Mid Life: Crisis or Crossroad?

So you've reached mid-life...

Relax, don't panic and slowly step away from the dealership...the secretary...the pool boy...and the 'mirror, mirror on the wall'! It's going to be okay. Breathe. There you go. Now. Let's face it. It's midlife, most of us do not look forward to this day. We dread wearing black and cringe at jokes and wise cracks like Lordy, Lordy look who's 40! And god forbid someone gives you yet another card or balloon that says, "Over the Hill!" Who invented those anyway? Probably someone in their late 20's or early 30's.

Nonetheless, one thing is for certain, if you have reached your idea of what you consider to be your mid-life, remember that along the way, you have gained insight and wisdom and you have learned to perceive things differently. You have come to see things are not always as they seemed through the young and ambitious rose-colored glasses. You have come to learn and appreciate the old saying, "money can't buy you love" and of course, like most, you have come to find that "chasing the dollar bill" and "climbing the corporate ladder" only leads to two things: arthritis and migraines!

And then there are matters of the heart. If you are like most, you have been around the block a time or two when it comes to love and relationships. You have experienced the good and bad of healthy and unhealthy relationships, you have discovered what it means to love someone and you have learned to love yourself and others as God loves you...right? Okay, so maybe we don't always get that one completely right. But that's okay. It's all part of the journey.



Because you see, there is truth in the old saying, age before beauty. Things that were considered priority to you at 20, are not as important at 30. And things that were important to you at 30, don't seem to matter as much at 40. This is because as we get older, our tastes, likes and dislikes, even our habits, tend to change. This is a good thing. So you may or may not be the strongest guy at the gym or the hottest girl at the club, but you are the most distinguished gentleman among your peers and the most accomplished woman in your field.

Mid-life is not a crisis-it is a crossroad. It's all in how you look at it. Stop. Do the inventory on your life. Did you achieve the career and love goals you set out to attain? Did you make a string of decisions that led you astray? Were you on the right track and got detoured somewhere along the way? No matter how you got here, you're here! Welcome to today: the first day of the rest of your life. And it is a good place to be, because now you have the wonderful opportunity to apply a very simple but effective principle: concentrate on the present and use the past as a guide for future.

Today, you can choose to make healthier decisions for yourself and your family. If you've been meaning to start exercising and eating right, rebuilding or repairing a broken bond with your spouse, children, family or friends then guess what! You can! It starts with you and it starts today. The Corvette is not going to love you back. The secretary will disappear when the money does and the pool boy is tweeting that he bagged a cougar or a sugar mama literally within minutes on Facebook and Twitter.

If you've been meaning to start that new hobby, take that new class or that much needed vacation, now is the time.

There are several sites with activities, advice and information available online for mid-life crossroad travelers. Now there is something that you can take with you down the road of the second half of your life: that spark that burned inside of you to finish college, raise a family or run your own business, it's still there, waiting for you. All of the things on your list that you haven't done yet, with realistic approach, revisit them and when able, take the appropriate steps to experience them. This could be any of the things mentioned here or other things like write a book, start a website or take up a new interest like teaching or community volunteering. The applications of your accomplishments and knowledge cover such a wide variety of areas.

Many believe that once at the mid-life mark, they lose their ability to make a difference in the life of others and for themselves. Nothing is further from the truth. Maybe you didn't have children, there is adoption, foster parent programs and mentor programs. Maybe you didn't finish school, there are night classes, online courses and tailored education programs that fit just about any budget and assessment level. Maybe you never had a faith base or believed in yourself, there are several churches, organizations and non-denominational groups available that can help you to find the best path for your spiritual journey.

click to enlarge

Lastly, remember that you matter. You matter to others in more ways than you may imagine and you touch more people thank you think. You are at that fantastic point in life that rewards you with fulfillment of your purpose in life. You do have a purpose; you do have goals; you do have a reason. It is not about reliving the first half of your life all over again, it is not about giving up on the people and things in your life that truly matter and it's definitely not about giving up on the 2nd half of your life and doing nothing at all.


It is now, that you take your experience and turn it from success into significance. Everything you've been through up to this point, in some way or another, can be a lesson and blessing to someone else coming up behind you. Be ready to pass on your knowledge, love and passions to the ones who follow. Sometimes, your pothole is their speed bump; your failure is their success. Sometimes, you can help prevent or help someone else get through a similar situation in their life. Your mid life crossroad was the cure to their 1st half of life crisis. See how that works? 

By being a lesson and blessing to others, you will find new purpose, new fulfillment, new reason, new hope, new light: new faith in the foundation of your beliefs, new love in hearts of the ones closest to you and most importantly, yourself.

Until next time, I am De Thomas and this - is Real Living.

Poetry Corner

Prayers transcend space and time. 

In our prayers, we open the mind and explore the soul.

We go where the spirit takes us. 

Phone Call To God

by: DeMaster Thomas

Hello God, I called tonight to talk a while.

I need a friend once again who’ll listen to my trials.

You see, I can’t seem to make it through one day on my own.

I need your love to guide me so I’ll never feel alone.

I want to ask you please to keep my family safe and sound. 

Come in and fill their lives for whatever fate they’re bound.

Give me faith dear God to face each hour throughout the day.

And not to worry over things I can’t change anyway.

I thank you God for always taking my calls.

I thank you for giving me advice and catching me when I fall.

Your number, God, is the only one that answers every time.
I never get a busy signal and never had to pay a dime.

So thanks God again for easing my sorrow.
Good night, I love you, too. And I'll talk to you tomorrow :-)

Eat Good-Live Better!

Diabetic Diet for Non-Diabetics

Nov 3, 2010 | By Anne Tourney

Photo Credit Andrea Bricco/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

Overview

Following a diabetic diet plan could improve your health whether you're diabetic or not, says MayoClinic.com. Diabetics and non-diabetics alike can benefit from the simple, non-restrictive guidelines for healthy eating that the American Diabetes Association, or ADA, has established. Weight loss on this plan doesn't require buying expensive supplements, taking medication or making radical dietary changes that you can't maintain; it's a matter of following basic nutritional principles that help control your blood sugar and your weight.

