Right action starts with right thinking. In other words, the ancestor of every action is a thought. Ever heard someone say "I just did it without thinking"? Not true. I'm not talking about instinct, or a reflex action. "I did it without thinking" is usually in the context of an excuse for a wrong action or behavior, but that doesn't really wash when you think about it.
We choose our thoughts. We choose to chew on, mull over, turn every which way in our minds, and ultimately accept or reject each and every thought. No one "makes" us think anything. We control our minds, or choose not to, but either way we think what we want to think. We should all take mental stock every now and then and think about what we are thinking about. Are our thoughts breathing life into our life or not? Are they causing good, peaceful, relaxing reactions in our body or do our thoughts cause us to become tense physically, emotionally, mentally? Are we "bracing for impact", "going with the flow" or directing our thinking toward a specific goal or set of goals?
The mind is a powerful thing. It can be your best weapon against an enemy, your best defense against attack, your best friend and most powerful asset in reaching whatever goals you choose to set for yourself. In Luke 1:37 it says "For nothing is impossible with God". Nothing is a pretty powerful word. Imagine what you can accomplish if you choose to believe that promise! Does it say nothing is impossible FOR God? No...read it again...it says WITH God! This means you, yes little old imperfect human you, can do amazing, powerful, wonderful things if you choose to believe those six little words and become God's coworker. There's not a more powerful team in the universe than you and God. "Nothing" means nothing.
God chose His words wisely (not hard to do when you're all-knowing) and placed them in His Word as He intended. He meant what He said, and said what He meant. Our daily choice? To believe or not believe. That is the question. That is your option, because you have free will and YOU choose what thoughts you accept and reject. Is the thought that you can do anything with God's help one you will choose to keep or throw away? Will you blame your lack of success in an area (any area of life, it doesn't matter which one) on others, on your circumstances, on "forces beyond your control" or will you take responsibility for your own thoughts and therefore your actions taken as a result of those thoughts?
The mind is a powerful thing. Use it to your advantage. Choose your thoughts wisely. Reject any that do not breathe life to you. Dare to dream, dare to see yourself bigger than you are! The smallest pebble dropped into a pool of water causes a ripple effect hundreds of times larger than itself. Your life makes a difference! Your thoughts and resultant actions have an effect on others. Your thoughts determine your life. Choose the good ones today, my friend. You are in control.
God bless you~cpwritergirl
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Giving and receiving inspiration, and other good things
I recently read some suggestions on different ways to be inspired, and wanted to share some of them with you. Smile, as often as possible, even when you don't feel like it. Just the act of smiling will change your day. Tell someone you love them, and mean it. Allow someone to express love to you. They may need to give as much as you need to receive. Do something nice for someone in need and allow others to do for you. Treat yourself to an uplifting move, a poetry reading, an event, or an experience with others that opens your heart. Make a list of things you would love to do if you had the time, money, and energy. Allow yourself to daydream that they all come true!
Make a wish or say a prayer, and in that moment, believe it can be so. Watch a movie or have a fun moment with a loved one that makes you laugh, and laugh some more. Put on your favorite music and dance, or just listen. Watch children at play. Take a moment to appreciate the spirit and joy they express, and the way they live in the present. Take a walk to a special place that makes you feel connected to nature. Acknowledge at least five experiences or people in your life that you are grateful for. Express gratitude to anyone on your list. Read a book or inspirational quotes that help you to believe in the magic of life. Watch the sunrise and sunset.
That's 14 ways to be inspired...two weeks worth, if you choose to do one a day. I think I'm going to make this a project. At the end of the two weeks, I'm willing to bet I'll have discovered even more ways to be inspired...something every writer, artist, and singer/songwriter seeks on a regular basis. Truth be told, most everyone needs a shot of inspiration now and then, not just the "artistic types".
The Bible promises that as we give we will receive, according to the measure we give, pressed down, shaken together and running over. God keeps His promises. The more we give, the more room we make for God to fill us up with His blessings. I love to give! I'm looking forward to reaping the harvest.
God bless you
Make a wish or say a prayer, and in that moment, believe it can be so. Watch a movie or have a fun moment with a loved one that makes you laugh, and laugh some more. Put on your favorite music and dance, or just listen. Watch children at play. Take a moment to appreciate the spirit and joy they express, and the way they live in the present. Take a walk to a special place that makes you feel connected to nature. Acknowledge at least five experiences or people in your life that you are grateful for. Express gratitude to anyone on your list. Read a book or inspirational quotes that help you to believe in the magic of life. Watch the sunrise and sunset.
That's 14 ways to be inspired...two weeks worth, if you choose to do one a day. I think I'm going to make this a project. At the end of the two weeks, I'm willing to bet I'll have discovered even more ways to be inspired...something every writer, artist, and singer/songwriter seeks on a regular basis. Truth be told, most everyone needs a shot of inspiration now and then, not just the "artistic types".
