You who want peace can find it only by COMPLETE forgiveness

It was just a bad dream......

I am not sure if there is a word or phrase to describe this event or situation but there ought to be.

Do you know that feeling of utter relief, joy and peace the exact moment you awake from a nightmare?

 That wave of "oh thank God it was only a nightmare/dream?"

It is a wonderful feeling indeed.

Except the only problem is that in order to reach that tremendous feeling of relief and happiness we must first endure the nightmare and the accompanying feelings of pain,fear and terror at times

Isn't that a lot like life?

Think about it.  We go through a lot of pain and suffering in this life. Some people experience the equivalent of nightmares daily and endure it continually.  Others have these struggles and terror in pockets.

Well, I am convinced that just as we awake from nightmares and realize it was not real, so too must we realize that our daily worries and fears are also just illusions and are not real.

Sure, they do occur and happen to us daily, but we have to recognize that they are not fatal, they can only impact  us if we let them run roughshod over our thoughts and feelings.

We control exactly what we want to focus on in our minds. We have that power.

So like a bouncer at a nightclub, check the thoughts credentials before you allow them into your daily life!

If they are fearful, anxious, negative thoughts that seek entry, refuse them passage!

Take control of your mind and consciously decide what you want to do, be, feel, act - then do not waver from that which you choose.

VISUALIZE every morning, evening, and in between exactly what it is you want from your life, the person you want to be - empowered, strong, confident, compassionate, peaceful, etc - and it will come to you.

PRAY for knowledge, peace, guidance, and direction. Ask the Holy Spirit to decide for you! Say it aloud to Him "decide for me".  There is no better guide or sherpa on this journey through life and enlightenment. Use Him every minute!

SHRUG off setbacks, fears, worries by recognizing them for the illusions they are and not allowing them residence in your thoughts  and mind. Fight them off, and take action where needed to address any problems.

We will all be ok - none of what we fear or waste a lifetime worrying about truly matters.

Love and kindness is all that we need seek daily and all that matters in the end.

Realize this and you will be able to handle life's curveballs much easier!

Now wake up from that dream and get on with your life with eyes wide open and the peace and strength that comes from knowing who has your back in this life and beyond!

Stay Strong!

Get a Move on!!

Another great message from Joel Osteen... ""Your Best Life Now.".....

"In the Bible, we read about a man in Jerusalem who had been crippled for thirty-eight years. He spent every single day of his life lying on a mat by the pool of Bethesda, hoping for a miracle.  This man had a deep-seated, lingering disorder.

I think many people today have lingering disorders. Their maladies may not be only physical; they may be emotional, but they are deep-seated, lingering disorders nonetheless.

They could stem from being unwilling to forgive, holding onto past resentments, blaming the past for their behavior, or other emotional wounds.

Just like the man lying by the pool, some people sit back year after year, waiting for a miracle to happen, waiting for some big event to come along and make everything better.

One day Jesus saw the man lying there in need. It was obvious that he was crippled, but Jesus asked the man what seemed a strange question:

"Do you want to be made well?"

I believe God is asking a similar question of us today. "Do you want to be well or do you want to continue lying around feeling sorry for yourself?"

Jesus asked the man a straightforward question but the man's response was interesting.  He began listing all of his excuses. "I'm all alone. I don't have anyone to help me. Other people have let me down. Other people always seem to get ahead of me. I don't have a chance in life."

Is it any wonder that he remained in that condition for 38 years?

I love the way Jesus answered him. He didn't even respond to his sad story. He didn't say, "Yes friend. I agree with you. You have had a tough time. Let me commiserate with you."

No, Jesus instead looked at him and said, in effect:

"If you are serious about getting well, if you are serious about getting your life in order, if you really want to get out of this mess, here is what you must do: 

"Get up off the ground, take up your bed, and be on your way."

When the man did what Jesus told him to do, he was miraculously healed.

That is a message for all of us today!!

If you are serious about being well, if you really want to be made physically and emotionally whole, you must GET UP AND GET MOVING WITH YOUR LIFE! 

No more lying around feeling sorry for yourself.

You must stop going back to "file number 2" all the time.

Stop making excuses. Stop blaming other people or circumstances that disappointed you.

Instead, START FORGIVING THE PEOPLE THAT HURT YOU.

Today can be a major turning point in your life, a time of new beginnings.  Don't waste another minute trying to figure out why evil things have happened to you or your loved ones.