Diabetes and Prediabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which your body can no longer process sugar normally. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, the hormone that allows you to utilize sugar. Type 1 diabetes usually starts in childhood and requires insulin therapy to keep blood sugar stable. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, develops when your body has stopped producing enough insulin or responding to insulin. In prediabetes, your blood sugar is high enough to indicate that you are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Risk factors for prediabetes include a family history of type 2 diabetes, being overweight and inactive or having a diet that elevates blood sugar. Prediabetes is a reversible condition that can be prevented with diet and lifestyle changes, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC.

Dietary Guidelines

The diabetic diet aims to prevent diabetes and its complications by maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and body weight. Instead of excluding foods from your diet, the ADA recommends eating more fruits and non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and legumes, non-fat dairy products and unsaturated fats. Because even healthy foods can cause weight gain, the ADA advises controlling your portion sizes. In addition to preventing diabetes, these basic principles help protect your cardiovascular system and lower your risk of heart attack or stroke.

Foods to Avoid

Your overall intake of carbohydrates and your body weight have a greater impact on your risk for diabetes than the type of sugar you consume, says the ADA. You don't have to omit desserts, high-calorie snack foods or soda, but the ADA advises cutting back on these foods or replacing them with low-calorie options that won't promote weight gain. If you do indulge in a sugary treat, you can compensate by cutting back on carbohydrates in other foods that day. Replace commercial sodas, which are often high in corn syrup, with water, unsweetened juice or sugar-free tea. Drink alcohol in moderation or not at all, suggests the ADA. Moderate drinking includes one drink per day for women, two drinks for men.

Physical Activity

Because being overweight is one of the greatest risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes, the ADA's recommendations for physical exercise are as important as its guidelines for healthy food choices. Exercise suggestions are flexible -- find an activity that you enjoy and gradually work up to 30 minutes of that activity three to five times a week. Walking, gardening, playing with grandchildren or dancing may appeal to you even if you've been sedentary.

Precautions

Consult your health-care provider before starting any new diet or exercise program. Work with your provider to evaluate your risk for prediabetes and develop a diet plan that's right for you.

References

• American Diabetes Association: Making Healthy Food Choices
• CDC: Diabetes Public Health Resources: Diabetes & Me: Eat Right
• MayoClinic.com: Diabetes Diet: Create Your Healthy-Eating Plan
• American Diabetes Association: Diabetes Basics

Article reviewed by MaryBB Last updated on: Nov 3, 2010

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/295279-diabetic-diet-for-non-diabetics/#ixzz1ZZOQt8SJ

One in One

Forgiveness and Healing are one in one. You know you have forgiven yourself when  you are able to speak of your experiences aloud and to others without residual effects. Another great measure of success in forgiveness is the ability to share your experience with others and discover that you have helped them heal in some small way. When you forgive you: you heal a part of yourself that has been hurting. When you share with others, they learn how to do the same thing. You may help someone else with what they're going through simply by being able to say, 'I've been there' and 'I know how you feel.'

Honestly, when you hear someone say that, you really think they don't know how you feel, but when you come to understand their road to forgiveness and you see the benefits of their healing, you may find yourself able to really embrace and open up with that person.

Sharing life challenges with someone you trust can lead to a peaceful heart instead of an angry or hurtful heart. It can also lead you to finally understand why you are the way you are. For some, they have tried life one way and it did not work out so well. It short, it flopped.

But then there is the flip side, where you figure it is time to try life a different way with a fresh perspective and a new gratitude attitude and while you may not be completely happy with the things in life that lead you to this moment, you discover that you have more peace as a result of it.

Forgiveness leads to healing and healing leads to a road to achieving happiness; happiness with all that you have learned along the way. Of course you may say, that's not possible. There's really no such thing as "true happiness" or some might say, "how do you blend the two or is there even such a thing..." I answer you this: understand that regardless of the trials and tribulations in your life, if you are still alive and well then your journey in life continues. There is still much more for you to do to fulfill your purpose. Those ups and downs along your path shaped you and made you who are and who you will become. So - Keep Going!

How do you apply the present to the past? You don't. You learn from the past and apply it to the present. And by doing this, you secure yourself a healthier, happier place in your future.

-DeMaster Thomas

Life and Love

With all areas of life and love there comes residual side effects. Some of them are good and some of them are bad. It really depends on the individual and the issues they are going through. However, there is a universal stigma that applies to both an that is the declaration of possessive behavior in relationships.

Generally speaking, there are two sides to every story. It has been argued that whether it's good or bad is a matter of opinion. So let's look at the extremes and let you decide.

A. There are those who believe that possessive behavior in relationships can prove to be very healthy. For example, it will show a level of emotional ownership that leads to a physical responsibility. Acting on that responsibility shows that you care. To show you care means you truly do love the person. And if you love the person, then you will honestly honor, cherish and adore that person. You would not intentionally mean to cause harm, trouble or sorrow, you will always forgive and you will always come back.

B. Then there are those who see it a little differently. Others believe distance can make the heart grow fonder. That distance can also become a crutch or a justified excuse that never really fully allows the person to fully commit or become attached. By remaining physically and emotionally distant, the person can keep the protective barrier that protects them from getting hurt or from loving or hurting others. It is safe. Safe means not having to fully invest yourself. Less investment means lowering your risks and losses in case the relationship fails.

Which one are you? Are you more like "A" or more like "B"? Or do you feel you are somewhere in the middle? Playing it safe when it comes to matters of the heart can be smart depending on who you are choosing to deal with or playing it safe could block your ability to fully open up, be vulnerable, revealing and accepted.

The loving heart has only one desire: to be loved in return. A loving person only wants to be loved for exactly who they are at the core and for love to find them right where they are right now.

