Strength II

There are many misconceptions about strength, and many ways to view it . . . Of course there's the physical aspect, which might be somewhat related to health . . . Psychological and emotional strength are also important . . . But, if we were to consider one type of strength that comprehends the whole, it would be SPIRITUAL strength . . .

Developing spiritual strength has such an overriding effect upon everything else . . . It changes our vibration, our thinking, our actions, our relationships, our ability to see through the BS, our health, our peace of mind . . . Literally, if affects EVERYTHING!!

In order to develop true spiritual strength, a disciplined approach is necessary . . . Daily effort is needed to make progress . . . Establishing a meditation practice can be trying for some, as it takes time and the benefits aren't always immediately obvious (but they will be over time, if we give it enough time!) . . . Giving up those things that influence us negatively, and work against our progress, may be difficult, because they've beome so habituated within us . . . Recognizing negative thinking patterns and replacing them with positive, life enhancing beliefs can seem like a constant battle at first . . .

However, for those who decide to go down the road to true strength, and make it a lifelong journey, there really is nothing more worthwhile! It's a path for which there is no substitute . . . Nothing else like it exists . . . It is TRUTH, and it enriches every aspect of life!

More on this later . . .

Until next time . . . Ciao!

Strength

Yes Dear Reader, there is a way to cultivate personal strength, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with going to the gym and pumping iron, or running a marathon, or taking an assertiveness class . . .

Strength is what we develop as we become more spiritual in nature, as we make contact with what we truly are, that being a spiritual entity first and foremost . . . It all begins with a sincere desire to make the leap to this level of awareness, and then the efforts we put into the discipline in order to make it happen . . .

First, a meditative practice is necessary to learn to still the mind, and quiet the thinking process which seems to sabotage our best efforts at times . . . And it isn't so much the thinking, but WHAT we are thinking! If we have negative thoughts about ourselves and others, we are promoting our own weakness . . .

By quieting the mind in meditation, we are free to feel what we truly are . . . spiritual energy! This is the energy of STRENGTH! Our ability to feel and be this energy consciously becomes easier over time . . . it is a gift from the Gods! We can be conscious of it at all times, and use it to simply stop and centre ourselves in the true reality of our spiritual being . . . This is STRENGTH!

It isn't complicated, but it does require discipline to stay on this path, especially if we've struggled with negative self-talk, or if we are easily swayed by the negative influences and messages we are bombarded with everyday in society . . . But no matter what our situation, we can use that as our starting point and make progress everyday! It isn't so much where we start, but where we finish that really counts . . . As Lao-Tsu very wisely said, the ten thousand mile journey starts as a single step! It is so true and applies to anything we understake . . .

Learn to develop true strength . . . begin with meditation and being the spiritual energy we all ARE! We only have to learn to access it . . .

More on this later . . .

Until next time . . . Ciao!!

What is JOY? III

In the past few days, it has been pointed out to me through events that it is sometimes VERY difficult to remain connected to the JOY which is intrinsic to all of us . . . But, what I see once again is that, as difficult as it may be at times, it IS possible to not completely lose that JOY, and in fact, to re-establish one's feeling of "JOY is me" quickly . . .

NOTHING CAN STEAL MY JOY!!

Let's back up, shall we? No one said this would be easy . . . It requires discipline, and emotional balance, and a meditation practice . . . Without doubt, a meditation practice! And, it's a day to day, moment to moment striving to stay in a place of peace and contentment . . . But, it can be done and is done by many, and they are no different than the rest of us, except perhaps . . .

NOTHING CAN STEAL MY JOY!!

They realize that THOUGHTS control the individual, and belief systems are merely extensions of thoughts . . . And more to the point, the individual should control the thoughts . . . To let thoughts take us away and control us is to flirt with disaster, because many of our thoughts are anything but positive and life enhancing . . .

NOTHING CAN STEAL MY JOY!!

The enemy is always lurking, ready to confront us with thoughts or events or people that might steal our joy in a second . . . And if we let them, they WILL! However, we as human beings have the ability to be aware of the dangers, and then when they drop into our path, we are ready with the proper thoughts, and affirmations, to REMIND ourselves that we are, first of all, spiritual beings, and as an extension of that, we can and should exist in a state of JOY, which we control through our thoughts . . . Eventually, these thoughts and affirmations become imprinted on our consciousness at a profoundly deep level . . .

NOTHING CAN STEAL MY JOY!!

And don't forget the meditation practice!

Until next time . . . Ciao!!