Christmas Day is past, but the season is still here—if you believe in the Twelve Days of Christmas. And a brand new year is approaching.
What changes would you like to see in our country in 2019? In our world? And what will you do to bring about such changes?
If you want to do something for children, here are some thoughts. The Children's Defense Fund recently released a survey to tell us children's top three fears:
• Being bullied,
• That a shooting will happen at their school, and
• Feeling pressured to do things they don't want to do.
Or perhaps you have other things on your list. That's great. Always remember the power each of us has to effect change, one small move at a time.
A reminder: I will post blogs in this space for the remainder of 2018. But in 2019 I will not be doing so, so I can give myself more time to do other things. I will continue to send out my monthly Way2Grow ezine, however. If you don't yet receive it, simply sign up with your email to the right of this blog post. I won't sell your information. I won't send you anything other than the initial three free email gifts and thereafter, the once-a-month ezine to inspire you.
Showing posts with label power. Show all posts
Showing posts with label power. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
Friday, December 14, 2018
Kindness rocks!
So many people talk these days about having a "Super Power" of one type or another. It might be Invisibility. Or Superhuman Strength. Healing. Superhuman Endurance. There are so many. But we often forget that each one of us has an amazing Super Power that is so simple to employ.
Think of the power you have at your disposal by just uttering a few words—knowing that ONE KIND WORD CAN CHANGE SOMEONE'S ENTIRE DAY.
Isn't that absolutely incredible? That's a lot of power.
I'm sure you've experienced that from both sides of the coin—when someone has said something kind to you at a time when you really needed to hear it and the times when you said something to another person and noticed how they lit up and stood taller!
Look around you right now. Who could use a kind word today? Perhaps it's someone at a distance whose face you won't see light up but whom you know really needs to hear he or she is heard, accepted and loved. Or perhaps it's someone who resides in your house. Or sits at a desk near yours.
It's so easy, really. And it seems like the best Super Power of all!
Go ahead. What are you waiting for?
Think of the power you have at your disposal by just uttering a few words—knowing that ONE KIND WORD CAN CHANGE SOMEONE'S ENTIRE DAY.
Isn't that absolutely incredible? That's a lot of power.
I'm sure you've experienced that from both sides of the coin—when someone has said something kind to you at a time when you really needed to hear it and the times when you said something to another person and noticed how they lit up and stood taller!
Look around you right now. Who could use a kind word today? Perhaps it's someone at a distance whose face you won't see light up but whom you know really needs to hear he or she is heard, accepted and loved. Or perhaps it's someone who resides in your house. Or sits at a desk near yours.
It's so easy, really. And it seems like the best Super Power of all!
Go ahead. What are you waiting for?
Monday, June 25, 2018
The power of the moment
Some years ago, a friend gave me a printout titled "This powerful moment." The words went deep for me at the time I first read it, and I just came across it again the other day. The words still resonate!
The printout contained these words:
"There is enormous power in this moment. The more fully you experience what is here right now, the more that power is available to you.
"Are you angry or bitter, disappointed or resentful about what has happened in the past? Then much of the power of this moment will be out of your reach.
"Are you anxious and worried about something that may or may not happen in the future? The you will miss out on the opportunity to create real and lasting value from this powerful moment you are in.
"Imagine that everything you are, everything you know, everything you care about, is focused into this very moment. And feel the enormous power of what you can, right here and now, do with it all.
"Rise above the murky fog of what could have been and what someday might or might not come to pass. Focus the whole of your being on what is, and on the overflowing abundant opportunities this moment presents to you.
"There is great and wonderful power in this very moment, in who you are, in where you are right now. See it, be it, and let yourself live it fully."
When I Googled some of the words of this inspiring message, I learned that it comes from an online blog written by Ralph S. Marston. Happily, I see he still is blogging; so I encourage you to check out his recent blogs, too. We all need all the inspiration we can get, especially these days!
The printout contained these words:
"There is enormous power in this moment. The more fully you experience what is here right now, the more that power is available to you.
"Are you angry or bitter, disappointed or resentful about what has happened in the past? Then much of the power of this moment will be out of your reach.
"Are you anxious and worried about something that may or may not happen in the future? The you will miss out on the opportunity to create real and lasting value from this powerful moment you are in.
"Imagine that everything you are, everything you know, everything you care about, is focused into this very moment. And feel the enormous power of what you can, right here and now, do with it all.
"Rise above the murky fog of what could have been and what someday might or might not come to pass. Focus the whole of your being on what is, and on the overflowing abundant opportunities this moment presents to you.
"There is great and wonderful power in this very moment, in who you are, in where you are right now. See it, be it, and let yourself live it fully."
When I Googled some of the words of this inspiring message, I learned that it comes from an online blog written by Ralph S. Marston. Happily, I see he still is blogging; so I encourage you to check out his recent blogs, too. We all need all the inspiration we can get, especially these days!
