COME ON POLITICAL PARTIES… WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH CONTEMPT; no one is guilt free here!

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I am wondering, actually suggesting, strongly, that what … ceases for the rest of the political season IS CONTEMPT.  The Oxford English Dictionary defines “contempt” as “the feeling that a person or a thing is worthless or beneath consideration.” We will see for ourselves if either, ( yes, I did say “either”) Party’s Candidate for the President of the United States follows my suggestion. Hmmm. I should call them.

It is ultimately derived from the Latin word contemptus which means “to scorn or despise.” As ONE PEOPLE we seem to be doing this quite frequently and more so each day. We actually have contempt of another! It matters little whether it is politics (Dems vs Rep), among races (Black vs White), nationalities (Americans vs China)… it just goes on and on ad nauseam. Enough already!

 I still get a kick out of my old-school Latin and how often our Modern Society defers to it. As written in The New York Times, contempt is not the same thing as strongly disagreeing with someone. Not only are strong disagreements inevitable, but “Disagreement helps us innovate, improve, and find the truth.” It also leads to common understanding and new ideas. The problem isn’t that we disagree; it’s how we disagree. Increasingly, disagreements today are characterized by a “noxious brew of anger and disgust,” which is directed not only at bad ideas, but also at the people who espouse them. Mmmm…This goes beyond incivility and it’s just plain rudeness.

 It even goes beyond intolerance. It’s the conviction that while your side “is driven by benevolence,” the other side “is evil and motivated by hatred.”  Who does this help?  No one! You can probably think of several examples of contempt recently directed at Christians and Minorities. So can I. However, to paraphrase the First Letter of John, if we say that we are free of contempt, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 

That’s worth a long thought.

Can we honestly say that we never think of our opponents, in any area, as: not quite as informed, educated, or forward thinking as we are?  Do we always strive to be “greater than thou” with people while we criticize their ideas?  The fact that we  ourselves are often unjustly maligned… isn’t a reason to reciprocate in kind.

These are the mechanisms and media trends for modern propaganda and word peddlers.  They are  folks who “profit from the culture of contempt.” They pump up the outrage in our country and you can almost hear the ego rise with every page view and “like.” Of course, this isn’t easy when so much is at stake in our culture. Right now, so much IS at stake! At times, it feels as if we don’t even have an “AMERICA.”

Come on Political Parties, “Put your big boy pants on” and play fair! It’s only the U.S. or “us” at stake; it’s never been a “you” thing. Ever!

PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE!

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Each new day, we all have the chance to start over.

That’s a powerful thought! Most days, we let that opportunity slip by. Imagine the freedom of actually wiping the slate clean of all the negatives in our lives and instead focusing only on the positives in our lives. It’s a powerful and liberating realization and a gift from our Creator.

This opportunity is offered to all men …everywhere. It makes us connected in a very basic way. Sometimes, this “gift” is forgotten or dismissed. Yet, it might be the most meaningful thing we receive. It is often difficult to unwrap a new beginning and start fresh because it brings memories and situations that might be painful and scary. We all struggle with the unknown.

Maybe a loved one has died or has been diagnosed with an illness. We might even be the one who is ill and we feel frightened and alone. Perhaps, we have lost a job or our home and we are uncertain of our family’s security. Sometimes, there is Military Deployment in the family or one is coming up and we worry constantly. Or occasionally, our burden is a wrong that was done to us over the last year, or many, many years ago or perhaps, it’s something we did to another person and we are now shouldering the guilt of our actions. Real situations; real life!

Here’s the amazing part. It is virtually impossible not to find something good in even the most challenging of situations. It’s difficult to see sometimes, but it’s always there. My own personal belief is that we can not control what is done to us, our individual tests and challenges by others, Nature, and our God, but we always have a choice in how we react to those tests and challenges.

It appears as basic as acceptance of the things we can not change and a quiet determination to rise above our adversities as a stronger and wiser person. It is also our opportunity to act both honorably and responsibly not only for ourselves but for others while we find our way. Very simply, it’s Integrity… or doing the right thing regardless of the outcome. Sometimes it is difficult, but we can accomplish it.

Choice is what separates humans from other mammals; that’s empowering. Even if we personally fail in one test or challenge…a new one will come along in which we get to choose all over again. Maybe, it’s so we finally get it correct. Life, as given, isn’t easy. Often, we do not like the apparent choices as they are presented to us and sometimes, they seem unfair, but they are choices nonetheless.

With each and every positive choice we make for ourselves and towards others, we further define who we are as Human Beings and make the world a better place. Every day we are given this opportunity to perfect ourselves. It is an absolutely liberating thought and practice. We are not defined by what has been done to us in the past, but instead we are what we have chosen to do for ourselves… both now and in the future.

What is amazing about our time here on Earth is that with each positive action we choose, we have the opportunity to leave our own Human Footprint in time.

Let this be the time that our lives aren’t so much about what we have…or what we’ve lost, but rather what we’ve given and therefore found.

Sue

NOT EVERYTHING IS POLITICAL… RIGHT?

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New Year; new choices, new attitudes!

January 11, 2021

The reason everyone is wished a “Happy” New Year is quite special.  It is because we hopefully  grasp the simplicity of the concept that in the new year, as opposed to the old one, we can all literally wipe our lives clean of all the negatives…  and start fresh. The new year can be one of personal change and growth. How amazing is that?

The wonderful thing about being human is that all of us have the power of “choice.”This applies to everything in our lives, basically from the moment we enter adulthood. Before that time we live under the dictates of adult “supervision.”    To hold another accountable for either the good and/or bad in our own lives is ridiculous.  It is also disrespectful to our Creator.  In my writings over the past two decades, I have never professed to have all the answers, but I do have a great deal of human interaction, experience, and an academic background that speaks for itself.

I share my own insight and path in hopes that it helps  others too. It has by the huge amounts of positive feedback I get at lectures, in person, and via email.  However, we all have the right to CHOOSE our own path. I have never had all the answers and never will.

Think of it!  We can choose how we live our lives and be in full control of the decisions we make each and every day.  Each sunrise we are offered a brand new opportunity to start over with our choices. Each new year, we also get to start over!   No one can make us stop being in another’s life; there must be a reason(s) and it is based on personal choice. No one can force us to eat or drink too much unless we want to; it’s our choice.  No one can make us good, productive people. It is also, our choice.

Likewise, no one can make us whole, happy, and a contributor to the lives of others.  We must find that path ourselves. With this gift of CHOICE comes great responsibility. It is true…no one knows what goes on in another’s life.  That goes in both directions. May we all choose the higher ground for this clean, unblemished  year.

