Peaceful Writing, Blessed Paper

Like many people I enjoy reading Chicken Soup stories.

Recently I finished one whose author had discovered the value of affirmations. She had an unhappy marriage and disappointing job.  Each day in her room she wrote statements over and over about how she wanted things to be.  Over time the writing grew less and less, until eventually she stopped and forgot all about it.

Years later after she finished a move to a new place and a better job, successfully  completed a divorce, and negotiated a co-parenting arrangement, she found her old notebooks.  She saw that everything positive which she had written had come to pass, even though she had completely forgotten about it all.

You can find similar stories in many places.  Catherine Ponder relates one, in Dynamic Law of Prosperity.  Another one is included in the movie version of The Secret.  I too, have a similar experience.  Let me share it with you. I used the technique a little bit differently, though.

A certain church I attend regularly holds prayer circles, who pray over bundles of requests written on slips of paper by its members.  I use the same technique over my own personal affairs.  On paper I list situations needing resolution, and I describe their positive outcomes.  I say prayers over this folded paper every day, saying "these or things better be manifest." Many times a week I will briefly pause and hold my hand over the paper, visualizing white light around it, saying "these or things better be manifest."

At a time in my life I was faced with a large problem I did not know how to resolve, I used this technique.  Each time I would picture white light around the paper.  In addition I held images of divine beings or angels actively helping resolve the situation.  Gradually over a period of several months, several things fell into place, ways and means materialized, and help stepped forward, until all was complete and resolved, with pleasant outcomes.

The Universe is filled with power and resources to help us.  Time and again this technique has brought to bear Universal forces for the benefit of many people the world over.  It can help you, too.

Kierkegaard and Tree Saws

Recently in my home town we had freezing rain over a couple of days.  The trees everywhere became weighted down with gradually accumulating layers of ice.  Limbs, branches and trunks split and fell, in some cases entire trees came down.  Naturally, power lines came down with them.  Residents all over town lost power.  Every neighborhood street held the remains of wooded winter casualties.

When the weather passed, residents emerged.  They began gradual organized effort to gather, cut, and haul off fallen branches.  When the cleanup is done after storms like this, usually all that remains is broken or scarred trees.  Some of them live on with renewed growth during springs and summers to come.  Some of them do not, and have to be completely cut down and disposed of.

The trees which live, carry on and continue to grow providing shelter and beauty for people and creatures.  The trees which do not survive return to the earth and decay, providing nourishment for future life.

The ice storms of life pass through the lives of people, weighing them down with heavy burden, often leaving them broken.  Our bodies and our spirits emerge after the storm to begin a gradual process of clearing away and healing the hurt and harm.  Some bodies and souls live on, carrying scars but continuing to grow, giving love, hope and wise experience to people around them.

Some bodies and souls do not live on, but pass into the eternities when they give out from being broken.  These bodies nourish the earth.  The memories, loves, and words from these souls continue to nourish those souls who remain.

It has been said that what doesn't kill me makes me stronger.  It may also be true that what does kill me gives me rest, providing memory and inspiration to others long after I am gone.

Any Way You Can

Actor Caroll O'connor struggled for years to cope with the loss of his son to a drug overdose.  He said "how do you get between your kids and drugs, and save their lives? ANY WAY YOU CAN."

How does one recover from a major hurtful experience in life?  The answer is simple:  "any way you can." Postively, safely, and constructively.

Many people would give themselves a face-palm about that kind of answer, and say "It's not that simple."

Then again, maybe it is.

Here is the formula that many people successfully follow:

1. Chose and commit. Make effort each and every day at recovery, doing whatever is needed to express, heal, and move forward.  Be patient with yourself if you move backward some days, but on better days pick up again and carry on.
2. Be active continually.  Do anything positive that can keep you busy and your mind away from what troubles you.  Let activity be refuge from pain, but do not use activity to hide from responsibility or problem solving. Get plenty of rest when you need to, then keep going.
3. Reach out to others.  Listen as much as possible to as many people as possible, connect wherever possible.  Express your own experience, and help others with theirs.  When needed, ask for help. Keep asking until.

The degree this works will depend on one's own determination and persistence.  It all amounts to follow through.

Anything But Easy

Above the roar of the troop plane, he took a deep breath and jumped into the dark, fiery, hellacious skies at one o'clock a.m.

He landed near a small village in Normandy, having no idea exactly where he was or who would be left.   Scrambling through the night, he gathered who he could find and brought them to a nearby village.  The sun rose on what remained of E company:  few guns, little ammunition, and a handful of men.  The commanding officer was missing.  June 6, 1944 found Lieutenant Richard Winters on his path to destiny.  He surveyed the scene, then shouldered his rifle.

