Bitter or Better?

1. A friend betrays your trust
2. Are you bitter or better?

1. Someone close to you dies
2. Are you bitter or better?

1. You fail an exam or assessment
2. Are you bitter or better?

1a. You lose your job (scrap that....how can you lose your job....where did it go?) Reword it!
1b. Have you been released from work?
2. Are you bitter or better?

1. Someone physically assaults you
2. Are you bitter or better?

1. Your love is rejected
2. Are you bitter or better?

1. Restricted from being yourself?
2. Are you bitter or better?

You may not be able to do much about point 1 in each series of statements above but you can do something about point 2 of each one.

The small changes made in your life, can create a BIG impact.

Only one letter changes 'bitter' to 'better'. One letter makes the difference;
I = insecure; insular; isolated; idol; inferiority (complex); indignant; insensitive; ignorant; injured; immobilised.

E = embrace; empower; enjoy; elate; eager; energise; excellence; empathic; earnest; engaging.

We can improve our lives by starting with one small change.

Improve your language.
Speak in the positive. Speak in truth's. Speak in facts not fiction - STOP telling stories. Be real. It may be uncomfortable at the start BUT the liberation feels amazing as you begin to embrace yourself. Speak Better - Become Better!

Change your image.
Dress in who you aspire to be. How you dress, sends messages. What do you want to say? Say it through your clothes. If you believe it, others will too. Improve your image - Become Better!

Sniff up
What do your scents say about you? Try different scents on you, in your home and in your laundry. See how it affects you. Smell Better - Become Better!

Eating well?
Try something new; Try a healthy food; Try a luxury item - treat yourself better.
Eat Better - Become Better!

Make an Exchange
Are you doing what you were created to do? Are you being you? Search yourself - is there any bitterness in you? Change it to better. No job - find one yourself! Need help - ask! Loving those who don't want it? Find those who need love. Volunteer, Learn, Seek knowledge, Give, Declutter, Clean up, Renew, Revise, Resolve, Review.

'Bitterness destroys the vessel it is in, not the vessel it is aimed at' (adapted from a Mark Twain quote.)



I describe ................................you decide!

What Did You Hear Me Say?

Can you hear me
If I say that you're great?

Can you hear me
If your purpose I inspiringly state?

Can you hear me
When I say it's ok?

Can you hear me
Because I know you have something to say?

Can you hear me?
Can you please?
It's your future I speak of...
A gift to you....in deed!

Can you hear the cry of the people who...
Need your skills and abilities
Your unique-selling-point.....No...! your unique YOU?

Can you hear the sighs of relief
when you walk into a room?
The impact of your presence in the World,
That Tick, tick, tick.......Boom!

God says 'My sheep hear my voice,
And I know them, and they follow me' (John 10:27)
Can you hear Him speaking?
or did you think that was me?

'And I give unto them eternal life;
And they shall never perish,
Neither shall any man
pluck them out of my hand' (John 10:28)
Did you hear that or..................Not?

What do YOU hear?



I describe.............................You decide.

Put Away Childish Things...!

How often do we see Adults acting like children?
How often do we act like a child, in an adult situation?

• Acting up - having temper tantrums
• Quivering the bottom lip - sulking
• Giving 'Tit for Tat'
• Having a pity party
• Creating cliques
• Gossiping
• Telling tales
• Overall, not taking responsible for self.

'When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understand as a child, I thought as a chid; but when i become a man, I put away childish things' - 1 Corinthians 13:11.

What does it mean to be an adult?

We put away childish things.

We speak as an adult.

Temper tantrums?...No!

We understand, no one makes us angry or sulk,

We think about how we will act......no reacting!

'Tit for Tat'.... really? No we won't

We aren't like any other person, 

so why imitate them by rendering 'evil for evil'

No!

As an adult, 'we overcome evil with good'.

We are different, so why lower our behaviour to match that of others.

'No one understands me, if they only knew what i've been through'. 