Happy New Year!  May we all live it well

THE GREATEST GIFT… EVER!

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Last year, this particular piece was read by thousands and thousands of readers . It was published a few weeks before Christmas. The emails that I received were so heartfelt and touching. I find that this year, 2020, it is more important than ever. Even writing this opening, I tear up.

It seems that we often get caught up in the dynamics of everyday living; so, we forget that the simplest gifts and kindnesses, during the holiday season, are the ones most appreciated and or remembered by others. This year, in the aftermath of “protests” following the 2020 Election … followed by riots in Missouri, New York, and California et. al. regarding basic differences among how we view decisions in Life, Race, Political views and Ethnicity… it seems this piece might be relevant more now than before. So, it is with sincere gratitude I offer it again.

I grew up in New York State and then taught high school/college for the majority of my teaching career in New Jersey and then… Charleston, S.C. I had read an ad in a prominent northeastern newspaper that read: ” Teach in one of America’s most beautiful cities, the unteachable, the unreachable.” My blood ran cold.

 The northeastern geographic area, I believe, helped mold me for the challenges/ tests of teaching. I speak softly, but carry a very big stick. Hurting others is never o.k., but giving of oneself … even if it’s done with NY/NJ attitude… is the norm. There have been many requests to “repost” this particular Blog. As we leap full force into the holiday preparations and festivities, let us all strive to love and do unto others in thought, word, and deed… not just in physical gifts. Please, please enjoy and Blessings to all!

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Christmas is for love. It is for joy, for giving and sharing, for laughter, for reuniting with family and friends, for tinsel and brightly decorated packages. But mostly, Christmas is for love. I lose sight of this, sometimes.  We all do.  Before I left teaching , one of my students… a student with wide, innocent eyes and a soft, gentle laugh gave me a wondrous gift for Christmas.  Jamal, (I will call him that), was a fourteen year old student who lived with his aunt, a very bitter woman, greatly annoyed with the burden of caring for her dead sister’s son. She never failed to remind Jamal , if it hadn’t been for her generosity, he would be homeless . Still, with all the scolding and abuse at home, he was a sweet and gentle young man.

I had not paid any singular attention to Jamal, until he began staying after school each day (at the risk of arousing his aunt’s anger, I later found out) to help me straighten up the room. We did this quietly and comfortably, not speaking much, but enjoying the solitude of that hour of the day. When we did talk, Jamal spoke to me mostly of his mother. Though he had been quite young when she died, he remembered a kind, gentle, loving woman, who always spent time with him.

As Christmas drew near however, Jamal failed to stay after school with me. It was clear to me that I had looked forward to his coming after school. When many days passed and he still continued to leave hurriedly from the room, at the end of class, I stopped him in the hall one afternoon. I merely asked him why he no longer helped me in the classroom.

I told him how I had missed him, and his large, brown eyes lit up eagerly as he replied, “Did you really miss me?” I explained that he had been my “best helper” … ever!  “I am making you a surprise,” he whispered confidentially. “It’s for Christmas.” With that, he became embarrassed and dashed from my classroom door. He didn’t stay after school anymore … continuing to rush out of my room, each time he had class with me.

Finally, came the last school day before Christmas Vacation.  Jamal crept slowly into the room, late that afternoon, after the buses had already left. He had his hands concealing something behind his back. “I have your present,” he said shyly… when I looked up. “I hope you like it.” He held out his hands and there lying in his large palms was a tiny, wooden box. “It’s beautiful, Jamal. Is there something in it that I should see?” I asked, opening the top to look inside.

“Oh, you can’t see what’s in it,” he replied, “and you can’t touch it, or taste it, or feel it, but it will make you feel good all the time. It will make you safe, ’cause you said you live all alone… and I worry about you.”  At the time, I was single.

I gazed into the empty box. “What is it, Jamal,” I asked gently, “that will make me feel so good?”  “It’s love,” he whispered softly, “and my mother always said it’s best when you give it away.” He turned and quietly left my room.

Since then, I have kept a small box, that is made of scraps of wood on a table in my living room and only smile as inquiring friends raise quizzical eyebrows… when I explain to them that… there is love in it.

Thank you, Jamal; I have never forgotten you.

POLITICALLY CORRECT CHRISTMAS 2020

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Twas the night before Christmas and Santa’s a wreck… 

how to live in a world that’s politically correct? 

His workers no longer would answer to “Elves,”

“Vertically Challenged” they were calling themselves. 

Labor conditions at the North Pole, 

were alleged by the union, to stifle the soul. 

Four reindeer had vanished without much propriety, they were

released to the wilds, by the Humane Society. 

 Equal Employment had made it quite clear, that Santa had better not use just reindeer. 

Then Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid were

replaced with four pigs, and you know that was just stupid! 

The metal runners had been removed from Santa’s beautiful sleigh, 

because the ruts were deemed dangerous by the EPA, 

And millions of people were calling the Cops, 

when they heard sled noises upon their roof tops. 

Second-hand smoke from his pipe had his workers quite frightened, 

and his real fur trimmed, red suit was called “unenlightened.” 

To show you the strangeness of today’s ebbs and flows, 

Rudolf was suing over unauthorized use of his nose. 

He went to Fox News, in front of the Nation where he

demanded millions in over-due Workers’ Compensation. 

So… half of the reindeer were gone, and then his wife 

 suddenly said she’d had “enough of this life” and

joined a self help group, packed, and left in a whiz, 

demanding from now on that her title was Ms. 

And as for gifts… why, he’d never had the notion 

that making a choice could cause such commotion. 

Nothing of leather, nothing of fur… 

Which meant nothing for him or nothing for her. 

Nothing to aim, nothing to shoot, 

nothing that clamored or made lots of noise. 

Nothing for just girls and nothing for just boys, 

nothing that claimed to be gender specific or

nothing that’s warlike or non-pacifistic. 

No candy or sweets… they were bad for the teeth. 

Nothing that seemed to embellish upon the truth. 

And fairy tales… while not yet forbidden, 

were like Ken and Barbie, better off hidden, 

for they raised the hackles of those psychological, 

who claimed the only good gift was one ecological. 

No baseball, no football… someone might get hurt, 

besides – playing sports exposed kids to, ugh, dirt!

Dolls were said to be sexist and should be passe 

and video games would rot your brain away. 

Poor Santa just stood there, disheveled and perplexed, 

he just couldn’t figure out what to do next? 