"Follow me," he said.

Winters led them to knock out a German gun battery guarding a vital causeway. Stranded troops needed it to escape the beach and make for cover.  The men of Easy Company followed him through one battle after another across Europe over many months, until they stood on top Hitler's mountain retreat, The Eagle's Nest.  A simple lieutenant jumped from a plane above farm country in France, and fought his way to stand above the headquarters of a tyrant.

It all began in what could have been a disaster, but with two simple words.  When life finds us stranded without soldiers, guns or a leader, we have a choice.  We can wait for the end, or we can help others find their way to the mountain top. We can say,

"Follow me."

http://www.historynet.com/dick-winters-reflections-on-the-band-of-brothers-d-day-and-leadership.htm

Not Just a Snack Cracker, You Know.

The youngest of thirteen children, in the summer he looked after goats.

Throughout his teens he gained and lost several hotel jobs.  One manager told him point blank: success in that business required a certain talent, and he certainly didn't have it.   Aiming for a position as a sommolier,  instead he found himself washing floors, shining shoes, and porting luggage.

Then he found the secret.

From that point onward, he worked his way through a series of ever greater staff positions, until he found himself in management in his early twenties.  He didn't stop there.  Applying his secret, he scaled heights in the hotelier/restaurantuer universe no peasant boy would dare dream of.  By the time he died, he had assembled an empire of business partnerships, properties, and fine establishments bearing his name.  Celebrities and rulers kept his name on their tongues as they traveled.

His secret was simple.  Learn everything you can about the operation, always fix mistakes, no effort was too small to satisfy his guests, and provide top of the line service; all while keeping a sharp eye on the bottom line.  Every operation he took over, he shepherded from running in red ink over to solid black ink in a very short time.

His name became synonymous with high quality and business success.  His secret passed into common language with the phrase "putting on The Ritz."   The world knows him as the magnificent hotelier, Cesar Ritz.

"Whoever renders service to many puts himself in line for greatness"  --  Jim Rohn

"The work praises the man"  -- Irish Proverb

Getting More Stuff

Before my present pursuits, I spent a number of years working retail.  I had the opportunity to observe all sorts of behavior, especially binge shopping.  If a person wishes to receive and education in social studies, spend time in retail.

In the beginning I got very bothered by rude and hostile people.  Over time, as I studied positive thought philosophy I learned the principle of detached observation, or mindfulness.  I separated myself from the direct meaning of their behavior, and began to look for motives.  Time and again, the obvious stood out. The more concern a customer had for buying and getting, the more likely they appeared to be hostile or unhappy.  In my own experience, the cliche proved itself.

After seeing this for many years, I resolved to practice more of the principle of detachment from want.  I read a statement from a philosopher: "by releasing, we are released."  More peace came to me as I applied that saying to all sorts of situations in my life, in addition to material things.

"...Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."  -- Luke 12:15

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detachment_(philosophy)

Burns Before Bedtime

Yesterday evening I watched an episode of Ken Burns' documentary about The Civil War, on PBS.

Before bedtime here is nothing like reviewing the history of the most brutal, violent, and costliest conflict America went through in its history, with more American dead than the two world wars combined.  The series is a masterpiece of history retelling, thoroughly heartbreaking in its portrayal.

I bring it up on this blog to make the observation that history can be a force potent enough to make a person bow deeply in the night and give tremendous thanks for his blessings from God in this modern era.  I did precisely that.

Heaven has few rewards greater than appreciation for what is good, and for what we have been spared from.

No Arms, No Legs, No Problem....

"There is no point being complete on the outside, when you are broken on the inside."

Some people blame their problems on God and turn against Him.  Here is one man who came to accept his condition and embraced God with open arms (so to speak.)

Nick Vujicic  entered life without limbs.

For years he dealt with physical and emotional struggle while growing up. Depression and loneliness troubled him deeply.  During his teens, he came to a crossroads.

Nick decided he would make the most of his life.  At age 17, he founded a non-profit organization.  He embarked on a world wide campaign to help teens and encourage people through his story.  Along the way, he built a close relationship with God, and he married the love of his life.

To see him is to watch a million watts light up a city.  Listen to him inspire kids:

Coping Strategies

Here is an info-graphic I found, that shows many strategies I have found helpful in my own experiences.  Definitely worth having in your spiritual tool box. (click image to expand.)

Unsinkable Aimee Mullins

Alternatively-capable paralympian Aimee Mullins delivers a marvelous speech at the TED forums. I am so in love with this lady.