#406

I believe that we are here for each other, not against each other. Everything comes from an understanding that you are a gift in my life - whoever you are, whatever our differences.

John Denver

Each person that crosses your path is an important part of your journey. There are no mistakes and no coincidences. Those that show up have something to teach you or learn from you. It's a very simple, yet complex plan that every person on the planet is involved in. 

You may feel an attraction toward a person, even though you have never met.They may have a message to deliver, become your best friend or lover. Important: just because you are attracted to someone doesn't mean they are good for you. They are here with a message or a lesson for you, and in the end, once you understand the lesson, you will realize that it WAS a good thing and you'll end up feeling grateful. So although they seem to be totally wrong for you while you are involved, there is always a reason. In the end, they were a gift to help you on your journey. 

So, things aren't really that serious when you realize that the people on your 'shit' list are simply there to help you  .. your job is to accept the message, integrate it into your life lessons and move on. 

You don't ever have to feel like you have to stay with someone unsuitable because you feel an attraction. You were attracted because something was to happen between the two of you. It does NOT mean it is your soulmate. Whatever your differences, there is a reason, a lesson, or a message with every encounter. 

#405

Peanuts again.....

For those of you that are worried about the future, or anything at all. 

You do know that worrying is a waste of time, don't you? You are not in control of what is going to happen on this earth.You cannot control anything. What is going to happen is going to happen. That is a fact. 

You can take precautions against certain things, but you can't control life... it will roll on regardless of how prepared you are, and worrying will prevent nothing. In order to stop yourself from worrying, you need to get in touch with why you are afraid. If you are worrying about things you have no control over, you are just beating yourself up for no reason. You need to stay in the NOW, today, the present. If you are worrying, you are projecting your thoughts to the future, and the future has no guarantees. 

Right now, this minute, all is well. Slow down and sink into this moment of serenity. Breathe ... and if you start to worry, direct your mind to STOP, change the subject, change your mind. Think of the most wonderful time of your life, appreciate that feeling, really lap it up. Distract yourself. Try reciting a calming mantra, have a warm bath, take a walk, play with your children/grandchildren, savour each moment and accept that you are fine, life is good. You may have to repeat this over and over, until it becomes a habit. Once you really feel that you are okay and that you can take care of yourself, you will feel safer. DON'T WORRY ABOUT THINGS YOU CANNOT CHANGE.

#404

Life is difficult, isn't it, Charlie Brown?

Is life difficult? 

If you think it is, IT IS.

Life can be whatever you want it to be, it will be as you expect it to be. You make it the way you want/expect it. 

The cartoons that we grew up with, Charlie Brown, Winnie the Pooh etc. have characters of every personality type/disorder. Which one do you identify with? Charlie Brown, himself, was neurotic, and Eeyore, very similar, prone to anxiety and depression. They were not comfortable in their worlds, they didn't feel safe. Things were always going wrong, particularly for them. When rain fell, it fell on them alone. 

With the terrorism we are witnessing on this planet, many are displaying symptoms of neurosis: anxiety, sadness, anger, vigilance, etc. People that have previously felt safe and complete, are currently suffering in varying degrees. Some are coming completely unglued; their world is no longer the same, they can't count on anything or anyone, they feel suspicious, unsure and distrustful. 

There is a faction of the planet that promotes fear as a constant for controlling the masses. With random bombings feeding the fear, it causes the public to feel that life IS difficult, stressful and scary. 

On the other side of the coin, there are people that feel that the world is a wonderful, safe and friendly place. In light of the latest news, it may be harder to keep your resolve, but the only other choice is fear. There are only two emotions, LOVE or FEAR. So there is only two motivations, either you are coming from a place of fear or a place of love. FEAR IS A LEARNED EMOTION, YOU WERE BORN OF LOVE, IT IS THE VERY FABRIC OF OUR EXISTENCE.

#403

The axe forgets;
the tree
remembers.

African Proverb

This is a profound statement. 

Think twice when you open your mouth or raise your fist. This, of course, should be standard procedure, but often it is not. When someone has suffered abuse, whether it is emotional, physical or verbal, the victim has the memory. The abuser usually declares no memory of any wrongdoing... they were in a rage or abusing drugs/alcohol, or whatever the excuse du jour may be. There are scars, visible and invisible, from abuse for the one on the receiving end. The abuser is usually only concerned about himself, no one else's life, pain or even their love is important to him. 

