Luna's Insightful blog

2011

2011-01-01T20:18:00Z

Can you feel the "stirring" deep inside your soul? If you don't...close your eyes and concentrate. The feeling is hope, and you're feeling it because a new year is upon us. With a new year, hopes are high and anything is possible.

It's also time to leave any troubles in your past behind you... and take hold of all that is good in your life -- and bring it with you into the new year. The wheel of the year begins anew, and if you listen to the Magick inside you... and use it properly, 2011 can be the beginning of the best years of your life.

A new year is always a time of reflection....a time to think about what we want to improve about ourselves and our life going forward. It is a time to 'clean the slate'....a time to break bad habits, rethink goals, and renew faith. Even those who don't practice magic look at the turning of one year to the next as a special, mysterious time. It is almost as if anything is possible! Keep this feeling and hold on to it every single day of the year. It’s a precious feeling, and every day that you open your eyes, consider it a present - a gift. You are receiving another day and you are still breathing, still here to help others, still here to make someone smile, still here to share your gifts that you were blessed with. Hold on to hope and don’t be afraid to dream big. If something doesn’t work, then think of ways to overcome the problem that occurred and revise. Eventually, you’ll turn it into a success. There is no such thing as failure - just stepping stones and adjustments - which bring you closer to the goal. Life is one big learning process.

My gift to you is this blog. This is where I can share idea’s and thoughts with you, some you will relate to and others you won’t, but all in all, it will help to stimulate your thought process. It’s a sacred journey that we take together. We can smile together, get motivated together, share idea’s, experience situations and platforms, learn and grow to broaden ourselves. It’s a place where you can go to remember you are not alone and that others come here for the very same reason that you do.

I thank you for coming here. I thank you for allowing me to enter your life and be a part of it. Even though we may not personally know each other, I thank you for the gift of your friendship. It enriches me and I feel blessed because of it. My wish is for everyone to have a healthy, safe and happy life. Happiness lies within. You have the key to make your own happiness. Little steps can have a huge impact on the quality of life. Are you ready and willing to make this the best year yet? Let’s make 2011 our best year so far. Life is precious so let’s jump in with both feet, make the best and most of it. It’s time to live.

I have learned much over the past couple of years and I am sharing just a few of the things that have meaning to me and that I now incorporate into my daily routine. At first, it didn't come easy but now it's just second nature to me since I have been working on these lessons everyday now for years. They are simple and all you need to do is start. Pick one thing and start to apply it in your life. Don't worry about the list, start with one lesson and take little steps. See what a difference it will make in your life. See the difference in how you feel compared to this time last year once you start applying just one new lesson. It's made a difference in my life.

　Lessons learned and rules to live by:

1. Do unto others as you would have done unto you.

2. People hardest to love are the ones that need it most.

3. There are no ordinary moments.

4. There is never nothing going on.

5. Death is not sad. What is sad is that most people don't live at all.

6. Nothing stays the same.

7. The awareness of spirit (not body) is the altar of truth.

8. It is the privilege of the forgiven to forgive.

9. The spirit's strength leaves no room for intrusions.

10. You are capable of creating in the likeness of your Creator.

11. Miracles are everyone's right but purification is necessary first.

12. Prayer is a medium - a means of communication from the 'created' to the Creator.

13. Embrace what sets you apart from others (uniqueness).

14. Everyday is a new beginning which is why its called the 'present.'

15. Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan/Hades shudders and says..."Oh no, she's awake!"

16. Reading to the mind is what exercise is to the body.

17. Make yourself so happy that when others look at you, they become happy too.

18. Your word is your greatest power and honor.

19. All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered. The point is to discover them.

20. WORK: Worship, Order, Reconciliation, Knowledge

21. I was created, therefore I exist, therefore I am what I am.

22. Everyone, at one time or another, must face the decision whether to cross the bridge or to burn the bridge.

23. Our minds are like computers. There are times where we must reprogram ourselves.

24. Sometimes we have to sit with the past before we can leave it behind and move on.

25. There is an advantage in every disadvantage and a gift in every problem. Happiness is not a when or a where; it can be a here and a now. But until you are happy with who you are you will never be happy because of what you have.

26. What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.

27. Your success depends mainly upon what you think of yourself and whether you believe in yourself. You can succeed if nobody else believes it, but you will never succeed if you don’t believe in yourself.

28. Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.

29. Perceptual blindness sheds much light on why we miss obvious solutions. By focusing on one thing (a problem), we miss something else (a solution).

30. Service is the rent we pay to be living. It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time.

31. You alone, have the power to break the chains that bind you. Seek within and you will find the solution.

32. Focus on the doughnut, not on the hole.

33. If He leads you to it, He will lead you through it.

34. Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you-they're supposed to help you discover who you are.

35. If God answers your prayers, He is increasing your faith. If He doesn't, He is training your patience.

36. PUSH - pray until something happens.

Love, light and blessings to all.

Perserverance.

2010-12-30T22:13:00Z

If you looked for a word to describe success, it would have to be perseverance. There have been a lot of potholes and detours along the road to success, but perseverance always makes a way! So stay on track and if you need a little "shot of inspiration," you've come to the right place. Here's to perserverance! Click here to view the short three minute movie.

Love and light to all.

A story about Mary, Jim and 'Lucky.'

2010-11-18T17:12:00Z

Mary and her husband, Jim, had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing. Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease....in fact; she was just sure it was fatal. She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him! The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death. The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.

Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed. When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life.

He had covered her with his love.

Mary forgot about dying. Instead, she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky, he still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

Remember....live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God and never forget the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care for us. If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours! Live simply. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God. Brightest blessings to all.

This story was sent to me via email and the author is unknown.

Is it time to detox?

2010-11-18T17:06:00Z

We hear so much about that these days. There are ads in magazines, tv commercials, info-commercials. Lots of different ways are available to cleanse the body of impurities, chemicals, pesticides and antibiotics in food and water which lead to forms of bacteria that can build up in our bodies. After all, look around you. People have more health problems, children have allegies and acid reflux at such early ages, people are experiencing thin hair and hair loss. All of this can be traced back to our food intake and what is lurking within it.

But what about detoxing for our minds? People go around with minds full of bad thoughts and the wrong thoughts. Example, so and so hurt me, how I can’t do this or that, work sucks or I’m out of work completely and can’t find a job. Well, listen to that. Those are toxic and poisonous thoughts. It affects our minds, body and spirit. It affects and contaminates our perspective, outlook and self image. I am sure we have all met people who are bitter, negative and always expect the worse to happen. They can be cynical and criticize everything. Think to how you feel being around someone with those so called ‘qualities’ or characteristics. Do you feel dread? A sense of hopelessness? These are the ones that need a mental/spiritual cleansing. Now, you may be wondering, how do you detoxify your mind and spirit? Well, first you must decide to starve the mind of the impurities of dwelling on situations. You must decide to let them go. Okay, it happened, dwelling on it won’t make it go away any faster or come to pass quicker. By dwelling on negativity, you keep it alive and around you. In other words, you are feeding it and giving it new life and so it tends to stick around. Example, don’t dwell on what you don’t have, look at what you do have. Don’t dwell on the illness, loss of work, what mistakes have been made. Your best days are still ahead of you. They are in front of you. You’ve heard the saying, the best is yet to come. Well, detox your mind and it will be. Strength and victory can be yours. Keeps thoughts of faith, hope and be determined to be a valor and have victory. It takes as much energy to think positive as it does to think negative.

Now, once people have detoxified their bodies of the chemicals and pesticides that have occurred as a result of their diets over the years, they tend to see improvement in some areas and even feel better - more energized, more creative, more healthier. Well, by detoxing your mind of these negative thoughts, you can put yourself on a spiritual diet to obtain victory and joy. Don’t you think its time to bring that back into your life? Lets get back the confidence. Instead of saying I can’t do this, why not turn it around and think, how can I make this possible and have it happen. Let go of disappointments and hurts, learn from them, then turn it around. It is possible and you hold the key. Do you have faith? Do you believe in God? Well, if He leads you to it, he’ll lead you through it. God loves you and wants you to overcome. He wants you to be happy, enjoy the day you’ve been given. If someone tries to dampen your spirit, think to yourself, who do they think they are? I refuse to let them rain on my parade. This day is a gift and I’ve decided to be happy and face things with strength. Smile at the person and walk away. Leave the misery behind you. Don’t give in to why can’t you be like your brother or sister. Why can’t you be smarter in school. How can you not grasp or understand my concern? Or what about this one, you know you’ll never amount to nothing, you’ll never succeed, etc. You are who you are. You are unique and different from everyone else. People haven’t been cloned to be alike in every aspect. You are who God wants you to be. All things are possible with faith. What matters is what God thinks of us. That is precisely how I made it through some of my younger years. I was different and considered strange because of my ‘gifts’ that I was given. People didn’t understand and some may have even been scared. At first, it bugged me immensely. Then I got over it. I don’t care what they think or say. What matters is how I feel and think and what God thinks. He thought me worthy which is why he made me different than them. Or it could be I’m more sensitive to things than they were. It helped me to think differently and by thinking God doesn’t think of me as a freak or as scary, then I didn’t let those thoughts penetrate my mind anymore.

