Footprints

Remember this? You’ve probably seen it on a poster at some time or another. It’s a beautiful poem that was written by Mary Stevenson that reminds us that when we are enduring one of life’s hard times. When life’s path takes us through “…the valley of the shadow…” and we find ourselves in the midst of the darkest of times and we feel our most abandoned it is then that God’s presents and his love is at its strongest. It is at these times in life that he takes us up into his safe arms and carries us through to the sun-lit pastures at the other side of our pain.

Time to reacquaint yourself with these wonderful words and to be reminded that in life’s most arduous of times, you will never have struggle on your own because, you never are alone.

Enjoy and be blessed.

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Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,
"The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints,
is when I carried you."

Mary Stevenson ~ http://www.footprints-inthe-sand.com ~ from original 1936 text

Feeling Loved

"Help People Know They're Loved -- Spend the rest of your life giving people back to themselves, that they might love themselves. And show them by how you are with them that you know there is nothing they are lacking, nothing they are missing, nothing they need, nothing they are not."

--Tomorrow's God by Neale Donald Walsch

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Let people know that they're loved - Make absolutely sure they know how precious they are. Most people don't seem to know just how wonderful they are, they need to know - tell them!

In the world we live in today it is easy to feel forgotten or ignored, so many people feel as if they are alone, as if they must struggle through life no their own. So many feel inadequate and unworthy or lacking in the abilities they need to live the fulfilled life they desire. You may be acquainted with these feelings of struggle yourself we all have felt alone at one time or another.

It is important that we befriend each other, to be the thing that we feel is missing in our lives and bring that, be that, in the life of another. Sow a seed of friendship and love into someone’s life, spend some of your time alleviating the loneliness of another. Be there for someone; support them when they need supporting, even if it is just listening to them or maybe a hug. It’s amazing how the realization that we are not alone can ease the pressures of day to day life.

We all seem to have the need, the desire, to experience that sense of safety, of security that feeling loved brings. We all have a yearning for that feeling of being comfortable in our own skin, that sensation being loved brings, that sense of freedom to be our true selves and to reach for our dreams and archive our full potential without the judgment of others.

Greatest gift

Perhaps the greatest way to ensure someone feels loved is to gift them with the freedom to reach for their dreams and to be themselves, done not by controlling them with hindrance or judgement but with encouragement and gentle guidance letting them know that your support will always be there when needed.

The freedom to express our desires, our deepest, biggest and most longed for dreams is a God given right and his gift to us, to not only allow but help someone realise these dreams is the grandest of seeds we can sow and most beautiful harvest we can ever receive.

Being the thing you need in the life of another, bringing the feeling of love and acceptance into the life of another is a basic universal principle it’s sowing and reaping. Whatever you put into life will always come back to you amplified as a harvest and a reflection of what you bring to life.

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

-- Galatians 6:7

The system cannot be tricked, gift the feeling of love and friendship into the life of another and it will come back to you in abundance, you will never feel forgotten or ignored, you will never be alone.

Finally

Of course, all that said, ultimately none of us are ever truly alone and we never could be that aloneness, the feelings of separation we experience were never a true reflection of reality. Tell everyone you meet that they are loved, tell them they are not now or ever could be alone, tell them, remind them, who they really are. Remind all you meet; tell them that they are precious; a sparkling jewel in God’s crown, a shimmering example of God’s perfection in this his magnificent creation.

I know its tuff right now but, you know that, you are about to enter a wining streak, you are just about to hit your stride and reach your goal. Give what you need, be the person you know yourself truly to be and the fulfilment of your dreams is assured.

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True Beauty

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Let me ask you this: What, but itself did God have to create with?

The next time you look in the mirror instead of hating what you see, remember this about yourself. God created nothing but beauty, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! Just lovely, really lovely!

Don’t judge yourself by the standards of others; they don’t realize who they are themselves it should be no surprise that they don’t recognise the divine spark in you. We seem to have forgotten that the true source of beauty lies within, that spark, the divine life force, the real you. Instead of judging the outer shell, by standards which are un-realistic and impossible to live up to, look passed them to your true inner beauty.

You are amazing, believe me if you could see yourself as you really are, as God sees you, you would never judge yourself again. You ARE beautiful, a prime example of perfection, you have nothing wrong with you, nothing! Really, accept yourself, accept yourself as your creator does, you are exactly who you are meant to be.

Love that person in the mirror, accept yourself. There is no such thing as ugly, really, the true definition beauty is so much wider then society believes it to be. The true definition of beauty includes EVERYONE and EVERYTHING (and yes that includes you!) in fact; it includes the whole of creation. To repeat myself from earlier, God created nothing but beauty.

