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

Every time I watch the movie, Secretariat, and I watch it often, I am inspired by this woman who stood firm on what she believed, what she felt in her soul, even when it wasn't easy. Even when doing so meant sacrificing time with her family, threatened her relationships and put her at odds with a male-dominated world.

Every time I rewatch this movie, I am inspired by the heart of this horse--as though he knew the family farm counted on his winning. And his love for his humans. I am inspired by the dedication of Secretariat's trainer, groom and jockey.

Each time I witness the scene where Secretariat is led through the tunnel at Churchill Downs, I relive my own experience visiting this magnificent place filled with so much energy and walking through that tunnel -- an item that was a mere dream in my heart and then posted on my vision board for years.

In life we find inspiration and encouragement from many sources. If we're smart, we'll make a habit of reliving and rehearsing those memories which, Science has proven, has a profound impact on the brain and body, specifically our immune system.

We often hesitate in sharing experiences like these, books, videos and other ways we are encouraged and inspired because we don't want to brag or be counted as a "know it all" but studies show that engaging more people in our love, joy, peace and excitement raises the vibration/energy level and happiness meter of everyone involved.

That's another reason I started this blog -- to share, encourage, educate and inspire YOU to discover the many ways LIFE is (or can be) a great adventure despite its ups and downs.

I hope this post accomplishes that.

Until next time, hugs and blessings to YOU.
PamT

The purpose of this blog is to share books, podcasts, interviews and movies that impact me on an emotional and spiritual and/or physical level.

Although I'll be sharing lot's of nonfiction here, Redeeming Love is one such book.

I just finished reading it, again, after watching the movie (again) Friday night and let me tell you, the God Angel discovers in this book, is the God I know. 

Not the judgemental, wrathful, angry god who will, "saquash you like a bug" or punish you, but One who loves unconditionally and who pulls us up out of the pit time and time again.

This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read and one I will continue to enjoy. One I'll read over and over as long as my eyesight will allow.

It is that powerful!

​Check it out for yourself.

If you enjoy Redeeming Love, my book The Visionary is a contemporary novel about survivors of extreme child abuse and their healing process and is available in ebook, print and audio. It is also on sale this week as part of Smashwords's "Read an Ebook Week" along my other titles (all 50% off)!

That's about all for now, friends.

Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT

I mentioned yesterday my intention to blog more regularly here and to share books, interviews, podcasts, etc. that inspire me on my spiritual path.

Next Level Soul with Alex Ferrari is one such podcast! His guests range from spiritual teachers/leaders of today to NDE survivors to evidential mediums and more.  Like anything we read or listen to, there will be some guests or topics that do not resonate, but those who do.... Wow! Alex's questions are curious and insightful and his laugh is absolutely contageous. If you find yourself with some time to spare, visit his website, or check out his podcast on YouTube or Other Platforms and listen to a few episodes. I promise you'll glean a nugget of gold or two from them.

Another podcast and host I really love and adore is The School of Greatness with Lewis Howes.

Lewis is another whose podcast guests are educated, insightful and caring about the world and the people in it. His interview style and depth of curiosity and desire to help people know and understand Who they ARE is one of the best and I tune in to his show on a regular basis. Lewis's podcast can be found on YouTube and his website as well as other media outlets. He also has a website, Greatness.com that is a wealth of information on various topics from Mindset to Money and Relationships. I have yet to read his books but listening to, and learning from, Lewis and his guests are definite rainbows in my universe of learning more about who I am as a spiritual being having a human experience. 

I hope you'll check out these two podcast hosts and stay tuned here for more inspiring books and people to help you along your own spiritual path.

Until next time, remember.... Everything in life is 90% perception
PamT