He tried to be merry, he tried to be gay, 

but you must have to admit he was having a very bad day. 

His sack was quite empty, it was flat on the ground, 

nothing fully acceptable was anywhere to be found. 

Something special was needed, a gift that he might, 

give to us all, without angering the left… or the right. 

A gift that would satisfy – with no indecision, 

Every group of peoples … in every religion. 

Every race, every hue, 

Everyone, Everywhere …

Yup, even you! 

So, here is that gift, it’s price beyond worth… 

Couldn’t we all use… Peace on Earth!Report this

One Universe is “One Nation Under God.”

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     What is absolutely liberating to think about, is the reality that all Men, everywhere… are created equal.  We really are.  It’s almost so simple, that at first glance, it might be overlooked.  However in contemplation, we see the sameness. Here, in my country of America, we have been obsessing over Local and National Politics. The reality is that one of the two Candidates will win; that already is a given. Some will be elated, some will be angry and annoyed. As the current catch phrase says, “It is what it is.” We forget quite often, that our worries are “First World Problems,” and not at all what is the current major concern in other countries or those that are labeled “Third World Countries.”

 We, in all countries, have the same basic needs for: food, clothing, and shelter; the same basic desires for: love, understanding, and compassion; and the same non-ending tests and challenges to not only be better people for ourselves, but for the world around us.  Every Man, every Nation, everywhere!  Now, this is the sameness of all Humanity. Dwell on this thought and truth; let it sink in.

As we continue through the last little bit of the year 2020, let us focus not on what we don’t have, but rather focus on what we already have been given.  LIFE!   Life is good, although not always easy. It is especially apparent to us all during 2020!  It appears that we are frequently put in positions of personal challenge and hopefully we grow from those experiences.   I know from  experience, it is often difficult to weather these tests, but it can be done. 

 Do something with those tests/challenges that make the world a better place for those following in our footsteps.  No change is too small.  No action is too little.     Life is our gift and the most wonderful thing is the realization that all men, everywhere, start out the same.   And… By the Grace of God, hopefully, we meet up in Eternity… as ONE!  Have a meaningful week.

IT AIN’T OVER ‘TIL IT’S OVER!

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We live in a world of constant and often frightening change and never know of our tomorrow (s). I often ask myself … what will tomorrow  bring!  Will I have a blessed day with no worries or sickness upon me? Will I be able to cope with what will be passed to me through my day?  Will I make a difference?

Finally, it dawns on me that I am so blessed to just be able to wake up and open my eyes each and every morning.  I get to experience glorious Life, yet again.  I should treasure each day and make everyday day count in my life.

We must not dwell on the past and ruin our present. Our past sometimes can haunt us and make our present day not too enjoyable. If your own past has haunted you and it’s fixable, then go after the problem and resolve it, so that you can live in peace. If it cannot be fixed, then choose to let it go.

As time and moments pass us by, they are then called memories and can be either positive or negative. We all want to have in our lives the best and happiest memories.  None of us want to have bad memories of anything, but unfortunately, we will have many of them and disappointments to go along with them.  It’s good to put everything in perspective.

I try to live everyday to the fullest and make each day count because there is no guarantee to the length of our individual times on Earth. In my journey, there have been acquired lessons of great value. Treat all people with respect and kindness.  Turn the other cheek as hard as it might be. Learn to love and respect yourself, because without that, you will have a hard time loving and respecting others.

Really appreciate what you have in your Life and don’t take anything for granted.  We can all improve the quality of our existence with some extra hard work to achieve a personal goal.  However, if that goal is not achieved, the gain is in the personal knowledge that all effort was put forth in the venture of trying.

I try to make it a habit to glance into the sky and say thanks for all things in Life… exactly as given. My days are rewarding; yet challenging, happy; while melancholy at times, enlightening; even at this point in my life, and exhausting; while at the same time… I wouldn’t want it any other way. 

Each day we experience is as different and individual as each one of us. May we choose to live it well.

www.suebrownauthor.net

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Be Humble and Kind; but most of all… BE HAPPY! COVID “can’t touch this!”

Now, more than ever before, many of us are having difficulty staying focused and “happy.” I too am finding certain days challenging due this imposed stay at home Covid 19 continuation. That surprised the heck out of me, not because I author a Positive Life Blog, but my actual nature and inner-spirit are usually so upbeat! Needing to “redo” my own self a bit, I started rethinking the important things in Life. Who knows what the rest of 2020 will bring.

HAPPINESS ROCKS!

When you think about “happiness” … you may  think of the future in some way. The dream vacation coming up, the promotion you are working towards at work, the baby that is on the way, or the sixth date with someone new in your life. ( Thank goodness, I’m beyond that point!)

But happiness can also be found in the small things of a regular day. Okay!

So, today, look for it. Take just a few minutes and apply one of the ideas below and see how it brightens your day.  I’m thinking it just might.
One minute of appreciation

Take a minute, sit down and just reflect on what you appreciate and love about your partner, or a friend… or even… a family member!  This will fill you with gratitude and redirect your focus to the positive of things.

 Express your appreciation

Tell that partner, family member, or friend what you came up with. It will brighten his or her day. As his or her face lights up with a big smile ( you can also see it through a phone call) … you’ll feel happier too because emotions are contagious. (I’ve caught it once or twice myself!)

 Take a few minutes to see how you can help someone out

Offer some practical help, some good advice, look something up for them, be encouraging and supportive,  or just lend an ear.

Slow down

Walk and move slower for just a few minutes. Let your thoughts slow down. Use the minutes to enjoy what is happening all around you. Truly take it in with all your senses. There is so much simple wonder missed each day because we are preoccupied with our thoughts and plans for the future. Live in the now!

 Be the smile you want to see in your world 

Smile more towards the people you meet and you’ll get more smiles back. You’ll feel better. They will too. Actually, it’s contagious and they will probably smile more towards the other people they meet that day. So, don’t wait for other people to smile at you… be the smile you want to see in your world instead.

 Make someone else happy

Don’t stop at just smiles, give someone a big hug. Give him or her a small gift of some kind. Ask them their name! Cook their favorite food if they have had a bad day.
Actually, you can start your own day with setting a low bar for happiness. Now, that’s a good thought.

As you open your eyes and wake up to a new day tell yourself: Today, I will have a low bar for happiness!”

I have been using this one for quite some time now and it makes the ordinary day… well, just happier. I take fewer things for granted: my food, the weather, my life… and often pause to appreciate them more.