No! We are not going there.

This is one party we need to avoid....The Pity Party.

Attending does not make anything better.

Adults - do you really need a small group of people that no one else can join....really?

Say No to cliques

Widen your circle of influence, there is a lot of people in the world. 

You'll be amazed at how many really, lovely people are out there, just like you.

Do not allow your ears to be an aural dumping ground.

Stay positive by listening to positive people, sharing positive experiences.

if somebody talks to you about someone, then they may talk about you too.

Are you telling tales? 

Tales are untruths, hurtful, exaggerated, stories, so why would you get involved?

Sometimes, they can be true stories but it's not your tale to tell.

Your take away is..........................Grow Up!

Take responsibility for yourself.

Put away childish things.

Act like an adult, in an adult situation.

I describe...........................You decide!

Do you accept yourself?

I attended an event where everyone was told to 'be free'. To express ourselves in whatever way we wanted. In fact, the invite let us all know in advance that this was to be the format.

Once the event started, 95% of attendees stood still, looking around or standing nervously. Some sat on the chairs provided for resting as required. This was only the beginning of the event.

I observed (as one of a series of facilitators) that attendees were unsettled. I realised they had not fully accepted they were 'free'. They waited for direction, instruction or confirmation that they were in fact 'free to be'.

As facilitators, we encouraged and we empowered but in the end, we had to show what it looked like to be free. Attendees began to get loose, be loose, be free. They began to realise that they truly were free to express themselves. They began to accept 'freedom'. They began to accept themselves. It was ok. They were ok.

Do you accept yourself?
Accepting all of who you are?

These attendees were free, even before they walked into the event but did they accept themselves?

• Why did you do that?
• What are you saying?
• Who are you?
• Where are you going?
• When did you decide on this?

Some people accept us for who they want us to be, 'Be sensible', 'I thought you were my friend', 'Why not go for a drink?', 'I always looked up to you'.

• They want a peer, so don't move higher or lower
• They want a mentor, so don't ever be down or make a mistake
• They want a mentee, so don't ever become empowered beyond where they are

A few people accept us, just the way we are

• It's ok to be successful
• It's ok to fail sometimes

They accept us and do not put any demands or unfair expectations upon us.

BUT

Whether some accept us or some don't accept us, do we accept ourselves?

You are enough, just as you are. Of course, we all grow and change. Of course, we fall or fail too.

There's beauty and magnitude within you (see my blog re Giants), not to crush others but to lift them up, walk with them, to be an advocate or simply to be an example.

Do you accept yourself?

Accept yourself - Do it yourself for yourself.

It's not selfish, it's self-care!

I describe......................You decide.

Who are you hanging with?

In this month of Spring Cleaning for Change, we need to search every area of our lives.

Do you like to be where the action is....the limelight that is? Walking the red carpet of 'attention seeking behaviour' hoping others will see what you do, rather than who you are.

Who needs your support?

Doing good really feels great and is great! A spring clean of the heart.

In the Bible, Jesus sought out Prostitutes, Tax-Collectors, Samaritans, ignorant Fishermen, the sick (Lepers), Women, the demon-possessed, in fact anyone who was shunned or actively rejected by religious leaders.

Let's clean ourselves out by 'hanging out' with the right crowd.
Do you know anyone who is sick, either at home or in hospital? How about a person who needs someone to talk to? Someone with a listening ear rather than a 'Judge & Jury'.

Who in your family has been rejected?  Who at work has been left on the side lines of life, spiralling down under the pressure of loneliness?

Are you a giver or a taker?

Look around....are your people, like your people? in other words, friends who are similar to you. It's all comfortable, no real challenge.

Who are you hanging out with?

If you're a taker, find some givers. If you're a giver, find a taker.  Creating different kinds of friendships cleans out the dross of poor judgements, prejudices, pride, selfishness, ignorance, lack of faith, intolerance and lack of Love.

