Silent Giving

Here is this session's homework assignment #34, "Silent Giving.",

Each day this week, do something special for someone or give and don't tell anyone - ever (tell your journal). This is such a powerful exercise. It forces you to create the feeling of gratitude and fulfillment internally without getting your gratitude externally from the receiver of your gift. Write how these acts of kindness make you feel.

Notice yourself becoming empowered and uplifted as you commit such acts of generosity. Your silent giving conditions your mind to open up and receive

Some Of My Thoughts:
I think this is a good idea. The thought of silent giving, that will bring someone some joy in there life.  Wondering who can I do this good act of deeds. I'll keep it a secret.

May we be givers. May we see the good in what we do for others. May the LORD bless us to be a blessing to others. Amen.

Thanks for reading.
Silent Giving
Staying On The Journey,
Susan

Life As A School: Being A Gardener

There are situations in life that we experiences. Those things can add to our knowledge base. We learn as we go through trials and test in our every day living. It's how we react that makes a difference.
How we respond to life will differ with each person. Our attitude can be shaped by what we go through. It could be for the good or for the bad. In the process we grow.

In some cases we can turn bad situations around. It's our attitude that can change the atmosphere. When some things don't go our way, we can get bent out of shape.

But we need to remember that we have a choose to make.  Our choices may make can be the changes we need or the things that we need to see. We should look for good in things.

I can see that being negative doesn't add to the issue at had. It can cause more problems than good. We can learn the gift of life that's there by what we experience. We hope
that it's good in life that there.

Here's one example I thought about keeping up a garden... The Negative side of keeping up a garden. First the ground had to be plowed, the plants or seeds planted. Than comes the hard part....maintenance of the garden as things are needed....

The weeds that are growing, the bugs that surrounds, wonder why the plants not growing as the should, getting dirty, out in the heat, don't feel like getting the weeds out of the garden, needing to get the hose out to water the garden than put the hose back up.

How can I see This NEW PICTURE? Keeping up a garden...
The good feeling that I can see. is the out come of what work was needed to keep the garden up. The harvest that will come from the garden. The savings from not having to
buy the veggies at the store. The feeling of growing and appreciating of being apart of some thing that took time to do.

LEARNING GIFTS
I've learned to be consistence with what I had to do.
I've found it to be a task in which I choose to do.
I've connected with the great outdoors.
I've learn to care for the needs of the veggies.
I've learned in the long run, I can see the end of what I've started.
I've learned the good in keeping with the garden was a purpose.

Life is a school. We learn about life as we experience the issues of life that come. We learn what is right. We learn what is wrong. We grow in the process of going through things in our lives.

In the long run, it's good to have a garden. Throughout it all... the veggies are homegrown. They taste good. What a great salad that we can have during the Summer months.

I have grown to appreciate having a garden every year. This is our third one. Our last year garden wasn't the best. The first one was good harvest.
I was determine to keep the weeds out this year. I kept at it. I reminded myself to look at the garden every time I went outside. I would say our garden looks good. We have a good garden.

This brought a good feeling inside of me. I saw that our garden was growing. I was so excited when I saw some of the veggies. I see that what I was doing was working.
I see that it takes time to maintain a garden. In the long run. it's all worth the time in the making. All the time spend in the garden lead to producing a harvest. A harvest much more than I though would come.

Life is a journey. And on this journey, Life is a school. In this school, we learn about life. It's good to have some one to help and guide us along our journey.
I'm so grateful that the Holy Spirit is with me on my journey. Life is a challenge. I'm thankful  in times of struggle, I have some one to call upon. I thank God for hearing me.

May we learn in life that life is a school. May we see that every thing in our life, things can get better. May we have hope to believe that we can get through the storms in our lives. May we not grow weary in doing good. May we see the end of what we started. Amen!

Thanks for reading. Life As A School: Being A Gardener
Staying On The Journey,
Susan

P.S.

Our lives are like gardens. We have to keep ourselves up. We grow as we are watered and seasoned. We have to get the weeds out of our hearts and thinking. Life is a school. That school is for a lifetime.

Life Is A School

From Assignment #33

"Magic Secret #1,

Life Is a School, is both a tool and perspective that will change your life forever. By adopting it as a daily practice, you can't help but succeed on this path toward uncovering your Real Self.

What happened in your life today that you would have previously considered a coincidence? Can you reflect on things that occurred in the past that you might have misinterpreted, but are miracles?

Why are we here? What is our purpose on earth? The day someone said to me "life is a school" is the day life really started to have meaning for me. I have found that adopting this point of view has brought about the most revolutionary changes and learning on my journey to discovering my Real Self.

