Bring It!

This is my fight song,

Take back my life song

Prove I'm alright song

My power's turned on

Starting right now I'll be strong

I'll play my fight song

And I don't really care if nobody else believes

'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

- Rachel Platten : Fight Song

Two nights ago I awoke at 2am with excruciating pain in my tummy.  It’s a familiar pain, I’ve been living with it for many years, I’ve been to many doctors, I’ve done many tests… it’s a pain that will have me writhing on the bathroom floor for hours as my body tries to expel the irritant, sometimes feeling like its trying to expel my very guts.

But I learned a new trick last year, and I used it.  I spoke to my body.

Indeed I did.  I commanded IBS to back off.  I told my body that it could process  food, it could absorb the nutrients and it could expel waste efficiently and painlessly.  And even as I writhed and groaned I spoke aloud to my body, I demanded that it calm itself and reminded it that it has the power to heal, to repair, to revitalize and to find divine balance.

And a strange thing happened, within 15-20 minutes my body calmed and I was able to sleep through the night.

This has happened many times before and this simple practice actually works, arresting a multi-hour process and resolving it quickly.  Sounds pretty out there doesn’t it?  How can talking stop an active process in your physical body?

Sometimes It Takes A Leap Of Faith

Some say that all illness is psychosomatic, that every physical ailment has a spiritual root and that every malady of the body is subject to the strength of the mind (or the power of the spirit). The medical community calls it spontaneous remission, when physical processes shift in a way that medicine cannot explain.

Some call it faith.

I’ve not cured myself permanently yet, but along this journey I have experienced incredible things, things I never knew were possible before.  I have experienced within myself the power to bring healing to myself and to others through focus, through thought, through prayer and through my words.

But it’s still new to me. Sometimes my brain still struggles to grasp the concept and to accept the possibilities.  When I first heard of speaking to your body I thought it absurd.  It sounded so far-fetched I had to hear it over and over before I decided to try it.  Of course I did not believe.  Sometimes it takes a push to spur that leap of faith.

So one night, when the IBS attacked I was in so much agony, that it spurred a decision that I was not going to roll over and take a beating any more.  I grabbed onto the walls for support, I reached within myself for my faith and I fought back. Through the agonizing pain, I fought back and doggedly refused to be beaten.  I was surprised when the symptoms abated.  After almost a year of using this method, I am still sometimes surprised, I’m still learning, I’ve not fully figured it out yet.

But I do know that that fighting spirit in me stands for something and when it moves it moves with power.

Sometimes It Takes A Kick In The Ass

In this walk with chronic illness I think I’ve been through every phase of the process, and I’ve made a few up along the way.

I’ve been through denial, through fighting back, through getting my ass handed to me on a platter. I’ve been through resignation, acceptance, adjustment. I’ve been through loss, grief, mourning, anger, frustration, resentment and self pity.  I’ve been through believing, anticipating, hoping, expecting.

I’ve been through disappointment.  I’ve been through despair.  I’ve been through surrender.  I have been through defeat.  I’ve been through being so beaten down by the whole process that I just want to curl up and let life do what it will with me.

Sometimes, when you’ve walked through a challenge for a while you begin to get used to it.  You start to adjust your expectations, you hunker down in the rut and try to make yourself comfortable.  You drop your hands and you stop fighting.

Toward the end of 2017 I got another kick in the ass, life handed me a circumstance that I could never have imagined I would walk through.  It shattered my perspective.  It was a shock to my system.  It made me mad.  And it got my gloves up.

This is my fight song (Hey!)

Take back my life song (Hey!)

Prove I'm alright song (Hey!)

My power's turned on

Starting right now I'll be strong (I'll be strong)

I'll play my fight song

And I don't really care if nobody else believes

'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

I've still got a lot of fight left in me

Bring It!

The pain in my tummy does not happen every day and sometimes when it happens I am so weary I just give in to it and let it have its way.  But more often than not it gives me a point of focus and it reminds me that I did not come here to roll over and get my ass kicked, by CFS, by IBS, by life or by anything else.  It reminds me that I am a fighter.  It reminds me to get my gloves up.

