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Sunday, December 15, 2013
Courage. It isn't Never Being Afraid. ©
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Friday, December 13, 2013
"Have a great day. Whatever's left of it..." ©
"Have a great day. Whatever's left of it..."
This morning with about 30 minutes to spare before my next appointment I walked into a coffee shop to grab a warm beverage & get some emails done. As I walked to my seat I made eye contact with an older man, I'd guess in his 70's. I pulled a chair for him where he was about to sit as his hands were full. He thanked me and we shared a momentary glance and a smile. "Have a great day" I said to him as I walked on, "You too... Whatever's left of it."
This got me thinking - how'd he know I'd gotten up at 4:30am to cook, run outside, meditate & pray and meet with two clients before 9:30am?
"Have a great day... Whatever's left of it."
That phrase repeated itself in my mind. Then a thought dawned on me - the realization of my mortality. No this isn't a new revelation but it is something that I don't think about everyday. As cliche as it sounds, today is a gift and that is a great reason to enjoy the present by being present. We are so very blessed to be able to do all the things we do that we take for granted and it, sadly, often takes tragedy & loss before we remember this fortune we own.
"Have a great day... Whatever's left of it."
There are many people who started yesterday with no thought of not seeing today. Yet there are many people who did not get to see today. Many more are the folks who have died inside - living day to day without the hope that comes from faithfully & with intelligence working a dream into reality.
As we take care of today by enjoying today, building today and sharing love & gratitude today we sow seeds that will last long after we are gone - either from someone's life or this realm. And a great way to remember to take care of today is to remember that we don't know how much time we have left. My wish to you is that You have a great day, a great week, month and life! Whatever's left of it.
Bless,
M.
This morning with about 30 minutes to spare before my next appointment I walked into a coffee shop to grab a warm beverage & get some emails done. As I walked to my seat I made eye contact with an older man, I'd guess in his 70's. I pulled a chair for him where he was about to sit as his hands were full. He thanked me and we shared a momentary glance and a smile. "Have a great day" I said to him as I walked on, "You too... Whatever's left of it."
This got me thinking - how'd he know I'd gotten up at 4:30am to cook, run outside, meditate & pray and meet with two clients before 9:30am?
"Have a great day... Whatever's left of it."
That phrase repeated itself in my mind. Then a thought dawned on me - the realization of my mortality. No this isn't a new revelation but it is something that I don't think about everyday. As cliche as it sounds, today is a gift and that is a great reason to enjoy the present by being present. We are so very blessed to be able to do all the things we do that we take for granted and it, sadly, often takes tragedy & loss before we remember this fortune we own.
"Have a great day... Whatever's left of it."
There are many people who started yesterday with no thought of not seeing today. Yet there are many people who did not get to see today. Many more are the folks who have died inside - living day to day without the hope that comes from faithfully & with intelligence working a dream into reality.
As we take care of today by enjoying today, building today and sharing love & gratitude today we sow seeds that will last long after we are gone - either from someone's life or this realm. And a great way to remember to take care of today is to remember that we don't know how much time we have left. My wish to you is that You have a great day, a great week, month and life! Whatever's left of it.
Bless,
M.
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Saturday, November 30, 2013
Let It Go. ©
Let It Go
We are not created to hold onto stress, misery, pain. Our very being rejoices in times of love, peace and joy. It's our natural state. So why do we choose to harbour so much pain? Is it because we believe we don't deserve joy in our lives? I know this was the case for me. For years I struggled with understanding my Creator's purpose for me, or rather his lesson plan. I've endured some pretty tough scenarios - no tougher I'm sure than anyone else but during those times that perspectives was, seemingly, far from my understanding. One particular set of happenings really tore me apart. Choices I made led to a demise within me of a part of me and I didn't share that with anyone so it rotted inside of me. I began to hate myself for the pain I'd caused both to others and to myself - ironic I know. I was headed for a crash and it seemed inevitable. Until I found the wisdom in three words: Let It Go.
