Pride makes you HEAVY

This morning I was reading a portion out of a book that I frequent often. It was on the topic of Pride. In my last 2 posts I discussed the importance of cleaning up our internal house in order to get our bodies to reflect that inner light. As I was reading about "Pride" this morning, I realized how much I struggle with this and suspected that maybe more of you out there will see this ugly theme running through your life as well. The thing about pride is that if you have it, you won't want to see that you have it. Pride covers the "Pride Problem" up. It's my hope that if you are entangled in it, your eyes will be opened today to it's hold over you and your true freedom.

My distorted understanding about Pride was that it meant you believed you were always right. Past that description, I never bothered to investigate more about it. The reason I probably didn't, is because I was too proud to want to know anything else. After reading this morning, I was completely convicted. I saw that I have a big problem with pride and it has become a wall that I keep running into. I realize that while I am trying to love others and fill my cup up with "light", I have been consistently falling short of fulfilling all of my attempts, which has left me frustrated and feeling bad. I now see that it is because of the pride that is woven into my everyday life, that has me canceling out all the good things I'm putting in.

Pride is something that effects the person with a low opinion of themselves as well as someone with a high opinion. Pride is self-centered. Regardless of whether you are focusing on all of your insecurities or strengths, it is consumed with "self". This was a huge revelation to me. I would have thought it had to do with "self conceit" not "self loathing". However, so many of us with a weight problem, have our eyes on all of our insecurities and therefore I can see how pride could become a real problem without any of us realizing it.

Pride is very dangerous because it leads to other bad viewpoints. It's also what leads to destruction in our life. Isn't this weight problem part of that destruction? Yes. So many bad things happen because of Pride. It ruins our relationships with people and robs us of the ability to give and experience unconditional love. It is a destroyer! In the book "Praying God's Word", the author says Pride cheats wherever it plays. She wrote a parody about Pride that I want to share with you.

My name is Pride.
I am a cheater.
I cheat you of your God-given destiny...because you demand your own way.
I cheat you of contentment...because you "deserve better than this."
I cheat you of knowledge...because you already know it all.
I cheat you of healing...because you're too full of me to forgive.
I cheat you of holiness...because you refuse to admit when you're wrong.
I cheat you of vision...because you'd rather look in the mirror than out the window.
I cheat you of genuine friendship...because nobody's going to know the real you.
I cheat you of love...because real love demands sacrifice.
I cheat you of greatness in heaven...because you refuse to wash another's feet on earth.
I cheat you of God's glory...because I convince you to seek your own.
My name is Pride. I am a Cheater.
You like me because you think I'm always looking out for you.
Untrue.
I'm looking to make a fool of you.
God has so much for you, I admit, but don't worry...
If you stick with me,
You'll never know!

Do not misunderstand this to mean we shouldn't love ourselves. That type of love is a true understanding of our talents, gifts and overall worth. It's an appreciation for God's creation, which is "us". NO.....pride masquerades in black and white extremes. It has you forget who made you. It makes you god in your own eyes. Either with feeling you are so important or with feeling you are so unimportant. Either view has you negate a real God who created you in His image and is still governing the laws of the universe.

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2

Please take the time to look into your heart and see if you find any pride there. It could be the best time that you ever invest because as we read in the scriptures, pride will cause destruction and disgrace. If you find any pride, humble yourself. Find a book or article or read the scriptures about Pride and how to fix it. When you cast it out, you will be making a huge step towards balanced love in your life. You will be able to love yourself properly and others fully. When you do this, your inner vessel gets clean. When your inner vessel gets clean, your outer vessel reflects that.

I am emphatic about pouring "light" into our souls because it is the defining factor for lasting outer beauty. This subject of pride is a major player in the game that is destroying your attempts to look better and feel better! Be on the alert to watch for this everyday. When you see it, then soften your heart to deal with it head on. You will see major change come over your life when you do! I am determined to work on this in my own life. Please join me in this pursuit of true happiness.

Get Light with "LOVE"

Today is Valentines Day and I wanted to write a special message.

