A Shift of Perspective Brings Unity

Have you ever looked at a picture of the Earth taken from far out in space and considered how beautiful our Earth is and how from that wider perspective there are no territorial boundaries and no differentiation between religions, color of skin, ethnicity, country, government, or any other dividing label we place on ourselves and against others every day?

From way up high, implementing an expansive God's eye view of the Earth, we see that we are all one human race living on one beautiful planet. We are one people. We are us. I think if we were to regularly take some time to admire and thoughtfully consider that more expansive view within our thoughts and actions, we could become more united instead of continuing on so divided.

Our Differences Really Don't Matter So Much

Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
https://www.theguardian.com/news/shortcuts/2018/jul/16/new-photo-thai-cave-boys-ordeal-saman-kunan

In being with faced with heart-pounding moments hanging between life or death and the sacrifices that come with those moments, we are given the perfect opportunity to starkly realize that our human similarities are way more important than our differences.

In life or death moments, we are faced with the blunt truth that the color of our skin, the language of our words, the things we hold true or false, the God we worship or don't, and the way we regularly live day to day absolutely matter not one iota under the desire of staying alive or being swallowed up by death. Therefore, those differences should not matter even more so in light of the gift of life that we are given today.

We are given the gift of today that we may make our own and someone else's life a little better and brighter. Be kind, always.

Purpose Draws Us Upward and Onward

"When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bounds:  Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world.  Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be."  -- Patanjali, author of the Yoga Sutras

Reflections from an ever learning sojourner...

Always having an inspiring and stimulating purpose in life draws us upward and onward and makes all the difference in how we view and embrace today.  As we pursue a greater purpose in the daily and in the long-term, not only do we grow and discover more of ourselves, we also discover more about the world and people around us.  The pursuit of something greater than “me” which pushes and challenges in multiple ways draws us out of our comfortably mundane and self-centered “me” mindset and into an awe-inspiring perspective.  

Human beings were not meant to be stagnant and unchallenged.  Stagnation breeds sorrow, discontent, and bitterness.  In order to be healthy, thriving people we must create, pursue, and achieve while standing firm on the foundations of love and goodness.

Why is it that so often when a dearly loved one dies we look for ways in which to honor their memory and fulfill something in our life that they stood for or that we think they would be proud of?  

I believe it is because at a moment of most intense grief not only are we jolted awake to the fact that life is a gift and can end unexpectedly, we also look for important reasons to go on with our lives in spite of that person’s absence.  We desperately long to continue to bring value to the life they lived and the one we still get to have.  

We all need something productive and stimulating to do!  We all crave something in which throw ourselves into in order to help us not only make it through the ups and downs of life but also in order to have personal, tangible proof that our presence on this earth matters greatly.  Without purpose, we wilt and wither and lose sight of the truth that life is a beautiful and amazing gift to be enjoyed and embraced wholeheartedly. 

Life is lived right now, not in what was and not in what may be in the future. 

Life is lived with this breath, in this very moment. 

Life is lived abundantly as we hold hands with passion and purpose.

The opportunities of today and tomorrow are endless and waiting for our pursuit and discovery.  

Upward and onward!

© MaryAnn Broussard

Letting Go of Judgment

Reflections from an ever learning sojourner...

Having a non-judgmental attitude is a perpetual work in progress.  Regardless of how far I think I have come in not falsely judging others based on what I see with my eyes, hear with my ears, or feel emotionally, I realize I have yet SO far to go! 

We make judgments in a split second while forgetting there is a story of a lifetime unknown to us.  We cannot possibly grasp the full extent of what has led someone to that moment on which we are placing our quick judgment.

I find myself regularly judging without even realizing I'm doing it!  When awareness kicks in, I understand that I'm making assumptions and judgments based on my personal perceptions, beliefs, ideas, and previous life experiences. In these moments, instead of being angry or disappointed with myself, I want to regularly act on something I've learned through my yoga practice: Acknowledge all thoughts of judgment and immediately let them go, without continuing to give them any more attention or energy. 

The more power we give to something, the more power it maintains over us.  Acknowledge, and let it go.

