Category: 40 rules

“If you want to strengthen your faith, you will need to soften inside. For your faith to be rock solid, your heart needs to be as soft as a feather. Through an illness, accident, loss, or fright, one way or another, we are all faced with incidents that teach us how to become less selfish and judgmental and more compassionate and generous. Yet some of us learn the lesson and manage to become milder, while some others end up becoming even harsher than before.“

I focus on the good I desire to experience.

When I started off on my ‘spiritual journey’, I first attended personal development or self-help seminars. At that time, I was often told that I would understand Spirit more when I become more vulnerable. I detested the word. Vulnerability in my eyes was a weakness that I wanted to avid at any cost. And so I did for quite a while.  I believed that strength was power over matter until I realized that Spirit is the highest power of all.

Today, I understand that there is no access to the world of Spirit and one cannot experience God’s ever present Loving without softening, becoming open and vulnerable to the guidance of Spirit.

Read: DAY31,  40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 31

“If you want to strengthen your faith, you will need to soften inside. For your faith to be rock solid, your heart needs to be as soft as a feather. Through an illness, accident, loss, or fright, one way or another, we are all faced with incidents that teach us how to become less selfish and judgmental and more compassionate and generous. Yet some of us learn the lesson and manage to become milder, while some others end up becoming even harsher than before.“* 

Listen to the Rule on Youtube:

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

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

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that resentment is a state of ‘re-feeling and re-thinking’ a “disturbing and unpleasant experience from the past. Whatever we consistently think about and charge with feeling determines the way we see and experience our world.” We can chose to focus on the good we want to manifest instead.

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No31 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing releasing resentment worked for you today. 

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever
is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there
is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think
about these things. Philippians 4:8

Today we affirm: I focus on the good I desire to experience

*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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“The true Sufi is such that even when he is unjustly accused, attacked and condemned from all sides, he patiently endures, uttering not a single bad word about any of his critics. A Sufi never apportions blame. How can there be opponents or rivals or even “others” when there is no “self” in the first place? How can there be anyone to blame when there is only One?.“

I open to an optimistic outlook on life.

Well, another one of these ‘easier said than done’ rules. Today, I experienced someone cursing at me and blaming me for something that clearly was not my fault. It wasn’t anyone’s fault actually. It was a moment of ‘patiently enduring’ because I knew that the real reasons behind the curse and the blame could not revealed and so could not be discussed.

I took a big breath and asked God the supply me with the additional strength and compassion so I could avoid going into reaction. I felt the anger generated by the accusation, rising insider of me but I stopped it. There is no point in trying to claim my innocence when the real problem could not explored.

Eventually, I managed to let it all go but I could not move into oneness.  Instead I moved into compassion with myself.

Read: DAY30,  40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 30

“The true Sufi is such that even when he is unjustly accused, attacked and condemned from all sides, he patiently endures, uttering not a single bad word about any of his critics. A Sufi never apportions blame. How can there be opponents or rivals or even “others” when there is no “self” in the first place? How can there be anyone to blame when there is only One?“* 

Listen to the Rule on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QCOFvAcW4xc

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

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that our thoughts and feelings of pessimistic outlook become the reality of our life.

Truly the thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me, (Job 3:25).

As we consciously focus our attention on the ever-present good we release pessimism. With that we start noticing the presence of beauty, or the sound of laughter that lift our spirit. Writing what we are grateful for each day, we eliminate pessimism and build a hopeful future.

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No20 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing releasing pessimism worked for you today. 

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Today we affirm:  I open to an optimistic outlook on 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)

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“Destiny doesn’t mean that your life has been strictly predetermined. Therefore, to leave everything to fate and to not actively contribute to the music of the universe is a sign of sheer ignorance. The music of the world is all-pervading, and it is composed of 40 different levels. Your destiny is the level where you play your tune. You might not change your instrument, but how well to play is entirely in your hands.”.“

Leaning fully into love’s embrace, I choose to let go of perfectionism.

Today’s rule inspired me to write about ACTION. Read (and listen to) my blogpost here.  On another thought, I contemplated on the meaning of destiny today. For the longest time, I truly believed that I was living my destiny by being helpful and supporting humanity on many different level. I believed that God wanted me to repent by ‘trying to safe souls’. One day, I realized the only thing God wants me to ‘do’ is to be HAPPY. This is my destiny. 

