The brightest future will always be based on past failures. You can’t do well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches. Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched and those who have tried. Only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.
A sad thing about life is that when you meet someone who means a lot to you, sometimes you find out in the end that it was never meant to be and you just have to let go. Love will come to those who still hope even though they’ve been disappointed, to those who still believe even though they’ve been betrayed, and who need to love those who still love, even though they’ve been hurt before.
“Success is determined not by whether or not you face obstacles, but by your reaction to them. And if you look at these obstacles as a containing fence, they become your excuse for failure. If you look at them as a hurdle, each one strengthens you for the next.” ~ Ben Carson, Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story ~
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With the increasing understanding of solar systems, planets, stars, and galaxies, it is inconceivable (and possibly arrogant) to believe that human beings are the only intelligent life in the Universe. It makes sense to realize that there is a country out in the Universe, perhaps even the Universe itself, known by the Bible writers as Heaven. Whatever we consider to be a joy here on earth will be heightened millions of times beyond anything we can conceive when we get to Heaven.
Heaven, where the streets are made of gold. Heaven, where you never age or grow old. Heaven, where life’s secrets unfold. Heaven, where the secrets are told. Heaven, where flowers grow wild. Heaven, where once again you are a child.
Heaven, the weather is always warm and mild. Heaven, where wings lay open in piles. Heaven, can’t you see? Heaven, it’s for you and for me. Heaven, where we are FREE.
Where is Heaven?
There are several points in answer to this question.
The most important fact is that Heaven is a real place. Listen to the words of Jesus on the night before he was crucified: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Twice in three verses Jesus calls Heaven a place. He means that Heaven (“my Father’s house”) is a real place, as real as New York, London or Chicago. The place called Heaven is just as real as the place you call home. It’s a real place filled with real people, which is why the Bible sometimes compares Heaven to a mansion with many rooms (John 14:1-3) and sometimes to an enormous city teeming with people (Revelation 21)
The Bible also tells us that Heaven is the dwelling place of God. His throne is there, the angels are there, and the Lord Jesus Christ is in Heaven. Philippians 3:20 says very plainly that “our citizenship is in Heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” That’s why Jesus told the thief on the Cross, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”
The Bible hints that Heaven is not as far away as we might think. The Bible states: We’re not that far from Heaven. We’re not that far from the angels. We’re not that far from our loved ones in Heaven. We’re not that far from God. We’re not that far from Jesus himself. Heaven is a real place, it’s where Jesus is right now, and it’s not far away from us.
I love the old story of the rich man who, on his death bed, negotiated with God to allow him to bring his earthly treasures with him when he came to Heaven. God’s reaction was that this was a most unusual request, but since this man had been exceptionally faithful, permission was granted to bring along just one suitcase. The time arrived, the man presented himself at the pearly gates, suitcase in hand- BOTH hands, actually, since he had stuffed it with as many bars of gold bullion as would fit. St. Peter said, “Sorry, you know the rules-you can’t take it with you.” But the man protested, “God said I could … one suitcase.” St. Peter checked, found out that this one would be an exception, prepared to let the man enter, then said, “OK, but I will have to examine the contents before you pass.” He took the suitcase, opened it, saw the gold bars and asked quizzically, “You brought PAVEMENT?”
[Note: This story is from the sermon “Heaven” by Dr. David Leininger, March 30, 1997]
Will we recognize people in Heaven?
We do know that we will be able to recognize our loved ones in Heaven, and we will experience great joy over being reunited with them. Your real self will live on in Heaven, not some shadowy part of you. You will never feel so alive as when you enter into the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem God has prepared.
God does not speak to the hurried, worried mind. It takes time alone with Him and His Word before we can expect our spiritual strength to recover.
We all have had an overactive mind at one time or another. Meditation, yoga, and mindfulness can help you clear your mind and calm your thoughts. It is important to make time to clear our minds and bring some peace into our lives. A quiet mind is developed through practice.
Mindfulness is one effective practice that helps to relax the mind and body. According to Jeffrey Brantley, M.D., and Wendy Millstine, NC, in their book Daily Meditations for Calming Your Anxious Mind, mindfulness is:
” … an awareness that is sensitive, open, kind, gentle and curious. Mindfulness is a basic human capacity. It arises from paying attention on purpose in a way that is nonjudging, friendly and does not try to add or subtract anything from whatever is happening.”
1. Everything is created twice, first in the mind and then in reality. So pay close attention to the thoughts you choose. They have a way of becoming real.
