Contemplation – Day 19

Fret not where the road will take you. Instead concentrate on the first step. That is the hardest part and that is what you are responsible for. Once you take that step let everything do what it naturally does and the rest will follow. Don’t go with the flow. Be the flow.

I am fearless, free, and abundant.

Well, easily said than done! I do not have issues with taking the first step. Apparently, I do not have a sense of preconceived ideas about the future, so I do not fear what is not there yet. With that I can launch myself into any situations without much hesitation. So far so good.

However, afterwards, I seems to lose the plot and move into ‘freaked out’ mode and ‘control freak’ mode. As soon as, I find myself in a new situation, I do get scared and so freeze up. So, taking the next steps seems a bit more wobbly.

In order to move back to the flow or even become the flow, I talk to myself. I sit in meditation and/or contemplation. I connect with the Divine Presents the best way I can. I release my fears and concerns. Then I sit in the silence for a while. I just catch my breath. I allow myself to calm down, release all tension, become present in the here and now. Finally, I recite an affirmation and/or a Bible quote to support me to get back on track. This is my favourite one:

Our steps are made firm by the Lord, … though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong for the Lord holds us by the hand. Psalm 37:23-24

Read: DAY19,  40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

40 Days – Day 19

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 19

Fret not where the road will take you. Instead concentrate on the first step. That is the hardest part and that is what you are responsible for. Once you take that step let everything do what it naturally does and the rest will follow. Don’t go with the flow. Be the flow.“* 

Listen to the Rule on YOUTUBE:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/eBmK8VCein4

Today, we are releasing Fear of Lack and embracing God’s Love for us. 

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that (watch the video below)

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No19 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing releasing fear of lack worked for you today. 

Have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones. Genesis 50:21

Today we affirm:  I am fearless, free, and abundant.

*Rules are from ’40 Rules of Love’ by Novel by Elif Shafak. See more about the book here (click)  

Let’s walk this journey together!

Join me by reading the daily blogposts I create – SEE THEM HERE (CLICK) – and joining the UNITY CONNECTED FACEBOOK GROUP where I invite you to share about the contemplative questions.  (click on the buttons below to join)

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Contemplation – Day 18

If you want to change the way others treat you, you should first change the way you treat yourself. Unless you learn to love yourself, fully and sincerely, there is no way you can be loved. Once you achieve that stage, however, be thankful for every thorn that others might throw at you. It is a sign that you will soon be showered in roses.

I accept health and wholeness as my divine birthright. 

Spot on  with Rule 18 again today. I am at a place where people are used to talking to each other without respect. Inside, I started to notice the pain of being addressed with coarseness. As I was sitting in meditation today, I looked at where the ‘crack’ on my ‘wall of Love’ is; where it is that harsh words enter my sphere and cause me pain; where it is that I do not love myself enough to keep the little sneaky intruders out.

Today, in my meditation, I saw an old black and white photo with a little girl of about 7 in int. She looked very sad. She had just lost her best friend. She felt heartbroken and lost. She needed to be loved, consoled and embraced, but there was not anybody there to hold her. Her friend was not there either any more to lift her and make her smile.

Then she noticed that her environment was also in a lot of pain. As she was reading their actions, she thought that the pain was her own fault, that in some ways she was responsible for their pain, anger and anguish. 

She suspected that she could not be loved and embraced with her pain and sadness. As a result, she shuffled all her painful feelings onto an invisible corner of her mind, put a cheeky smile onto her face and made sweet- and fun-self available to her sad environment in return for love and care.

From this recollection, I also understood how I had learnt to treat myself with disrespect and with harsh words. I did my best today to embrace my inconsolable child inside of me; I supported her to heal and feel whole again with all her feelings; I whispered sweet words to her and bought her a pair of blue shoes! 🙂

Read: DAY18,  40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

In God, I am free!

As I was reading today’s Daily Word, I was touched by the truth of this simple statement. 

My circumstances are rather challenging at the moment. Visiting family can be a rewarding and/or a challenging experience. Mine is both though it is rather painful at times. I have been haunted by the past and  started to feel more and more suppressed by the way we treat each other.