© MaryAnn Broussard

Be Brave, Be You

Reflections from an ever learning sojourner...

Being authentic requires an immense amount of courage!  In this life, we must continually be brave, bold, and courageous in order to be real and true with who we are.  This is not because being who we are is so freaking outrageous, but because being real goes against the status quo, the mainstream, and the socially acceptable. 

Society screams: 

“Be like this to be accepted!”

“Be like this to fit in!”

“Be like this to land the right opportunity or job!” 

“Be like this to seem normal!”

“Be like this to be liked or loved!”

Are we too easily settling for living a pretend version of ourselves in order to fit in or be accepted or deemed as “normal”?  Or are we hiding in a personal prison of constantly feeling like an outcast thinking that who we were created to be can never be enough?

It may seem more acceptable or comfortable to hide behind different personality masks and our electronic devices, but that is not truly living the life we have been given.  That life is a rip off!  It is a life being the walking dead.

Break out of the mold.  
Be brave.  
Be you.  

I wanna see you and me be brave! 

Being authentic breathes life into us and into others.

© MaryAnn Broussard

There’s a beautiful song by Sara Bareilles called Brave.  This song has always touched my heart and inspired me.

We Are Vulnerable

Reflections from an ever learning sojourner...

Life is what it is.

It truly is so very fragile.

We have no guarantees except that we will face joys, sorrows, and death.

Every one of us is vulnerable; though, many of us would like to convince ourselves otherwise.  What we take for granted today could easily be gone tomorrow because practically every intricate detail occurring at any moment is completely out of our control.  We only have control over ourselves, our attitude, and our choices.  Each choice is like a drop of rain falling in a pool of water and creating a ripple effect.     

Knowing every choice I make matters, I desire to conscientiously choose to:

EMBRACE the NOW, this present moment where life is lived

SPEAK LIFE and of the value of it

LOVE without boundaries

CARRY GRATEFULNESS in my soul at all times

FORGIVE abundantly, myself and others

LISTEN more intently and to gain thorough understanding

SEEK WISDOM and let it guide my steps

BASK in LIGHT and share it with others

                                                                                                                                     © MaryAnn Broussard

We Are To Live By Our Own Strength

Reflections from an ever learning sojourner...

We have this one Life to live.
My life is meant to be lived by me.
Your life is meant to be lived by you.
No one else is responsible or in charge of what we decide to do with that.

I was given this one special life to live wholeheartedly and to embrace with gusto and passion.  I am to take responsibility for every choice I make and all the consequences that follow.

So are you.

We cannot rely on the strengths, the dreams, the desires, or the choices of other people to carry us through.  Those personal aspects are our responsibility alone.  We were never meant to go through life holding on to the coattails of successful people, or blaming others for our troubles, or allowing anyone to manipulate us when they attempt to hijack our lives.

Let us be courageous with ourselves and respectful of others as we travel this journey called Life.

© MaryAnn Broussard

A Day Without a Woman

It's really very simple...

A day without women would suck and bring disaster to humanity.

A day without men would equally suck and bring disaster to humanity.

We all matter. 

We're all valuable.

We're all needed.

The more we focus on the importance and equality of “me” while ignoring the importance and equality of “you”, the more divided we become.

The end.

Quotes - The Separation Between You and Me

What is Truth

What is truth?  

Is truth simply the opposite of a lie?  I don’t think so.  

I am not writing on the topic of truth to expound on how telling a truth versus telling a lie.  I think that would only cause us to go round and round with reaching the heart of the matter.  My goal is to delve deeper and address the differences between subjective and objective truth.  I have reached the conclusion that truth tends to be more subjective rather than objective, especially regarding the topics of God or religious belief, humanity, and the origin of all that exists.

Belief and Faith Propel Us Toward Success

I am currently reading the book The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce.  Harold is a retired man whose life and marriage are lifeless.  On the day he receives a letter from an old friend who is dying of cancer, Harold finds himself unintentionally deciding to walk over 500 miles to visit her and give his regards in person.  He embarks on this journey unprepared in every way and without any necessary supplies.  As Harold walks miles and miles, he encounters all sorts of different people, and these encounters bring about a change in Harold’s character, beliefs, and ideas.