Refuse to live with a Victim mentality any longer.

You might be saying, " I just don't understand why this is happening to me. I don't understand why I got sick. Why did my loved one die? Why was I raised in such an abusive environment?"

You may never know this answer while here on earth. But do not use that as an excuse to wallow in self-pity.

Leave it alone, get up, move on with your life.

Many of the "why" questions will remain a conundrum, but trust in God, and accept the fact that there will be some unanswered questions for now.

Keep in mind that just because you don't know the answer doesn't mean that one does not exist.  You simply have not discovered it yet.

In the meantime you must muster enough FAITH to say:

 "God, I do not understand it, but I trust you and I am not going to spend all my time trying to figure out why certain things have happened. I am going to trust You to make something good of it.  You are a good God and I know you have my best interests at heart.  You promised that all things will work together for my good."

That is Faith and that is the attitude that God honors.

You and I must learn that even if people may have mistreated you, or someone may have walked out on you, or maybe you prayed fervently, yet God did not appear to answer your prayer the way you had anticipated, that is over and done.

You cannot change the past. There is nothing you can do about it now.

But you must make a decision.

Are you going to sit around a pool for 38 years, or are you going to get up and and get moving with your life?

God is asking you -

 "Do you really want to get well?"

Stay Strong!!!

Do Not Go Back There!!!

 Regarding painful experiences in our lives. There is this to ponder:

"Think of it like this: every person has two main files in his or memory system.

The first is filled with al the good things that have happened to ous. It is full of our victories and accomplishments, all of the things that have brought us joy and happiness through the years.

The second file is just the opposite. It is filled with the pains and hurts of the past, all of the negative things that have happened to us. It is full of our defeats and failures, things that brought us sadness and sorrow.

Throughout life, we can choose which file we will access. Some people repeatedly return to file number two and constantly relive the painful things that have happened to them.  They are always thinking about the times somebody did them wrong, the times they were hurt or suffered awful pain.

They practically wear out file number two.

They are so preoccupied with the negative experiences in their past that they never get around to file number one.

They hardly think of the good things that have happened to them.

If you want to be free, if you want to overcome self-pity, throw away the key to file number two.

Do not go back there anymore. 

Keep your mind focused on the good things God has done in your life!

When the pains of the past beckon your attention, don't go back there!

Instead remind yourself,  No thanks! I am going to focus on things that are of good report, things that are going to build me up, not tear me down, things that encourage me and fill me with peace and happiness, not things that attempt to steal my hope and drain my spirit."

---- Your Best Life Now
        by Joel Osteen


Stay Strong and Keep on Believing!!

Gods in Chrysalis

Looking for reminders and a renewed focus on Strength, on Purpose, on the Right Attitude needed to succeed in anything you endeavor to take on?   Well - you are in luck today! 

Print out this wonderful piece of inspiration and do what I do - Read it - recite it - speak it audibly every morning and whenever confronted with challenges!  It is amazing the Power this has to put us on the proper path and to remain focused and strong!!!

Gods in Chrysalis


"Whenever you go out of the doors, draw the chin in, carry the crown of the head high and fill the lungs to the utmost; drink in the sunshine; greet your friends with a smile and put soul into every handclasp.


Do not fear being misunderstood and do not waste a minute thinking about your enemies.


Try to fix firmly in your mind that you would like to do and then without veering off direction, you will move straight to the goal.


Keep your mind on the great and splendid things you would like to do and then as the days go gliding by, you will find yourself unconsciously seizing upon the opportunity that are required for the fulfillement of your desire, just as the coral insect takes from the running tide the element it needs.


Picture in your mind the able, earnest, useful person you desire to be, and the thought you hold is hourly transforming you into that particular individual.

Thought is supreme.

Preserve a right mental attitude - the attitude of courage, frankness and good cheer.


To think rightly is to create.


All things come through desire and every sincere prayer is answered.


We become like that on which our hearts are fixed.


Carry your chin in and the crown of your head high.


We are gods in Chrysalis."


- Elbert Hubbard.

Rainy Day? I only see Sunshine ahead!!!

It is an old cliche and it is pervasive in our society - even celebrated in songs with lyrics such as "Rainy days and Mondays always get me down."

The Rainy Day Blues!

It is nasty and wet in downtown Manhattan today and a perfect excuse to be grumpy, tired, and depressed indeed.  No one will question it -- no one will deny you that right to be down on a day such as this!

What better reason to pull a George Constanza and go the opposite!!!????

