We all respond to obstacles in different ways. And probably not in the same way every time. Give up or push through? The answer may depend on the type or size of the obstacle.

There are lots of things that can appear to block our path or hold us back: age, sex, race, distance, disability, money, fear, uncertainty, laws, fitness level, regulations, obligations, health, self-doubt.

What might happen if we chose to look at obstacles as opportunities? 🪨 Perhaps you’ve heard the old story about the hidden treasure a king hid under an obstacle he placed in the road? He blocked the road with a large boulder and hid a bag of gold coins under it as a reward for the person who expressed ingenuity and figured out a way to move the obstacle. Several people tried and gave up. Then a pauper came along and used a large branch as a lever to dislodge the massive rock from the road. 💰 When he moved the boulder he discovered the hidden treasure and a note from the king saying, “The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve your condition.”

💡What if we envisioned a hidden treasure in every obstacle we face? Would we approach it differently? Would we be more tenacious in figuring out a solution? Might we use our creativity to come up with new ideas? If we saw unlimited opportunity to improve our future in it would we let temporary obstacles have so much control over our emotions?

Life is filled with obstacles, they are to be expected. The next time we encounter one let’s embrace it, turn it upside down, see it as an opportunity. Look, in creative ways, for the hidden treasure.

Let’s we see it as a message from our King. 👑

E.A. Fussell
07.09.2023

Grievance: a real or imagined wrong giving cause for complaint; or a strong feeling that you have been treated unfairly. (Also known as “bellyaching”. )

It’s easy to pickup and carry around grievances. Our ego encourages us to store as many as possible to separate us from the light that is our salvation. Complaints and hurt feelings can create a heavy cloud and keep us in a dark place. The words we speak to ourselves and others, either perpetuate the scenes that play out around us or change them.

I try to be aware of my thoughts and words and change them quickly but recently I got caught up in a perceived wrong and started bellyaching about it. Then another situation arose with something done to a family member and I added it to my bellyaching. Vacillating between feelings of anger and sadness clouded my thoughts until I recognized the effect it was having on my other interactions. This morning I took time to clear my mind and heart. To change my thoughts. To let go of the grievances. To see and feel from a place of love.

The light of Love pushes back the darkness bellyaching brings.

When we focus on and speak about perceived wrongs done to us, or others, we will see more wrongs to complain about. When we focus on words of encouragement we will see more encouraging things surround us to speak about.

I encourage you to take a moment today to release your grievances. Stop your bellyaching. Imagine taking your hand, reaching up and moving the dark clouds of perceived wrong weighing you down. Imagine parting them and pushing them to the side as a bright light begins to shine through. Imagine that light is pure love, God Himself. As the light shines brighter and surrounds you the clouds evaporate until you feel the darkness gone, your heart and mind refreshed. (If it helps you can imagine I am there with you, helping you move the clouds.)

Allow your thoughts to change to those of our Creator, who wants the best for you and is always encouraging. You have free will and can control what you think about. What you think about impacts what you see. You can choose what you see. You deserve to see the light of Love and others deserve to see it in you.

God’s love is always right there waiting to save us from ourselves, but we have to accept it.

E.A. Fussell
07.08.2023

Sometimes we come to realize something we have been taught isn’t completely accurate. Maybe it was distorted by cultural, religious or generational beliefs. Maybe the person who taught us wasn’t properly taught themselves.

Did you ever think about the fact that most of our understanding was taught to us by someone else. When we were learning to speak others taught us what to say, the names of people and objects, and how to act (probably the same way others taught them). We started school and others taught us how to use our brain and how to act (probably the same way others had taught them). We went out into the workforce and others taught us what to think, what to do, how to act (probably the same way others taught them).

Most of the interpreting our mind does is based on what others have taught us. We seldom have a truly original idea of our own. We look at our future filtered by our past teaching and experiences and seldom give ourselves space to quiet our frantic chattering mind and look with fresh new insight.

As I grow older I realize I see nothing as it really is, I see it the way others taught me to see it. This can be overwhelming to my soul.

A practice of prayer and meditation help clear or clarify the decades of others understanding we have been taught with. As we ask for Divine guidance, setting aside our initial programmed reactions to the thoughts that come up and allowing ourselves to hear the ancient wisdom within, we are able to determine what we think and not just what others have taught us to think.

You’re never too old to start thinking for yourself. 💕

E.A. Fussell

06.16.2023