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Inspiraelevation

  • Crafting an Identity

    March 28th, 2022
    Photo by Tamara Gak on Unsplash

    A lot of who we become or what we accomplish is tied to who we are. The funny thing is one of the most significant issues today is that of an identity crisis.

    Who are You?

    Matter-of Fact, many don’t know who they are. They suffer from mimicry.

    Other people attempt to be all things to all people. They are one person at work, another with friends, and a different person at home. So, their course is set on a trajectory for chaos.

    It is impossible and tiring to the point of fatigue to keep up with so many facades.

    Indeed incongruency and chaos are twin flames

    Mirror Mirror, Who Am I?

    Photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash

    The trek back to self is not easy.

    It is never easy to pull back all the layers to reach the core. And indeed, the more layers one puts on (the more pretense), the more difficult it is to find the hidden-self.

    Unfortunately, the end result is never fulfillment for those who commit to pursuits but never work out their self-identity.

    So, to live a fulfilled existence requires taking the time to do the work.

    Shedding a Little Light

    In his book “Think Like a Monk”
    Shetty says,

    “Happiness and fulfillment are merely rewards; they are the end result.”

    This means we develop these virtues or reap these rewards when engaged in a well-lived and purposeful existence. This requires congruity (integrity.)

    Incongruence is simply duality and multiplicity never produce sweet fruits.

    I Don’t Like Me! Loathing Identity

    Photo by Nadine Shaabana on Unsplash

    A big reason for duality is indeed the dislike of whom one is. Meaning the façade exists to hide a weakness in character. The sad and sobering fact is that this causes great consternation when people fall.

    Because for most, these individuals are suddenly unrecognizable. And it is unfathomable how one who is so beloved could be the antithesis of what they have so long portrayed.

    But, in earnest, most need not be alarmed because the fall from grace is simply the guise falling. So now the world is now privy to the real Mccoy.

    Truthfully, It is hard to hold up a mask perpetually because, eventually, your grasp weakens.

    Losing One’s Identity

    Some people lose themselves along the way, so they must do the work to disrobe. They have to get back to basics. They must remember themselves before they fell to the whims and fancies of their external existence.

    Can you Build Me an Identity?

    Photo by Cash Macanaya on Unsplash

    For others who have never crafted an identity; their entire life has been an exercise in striving to be someone else for whatever reasons. And for those, the work is more profound. They must bow from the world of illusions to determine who they desire to be, not only at work, at home, or around friends. But who do they want to be authentically across the board? It is only then liberation is achieved. It is only then that fulfillment and happiness ensue.

    Authenticity breeds contentment.

    When one is entirely content with who they are, and there is no pretense, there is genuinely no weapon that can be formed against one that could ever prosper because what you see is what you get. (Isaiah 54:17)

    Those who choose to rest under the covers must realize that the light will, at some point, find you out.

    So walk in the light and put yourself on the path to happiness and fulfillment.

  • EGO (Edging God Out)

    March 24th, 2022
    Photo by mariel reiser on Unsplash

    The market is replete with literature on instructions for goal accomplishment. And this is for good reasons. We all want to be fulfilled. Where there is a need, a market always arises to meet the demand. So, there is no surprise that the information out there is massive. And much of it is helpful provided one finds the right system.

    Self-Determination

    Much of personal growth and success material focuses on self-determination and pulling oneself up by their bootstraps.

    Undoubtedly, It is 100% true your dreams will not work for you unless you do. However, that is only part of it.

    EGO

    Sometimes we lose sight of what’s vital in our quest to succeed. We lose sight of a purpose. And our I’s become too big. Our trek becomes one huge selfish endeavor.

    There are so many goals or dreams upon which we could direct our sights. But, for most, the search for success, achievement, or fulfillment all boils down to one word” Significance!” Most desires arise out of a need to be significant.

