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“Life is a temporary loan, and this World is nothing but a sketchy imitation of Reality. Only children would mistake a toy for the real thing. And yet human beings either become infatuated with the toy or disrespectfully break it and throw it aside. In this life, stay away from all kinds of extremities, for they will destroy your inner balance. Sufis do not go to extremes. A Sufi always remains mild and moderate.“

I am love in action.

Since I was driving for hours today, I had a chance to deeply contemplate on extremities and choices we make. In my understanding, extremities are not only those behaviours or choices that are off-grid but those that we keep on choosing regardless of the consequences. 

I am surrounded with people who are in pain. They create their own pain by the way they think about themselves and they way they treat themselves. It is heartbreaking to watch. Their daily choices limit their view of the beauty of existence and Divine Love. They are not able to move into their inner balance because they are always in an ‘extreme’ such as fear, quilt, anger, remorse or such. 

Read: DAY22,  40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 22

“Life is a temporary loan, and this World is nothing but a sketchy imitation of Reality. Only children would mistake a toy for the real thing. And yet human beings either become infatuated with the toy or disrespectfully break it and throw it aside. In this life, stay away from all kinds of extremities, for they will destroy your inner balance. Sufis do not go to extremes. A Sufi always remains mild and moderate.”* 

Listen to the Rule on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EYe0kUmPM7w

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

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that when we judge we are stuck in negativity. Instead of being in a place of oneness, we are in the land of good and bad. There is not need to label actions good or bad, we do not need to judge anyone’s actions. Instead we can stay in the Loving by accepting what is happening and responding to ‘what is’.

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No22 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing releasing judgement worked for you today. 

For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the
measure you give will be the measure you get.—Matthew 7:2

Today we affirm: I am love in action.

*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

“When a true lover of God goes into a tavern, the tavern becomes his chamber of prayer, but when a winebibber goes into the same chamber, it becomes his tavern. In everything we do, it is our hearts that make the difference, not our outer appearance. Sufis do not judge other people on how they look or who they are. When a Sufi stares at someone, he keeps both eyes closed, instead opens a third eye — the eye that sees the inner realm.“

I am whole and perfect just as I am

Sufis or those seeking a deeper meaning to life know that seeing God within can only be done through walking the path of Loving. However, loving is a tricky customer because it requires us to let go of our attachments – our little treasures – in order to experience our connectedness to Loving which is God.

Today, I realized that I need to let go of being helpful because it comes from an insecure part of me that feels guilty and lacking all the time. When I am helpful from a place of fear, quilt, insecurity, etc. I am more in need than those I am trying to help. I want their approval so I can feel better about myself.

When I look at you, I would like to see you powerful and whole because this is what I want to know about myself. 

Read: DAY21,  40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 21

“When a true lover of God goes into a tavern, the tavern becomes his chamber of prayer, but when a winebibber goes into the same chamber, it becomes his tavern. In everything we do, it is our hearts that make the difference, not our outer appearance. Sufis do not judge other people on how they look or who they are. When a Sufi stares at someone, he keeps both eyes closed, instead opens a third eye — the eye that sees the inner realm.”* 

Listen to the Rule on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/c9BLqheozco

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

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that insecurity is a belief that you have bought into the idea that you are not good enough or smart enough or wealthy enough. It is a new day and a new opportunity to melt these insecurities away by centering yourself into the Divine Love. Turn away from the fragmented thoughts. limiting beliefs, and personal judgements. Swatch off the inner critic, take a big breath and embrace the whole you. Know that you are a perfect and holy creation in God.

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No21 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing releasing insecurity worked for you today. 

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

Today we affirm:  I am whole and perfect just as I am

*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

“We were all created in His image, and yet we were each created different and unique. No two people are alike. No hearts beat to the same rhythm. If God had wanted everyone to be the same, He would have made it so. Therefore, disrespecting differences and imposing your thoughts on others is tantamount to disrespecting God’s holy scheme.“

I embrace my inner wisdom and trust the guidance I receive.

Today’s rule is challenging for me. When I see people suffering because of the choices they make I feel compelled to ‘advice’ or ‘teach’ them different ways of doing things. Probably, there is nothing wrong with that, however, I am attached to the fact that they would change as a result of ‘my advice’.

I know a few people who, though they recognize that their ways are harmful to themselves, they still cannot change their beliefs, they cannot move on,  and they cannot connect deeper and find a loving place to heal.

This is the instance when I find it hard to respect God’s perfect world regardless of how it appears. In order to be able to accept the pain, anguish, anger and stuckness I am faced with, I need to move myself onto a higher ground where I know that each individual’s journey is unique and I cannot know what learning journey they are on. I accept my own ignorance and God’s perfect scheme for each of us. 

Read: DAY20,  40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

Rule 20

“We were all created in His image, and yet we were each created different and unique. No two people are alike. No hearts beat to the same rhythm. If God had wanted everyone to be the same, He would have made it so. Therefore, disrespecting differences and imposing your thoughts on others is tantamount to disrespecting God’s holy scheme.”* 

Listen to the Rule on Youtube:

https://youtube.com/shorts/WHh9CMea_Nc?feature=share

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

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that indecision stem from fear, the fear of making a mistake. Unfortunately, indecision is a decision in itself. It is a decision of staying within the bound of our limited ideas and doubts.

On the other hand, we can choose to trust our divine wisdom and the inner guidance that is always available to us.  “Through prayer and meditation, we can become still enough to hear our guidance. We can also trust that regardless of our decisions, we are always living into our highest good, for everything is an opportunity to heal and remember our own divinity.”

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

Elijah then came near to all the people, and said, “How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him.” 1 Kings 18:21

Today we affirm: I embrace my inner wisdom and trust the guidance I receive.

*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

“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 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)

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

“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)