Another weekend is here and that means you can take a few moments and revisit or realize what you may have missed over the past few days.
I like to keep it busy here, so now is the opportunity for you to skim some of the conversations we shared this week on “Becoming Today”.
We began things on Monday with a discussion of “Our Natural State”. Now I was quick to point out that natural did not mean what some of you were thinking.
Being a naturist is altogether different, but I suppose, if you’re comfortable with it, clothing can be optional for this discussion.
Afterall we’ll be going beyond the flesh to explore what is our natural state.
Our Natural State, or the place we were created to live in is one of love.
More than a bold word, love is the strongest of all positive emotions.
That’s the reason this discussion is an exploration of why love being directed towards yourself, another individual, a group of people, or even all humanity is of utmost importance.
Much of “Becoming” involves embracing the need for change, it is the only way in which we can truly grow, develop and realize our potentials. Life is a process. A repetitive one. We learn, grow, become then question, learn, grow and continue “Becoming”.
Accepting our strengths rather than empowering our perceived weaknesses, accepting our unlimited potential rather than self imposing limitations.
Our reality is one of always “Becoming”…. Restating our shared definition from Day One of this project: ‘’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, “Becoming”.
That is quite simply the essence behind, “Becoming Today”. Now getting there requires planning, action and growth.
Accepting yourself and believing that you are worthy of love is an integral part of growth. Improving your self esteem is about far more than just feeling good at the present moment.
My prayer for you today is that you are consistently embracing and sharing an authentic loving nature. Find it, unleash it, share it, always be “Becoming” loving and nurturing. A lack of love is of our own creation, co- create an attitude of love rather than lack and together we can enjoy our Natural State.
Tuesday I asked, “Which Fork Do I Use?”
It’s a question we’ve all needed to ask at one time or another. And not just at a formal dinner table.
It also applies to our journey, as we reach those points along the path where we must choose the next direction of travel.
Thorough self examination, meditation, contemplation and prayers are the places where we can begin to formulate the answers we seek. In order to continue building momentum, which I believe should always be focused on moving both forward and upward, let’s revisit our earlier discussions to be better prepared and equipped for the trip ahead.
Finding the freedom to renew, rejuvenate and revitalize yourself begins with an understanding of all that being free means.
You can revisit the eight steps to finding freedom that I shared by clicking here.
Let your emotions flow freely. Do not keep things bottled up. Burying your feelings not only causes the pain to remain, oftentimes it can increase and have negative physical effects on our bodies ( and minds) as well. You are not the only one who has ever been afraid to face a negative or painful emotion, just realize you need to do it. Face your fears, breathe and let them pass through you. Do not allow them to define you.
In the meantime focus on gaining momentum, which I believe should always be focused forward and upward.
Wednesday we delved into “Wisdom’s Source”.
Our weekly search and rescue mission for elusive Lady Wisdom, led us to a study of Proverbs Chapter 21.
Short to the point quotations about wisdom. In fact we can call these one liners as every verse is a single sentence.
I encourage you to add your own insights to today’s thoughts in the comment section below. Because these teachings are so concise and finely crafted there is not a lot of analysis to undertake. Rather I’ll offer a few personal observations to some of the verses that really rung true with me today.
The first of those was verse two: “We may think we’re right all the time, but God thoroughly examines our motives”. We can’t even get away with lying to ourselves when God is involved. There is no hiding and there is no way we can justify believing or proclaiming how right we think we are before the only omnipotent, perfect One.
Then the next line, verse three reads as, “It pleases God more when we demonstrate godliness and justice than when we merely offer him a sacrifice”. You can’t just write a check. It takes commitment, dedication and perseverance to truly please the Lord.
Then I wonder what was onm Solomon’s mind when he came up with verse nine? “It’s better to live all alone in a rickety shack than to share a castle with a crabby spouse!”
Which is also a lot like he repeated in verse 19, “It’s better to live in a hut in the wilderness than with a crabby, scolding spouse!”.
Both can be described as ‘if mama ain’t happy nobody’s happy!” Or another common saying, ‘happy wife, happy life’. However ladies remember it works the other way too. We have our responsibility to wisely maintain balance and peace in the home.
Thursday we got into action by trying to get some recalibrating done. “Resetting Your Barometer” was an opportunity for us to make some changes in attitude and altitude.
Just like when forecasting the weather or determining how to prepare for an impending storm the barometric pressures have a distinct impact on our bodies and our minds.
