Rainbows, Potholes & Nuggets of Gold
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Rainbows, Potholes & Nuggets of Gold
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Dealing with multiple family issues in varying depths of negative physical & emotional drama, I keep hearing the message…. “When you starve your spirit, the body compensates.” Or in most instances, over compensates. Illness, weight issues, depression, addictions; many times these are all physical and emotional symptoms of a starving spirit. The Bible teaches us that “a merry heart does good like medicine” (Prov. 17:22). Proverbs 15:13 tells us, “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Bible believing Christian or not, there are medical studies that substantiate this idea. But forget medical proof for a moment and think about the people in your life who are ill. What does their countenance (face, attitude, actions) reveal to you? Are they upbeat and positive or “down in the mouth”? Are they the picture of health (acceptable weight, tolerable or manageable level of physical ailments, sensible/rational attitudes, realistic/practical actions) or just the opposite? Now I’m not going to try and convince you that every person who has been a victim of physical or mental abuse or who has contracted an illness of some sort is merely suffering because they neglect nurturing their spiritual life. I know many devout spiritual beings who suffer diseases. Nor am I making light of either. I merely want to point out that feeding and nurturing your spirit is one way to get your physical and emotional well-being on the mend. When the spirit is healthy, many times the body follows. So how do we get from starving to nurturing our spirit? Often a simple shift in perception from “woes me” to gratitude can start you on your way to spiritual health. Forgiveness also plays a huge part in this. “I’ve forgiven but I can’t forget” is a cop out. I know that sounds harsh but Scripture tells us to speak the truth in love and sometimes love has to be gentle but firm and sometimes the truth hurts; hence the term ‘tough love’. The Bible tells us that God remembers not our sins, yet we tend to wallow in those perpetrated against us and/or cling to guilt and self-condemnation for those we committed against others. If God, who is holy and just forgets our sins, who are we, to hold onto those memories and rehash our pain and anger, or disappointment and self pity? Here’s the rub: As long as you feel and act the victim, you can not live a victorious life! To put it another way: You can’t have a positive, healthy life (spiritual or otherwise) if you have a negative outlook. Oh and if you think you are “only being realistic,” think again. You are hurting no one but YOURSELF when you drag the past into the present and project it into your future. “But it hurts so much…the pain is so deep….” Then STOP focusing on it! Focus on today and the good present in your life right now. Now that I’ve given you something to ponder, here are some ideas and resources….
These are just a few examples but I promise, as you get started feeding your spirit, you’ll see and feel a difference in your overall condition and discover more ways to enforce the new, happier, healthier you. Something to think about... *Image by Gizelle from Pixabay* *Originally published as Pamela's Ponderings ©Oct. 2013
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In last week's post I talked about Pam Grout's books E2 (squared) and E3 (cubed) in which there are experiments to prove the Law of Attraction works. I also gave an example of a couple of things that showed up for me while reading and looking for items in one of the experiments that included 8 things to be conscious of and watch for (this is actually experiment #2). Since that post, I remembered another thing off her list: The number 222. On our way home I spotted a bilboard sporting an attorney's office and guess what his number was? (areacode) 222-2222! Some folks might believe asking God, or the universe for a sign is immature or showing a lack of faith. But, many spiritual teachers encourage us to do so and there are instances in the bible where someone asked God for a sign. Gideon for example. Dr. Joe Dispenza says in many of his meditations to ask the Divine for a sign if you really connected. Another meditation teacher says to ask God or your angels for a sign not specifying what that sign should be, but instead, pause when asking and see what pops into your mind or drops into your spirit then say, "thank you," and be on the lookout for whatever was whispered in your mind or heart. Meditation teachers also advise you to pay attention to whatever visions or "downloads" appear to you during your practice and to keep your eyes open to receive. One day I had a vision of a butterfly sitting on my shoulder. Now, frankly, I've never had a butterfly land on my shoulder or anywhere else. Even though I have seen a lot of them. But what struck me about this vision was how colorful the butterfly was. So I kept my eyes and heart open and while on vacation, this lovely young woman waited on us and her eyes were painted up to look like a butterfly! Instances like these to me are miracles and wonders and help me stay in faith that I am on the right path spiritually. Signs can show up in many ways and forms so be open to how yours may show up. For example, you ask to see a bear. You may see one