WHO AM I?

WHO AM I?

I've worked as a psychologist for some 30 years. Clients have shared a wide variety of reasons for seeking help. Several shared the following; they said,"I feel like I'm a fraud. I feel like I'm just pretending to be who I am and no one knows the real me. I live in the constant fear if being discovered."

Are you living an authentic life? Are you genuine as a person? Do you convey to others a person you think they want you to be? Do you live only as a reflection of the people around you so you'll fit in? Sometimes we fear being rejected if we are our true selves. We automatically believe people wouldn't like us, so we create a persona to be when at work, or church, with friends and family. The reality is, you were designed to be unique, you were not meant to be a copy of anyone else. The universe, the world, your community, even your family need you to be who you truly are. When you drop the facades, you begin to live an honest life and the ever present pressures and fear disappear like a vapor. We will reflect in our behavior some of our life's  influences. The miracle of individuality blossoms when we respect those around us by respecting ourselves through living a genuine and honest life. What life are you living?

REST AREA AHEAD

  REST AREA AHEAD

If you've traveled on the interstate highway system in the U.S. you saw signs for 'Rest Areas.' These are generally nicely constructed areas with immediate and easy access just off the interstate that have public bathrooms, well lighted parking areas, usually vending machines and in some areas even onsite security personnel. These little oasis' were built to provide drivers a place where they could literally stop and rest. A safe place to get out of the vehicle, stretch, walk around, have a snack or even take a nap. When utilized, it allows drivers to remain fresh, attentive and alert during their travels. A rested driver is a safe driver. An added benefit is that when you are rested, you can enjoy the journey so much more. You notice the beauty of your surroundings, the changing landscapes, the sunrise or sunset. 

We are each on a journey. Our daily lives are made up of changing landscapes, different weather, even sunrises and sunsets. On this journey, the changing landscapes may be watching our children grow from toddlers into young adults. Perhaps the arrival of grandchildren. The final days and passing of a parent, a loved one, a childhood friend. Whether our journey involves actual travel across the country or is within the walls of our homes, we each have a unique journey. If we hurry and push all day long just to get through and to get done, we may miss out on some of the most precious moments or landscapes on our journey. If we just press and stress forward with the highway fatigue of life, we miss the whole point. Our journey is meant to be enriching, filled with periods of laughter, moments of tears, even silent solitary times of learning and understanding. Please, take the time to pull into the 'Rest Areas,' of your life. It will enrich your journey beyond anything you can imagine. The 'Rest Area,' signs will look something like... a child filled with excitement wanting to tell you all about it 'right now.' A teenage daughter with tears in her eyes, confused at why her boyfriend decided to break up. The gentle touch of a spouse hungering for some time with you all alone. A blossom filled tree you've never noticed before. A friend in tears from laughter. A rain storm that sounds so relaxing and causes the air to smell so clean. A wonderful meal at a restaurant where you took the time to savor each delicious bite. Watch for the 'Rest Area," signs. Take the time to pause, enjoy, and regenerate. You may be amazed at how scenic your journey. You can choose to enjoy your life! 'Rest Area Ahead.'

THE GIANT

           THE GIANT

The towering enemy strides into the Valley of Elah. He stands 9 feet tall, and his coat of armor, made of many small bronze plates, glimmers in the sunlight. The shaft of his spear is wrapped with cords so it can spin through the air and be thrown with greater distance and accuracy. Goliath looks invincible.

But David knows better. While Goliath may look like a giant and act like a giant, in contrast to the living God he is small. David has a right view of his Heavenly Father and therefore a right view of the circumstances. He sees Goliath as one who is defying the armies of the living God. He confidently appears before Goliath in his shepherd’s clothes, armed with only his staff, five stones, and a sling. His confidence is not in what he has but in who is with him. 

What “Goliath” are you facing right now? It may be an impossible situation at work, a financial difficulty, or a broken relationship. With your Father in Heaven all things are small in comparison. Nothing is too big for Him.  Have you spoken with Him lately? By simply closing your eyes and bowing your head you can be immediately in His presence. Talk to Him and then take the time to listen to his reply. With God, you are always in the majority!

SMALL AND SIMPLE THINGS

  SMALL AND SIMPLE THINGS

It’s one of the simplest and most powerful principles on the planet. Can be applied remarkably quickly to most    

situations. Works really well and gives disproportionate    

rewards. If you are not using this as part of problem    

solving, goal achievement or planning process; you are missing out. In fact you are almost certainly expressing    

too much energy, and getting less than optimal results. 

