Life is meant to be Enjoyed not endured...
Follow your heart!
There is no such thing as a coincidence. I believe that with all my heart. I can see how the power of the Spirit works in our lives. I haven’t always seen it. But since I’ve been paying attention to life…I mean really paying attention…it is so clearly obvious! I see it all the time, and each time I am amazed…or is it enlightened?
I’m reflecting right now on the last two months. Cause and effect…law of attraction…the power of the Spirit..all working together and bringing me through personal challenges. If I follow where my heart leads me, I’m following the Spirit and I’m following my soul’s desire.
Two months ago I googled Melody Beattie (an author who is my inspiration, and who unbeknownst to her, saved my life). The google search brought me to her MySpace page. While on her page I saw some of her friends. One caught my attention because of her name, Basking in the Sunlight, and the comments she had left on Melody’s page. I decided that I wanted to be able to communicate with her, (and Melody Beattie if possible) so I created my own page on MySpace and sent “Basking” a friend request. Not only did I receive a wonderful e-mail from her, within days I had made many new friends in recovery. Two weeks into my new adventures on MySpace, my mother passed away. It was especially hard on me, not only because I would miss my mom, but because her passing left me as the last survivor of our immediate family. My father and brother, and my oldest son, had already passed away. An old fear of being alone began haunting me. The fact that I still had a daughter and a son who I have a very close relationship with, didn’t alleviate the fear. My daughter is off seeing the world, and my son is very independent, living on his own. The fear may have been able to gain strength, but because I had followed my heart, and reached out to make new friends on MySpace, I was given lots of love and support when I needed it the most…during the evenings when nobody was around. It helped me realize, or remember, that I never really am alone! At any given moment I can pick up my phone, or get on my laptop and there will be someone who believes in the power of the Spirit; someone who knows that it is in giving that we receive! I was also reminded of something most important…no matter what happens I will never be alone. I’ve been told that fear is lack of faith. When I’m afraid, I’m saying I don’t trust the power of the Spirit…and that is a lie that my mind conjures up!
Shortly after my Mom died, I received a new friend request from a wonderful, recovering person. We got to chatting, and he introduced me to Dan, another awesome person who opened my world to unlimited possibilities of helping others find their internal power of the Spirit. To teach them to love themselves, and above all..BELIEVE in themselves. I have been working as a substance abuse counselor for quite a while now, and have been continuously frustrated by the way rehab directors jump on the medical model of treatment, unable to remember the reality of what really works in recovery. I didn’t recover from depression, alcoholism/addiction, and self-hate from sitting in a group, learning the neurobiology of addiction; or by being given my drug of choice in a controlled environment; or by learning relapse prevention skills. I recovered because there was someone who believed in me, who loved me unconditionally, who pointed out all of my strengths and abilities, and saw the beautiful person within. I recovered because not only did that person believe in me, she taught me to believe in myself. She pushed me. “Feel the fear and do it anyway“!, she’d say. “Go to college…step out of your comfort zone..become the woman you were meant to be! See in yourself what I see in you..and never, never, allow yourself to be a victim again“!
I was so excited that I had been introduced to Dan; someone who believed in the same power of the spirit and road to recovery as I did. Without a second thought, I knew I wanted to go work with him, and that I needed to let him know that. I didn’t know what the outcome would be…only that it was something that I needed to do.
Again, I followed my heart…and the outcome was perfect! Dan offered me a job, and said he’d be honored to have me come work with him. I was (and still am) ecstatic. I believe it is exactly where I’m suppose to be and at exactly the right time! You see….one week before my mother died, I moved into my daughter’s apartment to be closer to my mom. I had put all of my own belongings in storage, and accepted a job at a place where I knew I wouldn’t be happy, but would provide a temporary income. With my mom’s passing, I found myself in a place I had never been before. There was not one person in my life that I needed to take care of, or to be there for on a regular basis. I had no ties holding me down, not one! The timing was perfect to be given such an opportunity; to travel to Panama, and do the kind of work that I had always wanted to do. COINCIDENCE?? I THINK NOT! J God was saying “Girl…this is what I’ve been preparing you for all along!”
Every so often fear tries to get in the way and stop me in my tracks. That’s when I tell it to go away…..it doesn’t own me any more! Then I smile my biggest smile and say “Thank You God..so very very much”.
