Tag: #journey

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 8

“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.“* 

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!

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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“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 of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 7

“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.”* 

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!

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

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 6

“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..”* 

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!

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

Rule 5

“Most of the problems of the world stem from linguistic mistakes and simple misunderstandings. Don’t ever take words at face value. When you step into the zone of Love, language, as we know it, becomes obsolete. That which cannot be put into words can only be grasped through silence.”

I experience peace and forgiveness by letting go of blame. 

Today’s rule is one of my favourites! Throughout my life, I have spent countless hours trying to figure out what was meant when he/she said ‘this or that’. I realized that it is impossible to understand exactly what the other means because we do not share the same reference points.

However, there is always an element of ‘silence’ presence in every conversation. I call it Divine-intervention. It is only ‘tangible’ when one holds loving attention while the other is speaking. In that intent – when I am NOT constantly thinking of my comeback to what is being said –  I  am able to perceive what the other wants to convey to me. It is not the mind that understands the words. It is the heart that connects with the heart of the other in the moments of Silence.

What have YOU experienced?

Read: DAY5, 40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

Introduction to 40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 5

“Most of the problems of the world stem from linguistic mistakes and simple misunderstandings. Don’t ever take words at face value. When you step into the zone of Love, language, as we know it, becomes obsolete. That which cannot be put into words can only be grasped through silence.”* 

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

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that all our experiences have helped us grow into the person we are today. From a spiritual prospective our experiences are neither good or bad. When we blame others we feel helpless and cannot connect to our inner power. As we forgive and let go of blaming we free ourselves and turn our attention to the present moment where we can step into our own divine power. From there we are the maker of our life.

Rule no5 reminds me the Power of Silence. As we move into the Silence by closing our eyes and turning our attention inwardly, we allow The Divine to work with us. God talks to us – often without words – in the Silence. As we willingly release what does not work for us any more, gets dissolved in the Silence.

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No5 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing releasing blame worked for you today. 

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

Today we affirm: I experience peace and forgiveness by letting go of blame. 

*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

“Intellect and Love are made of different materials. Intellect ties people in knots and risks nothing, but love dissolves all tangles and risks everything. Intellect is always cautious and advises, ‘Beware too much ecstasy,’ whereas Love says, ‘Oh, never mind! Take the plunge!’ Intelligence does not easily break down, whereas Love can effortlessly reduce itself to rubble. But treasures are hidden among ruins. A broken heart hides treasures.“

 I soften, forgive, and release any bitterness I carry within my heart. I free myself. 

Today, I felt the difference between what my intellect and what Love can achieve. The mind runs in circles – mine does anyway – trying to figure out the next move. So, what are we going to do now? What is it going to look like? My mind is looking for standing polls to hold onto in order to ensure that each step I take will be in safety. Love knows now safety-net. She doesn’t care. She turns her face to the wind and ready to go. 

On one hand, I am full of worry and questions. On the other, I am free to roam! I simply observe how I swing between the two. Then I forgive and release. I forgive my fearful intellect for trying to stop me. And I release the tension fear created inside of me. Now, I can see through the wonder Love places in front of me. I plunge …

What have you experienced?

Read: DAY4, 40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

Introduction to 40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 4

“Intellect and Love are made of different materials. Intellect ties people in knots and risks nothing, but love dissolves all tangles and risks everything. Intellect is always cautious and advises, ‘Beware too much ecstasy,’ whereas Love says, ‘Oh, never mind! Take the plunge!’ Intelligence does not easily break down, whereas Love can effortlessly reduce itself to rubble. But treasures are hidden among ruins. A broken heart hides treasures.“* 

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

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that when we have suffered a wrong our hurt and anger can turn into resentment and bitterness that is corrosive to our soul. We may feel justified but we are only harming ourselves. Releasing bitterness allows us to dig deeper than our pain and anguish and shift our awareness from resentment to forgiveness. Forgiveness means letting go of the heaviness in our hearts.

“But treasures are hidden among ruins. A broken heart hides treasures.” What if our proverbial broken heart was but a chance to find treasures within. Every time we risk for Love – forgive and let go –  in our vulnerability,  we can open to healing and overcoming.  We become freer. 

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No4 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing releasing  apathy worked for you today. 

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Today we affirm: I soften, forgive, and release any bitterness I carry within my heart. I free myself. 

*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: alex-block-unsplash

Introduction to 40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 3

“You can study God through everything and everyone in the universe because God is not confined in a mosque, synagogue, or church. But if you are still in need of knowing where exactly His abode is, there is only one place to look for him: in the heart of a true lover.“* 

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

Our Lent Booklet invites us today to  discover more that is enjoyable. The universe is full of goodness awaiting our attention. Apathy prevents us to see the good in us and around us.  God/the Divine is everywhere, ever present within and all around us. As we connect with ourselves, the Divine within we start experiencing God’s ever present Love for us. As we take command and consciously turn our attention to the indwelling Life Energy, we get enlivened and filled with Joy for life. As a result, apathy dissipates. 

Today, I invite you to sit in the silence for at least 10 minutes turning your attention consciously into the Divine Presence within.  Then contemplate on Rule No3 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing releasing  apathy worked for you today. 

The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway. Proverbs 15:19

Today we affirm: I salute the divinity in me and take command of 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!

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: alex-block-unsplash

“The path to the Truth is a labor of the heart, not of the head. Make your heart your primary guide! Not your mind. Meet, challenge, and ultimately prevail over your nafs (false ego) with your heart. Knowing your false ego will lead you to the Knowledge of God.“

When I looked back at my ‘worst-case-scenarios’ I noticed how much anxiety I had always lived. It is a bit funny, because I never considered myself a worrier. Well, apparently, I am one. My anxieties are  mostly around feeling overwhelmed by the ‘burdens’ I place on myself. I don’t seem to understand the concept of saying ‘no’. 🙂 My anxiety is around ‘not being able to handle’ what comes. As I was sitting with my fears and worries, I recalled:  God is my Partner, I shall not want, and remembered how supported I am. 

I am still not able to create best-case-scenarios just yet but when I notice anxiety emerging, I can recall “The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.” from Psalm 23

What have you experienced?

Please note, that God for me is not an old guy with white beard. The Divine, the Lord, God, the ‘Universe’, the Higher Self, Spirit I use interchangeably with the meaning of a higher Loving Entity that encompasses everything.

Read: DAY2, 40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)