So too the challenges that come remind me of who I am.  Strong, resilient, warrior spirit, powered by faith and covered by grace.

They remind me that I do have the power in me to get off the ropes, step into the ring, spit into my hand, raise my gloves and say ‘Bring It!’.

Because a true warrior knows how to take a beating and keep getting back up.  And that will to get back up, is the will that leads to victory.

Author’s note

It’s the start of a new year, a time when some look back at the accomplishments of the previous year and the ways in which they have grown, some look at their goals and what they have achieved, others look back at what they have survived.  It is a time for warriors to rise up knowing that it takes a champion to make it through what you’ve been through, and that same spirit will take you where you need to go.

If you liked this post I would be so appreciative if you would spread the word and like my author page on Facebook. 

I bless you, I bless your journey and I am so happy to be a part of it.  May this be the year that you stand without fear in the power, authority and magnificence of who you are.

 Inspiration Links

* I am in no way affiliated with the sites that I link to here.  The messages presented are in alignment with the thoughts presented in this post and they have inspired me, I hope that they will inspire you too.

Fight Song – Rachel Platten https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo1VInw-SKc

Hall of Fame – The Script ft. Will.I.Am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk48xRzuNvA

Kelly Clarkson - Stronger https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn676-fLq7I

Photo Credit : fightingreport.com

x

Wellbeing is the essence of who I AM!

Wellbeing is the essence of who I AM!

Wellbeing is the essence of who I am, wellbeing is the essence of who I am...

As I rise into awareness of this new day I lift my hands in joy and I pray

Wellbeing is the essence of who I am

Softly. gently I explore the atmosphere that surrounds me

God around me, God inside me, God flowing through me

The infinite power of  God now thrums within me, 

animating, energising, revitalizing, restoring...

Thriving

Balance

Energy

Passion

Eagerness

Vitality

Wellbeing IS the essence of who I am

I gently stretch my arms upwards, reaching, reaching, revelling

Delighting in the gentle give of my muscles as they stretch and stretch

Mmmm...

The deliciousness of the life energy flowing through me

Ah.. as I sway I relish the easy flow of my body 

Wellbeing is the essence of who I am

I'm feeling now my oneness with the spirit of ALL, in all and through all

Infusing me, animating me,  radiating through me

Oooh...luxuriating in the flow of LIFE in me

Liquid energy and vitality

Blessed, healing divine energy

Flowing upward  and outward through every part of me 

Wellbeing is the essence of who I am

Every cell, every nerve, every tissue, every muscle 

healthy, infused, pulsing with vital  life energy

Divine harmony, established in me

Wellbeing is the essence of who I am

My body so beautifully and wonderfully made

Every aspect so effortlessly sustained

Respiration, perspiration, reproduction, circulation

so many systems all vital and strong

Magnificent the workings that unfold in me 

systems coordinated effortlessly 

My body flowing  in perfect synchrony

Wellbeing is the essence of who I am

I Thank You Lord

I thank you for vitalizing, energizing, vivifying, magnetizing

I thank you Lord for guiding, aligning, uplifting, inspiring

Working ever afresh in me

renewing me, daily

I thank you for the light in my eyes, for the lilt in my steps, for the radiance of  my smile

I thank you for the strength in my body, the joy in my heart, and the peace in my mind

Wellbeing is the essence of who I am

Wellbeing is the essence of who I am, wellbeing is the essence of who I am...

I Thank You Lord.

I Speak, Therefore I Am

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

We women are complex emotional creatures.  We give a lot, we take a lot, we sacrifice a lot and we feel a lot.  Nothing is more critical to the way we feel than the way in which we speak to ourselves.  The way that we are feeling within projects outwards into our realities.  We are powerful creators and we literally change our realities based on what we tell ourselves.