2. There is absolutely nothing about your present circumstances that prevents you from making progress, one step at a time.
3. Worry, and you get what you worry about. Work, and you get what you work for. It’s often just that simple.
4. You can’t let one bad moment spoil a bunch of good ones. Don’t let the silly little dramas of each day get you down.
5. Happiness is allowing yourself to be perfectly OK with ‘what is,’ rather than wishing for and worrying about ‘what is not.’ ‘What is’ is what’s supposed to be, or it would not be. The rest is just you, arguing with life.
6. Frustration and stress come from the way you react, not the way things are. Adjust your attitude today, and the frustration and stress is gone.
7. Be positive and smile right now, not because everything is good, but because you can see the good side of everything.
8. Lies only exist if you believe in them. The truth shall indeed set you free in the end. Whenever negativity creeps into your mind, ask yourself: Is it true? Can I be 100% certain that it’s true? (And then let the lies GO!)
9. No book is just one chapter. No chapter tells the whole story. No mistake defines who we are. Keep turning the pages that need to be turned.
10. Remember, letting go isn’t about having the courage to release the past; it’s about having the wisdom and strength to embrace the present.
The Holy Spirit accepts people unconditionally. To the ego, this is an outrageous thought, because unconditional love is the death of the ego. How will people grow if we all go around just accepting each other as we are all the time? Accepting people as they are has the miraculous effect of helping them improve. Acceptance doesn’t prohibit growth; rather, it fosters it ~ Marianne Williamson ~
If we want to live a happy, peaceful life, we must accept people as they are, too. To do that, we must acknowledge the differences that makes someone unique. If you cannot first accept yourself, you will not be able to accept others. To accept someone is to show respect for, and validation of who they are, what they do, and for the life and path they chose. Acceptance is a gift that gives back to us daily.
Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go, be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want in life.
Follow your dreams, live the life you want. You’ve always wanted to follow your dreams, so start today. If you are struggling, your dreams are your reason to keep going. When you get yourself on the right path, you will give hope to others who want to do the same. Focus on your dreams, not on what others want you to do.
It’s time to feel excited and energized by the life you are choosing to live. A life without dreams is depressing. One reason many dreams never go anywhere is because the dreamer keeps it all to himself, so talk about it. Life is short, smile more. Our days are numbered. It’s time to follow the path you were meant to take.
Along the way, don’t forget to take time to appreciate the moments in life when you really miss someone so intensely that you feel you need to pick them up from your dreams and hug them. When you are looking for that special someone, don’t go for looks, they can deceive. Don’t go for wealth, even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile.
Take time to follow us at www.secretserendipity.com where we appreciate the life we have and our one chance to get it right.
Growing up is never straight forward. There are moments when everything is fine, and other moments where you realize that there are certain memories that you’ll never get back and certain people that are going to change, and the hardest part is knowing that there is nothing you can do except watch them. The day the child realizes that all adults are imperfect, he becomes an adolescent, the day he forgives them, he becomes an adult, the day he forgives himself, he becomes wise.
Because there isn’t a definitive moment you become an adult, there is also no definitive answer to the uncertainties that life brings to you. Embracing that you will encounter more questions than answers is the real wisdom here. Don’t wait for a magical day in the future when it will all make sense. Open yourself up to the rich and fulfilling experience of learning along the way.
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Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant with the weak and wrong. Sometime in your life, you will have been all of these. ~ Siddhartha Gautama
Always treat others the way you would like to be treated. The way you act is a reflection on yourself.Your words or actions can last forever on others. Sometimes it doesn’t feel permanent to you, but to the other person, it could be everlasting. Treat others well, and Karma will take care of the rest.
We all need help. Some of us need more than others. When you do what you can to help someone who needs it, it connects you with another person, at least for a moment, if not for life. When you show kindness, that kindness is passed on, it can multiply and multiply. A simple little thing like a smile can put a smile and warm feeling in someone else’s heart, and make their day a little better. Offer a hug or a helping hand to someone who is sad. It will make you feel good to be compassionate. When we care for or help others while expecting nothing in return, we feel happy to have helped. Compassionate living is not an act of kindness, it is a way of life.
I have a friend that’s an angel, but this is what I find. She’s lots of fun and silly, quite an unusual kind. She makes me laugh when I feel sad, and helps me get over it when I get mad.
Serious, when she must be, but lighthearted lots of the time. Her halo is a little crooked, that’s OK, so is mine. Yes I think you really are an angel. Angels are perfect, you see. And no matter what, from day to day, you’re always a perfect friend to me!
