WE ARE AS SMALL OR BIG AS OUR BELIEFS

"BELIEFS - We grow as big as the things we believe, and there we stop. Beliefs are creative, and they also are restrictive. They make us what we are, and limit us to what they are."

(Roy L. Smith)

The dictionary says that 'belief' is something believed or accepted as true. That covers a wide range of somethings. Exclude religion though because I'm not going there with this. Not yet anyway.

This subject came to mind when a friend remarked that he believes people to be selfish. That's a harsh thing to say but I respect his right to say it. It's his belief; he's entitled to one. But when you say that people are selfish (a sweeping statement, by the way) ..... it's not because they are but I think there must be a story behind it. Something must have happened somewhere there in their own tiny niche in life. Life presents us with so many challenges and battles which undeniably affect us in different measure and degree of discomfort or unpleasantness. As we live through it, these impact - form - shape our experiences, insights, opinions, attitudes, perceptions, and responses to life. Everybody has his own history. What is inside that undoubtedly creates the person that you are. It forms character and personality. Thus is born our beliefs.

But we should remember too that we can be as small or as big .... creative or restrictive --- as our beliefs. We are what we believe. Believe in potential, opportunity, greatness, talent, hope, faith, GOD, and in the basic goodness of man. Believe that yes there is both good and bad in life... but we can learn from 'bad' and be immensely blessed by good.

Blessings to you all! :-)

THE MEASURE OF SUCCESS

---- This was a question from a good friend in our usual lunch get-together with the rest of the gang..... 'what is the true measure of success?'

That's a good question, don't you think? The answers vary and it will depend on that person's sense of priorities in life..... on what he deems far more essential to make one's mark in the world. So when I heard that question I waited to hear what others would say bout it. It can be so revealing.

A nice house and car or houses and cars, a high position, dozens of titles attached to their name, substantial bank account, expensive clothes, the best of schools for their children, a successful profession and career, travels several times a year, luxury perks, and moving in high social circles.

All well and good. It's all been worked hard for. Those were and are dreams fulfilled. Blessings from a good God.

Just like everybody else I have my own dreams... some have materialized, some are still in the work process. But as the years go by and after looking in serious retrospect at my world and everything in it, I saw something else which shook up my thinking cells big time and made it rearrange themselves - reorganize - regroup - reset.

This is a material world. I understand that; we all do. That's the world we have been born and grew up in and live with. And around us are many of material people living in the same material world. How is anyone ever going to escape that?

We can't. It's the only world we've got. But instead of trying to escape this consuming materialism which engulfs every area of our lives.... we should live through it just as we would but also resolutely rise above it just as we should.

We are given far more than just the material. We can do far more than just the material too. Because the bottom line is that after all has been said and done --- we must and should measure up to the measure that God intends to use with us.
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" Always demanding the best of oneself,
living with honor,
devoting one's talents and gifts to the benefits of others -
these are the measures of success that endure
when material things have passed away. "
- Gerald R. Ford

WE DON'T RECEIVE BUT DISCOVER WISDOM

"We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us." --- Marcel Proust

That's a good quote and I like it.

Wisdom comes to a person who takes his journey with an open mind and a believing heart to truths unfolding down the road for his benefit and education. Than armed with this he acts towards keeping the Light shining for the next traveler or travelers coming after him.

May your own journey be blessed with God's light and peace.

FIND - KNOW - EMBRACE YOUR CALLING

"I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint - and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you." --- -- Oprah Winfrey

So what is your calling? Have you ever stopped to figure that out? Honestly, sometimes you don't get to know it early in life. Some discover it in midstream when they have something else going for them. Sometimes it comes to you later in life. Much later. But then again who can tell why it is so? Why God so chooses at what time you should or shouldn't? The goal is still the same.

The essential thing to this is that you perform what it is that is being asked of you. That is after you have found out what it is of course. That is the challenge and task HE has set out for you to do. And pronto.

No, it's not to be another Oprah Winfrey or a Helen Keller or a John F. Kennedy or other highly esteemed personality who have made their indelible mark on us and on the world. But why not also cos if it is .. that's something fantastic on a grander scale.

But usually it is in being what you do best with what life and God has given you. As you are. God may want you to be a ...... good mother, leader, priest, father, son or daughter, friend, student or teacher, employee or social worker, nurse or care giver, businessman, pilot, NGO, street sweeper, etc. But this also means that you give it your best shot. If you are a street sweeper, be the kind that does an excellent job of sweeping the streets that people will enjoy walking by your street and admire the work of the hands that did it!

It is in knowing that what you have is not there for keeping. Not really or totally. It is meant for something much bigger than you. I've said this before I know. And you will always hear it from me. Because by nature we always tend to forget. We forget a lot of things we should be remembering............... birthdays, anniversaries, grandparents, good old friends, appointments, favors, and more stuff which give meaning purpose and reason to our lives. We forget to be kind, friendly, compassionate, sympathetic, generous, helping, understanding, tolerant, human and humane, non-judgmental, forgiving, trusting where trust so inspires, believing in a greater good, savoring the simple pleasures of life and living. Like we also always forget to thank HIM for HIS blessings then and now and forthcoming yet. We forget.

So then let's try find our calling. Know our calling. Embrace it. Make it our gift back to God.
Blessings to you all, in Christ.

