Rainbows, Potholes & Nuggets of Gold
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Rainbows, Potholes & Nuggets of Gold
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![]() As I sit here and ponder what to share with you today, I am reminded of the old adage, “Life is what you make it.” If you are a firm believer in the Law of Attraction, then this statement is true in a very literal sense. (Uh, oh, many of you tuned out with the mention of LOA – thinking I’m going off on a new age, mumbo jumbo tangent, but bear with me LOL!) The Law of Attraction states that what you focus on, you attract into your life. Not necessarily the same thing, but similar situations and circumstances that keep you trapped in that cycle of living - whether good or bad. The Bible says, “As a man thinketh in his heart, therefore he is.” Given these two examples, could there be some truth in that old adage? Can we really make life be what we want it to be, what we wish to experience? “If these statements are true,” you may wonder, “then why is my life such a mess?” After all, you didn’t ask to be born into the family you have, or don’t have. You didn’t ask for the layoff or divorce, illness or death that knocked you down, rocked your world, and trampled your faith into the dirt. We all know those folks who are living examples of the old Hee Haw song about gloom, despair, and misery but what makes them different from others who have suffered a similar (or worse) fate? Why is it that some can wallow in the negativity of their life for years while others simply deal with it, let it go and move on? Now I’m not saying that those who have the ability to move on don’t suffer. Far from the truth that is! What I am saying is that they choose a different path–a way of thinking and behaving that brings peace and joy into their lives despite the circumstances. If you talk to many people you’ll begin to realize one of the things that separate the winners from the whiners is the words of their mouth and meditation of their heart (mind). In other words, their stinkin’ thinkin’. Here’s a clue: If you want to change your life, you must change your thoughts and then change your words! Even the bible backs this up with scriptures like… “I put before you life and death, therefore choose life,” and “the power of life and death are in the tongue, and he that indulgeth in it shall eat the fruit thereof,” oh and let’s not forget “you reap what you sow.” Jesus said that it is not what goes into a man’s mouth that defiles him, but what comes out of it. We’ve all heard the saying, “you can’t live a positive life with a negative attitude” and that is so true! If whatever “it” is that happened to make you so miserable transpired years ago – Get Over It Already! Now I know that sounds harsh but be honest….Do YOU like being around a dark, nasty cloud all the time? I know I don’t. No matter how much I love or care for someone, after a while it gets old hearing the same old poor, pitiful me stories. We all have experiences in our lives that are far from blissful. Sometimes I look back and wonder how I ever made it through some of the circumstances that threatened to get and keep me down. I’m not better than the next person, so I guess what makes me different is that I chose to rise above those things, to think and speak victory over my life instead of wallow in a victim mentality. Here’s the good news…You Can Too! Something to think about….. Inspirational with an Edge! ™ *Originally published as Pamela's Ponderings © July 2017
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![]() In Matthew 7:14, Jesus said, “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” I wonder what He meant by this statement? Ask most preachers or Christians and they’ll probably tell you that if you don’t follow the letter of the law, you’re missing the mark and sinning and just might end up in the place of “wailing and gnashing of teeth.” I’m not sure that is what He meant though. Jesus came to fulfill the law and in doing so, left us with only two commandments…. Well three…. #1: Love the Lord God with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength (Mark 12:29 -30) #2: Love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31) #3: “That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34 & 15:12) He also exhorted us in Luke 6:37, “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.” If our only instruction from the Lord was to LOVE, to forgive and to judge not – why is it that most attempts outside of traditional Christian thought and doctrine are judged and condemned as heretical? You may wonder where I’m going with this…just bear with me. I have some very dear friends who are stout believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. So stout they will not entertain any concept beyond that taught by their pastor and his/her (or even their own) interpretation of scripture. They won't listen to anyone else, read books by anyone else and heaven forbid anything that is not 100% word-for-word in the bible! This they discount or shun and then judge people who dare to question or search. Is this an example of the narrow way or a narrow mind? I have other friends who love God and Jesus with all of their heart, soul, mind, body, and strength, but have never set foot in a church and have not read the bible. Are they wrong in their interpretation of God and who He is? Are they less a “Christian” because they are more open to the SPIRIT of God than the doctrines of men? Scripture was given to us for among other things, instruction (see 2 Timothy 3:16). Ask thirty preachers to read the same scripture and I promise, you’ll get at least twenty different answers. How then, are