Another week has come and gone. During which we have encountered and endured many things, including much we would have preferred not to.
However as I write this still the birds sing, the sun beams through the clouds and in reviewing the week that was we can choose to embrace the potential for healing and resolution that remains as we press on, together on this edition of “Becoming Today”.
Today is 21-revolutions around the sun since violence erupted in a barrage of missiles, engaging areas surrounding the Holy of Holies, a place of ascension, death and resurrection in acts of evil and terror.
As I prepare this, we are now observing the apparent start of even more battling, fighting and loss of life, therefore we must become increasingly dedicated in our resolve through our combined efforts to ensure peace can become restored once more.
My primary thought at the moment is for the people.
The impacts on those, not only in the immediately embattled region but truly world wide.
Who knows at this point what this could be a precursor for, though we are all continuing to be touched by these developing situations.
The important thing to remember is we are not powerless.
So what should we do?
I think one simple word, says it all.
Pray.
Pray earnestly.
Pray silently.
Pray out loud.
Pray alone.
Pray together.
Pray for peace.
We can have an impact, a positive effect because what the world needs now is truly prayer.
This is my call to each and everyone of you to pray. Pray for those in the region. Pray for those being sent to battle and most of all pray for peace.
I would also like to add some petitions for healing for those affected by the mass shooting in Maine and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
There is no escaping afflictions, hurt or troubles however they can be conquered, mastered and we can prevail over them.
So how does the process begin? With you.
As the simple yet eloquent words of what was written as a song for a children’s choir, remind us,
“Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me…”
(* If you are reading this in our subscriber email, the following is an embedded video link, just click on the pic to listen. I don’t know why the image is changed in this format, but I do know, it’s not only us. Perhaps this can be a gentle encouragement to whatever tech giant is responsible for this unnecessary, limiting and unwanted change, to become inspired to take action to correct it.)
Given the world we live in, there is much beyond our control that we must adapt to and remain flexible in order to endure and overcome. This includes many moments and scenarios involving afflictions, discomfort and suffering.
We can not stop them, it may be difficult to attempt to prevent them and they cannot be avoided.
Realize these setbacks are stepping stones allowing further progress in new directions along our shared path of “Becoming Today”. This includes empowering ourselves to accept what can appear to be sheer agony.
Opening your heart to embrace pain can be a difficult task, however it is essential for growth. When we choose to close ourselves off from pain, we also shut ourselves off from love, joy, and all of the other beautiful things in life.
Pain is a part of life.
It is something that we all experience at some point, and it is something that we all have to learn to deal with. There is no way to avoid pain altogether, but there is always a way to learn to live with it in a way that does not defeat, destroy, or disillusion us.
The first step to opening your heart to embrace pain is to accept it. This does not mean that you have to like it or that you have to agree with it. It simply means that you have to acknowledge that it is present and that is a part of your life.
Once you have accepted the pain, you can then begin to deal with it.
There are many different ways to deal with pain, and what works for one person may not work for another.
Some people find it helpful to talk about their pain with others. Others find it helpful to write about it or to create art to better express it.
Results will vary.
The important thing is to not let the pain control you. It is okay to feel pain, but it is not okay to let it define you. You are more than your pain. You are a strong, capable person who can overcome anything that life throws your way.
So when you are struggling with pain, know that you are not alone. There are people who care about you and who want to help you. Reach out to them, and let them know what you are going through. Together, you can find a way to open your heart to embrace pain and to live a full and happy life.
Allow me to also offer you some additional tips for opening your heart to embrace pain:
- Be patient with yourself. It takes time to heal from pain.
- Be kind to yourself. Don’t judge yourself for feeling pain.
- Seek professional help if you need it. A therapist can help you to deal with your pain in a healthy way.
- Connect with others who understand what you are going through. There are many support groups available for people who are dealing with pain.
- Practice self-care. Make sure to take care of your physical and emotional needs.
- Focus on the positive. Remember that there is still good in the world, even when you are in pain.
- Believe in yourself. You can overcome this. (And will…)
So much for us to continue embracing yet, our conversation for today is not finished.
Now it’s time to focus on reviewing our week together.
Which, as always began on a Monday. That’s when we came together to discuss “Restraining Preconceptions”.
It seems so many at this time are dealing with clouded vision.
What should I do? How can that work? What’s the value in that? Who should lead us? Why?
However you cannot answer any of these questions if you are not able to allow yourself to see past the walls that either have intentionally been placed in your path, or that you have constructed yourself.
What is hindering your view? Let’s explore the need to let go of preconceptions.
