Innkeeper's Note:
I am recuperating from a crazy week and weekend. My sleep has been thrown out of kilter for days, along with my equanimity, though no one would know it. This is what has happened to me, the result of being a public speaker for decades. I have nerves of steel even when disoriented.
Outwardly I am calm, when my soul feels like it has been in the
tumble cycle of life for weeks. This doesn't happen often. I am at a loss as to decisions I need to make. And I am decisive. Other than that, I am okay.
tumble cycle of life for weeks. This doesn't happen often. I am at a loss as to decisions I need to make. And I am decisive. Other than that, I am okay.
Recently, I am catching up on administrative work. My attention was diverted. I leave the following for those who new to the inn. For more than three years this post was in the top ten, all time, until bumped out by what is in the sidebar now.
Here's to having a great week! I know I will.
The Innkeeper
The Innkeeper
The post:
Can you think of a better way of going through your week than considering your gratitudes? Neither can I. This inn is here to encourage you. Have a seat. Relax from the pressures of your world. You'll find hope, and support for an optimistic, staying-in-the-solution week.
Dwelling on life's complications only makes them loom large and more disturbing. Where's the growth in that? Exactly. Progress doesn't occur living in isolation. We were meant to bond with healthy relationships. You'll find that here. You sign the registry to this inn by posting your gratitudes. This room exists to help you as you journey towards greater gratitude.
Please, pause from persistent problems and petitions for your attention. You deserve investing in yourself. Slow down and breathe. Don't worry about your allergies---this is a dust-free room. As you see, we're enjoying amazing weather, it'll get up to 74 degrees today. There's a slight breeze. Let me know if you need a sweater. Clear your thoughts. Would you like to join us and share three gratitudes? You'll benefit in doing so.
Keep in mind:
All happy people are grateful. Ungrateful people cannot be happy. We tend to think that being unhappy leads people to complain, but it is truer saying that complaining leads people to becoming unhappy.
Dennis PragerThere is much less envy of the rich by the poor than there is of the happy by the unhappy; of those who believe by those who don't believe.
Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.
Gladys Bronwyn Stern
Gratitude is our most direct line to God and the angels. If we take the time, no matter how crazy and troubled we feel, we can find something to be thankful for. Terry Lynn Taylor
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is
like wrapping a present and not giving it.
William Arthur Ward
*************************************************
What is an Attitude?
It is the 'advance man' of our true selves.
Its roots are inward but its fruit is outward.
It is our best friend or our worst enemy.
It is more honest and more consistent than
our words.
our words.
It is an outwards look based on past
experiences.
experiences.
It is a thing which draws people to us or
repels them.
repels them.
It is a never content until it is expressed.
It is the librarian of our past.
It is the speaker of our present.
It is the prophet of our future.
John Maxwell, The Winning Attitude
Again, I invite you to share three things for which you're grateful. You'll be glad you do.
We carry our attitudes with us wherever we go. Some were absorbed during childhood. Many are unhealthy ideals."As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." Proverbs23:7
Ones like not discussing what troubles us by keeping a stiff upper lip. Or that we should yield to others, conceding our values, allowing others to control our lives.
These ideals are false--replacing them with principles that add to our personal strength, tranquility, hope and joy is better. Healthier principles like, "we get what we tolerate," or "we train people how to treat us," are better ones to have resonating within the halls of our spirit. They allow sanity when relating.
Another encouraging maxim: "It is never too late to start doing what is right" (Charles Swindoll) helps us overcome the despair we experience when we yield to fear, the "Bad Parent" voice that condemns us, moving us towards self-sabotage or perfectionism. Knowing that maturity is "moving from having a hard heart and a thin skin to having a soft heart and a thick skin" reminds us the value of lovingly detaching from others. We want to be responsive to, but are not responsible for, the feelings of others.
The statement, "when we need the applause of others to feel good about ourselves we've given them power over us" helps us keep perspective. Freedom from being in a one-down position with others certainly is cause for a grateful attitude.
Once we're eighteen, we're equals with everyone. It's up to us whether we yield our power or choose to stand in the strength of healthy principles, integrity and autonomy. Knowing our value does not depend on what we do or what others think of us prevents us from surrendering big chunks of ourselves. In good relationships, we don't do that. No relationship is worth degrading ourselves.
Having An Attitude of Gratitude, requires reconsidering the validity of many ideals we hold. (For more about that, read here.) Many are not inerrant. As adults, we decide which attitudes occupy the territory of our minds. Hopefully they are healthy, positive thoughts. You'll find plenty of them in this inn of thanksgiving. Here's wishing you a Winning Attitude week.
I invite you to share thoughts and quotes that encourage and motivate you. It would be terrific having you add to this inn's positivity.
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4 comments:
It has always baffled me as to why we dwell on life's complications as opposed to life's blessings. I wonder why that is? Perhaps it's human nature, but we DO have control over it. Have a great day Pablo.
Dear Innkeeper,
You are certainly right. You do have nerves of steel. You are an inspiration to me. Isolation or immobilization is awful, but I am grateful for your light.
Unfortunately, my life is inundated with disconnected role-players, snorkelers, as I call them, afraid to scuba-dive into the unknown. My apologies to the literal Dr. Spocks out there. That was a metaphor. Do the the best you can. ;0)
This has been another difficult, emotional year, but grace always provides what is necessary. Bitter pill for the ego or wild imagination to swallow, but it's true. Being an intuitive feeling type and not being able to connect with others is like asking Michael Jordan in his prime to knit sweaters instead of playing basketball. It's stifling, suffocating. Anyways...until the next post...
Sincerely,
Your favorite left-handed superhero
Hi Keith,
Thank you for dropping by. You always make my day brighter with your visits. Sorry for being tardy with this reply. As stated in this post, attitude is the advance man of our true selves, speaker of our present and prophet of our future.
I find faith has a critical role with our attitude. With it, we have stronger hope, more optimism. But this is only true when we have an authentic connection with God.
I appreciate your isights!
The Innkeeper
Dear Superman,
Let me know what kryptonite interferes with your motivation or relating with others.
I'm here for you. Let me know how I can support you. Men with your abilities are rare and desperately needed. You are not being punished, God has a plan for you.
Focus on the Plan
Not the Pain.
You have my prayers,
The Innkeeper
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