More Reflective Thoughts

Howdy!! I'm trying to stay awake before getting the kids awake from naps in a while, and ready them for Lovely's 1st piano lesson (if I nap, we'll never leave on time). What better way to perk me up than reflect on some life and lenten lessons for the soul? There are so many lessons and "mixed" messages when we look at our own lives and how to fit these inspirations into them.

This week in reading my "Daily Word" I came upon two themes - "refresh" and "heart blessing". It's funny, some ladies I know (and me too) are reading a book called Captivating that helps women spiritually heal and embrace ourselves as beautiful expressions of God, and the themes were there too!! Here are some thoughts on both that inspired me (and lately, there have been things in my own life, or those closest to me, that seem to keep getting the same type of messages over and over. I think He is trying to tell me something!):

refresh
~ "Today I may feel a desire for a fresh outlook on life; to adopt new healthful habits or rekindle a relationship. Renewal can take place in ways that hold the prospect of greater strength and vibrance. As I commit to seeing someone or something in a new way - honoring myself by doing whatever nurtures my mind and body or sharing time with a special someone - I am replenished in mind, body, and soul....my spiritual rejuvenation is a celebration of God's presence within me...I honor my worth. I meditate in a peaceful silence... or music, or the sounds of nature."

To me that says, I'm worth it. I need to CHOOSE to adopt new ways of feeling and thinking. Feelings are a choice, and if they are bringing me down, I need to risk the pain and make the choice to open myself to God, or the universe, the Spirit....to what renews me. Release it and free myself. In doing so I honor myself, even if others do not honor me. And, God's presence in me strengthens me. People let us down. Many times or always....but God does not. He is the strength that holds us up - He is in the words or actions of others that give us peace - He is always there knocking, waiting to be let in - not barging in to save us (idea from the book Captivating). When I feel refreshed and renewed, it is God within me, feeding me in ways no person EVER can.

heart blessing
~ "As strong and reliable as my heart is, my feelings have an incredible impact on it...my heart is a physical expression of my consciousness. When I feel positive...this organ is calm. It relates with mind and body in healthy, renewing ways. My love and intuition are heart-connected. And so I practice loving, positive thinking, and acting. I forgive others, and I also forgive myself. I give myself expression to the love of God within me. With each thought and action, I bless my heart and, at the same time, I am also blessing others in a heartfelt way."

Again, I feel moved to a choice. A choice to find the positive whenever I feel personally insecure (which is a lot!!), troubled, stressed, alone. I need to find a way to practice love of myself and my thoughts, because my thoughts are what get me in TROUBLE ("so and so must think _____ of me", "Oh! I made him so mad" or "She thinks I'm so spoiled/clueless/silly")! When I can manage that (so easier said than done!) I am letting myself feel what God always feels...love for ME. I give his love expression. He wants to forgive me, so I need to give myself the same break! I need to show my worth, my beauty, show how captivating I am.

I need to keep working on this...letting go, letting God, letting myself off the hook, letting me be FREE and above any stress in my life. Hmmm.....that I need to pray about and for. Am I up to that challenge?? These thoughts are so beautiful, so GLORIFYING and fantastically happy...I deserve to feel all those things too. Cause I am so worth it!! So are you, if you are reading this!!

*****

And, of course - God is still telling me how to do the above - with acts found below, in these meditations (link citation below)! Some are easy, so are challenging, all help me grow!!

Lent Day 16

Fast: Think of someone whose life you are tempted to envy and then choke out these words: “Thank you, God, for the blessings you have given to X. Give her more. And help me to see my own.”

Pray: Take a walk, even if it’s cold or raining. Leave your iPod at home.

Give: Think about the kind of person your husband married. Be that person for him today.

Lent Day 17 (Today's)

Fast: As you go about your daily round today, remember that you are expecting someone very important for dinner tonight. Together with your children, work towards your husband’s homecoming as if you were expecting to welcome a king back to his castle.

Pray: “Love consumes us only in the measure of our self-surrender.” — St. Therese

Give: “You can do nothing with children unless you win their confidence and love by bringing them into touch with oneself, by breaking through all the hindrances that keep them at a distance. We must accommodate ourselves to their tastes, we must make ourselves like them.” — St. John Bosco Do something they want you to do with them today.

I have to say - before one thinks that none of us are allowed to stand our ground by reading the above, remember the context!!! The above is a sacrifice to do if we don't feel like doing it. Hence the term SACRIFICE. At the same time, we are allowed anger and courage to fight for what is right for our families and ourselves to achieve what God wants for us, and expects. The same place I get these meditations also posted a reminder from this past Sunday's Gospel reading along with a challenge for the readers. Like Jesus, we can defend our honor and self worth because we are worthy enough to let others know that worth. We deserve to be treated with love and respect as we are called for others. See below:

And making a whip of cords, He drove them all, with the sheep and oxen, out of the temple; and he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables.
-- John 2:15

Give us zeal, O lord. Give us righteous anger. Give us moral courage.

~www.faithandfamily.com

Thanks for letting me hash out some of my feelings and callings today. I don't know if anyone reads them, but it is so freeing to just write and say them, pray them, and let them go! :)

(Hey, things like this keep me having "a rosey outlook on life!")

Many prayers!