You are Valuable

You are intrinsically valuable, it has nothing to do with how others see you, and the fact of your existence alone makes you so precious. You my precious are amazing, you are limitless and talented, and creation is made more glorious because of you. One like you has never existed before and never will again, you are boundless, without parallel and you are treasured.

If anyone continually puts you down or belittles your efforts know that it is they who have the problem not you. Do not take their negativity and make it your own, you have everything you need to accomplish and live out your dreams. The only thing that could ever hold you back is your thoughts, so keep those negative thoughts away by filling your mind with positive thoughts and images. In your minds eye, see yourself as God sees you. A precious sparkling jewel radiant with beauty, a beautiful flower with the sweetest fragrance know this: the world is made a better place because of you.

If nothing else remember this: you are truly, AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL, TALENTED and TREASURED. You are needed in this world; countless thousands would miss you if you were not here. You are a light that cannot be dimmed, a shining star that will never be snuffed out.

The universe needs you, your friends need you never forget that.

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Angels

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Angels all around you, angels are with you every day, they surround you, carry you, protect you and love you.

Angels are all those souls you meet each day; they bless you with their presence as you bless them with yours.

Angels are those who bring you opportunity and those who take it away; they are the ones who bring you both the laughter and the pain.

Angels are in the sunshine and angels are in the rain.

Angels catch your tears when you cry and dance with you at moments of joy, they cheer when you are winning and encourage you when you are down.

Angels were in the smile of that child you hurried pass when you were running late today.

An angel was in that lick from a puppy and the purr of your neighbours’ cat.

Angels can be found in every moment, every situation and in every person you encounter each and every day of your life.

Angels are everywhere my friend because you see; it really is true he has sent you “nothing but angels”.

Be an angel for someone today! God bless.

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Mindfulness

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Being mindful and aware of what you are thinking and the emotions that are produced by those thoughts, can show you so much about yourself. It can reveal the motivations that are not only behind your thoughts, emotions and actions but the repeating (and often negative) patterns of thoughts, reactions and emotions in your behaviour.

Watch yourself, in your mind take a step back and watch yourself. Observe, without judging, how you tend to react in a habitual way to certain types of thoughts, situations and people. Observe (again without judging), the emotions that arise at these times, then, ask yourself why? Why do I keep reacting this way?

The answer you arrive at could change your life. It will probably take some time and waiting with patience and you might have to let it sit with you for a while before you come to an answer and will different from person to person. But, when you do it really could change your life.

Continue observing in this way and a thought might occur to you, “These negative thoughts and emotions are not me”. You will on longer identify yourself with or as these negative ideas and realize you can make new choices, you can choose the way you see yourself. You can now choose to act as a pose to reacting in the way you have up until now, this will set you free to be who you really want and should be.

You can now give yourself permission to choose differently, to consciously and deliberately choose and act in a new positive life affirming way. A way that will revolutionize the picture you hold of yourself and therefore, revolutionize the whole your life.

Understanding your motivations is an important step, but, acting from the revelation that the observing of your thoughts, emotions and actions has given you is essential if you are to see any real change in your life. It could be your health, finances, or in your relationships or any other aspect of your life, whatever it is action is the fastest way to see change.

Act from this place of observation, of mindfulness, be aware of the effect your words and actions have on your life, the world around you and all the people in it. So, who is it that is doing all this observing? You are, the real you, the spiritual you, the part of you that come to this life to experience and express as much of itself as possible. Focus your mind on this observer, think of it as observing the observer if you like, spend some time with your real self, with the divine you.

Another good idea is to ask that part of ourselves that gives us our individual identities, the ego, to step aside and to allow the real you, the spirit you, the observer you, to take the driving seat. Coming from this place of the spirit is to come from a place that is motivated only by love you will gain a completely new perspective on all that noise and drama that goes on in your mind. Again allowing you to see your usual motivations and reactions in a new way and again, allowing you to consciously choose a fulfilling path for your life.

Come from your true self and you are motivated purely by love, you accept yourself, you accept others and you definitely do not judge. Now you have seen yourself in this new way, now you understand your motivations and beliefs (which area just un-questioned ideas you hold about yourself) you can leave the old you behind and march into the future with a peaceful mind, confidence, standing tall with your head held high.

You are also free to see all those you meet; family, friends, acquaintances or even those you might call strangers, in a new light. Because you now have an insight into their motivations and feelings you no longer have expectations of them that they were probably unable to meet. You now realize that everyone is struggling with the same internal battles you are, the difference is that now you are able to (gently) bring them to the same realisations that you have.

The point of all of this is that being consciously aware of your inner life allows you to deliberately choose the course of your life. You now have control over your thoughts, emotions and actions, not as before when you believed that they (your thoughts, emotions) had control over you. You can be who you always wanted to be, you can be the person you always knew you were on the inside, but never thought you could be on the outside.

