What Is Standing In The Way Of Your “Joyful Living?”
I am reading this wonderful book “The gifts of Imperfection” by Brene` Brown and it is so funny to me that I started not to read it just because of the title. Being a new thought minister I am very mindful of my wording, yet I want to share this story with you. I know today more than ever we are divinely guided. I turned on the TV to see one of my favorite PBS shows and instead they were having a fund drive for PBS and the focus speaker was Brene`, the title of the book come up and at first, my “judgement” on the wording of the title showed up. I shifted and listened to what it was she was saying rather than what I was chosing to hear. I really enjoyed her thoughts on the matter and decided to order the book. It arrived and was added to the books Spirit suggested I take on. This last week I went to visit my parents and I had the real urge from Spirit to take this book along. Learning that when that still small voices speaks it really is the voice of The Divine, I listened. While I was there visiting, I started reading and I was amazed at the “PERFECTNESS” of it all. The book speaks about how we do the “hustle” to fit in, and how we can often assess a situation and become what others want us to be rather than live authentic lives. (think about this for a moment I am at my parents home, with my parents)
I begin to laugh at the DIVINE order of it all and how when I trust Spirit it is a magical journey regardless of the destination. l will say that this book and the fact that I meditated for hours while at my parents’ house allowed me to live my life, and not the life that I thought would make everyone else happy. I shared myself, my view, and was open and honest. I listened with compassion and understanding, rather than judgement and ego. I realized that when I love who I am and live my life I set others free to do the same. I also remember one of my new beliefs, that I am responsible of my happiness and everyone else is responsible for theirs. I felt free and was able to spend time with my family while remembering who I was and that ‘I LOVE BEING ME!’
The more of the book I read the more I am really enjoying it. It is really looking at what we allow to get in our way of living the life we want to live, filled with joy, peace, understanding, compassion, and LOVE. The very word “imperfection” that almost caused me not to read the book is the very word that I am currently looking at my hidden beliefs around. I am reminded of a Conscious Choice meeting we had where we discussed the “power of words” and the fact that words are just words “we” give them power. Most often it is because we have a hidden belief around them. For me I am realizing that my constant drive for PERFECTION is standing in the way of my living a joy filled life. I have discovered a hidden believe that states “When I am perfect, others will love and approve of me.” I was able while on my visit to arrive at a place of inner peace and realize I LOVE and Approve of myself and that is all that really matters in my world. I am reminded of another quote from Wayne Dyer that states “What you think of me is none of my business. I realize today that what you think of me is only true when I choose to believe it and give it power.
Namaste
I love you
Rev. Allen
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GIVING OUR BEST!
Have you ever had one of those day’s where you are like “That is so not my best work?”
That is how I felt last week when I left Amor Spiritual Center last Sunday after having bronchitis for a couple of weeks and just not feeling 100%. I felt as though that was the worst talk I have ever given. The truth is it may have been the shortest I have given for sure; yet I know it was just what was needed. I talked about calling things into our life and how we deal with it once there. It is so very easy to look at things like not feeling well and ask the why and how questions we all ask. Somewhere around mid week, I stopped and asked myself, “Who cares about the why and how, the important question now is what do I want in this moment in time?” I don’t know about anyone else but it can be so easy to get caught up in the why, how, who, etc and just feel so bogged down.
One of my favorite stories I like to share is when I was diagnosed with cancer. It was a moment of complete surrender; not just from fear. I had been around New Thought long enough to know that the best practice for now is being in the present moment as it is and accept it as it is. Once there, I can set an intention for where I want to go. I also know today that whatever arises in my daily life is here to serve me for my highest and best. I have be to honest that it took me a couple dozen times (maybe even a million) to get to that space and it is easy from time to time to fall back into the old BS (belief system) from time to time.
Funny how I plotted a course for perfect health when I found out about the cancer and then some months later to find out I had another kind of cancer was one of those moments when I had to take a moment, I then accepted once again and continued on my path to perfect health. I was laughing at myself this last week when I was “grumpy” about having bronchitis. Talk about putting things in perspective, isn’t it funny how we can blow things out of proportion? It is like one of those saying my mom uses: ”You’re making a mountain our of mole hill.” Have you ever seen those mole hills? They’re HUGHE I tell you, HUGHE. (Laughing at myself again, humor is a wonderful thing.)
Today I know that I can choose to look at anything in my life anyway I choose too. I can play the victim; or I can accept, bless, and let it go knowing that everything is here from my good (and most of all my happiness has nothing to do with any of that!) Happiness is an inside job, and it is all my work. So go out and have a good laugh at yourself. Enjoy the day and remember that it is “ALL GOOD”.
I love you
Rev. Allen
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read moreThere Is Only One Life
I sometimes think of life as a reality show; like the reality show, Survivor. I begin to think “You know, wouldn’t it be nice sometimes if we could vote some folks off the island?” I think that is one of the reason so many folks are attracted to programs on television. It gives us the chance to live our lives through someone else. Have you ever had that friend who did all the crazy things you always wanted to do yet were to afraid, to reluctant, to …. to do them?
The thought of voting someone off the island reminds me of my early days in recovery from drugs and alcohol. Many times I would look at the world as “doing me wrong” and so often I would fix them by leaving, quitting the job, or moving. No matter where I went, there I was. It seemed at the time that only the names and faces had changed yet life was the same. GUESS WHAT, it was because the thing that needed changing was me and my attitude!
Today I find that when I want to vote someone off, out, or feel “wronged” it is an opportunity for “growth or change” I know, I know,.. everyone’s favorite words. ”Why oh why must I be the one to change here?” “If so and so would just do that it would all be alright!” Thought that might feel true for the moment but the truth is that in that moment, I am giving my power away to someone else. I am allowing someone’s “being” to effect me.
One of the greatest tools I picked up in recovery was “resentments would kill me.” Today I look on it with softer eyes, resentments today grow into “dis-ease” within the body. I love reading Louise Hays’ You can Heal your Life. I can’t tell you how many times I have looked to see what the ailment was and found it to be on point with what was going on in my life. Our bodies are road maps to what we are holding onto. Today I know it is of the utmost importance for me to “RELEASE” and let go of any feelings of stuff. I allow myself to process the emotion and let it out, then I move to something else I picked up in recovery, I spend the next 30 days sending blessings and love to the object of my attention or resentment.
I don’t know exactly when it happens but somewhere in the 30 days, magic happens. I shift to a new space. Today I know that when a “CHARGE” happens with someone I have some healing work to do within. Today I know that some part of this is a mirror that I can go deeper, and learn how to love myself more. When I stand in that space I recognize that we are all one and that it is impossible to vote anyone off or out, for we are all ONE.
There is only one life, and that life is a good life.
Blessing’s and LOVE
Rev. Allen
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