~ Daily Actions ~
  ImageQuest© copyright-Gayla L. Pledger
Our Daily Bread...
 Grab a pen and paper and be prepared to take notes as we begin our journey into spiritual awakenings...
I had a home, my child, a wonderful, loving family ~ food to eat, a car to drive; I was going to college and still had money in my purse. . . So why was I this miserable? What was I so afraid of? And why did life seem so empty and pointless?
is measured by our spiritual condition.
Introduction:
My marriage had failed, I was diagnosed with an incurable disease and faced the responsibilities of two dependant children. Alone and frightened, I couldn't see how I had any control over my life. I felt a victim of circumstance as everything just seemed to go wrong. Even my thoughts and emotions were unmanageable. I was quickly spiraling downward into anxiety and despair, causing my physical condition to deteriorate as well. Feeling pulled in a dozen directions, over-loaded with demands and obligations, it seemed my life belonged to everyone but me. I was tired, irritable and depressed, finding personal satisfaction to be fleeting.
With the many challenges we face, it's easy to feel our lives are out of our control. Suffering from all forms of stress-induced disorders, we become resentful, believing we'd be happy if only that person or situation would change. We tend to blame our problems and discontent on external sources and likewise, look outside ourselves for a solution. Outward satisfactions are merely a temporary fix. When the excitement diminishes, we must seek yet another thrill. It's much like putting a bandage over a cut -- the bandage doesn't cure the wound but merely covers it up.
Whether the unmanagability in your life lies in career, home, children, aging parents, a flagging marriage, divorce or even a chronic illness, there is a solution. The principles embodied in this format are without limitation, applicable to any problem. The only road block between you and a happy life is your own unwillingness to be rigorously honest with yourself.
This course does not guarantee material fortune, but it does promise riches of the most endearing and enduring kind -- inner satisfaction, fulfillment and peace of mind. If followed diligently, these twelve guidelines will enable you to take charge of your life rather than allowing life to be in control of you. If we do not choose what we want our lives to be, we are then choosing to allow life to decide for us. Either way, it is our choice ~ whether by intent or by default.
It does not matter what "God" you believe in nor how you refer to this diety. You don't even have to believe... just believe that "I" believe. If you don't like the God you have, or if you don't have one, you can borrow mine. The only requirement for success is to be Honest with yourself, Open-minded to new ideas, and Willing to change your actions. The results are guaranteed.
Your willingness to make the personal adjustments presented throughout this course is entirely dependant upon your desire to find peace, happiness, and freedom. If, at any time you decide you do not think this study is beneficial, your misery will be refunded in full. You can only receive from this in the same measure in which you earnestly apply yourself to it. And in the end, the rewards far out-weight the investments. This is a spiritual law which rules all our affairs, regardless of the way we live our lives. that shall he also reap; And with whatsoever measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you ~ heaped up, pressed down, and running over. This principle is also known as "Karma" and "Self-fulfilling prophecy". Again, it doesn't matter what you call it because you cannot avoid it. If you plant tomatoes, you cannot harvest cucumbers. Neither can you plant resentment, bitterness, and fear and then reap love and peace of mind. The wonderful thing is, we can re-plow and re-plant our gardens at any time we choose.
To get started with the course, first buy a couple of large spiral notebooks, a few pens or pencils, and two or three spiritual meditation books. Designate a certain place in your home where you can retreat from the family, the television, radio, and telephone ~ a quiet place where you can concentrate, to do your reading, writing, and reflecting. Then, set aside a certain time of the day to devote to this study. You may have to wake up an hour earlier each morning to have the quiet time you need. I realize this may be very difficult to do in the beginning, but once you adjust to the new schedule, you will come to value and enjoy this part of your day more than any other. As you study the text throughout this course, look for the Principles, Promises, and Prayers. In addition to the written assignment with each section, below you will find step by step directions for daily living. Write these down -- yes, write, not print the page -- on the first page of your notebook, as these will guide you through each day of your new life.
We cannot store up today what we will need for tomorrow.
Before you begin your day, make a list of all you need to do today, then put them in order of priority. If you don't get them all accomplished today, you will have attended to the most important. If any are remaining, put them at the top of tomorrow's list.
You may have to get up 30 - 45 minutes earlier than you've been doing, but a successful day is largely dependant upon how you start your morning. Take 15 - 20 minutes to be still and quiet, uninterrupted, concentrating on a word, phrase, prayer or image which provides comfort and strength. If anything outstanding comes into your mind, write it down. It may be an idea for a project, a reminder, or an insight of some form. If it catches your attention, make a note of it.
Visit with your confidant -- a best friend, clergy, counselor, or spiritual advisor -- and if anything is bothering you, regardless of how silly, insignificant, or beyond your control you may think it is, talk about it. This is especially difficult for men, as you have a false concept that you should be able to fix and/or control every problem. That is false-pride talking.... you are not God.
As you go through the day, make a note of the good things which occur -- the kindness of another, the unexpected, or the arrival of something you've waited for.
Fulfill the commitments, responsibilities and promises you've made for the day. Do at least one nice thing for someone today without them knowing who did it and don't tell anyone.
Throughout your day, when something irritates or upsets you, stop a moment and ask yourself what it is within yourself that causes this to bother you. Is it pride, fear, selfishness, a sense of superiority? Regardless of outward circumstances, if I am upset by it, there is something wrong with me. Remember, you can start your day over any time you choose.
Make it a point not to act on your every emotion -- especially the negative. Just because you are angry, irritable or depressed doesn't mean you have to act accordingly. Through this course, you will learn what to do with those negative responses. Don't make any decisions during the height of emotion -- positive or negative.
Make time to engage in a hobby.
Write down at least five things (people, situations, ect.) you are grateful for today and at least three occurances you can attribute to God working in your life. These would be things you might ordinarily call "a coincidence", or "good luck"; good things you know in your heart you really can't take credit for.
Before retiring at night, review your day. In writing, make an honest appraisal of your attitude and conduct. Where could you have done better? What did you do or say that you feel badly about? Do you owe anyone an apology? Be sure to write down the things you feel good about, too -- something you did especially well, a way you were helpful to someone, or an accomplishment. This is a Balance Sheet, where we tally up our debits and credits for the day.
Put away your notebook, get on your knees beside your bed, and thank God for the day -- even if it was a lousy, horrible day, and even if you don't believe -- thank God for the lousy, horrible day, then ask for help to do and be better tomorrow. Don't worry about feeling like a fake. You've undoubtably faked many things in your life. It's the actions which count, not the feelings.
Suggested reading material:
  
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(© copyright-Gayla L. Pledger) All Rights Reserved
Biblical References: Matthew 6: 33, 34
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