 Be the day you want to see

Don’t wait for someone else to create the day you want to have. Instead, get the ball rolling yourself. Take action and take the first steps forward. Many of us are now wearing “Fit Bits” or similar to measure the day’s activities.  Imagine that you are the “creator” of the day you want to experience in mood, accomplishments, and happiness!  You are.
 Say “Yes” to something new

Maybe try something you haven’t eaten before. Listen to a new song or album. Experience a new author or movie. Go see a new sport.  You get the idea. By actively going outside of what is normal for you or your comfort zone you’ll discover new, wonderful things in life quite often.

Get rid of your “should have” thoughts

The should haves in life can really drag happiness and energy down and make everything feel like heavy work. Do  you really have to do all of those shoulds on your “to-do” list? Or are you maybe stuck in a rut and are doing some of those things just out of habit?

Ask yourself one of my favorite questions: Will this matter in five years? Or even five months?

By zooming out like this you make it easier to see the true value of doing something. You see it for what it really is. Your questioning makes it easier to simply relax and say no to doing something because you realize that it isn’t that important  Do what you deep down believe is the “right thing.”

Instead of letting quick and judgmental words come of your mouth, be understanding.

Instead of snacking on some candy eat a fruit or drink a glass of water. Hard, right?

When an impulse inside of you wants you do something that you know deep down isn’t right for you then pause, be still for a few moments. The impulse will pass and you can  easily choose to take the action you know is right in this situation.

Then appreciate that you did the right thing, give yourself a pat on the back, and see how good it all feels. Continue to do this and you’ll help yourself to build stronger self-esteem.

BE HAPPY!

CHANGING for the BETTER…even now!

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These past months have been so much more than a “normal” test of Human Endurance and Personal Strength. “Strength” that includes physical strength as well as emotional strength are ours to endure. Personally, some days are overwhelming; we all continue to have our own individual challenges as well as the Covid Pandemic. It is so easy to become sad and lonely.

We live in a world of constant and often frightening change and never know of our tomorrow (s). I often ask myself … what will tomorrow  bring!  Will I have a blessed day with no worries or sickness upon me? Will I be able to cope with what will be passed to me through my day?  Will I make a difference to others who might be challenged more than I am?

Finally, it dawns on me that I am so blessed to just be able to wake up and open my eyes each and every morning.  I get to experience glorious LIFE yet again.  I should treasure each day, even during this time, and make everyday day count in my life. This is true now more than ever, right?

We must not dwell on the past and ruin our present. Our past sometimes can haunt us and make our present day not too enjoyable. If your own past has haunted you and it’s fixable, then go after the problem and resolve it, so that you can live in peace. If it cannot be fixed, then choose to let it go. CHOOSE to be at peace, happy, and help others.

As time and moments pass us by, they are then called memories and can be either positive or negative. We all want to have in our lives the best and happiest memories.  None of us want to have bad memories of anything, but unfortunately, we will have many of them and disappointments to go along with them.  It’s good to put everything in perspective. I coined a special word, years ago for my own personal memories that are painful; I call them “memroids.” It still works.

I try to live everyday to the fullest and make each day count because there is no guarantee to the length of our individual times on Earth. In my journey, there have been acquired lessons of great value. Treat all people with respect and kindness.  Turn the other cheek as hard as it might be. Learn to love and respect yourself, because without that, you will have a hard time loving and respecting others.

Really appreciate what you have in your Life and don’t take anything for granted.  We can all improve the quality of our existence with some extra hard work to achieve a personal goal.  However, if that goal is not achieved, the gain is in the personal knowledge that all effort was put forth in the venture of trying.

I try to make it a habit to glance into the sky and say thanks for all things in Life… exactly as given. This includes these last few months of Covid-19.  My days are rewarding; yet challenging, happy; while melancholy at times, enlightening; even at this point in my life, and exhausting; while at the same time… I wouldn’t want it any other way. 

Each day we experience is as different and individual as each one of us. May we choose to live it well.

Eliminating Negativity in Our Lives

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During Covid 19, we as Humans get to make great changes to our lives, others lives, and thus our ONE WORLD!

The whole reason for any experience in life, even negative ones, is to call forth a remembrance of who we really are… as an object of our infinite potential.   We are each created as… All That Is and All That Is Not.  

When we stop trying to control, move past, go beyond, cast out, go above, or run from the possibilities of “negative” experiences in our live(s) then there is no reason for them to control us anymore.  There is learning to be done from each dose of negativity in our lives; there is no age limitation either. 

In other words, the instant we realize and accept that everything in our life is equal, (both negative and positive experiences),  then we recognize that we cannot go beyond or move past negative situations. They are just part of our life!  (I have to work really hard at this.)   The negative situations are equal to us, since we are infinitely everything.  That’s huge to even consider.

Hence, we are accepting to just let go (or “Let Go; Let God,) and allow the idea that the possibility of a “negative” situation has the potential to happen at anytime! You can become perfectly content with that idea, since you soon realize that everynegative situation is created, (even sometimes by ourselves), and allows us to grow!  It happens over and over.  Some of our biggest momentary negatives, we later look back on as “gifts” in our life.  We don’t see it initially, but down the road we suddenlyget it!

Magicians often use mirrors to perform their illusions because mirrors reflect a clear image of life making the illusion seem very real; you are unaware of the mirror that the magician is using. When you are the “magician” in real life situations… then there is no illusion; you see the mirror and you can therefore use the mirror as a tool.

If reality is a mirror, then you must change yourself in order to see the change in the mirror. If you desire for your hair to change then you must comb or brush the hair on your head… in order to see the change in the mirror! More times than not, people will try to change what they see by changing the mirrored reflection.

A current saying is, “Be the change you want to see in the world. ” It’s possible that this simplistic thought is exactly what that quote means. When you take responsibility for all of your reality, then you give yourself the power to change anything within your reality. Cool, huh?

We can adopt this perspective into reality, by first looking around at everything we see and hear in our reality right now. Next, close your eyes. When you close your eyes in the moment, you are telling your mind to refresh your viewpoint. Now, open your eyes and look around you again, except this time see everything as if we are looking into a mirror. Everything you are now seeing or hearing is a reflection of the mirror within you.

Everything starts from within and is reflected outwardly. If we don’t like what we see… in any aspect of our life… the reality and negative situation is ours to alter.

I’m a believer!

LONG BEFORE THE PANDEMIC… some already have been “tested” in Life!

Featured ~ Sue Brown ~ Leave a comment

Sometimes, I feel frustrated and confused in life and have a day or two where I’m blue. Luckily, it is rather short lived, but I was in one of those spaces until yesterday.  When I least expected it, there was God’s reminder of my own Blessings. I had been focusing only on my tests as of late.  I call these my selfish times and they remind me to be more humble and accept my tests.

