“Keeping an open mind and open heart, replacing all judgment
with compassion, and peace will surely follow.”
“Don’t under-estimate the power of cause and effect. We are
solely responsible for the direction in which we wish to lead our lives.”
Happy New Year, everyone! It’s been a very eventful 48
hours. Some of it was good, some not so good, but very eventful. Since I was so
busy with NYE festivities, I neglected my blog last night, so I’m including
today’s lesson as well as yesterday’s lesson. Let me be perfectly clear on this
point: I did not reflect on the lesson at all yesterday. I don’t feel bad about
it, however, as I do not feel it has negatively impacted my overall progress.
Everyone can be judgmental sometimes. It’s just a fact of
life. Because of some of my personal quirks and beliefs, I really do try to
keep an open. Why? Because if I am open-minded and respect the ideas, beliefs,
and lifestyle choices of others, there is a greater chance that they will
extend the same courtesies to me.
As far as the open heart goes….I’ve mentioned before that I’m
a bit on the jaded side. It is difficult for me to open up to people because I
am afraid of being hurt. Unfortunately, this thinking has led me to build a
wall around my heart that will not allow anyone in. I’m working on slowly
taking down my wall, since I know that it will cause more pain for me to remain
distant than to allow people into my life. Not as easy a task as some may
think, but I am working on it. I know some of you reading this may have done
the same as me, and you feel safe with your hear barricaded from the world, but
there is a flaw in the design. Your heart may be “safe” all blocked in, but it
is also a lonely prison. The only person with the key is you, and it may be
difficult and you may get hurt, but the alternative is to exist in an empty
life; because that’s what a life without love – whether the love of friends and
family, or that of a lover – cannot truly be lived.
Cause and effect is an interesting thing to watch. I have
watched myself and others both reap the benefits of choices made, and suffer the
consequences. Every action we make, every decision, everything we do; it all
has an effect on the world around us. Don’t believe me? Try watching “It’s a
Wonderful Life” sometime. I know that I sometimes think of what my life would
be like if only one decision had been different. One pivotal moment, that one
time something horrifyingly awful happens; what would life be like if I had
made a decision that prevented that event instead of allowing it? My life would
be drastically different right now, but I would have missed out on the greatest
gift in my life – my daughter – as well as some of the best friends I’ve ever
known.
Even the most insignificant actions have an effect. But it
really is more than just my life that is effected by my decisions, my family
and friends, my coworkers and customers, even complete strangers are effected
daily by things I do. I’ve made mistakes in my life – we all have – but my
mistakes have led me to this exact moment, and I wouldn’t change that for
anything.
Know what they real key to peace and happiness? Don’t dwell
on the past. Take responsibility for your actions, let go of your mistakes,
forgive yourself, and move on with your life.
Blessed Be.
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