Thursday, March 29, 2007

Today, I choose to be happy.

As hard as it might be for most people to understand, happiness is largely a matter of choice. If we want to be happy, the first thing we must do is make a conscious, active choice to be so. As for me, I have a plan as to where my life is going. I didn't have to sit and do a lot of in-depth analysis in order to devise this plan, because it was handed to me by the Creator (God). All I had to do was open myself to discovering it and then make the choice to live my life in harmony with it.

I now wake up every day knowing that whatever happens, whatever comes my way today, I will act, react, and live my life in ways that are in keeping with the Creator's plan. I will remember that I am a spiritual being having a human experience, not a human being having a spiritual experience. When I lay down my head to sleep at night, I intend to be at peace with myself, knowing that I have thankfully and humbly lived this day as I was supposed to.

Knowing my life's purpose and knowing that I am empowered and guided by the Creator to carry out that purpose makes me very happy. I am truly at peace with life, the Universe and myself, because I have chosen to walk the path the Creator set forth for me. Doing so not only profoundly effects me, but others as well.

Today, I choose to be happy. And I am very thankful for everything the Creator has gifted me with, most especially a very special woman who is the center of my life. The awareness of this gift in particular - along with an awareness of the tremendous trust the Creator extends by entrusting me to love, care for, and support this wonderful lady - has changed my life forever.

Today I choose to be happy.
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Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Manifesting Simplicity - verse 81 of the Tao Te Ch'ing

81. MANIFESTING SIMPLICITY

The truth is not always beautiful,
nor beautiful words the truth.
Those who have virtue,
have no need of argument for its own sake,
for they know that argument is of no avail.
Those who have knowledge of the natural way
do not train themselves in cunning,
whilst those who use cunning to rule their lives,
and the lives of others,
are not knowledgeable of the Tao,
nor of natural happiness.
The sage seeks not to have a store
of things or knowledge, for he knows,
the less of these he has, the more he has,
and that the more he gives,
the greater his abundance.
The way of the sage is pointed
but does not harm.
The way of the sage
is to work without cunning.

- Translation courtesy of Stan Rosenthal.
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Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Satori and Living Life In Harmony with Purpose

"Satori" is a word from Zen, which translates roughly to an "instant awakening." This is something that can be experienced in any person's life, provided you are willing to give yourself over to the purpose for which you were placed in this Universe. We all tend to get caught up in the "busyness" of life, and so often forget that we exist for a purpose. For each individual, this "purpose" may be different. Once you discover it, however, amazing things happen. Seemingly insurmountable obstacles seem to shrink as you find solutions presenting themselves to you. Things you thought to be impossible not only become possible, but often seem to come to fruition as if a divine hand were reaching down and doing the hard work for you.

A person who has come to recognize and embrace his or her purpose in life should not expect life to be a bed of roses. There will be trials. There will be difficult times. There will be unexpected twists and turns. But when you begin to live your life in accordance with your intended purpose, solutions to problems will begin to come more readily. You will find that you have sources of strength that you did not have in your life before. There will be true meaning to life. You will find yourself more at harmony with the forces of the Universe - and with yourself.

I am not speaking here of what I "think" is possible for us to experience. Rather, I am speaking of what I "know" to be true. Since discovering my true purpose in life, I have noticed considerable changes in myself and the way I deal with life. Yes, I still face obstacles and trials. The difference lies in how I choose to view and face them. Instead of feeling overburdened and defeated, I simply stop occasionally to consider what is most important to me in life and what it is I am trying to accomplish. I weigh and judge all of my decisions, actions, and reaction on simple criteria, which boils down to the question "Is this in keeping with my purpose in life?"

Satori came to me when I realized my true purpose in life. It was as though a switch had been instantly flipped in my heart, soul, mind, and spirit. Everything I had ever experienced in life was suddenly put into perspective. I began to know exactly who I am, where I have been, and how my life is intended to be spent. Not MY intention, but the intention of the Creator - that divine force that we also refer to as God, or by other names, depending on your spiritual orientation. Life and the world around me have not appeared the same since. It is brighter, more colorful and filled with meaning. I live each day with the sole intention of being the person I was intended to be. My life is filled with happiness and good things that I give thanks to the Creator for many times a day. Even when it appears on the surface that life is dealing me some serious blows, I find myself getting through the difficult parts with a level of hope and determination that never before existed in my life.

I no longer feel like a passive victim, waiting for life's next blow. Instead, I live my life with passion, determination, patience, and strength - all based on the knowledge that I was intended to do something very important, meaningful, and beautiful. By living in harmony with that purpose, it also turns out that my life is now filled with happiness that far surpasses anything I had ever imagined.

When you live your life in accordance with your true purpose, the results end up being nothing short of miraculous, even if it takes a little time to start noticing those "everyday" miracles that are taking place.
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Monday, March 26, 2007

Abraham Lincoln on Having a Forgiving Spirit.

I just wanted to share the following words, penned by Abraham Lincoln, on the subject of forgiveness...

"I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. For too long, every ounce of forgiveness I owned was locked away, hidden from view, waiting for me to bestow its precious presence upon some worthy person. Alas, I found most people to be singularly unworthy of my valuable forgiveness, and since they never asked for any, I kept it all for myself. Now, the forgiveness that I hoarded has sprouted inside my heart like a crippled seed yielding bitter fruit. No more. At this moment, my life has taken on new hope and assurance. Of all the world’s population, I am one of the few possessors of the secret to dissipating anger and resentment. I now understand that forgiveness has value only when it is given away. By the simple act of granting forgiveness, I release the demons of the past about which I can do nothing, and I create in myself a new heart, a new beginning. I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit.

"I will forgive even those who do not ask for forgiveness. Many are the times when I have seethed in anger at a word or deed thrown into my life by an unthinking or uncaring person. I have wasted valuable hours imagining revenge or confusion. Now I see the truth revealed about this psychological rock inside my shoe. The rage I nurture is often one-sided, for my offender seldom gives thought to his offense. I will now and forevermore silently offer my forgiveness even to those who do not see that they need it. By the act of forgiving, I am no longer consumed by unproductive thoughts. I give up my bitterness. I am content in my soul and effective again with my fellow man.

"I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive those who criticize me unjustly. Knowing that slavery in any form is wrong, I also know that the person who lives a life according to the opinion of others is a slave. I am not a slave. I have chosen my counsel.

"I know the difference between right and wrong. I know what is best for the future of my family, and neither misguided opinion nor unjust criticism will alter my course. Those who are critical of my goals and dreams simply do not understand the higher purpose to which I have been called. Therefore, their scorn does not affect my attitude or action. I forgive their lack of vision, and I forge ahead. I now know that criticism is part of the price paid for leaping past mediocrity.

"I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive myself. For many years, my greatest enemy has been myself. Every mistake, every miscalculation, every stumble I made has been replayed again and again in my mind. Every broken promise, every day wasted, every goal not reached has compounded the disgust I feel for the lack of achievement in my life.

"My dismay has developed a paralyzing grip. When I disappoint myself, I respond with inaction and become more disappointed. I realize today that it is impossible to fight an enemy living in my head. By forgiving myself, I erase the doubts, fears, and frustration that have kept my past in the present. From this day forward, my history will cease to control my destiny.

"I have forgiven myself.

"My life has just begun.

"I will forgive even those who do not ask for forgiveness.

"I will forgive those who criticize me unjustly.

"I will forgive myself.

"I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit."

-- Abraham Lincoln
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