    Significance

    That is an excellent word. Significance indicates a sense of importance or value. There is no better feeling or desire than wanting to be valued and feel important. Those who have gained significance in the world have made some unimaginable contributions So a desire to leave a mark on the world is, as one would say, a grand pursuit.

    To Be Seen/Heard

    Desiring to be seen and not melt into the fiber of existence is how most want to see their lives. Face it, who wants to leave the world feeling as if they were never here.

    I, for one, wish to leave the world knowing that my life meant something that I mattered.

    Noble/EGO Driven

    On the face of things, it seems noble to desire significance. And to lay it plain, there is nothing wrong with it. However, the problem is when one’s reach for meaning becomes EGO-driven.

    What do you mean?

    If an individual’s quest for significance is fueled by the need to prove a point or garner respect, it’s probably EGO-driven. Or if the pursuit of Significance is to garner acceptance and love, then it’s a pretty good indicator it’s EGO driven. EGO Driven behavior always looks to see how it will benefit self.

    The plight of EGO driven Pursuits

    While it seems noble to pursue significance, to do so for selfish motives is a matter of self-aggrandization (inflation). Simply, it is for show.

    Then some wonder why nothing is working out.

    Why do things seem to work against them rather than for them?

    Well, It’s because there is ambiguity under the surface.

    My Search for Significance

    Photo by Pop & Zebra on Unsplash

    Viktor Frankl once wrote a book entitled “Man’s Search for Meaning,” and it is an excellent read. Admittedly on my current trajectory. I am on a search for the intent underlying my vision.

    You see, I want to ensure that my reason for following the path I am on is pure. I want to make sure it is not out of a selfish desire. It is essential for me to ensure the motive behind my pursuits are not EGO driven (Edging God Out)

    EGO (Edging God Out)

    When we work in ourselves, we can only do things in our strength. We do the best we can, put forth our greatest effort. And yet, there is so much we still don’t know. So, when we rely on ourselves (EGO), we limit ourselves.

    However, when we surrender to a higher power, we lock into a more significant power source. We open ourselves to more excellent opportunities. We open ourselves to unlimitable possibilities as opposed to when we operate in self, for self, and because of self. It is then we are operating on pure EGO. That is something we cannot sustain.

    ” Success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself.” -Viktor Frankl

    A Word for You

    Consider your motivations.

    Look at the rationale behind your purpose. What are you striving for?

    • Do you desire to be a performer because you love it and want to share your gift with the world, or is the desire instead to be cherished and applauded?
    • Do you want to be a doctor to heal others, or do you want prestige, acceptance, and esteem?
    • Do you want to start a charity out of a desire to give back or be recognized as benevolent?

    When you start considering your motivations, you will realize what is holding you back.

    Unadulterated Truth

    Photo by Meghna R on Unsplash

    When you seek significance out of a pure place then you will receive what you are looking for! When you give, honestly give, without an expectation, and that is when it will be given back to you in ways unimaginable and you will start to experience greater fulfillment.

    “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” –

    Luke 6: 38
  • Profiling an Overcomer: A Champion

    March 21st, 2022

    Life is full of challenges. This is not a new concept to anyone who has lived, But life is not only filled with challenges. Life is also filled with opportunities.

    And in fact, depending on your mindset, the challenges are nothing more than cloaked opportunities. And those who see it as such tend to rise above.

    They don’t stay down for the count when they are knocked down. In fact, when they fall, they are thankful for the pause. This has given them the opportunity to be grounded, look up, look within, and find that second wind, and often they come back swinging. They are that much stronger than before.

    A Contender or a Champion

    What is the skill that sets a Contender apart from a Champion?

    What is it that these people do differently?

    There are a lot of answers to that question, but there is one thing, in particular, these formidable spirits have learned.

    They have learned the art of responding to life rather than reacting to life.

    Some unquestionably are scratching their heads right now as they have for long-lived, assuming both are the same.

    But they are not.

    A reaction is a guttural response to something that has happened to one’s person. It’s automatic. It takes little thought.

