Inspirational Short Story, Female Fantasy Art, Relaxing Music

Fear not that life shall come to an end,

but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning.

-- J. H. Newman

Our fears lock us up if we let them. They can prevent us from tasting adventure, from experiencing new wonders.

We are often terrified of unknowns and fret about what might happen if we try something new.

We worry if new people will like us -- if we'll fit in. It is natural to be cautious about the unknown, and anything new is just that.

But we can keep our caution from becoming fear by taking action, with the faith that we never encounter anything we can't handle in some way.

Unknowns are merely joys we haven't met.

We hold the keys to our own cages and can free ourselves when we use our courage and inner strength to overcome our fears.

Being alive is being creative.

You need do nothing but affirm your aliveness.

-- Gay Bonner

What does it mean to be alive?

Does it mean merely breathing, eating, and moving around, or is there more to it?

Being alive can mean different things to different people.

To some, it's sewing a baby quilt for a new life about to be born.

To others, it's singing, or walking, or running.

Still others find it in the exhilaration of skiing, or the tropical splendor they find when scuba diving.

Each of us has our own favorite activity that lets us feel our creativity and vitality, that lets us feel a part of the larger world.

Two gifts these activities leave us with are joy and energy.

Joy is one of the most creative forces we can call on, and energy gives us the power to do it well.

-- Song of Solomon

Most bushes and small trees need trimming every year. They have branches that hang out over the sidewalk and get in people's way.

Sometimes the branches grow so long and low to the ground that the tree looks weighted down.

Jealousy is like an overgrown branch -- it weighs us down.

It is one of those feelings all of us deal with.

We may be jealous of someone's looks or talent, or maybe even their good luck.

Like the overgrown branches, jealousy sticks out all over and gets in other people's way as well as our own.

It is a part of us we need to keep cutting back.

If we are good gardeners, we will get out the clippers.

Seeing and talking about our jealousy is the best way to start using those clippers.

If we do this, our own leaves will be healthier, and our blossoms will grow.

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10/23/2024

Dividers from Graphics By Sharon (dead link 06/23/2011)