Category: Contemplations

Rule 10

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

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that if we wanted to live a happy, healthy, and prosperous life we must give up the need to criticize others. We are invited to make a concerted effort not to be defensive when someone offers us feedback but take it as an opportunity to grow.

In my experience, criticism is only painful when we are criticized about something that we already judge ourselves about. Every time I am criticized or judged I look inside and listen to my own inner voice. I do not defend myself, or argue with the criticism. I stay neutral as much as I can so I can see if there is something that I need to let go of, heal or forgive within myself. When I release the inner critic, I stop hearing the other ones.

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No10 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing releasing criticism worked for you today.

The ear that heeds wholesome admonition will lodge among the wise – Proverbs 15:31

Today we affirm: I look for the good and speak words of praise in every situation.

*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 – Day9

“East, west, south, or north makes little difference. No matter what your destination, just be sure to make every journey, a journey within. If you travel within, you’ll visit the whole full World and beyond.”

The moment I catch myself complaining, I start to count my blessings.

It amazes me how much the daily rules and affirmations line up with my experiences. Yesterday, I started a new journey. I flew to another country, I encountered numerous hiccups that I would usually react to. This time, however, probably partly due to the fact that I was exhausted, I stayed calm. I kept on telling myself to step back and observe – literally! 🙂 The flight was delayed, my seat way taken, then denied to take an empty one, was reminded that the insurance I had bought through the broker was a waste of money, no one bothered to show me how the car that I have never driven before worked, the hotel I had booked my accommodation was closed for the winter season. As soon as, my mind started to complain (inwardly), I just kept on telling myself (inwardly) to BREATHE! instead of ‘speak’. It worked.

The next day, I looked at my journey again, from an inner point of view and what I saw was: a disabled man who moved so I can sit down on the plane; the Divine supporting me to drive through an unknown part of the world in an unfamiliar car in the rain; I ‘by accident’ found the hotel where my reservation was – not the one I had booked in – and the receptionist remembered having seen my name on the guest list; the weather was supposed to be miserable but instead it was glories so I went to sightsee; when I could not start the unfamiliar car, a kind and patient lady explained the ‘hows’ to me on the phone. I am still counting …

God works in mysterious ways … if I let IT.

Read: DAY9, 40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

40 Days – Day 9

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 9

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

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that complaining is a waste of valuable tome and energy. After having had a look at the objects of our complaints, we can decide if we can do something about changing them. If not, we can accept them or walk away from them. It is time to change the complaining thoughts into counting our blessings.

In my experience, complaint is like moths. By the time, you notice them, they have infested your entire wardrobe or cupboard. It is almost impossible to get rid of them. Complaint seems like an automatic reaction to anything that is not to my liking. In my case, it takes a lot of conscious effort to stop the ‘show’ running. I am going to practice catching and releasing the little buggers! 🙂

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No9 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing releasing complaining worked for you today.

Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish – Philippians 2:14-15

Today we affirm: The moment I catch myself complaining, I start to count my blessings.

*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!

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Contemplation – Day8

“Patience does not mean to endure passively. It means to look at the end of a process. What does tolerance mean? It means to look at the thorn and see the rose, to look at the night, and see the dawn. Impatience means to be shortsighted as not to be able to see the outcome. The lovers of God never run out of patience, for they know that time is needed for the crescent moon to become full.“

I celebrate my unique talents and accomplishment and those of all beings.

Today, I am again very grateful for the rule. I am going through a lot of changes both inside and on the outer. It is both a painful and frustrating process. Like a cocoon, I am (im)patiently waiting for my transformation to finally happen. But, similar to nature, I cannot rush the natural order of things. I need to employ patience and walk each day focusing into the outcome: a person, I love being.

In the meantime, I remind myself to hold my attention on the ‘gains’ and do not get lost in the immediate discomfort of becoming. Every time, I notice the pain or the discomfort of my situation, I realize that I lost focus. I close my eyes, recenter myself in the ever flowing Loving, release my fear, impatience, frustration … or whatever blocks my vision of the aim.

