* REFLECTIONS 01-27-13

Remember that forgiveness is 

primarily for YOU

Grudges take up brain capacity 

and prevent us from performing 

at our very best. 

What we focus our minds upon grows; 

this is true of hatred too. 

Therefore, 

it is impossible to truly achieve great things 

for ourselves when we have a lot 

of our energetic capacity tied up 

in negativity.

Remember that forgiveness 

is primarily for YOU. 

It free up your energy tremendously. 

So forgive all grudges, 

no matter how old they may be, 

and seek reconciliation. 

If you find this hard, 

begin with the easiest ones first. 

Then gradually work up 

to the harder ones.

All the years 

you have waited for them 

to "make it up to you" 

and all the energy you expended 

trying to make them change 

(or make them pay) 

kept the old wounds from healing 

and gave pain from the past 

free rein to shape 

and even damage your life.

And still they may not have changed.

Nothing you have done 

has made them change.

Indeed, 

they may never change. 

Inner peace is found 

by changing yourself, 

not the people who hurt you.

And you change yourself 

for yourself, 

for the joy, 

serenity, 

peace of mind, 

understanding, 

compassion, 

laughter, 

and bright future 

that you get."

Today give up the need to over structure
your life. Learn to wait when you need to
wait, knowing that you are receptive to the
inspiration of inner guidance. Waiting will allow
you to receive what you need to live a better life.
Waiting brings you the strength to give.

Today reclaim the lead in your life. Each day
ask for continued inspiration and guidance
from your higher power.

Kindness and intelligence 

don't always deliver us 

from the pitfalls and traps;

There is no way to take the danger 

out of human relationships. 

 ~ Barbara Grizzuti Harrison

In the effort to give good 

and comforting answers
to the young questioners 

whom we love, 

we may very often arrive

 at good and comforting
answers for ourselves.

~ Ruth Goode

Strength is born in the deep silence of long
suffering hearts; not amid joy
~ Felicia Hemans

If you’re making excuses for failure, 

it probably means 

you don’t really want to succeed. 

When you’re focused 

on what’s holding you back, 

it may mean that your heart 

is not really in the effort to 

move forward.

 
Instead of seeking to explain your failures, 

take an honest look at your intentions. 

Is there something else you could be 

doing toward a more positive 

and effective focus?

 

The obstacles you face may not be your fault. 

Yet

 when you promote and defend them, 

you give them more power than ever.

 
When you find yourself 

sabotaging your own efforts in this way, 

it’s time to reconsider those efforts. 

Either find a way to positively invest 

in what you’re doing 

or find a way to move on.

 
You have the power to make things happen 

and to succeed in the face 

of even the most difficult obstacles. 

To fully access that power, 

you must be 

doing what truly matters to you.

 
Instead of finding new excuses 

for your failures, 

look for new reasons to succeed. 

Truly put your heart in what you do, 

and what you do will do great.

 
Ralph Marston