The other day, I was at a friend’s home to tape a radio broadcast when I had the opportunity to watch her small kitten in action. The black with white trimmed feline was a joy to behold. It had a small ball made up of tin foil that it would carry around and literally throw while running with a snap of its head. Then, she would catch it before it stopped rolling. At one point it jumped onto my friend’s lap (who was undaunted by this) and proceeded to reach something on the wall that caught her interest.

I wondered about the sense of freedom that this animal displayed and how eager all of us are to enjoy that same sense. The freedom to be who we are instead of the compliant, “keep up with the Jones’ ”, “how am I doing?” kind of person we may have become. Comparative thinking is the enemy of creativity and, in reality, if two people think alike, there’s not much thinking going on. The sense of “who we are” is lost in the need to be successful sometimes. By “who we are” I’m referring to the free spirit we used to be when we were very young and didn’t care about conformity.

The other day at a party there was a beautiful child…I would guess about 2 years of age…walking among the adult guests while swinging her arms in a display of obvious confidence with her father following behind her. She might have stopped for something to eat, touched something that interested her, decide to start running in another direction…all within moments of each other. I was mesmerized and wondered whether this was a clear demonstration of confidence and freedom of thought and feeling that I can only feebly try to help my clients attinquisitivain. As a psychotherapist working with corporate moguls I would often direct them to a playground to watch children at play in order to help them capture the sense of creativity and fairness that children demonstrate. Some of those who were rather staid in their thinking just didn’t get it.

The home page of my website shows a picture of my grandson, Jacob, looking out over the Gulf of Mexico. The caption reads “if we could become inquisitive like a child and ask lots of questions, answers will come. Adults need to re-learn that simple and natural process they forgot while growing up”. Some believe they never had it. They did but they’re afraid of how they’ll look if they go back there. They would need to ask “how am I doing?” instead of just enjoying the freedom that going there would bring. Only a child could convince them that the adventure is well worth the risk. And only someone who can trust their instincts would listen.

I can look back at times in my life when I was wondering
around in the dark. I met up with some very close calls that
would’ve taken my life. I chalked it up to being lucky that
things worked out the way that they did. Now I know better.
What about you? Do you recognize Who Christ is in your
own life and the things He has done to prove His love for
you?

I considered myself to always be a “spiritual” person. I knew
there was a God Who looked over me, but I never imagined
it could be such a personal relationship as it is today. I once
thought of God as out of reach, but now I know better. He’s
always right beside me, guiding me, leading me into His
truth and His light, showing me every step to take. I use to
give myself all the credit when things went right in my life,
chalking it up to the fact that I was a good person. Isn’t this
the way most of us think before we meet Jesus face to face?

This makes me think of the time in the Bible according the
gospel of Luke when Christ was crucified and the people
didn’t know what they had, only now that He was gone,
they were wondering if perhaps He really was the One.

Two of the disciples were walking and talking with
eachother about the events that had just happened. Just
then Jesus appeared to them but they didn’t recognize who
He was. They never looked right at him, they were downcast.
When we don’t look at Jesus, we won’t recognize Him either.
Cleopas asked Jesus if He hadn’t heard the news about
His own death. (Lk.24:18)

They continued to tell Him that the tomb was empty. Jesus
replied, “O foolish ones (sluggish in mind, dull of
perception) and slow of heart to believe (adhere to and trust
in and rely on) everything that the prophets have spoken!”
Lk. 24:25 (Amplified)

Even though these men were followers of Christ and He
had told them exactly how it would happen, they still doubted
even what they saw. Aren’t we like that today? There are
those who may have been told but still can’t see Jesus
when He’s right in front of them! This is such a sad
realization.

These people, who were told exactly the accounts that
would happen because it was God’s plan for salvation of
those who were sinners and had no other way out. Face it, if
God didn’t love us so much, He would’ve and could’ve just
thrown His hands up in disgust and let us destroy ourselves
out of being…but He didn’t.

So, as the three men continued walking, Jesus explained
and interpreted the Scriptures concerning Himself. This
holds true of us even today. If we don’t hear the true word
given to us by anointed pastors, preachers and teachers we
won’t understand what God is trying to tell us either. The sad
fact is, there are many pastors, preachers and teachers who
have appointed themselves, and were never anointed by
God to give His Word. So, these so called messengers are
most likely giving false doctrine by not rightly dividing it. God
warns us of what will happen when His Word is added to or
taken away from.

“And if anyone cancels or takes away from the statements of
the book of this prophecy (these predictions relating to
Christ’s kingdom and its speedy triumph, together with the
consolations and admonitions or warnings pertaining to
them), God will cancel and take away from him his share in
the tree of life and in the city of holiness (purity and
hallowedness), which are described and promised in this
book.” Rev. 22:19 (Amplified)

But, when we hear God’s true Word, we will see Jesus in
our lives, just as these two men did. They urged Him to
come into their house and eat with them. Jesus also tells
us that if we invite Him in He will eat with us also. (Rev.
3:20) All we have to do is answer the door when He knocks.

As they reclined at the table, Jesus gave thanks and asked
a blessing. He broke bread and instantly their eyes were
opened. They saw clearly and recognized Him. (Lk. 24:31)
After that He vanished and they were greatly moved. Jesus
effects us like that today when we break bread with Him and
see Him clearly for Who He is. They suddenly understood
once they heard the Scriptures taught the way they were
suppose to be taught. If we aren’t hearing them in their true
form today, we will never see Jesus either. Today people
are being taught scripture as a form of “sin management”.
We hear the things taken out of context that make “us” feel
better about ourselves and Christ is not even present in the
process. Without Christ, God’s Word doesn’t mean a
thing, because Christ is the Word, made flesh.

As I began to study and learn and rightly divide God’s Word
in my own life, I began to see Jesus more clearly and just
how much He means to me. I can now look back on my life
and realize that even though I was operating in the world, He
still was walking right beside me, just begging me to let
Him in. Being a gentleman, He never pushed or forced His
way in, but rather just quietly, patiently tugged at my heart
strings waiting for the day when I would humble myself and
admit that I truly needed Him as my Lord and Savior.

Oh sure, I still have trials, they don’t go away, in fact I’m pretty
sure they get more intense. But, with Jesus at my side, I’m
not afraid of going through them. It makes life a whole lot
brighter just knowing that He will take me through each and
every one, as long as I continue to believe in, rely on and
adhere to Him in faith. How do I know this? Because He told
me so!

If you’re not walking in faith today, stop and listen and see if
you can’t hear Him knocking on your door. Once you invite
Him in, no longer will He be a stranger among you. He will
be your best friend!

Our highest privilege is to talk to God; our highest duty is to
listen to Him.

Vivian Gordon writes inspirational and spiritual articles
in which to help strengthen the Believer’s walk in Christ.
They are often taken from today’s point of view and
used in conjunction with what God says about certain
situations and how we are to handle them. There is
always an answer for every problem. These articles are
not all about asking God “why?” but in finding the
answers.

The less I remember, the better my day goes.

I know, that’s a headscratcher of a statement.

The more I put a stop on remembering what happened yesterday, last week, many moons ago or just a few seconds back – the better I feel.

Whether those memories carry good or negative emotions doesn’t make a difference. It’s happened. And thinking about it keeps me distracted. Because any memory carries emotional baggage.

It can be the best baggage ever, but it doesn’t change the fact that it is my history. And it has Absolutely Nothing to do with Now.

Remembering is reliving. Reliving is not being alive.

Our hang-ups and gripes and bad habits are fed by our memories. We make them festering wounds that can’t heal because, through memory, we keep the source of the infliction alive. If we couldn’t remember them, we’d be free of them.

Good memories are just as bad.

Remembering a pleasant experience blocks out the present one. And that’s probably the intention. The consequence to you and whoever or whatever is being tuned out is this – you have dropped off the face of the earth. You’re not available. So, in actual fact, you might as well be living in a parallel universe. It may be pleasant, but it’s not real.

A clear mind is a most precious commodity. Clarity is like a laserbeam of creativity. Your beautiful life thrives on it.

A clear mind paves the way to a prosperous life. A life of untold riches. When your mind is freed of emotional clutter, it has room to explore and create. It becomes magnet for success.

Now it’s your turn to Accept and experience. Just believe me and try. Apply, apply, apply. It is only when you apply any theory that you gain the experience to find your own truth. My truth doesn’t matter to your life. Find yours. Your experience is your proof. Wouldn’t you want to prove that your life thrives as soon as you bury the past?

Friends, this really works. Leave your memories to history. Surprise yourself into living a life of transcendent joy, unlimited prosperity, and luminous glory.

By now you realize that every change in your life manifests as a result of overhauling your thoughts. Memories are just thoughts that were once alive and are now gone forever. Leave them be.

You can’t fail your destiny once you accept it. Accept your creativity. Accept your wisdom. Accept your greatness.

You cannot fail once you accept who and what you are.

So drop the memories. Leave them in the dust. Wake up to the glories within you. Be adventurous. Be Fearless. Be a warrior. Your life is now in your good hands. Enjoy!

Tania French is a composer who has enjoyed performances and radio broadcasts of her music worldwide. Her new CD “Renewal” (released December, 2005) will feature a rejuvenating fusion of new age, classical, and world songs.
Subscribe to her popular newsletter at prosperousartist.com prosperousartist.com
© 2005 Tania French. All Rights Reserved.

Employees often fall into the trap of feeling disempowered and having to work very long hours in order to get the job done. But by learning how to “manage upwards” or “manage your manager”, you can control your workload, improve your productivity, achieve your professional goals and have a better work-life balance.

Understanding your manager’s needs and style
The first step in managing your relationship with your boss is to gain a better understanding of how you can meet his needs. Know his style and be aware of his current priorities so you are better able to align them with you own. A good way to learn these things about your manager is to watch how he interacts with others. Find out how he likes to be kept informed and what his preferred methods of communication are.

Develop and adapt your own communication style
Once you understand your manager’s communication work style, put yourself in his place and try to figure out how he perceives you and your own communication style. Try to adapt your style to suit his.

Influence your workload
If you are swamped with work, schedule a meeting to discuss priorities and options fro what you can and cannot handle. If you cannot take something on, you need to be able to say why. Be proactive by asking your manager to suggest whom you may ask for assistance, or recommending that the job be done by a temporary worker. Be prepared to be able to tell your boss exactly what your workload includes and have your to-do list available for inspection.

Manage your manager’s expectations
A recent research shows people have up to eight or more jobs throughout their working lives. Many managers have not “risen through the ranks” as they would have done a generation or two ago. This means they may be less familiar with the processes of your day-to-day job. So the responsibility lies with you to manage their expectations and ensure they have a realistic idea of how long tasks may take.

While you may want to impress your boss by working from home or staying back late into the night to get things done, this may also have negative outcomes. You may make a good impression in the short term, but you are also raising your manager’s expectations with what you and your team-mates can realistically achieve within the office hours.

Provide your manager with solutions
One of the most important skills to learn when managing upwards is to approach your manager with solutions rather than problems. By requesting his approval on a solution, you are involving him in the decision, making his job easier and showing him you are proactive. This has the benefit of impressing your manager and giving you the opportunity to hone your problem-solving skills.

By making a few changes to the way you work with your manager, there are huge gains in helping to achieve productivity and meeting the company’s or department’s objectives. Just remember to keep the lines of communication open, ask for feedback and never cross the line to being manipulative. That promotion may just be within reach if your manager sees your initiative, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Aaron Loh
Founder and Director of Wealth Learning International
wealthlearning.net wealthlearning.net