The Rule & the Exception

"Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." 1 Peter 5:9

It seems like a comforting idea to know that we are not standing alone, we are not the only ones suffering, that people all around are experiencing the same version of life we are having.  Yet, somehow this idea emerges from bringing comfort and encouragement for us to reach out and find support and condolence in the experiences of others, to becoming another version of what our destiny should look like.  

Suddenly, it is acceptable for work to be a place of struggle, for women to be single parents/providers even if they have men in their lives, for love to be painful and for certain category of people only to aspire certain areas and aspects of life. 

Behind my inspiration and motivation to pursue a spiritual path, seeking serenity through change of my beliefs and thinking was a friend of mine who pursued the same path years ago, while going through an extremely difficult personal time in her life.  I watched as my friend went through a very rough both emotionally and physically abusive marriage, she got divorced then back again, lost a pregnancy and finally her husband died.  It all seemed so much to take, I was heartbroken and devastated just watching that happening to her and she was only 25 years old.  Nevertheless, she kept close to her spiritual/life coach through it all, doing all that is necessary and required until one day, it was obvious that her life was changing.  She was more serene, more sane and met a lovely husband and had a beautiful child, moved to a better job, a new country and a new home.  I always remember her and give thanks for her every time she crosses my mind.  

I also often reflect on my mom at the age of 45 when she decided to restart her life with three kids and an elderly mother, no job, no house in a new country and a new culture. 

Somehow, I find courage, motivation and inspiration in those examples when faced with new challenges or aspiring new horizons.  If it worked for them, it can very much work for me as well. 

One friend who is going now through marital problems sat in my living room reflecting on her family and realized that every female relative she can think of is encountering a relationship hardship of a sort.  It seemed that a legacy being passed down to them and could not be escaped. 

In the same day, another friend of mine, who is an awesome and amazingly talented writer, sent me a link to a new blog he started, saying how he got inspired by mine and he was finally encouraged to start his own.  

To have those two incidents happen in the same hour of the same day, was a coincidence I was not able or ready to ignore.  I realized how we form our beliefs because of what we observe in the lives of those around us and it becomes a personal truth to what is possible.

I realized that today I am the statistic my friends, cousins, younger brother and nephew are looking at to form an opinion on their lives. 

Today, I have the opportunity to be someone's hope and reference in times of trouble, confusion or hardship, they too can stand before God and say, it seems hard and almost impossible but we have seen it work.  

I choose to open my eyes and see what is working around me and work it.  I choose to believe that it could happen for me too, that goodness and abundance is available for me today.  

In the infinity of life where I am, all is perfect, whole and complete. 

Brad Paisley - Live at the White House

Overflowing Hope

"May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" Romans 15:13


"Today is yesterday's tomorrow, so was it worth all this struggle" (An Arabic poetry verse)


When I was young, I used to fantasize a lot about my future, that I am someone famous, more happy and fulfilled. I would lay in bed seeing me doing interviews and being famous.  Once I saw me talking to Omar El Sheriff through some talk show as if I have worked with him and I am calling to express my personal knowledge and experience of him. Then at some point through the course of life, I came to think that what I was doing was escaping reality, and that I needed to be more grounded!  


I have met so many great people in my life, yet some were full of fear, suspicious and pessimistic of life and the future.  Being the people pleaser that I am, and lacking a clear definition of what is normal, I started picking up coping mechanisms in my attempt to fit in.  I felt as if I am obliged to share the same view of life in order to fit in. 


I wonder if I could go in time to that little girl fantasizing about Omar El Sherif and tell her, that we (the older and the younger me) met Omar El Sherif we travelled to New York City together, we even acted in one shot together, we dined, laughed and he complemented us.  We have done this and it was far from being beyond reach.  If I could go back to a more recent version of me few years, months or weeks back and tell me in that sad panicky or worrying state that it was Ok! we paid that debt, we got that bonus, we got over that relationship, we passed that test, we found more serenity, we found great friends, we are NOT ALONE.  Would this make a difference, on how I lived through those days? would I have slowed down and smelled the roses? would I have had a kinder, more joyful, hopeful and serene attitude? 


I now realize that every time I avoided to visualize a happier version of me in some future, I blocked and limited my path to acknowledging and visualizing my heart desires.  I now realize that I've created my fear and suspicion of the future, and now I am willing to release the pattern in my consciousness that is responsible for this fear and suspicion of the future.  


Today, I know that nothing can hurt me while I lean on my Higher Power, that I can bring every problem to him for He will show me the way I should go.  


Today, I choose to believe, hope and trust in Him who will fill me with joy and peace through the hours and minutes of my day.  


Today I choose to believe that I am going to see God's Favor in a greater way; that New Doors are going to open for me; that Super Natural Opportunities are coming my way; that God is setting up Divine Connections for me; that I am going to Overcome every obstacle and Defeat every enemy; that I am always at the right place at the right time; that I am going to see every Dream and every Desire that God has placed into my heart come to pass.  


Today I choose to believe that life unfolds beautifully and I allow it to unfold; that I am at peace with the process of life, I am at peace with myself and I am Safe.

