changing

The Birth And Death Of Friendship

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I once read somewhere years ago that friendships are born in those moments that we look at someone else wholeheartedly and say “Ohhhh, you do that too!?” It is in those moments of clarity such as uttering that statement  that will mark the beginning of wonderful memories. 

Through the years I have found that it really is about how much we can relate to others that not only determines the amount of friends we have, but the depths of those friendships as well. 

As we grow and change we will grow together as friends, or grow apart. And if our circle has never changed or has not changed for quite some time, then we may want to question some things. Because if it our circle does not grow or change, then we probably aren’t either. 

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© Angela Bininger and The Empowerer, 2009-2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerer with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Impossible and Possible

We can’t ever change who a person is. That has to come from within them. We can however change our circle of people, so that we have a better fit when it comes to the company we keep.

If personalities clash and you are finding yourself frustrated around a person more than you find yourself full of joy and happiness – it is an easy fix. Instead of trying to mold and change the individual, change where you are spending your time instead. After that, everything will start falling into place. 

© Angela Bininger and The Empowerer, 2009-2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerers with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Are You Embracing Life’s Storms?

I was out storm chasing a few months ago and I captured a beautiful photo, as well as some insight to share with it.

We can’t let the storms of life zap us. When lightning crashes it brings light. When rain pours it allows nourishment for more growth. When the wind blows strong, it is to see how well we are planted.

There really is beauty in all those storms. There’s no need to be afraid. These storms only come to promote necessary changes. Embrace it, and welcome it. The sun will be shining brighter than ever before when it finally passes!

© Angela Bininger and The Empowerer, 2009-2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

ABC’s of Life Series — Day 7 Letter G : Give Others Grace To Grow

ABC’s of Life

Day 7 Letter G

Give Others Some Grace To Grow

We believe we would react to situations in particular ways or that we would behave differently than someone else until we are placed in the other person’s shoes. Once we put those shoes on that were once worn by someone else; we not only have new shoes, but a new pair of new glasses too.

Those who accept us where we are despite any decisions we are making at the time; are giving us grace to grow. These are those people who no matter where we are or what we do in our lives; they love us anyway. They do not judge us, because they understand. They listen, they advise, and they care.

The concept of allowing one grace to grow is a concept that many should grasp. Once grasped, one will find themselves no longer in a position that they feel “above” someone for making better life decisions. They will not utter phrases such as: “I can’t believe they ___” “I would never”, “He/She shouldn’t ____” You won’t believe what ____ did now” etc.

I have observed that when I utter phrases like those mentioned above; I am quickly served a piece of humble pie. When I can’t understand people, their lifestyle, behavior, and their decisions I am often given a situation shortly after; where I can. It may not be an identical situation, but it is a situation that allows me to comprehend where they were at that time, and what they were thinking. Or better yet, a situation where I can relate to their emotions.

I have written often about the fact that we are all given the same lessons throughout our lives and that the lesson plans slightly differ. One may experience grief through the lost of a parent, another through the loss of a child. One may experience adultery through their parents, or through a marriage of their own. Nonetheless, the emotional processes are the same.

No matter the format of the lesson, the lessons eventually produce the same results. We will all face temptations, and struggles. We will have to find a place and time at which we will have to forgive ourselves and each other.

We will all feel: neglect, abandonment, taken for granted, mistreated, disliked, unloved, and many other emotions at some point in our lives. The lessons differ, but the emotions are the same.

Grace is essential to provide for others; because we all need it to grow. Those who accept us despite our choices have allowed us grace to grow. Those who watch us make a mistake but love us anyway, are one of a kind. 

For Today: Find someone in your  life that has a situation that you can’t or couldn’t at one point  understand. Analyze what emotions that person may have been feeling at that time, and compare it to a situation in your life where you experienced the same emotions. 

 

© Angela Bininger and The Empowerers, 2009-2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited

The Gift of Independent Thought Makes My World A Better Place

The Gift of Independent Thought Makes My World A Better Place

By: Dani Perry

“Our age is retrospective. It builds the sepulchres of the fathers. It writes biographies, histories, and criticism. The foregoing generations beheld God and nature face to face; we, through their eyes. Why should not we also enjoy an original relation to the universe? Why should not we have a poetry and philosophy of insight and not of tradition, and a religion by revelation to us, and not the history of theirs?” – Excerpt from “Nature” by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Blessed are the few who know the true beauty of their existence through their own eyes and experiences, and not through the guide of their oppressors who would have them only experience that which has already been experienced by another. The grass is green, it is written, and therefore you must accept on faith that it is so. How many understand the true nature of the grass, why is it green?

Some accept the grass is green “Because I said so” or because it appears so, without question and without wonder. It was the Scientist, the Thinker, who discovered why the grass was green. The thinker is never content to simply accept what is known or what is written. The thinker is not manipulated or confined by archaic thought and reason. He would never be so cruel and close minded as to confine the thought of those he has the pleasure of guiding.

