Forgiveness

With November coming to a close, all I can think is where did this year go? All to soon, December is going to come to an end and the new year will be here. I'm not sure what it will bring but I do know what I don't want to take into it. Past transgressions and the hang ups of being / feeling wronged require and take too much energy and time. Energy and time, that I for one don't have to waste on something that has already happened or someone that evidently didn't have a righteous place in my life anyway (yes, I believe that God weeds our garden) and that he reveals what we won't allow ourselves to see. Because of my beliefs,I wrote Betrayal yesterday and choose these quotes today. I truly believe that vengeance and payback aren't mine. I also believe God's word and it says; "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12:19-21
 

“When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.” ~ Catherine Ponder

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.  ~ Lewis B. Smedes, "Forgiveness - The Power to Change the Past," Christianity Today, 7 January 1983

Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future. ~ Paul Boese

Forgiveness is the sweetest revenge. ~ Isaac Friedmann



Without forgiveness life is governed by... an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation. ~ Roberto Assagioli

Who Pays?

Betrayal

Betrayal is a betrayer
It serves as a permission granter when your impulses run wild
Instinctively
It conjures up images that haunt your being
Betrayal is a betrayer
Living becomes existing while you exorcise the demons away
Exorcism is a betrayer
It leads you to believe that deception is okay
Impulsively
You become a betrayer
No better than the one who betrayed you
But
  Since
Betrayal is a betrayer
Once in its' grasp
You claim justification for impulse rather than control

Make Memories

Sometimes our life is about necessities. Our wants become our dreams and our needs our realities. We can confuse that with we can't afford to do anything, we're stuck! Don't let that mindset take over. There are so many things that can be done that don't cost a thing. Keep in mind, your focus shouldn't be on what you don't have. Instead, make use of what you do have. There are so many ways to make priceless memories you just have to open your mind and heart to them. Once you do, you'll see how much the little things mean and how big of a difference they can make. 

Know

Know that no one is perfect
we all have flaws
Know that kindness shared
is multiplied
Know that some days are better than others
but we still have many reasons to smile
Know that prayer changes things
and that God loves us as is and unconditionally
Know that we have to make choices
and live with the choices we make
Know that you are capable
of anything you put your mind to
Know that life is to short
not to live it and enjoy it
Know that you and only you are responsible for your actions
Know that today is an opportunity
to complete something, do something, start something
Know that someone's life wouldn't be the same without you
and yours without them
Know that your blessings will always outweigh your burdens
and that some how things always work out 

Today and Always

"Act on your positive thoughts.Ignore the negative ones!"

A Thankful Heart

Life as we know it, can be difficult, bittersweet, complicated, overwhelming,challenging, unpredictable and full of ups and downs but for the most part, I find it to be rewarding, inviting, joyous and full of possibilities. It is with a thankful heart that I say, I have so much and so many to be thankful for. So to God, my friends, my family, my readers, my moments in time, all that have been a part / have yet to be a part of my life, the good, the bad, the not so good, the not so bad, the trials and tribulations and the blessings to numerous to list / count, THANK YOU! I am and always will be thankful for every aspect of my life and everyone in it because life as I know it has been and continues to be quite a journey. I hope and pray that your Thanksgiving is full of laughter,joyous, memorable, blessed and fun and that your heart is full of reasons to be thankful. 

Matthew 19:26

Believe...
Hold Fast...
Hope...
Have Faith...
Rest Assured...
With god all things are possible.

What Helps Me

Grab your favorite writing utensil and start writing. Keep a journal, list things you're grateful for, write about your dreams, your private thoughts, write a letter, doodle or just vent. Let out the things you wouldn't dare say to anyone. You can choose to share your thoughts or keep them to yourself. While you write, laugh, cry, remember, dream. You'll find that as you write, thoughts of things you've done / want to do, your blessings, reminders of good and bad times, things you reminisce about, things you thought you had forgotten / gotten over; an overview of your life in general will come to mind...If you're not a writer, find another way to express your self openly, freely and completely. I'll be willing to bet that you'll be glad you did.

I Liked This

"You're Braver Than You Think! ~ You've made choices and taken chances. You've met challenges and weathered changes. You've opened your heart even when you knew it could hurt, and you've faced obstacles that might have stopped others in their tracks - but not you!...Life takes courage. You've got it!" ~Woman's World  11/29/10 ~

Something To Think About

"There are seeds of self - destruction in all of us that will bear only unhappiness if allowed to grow." ~ Dorothea Brande

I Have To Agree

"The greatest healing comes from friendship and love."  ~ Hubert H. Humphrey

When I saw this quote, I thought about so many people and smiled. I like many others, have been through a lot in my lifetime but I can honestly say that through it all, God's love and the love of my family and friends and friends that have become family and strangers that have become friends have made many days easier and brighter. The healing from these relationships, comes in many forms. Each one comforts you and makes you feel better, stronger, safer, happier and restores hope and faith. I thank God for his love and his infinite wisdom. Through his goodness and grace, he blessed me and continues to bless me with his will and so many wonderful people / friends that love me as much as I love them and the best part of it all, is that the love we share is unconditional and that has proven to be the best medicine of all time and time again.

Family Time

All of us have busy schedules. Work, life, family, chores, responsibilities, parenthood and all that comes with it and sometimes just getting through the day, takes a lot out of us but we need to make time for things that really matter. Start by picking a day and a time. Get everyone in your family involved. Don't worry about what you don't have; focus on and make use of what you do have, each other. Spend time with each other by playing games, watching movies, going for a walk, going to the park...(the possibilities are endless). Use your imagination and creativity to come up with something. Turn off your cell phones, laptops, computers, ipods, televisions and listen to one another. Share your hopes, dreams, fears and accomplishments. Catch up on each other's lives. Take the time and make the most of it, it's one of the best things you can do for your family. It gives everyone a sense of belonging and unity and the fun, smiles and laughter that you share will be an extra benefit.

Speak Up

"Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone." ~ G.B. Stern ... The love and kindness we receive should be acknowledged. Giving thanks and showing appreciation returns the joy and happiness we receive and spreads it as well. It also gives us something to smile about, strengthens us and lifts our spirits when we recall the various things and people we have to be thankful for. Share the joy that you've been given by saying thank you through your words and your actions. 

Your Story

Everything we've been through contributes to how we see things and how we think things will work out for us. Each of us has a story to tell; our very own testimony. A story that can remind us how blessed we are if we let it. A story that tells us change is possible and we can overcome and get through so much. Often times, it's easier to say why me and feel sorry for ourselves because doing that enables us to stay where we are; to get comfortable and become content even when we know we deserve better and can do better. I say that because I truly believe that each of us has room to grow, something more to learn or quite possibly, our story is meant to help and encourage someone else. So, even if you don't think making the best of life as you know it  based on your past history is worth it don't let that stop you. What you can do for someone else, is reason enough to keep going and keep trying. I'm willing to bet that making a difference in someone's life, will definitely make a difference in yours. You will soon see that things aren't as bad as they seem and that they could definitely be worse. With that in mind, take your life story and all its ups , downs and in betweens and don't hesitate to share it with others. Along the way, you'll help yourself and others see how much each of you have to be grateful for all while seeing all that you're capable of.

Choose To

"Be joyful; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances..." 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 - 18