Ultimately, where there is pure love there is pure intention. Time stands still. You will no longer run from your past or speed through your future. You will be content where you are: in love. So if you haven't already, let love find you where you are now. Do not be afraid of the past or anxious about the future. Life will know what to do with love - even when you don't.

-DeMaster Thomas

Try It, You Might Like It!

 

Diversity and creativity comes in many forms. There is the culture we live in, the people closest to us and then there is the quiet voice within. Sometimes, that quiet voice is the best source of inspiration. Joyce Meyer coins it perfectly in her book, Enjoying Where Your Are On the Way To Where You Are Going.

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it...(Revelation 3:8)

  Perhaps God has been speaking to you about some changes in your life and you want them, but you are afraid. I want to encourage you not to be afraid to step out. Even if you make a mistake, it won't be the end of the world. Don't spend all of your life looking back and wishing you had tried different things or done things differently.

 Wondering what could have been is a lonely feeling. I can promise you that you will not enjoy everything you try. But at least you will have the personal experience of knowing. You won't have to live your whole life hearing about what everyone else is doing and wondering what it would be like.

 You are not going to be able to do everything, but step out in God's timing into the things you feel He is leading you into. Go through the doors He is opening. You may even have to take a few steps in some direction and see if a door previously closed will open as you approach it.

 For example, God taught me a lesson once using the automatic doors that fly open as someone steps on the rubber pad. He said something along these lines, "Joyce, you can sit in your car at the grocery store all day long and that door will never open for you. You can watch other people go in and out all day and it won't get you in the store. But if you get out of your comfortable seat and head toward the door, as your approach, you will find it opening for you also."

 Maybe you have a little direction from God, but you don't see the full picture. God leads step by step. He may never show you step two until you take step one.

 God is progressive and I have found that my faith is also. I may have a little faith and so God shows me a little something to do. Then as I am faithful over the little thing, He shows me the next step and by then, my faith has grown to be able to handle it.

Maybe you need something simple like taking a different route to or from work.

You might think, "Well, what if I get lost?"

My response would be, "Well, what if you have a good time?"

Taking risks, calculated or not, can be very scary. Even if the current circumstances have run their course and in some ways may even be unhealthy or unproductive. But it is in that fear that we find faith and it is in that area of the unknown that we find trust. You may say well I don't trust the new place I am going or I may not fully trust the people there. But I ask you do you trust yourself? If you do, then you will have all the trust that you need. You know yourself best and you know you would not purposely put yourself in situations that are not safe.

So the next time you feel like you are faced with difficult options and you must make a critical choice, just remember there is something to be said about the road less traveled: sometimes it will lead you right where you need to be.

-DeMaster Thomas 

A Clean Heart and Mind

It is very common for inspiration to come to us in our dreams. Even in the darkest corners of our mind, there is a light of hope, compassion and perseverance. This post, while a bit out of the ordinary, is from a reader's personal diary. It was given to me with permission to share with my readers in hopes that in some small way, maybe their story would inspire others.

Clean Your Closet (4/2010)

So let the cleaning begin! As each great door thralls open, I am rebuilt, reconstructed and ultimately, reborn. I am returned to The Source. I am whole again. Let the great and wondrous sounds of love and redemption fill the walls of my soul with joy!

 But if we talk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. (1 John 1:7)

I am free! I am free! Thank you, Christ Lord, I am free!

And the first door opened up and hoards of filth, sins and pains of life poured out and was swept away into misty vapor of nothingness right before my eyes. And when the vapor cleared, the closet was clean and sparkled with peace, faith and spiritual foundation.

And the second great door opened. And the closet of my body opened forth all sins of lust, hate, degradation, punishment and destruction and again the vapors sucked them all out of existence like a mystical vacuum. Once the smoke cleared, the closet sparkled with words of encouragement, confidence, self-esteem, self-worth, patience and care.



 



And lastly the third door of my soul opened up and in it were piles and piles of dirty crusted skeletons and bones, cold and broken from all the I suffered in my life. And with a sweeping whiff of light, the closet door was blown back and the skeletons became flesh and the flesh became life and all who were trapped here were freed. The walls were covered in thick, chalky layers of roaches, water bugs and larva. With an increasing amount of strength, power and might, the Great Light began a powerful, overwhelming vacuum of suction on each and every nook and cranny of the closet.


While great force was needed to heal and extinguish the layers on each wall, it was only a matter of time before it was all gone!

The hate-gone!

The fear-gone!

The lust-gone, all gone!

The lack of self worth-gone!

Low self-esteem-gone! All gone!

Nightmares and haunting memories-gone!

Spiritual obstacles-gone!

The curse of hell-all gone!

And there I stood, in front of all the closets of my life and they were empty of all sin and replaced with strength, courage, wisdom, knowledge, compassion, peace, understanding, faith, grace, forgiveness, foresight and most of all, each door was open wide to accept and receive more. 

And off to each side of the doors were small red dots with the symbol of the New Heaven on them. And when I stared even further, I noticed a soft, humid silhouette that wrapped around all me. It spelled the word, LOVE. I am home. I am happy. I am complete. In the surroundings of love. What I knew of the world was no longer my way. I am born again to start over. This is the creation of a clean heart. Created by God. Bound by the Son. Protected by the Holy Spirit. 

Thank you. I am home.

-DeMaster Thomas 

A Love Story: Daydreaming

VOWS (8/09)

We met in a virtual cafe, you with your coffee and I with my tea. We were shy to share a table, but the light from the window and the breeze from the door made our table the best in the room.

"Will there be anything else?" The waitress asked. Together, we answered, "No. That will be all, thank you." We laughed at our synchronicity. Conversation was bright with many colors and the laughter was seasonably perfected with pain. Our visits became frequent - daily - as if one day without, is a lifetime.

We fell, no net; floating beyond stories of past, present and future. And landed here. In love. And today, just as you were many years ago at the first hello... This is all but a twinkling glimpse occurring in only a minute. And as you are with your coffee and I with my tea, we are warm, sweet, bitter, best if not better served hot or cold.