in the wild, on a bilboard, a picture in a book or magazine, on a license plate or bumper sticker, something on your SM feed. Can you recall any signs in your life? Please share, I'd love to hear about them! Until next time, stay open to the signs, miracles and wonders God is trying to show you. PamT When I received an email from Hay House that the book E3 was on sale, I grabbed it and commenced to reading right away. I absolutely adore Pam Grout's writing! She explains spiritual and Law of Attraction concepts with depth and humor in this and her previous book, E2 (squared). Both books have experiments for the reader to prove the authenticity of the Law of Attraction. One in E3 (#3 I think) Pam lists 8 things to intend to see and be on the lookout for. One was a toy from childhood and another was your favorite song from highschool. I couldn't even think of a "favorite" song from highschool or toy from childhood so I set the intention and decided to stay open for some of the other signs... A belly laugh, beachball, and couple other things. The belly laugh was easy to come by from watching AFV and other funny shows. Then, I noticed The Jungle Book was coming on TV and that brought back SO many memories from childhood. I remembered reading the book, watching the animated version, listening to the album (yeah, vinyl that's how old I am LOL!) and dancing around to the "Bear/Bare Necessities." I took that as my sign and happily and gratefully watched the movie version with a real human actor as Mowgli. If you are a fan of LOA literature, these two books should be in your repertoire. Both are filled with rainbows (knowledge) based on the author's and others' experieces, nuggets of gold (wisdom), and invite you to dream big and co-create your reality with God. One of my favorite lines from E3 is, "Something amazingly awesome is going to happen to me today." I've added that to my daily affirmations. From E2, "Align yourself with God consciousness and you can bring about truth in material form. What you think, you create." This quote is attributed to Peter Caddy of Findhorn - a place I'd love to visit! I can't recommend Pam Grout's books enough especially for those who want proof LOA is real and how it works. Until next time, take care and happy creating! PamT I’ve had this conversation with others many times and it’s frustrating when some just don’t get it! What you don’t control, controls you… Don’t control your flesh, you are constantly at its beck and call to do things you know you shouldn’t do… Over indulge on food, alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, sex, shopping, or other unhealthy habits. Or on the flip side of the coin—starve yourself, binge and purge, exercise excessively, pinch pennies so tight you have no enjoyment in the fruits of your labor. Don’t control your thoughts; you are planting a harvest of similar circumstances you will reap in the future. You can’t have a positive life with a negative attitude. Don’t control your mouth; you’re sowing seeds of discord and destruction (see statement above about attitude). Don’t control your emotions; you will constantly be on a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs based on your circumstances. Happy when everything is going your way, moody and irritable when they are not. Allowing others’ emotional drama affect you and jerk you around. Don’t control your money, you’ll constantly be chasing a dollar, always be a day late and a dollar short or never have two nickels to rub together. Any of this sound familiar? The Bible teaches us in Galatians 5:22-24 (NKJV)… “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” 2 Peter 1:5-7 (NKJV) exhorts… “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.” And, Titus 1:7-9 (NKJV) insists that, “For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.” The footnote for this scripture says that “bishop” literally means overseer, but aren’t we all kings and priests? (Rev. 1:6 & 5:10). Now that I’ve gotten your attention, or stuck my nose right in the middle of your mess, please allow me to share some insight with you on how you can change all of those “out of control” things in your life. #1: Get clear about what you want (or don’t want)! Sit down with a pen and paper and make a list. Ask yourself, ask your SOUL… “What is wrong in my life?” Or, better yet… “Why am I not happy?” Then write down the answers. Don’t just put ‘everything’, get downright honest with yourself and be specific. Many folks don’t realize the absolute power in writing things down. When you ponder your life, your mind will keep going in circles…. Criticizing and explaining (or making excuses) until you are mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted with no answers. #2: Ask yourself… “What would make me happy?” Again, get clear and be specific. Don’t discount anything that comes to your mind. Don’t decipher the answers. Don’t scratch anything off that list. Now is the time to get completely, even brutally honest with yourself and remember, this is between your soul and God so don’t feel any answer to either question is stupid or insignificant! Give yourself as long as you need to answer these two questions….a few days, a week maybe, then put them away for a day or two and look at them again. Add anything else that comes to mind. Again do not decipher or delete. Now that you are clear, ask God to show you how to make the necessary changes in your