Maybe life isn't all about "me"?
Showing posts with label self-worth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label self-worth. Show all posts
Feb 17, 2011
Who is today really about?
Ever have a day when nothing's going your way? Maybe there's another perspective.
Oct 6, 2010
Who confirms your worth?
May 16, 2009
Looking beneath the surface
The following email arrived with its reminder that the world is full of wonder.
A man was exploring caves by the seashore. In one he found a canvas bag containing what appeared to be many hardened clay balls. It was as though someone had rolled clay balls, baked them in the sun, and gathered them in the bag. Intrigued, he took the bag with him.
Strolling along the shore, he idly threw the balls, one at a time, as far as he could into the ocean. He thought little about it, until one of them dropped on a rock and split open at his feet. Inside was a beautiful, precious jewel!
Amazed, the man carefully began cracking open the remaining balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of gems in the 20 or so clay balls he had left. He realized he had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of these balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have had tens of thousand; but he had not seen their worth!
It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It may look uninteresting, worn, dull. If it isn't beautiful or sparkling, we probably discount it. Unfortunately, we consider that person less important than someone whose shape or clothes or fame catches our attention.
We may never know the value hidden within. There are treasures in each of us. If we take the time to get to know people, and especially if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to split away and the brilliant gem appears.
May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. Let’s make the effort to see the people in our world, including ourselves, as God knows them.
Geode - beauty hidden inside the ordinary
A man was exploring caves by the seashore. In one he found a canvas bag containing what appeared to be many hardened clay balls. It was as though someone had rolled clay balls, baked them in the sun, and gathered them in the bag. Intrigued, he took the bag with him.
Strolling along the shore, he idly threw the balls, one at a time, as far as he could into the ocean. He thought little about it, until one of them dropped on a rock and split open at his feet. Inside was a beautiful, precious jewel!
Amazed, the man carefully began cracking open the remaining balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of gems in the 20 or so clay balls he had left. He realized he had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of these balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have had tens of thousand; but he had not seen their worth!
It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It may look uninteresting, worn, dull. If it isn't beautiful or sparkling, we probably discount it. Unfortunately, we consider that person less important than someone whose shape or clothes or fame catches our attention.
We may never know the value hidden within. There are treasures in each of us. If we take the time to get to know people, and especially if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to split away and the brilliant gem appears.
May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. Let’s make the effort to see the people in our world, including ourselves, as God knows them.
Apr 15, 2008
No and Yes - the poem, revised
Each of us is unique, special,one of a kind!
No, no, no-no-no!
God’s goodness does not come and go.
Yes, yes, yes-yes-yes.
Good is now and here to bless.
What God intends, He carries out,
It will not do to fret or doubt.
You are essential to God’s plan
Of perfect God and perfect man.
You are the proof that Love is here,
That good is real, that man is dear.
Wherever you go, you are God’s light,
Scattering fear and darkest night.
You’re cherished now, one of a kind,
Unique expression of one Mind.
He needs you and you love to be
His child – holy, pure and free.
Yes, yes, yes-yes-yes.
You better believe you’re here to bless.
Your job today? To make God known
Through our love, His love is shown.
No, no, no-no-no!
What comes from God won’t ebb and flow.
His love is focused, won’t digress.
You are His great delight, oh yes!
God’s goodness does not come and go.
Yes, yes, yes-yes-yes.
Good is now and here to bless.
What God intends, He carries out,
It will not do to fret or doubt.
You are essential to God’s plan
Of perfect God and perfect man.
You are the proof that Love is here,
That good is real, that man is dear.
Wherever you go, you are God’s light,
Scattering fear and darkest night.
You’re cherished now, one of a kind,
Unique expression of one Mind.
He needs you and you love to be
His child – holy, pure and free.
Yes, yes, yes-yes-yes.
You better believe you’re here to bless.
Your job today? To make God known
Through our love, His love is shown.
No, no, no-no-no!
What comes from God won’t ebb and flow.
His love is focused, won’t digress.
You are His great delight, oh yes!
by Sandi Justad
Dec 9, 2007
Women of courage find their voices
Two recent events stand out for me. One was a panel of women of faith. I walked two blocks to the event with the driver of the car parked ahead of me. She herself was an amazing woman. I was so glad to hear her voice.
Rose is writing a paper on the ordination of women in the Catholic church. We discovered we had both read “The Gospel of Mary Magdalene” by Karen King, which posits that Jesus’ real message was hijacked – by men – officially in 325 AD, and has been mostly buried ever since. What remains is what men have permitted, and what remains missing is the voices of women.
