The Beauty Of Disillusion

Disillusionment  in life is real, and we never for when it strikes because it has the antics of the proverbial thief in the night. In a way, it gathers its strength like snow which falls in flakes and goes knee-high over an elongated period of time and that’s only when you realize that you have a problem of being gridlocked in your life. Disillusionment in life is when you find yourself asking the question, “Is this worth it?” or “How the heck the I end up here?”

 

If not resolved it can have negative spiritual, physical and social repercussions. But, fact of matter, life is a journey, and disillusionment, too, is part of the passage which we must first embrace in order to deal with it. If used appropriately, the detour offered by disillusionment is the beginning of an awakening to spiritual openness and greater enjoyment of our short stint on earth. Continued disillusionment in your life could be a wake up call to redesign your life, and act out of the depth of your being, free from the illusions that may be the reason why you find yourself a victim of disillusion in the first place.

 

However, when disillusionment sets in, everything can becomes gray and dark like the sky on a mid-winter day. Being disillusioned can be corrosive to say the least: it can feel as if acid is being poured down your soul making you prone to cynicism, depression and other maladies.

Fresh Air of Each New Day

Making prompt amends is the fresh air of each new day. ~ Sandra Little

Today brings us a new hill to climb and a new view from the top. Taking time to reflect about our daily journeys is a challenging adventure in self-discovery. Looking down, we see our past trials and difficulties as lessons to learn from. Letting go of old baggage as we end our day will give us a bright window to open onto tomorrow.

Completing a daily inventory creates a good foundation for living peacefully. Honestly acknowledging the things we have done or said to hurt ourselves or others enables us to say, “I’m sorry” and to begin each day with a clean slate and a peaceful heart. As we empty ourselves of regret by making amends to ourselves and others, we make room for the love and comfort of our Higher Power.

Today help me take inventory and make amends where I need to.

Body, Mind, and Spirit. Copyright 1990 by Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved.

Quote of the Day

“We are made to persist. That’s how we find out who we are.”  – Tobias Wolff, Writer

Quote of the Day

“Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.” – Julia Child, chef

Qoute of the Day

Sometimes it seems I’ve spent my life trying to live up to others’ expectations of me, and failing. I never thought much about pleasing myself. That would have been “selfish.”
– JoAnn Reed

Quote of the Day

“We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” – Marie Curie, physicist

Quote of the Day

We are at the very beginning of time for the human race. It is not unreasonable that we grapple with problems. But there are tens of thousands of years in the future. Our responsibility is to do what we can, learn what we can, improve the solutions, and pass them on.

 – Richard Feynman (1918 – 1988)

Governments should apologize for human rights abuse

In spite of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations 60 years ago, governments throughout the world continue to violate human rights with impunity.

Amnesty International reports that restless, angry and disillusioned, people will not remain silent if the gap continues to widen between their demand for equality and their governments’ denial.

As it is, governments have exhibited more interest in the abuse of power or in the pursuit of political self-interest, than in respecting the rights of those they lead.

US, the world’s most powerful state, has distinguished itself in recent years through a disregard of human rights thereby setting a bad example for other countries.

In fact, US’ disregard for human rights has resulted in the emergence of both leaders and movements in many parts of the world that abuse human rights.

“The human rights flashpoints in Darfur, Zimbabwe, Gaza, Iraq and Myanmar demand immediate action,” said Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

“Injustice, inequality and impunity are the hallmarks of our world today. Governments must act now to close the yawning gap between promise and performance,” she added.

The wisdom of listening

Wisdom has two parts: 1)-Having a lot to say. 2)-Not saying it.

 

– Church billboard in Vermont

 

One common trait to nearly every good leader is the art of listening. Many times, the best leaders can be among the quietest in the room. They know their time is well spent in hearing new perspectives, ideas and thoughts. It’s how they grow personally and build visions. The wisest leaders know that hearing themselves talk is no way to build trust and goodwill. You can do the same thing. When a friend needs to talk, resist the urge to give advice right away and just listen. Ask questions, and really try to understand the answer. When a customer calls, don’t say a word about your product until you fully know their needs. When your spouse is hurting, it’s not the time to prove that you were right. Over time, you can develop that leader-like sense of when to open your mouth and when to keep it clamped firmly shut.

The Four Agreements

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don’t Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don’t Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.