Try detoxing the mind. It might just do you better then you can imagine. Brightest blessings!

This is the time where the veil is thinnist. Are you listening?

2010-10-27T18:41:00Z

Greetings everyone. Halloween, All Hallows Eve, All Souls Day is right around the corner. This is the time when celebrations are a plenty-from parties to trick or treating and gatherings around the television for football.

Many people will dream more often at this time due to the thinning veil between realms. Be sure to pay attention to your dreams and nightmares. They can help give clarity to problems being faced, what is up and coming to challenge you, and they give you solutions. This is what is meant by the answer can be found within. Dreams and nightmares do not have the same meaning as the 'daytime' and awake meanings. They are a language all their own. Example, dreaming that your teeth are falling out does not mean you have a periodontal problem and should see a dentist.

If you are one of those people who has been in the dream realm and would like to know the meaning and unlock the key to what your higher self is trying to communicate and tell you, then feel free to email it to me. Be sure to include all details that you can remember. OR feel free to arrange a call with me.

Brightest blessings for a happy and safe holiday.

What's your favorite time? Daytime or night-time?

2009-06-15T13:38:00Z

Time: It’s a funny and strange thing. It ticks by. At time it flies by and other times it can seem to drag or take forever (like on a Friday when you are waiting to punch out at five o’clock and start the weekend) but it never stands still. It can heal wounds, can create apprehension or an excitement, bring a longing or make you wish that a moment in time could stand still or a feeling would last forever. Have you noticed throughout the day whether you are more productive (creative), more lazy or more energetic? Do you have a favorite time during the day?

Let’s explore how different times can affect people personally.

Some people are early risers. They may never need to set their alarm clock due to the internal clock within themselves. A majority of early risers like to get things done with as little distraction as possible like exercising (going for a run, bike ride), hitting the grocery store before the crowds, making a nice breakfast to enjoy or reading the newspaper. Early risers are independent, can brainstorm and usually are detailed oriented to come up with their best ideas or creativity in the morning - well, let’s say before noon. They are comfortable with themselves and can handle what fate throws their way.

Some people tend to awake in the morning around the same time on weekends, as well as weekdays. They can enjoy exercising or a workout anytime - in the morning or in the evening. There is no preference as long as they get it in there. May tend to get a second wind around 4 p.m. and have an array of interests. A majority of people who fall under this category are highly adaptable, energetic, are at times, both, introverted and extroverted and are not that easily put in a routine - tend to go with the flow of things and still manage to get things done.

Some people may feel their utmost best after lunch or in the afternoon. While other people feel as though they are ready for a nap during this time, the late afternooner’s are feeling alert, assertive and productive. A majority of people in this category are optimistic and talented and will forge ahead to overcome any obstacle thrown in their way or path and will go get, go after and achieve whatever their goal is.

Some people are just night owls. They love the night and feel most alive, attentive and alert during this time. They tend to toss and turn if they go to bed before midnight and tend to skip breakfast. Night owls tend to have a wit about them and are considered a people person. They are able and willing to shoot the breeze or converse with anyone. Night owls are very in touch with themselves and are not so opposed to someone else’s opinion or point of view. They also tend to have a zest for life about them and have an adventurous and artistic side.

What you wear (fashion-wise) can speak volumes.

2009-06-01T20:33:00Z

Do your clothes fall into a specific pattern? Example, for work, do you like to wear stripes? Or perhaps for outings, you prefer to wear florals? Well, let’s see what your clothes reveal about you.

