Moving forward...

One of the most challenging things to do in life is learning how to move forward!  The older I get, the more obvious this reality becomes.  Many times, we allow fear to cloud our view and give us a negative perspective of who we are and what we are looking at.  It's in moments like these, I am reminded to ascend to higher place and look down.  It is from an ascended place, I see clearly.  It is true that as an airplane elevates thousands upon thousands of feet above the clouds, the view becomes clearer and sky is beautiful and bright!

Fear is the enemy of success in families, in our careers, love relationships, friendships, and health, just to name a few.  Ultimately, fear is designed to sabotage. When you closely examine fear, you realize it is the enemy of your soul...it is the REAL enemy.  While it could be argued that fear is a good thing, I am not referring to fear from a reverential perspective. Certainly, that type of fear has its' place.  However, I'm referring to fear from the perspective of hesitancy, resistance, insecurity, rejection - those lies that hold us captive to unhealthy emotions, unhealthy relationships and unhealthy responses.

Traditionally, it has been known to say the opposite of fear is courage.  However, I'm inclined to disagree.  In my experiences and opinion, I've found LOVE to be the opposite of fear.  To properly assess, your inability to move forward, one must assess WHY.  Many times, "the" why is rooted in low-self esteem, heartache, disappointment, anxiety, rejection, misunderstanding and yes, there are others.  Why are we so inclined to withdraw or to drawback from things, situations, people that will ultimately make us better?  Why do we offer excuses for not being healthy - spirit, soul and body?  And why do we blame others for our lack or inability to move forward?  If we possessed the right SELF-PERSPECTIVE...we would respond differently.  Currently, I am taking a course in Human Sexuality and I must say, this course has challenged me on SO MANY levels!  However, the author points out the different styles of love and our natural tendencies to operate in them based on who we are.  One of the styles of love is defined as "agape" and personally, I've learned about this love in church.  However, I didn't really see it in action until I learned HOW to receive love from my Creator.  As I embraced His love for me,  it taught me HOW to love myself.  Fear says that I am not worthy, so I can't move forward.  But love says, you are worthy, not because of what you've done or haven't done...you're worthy just because.  Everything in creation was created good and God accepts us where we are, His love isn't predicated upon what we do and what we don't do.  His demonstration of love towards us is that He gave....  In other words, I guess I am inclined to believe that until we truly love ourselves through Him, we will not walk in uninhibited places of freedom and victory.  We will always be stifled and we will continue to repeat vicious cycles.  It takes risk to move forward, it takes risk to love, it takes risks to begin again but if you love yourself, you will understand why it's necessary.

FORGIVE yourself. That's right!  If you made a bad decision?  So, what!?!  It's done, it's over.  Perhaps, you thought it was the best thing at the time and so did I.  Been there, done that!   Release your self from the personal disappointment you've encountered.  Life is a learning experience and every situation matters.  It is an opportunity to help someone else, it's an opportunity to share your story.  This is a process, I am working on right now...learning to forgive myself means I accept the past decisions I've made, be it good or bad / right or wrong.  I'm learning to live GUILT-FREE!  We cannot afford to drown in the sea of regret!!  Regret is also a terrible enemy.  It happened, it happened for a reason, NOW, pick yourself up and move forward... No back paddling here!  :-)   There is something to be said for trying something new, stepping into unknown, uncharted territories.  There is something to be said about having the courage to do something you've never done before.   I dare you...I dare you to challenge yourself and to boldly go where no man has gone before!  Thank you Star Trek :-)  Take heart and DO it afraid!  Eventually, the fear will dissipate and love will abound!!

Today, I am very introspective as I face many decisions, many opportunities, and many failures.  However, I am determined to continue to love me and to give myself the opportunity, the chance and the motivation to continue to move forward.  Friends, don't allow anything, anyone or any situation paralyze or stunt your growth.  Care enough to love you and take the risk...move forward, I promise you there is something wonderful awaiting your arrival!

Thank you for allowing me to share myself with you....

Lending my voice,

Lady J