Warning: If you hang with haters (nasty to you or others), RUN!
Run as fast as you can away, far away. You deserve better.

Who are you hanging with?



I describe............................You decide!

Spring Clean Too - What's missing in your life?

Have a look around, a careful look.....what's missing?

I believe.....Life is what you make it.

So, what is missing in your life?


Laughter? Make yourself laugh. You know what puts a smile on your face. You don't need to wait for anyone else to do it for you. What makes you laugh out loud? Just do it yourself.  Think 'funny', think smile, laugh until it hits your belly. It feels good, really good. Give it a go! What's missing in your life?

Quiet? Create a time and space for yourself. Try 60 seconds, then 5 mins, 10 mins, 15 mins until you have the time you need to be quiet. Be still and know......what's missing in your life?

Friends - Too many? Gain more time by letting go. Release the friends you really don't need to see any more. Too few? Look for the lost. Be friendly and you will get more friends. Really! Whose missing in your life?

Freshness? Do something 'new'. Something, you have not done before. Try a cold shower - that's fresh! Revisit an idea you had as a child. Do it now. Nervous, take baby steps toward your idea or strategically leap in wisdom. That will get you fresh quickly! Don't die with regrets - get fresh. What's missing in your life?

Money? Think about your money in new way!  money issues can push you to be financially sound.   Think about it. Learn how to manage your money...it's not natural (except to those it comes naturally to, of course). Ask a friend (they must be a good money manager) or search for tips and bits online. Whats missing in your life?

Provocation? A little bit of hate does wonders for your confidence. Knock it....No! I mean, build you up. If you let it, hate can motivate you to be better, do better, to really love yourself. No one else can love you, like you can. A big bit of love does wonders too for your confidence. Can you receive love? Are you able to give love..no conditions, simply love from the heart? Provoke yourself to be your best self and provoke others to love too. What's missing in your life?

Spouse? Look around..there are so many beautiful people who are full of love around the world...don't limit yourself, don't get desperate...get new friends, a new life and a new level of love, not sex! Don't make a list for someone else...make a list for yourself. What's missing in your life?

Children - Are you really ready for that level of commitment, responsibility and stability? Whether you are male or female, try fostering first....that's a good start. Don't start a relationship you cannot sustain. Love is important. Care is essential. Bottom line..don't come as you are. Come better than you are. Children need it. What's missing in your life?

Jesus? Get a copy of the Bible and start reading! Proverbs is a good place to start..it's the book of wisdom. What's missing in your life?

I describe............You decide! What's missing?

Spring Clean for Change

Spring is finally here again and it feels great! A time of change...newness, freshness, greenness, cleanliness.

Spring Cleaning is defined as 'a thorough cleaning of a house or room, typically undertaken in Spring..' (Google dictionary)

Spring is a great time to consider spring cleaning ourselves. 

A Spring Clean for Change;

• Our Appearance
• How we Think
• Our Behaviour
• How we Speak
• Our Attire
• What we do

We may not need to spring clean every area but we should check just in case we do. You never know where the cobwebs or dust could be building up. Check everywhere.

What do you need for your Spring clean?
 A new wardrobe. Exercise. A new eating program. Advice. Support. Left alone to meditate. To pray. New learning material. To sleep more. Positive thinking

When will you start?
Now is a good time as any..'start as you mean to go on'. Select a specific date.

Does everything need cleaning?
What are you thinking right now? Do you need to renew your mind daily (Bible - Romans 12:2). Do you need to detox?

Do you still use it?
Maybe a skill you've learnt many years ago. Certain words. The leather watch. Those winter boots. What others think of you?

Do you need to let it go?
The false beliefs about yourself. Worrying. Too much work. Being too friendly. Being too serious. Unbelief.

Do you need to replace or upgrade it?
Your mattress for a better night's sleep. Your spectacles or contact lenses. Your health regimen. Your lifestyle.