This is You. Be Yourself!

Each one of us is as unique as the snowflakes that fall from the sky.

Each one of us is as distinctive as the fingerprints at the end of each finger on our hands.

As each snowflake unites with millions of others to become the beautiful sight we call snow, each one of us is a complement to all of humanity. 

Daily Steps to Success

It’s true that I often tell people my children have taught me a great deal.  As their mom, I nurtured and taught them as they grew from babies to young adults.  As we have experienced life together over the years, they have also taught me. Though all three of them are now adults and living on their own, they are still teaching me.   On any given day, as I offer wisdom and encouragement to my children in whatever joy or sorrow they face, I also share the same wisdom and encouragement with myself.  Usually, I end up telling myself, “Yea MaryAnn, live by what you are saying to them!” 

Heroes Seeking Victory

 

Can you be an overcomer without enduring adversity?

Can you be a victor without fighting a battle?

Can you achieve without attempting success and risking failure?

Thoughts - In Spite of the Obstacles

The other afternoon there was a stunning sunset taking place. I reached for my camera and did my best to capture the God moment before it disappeared.  I became frustrated trying to snap pictures of the beauty in between all the houses around me.  I felt uncertain that I captured anything I would be pleased with or would do justice to the real thing. I wished I had noticed the sunset happening earlier so I could have driven to a better location with an unimpeded view. I was so doubtful, I simply put my camera away and didn’t even care to look at the pictures at that moment.  Subsequently, I forgot I had even taken them.

Thoughts - Can You Wake Up Any More?

Once you wake up, can you wake up any more?

I have come to realize that we can continue to wake up to life.  There is so much to awaken to and become aware of beyond what we already know—not only within ourselves but also outside of ourselves. 

Awakening more challenges the status quo and what has become comfortable to us in our current state of awareness.  It propels us to learn new things and adjust to new surroundings.  It is not for those who prefer to remain comfortable and undisturbed.  

On a Journey with God as My Internal Compass

As I travel on my life journey, I must ultimately look to God, not man.  I must also repeatedly entrust myself and every other human being to Him and remember we are all dependent upon Him.

There is One God and Father of all who is upon all and through all and in all…

The God Who makes the world and all that is in it…

[He is] inherent of heaven and earth…

He Himself gives to all life and breath and all...

for in Him we are living and moving and are...

we are His workmanship…

(Ephesians 4:6, Acts 17:24,25,28, Ephesians 2:10)

While I pursue further discovery and understanding of God, I turn toward Him and ask Him to show me the truth of who He is and the truth of His ways and realities.  I don’t want to be convinced, confused, cajoled, indoctrinated, or brain-washed by what others say about God.  I will walk my own journey.  If God is God, then He is more than capable of revealing His true nature to me and to others.  Obviously, at this time He chooses not to have us all on seeing eye to eye in how we comprehend Him or not.  I don’t completely understand why it must be this way, but I can’t do anything to change it.  I can only take responsibility for my actions and how I personally deal with that in my own life.

The Way of God's Love

I just finished reading Mick Mooney’s novel, Snap.  I highlighted large amounts of text from the novel because I resonated so much with the perspective on the subject matter.  The novel is a great read for anyone who is starting to question and/or longing for release from mainstream organized religion/church/Christianity/indoctrination, and even hell. 

This month, Mick will be releasing his sequel novel to Snap titled An Outsider’s Guide to the Gospel.  Last night, as I drew near the end of the novel, I had to write down these important words from it:

“If we waited for people to deserve our love, we’d never love a soul.  Better to follow God’s way of love, better to love even when people don’t deserve it, because it is love that heals the hearts around us. It’s love that brings people back to God.”

Real and true unfailing love is not merely loving others when it’s convenient and they are being loveable, but also loving them when they are being unlovable.  

Brief Quotes - Who we believe God to be

See related post at http://mabsspot.blogspot.com/2014/07/daily-truth-let-us-make-god-in-our-image.html

Brief Quotes - Freedom is a Circular Thing

See related post at http://mabsspot.blogspot.com/2014/07/freedom-is-circular-thing.html