Daily Christian Wisdom
Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.
-Henri Nouwen
Taken from Beliefnet.com
Hello Everyone
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning how to dance in the rain.
— Author Unknown
I was browsing through the Beliefnet newsletter and came across the above. I thought this was a wonderful way to remind us how we can make small changes to our lives, our attitudes and it shows how simple this can be done instantly.
For me, as I always say, life is a journey. It has its highs and its lows. Yet there is not one person on earth who will not have a cross to bear at some stage or the other. Yet, the saying that "we choose or attitude" is such a potent one.
What I have come to realise, and I can only speak from personal experience is this. Sometimes the road before us is so mountainous and full of trials and tribulations that it is so easy to baulk and feel overwhelmed and let this reality of the situation overshadow ones life. Yet the way that one chooses to approach that challenging journey can make all the difference, because the reality is that you still have to walk that road regardless to if you smile or do it in anger. If you choose to do what you must with a positive frame of mind (and I must add, this is not always easy, nothing worthwhile is easy), and if you know in your heart what your outcome is, then you will cross that mountain in a much healthier and happier and progressive way (and hopefully with less wrinkles).
So take to heart the following quotes, and take time to choose your attitude more carefully, because this not only impacts on your life but also on your environment.
My grandma was always 'biding her time' until she could get to Heaven. In the meantime, her life was fairly miserable and she treated my mother abusively. I learned a valuable lesson, however: Create as much Heaven on Earth as possible with everyone near and dear.
— Chelle Thompson, Editor of Inspiration Line
Inspirational Quote from Inspiration Line 1/19/04
The world does not have to change.... The only thing that has to change is our attitude.
— Gerald Jampolsky
05 August 2007
02 August 2007
'You scratch my back and I scratch yours' versus 'love thy neighbour'
What does Community Spirit suggest to you all? What is unity? What is collaborative working?
To me working as part of a team, as a unit, having trustworthy supportive mechanisms being honest and genuine and having a common purpose and goal is what community spirit mean. It’s also about the importance of working for the betterment of not only the self but others as well.
Unity to me means a coming together of a diverse range of people on the foundation of trust, honesty and respect. Collaborative working to me means working together for a common purpose as one.
My journey over the past 3 months alone, has been an amazing one. As I continue to strive, build, learn and grow; as I continue to work on myself as an individual, to become more aware of who I am and what I am about; as I learn to understand how what I do and say affects not just myself, my family and friends, but also my community I am realising that just by putting out the positive vibes and by dedicating whatever I do to the betterment of others and by striving towards my dreams, that life just keeps giving back to me time and time again.
In everything I do, I aim to support, uplift and encourage others. I realised a long time ago that my purpose was to give unconditionally for this purpose and I have come to accept that as my vocation, my purpose in life. We are all called by God to serve in different ways and my calling has been cemented in knowing my purpose.
Therefore, in my drive towards something bigger than what I can visualise at this moment in time, I am aware of those who have been on the receiving end of whatever I do, who are receiving it in a positive, appreciative yet in a well needed way. Believe me, there are many wounded and lonely people out there in the big world and many are crying out just for someone to give them a smile.
Also by the same token I too have been on the receiving end of countless blessings and support. I am surrounded by a wonderfully tight yet proactive group of supportive individuals, who are helping me as I climb towards my mountaintop. Yet in the essence of all that I do, give and receive, it is this growing band of people who have come into my life to help and support me in some way of which I am so grateful for. Everyday, I give thanks for these people who offer anything from advice and support to the collaborative working on various successful projects. Yet, without giving myself, surely I would not receive back!
So I would like to leave with you that
There are many sayings which embrace this community spirit of being in each other’s corner and backbones such as:
“You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours”
“Unknown
It is amazing how much you can accomplish when it doesn't matter who gets the credit.”
“Unknown
Teamwork: Simply stated, it is less me and more we.”