I was so GRATEFUL for this reminder “The truth of God is constant, enduring, and unchanging. … This truth is the key to my freedom. Rather than struggle circumstances, resisting what is, and lamenting my lack of freedom, I align myself with the greater truth.  … I am free to choose my thoughts and feelings. I am free to choose my responses. I am free to forgive, release, and grow into the person I want to be.”*

The words around me may be harsh and unforgiving.  The people may act violently and driven by pain and shame. I STILL HAVE A CHOICE. I always have a choice. I am NEVER a victim of my circumstances. When I am present, I am available to the freedom that is of the Divine.

What a relief!

*Daily Word, 14 March, 2023. extract. Learn more about Daily Word in the UK here (click).

40 Days – Day 18

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 18

If you want to change the way others treat you, you should first change the way you treat yourself. Unless you learn to love yourself, fully and sincerely, there is no way you can be loved. Once you achieve that stage, however, be thankful for every thorn that others might throw at you. It is a sign that you will soon be showered in roses.“* 

Listen to the Rule on YOUTUBE:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SGttYfzbeXk

Today, we are releasing Fear of Illness and embracing God’s Love for us. 

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that our health is one of the most precious gift we have. “Let us remember that our thoughts and feelings are magnets that attract like conditions and situations into our lives. If we are fearful about physical ailments, we are actually sending out vibrations that will attract them to us. “Instead of being fearful, we can chose to focus on what we desire: good health and wholeness. 

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No18 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing releasing fear of illness worked for you today. 

I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal,
says the Lord. Jeremiah 30:17

Today we affirm:  I accept health and wholeness as my divine birthright. 

*Rules are from ’40 Rules of Love’ by Novel by Elif Shafak. See more about the book here (click)  

Let’s walk this journey together!

Join me by reading the daily blogposts I create – SEE THEM HERE (CLICK) – and joining the UNITY CONNECTED FACEBOOK GROUP where I invite you to share about the contemplative questions.  (click on the buttons below to join)

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Contemplation – Day17

The whole universe is contained within a single human being — you. Everything that you see around, including the things that you might not be fond of and even the people you despise or abhor, is present within you in varying degrees. Therefore, do not look for Sheitan [“Devil” in Arabic] outside yourself, either. The devil is not an extraordinary force that attacks from without. It is an ordinary voice within, if you set to know yourself fully, facing with honesty and hardness.

This is my day. I am courageous and trust my inner power.

This rule is hard for me to ‘digest’. I travel a lot. I meet a lot of people and I find myself in my different situations. Life truly allows me to see myself in many different light so I can truly see myself as I am, in my own unique totality. 

So, there are places, people and circumstances that reflect the part of me that is light, funny and kind. Other places allow me to see where I am hurting and feel unlovable. I am at a place like that right now. The unresolved and unattended traumas of this part of the world helps me see my own childhood wounds.

The criticism and disapproval that I am surrounded with is only a reminded to surround myself with the Divine Love. 

Read: DAY17,  40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

40 Days – Day 17

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 17

The whole universe is contained within a single human being — you. Everything that you see around, including the things that you might not be fond of and even the people you despise or abhor, is present within you in varying degrees. Therefore, do not look for Sheitan [“Devil” in Arabic] outside yourself, either. The devil is not an extraordinary force that attacks from without. It is an ordinary voice within, if you set to know yourself fully, facing with honesty and hardness.“* 

Listen to the Rule on YOUTUBE:

Today, we are releasing  Change and embracing God’s Love for us. 

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that change is a natural part of life. The fear that seems to accompany change is due to uncertainty. As we look back we can recognize that we have always been in a state of change. Our life have been one change after another. We acknowledge the fear but we also acknowledge the fact that we have overcome many changes and we have the necessary strength and courage to face another change.

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No17 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing releasing  fear of change worked for you today. 

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Today we affirm:  This is my day. I am courageous and trust my inner power.

*Rules are from ’40 Rules of Love’ by Novel by Elif Shafak. See more about the book here (click)  

Let’s walk this journey together!

Join me by reading the daily blogposts I create – SEE THEM HERE (CLICK) – and joining the UNITY CONNECTED FACEBOOK GROUP where I invite you to share about the contemplative questions.  (click on the buttons below to join)

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Contemplation on ‘all is well’

Today was a very strange day. I changed my mind drastically about something that cost me an additional 150 euros. Money is something I have always been cautious with. This change was sudden. I am usually pragmatic. So I started to observe what was going on more closely.

I woke from a sleepless night with a headache and to my neighbours’ discussion in Italian that I could hear so clearly as if they were having a discussion in my room. Breakfast wasn’t much success either. The breakfast room was loud and full of teenagers. My regular waiter, Massimo, was the sweetest; he recognized my distress and organized a secluded table for me so I could gave my coffee in peace. Sweet man!