Florals: You are a sophisticated people person. You tend to be warm and easily approachable. Flowers convey grace and social ability, which is why you don’t often see one flower-you tend to see many which suggests togetherness.

Vertical stripes: You are a go getter. You tend to be assertive and ambitious. Pinstripes convey power and may elongate your figure or frame. The suggest crisp lines which represents you are on your way up and are dedicated to accomplishing your goals.

Polka dots: You are a multi-tasker. You tend to be intensely focused and convey balls of energy. You are disciplined and concentrated. This pattern tends to make you understand that life shouldn’t be taken to seriously and to enjoy playfulness.

Horizontal stripes: You are confident and no nonsense. This pattern says you believe in yourself and have optimism. You see the world without limitations (just like the horizon). You tend to display confidence and hope and can make things happen.

Animal prints: You are a creative leader. Animal prints tend to mirror or relay the qualities in you. You have a take charge spirit and strength along with a feminine nature because of the tie to Mother Nature and Mother Earth.

Zebra print: Shows you're adventurous in life and fashion, you are bold and confident.

Cheetah print: Flirty, feminine and seductive. Will tend to wear perfume and are able to win over difficult people in business.

Giraffe print: Shows you are trendy and youthful. Tend to experiment with new trends or types of food/cuisines and you most likely prefer gems over pearls.

Marriage......how is yours?

2009-05-24T15:45:00Z

Are you married? Is your marriage having problems? Did you know that 50 % of marriages are over or have been lost and given up on by the seventh anniversary year in a marriage? Marriage is hard work. It is a tough job. Did my marriage succeed? Nope, we went down hill - not quickly, but steadily. Together for three years, married for seven, divorced now for 16 years. The four horseman (as I’ve heard it be called, because there are four stages or predictors), and there are many people out there who are riding them. The question I hear is how do I (or we) reverse this? I get asked this after a reading where I see that they are experiencing problems. Well, I am not a licensed therapist or counselor so I honestly just don’t know. People are always looking for marital fulfillment and ways to keep their marriage alive. Everyone deserves to have an abundant marital life, but one way or another, everyone deserves to be happy. However, I find that people are so ready to criticize and put each down, blame the other person for why things are going wrong and just moan and groan over such petty stuff. Where is the affirmation? Where is the honesty, truth and honor today?

Men, when was the last time you told her that dinner was fantastic or that she cooked an awesome dinner? If she re-arranged the furniture to spice up the room and give it new life, did you comment about ‘wow this is a nice change’ or did you say ‘now why did you do that? I’m going to bang my leg on this.’ Ladies, if he cut the grass, did you take a few minutes to step outside and look at how nice it looked and tell him so? Or if he fixed something that was long overdue, did you say thank you - that is wonderful to have it work again - what a good job? It’s a good idea to have affirmation and be enthusiastic over something, whether it be a great dinner or a nice lawn that the neighbors would be envious of. Where is the pedestal? When people are dating, there are times when there is no other thought penetrating the mind except when will I speak to him/her again or I can’t wait to see him/her and spend time with them. He tries to impress her and she tries to impress him and each person is basically put on the pedestal. Try showing some admiration and see where it leads. By showing or having some admiration and affirmation, you have the power to send that person’s mood into a high level of happiness and make them feel appreciated. You can touch that person and get a point across, send a look or make a comment. These actions can be powerful. Think back to when you were dating your mate. What each of you did back then, is how you caught your mate. So if you can incorporate those things again into your ‘now’ stage, it may help to keep your mate and ease stress in the relationship. Reconcile and forgive when it’s needed and called for, just like having admiration and affirmation. These are simple, but important and powerful.

Did you know that in the Bible, scripture refers to words as ‘jewelry?’ Now depending on the Bible you have Proverbs, chapter 25, verse 11. Verse 11 states - ‘A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.’ Or it may say a word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Verse 12 states - As an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprove upon an obedient ear.’ Either way you chose to use your words, remember you have the power and hold the key to heighten someone or bring them down. There are two of the four horses - affirmation and admiration.