You see, in my eyes, you and I, well, we-never grow old. And even if this is only imagination - it seems - I do not ever want to wake up - from this eternal dream.

 -DeMaster Thomas

2012 update! Are you ready? Get ready!

Awakening Minds

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2012 ~ What you’re not being told Posted: 17 Aug 2011 03:31 AM PDT The clock actually runs out 25th September 2011… By Alexandar Retrov and Krystal Alexander-Hille I stayed up the whole night, typing out this First Part of the lecture, because it resonated so true to me…My wish is that it does not scare you, but rather prepares you for what may be coming & is (happening) now ~ A.Allegrucci To summarise the lecture…Basically we know that there is a Brown Dwarf Star on its way towards us. At the moment we are not seeing any major changes as the Earth and the Brown Dwarf star are travelling at the same pace. http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=elenin&orb=1 It’s still about a distance of 1.5 AU from us. For example: When the Japan earthquake happened in March 11th, it was 2 AU away and we had a magnitude 9.0 earthquake. The NEXT alignment happens on September 26th, 2011. It will be between us and the Sun. At that point it is 0.38 away from us. When this object goes across the sky between us and the Sun, it’s going to cause and eclipse that will last for 3 days. Gravitational fields and Infrared work on an inverse square relationship. So every measure of distance, the force magnifies by the square of it. When it was 2 away, we had a magnitude 9.0 earthquake. On September 26th, the gravitational forces and the infrared forces will be 25 x greater on that day. What has been predicted is that on September 26th 2011, the WHOLE Pacific Rim will go with magnitude 12.0 to 15.0 earthquakes. This is totally consistent with the mathematics. It is predicted that: New Zealand will disappear. Japan will disappear. Indonesia will disappear. China will disappear. Korea will disappear. Russia will disappear. The West coast of America will disappear. The East Coast of Australia will not be affected by the actual earthquakes, but they will be affected by the tidal waves that come from it. Before this happens, as you get into August and this gets closer. The gravitational forces of this Brown Dwarf Star are going to start to pull, not only on the crust of the Earth, but also pull on the Moon. The Moon has a fairly spherical orbit at the moment around the Earth. But as the Brown Dwarf gets closer, it’s going to pull the Moon closer to it and the Moon is going to have a more Elliptical Orbit. What affect will that have on our planet? When the gravitational pull is greater, we will experience what is called “King Tides”. It’s expected that ALL the major coastal cities of the world will be flooded at some point, through August and the beginning of September. Not tidal waves, but massive tides…cities like London, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Melbourne, Sydney, Venice…any coastal city! Incidently…(Nasa employees have already relocated their families from the coastal area’s About a week before September 26th, this object is going to be very obvious in our sky (from around 20th). (March 15th it was spotted on SOHO and then quickly removed by NASA a day later. This object is going to cover 1/5 of the sky. By then anarchy will be ruling, because they would have collapsed the financial markets and put most people into the FemaCamps (please ask for additional info on these, if you do not already know about them). There are approx. 800 of them currently around the US and house up 50 000 people upwards. Which adds up to a total of 40 million people. The Eclipse will last for up to 3 days, but when it lines up with the Sun and our Planet, there is going to be a “COSMIC SONIC SHOCKWAVE” that will totally blow out our magnetic fields, which will leave the Planet completely open to Gamma Radiation. It’s what they call in the Bible “Gabriel’s Trumpet”. It’s a sonic blast to do with the lining up. The magnetic fields will be destroyed (they are already being weakened). If you are out in the open, you will literally be friend alive! So you need to be able to get out of DIRECT LIGHT, for the whole duration that our Magnetic Field is down. This could take up to 2 – 3 weeks. So this is the summary for 26th September 2011: Level 12 – 13 magnitude Earthquakes Basically every Volcano on the Planet will go off at that time Pyroclastic blasts will be going off Cosmic waves that are going to hit Wind speeds of over 1000 hours per hour Surface temperature degrees of over 60+ Wildfires all over the planet All the water surfaces are going to dry up Volcanic ash will cause huge amounts of acid rain Electromagnetic Pulses are going to fry all the electrics Satellites and TV’s are already starting to play up, and as this thing gets closer more and more of them are going to go down The next date we have to be concerned about is the 17th October 2011: “Elenin” is now 0.23 away. It is the closest point it comes to us. (21 million miles away from the Earth) Any volcanoes that have not gone off by then, will now Any land that has not separated will do it then, because the forces are now over 80 x what they were when the Japan Earthquake happened 2nd November through to the 7th November 2011: As the Dwarf Star travelled through the astral belt, it will have picked up a few followers. Some are the size of a marble and some a hundred miles large Every 26 000 years we pass through the tail of “Elenin” and on the 2nd to 7th November we pass through the tail of the Brown Dwarf and running a whole asteroid field with masses of meteor showers Our saving grace is that our Moon will be on the lea side and be able to potentially shield us from some of the impacts Unfortunately many major cities will be obliterated by being hit by asteroids. Masses of showers for approx. 3 days 11th November 2011 there is another alignment: We will then line up on the outside at about 0.56 away There will be more earthquakes on that day 17th November It is believed that this is when the whole crust of the Earth will completely lift and turn around, as this is when the gravitational forces are at it’s highest 23rd November there is another alignment: Which could cause more earthquakes From then on it starts to move further and further out That is the: How When Where it’s going to happen. There are safe places to be, which will be discussed in the next note. Not just “Physically” but also “Spiritually” This note explains the physical events, then the next will explain why you have chosen to be here at this particular time and give a more spiritual understanding… Lastly for this note…What does 2012 mean? Where does the date 12th December 2012 come from? ~ It DOES NOT come from the Mayan Calendar. It comes from the “Illuminati” (to be explained further) This date does not exist in the Mayan Calendar! People have tried to match the Mayan calendar to our (manmade one). The Mayan’s don’t talk about an “END” in their calendar…they talk about a “CHANGE”. They speak of the shift from the 4th Sun into the 5th Sun. They don’t mention anything about a Brown Dwarf Star. The Mayan’s talk about a shift of the SUN…this is very important. The date 2012 DEC12, is a date given by the “illuminati” to trap the ‘New Age’ people. Trapping them into believing hey have to prepare for this date, so that they are totally unawares to what is about to happen in the next 2 months. Most ‘New Age’ people have bought this story, because it’s all tidied into the Mayan calendar and therefore it’s about the ‘Ascension’…they believe there will be no Earth changes because we can pray them away. The Mayan’s spoke of a shift in awareness preceding all this, but NOT on this date 2012 DEC12 is an “illuminati” ritual which happens to tie in with the Winter Solstice, a beginning of a transition period. Nostradamus and Edgar Casey’s prophecies have all been dumped onto this date, because most people are stupid and they’ll buy it. The Mayan’s were smart. They had the number #0. If you go from 3BC to 2BC to 1BC … the next year is 1AD, there is no year 0 in our calendar. So straight away, we’ve lost a year (From 2012) which gives you 2011 RELIGON & TIME have been manipulated into controlling the masses and stopping you from the“FREE THINKING” that have the time to source EVERY single micro second. There are NO RULES. SOURCE…DOES NOT have GOOD & EVIL. There is NO RIGHT or WRONG. It’s JUST an EXPERIENCE!!! If SOURCE doesn’t have these RULES and say’s, EVERYTHING you do ENRICHES my BEING. Then why do we have to suddenly listen to someone who says we can ONLY access that spiritualKnowledge through them? And we have to do what they say, or else we are heretics and get burnt at the stake. Or Excommunicated… Karma is non-existent UNLESS you CHOOSE to believe it…there is ONLY CAUSE & EFFECT! If you believe in Karma, that IS what you will manifest, because you have complete control FREE WILL to create whatever you want. SO what is 2012? Our solar system is part of the Milky Way Galaxy. A spiral. And in the middle of our galaxy, is a massive Black Hole. They give out energy in 2 directions, in pulses that radiate outwards, like when a pebble hits a pond of water. We spiral around, going in waves, up & down. Soon, we will enter the middle of the Photon band. A place of no TIME and all SPACE. There is no great Ascension to come, because we are already there. We chose to be here at this time in the Universe to experience what we are going through right now. We have CHOSEN to manifest, although we may have forgotten, because we got caught up in the illusion and lies that have been fed to us and the 3D stuff. We cannot ascend to something we already are. You just become AWARE of where you are perceiving it from. Are you so caught up in the “play” that you believe you are the ‘Character’ or are you sitting in the audience admiring your work? So what is this so called “Ascension” about? We are made of atoms, which are made up of Carbon / Helium & Oxygen. So we have a Proton, with Electrons and layers of shells between. As we enter the Photon Band, which is a huge pulse of energy. Every single atom in your body, gets hit by this energy, and the electrons jump to the next level. And as every atom becomes energised, you become less dense with a higher vibration. P.S. Why are we not being warned? The US Government don’t want you to know this, because they have written off 60 million of its people that live in the top North West. “Agenda 21” and if they told you about it, they would have to start to relocate people.