The principle I’m referring to? The Pareto principle also known as the 80/20 rule. In it’s most basic form it says: 

80% of the output is produced by 20% of the inputs. 80% of the consequences are generated by 20% of the causes. 80% of the results are created by 20% of the efforts. You’ve probably heard that before. But have you asked yourself: 

  "Which 20% of my actions are creating 80% of the results I experience on a day to day basis?" Let that question sink in. Even further. When you do, you will start to see    

opportunities to work less and get more, far more often. 

The name of the game becomes...  How can I get greater return with less effort and having more fun? 

Thankfully you don’t need to have super-powers to be able to leverage this law. It requires only that you become more curious about cause and effect… causation and    

consequence in your own life. 

And willing to do a little thinking up front. The great news is, this law can be applied anywhere. For example take the context of a personal    

problem you are facing. 

If you’ve got an area you are struggling with, ask yourself: 

Which 20% of my actions are creating 80% of my problems? This powerful question presupposes that there    

are a small set of actions that are generating a disproportionate part of the    

problem. And guides your super-smart brain to dial in    

on those. Are you doing a lot and getting little in return? Are little actions/behaviors causing you major problems? Could a small or simple change make big differences in your life?Make a change. Simply do something different. By small and simple things great things are brought to pass. 

THIS MOMENT

         THIS MOMENT

Unhurry yourself, learn to be where you are. Enjoy the present moment. Fully experience the present moment. Your children aren't in the future, they're here, now. The sunrise or sunset isn't in the future or in the past, it's now, this moment.  A Moment Is Designed To Be Tasted. Your day should be savored, not gulped down. Your life is a special and glorious gift from your Creator. Today is a collection of Moments. Display each as the  Golden Prize from God Himself. Do not rush through them. Stop long enough…to drink deep from The Cup of the Moment. View each Moment as a wonderful Fountain. Stop. Stand still. Take a deep drink from the sweet waters of the Present. You see, Today is really the only place you will ever exist. When you arrive in your future, you will rename it…Today. Yesterday is in the tomb. Tomorrow is in the womb. If you do not know how to enjoy the Today that exists, you probably will enjoy few days in in your future. As the singing group The Who so wisely once stated,"no matter where you go, there you are!"

IN A HURRY!

      IN A HURRY!

We get convinced by society and media sources that to be responsible we should always be in a hurry. That is simply nonsense! Hurrying ignores the present. Hurrying rejects rewards hidden in the present. Hurrying creates the illusion of completion. 

Many years ago, a young couple became obsessed with finding gold. They sold their little farm and launched their search. It became a lifetime of wasted effort. They eventually ended their searching in England, bankrupt. Years passed. They finally accumulated enough money and help from

friends to return to the United States. After arriving, they decided to revisit their little farm, the birthplace of their gold search. A strange scene welcomed them. They were forbidden to enter the area. Government security was everywhere. Why? Their little farm had become

government property because it was now…the second largest gold reserve on the North American continent.

In their hurry to search for gold, they had not even examined their own property!

Unhurry yourself. Live simple, steady and deliberate and you'll get so much more accomplished than if you hurry.  All too often, we get in a hurry and look for success and happiness "out there" when it was "right here" all along. We missed it because we were in a hurry!

SLEEPING OR AWAKE?

  SLEEPING OR AWAKE?

A Native American elder said recently,"Everybody's hurrying but nobody's going anywhere. People aren't living they're only existing. They're growing away from spiritual realities. These days people seek knowledge, not wisdom. Knowledge is of the past; wisdom is of the future. We're in an age now where people are slumbering. They think they're awake, yet they're really sleeping. But this is a dangerous age, the most dangerous in human history. People need to wake up."

We have become a people who let the media, politicians and celebrities tell us not only what we should think but also how we should feel about any given issue. We are discouraged to think for ourselves. We are told to be politically correct. If we think for ourselves we may have a different opinion and that may make others feel uncomfortable. 

I believe that out of discomfort comes growth, strength and greater understanding. Think your own thoughts. Begin by stepping away of the hurried rush of life. Slow down, practice gentleness and through simply being, you experience your own thoughts, gain balance and become whole.