The Power of Faith

     Faith is not about magic, neither is it about simply 'hoping'.......Faith is about Believing! "Blessed are those who have faith who cannot see." It's quite easy to believe in love when you're always surrounded by kindness; it's not so easy when you're confronted with the judgments and the attacks of the world.
     Faith is an aspect of consciousness.  We either have faith in the love that is eternally true or faith in the illusions of the ego.  In that sense, there is no such thing as a faithless person.  If you have faith in the reality of disaster, then disaster will be real for you.  If you have faith in a reality of love that lies beyond a disaster, then you become an opening for its transformation.  Faith is a kind of positive denial: we don't deny that something is happening in the physical world.  We simply have faith that this reality is but mere illusion before the love of God. We deny the ultimate reality of the world itself.
     I've witnessed that many tend to have greater faith in the limitations of the world than in the limitlessness of God's power.  This is where your thinking should be transformed....you can't depend and rely on what this world has to offer or you'll always limit your reach.
     Faith means we're always standing open to the possibility of miracles, knowing that when we stand on the ground of love, within the space of holiness, then all material forces are automatically programmed to work on our behalf.  We don't have to do anything new so much as become someone new in order to fundamentally change our lives.  As we humble ourselves and step back with our ego, allowing God to lead the way, miracles occur naturally.  No stress, no strain.  If you notice, this entails transforming the way you are thinking and viewing......How are you believing? If you're wavering, you don't have Faith.....You must conceive first and strongly believe that an event will come to pass.....that's Faith!

Believe in the 'Power of Faith'.....it's Real.......Reach out, reach up and move forward in Faith, never wavering! (some excerpts taken from the gift of change)

This song should be a daily hymn.........Use the sunshine in your heart to ease the pain.

Vision

Expand your vision! Vision is the gift of seeing clearly what may be. Vision expands our horizons. The more we see, the more we can achieve; the grander our vision, the more glorious our accomplishment. The courage to follow our dreams is the first step toward destiny. Step out.....expand.....Become MORE and never less! - (Nothing happens unless first a dream. - Carl Sandburg)

As a Man Thinketh

 Mind is the Master-power that molds and makes, and Man is Mind, and ever more he takes the Tool of Thought, and shaping what he wills, brings forth a thousand joys, a thousand ills-He thinks in secret and it comes to pass; Environment is but his looking-glass.  - James Allen

Motivation.....Do you really want it?

Do you honestly want what you're singing, praying, getting excited about? Do you want it or is the idea of having it your motivation?  What's your sincere motivation behind some of those goals? Why haven't you taken the first or second step towards its completion.  That business that you've envisioned, have you even drawn up a business plan?  If you're offering a service, have you even secured one customer who is satisfied and excited about what you're offering? Let's get real......what's your motivation?

We are motivated to the degree that the decisions we make are our decisions.  To be honest with ourselves, to sincerely know what we really want, is the true key to Motivation.  We are always in a position to choose and simply decide. We can decide to do something and we can also decide not to do something.  The choice is ours.....and choice is so very powerful.

So again.....what's your motivation? Are you serious about it? Have you started? Why haven't you? Do you really want what you want?  Ask yourself why you go to work each morning or whatever it is you do.....there is some motivating factor behind those decisions.  If that motivation isn't fueled by some type of passion or love......you won't really be motivated to achieve your best, so.......again.....do you really want what you want?  Understand why you do the things you do and you might start doing something different or doing that same thing differently.  Blessings on your journey!

Opportunity

We develop opportunity by applying persistence to the possibilities.  Opportunity is all around us.  If we seek it, we will most assuredly find it.  If the door of opportunity is closed, we must knock on it-and keep on knocking until it opens.  Don't give up the first or even the second time.  If you truly believe deep within that your answer exists (and it does) you must persist. Stay the course, apply persistence and remain Faithful.

Preparation is also crucial once that opportunity presents itself, so prepare!

[Opportunity rarely knocks on your door.  Knock rather on opportunity's door if you ardently wish to enter. - B.C. Forges]

Gaining the Advantage through Time

We gain the advantage in any situation through one medium: Time.  We gain the advantage by doing things before they need to be done - positioning ourselves ahead of time in the best place.  Those who think ahead of the approaching action will have the advantage.  They will be the winners.

Don't procrastinate! You must learn to move fearlessly and immediately into your vision......capture the advantage and seize the moment.  Don't live with the regret of seeing your vision come to pass by the efforts of someone else moving into 'action' and taking the 'advantage' from you.  Time.....position yourself ahead.....plan and gain the 'Advantage.'

[The best time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining. - John F. Kennedy]

Thousands Gather for MLK Dedication - Celebrating the Dream!

Thousands of people gathered at dawn Sunday to give the new Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial a proper dedication on the National Mall after its opening in August.  Full Story: http://www.npr.org/2011/10/16/141396014/thousands-gather-for-mlk-dedication
Virtual Tour of the site:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CaYN1TJLCG0#!

