#762

SERENITY is not freedom from the storm,
it is PEACE within the storm.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can

And the wisdom to know the difference.

Serenity will be yours when you are able to accept things as they are, not how you want them to be. 

Accept the things that you cannot change: There are so many things that crop up in day to day life that we are unable to do anything about. So many things that we just have to accept, we cannot fix them. Things, such as traffic jams, taxes, line-ups, floods, hurricanes or anything that takes place in the past or the future. We can prepare for some things, but we cannot change them. We can't let these things upset us, just as we can't worry about things that have previously happened, haven't happened yet, or are out of our control.

Courage to change the things I can: The things you CAN change are anything to do with you. Your weight, your health, your mind. If you owe someone an apology, or you need to correct an error that you made; you can do that. If you want to help at the soup kitchen, climb a mountain, or do something that makes you feel good. Do it.

Wisdom to know the difference: Knowing what you can do something about and what is none of your concern is not always easy... it's a fight your own battles thing. If it doesn't concern you, leave it alone. And once you master the art of leaving it alone, you also have to master the art of letting it go. Don't obsess about what the government is doing, or whether or not it will snow in December. Once you discern what you can change and let the rest go, you will be on your way to a serene, calm, happy life.

reprint of #552 

#761

People take different roads to fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road, doesn't mean they've gotten lost. Dali Lama

Everyone is on their own unique journey, they have pitfalls and successes, we all do. We have no idea what anyone goes through in the course of a day. We cannot judge a book by its cover. We simply do not know.

Many people seem to think that they are on the only genuine path. This is far from the truth. We may be on our path, but it is not the only path. Each person sets out on their own journey. We cannot say whether it is right or wrong, we don't know their purpose. 

If it is right for them, it is right, period.

Every single person is unique; they all have different ideas, dreams, desires and distinct life experiences. Our experiences help to form us, which allows us to expand in our own unique way. Everyone will respond to life according to their own backgrounds and life experiences. You need to remain on your own path, and not worry about where the others are going.

You can equate this to an orchestra. If you are the drummer, you can't just decide to play the trumpet, it would throw everything off. There is already a full trumpet section. You must stick to your own instrument (your own path) because you are an integral part of the orchestra.

You are an important part of the plan, you fit, you are necessary.

So the moral to this story is: mind your own business. Walk your own path and leave everyone else to walk theirs. It is not up to you to dictate the path. Keep your mind open and your mouth shut ... and walk the walk on your own path.

reprint of #210                                               

#760

All the fear we see in the world is an outward projection of the fear we have within us.

Mastin Kipp

Your world is how you see it. 

If you see the world as a scary place it will be a scary place. Fear begets fear. Fear is a learned behaviour. There are only two emotions - fear and love, that's all there is. All positive feelings come from love and all negative feelings come from fear.

If you are projecting your feelings of trepidation outward, you are attracting similar situations. Carrying fear around with you is like locking yourself in a prison and banishing joy from your life. 

Please do not feed the fears.

Fear is not real. It is the product of thoughts which you create. 

Danger is very real, fear is a choice.

FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real

Most of the things that people are afraid of never happen, they are just notions that pop into your head..... ignore them.

When your thoughts tell you that you're not smart, pretty, strong or brave enough.... ignore them.You are in control of your thoughts and you don't have to believe everything you think.

The world doesn't have to be a scary place, for you or for anyone. If you filter your thinking, kick the fears to the curb, and start believing in yourself, you'll find a much brighter outlook will take their place. There is an abundance of joy still in the world, and your share is waiting for you. 

reprint of #366

#759

The more real you get the more unreal the world gets.

John Lennon, an iconic singer-songwriter for the Beatles (1964-1969), as well as for his solo career with Yoko Ono. In 1971, he released "Imagine"...

"Imagine there's no heaven

It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky

Imagine all the people
Living for today..."

'Imagine' was the best-selling single of his solo career, its lyrics encourage the listener to imagine a world at peace without the barriers of borders or the divisiveness of religions and nationalities, and to consider the possibility that the focus of humanity should be living a life unattached to material possessions. 

John Lennon was a visionary, he saw the world differently and spread that message through his songs. He touched us with these words and we are therefore different because of him. I singled him out because I admire him, but this legacy is the same for each and every one of us. We all touch others in some way, each day we live. We all have an effect on other people, we are all connected. We are all one. 