Let it go. Three words with a huge impact. Three words which when habitually acted upon create the space for love, for freedom, for peace, for joy. Let it go. Whatever is holding You hostage from the past, let it go. Whatever fears grip Your ability to believe in a joy filled future, let it go. No matter the pain, no matter how long it has been with You, know that You no longer need it, gives thanks for it's service and then let it go. Let it go right now. In this very moment. And then again, and again. Letting go isn't a single action or a single decision but a constant one, a habitual one. That excuse? Let it go. That feeling of anger? Let it go. That belief that You aren't spectacularly made in You Creator's image. That thought that no one loves You. That You'll never be forgiven. That thing for which You've never forgiven Yourself. Let it go. Let it go. Let it go. Today allow Yourself to be filled with the wonder that comes from being free. Today, give thanks and practice being aware of Your feelings and being able to then simply let it go.
Today I am again filled with joy. With hope, faith, peace & purpose. I am no longer routed by regret. I no longer hold myself hostage in the pain of my past. I now know - or rather understand, acknowledge and accept my humanity, how far I am from being perfect. I am thankful for grace, for forgiveness and for another opportunity to utilize all the lessons I have learned from the missteps in my past. Each day, it's with a heart of gratitude that I say thank You and I continue to till my heart, mind & soul each day by remembering & actively utilizing three words: Let It Go.
Bless
We are not created to hold onto stress, misery, pain. Our very being rejoices in times of love, peace and joy. It's our natural state. So why do we choose to harbour so much pain? Is it because we believe we don't deserve joy in our lives? I know this was the case for me. For years I struggled with understanding my Creator's purpose for me, or rather his lesson plan. I've endured some pretty tough scenarios - no tougher I'm sure than anyone else but during those times that perspectives was, seemingly, far from my understanding. One particular set of happenings really tore me apart. Choices I made led to a demise within me of a part of me and I didn't share that with anyone so it rotted inside of me. I began to hate myself for the pain I'd caused both to others and to myself - ironic I know. I was headed for a crash and it seemed inevitable. Until I found the wisdom in three words: Let It Go.
Let it go. Three words with a huge impact. Three words which when habitually acted upon create the space for love, for freedom, for peace, for joy. Let it go. Whatever is holding You hostage from the past, let it go. Whatever fears grip Your ability to believe in a joy filled future, let it go. No matter the pain, no matter how long it has been with You, know that You no longer need it, gives thanks for it's service and then let it go. Let it go right now. In this very moment. And then again, and again. Letting go isn't a single action or a single decision but a constant one, a habitual one. That excuse? Let it go. That feeling of anger? Let it go. That belief that You aren't spectacularly made in You Creator's image. That thought that no one loves You. That You'll never be forgiven. That thing for which You've never forgiven Yourself. Let it go. Let it go. Let it go. Today allow Yourself to be filled with the wonder that comes from being free. Today, give thanks and practice being aware of Your feelings and being able to then simply let it go.
Today I am again filled with joy. With hope, faith, peace & purpose. I am no longer routed by regret. I no longer hold myself hostage in the pain of my past. I now know - or rather understand, acknowledge and accept my humanity, how far I am from being perfect. I am thankful for grace, for forgiveness and for another opportunity to utilize all the lessons I have learned from the missteps in my past. Each day, it's with a heart of gratitude that I say thank You and I continue to till my heart, mind & soul each day by remembering & actively utilizing three words: Let It Go.
Bless
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Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Remember, a Knight in shining armor has never been to battle. ©
Love is a war. At least I think it is. So much so I've written about it on more than one occasion (click here to read the poem, thanks), yet I always hear people looking for untested fighters. And by untested I mean warriors not seasoned by battle. Anyone who has been in a relationship realizes that they - like most everything worth having - have to be fought for..
"I'm waiting for my knight in shining armor," is a popular phrase I hear women say, but a knight in shining armor is a warrior without merit where it matters most - in the battlefield.
When a knight was knighted he was sent into battle to nobly defend. He was expected to give everything he had - including his life. And not only in death but give his life in service of something greater than only himself. Even though a knight was seen as a superhero of sorts as he left to battle he would endure great pains in order to win. His shield would get dented and scuffed, his armor worn and tarnished, his very body would betray signs of his humanity in the fresh cuts to go with the scars he wore not to mention the unseen scars on his spirit. Even with all these he went on passionately, dutifully, courageously. He continued to serve. He would continue to fight until death parted him from his oath, from his duty.