This exercise is designed expand your opportunities for self-discovery and provide the keys to meeting challenges that might otherwise elude you. They will give you ease with this point-of-view and a way to start practicing it immediately.

With a "learn from everything" attitude, life becomes a revealing adventure. You see that everything that happens, seemingly negative or positive, is a gift or a blessing. Instead of experiencing your existence as random chaos, life becomes cohesive and purposeful. Seeing that Life Is a School allows you to feel like you're sitting on top of your life instead of your life sitting on top of you.

If you're willing to use this exercise, with practice, here are some of the benefits you can look forward to:

1. Stepping out of victimhood.
2. Gaining an effective tool for problem-solving and guidance.
3. Being more creative.
4. Increasing insights and understanding about yourself and others.
5. Having a lot more fun and less stress dealing with the difficulties of life.

The following exercise are designed to help you find the gift no matter how minor or even life-threatening the situation. Once you do the Find-the-Gift exercise several times, you will no longer have to go through all the steps formally. You will see what you need to learn quite automatically.

Find-the-Gift

Use this when:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->You're in a situation you don't want to be in.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->You feel stuck in negativity.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->You feel like a victim.

Find-the-Gift Exercise

1. Write what I call your current picture in 3 sentences or less. The current picture can be a situation in the present or something from the past that still has a negative charge, i.e. something that still elicits a negative emotional reaction when you think of it, or when you are in the presence of that person or situation.

2. In your journal or on a piece of paper, draw a line down the middle. Title the left column "Negatives" and the right column "Learnings and Gifts". Write four or five negatives about the situation on the left and, on the right, four or five things you learned and/or gifts you received from the situation.

A gift may be an actual object, but, most likely, it will be an unexpected benefit or something you've learned about yourself or life. The number of negatives and learning/gifts may or may not be equal. If you are having trouble finding any gifts or positives in the situation, ask yourself, "If I did learn anything from this, what would it be?" Sometimes phrasing things in this way "tricks" our denial system into allowing us to see what was hidden previously.

1. 3. After you finish your chart, a recap of the learning and gifts can be helpful. At this point in the process you will be trying to take the negative view you once held and transform it into a more positive one. That's called that the New Picture. Take a moment to recap your learning now or let it emerge in the ensuing hours, days or weeks and then go back to write it down then.

Find-the-Gift Exercise Sample

Maia's Current Picture: We moved to Las Vegas because my husband got a great job opportunity. It's one of the last places on earth we would have chosen to live. Moving away from most of my closest support system was very difficult because I'm a gregarious person.

Negatives

1. Hate heat and miss the climate in California.

2. Don't see enough green vegetation.

3. Know very few people.

4. Stressed from having moved twice in 15 months.

5. No escape from smokers in public places. I'm highly allergic.

6. Don't even like saying I'm from Las Vegas because people might think I'm into "sin" and gambling or that I'm (God forbid) superficial.

Learning and Gifts

1. Found the austere and uncluttered topography in Las Vegas a healing environment.

2. Found a raw foods restaurant and support group. Raw foods has been a great way to do some bodily healing.

3. Get to experience and enjoy working in a nurturing, at-home environment for the first time in my life.

4. More of an opportunity to be with my Real Self without the distractions that I used to create for myself like filling up my time with other people.

5. Get to practice the philosophy, "nobody gets to be wrong"--even Las Vegas.

Please note: The number of negatives and learning/gifts are not required to be equal.

Maia's New Picture: Living in Las Vegas is serving me perfectly to find more of my Real Self. It has made even the 120 degree heat seem ideal for this business of changing my life.

If I begin to slip into or get stuck in any groans and moans, I easily get my positive attitude back by using this tool again. Much of the time, it has become second nature to me. If I find myself resistant to using this tool, I ask my buddy or coach for help.

Now it's your turn. Using the instructions and sample above, go ahead and do the same thing with a small or large situation in your life with which you are not happy."

SOME OF MY THOUGHTS
Another challenging assignment.
Where do I start?

Thanks for reading.
Life Is A School
Staying On The Journey,
Susan

Book Review: Time Away A Guide For Personal Retreat

 Time Away: A Guide for Personal Retreat
 By Ben Campbell Johnson, Paul H. Lang.

If you're not a person who loves to pray long, then this book isn't for you.
It's a challenging book for "Hard Core" Christians.
I don't spend long hours in prayer but, I use some of the suggestions from this book.
Time Away refreshes my soul.

Thanks Upper Room Review for blessing me with a complimentary copy.
Taking Time Away,
Susan

What Do I Want People To Say About Me?

