What are the Odds?: Ah Ha

Quotes

"You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed, as your deed is, so is your destiny." Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.5 (Translated by Eknath Easwaran.).

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now." Goethe

" I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make a life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt, or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, and a person humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming." Goethe

"Being committed to place ourselves in an environment that we know will make us grow and teach us about our deepest selves builds character, strength, and courage. We soon find ourselves in the habit of growth and find that "we’ve arrived" by our mere presence on the path. We find ourselves at home in the heat of our own refinement." Scott Moore

"The last thing the world needs is another perfect Downward Facing Dog pose. What the world does need is another open heart." Judeth Lasater

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Ah Ha

I had an Ah Ha moment today in church- I just love those. We were discussing the challenges the Saints faced during the beginning of the restoration of the gospel. So many of the stories from that time period are heart wrenching. As I was pondering their plight and their faith I kept thinking -I know that God is all powerful and able protect his people and prevent any or all of these tragedies. All the books of scripture are filled with miracles when God delivered and saved His people-truly He is able. But... He did not. I am sure He was standing near, watching, and even protecting more than we will ever know. But yet they suffered so! He surely knew something we do not. He had to know that everything would not only be okay- but be for the greatest good possible. The ah ha moment came when I applied that to my own life. A lesson I have learned before- but not quite so powerfully. God is capable of fixing all my woes right now- He is even standing so close that I might feel or hear His breath. But the fact that my trials continue on means that everything is okay. I am strong enough to endure and overcome- if not He will fill in the gap whether or not I'm aware of it- and it is for my greatest good. Am I making any sense? I can "rest" in my troubles because I know God is able to save and if He chooses not to then, no worries, because if it were necessary He would. This is when I feel like a good "Praise the Lord, Praise Jesus!" is needed.