    For example, if an individual cuts you off, you give the person a piece of your mind without stopping to think about what that person might be going through. It is a poor way to interact with the world and usually calls more pain than anything. People who quickly react often find themselves cleaning up their messes later.

    First Responders: Champions in the Making

    Those who have learned to respond have discovered the beauty of stopping to think before acting. These are those who have mastered the art of turning challenges into opportunities.

    The Process

    They stop to assess the challenge and turn it over in their mind.

    They assess what is needed to surmount the challenge rather than running headfirst into it.

    A Tale of a Little Champion

    There is a tale of a little train of which many have heard.

    There once was a train miniature in stature that came up against an almost insurmountable obstacle. The further the train went, the harder it seemed. But this little train wasn’t ordinary. He was rather Extraordinary.

    That little engine knew how to respond to its challenge. It didn’t stop when it was faced with what seemed like an impossibility.

    When every bit of logic contended, it should give up because the wall it faced was ginormous and unscalable.

    It didn’t give up. It looked at the obstacle and said ‘I think I can until it knew it could!”

    Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash

    My story: Transforming from Contender to Champion

    I am still learning day today. There have been many times I have reacted in life even overreacted. And by grace, it didn’t lay me horizontally. permanently. Sometimes we sit in life’s classroom repeating the exam until we learn the lesson.

    I am learning to apply the lessons. I am becoming a student of life. One of the outcomes of my lesson is learning to respond to life’s challenges. And I am being blessed like never before.

    Back to the Beginning

    Returning to what I said at the beginning.

    At the start, I offered opposing views of reality permitting you to see two sides of the coin. However, for those whose desire to become champions there need only exist one side of the coin.

    This is the reality they must learn to put before them every day.

    That is,

    In reality, there are no challenges only opportunities.

    Life is full of opportunities to better yourself and to become wildly successful,

    “You don’t become enormously successful without encountering a number of extremely challenging problems.” Mark Victor Hansen

    Final Words the Final Transformation

    So If you dream of a fulfilling life or living out your wildest dream, then begin by reframing how you look at life.

    Learn the art of surrender.

    Learn to take life as it comes.

    Look at what comes at you with a more open mind and attempt to find the silver lining in those gray clouds.

    You may be surprised by what you observe

    In the words of Cicely Tyson,

    “Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew.”

    And they will help you rise to heights never imagined.

  • Watch out for the Poisoned Apple

    March 17th, 2022
    Photo by Gabriela Cheloni from Pexels

    One of the deadliest things about achievement is the outspoken opinions of the people you know.

    The Life of a Creator

    We are creators; we have within us the capacity to make something out of nothing. So Unbelievably, we have the power to make the impossible possible. That is an AWEsome thing.

    To think long before anything exists it is formulated in the mind.

    Some of the most imaginable things we see and use today were once only thoughts.

    Thoughts put things into motion. Pronouncement greases the wheels. Work brings about manifestation (gives material substance to your ideas)

    The Poisoned Apple/Creator’s Bane

    The period between the inception of an idea or dream and its realization is critical.

    What is that point?

    It is where the creator stands at the point of decision, deciding with whom to share their vision.

    Biting the Poisoned Apple/The Creator’s Fall

    One of an individual’s biggest mistakes is sharing an idea with the wrong person.

    Not all people want what’s best.

    London Mond said, “Most people want to see you do better, but not doing better than them.”

    So, whether out of malicious intent or not is beyond the point. Words have sticking power. Their words and sentiments can cripple if not countered.

    The Poison in the Apple

    Negative sentiments are like poison because they infect the mind. Every time someone makes a negative pronouncement concerning your dream, they plant seeds of doubt.

    Doubt is the Achilles heel of achievement. Doubt translates to fear. Fear always reminds you what you cannot do or will not do. So, internalizing negativity slows down the momentum.

    Venomous Words

    While energy is transferrable and there is a definite power in energy exchange, verbal exchange is even more potent. Words have the power of death in them.

