Closing your eyes doesn’t make your problems go away, neither does ignoring them. If we are to be sane, successful, or of service to ourselves or others, we must operate around truth. We must pray for certitude and strength. We must make the hard decisions that need to be made and change the things we can and let go of the things we can’t. Even though it may be hard, we must learn to let go of dreams, relationships, or even jobs when it’s clear to everyone that they are no longer nurturing or sustaining us emotionally, mentally, or financially. We can’t stick our heads in the sand and pretend that everything is okay.
Face and Handle the Truth
On the other hand, we also must hold on to our dreams and visions when our heart and faith tells us to, even if the whole world is against us. Instead of abandoning our dreams, we might just need to change our perspective, strategy or environment. Be true to yourself by facing and handling the truth wherever it may lead you. Look at the man or woman in the mirror and see what changes need to be made and change them. Last year about this time I shared Five Changes That Will Make a Dramatic Difference. and How Are You Handling Change? I offer them to you in spirit of service as we take this journey together.
I’m Barbara Talley, The Poet who speaks and inspires. To find more about me, check out my promo sheet or visit my website.
Adapting Without Complaint And Still Picture Perfect
That mighty tree once filled with fruit now stands there with only her leaves to cover her but is still picture perfect with or without fruit. If only we could learn to be content with the natural order and know that we are still perfect with or without our stuff. The tree adapts naturally to its changing conditions. The trees once verdant leaves change from green to brilliant autumn colors as she shares her beauty with all who will just take the time to appreciate it. However, even this condition is short lived, because before long the strong winds come and strip her of even her leaves. But, the tree just stands there proud and naked and interestingly still picture perfect. Stripped of everything, the tree has yet another challenge to face. For now the tree must be trimmed or pruned to prepare for the next season of her life and again she accepts her pruning gracefully without complaint. Finally nature brings a blast of cold air and a season of ice and snow, but the tree stands tall covered with snow, not fighting change but instead adapting naturally to whatever happens.
The Universe Will Provide
Eventually the snow melts, new buds begin to appear, and in due time the tree is covered with fruit again. But, because of the pruning, this time the tree bears even more fruit then the past year. The tree is under the protection of mother nature, and unlike human beings, does not have free will or a conscious mind. It can’t hoard it’s fruit, complain about being stripped down to nothing, fear the changing seasons, refuse to face a winter naked or cold, or doubt the eventual advent of a new spring. The universe provides all that it needs and even without human intelligence, it knows. And in time, the tree buds and blooms again.
Each Season Prepares Us for the Next
And, so it is with us humans. Those most tested, those facing the most difficulties with grace, and those who endure patiently their challenges, seem to bear the best fruit. They are more aware, appreciative, sensitive, forgiving, loving, and caring. They grow stronger with each test they face with grace and gratitude. So whether you are in your spring, summer, autumn, or winter of your life, realize that each season prepares you for a better season. And remember, “The tree most pruned bears the best fruit.”
I’m Barbara Talley, The Poet who speaks and inspires. To find more about me, check out my promo sheet or visit my website.
Are you ecstatic about your unique gifts and the exciting and unique role you are destined to play out in this unfolding adventure we are collectively creating called life? Be careful, you won’t find your unique path by focusing primarily on other people’s journeys. Your journey will require energy so don’t waste yours backbiting, emulating, or being envious of others. Yes, we can be motivated, inspired, and even learn from others, but ultimately we must do our own search and learn our own truths. The map for your success is within you and the map for my success is within me. We will find answers for our journey if we are open, expectant, and actively searching. But we must search in the right place. If I search forever, but in the wrong place I’ll never uncover my own treasure. My book ‘Miner Miracles‘ shares my personal journey through poetry and prose on how I, “mined within to discover my God-given greatness.”
The first of three of the lessons that I’ve used to move from mediocrity to a life of meaning and purpose: are:
Dig Inside. You’ve got to search in the right spot to find your own treasures. You’ve seen the treasure maps that mark the spot of the treasure. You could put a big old X on your forehead and you’d be marking the spot of the greatest treasure on earth. Your dreams, your vision, and your gifts and talents are inside you. You’ll never find them searching outside your own self. Our journey on this side of the sod begins the day we become conscious and lasts until our very last breath. We are on this journey together so it is important that we play our part and offer our unique contribution. Please enjoy my signature poem in this short video, Finding the Jewels Within You. I hope it will inspire you as it has inspired me to continue to dig inside and find my own jewels.
I’m Barbara Talley, The Poet who speaks and inspires. To find more about me, check out my promo sheet or visit my website.
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.
The author of the following story on gratitude is anonymous. Someone forwarded it to me in an email some time ago. I loved the spirit of gratitude in it, so I saved it. Now I get to pass it on to someone who needs a little more inspiration, a laugh, or a new perspective.
There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. “Well,” she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today.” So she did and she had a wonderful day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. “H-M-M,” she said, “I think I’ll part my hair down the middle today.” So she did and she had a grand day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. “Well,” she said, “today I’m going to wear my hair in a pony tail.” So she did and she had a fun, fun day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn’t a single hair on her head. “YEA!” she exclaimed, “I don’t have to fix my hair today!” Attitude is everything.Have a Good Day!Be kinder than necessary,for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.Live simply,Love generously,Care deeply,Speak kindly…….Leave the rest to God.
Welcome to Barbara’s Site 