PEACE...JOY...LOVE

The Key to Peace...

So many times I've found myself in situations where I'm either really, really angry...or really, really depressed.  All I want in those moments is a bit of peace.  But, what I have learned along the way is that the key to peace is not is found in any person, place, or thing.  The key to peace is found in something that I'd thought I was the queen of...but, apparently I am not. 

This wonderful thing that brings instant peace is Effective Communication.  If you can effectively communicate something...it won't stay bottled up inside you.  You'll lose the need for an argument or a sad, pathetic, and dramatic episode. 

To determine if you're an effective communicator, ask yourself these questions:

1.  Do you truly know what it is that you want, or need?

2.  Are you allowing yourself to truly feel your feelings (as opposed to escaping them by doing other things to distract you)?

3.  Are you able to be vulnerable and tell others how you truly feel WITHOUT being mean, confrontational, manipulative, whiny, or embarrassed?

4.  Are you able to be your own cheerleader and encourager, and bring yourself out of a funk WITHOUT outside help?

5.  When you pray to God, do you ask for assistance in reaching your goals (as opposed to helplessly asking God to rescue you)?  

I am going to begin a blog series on Effective Communication being the Key to Peace.  I'll begin my next post expounding on the first question and how it plays an important role in effectively communicating and bringing peace into your life.

Stay tuned!!  :) 

Stand firm...

When I was first learning to drive...I used to get so nervous when making a left turn.  I'd be afraid of turning too soon, and it didn't help to feel the pressure of the driver(s) behind me.  The pressure was made even worse when the driver would start to blow their horn, impatiently trying to intimidate me to just get out there.       

But, my mom wisely warned me...never let anyone pressure you to turn before you're ready.  She said that if you let someone push you to turn before you're ready...you may make a bad decision and get in an accident.  And, when you do, that person that same person is NOT gonna pull over and help you out.  You'll be by yourself, waiting for AAA, and then stuck with a huge bill!

I always took heed to my mom's advice..and still do today.  Yes, I take a long time to turn left, and yes sometimes people get mad...but at the end of the day, my car and I are safe and sound...and that makes me happy...:)

This same advice can be applied in other areas of life...especially in relationships.  Be careful in allowing others to push you to do something before you're ready.  When your intuition is telling you to wait, moving before the divine time can be disastrous!  And most times, that person is not gonna be there to help you pick up the pieces.

So...don't be afraid to stand firm in what you know is good for you.  Do what makes you happy and trust that good things will happen.  Others may get upset, but they'll eventually get over it.  At the end of the day, YOU are the one that has to live with yourself and your decisions.   

When no one is there...

There comes a time when you're going through something troubling...but there's no one, and I mean no one, around to help you.  All of a sudden, your counselor is on vacation, your friends are too busy, and your mom just wouldn't understand.  But, despair not, for this is the time you've been waiting for.  This is the time you've been practicing for.  This is the time to stand on your own two feet, go within, trust your intuition, and figure it out yourself.  The training wheels are gone...and now it's time to ride that two-wheeler like a big girl...lol!! 

Don't be afraid, just watch and you'll surprise yourself...you're a lot stronger and wiser than you give yourself credit for!  Now you'll realize that everyone else didn't necessarily know all the answers...they just held the key to unlock the answers that were already within you.  Everything you need is already within you at this very moment...and now the key is in YOUR hands.  So, use it...step out on faith...and see how far you've grown!! 

You can do it!!  :)