Jo Calk

Now You Don’t, Now You See It

February 23, 2019 jclk123

Think your beliefs don’t affect what you see? I once thought that, but no longer.

A friend was driving us to a meeting early on a bright sunny afternoon.

“Look!” she exclaimed, excitedly. “The moon is out!” pointing in a direction ahead of the car.

I looked and looked but couldn’t see a moon anywhere in the clear blue sky. She is not usually a kidder or one who plays jokes on people, so I believed that she saw the moon – so why didn’t I see it? After several more opportunities to see the moon, I became more curious. Is my eyesight really that bad?

Then I remembered a long-held belief I had that the sun and the moon can’t be visible at the same time. Could that belief be wrong? During solar eclipses the moon actually moves between the sun and Earth, so the moon must be able to be seen in the sky on a sunny day during certain phases of the moon.

The next time my friend pointed out the moon, I saw it clearly.

I wonder what other beliefs we have that prevent us from seeing, hearing, smelling, feeling, and tasting new things in this world or the universe? How would we know of their existence without someone, who does not hold those beliefs, showing us something new?

There are guides and teachers among us, trying to show us what our beliefs prevent us from experiencing. There are also deceivers and tricksters among us, trying to convince us to release our core beliefs of self-care, self-esteem, and self-reliance, and relinquish our personal power to them. You can recognize the difference by how you feel: Does someone tell you something that inspires you, opens your inner joy? Or does that person place limits on your self-worth and tell you that you need his/her help, guidance, wisdom, or product to survive in this world? Are you opening your heart and mind? Or are you only opening your wallet?

You have within you everything you need to survive – and thrive – in this world. Your beliefs that you are at the mercy of a vengeful or uncaring universe, that you are a victim of circumstances or heredity, and/or that you have no power or control over your own life are preventing you from accessing the knowledge within you. Try taking ownership of your body and your life. Trust that the Force (Star Wars)/God/Source/All That Is/the Universe is supporting you and wants you to succeed. Open your mind to new possibilities that feel lighter and happier. Then you, too, can see the moon where it previously “couldn’t exist” – and so much more of life.

Blessings,

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We Are All Prophets

January 26, 2019 jclk123

Hello!

We hear a lot about “self-fulfilling prophecies” when we think the worst, and the worst happens. The belief behind a self-fulfilling prophecy is: you focus on, think about, and/or worry about something so long and so hard that your worst fears actually come true.

How about when we think the best, and the best happens? What about your best dreams and hopes? Could they come true if you put the same amount of focus and thought into them?

You betcha!

We are more accustomed to worrying about a fearful event happening in our lives than we are to dreaming, hoping, wishing, and expecting joyous and happy events. You get what you focus on. Can we start – and continue – to think of a brighter, happier future for ourselves? Can we consciously choose thoughts and actions that lead to that joyful future?

We have trained ourselves to constantly think negatively, so we now have the opportunity to choose to think positively. Let’s turn “self-fulfilling prophecy” into a wonderful outcome, a descriptive term for the way we are joyously living our lives every day.

We are all prophets of our own lives. Let’s prophesize health, abundance, happiness, and joy for ourselves and for others. Let every thought we focus on and every action we take lead toward the goal of self-fulfilling the beneficial prophecy of our choosing.

Blessings,

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Good? Bad? None of the Above

January 18, 2019 jclk123

Hello!

The oldest joke I can remember is from junior high school (so don’t expect high literature here):

I went on a small plane trip.
Oh, that’s good.
No, that’s bad – the plane developed engine trouble.
Oh, that’s bad.
No, that’s good – I put on a parachute.
Oh, that’s good.
No, that’s bad – couldn’t get the door open.
Oh, that’s bad.
No, that’s good – opened the window and jumped out.
Oh, that’s good.
No, that’s bad – the parachute wouldn’t open.
Oh, that’s bad.
No, that’s good – saw a haystack below me.
Oh, that’s good.
No, that’s bad – there was a pitchfork sticking up from the haystack.
Oh, that’s bad.
No, that’s good – missed the pitchfork.
Oh, that’s good.
No, that’s bad – missed the haystack.

I thought of that old joke when I heard MBA professor Srikumar Rao tell his (much shorter) version:

A man is laid off from work due to budget cuts.
Good news? Bad news? Who knows?
Later, the company shuts down and everyone loses their job.
Because the man had been laid off earlier, he was given a large severance package and started his own business. Had he remained with the company, he would have received nothing.

The problem with labeling things, events, or people as “good” or “bad” is that the labels are little boxes with rigid sides. No thing, event, or person fits into a little box – each is multilayered with aspects that range the entire spectrum between “good” and “bad.” Perhaps try to look at the various layers of a situation or a person, rather than boxing your thinking into a narrow-minded on/off switch.

I try to eliminate the words “good” and “bad” in my thinking, speaking, and writing (except this blog, of course). Perhaps you will join me and see the full range and depth of every experience, rather than a bunch of plain, brown boxes. Maybe choose words such as “like” or “prefer” or “don’t like” for events and experiences. Maybe eliminate judgment on the first meeting of a person. Look past the clothing, the color of the skin, the accent, the height, the weight, and the overall appearance of the person. Talk with the person and find out what that person and you have in common, and what differences there may be from which you could learn something new or perhaps you have something new to share with the other person – at an individual-to-individual (or one aspect of Source talking with another aspect of Source) level. See the various layers of that person, and then choose whether you wish to continue with the conversation or move on to another person. You may be surprised at the interesting people – and some new friends – you meet this way.

Open your world to new experiences, free of little brown boxes.

Blessings,

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The Christmas Spirit

December 25, 2018 jclk123

As the days following the Winter Solstice are considered the rebirth of the light, Christmas is the day to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the spiritual rebirth of us all. Jesus reached out to the lonely, the sick, and the poor, teaching them to live in the Light.

Christmas is our annual reminder that the Light, whatever we choose to name it, is always there for us, providing the perfect opportunity to explore our spirituality, share hospitality and generosity, and bring out the best of human nature. The messages are to give without the expectation of receiving, and that love and peace have the power to create a better world, if they were practiced more. Let’s keep the “Christmas Spirit” of generosity, love, and peace alive throughout the year and celebrate our Peace on Earth every year on Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you joy, happiness, and contentment now and into the future.

May you carry peace and compassion within your heart and share it with everyone you meet.

May you let love fill you with such joy that it overflows onto others.

May you feel all the joy, love, peace, and compassion within you, and bring it forth throughout the coming year and beyond.

Choose to be happy.

Choose to be grateful.

Choose to feel, express, and share love and joy.

With Blessings and Love,

Red-and-Green Boutonniere hand-made by Donna Morris, DJ’s Tartan Creations

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Happy Giving Thanks Day

November 22, 2018 jclk123

Thanksgiving Day Image with Gaillardia and Pumpkin

Best wishes to you as we all thankfully and gratefully begin the Holidays, filled with the joy and happiness of life. Be grateful for what you have—whatever you have—and be eager for even more of what brings you happiness. Expect, feel, and believe your life is getting better each day—and it will.

Blessings,