Shortly after I returned to my room, I noticed that I had a terrible back-ache. I could hardly move. OK, I am just going to lie down a bit and see – I thought. But as soon as my head hit the pillow, I just wanted to go. But where to? Just the day before, I bought my flight tickets and my travels were due in two days. I can surely wait another day or two! Look, the sun is shining! Let’s have some fun today! It was no good. I was decided. I could not bear another night with an aching back and my loud neighbours.

I packed up in a matter of minutes, then checked out, got into the car, drove 2 hours, returned the car, got a new flight ticket – I couldn’t change the ones I had 🙁 – checked in, had something to eat and found myself taking off. That wasn’t too bad, was it?

But then doubt set in. I must be out of my mind! Two days is not the end of the world! I should have stayed a couple of days more, I should have waited it out. I could have avoided the extra costs… what’s wrong with me? Why am I fleeing? What am I running away from? What am I rushing towards? What is happening? Can I gain some awareness, please?

My head kept on running in circles. I thought I was a coward. At the first sign of any physical discomfort I fled to presumed safety. I judged myself for running to a ‘safe heaven’ that I know well comes with a price of playing with the rules. I felt silly. I made a mistake. How can I undo this now? …

Then, as luck would have it, a lovely Finnish lady bumped into me and started chatting with me. She seemed completely lost and shortly she gave me the impression of Disney’s Mulan, who at some point managed to burn someone’s house down in her efforts of making a good impression.  Apart from loosing her scarf ,she changed her accommodation three times while waiting for boarding because she hadn’t realized that she would not be able to arrive to her final destination during the night. Apart from Finnish she did not speak any languages well enough so to have a proper conversation. Apparently, she had been traveling Italy and other countries for a while now – not sure why – and all she seemed to do was changing her mind about what to do next. 😜🤣

She taught me a great lesson with her absent minded, whimsical and entirely confused attitude: JUST GO WITH IT! If it sucks just change the course of your actions, start a new journey, and just keep on going. No explanation is needed. There is not right or wrong choice or action. In Love, all is perfect, literally. Only judgement makes them wrong.  All is truly well regardless how it may look.

Contemplation – Day16

It’s easy to love a perfect God, unblemished and infallible that He is. What is far more difficult is to love fellow human beings with all their imperfections and defects. Remember, one can only know what one is capable of loving. There is no wisdom without love. Unless we learn to love God’s creation, we can neither truly love nor truly know God.

I let nothing and no one upset the calm peace of my soul.

I just love today’s Rule. It reminds me to keep on embracing God’s world regardless of its imperfections. It is so easy for me to find faults and criticize because I am attuned with ; let’s do it differently’ attitude, but I know well that  when I do that I disconnect myself from the wisdom of Love.

Todays, I visited a place where people did not seem to be very kind or nice. It is just the way they are, I suppose. I did not let it upset me, neither did I criticizing them for it.  They probably like the way they are 🙂 Instead, I bought myself a nice pair of shoes and enjoyed my friend’s company by a cup of jasmine tea. <3 

Read: DAY15,  40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

40 Days – Day 16

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 16

Real filth is the one inside. The rest simply washes off. There is only one type of dirt that cannot be cleansed with pure waters, and that is the stain of hatred and bigotry contaminating the soul. You can purify your body through abstinence and fasting, but only love will purify your heart.”* 

Listen to the Rule on YOUTUBE:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rr3ceG7U-I0

Today, we are releasing Loneliness and embracing God’s Love for us. 

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that loneliness is a sense of lack or yearning. Instead we can  allow possibilities to emerge. We can remember that we are always connected to others in the flow of life. It is impossible to feel alone when one is connected to Spirit that is always in and around us. 

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No16 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing releasing loneliness worked for you today. 

Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my
victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Today we affirm:  From the infinite, eternal, abundant Source,
I receive inspiration and absolute love.

*Rules are from ’40 Rules of Love’ by Novel by Elif Shafak. See more about the book here (click)  

Let’s walk this journey together!

Join me by reading the daily blogposts I create – SEE THEM HERE (CLICK) – and joining the UNITY CONNECTED FACEBOOK GROUP where I invite you to share about the contemplative questions.  (click on the buttons below to join)

Picture Source Unsplash/ Featured Image: rachel-walker–unsplash