Lessons Learned from Competing #6A: Integrating Faith with Works

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You must make sure you integrate Faith with your Works if you wish to see any significant results.  Faith is our sincere belief in what we are doing.  It’s easier to believe in something when we’ve prayed about it, feel love and have passion towards it, and can see it in our visions.

Our work refers to our deeds and means that we are actively doing something to achieve that which we say we believe in.  It’s so much easier to work at something when we know that it provides a valuable service, excites us, and makes a difference in the world.  But, we need both faith and works to accomplish our goals and be successful in our pursuits.  Performing arbitrary meaningless mundane actions and not really believing in what we are doing is as counter productive as believing strongly in something but taking no action at all.  So before you begin, ask for what you really want and believe it is possible, the rest is in the details.

Faith Is The Absence Of Fear and Fear Is The Absence Of Faith

So, why is it so hard for us to ask for more out of life so that we can reach our highest potential?  Two reasons come to mind when I think about why people do or don’t ask for more out of life, fear and faith.  And, when you really boil it down, it’s only one thing, for fear is the absence of faith and faith is the absence of fear.  Fear and faith are like two sides of the same coin.   You can only see one side at a time, when you flip it over you see the other side, but not both.  So choose!

Faith is the Catalyst to Attracting Success and Supporters

I’d now like to share two quotes from, ‘A Course in Miracles’ on faith, the first, “If you knew who walked beside you, at all times, on this path that you have chosen, you could never be afraid.”

If you only knew who walked beside you at all times, you would never be afraid to reach your potential.  You would never be afraid to ask for what you want and you would never be afraid that you would not receive.  The second quote is, “Alone we are all lowly but, together we shine with brightness so intense that none of us alone can even think of it.” The key to seeing is to integrate faith with works.  You have to take action and do something. Your actions and your faith become the catalyst to attracting your success and supporters to you.

Nothing Happens If You Don’t Act!

When I entered the OWN Show Competition, I only had a 8 days to get the word out and I knew I could not do it alone.  Stan put together the video and made it all possible.  Maxine emailed people, called people, and even passed out flyers at the metro without me even asking.  Maxine, Roya, Tony, and Clif became my online warriors, voting continuously and telling everyone they knew to do the same.  Roya was so passionate about helping me that she inspired her friend Kadijah, who didn’t even know me  to pass out flyers at the metro too.  It was their magnanimous support and love that gave me the courage to get in the game and stay in the game in spite of the odds.  My sisters (Betty and Linda), my husband Gile, and my children voted and asked their friends to vote also.   I was truly blessed by the outpouring of support.  But, nothing would have happened if I did not act first.  Acting is the key to attracting. Click below to continue to Part B of Lessons Learned from Competing: Integrating Faith with Works

(Continued)Part 2: Seven Lessons Learned from Asking

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4. Asking Is Not Begging, It’s Choosing

So what are you neglecting to ask for?  Is it for more respect or better treatment, a raise or promotion, more help around the house, your debts paid, a new house, a new car, a new career,  or a better way to share your talents and natural gifts through meaningful service? One of the most  exciting things about life is that we get to choose.  But, I think we need to redefine what asking means.  Asking is not begging, or a sign of weakness, greed, discontent, or lack of appreciation for what you already have.

Asking simply signifies that you are taking responsibility for making your life magical, that you have made a choice, and that you are open to receiving your spiritual gifts and blessings.  That’s how polite people get what they want out of life.  They ask, they receive, they say, “Thank You.”  Choosing is a spiritual act that focuses your energy and power and attracts resources to you.

5. Refusing to Ask for Help Is Denying Others

Before, during and after the competition, I had to ask for help.  And, thank God that I was humble enough to ask.   Ric Ocasek wrote, “Refusing to ask for help when you need it is refusing someone the chance to be helpful.” And aren’t virtuous actions the real source of our spiritual currency?  To my surprise several friends came to my aid with a greater commitment than I could have asked for.  I’d learned long ago that I am not alone.  But, even knowing this fact, I too find it hard to ask for help sometimes.  Thank God, that this time I asked.   When I first heard about the competition I needed help in making the decision.  I fortunately had people around me encouraging me to get in the game, affirming that what I had to offer was indeed valuable, and offering their support.  This made it easy to make the decision.  But even then, I still needed a video.

6. Asking is a Sign of Faith, Wisdom, and Trust

I prayed, meditated, and a person came to mind.  I didn’t have the budget for a video at the time, but in faith I put it out there and just asked.  I wanted a high quality video and I had to ask for help from someone who had the equipment and skill that I did not have.  I asked and Stan said, “Yes!”  I asked and I received.  And, by the way, he didn’t charge a dime.  One thing is for sure is that we won’t know if we don’t ask.  So, don’t be afraid to ask for help.  You are not alone.

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.   It fact, it takes a strong person to ask others for help.   Asking for help does not make you vulnerable.   You can’t receive unless you ask and open yourself up to receive.  Remember, asking for help is not a sign of failure.  It is a sign of wisdom.  It is a sign of faith.  It is a sign of trust.  Trust, faith, and wisdom build character and, you can’t lose when you are becoming more virtuous.

7. Asking Is a Way to Give More

And, finally, getting into the competition was in essence “asking for something more out of life.” But, more importantly for me, it was a way to potentially give more too.  So, why then is it so hard to ask for more out of life  so that we can reach our highest potential?  We’ll cover that in our 6th Lesson Learned from Competing: ‘Integrating  faith and Works.