I just love you to pieces, my sweet Angel friend!
Angels are always with us. We probably will never know how many times angels have delivered us, gotten us out of tight situations, protected us from harm, or even directly spoken to us. Does that mean that each of us has a guardian angel? Matthew 18:10 seems to indicate that possibility: “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in Heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in Heaven” (Matthew 18:10).
The Epiphany, or the Twelfth Day of Christmas, marks the official end to the festive season of Christmas. The Twelfth Night marks the visit to the baby Jesus by the Magi, Three Kings, or also known as the Wise Men. This Feast of the Three Kings is celebrated in many parts of the world. It is the last of the 12 days of Christmas and is observed annually on January 6th. The three Wise Men found the child by following a bright star across the desert for twelve days, on their road to Bethlehem. These three royal travelers, wearing jeweled crowns and rich robes, were Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar. The gifts they offered the holy baby Jesus were gold, frankincense and myrrh. This holy day is celebrated predominantly by Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
Everyone has a gift of something, even if it is the gift of being a good friend. ― Marian Anderson
In Spain and in other Latin countries, children place their old shoes outside their doors before going to sleep the night before Three Kings. The children also put out hay and grass for the camels. On this evening, traditionally there were prayers said, blessed dried herbs would be burnt, and their aromatic smell would fill the house. When the children would wake the next morning, their shoes would be full of fruit and toys. In Prague, there is a traditional Three Kings swim to commemorate Epiphany Day at the Vitava River.
Three Kings Day is an important holiday for the people of Mexico. They celebrate with a “Rosca de Reyes,” a holiday dessert shaped in a circle and topped with candied fruits, to signify a king’s crown. Placed inside is a small figure representing the baby Jesus. If you found the baby in your slice, you had to host a party on Candlemas Day in February.
In Germany, it is customary that young people dress like Wise Men and knock on the doors of their neighbors to sing carols. These singers, carrying a replica of the guiding star, are known as sternsinger and groups are typically comprised of four girls or two boys and two girls. The ask for donations for worthy causes. In Italy, elaborate processions are held and many participants dress in medieval costumes.
The Twelfth Night marks the end of the traditional Christmas celebrations and is the time when everyone was expected to take Christmas decorations down. Many then begin the preparation for the Carnival season, which will culminate in 6 to 8 weeks with Fat Tuesday and then Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.
Simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being. Patient with both friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are. Compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world. ~ Laozi (Tao Te Ching) ~
We should always treat others as we wish to be treated. We should avoid criticizing and judging others by not assuming anything, and pretend to walk in their shoes to see the situation from their perspective.
Always be the best that you can be. When we are, we make the world better for someone else and find true meaning and satisfaction in our own lives.
You want to do your best. You start by intentionally deciding to give life your very best shot. You follow up on that intention by making sure you put the right kind of focus, effort and energy into what you do. And you remain consistent with that attitude for as long as it takes for it to become a habit. And then, suddenly, you’ll discover that “doing your best” has become a habit!
Believe in the power of the human mind. Try doing something that makes a difference. Believe in the positive effects of working hard, of laughing and hoping of lazy afternoons and lasting friends. Trust in all the things that will cross your path this year. The start of something new brings the hope of something great, anything is possible.
When you do good, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Do good anyway. Many people are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Love them anyway. The biggest person with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest people with the smallest minds. Think big anyway!!
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Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. ~ Hebrews 13: 1-2
Angels are everywhere. We never know how they will interact with humans. In the Bible, the writer of Hebrews spoke of “thousands upon thousands” of angels in joyful assembly. We don’t have precise statistics about angels, but the writers of the Bible stretch their numerical vocabulary to the limits in telling us that we are surrounded by a vast, innumerable multitude of angelic hosts that no mathematician can count.
We imagine angels to be very beautiful, winged beings, dressed in white cloaks and almost glowing with an aura of a body-engulfing halo. While that may be true, God often sends them as invisible beings or in special clothing to blend in with their surroundings as they perform their assigned duties.
A spiritually happy person is in tune with and accepting of themselves. They feel no need to impress anyone or to compete. They are happy with themselves the way they are. Your spirituality is inside of you. We are all spiritual beings, we all have spirits within us. When we develop our own spiritual beliefs, we will find life is easier and happier. Making sense of the universe will help to overcome life’s hurdles as it helps us feel a sense of connection to something bigger, and that we are not alone.
