  Spiritual
This week: Reclaim Your Power Edited by: Shannon  
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Welcome to the Spiritual Newsletter. I am Shannon and I'm your guest editor this week. |
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"We love people who see stuff in us, but you cannot climb the ladder off of somebody else's thoughts. In fact, we spend so much time trying to manage what other people think that we don't have any time to think ourselves. We want everybody to think well of us. Let me tell you something: just because I think you're an airplane doesn't mean you can fly. Just because I think you're ugly doesn't make you ugly and just because I think you're beautiful doesn't make you beautiful. Maybe you're giving your power away to other people--entrusting them to give you something that you ought to be giving yourself." ~ Bishop T.D. Jakes
Depression and despair are on the rise in epidemic proportions. I'd estimate that at least 75% of the patients I take care of in the hospital have a history of depression and another 50% have an anxiety disorder they take prescription medication for. We feel we're not pretty enough, not good enough, not thin enough, not smart enough, not rich enough, not funny enough, not popular enough. We color our hair, starve our bodies, and spend money we don't have so that we can have the bodies and the things that will allow us to "fit in", but who are we doing it for? Is it really for ourselves, or is it for the benefit of others?
Caroline Myss says where there's life, there's purpose (I'm paraphrasing here, but you get the gist). I agree! There is no life without purpose. No one is here by accident, and we have no control over what other people say or do or think about us. We only have control over ourselves and how we react to what other people say or do or think about us. When are we going to realize that we are enough? That we can all learn something, teach something, comfort someone in need, turn an average moment into something beautiful with nothing more than a compassionate word? The power to make a difference for ourselves as well as others is in the palm of our hand every moment of every day, yet we oftentimes squander the opportunity. We focus on what we lack rather than what we already have.
From the moment I open my eyes in the morning I think Thank you for another beautiful day. Thank you for my sight. Thank you for the sunshine. Thank you for the birds chirping outside my window. Thank you for my health. Thank you for a good night's sleep. Thank you for the roof over my head. Thank you for food to fill my belly. Thank you for hot water to take a shower. Thank you for reliable transportation. Thank you for full-time employment, etc. All day long I give thanks for the blessings in my life; this attitude of gratitude has brought me incredible peace and contentment, and that peace and contentment affects every aspect of my life in a positive way.
When a door closes, just know that another will open. It just means something better is waiting for you behind door #2.
Don't worry about whether or not you "measure up" to someone else's expectations, and why do we compare ourselves to other people in the first place? They aren't us. Their story is different than yours; no one can write your story but you--so open up the book that is your life and start writing with the broadest, boldest strokes you can muster!
Thank you for reading.
"If you don't believe in the thoughts you think, then you're going to spend your life searching for somebody to believe in the thoughts you think, and that is a tragedy, ladies and gentlemen, because you have put your destiny in the hands of someone else. That is bankruptcy of the soul." ~ Bishop T.D. Jakes |
Some of this week's featured selections were chosen for their pertinence to the NL topic while others were thrown in just for fun. Please remember to do the authors the courtesy of reviewing the ones you read. Thank you, and have a great week!
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After all these years, loneliness was still her only friend. Nothing had changed...
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As expected, my last newsletter received a lot of feedback. While not everyone agreed with my point of view, you were ALL respectful and kind in your dissent, and for that I thank you.
Normally I comment on each individual response I receive about my newsletters, but I've chosen not to this time and have instead decided to let your words speak for themselves. Thank you all for reading the newsletter and for taking the time to share your thoughts with the rest of us.
The following is in response to "Spiritual Newsletter (June 6, 2012)" :
ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy says, "Thanks again for writing clearly and giving your readers some 'meat' to chew on. Being critical of others is a terrible habit especially when it is critical of groups of people who happen to be somehow 'different'. Wouldn't it be boring if all of us were exactly the same in all ways of being and thinking and appearing... boring. What wonderful we find in each other when we look for and admire the differences. Another great newsletter, Shannon."
johnny1209 says, "I couldn't disagree with you more. I believe in one God based upon the Holy Bible which I believe to be the word of God. However, everyone has the right to believe what they wish or to not believe and I try to be tolerant of everyone's beliefs although I don't 'partake' of them."
Zeke  says, "You have obviously found a worship home for yourself, but what is in your heart is all that really matters."
alfred booth, wanbli ska says, "An excellent example of an individual seeking true tolerance. Thank you for sharing this."
kdelightful says, "Thank you sharing this inspirational newsletter. It is a blessing and I have referred others to this great site. This truly helps for the week. Thank you!"
Jeff  says, "This newsletter really struck a chord with me, Shannon. I also veered away from the particular faith I was brought up with, spent some time without any particular religion, and have recently returned to a spiritual path that's very different from what I grew up with. I loved your sentiments in this newsletter and find myself believing in and hoping for the same things: that spirituality isn't a 'one size fits all' topic; each person has to find their own path ... and that intolerance is one of the ugliest qualities we can exhibit as human beings. My wife and I finally found a church we both like which accepts everyone regardless of their spiritual path and emphasizes aspiring for the best of what God intended rather than focusing on excluding or condemning those who have a different set of beliefs.  "
ofbliss77 says, "I completely agree with everything you've said in this eloquently written newsletter!! Everyone has an innate right to think, to be whoever they choose to be and believe in whatever they want to  You might enjoy the prose I wrote entitled, "You Matter", because each one of us and our values, thoughts, and ideas, matter (regardless of the labels we assign to them as good, bad, or in between) I've included it here [see submitted items below]. Much love, I look forward to reading more of your newsletters!! "
~HarvestSilverMoon~  says, "I liked your newsletter about tolerance. It was well organized and shared some important points which most people could understand and relate to. I have well meaning relatives and friends who try to convert me, yet I don't try to do that to them. I accept them the way they are, because each of us finds our own way in our own time and it is something we can have faith in. A friend said something recently about how it's interesting that although we can communicate with each other in so many new and faster ways, there often seems to be a negative outcome. I suppose that if that is true, it means we have lots of gentle and loving work to do and unless we work it out, this type of thing will continue. Maybe all it means is being the loving person 'we truly are'."
salliemoffitt says, "Thank you for writing this newsletter. I too grew up in a "religious" family. The hateful words that spew from my family's mouth make me sick at my stomach. Being a christian in today's society seems to be synonymous with being a bully. Thank you for presenting a different perspective. I read your spiritual newsletters, well, religiously.  "
platinumbwords says, "Just a short message to say that I love this week's message about tolerance. Thank you for reminding that the most important trait or 'good deed' is love for fellow man regardless of differences in religious opinion or moral values. I look forward to checking out your recommended items as well; they look very interesting!"
magicmayflower says, "Love is a message in all religions and by all great readers. Children give it and recieve it so naturally. As it's pure self. You say and confirm this with your words. It is great to see you held on and kept your love so pure, a difficult thing to do as we become adults. What a great message to put out."
Christine Cassello says, "I would agree with you if Jesus, (whom I believe is God in human form), had not said in the Bible, (which I believe is His inspired Word), that He is the only way to God. No one can come to the Father except through Him. As for other differences in forms of worship, I believe that God accepts all of us. It does not matter what denomination we are, or if we baptize by immersion only or use other forms as well. That and other practices has led the church to splinter into many groups, which was not God's intent."
The following items were submitted by their authors:
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Spiritual: July 11, 2012 Issue [#5139]
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