SPEAK: Resolve By The Spirit — Resolve to Go Deeper

SPEAK … By the Spirit™ with Erica A. Hawthorne

Resolve to Go Deeper

© 2011 Erica A. Hawthorne

December 23, 2011

I love massages!  Whether it be a basic Swedish massage, or the caring hands of a friend or loved one, the comfort and release of tension can be heavenly.  I love the euphoric feeling afterwards when tense muscles finally release their grip on whatever matters, thoughts and stresses that have built up over the days and months.

I remember my first professional massage at a spa.  I felt like royalty!  The staff offered me water with a hint of mint and cucumber and offered me a soft robe and slippers (that I was sad to have to return at the end of my appointment).  The scent of lavender filled my room and the music immediately put me in a meditative state.  The masseuse asked questions about my tension, any aches or injuries and then swiftly went about working to relax and soothe each muscle.

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GIVE: Resolve By The Spirit — Real Resolutions

GIVE … by the Spirit™ Guest Contributor — Grace Ste. Croix

Real Resolutions

© 2011 Grace Ste. Croix

December 13, 2011

As tradition bestows, during the last month of December, some of us think long and hard at what we would like to change or accomplish for our next year. Often times this is weight loss or health related, however a resolution can be just about anything, from improving yourself to improving relationships around you.

As many members of a gym or clinic can attest, their businesses are booming in January, but by around March, this trend quickly dies down; in est, people give up. Why do we start our goals but do not finish them? Our aspirations completely die down because of many reasons, one in particular: We are not seeing the results we expected to see by this time.

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GIVE: Resolve By The Spirit — Forgive Before The New Year

GIVE … by the Spirit™ Guest Contributor — Grace Ste. Croix

Forgive Before The New Year

© 2011 Grace Ste. Croix

December 6, 2011

There are only a few things in life that feel greater than personal empowerment. It is a personal achievement when one can look at themselves in the mirror and fully trust their decisions. Empowerment comes from trusting yourself. How do we get on this enlightened path? Forgiving other people allows us to let go of the excess baggage of resentment and pain. Let’s face the truth: resentment and pain are two heavy carry-on bags that must be checked in order to get on that flight to a more powerful you.

“Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Matthew 18: 21-22

People may have done great harm to you. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean allowing that person the same level of intimacy they once had with you. Forgiveness is letting go of the situation. Allow yourself to move forward without grudges. Do not allow the person who harmed you to constantly run through your mind and fill your body with stress. Analyze the situation; put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Whether you can see their point or not, let it go and move forward. You are on your own path to personal greatness and you do not need resentment, anger and pain to hold you down.

Jesus encourages us to forgive. There are mistakes that are minor and there are mistakes that are of major proportions. Have a forgiving heart and you will see the world in a much brighter sense. By forgiving before the New Year, you have given yourself a clear path to attain your New Year’s Resolutions and move forward to bigger and better things.

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