Barometric pressure, also referred to as atmospheric pressure, has some very distinct effects on us.
While the barometer on my wall, or noted in the ten-day forecast does not directly connect with our discussion today, it does allow us to draw some parallels.
Remember in the alternate definition of barometer it read, “something which reflects changes in circumstances or opinions.”
If our atmospheric pressure is rising quickly or suddenly falling we definitely are going to notice a change not only physically, but more probably first in our emotions, then impacting our spirit.
The good news is these atmospheric conditions are something we can individually address and take action to optimize. For dealing with this kind of climate change we do have the tools readily available and our ability to successfully make use of them is in our favor.
These conditions can be weathered by controlling our mind.
I’m not talking about hypnosis or some kind of goofy goggles that influence where you believe you are in time and space.
We can control our mind, by taking the responsibility to choose to do so.
Your thoughts do not need to control you. You need to assert your dominion over them and reclaim what Joyce Meyer has long referred to as “The Battlefield of the Mind”.
Thoughts color our feelings, so the quickest way to make experience and life with better, more positive healthier emotions is to quit focusing on the bad ones. Don’t want to feel anger. Decide to think about something happy instead.
To reset your barometer, you need to readjust your attitudes and refresh your atmosphere in the process.
“For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of”. That thought shared in the Gospel of Matthew 12:34, is also discussed in the Book of Luke:
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” – Luke 6:45
Choosing your words wisely is especially important when you are speaking about yourself, your circumstances or what you are trying to be “Becoming”.
If you complain, grumble and murmur, then that’s what you’ll get.
If you declare victory and actively accentuate the positive, that’s what you’ll get.
This is because the thoughts that you allow to dwell in your head then take up residence in your heart. If you linger in the negative, there goes your value spiraling downward and your infrastructure (health) declines as well.
When you actively and consciously decide to take control of thoughts and only allow thoughts of becoming more prosperous, then your investment sees a return in prosperity and wellness.
Yesterday we spent our time together “Psalming Things Up”. Celebrating in song, poetically lifting ourselves higher we can find out together why it’s important to proclaim Psalm things.
So what are Psalms?
Why are they important?
And if they’re supposed to be poems how come they don’t rhyme?
Taken from a collection originating in the Old Testament, they are poems that were intended to be sung. In the Hebrew scriptures the term is Tehillim translated as “Songs of Praise”.
So this book is not necessarily meant to be a lecture or a sermon, nor does it outline doctrine or specific community based regulations. It is art. Being used to express and profess love and appreciation. Both for God, and for us by the Creator.
Understanding that still Martin Luther noted that “the entire Bible is contained in the Psalms” .
So why study the Psalms?
Because they are important reminders of how we can lovingly and creatively express ourselves and proclaim our beliefs, empowering our “Becoming”. That’s why today, I’ll be singing out in praise.
Before I forget…. Why don’t they rhyme?
Well all poetry does not have and the cadence is different as none were written in English, so that’s how I rationalize that I can be as far off key as I want to be and it’s still beautiful….lol.
Taken from our discussion here’s few Psalms to brighten your day:
I’ve been asked a number of times, if I”m hurting, if I’m in pain, if circumstances are conspiring against me, why should I praise?
The answer?
Because good triumphs over evil, and when we are at the weakest, the one who created us is always there for us.
As Psalm 34:18 reminds us,
“The Lord is close to all whose hearts are crushed by pain,and he is always ready to restore the repentant one”.
Not only is he promising to stand by you when the world has left you down, he also is there when you have made mistakes. If you understand you played a role in your perceived trouble his forgiveness is present and his reassurance is readily available.
Why because He loves us. Unconditionally without limitation or reservation. As is sung in Psalm 117:2,
“For he has conquered us with his great love, and his kindness has melted our hearts. His faithfulness lasts forever, and he will never fail you…”.
He is faithful to His promise and adapting the words of a more modern song He says to each of us, “I’ll stand by you. Won’t let nobody hurt you I’ll stand by you…”.
With that in mind and embraced in our hearts we can then finish the psalm’s verse by singing out,
“So go ahead, let it all out! Praise Yah! O Yah!”
Another week has come to pass, and soon we’ll be wrapping up another month together. Enjoy your weekend and then I hope you’ll choose, come Monday to join us again for our next edition of “Becoming Today”.
n the meantime here’s a funny, musical interlude that touches upon some of our topics of the past few days…
Becoming Today with Rochelle Jeanette 