If we stunt the growth of the corn plant, it will still feed the people. But then I have to wonder the possibility if it had grown freely beyond it’s potential. The tiny seedling, against all odds, pushes its limp stalk through the hardest bits of land. It has an unstoppable desire to reach as far as it possibly can. The gardener can stake the persistent plant and impose restrictions on its growth pattern, and it will grow straight along the path which was forced. It will still bloom and you will garner enjoyment from what it becomes. However, you will never know the natural beauty of the blossom or the sweet scent of its achievement of becoming what it was meant to be, rather than what you commanded it to be.

Blessed are the few who are able to enjoy the natural flow of their own life. The past does not dictate the path of the Thinker for he is impassioned by curiosity. He seeks understanding and wisdom of his own, not of another.

Tides

We will make mistakes

we will fall on our face

But what really matters

is that we fall with grace

When tragedy dies

and lessons are learned

happiness is found

the tides have turned.

© Angela Bininger and The Empowerers, 2009-2015 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerers with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

New Season = New Lessons

I hear the birds singing, and love the way the sun kisses my face as I carry out the trash. Oh how I love the start of a new season. And how grateful I am that spring has arrived! As I walked back in from taking out the trash I thought “Uh Oh, new season = new lessons!” “I wonder what lessons are awaiting me this new season…”

This past season, I learned many things. I met new people, reunited with old friends, and built on existing relationships. I distanced myself from some relationships, and even discarded a few. All of which became a requirement for me to grow more, and find the right path.

I learned to never second guess my intuition, and to never doubt God’s plan. I learned the power of patience, and perseverance. I got to see firsthand the power of prayer and it’s ability to move mountains. That part was beautiful!

The biggest lesson I learned this past season was that “behind every failure is an opportunity for success.” I realized that our plan isn’t always His plan. That it is okay to fall, just get back up and keep pedaling! In order to prevent future falls/accidents, do not look back. Peddle like crazy and look straight ahead. Focus on the goal. (We peddled away for a reason, there is no sense in looking back at something we don’t and won’t miss.)

Now I question although I should not, “What will this new season bring?”

I want this to be my season to plant seeds in hopes for a bountiful harvest in the fall. It is the beginning of a beautiful journey. And a happy ending to a story that was once so sad to me. I predict this to be the season of joy! I feel very good about things, and incredibly optimistic! As my feet hit the floor each morning I feel good! I feel like my life has a purpose. I feel secure with who I am, I feel happy.

Whatever lessons lie ahead in this next season, I have faith I will learn and grow from them. I no longer fear change, I welcome it. With every new season, I embrace this journey even more. I didn’t know when or how I would get here, but faith has brought me here. Faith will either keep me here, or take me to an even higher place. None the less, it is time. And I am ready!

Thank you Lord, for such a beautiful life!

True Forgiveness Is Uncommon, But Possible

True forgiveness is when you no longer bring up the subject in a derogatory way, or at all. It is when one has reached the stage of acceptance and has decided to put that issue behind them, and move forward. It is when we no longer dwell on the fact we have been done wrong and accept it for what it is.

Forgiveness can be a struggle in some cases, but it is beneficial to one’s health to forgive. It makes for a healthier life both mentally and physically.

 

Forgiveness, like many things in life is a choice. It is a choice we must make daily if we have been wronged by someone we choose to keep in our life. At times, we may even think that we have forgiven someone. Until they say or do that certain something and then we are quickly reminded as to how they hurt us so bad. In that moment of recognition, we must choose again to forgive. Often times we must forgive people who have no clue they need our forgiveness, for they have created their own reality. Sometimes, people are just clueless.

Forgiveness brings strength, and builds character. In some instances, people should have a PH.D. in forgiveness surviving some of the things that people in their life have dealt them. From what I have found,the more forgiving the person is generally the happier they are. They don’t have this negative energy weighing them down. They have forgiven, they have moved on. They wish no ill will. They have accepted it!

It takes a stronger person to forgive than to hold a grudge. It is easy to find flaws in things, dislike them, dislike people, and be disgruntled. I can look around in this world and see a lot of things or people I could easily not forgive or even like. But I choose not to.

It takes more personal strength to forgive those that wrong us, than to carry a grudge. Not to mention, grudges are unattractive. Who wants to be around people who carry grudges and are full of hate? 

Sometimes if we look deep enough, there was a lesson we needed to learn through that situation that brought us pain. Yes, there was a lesson in that situation where forgiveness was necessary, I can guarantee. Sometimes, it takes time before we see what the lesson was. But it is there, if we care to see it.

Forgiveness is love. Love for yourself, and love for mankind. It builds character, and gives wisdom. And wisdom, is what we all lack at some point.

It is a choice we make daily.

To forgive, or not to forgive is up to you. If you think you have forgiven yet still bring the subject up, look deep within yourself. Although you may be taking steps to forgive you aren’t quite there yet. But don’t give up, it is still possible.


© Angela Bininger and The Empowerer, 2009-2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerer with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.