By: Jeremy R. Rutherford
Refuse to excuse the abuse that other people may try to bring to your table. Stay on a positive keel and steer clear of negative waters in your life. Do not allow them to inflict pain or bring negative energy to you on any level, be that mental, physical, emotional or spiritual. Above all else, do not compromise your own values for the sake of another individual or a group. To thine ownself, always, remain true. At the end of the day, you are the one who has to live with your choices and sleep at night. Even in the bad, try to find the good. The negative outlook serves one purpose, to destroy the person utilizing it.
Let them speak harshly, even demeaningly of you. It speaks only of their character, not yours.
Let them think what they may, it is simply an opinion, imported only by their own self in the end.
Let them see and know, that nothing they can do, think, say or opine can change who and what you are destined to become.
We are all positive works in progress, shaped by only what we allow for change.
Utilize your gift of Free Will in all things, deny the negative constantly, move forward and revel in the positive aspects of your existence.
That which is within is much stronger than what may be without. Find strength in the truth, in faith, in love and follow your soul. You will prevail, do this and forget not others along the way.
We are one race that should be united by goodwill and working together in harmony, yet, we are shattered by dischord and by hatred of minute, superficial differences. We find ourselves splintered not by circumstance or necessity, but by choice.
I was sitting alone at a bar a couple of years ago, listening to music, with barely anyone I knew around me. But, that was okay. I was not "alone", I was lucky to have many friends and family in my daily life, those who I still am thankful for on a consistent basis and who stand beside me, not in front or behind, as equals. :)
I leaned forward and then sat back on my stool, a light going off in my head. It was close to the Holidays and there were many who would be truly alone, they had been abandoned, either by personal choices made by them or choices made by others.
Be thankful and grateful and take not for granted those who surround you and contribute to your daily life with love, laughter and light.
It could be otherwise at the drop of a hat...never take your kindred souls, blood or otherwise for granted. I, for one, would not trade any of you for anyone or anything. Thank you for being part of my existence and journey.
Wherever you are at and whatever you are doing, I hope you are safe, warm and secure. I hope you are out of the elements and not walking alone. I wish only the best for you, a positive experience of love, peace, joy and light. I hope the Divine has a hand upon you throughout your days. A prayer to apply to all my friends, family and their households.
The Divine is within, around and beside us at all times....the knowledge that is given is the true word for all humanity. Live not by example, but by guidance and not by circumstance, but rather, by choice.
Yesterday is gone. Today is on its way to being there. Tomorrow is a gift we may never see. Either stand still and let the moment pass you by, or live in it; your choice, your path, and your life.