As I mentioned above, people are so willing to cut each other down - always on the defensive. And contempt, let’s not forget that one. People are always flinging that one around. Contempt is a lack of respect of something or for something. These are the thieves and marriage killers. They steal, kill and destroy. These are the enemies of marriage. Fifty percent of first marriages end in divorce, 67 % of second marriages end in divorce and 74 % of third marriages end in divorce. A broken marriage is tough, just ask the children of broken marriages. Why not try vulnerability. Being vulnerable shows your fears and dreams (no matter how far fetched or way off it may seem). It leads to a level of intimacy. It’s hard to be vulnerable because when you are happy, you’re not vulnerable. But, if you are hurt, you are vulnerable. When you are angry, that is a symptom of being hurt somehow and someway, so you are vulnerable. How about trying respect and reconciliation? Have you ever been out and about and there are other couples around and he is talking about some story and all of a sudden, she chimes in to correct him or make a point or may just roll her eyes or look at him like oh no, not again with the story. Have you ever done that? There is a lack of consideration and respect there. Outing him, could cause a spat or attitude to occur and if you are out with other people, that may put a damper on things. Let him have fun and tell his story. You can always laugh with the girls and say we saw Tom Jones, not Englebert Humperdink. Let him have fun. Reconciliation is powerful, it’s like the bridge of forgiveness. Would the story he is telling really be worth a spat and put a damper on things? It’s a story, it’s petty. It’s not a life or death situation so the full details really don’t matter. The story will most likely be forgotten anyway.

Have you ever considered a ‘date’ night? For people I know who have been married and are successful and still happy, I noticed that they have date night or couple time. If the kids are young, they get a sitter and go out to get away from the same four walls. If they have couple time, they let the kids play at a friends house for a few hours and they have their ‘couple’ time. They use this time for whatever they want. They can cook together, cruise on the Harley, take a bath together, make love, discuss fears, wants and hopes. It is important to make arrangements for the kids to be gone so concentrating on each other is easier with no interruptions. The key point is that kids grow up and leave. Spouses stay. What happens if (and God forbid) an accident occurs and someone is injured? Will you leave because your mate lost an arm or leg or will need a wheelchair? Sex isn’t everything, but intimacy is great as is stimulation of the brain. This is where words are like apples of gold in pictures or settings of silver. The brain is always working and needs to be stimulated. Words and conversations are key factors to this. Words can light a spark which gets the fire started or it can have you reaching high levels of confidence.

I have known some people to do this simple exercise together usually around the time when their anniversary is approaching. This may sound really silly and men will most likely think no way will I do that, but it is fun. It’s almost like taking a vacation together but doing it with memory and words. What happens is the two of you sit down and reminisce about the year together. It’s like keeping a journal for one day out of the year. They write about some humorous story, a memorable moment, a happy event, some stressful event that they thought they would never get through (loss of job, kids creating problems in school, etc), perhaps a vacation or even a time when someone’s breath was taken away by some stolen moment, a fear (someone was ill and in the hospital, etc). Whatever the experience is, once it is written about or spoken of, it will get the memories flowing. Some of my friends have written about shoveling snow and then falling down together to make snow angels, kissing in the rain and running barefoot into the puddles, riding shotgun, leaving love notes in coat pockets or packed lunches and fragrances that have always drove them nuts like Jovan Musk Oil, Jontue, Explanation or Vanderbilt and for the guys - English Leather, Aqua Velva - LOL. That is going back a ways, you youngsters won’t have a clue. (Oh but they were the good ‘ol days). It’s fun going back and remembering. Some of my friends have written about when he would come over and cut the lawn and she (wanting to catch his eye) would come out and lay by the pool or in a reclining lawn chair to work on the tan. (Yes, back in the day, we would worship the sun and work on our tans). Or they’d write about how handsome he looked in his armed service uniform. Memories are precious. And once you get started, you’ll remember things long since forgotten or placed on the back burner in your mind and heart.

If you are experiencing difficult times with your marriage and are not ready to throw in the towel, I would highly suggest praying, seeing a marriage counselor, or talking to your church authority (minister, priest, etc.). What you chose will have a lasting effect on your life. If you can’t afford a counselor or are embarrassed to speak with your church authority, you could always try writing a letter to each other to explain what you are going through and how you feel. This way you each can put the shoe on the other foot and work on it from there to make progress. Like I stated before, I am not a therapist or counselor, but if you are not ready to throw in the towel, there are things you can consider and take a chance on. But it will take both of you. Do not blame and criticize. That will get you nowhere. After all, for things to get to the point that it is at, it took both of you to get here and it will take both of you to work on the bridge of forgiveness. This would be the time to reflect and see how each of you have changed or grown and get back on track to grow together. Brightest blessings and much hope for a long life on your journey together.