”Unknown
TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More”
“Unknown
Teamwork divides the task and doubles the success.”
I dedicate this particular blog piece to first and foremost one of my best friends, my big brother, Mr P – Read more about this gem of a man on http://www.tctk.com/, a massive thank you goes out to this man for standing by me, advising, guiding and supporting me 200%. May our friendship continue to flourish.
This is also dedicated to Errol Sergeant, Justin and Millie Lewis from Lewis Hanson Greetings, Slaine and Douglas from Playvybz Radio (www.playvybz.com), Lubna and Rehan ul-Haq, Ryan (you know who you are), Geraldine Reid, Shirley Hunte, Auntie Sybil Phoenix, Kwamme, and Delroy. A Massive thank you for your help as always
To me working as part of a team, as a unit, having trustworthy supportive mechanisms being honest and genuine and having a common purpose and goal is what community spirit mean. It’s also about the importance of working for the betterment of not only the self but others as well.
Unity to me means a coming together of a diverse range of people on the foundation of trust, honesty and respect. Collaborative working to me means working together for a common purpose as one.
My journey over the past 3 months alone, has been an amazing one. As I continue to strive, build, learn and grow; as I continue to work on myself as an individual, to become more aware of who I am and what I am about; as I learn to understand how what I do and say affects not just myself, my family and friends, but also my community I am realising that just by putting out the positive vibes and by dedicating whatever I do to the betterment of others and by striving towards my dreams, that life just keeps giving back to me time and time again.
In everything I do, I aim to support, uplift and encourage others. I realised a long time ago that my purpose was to give unconditionally for this purpose and I have come to accept that as my vocation, my purpose in life. We are all called by God to serve in different ways and my calling has been cemented in knowing my purpose.
Therefore, in my drive towards something bigger than what I can visualise at this moment in time, I am aware of those who have been on the receiving end of whatever I do, who are receiving it in a positive, appreciative yet in a well needed way. Believe me, there are many wounded and lonely people out there in the big world and many are crying out just for someone to give them a smile.
Also by the same token I too have been on the receiving end of countless blessings and support. I am surrounded by a wonderfully tight yet proactive group of supportive individuals, who are helping me as I climb towards my mountaintop. Yet in the essence of all that I do, give and receive, it is this growing band of people who have come into my life to help and support me in some way of which I am so grateful for. Everyday, I give thanks for these people who offer anything from advice and support to the collaborative working on various successful projects. Yet, without giving myself, surely I would not receive back!
So I would like to leave with you that
There are many sayings which embrace this community spirit of being in each other’s corner and backbones such as:
“You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours”
“Unknown
It is amazing how much you can accomplish when it doesn't matter who gets the credit.”
“Unknown
Teamwork: Simply stated, it is less me and more we.”
”Unknown
TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More”
“Unknown
Teamwork divides the task and doubles the success.”
I dedicate this particular blog piece to first and foremost one of my best friends, my big brother, Mr P – Read more about this gem of a man on http://www.tctk.com/, a massive thank you goes out to this man for standing by me, advising, guiding and supporting me 200%. May our friendship continue to flourish.
This is also dedicated to Errol Sergeant, Justin and Millie Lewis from Lewis Hanson Greetings, Slaine and Douglas from Playvybz Radio (www.playvybz.com), Lubna and Rehan ul-Haq, Ryan (you know who you are), Geraldine Reid, Shirley Hunte, Auntie Sybil Phoenix, Kwamme, and Delroy. A Massive thank you for your help as always
27 July 2007
The Destructiveness of Gossip
Abandoning gossip, he abstains from gossip; he speaks at the right time, speaks what is fact, speaks on what is good, speaks on the Dhamma and the Discipline; at the right time he speaks such words as are worth recording, reasonable, moderate, and beneficial.
-Majjhima-Nikaya
From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations," edited by Jeff Schmidt. Reprinted by arrangement with Tarcher/Putnam, a division of Penguin Putnam Inc.
