Monday, September 8, 2008

Breaking Free from the Strongholds of Your Past


I wrote a note a while back on facebook on this very subject. One the most powerful concepts that I have ever come across is the idea to live in the moment. Omar Khayyam, a scholar and astronomer who lived in Iran from 1048? to 1122 said, "The Moving Finger writes; and, having, writ, moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it." Wayne Dyer in the WISDOM OF AGES writes, "One of life's greatest illusions is the belief that the past is responsible for the current conditions of our lives." When we are fully conscious, we are "plugged in" and aware. We live in the present moment. When Tori had her motorcycle accident, her body started the healing process immediately. Of course, the doctors had to clean her wounds and pump new blood into her. We have to do the same things with our emotional wounds. We have to close them and pump new blood into them. Omar Khayyam says that none of our tears can erase our story so we can't live in the past and expect to be healed. We need to remove all blame and guilt from our minds because it is the attraction to these negative feelings that keeps us from feeling peaceful and loved. When we choose peace through love and forgiveness, all blame and guilt will disappear. Joel Osteen says that we have to get past the misconception that because we love God, we're supposed to be perfect. We can't change the past, but we can change the future by making the right choices today. The Articles of Confederation of the Iroquois people exhorts humanity to think seven generations ahead when we make decisions. If we all took that kind of responsibility, we would certainly have a better, healthier earth. If I take responsibility for my own actions toward the planet, I can make it a better place for my grandchildren. Right now that seems like a worthy goal.

4 comments:

Patty said...

I'm remembering 9/11/01 today. I was so sad that day. We closed on our home that afternoon. It should have been a joyful time, but it was a time of shock. I always have a feeling of uneasiness on the anniversary of 9/11. I was thinking last night that I didn't know if I wanted my grandson to be born on 9/11. The Holy Spirit spoke to me then and told me to let go of the past. Make friends with the present. I kept thinking and questioning that still, small voice. He had already told me earlier this week to stay in the present. I was thinking and kind of arguing, "But shouldn't I remember the victims?" He told me to remember the victims and pray for peace but not to dwell on it. I felt like He was telling me to function right here and now. It seemed that He was saying that I needed to keep up my energy and focus. I need to do laundry and clean house and get ready for my trip. The past is gone and I am no longer to live in it. I can't change the past. I don't have to get down every year about this same time. I need to stay positive and keep my energy high so I can be helpful to my family. Thank You, Lord, for this revelation. I'm listening with my heart now, and I will follow Your instructions. I will get ready for the birth of my grandson. I will rejoice in his birth whether he is born today, tomorrow, or next week. God has it all in His perfect timing.

Patty said...

My new grandson, Samson, was born today at 4:20 p.m. He is healthy, and both and mommy are doing well. I'm so blessed!!! Thank You, Lord. What a special time! I am in awe of Samson! I am in awe of Tori! She gave birth to this child naturally! After every thing that she has been through, she was able to deliver this child without having a C-section. This is truly a miracle, and I am so grateful.

Patty said...

I am so grateful for the healthy birth of Samson. Judging from the past of Tori's accident and the fact that her last baby (Kaya) was born C-section, I would have never thought that it would have been possible for Tori to give birth to Samson naturally. However, the power of God is always in the present moment so I needed to break free from the stronghold of the past into the power of the present moment. Living in the past or worrying about the future, I was missing the present, and the present is a gift... that's why it's called a present! That's a saying I love because it is so true. The point of GPS (God's Powerful Spirit) is always in the present moment. He doesn't manifest in the past nor in the future. He only creates the life of our dreams now, in the present moment. The more "presence" we can bring to our lives, the more creative our GPS can be.

For most of us, it takes a concentrated effort to stay focused in the present. Today I am going to be aware of how much time I spend in the past. When I catch myself in the past, I am going to focus on the present moment. It's a grand and glorious moment.

In fact, it is my precious oldest daughter's (Teresa's) 34th birthday. Happy birthday, Sweetheart!

Patty said...

Eckhart Tolle says in THE POWER OF NOW that nothing ever happens in the past; it happens in the NOW. Nothing will ever happen in the future; it will happen in the NOW. What I think of as the past is a really only a memory trace, stored in the mind, of a former NOW. When I remember the past, I reactivate a memory trace. The future is an imagined NOW, a projection of the mind. When the future comes, it comes as the NOW. When I think about the future, I do it NOW. Past and future obviously have no reality of their own. Just as the moon as no light of its own but can only reflect the light of the sun, so are past and future only pale reflections of the light, power, and reality of the eternal present. The present is our only point of access to God. We can do nothing to change the past. Worry about the future does not make it any brighter. In fact, worry only brings emotional pain. The amazing Present is where I want to spend the rest of my life. Right NOW, I am going to get off my blog and enjoy my precious two-year-old granddaughter Kaya. Right NOW, I am going to think marvelous thoughts about my daughter Teresa since it is her birthday. Right NOW, I am not going to worry about anything or regret anything, but I am going to just appreciate my precious present life.