Remember you are not your thoughts, you have thoughts, but they are not you -- BE THE BEST YOU - YOU CAN BE.

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Thoughts on Compassion

Have compassion for yourself, go easy on yourself, you are doing your best you don't need to be beating yourself up. You are so brave, and strong it takes so much courageousness on your part to go out and live your life the way you do. Understanding this about you is the beginning of wisdom. Understanding this about yourself opens the door to you understand that everyone, at any particular moment, is doing their best.

“So have compassion for yourself. You are courageous and good, and you deserve it” - Neale Donald Walsch

Not that you couldn't or shouldn't aim higher, compassion is about not judging yourself (or others) if you (or they) don't live up to expectations. It is about accepting ourselves and each other as we are. We grow and reach our potential one step at a time, become the person we choose to be one day at a time, try not to judge either yourself or others if you (or they) do not achieve everything in one big leap. Life is a process, a journey don’t be to hard on yourself is things don’t happen as fast as you would like.

Compassion gives us strength in the face of an apparent evil event or action, to see the perpetrators’ of such events and their actions in a new light. Not to condone such actions of course, but to look at that action from a new perspective and to understand that to those committing the action they “…did the right thing” or did what they “… had to do” (given their understanding of how life works).

Compassion knows a person may be acting from a place of hurt or emotional turmoil and are therefore doing the best they can in the circumstances and therefore will not judge. Most of us are so distracted by life; the world keeps us so busy, so it should be no surprise that people rarely fulfil their potential. Compassion knows this and so, with love, will give them (everyone) the freedom and opportunity to be all they can be.

Compassion is love expressed as an action; it has empathy for and shares the suffering of others. The compassionate response is always to end the suffering and pain of others and to do all it can to return them back to a state of wholeness. That, by the way, is the source of your desire to end your own pain or suffering, your soul has compassion for you too.

One last thought. Compassion will always do the right thing, acting from a place of non-judgment, love and understanding.

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Selected Wisdom Quotes - 3

Another helping of: Wisdom quotes from Facebook and Twitter posted by myself and friends. The quotes that are from those friends will have links included. Some of my own quotes will have comments included to amplify there meaning.

This post has been waiting a long time to be published so if those I quote don't remember saying these things, that's my fault for taking so long, that said enjoy!

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You can give two minuets to dream of tomorrow, to imagine your dreams coming true! Dream your dreams with faith, love & trust.

Your dreams are real, they exist. They reside in the infinite as potential just waiting for you to realise them, to experience and to live them. A dream is step 1 in the creation of your future.

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"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning."-Louis L'Amour

This thing called life is never finished, the journey in never over. You will always have more to see, more to be, more to experience and more you want to do.

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“Because, only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is.”– Author Unknown @Jason_Bournesm Jason's Spina Bifida Journey

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I know nothing with any certainty ~ But the sight of the stars makes me dream. ~Van Gogh @EarthLifeInst

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"God wants you to be happy. If Christians aren’t happy, then who would want to be a Christian?" – Randy Robison LIFE Today

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Your life and your health is not determined by your genes, but by what you do that will express them positively or negatively. That includes your beliefs about your life. @BobChoat

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It takes time to succeed because success is merely the natural reward of taking time to do anything well. ~ Joseph Ross via Sati Shankar

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You have the ability to know when to push and when to stop, listen to your gut, give whatever it is the "tummy test" and let it guide you.

You have all the wisdom you could ever need for this life residing inside you. That part of yourself called spirit, the part of you that knows and is connected to the divine, to God.

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"In the first grade, I already know the pattern of my life. I didn't know the living of it, but I knew the line.... From the first day in school until the day I graduated, everyone gave me one hundred plus in art. Well, where do you go in life? You go to the place where you got one hundred plus."-Louise Nevelson

Follow whatever it is that you have a real passion for, the thing you most enjoy. Do whatever it is that you are really good at, the thing that you have an obvious talent for and brings you the most joy. Fill your days with nothing else but that thing, it is who you are and why you are here.

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You are good enough, worthy enough, and lovable enough. Never forget that.

Your thoughts have been telling you lies about you. Your worth has nothing to do the external world, your, looks, job or possessions. It comes from your creator and your divine nature, you were created beautiful, perfect and without judgement.

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"Choose to take nothing for granted, & see yourself as a powerful loving healer of your life, and of your world" ~Unknown Via Dr. @LoriShemek

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I have learned over the past year to handle setbacks in life. After each initial "punch," I've become more & more adept at bouncing back.- Heidi Lynn Russell @lovemrthornton

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