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Entrée: Toward a
Greater and Grander Experience by Iyanla
Vanzant
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When you are attached to the way things are, it is very difficult to put your faith in anything else. You do not trust yourself to risk experiencing anything other than what you already know. You do not trust life to bring you the results or rewards you desire. You do not trust that you can and will handle whatever comes you way. Without trust, there can be no faith. Without faith, you will hold on to what you know. In the process, you will not be making any progress.
Attachment is another way of saying, "I don't have faith in anything else! I know what this is! I can handle this!" You want to control your experiences and your responses. You see, rather than fight with you for control, life will send you into the pit of stagnation. This can be extremely painful!
Attachment reflects a lack of faith in your ability to learn. Learning takes place three ways. You learn by force. You learn by choice. You learn by being forced to make a choice. When you are attached to what you know or what you can control, chances are you will be forced to make a choice. You can choose to stay attached and be stagnated in pain and confusion. Or you can let go in faith that your next experience will be exactly what you need, but did not know you needed.
Until today, you may have been holding on, attached to the way things are. Just for today, open your heart to the possibility that there is something great waiting for you. Let go of anything or anyone you are attached to, in faith that you will be pleasantly surprised.
About the author:
Iyanla (pronounced Ee-Yan-La) Vanzant, hailed as among the "most dynamic African-American speakers in the country" by Emerge magazine, is a nationally recognized inspirational speaker devoted to showing others the way to transform their lives. "My greatest desire is for people to know who they are from the inside out and to use that knowledge as a tool of empowerment and love," says Vanzant. The founder and Executive Director of Inner Visions Spiritual Life Maintenance Network, she conducts perennial workshops and lectures to thousands around the country hoping to inspire each listener to take a stand and create a better life, a better community, and a better world. The mother of three and grandmother of four, Vanzant lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with her husband, Adeyemi, and Mr. Coco, the cat.
Main Course: An Everyday
Creed
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I believe in my job. It may not be the most glamorous job in the world, but it is mine to do. It is the job, furthermore, that God has intended only for me. It is an opportunity for me to exemplify His purpose in my life as part of His plan for this world's progress. No one else can take my place, and I can't take their place - because they have the same job to do in their life as I do in mine. It is my life's work to be true to the tasks that lie before me - true to myself, and to God, who has entrusted me with these tasks. It is my faith that will help me succeed.
I believe in my fellow-man. I view all humans as products of the same Creation as I, brothers and sisters sharing a common heritage from a loving and patient Creator. I believe in their essential goodness as individuals and as members of their respective nations and beliefs. It is not necessary that I agree with them, because there is much I can learn by debate and inquiry. It is my faith that can help others to keep believing in me.
I believe in my country. It is necessary, for the purpose of social order, that there be laws to govern individuals. It is also necessary that I pay due obedience to those laws when they are just and proper. I pledge my allegiance to my country, because it provides to all who live within its borders the right of freedom to pursue happiness and prosperity. It is my faith that will help to keep my homeland sovereign and free.
I believe in my home. It isn't grand or fancy, but it contains riches that are found nowhere else. It is my sacred chamber, free from the cares and toils of the world. Within its walls, I am lord and king, honored to reside among the noble ones that call it their home, too. There is no other place on the earth that can, or ever will, replace it. It is my faith that it will continue to ensure that this place is sanctified to such a grand purpose.
I believe in today. This moment is all I have in which to work and be. My past only has value if it can make today richer, more fulfilling and enjoyable. My future is uncertain, for there is no guarantee that I will see the sun rise upon another day. I have no other way to live than to live now, in this time and in this place. It is my faith that will help me use the present moment to its best purpose, that I may find happiness in this day.
And finally, I believe in my soul's immortality, for without that hope, my faith would have no purpose.
Michael Rawls, Friday's Inspiration © 2003
Second Helping: True
Happiness by James
Allen
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A sweet and happy soul is the ripened fruit of experience and wisdom, and it sheds abroad the invisible yet powerful aroma of its influence, gladdening the hearts of others, and purifying the world. And all who will, and who have not yet commenced, may begin this day, if they will so resolve, to live sweetly and happily, as becomes the dignity of a true manhood or womanhood. Do not say that your surroundings are against you. A man's surroundings are never against him; they are there to aid him, and all those outward occurrences over which you lose sweetness and peace of mind are the very conditions necessary to your development, and it is only by meeting and overcoming them that you can learn, and grow, and ripen. The fault is in yourself.
Pure happiness is the rightful and healthy condition of the soul, and all may possess it if they will live purely and unselfishly.
Have goodwill
To all that lives, letting unkindness
die,
And greed and wrath, so that your lives be made
Like soft airs
passing by.
Is this too difficult for you? Then unrest and unhappiness will continue to dwell with you. Your belief and aspiration and resolve are all that are necessary to make it easy, to render it in the near future a thing accomplished, a blessed state realized.
About the author:
James Allen was born in Leicester, England on November 28, 1864. When he was fifteen, the family business failed and his father left for America to find work. His father was murdered before he could send for the family and subsequently, James left school and worked for several British manufacturers until 1902. His literary career lasted only nine years until his death in 1912. "As A Man Thinketh" was his second book. In fact, it was only upon his wife's insistence that he published the book at all.
Soup to Nuts: From the feedback
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Deanna writes, "Thanks for pointing us to the creative and touching writings of Vicki Woodyard two week's ago in the article Larry, the Stick Pony, and Me. A little exploring there brought a wealth of interesting topics. I especially enjoy her musings regarding Swami Z. Our prayers go out to Vicki and her husband Bob, and we wish her continued success in dealing with a difficult life situation."
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Just Desserts: Also Highly
Recommended
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Massage Your Mind!: Defining Your Life Philosophy, has inspired thinkers in over 80 countries around the world. Maya Talisman Frost's free weekly e-zine, Friday Mind Massage, serves up a satisfying blend of clarity, comfort and comic relief. To subscribe, visit http://www.massageyourmind.com
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