ECHO

Have you ever been in the mountains or a large environment where there was a distinct echo? Whatever you say or shout is echoed back to you in the same tone, same words and same intensity. 

Echoes remind us of a basic natural or universal law. 'That which you do send out shall return to you again.' We reap what we sow. If we are constantly inpatient with others we should not be surprised when we are treated the same way. If our lives aren't what we'd like them to be, what are we sending out? Take time to consider what you may be echoing in your life. 

VOICES OF WARNING AND INSIGHT

It's been long said, "when the student is ready the teacher will appear." There are those special servants placed in our lives to sound the warning cry as well as to teach and inspire us. Whether warning or guidance, it cannot be received unless we listen. The inspired ones can only help if we take the time to listen. Listening can change or even save our life!

NOT SEEN BUT IN THE SCENE

Several years ago while serving in the military, one particular deployment taught me a great unexpected lesson. 

We were sent into some of the most beautiful terrain and surroundings I'd ever seen. Three days into the mission one of our fellow  soldiers was seriously injured. Not from munitions or gunfire. He was attacked by a Grizzly Bear. We would see the bears on occasion near and around our encampment. We were always prepared and cautious. After our colleague was attacked one of our unit vice commanders held a briefing with all of us. He referenced his heritage (native American) and lessons of early childhood. Then he taught a principle I've remembered and embraced to this day. He said, "We are in Grizzly country and we know it. We see them, we are prepared for when we see them (now the principle). It's  not the Grizzlies we see that we should be fearful of, it's the ones we don't see!' What a powerful principle and lesson. There are various forms of Grizzly Bears in our lives. We need to always keep in mind that some threats, dangers or"Bears", though not seen, are there and very real!

KEEP LEARNING

An old belief is like an old shoe. We so value it's comfort that we fail to notice the hole in it. As we learn new things, we find some of our beliefs are no longer valid, we also find at times that some of our beliefs are increasingly valid and relevant. Seek an opportunity to learn something everyday. We CAN and WILLchange as we grow from learning. We are the only person with the power to change us...we...me. Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you'll understand what little chance you have in trying to change others. 

JOURNEY OF AWAKENING

There was once a king who was going to put to death several people, before doing so he offered a challenge. 

If any of them could come up with something which would make him happy when he was sad, and sad when he was happy, he would spare their lives. 

All night the people meditated on the matter. 

In the morning, they brought the king a ring. 

The king said that he did not see how the ring wound serve to make him happy when he was sad and sad when he was happy. 

The people pointed to the inscription. When the king read it, he was so impressed that he spared them all. 

The inscription read..."This too shall pass."

BURNING BRIDGES

As we get older, and wiser, there are going to be situations in which burning bridges is not only okay but necessary. 

KINDNESS

It takes much less effort to be kind than to be harsh or negative. We waste so much energy harboring resentment or anger. We are free to

choose one or the other.