“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” ~ Mother Theresa
How’s your day been going?
Wonderful?
A bit rough?
Does life seem like too much of a challenge?
Well, here’s an easy way to brighten your outlook and your day.
Smile.
Yep, that’s it. Smile.
Not only does it bless those around you, it blesses you.
Don’t believe me? Try this experiment.
Stand in front of a mirror. Keep your face relaxed, expressionless. How do you feel?
Now, smile. Just smile.
What changed? Are your eyes a bit brighter? Did your smile suddenly turn into a grin?
Do you feel better, a bit happier, just looking at your smile? Of course you do! Smiling sends messages to your body, telling it to relax, slow down, enjoy.
Smiling contributes to your health. The Bible tells us that “a merry heart does good, like medicine”. Medical studies have proven that smiling releases endorphins and boosts your immune system. It reduces stress and lowers your blood pressure. All with a simple smile.
There is no such thing as a lack of faith. We all have plenty of faith, it’s just that we have faith in the wrong things. We have faith in what can’t be done rather than what can be done. We have faith in lack rather than abundance but there is no lack of faith. Faith is a law. – Eric Butterworth
God’s Blessing is like that little waterfall (see previous post). It flows constantly, continually, effortlessly, eternally. God’s Word declares that He never changes … so the blessing never stops. God’s love, His promises, His goodness and provision never dry up. If we are not experiencing His blessing in our lives, it’s because we’re not standing under the waterfall. We’re not playing in the creek.
Hebrews 11:6 tells us that we must believe that God is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. God’s rewards, His Blessings, flow continually. If you don’t believe that, look at the sunshine, the rain and the seasons. The ebb and flow of Life is unending. The waterfall, the blessing-fall, from heaven is available to anyone who will come and stand under it. Love, joy, peace, abundance, forgiveness, grace, mercy, eternal Life, power, blessing – the list is as endless as my continually flowing stream.
My little stream doesn’t move around. It just flows along, doing its God-given task of providing water to every creature and plant within its path. To receive God’s blessing, you just have to get in His stream. Staying in the desert doesn’t make any sense when the Blessing-flow tumbles eternally from the ‘windows of heaven’.
So, jump in! The water’s fine.
“Expect your every need to be met. Expect the answer to every problem, expect abundance on every level …” ~ Eileen Caddy
We have a small creek that flows past our house. At one point, it pours over a large rock, splashing merrily into a mini-pool, as it continues its journey toward greater things. I love to hear the water as it constantly, effortlessly pours itself over the edge. Our pups play in the stream. As kids we searched for crayfish under rocks along the creek bed. On hot summer days, we splashed in the waterfall and waded in the stream. Our philosophy was “the wetter, the better!”
Spring rains and snow-melt push our stream to its banks and sometimes beyond, as it rushes to join the waters of the Allegheny River, then the Ohio, the Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico. Our little creek…separate from, but part of, the great earthly system of life-giving water.
I was thinking about that stream of ever-flowing water as I contemplated God’s ever-present goodness and supply. The Bible tells us that the windows of heaven are open unto us and that He pours our His blessing upon us so that there is not room enough to receive it. In Psalm 23, the psalmist declares, my cup runneth over. Deuteronomy promises that all these blessings shall come on you and overtake you.
Are you in the flow?
“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
When you ‘think’ your life is not going well, consider the sky. The universe is always bright above the clouds. Sun shines constantly, blessing all creation with warmth and light.
Use positive expectancy to get above the ‘clouds’ in your life. Do not allow them to control your words and actions. More than anything else, your attitude determines your level of blessing and abundance. Here are four easy techniques to help you maintain your attitude of positive expectancy.
- Watch your thoughts. When you become aware of negative thinking, say aloud to yourself, “No, I’m not going there. I will not think that way.”
- Look for the blessing in every situation. The Law of Opposites infers that every negative has a corresponding positive. Ask yourself: What good can come from this? How can I turn this into a blessing? What can I say or do to improve the situation? If I can’t change it, how can I work around it or think differently about it?
- Celebrate your victories. Congratulate yourself when you notice an attitude adjustment. Remember, no victory is a small one. It is individual battles that eventually win a war.
- Be grateful for small steps forward. Soon you’ll develop a new habit – the Attractor Factor of positive expectation.
Put your Attractor Factor to work for you. Choose a positive, expectant attitude. Don’t give your circumstances the power to control your attitude or your destiny.
“Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms is to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” ~ Viktor Frankl
Have you ever noticed that negative people seem to be immersed in lousy situations?
Does it seem like people with positive attitudes seem to have all the ‘luck’?
Actually, it’s more than good luck or bad luck. Win or lose, people attract their circumstances by their own attitudes and actions.
You’ve no doubt heard of the Law of Attraction. Simply stated, the Law says that you attract toward you what you present to the world. The Law of Attraction is a law of Faith. Your attitude, positive or negative, acts like a spiritual magnet. Napoleon Hill called it “think, and grow rich”. The Bible tells us that “as a man thinks, so is he”.