Read: DAY29,  40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 29

“Destiny doesn’t mean that your life has been strictly predetermined. Therefore, to leave everything to fate and to not actively contribute to the music of the universe is a sign of sheer ignorance. The music of the world is all-pervading, and it is composed of 40 different levels. Your destiny is the level where you play your tune. You might not change your instrument, but how well to play is entirely in your hands.”* 

Listen to the Rule on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/A2kVRDyHTNg

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

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that the journey is more important than the perfect outcome. As we focus on the journey untraveled we will find beauty, a deeper connection with others and a greater appreciation for the little things.

Mistakes are only milestones and opportunities to grow, learn and become aware. When fears rear their head, we are reminded to stop, breathe, and bring ourselves back to the present moment. With each breath we remove anxiety and receive peace, love and acceptance instead.

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No29 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing releasing perfectionism worked for you today. 

Surely there is no one on earth so righteous as to do good without ever sinning. Ecclesiastes 7:20

Today we affirm: Leaning fully into love’s embrace, I choose to let go of perfectionism.

*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

“The past is an interpretation. The future is on illusion. The World does not move through time as if it were a straight line, proceeding from the past to the future. Instead, time moves through and within us, in endless spirals. Eternity does not mean infinite time, but simply timelessness. If you want to experience eternal illumination, put the past and the future out of your mind and remain within the present moment..“

I release the past quickly and gracefully to greet my greater good.

Easily said than done. However, today, I experienced ‘timelessness’. I went to see a cranio-sacral therapist. During the one-hour treatment I did not notice ‘time’. Somehow, I floated without space-and-time constraint. I simply focused into and experienced the treatment that somehow allowed me to release my thoughts on the past or my wonderings of the future. I stayed in the moment through the treatment. It was an amazing experience that I cannot describe with words … 

Read: DAY28,  40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 28

“The past is an interpretation. The future is on illusion. The World does not move through time as if it were a straight line, proceeding from the past to the future. Instead, time moves through and within us, in endless spirals. Eternity does not mean infinite time, but simply timelessness. If you want to experience eternal illumination, put the past and the future out of your mind and remain within the present moment.”* 

Listen to the Rule on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sufE9b2Gvmg

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

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that “the past is past. There is not time but the present. Whatever happened in the past blessed us because it brought us forward to where ewe are now.”  Releasing the past opens the way for the manifestation of the greater good that awaits us.

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No28 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing releasing the past worked for you today. 

Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Keep straight the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure. Proverbs 4:25-26

Today we affirm: I release the past quickly and gracefully to greet my greater good.

*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

“Whatever you speak, good or evil, will somehow come back to you. Therefore, if there is someone who harbors ill thoughts about you, saying similarly bad things about him will only make matters worse. You will be locked in a vicious circle of malevolent energy. Instead, for forty days and nights, say and think beautiful things about that person. Everything will be different at the end of 40 days because you will be different inside.“

 I relax and let go of feelings of overwhelm, knowing all will be well.

Read: DAY27,  40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 27

“Whatever you speak, good or evil, will somehow come back to you. Therefore, if there is someone who harbors ill thoughts about you, saying similarly bad things about him will only make matters worse. You will be locked in a vicious circle of malevolent energy. Instead, for forty days and nights, say and think beautiful things about that person. Everything will be different at the end of 40 days because you will be different inside.”* 

Listen to the Rule on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vFgKKd4HAyo

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

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that when we allow ourselves to become overwhelmed life can feel like a pressure cooker. “It is difficult to know what to do next.” 

In such moments we are reminded to call upon Jesus. “Ask, and it will be given you” Jesus said. In the silence, we can ask for the next step. We maybe surprised at some unexpected situations bubbling up in response to our request. Start to move anyway, follow the guidance. Overwhelm will dissipate with every step we align ourselves with the Divine guidance.

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No27 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing releasing overwhelm worked for you today. 

Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will and; knock, an the door will be opened for you. Matthew 7:7

Today we affirm: I relax and let go of feelings of overwhelm, knowing all will be well.

*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