"In a 2013 study from the Netherlands, scientists watched women with anorexia walk through doorways in a lab. The women, they noticed, turned their shoulders and squeezed sideways, even when they had plenty of room." - npr.org

I have been in situations in which I was convinced that particular person(s) were out to get me. Day after day I would see the concrete evidence that they were doing their best to undermine, discredit and demean me.  I always wondered why others did not seem to see it as clearly as I did.  It took witnessing other people displaying the same level of insecurity, bordering on paranoia for me to recognize what was happening.  I recognized that whenever I had this experience I was going through a phase where my confidence was faltering.  My own insecurities were weaving the story and when I needed an evil nemesis I always found one.  The things I was telling myself about myself were creating my reality.

The horribly cruel things we say to ourselves are too many and too frequent and they are crippling to us.  It is time to start reframing the messages we give to ourselves.

 I AM Enough

“She shushed those negative voices so she could hear her Queen voice say, you are enough. “– queenofyourownlife.com

Do women come into this world with the "I am not enough" gene?  is it encoded in the X chromosome?  If asked, almost every woman in existence can rattle off 5 - 10 ways in which she is not enough.  Not pretty enough, not skinny enough, not smart enough, not competent enough, not loved enough, not married enough...

It seems we are programmed to take our identities and worth from external factors, from our parents, our husbands, our friends, our jobs, our homes, our children, our looks...  Seems that if all these things are not perfect then we immediately get a big 'FAIL!' on our woman card.  And it is never all perfect.  Life never is.  

I Am Worthy

“I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.” - Marilyn Monroe

It’s so easy for men.  All we ask of them is that they bring home enough money to take care of the family, show up at home every now and then and keep their penis in their pants.  We would love for them to be clever, kind, considerate, loyal, responsible and good looking but the truth is most of us accept that these things are options.  We're willing to take almost anything from the man we give our heart to.

So why are we so intolerant of ourselves?

Why do we expect ourselves to hold down a job, keep a perfect home, raise perfect kids, keep our man happy, be the rock for friends and family AND look like a runway model while we're doing it?  Why are we working so hard to feel worthy?

Truth is if the beds are unmade and you're serving take-out you are worthy.  If you're packing some extra pounds and you've never had a manicure you are worthy.  If the kids are brats and your marriage is a mess you are worthy.

Because your worth does not depend on any of these things.  You are worthy just because you are.

I Am Loving, I am Lovable, I am Loved

"The true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows." - Audrey Hepburn

We were engineered  to carry, birth, nurture, protect and care.  We are wired to inter-connect, empathize and support.  We are the very embodiment of love in human form.  Why do so many women not feel this?

I know some of us are wounded and in order to cover our vulnerability we sometimes shut down parts of our 'womanness'. But even at our most broken we can't help but be lovable because we were created to be love.

Is it any mistake that men are so powerfully stimulated by our physical form?  The female form with its beautiful curves and the comfort of its softness was created to be loved, because it is inherently lovely.

You are lovely, you are loving, you are lovable.. you cannot help but be loved.

I Am Beautiful

"Instead of saying, 'My abdomen is disgusting and grotesque,' " Sarwer explains, he'll prompt a patient to say, " 'My abdomen is round, my abdomen is big; it's bigger than I'd like it to be.' "-  npr.org

Sigh.  Where do I begin to list the things that we say to ourselves?  We call ourselves cows, heifers, bitches, pigs... We use the mirror with the alacrity and precision of a Nazi interrogator seeking out every minute flaw, magnifying and flaying ourselves with them.

I have had the dubious privilege of being told throughout my lifetime that I am ugly.  Thing is I could never see it.  I can see that I may not conform to some commonly held standards of beauty but to my eyes that does not negate my brand of beautiful.  Guess I'm blessed that way, I see beauty in myself and in others.

I did an experiment once.  I put on the fake hair, makeup etc and stepped into a different world.  Men were falling over themselves to get the door for me, men I'd known for years were acting like teenagers with a first crush.  I learned an important lesson about packaging but the lesson makes me sad also.  A favorite quote I came across is "I can wipe your beauty off with a wet kleenex!".

