Fearless

The minister at church on Sunday was not talking about the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. She was talking about a woman she knew who had managed to change her mindset. This particular minister is also certified as an Advanced Clinical Hypnotist, and she was referencing a client who went from constantly expecting challenging situations to "presuming good will." Instead of focusing on what she feared, she learned to anticipate more positive outcomes. Concentrating her thought patterns there, she experienced more desirable, and even exciting and inspirational life conditions.

The topic could have been labeled many different ways. A change in attitude, and the effects that such a change has on our lives, can be credited to faith, God, Law of Attraction, the power of positive thinking, Angels... We can believe in this principle regardless of our culture, background, or religion, calling it whatever name works for each of us. The bottom line is that when we train ourselves to expect good things, we often find more good things happening. One sentence in the sermon seemed so profound to me, I grabbed a pen and wrote it down:

"You're not letting your guard down. You're letting God guard you."

- Priscilla Keresey

During group prayer / healing intentions, we remembered all the people affected by the Orlando shooting. After some moments of silence, I noticed my phone light up. It was a notification that one of my friends in Orlando, FL had checked in as being safe.

In the hours to follow, much of the story unfolded about what had happened in Orlando. People have been expressing concerns about giving in to fear and terror. Some people close to the scene, understandably, have been so terrified that they do not want to leave their homes for any reason. Many, though, have expressed an absolute resolve NOT to be afraid, and are compassionately encouraging others to stand strong. Vigils across the country, and even the world, are uniting people in good intention and in support of all those affected.

"The place where they were attacked is more than a nightclub 

- it is a place of solidarity and empowerment 

where people have come together to raise awareness, 

to speak their minds and to advocate for their civil rights." 

- President Barack Obama

"There is never, ever any justification for such unacceptable crimes against

humanity, crimes against God, crimes against our country."

- Hassan Shibly, 

executive director of the Florida branch of the 

council on American-Islamic Relations

"Let me be clear: Equality Florida stands in solidarity 

with the Muslim and Islamic community 

and in opposition to the intolerance, 

discrimination and hate crimes that both of our communities experience."

- Carlos Guillermo Smith, 

a representative of Equality Florida, an LGBT advocacy group

As the minister's words keep echoing in my mind, I'd like to believe that I decide for myself not to give in to fear of any kind. I realize this sounds easy for me as one who is removed from these particular prejudices, but my power begins with the man in the mirror.

I will not view it as letting my guard down, I will let God guard me. I remember that church hymn, "Be Not Afraid."

I like this version... nice job Emily!

Love and prayers for the victims, the injured, the family and friends of all those impacted, the community of Orlando, and all those facing the effects of acts of terror, hatred and intolerance.

Namaste,
T

* Quotes cited from http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/pulse-orlando-nightclub-shooting/os-orlando-shooting-pulse-nightclub-20160612-story.html

Breakfast Attraction

Classic!

I stopped at the diner for breakfast on my way back from the gym this morning. It was crowded and I was alone, so I accepted a seat at the counter for one. The man next to me had an open book on the seat in between us. I ordered my usual scrambled eggs, English muffin and tomato juice and was just settling in when another man came and noted the textbook on the seat. I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation between these two strangers.

“How long you been studying Chinese?’

“About a year,” said the man with the book.

“I learned it on my own in Taiwan, then went on to teach Chinese history.”

“REALLY!”

With that, they were off and running in conversation. The one with the book compared the language to algebraic equations while the Chinese historian noted how some textbooks leave various words for interpretation. They launched into Chinese history, both amazed at how the culture was having economic discussions in the year 200 BC that mirror the political discussions of today. The guy studying said he plans on going to China someday, while the history teacher had to postpone his next trip there until November (he would have gone next week if not for the perils of trying to sell his house).

Diner Reflections

My food came and they rattled on like a couple of old friends. I smiled at how amazing the whole encounter was as I ate breakfast and eventually asked for the check. I’ve been reading about the Law of Attraction and remembered a similar encounter I had myself this week in Brooklyn. My friend and I were talking about the video shoot we are planning, when the guy next to us introduced himself as being in video production also.

  

Is it a coincidence that I've been reading about energy attracting like energy (Law of Attraction), and saw various demonstrations of just that in my everyday life? What about when I came home and called my mom... She was on the phone with one of my sisters at the time. When she called me back, she noted how when she is speaking to one of us, another one seems to always call at the same time. How about the fact that an Instagram account with the name "Law of Attraction" in its title began following me this week? LOL! (I had forgotten that until just now when I looked through pictures to post and came across the screenshot I took of that profile!)

This week, with the Law of Attraction in mind, I'll keep my thoughts and feelings positive. More good things will come. They'll just walk right in the door and sit down next to me. :)

Namaste, 

T