The women on the panel – a Jewish Rabbi, a Catholic sister, and the (woman) president of the Islamic Society of North America – made warm, yet serious, presentations about the roles of women in their faiths.
But what stuck with me most was Rose’s courage. Her heart tells her that Jesus’ ministry was very woman inclusive. Her church tells her women are excluded from giving sacraments. She follows her heart in an uphill struggle.
The other event was Friday morning’s 44th Annual Greater Chicago Leadership Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by the Chicago Sunday Evening Club. A wonderful Gospel choir sang throughout.
This choir with the descriptive name of “Harmony, Hope, and Healing,” functions to give back to marginalized women their voices. These women, primarily from shelters, are survivors – women who have recently escaped abusive situations. Violence had silenced their voices, and this joyous choir helps them find the songs their lives are intended to be.
Their final number, “This little light of mine,” strongly confirmed the choir’s success in achieving their goal. The showcased soloist proved that she had indeed found her voice, and used it to improv for her Lord – as she soared all over the treble staff and beyond. She followed her heart and found the courage to let her light and her voice shine.
Rose is writing a paper on the ordination of women in the Catholic church. We discovered we had both read “The Gospel of Mary Magdalene” by Karen King, which posits that Jesus’ real message was hijacked – by men – officially in 325 AD, and has been mostly buried ever since. What remains is what men have permitted, and what remains missing is the voices of women.
The women on the panel – a Jewish Rabbi, a Catholic sister, and the (woman) president of the Islamic Society of North America – made warm, yet serious, presentations about the roles of women in their faiths.
But what stuck with me most was Rose’s courage. Her heart tells her that Jesus’ ministry was very woman inclusive. Her church tells her women are excluded from giving sacraments. She follows her heart in an uphill struggle.
The other event was Friday morning’s 44th Annual Greater Chicago Leadership Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by the Chicago Sunday Evening Club. A wonderful Gospel choir sang throughout.
This choir with the descriptive name of “Harmony, Hope, and Healing,” functions to give back to marginalized women their voices. These women, primarily from shelters, are survivors – women who have recently escaped abusive situations. Violence had silenced their voices, and this joyous choir helps them find the songs their lives are intended to be.
Their final number, “This little light of mine,” strongly confirmed the choir’s success in achieving their goal. The showcased soloist proved that she had indeed found her voice, and used it to improv for her Lord – as she soared all over the treble staff and beyond. She followed her heart and found the courage to let her light and her voice shine.
Aug 25, 2007
Self-worth
Self-worthVern looked into the mirror and saw four-day’s growth of stubbly whiskers, and he didn’t care. We met at the mailboxes later that day. I asked if he was sporting the movie-star look.
“No,” he confessed, “too lazy to shave.” I guess my eyebrows shot up. Now even though Vern is well into his 90s, it is unusual for him to not look sharp in every detail. He paused, passed his hand across his bristly chin. “Well,” he said with a smile, “I didn’t think anyone would notice. But if you noticed, I’ll take care of it.”
I like Vern’s spirit – that he agreed not to be stuck in indifference; that someone's smallest caring was enough to boost his morale. Sometimes life is about living in the moment. Sometimes we don’t have plans. When the busyness of family, school, or work – around which we have patterned our lives, perhaps for decades – is not there anymore, then what?
I’m learning to focus my own prayers more consistently around a very simple, “Dear Father-Mother, how can I best praise you today?” And then I try to follow those answers from moment to moment. It might be writing an article or an email, praying for someone or for the world, making a phone call or a visit. I try to be more attentive to the little intuitions that make the difference in following through on my prayers.
I believe that in our little interchange Vern glimpsed something more of his genuine worth, his present purpose, that how he sees himself is important and makes a difference for good.
I love this promise:
“Man, governed by immortal Mind,
is always beautiful and grand.
Each succeeding year unfolds
wisdom, beauty, and holiness.”
Mary Baker Eddy
Apr 6, 2007
Unchanging worth
A friend sent this little story with a good reminder.
A well-known speaker started off his seminar
by holding up a $20.00 bill.
In the room of 200, he asked,
"Who would like this $20 bill?"
Hands started going up.
He said, "I am going to give this $20
to one of you, but first, let me do this.
He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill.
He then asked, "Who still wants it?"
Still the hands were up in the air.
“Well,” he replied, "What if I do this?"