The 'axes' on this planet live in their own little world, they want what they want and they do what they do ... that's who they are. You, on the other hand, don't have to live with abuse, it doesn't have to be part of your journey. You can leave it all behind.

Mankind includes toxic people, they have lessons to learn and teach, as we all do. Don't spend your time trying to fix them, spend the time, instead, working on your own self-esteem. Love yourself first, so you know what you deserve. Life is too short to spend time with people that suck the happiness out of you. 

"No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." 

Eleanor Roosevelt

"There's no virtue in tolerating toxic behaviour" Dr. Phil

#402

When an illness is a part of your spiritual journey, no medical intervention can heal you until your spirit has begun to make the changes that the illness was designed to inspire. - 

Caroline Myss

There is a reason for illness, it is a lesson. There is always something to learn and the lesson will get through to you in one form or another.

Often illness is used as a method to control others and becomes an ego trip, not in any way related to a spiritual journey. Illness is about shedding the ego, not building it. It's not about control, but accepting that there is no control, control is an illusion. Life was never meant to be a struggle... we create struggle ourselves. Illness signals that we have something to learn, accept or let go. Accept the lesson, think about why you have this illness. Look inside yourself and ponder what you are meant to be learning? If you are avoiding your issues and/or your life, illness might be what is needed to get your attention. Welcome whatever is given to you, it is meant for your growth.

Lissa Rankin - "Conversation With The Other Side"

Q: Why do good-hearted people who do all the right things still get struck with chronic illnesses doctors don't know how to treat?

A: Because humans think they can control everything in life. They think if only they work hard enough- see the right doctors, eat the right diet, practice the right exercises, do the right meditation, take the right pills or supplements- then they will get what they want. Illness strikes when the soul is ready to learn that it is not in control. Illness teaches humility. Then the soul is ready to surrender to the mystery, and that's when life gets really interesting.

#401

Stop trying to 'fix' yourself; you're

NOT broken!

You are perfectly imperfect and powerful beyond measure.

Steve Maraboli

Once again, you are perfect. You have always been perfect. We tend to think of ourselves (and the earth, for that matter) as broken. We are not, we may have some flaws, at least in our own eyes, but not broken. We are constantly looking for ways to improve ourselves. You don't need to improve yourself, you need to accept yourself for who you are. Never measure yourself or your worth by someone else's gauge. You know who you are, just be yourself and be proud of it.

If you want to improve your job situation or your health, go for it. But you don't need to improve who you are, you are ideal for being you. The only thing you need to change or improve on is your thoughts that you aren't good enough.

"You are perfect, complete and whole. There is NOTHING to fix about you. Who you are, is whoever you say you are. Do not give power to your negative inner voice. Speak with intention and find ways to help others with the gifts you have been given." Carmelia Ray

What we need to understand is that we came to earth to be who we are. Our lives and the way we live them will change lives of others. There will be people that will love us, take us a face value, warts and all. They won't see our imperfections, they'll only see someone they love. We don't need to change or improve because we are exactly what is needed for our assignment here on earth. So don't change a thing, be happy and grateful for all your blessings and simply live, laugh and love.

#400-That's right! Four Hundred

You'd never invite a thief into your house. So why would you allow thoughts that steal your joy to make themselves at home in your mind?

Those thoughts that sneak into your head when you're not totally aware, negative thoughts that create tension; are draining your joy reserves.

Negativity causes stress and stress will manifest into disease. You want to eliminate it at all costs. But, in this case, you are allowing it in. The only one that can control your thoughts is you. You need some method of selective thinking, a way to eliminate negative thoughts and keep your mind clear for positivity. 

“Don't believe everything you think.”  Byron Katie

Because all negative thoughts are fear based, you need to train your mind to think about what you want in life and avoid thoughts of what you don't. To quote Byron Katie... "don't listen to your stressful thoughts." 

“A thought is harmless unless we believe it. It’s not our thoughts, but our attachment to our thoughts, that causes suffering. Attaching to a thought means believing that it’s true, without inquiring. A belief is a thought that we’ve been attaching to, often for years.”  Byron Katie

Never allow your thoughts to steal your joy. If you are living in the past it causes depression and the future can make you anxious, so stay in the present. Be right here, right now, and be all here. Don't let you mind wander off into Never Never Land, stay right here. It's a process, it takes practice to have peace of mind. Change your thoughts and change your life.