Okay I realize it seems like a long title today, however with just 8 words comprising 66 characters we have summed up the busy week that was here at “Becoming Today”.
Let’s review the conversations we had along our shared path from the past few days.
Beginning with You Have The Right To Be Responsible.
We often hear many speaking about rights. Our rights. My rights, your rights and the right to those rights without infringing upon the rights of others.
Now on Becoming Today, we’ll review and expand upon these inherent, inalienable, irrevocable rights and also the responsibilities we must undertake and share in order to preserve them.
In My Declaration of Independence I asserted:
Therefore be it resolved from this moment on, that we who are traveling along this shared path of “Becoming” commit to taking actions, deliberate and responsible initiatives to do our part to work for the well being of all.
To support compassion, dignity, respect, mercy and understanding of all individuals regardless of their race, gender, color, creed, demographic or any other way the “dividers” try to profile and categorize us for their purposes of intentional disunity.
We refuse to submit blindly to disrespectful, unhealthy and abusive behaviors, attitudes and policies.
We choose to pursue a course that enlightens, invokes and advances ‘’the process of coming to be something or of passing into a state”. Coming to be always, “Becoming”. Growing, developing and shifting into an attitude and daily practice of “Always Being Becoming”.
In good conscience I can no longer sit idly by nor remain silent. Understanding that I am not alone in my growing discontentment with the status quo and not wanting to continue being a victim of abusive and disrespectful behaviors and actions, the time has come for action.
As we embrace our time of uncommonness, just as the biological explanations of metamorphosis note we are accepting a profound change from one stage to the next in our lives. This can entail a complete change of form, structure, or substance, as well as differences in our appearance, character and intentionally intervening to react differently and either accept or deny your present circumstances.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have been enduring, we must petition for Redress in the most humble terms We must repeat and repeat again if necessary our calls for change, demanding that they no longer be answered by repeated injury.
Therefore be it resolved from this moment on, that we who are traveling along this shared path of “Becoming” commit to taking actions, deliberate and responsible initiatives to do our part to work for the well being of all.
To support compassion, dignity, respect, mercy and understanding of all individuals regardless of their race, gender, color, creed, demographic or any other way the “dividers” try to profile and categorize us for their purposes of intentional disunity.
We refuse to submit blindly to disrespectful, unhealthy and abusive behaviors, attitudes and policies.
We have the right to and must accept the responsibility to pursue a course that enlightens, invokes and advances ‘’the process of coming to be something or of passing into a state”. Coming to be always, “Becoming”. Growing, developing and shifting into an attitude and daily practice of “Always Being Becoming”.
Taking responsibility for ourselves, we then considered how we should be Integrating Integrity.
Integrity is a foundational aspect of our personalities. It is a deeply held belief that we should be and are adhering to a strict moral code. This oath we voluntarily undertake includes being honest with both ourselves and others; living consistent with values that are above reproach and that we must choose to be incapable of being corrupted accepting that living by these standards in an uncommon manner increases not only our lives to new levels, but also the quality of life for all we encounter.
Without freely embracing integrity we are limiting our lives. It’s why far too many people experience simply existing rather than being rewarded with a fulfilling life.
In order to be living with integrity each of us needs to be living by aligning your conduct with excellence. Displaying a firm dedication to our values and beliefs. Never wavering in adhering to higher standards and pledging to always attempt to do the right thing regardless of circumstances.
Notice I did say attempt, because no one is perfect. We will slip, we will make mistakes, sometimes even fall flat on our face. However when that occurs, we must decide to take the actions involved in getting up and pushing on.
By committing to live based on excellent principles, you provide an example for others to follow. You also have a basis for open communication with others because they trust you. Your relationships can prosper based on honesty and forthrightness.
You can make decisions much more easily because you have already determined to do what is excellent and therefore eliminated all the other alternatives. Acting with integrity gives you peace of mind in knowing you did the right thing regardless of the outcome.
In doing so, we also need to remember to be kind not only towards others, but also to ourselves.
Seeking Kindness is an expression of admiration for our fellow human beings. That we all matter and truly have worth. All of our lives have an intrinsic, inalienable God-given value. We are designed to live a life of service. To use our talents, gifts and abilities to make life better for others.Doing so freely and with kindness, shows that maybe we have something someone desperately needs.
Among these issues are three things I believe every person on this planet not only wants but truly deserves.
These elements are worthy of an acronym so let’s begin with three simple letters: C. D. R.
While these letters will quickly be expanded to three seemingly easily understood words, each of these expressions contain powerful actions and attitudes that assist greatly in our personal development.