PS
The irony isn’t lost on me that I’m finding myself heading to THE LAST RESORT J
I’m reflecting right now on the last two months. Cause and effect…law of attraction…the power of the Spirit..all working together and bringing me through personal challenges. If I follow where my heart leads me, I’m following the Spirit and I’m following my soul’s desire.
Two months ago I googled Melody Beattie (an author who is my inspiration, and who unbeknownst to her, saved my life). The google search brought me to her MySpace page. While on her page I saw some of her friends. One caught my attention because of her name, Basking in the Sunlight, and the comments she had left on Melody’s page. I decided that I wanted to be able to communicate with her, (and Melody Beattie if possible) so I created my own page on MySpace and sent “Basking” a friend request. Not only did I receive a wonderful e-mail from her, within days I had made many new friends in recovery. Two weeks into my new adventures on MySpace, my mother passed away. It was especially hard on me, not only because I would miss my mom, but because her passing left me as the last survivor of our immediate family. My father and brother, and my oldest son, had already passed away. An old fear of being alone began haunting me. The fact that I still had a daughter and a son who I have a very close relationship with, didn’t alleviate the fear. My daughter is off seeing the world, and my son is very independent, living on his own. The fear may have been able to gain strength, but because I had followed my heart, and reached out to make new friends on MySpace, I was given lots of love and support when I needed it the most…during the evenings when nobody was around. It helped me realize, or remember, that I never really am alone! At any given moment I can pick up my phone, or get on my laptop and there will be someone who believes in the power of the Spirit; someone who knows that it is in giving that we receive! I was also reminded of something most important…no matter what happens I will never be alone. I’ve been told that fear is lack of faith. When I’m afraid, I’m saying I don’t trust the power of the Spirit…and that is a lie that my mind conjures up!
Shortly after my Mom died, I received a new friend request from a wonderful, recovering person. We got to chatting, and he introduced me to Dan, another awesome person who opened my world to unlimited possibilities of helping others find their internal power of the Spirit. To teach them to love themselves, and above all..BELIEVE in themselves. I have been working as a substance abuse counselor for quite a while now, and have been continuously frustrated by the way rehab directors jump on the medical model of treatment, unable to remember the reality of what really works in recovery. I didn’t recover from depression, alcoholism/addiction, and self-hate from sitting in a group, learning the neurobiology of addiction; or by being given my drug of choice in a controlled environment; or by learning relapse prevention skills. I recovered because there was someone who believed in me, who loved me unconditionally, who pointed out all of my strengths and abilities, and saw the beautiful person within. I recovered because not only did that person believe in me, she taught me to believe in myself. She pushed me. “Feel the fear and do it anyway“!, she’d say. “Go to college…step out of your comfort zone..become the woman you were meant to be! See in yourself what I see in you..and never, never, allow yourself to be a victim again“!
I was so excited that I had been introduced to Dan; someone who believed in the same power of the spirit and road to recovery as I did. Without a second thought, I knew I wanted to go work with him, and that I needed to let him know that. I didn’t know what the outcome would be…only that it was something that I needed to do.
Again, I followed my heart…and the outcome was perfect! Dan offered me a job, and said he’d be honored to have me come work with him. I was (and still am) ecstatic. I believe it is exactly where I’m suppose to be and at exactly the right time! You see….one week before my mother died, I moved into my daughter’s apartment to be closer to my mom. I had put all of my own belongings in storage, and accepted a job at a place where I knew I wouldn’t be happy, but would provide a temporary income. With my mom’s passing, I found myself in a place I had never been before. There was not one person in my life that I needed to take care of, or to be there for on a regular basis. I had no ties holding me down, not one! The timing was perfect to be given such an opportunity; to travel to Panama, and do the kind of work that I had always wanted to do. COINCIDENCE?? I THINK NOT! J God was saying “Girl…this is what I’ve been preparing you for all along!”
Every so often fear tries to get in the way and stop me in my tracks. That’s when I tell it to go away…..it doesn’t own me any more! Then I smile my biggest smile and say “Thank You God..so very very much”.
PS
The irony isn’t lost on me that I’m finding myself heading to THE LAST RESORT J
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Tina B on -
This is so Awesome...WOW!!!! That is one thing i have learned this past year..exactly what you said "Fear is a lack of Faith". When im feeling scared and worried I am too far away from my Higher Power, I am not trusting in him to take care of everything his way, im butting in, taking my own self will back. Sometimes, because ive been doing that my whole life, I dont even realize im doing it until i go to a meeting, do my readings, talk to my sponsor, or just hear something on the radio or tv. Its amazing how our higher power speaks to us. I love hearing stories like yours, its very inspiring and gives me more hope so thankyou. You are helping other just by posting this.