But I've also had my days when I get dressed, no makeup, no fakery but inside I am feeling absolutely gorgeous.  You know those days when you just know that you're "all THAT and a bag of chips!".  Funny thing is on those days I get the same response as when I go all out with the packaging.  Whatever I am radiating from within renders the extra packaging unnecessary.

There is nothing on your face, in your hair, your complexion, your weight, your physical composition that can make you not beautiful.  Your beauty starts within and expresses itself outward.  If you feel good about yourself, if you are loving and compassionate and confident you can't help but be beautiful.

I Am Beautifully Complete Just As I am

"All my single ladies, put your hands up" - Beyonce

What can I say about our absolute need to be completed by others.  To not have a husband is sacrilege punishable by derision from women of all colors, cultures and walks of life.  Because of this fear of seeming and feeling unacceptably flawed we put up with physical, mental and emotional abuse.  We tolerate infidelity, mistreatment and misuse.  We take so much just so we can tell ourselves we are OK because we are not alone.

And we don't just need our men to complete us, we need our girlfriends, our children, even our mothers-in-law to validate who we are and what we are worth.

I wish all my sisters could say "I am beautifully and wonderfully complete just as I am"  and believe it.

I Love Me

"I don't like myself; I'm crazy about myself" - Mae West

The most powerful thing we can say to ourselves is “I love you”.  Try it in front of a mirror, does it make you smile or does your heart constrict?  It breaks my heart that so many women cannot say those words to themselves and actually believe it.

But it’s never too late to start.  Start by just saying the words to yourself, over and over, day after day until you start to believe it.  And when you start to believe it, start challenging the voices in your own head.  Start standing up for yourself and insisting that you treat yourself with the respect and dignity that you deserve.  Because if we truly love ourselves we will not tolerate the voices that tell us we are not good enough.

“The power to shape your reality lies within you, therefore the most important voice you will ever hear is your own.” – Embracing Prosperity By Changing Your Mind

This is part 1 of a two part series, look out for part two “If Your Lips Are Moving...”.

Inspiration Links

* I am in no way affiliated with the sites that I link to here.  The messages presented are in alignment with the thoughts presented in this post and they have inspired me, I hope that they will inspire you too.

I must commend Dove for their trend of conscious advertising.  Here is a fascinating look into the terrible things women say to themselves all the time 

Another powerful advice, woman to woman, on the issue of negative self-talk can be found at Queen of Your Own Life  

Author’s note

This post is inspired by Chapter 10 of my book Embracing Prosperity By Changing Your Mind – Lesson 5 - Speak It In.  I hope to persuade you that the words you say to yourself are an important part of changing your mind.   If you tell yourself that you are worthy of claiming your very best life, then you will.

If you liked this post I would be so appreciative if you would spread the word and like my Facebook page.  I would be so happy to email this and future posts directly to you, if you're interested please subscribe to my mailing list. You may also follow me on Twitter #ProsperityIsMind or check out my website www.prosperityismind.com

I bless you, I bless your journey and I am so happy to be a part of it.  May this be the year that you begin to speak kindly to yourself.

Speak Over Yourself

"As I lay me down, heaven hear me now.  I'm lost without a cause after giving it my all..." - I Look To You : Whitney Houston

Do you ever have a day where you hit a wall and you know you are done?  Where you don't have one iota of fight left in you and you just cannot see the way forward?

Those are the days where no-one can say anything to make things better for you.  Those are the days when you must speak over yourself.

Not One More Day, Lord Not One More Minute

I live with a physical condition that just sucks the strength from my body.  I get so tired I struggle to hold my head up sometimes.  

There are days when I cry out 'Father, not one more day!'  Then I am reminded that it’s not about me.  It’s not about my strength and it’s not about my limitations.

“And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.

And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” Gen 32 : 24-26

Those are the days when I am happy that I believe in God.  I believe in the story of Jacob who wrestled with God’s angel and refused to let go until he received his blessing.  Those are the days I fall down in prayer and refuse to let go until I have found peace.

