A Reason

When someone is in your life for a reason, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they are up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer for you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on. When a prayer is answered, there is no need to cry.

Next!

The Path to Knowledge

Most people think they know the answer. I am willing to admit I don't even know the question

- A. Hall

* * * * * *

Life is a series of mysteries we must each unravel at our own pace. Our task is not to solve the mysteries but to use them along our way. No one can tell us what is good for us just because it worked for them. If we allow someone to give us our answers we create conflict deep within. Sometimes it gets confusing trying to figure out what to do. If the confusion is on the inside, the answer is there, too! No human being has all the answers. If they did they would not be here. One of the greatest mysteries we must unravel is our purpose, because that makes us clear. Let us take more time to listen to our hearts, filtering through the offerings that come in. Let us not be so willing to say "I know" when we have no idea where to begin. Let us know deep down that God loves us and use that knowledge along the way. Let us approach the great mystery of the meaning of life with a little bit less to say.

Fruit of the Seeds

If you plant turnips you will not harvest grapes

- Akan proverb

* * * * * *

When we pass a garden and see everythng in full bloom, we don't always think about the seeds that were planted long before we got there. We simply enjoy the beauty of the harvest. Our minds work the very same way.

It is the law of expression that says we must ultimately express in form those thoughts, emotions and impulses we store in the subconscious mind. That part of us does not think. It does not reason, balance, judge or reject. It is the fertile ground that accepts any and everything we plant. Good or evil, constructive or destructive, our lives will bear the fruit of the seeds we plant in our minds.

If we have no faith, purpose or belief in ourselves, we cannot blame the world. We plant the roses or weeds we see in the garden. We can imagine good big things as well as troubling little things, our minds will accept either one. If we want to lay back and sniff the lilies in our valley, we must tend our seeds of thought with constant care.

Think of it this way - We reap a good harvest from the soil of our mind.

Blazing Trails (for others to follow)

Just thinking about something ....

Numerous options exist to move from point A to point B on our path. Some options will fit like exqusitely tailored garments while others simply don't feel right. At times doors to our innermost desires will seem closed. This is when our creativity is most valuable. It takes conviction and an inner certainty of our destiny to create opportunities in the face of adversity. From these necessary creative endeavors, we often discover a lesson or gift that reaps benefits beyond our own personal satisfaction. When we create something from nothing because no other option exists for traveling the path we were born to live, we will find ourselves thrust into the leadership role of a pathfinder or trailBLAZER.

When is the last time you blazed a trail?

Give and Receive

In this world it is not what we take up but what we give up that makes us right.

- Henry Beecher

There is a very simple principle that people cannot seem to get the hang of - as you give, so you receive. People find it difficfult to believe that it is necessary to give first and give righteously. If you only give to get, you will not receive. If you give out of fear, you will not receive. Many people do not believe they have enough to give. That is because they may be thinking in terms of money only. If you do not have money, give your time, talent and energy. Give a smile. Give a prayer. Give anonymously without expectation of reconition. The spirit in which you give determines the manner in which you receive. If you give freely, joyously and willingly, you will receive abundantly. As you give what you have, what you are not using, you make room to receive something else in its place. Give of yourself, your knowledge and the information you have received, then prepare yourself for an outpouring of blessings. And by the way, do not expect it to come back to you from the person you gave it to.

* * * * *

Thinking for Yourself

Think wrongly if you please, but in all cases think for yourself.

- Louisa May Alcott



One of the many things that drive parents crazy about their children is that children like to think for themselves. Parents do not always like that. Most of the time, parents do not understand why children believe as they do; they may also feel threatened when the children do not see tings the right way - that is, the parent's way. Parents have experience; they may believe children do not. Parents know the dangers and traps in life; children seem not to care. Parents believe that if children are left to their own devices, they may destroy themselves. Parents need to realize the difference between discipline and thinking, disobedience and thinking, disrespect and thinking. Children are just people living through a smaller body. They must learn to express themselves, to understand who they are and grow into who they are through their own thoughts. Just because children do not think as we do doesn't mean they are wrong.

Ideas are children of the mind.

You Don't Always Have to Have Something to Say

Every time we open our mouths we release a powerful energy. If we could learn to hold on to that energy, it could be used to nurture our dreams, heal our bodies and fuel our minds. But we always have so much to say. Talking can take us off the track, knock us off center and kill our dreams when we speak mindlessly. Talking is something we must learn to use, not something we must always do. There is a power in silence that energizes the mind, body and soul. Think of the sun, moon and stars. They all appear silent and never fail their job. There is wisdom in silence. Think of the mountains and trees. They never have anything to say, yet it takes great effort to bring them down. There is love in silence. Think of the development of a new life. Perfect timing, order and completion accomplished in total silence. Silence is an art, a tool of the wise. When we perfect the art of silence, chances are we will get a lot more done.