we to know the right one? Why is it that we are so sure ours is not only the right way but the only way to God? To Jesus? Now I believe whole-heartedly in the Lord Jesus Christ. HE is my Lord, my Savior, my Redeemer, the lover of my soul and I respect His sacrifice as ransom for my life, and never, in all of my reading and searching do I deny HIM as such. But I believe God is so much more than any book (including the bible) can explain, clarify, illuminate, describe, or express. As I mentioned in About This Blog, I have been on a spiritual journey since I recommitted my life to Christ in 1989. I read voraciously and I commune with Him daily through prayer and meditation, not only speaking to Him but listening for His voice and instruction. Do I always get it right? Not at all! But He and He alone knows my heart and how very much I love and adore Him. In John 17:11 & 22, Jesus prayed that we would be one as He and the Father are one. How can we accomplish this? One way might be by opening our hearts and minds to a fresh anointing and interpretation of Scripture, by seeking above all things LOVE, peace, and joy, by sharing those things with our brothers and sisters and by allowing people to seek HIM in their own way. JMHO Something to think about… PamT ![]() If you've ever read my article, Wealth is a Mindset, then you'll understand why I am featuring this book. I own several books on the concept of wealth and mindset and love them all. I'm sure I will be featuring each one at some point on this blog. Anyway, I heard about this book through Kathleen Cameron's YouTube channel and just had to have it. Boy am I ever glad I followed my impulse to purchase and read it right away. This book is filled with nuggets of gold and scriptural truths that opened me up to how prosperous I really am. One nugget I took away is a prayer which I have written on an index card and read every day.... The cattle on a thousand hills are mine. The world is mine. The universe is mine for I am a CHILD of GOD, free from all bondage. I am free. I am rich. I am powerful. I am One with ALL GOOD and everything is mine to use. I claim my higest good now and nothing or no one can keep it from me.... As Catherine Ponder says, "no one except me" of course by not believing, trusting and agreeing with God's word that says, "Beloved I wish above all things that thou prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers." (3rd John 1:2) Whenever I remember this I hear Dr. Jesse Duplantis say, "What things? How many things?" ALL THINGS. As I continue growing and evolving into the truth of Who I AM in God, I am learning more and more how many thought patterns of lack and unbelief and half-truths that have been pounded into us our entire lives. I, for one, am determined to be set free from those and live the "exceedingly, abundant" life promised to me. Won't you join me? I hope so! Until next time, take care and be blessed and infinitely prosperous. PamT ![]() ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. Coaches honor the client as the expert in his or her life and work, and believe every client is creative, resourceful, and whole. (International Coaching Federation, 2014). For me, Life Coaching is sharing the Rainbows (Knowledge), Potholes (from Experience) and Nuggets of Gold (Wisdom) I have gleaned along my journey with family, friends, loved ones or anyone who will listen. For example, last week a friend, who is a chef, called me because she’d found a restaurant had “copied” her signature dish and it was selling like crazy. Since she too, is in the self/personal/spiritual development work, she wanted to share with me how she’d handled the situation…. By allowing the emotions of shock, anger, betrayal, etc. flow through until they processed out of her mind/body, and she was at peace. Well, almost. She admitted this might take a few more attempts at “letting go,” but we were both very proud of her response. Being somewhat familiar with copyright laws, I informed her that, although I knew nothing about copyrighting recipes, I did know you could not copyright titles or ideas. I then went on to ask a few questions. Which is what a Life Coach does…. Where is this place? Are they in direct competition with you? Is it possible they could have 1 ingredient different than your dish? ETC. As we continued talking, words and ideas flowed out of me, surprising me with the wisdom! I asked her to think about whether or not she could consider this a collaboration instead of an infringement. Since the two establishments are 50 miles apart I asked, “What about if you respond to the post congratulating them and mention you have a similar signature dish at your restaurant?” This way she is turning the negative emotions attached to the situation into positive ones and directing people who are closer to her to her own wonderful menu. Of course, I suggested she pray and meditate to be sure this was something that resonated with her spirit. *Don't ever take what someone tells you as absolute!* Further discussion and ideas emerged and both of us hung up laughing and happy at what poured forth. This may not be “typical” Life Coaching, but as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ is my tagline, it represented the kind of coaching I love to do. If you’d like a free consultation to see if you would benefit from working with me, use the form on my contact page, message me on Facebook, or email me at: [email protected] Until next time, take care, God Bless and remember.... Only YOU can change your life by changing your thoughts, words, emotions and actions. 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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