What Awakens You

What does it take to get your creative juices flowing? Start paying attention to the people, places and things that spark creativity, joy, laughter and learning to be expressed from within you. There must be a song, a poem, or something that needs to be released from inside of you, but you can't seem to motivate yourself to sing, dance, write or whatever it is that's dying to be expressed outside of you.  Find that place.......keep company with that person.....surround yourself with an ideal atmosphere, that sound.....that touch.  Dig deep inside and go there.  There is beauty inside of you begging to express itself and you are holding it hostage.  Go to the beautiful place that allows you the freedom to breathe deeply and think clearly. Spend time in that special place or with that special person and dig deep.....Create. Release that beauty and then bring it back and share with the world. Identify what brings about that natural, loving flow. Get in the zone and allow those gifts and your individual expression of spirit to be displayed! Discover 'What Awakens You'.....................

What are you aiming for?

 In the words of Diana Ross in 'Theme from Mahogany'...."Do you know where you're going to...do you like the things that life is showing you....where are you going to, do you know?" - Don't just say you're aiming high....you must have something 'specific' that you're aiming for, otherwise you'll wander around and just settle for anything, any job, house, partner, meal, condition of health...... just anything....so Focus on what you really want and then go for it. Do you have a vision? If you have a map/plan, your chances are much better at arriving at your planned/focused destination.  Plan and focus.....Aim and proceed with enthusiasm towards your specific goal.  

(We are often told to aim high in life, but we must aim at what we would hit instead. A general purpose is not enough. The arrow shot from the bow does not wander around to see what it can hit on its way, but flies straight to the mark. ~Og Mandino)

Prayer for Self-Love

     Today, Creator of the Universe, we ask that you help us to accept ourselves just the way we are, without judgement.  Help us to accept our mind the way it is, with all our emotions, our hopes and dreams, our personality, our unique way of being.  Help us to accept our body just the way it is, with all its beauty and perfection.  Let the love we have for ourselves be so strong that we never again reject ourselves or sabotage our happiness, freedom and love.
     From now on, let every action, every reaction, every thought, every emotion, be based on Love.  Help us to increase our self-love until the entire vision of our life is transformed, from fear and drama to love and joy.  Let the power of our self-love be strong enough to break all the lies we were programmed to believe -- all the lies that tell us we are not good enough, or strong enough, or intelligent enough, that we cannot make it.  Let the power of our self-love be so strong that we no longer need to live our life according to other people's opinions.  Let us trust ourselves completely to make the choices we must make for ourselves.  With our self-love, we are no longer afraid to face any responsibility in our life or face any problems and resolve them as they rise.  Whatever we want to accomplish, let it be done with power of our self-love.  Amen  (the mastery of love)

Stevie Wonder Leads Birthday Tribute to Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, Legendary Civil and Human Rights Leader....tonight 10/9/11@6PM- Atlanta Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center. 

Weekend Arts Agenda: Ground Floor (Atlanta)

Local arts nonprofit Dashboard Co-Op is taking over Edgewood Ave. for a single night with Ground Floor. Utilizing vacant spaces adjacent to the intersection of Edgewood and Boulevard (like the former location of much-missed restaurant Dynamic Dish), the exhibition will feature site-specific installations, video, sculptures, and more from up-and-coming artists like Nikita Gale, Nathan Sharratt, Justin Rabideau, and others. More details from Dashboard.


Nikita Gale will exhibit as part of Dashboard's Ground Floor
Creative Loafing Full Story:  http://clatl.com/culturesurfing/archives/2011/10/07/weekend-arts-agenda-ground-floor#more

Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder and former CEO, has died at the age of 56.

Apple has posted this statement on its website: Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.  Complete story: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/05/steve-jobs-dead_n_997223.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Survival rates are climbing, thanks to greater awareness, but you can still learn more. Start here.......Don't forget to schedule your mammogram!

Breast Cancer Pictures: Symptoms, Lumps, Tests, and Treatments

www.webmd.com

WebMD's overview covers the breast cancer experience, including symptoms, tests, treatments, recovery, and prevention. Pictures show breast structure and tumors.

Monday, October 03, 2011 | 12:48 PM

Happy 19th Anniversary, President & Mrs. Obama!

By Charli Penn and Dreux Dougall

VIEW GALLERY

It’s a fine day for Black love. America’s most cherished couple, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, are celebrating 19 years of marital bliss today. Now that's what we're talking about!

On October 3rd, 1992, university lecturer Barack Obama and lawyer Michelle Obama became one before their closest friends and family in a lovely wedding ceremony at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

Like many do when their anniversary falls on a Monday, the couple celebrated early on Saturday night at Restaurant Eve in Alexandria, Va.

The First Couple’s undying love and rock-solid marriage inspire us daily. Today we’re paying tribute to their union with a look back at their beautiful love story.

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