Reactor or Creator?

Do you react to things you experience and that is your action, or do you take action and create the life you want?

The Reactor-Type

I got up this morning and as soon as I stepped out of bed I stumped my toe, and fell into the nightstand bruising my leg. It hurt so bad. Everything spiraled from there as I prepared to go to the job I hate just so I can sit and listen to all of the problems of the delinquent occupying the cubicle next to me. He always looks at me like my fly is open. Every time I see him, I want to scream, "Brush your teeth!" He is such a loser.

The Creator Type

I woke this morning from a great night's sleep. As I got out of bed I stumped my toe and then I fell into the nightstand and really whacked my leg. If I didn't know better, I would swear someone moved that thing while I slept... lol. I couldn't wait to get to work so I quickly ignored the pounding in my toe, and just like that I forgot all about the event. I was in a particular hurry to get to work today. You see, there's this new kid in the cubicle next to me. He has had a rough time of it lately, but I really listen to him and we seem to be connecting in some way. He must know that I am being honest in trying to help him. Every time I see him I want to hug him and assure him that all is well. He's such a great kid.

Which Type Am I?

Do I understand the difference? Do I acknowledge that it is in the choosing that I determine whether I am the creator of my reality or the reactor to it? Either way, I choose. I am the one who makes my reality. There is no one to blame when things go bad for me. In fact, as soon as I choose to forgive the imagined offender, I realize that there was never any offense committed against me. It is always my perception.

Rearrange Your Letters

Did you notice that each type makes use of the identical letters? Reactor. Creator. When I rearrange the letters, I see that I could be either one. It is how I choose to arrange the letters that determines the word I use to describe myself. In the same way, when I choose to see the world around me in a different way, the world takes on a different look for me. I choose. It is only I. There is no one that is to blame for anything.

Realize The Truth

To quote a portion of the introduction to A Course in Miracles: "Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists. Herein lies the peace of God."

Dear friend, put on real eyes, and real-ize the truth of our existence: We are One. We are created in the image of God to be about the business of joining in with what God is doing. And what is God doing? He is waking his children from their slumber, as we are willing, and He is showing us who we really are. (Even while we are breaking our toe.) When you get it, express it, share it. The peace of God is for all people. It is meant to be expressed. In the expressing it is shared, and in our sharing we are creating peace on earth.

One Hope -- Peace. One World -- Now. One Love -- Forever.

We can change the world if we believe that we can. Believe. Be change.

I love you. -- jb

Going Home

I have been traveling extensively for several months (I am currently sitting in the lobby of The Algonquin Hotel in New York City). And today I had such a distinct case of homesickness that I felt like writing about it.

Homesickness Can Be Good

Going home. You know that feeling you get when you've been away for just long enough that you want to go home? I've got three more days before I will be going home, and I've already got the feeling.

The feeling is occurring in part because of the sheer number of days I've been on the road lately, but in addition, because of the number of homecoming celebrations I've had, I find that feeling to be oh so sweet. I like going home.

Traveling Is Fun

Don't get me wrong, I love to travel. I had an extended vacation over the holidays, and before and since then, I've had many days of business travel. I absolutely love it... I also absolutely love going home.

I have two dogs and a cat. The reception I receive from them alone makes me long for home. I also have some of the dearest friends that anyone could have, and I miss them terribly. I have a close family that keeps up with me, and they make me feel like they miss me as well. I love all of them, and each time I return home, we get together and I can honestly say that the emotions of love, satisfaction, and appreciation can be very overpowering.

Emotional Guidance System

I am an emotional type. I am very in tune with my emotions. They serve as a sort of guidance system for me. I can always make a connection between what I am experiencing or thinking about and what I am feeling at the same time. Those things go together, and although I generally write about the subject as a way to gauge whether I am in sync with the flow of life, today I am just celebrating the overall experience; the thinking, the feeling, the joy of going home.

Take Stock

I encourage you today to take stock of those things that remind you of home. Even if you seldom or never travel far from your own home, it is so rewarding to remember those things that make home what it is. I am aware that some of us seem to have more to consider when remembering those things and some of us have less. I also recognize that for some of us home may not be such a happy place. I am saddened by that reality, however, I believe the old adage that "home is where the heart is."

