Category Archives: Love

The Way

Posted in Faith, Hope, Joy, Love, Spirituality by

What if we put a pause on calling our faith in Jesus the religion of Christianity and stepped back in time? Those who believed in Jesus in biblical times were referred to as followers of The Way. Think of the implications if today’s believers referred to themselves in kind: the faithful would fully understand what their lives would encompass; they’d literally follow Jesus’ example, His ways.

To many who profess they are a Christian, this simply means one who believes in the gospel – Christ died, was buried, and rose again. Therefore, His free gift of salvation, if one chooses to receive it, offers eternal life. However, the life of a follower of Jesus requires more of a sacrifice, a dying to self, a carrying of one’s own cross.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. (Matthew 16:24)     

Jesus encourages us to follow Him: the Way, the Truth, and the Life. This emphasizes effort, not works. Our faith, or fruit of our faith, is revealed through our deeds, behavior, and lifestyle which we assume as we walk in the Spirit. Honestly, this is effortless, but this is not to say the life of a Christian doesn’t come without its challenges.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6)

Denying our sin(s) is difficult but the temptation to surrender to sin(s) wanes over time. The Bible says resist the enemy and he will flee.

Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

Temptations soon cease and are forgotten. Sometimes new ones pop up but our strength always increases. As Apostle Paul says, strength is to be had in weakness.

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

The Holy Spirit continues to convict us throughout our Christian walk. Our hearts change, our mind is renewed, our behavior is a little different. We become a little softer and people begin to notice. Some drift out of our lives while others make their way into it. And, gradually, we also begin to notice a change in ourselves. We’re more at peace, our faith is stronger, and our desire to spend more time with the Lord intensifies. We spend more time in the Word, and we continue to learn and grow. In other words, we become today’s disciples. We come to understand that we are in this world but not of it.

I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. (John 17:15-17)

Words are powerful. Referring to ourselves as followers of The Way as opposed to believers in Christ, or Christianity, might help, in some small way, those believers who have yet to fully commit. Those who know the truth but their fruits have yet to be revealed. When a believer is reborn, only then will full understanding of the Truth reside in his heart and mind.

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:5-7)

Jesus taught to believe and follow, to have faith and repent. He taught to trust in Him and replace our ways with His ways. His ways are holy, are of God’s kingdom, and are everlasting. They do not end in destruction or create chaos, which are consequences of following the enemy. On the contrary, we follow Jesus into an eternal life to be lived with Him.

Ultimately, His ways allow the flow of love to become part of us in this world. That flow of love – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit become more present in our lives and in us. The fruits of the Holy Spirit become more evident.  Those who interact with us see the unmistakable traits of our faith. In this way, we learn, we teach, we spread the Word.

In the end, we live by example very much like Jesus did when He walked the earth alongside His disciples. We pray unbelievers and believers alike, choose to follow in a deep faith and be active participants as citizens of heaven. Following the Way requires faith that goes beyond belief for even the enemy believes and trembles.

You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe and shudder. (James 2:19)

The path of the Way welcomes all of us. It’s a journey few partake, many enjoy, but all will understand at the end.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Sharon – Embracing My Joy xx

Encouraging Words from Psalm 34

Posted in Faith, Hope, Joy, Love, Spirituality by

Psalm 34 gently reminds us that when God’s children speak to Him and of Him, He’s listening. Our prayers are being heard. He saves us, He keeps us, He delivers us, and He satisfies.

I pray you’re encouraged to follow King David’s example today and discover the joy in trusting the Lord.

Psalm 34:8

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Sharon – Embracing My Joy

Spiritual Growth – An Inside Job

As my spiritual journey continues, my experience of love and compassion is, in fact, growing. I naturally began reaching outward to share joy and love along the way; however, I’ve come to realize that self-love is equally if not more important. How we treat others is a direct reflection of how we treat ourselves.

Tuning into my own heart enables me to open my heart to others and this allows all the goodness of what God offers us into my own life. Whatever we put out into the universe always finds its way back to us.

