Gratitude & Thankfulness

The definition of the word “gratitude” – the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness; appreciative of benefits received. Synonyms: gratefulness, thankfulness, thanks, appreciation, indebtedness; recognition, acknowledgment, credit.  Gratitude begets thankfulness.

We can express gratitude in times of plenty and in times of loss, therefore  we can be thankful for trials as well as blessings. We learn from both. Trials are often blessings, though we might not recognize them as such until the trial has passed.

The Source

In my world, God is the giver of all things, whether we think of them as bad or good. Although He may use specific individuals and entities to deliver items and experiences directly, He nevertheless, is the source. Continue reading

Persistence Is…

Here are a few dictionary definitions of the term “persistence”- firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. The quality that allows someone to continue doing something or trying to do something even though it is difficult or opposed by other people: the state of occurring or existing beyond the usual, expected, or normal time.

Persistence is the spirit-enabled ability to practice habits daily that will help you develop the skills necessary for competency in a particular task. It is the habits that are practiced everyday that give us the strength to endure, to press on, to persist. Some people think that persistence is “not quitting”, or “just hanging in there” when things get tough. But when circumstances become difficult, and these habits haven’t been established, then we default to the familiar. Unfortunately, most people’s familiar here is to give up, quit. Continue reading

Phrases Aimed at Affecting the Mind

Here are a few dictionary definitions of the term “affirmation”-the action or process of affirming something; emotional support or encouragement. The act or an instance of affirming. Something affirmed : a positive assertion. Synonyms: declaration, statement, assertion, proclamation, pronouncement, asseveration, avouchment, avowal, claim, declaration, insistence, profession, protestation. Affirmations are sentences or phrases aimed at affecting the mind, conscious and subconscious.

The words used, automatically and involuntarily, bring up related mental images into the mind, which can inspire, energize and motivate. Repeating affirmations affect the subconscious mind, which in turn, influences the behavior, habits, actions and reactions. Affirmations can also be referred to as autosuggestion, or self-suggestion, and are key parts to Think and Grow Rich (Napoleon Hill) and The Master Key System (Charles Haanel).

Some Of My Affirmations

“I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious, and happy.” “I can be what I will to be.” “If it is to be, it’s up to me.” These are examples of affirmations that I use to build my self confidence. Others that I use, such as “do it now,” and “do the work” are to replace bad habits I have (procrastination) with new good habits. Continue reading

Refusing To Answer The Call – Still/Again

I still say to myself (everyday it seems) that I don’t like the life that I have and that I’m going to do something about it. The life that I am living has not been forced upon me. The circumstances in some people’s lives are forced upon them, but that is not the type I’m addressing here. For the most part, I’ve either chosen this life or have settled for it. Now I’m complaining about the choices that I made, and I’m refusing to let go of the life I created for myself. It’s actually a chemical addiction (medically proven). 

Awareness

Something or someone somewhere issued a “call” to me, the call to be a hero. The hero in my own story would be me, by changing my life. I first heard this call long ago but I wasn’t really listening. I began to hear it more often just in the last 8 years or so, and now I’ve actually been listening intentionally. Yes, I heard that call, but to be a hero, I’d have to answer it. Everyone knows that change is hard for most people. I am certainly no different. However, I’ve been given the tools I need to break this addiction, this bad habit. Continue reading