MOM ---- THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS

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Just a little something which crossed my mind today ......

When I was a young kid of fourteen and in school with dozens of others more of my age there was this unspoken rule among the studentry that whoever the most popular girl or boy would be on the campus was... 'it'. Meaning she or he would be up there on the pedestal of adulation and esteem... a much coveted post. 

Did that bother me? Nahh I was busy with my books (nerdy you would say) and being the nice person Mom taught me to be. Besides I was content with my share of  (so-called but not essentially important) 'adulation' and of genuine respect from people who mattered among my fellow students and teachers as well. This traveled back and forth quite so easily. Whatsoever you shall sow... so shall you reap.

I guess my mother knew all about this long before I could read and write my alphabet as she prepared me early on ... self-worth. She highlighted my talents... ballet dancing, drawing, designing dresses, writing essays .... by giving me the freedom to express myself in the genre I felt comfortable with. She gave me wings of confidence and self-worth at an early age which allowed me to soar in my mind heart and soul..... and I learned to see myself as able in my strengths and not 'disabled' in my weaknesses as I grew stronger in maturity, intellect, and abilities. She taught me to focus on strengths and at the same time understand human weaknesses and limitations, too. She said that human beings are flawed to start with but must discover their strengths and grow with that knowledge. I learned it better by the way she lived her own life on those principles she taught. These words I will never forget, she said......

.....'You don't need anybody's approval to be you. And because someone cannot see your uniqueness and worth does not mean that you don't matter at all. On the contrary, you're very special -- there's nobody else like you. Believe that because it's by God's design.'

From then on, I have used that word in all of my writings.... 'By God's design' It's etched right here in my heart forever. Thanks, Mom.

I am special... you are special. By God's design. Let nobody tell you otherwise.

Prayers for bushels of blessings to rain down upon you and your loved ones. In Christ.

WORK FOR A GOOD REPORT CARD IN LIFE

Improve the self. And anything that does not give or contribute to that goal should take a back seat in your day. Tough one I would agree because many times it's the convenient old self that kicks hard to get its way ... the way it has always been used to. That is why LEARNING has always been a struggle to many of us. It is easy to learn something the first time but to RELEARN stuff again and again can be quite boring, annoying to a few. Yet God himself sends us lessons, often the same lessons, to learn repeatedly... and the reason is that we didn't really get it the first time. Until we do.. God will keep sending you the lesson until he is satisfied that you understand what he is trying to teach or tell you.

Another thing which we don't quite warm up to in any way is to UNLEARN those things which do not contribute to our good in the bigger picture of our lives. Well, that kind of good which God has in mind. Because you see, our perception of good is OUR perception of what we think is best for us. That is where our comfort zones lie.

I too have my comfort zones. Sleeping late and waking up late is one of them particularly that I have the luxury of time which retirement now affords me. Not anymore. Early morning walks are first on the agenda of my day. I walk almost everyday according to what my age allows. Just round the neighborhood but it works wonders to my mind, heart, body, and soul. And with this what could be a minor one to others but a huge benefit for me the day becomes one of great and greater wonder and good potential. No, it does not vanish all the evil or ills of the world or in your own tiny corner of it... but it becomes what God promised it would be if we walk in his light.

Let's aim to be good students in life; work for good grades in our report card; strive to put a smile on our Teacher's loving face who's definitely watching from above.

Have a blessed Monday... with tons more in the week ahead.
God bless you.

GROW YOURSELF

 

I sit here sipping a glass of warm water thinking of a friend. By the way, have read that a warm glass of water is good to start the day with upon waking. The point? Warm water does not jar or shock your system to wakefulness but does it better with a gentle nudge. Well that said, this friend whom I love dearly images that part of us -- that part which contributes to the misery of the self and the misery of our lives.

You know it's not acceptable to allow yourself to wallow in pity, hopelessness, fear, bitterness, anger, unforgiving, resentment because these are like ground bugs (anay) which literally gnaw at your strength, courage, self-esteem, confidence, hope, faith, and joy. It punctures holes in your character, your mind, your heart, and soul. Bit by bit you are reduced to a person engulfed by this dark power of negativity no longer recognizable from your true self.

But we are told to fight it! So You must do the best that you can with life; you give it your best shot. Don't give yourself permission to be miserable. When life hits you with trials, punch back with incremental changes which can alter your internal landscape. Change from within (internal) guarantees change from without (external). Be consistent, persistent, vigorous, determined, and resolute in wanting change. And you begin TODAY! Nobody can do that for you. It's just you and you owe that to yourself. GROW YOURSELF. It's tough work (who sez change is easy?!) but tell yourself that you deserve nothing less than the best!

And last but certainly not the least, ask God our FATHER to recreate you, to restore you to whole again. He WILL!!

Have a blessed Sunday. Love your family. Love yourself. Always love GOD.