It’s an amazing gift to be had every day if only we take the time to tap into it and accept it as truth.

Sharon – Embracing My Joy

We Create Our Reality

Posted in Beauty, Energy, Joy, Love by

Our thoughts, absolutely, influence our reality. We are powerful creators of a beautiful life, or a miserable one. However, not everyone taps into this power and a little self-awareness can provide major insight to our present life experience. Unfortunately, many of us neglect to take the time to reap the rewards of introspection.

In fact, many live from day-to-day quite happily going about business, and play, without any kind of self-reflection. We work, enjoy our friends, and private time with our significant other. And, after a long day, we crash for the night. We wake up and do it all over again. Each day is lived to the fullest on auto pilot.

Still others may do the same but set a little quiet time aside. Some may choose meditation, exercise, TV time, a hike, or maybe visit church on Sundays for a dose of uplifting, (or perhaps self-deprecating), spiritual prose. Whatever works to stop the hustle; to wind down and savor some peace.

Either lifestyle may experience some level of drama. There’s always someone somewhere asking, “Why am I always in the thick of it? Why do I attract this nonsense? Why me?!” Peace is but a distant dream. Our explanation: this is life. But is it really? And does it have to be?

I think we can have inner peace no matter what. External circumstances are irrelevant. I’m not saying it’s easy. But it’s achievable. Our thoughts create our feelings and our feelings create our reality. It’s so simple to manipulate our own private world and yet so many of us are living unfulfilled or, more precisely, unrealized lives. Is the fact that we are at the helm the best kept secret? Here’s one way to discover what’s holding you back from inner peace just beyond your reach.

Whatever you’re observing outside of yourself, or drawing into your own life, is a good indication of what’s going on inside you. Whether looking at this from a spiritual point of view or psychologically, it may be worth delving a little deeper into your own consciousness to find some answers and perhaps resolve some problems. You may find that the root of the problem is you. Rumi wrote, “The beauty you see in me is a reflection of you.” If we flip this, could this also indicate the ugliness you see also comes from within?

There was a time in my life when I couldn’t do anything right in the eyes of certain individuals. Nothing would make them happy. Being a people-pleaser, this didn’t sit well with me. And being a perfectionist, it was the source of a lot of frustration.

A problem arises when the people you’re trying to please have their own inner turmoil, and nothing will ever make them happy. And what’s worse is if you’re striving for higher than norm expectations, (a.k.a. perfectionist) the satisfaction you need will never completely be had. In my case, the importance of pleasing people was far from the real issue. It was worthwhile for me to investigate what I was really seeking. What void was I really trying to fill?

It took me some time to realize my fear of being anything less than perfect or living up to someone else’s approval came from something inside me. It’s no surprise that I had surrounded myself with people unable to approve of anything I had done or were less than supportive of any of my accomplishments. In time, I recognized that the approval I sought would never be given until I found my own self-worth and understood the only approval I needed was my own.

I’ll admit this realization didn’t come overnight. I had to remove myself from the source(s) exasperating my problem. An awakening often comes with cutting ties and choosing friends, and even family, more wisely. Our awareness is heightened, and we naturally choose what’s best for our highest good. We repel toxicity and attract more goodness into our lives.

Our thought patterns had been created by outside sources many moons ago. Our upbringing, our childhood, our life experiences – good and bad, the people with whom we’ve shared our lives have created who we’ve become. Our beliefs about ourselves have been ingrained in us and the way we think has become a habit. As we get older, we continue these patterns of our own free will. They shape who we are and, thereby, shape our world and the way we perceive it. Joy begets joy. Love begets love. Anger begets anger. Sadness begets sadness. And on and on and on. Like attracts like.

We can learn a lot about ourselves by using outside circumstances as a window to within. Once we face the truth about ourselves, we can heal. We can then reinvent ourselves and reshape our lives. We can attract only people and experiences that serve us well. No longer will we welcome unhealthy individuals and situations into our lives because we wouldn’t subject ourselves to such experiences out of pure love and respect for ourselves. The result will be a sense of peace. Everything will just flow.

