Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Selfish or In Service or Selfless?

Are you here to be truly helpful?
Are you here to indulge yourself?
Are you here to sacrifice yourself?
Is there a time for everything?

Does it not seem appropriate to serve when you can with joy and gratitude?
Does it also seem important to care for yourself in order to be of service to others?
Are there special times when it seems best to sacrifice for the benefit of something greater?
Discerning the value at different stages and moments in our lives is essential to know.

When we feel grateful and at peace, we are following our inner guidance.
When we feel guilty and defensive, we may be following our ego’s fearful beliefs.
When we are healthy and happy, it is easy to be helpful to others.
When we are tired, sick or unhappy, it feels like a sacrifice to serve another’s needs.

What does it take to be helpful to others?
·     Take impeccable care of yourself first.

·     Receive gratitude and joy from everything you give.

·     Take time to listen within to give what is of value.

We may do what is expected rather than what is truly valuable to everyone.
We may offer help when it is not wanted.
We may give with an expectation of receiving in return.
We may not be capable of giving with joy, because we have not loved ourselves well.
We may see ourselves as giving away what we really want to have.
We may judge feelings of resentment for giving when we really don’t want to.
We may be confused by those who refuse to receive because they don’t want to be obligated.
We may give to those who feel “needy” or “less fortunate” and make ourselves feel “better than”.
We make believe that some lose when some gain, and feel guilt about our choices.
We give out of duty and obligation rather than love and appreciation.
We may be giving what we really want to be receiving.
We may not take time to listen within to a natural loving way to contribute to others.
We may not understand that giving is receiving and all we give is given to ourselves
We may exhaust ourselves by giving more than we have energy for.

Take time during these holidays to nurture and nourish yourself with all Good.
Appreciate your natural giving Spirit and notice how it inspires and increases your energy.
Create times of stillness and quiet listening and know it is our prayerful thoughts that bless.
It is our kind and appreciative words that make a real difference.
It is our acts of service without sacrifice that let others know how much we care…
Loving us all as we give and receive the true and lasting gifts of Love and appreciation.
I love you and thank you for inspiring me to share these loving reminders,

Betty Lue

You Are A Flower in the Garden of Life
If you would grow to be your best self
Be patient, not demanding
Accepting, not condemning
Nurturing, not withholding
Self-marveling, not belittling
Gently guiding, not pushing & punishing

For you are more sensitive than you know
Mankind is tough as war
Yet delicate as flowers
We can endure agonies
But we open fully only to warmth & light
And our need to grow is fragile as a fragrance
Dispersed by storms of will
To return only when those storms are still

So accept, respect,
Attend your sensitivity

A flower
Cannot be opened
With a hammer