    The Dalai Lama once said

    Let go of negative people; they only show up to share complaints, problems, disastrous stories, fear, and judgment on others. If somebody is looking for a bin to throw all their trash into, make sure it’s not your mind.

    As much time it takes you to settle on creating and engaging in the business of making the impossible possible, it takes less time to deconstruct that.

    Snakes Don’t Make Good Bedfellows.

    So always be careful of the company kept.

    From the heart, people speak. If the words are negative, rotten, demotivating, and uninspiring, there is likely darkness in the heart. The water source is infected.

    One can’t drink fresh water from a poisoned well.

    “Snow White” and the Poisoned Apple

    To take an example from a beloved Disney novel, Snow White.

    Perhaps Snow White would have avoided the long sleep if she simply stayed away from the kindly stranger offering her strangely delicious fruit.

    As a lesson, Avoid the poisoned apple by staying far away from the witches cloaked as friends and family

    Words can seem sweet and loving but have deadly intent.

    I can count countless times when I bit the poisoned apple, which put my dreams into a coma.

    A Word to You the Creators

    So, I implore you to remember this one thing,

    “Don’t put out your fire because someone doesn’t understand your flame.”

    Be observant; remember who you are and why you are doing what you are doing. If anyone doesn’t buy into your dream, they are not worth your time.

  • Where do you Reside?

    March 14th, 2022
    Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/collage-photo-of-woman-3812743/

    We all have a place we live, a place we call home.

    When one asks where one lives, they often refer to a specific location, country, city, town, or neighborhood.

    Today I pose the question that you may look at it in a different light.

    I want to know where you reside internally?

    Where do you set up your home?

    Your Neighborhood (Residence)

    “when it comes to emotions, we are designed to feel and experience them all. The only difference is where you live and where you visit?” – Peter Sage (The Inside Track)

    We reside in the emotional state where we spend the most time.

    So, where do you reside?

    Does your listing reflect the truth?

    Listing Your Residence

    A real estate listing indicates the location and value of a home.

    And as an individual, your external (actions/behavior) is like a real-estate listing.

    What the world sees is a walking advertisement of where you live mentally.

    So knowing where you live is important. Because If your permanent way of thinking is pessimistic, pessimism is your home address. That is the state others will find you in most of the time. You may be able to fool yourself but you will be unable to fool others. Your speech and action will give away your residence.

    Visitation vs. Residence

    Although we spend most of our time at our residence, from time to time, we leave. We visit other places. We even have lengthy vacations.

    The difference is, those who visit always go back to their residences.

    So the emotional states they visit or vacation to never determine their total identity/

    One positive thought does not make one an optimist.

    However, a pessimist is not excluded from having moments of optimism. But the optimist will rise from the pessimistic state and return to where they live.

    However;
    “If you live in stress and ocassionally visit joy, that’s a very different life to say, living in peace and ocassionally visiting fear.” (Sage 15)

    So, I ask, where do you reside?

    What is your permanent mental residence?

    Because understanding is a powerful beginning for shaping your life into the life you want.

    Let’s not forget that the little emotions are the great captains of our lives and we obey them without realizing it. –Vincent van Gogh

    How Does This Help?

    One can’t know how to change unless one recognizes what needs to be changed.

    The Importance of Self-examination

    So I Implore you today to take inventory. Look at the state you most find yourself in.

    • Are you unhappy a lot?
    • Do you want to be happier or more content?

    Then you must reframe your experiences. You must choose to spend more time on the positive side of life.

    Residing on The Bright Side (Changing Your Residence)

    If one looks closer, one will always find at least one positive in a situation.

    So the thing to do is to make that one positive bigger than the negatives.

    Make it so big it overshadows the negative.

    Make that the forefront of your focus.

    You will find the more you commit to this the more positive you become. You will find yourself residing on the bright side.

    Of course, it’s not as easy as relocating from your physical address. But the transformation is worth it.

    When your inner world begins to shift, so does your outer world.

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