As in all aspects of life, I believe, love is the answer. So, I take heed to my joyful moments and my less than celebrated ones. I’m now more aware of my thoughts and feelings. I understand that each moment is a reflection of what’s going on inside me. The cause and the effect.

Use your power within to create your own reality. Monitor your thoughts and practice self-discipline when old habitual thinking creeps in. It’s up to you. Choose to see a reflection of beauty. In time, you’ll see you’re free to create a beautiful life, too.

Sharon – Embracing My Joy

 

 

2018: My Journey to Self-Love

Posted in Energy, Faith, Gratitude, Joy, Love, Me, Relationships, Strength by

Another year is coming to an end and a fresh start is on its way in 2019. I’m not kidding myself here, 2018 was a tough one for me. I was blessed with abundance in all things that mattered, yes. Optimum health – always most important, I enjoyed seeing my business continue to grow, I made new friends, attracted some former friends back into my life (good ones!), and kicked a couple of toxic ones to the curb – best decision ever!

But this year was also replete with disappointments, headaches, heartbreak, and overall an emotional roller coaster in all things related to my beloved heart. Credit card theft, checking account hacks, a breakup, loss of friends – (yes, the toxic ones), betrayal by those who claim to care about me and, also by those who hardly know me, if at all. You name it, I was blessed with a myriad of life lessons to lead me on my journey of growth in this crazy thing we call life.

Looking back, I get the gist. Coming out of a toxic relationship is one thing. It’s a blessing when it’s over. A sigh of relief. A “praise the Lord!” moment! But this one, this time, this was different. I received my message from the universe loud and clear. Coming out of a beautiful relationship which I thought would last forever, the only one who could get me through that heartbreak was me.

I realized this was probably the most valuable relationship I had ever had. Why? Because it was total bliss that ended in my worst nightmare. It was the most heart-wrenching. Its bitter ending made me aware of just how little I had practiced self-love throughout my entire life. In all honesty, it was very seldom that I remembered putting myself first, if ever. I knew deep down that love was the only thing that would bring me out of this. Love is, after all, the most powerful force in the universe. And I was the only one who knew what I was feeling, what I needed, and could provide what I needed to come out healthy and whole. It was all me.

Throughout my life, my mother, my father, my brothers, extended family, friends, boyfriends, bosses, anyone connected with me always came first. I realized this past year how little I gave to myself, or at the very least made sure I was OK, before tending to the needs of others. I was always on the back burner but very rarely received this VIP treatment from anyone else. So, as I cried virtually streams of tears for a few months and tried to find my “feel good vibes” again, I focused on me. It felt both foreign and refreshing and was long overdue.

Why does nobody teach us how important it is to love and respect ourselves? I do realize that we’re living in a different world now and it’s all about self-entitlement and safe spaces which is a completely different concept than self-love. But growing up in my generation and before, we’re told at a very young age to be kind to others. But why aren’t we taught to be kind to ourselves? Some of us need to be educated on how important this ingrained survival trait is. Instead we’re taught to feel guilty for being selfish. At least I was. Well, newsflash! Loving yourself isn’t selfish! As a matter of fact, it’s THE best thing you could do for not only yourself, but for anyone who’s part of your life.

In loving yourself, you’re given an abundance of love to offer others. And although I’ve always been a loving and caring person, my inner being has suffered immensely for the lack of love for which I’ve craved. Yes, my friends, love starts from the inside. It starts with you.

Something magical happens when you radiate genuine love from the inside out; you begin to attract that genuine love back to you. I now understand why I’ve attracted needy people into my life who have drained buckets of love out of me. They’ve been unable to return love because they’re going through their own journey of learning to love themselves. I was more than happy to oblige because I love to love. Never did I think, “Hey? What about me?” Well, I finally asked. And then it happened; my journey of self-love had begun. It hit me like a ton of bricks but, I think at this point the universe was left with no other choice. It was my time to receive. So how did I do it and what continues to work for me?