Spiritual happiness is a state of being, not something we do or achieve. It isn’t dependent upon our mood or outer circumstances. Your eternal presence is your true self. Spiritual happiness is living in the present, for it is the only moment we have. Accept what comes to you totally and completely so that you can appreciate it, learn from it, and then let it go. Don’t struggle against the infinite scheme of things, instead, be at one with it.
Spiritual happiness is our birthright. It is ours for the experiencing. Your soul, being a reflection of the ever joyous Spirit, is, in essence, spiritual happiness itself.
A company of angels follows you wherever you go. They share everything with you, your happiest hours and your deepest sorrow. These Angels keep watch over you and help you feel safe. All you have to do is ask for them. Your Angels walk beside you in your good times and your bad times, as they share with you the pleasures and sorrows of your everyday life.
Your Guardian Angel loves you without question. Your Guardian Angel encourages you and gives you support. There are other Angels that will be with you if you ask for them, so make sure that you do. You can ask an Angel to oversee your home, your family, friends, and whatever might be important to you. Know that you are not alone, believe it to be true and you will feel a sense of safety, comfort and security.
Pack up your troubles and take a step forward, the process of change can be tough. But think about all the excitement ahead. There might be adventures you never imagined, just waiting around the next bend. And wishes and dreams just about to come true, in ways you can’t yet comprehend.
You’ll go places you never expected and see things that you’ve never seen. Or travel to fabulous, faraway cities, and wonderful spots in between. Keep putting one foot in front of the other, and take your life day by day. There’s a brighter tomorrow that’s just down the road. Don’t look back! You’re not going that way.
“When the universe compels me toward the best path to take, it never leaves me with “maybe,” “should I,” or even “perhaps.” I always know for sure when it’s telling me to proceed – because everything inside me rises up to reverberate “YES!” ― Oprah Winfrey, What I Know For Sure
We at www.secretserendipity.com are all about the journey.
The Winner is always a part of the answer, the Loser is always a part of the problem. The Winner always has a plan, the Loser always has an excuse. The Winner says, “Let me do it for you,” the Loser says “That’s not my job.”
The Winner sees an answer in every problem, the Loser sees a problem in every answer.
The Winner says, “It may be difficult but it is possible”;
The Loser says, “It may be possible but it is too difficult.”
When a Winner makes a mistake, he says, “I was wrong”;
When a Loser makes a mistake, he says, “It wasn’t my fault.”
A Winner makes commitments;
A Loser makes promises.
Winners have dreams;
Losers have schemes.
Winners say, “I must do something”;
Losers say, “Something must be done.”
Winners are a part of the team;
Losers are apart from the team.
Winners see the gain;
Losers see the pain.
Winners see possibilities;
Losers see problems.
Winners believe in win-win;
Losers believe for them to win someone has to lose.
Winners see the potential;
Losers see the past.
Winners are like a thermostat;
Losers are like thermometers.
Winners choose what they say;
Losers say what they choose.
Winners use hard arguments but soft words;
Losers use soft arguments but hard words.
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The universe is sending you the right everything. You won’t realize this until you fully show up in the situation the way it is. In other words, whatever the circumstance, if you assume that the circumstance is perfect, then you live fully within that circumstance. How can I be the best I can be within the circumstance that is already? ~ Marianne Williamson ~
I’m so glad my window looks east into the sun rising…. It’s so splendid to see the morning coming up over those long hills and glowing through those sharp fir tops. It’s new every morning, and I feel as if I washed my very soul in that bath of earliest sunshine. ~L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
We all have the ability to control how we feel. Being happy means continually finding satisfaction, contentment, a feeling of joy, and a sense that your life is meaningful during all kinds of problems. So many of the things we think are bad or terrible often turn out to be great in the long run. Positive thinking is an important component of self-esteem and overall life satisfaction.
Optimism makes our personal and work relationships better. We won’t always feel happy or peaceful. Bad things do happen in life, but we can learn to deal with life on life’s terms. Remember to breathe deeply, and not let the weather affect your mood. It’s a good rule to compliment someone each day, even if it’s a stranger. Happiness stems from feeling good about the things around you and how they affect you. It’s not letting what people do or say to you affect you negatively. Share your positive feelings with friends. Laugh every day, and if you can’t do that, at least smile.
Here’s to the misfits. The crazy ones. The rebels. The troublemakers. The square pegs in round holes. The ones who see things differently. They aren’t fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the one thing you shouldn’t do is ignore them because they change things.