Monday, February 12, 2018
Bringing the light
For some time now, I have felt a strong pull to be a light-bearer. I am living my way into just what that means. In all honesty, sometimes when I get caught up in beliefs and opinions I so passionately hold, I am guilty of doing the opposite! I'm not proud of that. But it's true. A snarky comment on someone's political post on Facebook definitely doesn't bring more light to the world.
Years ago, I was fairly regular with a practice of asking myself questions at the end of each day. One series of the questions was: Did I bring more light than darkness into the world today? How did I do so? What will I change tomorrow? Perhaps I need to return to that practice.
A friend gave me a wonderful book, Cloud Walking, by Steven Charleston, an Episcopal bishop and a citizen of the Choctaw Nation. One day this past week Charleston wrote about the power of words:
"I am amazed at the power of the kind word, the pinpoint of grace. ... We are all sages of the kind word, the holy word of simple love and caring. No great torrent of great thoughts, but just a cup of water. When we speak what we can, as humble as it may be, we lift a soul to find its light, and set it flying free."
Yes, we have the power to "lift a soul to find its light." I want to use that power more often. What about you?
Years ago, I was fairly regular with a practice of asking myself questions at the end of each day. One series of the questions was: Did I bring more light than darkness into the world today? How did I do so? What will I change tomorrow? Perhaps I need to return to that practice.
A friend gave me a wonderful book, Cloud Walking, by Steven Charleston, an Episcopal bishop and a citizen of the Choctaw Nation. One day this past week Charleston wrote about the power of words:
"I am amazed at the power of the kind word, the pinpoint of grace. ... We are all sages of the kind word, the holy word of simple love and caring. No great torrent of great thoughts, but just a cup of water. When we speak what we can, as humble as it may be, we lift a soul to find its light, and set it flying free."
Yes, we have the power to "lift a soul to find its light." I want to use that power more often. What about you?
Monday, May 1, 2017
You do have some power!
How often have you said something such as, "But I'm just one person. I can't really do anything about that." Most likely, every one of us has said or thought this from time to time.
However, I was just reminded again the other day that we need to take what power we have, join forces with others and bring about the change we seek. I read about the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo in Argentina. I've heard stories about them before. They gathered by ones, by twos and in time, by larger numbers to call attention to those they loved who had been "disappeared" in the years of military rule that followed the ousting of President Isabel Peron. In the eight years after her ouster, an estimated 30,000 people became the "disappeared ones." Kidnapped, arrested, imprisoned, murdered. And their loved ones had no idea where they were or what had happened to them.
So the mothers gathered—in increasingly larger numbers, supporting one another and calling attention to the injustice. The government attempted to silence them, threatening them and even killing some of them. But the mothers didn't give up. They were taking what power they had to name what was wrong in their society. What they did brought life to others throughout Central and South America when similar atrocities happened in other countries there.
I'm reminded, too, of the women in Liberia who gathered week after week until finally, they forced the various sides in that country's civil war to stop their killing and fighting. Peace at long last.
Let these women be our inspiration, no matter what it is that keeps us chained and feeling powerless. We do have choices we can make. We have personal power. We have each other.
Where do you need to take charge today?
However, I was just reminded again the other day that we need to take what power we have, join forces with others and bring about the change we seek. I read about the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo in Argentina. I've heard stories about them before. They gathered by ones, by twos and in time, by larger numbers to call attention to those they loved who had been "disappeared" in the years of military rule that followed the ousting of President Isabel Peron. In the eight years after her ouster, an estimated 30,000 people became the "disappeared ones." Kidnapped, arrested, imprisoned, murdered. And their loved ones had no idea where they were or what had happened to them.
So the mothers gathered—in increasingly larger numbers, supporting one another and calling attention to the injustice. The government attempted to silence them, threatening them and even killing some of them. But the mothers didn't give up. They were taking what power they had to name what was wrong in their society. What they did brought life to others throughout Central and South America when similar atrocities happened in other countries there.
I'm reminded, too, of the women in Liberia who gathered week after week until finally, they forced the various sides in that country's civil war to stop their killing and fighting. Peace at long last.
Let these women be our inspiration, no matter what it is that keeps us chained and feeling powerless. We do have choices we can make. We have personal power. We have each other.
Where do you need to take charge today?
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Give voice to justice
Did you hear the sound of shattering glass this week? It doesn't
matter which political party you're in or what your feelings about any
of the candidates—something historic happened this week. It's the first
time in U.S. history that a woman became a presidential nominee for a
major political party.
I've spent so much of my life and energy fighting for women to be at the table, and I'm so aware of women across the globe who don't even have half the rights we've slowly gained here in the U.S.
I also keep thinking of my beloved mother, who left this earth in 2008. When she was born, women didn't even have the right to vote here in the U.S. And although she was a staunch Republican, I think she would have been elated to hear the sound of a glass ceiling shattered by Hillary Clinton Tuesday night, too. She always wanted my sister and me to have any opportunities we could and didn't want barriers to be put in our way.