Or do you need to make space by decluttering?
Memories that you should have left in the past long ago and move forward. Friends who are no longer friends but familiar people taking up a lot of time.

Spring Clean for change before change cleans you out!


I describe........................You decide!

Wake up...You are a giant!

This is a speech I gave a few years ago. It still seems appropriate today.

1. Wake up! Wake up! No snoozing.
2. Who are you? Why are you here?
3. Who are you really, deep on the inside?
4. If you are here, alive today......You are a giant!
5. Giant (in case you're not sure) is a person of outstanding size or srength; a person of outstanding importance or achievement.
6. The Giant versus A Giant - You are 'the' giant, specifically and uniquely YOU!
7. Wake up......what is inside you that was dormant until now?
8. You know it's there. You know it's BIG!
9. Like me....were you afraid...of yourself, your power, your love?
10. You are not a giant built to kill others but a giant to live, to love, to give and to protect!

Wake up! Can you smell the coffee?

Based on the bible story of David & Goliath;

Goliath looked like a giant, sounded like a giant.  He had a big voice but was he a giant inside?

David looked little, looked crazy, sounded crazy..'taking on a giant, really? BUT, he was the giant inside! "I will kill you and take off your head".  He did it, just as he promised he would.

Welcome giants!

I feel sorry for the unprepared who will meet you from this moment on!

I describe.............You decide.

Write Something....a Love Letter to God!

Thank you God,  I love you

You've  covered me, 

when I needed protection.

You made me smile, 

when things were going wrong around me.

You sent the sweetness of your Spirit to lift me up,

when I was down.

You stirred a worship in my heart.

You never let us be apart.

Your love is so astounding to me.

You never leave or forsake me.

You wrap me in your everlasting arms.

You allow me to laugh 

and rarely to frown.

You send me Angels to pick me up.

Their smile, their joy, their talk, it pulled me out.

Your light, it brightens every crevice.

There is no shadow when you are around.

You overwhelm me with your love.

It swells my heart with emotion.

You created me to write something

And this something is for you.

Thank you God........I love you!

Friends - Not a tick box exercise!

What makes a great friend, a real one? The ones that know stuff about you....real stuff and they stay friends regardless. They are solid, dependable, honest, supportive not perfect...but real!

Let me introduce you to some of mine;


The Time Lord
A wonderful man of great truth and personal power. He is an effective listener. A truth advisor. He operates outside of time, inside time, behind time and ahead of time. He is innovative and dynamic. In my deepest pain, he stood like a silent commander awaiting a request to help, to support. When called he came promptly. When not, he respected my space. When he was moved, he created what was needed to display his feelings, his unspoken words, his heart.

'There's no time like the present' and he is a 'present'. Words cannot readily encapsulate who he is, his whole person. He is one of those friends who puts a smile on your face, even when he is not around. A friend to love as a brother no more or less. A gentleman. A real man.

'To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven'
(Eccelesiates 3:1 Bible)

In short: He is a musical beat, set at Maximum level.


Angel
Seen and unseen. The kind of friend who is always there but not everyone sees them. She encouraged, supported, counselled, helped...is she really real? Only she can tell us!
She brings messages of good news from near and far..and I don't mean gossip. She too always responds when called upon. She's not pushy. She can easily be hard like flint, yet soft as a flurry of feathers scented with Lavender all within a short space of time. She is the friend you call for coffee and a serious chat. She will sit with you while you unpick a dilemma. She supports whatever the outcome will be. She's a friend 'under construction' but has been a great friend regardless.

'The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.'(Psalm 34:7 Bible)

In short: She is an Angel who is still 'finding herself'. When she does, she will be dynamite!


The Bodyguard
Words fail me with this friend at the moment. Well, not literally of course. God put us together. Wow, Wow, Wow! What a power house she is. She is a sister, a tower of strength, a bodyguard. She is discreet, accomplished, funny, soft, highly trained, she is my safety net. I don't lean but sometimes i leap, and she's got my back. She can make herself available around the clock. She has family and is family.

