Category: PersonalGrowth

Christian singer-songwriter Amy Grant has written or co-written many songs over the years.  One song that I especially like is “Thy Word” which she co-wrote with singer-songwriter Michael W. Smith.  The song opens with the words “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”  Those lyrics are also the chorus of the song.

I think of the words “Thy word” as referring to the scriptures and perhaps to other religious writings as well.  Reading and contemplating sacred writings can be personally meaningful and help us as we live each day.  For me, “Thy word” also refers to the messages we discern as we try to listen to our inner voice.  Those messages come to us from the Creator through significant life experiences, intuition, dreams, and synchronicities.

The emphasis on light in the lyrics is also meaningful.  In the song, light is referred to both as “a lamp unto my feet” and “a light unto my path.”  Light helps us to see more clearly, something that is always welcome.  Those times when we are faced with difficulties often feel like times of darkness.  When they have passed, it’s as if we are once again in the light.  The expression “being in the dark” describes times when we don’t understand something or are having trouble figuring out an answer to a problem.  Once we do understand it or figure it out, we’re no longer in the dark.

In dreams, spacious rooms with large windows letting in sunlight can symbolize a healthy ego attitude, which is when our ego decisions and actions align with how our inner voice wants us to live.  When that alignment happens, we grow in consciousness and thus live in a more genuine and centered way.

Other lyrics in the song refer to those times when we feel as though we’ve lost our way or when our hearts wander, but then remembering that our Lord is there beside us and is always ready to be our guide.  It’s important that we remind ourselves of our Creator’s presence, especially during times of darkness.  And then to be thankful for being guided back into the light so that we again are able to see and follow the path we were created to follow.

“Make me an instrument of Your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.”  These words are the first part of the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, an Italian friar and mystic who lived in the thirteenth century, who loved nature and its creatures, and who is considered the patron saint of animals and ecology.

Each phrase of the prayer asks our Creator to help the person who is saying the prayer to assist in whatever way she or he can with the process of transforming something difficult and negative into something healing and positive.  I use the words “process of transforming” because usually it takes time for such changes to happen, which requires patience along with the belief that such transformations can and do happen.

The words of this prayer remind me that, for our own spiritual growth and growth in consciousness, there will be times of questioning and doubt, times of sadness and despair.  But because at other times we have experienced joy, hope, and being loved, and have witnessed or read about those experiences happening for other people, we are able to persevere through the darker times.

The words “make me an instrument of Your peace” are meaningful to me in that they remind me of the many times the Creator has worked through other people to help me on my path:  a therapist I met with when I was going through a difficult period and from whom I learned about dream work and Jungian concepts that have helped me so much; creative and courageous authors of books I have read through which I’ve learned about many aspects of our world, that have added to my consciousness, and that have positively affected my relationships with others; people who have played a role in bringing about unexpected occurrences that have happened just when I needed them most.

The Creator worked through these people. They were the Creator’s instruments.  Each of us can also be the Creator’s instrument in whatever ways we are called on to assist others and to live more productive and meaningful lives.

In my work as a crisis line counselor, I’ve spoken with many people who called looking for help.  Some were grieving a loss, some were struggling with feelings of anxiety, some were worried about loved ones who had addiction problems, some were depressed.  In each case, they felt a need to talk to someone.  And the best help I could give them was to listen.  To listen without judgment and to give them my full attention.

It’s important for people in counseling-related fields to be good listeners.  It has been shown to be one of the most therapeutic things a counselor can do.  That has been borne out in my experience because often people who called told me it meant a lot to them that I gave them the opportunity to express how they were feeling.  Sometimes they chose to call a crisis line because they didn’t feel comfortable talking with someone they knew, either not wanting that person to worry about them and in some cases being concerned the person might not maintain confidentiality.  And sometimes the person who called had a counselor, but it helped them to talk to someone for a few minutes between their counseling sessions.

Being good listeners doesn’t apply only to people in the helping professions.  It’s something all of us should endeavor to be.  It’s one of the best things we can do in any of our relationships—with our spouse or partner, our children, and other people we care about.  Too often when someone is talking to us, instead of giving our full attention to that person, we’re thinking about what our response will be or what we plan to do when the conversation is over.  It takes practice and a willingness to share some time with another person in order to be a good listener.

Although in this post I’ve focused on listening to others when they’re struggling with problems, giving people our full attention is a wonderful gift in other situations too.  Listening as children tell us about something they did or observed adds to their feeling good about themselves because we show them we value what they want to share with us; listening to elderly persons talk about how their day went acknowledges that their lives matter even as they’ve needed to adjust to the changes that growing older brings; listening to coworkers helps them feel better about the work they’re doing; listening to our spouse or partner conveys our love for them.  These are a few of the many ways that being listened to makes a difference in people’s lives.

