Is your focus on taking care of others?

Posted by admin in Blog (Weekly), Uncategorized

Sep
3

I woke up this morning feeling a little “out of sorts.” As I lay in bed pondering what was really going on, I realized that following my heart and dream is not always easy. While I may be excited about my life adventure and what I am embarking on, it became clear to me that it was also causing my loved one’s some pain. Even though I know they only want my happiness, it is still difficult for them to see me leave and not be present as I have been for them all of their lives. It doesn’t matter if you are leaving a marriage, a job, your home or family and friends, there is a loss and feelings needs to be processed. I acknowledged this and allowed myself to feel my sadness and grief that I was contributing to their pain. But I also know with absolute certainty that I am following God’s plan for my life and so that is for the highest good of all of us.

If you are like me, and especially if you are a mother, my focus was on taking care of my children and making them happy. That was my responsibility and I gladly did it. In the past, I had a hard time taking care of myself and felt guilty wanting to do what I wanted to do because it felt selfish. I thought that I “should” take care of others first, but it was often at the expense of myself.

Today, I know that taking care of myself and loving myself, have to come first, then I can truly be there for others and love them, but I had that backwards for a long time. Over the years this has been a major shift for me and I know it’s my turn to spread my wings and fly. Not only have I learned to love myself, I know that I am teaching my children how to do the same.

How about you? Do you have a hard time putting yourself first? Have you put your dreams and needs on the back burner thinking that was the loving thing to do? Are you afraid of displeasing someone or disappointing them? Is it time for you to say YES to your dreams and passions?

As I was driving to the dentist this morning, I was thinking about my role as a mother, and how much I still miss my own mother who died 45 years ago. Her name was Honey and whenever I’ve needed to feel her presence over the years, I would hear the song Honey on the radio. I hadn’t heard it for a very long time and doubted I would hear it today, because it came out right after she died 45 years ago. I asked God to let me see or hear Honey in my travels that day. I forgot about it and went about my business.

After my dentist appointment, I met a friend for lunch and as I was pulling out of the parking lot, I spotted the license plate that read HON 1. Yes, I felt her presence and said, “thank you God!” Just a few hours later, I received an email from someone, and she finished her email, with the words, Enjoy HON and thank you for inspiring me in your newsletter!

When we need confirmation about something, there are Messages are all around us, but first we must ask for help, and then be open and present to see them, I’ve had many incidents this week where God answered my prayer and “showed up” for me, giving me exactly what I need to know that I am on track. I put my bedroom set on Craigslist and received a call that night from a man who was interested in coming to look it. We agreed that he would come the next morning and he told me “I will be coming in a truck,” but I was still surprised when he arrived in a very big truck! I showed him the furniture and he bought it on the spot. He wanted to take it with him since he lived in New York, but the only problem was that there wasn’t anyone to help him carry the furniture to the truck. He said, “I will walk outside and see if I can find someone.”

My neighborhood is quiet and you don’t see people just walking around, so I quickly prayed, “Please God, bring someone that can help him move the furniture to the truck.” He was gone for a little while and I didn’t know where he went. Then, I saw him walking back down my street with a young man walking with him. I smiled and said, “Thank you God!” There is a construction crew working on a house on the corner of my street and this man knocked on the door and offered one of the men working there $20 if he would help him move my furniture into his truck.

I realized that not only did God answer my prayer, but I am growing more and comfortable in asking for what I want and expecting I will get it. I have actually sold many things on Craigslist this summer including bikes, air conditioners, tables, bedroom set, desk, and bookcases, and what is interesting is that one person calls, comes to look at the item and buys it. It flows with peace, ease and grace and confirms for me that it only takes one person to come and buy what I have to sell.

That got me thinking about selling my house, and so when I met with my real estate agent this week, I said “Joe, I think one person is going to look at my condo and that person will buy it.” He smiled and said, “I hope so, Pat.” I hope so too, but I do more than hope – I expect it!

Unity Daily Word September/October 2012

My faith in God is unshakable

When I pray for prosperity, healing, guidance or peace of mind, I know that God is not outside me, deciding to either give or withhold my wishes. God is within me as pure divine abundance, wholeness, wisdom and serenity. It is my faith in God that answers my prayers. I may not be able to see what my faith will manifest, or whether my activities will generate the outcomes I desire. But my steadfast faith, attuned to God in prayer, reminds me that God’s spirit is moving in and through me and is active in all situations. As I become more aware of the activity of God in my life, I look beyond any uncertainty or doubt to the assurance that, regardless of the outcome, Spirit will be with me.