The 9th MAY... LET GO,GIVE UP, GIVE OVER,

Image by abradyb via Flickr

Whenever I began the 12 Mays of Christmas, I knew it would mean I would have to discipline myself to publish a blog for 12 days straight and at a really hectic time of year. I chose to do this similarly to last year when I offered 12 different ways to make a difference on the 12 Days Before Christmas because I really do like to write, I can use the writing "discipline" and it gets me fired up for what is in store for me in the coming year.

You see, I really do want to write more, post more blogs, read more blogs, comment on more and become more involved in this passion. When I must write regularly at first it seems like a daunting task but once I begin and continue, like most things, it becomes easier and I find it less difficult than I imagined. I guess it is much like the "do something for 21 days and it becomes a habit" type of thing.

One thing I am certain of is in order to effectively write, read and comment more, I will have to discipline myself to eliminating the distractions or diversions that negatively affect me reaching my goal. A lot of what we want to do in life is often derailed by distractions or activities that pull us in ways we might not really want to go. This includes people who often sabotage our attempts to change circumstances because it means they may have to change as well and not be able to rely on our specific responses as they once did.
People will often criticize your efforts to create change out of jealousy or fear that they may have to get comfortable with the "new you". You may have an idea or plan or goal that requires you to be more focused and to rearrange your priorities. It's often harder for those who must accept the changed person than it is on the person who wants to create something different for his or her life.
 Image by MikeRastiello via Flickr
You will need a strong will and determined spirit to pursue the life you want. You may have to give in to your needs and give up some of the things or people who consistently offer nothing positive towards achieving them. You may have to take some serious inventory of your life and determine what and who you really want to have in it and then begin to sever the ties with whatever or whoever prevents you from moving on. It may be something as simple as rearranging your schedule or something more dramatic like cutting ties with the negative individuals who offer nothing but obstacles. Seriously look at what and who takes your time, resources, energy and emotions and determine if you want to keep them or give them up. Sometimes you make the best choice when you give up the situations or individuals who consistently cause you stress and demand unreasonable expectations of you. 


Sometimes you have to let go in order to hang on.

So. on this 9th May of Christmas...perhaps you MAY want to decide what or who you must give up what or who holds you back, who or what limits your progress or even frustrates your future. 

Image by Brandon Doran via FlickrMAY YOU GIVE UP WHAT IS NOT WORTH SAVING AND GIVE OVER TO GOD WHAT YOU REALLY HOPE TO ACHIEVE. 
MAY YOU LET GO OF WHATEVER YOU NEED TO IN ORDER TO HANG ON TO WHAT REALLY MATTERS.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3

 

1 to Ask, 1 to Reflect, 1 to Pursue, 1 to Change and 1 to Serve

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Today is 1-11-11. There has been a lot of talk this past year about the significance of the day's numerology but I am not writing to offer any thoughts about that. Actually I think this might be the perfect day to do ONE thing in five areas of your life.

1. First, ask yourself ONE question, " Is the direction I am going helping to give me a life I hope for?" Don't think about what you have accumulated, left behind or still have to accomplish but rather if you can truly feel comfort in where you are heading.

2. Then reflect on ONE aspect of your life that needs more discernment. Maybe a regret you can't let go of or someone you need to forgive. Maybe it is a past you can't change or a future you can't accept. Perhaps you need to reflect on what you have learned from your mistakes or what you have realized from your behavior.

3. Now think of ONE goal you want to reach. Maybe you want to get a college degree or move closer to your family, change careers or spend more time traveling. What are you truly attempting or not attempting to pursue that you wish you could reach?

4. Regardless of what is or isn't working,  our lives are constantly evolving. So, now think of ONE thing you'd like to change in your life. It might be a habit or a behavior or maybe the way you are reacting to a given circumstance. You might want to change something physical or something emotional. Think about ONE change that would really make a difference.

5. Finally decide what or who you will serve in life. Will you serve yourself and meet all of your needs and wants first, serve your family and friends or are you choosing to serve God first? Are you choosing to be obedient to what He wants you to do and where He wants you to go?  Many people think serving God means giving up the "good life" to live without comforts, pleasures or having our needs met. But really serving God first might simply mean to lay at his feet your questions about your directions in life, the area that requires more discernment, the goals you want to pursue and the changes you want to make. Ask Him to make those issues clearer to you and give you a perspective you can't get alone.

Sure there are many things we all want to achieve, change, redirect, ponder and acquire. It is hard to select just ONE.  Maybe the only ONE thing we can select that will make the other areas seem less confusing is to make sure the ONE we choose to serve has the power to change our lives. Our power is limited but His is not.

One to ask, One to reflect, One to pursue, One to change and One to serve. Which One makes the biggest difference in your life? Perhaps just turning to the ONE that can make it all happen is the best way to go.


Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27

 

Who and What Changes our Lives

 


Brian Tracy CEO of Brian Tracy International, a corporation that trains individuals and organizations to reach their maximum potential said, 

 " Our lives are changed by the people we meet and the books we read."

Few people would argue that they have never been influenced by something they read that caused them to react or by someone whose presence in their lives or perhaps lack of presence made a huge difference. It is amazing how a single encounter can make a remarkable impression or a few words delivered appropriately can determine a direction.                               

We are not always the recipient of these words or encounters, remember that     your words or your involvement might just be the difference in the life of someone else as well.                                                                                                         
mages/view_photog.php?photogid=901">Image: Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net