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What Is The Purpose of My Life?

How do you discover your real purpose in life?

I’m not talking about your job, your daily responsibilities, or even your long-term goals. I mean the real reason why you’re here at all — the very reason you exist.
Perhaps you’re a rather nihilistic person who doesn’t believe you have a purpose and that life has no meaning. Doesn’t matter. Not believing that you have a purpose won’t prevent you from discovering it, just as a lack of belief in gravity won’t prevent you from tripping. All that a lack of belief will do is make it take longer, so if you’re one of those people, just change the number 20 in the title of this blog entry to 40 (or 60 if you’re really stubborn). Most likely though if you don’t believe you have a purpose, then you probably won’t believe what I’m saying anyway, but even so, what’s the risk of investing an hour just in case?

Here’s a story about Bruce Lee which sets the stage for this little exercise. A master martial artist asked Bruce to teach him everything Bruce knew about martial arts. Bruce held up two cups, both filled with liquid. “The first cup,” said Bruce, “represents all of your knowledge about martial arts. The second cup represents all of my knowledge about martial arts. If you want to fill your cup with my knowledge, you must first empty your cup of your knowledge.”

If you want to discover your true purpose in life, you must first empty your mind of all the false purposes you’ve been taught (including the idea that you may have no purpose at all).
So how to discover your purpose in life? While there are many ways to do this, some of them fairly involved, here is one of the simplest that anyone can do. The more open you are to this process, and the more you expect it to work, the faster it will work for you. But not being open to it or having doubts about it or thinking it’s an entirely idiotic and meaningless waste of time won’t prevent it from working as long as you stick with it — again, it will just take longer to converge.

Here’s what to do:

1. Take out a blank sheet of paper or open up a word processor where you can type (I prefer the latter because it’s faster).
2. Write at the top, “What is my true purpose in life?”
3. Write an answer (any answer) that pops into your head. It doesn’t have to be a complete sentence. A short phrase is fine.
4. Repeat step 3 until you write the answer that makes you cry. This is your purpose.

That’s it. 

 It doesn’t matter if you’re a counselor or an engineer or a bodybuilder. To some people this exercise will make perfect sense. To others it will seem utterly stupid. Usually it takes 15-20 minutes to clear your head of all the clutter and the social conditioning about what you think your purpose in life is. The false answers will come from your mind and your memories. But when the true answer finally arrives, it will feel like it’s coming to you from a different source entirely.
For those who are very entrenched in low-awareness living, it will take a lot longer to get all the false answers out, possibly more than an hour. But if you persist, after 100 or 200 or maybe even 500 answers, you’ll be struck by the answer that causes you to surge with emotion, the answer that breaks you. If you’ve never done this, it may very well sound silly to you. So let it seem silly, and do it anyway.

As you go through this process, some of your answers will be very similar. You may even re-list previous answers. Then you might head off on a new tangent and generate 10-20 more answers along some other theme. And that’s fine. You can list whatever answer pops into your head as long as you just keep writing.

