Let’s start with ➳
Truth

la verità per una vita dolce
☮ ✝️  💘 💝   🌴 ✞ ✟  ⤵

➳  “May it be, oh Lord, That I seek not so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. Because it is in giving oneself that one receives; it is in forgetting oneself that one is found; it is in pardoning that one obtains pardon.”

—   St. Francis of Assisi

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” ― Charles Dickens

“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” – Albert Einstein

Fishing is my meditation time. Tranquility, peace, joy, in that zone. Or my God time. I mean God time is 24/7 for life & beyond. I mean a focused/closeness.
Being one with God.

Joy

Definition: Joy is deep settled confidence that God is in control of the details of my life.

Joy can seem elusive. We tend to think of joy as a greater degree of happiness and, since happiness seems to come and go so quickly, joy might seem unattainable. Without a true understanding of joy, we find ourselves grasping for anything that might make us happy in our quest for joy. One commentator explains the difference between happiness and joy:

“Happiness reflects a horizontal perspective, focusing on circumstances on one’s plane of experience. We are happy when events are going our way. Joy reflects a vertical perspective centering on God. We can feel joy in trials because we know that God is still in control (as stated in Romans 8:26-28).” Philippians, Colossians, & Philemon (Life Application Bible Commentary)

Too often, we look to circumstances, people, and things to increase our joy. But Jesus, who faced the agony of the cross “for the joy set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2), encouraged His followers to find joy in adversity by maintaining an eternal (or vertical) perspective: “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great” (Matthew 5:11-12). The writer of Hebrews commended his readers because their eternal perspective gave them joy in adversity: “For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one” (Hebrews 10:34). Everything in this world is temporary. When we focus on what lasts—our relationship with God—we have joy. That’s why joy is a fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22). Joy comes from a relationship with God.

Joy Is Confidence in God

We can build confidence in God by learning to depend on Him. After Jesus taught the disciples how to depend on Him like a branch depends on the vine, He said, “These things I have spoken to you [about depending on Me] so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full” (John 15:11). As we learn to depend on God, we begin to experience joy: deep settled confidence that God is in control.

Joy Is Independent of Circumstances

When we know that God is in control of the circumstances of our lives, we can experience joy, regardless of our circumstances. Paul—whose afflictions included imprisonments, beatings, and other hardships—describes these afflictions as “external things” (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). Paul understood that his circumstances were external. For this reason he could say, “I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction” (2 Corinthians 7:4) and “I rejoice in my sufferings” (Colossians 1:24). This wasn’t mere positive thinking or an attempt to put a positive spin on things; for Paul, joy was a present reality. His circumstances were sometimes dire, but he knew that God was in control and that assurance gave him joy.

Words to Remember “You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy;In Your right hand there are pleasures forever” (Psalm 16:11, NASB).
➳  My Bible Study Notebook:
https://mybiblestudynotebook

The #TOXIC
the ones who are self-centered self-absorbed &/or can’t/won’t be helped. Step away. Evil…RUN & don’t look back.

➳

And

COMPLAINING

Mother Teresa didn’t walk around complaining about her thighs — she had shit to do.
–Sarah Silverman

It is an EVIL thing to be an expert in the weaknesses of our brothers and sisters. We need to be experts in the strengths of our brothers and sisters.
–Matt Chandler

Change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it. Don’t complain.
–Maya Angelou, Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now

~ Thought, about a situation you find yourself in, what other people do or say, your surroundings, your life situation, even the weather. To complain is always nonacceptance of what is. It invariably carries an unconscious negative charge. When you complain, you make yourself into a victim. When you speak out, you are in your power. So change the situation by taking action or by speaking out if necessary or possible; leave the situation or accept it. All else is madness.
—Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

If you applied it to solving the problem, you’d be surprised by how well things can work out… Complaining does not work as a strategy. We all have finite time and energy. Any time we spend whining is unlikely to help us achieve our goals. And it won’t make us happier.
–Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

