"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." Abraham Lincoln e-choed this sentiment when he said,
"Happiness requires very little, it's all in our way of thinking." [And, I would add, in the choices we make.]
Being grateful develops a better mindset. It fills us with hope. We look backward with thankfulness and forward with eager anticipation.
We can be thankful because we are not alone. Connecting with God routinely reminds us of His ongoing availability. He accepts us with grace, not judgment.
Not only can we bond with God, but with we can create a suppor-tive community that loves us unconditionally.
Despite these realities, a loving God still exists. He answers our prayers. A Power greater than ourselves provides us with the sanity and serenity we seek.
A positive vision for our lives is possible.
We see this demonstrated in Step 11 in Recovery. It happens as we slow down through prayer and meditation, and increase our conscious contact with the God of our understanding. We want to pray for know-ledge of His will and the power to carry it out.
When we are loved by family and friends, we know a reality that enhances our joy. Life doesn't get richer than that.
I find sweeping our porch a better option; the world becomes tidier in doing so. Spewing bile may offer temporary release. Doing what we can about an issue provides a constructive alternative; "Let it begin with me."
It surprises me how much we stay in our minds without subse-quent action.
"Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose." Helen Keller
How about you? Where do you choose to invest your thoughts? I'm amazed at what many of us choose to focus on. Yes, problems can engulf us. Complaining doesn't solve them.
It surprises me how much we stay in our minds without subse-quent action.
Before recovery, I worshipped my mind. It was the result of a clas-sical and thorough education. I used analysis to make sense of the nonsensical.
It was my attempt at trying to control the uncontrollable.
I know it's chic to be critical, sophisticated to be sassy. But that's futility and insanity. I'd instead fill my heart with love and praise for the good things life does offer.
I know it's chic to be critical, sophisticated to be sassy. But that's futility and insanity. I'd instead fill my heart with love and praise for the good things life does offer.
Don't you agree? I guess your reply will be yes, or you wouldn't be reading these silent words in this home of gratitude and thankfulness.
The problem with focusing on the problem requires us to see the difficulties. That leads to a negative perspective. We focus on the problem. With that viewpoint, of course, we'll get upset. I'd prefer looking at the alternatives.
The problem with focusing on the problem requires us to see the difficulties. That leads to a negative perspective. We focus on the problem. With that viewpoint, of course, we'll get upset. I'd prefer looking at the alternatives.
What I can do involves staying in the solution.
Many don't realize that being critical does not necessarily indicate an astute analytical mind. Anyone can complain; it requires little effort being consumed with a dark spirit, defaulting to this mode.
Many are not aware that being judgmental has nothing to with their assessment skills. Their viewpoints stem from a heart filled with blame, shame, guilt, and judgment, the five forms of Life Alienating Communication. Frequently, critics are simply continuing the negative legacy of growing up within the toxicity of a negative, depressive, criti-cal home where grace was rarely demonstrated.
Since childhood, many living in a less than ideal home were groomed to be critical. It was modeled for them daily. Having lived with toxic--and usually perfectionistic--family members, the bleak childhood circumstances strongly contributed to adopting a critical perspective. Seeing what was wrong became part of their cognitive and characterological DNA.
My Gratitudes for Today:
1. I spoke with one of my brothers this afternoon. It's lovely connecting with family and catching up on the latest news
2. I had an open conversation with a son. The openness, thoughtfulness, and honesty we had met my need for connecting on an intimate level. It's excellent relating with an adult son. Hearing his mature but different perspective was gladdening. Mine is limited. I appreciate the times we celebrate together.
3. I appreciate exercising patience. It allows me to slow down when life engulfs me when the urgent issues of life try to distract me from the important. Turning things over to God, letting Him carry the burdens of my life makes it more bearable, less frightening, and increases my equanimity, always a good deal.
Related Posts:
Getting Beyond Disappointment
"Happiness is a Choice" Part II
Many are not aware that being judgmental has nothing to with their assessment skills. Their viewpoints stem from a heart filled with blame, shame, guilt, and judgment, the five forms of Life Alienating Communication. Frequently, critics are simply continuing the negative legacy of growing up within the toxicity of a negative, depressive, criti-cal home where grace was rarely demonstrated.
Since childhood, many living in a less than ideal home were groomed to be critical. It was modeled for them daily. Having lived with toxic--and usually perfectionistic--family members, the bleak childhood circumstances strongly contributed to adopting a critical perspective. Seeing what was wrong became part of their cognitive and characterological DNA.
This is my choice, dwelling upon the blessings and treasures I have. In keeping with that theme, here are..."Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians. 4:8.
My Gratitudes for Today:
1. I spoke with one of my brothers this afternoon. It's lovely connecting with family and catching up on the latest news
2. I had an open conversation with a son. The openness, thoughtfulness, and honesty we had met my need for connecting on an intimate level. It's excellent relating with an adult son. Hearing his mature but different perspective was gladdening. Mine is limited. I appreciate the times we celebrate together.
3. I appreciate exercising patience. It allows me to slow down when life engulfs me when the urgent issues of life try to distract me from the important. Turning things over to God, letting Him carry the burdens of my life makes it more bearable, less frightening, and increases my equanimity, always a good deal.
Getting Beyond Disappointment
"Happiness is a Choice" Part II
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