Good things! That's what I want people to say about me. It's nice to hear people speak good of you. It can bring some more good into others lives as well.

It's a wonderful feeling when I hear good things about me. It brings a confidence inside of me. It expresses what is in me. It's what others can identify to be and in who I am. This reflects some of my values and character traits that I have.

I did take note of what others spoke about me. It was pleasing to my hears. I didn't journal in conversation. But most of what I hear was what we spoken on facebook and while I was greeting at church.

I had some thoughts that I shared on my status. I'm a greeter at the place where I gather together with the people of God. One day, some one came up to me and was pointing at my purse. He had question why was I carrying me purse? I just smiled at the guy. I went about greeting the people.

I posted this happening on facebook. My reply was.... If Queen Elizabeth II can carry her purse and wear her hat while she is greeting the people, Why? O why can't I?

I received some warming comments. Some one said that I look nice as I'm greeting. Another one said that I am a queen. It's good to hear comments like this.

What are they (people) saying (about me) ?
Most are saying that I'm an encourager to them.
They speak of my good qualities.

Who's saying it?
Friends on my websites.
Mainly facebook
Some while I greet at church

What is their relationship with you, if any?
All of the people are my friends and family members.
There are some people I don't know.

How does it make me feel to know that these people are saying such wonderful things about me, even when I'm not there?

Good words bring a warm feeling inside of me. It's like words spoken in due season. People do build me up. Some do speak words of comfort and encouragement to me.

May we learn to be kind to others. May we speak good of those who we speak to and correspond with. May the LORD build our relationship in a loving fashion. May we love one another. Amen!

Thanks for reading.

What Do I Want People To Say About Me?
Staying On The Journey,
Susan

What Do You Want People To Say About You?

Here's what's on the Assignment #32

"What do you want people to say about you?"

This is an exercise in creation of wonderful feelings for yourself. By envisioning the positive things others are saying about us in an ideal way, we can identify the values and character traits that are important to us.

This journaling exercise also allows us to step outside of ourselves and create the possibility for us to become the person we would like others to see. This week, write out a variety of complete conversations that people are having about you.

Pretend that you are a fly on the wall, overhearing these conversations and they do not know that you are there. These conversations represent you in the perfect way.

What are they saying?
Who's saying it?
What is their relationship with you, if any?
How does it make you feel to know that these people are saying such wonderful things about you, even when you are not there?

Some of My Thoughts:I hope that people see the good in me.
I know that we make mistakes.
I hope people can understand me in ways that can show God's love

Thanks for reading.
What Do You Want People To Say About You?
Staying On The Journey,
Susan

Heaven: What Is It Like?

If I could only imagine what heaven is like. I don't think it's like anything we can imagine. What we see on T.V. or at the Movies can't describe how heaven is.

I've been thinking. What can I say about heaven from what I've heard through messages. What I've read in the Bible Revelation chapter 4.

Hear are some of my thoughts with some questions:

Touching heaven:
The idea of walking on gold streets and eyes a lake like glass. What beauty to behold!

Seeing Heaven: This would be beyond my comprehension. Seeing the magnitude of worshippers.

Sounds in Heaven:I think it's loud in heaven. The music, singing and praising God Almighty.

Hearing in Heaven:The sounds of heaven...how wonderful to hear the sounds that can't be heard. It would brings a great feeling inside.

Tasting Heaven: The goodness of God in heaven. What more can there be??  No more sickness or death or sorrow.

Feelings Heaven:Words can't be described.

There are question that came to me as I was thinking about heaven.

Is there a heaven?I believe that there is. The Bible speaks of the heavenly and heavens.

Who or what is in heaven?This is what I believe that's in heaven.
God, the Father, God, His Son, Jesus, God's Angels, Throne room...

What's going on in heaven?Worship, honoring God, Jesus ruling, Jesus judging the nations, Jesus praying and interceding for people, etc

Heaven is a real place. Those who have gone on will go to heaven. I don't think there are bodies in heaven. When people died their spirit goes to paradise.  They are waiting for the resurrection of the body.

There's so much mystery about heaven. I have heard of people stating that they been to heaven. They describe what they saw. We can only believe what we believe.

I believe that I and others who have call upon Jesus as LORD and Savior will be welcomed into "Heaven's Gates". I long for that day.

But for now, I'm staying on the journey that's set before me. I'm looking forward... That day will come to pass. Praise God!

May we use our imagination from time to time. May we set our eyes upon Jesus. May there be joy in our hearts as we go through life. Amen!

Thanks for reading.

 Heaven: What Is It Like?
Staying On The Journey,
Susan

What Is Heaven Like?