At some point during the process (typically after about 50-100 answers), you may want to quit and just can’t see it converging. You may feel the urge to get up and make an excuse to do something else. That’s normal. Push past this resistance, and just keep writing. The feeling of resistance will eventually pass.

You may also discover a few answers that seem to give you a mini-surge of emotion, but they don’t quite make you cry — they’re just a bit off. Highlight those answers as you go along, so you can come back to them to generate new permutations. Each reflects a piece of your purpose, but individually they aren’t complete. When you start getting these kinds of answers, it just means you’re getting warm. Keep going.

It’s important to do this alone and with no interruptions. If you’re a nihilist, then feel free to start with the answer, “I don’t have a purpose,” or “Life is meaningless,” and take it from there. If you keep at it, you’ll still eventually converge.


Here was my final answer: to live consciously and courageously, to resonate with love and compassion, to awaken the great spirits within others, and to leave this world in peace.
When you find your own unique answer to the question of why you’re here, you will feel it resonate with you deeply. The words will seem to have a special energy to you, and you will feel that energy whenever you read them.

Discovering your purpose is the easy part. The hard part is keeping it with you on a daily basis and working on yourself to the point where you become that purpose.

If you’re inclined to ask why this little process works, just put that question aside until after you’ve successfully completed it. Once you’ve done that, you’ll probably have your own answer to why it works. Most likely if you ask 10 different people why this works (people who’ve successfully completed it), you’ll get 10 different answers, all filtered through their individual belief systems, and each will contain its own reflection of truth.

Obviously, this process won’t work if you quit before convergence. I’d guesstimate that 80-90% of people should achieve convergence in less than an hour. If you’re really entrenched in your beliefs and resistant to the process, maybe it will take you 5 sessions and 3 hours, but I suspect that such people will simply quit early (like within the first 15 minutes) or won’t even attempt it at all. But if you’re drawn to read this blog (and haven’t been inclined to ban it from your life yet), then it’s doubtful you fall into this group.

Give it a shot! At the very least, you’ll learn one of two things: your true purpose in life -or- that you should unsubscribe from this blog.

Update 8/8/06:  Be sure to read the follow-up to this article, especially if you’re having trouble with this particular approach (there’s an alternative method you can use):  The Meaning of Life: Discover Your Purpose.

Read related articles:

• The Meaning of Life: Discover Your Purpose
• StevePavlina.com Podcast #015 – What Is Your Purpose?
• Free Life on Purpose Videos
• Purpose = Freedom
• The Meaning of Life: From Purpose to Action
• The Essential Missing Half of Getting Things Done
• Enjoying the Journey

Personal Reflections

Little Reminders for Each Day of the Week

Sunday

*Today, I will prioritize the things in my life that use up too much of my precious time and energy. I know my limits and how much I can bare. Today, I will regain direction and start the week with a fresh perspective.

Monday
*Today, I will exercise a positive mental attitude. I will remember to accept the things I cannot change, and grow from things I can.

Tuesday
*Today, I will look at goals that I have put off and start putting them into motion.


Wednesday
*Today, I will enjoy more of the things that make me happy. I am my greatest asset and resource.

Thursday

*Today, I will remember to love, cherish and adore the special people in my life.

Friday

*Today, I will be clean, clear and confident in all I do. I will be good to myself and others.

Saturday

*Today, I will find the good in all I do and embrace healthy positive influences in my life.

-DeMaster Thomas 

The Heart Is Three

It's funny to think a person can grow to be a hundred years old, but their heart will always be three. Why, you ask? Well, it's pretty simple. The core of the heart is made of pure love. Contrary to popular belief, the core of the heart is not evil at all. That would be our "human nature", a bi-product of our character, but not the true nature of your heart. Accept it or not, we are all a little spoiled and childish when it comes to some things. This includes work, relationships, friends, family and even total strangers. It's okay to admit it. We all have our moments of O.C.S., Only Child Syndrome.

Remember when you were around two or three and you were always the center of attention? You said, mine! Mine! Mine! A lot. Well, that was natural. It is a part of your being to want and desire to be loved and to attract to things that make you happy. It is also natural to want and desire and attract to people that make you happy. This is where relationships come into play. I like a boy, no one else can have him. Why? Because he's mine. You want the girl, but she doesn't want you. But since you can't have her, nobody can. Um...what?! Unfortunately, this is the broken, faulty logic we have all found ourselves stuck in a time or two.

We have been conditioned to believe that somehow when we get into a relationship, the other person is no longer a person, they mysteriously become our "property"-not someone, but something we can claim as our own. This is simply not true.  The fact of the matter is, that person was, is and still will be A PERSON! NOT PROPERTY before, during and after that relationship. This ideal that we must be possessive, controlling and relentlessly pressured to put a person under our wing so to speak, is frankly a defense mechanism built-in to protect the one we truly love the most in the relationship-ourselves! That's right. It's really us that we're protecting. You see, it's one thing to invest money, time and attention to a relationship, but once you apply your heart into it, that's a done deal. You are emotionally invested and that holds more weight than any other investment you have brought in. At that very moment, we go from our age to our shoe size.

We hard wire in silly pet names that shave down that key of love permanently broken off in the other person's heart, like 'sweetheart' 'baby' 'dear' 'sweetie' 'honey' 'boo' and things like that. Not realizing that unconsciously they are reducing the "adult inside" all the way down to the size of that "inner child." In other words, it gives the person saying all of that a position of nurturing protection and possession and gives the receiver a position of needing to be nurtured, protected or sheltered. While there are healthy levels of all of these things in a one on one relationship, too much of anything will kill you.