Attentive and caring listening is a valuable quality for anyone to have.  There’s no question this world would be a better place if more of us would prioritize and embrace that quality.

“Most of us have two lives.  The life we live and the unlived life within us.  Between the two stands Resistance.”  This quote is by author Steven Pressfield and appears in his book The War of Art:  Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles.

In his book, Pressfield writes about the nature of resistance, including the many forms it takes.  He capitalizes the word “Resistance” throughout the book, signifying the considerable influence it has on each of us.  Although, as the subtitle indicates, Pressfield emphasizes how resistance makes it difficult for us to access and express our creativity, he also points out how it makes it more difficult for us to work toward any types of goals.  It gets in the way of our resolution to spend more time with our children, to eat more nutritiously, to start or continue an exercise program, and so on.  Its goal is to keep us from succeeding in endeavors that make our lives more purposeful.  It is often successful in doing this because, as Pressfield says, in order to overcome resistance, we must be willing to do the work.  And too often we don’t want to do that.

One of the ways resistance affects me is in writing posts for this blog.  It’s that voice in my head that says I cannot come up with an idea to write about and/or many people have already written about so and so and/or I’ll probably have an idea tomorrow so I won’t write today and/or who am I to think I have anything to contribute by writing a blog?  That’s how resistance works; it gives us all kinds of reasons not to do what it would be best for us to do.  When I say “best for us to do” I’m referring to doing those things that we were created to do, those things that we have discerned by trying to listen to our inner voice.  That’s the voice in our heart rather than the voice in our head.

No one said following our inner guidance is easy, although there are times when it’s as if the universe does give us unexpected help to do that.  Following our inner direction requires that we do the work, make the effort.  It means we set aside our ego desires to do the things that have value.  That we recognize the many forms resistance takes, acknowledge its presence, make the choice to ignore it, and then do what we know is best for us to do.

I encourage you to read The War of Art.  As a friend of mine said, it’s a jewel of a book.  I agree.

“Naturally, when we are up against a difficult situation we hope it will end. We hope we or our friends or family will recover from the illness, that the world situation will improve, that business will get better.  But we must be prepared to fall back on a greater hope:  that no matter how things work out there is a Reality behind it all in which hope can truly be grounded.”  This quote about hope is from Jungian analyst and author John A. Sanford’s book The Strange Trial of Mr. Hyde.

I chose the theme of hope for my blog because having hope is essential, especially during those times when answers aren’t clear.  There are times when things go along smoothly, we carry out our day-to-day routines, and we have enjoyable times with people we care about.  But at other times we are faced with challenges which require us to try to discern how best to approach them.  Life’s challenges vary in level of seriousness, in what and whom they affect, and in the degree to which we have control over resolving them.

Especially during those times when we have little or no control over the outcome of a situation, such as when something emotionally painful happens and we’re in the midst of experiencing that pain, we need to put our hope in the Creator.  As Sanford puts it, we need “to fall back on a greater hope.”  As mere human beings, we cannot know the Creator’s plan for how and why certain things happen, but having trust in that Reality will help us through those difficult times.

I’m thankful for the gift of faith, but I know it can be tested.  As much as part of me doesn’t want to have to experience distressing and sorrowful things, trusting that the Creator knows far better than I helps me undergo life’s difficulties.  I know from experience that the often quoted saying “This too shall pass” is true.  And that our Creator is with us as we go through the dark times as well as when we once again step into the light.

“We’re facing dragons too.  Fire-breathing griffins of the soul, whom we must outfight and outwit to reach our self-in-potential and to release the maiden who is God’s plan and destiny for ourselves and the answer to why we were put on this planet.”

This quote by author Steven Pressfield appears in his book The War of Art.  In my posts I often emphasize the importance of endeavoring to become the person we were created to be; in Jungian terminology, to work toward individuation.  Pressfield’s analogy comparing this striving to that of a knight facing dangers is yet another way of emphasizing the nature of this inner work.  And just as knights of old were courageous, used their wits, and persevered in order to rescue the maiden, we need to have those qualities in order to live a meaningful and purposeful life, which is what the maiden symbolizes.

Pressfield’s use of the words “our self-in-potential” is fitting, for embracing the challenge of trying to become the persons we were created to be is a continuous, life-long process.  Our potential is that which we are able to do because of the abilities and talents we have been given.  We discover more about ourselves along the way—our courage and at times our lack of courage; mistakes we make but also how we are able to learn from our mistakes; and feeling peaceful when we are following our path but also forgiving ourselves for the times we haven’t, and trying again.

Pressfield states his belief that God has a plan and destiny for each of us.  Each of us is a unique creation who was given the gift of life, a gift we should value every day.

