The Power of Forgiveness

During this season of Lent, I have been working on the lesson of forgiveness. I have to say that this hasn’t been the easiest thing in the world. With ongoing health issues, I made the conscious decision to release the negative toxins in my mind that can exacerbate pain.

I have come to the realization that yes, although I have been emotionally hurt by people, they have no power over me if I don’t let them. The choice is really mine. Now I am not saying that it is easy to release that pain and let it go. However, my perspective is that if I leave this earth, I can say that I worked on it.

The true power of forgiveness was demonstrated recently when a man forgave the drunk driver who plowed into him and he subsequently lost a limb. For the entire story: Weymouth man forgives drunk driver who cost him his leg. This man was an example of divine mercy. He has shown a grace of spirit and compassion that most of hope to achieve in our lifetime.

I am working on the seventy times seven principle and I urge you to do the same. Ironically, one of the Greek definitions for forgiveness is "let go.” Are you holding a grudge against someone, or has someone hurt you and you find it hard to forgive them. Today I encourage you to LET IT GO! I know I have long way to go but hey that is what living is all about. Have a joyous day!

“Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?’

Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.’” Matthew 18:21–22

Saying Goodbye

This weekend, I had to take my cat Boo Bear in to be put to sleep. He was a wonderful animal and had lived a long full life. He was 16 ½ years old when he died.

I am left with wonderful memories and the comfort that he lived well. His journey with me was now at an end. I realized that grieving is for the living and not for the one who is gone. I knew I had to make the decision to either let him linger in pain or assist him peacefully on his journey home.

As I sit here, reminiscing of the times we shared, I am able to reflect on the wonderful gift of unconditional love and friendship that he gave me. I give thanks for the memories and wish him eternal peace.

“I believe cats to be spirits come to earth. A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through.” ~ Jules Verne

A Weathering Perspective

I am so enjoying the change in New England’s weather. We are finally drying out after a deluge of rain hit the area. So many of us are still dealing with the aftermath that to see the sun has put a smile on everyone’s face.

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and the damp weather often takes a toll on me and believe it or not can make me irritable. I decided I needed to get out of the “ain’t it awful club” and be grateful for every bit of rain and every ray of sunshine that God has bestowed upon us. At least I have hands that hurt and I have legs that although they may ache, they still function.

This shift of perspective and the feelings of gratitude reminded me of BJ Gallagher’s poem about the weather and I thought it was apropos. We often say, “We weathered the storm, or weather it out.” Enjoy the weather wherever you are and be grateful.

WEATHER REPORT

BJ Gallagher

"Any day I'm vertical is a good day"...that's what I always say.
If you ask me, "How are you?"
I'll answer, "GREAT!" because in saying so, I make it so.

When Life gives me dark clouds and rain, I appreciate the moisture that brings a soft curl to my hair.

When Life gives me sunshine, I gratefully turn my face up to feel its warmth on my cheeks.

When Life brings fog, I hug my sweater around me and give thanks for the cool shroud of mystery that makes the familiar seem different and intriguing.

When Life brings snow, I dash outside to catch the first flakes on my tongue, relishing the icy miracle that is a snowflake.

Life's events and experiences are like the weather they come and go, no matter what my preference.

So, what the heck?! I might as well decide to enjoy them.

For indeed, there IS a time for every purpose under Heaven.
And each season brings its own unique blessings.

Bossiness is not being a Bitch

I have been told that I am bossy. I have been told that I can be a bitch. I have been told that I am too opinionated. It is interesting to me that people define a woman's strength as bossy, or bitchiness whenever they assert themselves. Yet those same traits in a man are deemed as courageous, bold, a leader. Why is that?

I have decided that I am going to wear that label as one of honor and not a defect of my DNA. No, I am not a female dog. Yes!! Dammit I am a leader. I stand before you proud to be forthright, direct, bold, and sometimes even bossy.

I do not need to step on people to get ahead. That is not the trait of a leader but of a dictator. However, I will use my intellect and my mouth to forge my own path.

I have been told that I am a dreamer. I have been told that I am passionate. I have been told that I march to the beat of my own drum. What labels are holding you back or giving you the strength and determination to blaze your own star trail?

Be Bold! Be Proud!

Dare to Be the Person You
Want to Be!

Finding Your Rhythm in 2010

We are officially finishing the first month of the New Year. Has the newness worn off for you? What about the resolutions you made? What have you done? Studies show that less than 10 percent of people who make New Year resolutions actually keep them.

A friend sent this email to me "the 2010 Handbook". This is a much healthier way to set your goals and aspirations for 2010. Find your own rhythm and commit to being a better you.

2010 Handbook (Origin unknown)

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come...
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Lessons of Hope

The Haitian earthquake has brought attention and compassion to a country that has lost so much. Every day we hear about the death and the plight of the Haitian people. What impresses me most is the hope and faith of Haitians in the midst of utter despair.

This is a lesson in what it means to have faith and hope. When life is at its darkest, continue to hold on. I watched the news as they pulled a man from the rubble, and he was praising God. His shouts of joy and gratitude after being literally buried alive for almost a week are the stories of the miraculous.

The countless incredible stories of survival in the midst of the Haitian tragedy made me rethink my situation and those who are struggling. I was recently asked how it was going for me in this tough economy. I started to answer by going down the road of the “a’int it awful club.” I did an about face and corrected myself. I stated emphatically that I am doing well. For you see when I look at what is happening in Haiti, I have no reason to complain. I have the basics of life: food, water, shelter and I am alive! Trust me that reality check really puts things in perspective.

I am confident that the Haitian People will survive this, as they are a strong, independent, and faith-filled people. Haiti was the first Black republic in the world and the first country in the Western hemisphere to abolish slavery completely. Haiti is a country that can inspire the rest of the world to have hope.

¿What gifts do you share?

Today is the Feast day of the Three Kings. They were the three wise men who came to honor the Baby Jesus. In days of old; frankincense, gold, and myrrh were precious and they honored him with their presence and their gifts.

It made me wonder about the gifts that we have, and how do we honor our spirit and our selves. Do you have the gift of laughter, the gift of comfort, the gift of joy, the gift of sharing, the gift of truth, the gift of friendship? Whatever your gift I hope you are sharing it with others so that they may fully experience the wonder that is you?

Use your gifts, spread your wings, and let those around you know that you honor them by sharing a bit of yourself? The feast of the three kings is a great reminder to use our gifts wisely.

You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give."-Kahlil Gibran, philosopher-