I'm Trying to Pray But Where Are You

"Truth is I'm tired, options are few, I try to pray but where are you?" - Take Me To The King : Tamela Mann

Have you ever felt like God has abandoned you?  We are such fragile creatures, we are beset by so many things that break our spirits.  Troubled marriages, inhospitable jobs, uncontrollable children, abuse, addiction, tragedies, trauma, sickness, financial struggles and the list goes on...

I wish I could say that those who believe in God have an easier road of it but the truth is suffering is universal.  But some of us believe that there is a power bigger than ourselves, all seeing, all knowing all powerful and that this power cares for us in our fragile state.  We believe that this power hears us when we pray.  But some days we pray and He just doesn't seem to be there.

Father Can You Hear Me?

“Father can you hear me?  We need your love today.  I know that you are listening, you hear us when we pray” – Father Can You Hear Me : Tyler Perry

Sometimes we look at our problems and they seem so big, so insurmountable.  They loom above us like granite cliffs, impenetrable and unscalable. 

Sometimes we fall on our knees in front of our mountains and we pray for them to be removed but when we look up they're still there. Day after day, month after month, year after year we pray and still we look up and we see our mountains.

And sometimes we question, "Father do you hear us when we call?  Or are you even there at all?

He Is Able

"Yet I know when my eyes refuse to see, he is able; even though it seems impossible to me, he is able." - He is able : Wintley Phipps

The songwriter says, "If He chooses not to move, the way we think He should, confident He's working altogether for my good, I will stand behind His word for He is able".

I respect all religious belief systems.  I'm not much hung up on whether you call God He or She, whether you say Yahweh of Buddha or Tao.  I'm struck by this knowing that we seem to have as human beings that there is something out there.  Something that binds us together, that guides our paths, sometimes intervening to turn us around altogether, sometimes giving us that extra boost just when we need it.

I think this knowing is important in our attempts to deal with the biggest challenges that life throws at us.  When we feel most fragile it is comforting to think that something bigger than us sees what lies behind that cliff, and sees our way over it also.

Speak Over Yourself

"Sometimes you have to encourage yourself, sometimes you have to speak victory during the test; And no matter how you feel, just speak the word and you will be healed, speak over yourself, encourage yourself in the Lord" - Speak Over Yourself : Donald Lawrence

So when we hit that wall, we need to start at believing and then we need to start to speak over ourselves.  Some people will reach out to others when they are hurting, trying desperately to get some level of assurance, comfort and support.  I call those the twilight hours, for when the dark night of the soul descends, there is no reaching outward.  People pull into their own suffering and the only voice which matters is their own.

"Sometimes you have to look in the mirror and tell yourself you can make it

Remember that life and death lies in the power of your own tongue

Even if nobody tells you you can run on, you tell yourself"- Speak Over Yourself 

Sometimes the voices in our own heads can be so cruel.  Who can castigate us more cruelly than we castigate ourselves.  Who can spell out more clearly the many ways in which we are less than worthy?  Who can make us feel more unloved, abandoned and alone?

“Everything the enemy tells me, it's a lie”- Speak Over Yourself

These are the times when we must acknowledge that we are our own worst enemy, and that everything we are hearing is a lie.  We must tell ourselves that we are worthy.  We must tell ourselves that we are valued and valuable.  We must tell ourselves that there is a purpose to our suffering.  We must tell ourselves that we can make it through. Remember that life and death is in the power of your own tongue.

I Just Can't Give Up Now

"I just can't give up now, come too far from where I started.  Nobody told me the road would be easy and I don't believe He brought me this far to leave me" - I just can't give up now : Mary Mary

We must tell ourselves that no matter what we just cannot give up now. We can look around us at the many who struggle daily to eat, to feed their children.  Those who shiver in the cold unable to find adequate shelter.  Those who live in captivity and war.  We must look at those who have no hands or eyes or feet but they just keep going.

In my book I speak about Malala Yousafzai and Ramona Pierson, two remarkable women who have triumphed in the face of insurmountable obstacles.  But they are just two of many who just refused to give up.  What is your struggle compared to theirs?  If they can make it, so can you.