I came across this as I was looking through an inspirational website called Beliefnet and was instantly able to relate to the above.
The beginning of July 2007, I went on a course. Three days into the course I wanted to scream and felt very uncomfortable and hemmed in. WHY? Because I found myself in the middle of the “gossip triangle”. I was allowing myself to get caught up in something that felt very very uncomfortable within my spirit. I have never liked gossiping and the more I grow as a person , the more I grow deep within myself and understand myself and life more, the more I grow spiritually, is the more that I become uncomfortable with “Untruths and lies” and other things which do not edify life nor spirit.
A series of events had occurred on the course to cause disgruntlement, which was understandable but by day 3 things got a little heated. There was one particular young woman, who I identified as being power mad, who felt it her duty to try to control the flow of conversation within class conversations, who tried to put over her views onto other people’s opinions and who usually had a lot to say. Yet what caused me to withdraw was the occasion of having her moan and complain and get on the gossip train about a series of things. At this point I withdrew and had to leave the table. Yet this gossiping had a rippling effect on the whole class and by the end of the day many people were suffering from headaches and the mood in the class was very despondent. Yet more potently, this gossip caused divisions within the class.
I am not saying I never gossip, because sometimes we all get sucked into things that we do not want to and I too must constantly be aware of my part in any scenario. Yet, I try to be aware of when this is happening and I try instantly to withdraw myself from any situation which could prove to be unhealthy and unsavoury.
The above situation just shows how important it is, therefore, to be aware of our beliefs and values, which all incorporate what we stand for as individuals. We need to know intimately what they are and their importance to how they impact on our lives and then the lives of others.
Beliefs, as we know, are assumed truths, things we have been told from our childhood, either by our parents, our peers, our teachers etc. Yet sometimes, these beliefs have and can become warped and unless we get to know who we are, unless we have been on a personal development journey in the quest and search to know who we are, any warped beliefs will follow us throughout our lives like a shadow, because we will not be in a place to understand nor identify then as lies.
Our values are things which are the foundation upon which our lives are built, they ground us, it’s about knowing who we are. They are things like honesty, integrity and truth. Without being aware of what we are in our beliefs and values, then we are liable to get sucked into destructive and negative forces.
The tongue is a very destructive instrument if used in the wrong context. We must be so careful what we get caught up in and what we say. For everything that life is about, it is about awareness. Awareness of self, brings one into a new dimension, it helps us to identify things which we may otherwise be blinded to. Life is a continual experience of learning and progression and awareness, so let us all try to be more aware of how our behaviour impacts not only on our lives, but on our environments as well.
The below are excerpts I have taken from the following website http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,49-1-690-7,00.html which talk further about the destructiveness of the tongue.
“The Prophet Joseph Smith deepened our understanding of the power of speech when he taught, "It is by words . . . [that] every being works when he works by faith. God said, 'Let there be light: and there was light.' Joshua spake, and the great lights which God had created stood still. Elijah commanded, and the heavens were stayed for the space of three years and six months, so that it did not rain. . . . All this was done by faith. . . . Faith, then, works by words; and with [words] its mightiest works have been, and will be, performed."1 Like all gifts "which cometh from above," words are "sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit."2
It is with this realization of the power and sanctity of words that I wish to caution us, if caution is needed, regarding how we speak to each other and how we speak of ourselves.
There is a line from the Apocrypha which puts the seriousness of this issue better than I can. It reads, "The stroke of the whip maketh marks in the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones."3 With that stinging image in mind, I was particularly impressed to read in the book of James that there was a way I could be "a perfect man."
There is a saying that goes something like this –“ Be careful what you ask for, for because you might just get it.”
-Majjhima-Nikaya
From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations," edited by Jeff Schmidt. Reprinted by arrangement with Tarcher/Putnam, a division of Penguin Putnam Inc.
I came across this as I was looking through an inspirational website called Beliefnet and was instantly able to relate to the above.