I Am Guided

And God said, "I will be with you.  And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you.  When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain."  Exodus 3:12


A phrase caught my eye between the lines of a meditation book and kept ringing in my ears like an alarm "Ask Questions".  Do I give myself permission to ask questions? what do I expect when I ask a question? Why am I avoiding to ask questions? Am I afraid to find out that I am standing in the wrong spot; that I have to take a U Turn, to restart or reboot? Would I find out that I have to change my moves in the game; change my playground; change my play mates; or quit the game all together?!


Am I afraid to ask about the next move at work, which might mean that I shall be leaving? Am I afraid to hear answers that open the door to more questions and make me wonder, what next? Am I afraid to contact an old friend lest a change in their life awakens the question of when will it be me? 


Do I refuse to ask a question in order to avoid a moment of an honest feeling, a moment that holds more questions of why, when and how; a moment that exceed my limitation!


Today, I believe that I am guided by a good shepherd who leads the way before me; who promises to instruct and teach me in the way I should go; who promises to council and watch over me if I drifted from my route.  (Psalm 32:8)


Today, I choose to ask questions concerning my life, trusting that I am guided in my quest and all the roads I have to take, will bring me to a moment of honesty and truth where there is an answer to my question.

Opportunity for Kindness and Healing

Exodus 9:15-16 "For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people ...But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth".


Matthew 25:34-36 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."


Why do people have to go through tough times struggling with depression, severe back pains, marital problems, financial pressure, lonely times or even heat stress and fatigue?  The lessons that each experience have to bring are beyond me.  


I just know that when I am sick and my immunity system shut down and I become very weak and vulnerable, in my times of stress and financial needs.  Angels in the physical form of friends show up at my door step, carrying soup, crackers, donuts and even goodie bags. 


Though normally I am content with text messages, emails and chats, it is when my beloved friends are in distress that actual contact becomes necessary and crucial and I reach out to let them know that I love them and thinking of them during their tough times.  Its when the people I love are in need that I go all out and reach all my networks and everyone comes through wonderfuly to help a friend. 


Today, I find that times of distress though might be carrying within themselves deeper spiritual issues for me to face each time.  They are always an opportunity to recieve love, kindness and heal the dry cracked land of my soul.   

The Lesson is Love

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." - (2 Chronicles 7:14)


When I stood praying through my teeth as if trying to push back the waves of my emotionally challenging day back to God, praying "Dear God, I am your people, called by your name ... This is not happening to me!".  I remembered a nice quote I read once, "trying excessively to make a point with another mean that we have not yet made that point with ourselves".  Was my prayer a declaration of faith, or was I trying to convince God and sell him an idea that I am yet to establish with myself? 


One of my best couple friends are the source of most of my life lessons.  One day my dear girlfriend was telling me how hurt and devastated she was because her husband was moving out when one of her friends whom he doesn't like was coming to visit for a while.  Knowing what a lovely person her husband is and confident of how much he loves her I talked to him, in an attempt to reason with him to stay during the visit and perhaps he might change his mind.  When I asked him about why he doesn't like that friend I was prepared for many answers except the one he gave me, he said, "I do not like the way she treats my wife"!.  
I was silenced, I learned my lesson!


What do I hear and see God communicating to me through the course of my day, in the radical behaviors of those around me or when I am brought face to face with my emotional, physical and financial limitations.  Am I confident that the lesson is not only about love but it is love!


I am God's people, I am called by his name... I am loved and taken into consideration every single second. 

The Way Everlasting

"Search me O God and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts, see if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting".  (Psalm 139:23-24)


A couple of days ago one of my dearest girlfriends, new Black Berry keypad got locked, she didn't know what to do, she tried everything she knew looked into the online and the printed manual but there were no helpful instructions.  So she posted on the wall of her Facebook page that she needs help unblocking her BB keypad. 


Couple of us threw her suggestions and she would try them and post a minute later "Nope, did not work" with a sad smiley face, until another friend told her to try a button on the top of the devise.  She found that button, it was hidden and sneaking but when she pressed it it worked, a minute later she posted a multiple happy smiley faces and a big "YES it worked".  Her BB keypad was finally unlocked. 


I often find myself stuck and blocked when faced with a dilemma of what is the best way to handle a situation, which is the best approach, what decision to make? Do I quit this job? Do I confront this person? Do I fire my cleaner? Is it ok to wait a little longer, and explore my options? 


I become very anxious.  How do I escape that fine line between submission and surrender? Am I loosing grounds when I admit the fact that I do not have the best way to resolving my own conflicts and my own problems? Am I afraid to ask for help because I believe that my strength and my self image/love/acceptance/ respect/self worth lies in my knowledge, and If I acknowledged my limitations and made them known I no longer own my power?


Today I know that my old beliefs that I am (loved/accepted/respected) partially or mostly because I am not really known and/or seen for who I truly am and/or what I really know or have, are no longer serving me well and are only making it hard for me to surrender. (Exodus 7: 13;22)


Today I rejoice in the fact that God knows my heart, my anxious thoughts and my ways; that he carefully examined, tested and saw them before he made me those promises and spoke those loving words of how much loved, accepted, beautiful, unique and commissioned I am.