So. What do we do about it? Well, the answers are pretty easy, it's the application that makes or breaks you. You see, to open up, acknowledge, communicate, and remember that you are involved with another human being with feelings and thoughts and a life of their own outside of you, that's the hard part. But if you plan on making it last, you better wake up and realize that doing the most or not enough just may be the reason why your relationship is where it is in the first place. Being responsive to each other in a constructive manner means talking things out completely in their entirety. No matter how may ways you say it, you must continue to work on that bridge of dialogue or nothing else will be able to cross. Then apply what you have just learned from your partner in a loving and mature manner.

Do not expect your husband or boyfriend to be a knight in shining armor, a miracle worker or a savior. He is none of those things. He is still the man you fell in love with and you must remind yourself that the things that attracted you to him in the first place are still there, but you are learning more about him now and it is up to you to decide if you can live with them or not. Men, same goes for you. Women are not your playboy toy, your personal chef, your arm candy, your maid, your mother or your drinking buddy at the ball game. She is your wife or girlfriend and should be treated as such. She is not superwoman, although she would like to think she is and women your man is not God-no matter how much you think he can "fill that gaping emptiness" inside you - only God can fill that, so before you come to your man you better have your affairs in order because your own heart and mind may not be in the right place and your liable to say something off the wall and run that man right up out of there for no good reason at all.

Lastly, women, never give a man an ultimatum. I guarantee you 90% of the time, he will take it and you are not going to like it, because you're wondering how come the almighty vagina didn't win? Well that's because the woman standing in line right behind you has one too and she is more than happy to oblige. Men don't think you're off the hook either, because as quick as you are to turn on your woman is as quick as she is to find another man to give her what she is not getting at home. True love and affection, intimacy and positive attention from you is what she seeks most. That's right, women can be men, too.

 

So the next time you are ready to throw up your fists and start fighting to protect your heart, whether it is with action or with words, remember that your heart is just a baby needing love and protection and that's the reason why you feel the way you feel. You just want to be held, adored, cared for, and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the one you trust completely and hold so near and dear to you --- feels the same way. Remember that you are both adults and rational logic must come into play before you lash out. Be proactive instead of reactive and let that same love that brought you together in the first place, be your guide to a brighter future. Like they say in the old south, "you attract more bees with honey than you do with vinegar." 

Until next time, I am DeMaster Thomas and this - is Real Living.

Wishing Upon A Star

The Myth of ‘Wishing Upon a Star’: 5 Real Ways to Get Things Done

Written by Daniel Wood - 14 Comments
Categories: self improvement
 

All of us have dreams. All of us wish we could be someone we aren’t today.

Just like poor little Pinocchio, wishing he was a “real boy”.

The question is; will a star grant our dreams?

From what I have learned I think that if you wait for your dreams to come true on their own, it will be a long wait.

On the other hand if you take charge and make things happen for yourself, it can go very quickly.

5 Steps to Accomplishing Your Goals:

1. Clarify your goals
   Write down your goals on a piece of paper; make sure they are goals you can measure. You want to know when you have completed them. For example, don’t set the goal; “I want to lose weight”.

Instead, set a target, a deadline and right it in the positive present tense, as if you already completed it e.g.; “I weigh 150 lbs. by the 31 of December 2010”.

This method activates the subconscious mind to start pulling these goals into your reality.

2. Make Plans

“Failing to plan means planning to fail” is a popular quote and it is very true.

When just starting out on the path to your goals, it will feel like making a plan is impossible, you often don’t really know how you are going to complete the task so you just start throwing ideas against the wall to see what sticks.

This is good, the more you try the better your chance of success is, but you should still plan.

Each time you have an idea and want to try it out, spend some time making plans for how you will make it as successful as possible.

Ask the four questions:

- What is the goal of the project?

- What needs to happen in order for that to happen?

- What needs to be done?

- In what order?

When you have the answer to all four questions it is time to start the project.

3. Focus on your goal

Make sure you focus on your goal. Don’t let yourself be distracted by opportunities that pull you away from your dream, even if it seems too good to say no to, if it isn’t your dream it is not worth doing. Unless of course the offer is of the magnitude that it completely changes your dreams!

4. Be ready to change your plans

Things will not go as you hope, you will have setbacks and you might even notice that what you want now isn’t the same as what you wanted only a few months ago.

That is okay!

Be ready to change, adapt and grow as a person and let your dreams grow as well.

5.  Take Action

Whatever you do, take action.

It doesn’t matter if you skip all the other steps, taking action is the most important.

It is the only thing that can make you succeed.

Even if you do all the other 4 steps, if you don’t take action on it, nothing will happen.

Discipline yourself to go through with your decisions and make your dreams come true.

All of a sudden you are living the dream

Completing your goals doesn’t have to be harder than this.

Follow these 5 steps and before you know it, you will be living your dream.

Just remember, don’t wait for someone else to give it to you. Get it for yourself!

Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below.

This was a guest post by Daniel M. Wood of the popular blog Looking To Business he writes about Sales, Motivation and Success.

I suggest that you start with these articles as they are a collection of his best work and can help you find additional techniques and motivation.

Good luck!

Don’t Forget To Follow PickTheBrain of Twitter!

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Thank-You

Thank You, Lord

by: DeMaster Thomas

I asked God to take away my pain-

God said, No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my body healthy-

God said, No. Your spirit is whole; your body is only temporary.

I asked God to give me patience-

God said, No. Patience is a lesson of tribulation.

It is not granted; it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness-

God said, No. I give you blessings; happiness is up to you.

I asked God to make my life easy-

God said, No. You must grow on your own.

But I will prune you to make you fruitful.

 
I asked God to give me all things that I might enjoy life-

God said, No. I gave you life so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me love others as much as He loves me.

And finally-God said, Yes. No questions asked.

We're Still Here

Did the rapture happen and nobody noticed?

