The Lightness of Forgiveness

A friend posted this today...


On this day, God wants you to know that although forgiveness is very hard, it is necessary. Holding onto anger and old hurts hardens your heart and hurts only you. Ask for help in letting go of the anger. Ask to see the situation through the eyes of compassion. Allow yourself to feel the lightness of forgiveness.

I need to be reminded of this often. The ebb and flow of relationships keeps me in a constant state of wonder. Just when you think you have the rhythm of a person or situation there always seem to be curve ball thrown in. And this isn't always a bad thing because instead of looking at these unexpected situations as negative, they have been opportunities to grow. Lately I have been repeating to myself, God you are working this out for my good. I trust you. Thank you for the opportunity to grow. It has been stopping the negative thoughts dead in their tracks. You can't be passive about your mental state or just roll over and accept whatever thoughts creep inside your head. Maybe I haven't grasped all that Napoleon Hill is talking about in Success Through A Positive Mental Attitude but something is starting to sink in.

I use the word "relationship" to describe all of the relationships in my life; friendships, family and love interests. I came upon the picture on the left on a walk through a neighborhood a while back. The word "temporary" across the bottom definitely describes the fleeting emotion of "in love" but genuine love is always lasting.







Live Authentically,
G

I Reeeeaaaaally Like Being Single

Nothing is better than freedom; mind, body and spirit. I'm sitting in Founders sipping a most incredible stout and appreciating the beauty of the day and my free will. Reading Napoleon Hill's Success Through A Positive Mental Attitude, he describes an encounter with Dr. Elmer Gates and his time of “sitting with his thoughts”. That's one thing a lot of folks don't intentionally set out to do or avoid on purpose. I wonder how many cures, great inventions and ideas have been missed because people don't like to think on purpose. So much of our society is marketed toward instant gratification and convenience which results in a lack of creative thinking and motivation. Dr. Gates would sit in a room, with a small table, pencil and paper to accompany him, and allow his ideas to make their way from his subconscious to his conscious mind. Something this took minutes, sometimes hours. The point is that he made room in his life to focus his attention on his thoughts and he placed significant value in them. I learned something today from reading this story; my mind is valuable, priceless and worthy of attention and care. Not only that, my mind is filled with things that can change the world if I allow the time and space required for those thoughts and ideas to manifest. So often we fill our time with things that pollute our psyche. Toxic materials, behaviors and words filled with negativity so subtle that they are almost undetectable. But seeds planted and watered will grow. My question to myself is, “How long will I ignore the power of my own mind?” The life I live, I choose. The thoughts I think, I allow. If the Word of God calls me to do and expect “...even greater things” then why am I wasting my time being trivial? Human nature is a very real and powerful thing. But the crazy part of life is the very things that I allow to overtake me, I can overcome as well. God didn't make a simple creature when He made me. The adjectives "easy-going" and "go-with-the-flow" don't apply here. Am I a difficult person? No. Complex. Yes. But I embrace it all because I know I have something to offer. Sometimes I have to be reassured and encouraged about what that “something” is. But, that doesn't bother me so much. Everyone has insecurities and feelings of inadequacy at times. The challenge is not allowing feelings to be the compass that guides you. It's a lifelong learning process, feelings and emotions are. Not that I have mastered them in any way but I like the fact of knowing that it gets better with age and time.

 

Live Authentically,

G

The Last Week of Lent Is Just the Beginning

(Written on 4/16)
So I seem to have gotten myself into a junk food rut the last few weeks. Last night during Art Downtown was the pinnacle. There was food everywhere...I mean, everywhere! Two of my favorite things were at my fingertips in abundance; art and good food. What's a Foodie to do! I did the only thing I could...grabbed a plate and went straight for the turkey meatballs.