'By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.' (John 13:35 Bible)

In short: She's tough with a soft centre. Need I say more...I don't think so.


Fashionista Evangelista
She loves Fashion. She loves souls. Her desire is that everyone is saved. She loves challenging boundaries whether in Fashion or as a believer.

She's cool, she's blond, she's not 'a bombshell', she's the bomb...1..2...3 Bang! A friend with a difference. She has Style, She has faith, She has conviction!

'And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.' (Luke 18:27)

In short: A sister who's an A-lister. She walks the red carpet and wants everyone to at least have the experience.


Ella Ganz
The prayer Diva. She prays with the style of the French. She is always fresh and new. She gives good counsel and equally a good listener. She is softly spoken with a direct approach when necessary. She has flair. She loves everything french. She will cover you in prayer at the 'drop of a hat'..a top hat (smile).

She cares. She will cry with you, then laugh with you, then she will sing to you. She can be still with you. She can write a poem in the silence of your thoughts. She is elegant, she loves colour, she loves luxury, she loves God.

She 'prays without ceasing' (1 Thessalonians 5:17 Bible)

In short: If you are in a mess...she will help you clean it up.


I thank God for making these beautiful people called Friends....my friends.
They along with my family have helped to make me who I am today. They love me, they challenge me, they support me, they frustrate me, they cry with me, they laugh with me, they have stood with me through the worst and best of times.

Q. Have you taken the time to give your friends a tribute?
Why not write a tribute to your 'real' friends or tell them face to face. They will love it and you will feel the love too.

'A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.' (Proverbs 17:17 Bible)

In short: My friends will be given this blog to keep, because I love them all. They are special people.


I describe...........you decide.

The Power of Silence

In this busy world...can you be silent?
Switching everything off and taking time away from everyone.


Here are ten ways to boost the power of silence;

!. Hear more................Listen

2. See more.................Look

3. Think again..............Reflect

4. Unpack the mind..........Clarity

5. Be still.................Quiet

6. Get ready................Anticipation

7. Sleep better.............Rest

8. Breathe deeply...........Peace

9. Review Relationships.....Simplify

10.Prepare to restart.......Refresh


The Power of Silence is to meet the YOU in YOU!


I describe................ .You decide

Love......It's unconditional!

Can we really give 'Unconditional Love'?
Do we know how to receive it?
Do we really understand it?

Some of us think we love unconditionally but..... do we?

Many times, what we think is unconditional love has conditions attached;

We love if..

• Our spouse is faithful
• Our partner has a job
• Our partner has money,  a house or a car
• Our children behave
• Our children get great exam results
• A person loves us back
• They are kind or protect us
• They promise not to lie to us
• They are good looking
• They are clean looking
• They are the same race, gender, age or religion as us
• They will be our friend
• They will call us back!

But unconditional love (also known as Agape Love) is.....

• Even if you never marry me...It may hurt but I'll understand eventually
• Even when you've been unfaithful.....Let's talk
• Even when you're unemployed or broke.....We can work it out
• Even when the children misbehave.... Everyone makes mistakes, what have they learnt?
• Even when you fail your exams....try again or try something different
• Even if no one loves me back... I will be loving
• Even if no one is kind or protective...I will be kind
• Even if you tell lies....Stop & be honest even if it's uncomfortable, you can do it!
• Even if you look dirty or are dirty.....Would you like help to get cleaned up?
• Even if you are of another race, gender, age or religion...Difference is a beautiful thing
• Even if you are my enemy......It won't stop be loving
• Even if you never call me back..

I love you!

THINK..on this!

Think....True
Think....Honest
Think....Just
Think....Pure
Think....Lovely
Think....Good Report
Think....Virtuous
Think....Praiseworthy


I was lying in my bed one morning, my mind was racing around as usual. It was normal for me to be constantly thinking. Yes, I know we all think but some of us are 'busy thinkers' - lots of activity..lots! Not necessarily 'smarter' but definitely faster! STOP!