Homework Assignment #31 "What is heaven like?"

This is from the homework...

This is a week to open your mind and play with this idea unabashedly. Describe with more detail than you've ever thought possible about what "your" heaven is like (your heaven because we refer to heaven spiritually, without denomination in mind).

Be explicit in your descriptions; include all 5 senses - touch, sight, sound, hear, and taste. What does it look like? What are you surrounded by? Who is with you? What are you doing? And more importantly, what are you feeling?

The purpose of this week's exercise is to stretch you and take your thoughts to the most wonderful place you could possibly create - your heaven.

When you do this, you exercise your creativity and expand your vision of possibility by identifying the most pleasurable, wonderful, loving places in your imagination. Identifying your 'heaven' provides you with an incredible place to "trade up" to when you experience any kind of negative thinking.

Some of my thoughts.This is a creative assignment.
What can we imagine heaven to be?

Thanks for reading.
What Is Heaven Like?
Use your imagination....

Staying On The Journey,
Susan

Some Things On Thoughts I Haven't Shared Yet

What some things that have been on my thoughts that I haven't shared? There were some things that are left undone, as it was, so to speak. Things that are brought up in my conversation of thoughts.

I've been years in the healing process. The smoothing away the pain and sorrow of what I and others had to go through. Life stay moves on.

I've been years of  restoration. That came about a new way of thinking. It's been 10 years since the happening. I've came along ways. Still memories are living.

It's been 10 years since the regular Word Of Life church as Word of Life Church. That day on Dec 2, 2001. It was a sad day.

It's will be 10 years this December since the regular choir ended. Many choir members were crushed over the decision. I had a hard time as the year passed by.

Still to this day, I don't know the real reason why things happened the way that they did. The choir just ended. From my recollection, I never heard the acknowledgement of the choir back then. Life just went on.

It was like the choir wasn't a part of the church. I don't condemn the decision of the ending of the choirs. Decisions where made. We went on with life.

It took me about 5 or 6 years to get over what happened. I thank God. I've been in the healed from the matter. It was like a part of me died back then.

As for today, I still worship God. Jesus brought me through. I only returned two times to special choir celebrations. The finally on was about 5 years ago. Or maybe in 2006...I walked away as I have accomplished some things.

I pray that others who were with the regular choir received healing as I have. It was a hurt time. There aren't many regular choir members attending church. Many have move on.

 I don't know how to say what I haven't say about the regular choir. I'm not mad or taking revenge on what happened. It's not that.

It's about how we treat people. We don't see how what we do will affect others. Our judgement can harm others in ways that we don't know.

I pray that things wouldn't happen like this again. When things end there should be a way to end things with respect. We should honor people for what things they bring into our lives.

Through the years, I've have my share of sorrow over the matter of the regular choir. As I look back over things. I've come along way. Thank God!

I'm still worship at the same choir where I was a choir member. It took me a while. But through time I'm still standing.

I believe that I've can recover from things. I think a part of me died when the choir ended. It was a great loss for me. I took the honor of being apart of a worship time seriously. That was taken away.

I can't change what happened. But I can grow from what I've experience. Life is too short to take revenge out on others. I try to see the good in what I've been through.

I see that through it all, I've been drawn closer an closer to God. I've have a deep relationship with Him. I got more good out of what could have hurt me by seeking more of God in the process of being rejected so to speak.

Life is to be lived. I see that in life we have times of disappointments. But through those disappointments we should learn some things. Indeed I have learned to learn some things in my life that bring disappointments.

At times I feel a loss...But in the long run, I have gain some ground.  I feel as thought there is come hidden things in my that have some unforgiveness. I hope that I'm completely gotten over things.

I feel at times there are some things left undone. I have ask God to help me get through things. Things can hold us back from moving forward.  I choose to move forward by the grace and mercy of God.

May we see that when we share what's on our hearts when can be released for things. May we not take revenge on others. May we have concerns of what others may think. May the LORD guide us through the healing process when we are offended or let go from things.

Thanks for reading.
Some Things On My Thoughts I Haven't Shared Yet
Staying On The Journey,
Susan

To Say? Or Not To Say?

I come to realize there are things that we shouldn't say. There are times when we should be quiet. Than again there are times when we should speak up. We need to voice our opinion about issues of life.

We can release heavy burdens that have been weighing us down. It's good to release hardship. Those things the hold us back in life. some of what we hold back can brings others to step back and see others as well.

May God's wisdom come to us.
May we journey in life believing what we do is of God.
It's sure good to be recognized by others.

Thanks for reading.
To Say? Or Not To Say?
Staying On The Journey,
Susan