Release To Renew

I hope you enjoyed a happy and safe weekend. As we begin this first week of the new year of “+2″, no doubt much of what you’ve been reading or hearing about has been focused on renewing, refreshing or restarting.

All very admirable topics, however on this edition of “Becoming Today”, we’ll pause to look in reverse. That’s because you cannot find the freedom to go forward unless you first release the past.

So we’ll look at some ways in which you can refresh you renewing energies by looking at ways to let go of the old. To release limitation and then be able to focus your “Becoming” forward without restrictions.

Stuck In My Head

I know I’ve asked you this before, but it’s happened again…

I need to inquire if you ever just get a word stuck in your head?

One that seems to just pop in there, from out of nowhere and then won’t leave you alone?

If it has happened to you, then you can empathise with the feeling that it can be quite maddening. Bouncing around the left brain, right brain, tip of tongue… 

Why am I stuck on this word?

When was the last time I even heard that word? 

How could this possibly have anything to do with anything?

Now I’ve found myself needing to be forbearant as I have  a number of other words stuck in there. And you know what? The list Ihas grown to include several phrases. More than a few words grouped together, my stuck phrases have evolved into significant concepts. In forbearance I am steadfastly resilient and ready to renew and rebirth them for you. 

So Ordered

“So”, by itself is such a simple word, yet is responsible for a wide range of expressions in our daily lives. Just two letters, it almost at times seems like more  a syllable or a sound than words. Yet even when it just muttered it can add a lot to a conversation. 

So can be used to transition our time, as in ‘so, let’s move on with…” It can also encompass a wide range of emotions as in, “say it ain’t so, Joe”.

And with just a simple shift in pronunciation these same two letters, when expressed , as soooooo, adds an entirely different depth to it’s usage. “Like, okay then, um, soooooooo?” 

By definition, so is quite complex. It can be used as an adjective, an adverb, a conjunction, a noun, a pronoun, a combining form, an abbreviation and even a musical note.  In fact the Merriam Webster Dictionary offers 7 different entries for the so, with many alternatives leaving us with at least 28 recognized different meanings for these two letters when placed side by side. 

So just in case you forgot, our focus here on  “Becoming Today” is a phrase that’s been stuck in my head. The expression in full is “So Ordered”.  Therefore let’s advance to the second word, “ordered”.

Again a seemingly easily understood idiom, yet when placed in different contexts can have a wide array of meanings.  To begin with it can be a direction, a request or an arrangement. 

What led me to this expression most recently was its power as a resolution. It instituted  a correction to a lingering problem. With two simple words, just nine letters this phrase pronounced an undeniable truth. One that is freeing, enlightening and very “Becoming”. 

As the judge decreed, “So Ordered” I reached a new level of my destiny. 

Now not only respecting my privacy but that of others involved, I will not be sharing all the details, I will say that as we travel along this shared path of “Becoming Today” we all have our own twists and turns. My involvement with the court was a civil matter that I had sought a resolution for, for far too many years. In fact it was something necessary for me for several decades and yet it lingered, unanswered, unable to advance until we reached this time of Transformative Transition and it was quickly and suddenly resolved with just two words.

“So Ordered”. So healing. So freeing. So wonderful. So transformative. So “Becoming”.

We all must deal with our own consequences, the result of our actions, decisions, attitudes and beliefs.  So why not make it so we are celebrating the outcomes rather than trying to repair, overcome or run away from? 

Lovingly Detaching 

While I certainly have been no stranger to the theory of “Tough Love” popularized by Leo Buscaglia, I think too often there is a wrong emphasis, with too much attention put on the being tough aspect. I know at times in my life I have certainly been guilty of that. Admittedly it may have helped for a mere moment but the fallout or repercussions in some cases have taken years to overcome. Impacting not only others, but my own self healing and personal development. Those are lessons I do not want to repeat. 

I understand there are times when this theory is very effective and can even be life saving, however it’s important to keep the emphasis on the Love part and while realizing the need to be strong and overcome adverse situations, being tough in an uncompromising manner is not the key.

That’s why I’ve grown to understand and betet embrace the idea of Lovingly Detaching.

While both Tough Love and Lovingly Detaching require us to remain steadfast, strong and forbearance, or sticking to our principles and beliefs, detaching is less harsh. We cannot force anyone to take personal responsibility, nor should we try to take on the management of their actions, rather we must learn to love within wise choices rather than simply be reactionary with emotional responses.  

It is far more compassionate to love from a distance rather than allowing ourselves and loved ones to spiral down together. 

Learning to love while at times disengaging from being reactionary allows us not only to protect ourselves but help foster the emotional and at times physical health of the others involved.

As we lovingly detach from things that no longer serve us, among those is the need to know everything. There really is no need to understand all that we encounter and endure.

No Need To

It really is true, sometimes you really do not need to know. 

