Why do some folks seem to get the best blessings? What is it about them? Why are they typically relaxed, typically happy, and generally living pain-free successful lives? They have recognized what it takes to make a successful prayer.
I went through a good portion of my life thinking prayer was mainly about asking for stuff. I would ask for help with tests and friends. I would ask for the right Christmas gifts. I wanted to have an enjoyable life! That’s what its all about, right?
I started doing some pretty serious study when I was in my early twenties. I read the Joshua series of books, by a retired priest named Joseph Girzone. He wrote of a man who would show up in communities. He would do the kinds of things Jesus would, but people would always find fault with him regardless. There was a special component to what he would do though. Regardless of how tough things would get for him, he would still care for people with sincere compassionate altruism. He was not after a reward. He was not looking for fame or money. He merely wanted to help.
I was a pretty screwed up teenager. I would do several things well, but my bipolar disorder usually twisted normal situations into strange ones. It must have been during my twenties, when I was running one of the world’s best advice columns, when I realized that I needed to be thankful for those times. I needed to be thankful for all the hell I went through as a kid. It was okay. It was not a big deal! I enjoyed quite a few things, and always had friends. I had a good family too. There were plenty of things to be thankful for.
Life is a strange mix of things. Some folks already feel like they are in an abyss, even if they are not in the true abyss. Other folks are riding high, with wings on their back and love all around. What makes life better? Helping people in the way YOUR heart leads, and then THANKING GOD for the opportunity.
I went through a good portion of my life thinking prayer was mainly about asking for stuff. I would ask for help with tests and friends. I would ask for the right Christmas gifts. I wanted to have an enjoyable life! That’s what its all about, right?
I started doing some pretty serious study when I was in my early twenties. I read the Joshua series of books, by a retired priest named Joseph Girzone. He wrote of a man who would show up in communities. He would do the kinds of things Jesus would, but people would always find fault with him regardless. There was a special component to what he would do though. Regardless of how tough things would get for him, he would still care for people with sincere compassionate altruism. He was not after a reward. He was not looking for fame or money. He merely wanted to help.
I was a pretty screwed up teenager. I would do several things well, but my bipolar disorder usually twisted normal situations into strange ones. It must have been during my twenties, when I was running one of the world’s best advice columns, when I realized that I needed to be thankful for those times. I needed to be thankful for all the hell I went through as a kid. It was okay. It was not a big deal! I enjoyed quite a few things, and always had friends. I had a good family too. There were plenty of things to be thankful for.
Life is a strange mix of things. Some folks already feel like they are in an abyss, even if they are not in the true abyss. Other folks are riding high, with wings on their back and love all around. What makes life better? Helping people in the way YOUR heart leads, and then THANKING GOD for the opportunity.