Freedom - Not at a Price

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
--Galatians 5:13, NLT

Back from vacation into computer problems. Currently using a good friend's and this is what she is doing -- serving another in love.

My prayers are out to you all for comfort, clarity and strength as you move through your challenges to take the threads and gems that appear into the next day to grow and to move into the person you desire to be.

Please know although quiet at the moment, I will return and am able to hear each one of you that comment. For those who do not comment - please know that the above prayer is for you also.

Namaste

VACATION HEAVEN.......

Back from vacation, and still relaxed. This is what I have deemed a successful vacation. I had no expectations, a couple very casual and possible requests and they were granted. On the agenda was activity (the cottage was on a hill, and the dock was down 44 steps more.) Then took a couple long walks, one over 5 miles. That item was checked off.

Naps - took one almost every day, so that item was checked off.

Sitting on the dock with wine, a book and my I-Pod. Also checked off.

Relaxing - checked off.

Coaching session -- with client. Another item checked off.

Sharing the space with friends and loved ones, checked off.

Weather interruption -- did not happen, as no expectations. Another item checked off.

This might not be your style of vacation, yet this is what was needed for myself - my friend who shared the space with me, and other friends who came to visit. It became a destination spot for friends who needed the time to relax, refresh and commune.

Many grand meals grilled outside and lots and lots of laughter.

My friend and photographer, by the way, and I created the vacation, kept it in progress as it was planned and confirmed, and then success was working together to pack, unpack, cook and share the space together and with others.

"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success." -
Henry Ford

CHAOS -- can be Peaceful

Chaos can be peaceful. As is usual I speak from experience. There are a few areas of my life at the current moment that could be considered chaotic. Today I am preparing for a lake cottage vacation beginning this weekend. The house looks like it exploded with preparation.

Also, I have been job hunting (for about a year) and will be leaving one and going to another, and interestingly, there seems to be a couple possibilities.

God has provided a new relationship, and that is progressing in His time frame.

In a fashion, I'm staying out of His plan by checking in with Him every day to ask assistance and guidance with each of the above.

Chaos can be peaceful when know that it is not permanent - NOTHING is, only death. Not talking here about all the garbage in landfills.

Today life is perfect -- grab the lessons learned and move forward. If it was not for the lessons, knowledge and experience gained this past year, I would not have a job opportunity. Has it been difficult, very.

Gradually each environment will be cleared and the path clearly visible.

If you would like individual communication please contact me at itsyourlifenet@yahoo.com.

REQUEST

All comments are appreciated, and I have one request. That they are made in the English language and no other - or that you post in both languages - native language and then translate into English. This is out of respect for the blog as I do not read anything other than English.

Any comments that are not in English will be deleted. With so many tools and opportunities, it is easy to receive assistance to translate into English. Please respect the readers, and others that comment and the blog itself.

With respect -- thank you,

-A Tidbit

Feeling "muscles"

This is not about body muscles, the ones that bulge or don't bulge. This is about internal feelings, a group of "muscles" that controls our actions our thoughts, and creates challenges and opportunities depending of what they are.

Feelings that are generally happy, comfortable, and alive - create the same. Yet feelings that are dark, uncertain or simply questioning - create the same.

Like any "muscle" the more the feelings are diagnosed or "worked" and not ignored, the better they will be. The dark feelings will linger less, and the joyous feelings will more easily return.

Suggestion: Can begin in the quite of your own room -- write down each feeling as the word appears. Labels can be dangerous, yet words do allow us to better understand and diagnose. Take the time, seriously, don't short change yourself and give up. Allow an hour, perhaps to let things percolate -- get out a Thesaurus to help with uncovering the actual feeling. Expand your vocabulary in the process.

Just like with push-ups, the more you do the more you can do. (By the way I'm up to 15 from 10) Go from neophyte to mastery (no not there yet with push-ups). Yet, cannot get to a goal with out taking steps.

The better you are able to diagnose your feelings, the better you will feel. Also, communication will move to another level, as you will be able to express yourself clearly.

Strength

Webster's definition of "strength" is "........ 1: the quality or state of being strong : capacity for exertion or endurance 2: power to resist force: solidity, toughness 3: power to resist attack : impregnability 4 a : legal, logical, or moral force b : a strong attribute or inherent asset..."

Webster's definition of "power" is much longer than strength which I find interesting "....1 a (1) ability to act or produce an effect (2) : the ability to get extra base hits (3) capacity for being acted upon or undergoing an effect b: legal or official authority, capacity, or right 2 a: possession of control, authority, or influence over others...."

"Power implies possession of ability to wield force, permissive authority, or substantial influence..."

The definition is quite long and I suggest you review it in its entirety. Because of that alone, I prefer to have strength. To me, strength offers to others, it does not wield force.

Some people believe that they have a need to be controlled, to be told what to do, and acquiesce to another to be in charge and make the decisions. I ask is it simply easier, is it that which is accustomed and have not experienced different, or........

Some people feel the need to be in power as they are uncertain of who they are without. There is no other paradigm to follow.

Power is granted, strength is acquired.

Simply an observation -- which is what "A Tidbit" is about.

Happy 4th of July -- RED, WHITE & BLUE

Red, White and Blue colors will be everywhere this weekend. The colors of the U.S. Flag, which can fly proudly itself -- yet what do you see, feel and understand when you look at it. By itself, it is fabric and a pattern. It is a symbol. That is what I'm thinking today. What do you see when you look at something, and can it be different than what you see? Typically that is what happens to inventions. Someone sees something different.

Recently, the big desk chair I was sitting in became awkward and too uncomfortable. Designed for a larger person, likely a man, it needed to be replaced. At my day job I saw a co-worker sitting on an exercise ball. She said it helped her back and offered good posture. What an idea. I rushed home inflated my blue exercise ball - and that is what I'm now sitting on rather than a large, black chair that took up space, was not inspiring, and collected dust.

I now sit and bounce do crunches and roll around in a different way. A friend, who recently hired a personal trainer, confirmed that it is also his suggestion. To get out of complacency and empower yourself by sitting on an exercise ball at your computer.

Happy July 4th Weekend!!!!!! I'm kayaking, picnicking, and watching fireworks from a rooftop this year. What are you doing?

A-Tidbit, continues to take a peak at things from a different angle and share what it sees. So glad so many comment and share what they see and experience. Each one helps another --