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!!  :) 

Staying Focused...

While on the road of personal development, there will come moments when the going gets rough.  But, don't worry so much about the future.  Trust that God is leading you in the right direction.  Trust in your intuition and in yourself that you can make good decisions.  God always has our back...and since we are made in His image...meaning we are of the same Spirit...it is foolish to doubt the POWER we hold! 

Stay focused on your goals.  Don't stop what you're doing just because everyone else is doing something different.  Everyone has their own journey...so, stay focused on the path ahead of YOU.  Everything may not be as you would like, but remember that EVERYTHING is as it should be. Enjoy today, the present moment.  Make the best of life and HAVE FUN!   

Why do I keep doing this???

Ever wonder why you sometimes do things you know you shouldn't?  Why you're mean sometimes to others...or even to yourself?  Why you have bad habits you can't seem to break?  Well...I have an answer for you...but, first...let me tell you about my cat...

If you've ever had a cat...then you understand very well that every once in awhile, he will act up and act out.  My first reaction may be to scold him, and punish him...only to find him doing the same thing... AGAIN!!  My next reaction may be to punish him again...but, to no avail...he's NOT listening.  What gives?

Well...if you seek a cat expert...they'll probably tell you there's a reason why they're acting out.  For example...if I don't clean his litter...he just might find a more suitable place to use the bathroom.  If I neglect to feed him on time...he just might go into my trash.  If I don't provide him with toys and attention...he just might start clawing my furniture...:-\

So...what are YOUR reasons for acting out?  What needs of yours are you neglecting?  What is your inner child crying out for?  Stop beating up on yourself and punishing yourself.  Instead, LOVE YOURSELF, take the time to listen...inquire...and then fulfill that need in a positive way...and watch as your bad habits and your lashing out...finally starts coming to an end...