The Bible promises that as we give we will receive, according to the measure we give, pressed down, shaken together and running over. God keeps His promises. The more we give, the more room we make for God to fill us up with His blessings. I love to give! I'm looking forward to reaping the harvest.
God bless you
Friday, September 18, 2009
Just do it!
I stopped singing when I married a professional singer. I suppose unconsciously I felt he was so much better at it that I just needed to shut up and let him shine. But I LOVED singing, and had been doing it since childhood. In school productions, church choirs, even a company choir at a large firm where I worked for 5 years. One of my favorite memories is singing Handel's Messiah at Macy's in San Francisco at Christmastime one year. The crisp air, the scent of pine and cinnamon and all things Christmas floating in the air, the multicolored lights, the huge tree, the choir members' blended voices soaring to the sky, the shoppers who stopped to listen, smiling, singing along. I absolutely loved it. It fed my soul.
I've sung before small groups and thousands of people...as part of a group. Never alone. No, I take that back, I did sing one song for a group of male prisoners, accompanied only by a guitar. But they were a captive audience - literally - they couldn't walk out if they wanted to.
Over the years, my personal adversary kept whispering in my ear that I wasn't good enough and should "leave it to the professionals". I suppose I thought because I wasn't a trained, "polished" singer, I couldn't perform as well as others therefore shouldn't even try. Bottom line = I allowed myself to be robbed of something I loved doing, and could put my heart into, whether I hit every note or not!
I was given the opportunity to sing recently and I panicked. The person asking me had no idea all the stuff I had in my head involving singing in front of people. He didn't know my fears, my singing history or that I had stopped singing. I tried a couple of times to graciously say "no thank you" but he left the door open for me to accept his offer anyway. I couldn't sleep that night, as visions of standing before the people gathered for this event appeared before my eyes. In my troubled mind I could easily picture the scene: There they sat, awaiting my performance, as I opened my mouth...and nothing came out.
I agonized over whether or not I should try. What if I choked? What if I forgot the words? What if I opened my mouth and a squeaky little mouse voice came out? They were probably expecting some amazing, inspiring sound to come out of me, and it wasn't there! I'm just an "average" singer, nothing special. Martina McBride, I ain't!
But the more I thought about the reasons I couldn't, or shouldn't, attempt to sing for these wonderful people... the more God worked on my heart. "What are you afraid of?" He asked me. "Of failing," I replied. "But I made you, child, and I don't make failures," He said softly. "Don't you trust me to be there with you, to help you?" He inquired. "Don't you know I've promised never to leave you nor forsake you? Don't you know there's nothing I won't do for you? You can do this, if you do it with the right heart. Just open your mouth and sing. Do it because you love me, you love them, and you want to give. They don't expect perfection, but you are perfect in my sight, and I love you. So, just do it!"
So, I did it. I sang "America, the beautiful" at a morning flag raising ceremony, even though I still had fear. I took a deep breath, thought about the wonderful country we live in that I was about to sing of, and gave it all I had...no backup, no instrumentation, no musical track playing in the background. I wasn't as talented or polished as the girl who sang the day before, but it was a life changing moment for me. I didn't choke, I didn't forget the words, and people smiled and sang along. Not a big deal to anyone else, but God and I knew what was accomplished that day.
My exhortation to you today is this; when God presents you with an opportunity to manifest His love toward others by giving, no matter the venue, no matter how much better at it you think someone else may be, no matter your feelings of fear or inadequacy, take that opportunity. Do it afraid if you have to, but do it. Give. Don't listen to the "you're just not good enough" lies whispered in the dark. Turn away. Listen to the truth that you are perfect in God's sight, and you have something to offer. Who knows when you will be given another chance, and you may bless others more than you know. I guarantee God will bless you.
I've sung before small groups and thousands of people...as part of a group. Never alone. No, I take that back, I did sing one song for a group of male prisoners, accompanied only by a guitar. But they were a captive audience - literally - they couldn't walk out if they wanted to.
Over the years, my personal adversary kept whispering in my ear that I wasn't good enough and should "leave it to the professionals". I suppose I thought because I wasn't a trained, "polished" singer, I couldn't perform as well as others therefore shouldn't even try. Bottom line = I allowed myself to be robbed of something I loved doing, and could put my heart into, whether I hit every note or not!
I was given the opportunity to sing recently and I panicked. The person asking me had no idea all the stuff I had in my head involving singing in front of people. He didn't know my fears, my singing history or that I had stopped singing. I tried a couple of times to graciously say "no thank you" but he left the door open for me to accept his offer anyway. I couldn't sleep that night, as visions of standing before the people gathered for this event appeared before my eyes. In my troubled mind I could easily picture the scene: There they sat, awaiting my performance, as I opened my mouth...and nothing came out.
I agonized over whether or not I should try. What if I choked? What if I forgot the words? What if I opened my mouth and a squeaky little mouse voice came out? They were probably expecting some amazing, inspiring sound to come out of me, and it wasn't there! I'm just an "average" singer, nothing special. Martina McBride, I ain't!
