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I tried to quit smoking for many years. I actually quit smoking cold turkey when I stopped trying and I just refused to allow myself to pick up even one cigarette. Each moment that went by and I did not succumb to rationalizations of you can ‘have just one’ I got stronger. It was by not picking up even one that I proved to myself yes I am quitting.

I tried for a long time to stop letting the bad behavior of other people get under my skin. I actually stopped letting other people’s bad behavior push my buttons when one day I took a deep breath and just refused to engage.  Doing it once was what I needed to prove to myself it was really possible.  With practice no longer choosing to ego-boxing became my new norm. 

We are not powerless over our own life. We are not powerless over our ego. We are not powerless over our mind that has a mind of its own. WE are the higher, wiser, controlled, patient and loving Self with power over each of our thoughts, words and deeds. 

Our happiness, peace, self-respect and self-love come from making ourselves take the actions we know need to be taken to create the life we really want.  Yes we can accomplish the goals we set for ourselves, when we love ourselves enough to stop trying and actually do what it is we say we want to do.

 

I do not believe human beings are by nature violent. I believe we are so much bigger than that. Yet we do not have to look far to realize that today we continue to live in a violent world.  But we do not have too. We are choosing too. And that means we must understand and accept responsibility for allowing ourselves to become desensitized to violence instead of growing ourselves out of this primitive mentality.

Through television, movies and video games we are programmed to believe fighting one another is how to solve problems and conflicts. We begin to buy the lie that it is possible to hit another person in the head with a baseball bat and have them remain unfazed, get up and continue fighting.  As someone that was accidentally hit full swing in the head with a bat, I promise no one simply gets up – ever.

What we put into our mind and heart is what we become. WE must be the one to protect ourselves because those who continue to serve up violence, stupidity, ridicule, cruelty and irresponsible behavior masquerading as entertainment are not the ones who have our best interest at heart. The society we are creating is a reflection of the types of unconsciousness we are allowing ourselves to be exposed to.

It is time to say enough already! You and I do have the power to put an end to the idea violence, disrespect, and control is the answer to creating a better world.  Not true. Protect your mind and heart and those of your loved ones. Turn the violence, ridicule, bullying, carelessness, irresponsible sexual behavior and constant negativity off. It’s not just a movie or television show or video game. Negative behavior changes our brain for the worse. Positive changes our brain for the better. It is time to accept responsibility for choosing positive.

In 1980 two people I know met and fell in love.  They are extraordinary people with deep values. They are honest, kind, compassionate, love animals and work each day to make the world and the lives of other people better.  Because of their shared values and common goals they have been together happily for 33 years. And for 33 years they have waited for the day they could get married. 

Today my friend told me they are planning the ceremony.  He shared that there is a picture of a flying pig on the invitation. He said, “I know it is a strange thing to have on a wedding invitation but we thought we would get married only when pigs could fly.” 

I am so happy for my friends. I am pleased that two very good men are finally getting to realize their dream. I am happy that we are learning to accept love in all of its forms. I am happy that pigs have learned to fly.

I am so glad I stopped trying to be perfect. Working so hard attempting to be something that was impossible to attain was a drag.  It was depressing to stumble and fall and then beat myself up for thinking I should have done better. Or that I was stupid or not trying hard enough. 

One day I had enough with being a perfectionist and then a funny thing happened.  When I stopped worrying about making mistakes I stopped making as many mistakes.  Instead of being nervous that I would mess up I was able to focus on whatever I was doing so I actually did my best.    

I am not perfect and don’t plan to ever be. But that does not mean I let my behavior slide. No, I work very hard to be the best me possible.  I carefully watch what I say, what I think, my actions, and how I treat myself, other people and all life. And if I mess up I do my best to learn from the mistake. 

Yes, I am happier and create my life better now. And, since I stopped trying to be perfect I no longer expect other people to be perfect either. Boy has that helped strengthen all of my relationships. Especially the one I have with me.

Today a man I do not know apparently slandered me to a neighbor.  The man supposedly told my neighbor that I said bad things about her to him.  She was upset but she also knows me well enough to not automatically believe what the man claimed I said. So she wrote an email to confront me about it.  I calmly replied that she was right in that I did not say anything about her and that the man either made it up or he had me confused with someone else. 

I did not let her email or his words upset me for even one moment. Why, because I was completely innocent.  I have only spoken to the man once and our exchange was not only witnessed by another person but was completely friendly. 

We cannot control what other people say, think or even make up about us. The only control we have is to be our best self and if someone does slander us we have faith that the people who really know us will stand up for us against those who do not.