Beware - thieves are getting smarter.

2009-05-23T02:52:00Z

Be careful out there. Thieves are getting smarter. The author is unknown but the story was sent to me about the crimes being committed. So I am sharing to make people beware and aware now that times are so desperate.

As I locked my car and was walking away, I heard my car door unlock. I went back and locked my car again three times. I looked around and there were two guys sitting in a car in the fire lane next to the store. When I looked straight at them they did not unlock my car again.

While traveling, a man stopped at a roadside park. He came out to his car less than 4-5 minutes later. He found someone had gotten into his car and stole his cell phone, laptop computer and a few other items.

He called the police. Since there were no signs of his car being broken into, the police told him that there is a device that robbers are using now to clone your security code when you lock your doors on your car using your remote locking device. They sit a distance away and watch for their next victim. They know you are going inside of the store, restaurant, or bathroom and they have a few minutes to steal and run.

How to lock your car safely - The police officer said to manually lock your car door-by hitting the lock button inside the car, that way if there is someone sitting in a parking lot watching for their next victim, it will not be you. When you hit the lock button on the inside of your car upon exiting, it does not send the security code, but if you walk away & use the remote on your key chain, it sends the code through the airwaves where it can be stolen. Something totally new to us....and real...

Be aware of this and please pass this note on. Look how many times we all lock our doors with our remote just to be sure we remembered to lock them & bingo someone has our code. Whatever was in the car can now be stolen.

Snopes Approved.
http://www.snopes.com/autos/techno/lockcode.asp

Do you enjoy life or endure it?

2009-05-23T02:10:00Z

Yes, we can get up in the morning and think, wow, I feel pretty good, but in an hours time, we can feel discouraged. Is it even possible to be or feel glad and happy continuously? Strange how we can get up and feel good in the morning or we can get up and dread what the day will bring. Some of us get up knowing there will be a parking lot on the beltway/expressway and we'll be part of it or that there is construction which causes delays. We can get up knowing there is a boring conference call that we’ll be sitting through or that some report was due yesterday and it’s still not done or, perhaps, the dreaded ‘evaluation’ is due on our job performance. Ug. No matter what the day may bring, we are prepared for victory or defeat, whether we know it or not.

For those people who are out of work, you may have to deal with that issue right in your face or if you have children, you have to deal with them. I know there are many out there with kids. They have after school activities, homework, may have a cold, allergies, asthma, ADHD or cerebral palsy. It’s always something. For me, it was years before I ever had a hot meal. Kids got fed first and then husband, then the kids were done and wanted seconds - it was the never ending cycle. By the time I sat down, the food was cold and very little was left. Then it was time to clear the table, do dishes, check homework, bath time for the kids, lay out the clothes, make sure they had clothes and that laundry didn’t need to be done. Ug. And on top of all that, I worked full time outside the house. But still I did it and I took care of everything and everyone. If I were to get up in the morning and think - oh, I have all these problems and dwelled on that, then I most certainly would be in for a lousy day. In fact, I may not have even wanted to get out of bed. After the busy morning with getting everyone up and out, I would breathe and tell myself, something good will come from this day for my sacrificing. I am going to have some laughs, some divine intervention because it’s the end of the month and my end of month accounting stuff needs to be done and closed and I expect something to be off, but I know a breakthrough of some kind will get me through it and it will all work out.

Now, I’ve heard it said that God works in mysterious ways, just like you have heard. So if we look at our problems or dilemmas and say - okay I’m going to prosper today (despite of today’s economy) or if plagued by a cold or illness, say - okay I’m going to feel better today or one day soon, I will make my dreams come true (even if there are no resources today available). We are preparing for victory - no matter how small it is - it’s still going to be a victory. However, if we lay in bed and think of all the problems we face and the mistakes we have made, that is defeat popping it’s ugly head in to make us feel like we have no chance. But we do, we do have a chance and opportunities do come to us but we just don’t always see them. If we are at work and someone gripes and groans or puts some blame on you for something not getting done, just look at that person and think to yourself - oh no you don’t. I choose to live this day ‘happy’ and I am not going to let other people, including you (the person you are looking at) steel my joy today. Nor, will I let disappointments and set backs discourage me. Nope, nope, nope. I have made up my mind to enjoy this day and I will. No one will set me back or ruin it for me. I will not give you or anyone else that control over me. I will receive blessings and good things and in return, I will uplift someone else and create joy for them all the while.

