Starting in Sept. 13 in Pleasant Hill Reunion Center and Sept. 19 in Brentwood.
React or Respond?
Life is filled with choices every moment.
One choice offers happiness and peace.
The other choice gives us anxiety or pain.
We can choose what we want to give and receive.
When faced with disrespect, unkindness, illness or tragedy, do you react with fear or respond with love?
When treated unfairly, do you react with anger or respond with forgiveness?
When given bad news, do you react with swearing and bitterness or respond with blessing and prayer?
When confused and conflicted, do you react with self judgment or respond with kind reassurance?
In every moment, we have choice.
The loving respond gives us a sense of inner peace and happiness.
The irritated reaction haunts us with guilt, fear, upset and unease.
The power of choice is ours alone, even when we are tempted to give back what we got.
We can make a choice to always respond with kindness and respect.
We can choose to stop our unconscious reactivity and choose again for gentleness and love.
We can approach life with understanding and acceptance rather than criticism and resentment.
We can reach out with love as leader, teacher, parent and healing presence in others’ lives.
When we recognize the simplicity of choice even in complex circumstances, we choose wisely.
When we are confused, attached, caught up in others dramas, we may give what we received.
Attack begets attack. Silence causes silence.
Resentment and fear build up and no one dares to choose another way.
What can you do?
How do you choose?
What is the outcome you seek to accomplish?
Choose the goal you would accomplish and act in accordance without quitting.
It is always up to the most conscious one to choose a better one!
You are the most conscious one!
Forgive your fear, judgments and need to be right.
Choose again for a better way of love and understanding.
Establish guidelines for your words, your behavior, your choices in all your relationships.
Keep your agreements with yourself.
Forgive yourself when you step away from what your want to receive.
Be kind and patient with yourself as you make new choices and changes.
Remember love give loves.
You are the Love you give.
Others can only learn to Love by receiving Love.
Your are creating a world of Love, respect and kindness through your thoughts, words and behavior.
Loving us one and all in learning to love everyone all the time, including ourselves!
Betty Lue
Ten Commandments of Relationships
With mates, partners, friends, children, co-workers, etc.
Keep your agreements faithfully.
(Communicate changes honestly and immediately.)
Give more than you expect to receive.
Do more than your “fair” share.
Receive everything with open appreciation.
Express your thanks sincerely and take nothing for granted.
Live your own life in integrity and on purpose.
Clarify, communicate and live your mission, your path, your principles and values.
Be responsible for yourself, your work and live your life impeccably.
Don’t expect others to pick up after you or take care of you.
Stop using, blame, criticism or guilt to control or manipulate.
Stop making demands, threats or using neediness to get your way.
Communicate effectively and respectfully.
Request a time and place and tone of voice that works for both parties.
Be your best self in all circumstances.
Focus always on teaching by example. (and apologize immediately when you forget or neglect.)
Use your time together wisely.
Focus on meaningful, positive and inspiring conversation and activities.
Spend time, money, energy and resources only on what you value and want to increase.
Waste nothing in your relationship. No arguing, pettiness, emotional dumping or negativity.
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There are many more agreements which I encourage you and your partner to write together.
I encourage all parties to take time to re-evaluate your agreements monthly or on a regular basis.
As circumstances change, there is a need to re-commit to what works for all participants.
Families need to meet to look at the specific needs of each individual to be at their best.
Couples need to ensure that the relationship is “serving all parties.
Business partners need to return to their original agreement and consider changing roles as needed.
Life requires that we be in relationship.
With respect for ourselves and each other there is open communication.
With responsibility for the quality of our relationships, there is a willingness to seek what works for all.
With cooperation there is encouragement to listen for ways to serve the needs of everyone.
When everyone WINS, the relationships are harmonious, peaceful and enjoyable.
Blessings to us all in our willingness to continue to explore and find better ways of relating,
Betty Lue