Think about it -- what better way to become joyous, happy and uplifted than going the opposite of the crowd of lemmings following the depression chamber expectations?

And the best part?

YOU control it!  You, who feel hopeless, helpless, directionless, and powerless can CONTROL this aspect of your life!!

And the side effect is even more rewarding -- you will lift others! 

As a result of your conscious and STRONG decision to Master your own Emotions, You will lead others (not all at first but some) out of the doldrums and enlighten them to the point where they are feeling better about the day!!

This is an amazing gift every single person on earth possesses and can exercise at will -- -and so few do it!

Be the ONE who does today! 

You know why?   Because THEY NEED IT from you!  Your family, friends, spouse, children, co-workers, even complete strangers WILL be positively impacted by YOU!!! 

That is a pretty amazing Gift - directly from God!

Take advantage of this rainy day and spread the Joy!!  It starts with one smile and one decision to go against the grain!!!

Stay Strong!!!

Repeat Post -- But Worth the Repeat in my mind.. Hope you do too..

A Life Lesson to be Learned - and Learned NOW!


Other people may be there to help us, teach us, guide us along our path, but the lesson to be learned is always ours.”


My father passed away almost 12 years ago after a brave and courageous struggle with Cancer.



During that challenging time, and during his battle to stay here with us, he taught us who watched and assisted him in his fight a very, very valuable lesson!



Besides showing us a lesson in courage, tenacity, and a "Never Quit" attitude, it was a seemingly normal comment that set me thinking!



My father was a Great man - a great Dad and an even better friend and confidant!



There is not a day that passes where I do not wish he was still here with us to see our kids, and do the "Grandfather" things I know he and the kids would love to be doing together!



However, during his illness he was blown away by the outpouring of love, respect, kindness and the amazing show of caring that person after person brought to him as he weakened and drew closer to his next "Journey".



I remember asking him "Dad, why are you so surprised by all of this? You have many friends that obviously love and care for you".



His response was what stunned me and brings me to my point and lesson today.



He lifted his head and said to me "Son, I had no idea that all of these people cared about me so much".



75 years on this earth - involved and immersed in relationships the entire time - and he had zero idea that so many people cared for him and loved him!!!



That was an "eye-opener" for me indeed!



How could that occur?



The lesson I learned from my Dad and his illness is three-fold and I hope I can impart it on you while you all are healthy, have the whole future ahead of you, and can still enjoy your life!



It is as follows:



1. Life is Short! I know what you just uttered - "Duh- No kidding - it is on every book and cliche-ridden pillowcase in America!" -- But it is IMPORTANT to grasp it and not pass it off!



Life is Short and if you do NOT take advantage of the TIME we have at our disposal - the "Blessing of Time" we have and take for granted every single day -- unless we believe and appreciate this fact we are all destined to end up in the same spot -- Wishing for more time when we realize it is finally limited! and that is not a fun spot!



2. People Do Not Say what they Feel --- We can go our whole lives in a relationship of any kind and NEVER really let the person we care about KNOW that we care about them - or how great we think they are - or how much we appreciate them in our lives - or how great we think they are!! This is a Crime and something we can Change TODAY!



Pick someone in your life and pen them a short note - all it has to say is "Thank you" for being in my life - thanks for the love and friendship - and that you BELIEVE in that person!



Why Not? Trust me -- that person NEEDS to hear it - YOU need to let them know! It is a Win -Win! I Guarantee that you will feel like a Million Bucks (or Euros) afterward!!



There is nothing sadder or more idiotic than losing the chance to tell the people in your life that your LIFE is a BETTER place for them being in it with you!!



3. UNDERSTAND that people love and care for you even if they DO NOT SAY it! Do not end up on your death bed astonished at the fact that you had a Major impact on people's lives like my Dad did -- only when it is too late to enjoy it!



Refer to point #2 above -- Do Not Wait for the people in our lives to tell us how they feel - most will not -- but UNDERSTAND that you are loved and cared for even when you do not feel it!



Enjoy your Day! Go pick up the pen, write to that person (the more the better) and shoot off that letter today!! Trust me - there is nothing better than to give that to someone - unexpectedly - and it will stay with them their entire life!



When you have done it - place a "comment" on this site and I would love to hear your feedback on how it made you feel!



It sure beats a bunch of flowers or a cheesecake!



Miss you Dad - and Thanks -as always - for the Lesson!!



Stay Strong!!