Category Archives: Motivation and Inspiration

Tis the Season for Faith

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I choose to believe that what I do or not do creates my reality.  I choose to believe that even in adversity I, in some way, attracted my circumstances.  Perhaps in praying for strength, I caused a chain of events to happen that would test me and force me to grow stronger.  Perhaps in desiring to be of service to God I became a vessel for someone else’s growth.  Sometimes service requires sacrifice and challenges.  My friend Judith always says, “You can’t have a testimony without tests!”

I Choose to Believe

I choose to believe that my life even my adversities have meaning, purpose, and a reason for occurring.  I choose to see myself as a “co-creator in creation”, powerful beyond measure.  I choose to believe that I have the power to create reality through my thoughts, faith, and deeds.   I choose to believe that I have free will for a reason and that I am capable of learning from my mistakes and growing stronger, better, and wiser.  I choose to believe that whatever I create or envision is possible.  And, in spite of all the tests, adversities, challenges, and trials that I experienced in 2009, I still choose to be HAPPY!

We Are the Makers of Our Misery and of Our Merriment

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Do you believe in fate, karma, or that, ‘what goes around comes around?’   Perhaps you are not the mystical type but are more scientific and believe instead in ‘cause and effect.’  Two different perspectives, but they both lead to the same conclusion and that is, ‘our faith, beliefs, and actions produce our results.’  Certain beliefs and actions produce happiness and other beliefs and actions produce unhappiness.

What You Believe Is Your Reality!

We are makers of our misery and we are the makers of our merriment.  It is all about perspective.  Studies have shown that happy people don’t have fewer tests, challenges, or problems.  But they do have an uncanny way of finding the good in most circumstances.  Their attitude in turn changes their problem into an opportunity.  These people tend to take responsibility for the good and the bad.  Now some will disagree with me and say, “I didn’t cause …… to happen!”   And, I agree. What you believe is your reality.  I however prefer to believe that I in some way did cause or attract my current reality.  Otherwise I’m admitting that I’m powerless, that I’m a victim of circumstances and that I have no control over what happens or doesn’t happen in my life.

Choose! Are You Powerful or Powerless?

We can’t have it both ways, either we have power and what we do matters or that we are powerless and forces beyond our control determine our fate.  If we choose to believe we have power then we must accept the role we played or refused to play that created our current reality.  We must accept responsibility for our lives and not blame others.  But, in this acceptance, we unlock the doors of power and unlimited possibilities.  In refusing to accept responsibility and instead blaming others, we unconsciously relinquish our power.  So, if you want to be happy, choose to be.

Don’t Let the Commercial Emphasis Eclipse the Spiritual and Social Significance of the Season

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In the true spirit of the season we would all do well to not let the commercial focus eclipse the spiritual and social significance of the season.  A focus on gratitude, service, and hospitality will surely keep us on the right track.

Unfortunately the holiday season has become heavily commercialized.  I can’t help but remember the lady that was trampled to death on Black Friday last year.   We are enticed, encouraged, and programmed to spend.  But many just can’t afford the season.    Did you forget about the record number of home foreclosures, double-digit unemployment rates, and skyrocketing health costs?

Remember the Less Fortunate

While you’re out shopping and being merry, remember the less fortunate.  Some were barely hanging on before the season.   Be sensitive when inviting people to holiday gatherings requiring gift exchanges this year.  There may be some among you that would like to participate but can’t afford to take part the way others want and expect them too.  And, the happier and more extravagant other people are around them, the more they are reminded of their circumstances and the unhappier they become.   Some will  give in and give a little so they can be part of the festivities so be careful to not harshly misjudge them as tightwads or stingy because they may have done the best that they could.

Respect Others Who Celebrate Even If You Don’t

Others are lonely and seeing everyone else with their families makes them feel even lonelier.  For some this season holds spiritual significance, respect that.  For others it is a cultural or social season, also respect the rights of these people.  A few don’t believe in celebrating the season at all or may be too angry, too busy, or in a few rare cases, too selfish to experience or wish others the joy of the season.  These unfortunate people find it harder to be jolly and happy during this season, or any season for that matter.

So in remembrance of  the real significance of the season, show hospitality, show love, show respect, show friendship, show joy, show faith, and show appreciation.  And, if you’re blessed with means, show a little generosity. That’s a virtue too.

Barbara Talley

http://www.thepoetspeaks.com

The Holiday Season Isn’t A Swap Meet

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The holiday season isn’t about a swap meet.  It’s supposed to be a ‘heart’ meet, where people connect and celebrate the religious, cultural, or social significance of the season.

Focus on the Season, But Don’t Forget the Reason

Just as it is important to reflect on the reason for the season, it is equally important to focus on the reason for giving.   Many do not give ‘just for the joy of giving’, but instead give as a reciprocal duty or obligation.  Someone gives you a gift and you feel obligated to give back.  In this heartless exchange, no one wins.

When you miss the spirit of giving, little thought is put into the gift itself.  You look for a good sale where the price is reasonable and the discount is huge.  You leave on the full price sticker so that it appears that you spent more than you actually did.  The gift may even be something that the person cannot or will not value, use, or appreciate.  In some cases you may just regift something you were given that you don’t want.

Put Your Heart Into It

When the heart is not in the gift and no serious thought is taken to think about what would make the other person happy, the gift can trigger the opposite emotion.  Instead of bringing joy, it could backfire and make the receiver angry especially if they feel that their gift was more expensive or more thoughtful than the one that they received.  We can avoid a lot of this when we give for the sake of giving and realize that a gift is its own reward.  Radiance and I have a private story about this very same thing.  She went out of her way to give a friend a very generous gift and was very displeased with the gift she got in return.  To this day she calls the girl, “crappy gift giver.’

My humble advice to you, if you can’t give with the right attitude, then it’s probably better to not give at all.  After all, it is the season to be jolly and if you’re not happy, then you’ve missed the point!

I’m Barbara Talley, the poet who speaks and inspires.  To find out more about me check out: What Does Barbara Do? or visit  my website.
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Care Enough to Spend Responsibly

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Every media source during this season skillfully and continuously beckons everyone to buy and spend.  If you can afford to buy and be generous, that’s one thing, but so many really can’t afford to buy all the things that their friends and loved ones want.

Sharing Is Caring

But, caring means we are considerate.  We care enough about ourselves to be responsible.  Are you spending too much?  Or, are you sending out subtle hints or making selfish demands on your loved ones to buy you something that will cause them to go into debt or be stressed?   Where’s the love in that?  You see it all around you.

Parents, husbands, wives, and friends go into debt for months or perhaps even years just to appease, impress, or make someone happy for a single day.  Where’s the joy in that?   Later they suffer buyer’s remorse and beat themselves up for months for not having had the will power to spend within their means.  We don’t have to spend to be happy or to make other people happy.   That is not true happiness.  Be responsible; if you can’t afford something, don’t buy it.