Choose To Be Happy, Now!Written by Teri Worten
Choose Happiness....Now! The older I get, more I realize that ninety percent of life is about choices. Similarly, both choice to be happy or unhappy is totally up to individual. Sure, unforeseeable circumstances come along and rattle our cages from time to time but how we chose to let them affect us is our choice. We can resolve to allow situations to defeat us or we can simply count it all joy and keep on going. Counting it all joy is not basically grinning through a rough circumstance. It’s much more. When we count it all joy, we recognize and seek God’s hand in midst of quandary. We accept fact that whatever happens in our lives is somehow working out for our good. Trust me, as someone who has buried most all my immediate family, I understand how difficult it can be to remain optimistic. As I update this article, I am recovering from sudden death of a sibling (the second one in three years). So, I do indeed understand pain and grief, but I also understand wonderful peace that comes from my faith and my decision to continue on with my life. Let’s be frank. Happiness is not always going to "find" you. Therefore, you’ve got to passionately, intentionally, seek, chase and pursue it on your own in spite of your present circumstances. As you well know, there will always be people, systems and personalities trying to rob you of your joy and purpose. But once you find your joy, it's up to you to not to let it escape - even in midst of turmoil and unimaginable pain.
| | Turn the Escape Key NowWritten by Stephanie West Allen
“I think I know how bank robbers feel as they wait for tellers to stuff their bounty into a satchel. . . . I damn near giggled as she handed me that bag, validated my parking stub, smiled, and raised her eyes to next customer, just like that. Clutching my toy to my chest, I shoved through crowd and hustled towards exit. “Geez, would I get away with it? Slip a creative writing book past my mean-spirited internal censor? Would I finally ignore that sour-breathed advisor who had always banished enthusiasm with its sick idea of realism, pointing fingers and thundering, ‘This will go nowhere. This is a waste of time that will cost you. This is PLAY.’” Tama J. Kieves, from _This Time I Dance: Trusting Journey of Creating Work You Love_. http://www.AwakeningArtistry.com ARE YOU A FLIGHT RISK? HOPE SO I don’t suppose any of you have a “mean-spirited internal censor,” that Judgment Jabber? Judgment Jabber is voice that lives inside your mind that tells you: “You’re not good enough.” “You’re wasting your time on this job/relationship/recipe.” “Who are you to think you can succeed,/be different/sing?” “What a failure!” “Look at your wrinkles/big ears.” And lots of other negative things as it causes, exacerbates, and articulates your fears. It is a powerful block to loosened mind. Do you hear Judgment Jabber (JJ, for short)? How many creations do you think have been lost to world due to JJ Jailers? JJ Jailers prohibit us from placing before ourselves clay we can mold into majestic sculptures. They incarcerate poems. They silence singing vocal cords. They put paints and brushes into solitary confinement. They imprison feet wanting to dance. They barricade written masterpieces. They handcuff craftwork. They put all forms of creative impulses under heavy restraint. The put dreams in slammer.
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