And he dropped it on the ground and
started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.
He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.
"Now, who still wants it?"
Still the hands went into the air.
My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson.
No matter what I did to the money,
you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value.
It was still worth $20.
Many times in our lives, we are dropped,
crumpled, and ground into the dirt
by the decisions we make
and the circumstances that come our way.
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We feel as though we are worthless.
But no matter what has happened
or what will happen,
you will never lose your value.
Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased,
you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you.
The worth of our lives comes not
in what we do or who we know,
but by WHO WE ARE and WHOSE WE ARE. "
You are God’s loved child, and you belong to Him/Her.
This is the most important relationship you will ever have.
And that is why you are forever cherished and essential.
A well-known speaker started off his seminar
by holding up a $20.00 bill.
In the room of 200, he asked,
"Who would like this $20 bill?"
Hands started going up.
He said, "I am going to give this $20
to one of you, but first, let me do this.
He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill.
He then asked, "Who still wants it?"
Still the hands were up in the air.
“Well,” he replied, "What if I do this?"
And he dropped it on the ground and
started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.
He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.
"Now, who still wants it?"
Still the hands went into the air.
My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson.
No matter what I did to the money,
you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value.
It was still worth $20.
Many times in our lives, we are dropped,
crumpled, and ground into the dirt
by the decisions we make
and the circumstances that come our way.
.jpg)
We feel as though we are worthless.But no matter what has happened
or what will happen,
you will never lose your value.
Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased,
you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you.
The worth of our lives comes not
in what we do or who we know,
but by WHO WE ARE and WHOSE WE ARE. "
You are God’s loved child, and you belong to Him/Her.
This is the most important relationship you will ever have.
And that is why you are forever cherished and essential.
Mar 20, 2007
Today's good news!
Today's good news:
· The most important relationship there is, is our relationship to God, and that forever bond satisfies because He loves us wisely and generously. It is uninterrupted, constant, joyous, intelligent, fulfilling, comforting. And this security defines and uplifts all our other relationships.
· Divine Love in whom we live, knows no stress/strain/ tension/trauma. Divine Love causes us to be useful, whole, pure. This creative Love causes man to be spiritual, and to seek and relate to the spiritual nature of all things.
· What God gives us to do is comfortable, useful, beneficial, and never a burden.
· Christ constantly approves every good thought, word, and action, and affirms our ability and capability to live and move according to the laws of Life and Love – laws of universal progress
· Christ confirms our worth. You and I are indispensable to God, good. We are totally essential to the completeness of His universe. You are the evidence that God is Life, Truth, and Mind; that God is ever-present good.
· The most important relationship there is, is our relationship to God, and that forever bond satisfies because He loves us wisely and generously. It is uninterrupted, constant, joyous, intelligent, fulfilling, comforting. And this security defines and uplifts all our other relationships.
· Divine Love in whom we live, knows no stress/strain/ tension/trauma. Divine Love causes us to be useful, whole, pure. This creative Love causes man to be spiritual, and to seek and relate to the spiritual nature of all things.
· What God gives us to do is comfortable, useful, beneficial, and never a burden.
· Christ constantly approves every good thought, word, and action, and affirms our ability and capability to live and move according to the laws of Life and Love – laws of universal progress
· Christ confirms our worth. You and I are indispensable to God, good. We are totally essential to the completeness of His universe. You are the evidence that God is Life, Truth, and Mind; that God is ever-present good.
Mar 18, 2007
Finding self worth and purpose
Your purpose is, at heart, a simple one – to be who God knows you to be. To be the active expression of love, kindness, wisdom, intelligence, goodness, and let's remember joy! Be who the infinite Mind of the universe has conceived in the amazing idea package called you.
“I am the place where God shines through
For He and I are one, not two.
He wants me where and as I am –
I need not fret, or fear, or plan.
And if I’ll be relaxed and free
He will express Himself through me.”
author unknown
Here's another view of why you are essential to God and His universe, "I am able to impart truth, health, and happiness, and this is my rock of salvation and my reason for existing."
Mary Baker Eddy, Miscellaneous Writings
“I am the place where God shines throughFor He and I are one, not two.
He wants me where and as I am –
I need not fret, or fear, or plan.
And if I’ll be relaxed and free
He will express Himself through me.”
author unknown
Here's another view of why you are essential to God and His universe, "I am able to impart truth, health, and happiness, and this is my rock of salvation and my reason for existing."
Mary Baker Eddy, Miscellaneous Writings
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