Read: DAY8, 40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

40 Days – Day 8

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 8

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

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that most of us were raised in a culture of competitiveness. which means to be more successful then others. At its core, it is scarcity, a belief that one is not good enough.

“Comparison is the thief of joy” said T Roosevelt. Competing robs us from fully appreciating our own unique talents, traits, gifts and expressions.

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No8 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing releasing competitiveness worked for you today.

All must test their won work; then that work, rather than their neighbour’s work, will become a cause for pride. – Galatians 6:4

Today we affirm: I celebrate my unique talents and accomplishment and those of all beings.

*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!

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Contemplation – Day7

“Whatever happens in your life, no matter how troubling things might seem, do not enter the neighborhood of despair. Even when all doors remain closed, God will open up a new path only for you. Be thankful! It is easy to be grateful when all is well. A Sufi is thankful not only for what he has been given but also for all that he has been denied.”

Divine order is always at work in my life.

I am so grateful for today’s rule. I feel lost and frustrated. I am unsure of my intentions or if what I am doing is right for me. As I look around, all I see is a disjointed and inconsiderate world in pain and anger. Maybe this is where I am at today. Regardless, I am reminded that I can choose to be grateful for all that.

So, I am grateful for the darkness, the pain, the anguish, the desperation, the lack of direction I am feeling today and what I see reflected in the world around me. I breathe … with a sense of gratefulness, I release all that keeps me from feeling unceasing Love and care for me … I breathe … and just allow myself to be loved through this phase.

Read: DAY7, 40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

40 Days – Day 7

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 7

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

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that though we may feel confused, disorganized, or unsettled, we can call upon divine order to regain focus. We are invited to retreat to our meditation room, invite peace, calmness and focus to be present. As we slow down we simply allow our wondering thoughts to dissolve into the nothingness. Then we simply trust that chaos is transformed into divine order.

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No7 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing releasing chaos worked for you today.

But all things should be done decently and in order. – 1 Corinthians 14:40

Today we affirm: Divine order is always at work in my life.

*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!

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Contemplation – Day6

“Loneliness and solitude are two different things. When you are lonely, it is easy to delude yourself into believing that you are on the right path. Isolation is better for us, as it means being alone without feeling lonely. But eventually, it is best to find a person who will be your mirror. Remember only in another person’s heart can you truly see yourself and the Presence of God within you..”

I have more than enough time to do what is mine to do.

When I was younger, back in my country of origin, I received a lot of criticism for the way I was back then. I was a rebellious teenager, loud and angry. As a result of the criticism and feeling misunderstood I eventually shut down and closed myself off from others. I become a recluse in a crowded city. I was engaging but I wasn’t honest or authentic any more. I wasn’t really there any more.

As a result, I became extremely lonely. I was not lonely because I was alone, but because I was disconnected from myself. I had shut down parts of me that had been disliked or ridiculed.

As a result of forgiveness and releasing past hurts, I started to open, firstly to myself. Soon, others arrived who helped me see what’s good about me and helped me see me in a different light. In them, I started to see parts of me reflected back to me; parts that had been suppressed for many years. Parts that I now see as part of my beauty and uniqueness; my essence in God.

Read: DAY6, 40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

40 Days – Day 6

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 6

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

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that we always have a choice between feeling overwhelmed with life and taking on a fresh perspective. We only need to deal with what is before us in this moment, everything else will be done in their right time as well.

I often find that my busyness is a cover up for something else. I try to avoid being presence. In presence, I find that I am faced with my fears and disappointments. It is uncomfortable to sit with these displeasing feelings. However, I find that they are valuable teachers. In the silence they whisper into my ears telling me what blocks my receiving the Divine’s Love for me.

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No6 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing releasing busyness worked for you today.

Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Today we affirm: I have more than enough time to do what is mine to do.

*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!

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