C.D.R. stands for:
Compassion
Dignity
Respect
All are elements of common need and desire. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, nor what you have been – are – or will be going through; each and everyone of us truly desires to be treated with Compassion, Dignity and Respect. Plus beyond yearning for, we should feel inherently deserving of them.
The trouble for some is that in order to receive these basic harmonious elements of life, we must also be giving of them freely not only to others but also be treating ourselves with each.
Included in that self care should be the understanding that Mercy Is Free.
Accepting that we can embrace love as perhaps the greatest of all emotions, feelings, expressions, states, attitudes and basis for our personal development on our shared path of “Becoming Today”, I’m encouraging you to seek to express and accept more love in your life.
This can be accomplished by taking care of yourself. Self care not only of the mind, but also the body and soul.
Using Positive Affirming statements. Treat yourself lovingly and always be encouraging. Delaye you “can” and you “will”.
Forgiving yourself. If you’ve made a mistake, remember it’s not permanent. You need to readjust to move past that moment in time and create the next in abundance.
Spending time with people who make you happy. Those who inspire or uplift you. Don’t waste time on negative or fake people.
Choose Love. Choose a Loving Life. You will find it to be a merciful act.
“Mercy is a blessing. A gift of compassion in unfortunate circumstances or troubling times.”
It is something we’d each like to have for ourselves and just as with our other points we can only be granted this blessing if we are willing to and actively giving it to others..
Mercy matters because we all need forgiveness. Plus it creates a common bond between us.
Mercy begins by opening ourselves to those with whom we disagree. Starting with small acts of understanding, can lead to life-changing experiences of compassion, dignity,respect, peace and love.
To start receiving mercy, begin by giving the gift to yourself.
Nurture yourself with positive, compassionate self talk. Do not hang onto old baggage. Release the present interruptions and focus on who you are truly “Becoming Today”.
Be content. Approach all things, people, situations from a place of peace. Stay calm and carry on.Then allow others the space and give them the support needed to do for themselves. When we have come together in mercy, it can only increase exponentially.
Then we came to one of those forks in the road. Where we are each faced with a decision on which part of the path to follow. Our Path of Forgiveness is something that for many people is easier said than done. For me it was especially hard to learn how to forgive myself.
To fully forgive involves allowing ourselves to let go, To actively and consciously release the need to hold on to past baggage, old quarrels, unfinished business or the need to get even.
You can not create a state of “Becoming”, if you aren’t willing to let the former or current realities go.This is a vital part of “Becoming”. Not only forgiving others for perceived wrongs, and asking for forgiveness from those you may have hurt but also forgiving yourself.
It is then, and only then, that you can let go of anger, guilt, shame, or any other feeling limiting your growth. Let it go. Face forward, look upward and then you can get busy moving on.
To let go of past hurts, you need to make the conscious decision to take control of the situation. However, this can take time and practice. Be kind to yourself as you practice self care and love.
Then you can say good-bye to anger, guilt, shame, or any other feeling limiting your growth. Let it go. Face forward, look upward and you get busy moving on.
In doing so it becomes much easier to practice gratitude.
See the good in everything and everyone. Cherish beauty, kindness, love, and joy. I believe everyday should be Thanksgiving. I am constantly giving gratitude for all things including the lessons we sometimes don’t want or think we need.
Being grateful puts us in a better state. One of bliss, joy and abundance. When you decide to adopt and commit to an attitude of gratitude, God listens and rewards you. Then you are free to be, in an atmosphere of abundance rather than lack and fear. Being grateful is a conscious and easily sustainable habit. Make it one of yours.
In terms of self-forgiveness we must not get stuck in the “coulda, woulda, shoulda” mentality.
Hanging onto what should have happened, what could have happened, or what you wished would have happened, give yourself motivation to get over it. Release it and heal. Or keep a grip on it and be paralyzed; immobilized by feelings of pain and bad memories.
Realize your reactions resonate. As one of my favorite quotes from Chuck Swindoll reminds us, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”
So begin by accepting the fact that you are a co-Creator. You are more than capable of choosing the right actions when pushed, promised or promoted.
Also required to forgive yourself is to accept personal responsibility. In order to fully accept your reality, you must take ownership of any role you may have played, good or bad, in leading you to where you are. When you do, then you can work on decisions for the next steps.
And that is how our path completed the circle of life for the week that was. Thank you for being a part of it. Have a safe and blessed weekend and we’ll get together again come Monday for our next edition of “Becoming Today”.
Becoming Today with Rochelle Jeanette 