Listen To Your Heart

Going home for some of us may be as simple as taking the steps to rediscover our heart. My friend, your heart is worth the time it may take to become reacquainted with. Are you lost? Are you hurting? Listen to your heart. It is your home. It is good, and it is always looking out for you. Trust your heart -- go home to it today. The reception you receive may just be enough to remind you of how good you are. You are good indeed. I love you.

Peace -- jb

Is Lasting Peace Possible?

Do you ever think about what life would be like if the world was at peace? Do you ever allow your mind to open outwardly... a little?

I do.

And I have discovered the secret to avoiding any and all possible conflict.

It's simple... Never be against anything. Only be for things. Put in other words, we could just choose not to fight our wars.

Decide not to fight.

I know it sounds very passive and hippy or whatever... I understand that. I am not covering all topics for which one could become offended and retaliate against someone else. I am not that smart. I am speaking rhetorically to some and fundamentally to others. But I am indeed speaking about it. Peace that is. I want it. Don't you?

Don't you?

I mean, I realize there are mean people in the world who do awful things. I know it first hand. I also know the incredible power of forgiveness. I know what it can do to release a person from something.

Forgiveness.

It is an interesting word. In forgiveness, we forgive, and exist in the act of for-giving, thus the "-ness" of it all. It isn't meant to be a one-time event. Forgiveness is ever giving and ever grace-filled. It is the definition -- in a word -- of what we all wish to experience in a genuine way.

Genuinely.

World peace, as we see it being defined and attempted by our leaders, is not possible. There is a fundamental omission of personal responsibility on the individual level. Peace is a personal choice. Right? I can say I desire world peace, but I also scream at my wife, or kick the dog, or curse the other angry driver… Or, I aim my missiles at some other country.

Aim. Then what?

When I decide once and for all that peace starts in my own heart, and I begin to systematically eliminate the actions that promote chaos, I have made my own first step in contributing to peace on a global scale. Pray for peace, but also promote and create peace by doing peaceful things.

Peace is good.

I love you. — jb

Does Worrying Accomplish Anything?

Do you worry? Do you think too much about things yet to occur? Do you fret? Do you mind control yourself into unnecessary anxiety?

Are you human?

My friend, there is a really short answer to the question that is the title of this post, and that answer is no. At the same time, we humans, all of us, have had episodes of worry at some point in our lives. And the idea for this post came about as a result of a recent occurrence in my own life.

As I began to ponder my untimely lapse of faith, I decided it would be helpful to offer hope for those of us who have real issues with worry. I know people who worry. I know people who worry a lot. (I used to be one of those people.) It is different for me now and as I ascend, and as I learn, I recognize that worrying, while unwanted, still offers one the opportunity for real growth. I'm not speaking of the act of worrying -- just the awareness that I am worrying, and the healthy practice of replacing my thoughts about future events with faith-type thoughts that all is well... right now. When I re-member that I am okay right now and choose to be content with "what is" going on in this moment, I proactively crowd out those thoughts that cause anxiety.

Tell your self that life is good, because it really is. And it is good to you. Do you believe life is good? Do you believe that Life wants to be good to you? Do you? Are you thinking about it?

Think. About. It.

When I choose to believe life is good and good to me, AND when I accept myself and my circumstances, all is well. (I did not say to settle for something less than my dreams.) Stated similarly: I have the capacity to simultaneously be content with my current station in life while having really big dreams, realistically healthy goals and clear vision for the future.

Being content does not mean that I do NOT have the desire for something "better." In fact, it is generally agreed that people who have a healthy outlook on life are those that practice contentment while remaining focused on their next greatest version of themselves. Do you want to be wealthy? Believe that you can be. See yourself as being wealthy. Be thankful (and really feel thankful) for the wealth that is yours. Feel free to substitute the word "wealth" with whatever works for you, be it perfect health, better relationships, that dream job or a new car.

There is no need to worry. There never is. There is nothing to fear -- except those things we create in our powerful ever-creating minds. We choose what we see for the future, so choose to see only those things that you "know" you want, not the things you don't want. Then, prepare to be amazed as you watch yourself move directly into that reality.

By the way, this is not some exclusive New Age philosophy. All the great masters who have ever graced our planet spoke of this. The Christ (who is my master) said that I am to ask, receive, and believe that I have already received what I asked for, and I will have it. I like that because I know it works. Having said that, when I do slip and begin to worry, I can now (with much practice) change my thoughts and begin again to follow this simple yet profound guidance.