Seriously though, I am gearing up for my own personal "90 Day Health Challenge". A sort of kick start into a more holistic, healthier being. I'm not one of those people who fool themselves into thinking I can change my life overnight, or in 90 days for that matter. But I am giving myself something to work toward; a standard to live by to be healthier. And I have to start somewhere so my “somewhere” is now and 90 days that follow. Now, the hard part will be the sugary sweets. Anything flaky with icing I'm all over and don't let it be a really good shortbread cookie...it's going down. All in all I am thinking of what I can do now to make for a comfortable life later on. My grandmother always told me to take care of my body and I intend to do exactly that. So...where do I begin? I guess I can start with some practical things that will eliminate bad habits and work toward healthier, balanced ones. One that I can think of right off the bat is maintaining peace of mind at all costs and second to pay more attention and filter what I put into my body. And I'm not just talking about food...what am I reading, listening to, and participating in that could contribute to any form of imbalance? I realize there will be variables that will be completely out of my control. However, the things that are within my realm of choice and control I can filter. There are certain things that bring peace into my life; regular Bible reading/studying, running and writing. There are others but I would have to say these are in the top 5 all time Peace Makers in my life. Have I been neglecting all 3? Yes. Has my life been out of balance because of it? Yes again. With that realization, my first step will be to commit to reading Scripture and writing everyday for 30 days. Sounds easy enough right? Well, I have been here before and things always sound easy in theory. It's the doing that gets tricky. But I am the point where I have to take action or else there are things in my life that will be lost due to my neglect. And if I have any confidence at all that God has given me a spirit of power, love and a sound mind/self-control (2Timothy 1:7) I can take a step exactly where I am and expect God to meet me.

Here I go!!

Live Authentically,
G


(Written on 4/17)
After today's service I realized that I am still trying to make changes in my life on my own. Matthew 6:33 rang loud as a bell is my mind as I processed how I want my life to be and become. I can't say I'm surprised by my stubborn behavior but still I'm like, “Dang, when will you get it right?!” But see, that's the thing; “getting it right” is not my job in life. Reality is (and always will be) that my spirit and free will will always be in constant conflict. Good way to keep me humble God, thanks. (insert sarcasm here) At least I find joy in knowing that no matter how long I go around the same bush, God will never leave me. Don't get me wrong I'm totally unsatisfied with this bush dancing but I am reassured because of the light bulb that went off today. Oprah calls it an “Aha” moment...I call it paying attention.

Live Authentically,
G

Kava Sundays

More than anything I want to be right for God. But the funny thing about thinking I can be right is that my right-ness (or righteousness) has already been taken care of. So why is it that I feel like it's my job to deem myself “right” before God? Perhaps I need to begin with a clear understanding of partnership. Working for NPO's has given me a pretty good understanding of how partnerships are formed and are played out. First, there is an established need...then the seeking out of other organizations who's services could possibly meet the need...then the meetings happen (oh, the meetings...)...the partnership is complete when both parties have clearly laid out the plan for how the relationship will be reciprocal and actual needs will be met. All this happens even before there is a tangible product that is produced from the partnership. Whew! Now the actual work happens...

This idea of creating partnerships makes me think of my role in my relationship with God. Well, not my role really just my position rather.  I have responsibilities...I can't just sit idly by and expect the heavens to crack and doves to descend and give me my life's direction right? There are things I have to act on...God gave me a brain with all kinds of creativity flowing through it, I'm pretty sure that's not there for no reason. There is a measure of me putting one foot in front of the other and giving movement to the Holy Spirit's promptings. And then there is the supernatural element of God just doing his God-thing. I guess what I am trying to say to myself is that I have reached my fed up point; that point you have to reach before things start changing. I like to call it my I-don't-have-time-for-this-anymore state. Like when you look at yourself in the mirror and realize those clothes you have been squeezing into became 3 sizes too small 6 months ago. Or that relationship you have been telling yourself is worth it but you seem to be the only one actually in the relationship. Or, and this one is my favorite, when you know you can't afford something but you convince yourself you deserve it for whatever self righteous reason. You have to come to the point where you have a conversation with yourself and the words, “I don't have time for this anymore” come out of your mouth before your perspective begins to shift. I feel a shift coming on.

There is this sense I often experience when I recognize the awesomeness of God and the life He has given me. These moment last for split seconds and I try to milk them for all they are worth. In these moments I am rejuvenated by the reminder of what God has done and how he is moving. When I start taking things for granted or get frustrated by my tendency to over work myself, I go back to the moments when God gives me a glimpse of his greatness and remind myself that all I need is to relax and enjoy life. I will start with a piece of carrot cake from Kava House....yum-o!

 










Live Authentically,
G