Preconceptions are ideas or opinions about something that you have before you know much about it. They can be based on your own experiences, the experiences of others, or things you have heard or read. Preconceptions can be helpful or harmful. They can help you to make quick decisions, but they can also lead to you making assumptions about people or things that are not true.
It is important to be aware of your own preconceptions and to be willing to challenge them. If you find yourself making assumptions about someone or something, ask yourself where those assumptions come from and why you believe them. It is also important to be willing to listen to other people’s experiences and to be open to new information.
Overcoming preconceptions can be a challenge, but it is an important step in ‘becoming” a more loving, open-minded and tolerant person.
The problem of holding preconceived notions as being true is that they can lead us to very negative and critical beliefs about others and that can affect our behaviors toward others. In some cases they can even cause us to falsely judge ourselves and lead to self-criticism and doubt.
Click here for an 8-step process to overcoming preconceptions.
Next up in our review is a reminder to “Read The Signs”.
It’s important to not only read, but also pay attention to and obey the signs. Just like some you may encounter along the road, not doing so can affect our travels..
A few examples include, “Rocks Falling”, “Deer Crossing”, “Slippery When Wet” or even “It’ll Do Road”.
While not a discussion of traffic regulations, in a sense we are undertaking a study of some of the rules of the road. At least the ones that govern the travels and direction along our shared path.
Understanding that enlightenment is within our reach we shall seek and find the knowledge and inspiration necessary to uplift, support and enhance our collective journeys as well as our own personal paths.
Today’s conversation is a proverbial one. Quite literally, the ideas, though originally written more than 27-hundred years ago, (around 700 B.C.) remain so relevant today.
The wisdom expressed by Solomon seems to be in many cases drafted as a response to many of today’s headlines.
In fact the opening verses of Proverbs 27, from The Passion Translation (TPT), could be great advice for those in the U.S. Congress.
Under the heading, “Heed Wisdom’s Warnings“, we read verses one and two,
“Never brag about the plans you have for tomorrow,
for you don’t have a clue what tomorrow may bring to you.
Let someone else honor you for your accomplishments,
for self-praise is never appropriate”.
While today’s reading reveals a multitude of gems of wisdom. I want to take a few moments and focus on four of them that really stuck with me today. As always you are welcome to share your thoughts and if other verses speak to you, let us know in the comments section below.
The opening line was also a good reminder for me:
“Never brag about the plans you have for tomorrow, for you don’t have a clue what tomorrow may bring to you.”
Or for that matter if tomorrow will come for you.
Each day is a gift full of amazing possibilities so we should greet each one with gratitude. Also we should accept the responsibility for not wasting this resource. As free willed co-creators it’s up to us to make the most of each day we are granted.
By midweek we turned our attention towards, “Renewing Purpose”.
Halfway through the week, seems to me to be a great time to refresh ourselves.
The right time for some rejuvenation, refocusing and renewal. Of ourselves, our ideas, thoughts and the direction for the remainder of the week.
I believe this was destined to be a week of change. Right on schedule, changes will take hold and are prompting many of us to shift our focus forward and upward.
These are all types of new beginnings like the ones we may envision for ourselves.
As we accept the challenges of being renewed, we are preparing ourselves for a time of awakening, blossoming and reemerging. When last we spoke, I mentioned that the coming season of Spring does have some spiritual implications. It represents waking from a period of hibernation, a time when we are suddenly made aware of the possibilities of new life, new ways and yes a new us.
In the Scriptures, the passage often referred to as “A Time For Everything”, outlines the many changing seasons we all experience in life. It outlines the constant cycle of “Becoming”. In fact 28 specific times or seasons are mentioned in this one passage.
However, take note that not included in those examples is a very important aspect; none of the 28 mention a time to quit.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, is perhaps so revered and often quoted because of its poetic approach towards life. It balances 14 distinct elements we all experience at one time or another, and some more than once. It reinforces our constant state of Always Being “Becoming”.
It teaches and reminds us that life is a mix of joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, harmony and struggle, and life and death. Each season has its appropriate time.
Some are difficult, and still we know that we must never give up and continue on in Faith, trusting in God, believing his plans for us are always based upon good purposes and joyful outcomes.
On Thursday we spoke about how, “Words “R” Wisdom”.
Hopefully the time since last we spoke has been one of renewal, reinvigoration and revitalization for you. Hmm… quite a few words beginning with the letter “R” there. Could it be a theme? Perhaps a look ahead to our conversation on Becoming Today?
I guess we’ll find out together… and we did as we explored numerous wise words that all begin with the letter “R”.