I am thankful for you, Dear Reader, and I pray that you may have everything you desire. Joseph Campbell once said, "Follow your bliss..." In other words, don't steal from your potential by imagining anything less than the best for yourself. When you think good thoughts about your future, you easily place yourself in line for everything you are desiring. For by staying in tune with that which inspires and moves you, you create the now that makes the future all you want it to be. Believe it. Believe in yourself.

I believe in you!

Peace -- jb

Picture-Perfect Peace Post

Peace is the destination, love the vehicle,

and our thoughts are the fuel that will get us there...

if we choose it.

No need for rambling. The picture says it. -- jb

The Gratitude Factor

It occurred to me today that as we find ourselves in the midst of another holiday season, we should have many blessings for which to be thankful. If we approach this special time and find it difficult to come up with things that have blessed us over the course of the previous twelve months, then we should check our gratitude factor. I worded that sentence the way you read it on purpose.

You see, I have come to understand my ability to interpret and receive a blessing as being guided by my awareness of the good and true already present in my daily life. The fact that I am grateful for my excellent health allows me to be truly thankful for the overall health of my family. The gratitude I feel for the closeness of my relationships all year long creates opportunities for me to be openly thankful for all my friends and family during these special days.

My friends, I know as well that holidays can bring about memories that cloud our eyes with tears for days gone by. I have my own loss to deal with and this season brings back those memories. Allow those memories to fill you with gratitude for the times you had. Let those thoughts of loved ones be your motivation to make the most of the relationships that exist right now.

God bless you as we enter this holy time. God bless you as you contemplate all that you have for which you are thankful. God bless your memories of all that you have loved. May those memories serve as a reminder that having loved means never having to regret a thing. Love is all that matters... past, present, or future. And may God bless your present. May you receive the blessing in the present. And may you know deep down that the present is indeed a gift.

I will leave you with a link from Mary Robinson Reynolds, Author & Founder of Heart Productions & Publishing. I get these e-mails and they never fail to point my heart and mind in a positive direction. I fully understand how difficult the holidays can be for some of us. I am one who has first-hand experience with loss. Allow this short video to open you up to the good and the true that exists all around you. Read the message and/or scroll down for the movie. It will make you smile. Click here -- http://www.makeadifference.com/Success/081124.htm

Peace for the season, love for your family, and thoughts of gratitude for the everyday. -- jb

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know thy self

i know you think you know you

i thought i knew me too

then i met "we" sitting here

and found it wasn't true.

what i knew i only learned

from others who'd been burned.

they thought that i as well

should join in their concern.

i did because i was so sure,

and i wanted to be as pure

as possible, but i wasn't strong

i was always too demure.

i have my wings now friend

and my heart is on the mend

i trust my mind, i will always be

true to myself to the end.

for you see i had to go

down that familiar road you know

leads to joy, hurt, love, even loss

yet it taught me how to grow.

so i saw my self sitting next to me

i said, "tell me how to be as free

as my mind says i am, and why do i frown?"

i was hoping we could agree.

then self said to me so clearly

that i knew i was taken sincerely,

"you are we, we are one, you've nothing to fear

and i love you oh so dearly."

so...

know thy "self" as the one

be it christ, buddha, allah, or sun

love thy god, love thy neighbor, love thy self,

you are good... so have thyself some fun.

no need to break man's many rules,

just don't follow any of the fools.

remember free is what we came here for

so give yourself and then offer your tools.

freedom from ego is why

you can't wait till "the sweet by and by."

i know that i can know myself now

and i can know "we" before i die.

life is really good my friend

so you are free to buck the trend

and live your freedom right here, right now

and maybe this world will never end.

-- copyright: jeff baker

for my dear reader friends: i write all poetry posts in lower case, no offense intended to deity. i have my rather elegantly understated-i'm screaming-no offense-type style of expression and i like it but i am always respectful. may i also remind you that as i state throughout my blog, for me the christ is my self, but my audience is as diverse as those that he chose to be with, in his day. from my readings in this wholly accepting blogging community i find my self becoming immersed in, i have learned even more about the many versions of the true self that exist around the world. i respect and honor each of them -- for they have gone out of their way to respect and honor me. remember, there is no them; whether you believe it or not we are one. god is one. we are one. so it is. one. one hope. one world... without end.

one peace. one love. one thought: namaste'. (look it up) -- jb