BREATHE.....


I soon realised I was doing it again. I was arguing, debating with others in my mind abut a non-existent (had not happened yet!) situation.
'Think things through', that was an understatement in my head. I would think it through over & over again, sometimes with various permutations, sometimes with one. I had created a whole movie in my head. I had 'gone all the way down the road', 'ain't no stopping me now' kind of movement. 'Worst of all', the feelings that went along with that movie or permutation, came along with it, I felt them!
The reason i quote 'worst of all' is because they were not positive thoughts. I was in defence mode protecting my idea, opinion, point of view, my right!!

That morning, I was battling as usual and the thought came to me (as it had before) to 'stop, calm down', bringing my mind softly to peace. That's when the Bible scripture came up 'Think on these things (this can be found in Phillipians chapter 4:verse 8).

I looked at my thoughts and felt that they were not pure and lovely. They may have been true and honest but in whose world? only mine. Remember: Nothing had happened yet, only what I imagined could happen.

Wisdom: Of course, it is good to 'think things through'. It would be silly not to but we need to consider what filters we are using to do that. How do you think?

I feel i am a positive person but am I? I am a leader, I experience challenges most days at work, home and socially. I am not afraid to give my opinion and naturally there will be some people who have a different opinion.

I feel I am an 'open' person always trying to understand others and accepting others where they are. This too is a challenge. It challenges my own values, beliefs, thoughts and feelings.

Looking in the mirror, sometimes I can see myself clearly, sometimes I become aware of a part of myself and sometimes I cannot see myself at all. It becomes a new day of learning, awareness and accepting.

Accepting myself is easy when it is a nice trait or characteristic, for example, generousity, kindness, patience, empowerment BUT, when it is not so nice like anger, intolerance, impatience or judgement then accepting seems harder to swallow. Now, when I refer to 'accepting', I don't mean embracing, I mean acknowledging. I can then begin to adjust my thoughts, feelings and behaviour around those things. Sounds easy...'Yeah, easier said than done'.

What I began to understand, as many meditators do, was if I think on 'true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous and praiseworthy things, my mind became calmer, less stressed. I learnt that I could have the same thoughts but rework the 'movie', creating the positive from the negative.

As in older photography processing - a photo was taken on a roll of film called 'a negative'. Once processed, it developed from a negative to a beautiful picture.

We can do this with our thoughts. Processing any negatives to beautiful pictures - true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous and praiseworthy thoughts. It will bring us peace.

To obtain continuous peace of mind, the process is to be received, seen, heard, learnt, spoken, tried, lived....Do it! simply 'Think on these things'.




I describe.................YOU decide.

LEAP!....where there's a will.

Fear feels uncomfortable.
Fear make us stop, freeze, go slowly, turn back, doubt.
Fear breeds more fear.
Fear creates limiting beliefs
'I can't do that'
'They don't like me'
'I am set in my ways"
'I'm sorry I can't help you'
'Why me?.....please ask someone else'
'I've never done it before'
'I'm not experienced enough'
'Help me, I can't do it alone'
'What are you looking at?'
'It's no point speaking out'
'I don't feel like going there'
'It's too late - I'm too late'
'They won't employ someone like me'
'I'm not going to dance first'
'You talk to her' or 'You tell him'
'I keep the light on at night'
'I'm not wearing that'
'I don't know why I haven't started yet'
'I'm too young' or 'I'm too old'
'I'm a Man' or 'I'm a woman'
I'm black' or 'I'm white' or 'I'm.....'
'It's hard'
'I'm not interested'
I don't know...leave me alone'

Fear breeds more fear!

Fear is staying in the shadows
Fear is not reaching our potentials
Fear is controlling
Fear is frightening
Fear is numbing
Fear is silent

Fear is like a dead end street
Our potential....a faith leap!