The beginning of July 2007, I went on a course. Three days into the course I wanted to scream and felt very uncomfortable and hemmed in. WHY? Because I found myself in the middle of the “gossip triangle”. I was allowing myself to get caught up in something that felt very very uncomfortable within my spirit. I have never liked gossiping and the more I grow as a person , the more I grow deep within myself and understand myself and life more, the more I grow spiritually, is the more that I become uncomfortable with “Untruths and lies” and other things which do not edify life nor spirit.
A series of events had occurred on the course to cause disgruntlement, which was understandable but by day 3 things got a little heated. There was one particular young woman, who I identified as being power mad, who felt it her duty to try to control the flow of conversation within class conversations, who tried to put over her views onto other people’s opinions and who usually had a lot to say. Yet what caused me to withdraw was the occasion of having her moan and complain and get on the gossip train about a series of things. At this point I withdrew and had to leave the table. Yet this gossiping had a rippling effect on the whole class and by the end of the day many people were suffering from headaches and the mood in the class was very despondent. Yet more potently, this gossip caused divisions within the class.
I am not saying I never gossip, because sometimes we all get sucked into things that we do not want to and I too must constantly be aware of my part in any scenario. Yet, I try to be aware of when this is happening and I try instantly to withdraw myself from any situation which could prove to be unhealthy and unsavoury.
The above situation just shows how important it is, therefore, to be aware of our beliefs and values, which all incorporate what we stand for as individuals. We need to know intimately what they are and their importance to how they impact on our lives and then the lives of others.
Beliefs, as we know, are assumed truths, things we have been told from our childhood, either by our parents, our peers, our teachers etc. Yet sometimes, these beliefs have and can become warped and unless we get to know who we are, unless we have been on a personal development journey in the quest and search to know who we are, any warped beliefs will follow us throughout our lives like a shadow, because we will not be in a place to understand nor identify then as lies.
Our values are things which are the foundation upon which our lives are built, they ground us, it’s about knowing who we are. They are things like honesty, integrity and truth. Without being aware of what we are in our beliefs and values, then we are liable to get sucked into destructive and negative forces.
The tongue is a very destructive instrument if used in the wrong context. We must be so careful what we get caught up in and what we say. For everything that life is about, it is about awareness. Awareness of self, brings one into a new dimension, it helps us to identify things which we may otherwise be blinded to. Life is a continual experience of learning and progression and awareness, so let us all try to be more aware of how our behaviour impacts not only on our lives, but on our environments as well.
The below are excerpts I have taken from the following website http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,49-1-690-7,00.html which talk further about the destructiveness of the tongue.
“The Prophet Joseph Smith deepened our understanding of the power of speech when he taught, "It is by words . . . [that] every being works when he works by faith. God said, 'Let there be light: and there was light.' Joshua spake, and the great lights which God had created stood still. Elijah commanded, and the heavens were stayed for the space of three years and six months, so that it did not rain. . . . All this was done by faith. . . . Faith, then, works by words; and with [words] its mightiest works have been, and will be, performed."1 Like all gifts "which cometh from above," words are "sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit."2
It is with this realization of the power and sanctity of words that I wish to caution us, if caution is needed, regarding how we speak to each other and how we speak of ourselves.
There is a line from the Apocrypha which puts the seriousness of this issue better than I can. It reads, "The stroke of the whip maketh marks in the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones."3 With that stinging image in mind, I was particularly impressed to read in the book of James that there was a way I could be "a perfect man."
There is a saying that goes something like this –“ Be careful what you ask for, for because you might just get it.”
02 July 2007
The Twilight Zone
The twilight zone
A place between, betwixt, beyond
The here and now,
The forever after
Of times past, of the yesterdays
Trapped or enticed into another dimension?
For better, for worse?
The twilight zone
It could be wherever your heart is
And wherever your spirit dwells
Until you find your peace
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