I know it’s important to do more than just complain when there’s something you don’t like. You need to try to do something about it, or you’re nothing but a whiner.
–Jean Ferris, Twice Upon a Marigold (Upon a Marigold, #2)

Legalism breeds a sense of entitlement that turns us into complainers.
–Tullian Tchividjian, Jesus + Nothing = Everything

If you can quit, quit. If you can’t quit, stop complaining – this is what you chose.
–J.A. Konrath

A good conversation always involves a certain amount of complaining. I like to bond over mutual hatreds and petty grievances.
–Lisa Kleypas, Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor (Friday Harbor, #1)
>> Kidding! 😀

If you find yourself about to complain, think of your many blessings and rejoice! Don’t give the devil a ride today, because then he’ll want to drive full-time. So, kick his attitude of complaining spirit out of your blessed zone. Don’t give the devil NOTHING!!
–Anita R. Sneed-Carter

Life is far too precious to waste it complaining. If you don’t like where you are change it…it’s just that simple.
–Sanjo Jendayi, Girl, Get Empty

LIFE becomes wonderful when we stop COMPLAINING and start APPRECIATING, when we stop HATING and start LOVING, when we stop JUDGING and start ACCEPTING and when we stop IGNORING and start EMBRACING.
–Sanjeev Himachali

Forget to complain; just be kind and compassionate.
–Debasish Mridha

The main way people waste time is by complaining of their past wasted time. Leaders respond even if it seems to be late.
–Israelmore Ayivor, Leaders’ Ladder

When people complain of your complexity, they fail to remember that they made fun of your simplicity.
–Michael Bassey Johnson

He never complained. He seemed to have no instinct for the making much of oneself that complaining requires.
–Wendell Berry, Jayber Crow

What’s the use of complaining about something you have no intentions of changing it?
–Mario L Castellanos

Lobbing hand grenades on the bride of Christ takes zero talent or effort. I also think this really ticks God off. My five-year-old child complains and whines when things aren’t the way she wants them, but courageous men and women roll up their sleeves and get busy. I want to be an active participant in putting back together the broken pieces.
–Mike Foster

Reminding the Lord of what we have or don’t have is whining. Mark 8:5
–Brian Eshleman

him away, then berated him again for not being there when he was needed. Not that they would admit he was needed, even then, not them. Raise a hand to help and you were interfering, do nothing and you were an un-trustworthy wastrel.
–Robert Jordan
–Tags: complaining

The soul that gives thanks can find comfort in everything; the soul that complains can find comfort in nothing.
–Hannah Whitall Smith
–Tags: complaining, gratitude,inspirational, thankfulness

When you aren’t satisfied with what has already been done, make something better. That is the greatest responsibility and the true freedom of creativity. The freedom is in that it doesn’t need to complain.
–Criss Jami, Killosophy

Try not to waste today by continuing on the same chapter you were complaining about yesterday.
–Edmond Mbiaka

Excuses and complaints are signs of a dreamless life
–Bangambiki Habyarimana, The Great Pearl of Wisdom

When we were born, we were thrown off to land on earth. The successful kept calm and created their wings on their way down. The losers were busy complaining against the creator why he did not give wings to them knowing they had to fly.
–Bangambiki Habyarimana, The Great Pearl of Wisdom

Never allow carping critics to deter you from success. Instead, silence them with it.
–Christian Baloga

Problems are meant to be solved, but unfortunately, a lot of people choose to complain, worry, and cry about them.
–Edmond Mbiaka

Complaining is a complete waste of one’s energy. Those who complain the most accomplish the least.
–Robert Tew

You can never complain your way into a happy successful life.
–Edmond Mbiaka

Complaining solves nothing but creative problem solving amongst people with a common focus will produce solutions.
–Auliq Ice

It can be very seductive to tell our story to others who will listen because, lets face it, who doesn’t love to ‘commiserate’ (in this context, meaning to share their misery) with other likeminded people. It justifies our attachment to the drama. The interesting thing about telling our story over and over is that it becomes even more deeply ingrained in our minds each time we tell it, and the universe delights in keeping whatever we claim as our story alive.