Fear is not believing we can
Fear is not believing 'I am'
Fear is not using our will
Fear is demotivating and still

Fear breeds more fear!

BUT, where there's a will, there's a way!
Do you believe that?

'I will do this'
'I will do that'
'I will go here'
'I will go there'
'I will go everywhere'
'I want to go'

Really, Do we believe that?

'I will get that job'
'i will buy that house'
'i will, I will, I will'
Where there's a will, there's a way!

Fear breeds more fear
BUT, where there's a will, there's a way!
Really, Do we believe that?

'I will believe it'
'I do believe it....so, what's the next step?'

Proving it!

So, LEAP! 
One step at a time.




I describe....you decide

What do you see?

Blind from birth? Are you blind? well, if you are reading this blog of course you're not (I hear you say or should I say think?) but could you be and not realise it? Hmm

Extract 1/3: 'And as Jesus passed by He saw a man which was blind from his birth' - King James Bible John Chapter 9 verse 1.

What do you see? Do you see yourself? Can you see those around you? Can they see you? Being blind from birth is a long time, it feels final. There may be areas in our lives that we just can't see, until an experience 'opens' up our eyes...you know...those 'Aha' moments.

The more we interact with different people - different to us in gender, age, race, ability, disability, beliefs, sexuality, language and location, then we really begin to see ourselves and  those we come into contact with. What do you see?

Extract 2/3: 'And His disciples asked Him saying 'Master who did sin, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?'- verse 2

Who sinned? In the world of Christianity, this is a big question to ask. There are many 'churchgoers' or 'bible readers who would have an answer to that question. 'Yep, it was the man, he did something wrong' or 'Oh! it's from birth, so it must be his mother' or It's his father because it all comes from the male lineage' or finally maybe 'They weren't married, so God has punished them'.  How often do we decide we know what's wrong by what we see?Who sinned? Who did something wrong? Have you? What do you see?

Extract 3/3: 'Jesus answered, neither hath this man sinned nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him' - verse 3

Neither....Nor! So Jesus (Leader of the Free World) said no-one sinned! No one did anything to cause this man to be born blind. No-one! Many non believers would agree with that statement. It would seem silly to think that someone did wrong...wouldn't it? But some would. Think about a time when something went wrong...were you able to identify who had done wrong? What if no one did anything wrong but something still went wrong..is that possible? This may all seem simple and straightforward but how many of us do exactly that...blame and make decisions based on what we see? Is it based on what you think or what you know? Has anyone ever accused you incorrectly? How does it feel? Do you still feel emotional about it even if it is in the past? Have you let go? Can you let go? What can you see?


Made manifest. When I read this part of the extract, I had always believed that because Jesus had healed the blind man, that this was the  resulting 'works of God' being 'made manifest'. In this case it was (most probably) but what about everyone else who has these challenges in life, visible or non-visible? 

One day while watching TV, I saw a young man who had no arms, talking about his life and the challenges he faced on a daily basis. After his talk, the young man moved to another stool and began to sing a song he had written. He also began playing the guitar with his feet. I cried while watching this and the 'blind man' extract came alive to me in a 'new way'. Here was a beautiful example of the 'works of God' being made manifest in that young man. He triumphed over his physical, mental and emotional challenges. It showed me and all the viewers who were able-bodied, what can be achieved if we only believe.

He was made to be an 'overcomer'. He was born to be a musician. He was born to be a singer-songwriter. He is married and he has released an album of songs. This young man may not have achieved all this if he was not physically challenged. What do you see?

What are you doing with  your challenges? 
Are you overcoming or have you been overcome by them? 
What have you been born to do? 
Are you succeeding?
Are you inspiring?
Are you living? 
Are you being?
Do you believe?

You can read the full extract for yourself in John - Chapter 9 verses 1 to 7. I used the Kings James version of the Bible but you can find a version that suits you best...there's loads out there.

Have an insightful week.



I describe............You decide!