I think most of us are familiar with the phrase “on a need to know basis”. However did you realize it applies to us concerning our own lives?

I suspect for many it did not. I was suspicious of the idea, but once I allowed myself to be vulnerable enough to explore the idea, I’m glad I did.

I realize it’s an uncommon conversation, but one I feel many of us need to consider.

It was a tough lesson for me, and at times is still challenging. As throughout my life and professional endeavors I have always been involved in uncovering information.Bringing issues to light of day and seeking truth, justice and liberty for all. More than a cliche it was a credo, my motto, part of an oath affirmed for my life to be of service for the greater good.

While I have no regrets about that, I have come to the realization that when it comes to the future and details about my own life I really do not need to know. Furthermore my struggle to uncover these elements has led to delays, obstacles and heartbreak.

As uncomfortable as it remains at times I have had to learn to accept not knowing. I have come to see that God has the solutions and my demanding answers often only interferes with His plans for me. 

It’s part of His desire for us to be patient and live our lives steadfastly in faith. To trust in Him and worry not. As Jesus instructed,in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

God has the solution you need, even before you knew there was a need or perceived a problem. When you accept this as the Truth and allow yourself to receive His promise, God will show up with the answers,

 When? Soon. Suddenly…… now!

We have to find the strength to at times realize that not only do we not have all the answers, we also don’t need to know.

Favor + Able

Yes  I realize the grammar police will be quick to point out, it’s one word, no hyphen or other symbol is necessary but I’m trying to make a point. That’s why on this edition of “Becoming Today” we’ll discuss Favor + Able, to show how the two together become so much more…

As I have come to understand favor, I have been able to develop an acronym to allow for an easier study of the concept. So let’s explore it one letter at a time, as F.A.V.O.R.:

F… Freedom

Finding freedom, from burdens, limitations, false beliefs and freeing ourselves to be “Becoming”.

Finding the freedom to renew, rejuvenate and revitalize yourself begins with an understanding of all that being free entails. The search and struggle for freedom  is definitely empowering and a very important step for one and all.

A… Abundance

For many, abundance is first looked upon as having to do with material things. Defined as “a very large quantity of something”, it certainly can be taken that way. However the abundance we’re seeking here has more to do with our spiritual development than a societal concept of always needing to want more, more, more.  

Abundance along our shared journey involves what the Scriptures describe as living an “abundant life”. Referring to our living in an abounding fullness of joy and strength. The two can and do exist simultaneously. Certainly there is a need for silver or gold in our world, otherwise God would have never created them. 

Yes God can choose to favor us with prosperity however as it is written in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

V… Victory

A win, yes. Plus so much more. Victory is an eternal reward. 

Viewing victory through the BIble we learn in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance”. And victory empowers us to “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Which leads us towards a point of understanding: 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”. By doing so we learn and accept that you and “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me”. That smells like victory to me. 

O…Opportunity 

This involves not only the seeking and finding of situations that present an opportunity for ourselves, but also granting us the opportunity to be loving and benevolent to others. While the worldly definition of opportunity as a favorable time or set of circumstances is generally viewed as seeking material things for one’s self, along or shared path it is also the occasion, the moment, the ability to help increase others.

The remaining question for accepting opportunity is whether or not we will each choose to recognize seeing another in need as an assignment from God?

R… Redemption

Literally redemption means “the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil”. Becoming redeemed involves accepting our rescue, believing we are being restored and regaining possession of our knowledge that in all things, God will deliver us. 

We are redeemed through His forgiveness and compensated by His Mercy and Grace. To live a life of redemption involves accepting Christ as our Savior for He was “crucified, died and buried”’ so that we might live in and with the Love And Peace of God. 

Freedom, Abundance, Victory, Opportunity and Redemption empowered by “able” – having the means and possibilities to boost our understanding and abilities is certainly a blessing. I pray that as you continue “Becoming Today”, you will receive it and share it, making for each day to become more favor + able for all of us. 

Lovingly detaching ourselves and accepting the fact that we do not always need to know enables us to more clearly recognize and accept the favor of God.

I hope you are. I pray your future is one that iis enabling you to continue “Becoming Today”. Becoming who and what you were truly destined to be. Allow me to share this blessing:

Heavenly Father, 

I know not what the future holds. However the “hows” don’t matter because you’ve got this. I pray. I trust. I believe. I receive the abundance, prosperity and security necessary to fulfill my assignment, to step further into Your light. To accept Your Promise and become delivered to the fullness of my destiny in Jesus’ name; AMEN!

As always, you are welcome to share your thoughts, comments or questions below. 

Or if you feel the need to communicate in a private confidential way, please reach out on the form on our Contact page. 

I really do wish the best for each of you who finds these words and I truly do seek to be of assistance to you daily. Plus speaking of everyday as I have committed to this year in every post I’ll include a way to refocus on our underlying them of the year of “+2“, to “Resurrect Positivity“. Following is a visual reminder: