I shared my WiFi password with my neighbor and he's been using it for 5 months. Today I asked him to add me to his Netflix, but he said his wife is the one who pays and she refused. Well, I cut off their access to my WiFi, a few minutes passed and he came to my house...
INSTEAD OF WATCHING AN HOUR OF NETFLIX TONIGHT.
This 1 hour Stanford lecture by Joel Peterson will teach you more about negotiation and getting what you want than most people learn in years.
Bookmark it and give it an hour, no matter what.
In a mother’s womb were two babies. One asked the other: “Do you believe in life after delivery?”The other replied, “Why, of course. There has to be something after delivery. Maybe we are here to prepare ourselves for what we will be later.”
“Nonsense,” said the first. “There is no life after delivery. What kind of life would that be?”
The second said, “I don’t know, but there will be more light than here. Maybe we will walk with our legs and eat from our mouths. Maybe we will have other senses that we can’t understand now.”
The first replied, “That is absurd. Walking is impossible. And eating with our mouths? Ridiculous! The umbilical cord supplies nutrition and everything we need. But the umbilical cord is so short. Life after delivery is to be logically excluded.”
The second insisted, “Well I think there is something and maybe it’s different than it is here. Maybe we won’t need this physical cord anymore.”
The first replied, “Nonsense. And moreover, if there is life, then why has no one ever come back from there? Delivery is the end of life, and in the after-delivery, there is nothing but darkness and silence and oblivion. It takes us nowhere.”
“Well, I don’t know,” said the second, “but certainly we will meet Mother and she will take care of us.”
The first replied “Mother? You actually believe in Mother? That’s laughable. If Mother exists then where is She now?”
The second said, “She is all around us. We are surrounded by her. We are of Her. It is in Her that we live. Without Her, this world would not and could not exist.”
Said the first: “Well I don’t see Her, so it is only logical that She doesn’t exist.”
To which the second replied, “Sometimes, when you’re in silence and you focus and listen, you can perceive Her presence, and you can hear Her loving voice, calling down from above.”
Maybe this was one of the best explanations of the concept of GOD.
– this lovely parable is from Your Sacred Self by Dr. Wayne Dyer 🙏
FIGHTING DISTRACTIONS DURING PRAYER
Distractions and lack of concentration are common struggles that most people experience during prayer. The mind keeps wandering making it difficult for one to remain focused on God during prayer. This can be very discouraging but then, the good news is that there are strategies to cultivate deeper focus and attention during prayer.
The first thing you have to note is that you are not alone in this struggle. As such, when distractions arise during prayer, avoid feeling frustrated. Instead, gently acknowledge the wandering thought without judgment. Imagine it like a passing cloud in the sky of your mind. Gently redirect your focus back to your prayer. Here, patience is key.
Also, having a short Bible verse or a meaningful passage can act as an anchor during prayer. When your mind strays and your thoughts roam, return to this verse - it can refocus your thoughts and remind you of the purpose of your prayer. Allow Scripture to guide your contemplation.
Incorporate sensory elements into your prayer space. Light a candle, focus on its flicker, and let it symbolize the presence of Christ. Engaging your senses can ground you and create a sacred atmosphere conducive to focused and attentive prayer.
It is important to set a specific intention for your prayer before you begin your prayer. This objective can serve as a guide, helping you return to your purpose whenever distractions arise. It could be gratitude, seeking guidance, or offering intercession. Remember that consistency is key to overcoming distractions. Set aside dedicated times for prayer each day. Over time, your mind will learn to settle into the sacred rhythm, making it easier to focus amidst life's clamor
Lastly, remember that prayer is about connecting with God and not about achieving perfection. It is natural for thoughts to wander. When they do, gently refocus and continue your conversation with the Divine. If you cannot refocus, maybe the contents of those wandering thoughts are part of the things that God wants you to pray for at that point in time. Do not feel frustrated; God meets us where we are.
It’s natural to fall out of love and end a relationship. No need to cling to what no longer fulfills. Burn bridges to prevent toxicity from creeping in.
God’s grace opens our eyes to things beyond this world, things beyond this life. What is beyond the here and now is wrapped in a certain amount of mystery.
By the power of God’s grace, He opens our eyes to see and admire the beauty of His creation. Everything around us that is beautiful and powerful should lead us to recognize their Source, who is God Himself, and should teach us the goodness of God.
Harshness towards others, especially our subordinates and the less fortunate, leaves a permanent stain on our heart and soul — a stain so deep that not even a flood of tears can cleanse it.
When I pray every morning, I ask for the grace to be changed so I can conform to God’s ways, not for His ways to be changed to match my ideas.
When God’s grace transforms me to follow His ways, He can work powerfully in my life to shape me into who I am meant to be.
I am ever mindful that following God’s ways is a process that involves reforming, conforming, and transforming me as I submit to His will. These steps may be tough, challenging, uncomfortable, and even painful, but they lead me to profound spiritual growth and a closer relationship with God.