They push the human race forward and while some see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones that do.
I bow down to all those rebels, misfits, troublemakers, science guys who broke myths, writers who wrote the ugly truths when the whole world was in denial, the artists who painted untold stories, to musicians who composed miseries into songs, to whistle blowers, to entrepreneurs who solved problems, to every individual who stood their ground and fought for a cause- small or big, to everyone who dared to be themselves and to those who challenged traditions and practices that doesn’t serve good purposes. Most importantly, to those people who let these people be who they are. ~ Arvind Narayna ~
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I’ve Learned: That I will never regret anything that has happened to me in my life, whether it is making a bad choice, deciding to do something I shouldn’t have, saying the wrong thing or not doing something I should have done…
Because all of these things have given me the knowledge I have today and helped make me who I am today, and that is one thing I will never regret. I will take changes, a lot of them. Because honestly, no matter where you end up, and with who, it always ends up just the way it should be. Your mistakes make you who you are, you learn and grow with each choice you make. Everything is worth it. Say how you feel, always be you. And be ok with it.
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The most beautiful and most profound emotion we can experience is the sensation of the mystical. It is the power of all true science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead. To know what is impenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty which our dull faculties can comprehend only in their most primitive forms — this knowledge, this feeling is at the center of true religiousness. ~ Albert Einstein ~
If you want to be more Mystical:
Ask more questions….. lots more questions.
Spend a lot of time with yourself…by yourself.
Become aware of your thoughts.
Become aware of your feelings.
Become aware of your beliefs.
Become aware of what is happening around you.
Become aware of what others are bringing to your attention.
Become aware of the weather.
Try to relate to others, to animals, to the weather.
No matter what you’ve gone through in the past, no matter how many setbacks you’ve suffered or who or what has tried to thwart your progress, today is a new day, and God wants to do a new thing in your life. ~ Joel Osteen
Today is a new day, and we should appreciate the opportunity for a new, fresh start. As we begin the day, we make a point of feeling grateful for the everyday things that we take for granted, like having a roof over our head, enough to eat, and sunshine on our face. If we appreciate our new day, it will make it easier to stay positive and to find happiness in our life.
Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.
Appreciate every moment that you experience, and take from those moments, everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Learn what each moment is teaching you, whether it be good or bad. Understand that there is no such thing as coincidence and that everything happens for a reason.
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Creating our Reality begins when we understand that all beliefs began with the accumulation of our thoughts. Our reality, what is true for us, is why we respond the way we do because of how and what we think and believe. We are the creators of our own life. If we don’t like what we have created through self-expression, we can choose to change our thoughts to create a new reality for ourselves. To accomplish this, we must be aware of the power that we all have and act accordingly.
We can control our thoughts. We can create the reality we want by putting energy into the universe that confirms who we are as the person we want to be. Becoming conscious of the fact that we create our own reality and that we are not puppets of our circumstances is the only way to change these thoughts and modify them. Only we can change how we see things. At the same time, our emotional state, too, will adapt to how we understand each one of our experiences, how we live them, and how we integrate them into our learning.
We create our reality from our thoughts. There are neither good nor bad emotions. There are only necessary reactions to what we experience. They are indications of what is happening to us, and dealing with them helps us to form a great understanding of ourselves.
Angels are on a mission to encourage us in our daily lives, to give us hope that things will be fine. They give us hints so that we may find solutions for our problems. They guide us to find encouragement and workable solutions. We just have to be aware that there is help and there is hope. Hope will make things better, people will get brighter and more inspired, and they can start to achieve greater things. As hope grows, it gives strength and courage.
Angels are messengers of hope. They do their best to grow the light of hope within each and every one of us. If you feel that you are not loved or cared for by anyone, you are wrong. The angels are there for you, you just have to look for signs. Talk to your angels, tell them what you need. The gift of love for your angels will grow more and more within you, and you will start to share the love with others. Your angels are there behind you, and all around you, watching out for you, every moment of your life. Love can change people and has the power to change the world we live in, to make it a wonderful place.
An Angel to guide you through your toughest day, an Angel to wash all your tears away. An Angel to firmly hold your hand, an Angel to talk to, someone to understand.
An Angel to comfort you through a hard time, An Angel to give you hope that everything will be fine. An Angel to show you the strength to cope. An Angel so beautiful, an Angel called Hope.
We at www.secretserendipity.com believe that when we are shown love by anyone, even a stranger, it stirs up the love within us and makes it stronger. The potential for love is limitless.