Your faith is consciously and unconsciously expressed by your thoughts and words. If you want to “attract” prosperity, you cannot tell your friends that you don’t have any money. Your words and actions must be consistent with your desire.
What you think directly impacts what you say and do. Positive or negative, you have control over your final outcome. The Universe has a place of harmony and peace for you. It is a place of blessing, abundance and growth. It is waiting for you to claim your victory.
Success requires progress, fulfillment or attainment. Goals can make your dreams believable by creating actionable steps. Belief creates faith, and faith is one of the most powerful forces in the universe. To achieve success, believe that you can achieve it, then develop a goal list to help you move toward your desired outcome.
To develop your own life-goals, try these steps:
- Dream first. What do you want to accomplish? What kind of life do you imagine for yourself? Whatever your mind conceives, write it down. Make your list long and detailed.
- Sort it out. Pick out 9 or 10 ideas that are do-able and specific. Create a time limit for each one.
- Pick three that you can focus on immediately. Set mini-goals for each one. What can you do TODAY to lead you toward the results you desire.
- Visualize. Your imagination is powerful. See yourself with the results you want as you work toward each larger goal. Savor in your mind the accomplishment you seek. Give it life through your imagination. How does it feel, look, sound, taste?
- Celebrate! Take time to savor your victories and accomplishments. Give yourself small rewards along the way.
- Repeat. Periodically review your lists, both the master dream list and your intermediate list. Have your goals and ideals changed? Then adjust your ‘do it now’ list accordingly. If you’re always working on something, you’ll eventually see your dreams come true!
Challenges will come. That’s life. When they do, re-focus your thoughts immediately on your desired outcome, not on the temporary set-backs. Go back to your vision, reinforce it with your imagination, step out in faith and re-set your goals.
Focused goals are the key to a lifetime of success. Life is too short to waste time just dreaming. Set yourself up to win with a plan. You’ll soon grow into your dream through the goals you accomplish. Just do it!
First say to yourself what you would be; then do what you have to do. ~ Epictetus
We all have dreams: visions of the possible, probable and seemingly impossible. Setting goals is the key to turning your dreams into reality. Goals help you recognize your progress and allow you to celebrate the process.
Setting goals is one of the master keys to a successful life. Goal-setting creates results, yet less than 3% of the population will actually adopt the process. Every person is gifted with the ability to dream and to plan, to envision and create the life you desire. If you will spend just a few minutes each day creating a focused action-plan, you can see your life transformed into your dreams.
Goal-setting is powerful. Goals make your dreams believable by creating actionable steps. Belief creates faith, and faith is one of the most powerful forces in the universe. Believe that you can achieve, then develop a goal list to help you move toward your desired outcome. No matter how small your goals may seem, if they are a part of your ‘master plan’ AND you are performing them daily, you will eventually see the results you seek.
Goals can be simple or complex. Whatever task you choose, get it done. In addition to keeping the process on track, you’ll feel like you are making progress. With each completed goal, you are pushing closer and closer to the success you desire.
Goals provide focus for your dreams and shape your reality. Dreams are somewhat ephemeral. A valid goal is always specific (what action can I take now?), reasonable (can it be accomplished?), measurable (did I get it done?) and timely (what deadline should I set?)
Make 2010 your best year ever. Decide what you want … what you would be, then go for it!
The new year is already a week old. Has it been good to you?
Last week, I shared some insights on PEACE. It’s a very subjective topic, like most things with deeper spiritual roots. Today, let’s explore the healing power of peace.
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you; not as the world gives, give I unto you. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)
I love that verse. It reminds me that peace has been promised to me – regardless of what’s going on in my life!
Peace is essential to your sense of well-being. It is both preventative and restorative. And it is a gift from God, His divine prescription to keep you full of health and joy.
Stress is a major factor in most diseases, both physical and mental. Even the word, disease [dis-ease], means lack of ease or peace.
Maintaining your peace is essential for maintaining good health.
Peace of mind forestalls the possibility of depression and anxiety. Worry is the opposite of peace, brought on by fears – either real or imagined. Worry borrows tomorrow’s troubles today. Fear of tomorrow steals your peace and creates stress. It allows your imagination to actually create the very troubles you dwell on.
Lack of peace prevents you from enjoying your NOW. It blocks your recognition of the blessings in your TODAY. Worry kills your peace and opens the door to a myriad of problems.
Have you ever walked into a room … and known immediately that something was wrong? You can feel the stress and tension, even though no one has said anything to you. You can sense the lack of peace. Often, it’s strong enough to make you turn around and walk away. That reaction is your defense mechanism for protecting your own peace of mind.
Striving to maintain peace is a worthy goal. In every situation, it should be your first check and balance. Peace should govern your actions, words and thoughts. Not only will your life be more ‘peaceful’, your mental and physical health will improve and you’ll experience more joy.
Peace should be the umpire of your soul.
It’s a word that’s been used and abused so much that its true meaning is muddled.
In its purest form, it’s more powerful than dissent, anger, unforgiveness or hatred.
It’s faster at restoring harmony than any other human emotion, action or effort.
And it’s able to stop stress and conflict in a single moment.