I first saw the homeless man, when I pulled into the parking lot of a large super-store…O.K…WalMart. I have never spent one night without a roof  of some sort over my head.  He was not standing visibly out in the open, where he could be easily seen, but rather off to the side.  He sat on a wooden bench that almost seemed out of place near the large lot…but there he was.

At first, it struck me odd that he was not standing closer to where all the cars were coming in. I was not sure why he had even caught my eye at all, on his remote bench, as the parking lot was busy and I was being cautious.  It was the first day in almost a month where the temperature and sun seemed to be in harmony and maybe he was enjoying it.

The man was holding a small sign, which eventually caught my attention; it said nothing more than HOMELESS.    He held it very low on his lap.  Perhap, he was worried about Security or local police chasing him away.  It was then I decided to buy him some food and give it to him as I was leaving the parking lot.  Inside I picked up a few prepackaged sandwiches and drinks, got my own toiletry items, and headed back out to my car. From where I had parked, I couldn’t see him any longer.  Maybe he had left.  When I got closer, I could see that he was still seated in the same spot…in the same position, holding the sign in his lap.  

I wondered what I would say to this man. It was difficult to tell how old he was; he was so dirty. His ragged sweatshirt was torn and the soles were pulling off his sneakers, I could see that as I proceeded towards him.  He spit onto the pavement in front of him with huge racking coughs and held up his hand not to come any closer. “I have a bad cold,” were his first raspy words.  “I’ve been sleeping in the woods.”  My bag of food seemed inadequate, but I handed it to him anyway. I hadn’t seen a full grown man quite that thin in a long time. His blue eyes were direct and he didn’t look away, but stared right at me.

Most of his front teeth were missing or badly decayed.  He held such sadness in his eyes, that I involuntarily choked up. We chatted back and forth for a bit. I’m not sure why, because he was totally sober, I asked if he would stop drinking and he hesitated… then nodded agreement. When he mentioned he had just been into WalMart checking out the cough/cold   medicine and then rattled off the price.. .I knew he was telling the truth about not feeling well. 

 If I had only stopped and asked him what he needed on the way in, I could have gotten that for him while I was in there, but I hadn’t been that insightful.  It also occurred to me that maybe he was completely conning me. I do succumb to that. For some reason, he still struck me as sincere.  I noticed a still burning cigarette on the ground next to the bench and asked him to try and stop smoking too.

My own brazenness amazed me!  Who did I think I was asking this total stranger to stop drinking and smoking?  Again, he nodded agreement. He acknowledged that the soft drink would feel good on his throat, but he didn’t know how much of the sandwich he could eat.  I merely asked him that he “try” and felt compelled to mention how thin he was and that he needed to take better care of himself.

As I turned to leave, he called out to me softly.  “Thank you for calling me Sir,” he said to me.  My throat tightened.  “God Bless you, Miss,” he said.   “No, may He bless you,” was all I could utter in reply.  They were the most sincere words I had said all week.  As I waited to pull out of the parking lot, I gave a final glance in my rear view mirror.  The man was eagerly tearing open the cellophane on the roast beef sandwich.

And all of a sudden…I got it!  There, but for the Grace of God…go I!

Please all, during these very trying times, let us focus on EVERYONE who already have been given their share of Tests and Challenges.

Embrace Gratitude: Simple Choices for a Better Life

~ Sue Brown ~ Leave a comment

CHOOSING TO BE GRATEFUL

The God-given ability to “choose” is what separates humans… from other mammals. That’s an amazing gift. Even if we personally fail in one test or challenge… a new one will come along in which we get to choose all over again. Maybe, it’s so we finally get it correct. Life, as given, isn’t easy.

Often, we do not like the apparent choices as they are presented to us and sometimes, they seem unfair, but they are choices nonetheless. With each and every positive choice we make for ourselves and towards others, we further define who we are as Human Beings and therefore can make the world a better place.

Every day we are given this opportunity to perfect ourselves. It is an absolutely liberating thought and practice. We are not defined by what has been done to us in the past, but instead we are what we have chosen to do for ourselves… both now and in the future.

We can all choose that on any given day. One need not have an expensive or lengthy list… to experience life’s amazing gifts. Maybe we can just slow down and recognize LIFE for the precious gift that it is… all on its own.

A good place to start would be if we each recognize the small things of our day… that touch our soul. We so often overlook these because we are too busy or we yearn for something greater and grander. Actually, just embracing each day to the fullest is pretty amazing as it is!

The sun as it is setting in the west on a glorious evening, the extra hour of sleep curled up next to the one we love on our day off, a walk in nature, or helping a total stranger are wonders that can be enjoyed by all. Simple things are in our lives for the taking, but we need to make an effort of recognizing them first.

Each day for the next month write down at least one thing that you did that day, which you normally would have taken for granted. At the end of the month, you have a wonderful Living List. Now, this is a great list! Bucket List… move over.

If ONLY

~ Sue Brown ~ Leave a comment

I first saw the homeless man, when I pulled into the parking lot of a large super-store…O.K…WalMart. I have never spent one night without a roof of some sort over my head. He was not standing visibly out in the open, where he could be easily seen, but rather off to the side. He sat on a wooden bench that almost seemed out of place near the large lot…but there he was.

At first, it struck me odd that he was not standing closer to where all the cars were coming in. I was not sure why he had even caught my eye at all, on his remote bench, as the parking lot was busy and I was being cautious. It was the first day in almost a month where the temperature and sun seemed to be in harmony and maybe he was enjoying it.

The man was holding a small sign, which eventually caught my attention; it said nothing more than HOMELESS. He held it very low on his lap. Perhap, he was worried about Security or local police chasing him away. It was then I decided to buy him some food and give it to him as I was leaving the parking lot. Inside I picked up a few prepackaged sandwiches and drinks, got my own toiletry items, and headed back out to my car. From where I had parked, I couldn’t see him any longer. Maybe he had left. When I got closer, I could see that he was still seated in the same spot…in the same position, holding the sign in his lap.

I wondered what I would say to this man. It was difficult to tell how old he was; he was so dirty. His ragged sweatshirt was torn and the soles were pulling off his sneakers, I could see that as I proceeded towards him. He spit onto the pavement in front of him with huge racking coughs and held up his hand not to come any closer. “I have a bad cold,” were his first raspy words. “I’ve been sleeping in the woods.” My bag of food seemed inadequate, but I handed it to him anyway. I hadn’t seen a full grown man quite that thin in a long time. His blue eyes were direct and he didn’t look away, but stared right at me.