In love we as men learn on the fly - even more so than women because, well there are very few forums for us to openly & honestly discuss the "how to's" of relating. Women have groups, talk shows, magazines & each other while we are most often left to learn in the battlefield how to navigate this war we call love. We make mistakes, we get hurt, our armor looses its luster but somehow - and I'd attribute it to the grace of God - some of us make it back alive. Not just with breath in our lungs but alive, with a renewed sense of purpose and love. The ones of us who survive, coming back with our spirit intact and our souls yet again ready to serve, those are the lads who a Queen should seek to enlist the service of. Those are the gentleman who's armor no longer shines in a way recognizable to the eyes.
Ladies, You can keep looking for the knight in shining armor but remember, a Knight in shining armor has never been to battle.
Is that who You want fighting for You? With You?
Bless,
M.
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Monday, November 11, 2013
Lest We Forget (So just shut up & remember). ©
I grow tired each year when Remembrance Day (Veterans Day) rolls around and brings with it all those folks who are ready to be up in arms about the idea of war. I also find it interesting that on this day most of the people who choose to share their anti war stance as the reason they do not 'celebrate' Remembrance Day can do so because of the freedom allotted them from those same wars that they don't believe in. Let's be clear, we do not celebrate war anymore than we celebrate a young man or woman dying in their prime. What we do respectfully acknowledge is the fact that people OTHER THAN OURSELVES put themselves in death's way to uphold an idea of freedom - not just for themselves but for those who came after them (ie us). Have we accomplished that idea yet? No, but we are much closer because of those who did what they had to do so we could do what we want to do. Sure we have a distance yet to travel but we build on the shoulders of the giants who've come before us, who fought before us. That is what we 'celebrate' so take a moment today to be grateful that You don't have to choose death or freedom. Take a moment today and remember.
That's it.
Bless,
M.
That's it.
Bless,
M.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Echo... ©
A smile, a warm & sincere word doing something small to show someone You care for no other reason than You care can have an effect far greater than You will ever know. Today make a decision to make a decision to love, to nurture, to shine with no desire for reciprocity. Today whisper into the cavern of the Universe.
Bless,
Mark
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Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Faith In Action. ©
"Nothing external
can overcome an internal lack of belief
yet no internal belief
can overcome an external lack of effort..."
-Mark Sparks
(Yes I quoted myself but only I was quoted first. Really)
Faith: trust, belief, confidence, conviction;optimism, hopefulness, hope.
Faith has been a topic that's dominated conversations in my life as of late. Just this week I've been approached by several people and spoken to a few friends about the concept of faith.
What is faith? Well, to me, faith - much like love - is a verb not a noun.
Which is to say it is an action & more specifically it is revealed in action.
I grew up in a religious home. My Grandma is a heavily devoted prayer warrior and instilled in me a love of God. Going back I cannot remember a time in my life where the concepts of love, grace and faith weren't present. That foundation has served me well. Thanks Gram's. Thanks Mom. I digress.
As a young man I was groomed as a youth minister. I've even worked on staff and have been blessed to lead both in and out of the church setting. One concept that continually came up with christians was faith. Many christians believe that faith is about belief alone and since leaving the formal church setting many years ago I've learned that many non christians share this same view. I most assuredly agree that faith is based on belief but that is like saying a house is it's foundation. No, a house is built on it's foundation but the foundation alone isn't the house! (For all You biblical folks out there Hebrews 11 aptly titled "Faith in Action").
In order to be faithful or to exercise faith is to live in a way that shows You believe in what You say You believe in. Here's a simple example, if Gregg says He'll meet me at the gym for a workout on Saturday at 2pm guess where I'll be on Saturday at 1:45pm?! The gym! Why? Because I believe that I am going to meet Gregg for a workout (www.GPSFitness.ca). That's faith.
Faith doesn't hope for action, it fuels it. The bigger our faith, the bigger our actions. One of the biggest hindrances to my faith comes when I look for the extreme example of being faithful because that calls me to make a huge jump, and huge leaps are especially challenging when we've not even been consistently taking small ones. Like a workout we, I, must continually strengthen my muscles with progressive load. Like muscles from working in the gym faith grows with continuous & conscious habit building work.
We can never be successful at achieving anything we do not yet see until we can believe that we can achieve it. But we will never achieve anything we say we believe we can until our work ethic and dedication to it's fruition reveals our faith.
Nothing external can overcome an internal lack of belief, lack of faith. Yet no internal 'belief' can overcome an external lack of effort, or display of faith.
I wish You faith building challenges and triumphs along Your journey.
And thank You for reading,
M.
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