BUT, it requires your cooperation and acceptance.
Of course, I’m talking about ‘peace’.
Peace is a calm centeredness. It provides security in the midst of turmoil, quiet joy in stressful moments and calmness in chaotic situations.
Peace is an umpire for your life. It tells you when your thoughts, words and actions are “out” of control. It declares you “safe” when you are making right choices. Peace stands at home base (your heart) and tells you whether you are winning or losing.
Peace is internal, a part of your spirit that is intimately connected to Divine Spirit. It is a spiritual control switch. And you are the operator.
So, how do you find this place of peace?
First, recognize when you are NOT at peace.
Our minds and bodies have myriad signals that tell us when we are out of control. Stress, anger, frustration, worry. Headaches, elevated breathing, muscle tension, stomach ache. All are symptoms, not causes. They are signals that peace is missing.
Next, STOP. Whatever it is you’re doing, stop. Breathe deeply and slowly.
Take a moment to mentally examine where you are, how you feel … and why. Ask yourself the all-important question: “Is this situation worth losing my peace?”
Are you in an argument with your spouse? Will the results – or lack thereof – be worth the turmoil and stress to both of you?
Are your children pushing your ‘hot button’? Will having your own tantrum solve theirs?
Is your job making you ‘nuts’? Is it truly the position – or your attitude? Is it worth the stress you feel when you keep yourself so stirred up?
Recognize that YOU are the one perpetuating your emotional turmoil. You have forgotten to let peace be your umpire.
My favorite ‘trigger’ question is “Will it matter next Tuesday?” It’s my way of reminding myself that whatever IT is, isn’t worth my anger, frustration and stress.
Third, TALK to yourself.
Tell yourself – aloud if possible – “I will not go there. I will not allow this situation to have control over my thoughts and emotions. I choose peace.”
If you’re with someone else, tell them you are choosing not to continue the conflict. Explain that you are want peace more than victory. If necessary, apologize for losing your temper (peace).
An apology for your bad behavior does not have to include agreeing with their point of view. You are merely accepting responsibility for your own actions and attitudes. Doing so puts you in a position of strength, not weakness. And it restores your peace.
Fourth, connect with joy.
Touch. Hug someone – even if it’s the person you’ve been in conflict with. Human touch is restorative, healing.
Laugh. You can choose to laugh on purpose. Give a little chuckle. Smile. After all, God is probably chuckling at our very human foibles and follies. Putting a smile on your face is an instant attitude adjuster.
The Bible tells us to “seek peace and pursue it” (Prov. 34:14). If you’ll do that, if you’ll make the decision to let peace be your umpire, you will maintain the peace and joy that God intended you to have. Then you’ll have true success, victory in every situation.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you His peace at all times and in every situation (2 Thes. 3:16).
As you celebrate the traditions of Christmas, don’t forget the comforting sense of scents. While smells are difficult to describe, they evoke instant recognition. Memories are often triggered by a whiff of some remembered aroma. Don’t we all recall some special person just from the scent of their favorite perfume?
Christmas has its own unique spectrum of scents and smells, many intimately tied to holidays past.
The sharp smell of fresh-cut pine.
A warm kitchen redolent with the aroma of cinnamon spice.
The flickering scent of bayberry candles.
Here’s my admittedly biased list of scents to share throughout the holiday season.
Bayberry is an evergreen plant similar to holly. Gray, wax-coated berries adorn these large shrubs in the fall. Early American settlers boiled the berries to extract the wax for candles. Bayberry burned cleaner and smelled much sweeter than tallow candles.
Cinnamon comes from the bark of an evergreen species grown extensively around the equatorial belt. It has a long history as a flavoring, scent and medicine. Moses was commanded by God to use cinnamon in anointing oils. Create your own simmering potpourri with cinnamon sticks and cloves.
Cloves are dried flower buds from an evergreen tree. Grown primarily in India and Indonesia, cloves have been used for cooking, cigarettes (outside the US), in medicines and for chai tea. One European tradition uses cloves and oranges to make pomander balls.
Myrrh is dried sap. It can be extracted from several tree species. It is used for incense, medicines, fragrant oils, perfumes and embalming. It can also be burned as potpourri. It is often combined with frankincense for seasonal candle scents.
Pines and other evergreens are an obvious sign of Christmas. These fragrant trees contribute their scent to candles, their cones for decorations, and their wood for furniture and pulp. Pine resin is used in making turpentine. In America, most evergreens are farm-raised for Christmas trees, wreaths and boughs.
Frankincense comes from the resin of the Boswellia tree. It is useful for perfumes, incense and aromatherapy to treat depression. It is also an anti-inflammatory. Used in ancient Egypt, It was found in the excavated tomb of King Tutankhamen.
Scent evokes a powerful reminder of past events and enhances present experiences. With candles and potpourri of Sugar Plum, Apple Cinnamon, Bayberry, Evergreen and Christmas Memories, your home can be wonderfully welcoming to the nose as well as the psyche.
May the beauty and smells of the holidays bring peace and happiness to your home and family.
God bless you and yours this Christmas season.
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