These included:
Renewed: In Scripture the basis for this word comes from the Greek “ananeoo”. Which is defined as “to be renovated by an inward reformation”. Therefore we can accept that renewing is an ongoing process through which a transition from one state of mind, attitude or belief to another takes place.It is a rebirth in the sense that there is a shedding of the old and putting on the new.
Rebirth:The rebirth I’m talking about comes to pass in the ‘spirit of your mind’. It is within the reach of our inner selves. This is the residence of the higher life . Where we reap what we sow, either in rewards or repercussions. This region of our essence is where we realize moral thinking and the region where wisdom and knowledge are received.
Remain steadfast and re-clarify your life’s mission. Ask God to help you recognize what it is that He has uniquely created you for.
Take some time for review.
Resurrect your vision for your revival and then if you think I’ve recycled all the “R words” I can….. guess again.
We’ll realign that rationale next as we’ll reveal how reemerging requires our recognition on this road regarding “Becoming Today”.
So on Friday, we explored together “Reemerging and Reengaging”.
Sometimes we can find ourselves in periods of hibernation. While I didn’t think I needed the rest, the cycles of life proved to me just how necessary it was.
I have to admit at times I have resided in those dens. Times when the depths of dormancy had overtaken me as I found myself in a bit of a funk.
A malaise. Sub-par; less than average. Not at all where I wanted to be.
At times I even felt like I was in a tomb. Now let’s discuss how I got out.
Isn’t it ironic that you are asked to be the strongest when you feel the weakest?
That was what I was going through, trying to battle the physical issues to keep up with day to day tasks. As I struggled with my inability to perform I had no choice but to reflect on why I may be going through this. I still really don’t have all the answers and probably never will but certainly I knew what it would take to overcome.
Time. Plus trust.
I needed to slow down on some of the busy work and use this time to reflect upon deeper issues.
I asked myself, why am I trying so hard to do these things? I needed to release my perceived responsibilities and focus on why are you thinking what you think?
I needed to release all that felt toxic or was substandard or of minimal importance in the grand scheme of things. It was an opportunity to fortify my internal world and focus on my inner resilience. For I knew my Faith would again overcome this time of bleakness as it has so many times in the past.
Being caught up in feeling sorry or considering myself worthless at the moment would not help. I had to shift my focus and fight to open my eyes and lift them above.
Prayer would strengthen me and enable me to endure. Abiding by this principle I came to realize that this time was something I needed to undergo. I had to suffer patiently, living through this experience in obedience to remain stable.
As it is written in John 15 verse 7, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you”.
It was in response to my calls for guidance and understanding that everything I believed was hindering me, was actually there as a way of; lifting me up, of healing me, of giving me the strength to roll away the stone of this tomb I pictured myself in.
Just as in the story of Lazarus, Jesus would not move the stone, or order an army of Angels to do it. I needed to put my faith into action, show the fortitude of my belief and patiently, persistently, forbearantly move forward in belief.
Just as Jesus instructed Lazarus’ loved ones, I needed to roll away the stone. I had to make the choice to allow Him in and lead me in a renewed direction.
It was time for me to “take off the grave clothes” and walk out; back into the light.
So I did.
Yes it did take a few days for me to steady myself, regain my strength and clear my vision.
It is during our darkest moments we must focus to see the light.
It was at this time I received some personal revelation knowledge, which I will share with you now, as well as my prayerful response that followed:
“You are like the butterfly struggling to escape its cocoon.
Relax. Strengthen. When the time is right, you will take flight!
Multiply your talents.
Have an expectancy of Hope while living in faith this day.
Do not over focus on the return.
Live the Now.
Make the most of each day for the season you are in.
You are in a period of dormancy; nurturing to Spring forth and blossom anew.
Invest in your excellence. Always remembering:
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it; iIt will certainly come and will not delay.
Pause…
Reflect.
Wait on the TRUTH, not the bustle of society.
Do not wait for people to tap or nudge you.
Listen within. You will KNOW what to do.
God’s timing is never slow or late.
It is okay to ask for encouragement. You have not, because you ask not.
Ask to be given a glimpse of your Promise fulfilling.
It will be granted, but you must ask. Ask for and receive your glimmer of Hope today.”
I did then and I am again now. Receiving those glimmers of hope. That peace is possible. Seeking right brings correction and revealing what we have learned strengthens all.
Pain has a purpose. It is what binds us together across all borders, nations and races. It teaches, it instructs and allows us to grow. Individually and together.
How? Choose to join us, come Monday, and we’ll talk about it on our next edition of “Becoming Today”.
Becoming Today with Rochelle Jeanette 