Ever present habits, patterns and cycles

You get what you think about whether you want it or not.

Life has been great.

Life hasn't been so great.

Sounds like...every one's got the same story. Here's what I've been up to lately..

My whiteboard at home (I've got two, one for home and the other for work) reads "You cannot talk defeat and expect t have victory. Send your words out in the direction you want your life to go!"

Here's why it's been relevant --

Everything that's happened to me this year has been a product of a thought. Whether the thought belongs to me or someone else, it's all a product of thinking. This year has taught me to be 100% mindful and as much in control of my thinking (in terms of guiding it out of the darkness when it occasionally slips and falls) and with controlling my thoughts, I'm able to not shape my destiny - because that's where God's will comes into play, but I'm able to control my emotions.*

(Emotions will be the key word here.)

I've seen the most action in every relationship of my life this year. 25 has shown me how to forgive, how to argue, how to be patient and how to surrender. However, I must say that so far, my biggest challenge is keeping those people in prayer who haven't grown or who aren't growing/moving at the same rate/speed that I am. Also, it's been very hard for me to trust once I've been shown shady behavior. That has been what's hardest. However there's a trick*, lesson*, blessing* that I've learned to adapt in my daily life that's slowly but surely helped the process of forgiveness for me and that's being mindful of how I react by controlling my emotions and always try my best to speak positivity over the situation. I'm sure every one has come across a person - friend, coworker, family member - that's done something hurtful or has shown you a side of them that it's hard for you to overlook or move forward from. Instead of me constantly sharing the story of the defeat, annoyance or offense (ooh, offense is the perfect word for this statement), I just pray for them. I focus on better times and happier moments, bringing that aura of peace back into the picture. However, there is only so much that I can do. Which is the sentiment of everyone. When you're constantly fighting a draining battle, the first instinct is to give up. Why do I have to put up with this? I'm learning to continue to press. Though I can control my emotions, thoughts towards better days and attitude, I can't control what people look for when they interact with me.

Look for peace to receive peace.
You reap what you sow.

What kinds of seeds are you sowing? Or rather, what's the product of your harvest? Were you planting shady seeds and now in return getting them? Were you selfish? Were you untrustworthy? No one is perfect and yes, even I play the role of the bad guy. I've had my share of days in the dog house. But what are you doing to fix that? And when you're being mistreated, how are you behaving?

Are you forgiving?
Am I forgiving?

What have I been sowing?

Isn't life grand? :)