Let Go And Let God

“As soon as I stop worrying, worrying how the story ends, when I let go and I let God have his way. That’s when things start happening” – Let Go : DeWayne Woods

New age spiritualists say "We live in a benevolent universe". So maybe it's hard for you to believe in a He, called God.  Perhaps it's easier for you to say 'the universe supports my best interest'.  The important thing is that you believe in something that is bigger than this fragile frame which we call ourselves.  It is important to believe that whatever it is that is out there is friendly to you and supportive of you.

When you learn to surrender your battle, to simply let go and say “have your way”, then you are on your way to peace.

It Is Well With My Soul

"When sorrow like sea billows roll, whatever my lot thou has taught me to say, It is well with my soul" - Horatio Spafford

Perhaps the circumstances of your life have wounded you so much you find it hard to believe that anything or anyone cares about you. Look around you.   It's not just you.  God is not picking on you.  There's nothing that is so broken about you that you were singled out to suffer.

"It is in the quiet crucible of your personal, private sufferings that your noblest dreams are born and God's greatest gifts are given" - Wintley Phipps

Suffering has a way of refining us, of polishing away the narrow-mindedness, the selfishness, the arrogance and pride.  Suffering has a way of pulling from us tolerance, compassion, empathy.  Suffering has a way of teaching wisdom and building strength.

Perhaps if we begin to accept that whatever challenges present themselves in our lives are just messengers calling us to a higher purpose, just stepping stones leading to the next level, just weights that help us build our muscles; Perhaps if we learn to surrender to our lessons and look at our challenges as blessings;  Perhaps then we get to the point where we can say, "whatever my lot thou has taught me to say, It is well with my soul"

Go Get Your Blessing

"When you pray, don't tell God how big your problems are; Tell your problems how big your God is" - unknown

When you have made peace with your trial then it is time to move forward.  You've carried your crucible, now it is time to step out and go get your blessing.  

Your blessing may come in the form of helping others, it may come in teaching, it may come in just being more loving and compassionate in your interactions.  It may come in the form of the payoff that you have worked for and prayed for.

In this moment we may have no idea how our blessing will come to us.  Whatever the form you must believe that behind every cloud there is a silver lining, behind every challenge, your blessing awaits. So just start walking, even if you have no idea where you're going. Just start walking.

Go get your blessing and don’t stop until you receive it.  

“I almost let go, I felt I couldn’t take life anymore, my problems had me bound, depression weighed me down, but God held me close, so I wouldn’t let go” – I Almost Gave Up: Kurt Carr

Believe that there is a God who will hold you close when you need Him to.  And don't ever let go.

Inspiration Links

* I am in no way affiliated with the sites that I link to here.  The messages presented are in alignment with the thoughts presented in this post and they have inspired me, I hope that they will inspire you too.

"Today on my first day as an adult, on behalf of the world's children, I demand of leaders we must invest in books instead of bullets," – Malala Yousazai

 Malala Yousafzai  : Shot in the head for demanding the right to an education

Ramona Pierson : Shattered but not broken

I almost gave up : Kurt Carr

Speak Over Yourself  : Donald Lawrence and the TriState Singers

I look to you  : Whitney Houston

Author’s note

This post is inspired by Chapter 10 of my book Embracing Prosperity By Changing Your Mind.  In this chapter I look at various ways to claim the good in your life.  Gospel music is a powerful comforter and motivator.  Prayer is even more powerful.  I hope to persuade you that you can overcome anything that life throws at you by simply changing your mind.  

    

It would be my pleasure to share a free gift with you, if you would like to receive an excerpt from my book just click here  and mention today's topic.

If you liked this post I would be so appreciative if you would spread the word and like me on Facebook.  I would be happy to email this and future posts directly to you, if you're interested please subscribe to my mailing list. You may also follow me on Twitter #ProsperityIsMind.

I would also be delighted to hear your feedback so do not hesitate to leave a comment if you so desire and be sure to come back for more as I walk you through more of the lessons and exercises from my book.

I bless you, I bless your journey and I am so happy to be a part of it.  May this be the year that you begin to find ways to scale your mountains.