In my last thought, I referred to filling up your heart with "light" in order to replace any negative thought patterns that you have toward others or even yourself. I added another thought in response to a comment that was made. In that response, I used an analogy about having mud in our glasses of water. I said that when we continue to pour an ongoing stream of clear water into that cup, the water will eventually turn pure and clean. I believe, with all of my heart that the water we need to pour in, is the "light of love". The love of God and His son is absolutely the purest love we can experience. Until we purposely seek that unconditional love everyday , we will not be able to love ourselves and others properly. Even if we already have turned to that love, watch how much you're actually allowing to be poured into your cup in order to drown out any mud that's left.

Probably one of my favorite passages in the Bible is found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. I have this found in many places of my house. As a matter of fact, my daughters gave me a plaque with it for Christmas. It spells out the kind of love we should be exercising every single day.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love Never Fails...!"

I wanted to break these down for a minute.

It helps me to ask myself these questions when dealing with someone who is difficult, because that's where my thoughts turn muddy if I'm not careful.

Am I being patient, right now?
Am I being kind, right now?
Am I feeling envious, right now?
Am I bragging about myself, right now?
Am I full of stubborn pride, right now?
Am I being rude, right now?
Am I acting like this to get what "I" want, right now?
Am I ready to lose my temper, right now?
Am I remembering past mistakes, right now?
Am I happy at someones misfortune, right now?
Am I encouraging truthfulness, right now?
Am I protective of this person's heart, right now?
Am I being trusting, right now?
Am I expressing hope in this person, right now?
Am I going to persevere through this, right now?

Then the next thing I remember is that "Love Never Fails".

Any difficult situations I have with others can be turned around if I show them the kind of love mentioned above, because love never fails!!!

My hope is that we can all practice behaving this way toward others. When we build up our "Love Muscle" we will truly begin to push out the darkness in our hearts by replacing it with pure light!

Happy Valentines Day!

Living Higher=Getting Thinner

You've heard the term "You are what you eat" but what if you reversed that and said "You eat what you are". What do I mean by that??? I mean, I believe that we choose foods to eat (harmful or good) that reflect our inner light and happiness (or lack thereof).

In all the research that I've done, I am convinced that what we get on the outside is what matches us on the inside. This doesn't just happen overnight. Our life is shaped out of the many thoughts we are thinking. I have known so many people who could easily say that they believe they are spiritual and loving people. They live a life full of kindness. They think good thoughts. These people are reaping the rewards of those behaviors in many ways. Their lives are richly blessed because of it. But why are they overweight? Because somewhere, they aren't really happy. They may be doing much of their acts out of obligation or a need to please others. At the center of all of it is resentment and frustration. These people will abuse their body with food because it matches their masked inner emptiness. I know because I was one of those people.

The big culprit in all of this is negative thoughts and emotions. These are the root cause of problems that show up with our bodies. I'm sorry to tell you this, but food is not your issue. It's the tool you use to deal with your issue. Some of the negatives I am talking about would be in the form of bad thoughts and feelings that you have toward others. Jealousy, anger, resentment, frustration, being judgmental, cynicism, superiority, fear, and hatred are a few of them that come to mind. I am not telling you that you "shouldn't" feel some of those feelings from time to time (you wouldn't be human). I am telling you that you shouldn't "dwell" on those feelings! They are a cancer to the soul and will eat you up, one bite at a time.

How can we fix this? We start changing our life. We begin by changing our heart. This is why I am so adamant about having a spiritual connection. When we legitimately adhere to a higher standard of living, we ultimately see progress in all areas of our lives.

If you are a good person already, then look for the kinks in your heart. I promise they are there or you wouldn't be struggling with the weight. As you become a centered, happier, more loving person from the core, you will start seeing changes take place!!!! This is what is continuously happening in my own life, so I can truly attest to this. I enjoy this process of enlightenment, even though I feel that some days I fail miserably. However, I just keep getting up and trying again. This is an evolutionary process for us all.

Final thought: See the hidden thorns in your rose bush. Cut them out and cultivate yourself with inner light. Only then will you become the magnificent creature you were meant to be!!!!