Happiness depends on how your mind is arranged. I know, easier said then done. Setbacks and obstacles will occur to change our circumstances, that is life, but we don’t have to allow those setbacks to change our mind on choosing to have a ‘happy’ day. The illness you may suffer from can certainly change how you feel, but you don’t have to give in - keep thinking I will not let this change my mind. I choose to have a happy day. Be determined to enjoy the day that you have been given. The sun may not always be out and shining, the clouds may follow you for a few days, but the sun will come back out eventually and even in the rainy days and cloudy days, we can be determined to live ‘happy’. We all face tests, trials, temptations and unfair situations. It’s going to happen at one time or another. After these tests and trials, there is increase and promotion. We become stronger and wiser, we grow spiritually because of these trials we endure. We are not alone in our trials. Everyone experiences them. Some people are losing their homes, some are seeing a major decrease in business, some are dealing with illnesses, some are facing legal issues. These are all draining issues and suck up energy and courage. It’s important to keep energy and strength levels up so we can come through this. If you are going to court and are defensive and hostile, the judge may look at you and think - don’t like the attitude - and slap you with a fine, time or some type of service to be done. Attitude plays a key. If you are in traffic and it’s more like a parking lot then a highway or beltway, think you are right where God wants you, look around at the other people. Some will be cursing, some will be singing to a song, some will pick their nose. The point is, you are in a traffic jam, but further ahead, someone may be dead from an accident or badly injured. Be glad hearted in some way because there is always someone who is in a worse predicament. That is a terrible thing to say, I know, but sometimes that helps me to get through my problems.

Every setback will present a new opportunity. Yes - it’s hard, yes - it’s unfair, yes - it doesn’t make sense, but you are being set up by these circumstances to be better. By complaining, you will remain right there, idle and stagnant. Don’t look at what didn’t work out or what’s wrong, look at what is right. Look at what has worked out. Plus, by complaining, that only brings everyone else down to that level (if they let it) and then where is the joy? By being negative, sour and defensive, you won’t pass the test for a new opportunity and promotion to come to you. You need the new growth to become a better you. Things, concerns and obstacles do pass. Don’t look at how far you have to go, look at how far you have already come or how far God has brought you.

If you are depressed, in a rut, feeling ill and just think there is nothing to look forward to, go and look in the mirror. Talk to yourself. Tell yourself you are handsome (guy), beautiful (lady), that you have a life and happiness to look forward to. Tell yourself that you have amazing qualities and someone is looking for you because of those qualities, whether it be a romantic partner or job opening. Look around your home and see what you have accomplished and worked hard for. Go and make a nice dinner, say a blessing (optional), enjoy the dinner and your own company and tell yourself this is the beginning of good happenings. Use dinner to celebrate new opportunities coming to you. Obstacles will pass sure as the day turns into night. Take a walk and look at birds flying, squirrels playing, children making noise and playing, people running/jogging with their walkmans/ipods. The cars pass by with music blaring and people singing their hearts out. Check out the colors of the flowers in bloom and the trees coming to life. Make life happen and bloom. Choose to be light hearted, happy hearted, and open hearted and see what happens. You can start slowly. Try it on a weekend. Try it on a Monday morning. If by Monday afternoon things are turning to dread, take a few minutes to breathe and recite, I choose to have a happy day. Okay, it may take a while to get yourself to learn how to think and choose ‘happy.’ But the more you practice it, the happier you will be and then amazement will set in. Just like taking on a new job, you have a training period and probationary period. Try training yourself to be happy. It can certainly benefit your life. Choose to be a victor in victory and not a victim. If you are religious or spiritual, pray and use the power of spiritually, no matter if it’s God, Allah or Buddha. Brightest blessings for a 'happy' day!