life. Write down what He shows or tells you. As with the answers to the first two questions, don’t discount anything. I know sometimes those answers may appear crazy or impossible, but remember, nothing is impossible to him that believes… AND… with God all things are possible. #3: Take action. Start with one area/answer at a time (more than 1 is ok as long as you don’t get overwhelmed). Read books, listen to CD’s, write affirmations, make (and follow) a budget or financial plan, exercise and eat right, keep a journal (or several), create a vision board (or several), pray and meditate. All of these activities are proven methods of taking control, taking back your power, and healing your life. Some people won’t do this because it appears too easy (or too hard), but trust me, if you take the time to get clear about your life then follow through and stick with the plan(s) God gives to you, your heart, mind, soul, and spirit, and, oh yeah, your future will thank you. Added bonus: All the people in your life will thank you too! Something to think about….. “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ Some Resources: Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life & There’s a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem by Dr. Wayne Dyer, A Return to Love & The Law of Divine Compensation by Marianne Williamson, You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay, Real Health, Real Life by Jillian Lambert, The Secret & The Magic by Rhonda Byrne, The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey, I Declare by Joel Osteen, Battlefield of the Mind & Change Your Words, Change Your Life: Understanding the Power of Every Word You Speak by Joyce Meyer, Open Your Mind to Receive & The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity by Catherine Ponder, any/everything by any or all of these authors as well as others mentioned on this blog. *Originally published as Pamela's Ponderings © Sept. 2013
*Note: This event happened in 2013 but the information is as relevant today as it was back then.* Have you ever asked for and/or received a sign from God? You’re be-bopping along and the solution to a problem or answer to a question suddenly appears in a book, on a billboard, thorough an unusual conversation, or on a marque somewhere and goose bumps rise on your flesh? I love it when that happens! Acts 22: mentions the miracles, wonders and signs of Jesus. Acts 10:38 says, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Jesus said that the things HE did, we should do also (and more). I’ve often wondered if I really have or demonstrate spiritual power. I don’t always see signs and wonders following me so how do I know if I am making a difference in people’s lives? How do I know God is using me and whether or not I’m effective when He does? Mark 16:20 says, “And they (the apostles) went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” In Acts 3:6 Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Now THAT is an example of spiritual power I’d like to see evident in my life! Granted, there are times when I feel His power working through me, hear His word being spoken through me and see revelation light someone’s eyes or face while we’re talking. Sometimes I see evidence of Him working during a meeting or conversation, but most of the time it’s after the fact. But is that all…. Is it enough? What about those ‘signs and wonders’ people speak of? I’ve never laid hands on the sick or raised the dead and certainly haven’t cast demons out of anyone. Am I expecting too much or believing for too little? While cutting potatoes for lunch a friend and I were talking and the song “She Loves Me Like Jesus Does” by Eric Church was on the radio. She commented how much she enjoyed it even though she wasn’t a “churchy” person. My answer to her was that we don’t have to be “churchy” in order to have a relationship with God & Christ. I then turned around and sliced a potato in half and… Well you can see the picture attached to this post. Talk about goose bumps! I’m not sure if this sign was for me or her, but the one thing I do know for certain is that everyone who hears this story & sees this picture is blessed in some way. I believe we all have spiritual power and these things do follow us, but we’re so busy looking for the great BIG signs, miracles, and wonders that we ignore or miss out on the simple, yet profound things of God (like His omnipresence in all things and every place.) We simply need to open our eyes (natural and spiritual) to see, and our hearts to receive. One more thing…could it be that our lack of gratitude for the seemingly little signs, miracles and wonders in our lives block the big ones? Something to think about! PamT |
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About this Blog
I've been on a spiritual quest most of my adult life. In the last 40+ years I've listened to podcasts & interviews, and read books by some of the worlds most popular Religious, Spiritual and New Thought leaders. I've shared the information in different formats such as Pamela's Ponderings in TWJ Magazine which is no longer a viable website. Therefore, some content you may recognize, other will be new. Either way I hope to encourage and inspire you with every post! AuthorPamela S Thibodeaux is a native of SWLA. She is an award-winning author, life coach, and spiritual mentor. Follow Me
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