Lessons Learned from Competing #5: Seven Reasons to Ask for Help

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1. Only Those Who Ask for More Get More!

Please enjoy seven reasons to ask for help.  “Only those who ask for more can get more and only those who know there is more, ask,” wrote Alan Cohen in his book, ‘Mr. Everit’s Secret.’  Ponder those profound words for a minute.  I repeat, “Only those who ask for more can get more and only those who know there is more, ask.”

One thing that I know for sure is that there is more, a lot more in this awe-inspiring and wonderful universe: so much more to see, to experience, to connect to, to create, to understand, and to manifest and behold, so therefore, I ask.  You can’t be afraid to ask.  I ask God for help.  I ask more of myself.  I ask others for help.  I believe that I receive more out of this life because I am not afraid to ask.  And, we don’t only ask through words.  We ask by what we focus our minds on: through our prayers, our thoughts, our speech, our feelings, our expectations, our service, our fears, and our faith.

2. We Set Our Transformation into Action by Asking

I believe we humans were born to imagine and create, to change, to grow, to reach higher, and to transform.  A challenging, inspiring, and worthy pursuit is what keeps us alive and gives meaning to our lives.  And since we each have been given free will, we get to choose where we reach, what we will reach for and what changes we desire to see in ourselves and in our world.  We set our own transformation into action by just asking.

3. Not Only Is It Okay to Ask, It’s Necessary to Ask

The universe is abundant with unlimited possibilities.  And each of us is an heir to this boundless kingdom and all that was and will be created is for us. The Bible states: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door shall be opened.” It is not only okay to ask, but it is necessary to ask.  For every effect is due to a cause.  Asking sets things into motion and causes things to be given to you.  If you don’t ask, you don’t get.  Remember the biblical promise, “For everyone who asks receives.”  So asking is really about faith.  Do you believe that you will get what you ask for?  Do you expect to receive?  Have you made space for your grace?

Lessons Learned from Competing #4: Stay in the Light

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Be the Light!

Whatever invokes your higher nature, honesty, kindness, love, or generosity is light.  The light represents happiness, positive energy, virtuous qualities, noble deeds, faith and hope.  Whatever increases your energy, makes you more virtuous, gives you certitude and hope, and makes you happy and hopeful is light.  Conversely, whatever makes you doubtful, angry, fearful, drained, or want to give up, is nothing but the darkness.  In those instances, all you need to do is turn toward the light.  Think about the light, focus on the light, and with God’s help, BE THE LIGHT!

Be A Well Wisher of Others

As with physical sight, the more light there is, the more you see.  The more you see, the more you believe.  The more you believe, the more you manifest.  It is within the light that our powers strengthen, that our energy increases, that our power of perception is heightened, and our creativity unfolds. One way to stay in the light is to be well-wishers of others.

Darkness Comes in Many Forms

But staying in the light can be a challenge for we are surrounded by darkness.  Darkness, just like light, comes in many forms, greed, competitiveness, resentment, envy, despondency and selfishness.  Whatever entices you to lie, cheat, doubt, fear, be mean, or to hate is just darkness.  The eyes cannot see clearly in darkness. The heart cannot receive in darkness.  The ears cannot hear in darkness, for we were created to see, hear, and feel and our natural senses are stunted in darkness.

When we cannot see we cannot move with certitude and assurance.  We are bound, afraid, and helpless.  But when we spot a ray of light, our spirit is refreshed, hopeful again, and joyful. The possibility to get a show on the Oprah Winfrey Network was a ray of light and hope.  At first I hesitated because many other competition type shows seemed to bring out the worst in people.  My life mission is to stay in the light and help as many people as I can to do the same.  One of my sons even questioned my understanding of “competition” when I told him I had voted for several other “competitors”.

Compete Against Yourself and Not Others

Life is a constant test, but mostly within our beings. You see, I choose to believe that I am only competing against myself, against my very best.  Each one of the other contestants is putting forth their ideas and dreams and hoping to win too.  I can genuinely appreciate them and wish them well and still be in the same game.

I can’t resent their success and expect to attract blessings and light to myself. So, to make sure that I was not envious or jealous of the front runners, I said a little prayer for each of their success.

Choose What You Will Allow in Your Spiritual Space

In the midst of writing this section on staying in the light, I got a phone call from someone asking if I was staying in the competition in spite of the controversy.  First of all, I hadn’t heard of any controversy.  Secondly after she shared it with me, it did not make me feel better. I could feel my energy draining and my excitement waning.  Just listening to the negativity was pulling me out of the light, so I just stopped it.  I’d have to do this often as some would contact me to ask why I got in the game so late or to ask somberly how I was doing.  It was as if they were watching the scores and wondered if I understood the odds.   But, I’d already decided to get in the game.  I’d already defined winning.  I had chosen to stay in the light, so I had to make a conscious effort to choose what I would allow into my spiritual space.  Once I made the mental shift, I began to see new ideas on how to get more visibility.   Later that day I got a few more distressing calls, but I still managed to stay in the light in spite of them.  One reason I was able to remain encouraged was because of all the positive people who were showing up to help me.   And that’s the topic of our next lesson, asking for help.   I’d like to close with these words spoken by Nelson Mandela at his inauguration, but written by Marianne Williamson, in ‘A Return to Love’

‘Excerpt from ‘A Return to Love’

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?”   Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.  There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.  We were all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to manifest the Glory of God that is within us.  It’s not just in some of us: it’s in everyone.  And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence liberates others.”

Until Next Time, “May God shine a light on the path to your dreams.”
Barbara