Monday, April 26, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Are You Ashame to Die?
Horace Mann once said, "Be Ashamed to Die until You Have Won Some Victory for Humanity." Many people think this quote is a call for you to do something huge or extraordinary for all the world to see. Absolutely not! I don’t believe this is what Mr. Mann was speaking about.
There are numerous things that we can do to make a difference in the lives of the people we encounter each and every single day. We can begin by loving the people we live with more. By telling them each and every day what they already should know…that you love them. While our children, spouses, siblings and parents already know this to be true, telling them just reinforces and enhances it more.
There are many things we can do in our daily journey through life for humanity and to make this planet better than it was before we arrived on it. Why don’t you try doing something special today for that boss who seems to give you hell on the job?
You never know what he goes though each morning before he arrives to work. Perhaps this could be the cause of his behavior towards you.
What about your neighbors? When was the last time you baked a delicious dessert for them simply because you wanted to brighten up their day. Just doing so could make a person feel valued when the rest of the world sees him/her as invisible. What you do for others will be multiplied back towards you. Because in giving, we really do receive.
It’s those small things that goes un-noticed and never make the news that keeps this world alive and turning. Those things like paying the tab for the car behind you in the fast food drive through window or offering to baby sit for the young couple at church who have three small children. What about volunteering at the women’s shelter to mop and clean the bathrooms? We don’t always need to be awarded and highlighted on television, write a book, sing a hit song or give an amazing presentation to have it said that we made a significant contribution to the planet.
It really is about using what’s in your hand and expressing it with your heart that will make this world a better place to live. It will also allow us to die without shame but with a sense of purpose, worth and value. Then Horace Mann will have declared the truth for us all.
There are numerous things that we can do to make a difference in the lives of the people we encounter each and every single day. We can begin by loving the people we live with more. By telling them each and every day what they already should know…that you love them. While our children, spouses, siblings and parents already know this to be true, telling them just reinforces and enhances it more.
There are many things we can do in our daily journey through life for humanity and to make this planet better than it was before we arrived on it. Why don’t you try doing something special today for that boss who seems to give you hell on the job?
You never know what he goes though each morning before he arrives to work. Perhaps this could be the cause of his behavior towards you.
What about your neighbors? When was the last time you baked a delicious dessert for them simply because you wanted to brighten up their day. Just doing so could make a person feel valued when the rest of the world sees him/her as invisible. What you do for others will be multiplied back towards you. Because in giving, we really do receive.
It’s those small things that goes un-noticed and never make the news that keeps this world alive and turning. Those things like paying the tab for the car behind you in the fast food drive through window or offering to baby sit for the young couple at church who have three small children. What about volunteering at the women’s shelter to mop and clean the bathrooms? We don’t always need to be awarded and highlighted on television, write a book, sing a hit song or give an amazing presentation to have it said that we made a significant contribution to the planet.
It really is about using what’s in your hand and expressing it with your heart that will make this world a better place to live. It will also allow us to die without shame but with a sense of purpose, worth and value. Then Horace Mann will have declared the truth for us all.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Where Do You Choose To Live?
One of the things I love about this journey called life is the many lessons that comes our way. Often time people or situations show up in our lives to teach us valuable lessons about who we are and where we are.
I was recently confronted with an issue that challenged me in a way I had not been tested in a very long time. In the midst of this challenge, I must admit that I was tempted to shift from my place of love and allowing to a place of resistance and protection.
Although I chose to remain on God’s ground of love, I did feel a little resistance at first. But I immediately shifted and began to remind myself that I have chosen to live from a space of love and not fear. I could choose to react or I could choose to respond….I chose the latter.
I reminded myself of who I was and who am constantly becoming, regardless of what someone else’s opinion of me may or may not be. I realized that we can never convince a person of something different when their minds are already made up. As Bergson says, “The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.”
We have no control over how we are perceived, we do however, have control over how we choose to love. When we understand that all things happen in life to teach us something about ourselves, we will blame less and learn to grow more. I am grateful for this test because it forced me to take a deeper look within myself for places where I may be in need of more love or more healing.
So the next time you are hit with a situation that challenges you, take the time to ask yourself “what is really happening here?” “What am I to learn from this?” I passed this test with flying colors. And what happens when you pass a test? You get promoted!! Now that calls for a celebration!
Will we make mistakes in life? Of course we will. Will we get it wrong sometimes? Absolutely! Will others misinterpret who you are? You better believe they will. But when this happens, will you respond or will you react? Where you have chosen to live, love or fear, will determine your next promotion in life.
I was recently confronted with an issue that challenged me in a way I had not been tested in a very long time. In the midst of this challenge, I must admit that I was tempted to shift from my place of love and allowing to a place of resistance and protection.
Although I chose to remain on God’s ground of love, I did feel a little resistance at first. But I immediately shifted and began to remind myself that I have chosen to live from a space of love and not fear. I could choose to react or I could choose to respond….I chose the latter.
I reminded myself of who I was and who am constantly becoming, regardless of what someone else’s opinion of me may or may not be. I realized that we can never convince a person of something different when their minds are already made up. As Bergson says, “The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.”
We have no control over how we are perceived, we do however, have control over how we choose to love. When we understand that all things happen in life to teach us something about ourselves, we will blame less and learn to grow more. I am grateful for this test because it forced me to take a deeper look within myself for places where I may be in need of more love or more healing.
So the next time you are hit with a situation that challenges you, take the time to ask yourself “what is really happening here?” “What am I to learn from this?” I passed this test with flying colors. And what happens when you pass a test? You get promoted!! Now that calls for a celebration!
Will we make mistakes in life? Of course we will. Will we get it wrong sometimes? Absolutely! Will others misinterpret who you are? You better believe they will. But when this happens, will you respond or will you react? Where you have chosen to live, love or fear, will determine your next promotion in life.
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