Someone I thought was a friend betrayed me. My ego tells me “How in the world could they do that to me. They should have known better.” My heart tells me, “If they truly were connected to their emotions to feel what it is like to be on the receiving end of their behavior they would have not done what they did.”

If I choose to listen to my ego I will suffer under the idea they should have done better, that there is no excuse for their behavior.  My ego will hold onto the idea they can go back and make what they did wrong, right. My ego will keep me angry, blaming, judgmental and distant. If I choose to listen to my ego I will throw them out of my life for making a mistake.

If I choose to listen to my heart then I will release the stress that comes from holding onto resentment and anger. My heart knows they cannot go back and make it right. My heart is willing to accept their apology and give them another chance. My heart will carefully watch their behavior. If I choose to listen to my heart I will move on without dragging the pain and disappointment along with me.

Even though my ego tells me that they do not deserve to be forgiven it is my wise heart that reminds me no one is perfect. I want peace and to not feel bad so, I choose to listen to my heart.

Today someone wrote asking if I truly walk my talk. It is a valid question and one I appreciate being asked.

To me authentically walking our talk is the greatest accomplishment we can achieve. I cannot imagine a greater goal than being a person of impeccable character.  I have felt this way all of my life because I have been abused or know of people who have been taken advantage of and even sexually violated by people who are considered  teachers, mentors, guides, leaders, etc. Some of the guilty are famous. Sometimes they fall from grace and other times they continue to lead a double life.

Deceiving someone who has faith that you are a good person will never make sense to the higher wisdom of my heart. In fact, I find it self-centered and heart-breaking. To me someone in a position of influence who spreads messages of positivity and wisdom and then abuses others is not worthy of the position with which they have been entrusted. I decided long ago there is no price for which I will betray myself or others.

Regardless what success we achieve as measured by the outside world, remaining in solid alignment with the values of our heart is the loftiest goal. Being respected as people who do walk their talk is worth more than all the money and fame in the world. To me that is true success.

As we see headlines and newscasts about heightened alerts for terrorism worldwide join me in refusing to live in fear. Let’s refuse to be intimidated by the unconscious who want us to be afraid of them.  I am not afraid and I refuse to be bullied by anyone. I refused to be sucked into fear-based media hysteria. I refuse to side with those who continue to believe fighting fire with fire is the way to put out the flames.

Every messenger of peace tells us we must choose a higher way of being than that of the ignorant, disillusioned, and unconscious. With all my heart I believe millions of us throughout the world are beginning to wake up and appreciate that conflict and violence is not the answer.  We are beginning to appreciate that it is impossible for hate to survive heart-light. Let’s lead with our heart and shine brightly in the truth that we are the strong ones by refusing to live in fear. You and I choose to be the peace we want to see. By doing so we will change the world.

Healing is not a “reach one goal” then quit process.  There are layers to taking our power back. 

On my journey of overcoming abuse, judgment and mistreatment I quit biting my finger nails. I quit smoking. I kicked the habit of gossiping, being sarcastic and tearing other people down. I overcame co-dependency. I stopped using foul language. I reclaimed my body. I became financially accountable. I became responsible for my every thought, word and action. I taught myself to stay patiently present in the now. I put ego aside to lead with my heart. I learned to love and respect myself. I learned to set healthy boundaries and forgive.  These are a few of the goals I reached and I am far from finished. 

Part of the fun of this journey, at least for me, is seeing how much more I can discover about myself that needs work.  I believe I am alive to continue to become better, not for anyone other than myself.  That means I do not ever think I’ve achieved enough. It means I continue to intentionally look for and peel away another layer of “not my best” so I get closer to the goal of being whole.

I enjoy helping others. I receive immense joy from being of service.  And while I do not think about what I am going to get in return, one of the most satisfying and powerful lessons I’ve learned is that the behavior I put out (positive and negative) does come back to me. Having had enough of the negative I now get up each day determined to put out as much good behavior as possible because every act of caring and kindness it is like putting a karmic “I owe you,” into a positive-energy piggy bank. 

It never fails that when we need a boost or helping hand the loving Divine essence removes one, or two, or three of the karmic “I owe you’s,” and a needed door opens, or a friend offers support, or an unexpected but much needed check arrives. While we get the most satisfaction from remaining focused on helping simply for the joy we receive, there is a great sense of peace, security, and awe when the universe affirms the law of attraction and shakes loose a karmic coin from our positive-energy piggy bank of love.