If we think of ourselves as an important cog in the wheel of life, it will remind us of the importance of being authentic, kind and loving to all that cross our path or those that walk it with us.. Give peace a chance! 

reprint of #583

#758

Stop going back and forth on your ideas because of fear.

You're confusing the Universe.

Decide what you want and stick with it. You'll notice things starting to shift in your favour.

We all do that, don't we, jump in and out of our resolve? We REALLY want to win the lottery, start our own business, commit to someone or something, have a baby.... it doesn't matter what it is that's on the agenda at the moment, it's a big deal and it's very scary. So, we think we want it and in the next second, we think maybe we don't and on and on it goes.

You would think that winning the lottery would be the greatest adventure ever, but would it? Really? There are so many variables to such an extreme financial gain that the average person simply would not have the consciousness to accept the radical changes. It seems like it would be all lollipops and rainbows, but a sudden windfall of that magnitude can throw your life into a tailspin. Sometimes it is a blessing that you don't get what you want. 

There is always a reason why things don't happen the way you want them to and hesitating, waffling, or being scared to death are signals that you are not ready to go down that long-anticipated road. The anticipation is all that you are actually ready for, at this time. The decision is up to you, you can have whatever you want.... the trick is to decide what you want and be persistent in your resolve. 

reprint of #574

#757

Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy. If you aren't being treated with love and respect, check your price tag. Maybe you've marked yourself down. It's YOU who tells people what your worth is. Get off of the clearance rack and get behind the glass where they keep the valuables.

Pain makes you stronger. Tears make you braver. And heartbreak makes you wiser. So thank the past for a better future.

You deserve the very best. You don't need to 'put up' with anyone that doesn't truly love and respect you. It isn't always easy to know who the people are that are going to break your heart. But, each heartbreak is a lesson. 

The problem is, projecting your expectations onto people you love.... 

You love them, you would do anything for them, you are trustworthy, loyal and true and you expect the same from them. This may be unrealistic. You are simply projecting your expectations on them. BUT.. They are who they are. They will do what they do.   And if you think about it, it is not a surprise. You just didn't want to believe that they weren't the person you wanted them to be. When someone tells you or shows you who they are, believe them, you cannot change them. 

The other problem is, self-esteem..... 

If you love yourself, you would never tolerate anything less from another. You need to believe in yourself and what you have to offer. If someone doesn't appreciate all you are, that is not your issue. They have come into your life to teach you something. It may be to help you to realize your value, and that you are deserving of all the happiness in the world. 

“A heart given freely is the most vulnerable and selfless thing one can offer another human being. It can be as fragile and needy as a newly born infant, or as solid and self-supporting as a granite pillar, yet it is the hands of the recipient that determines its ultimate fate.” ― 

Mark W Boyer

reprint of #260

#756

You hate when people see you cry because you want to be that strong girl.

At the same time, though, you hate how nobody notices how torn apart and broken you are.

I think most people, male or female can identify with this quote. We are often torn between how we actually feel and how best to present and protect ourselves. 

Of course, much depends on where you are and who you are with, whether or not you want to expose yourself as being weak or vulnerable. You don't trust anyone enough to be so unprotected and if you remove the mask you will be powerless, right? All the torn apart and broken pieces of you will be exposed for all the world to see. And you sure as hell aren't going to fall for that.

The thing is, you are human and life can get you down. Human beings have emotions and sometimes they leak out. It doesn't make you any less, it just makes you human. Keeping yourself closed off, building walls has been your protection for a very long time, hasn't it? It's the main form of self-preservation that's held you together so far and now the question is: is it still valid at this time in your life? Do you still need a defense system to function today? Do you still feel you need protection? Isn't it exhausting always being the strong girl? 

It may be time to revisit this particular reaction. If you ponder it .... the trauma you survived in your life erected the brick wall around you. Would that trauma have the same effect today? You are not the helpless child any longer, you are not powerless, you are an adult. Try taking down a few of the bricks and see what happens, you are in charge. Share your story, don't give up one more minute of your life.

"Being strong means rejoicing in who you are complete with imperfections." Margaret Woodhouse

Reprint of #371