AND I AM ME AGAIN

Comes a moment when the heart seems to long for something. Something you can't put your finger on.... elusive... distant... unreachable... intangible... unreal.

When I hear this played somehow my thoughts settle and my heart begins to rest on calm serene soothing strains of this enchanting melody. And I am me again.

(This lovely and exquisite melody "Claudine" is played on the piano by Maksim Mrvica. I could listen to this over and over... again and again. It has become a part of my day... my life.)

TODAY IS SPECIAL. THERE'S NOTHING LIKE IT.

I like those lines.... no, I love those lines. The now moment. This moment sitting here at the computer typing out these words... this moment is special. Not for any reason but simply because.

Thoughts are special .. one gives birth to it but it takes on a life of its own .. moves from one person to another .. transforms itself as more or less is added or removed from it. It becomes someone else's thoughts until again it is time to move on to the next ownership and experience. Thoughts are timeless.... immortal.

The heart is special. When one looks at his day with his mind.... he will see nothing there but ordinary mundane stuff. But try to look at your day with the eyes of your heart... and you will see awesome - magnificence - beauty - miracles ... things beyond your imagination. The heart sees worthy things from the hands of God.

Life is special. You don't live because you deserve to live. There is nothing we can put into life that would make life worthy. Not by our efforts. It comes from something much bigger than you and me, bigger than life itself. Life is a GIFT. And the Giver has decided to bless us with it because he loves us this BIG!

Make every day, hour, minute, moment in your small temporary life so SPECIAL.

Live SPECIAL with all of who you are.

WE DECIDE WHO WE ARE AND WHAT THE WORLD WILL BE

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“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.
Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations.

But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”

Buddha quotes (Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.)
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Those lines there tug at familiar strings in the hearts of many, honestly. I know that in any one of these some of us have become slaves to, at some point or another. But just because we have been doing it for ages or because we got it from highly esteemed authorities and cultural or social tradition, it does not mean that it's always right or true or useful or wise... or foolproof. Sometimes these same things serve as barriers or stumbling blocks to genuine understanding and communication. It has to be put to the test. If it be found to stand solidly on the foundation of authentic good ... fine... but it must also be understood that it's not entirely or only for our own personal consumption but rather meant to be shared outward in the spirit of service, truth, enlightenment, progress and change.

We all stand connected, in one popular or odd way. And whatever lessons, knowledge, wisdom, or learning in life we get from it is meant to be passed on and on and on.... to the generations after us or out there to do some service to a greater number you can manage. To help make our world a better place. Ambitious plan? No. But a mission, I believe, designed by Someone up there.

Like life is a gift from God, and that what we make of it is our gift back to HIM. And so why we should learn and strive to be responsible with ourselves, with our fellow human beings, and with what we want our world to be. Everything that is -- is as good or bad as we make it to be. We alone must make that decision. Nobody will make it for us. And it's done day by day, with every task coming our way, with every thought passing through our minds, with every soul crossing our path, in the way we regard Mother Nature and all of creation.

Have a blessed weekend, everyone. May God's light and blessings pour out upon you and your loved ones.

THE BEST IS YET TO COME

"Promise me this, that you will not allow life to harden your heart because it will if you allow it. Always stay open to the possibilities of a new Love, it could be right in front of your face, and always have faith that God wants you to be happy and he has wonderful things planned for you." ----- Karen Kostyla

Beautiful, isn't it? Yet we fail in all that it highlights. We allow the difficulties of life to harden our hearts...... close our doors to new love and possibilities when we are broken lost and confused..... and doubt our God in His plans for us when we are at our lowest ebb.

And still.... God loves us inspite of our frailties flaws and imperfections. He picks us up every time we fall. He comforts and heals our broken hearts and souls. He understands the times when we struggle with our faith. Not once, not twice, but all the time.

That said, I think it won't be so hard to keep those promises, Karen Kostyla. Cos we are backed up by the magnificent love of a wonderful God. Hope can't be very far behind. It's just a prayer away.

TRUTHS ARE ROSES WITH THORNS

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"Truths like roses have thorns about them." --- (Henry Blinn)

Truths are not always welcome. And why we shrink or shirk from it with elaborately cooked up excuses. Motivated by aversion or diversion from what could be apparent challenges to one's preconceived notion or notions. But all to naught because truth will seek you out. Always. Sooner or later.

Know that to be true?

AUTHENTICALLY YOU - ME - EVERYBODY

Each is given a bag of tools,
A shapeless mass,
A book of rules.
And each must make,
Ere life has flown,
A stumbling block
Or a steppingstone.
------ R.L. Sharpe

That's a good one. Sent to me by a friend. So I guess the question to ask ourselves is ... what are we making with and of our lives ---- our thoughts, words, actions. Are we building or destroying? Are we sowing good seeds or rotten ones? Are we loving or hating? Are we a blessing to others or have we made ourselves somebody's burden or bane?

Let's take ourselves seriously. Waste not precious time and life with being such huge disappointments to the Lord. And in case we forget, let's remember that we were designed or created for good - to do good, think good, speak good, act good. No other way to live our lives. No other way to be authentically you or me or us..... that means everybody.

Remember this popular quote: "Life is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift to God."

Blessings to you all. Have a pleasant evening.