END OF WORLD Add comments

Pastor and Christian broadcaster Harold Camping predicted the rapture would take place May 21, 2011, soon followed by the end of the world.  The rapture apparently did not happen as scheduled.  Or did it?  Could the rapture have occurred May 21 but nobody noticed?  Is the end near?
Belief in the rapture is rooted in this verse from the Bible:  “The dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
It is believed that true Christians will be whisked away into heaven before a period of great suffering for humanity called the tribulation and the apocalypse.  Pastor Camping could have been correct in his dating of the rapture.  He merely overestimated the number of people who would be raptured (including him).
According to rapture theology, only true Christians will be raptured.  It is granted that anyone who belongs to any non-Christians faith (including Mormons and Catholics) will not be raptured.  True Christians are assumed to be born-again Christians who adhere to a conservative interpretation of scripture.  But does that alone define a true Christian?  Assuming anything is just that…an assumption.
Could it be that Christians who believe in the rapture will automatically be disqualified from the rapture?  Hoping for the rapture really is an almost selfish, anti-Christian attitude.  We’ll be in heaven while sinful human suffers the apocalypse.  Yippie for me, too bad for humanity!  A true Christian would prefer to remain behind with their unsaved family and friends.
If we narrow down what is defined as a true Christian, out of 2 billion Christians, how many are genuine, and the real deal?  It could be as little as a couple of dozen.  If a couple of dozen individuals were raptured on May 21 would the world notice?
If we want to know when the apocalypse will start, pay attention to any news stories about mysterious disappearances.  People disappear everyday and it is not news, so the chance of noticing the rapture is slim, but it is possible. What NOT to do is assume you will be raptured, and your presence on earth means the rapture has not happened yet.  What are the odds you are one of the few dozen genuine Christians out of the 2 billion mistaken Christians?

1. Jazz Says:
   May 23rd, 2011 at 3:58 pm Love this. I actually thought the same thing. (My personal belief is that Christianity has changed so much since that day in age, and I think it started with Saul/Paul.)
   
2. DeMaster Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation.
   May 24th, 2011 at 5:19 am Actually, if you read my site, which is in close relation to Occult View, you will see the truth Biblical Rapture is not due to occur here on Earth for many, many years. There will be an uplifting of the dead into the Rapture starting May 25, 2011 and will continue throughout the year. There will also be several other events that happen after that and far beyond 2012. The actual final calendar date for all of the “Signs of the Apocalypse” to complete is 7000 celestial years-not Earth years. So relax. Stay focused on The True Higher Power; Stay Ready and you don’t have to get ready. Thank you.
   

Getting through your Weak Days

  

Se7en Ways to Make It Through Your Weak Days

If you are like most of us, you have that one day of the week that's just grand. All is well with the world and your mind and spirit are at peace. This is commonly Saturday or Sunday. But what about the much needed 

"R & R", "Revitalizing and Recuperating", that we need Monday through Friday? Well, fret no more. Here are simple, easy tips you can start today that are sure to refresh your mind and body.

Because we have such a diverse audience, we will take a holistic approach. Ready? Here we go!

MONDAY

Monday is the day of quiet time. This is achieved through prayer, meditation or just sitting still for at least a minimum of 10-15 minutes. Take deep breaths. Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. Do this until you feel completely relaxed. Here's come the hard part. Now, just be still and quiet. During this time, your mind and body will be letting go of all the gunk and junk piled up from a manic Monday and you will come out of your quiet time refreshed and ready to go.

TUESDAY

Tuesday is the day to spend some time stimulating and massaging those brain cells. Tuesday is the day to read. For those of you who practice a faith base, read your Bible. Sewing the Word of God into your heart will reap peace, love and blessing. For those of you who may not read the Bible, read a book that is uplifting, encouraging, fulfilling and has an overall pleasant outcome. Reading leaves an impression. So the impression you want is something that is positive and rewarding.

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday is the day of reaping. The benefits of Monday and Tuesday will show on Wednesday. The week is half way through, you are focused, energized and ready to take on your daily tasks with a healthy outlook.

THURSDAY

This is a day of reflection. Take some time to sit down and look back on the week. What have I accomplished? What do I have planned for the weekend? Have I prioritized my week so that I am not overwhelmed? Is my house and finances in order? Thursday is a good day to address household issues. Thursday is also a good day for family meetings such as game night or just spending some much appreciated quality time alone or with a friend.

FRIDAY

Finally Friday! Many people say, "Friday is My Day!" And they are absolutely right. 

Friday is always a great day to spend time with friends and family. Whether you're staying in or hanging out, make it a fun day for everyone. Of course there is also great joy in spending Friday in the peace of your own company if you desire. Otherwise, it is a good day to surround yourself with others who are like-minded and just a lot of fun to be around. For those of you who practice a faith base, Fridays are always good days for spending time with others who share your beliefs. Get together for some fun time doing faith based activities, projects, games, movies or just talking and sharing the events of the week.

SATURDAY 

Now Saturdays are a bit confusing. It's not Friday, but it's not Sunday either. So what do I do for my peace of mind? Well that's the beauty of it: anything you want. Exercise, chores, hobbies, special interests, home projects, sports, entertainment, travel! The list goes on and on. As long as you can say at the end of the day, wow. That was fun! It was a good day. You have subconsciously stimulated the mind and rejuvenated the body.

 SUNDAY

And now the moment you've been waiting for....exhale! Let your head fall back, let your eyes close, because this is the coveted day of rest. For those who have a faith base, this is commonly the day you attend church or some other social gathering with others who share your beliefs. And this is good. It is a great way to replenish the spirit, feed the soul and restore your overall mental attitude to a clean, clear state of consciousness. For those of you who may not attend a church or similar type of social gathering, this is a good day to do something special for your family or for yourself. Whether it is taking a drive out to the country, having a picnic, taking a walk, taking a really good nap without worrying about the time. All of these, including doing nothing at all, actually puts the mind and body at rest and really helps to regain clarity for the week ahead.

So there you have it. I know, so simple that anyone can do it, right? Of course. And what is the one thing you notice about all the days? That's right! They are interchangeable. You can start any of them any day of the week and continue them throughout the week. You can arrange the order however it fits your lifestyle. It's nice to know that peace of mind comes in all shapes and sizes. Find the one that's right for you and start today. 

For now, I am DeMaster Thomas and this - is Real Living. Be well.