Don’t Let Bitterness Take Root

Years ago, there was a terrible outbreak of disease in a tiny village in a remote part of Africa. Both children and adults were getting sick with nausea. Several weeks passed, and the sickness became widespread, and people started dying. Word of the disease reached the main city in that area, and experts were dispatched to try to figure out what was causing the problem. They soon discovered the water was contaminated.  The village was getting its water supply from a mountain stream that was fed from a spring, so the experts decided to trek upstream and hopefully find the source of pollution. They traveled for days and finally came to the mouth of the stream. But on the surface they found nothing wrong. Puzzled they decided to send some divers down to search as closely to the spring's opening as possible. 

What they found shocked the experts.  A large mother pig and her baby piglets were wedged right at the opening of the spring. Evidently they had fallen in, drowned and somehow got stuck there. Now all that crystal-clear, pure mountain springwater was being contaminated as it flowed past the decomposing remains of the dead pigs. In no time after the divers were able to remove the dead pigs, the water begin to flow clean and pure again.

In our lives, something similar takes place. We all have negative things happened to us. Maybe last week, last month, or ten to twenty years ago somebody hurt us. Too often instead of lettings it go and giving it to God, we’ve held on to it. We haven't forgiven, and just as those pigs soured that crystal-clear water, our own lives have become contaminated. The Root of bitterness has taken hold.

Worse yet, after a while, we accept it. We make room in our hearts for that bitterness; we learn to live with it. "Well, I am just an angry person. That’s just my personality. I am always like this. I'm always bitter. This is who I am".

No, with all due respect, that’s not who you are. You need to get rid of the poison that is polluting your life.  You were made to be a crystal-clear stream. God created you in His image.  He wants you to be happy, healthy, and whole.  God wants you to enjoy life to the full, not to live with bitterness and resentment, polluted and putrefied yourself and contaminating everyone else with whom you have influenced.

Imagine yourself as a crystal-clear stream.  It doesn’t matter how polluted the stream may be right now, or how muddy or murky the water may look in your life today.  If you’ll begin to forgive the people who have offended you, and release all those hurts and pains, that bitterness will leave and you’ll begin to see that crystal-clear water once again.  You’ll begin to experience the joy, peace, and freedom God intended you to have.

~ Joel Osteen

I know I am valuable...

No matter what is happening in my life, I know I am valuable and my life has meaning and true purpose. Because I see the beauty in my life, I am able to accept what comes to me and appreciate all of it. I give thanks to the life force that creates and sustains me. I appreciate and make use of every moment I have been given.

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” ~ Dalai Lama

What you give attention to grows...

What you give attention to grows ~ plain and simple. Instead of giving attention to what you don’t have or the negative things…cultivate, be thankful and focus on what you do have. Every seed you plant and nurture will reap a harvest in due time.

"Love the inner you and keep moving ahead, because you can't stand still and improve at the same time." ~ Wally Amos

You're either in or you're out...

“There are only two options regarding commitment. You're either in or you're out. There's no such thing as life in-between.” ~ Pat Riley 

Your life deserves better than a half-hearted effort. Meet your goals with a weak handshake and they’ll soon be waving you goodbye. Since you probably don’t want to look back on a life full of “almost made it” memories, it’s time for total commitment. Leave it all on the field, don’t hold anything back. Is there anything more satisfying than pouring out your entire being, straddling the cliff, reaching your total limit, then looking up and realizing that oh-my-gosh-I-can’t-believe-I-really-did-it? And is there anything more tragic than failing and realizing you could have done more? If you feel “out” of your current life, that’s okay. Make your first goal to build a life that you can get “in”-to. Then don’t look back. Make every day count and live purposefully, live energetically, live completely.  ~ Via Life Quotes

Surround yourself with positive people...

Surround yourself with positive people. Most people who soar to incredible heights of accomplishment in their lives do so because they surround themselves with positive, encouraging people. It’s hard to have a positive outlook when everyone around you is complaining all the time. 

 

If you surround yourself with people who routinely seek the good inside of you, you’ll begin to do the same. Spend less time with negative people and more time with those who speak words of support into your life. If you do, you’ll experience greater power, self-confidence and joy.  ~ Franck Pasquet

 

Change is a blessing that I am learning to enjoy...

“The key to change... is to let go of fear. ~ Rosanne Cash

 Change is a blessing that I am learning to enjoy each and every day.  I thank my creator for the gift of change. Without change, I would never grow, learn new things, accomplish my goals and dreams, cultivate healthy relationships or look forward to anything different at all.  Even though I struggle with change sometimes, I am learning to enjoy its possibilities.  Change is a blessing that comes with the power of choice. I can choose to leave things the way they are, or change them to something better.  Each day brings its share of changes and I choose to welcome them all and enjoy the opportunities that come my way.

I love who I am...

(photo credit: favim.com)

Regardless of my imperfections or my past, I can accomplish wonderful things. Everywhere I go, my light shines bright. I love to encourage, edify and support those around me. I take pleasure in using the gifts and talents from my Creator. Every intricate part of me was uniquely hand crafted ~ I love who I am.  Regardless of my circumstances I can find happiness, contentment and pleasure in every area of my life. 

"We can always choose to perceive things differently. You can focus on what’s wrong in your life or you can focus on what’s right." ~ Marianne Williamson

What is your Fire?

Think ~ what is that one thought always burning inside you, that thing you find yourself immersed in and daydreaming about…it could be a trip or vacation, a volunteer opportunity, the want for a family, a husband/wife or a business venture...whatever it is, reach out for it, plan for it and learn all you can. 

Don't be afraid to invest in YOUR dreams, they are a sacrifice worth taking a gamble for...

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."