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Permalink Reply by Christene on -
Thank you Tina....You're right...we can run on fear and self-will without realizing it because it is something we did our whole lives. I've learned to stop and pay attention to what I'm feeling. If I'm feeling uncomfortable, scared, angry or frustrated, then I'm not following my heart and and staying connected to the Spirit. Some people have told me that I over analyze my feelings..but I don't beleive that. My feelings tell me where I'm at..and if I'm feeling scared, I'm certainly not with God. Paying attention to what I'm feeling helps me know what I'm thinking..and my thinking can take me to a miserable place if I'm not careful! I try to keep my thinking in-line with God's and I do that by paying attention to my heart..and life..all the awesome ways God speaks to me through others!
Tina B said:This is so Awesome...WOW!!!! That is one thing i have learned this past year..exactly what you said "Fear is a lack of Faith". When im feeling scared and worried I am too far away from my Higher Power, I am not trusting in him to take care of everything his way, im butting in, taking my own self will back. Sometimes, because ive been doing that my whole life, I dont even realize im doing it until i go to a meeting, do my readings, talk to my sponsor, or just hear something on the radio or tv. Its amazing how our higher power speaks to us. I love hearing stories like yours, its very inspiring and gives me more hope so thankyou. You are helping other just by posting this.
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Permalink Reply by Zzane on -
That was a Powerful share for me... "Fear is a lack of Faith".
About a year or so into my recovery, I had been going through some very difficult personal challenges; broken tail bone, causing on going back problems and having to do a career change from something I was very passionate about, entering into something of the unknown. I had shared my fears, fustrations and doubts in a meeting. After the meeting an older man named "Jesus" (spanish) with long term sobriety approached me, giving me a hug. With his embrace, he began to tell me, if I wanted off this roller-coaster of overwhelming fear, then I must come to the realization that my "Faith will overcome my Fears"... I repeated what was said several times. I felt like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz . (Click you heals 3 times & I was home) From that day forward, when the fear comes knocking at my door, I know it's God on the other side wanting me to step aside and let him do his thing. Today, I do believe "GOD gives me what I NEED, not always what I WANT, but it's going to be OK".
Christene,Thank you for the share...Your a Beautiful Person :+)
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Permalink Reply by Christene on
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Thanks Zzane! I love the thought that fear is God knocking on your door and telling you to step aside! When we remember our faith...we no longer have to be afraid! You're right, we may not get what we want, but do get what we need. What I have found is that when I force what I want...it never ends up being what I wanted after all. But when I accept what I need...it always turns out to be what I wanted all along! :) When I listen to my heart, and do what it is prompting me to do..without second guessing...I get not only what I need..but what I want too. The result of listening to my heart may not end up being what I thought was going to happen... but when it's not, it always ends up being something even better! I think it's time for me to go to bed cuz I'm rambling! :) Take care Zzane! Love & Light, Christene
Zzane said:That was a Powerful share for me... "Fear is a lack of Faith".
About a year or so into my recovery, I had been going through some very difficult personal challenges; broken tail bone, causing on going back problems and having to do a career change from something I was very passionate about, entering into something of the unknown. I had shared my fears, fustrations and doubts in a meeting. After the meeting an older man named "Jesus" (spanish) with long term sobriety approached me, giving me a hug. With his embrace, he began to tell me, if I wanted off this roller-coaster of overwhelming fear, then I must come to the realization that my "Faith will overcome my Fears"... I repeated what was said several times. I felt like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz . (Click you heals 3 times & I was home) From that day forward, when the fear comes knocking at my door, I know it's God on the other side wanting me to step aside and let him do his thing. Today, I do believe "GOD gives me what I NEED, not always what I WANT, but it's going to be OK".
Christene,Thank you for the share...Your a Beautiful Person :+)
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Permalink Reply by Carol Adler on -
What a beautiful story, Christene! I love that declaration: "I recovered because there was someone believed in me...and who consequently encouraged you to believe in yourself"... bravo! Thank you so much for sharing!
Love,
Carol Adler
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