Throughout the week we have been embracing the subject of words and how they not only relate to, but are also responsible for much of our “Becoming”.
This loving approach toward the expressions of our idioms began by talking about our responsibility to Boldly Declare. Then we delved into why Grandma always said to choose our words carefully. Then our discussion lingered upon how speaking confidently certainly enhances our shared path, leading to great success. While not guarding your vocabulary can have the opposite effect; ensuring your failure.
Yesterday our focus spotlighted the importance of making sure you “Live What You Say”. Encouraging us to Always Be Becoming by accentuating our positive and opting for forward-looking words including,…
“Love (looks like we saved the best for last! 💗)”
More than likely not only a bold word, Love is the strongest of all positive emotions. That’s why this edition is an exploration why love being directed towards yourself, another individual, a group of people, or even all humanity is of utmost importance to boldly declaring our carefully selected words, spoken in confidence as we live what we say on this journey we call “Becoming Today”.
– Rochelle Jeanette
Before we get into the source of all this emotion and the “love” I’m sharing with each and everyone of you today, let’s begin with the reasons for remaining C.A.L.M..
Now since we know words have meanings and that those meanings can empower or destroy let’s consider some shared definitions of C.A.L.M….. and yes I hear you; you in the back row, muttering “why is this woman typing it like that?!!!”
I’ll explain, however to learn that, you’ll need to keep on reading. (As she laughs slightly mischievous with an upturned grin…)
Calm (/kä(l)m/)
Adjective
Not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions.: “she had to keep calm at all costs” “his voice was calm”.
Noun
The absence of violent or confrontational activity within a place or group.: “an edgy calm reigned in the capital”.
synonyms: tranquility, stillness, calmness, quiet, quietness, quietude, peace, peacefulness, serenity, silence, hush, restfulness, repose.
Verb
Make (someone) tranquil and quiet; soothe.: “I took him inside and tried to calm him down” “he lit a cigarette to calm his nerves” “a cup of tea will have a calming effect”.
synonyms: soothe, pacify, placate, mollify, appease, conciliate, hush, lull, gentle, tranquillize, quell, allay, alleviate, assuage, quieten (down), square off, dulcify.
The concept of remaining calm. The importance of it, and the teaching of it have been with us for centuries. In the Scriptures we find,:
Isaiah 7:4 “Say to him, ‘Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart…”
Exodus 14:14 “The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Proverbs 15:18 “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute”.
Plus there are many more. We also know that we are called to reflect (meditate, ponder), remain calm, be peaceful (filled with peace), and at rest. No dozing off here; in the Word we understand that “at rest” is at times defined as “to be quiet or tranquil, as the mind; not to be agitated by fear, anxiety or other passion.”
During a recent time of peaceful reflection and being at rest, I was led into a study of what it means to live C.A.L.M.
It certainly was a tranquil repose of solitude, when I mediated upon enjoying the moment. Seizing the present I achieved a mindfulness that took me within thinking, contemplating, meditating and praying and then repeating it all again ( and several more times again). It was in this introspective instance that the following acronyms kept filling my mind as well as my journal page.
See if you can find a common thread in this stream of consciousness:
C. Contemplative
A. Analytical
L. Loving
M. Mind
Centered
At rest
Loving
Meditative
Committed
Anticipating
Loving
Motivated
Caring
Authentic
Loving
Meek
Carefree
Actualized
Loving
Me
Correct
Aways
Loving
Messiah
Did you recognize the connection? Calm comes from a place of love. Being loving is a key component on our shared paths of “Becoming”.
Calm and Love are also intertwined in the Bible.
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control”. (ESV). or as it is expanded upon in the Amplified Bible, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].”
In fact in the English language translations of the Bible, love is mentioned in multitudes:
New Living Translation: 759 mentions
New International Version: 686 testimonials
English Standard Version: 684 references
New American Standard Bible: 479 occurrences
King James Version: 442 times
The KJV has the least references due in part to at the time of it’s translation, certain forms of love and loving behaviors,were defined by the word “charity”. Certainly charity is something we today associate with a loving spirit and should be considered in both our messages and personal development.
Remaining calm, at rest, peaceful, in a balanced state and doing so with an open, kind, loving heart result in a gentile spirit. That is receptive to learning, growing, changing and most of all “Becoming”.
I hope you choose to remain calm, stay safe, and have a loving Valentine’s Day weekend, whatever that means and or entails for you.
Remind yourself daily, that God loves you and joy will follow. Then take that joyful spirit, embrace it, multiply it, expand it’s circle and release it in your own words.
Until we speak again, may I offer one more Scripture as my prayer for you?
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you;…”.
Becoming Today with Rochelle Jeanette 