Easter....

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"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.  Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved."

    - Helen Keller

Without some amount of trial and suffering in our lives, we as human beings cannot fully reach the depths of our character.

Despite the imagery of what the media, commercials and magazines bombard us with constantly,  life is a mix of good with the bad and to believe that we can - or SHOULD - escape it is a pipe dream!

We cannot elude it - but we CAN use it to our advantage as we build our own identity and character - and by helping others who are in the midst of their own battles!!!

When the storm comes, do not cower and do not let it overwhelm you!

Embrace and accept the storms - the rewards for sticking it out are too numerous to count!!

You are not alone in your battle!

Be resolute in FAITH that the current storm will pass and we will all be stronger and better equipped for the next challenge that will inevitably rear it's head!!!

Even the most devastating and horrific storms pass!! 

This is a fact!!

And we pick up the pieces and move forward!

Give thanks today for your many blessings that far outweigh any storm you are in the midst of today,  and remain focused on the calm and peace that awaits you as the storm subsides!

Stay Strong!

Blessings

"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not,
but rejoices for those which he has."
- Epictetus

It is good practice to start your day with a recitation of all of your blessings and gifts on this earth!

One of the most vexing and frustrating aspects of life on this earth is that we do not know what we truly have until we don't have it any longer.

Sure it is possible to put ourselves in that spot mentally in order to feel the pain that comes from regret - but most of us do not really ever go there until it is too late - and we have no choice but to endure it!

Today is as good a time as any to start a new discipline: 

Every morning upon waking give thanks for the mere fact alone that we even woke up, that we can get out of bed, that we ALL are capable of acting and creating your own opportunities and re - inventing our existence!

What is important to you in this short time on this earth?

Are you doing what is important to you? 

If so - Terrific and keep doing it!

If not - why not and more importantly - WHAT STEPS DO WE NEED TO TAKE TO MAKE IT SO?

What is the FIRST step??

In addition to giving thanks for all we do have - and we ALL have way way more than we ever recognize or can imagine - Count your blessings, LITERALLY!

Our brains are inclined to constantly dwell on the negatives in our lives and the things we do not have - CHANGE THAT wiring and do the opposite every single morning!

Why not give it a shot today?

What do you have to lose?

Stay Strong!

Re: Prisoners of Hope

"Is today the day for you to accomplish your goal, to land your dream job, to find love, to restore your health?
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> You are closer than you think to a better life, a richer relationship, a healthier body.
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> Rewards await you if you stay steadfast in your faith.
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> Don't let doubters ruin your optimistic spirit.
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> If somebody says to you, "What is it with you? What makes you think everything will work out? Do you really believe you will always succeed?"
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> Just tell the doubters: "I don't think it will happen. I know it will happen! I'm a prisoner of hope. I can't get away from it. I just can't make myself get negative. I just can't make myself complain. Hope feeds my faith and lifts my spirits."
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> The doubters may say, "Well, I don't know why. I saw the medical report. It doesn't look good for you."
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> "Yes, but I have another report," you can tell them. "It says God is restoring health back unto me."
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> "Well, I saw your child. I don't think he'll ever do what's right." "Really? I have another report. It says as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
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> You may not see any of this in the natural. It may not look like it will come to pass. But that's okay.
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> The Scripture says, "We walk by faith and not by sight." That means we don't have to see it to believe it. It's just the opposite. If we believe it, then we see it.
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> Take your dreams and the promises God has put in your heart and every day declare that they will come to pass.
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> Just say something like, "Father, I want to thank You that my payday is coming.
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> You said no good thing will You withhold, because I walk uprightly.
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> And I believe even right now You are arranging things in my favor."
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> Are you a prisoner of fear? Worry? Self-pity? Negativity?
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> Break those chains and become a prisoner of hope.
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> Expect God's favor.
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> Believe that He is working in your life, even right now.
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> God has put dreams and desires in your heart.
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> We all have goals we want to accomplish and situations we believe we will turn around.
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> But often when it's taking a long time and things are not working out, it's easy to lose our enthusiasm. That's when the negative thoughts come, saying:
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> It never will change.
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> You never will get well.
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> You never will climb out of debt.
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> That child never will straighten up.
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> If you listen to those negative thoughts, you will likely become discouraged and give up on your dreams.
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> Many times we miss out on God's best because we give up too soon.
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> We don't realize how close we are to victory.
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> Hold on to your faith.
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> Another few days of believing, another few weeks of doing the right thing, or another few months of staying in faith and you will see that promise come to pass.
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> Right now, you are so close to seeing that situation turn around.
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> That answer you've been praying about is just right around the corner. You can't afford to get discouraged. You can't afford to give up now."
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> - Joel Osteen
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> Stay Strong!!