This week has been one of reflection for me. We women have come a long way. On the other hand, things should never have been the way they were in the first place. Injustice everywhere. African Americans enslaved. No rights at all. Women unable to vote. The poor falling between the cracks. Struggling so hard just to get rights that should have been there in the beginning. But that's life, isn't it? When justice is important to us, we just keep speaking up and working to change the systems—and we don't just do it for ourselves. We do it for others, too, particularly those who have no voice. That's using our personal power for good in the world.
Who needs your voice today? What will you do about it?
I've spent so much of my life and energy fighting for women to be at the table, and I'm so aware of women across the globe who don't even have half the rights we've slowly gained here in the U.S.
I also keep thinking of my beloved mother, who left this earth in 2008. When she was born, women didn't even have the right to vote here in the U.S. And although she was a staunch Republican, I think she would have been elated to hear the sound of a glass ceiling shattered by Hillary Clinton Tuesday night, too. She always wanted my sister and me to have any opportunities we could and didn't want barriers to be put in our way.
This week has been one of reflection for me. We women have come a long way. On the other hand, things should never have been the way they were in the first place. Injustice everywhere. African Americans enslaved. No rights at all. Women unable to vote. The poor falling between the cracks. Struggling so hard just to get rights that should have been there in the beginning. But that's life, isn't it? When justice is important to us, we just keep speaking up and working to change the systems—and we don't just do it for ourselves. We do it for others, too, particularly those who have no voice. That's using our personal power for good in the world.
Who needs your voice today? What will you do about it?
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Bring on peace
I really enjoy having daily calendars with inspirational quotes. It can make such a difference in my day. One day this week my Mary Engelbreit calendar included a quote from musician Jimi Hendrix: "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, there will be peace."
Ah, that's excellent. We surely see lots of signs of the love of power around us—particularly as the presidential campaign heats up way ahead of the 2016 elections. All the blathering and positioning as candidates try to claw their way to the top of a large pile are clear signs of this. That's not to say that some candidates don't care about their constituents. But, in my humble opinion, there are many signs of a real hunger for power.
We don't even need to look that far away to see the love of power. We can look inside ourselves, inside our families, communities and churches—and see power plays and political one-upping going on, particularly if we're honest with ourselves.
We may not be able to do anything about the love of power at the national political level. But we can make changes in our own lives and in our family life so that the power of love is what's strongest. Love means letting down our defenses with each other, being vulnerable, being willing to consider what's good for others, encouraging one another and providing support to others when tough times come calling. Love is extremely powerful. Hendrix was right: Love really can bring on peace. See what a difference the power of love can make in your life today!
Ah, that's excellent. We surely see lots of signs of the love of power around us—particularly as the presidential campaign heats up way ahead of the 2016 elections. All the blathering and positioning as candidates try to claw their way to the top of a large pile are clear signs of this. That's not to say that some candidates don't care about their constituents. But, in my humble opinion, there are many signs of a real hunger for power.
We don't even need to look that far away to see the love of power. We can look inside ourselves, inside our families, communities and churches—and see power plays and political one-upping going on, particularly if we're honest with ourselves.
We may not be able to do anything about the love of power at the national political level. But we can make changes in our own lives and in our family life so that the power of love is what's strongest. Love means letting down our defenses with each other, being vulnerable, being willing to consider what's good for others, encouraging one another and providing support to others when tough times come calling. Love is extremely powerful. Hendrix was right: Love really can bring on peace. See what a difference the power of love can make in your life today!
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Just walk away
"You should calmly walk away from a heated discussion when the words being traded cease being reasonable. Getting burned by someone's vitriol can only happen if they are successful enough to ensnare you in their little corner of the world."
This is another saying by the inspirational author Dodinsky that really speaks to our power to choose—not unlike the saying quoted in yesterday's blog.
Have you ever gotten into an argument that turned circular—and you could see it was going nowhere but down? Yes, me too. Or it turned nasty very quickly—and you were on the receiving end of some awful spewing? Best to just walk away when that happens. Don't get caught into a web of toxicity.
Always remember: You get to choose. Whether it's about who your friends are, how they treat you or about getting ensnared in negative, dead-end arguments and behavior, you can choose what's healthy for you. You can choose what's life-giving—and what's not. Again, it's the power to choose. And it's yours.
This is another saying by the inspirational author Dodinsky that really speaks to our power to choose—not unlike the saying quoted in yesterday's blog.
Have you ever gotten into an argument that turned circular—and you could see it was going nowhere but down? Yes, me too. Or it turned nasty very quickly—and you were on the receiving end of some awful spewing? Best to just walk away when that happens. Don't get caught into a web of toxicity.
Always remember: You get to choose. Whether it's about who your friends are, how they treat you or about getting ensnared in negative, dead-end arguments and behavior, you can choose what's healthy for you. You can choose what's life-giving—and what's not. Again, it's the power to choose. And it's yours.
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