Most of his front teeth were missing or badly decayed. He held such sadness in his eyes, that I involuntarily choked up. We chatted back and forth for a bit. I’m not sure why, because he was totally sober, I asked if he would stop drinking and he hesitated… then nodded agreement. When he mentioned he had just been into WalMart checking out the cough/cold medicine and then rattled off the price.. .I knew he was telling the truth about not feeling well.

If I had only stopped and asked him what he needed on the way in, I could have gotten that for him while I was in there, but I hadn’t been that insightful. It also occurred to me that maybe he was completely conning me. I do succumb to that. For some reason, he still struck me as sincere. I noticed a still burning cigarette on the ground next to the bench and asked him to try and stop smoking too.

My own brazenness amazed me! Who did I think I was asking this total stranger to stop drinking and smoking? Again, he nodded agreement. He acknowledged that the soft drink would feel good on his throat, but he didn’t know how much of the sandwich he could eat. I merely asked him that he “try” and felt compelled to mention how thin he was and that he needed to take better care of himself.

As I turned to leave, he called out to me softly. “Thank you for calling me Sir,” he said to me. My throat tightened. “God Bless you, Miss,” he said. “No, may He bless you,” was all I could utter in reply. They were the most sincere words I had said all week. As I waited to pull out of the parking lot, I gave a final glance in my rear view mirror. The man was eagerly tearing open the cellophane on the roast beef sandwich.

All of a sudden…I got it! There, but for the Grace of God… go I!

Please all, during these very trying times, let us focus on EVERYONE who has already have been given their share of Tests and Challenges. Let this not be a time of Political or Social oppositions. Let us be about being good people and helping others even if we are at odds with their lifestyle choices or beliefs. At the end of each of our lives, it appears that everything has been measured out in equal proportions. I am more aware of that each day that I am on this Earth.

Each Human has been given tests, challenges, and fears. But with that comes the HUMAN condition of HOPE. Let us never forget that each of us is put on this Earth for a purpose and that purpose will one day be clear.

,

Let’s “contemplate” how often we use “contempt” in our daily interactions on line, in person, and socially.

~ Sue Brown ~ Leave a comment

Wait! Am I saying we should be better Humans in THOUGHT, WORD, and DEED? Hell yeah!

The Oxford English Dictionary defines “contempt” as “the feeling that a person or a thing is worthless or beneath consideration.” It is ultimately derived from the Latin word contemptus which means “to scorn or despise.” As ONE PEOPLE we seem to be doing this quite frequently and more so each day. We actually have contempt of another! It matters little whether it is politics (Dems vs Rep), among races (Black vs White), nationalities (Americans vs China)… it just goes on and on ad nauseam. Enough already!

 I still get a kick out of my old-school Latin and how often our Modern Society defers to it. As written in The New York Times, contempt is not the same thing as strongly disagreeing with someone. Not only are strong disagreements inevitable, but “Disagreement helps us innovate, improve, and find the truth.” It also leads to common understanding and new ideas. The problem isn’t that we disagree; it’s how we disagree. Increasingly, disagreements today are characterized by a “noxious brew of anger and disgust,” which is directed not only at bad ideas, but also at the people who espouse them. Mmmm… This goes beyond incivility and it’s just plain rudeness.

 It even goes beyond intolerance. It’s the conviction that while your side “is driven by benevolence,” the other side “is evil and motivated by hatred.”  Who does this help?  No one! You can probably think of several examples of contempt recently directed at other religions and cultures.. So can I. However, to paraphrase the First Letter of John,  if we say that we are free of contempt, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. That’s worth a long thought.

Can we honestly say that we never think of our opponents, in any area, as: not quite as informed, educated, or forward thinking as we are?  Do we always strive to be “greater than thou” with people while we criticize their ideas? The fact that we  ourselves are often unjustly maligned… isn’t a reason to reciprocate in kind. In the case of contempt for our opponents, things like social media, cable news, and political websites can be such occasions. These are the mechanisms and media for modern propaganda and word peddlers.  They are  folks who profit from the culture of contempt.

Contempt is not the same thing as strongly disagreeing with someone. Not only are strong disagreements inevitable, but disagreement helps us innovate, improve, and find the truth.” It also leads to common understanding and new ideas.The problem isn’t that we disagree; it’s how we disagree. Increasingly, disagreements today are characterized by a “noxious brew of anger and disgust,” which is directed not only at bad ideas, but also at the people who espouse them. Mmmm…This goes beyond incivility and rudeness. 

It’s the conviction that while your side “is driven by benevolence,” the other side “is evil and motivated by hatred.”  Who does this help?  No one!?  Do we always strive to be “greater than thou” with people while we criticize their ideas? The fact that we  ourselves are often unjustly maligned… isn’t a reason to reciprocate in kind.

May is Graduation Month! BE TOUGH on FUTURE GENERATIONS! IT’S OUR FUTURE.

~ Sue Brown ~ Leave a comment

I try to keep up with many of my former students’ lives.  Over the years, I have taught so many; I’d like to say I remember them all, but that would be a lie.  I do remember all of those with “promise” and all of those with “struggles” as they took most of my attention and heart during the time I had them in the classroom. It’s impossible for me  to say who touched me the most.  Was it the ones that had so much potential, and actually went on to accomplish great things after they left me, or the ones who had overcome great odds and just getting them to come to school and eventually graduate high school had been a feat in itself?   I  can’t say.

In today’s high-tech society it is easy to follow their progress… or lack of.  Often they contact me themselves, my own email address has been the same since AOL’s inception and my students have  many times told me…”It’s so you, Ms. Brown!”  For that reason alone, I will always keep it.  Lately, it has not been difficult to track them down on the Internet. Sometimes, it’s through one of the conventional social connectors: i.e.  Facebook, Twitter, or now they tell me to Instagram them, whatever.  I also Google them and see what’s going on with them, good… or bad.
AND… every once in a while, I am sent a news article that delights me or causes me concern.  Technology makes us all connected… good and bad news.

It was one of the latter, that has been consuming most of my thinking the past few days.  I was forwarded  news  about one of the students that had held so much promise. He was gifted academically, a wonderful athlete, a leader in his class, and was ultimately accepted into one of the most prestigious universities in the Northeast.  He has now been out of college for quite a few years. The article read that He had just been sentenced to prison for the next decade of his life… on drug related charges.  It took my breath away.  How had this happened?