But the more I thought about the reasons I couldn't, or shouldn't, attempt to sing for these wonderful people... the more God worked on my heart. "What are you afraid of?" He asked me. "Of failing," I replied. "But I made you, child, and I don't make failures," He said softly. "Don't you trust me to be there with you, to help you?" He inquired. "Don't you know I've promised never to leave you nor forsake you? Don't you know there's nothing I won't do for you? You can do this, if you do it with the right heart. Just open your mouth and sing. Do it because you love me, you love them, and you want to give. They don't expect perfection, but you are perfect in my sight, and I love you. So, just do it!"
So, I did it. I sang "America, the beautiful" at a morning flag raising ceremony, even though I still had fear. I took a deep breath, thought about the wonderful country we live in that I was about to sing of, and gave it all I had...no backup, no instrumentation, no musical track playing in the background. I wasn't as talented or polished as the girl who sang the day before, but it was a life changing moment for me. I didn't choke, I didn't forget the words, and people smiled and sang along. Not a big deal to anyone else, but God and I knew what was accomplished that day.
My exhortation to you today is this; when God presents you with an opportunity to manifest His love toward others by giving, no matter the venue, no matter how much better at it you think someone else may be, no matter your feelings of fear or inadequacy, take that opportunity. Do it afraid if you have to, but do it. Give. Don't listen to the "you're just not good enough" lies whispered in the dark. Turn away. Listen to the truth that you are perfect in God's sight, and you have something to offer. Who knows when you will be given another chance, and you may bless others more than you know. I guarantee God will bless you.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
I'm in print! Review published in Sync mag's 9/16/09 edition
God bless everyone. I just wanted to share the first step on the road to a personal victory. For a very long time I've wanted to be a writer but never diligently pursued my dream, content just to dabble in the occasional poem, resume, or children's story.
With the help and encouragement of several believers and my wonderful mom (thank God for mothers!) I am now rejoicing in the victory of having an article I wrote actually appear in print, in a local arts and entertainment magazine here in Little Rock, AR. It may not be "the big time" but it's a "bigtime" blessing for me.
The ultimate goal is always to glorify God and move His Word with the talents and abilities He's given me, and I'm not sure exactly how that will be accomplished but with His help, it will.
Thank you to any and all who were believing with me to see this day come to pass, and especially to LewEllyn for her professional wisdom and wonderful, encouraging emails. I love you!
Rejoicing in Him,
Chere Poole (WRITER!)
Click on this link to see the review: Sync article 9.16.09.pdf
With the help and encouragement of several believers and my wonderful mom (thank God for mothers!) I am now rejoicing in the victory of having an article I wrote actually appear in print, in a local arts and entertainment magazine here in Little Rock, AR. It may not be "the big time" but it's a "bigtime" blessing for me.
The ultimate goal is always to glorify God and move His Word with the talents and abilities He's given me, and I'm not sure exactly how that will be accomplished but with His help, it will.
Thank you to any and all who were believing with me to see this day come to pass, and especially to LewEllyn for her professional wisdom and wonderful, encouraging emails. I love you!
Rejoicing in Him,
Chere Poole (WRITER!)
Click on this link to see the review: Sync article 9.16.09.pdf
Monday, September 14, 2009
Welcome to my world
CPwritergirl here. In the world of blogging, I'm a newbie. But, a girl's gotta start somewhere, right? I'm finally pursuing my dream of becoming a full time author, and getting beyond the "it's just a hobby of mine" stage. I enjoy writing and have always been able to express myself better on paper (so to speak).
I'm a poet, a song writer, a story teller, a letter writer, a card sender, a journal keeper and now...a blogger. My son tells me I need to get with the program and make myself known on the internet in order to get anywhere with "this writing thing". He's a smart boy, and I'm listening. Guess that means I'll have to give him credit when I land that first multimillion dollar book deal....
As of this moment there's not a specific theme for my blog, other than writing about what's going on in my world. I'll no doubt cover the ups and downs of my writing career as I move forward. Maybe I can help other struggling authors in some way, either by learning from my mistakes or being inspired by my successes. I'm sure I'll have plenty of both from which to choose but hopefully, with God's help, there will be more successes than failures. Only one way to find out!
God bless ~ cpwritergirl
I'm a poet, a song writer, a story teller, a letter writer, a card sender, a journal keeper and now...a blogger. My son tells me I need to get with the program and make myself known on the internet in order to get anywhere with "this writing thing". He's a smart boy, and I'm listening. Guess that means I'll have to give him credit when I land that first multimillion dollar book deal....
As of this moment there's not a specific theme for my blog, other than writing about what's going on in my world. I'll no doubt cover the ups and downs of my writing career as I move forward. Maybe I can help other struggling authors in some way, either by learning from my mistakes or being inspired by my successes. I'm sure I'll have plenty of both from which to choose but hopefully, with God's help, there will be more successes than failures. Only one way to find out!
God bless ~ cpwritergirl
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