DIVINE TIMING. Are you impatient with the Universe? Do you recognize divine timing in the events of your life? Life rarely happens in a precise, self-prescribed order, yet it usually happens right on time. Some time ago, after splitting with her boyfriend of six years, my sister declared that she was going to be happily single while she focused on running her computer software training company. And I truly believed she was. As she grew her business, marriage was the furthest thing from her mind. Eighteen months after her declaration, a former boyfriend, from 12 years past, took her completely by surprise and asked her to marry him. After getting over the initial shock, my sister began to date him again and ten months later they got married. The interesting note here is that he had asked her to marry him years ago when they first dated, but she did not feel they were ready. Now, after celebrating their second wedding anniversary, they agree that they did not have all the ingredients to make it work back then. If they had tried to hurry the divine chef, their relationship would probably have been half-baked! Today it’s just right.
The Power of…
Motivational column written by Dr. Terri Kennedy.
The Power of… ZERO
ZERO. Is the presence of nothing different from the absence of something? Does the term “ground zero” mean the beginning or the end? Are you comfortable with empty space? Zero is both a number and a concept. Many historians state that the introduction of zero was the most significant achievement in the development of our counting system because it made calculation with large numbers feasible. The inclusion of zero introduced negative numbers and opened up a new world of mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry and business.
The Power of… PERSPECTIVE
PERSPECTIVE. What type of lenses are you looking through? Do you generally see problems or possibilities? Just as a photographer uses various lenses to show “reality” in different ways, we each have a set of filters – experience, culture, economic status, mental and physical health, etc. — through which we see the world. If life constantly looks dismal to you, it could be your perspective. Your viewpoint shapes your thoughts, decisions, actions – and ultimately, your feeling of success. For example, have you ever wondered why people in some of the poorest parts of the world seem happier than those in the wealthiest nations? It’s probably because…
The Power of… THE UNIVERSE
THE UNIVERSE. Do you know who and what you are? Do you know your role in this Universe? How often do you think about the world in which you live? I’m not talking about politics or the economy. I’m talking about the power of the Universe – the vastness of the sky, the depths of the ocean, the richness of the earth, the diversity in Nature, and you as a sentient participant. Whenever I go to Washington, D.C., I hire Mohammed
The Power of… PERSEVERANCE
PERSEVERANCE. Are you a “finisher”? How do you remain focused and not let criticism and obstacles shut you down? After the devastating loss to Bobby Rush in his bid for Congress in 2000, Barack Obama could have given up his dream to break into national politics. The defeat weighed heavy on his ego…
The Power of… PARTNERSHIP
PARTNERSHIP. Are you a loner or a connector? What type of genuine partnerships have you formed in your life? I was a tom-boy athlete growing up. I ran track, swam and did gymnastics competitively and was successful at winning many medals. Although I was technically on a “team”, I realize now that in all of those sports the final result was really determined by my individual performance. Except for in a relay race, I wasn’t really dependent on the other members like with sports such as football or basketball.
The Power of… QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS. How curious are you? Do you take things at face value? Do you ever avoid asking questions because you think you’ll sound naive? Are you willing to ask the tough and unpopular questions? If you’ve spent time around a young child then at some point you’ve probably experienced a seemingly endless stream of questions, such as “Why is the sky blue?”, “Why does a dog have a tail?”, “What makes the grass grow?”, “Where do babies come from?”
The Power of… YES!
YES. How many times have you said “no” to something you really wanted to do? Does indecision or fear hold you back? What could you experience if you simply said “yes”? An old boyfriend used to accuse me of “thinking too much.”
The Power of… JOY
JOY. What makes your spirit smile? Are you experiencing at least one instance of pure joy every day? Do you regularly share acts of kindness? It’s been said that pleasure is in the body, happiness is in the mind, and joy is in the heart. Both pleasure and happiness are fleeting. Joy, on the other hand, is a fruit of the Spirit – a deep-in-the-soul feeling.
The Power of… NO!
NO. Have you ever agreed to do something you really didn’t want or have time to do? Have you ever said “No” to something that seemed like an opportunity to other people, but just didn’t “feel” right for you? How do you respond when you are told “No”? There’s a funny thing about this simple two-letter word. It is a word we’ve all used and we’ve all heard before. When it’s said to you, you may not like it very much; when you say it, it can be quite liberating. Sometimes the word is open for interpretation; other times, it is absolute. For example, when making a sales call, “No” may very well mean, “Not right now.” However, when asking for a romantic date, “No” most likely means “NO!”