His proverbial fall from grace not only astounded me, but made me cry.  He was a student that had passed through my life and yet, I felt like I had failed him.  I can’t even imagine the raw emotions his family must be having. The feelings must run the full reign from anger, sadness, failure, and shame… then back to anger!  I know that’s what I felt anyway.

How dare he throw his life away like that!   Life is about CHOICE and with each and every positive choice we make we define who we are. What I couldn’t get my mind around was how selfish this young man had been.  He had thought of no one but himself with his destructive actions.  Hadn’t he seen that?  Where had he “learned” that he could do whatever he wanted to and not be accountable?

When we are given gifts and/or talents in our individual journeys, during this time on Earth, and we throw them away… we are being disrespectful not only to our Creator, but to all who love, nurture, and take care of us.  It is  hard for me to reflect on the number of young people who come from really difficult backgrounds and home lives and do go on to make the world a better place for those who will follow them.  There are many of those, but many “choose” to go the wrong way too.  

This was not the first former student who had chosen a destructive path in their lives.
It is then that I wondered with guilt if Society, as a whole, has just been too easy on America’s youth and young adults in the past two decades!  I am the first to acknowledge that there are many wonderful young people, but have we lost something that used to be present years ago, by giving too much and asking too little of them.


When do they stop asking for: cars, trips, and parents to “bail them out”  when they get into legal and/or financial trouble.   It appears that WE  have created THE generation of “entitlement” in our country. There is an unspoken ME, among many of them, that is so troubling.  We love them so much that we honestly believe the way to make them love us back is to always: give, forgive, and ignore their negative choices. 
Perhaps, we adults/parents are the selfish and needy ones. It is difficult to have our  children not “love us” or even dislike us from time to time.  What I’m professing is that being  good parents, (coaches or educators as well), requires a strong backbone.  Being strong parents is necessary and we must be consistent, even when our “children” get older. 

 There can be no copping out because it’s easier to say “Yes,” or “I’ll get you out of it,” or “Here’s the money for…,” saying”No!” is difficult, but often the only right thing to do.    However, with this said America’s youth in the end accountable for their own screw ups! There are always consequences for bad choices and always have been. They did not consult with us when they had unprotected sex, bought and used drugs/alcohol illegally, ran up credit cards, or dropped out of school.  We need to recognize that they can learn from their mistakes.  

We can not cure the problem(s) of our country’s upcoming generations, but we sure can start fixing our own mistakes in how we love them and guide them in positive directions.

 Right now, we can, and must, start by being stronger parents/adults and bosses/supervisors ourselves.   Give our children less and speak up about any negative choices in their lives when seen necessary.  Counsel, wisely and compassionately, employees when they are heading in the wrong direction at work and personally.  Being strong and caring for others is not a negative thing; caring for others is the right thing both for them and others.

NOT EVERYTHING IS POLITICAL!

~ Sue Brown ~ Leave a comment

Try new choices and new attitudes; I like that idea.

The reason everyone wishes a “Happy” New Year is quite special.  It is because we hopefully grasp the simplicity of the concept that in the new year, as opposed to the old one, we can all literally wipe our lives clean of all the negatives…  and start fresh. The new year can be one of personal change and growth. How amazing is that?

The wonderful thing about being human is that all of us have the power of “choice.” This applies to everything in our lives, basically from the moment we enter adulthood. Before that time we live under the dictates of adult “supervision.”    To hold another accountable for either the good and/or bad in our own lives is ridiculous.  It is also disrespectful to our Creator.  In my writings over the past two decades, I have never professed to have all the answers, but I do have a great deal of human interaction, experience, and an academic background that speaks for itself.

I AM MADE OF MY OWN CHOICES and I am proud of that fact.

I share my own insight and path in hopes that it helps others too. It has by the huge amounts of positive feedback I get at lectures, in person, and via email.  However, we all have the right to CHOOSE our own path. I have never had all the answers and never will.

Think of it!  We can choose how we live our lives and be in full control of the decisions we make each and every day.  Each sunrise we are offered a brand new opportunity to start over with our choices. Each new year, we also get to start over! No one can make us stop being in another’s life; there must be a reason(s) and it is based on personal choice. No one can force us to eat or drink too much unless we want to; it’s our choice.  No one can make us good, productive people. It is also, our choice.

Likewise, no one can make us whole, happy, and a contributor to the lives of others.  We must find that path ourselves. With this gift of CHOICE comes great responsibility. It is true…no one knows what goes on in another’s life.  That goes in both directions. May we all choose the higher ground for this relatively “new” clean, unblemished year.

 May we all live LIFE well.

My Christmas Wish for All!

~ Sue Brown ~ Leave a comment

These past months have been so much more than a “normal” test of Human Endurance and Personal Strength. “Strength” that includes physical strength as well as emotional strength are always ours to endure. The recent Presidential Election just added to the drama. Personally, some days are overwhelming; we all continue to have our own individual challenges as well . It is so easy to become sad and lonely. I get that.

We live in a world of constant and often frightening change and never know of our tomorrow (s). I often ask myself … what will tomorrow bring! Will I have a blessed day with no worries or sickness upon me? Will I be able to cope with what will be passed to me through my day? Will I make a difference to others who might be challenged more than I am?

Finally, it dawns on me that I am so blessed to just be able to wake up and open my eyes each and every morning. I get to experience glorious LIFE yet again. I should treasure each day, even during this time, and make everyday day count in my life. This is true now more than ever, right?

We must not dwell on the past and ruin our present. Our past sometimes can haunt us and make our present day not too enjoyable. If your own past has haunted you and it’s fixable, then go after the problem and resolve it, so that you can live in peace. If it cannot be fixed, then choose to let it go. CHOOSE to be at peace, happy, and help others.

As time and moments pass us by, they are then called memories and can be either positive or negative. We all want to have in our lives the best and happiest memories. None of us want to have bad memories of anything, but unfortunately, we will have many of them and disappointments to go along with them. It’s good to put everything in perspective. I coined a special word, years ago for my own personal memories that are painful; I call them “memroids.” It still works.

I try to live everyday to the fullest and make each day count because there is no guarantee to the length of our individual times on Earth. In my journey, there have been acquired lessons of great value. Treat all people with respect and kindness. Turn the other cheek as hard as it might be. Learn to love and respect yourself, because without that, you will have a hard time loving and respecting others.

Really appreciate what you have in your Life and don’t take anything for granted. We can all improve the quality of our existence with some extra hard work to achieve a personal goal. However, if that goal is not achieved, the gain is in the personal knowledge that all effort was put forth in the venture of trying.

