We Are Relatives

With all things and in all things, we are relatives. ~ Sioux

Every living being is connected to each other. We affect each other in many different ways and in so many levels. When people become aware that when their thoughts, emotions, words and actions truly affect everyone, not just to whom or what they were directing their thoughts, emotions, words or actions, then love and kindness can start to grow and prevail. Furthermore, these things come back to affect ourselves. Joy begets more joy. Sadness and anger tends to beget more sadness and anger.

If people can truly see that we are all connected, then we can become compassionate. Would you pass your loved ones on the street if they were in need? No. But, many will pass by those whom they feel no connection, right? The road to enlightenment and true Christianity is being able to see everyone as Jesus does, as beloved friends and family. The question we must continue to ask ourselves, can we and will we do that? It is truly up to you and me.

A Challenge is a Gift

All day I have been getting the message  from various sources that challenges are blessings in disguise. Challenges are a gift and an opportunity to learn. Hard experiences leave lingering memories and prepare us for opportunities we could not even begin to comprehend or grasp. 

One e-mail I received today stated (paraphrased), “If you understood the extraordinary gifts every single challenge in your life makes possible, even inevitable, you’d celebrate your challenges as the foresight that they are of new beginnings, spectacular change, and enhanced superpowers. ” The radio station I have listened to on and off all day, also relayed a very similar message, not just once, and not the same disc jockey!

In another e-mail I was told, “…that nothing has to happen immediately, this minute, or right now. It’s okay to pause for just a moment. Just take a breath. Then go quietly inside (to reflect and meditate). Ask Life Itself (God) to lead you to your best outcome. There is nothing you have to do, really, except to get out of your own way.”

Challenges remind us that we need to let go of our own self-reliance and ask for help. It is beautiful when hardship is met with care and kind people who truly wish to give love and support. Challenges remind us that we are not alone and that we can lean on God and people with whom Jesus and the Holy Spirit work through to help us in our time of sorrows and challenges.  All we need to do is ask. 

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…With tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Colossians 3:12 NLT

It is with a heart that is filled with love in which one is able to shower others with mercy, kindness, compassion, gentleness, and patience. In order to have a heart filled with love (and joy), one must let go of past hurt, anger, worry, jealousy, envy, pride and all those negative emotions that stand in the way of allowing a person to be merciful and kind. I have discovered that when I am able to let go of my hurt and worry, it is liberating! I feel relief and I am able to breathe easier. All the pent-up anger or hurt in people’s lives simply fester and hurt them in the long run. Why keep it all bottled up?

Can you visualize your worries, hurts and other negative emotions as large soap bubbles floating away in a springtime breeze? Sit with that for a long moment… pause… and breathe in deeply. Meditate or pray on it. “Lord, lift my worries, anger and hurts away, I do not need them. They are weighing me down. Allow me to be filled with love and the Holy Spirit so I may go out and serve others with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Lord God, I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen” Can you feel the positive energy as your heart fills up with love? That is God’s love you are feeling. Amazing isn’t it.

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