Listening creates lasting Friendships

We are all wanting to be heard but few of us stop our activity of doing in order to listen. This was a key message from Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea, about his work of building schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He said, progress was slow because the building of relationships takes time. To accurately assimilate the needs of the people he serves; he stops, has tea, and listens to the elders and the women of the communities. During this time, he gathers valuable information about the needs of the people.

Greg said, he watched countless $250 tweed jackets, sent by well meaning people wanting to help, being thrown into fires to cook meals and warm rooms for the children. He also witnessed nylon tents, sent with the same intention, melt and burn because the people were using kerosene burners to stay warm. He said, "If we had asked them what they needed, they would have said, kerosene and money to build a canvass factory to manufacture their own tents that would withstand the cold and provide shade in the heat." This would have been much cheaper and much more productive for the people in this region.

Taking the time to listen to those we want to help, we can find out what is required to empower them to meet their needs. By empowering the people, we are a greater source for positive and long-lasting change in our world. Truly listening instills a deep sense of trust. In building trust, we create a bond of love. With love, we establish lasting friendships, we heal wounds, we become ONE.

© 2010 by Becky Benes
www.onenessoflife.com

Commitment brings Purpose and Happiness

The more I focus on the idea of commitment, I find that people who make a commitment to do anything create a sense of purpose in their life. And when people have a sense of purpose, they seem to be happier.

Perhaps this is the idea of goal setting. To set a goal and move toward that goal, gives one a reason to get out of bed in the morning. It also awakens an inner strength to overcome obstacles in ones life; especially, if the goal has been shared with others.

Once a goal is achieved, there is a sense of accomplishment and empowerment. The "I did it!" dance is danced. An inner knowing fills our being and flows out to others. Commitment gives purpose, leads to happiness, which leads to confidence.

I encourage you to test this theory. Make a commitment to do something, learn something, accomplish something; share it with friends; then follow through. Let me know if you find purpose and experience inner happiness.

© 2010 by Becky Benes
www.onenessoflife.com

Process for awakening

Reading the various stories in sacred texts and about the great mystics, I am always looking for a deeper meaning, a message of some sort to help me to grow spiritually. What I have found is their stories seem to be a template for our inner journey into the Kingdom of God-God realization-inspiration.

Several of them seem to have a common thread or process which the characters go through to experience an awakening to the Spirit of God.

• Step one: They are open to the call or the invitation from God-the still small voice.
• Step two: They say "Yes" even when the call seems impossible and/or makes no sense.
• Step three: They confirm their insight or call with a spiritually awake person.
• Step four: They take action and become willing to do what it takes to move forward. They clear the mental, physical and spiritual roadblocks.
• Step five: They experience the manifestation of that which was inspired, they awaken to the Spirit of God.

When I am open to this process in my life and follow the steps, my life transforms and I experience the Spirit of God-Creation-Inspiration.
This is a continual process for me, ever reminding me to take time to go to a quiet place, listen, open myself, and allow the presence of God to come in and through me. The experience is magical.

Celebrate yourself

I am my own hooraw. This is a phrase my friend Chris and I came up with at lunch today. It stresses the importance of celebrating and honoring ourselves and our accomplishments.

Being ones own hooraw empowers us to be all that we can be. We are not enslaved by the need for someone's approval. We can set goals for our selves and achieve them without any expectation from someone else.

Make it a habit to celebrate yourself. Do a victory dance, take a coffee break, or just pat yourself on the back for a job well done. If you wait for someone else to notice, you will only set yourself up for disappointment.

Take the reigns and CELEBRATE your self.

Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music. Yeehaw.