My mission to begin my practice of self-love started with the physical me. It’s the least painful and requires the least amount of inner work. There’s no shame in enjoying a little pampering so I’m somewhat familiar with it but decided to make it more of a ritual. I began scheduling time to nourish and nurture myself. In the beginning, I did all things “girly.” I started with home spa treatments – routine facials and manicure Sundays. I made sure to turn off my cell phone and avoid all social media during designated me-times. I committed to a once-a-week girls’ night out where laughter was mandatory. I listened to my favorite “happy” music whenever the mood hit. HULU binging consisted of my new favorite, This is Us, and any movie that focused on falling in or out of love. Through all of this, I once again vowed to come out still believing in love. One broken relationship would not keep me from the joy of future love. After all, this wouldn’t be the first time I’d be determined to be better and not bitter!

I started reading more. I wiped the dust off my library card and borrowed books about spirit, energy, the law of attraction, and the importance of keeping our frequency up on a daily basis. I browsed Pinterest for a few minutes every day where I pondered inspirational and spiritual snippets, and I discovered the uplifting poetry of Rumi which is simply beautiful. I researched healthy recipes and was motivated to get back into my healthy eating regimen. Even now, at 49, I still find comfort food all too comforting and I had gained a considerable amount of weight prior to my self-love journey.

I began journaling affirmations which defied everything I was feeling at the time. Affirming “I am happy” while sobbing uncontrollably is no small feat! But, in time, I came to realize that the essence of me really is happy. I was moving through the bad, slowly healing, and bringing myself back into the flow of the good.

My morning ritual now starts with a cup of coffee and YouTube. I listen to one of many inspirational and uplifting subscriptions delving into self-love, the law of attraction, and my recent fascination on the healing power of crystals (or so it’s believed). This has led to my on-going weekly self-readings with my oracle cards which has contributed to my intuition becoming stronger and more accurate. I love my quiet Sunday mornings of sitting down, picking up a deck of oracle cards (my collection is growing!), and tuning in. It’s my “church” and it keeps my line of communication with Spirit open. It’s been a great source of comfort and clarity for me.

Most nights I’d fall asleep to a meditation consisting of healing or I Am meditations from YouTube. I’d wake up feeling refreshed and in a positive frame of mind. It was a huge help in my healing process and I continue to do this. I’ve learned what feeds your mind and spirit at night is a big influence on your experience the following day. And in the morning before my feet hit the floor, as so many wise teachers have preached, I say thank you and begin my day with gratitude.

And so, I returned to my healthy lifestyle. Home cooking brought me back to consciously eating and I then began to drop the weight and feel good about myself physically again. Since beginning small self-love rituals (more than just an occasional treat) to heal my broken heart, I’ve come to add other comforting habits where the focus is only me and so a lifestyle of feeding myself all things healthy has evolved: I thrive on nutritious food, soulful literature, uplifting music, yoga, and surrounding myself with loving, supportive friends. These are things I’ve always done but I’ve learned, somehow, they have more meaning the more I practice them. Making myself a priority has given me more time for self-reflection and I love the person I’ve become. I’ve finally made myself a priority.

What I’ve learned through this phase of my joyful journey, this phase of learning to love myself, is that the deeper I connect with my higher self through simply taking time to care for my own needs and listen to my heart, the deeper my relationship with God becomes. And through that relationship, I’m blessed with even more love. The true miracle is that our relationship with God starts inside of ourselves and so many of us search for this outside of ourselves.

I’m now entering the 5th decade of my life. I know there’ll be more learning, healing, and growing along my journey. I also know there’s an abundance of love in my future coming from all different sources which now includes myself. My most recent past has given me new tools to help recover from the rough times and, also, to enhance the joyful times.

So, farewell 2018! And here’s to 2019! This year I’m welcoming more self-love. This new year is more about caring for my own heart. I’m looking forward to radiating this love for I know, through it, I’m now attracting only healthy and positive relationships back into my life.

Sharon – Embracing My Joy

“The universe is not outside of you. Look inside yourself; everything that you want, you already are.” – Rumi