do we discover our passion????????????? Take a few minutes when you are alone – and won’t be disturbed. Take a blank piece of paper – close your eyes and ask yourself, “What are my passions?” Write down the first five things that come to your mind. Take some time to consider each one – jot down notes as to why you consider them passions.
After you have 5 – take a piece of paper and divide it into five columns – on the top of each column write one passion. Underneath each primary passion make a list of “sub-passions” which may be related to it – some of the sub- passions may directly correlate to one of the other primary – this is fine.
Once you know your passions – start centering your life around them – that does not mean to exclude all other things – it is simply putting weight on things that are important to you. I believe you will start feeling more balanced – and consequently other things of importance (such as work) will become more fulfilling and successful.
One of things that I hear, often, when I talk to people about seeking their goals or passion is: “My friends will laugh at me or give me a hard time.” My cold reply to this is “Then maybe you need to find new friends.” Truthfully, if your friends are not supportive and uplifting – are they really the type of people you want in your inner circle? Some times in order to grow it is necessary to leave non-supportive people behind – and replace them with supportive people.
My 5 top passions - and their sub-group
1. Spirituality
reading books on subject
talking to people about their beliefs
blogging
writing
meditation
making a difference in peoople's lives
2. Writing
novels
contests
blogging
marketing programs for work
story telling
3 Makenna (grandaughter)
hiking
photography
butterfly museum
teaching her to cook
story telling
4. Cooking
Makenna
trying new recipes
healthy recipes
entertaining friends
contests
5. Nature
hiking
traveling to mountains/ocean
sunsets/sunrises
wild life
photography
An interesting experiment would be to ask your closet friends what they believe your passions are – see how many they can name. You might try this with your family too! Of course turnabout is fair play – how many of their passions can you name?
If your friends cannot name your passions – you need to examine why they cannot identify them. There is a high probability that you don’t discuss them enough. There is a possibility –that you spend more time complaining about the things you don’t like – then relishing in things that you do like. According to the laws of attraction – by spending more time thinking about the things that annoy you – that you are attracting more things to annoy you. Ouch!!!!
How do we discover our passion????????????? Take a few minutes when you are alone – and won’t be disturbed. Take a blank piece of paper – close your eyes and ask yourself, “What are my passions?” Write down the first five things that come to your mind. Take some time to consider each one – jot down notes as to why you consider them passions.
After you have 5 – take a piece of paper and divide it into five columns – on the top of each column write one passion. Underneath each primary passion make a list of “sub-passions” which may be related to it – some of the sub- passions may directly correlate to one of the other primary – this is fine.
Once you know your passions – start centering your life around them – that does not mean to exclude all other things – it is simply putting weight on things that are important to you. I believe you will start feeling more balanced – and consequently other things of importance (such as work) will become more fulfilling and successful.
One of things that I hear, often, when I talk to people about seeking their goals or passion is: “My friends will laugh at me or give me a hard time.” My cold reply to this is “Then maybe you need to find new friends.” Truthfully, if your friends are not supportive and uplifting – are they really the type of people you want in your inner circle? Some times in order to grow it is necessary to leave non-supportive people behind – and replace them with supportive people.
My 5 top passions - and their sub-group
1. Spirituality
reading books on subject
talking to people about their beliefs
blogging
writing
meditation
making a difference in peoople's lives
2. Writing
novels
contests
blogging
marketing programs for work
story telling
3 Makenna (grandaughter)
hiking
photography
butterfly museum
teaching her to cook
story telling
4. Cooking
Makenna
trying new recipes
healthy recipes
entertaining friends
contests
5. Nature
hiking
traveling to mountains/ocean
sunsets/sunrises
wild life
photography
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