It’s tough to find a quiet space with so many distractions vying for our attention. When i go to gym or for a walk most people I see have EarPods in their ears. They’re listening to music, podcasts, or speaking on their smartphone. Our brains don’t have a chance to empty and calm down. It may be that we feel uncomfortable with the silence. After all, in the silence we meet ourselves. We discover our thoughts, fears, and hopes. There is someone waiting to meet you. That person will only meet you in the silence. Try silence, I think you’ll discover the wonderful person you are.
fear
Think About It ~ Stand Up to the Little Fears
Don’t let the little fears scare you. It’s the little fears that slowly tear at the fabric of our lives until there is nothing left. Choose a little fear and stand up to it. If the little fear doesn’t want you to travel, then travel. If the little fear doesn’t want you to fall in love again, then fall in love. If the little fear doesn’t want you to move, then move. The little fears stop us from living, this is the year to live and to erase the little fears one fear at a time.
Today’s Poem ~ To Hope
To Hope
John Keats
When by my solitary hearth I sit,
When no fair dreams before my ‘mind’s eye’ flit,
And the bare heath of life presents no bloom;
Sweet Hope, ethereal balm upon me shed,
And wave thy silver pinions o’er my head.
Whene’er I wander, at the fall of night,
Where woven boughs shut out the moon’s bright ray,
Should sad Despondency my musings fright,
And frown, to drive fair Cheerfulness away,
Peep with the moon-beams through the leafy roof,
And keep that fiend Despondence far aloof.
Should Disappointment, parent of Despair,
Strive for her son to seize my careless heart;
When, like a cloud, he sits upon the air,
Preparing on his spell-bound prey to dart:
Chase him away, sweet Hope, with visage bright,
And fright him as the morning frightens night!
Whene’er the fate of those I hold most dear
Tells to my fearful breast a tale of sorrow,
O bright-eyed Hope, my morbid fancy cheer;
Let me awhile thy sweetest comforts borrow:
Thy heaven-born radiance around me shed,
And wave thy silver pinions o’er my head!
Should e’er unhappy love my bosom pain,
From cruel parents, or relentless fair;
O let me think it is not quite in vain
To sigh out sonnets to the midnight air!
Sweet Hope, ethereal balm upon me shed,
And wave thy silver pinions o’er my head!
In the long vista of the years to roll,
Let me not see our country’s honour fade:
O let me see our land retain her soul,
Her pride, her freedom; and not freedom’s shade.
From thy bright eyes unusual brightness shed –
Beneath thy pinions canopy my head!
Let me not see the patriot’s high bequest,
Great Liberty! how great in plain attire!
With the base purple of a court oppress’d,
Bowing her head, and ready to expire:
But let me see thee stoop from heaven on wings
That fill the skies with silver glitterings!
And as, in sparkling majesty, a star
Gilds the bright summit of some gloomy cloud;
Brightening the half veil’d face of heaven afar:
So, when dark thoughts my boding spirit shroud,
Sweet Hope, celestial influence round me shed,
Waving thy silver pinions o’er my head.
Today’s Positive Thought ~ It’s the Year for Great Big Dreams
“All our dreams can come true — if we have the courage to pursue them( Walt Disney).” It’s early in 2023. There’s plenty of time to make our dreams come true this year. Dreams can’t come true if we’re afraid to dream. Even worse is the believe that we don’t deserve big, bountiful, beautiful dreams to come true. This is the year for great dreams to come true. Make great dreams and summon the courage to purse them.
Today’s Inspiration ~ Our Choice: Live in Fear or Live with Hope
“Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.”
Think About It ~ We Become What We See
We become what we see. Two people looking at the same canvas come away with different perceptions. We make a personal decision on what we want to see. We make a personal decision on how we want to interpret what we see. We can see problems or we can see opportunities. Both problems and opportunities are painted on the canvas. The one who sees only problems cowers in a hidden place believing the world is a dangerous place. The one who sees opportunities embraces life and grabs hold of as many opportunities as he/she can hold. No fear. Seek opportunities. Always look for rainbows, they’re there.
Think About It
One doesn’t have to be angry to be strong. One doesn’t haven’t to fear being kind and gentle is a sign of weakness. We’re strong when we face our troubles head on in spite of fears. We’re strong when we stand up and speak the truth as we know it even when we stand alone. We’re strong when we weep with another over a loss. We’re strong when we wrap our arms around our brothers and sisters who are suffering.
What if I started doing the things I’ve been afraid to do?
What if I started doing the things I’ve been afraid to do? Fear holds us back. We make our fears real by creating an ending that hasn’t happened. When we buy into our false fears we become paralyzed to act. It’s not so much as facing a fear as it is in facing ourselves. Look in the mirror and give the man or woman who is looking back at you permission to act. When we act against our fears, we become stronger and more confident. It’s no big deal if one fails, failure is only fatal when we quit trying. Try and try again.
Today’s Inspiration ~ Have no Fear
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” ~ John 14:27
