Thursday, December 25, 2008

"How you receive adds value to life"

"How you receive adds value to life"
May the New Year brings new hopes, new promises and new reasons to celebrate your presence in your lives. Have a Joyous New Year………………. :)
It is better to give than to receive. I am sure that you have heard this many times. I am also sure that many of you believe this. If you do you have possibly caused much unhappiness in your life and in the lives of those who love you.
How often have you been given or offered something only to refuse it "I couldn't possibly take this" or to say "Oh you shouldn't have" What are you saying to the giver, that they have made a mistake, that they shouldn't like you.
You are complimented, on your dress "Oh this old rag, just grabbed the first thing I could find", on your looks, "Gee your hair looks great today" "Oh no." you say "It needs to be washed and it is far too long". What is the message that you send "Are you dumb or what, have you no sense of taste or style, how can you possibly like this"
How often have you been thanked for you contribution to a project and you say "Oh it was nothing" If it was nothing why did you do it? And have you noticed how upset you can become when these ungrateful people do not thank you for having done "nothing".
The problem is that we don't accept or like ourselves. We do not have a sense of our own worth therefore find it difficult to accept that anyone else can think that we are wonderful. In fact the way some people act you would think that there is some cosmic benefit in constantly putting yourself down.
All too often though it is merely a pretence at humility. Secretly you are thrilled. Don't you think it would be great to let the giver know how happy you really are.
Do you enjoy giving? Why of course I do. I am a giver not a taker. Do you get a sense of satisfaction from giving? Why of course I do. Would you say that you are a kind and generous person? Why of course I am, well, not all the time but I do try.
If this is true then why do you deny those giving you a gift, recognition, a compliment, the pleasure of giving? Why do you make them feel that their gift has no value to you? Why do you take from them their sense of joy?
If you truly want to be a "giver" then learn to accept graciously. You do not have to be effusive often a simple "thank you" or "I really appreciate that" or "I am glad you noticed" is all that is needed, but learn to accept graciously because "How you receive adds value to life"

With Best Regards......

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Your life is in your hands.............

Your life is in your hands.
Your life is in your hands, even if it sometimes feels as if you are not in control, as if circumstances force you to do certain things and that you have no choice. You always have a choice and consciously or unconsciously you make choices based on what you think will be best for you under those specific circumstances.
Sometimes you do things that you don't like to do, because the consequences of not doing them are worse than actually doing them. You will normally choose the route that you feel will cause the least pain. Just like paying tax. Very few people enjoy paying tax but the consequences of evading the tax man are so bad that it is better to pay your tax. Actually, you should be grateful that you earn so much that you have to pay tax.
Sometimes the immediate consequences of our actions are so nice that we do not think of the long term consequences that will possibly not be so pleasant. Go to a party, enjoy a drink or six, it is great now, do you think of the headache that you will have tomorrow, and that is the least of the possible consequences, of course not. The food is so good, just one more bite, and, we can't let this go to waste now can we. Consequences, that really uncomfortable feeling when you have eaten too much, got to buy bigger clothes, your old clothes have shrunk by the bite. That food you could not let go to waste has gone to your waist.
What you must do is to consider carefully the choices that you make. What are the possible consequences of those choices, not only now but also long term. Can you live with them? Do you want them? Realise that the quality of your life depends on the consequences of your current actions. The life you lead today is the result of the consequences of your actions of yesterday. Your life is in your hands.
That reminds me of the story of the young man who wanted to trick the wise old man who lived in his town. He caught a bird and with it hidden in his hand behind his back he went to the old man and asked him. "Old man is this bird that I have in my hand alive or dead?" Should the old man answer alive, he would quickly squeeze the life out of the bird. Should the old man answer dead, he would let the bird fly away. But the wise old man is really wise and he answers. "Young man the life that you are holding in your hand is in your control, you decide."
From today, decide to take control of your life, the greatest and most precious gift that you have ever received or will ever receive. Decide to carefully consider the choices that you make and the things that you do, knowing that the quality of your life depends on the consequences of your current actions. Knowing that "Your life is in your hands."
With best wishes