“To hear with my heart.  To see with my soul.  To be guided by a hand I cannot hold.  To trust in a way that I cannot see.  That’s what faith must be.”

These words are from Michael Card’s song entitled “That’s What Faith Must Be.”  Mr. Card is a Christian singer-songwriter, musician, author, and radio host, and he wrote this song early in his musical ministry.  I appreciate the simple and yet profound way he describes faith.

Each of us has a heart and a soul given to us by our Creator.  For me, hearing with our hearts is listening to our inner voice, trying to discern its guidance for each of us as unique individuals with unique callings.  And seeing with our souls is our noticing and being thankful for that guidance as it comes to us through our intuition, dreams, and synchronicities.  And also through people in our lives and our interactions with them; our surroundings, including the beauties of nature; and the ways we choose to spend time.

Faith involves living according to truths that cannot be readily proved or concretely set forth.  It is trusting in our inner guidance and trying to follow that guidance without knowing where it will lead us; thus, trusting in a way we cannot see.  There are times when the choices we make as we try to live by faith are not understood or accepted by other people, including people we are close to.  Despite the discomfort or sadness this may cause, we continue on because we know in our heart and in our soul it is how we should live.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:  a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”  Ecclesiastics 3:1-4.

These words in the Old Testament reflect the various aspects of life.  Each of our lives is made up of many kinds of experiences and the emotions we feel as we live those experiences.  Recently a good friend of mine became a grandmother and sent me photos of her beautiful infant granddaughter.  A time to be born.  And a time of joy.  A month ago my mother, who was blessed with a long life, completed her earthly journey.  A time to die.  And a time for those of us who knew and loved her to feel the sadness of missing her but also to be thankful that we were able to have her in our lives for as long as we did.

There are times when we have many tasks to complete and deadlines to meet, and we feel a lot of pressure.  And when we’ve completed those tasks, we welcome being less busy and hopefully we are able to enjoy the feeling of satisfaction of a job well done.  There are times when we are ill and it is essential to slow down and take care of ourselves in order to be well again.  And there are times when we are healthy and energetic and lighthearted.

Life brings joys and sorrows.  There are times of activity and there are times of quiet contemplation.  Times to enjoy being with others and times when being alone is what we need.

Our life journey involves all of these facets.  In order to live a more meaningful life, it’s important that we live life fully by embracing each of them.

“I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, God will not ask, ‘How many good things have you done in your life?’  Rather God will ask, ‘How much love did you put into what you did?’”

These words of Mother Teresa help us remember that when done with love, each action we do matters.  It can be overwhelming and discouraging to think about the many aspects of life where help is needed to right wrongs, to assist people in need, and to work toward a more just world.  We must counteract the tendency toward discouragement by remembering that actions we do with genuine concern and caring help not only at the time we’re doing them, but often have a ripple effect.  Both directly, as when a person who receives assistance then chooses to help others, and also in less direct ways.  It’s as if the spirit of the act of kindness makes its way to and through others.

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”  This quote is by Meister Eckhart, a German theologian, philosopher, and mystic who lived from 1260 to 1328.

I recently watched a webinar, the topic of which was taking care of oneself during stressful times.  There were many helpful and time-tested suggestions, including eating plant-based foods, making time for physical activity, and doing breathing techniques.  These and a number of other ideas were presented, and the basis for their effectiveness was discussed as well.  Because I have an interest in these topics both for my own well-being and to have knowledge about them in my work as a crisis line counselor, I was familiar with many of the recommendations.  However, one of the ways of taking care of ourselves that had not been presented in other such presentations is to be thankful.

And yet it makes perfect sense.  Being thankful recognizes that that for which we are thankful has been given to us.  Having gratitude goes hand in hand with the quality of being humble.  When we are thankful for the people in our lives who love us, we acknowledge that we did not have control of the family we were born into or that we would meet our spouse, partner, or friends who love us.  When we are thankful for our health, we acknowledge that we were born with certain genes and have the good fortune of having nutritious food available to us.  When we are thankful for a job that we feel good about, we recognize that we weren’t in control of that job opening occurring when it did or whether we would be invited to be interviewed and then selected for it.  When I give these examples, I don’t mean to not acknowledge the effort a person puts into maintaining health, treating others in a loving way, or being a capable employee—those efforts matter very much—but it’s important to see how things came together over which we did not have control and therefore for which we should be grateful.

The way that being thankful helps us during stressful times is that by focusing on the blessings we have, we are not thinking about those material possessions or certain experiences we wish we could have.  Thinking about what we want to have but do not adds to anxiety.  Noticing what we do have and being grateful for it decreases anxiety.

I encourage you to follow what Meister Eckhart said and say prayers of thanksgiving, remembering that all for which we are thankful has been given to us by our Creator.