Revelations and Realizations

Random Quote: "You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind." ~Joyce Meyer

     There are days when I wonder if I'm actually listening. 

Do you ever feel that way? 

     A few days ago I started listening to Joyce Meyer's Attitudes of the Heart series. I listened to the first cd three times, yet it continually slapped me in the face with something new. All I kept hearing within the comical stories and the scripture references and the unique-one-of-a-kind Meyer voice was this: I NEED TO BE THANKFUL!!!!!

     BAM!

     Life-changing moments occur every day. This isn't a new message. It isn't the only one I've ever heard, but somehow it reached into me and squeezed my heart. And I had to listen to it over and over and over again. Three times to be exact. Do you do that? Listen to something more than once because it's so good or your just can't get it through your brain that it's real? 

     Yeah. I thought so. Me too.

     It was as if I woke up. There was this realization of how I ungrateful I really can be. How thoughtless and unhappy and selfish and rude... Well, I really don't need to keep listing do I? You get the point, right? Even if you don't, I'm moving on so get over it. 

     However, the real point is this: I can't have a negative mind with negative thoughts and negative responses and live a positive life. 

     You know that too, don't you? 

     Even with this lightning strike of knowledge (which I've heard before, remember I told you that above?), I know I have to make an effort to change those things about me I don't like and don't want to hold onto. Looking back, as a child I was ridicuoulsly happy. I ran around discovering new ways to drive my parents nuts. I feel that's only fair since they've returned the favor now that I'm older, lol. I'd climb everything. The door posts, the cabinets, the drawers that get you to the counter and the microwave on top of that, trees, everything. 

     Then one day I stopped. 

     I don't remember when exactly, but I recall looking up at that tree and thinking, "I can't climb you anymore." 

     Now, I still sat upon the lowest limb (my tree is the best for climbing!), but I wouldn't go very much further. There was something inside of me that turned cautious. Fearful. I couldn't be thankful anymore. That freedom almost felt stolen from me. And that was the beginning, I think, of my negative thoughts. Negative thoughts usually start out the same way: Fear. 

     You fear you won't be able to do something. So you don't.

     You fear you will not succeed. So you don't.

     You fear you won't ever reach a goal or pursue a dream. So you don't.

     You fear you won't be a good friend, a good parent, a good sister, a good brother, a good person. So you don't even try.

     That's what it boils down to, right? 

     You don't.

     So, maybe we should try something new. Maybe think a bit more positively. Okay. A LOT more positively. 

     Repeat after me: 

     I am not afraid; I will do something. I'm thankful for what I can do.

     I am not afraid; I will succeed. I'm thankful when I succeed.

     I am not afraid; I am going to work toward my goals, my dreams. I'm thankful when I reach a new goal and work toward a new dream.

     I am not afraid; I am going to be a good friend, parent, sister, brother, person. I'm thankful when I do something nice, say something kind, or when I'm there for someone. 

     Now, let's be honest. Sometimes things still won't work out the way we want them to. However, isn't it nice to know that we've tried? Because when it does work out, when we do succeed, when we win, it's like a littly patch of Heavenly light shining down on us and saying, "Good job! Now, keep going." 

And that's the bottom line. KEEP GOING. KEEP BEING POSITIVE. AND BE THANKFUL WHEN YOU DO SUCCEED!

     Before you know it, being positive will have grown on you and when something comes along to discourage you, pull it out. Hold that positivity up like a shield. It may bend, but it won't break. Then, throw your thankfulness for beating it into fear and doubt's face. 

     "Pray in faith, and you will not live in doubt." Isn't that a similar concept? Perhaps, just perhaps, we should give it a try. Then give thanks. It's a repetitive cycle. Being positive and thankful go hand in hand. You can't really have one without the other. 

     So, I think I may try to climb that tree again. Higher. Ignore the negative voice of fear, and then give thanks... when I don't fall out of it and break something... Oh wait! Is that last line being positive?

     What are you going to work on being positive and thankful about this week? What are you going to do to make a new revelation in your life? I would love to hear your thoughts!! 

~Love and Hugs!! :)

       

     

      

A Change in the Making...

Random Quote: "If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies." ~Author Unknown

     I recently had the privilege of watching over a large number of Painted Lady caterpillars. They were cute, small, and growing bigger by the second. Seeing the progress from tiny to long and pudgy was amazing, but the stragest part was when they began to hang upside down and create their chrysalis. 

     

     The amazing change was captivating. 

     

     They stayed in their tiny wraps for about ten days, and then, there they were. Each coming out when he or she was ready to emerge. You hear about it all the time, but you really take it for granted until you witness it happen first hand. This rare beauty of how life changes. 

     Butterflies completely liquify within their chrysalis. It sounds disgusting, and believe me, all the liquid left behind when they hatch from their chrysalis is puke-worthy; however, I love how they are willing to take on this change.

     Maybe it's just nature. 

     Maybe it's just a part of a life cycle. 

     Maybe it's just intuition, and they do it because they are supposed to do so. 

     Or...

     Maybe it's more than a preconceived idea. 

     Maybe it's about the lesson we can learn and the beauty of their triumph over such a challenging change.

     No matter how you look at it, maybe, you can also see the hope in the mess and the sacrifice. 

     Just maybe, it will give you the chance to step forward in faith and make the scary changes you need to face. I hope it will. Whenever you feel sad and down about your circumstances look for a butterfly. Remember, you are only the beginning of who you can truly be. Just be ready to take on the "chrysalis" and have the courage to emerge when your ready for the world to see those changes. 

I took these pictures within my home's rock garden after a weekend of more beautiful butterflies emerging. Enjoy!!

         

Keep looking for the bright spots!! 

Love and Hugs!! :)