I try to make it a habit to glance into the sky and say thanks for all things in Life… exactly as given. This includes these last few months of Covid-19. My days are rewarding; yet challenging, happy; while melancholy at times, enlightening; even at this point in my life, and exhausting; while at the same time… I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Each day we experience is as different and individual as each one of us. May we choose to live it well.

SICK of IT! AREN’T WE ALL?

~ Sue Brown ~ Leave a comment

I am wondering, actually suggesting, strongly, that what … ceases for the rest of the political season IS CONTEMPT.  The Oxford English Dictionary defines “contempt” as “the feeling that a person or a thing is worthless or beneath consideration.” We will see for ourselves if either, ( yes, I did say “either”) Party’s Candidate for the President of the United States follows my suggestion.  Hmmm. I should call them.

It is ultimately derived from the Latin word contemptus which means “to scorn or despise.” As ONE PEOPLE we seem to be doing this quite frequently and more so each day. We actually have contempt of another! It matters little whether it is politics (Dems vs Rep), among races (Black vs White), nationalities (Americans vs China)… it just goes on and on ad nauseam. Enough already!

 I still get a kick out of my old-school Latin and how often our Modern Society defers to it. As written in The New York Times, contempt is not the same thing as strongly disagreeing with someone. Not only are strong disagreements inevitable, but “Disagreement helps us innovate, improve, and find the truth.” It also leads to common understanding and new ideas. The problem isn’t that we disagree; it’s how we disagree. Increasingly, disagreements today are characterized by a “noxious brew of anger and disgust,” which is directed not only at bad ideas, but also at the people who espouse them. Mmmm…This goes beyond incivility and it’s just plain rudeness.

 It even goes beyond intolerance. It’s the conviction that while your side “is driven by benevolence,” the other side “is evil and motivated by hatred.”  Who does this help?  No one! You can probably think of several examples of contempt recently directed at Christians and Minorities. So can I. However, to paraphrase the First Letter of John, if we say that we are free of contempt, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 

That’s worth a long thought.

Can we honestly say that we never think of our opponents, in any area, as: not quite as informed, educated, or forward thinking as we are?  Do we always strive to be “greater than thou” with people while we criticize their ideas?  The fact that we  ourselves are often unjustly maligned… isn’t a reason to reciprocate in kind.

These are the mechanisms and media trends for modern propaganda and word peddlers.  They are  folks who “profit from the culture of contempt.” They pump up the outrage in our country and you can almost hear the ego rise with every page view and “like.” Of course, this isn’t easy when so much is at stake in our culture. Right now, so much IS at stake! At times, it feels as if we don’t even have an “AMERICA.”

Come on Political Parties. You have BOTH been juvenile and vindictive. It’s only the U.S. or “us” at stake; it’s never been a “you” thing. Ever!

Keeping it Going…

~ Sue Brown ~ Leave a comment

A HUMAN’S PURPOSE aka JOURNEY

SpiritUnbroken the Blog (c) by Sue Brown

When a long journey begins, or when a quest is undertaken, be it a pilgrimage of  Spirit or an ambition, desire, or hope… there is the excitement at the beginning… because the unknown still lies before us. But at some stage, we tire. The terrain can become unfamiliar. Issues arise, challenges greet us, and at this point, too many feel that this must not be meant to be – for we have told ourself that if it is truly meant to be, it will be easy. This is not always the case. Rarely, is LIFE easy.

It appears to be, for all, in both the seen and unseen worlds, there are parts of the “great journey” that require: stamina, courage, and endurance – our ability to commit, and to stay with the task until we have made it.  Do not enter into challenges lightly – enter into them, if at all, wholeheartedly.

Without what we describe as “a challenge,” there will be no growth. If we work through the challenges, we will emerge stronger, and then be more able to realize the next dream. If we run at the first sign of difficulty, we will never forget it; it will be considered a personal failure.  Perhaps, the time has come in life and work for us to build up your endurance. Commit. Practice. Train! No matter what the goal… give it our all. That’s endurance of thought, word, or deed.

We may believe we are weak mentally or physically unable to complete a task. We may be committed to believing that there is no way our “strength” can increase. It is usually not about our physicality – so often, it is the amazing endurance of Spirit and Soul. Our creative force requires the ability to go that little bit further, to reach a little higher, to extend ourselves, to go well beyond our individual comfort zones.

The second part of our strength is preparing ourself and strength will come through, just at the point we are ready to give up. Keep going. And we can go so much further than we believe we can! This is not the time to turn back or to allow the challenges/ tests to take us.

This is the time to continue the journey you committed to – because you are being tested and you can pass this test. But you must keep going. Eyes forward. Intention focused. Purpose clear!

Today a New Journey Begins…

~ Sue Brown ~ Leave a comment

A HUMAN’S PURPOSE aka JOURNEY

When a long journey begins, or when a quest is undertaken, be it a pilgrimage of  Spirit or an ambition, desire, or hope… there is the excitement at the beginning… because the unknown still lies before us. But at some stage, we tire. The terrain can become unfamiliar. Issues arise, challenges greet us, and at this point, too many feel that this must not be meant to be – for we have told ourself that if it is truly meant to be, it will be easy. This is not always the case. Rarely, is LIFE easy.

It appears to be, for all, in both the seen and unseen worlds, there are parts of the “great journey” that require: stamina, courage, and endurance – our ability to commit, and to stay with the task until we have made it.  Do not enter into challenges lightly – enter into them, if at all, wholeheartedly.

Without what we describe as “a challenge,” there will be no growth. If we work through the challenges, we will emerge stronger, and then be more able to realize the next dream. If we run at the first sign of difficulty, we will never forget it; it will be considered a personal failure.  Perhaps, the time has come in life and work for us to build up your endurance. Commit. Practice. Train! No matter what the goal… give it our all. That’s endurance of thought, word, or deed.

We may believe we are weak mentally or physically unable to complete a task. We may be committed to believing that there is no way our “strength” can increase. It is usually not about our physicality – so often, it is the amazing endurance of Spirit and Soul. Our creative force requires the ability to go that little bit further, to reach a little higher, to extend ourselves, to go well beyond our individual comfort zones.

The second part of our strength is preparing ourself and strength will come through, just at the point we are ready to give up. Keep going. And we can go so much further than we believe we can! This is not the time to turn back or to allow the challenges/ tests to take us.

This is the time to continue the journey you committed to – because you are being tested and you can pass this test. But you must keep going. Eyes forward. Intention focused. Purpose clear!