Dennis Merritt Jones, The Art of Uncertainty: How to Live in the Mystery of Life and Love It

Bittersweet

IMPORTANT READ ➳

https://dawns-ad-lib.com/2014/01/19/bitterness/

#Toxic people; will drain you.
They suck the life out of others. Or at the least….they try to steal your joy.

➳ if it’s with family……

~ Many times the only things we share are genes, nothing more. I’m not being cynical or hateful, but observing a truth that many people seem to share.
… Release the toxic relatives in your life, otherwise they will sink you along with them. The key is no matter how vicious they are to you, do not direct hate towards them. Now that doesn’t mean that they have the right to infringe on your life or continue to spew negativity, it just means that a person should just step back, be able to look at the truth for what it is, and take care of themselves.
Many times people are so angry because they either hate themselves or cannot deal with deep, emotional issues.
~ Stay away = #Peace ♥
.
Take a deep breath and turn it over to God 😀

Try as hard as you can, make a conscious effort, to turn it over and bless the situation. Don’t allow toxic people to destroy the precious days you have on this earth. Wish them well and send peace in their direction, but guard your life strongly.
You deserve to live it with love and happiness.

↪→ a good thread … a good read! REALLY!

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/11801/Bitter–nasty–hateful-mother

~ Remember → CHOOSE HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY

A must read!

↪→ https://dawns-ad-lib.com/2015/08/28/not-my-circus-not-my-monkeys/

GOOD READ!

↪→ http://dawns-ad-lib.coml<strong/2015/07/13/you-can-not-save-everyone/

CHOICES

https://dawns-ad-lib.com/2015/04/09/if-you-want-your-life-to-be-different-you-have-to-start-reacting-to-life-differently/

https://peacefulwife.com/2012/11/04/guilt-is-a-powerful-motivator/

Why Playing the Martyr Repels Those We Love

Posted by Peacefulwife

GOOD STUFF!

https://peacefulwife.com/2012/11/05/why-playing-the-martyr-repels-those-we-love/

DREAM

Long before co-creating the bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series…..

https://books.google.com/books/about/Jack_Canfield_s_Key_to_Living_the_Law_of.html?id=qXijAgAAQBAJ&hl=en

http://www.dreambigcollection.com/

Watch “Key to Living the Law of Attraction Jack Canfield- Audiobook HD” on YouTube

Watch “Jack Canfield Dream Big Law of Attraction P1 2” on YouTube

The Art of Uncertainty: How to Live in the Mystery of Life and Love It

The Art of Uncertainty: How to Live in the Mystery of Life and Love It
— by Dennis Merritt

Recommended for: Everyone

For someone who lives an emotionally unstable/ unsure life.. this book will be your haven. This book helped me time after time when i found myself struggling to find hope. As a mentor, I recommend this book to everyone i meet. Whether it be someone who is struggling with panic disorder or a heart severing break up… this book will turn into your bible, as it has to me.

This was an absolutely amazing book–so quotable and exactly what I needed. Every time I picked the book up I felt inspired to really embrace the day. Coming from a person who is in a place where absolutely NOTHING is certain, this book was truly beautiful! I have already recommended it to my mom and several friends. Definitely worth the read!

I loved this book. It was an easy read with very practical ways to apply the lessons. The material isn’t new but I appreciate all these lessons being in one little book in a super accessible format.

Am reading this book in my spiritual book circle — one chapter at a time — creates lots of discussion! Personally I’ve gotten a lot of insights from it!

I’m enjoying this book a lot – there are lots of tips on finding new ways to think about this mystery we call life! I enjoy Dennis’s style and clarity.

This book was exactly what a control freak like me needed. Provided good tips on how to let go of things I can’t control while still living ‘consciously’.

http://www.dennismerrittjones.com/