EVERY LITTLE HELPS

‘Every little helps’ happens to be a large retailer’s strap-line. How very true it is when we look at the spiritual aspects of these simple words in helping us in tackling our more complex challenges. Those very words have taught me to take things one-step at a time. Also, that the storms of life does get better, based on those little things that we choose to do each day. Whenever we shift our focus even for a few seconds on something that lightens our anxiety, could be all we need in helping us to make the necessary adjustments.  

Smiling
I make every effort to smile. I am not talking about faking a smile, because people can tell the difference when it is a fake smile by your facial expression, as well as your vibrations or energy too. Smiling makes me feel good, and equally expands the vibrations of my positive energy to others. Whenever you smile, you are lifting someone else’s mood by sharing and spreading your seed of light. 

Greeting
A genuine greeting along with a smile is so uplifting for the giver and receiver. It makes the heart smile. I look forward to my weekly exchange of greetings and waves with our local Refuse Collectors. I exchange greetings with the Milkman each time we meet, and occasions will stop for a brief chat. I exchange greetings with Parents and their Children on their way to school.  What a fabulous way to start the day!

Praise 
I will give praise when it is necessary, without any expectations. No hidden agenda! Praising others is encouraging, enabling you and others to grow in spirit and love even more. So be kind! Be encouraging!

Gratitude
In showing my gratitude – deep gratitude and not just lip service, when someone does anything for me.  On occasions, I would even go to the extent of expressing my heartfelt gratitude with a hug. It is my way of expressing thanks, love and respect.

These 4 simple though powerful steps, requires a certain attitude towards yourself and others. One which is open, non-judgemental and without pre-existing assumptions about others. Rather much like the slogan, adds value, quality and service. ‘Every little helps’, when practised regularly creates a life of love and light for you and others. Upon everything, it makes you feel good.

 

RUN YOUR OWN RACE

Most competitive runners have been taught to ‘run their own race.’ This means having a strategy or plan which involves not allowing other runners to dictate their pace.

On the other hand, there are also those non-athletes we are aware of, who continually allow others to dictate their pace of life. They are too afraid to run their own race, worried about what others might think or say. Some are in constant need of validation, comparing and competing with others. They are more focused on what others are doing. Find out what makes you unique, concentrate, and run your own race. If you can’t run, then walk! Also, whilst you are doing this – stay in your own lane.

Whilst running your own race, you also need to find your own rhythm and steady pace. Distractions occur when you are not running your own race. Remember nothing good happens when you are continually comparing and competing with others. You may find yourself losing pace, and eventually unable to keep up anyway! Being outrun by the faster and more focused runners who are ‘doing their thing’, and undeterred by you. Running your own race means focusing on you, and doing your absolute best each time. Someone else’s achievement is about them, and has nothing to do with you. 

Do not forget that your greatest support shall always come from your inner guide. Stay focused on your race, and watch and listen out for signs that tells you which path to follow. All you need to do is to trust, and allow your inner guide to be your strength and source. Your inner guide will encourage you to run your own race, to keep on  going and moving forwards, until you eventually across that finishing line.

No King is saved by the size of his army

Some of us are so engrossed in trying to make things happen or lamenting over things we do not have.  Continually searching for those things that we think may meet our needs, and make us happy.  The more we search the unhappier we become.

Only recently, I was in conversation with a commuter, who shared with me that they were going blind in both eyes.  Having gone through multiple consultations, unconventional medicines, they are now certain, that their problem is ‘beyond Science’.

Does it really take such stark conversations to remind ourselves how fortunate we are?  I say ‘Yes, most definitely’.  It certainly made me stop to think yet again, how ungrateful I can be.

This is a stark reminder, to practise sincere gratitude more regularly, for those very things that help us to function daily, such as our ears, our eyes, our mouth, our legs, or even a sound mind (as so many people in our communities are losing theirs).

We really have a lot to be grateful for, as ‘No king is saved by the size of his army’.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post.

Encouraging Growth

Sometimes things, happen which causes us to droop a little.  This does not mean that our whole being is dead.  We are still very much alive, only what has happened is that our energy is depleted in particular parts of our body, causing us to droop.

Things are not quite, as they were.  We are exhausted from the pressure of being stretched, and emotionally strained.

Eventually, we must learn to let go of whatever is bothering us, and take great strides to perk up again, or else we continue to droop, to the point that things fall apart.

Much like the tree or plant with drooping branches, you have to prune off the dead, the diseased or competing branches to allow light and growth.

Olive’s LiveTalk: Thoughts for the Season

In Community talk.We each need to remember that Christmas is not solely a time for giving, as this should be demonstrated daily, giving and sharing love from the heart and not only from the pocket, because you feel compelled to.

Parents do not spoil your children because other parents are doing it to the extent that Christmas loses its values even more.  If you cannot afford certain things, start explaining to the children why, so they grow up with much more understanding.   There is absolutely no need to put yourself under pressure in trying to keep up with others.  We need to start teaching our children to place much more worth on what is important, and less on what is not.

For most, Christmas is a time to spend with the family (which can be anyone by the way), from your relations, friends, neighbour, kinsmen or women.

There are so many reasons, why for some of us Christmas may not be a ‘Merry’ time. Some may have lost their jobs, divorced, death of a loved one, separation, loneliness, illness, atheists, depression, etc.  Just because you are feeling all the ‘Merriment’ does not mean others are too.  We should respect that.

We should never be made to feel, less valued because of the pressures that the media alike have put upon us because of Christmas.  We should start to take control of our lives, and not be dictated on Christmas being the time to buy lots of presents just for that day, thus missing the real meaning of the Christian event.

Some of us believe in the phenomenon of caring and sharing daily in our lives, and see it as being hypocritical when caring and sharing is demonstrated only at Christmas, then soon afterwards return to our usual turning a ‘blind eye’ and ‘not by responsibility’ syndrome.

Spend wisely and caringly, though remembering that giving and sharing is a daily occurrence and not reserved for the 25 December only.

What does this festive period mean to you? Do you feel so saddened by it all that you do not celebrate it? Is it a time for reflection?