Incorruptible Beauty!

^“Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” -  I Peter 3:4 NIV

^“Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”  – I Peter 3:4 KJV

The incorruptible unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit…

Wow!  This scripture, this thought makes one realize we must choose to live our lives on a higher plane, and upon doing so, find ourselves of real value in God’s sight. 

So, here we are asking ourselves: how do we live each day with a gentle and quiet spirit?  It begins with a mindset to realize we are servants.  We are here to serve God and we are here to serve His children, our brothers and sisters in humanity.  We are here to be caretakers, lovers of life, respecting His word and choosing to deeply appreciate others we encounter as a part of our existence.  Now, this may seem a little pollyanna as how are we to truly appreciate and love everyone who becomes a part of our existence, as there are those we rather would not embrace.  God would challenges us to pray for others, accept and love and treat them as if they are our family and very own blood.

Maybe if we decided to commit ourselves to really live with ‘the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit’, then our lives may change.  There are those individuals whom we have met that possess this exact trait.  Upon encountering them, we leave their presence more peaceful and with a refreshing calm which overtakes us.  I know you have experienced this, it is not often, but I know you have.  Most of us would choose not to live with what seems a more passive mindset.  However, is it truly a ‘passive approach’ these remarkable individuals choose as their mode of living?  Perhaps, they have decided to choose a more robust way to live, which includes always seeking peace.

As we reflect on the first three fruits of the spirit, should we find it so surprising it is peace, love and joy.  We ponder: the unfading beauty or the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet soul.  Why do live any other way?  Are we such fools not to realize if living as one who loves, sincerely cares, and seeks to enrich the lives of everyone regardless of who they are, or their lot in life, we ourselves evolve to become more beautiful.

I think of Mother Teresa, is this how she lived her life?  Of course, she is one of many examples; and there are those individuals we have encountered on a more personal level.  And today, taking the lead of these persons, we too choose to live a life of servanthood, and daily fixate ourselves on the choice of living more gently, more caring, more giving.  In doing so, we evolve and our spirit gradually transforms to become more beautiful. 

My hope for you my reader, is that you are able to live a magnificent existence, a superb life filled with joy and happiness.  And, at the end of each day before you lie down to rest find yourself pondering - have I lived this day, today - a life which is precious in the sight of God? 

Peace to you!

Live Brilliantly!

The definition of our lives is dependent on our ability to capture the multiplicity of opportunities which lie before us.  Every day is like a new page in the chapter of our lives, every day is so important to really live rather than to take a casual flippant attitude towards letting it slip by.  Our lives are comprised of years, and years comprised of what we do with each day.  We all should be so wise to not let one day just slip by without making a difference in our own lives.

How do we make a difference in our lives?  We make a difference by deciding who we are, choosing to live a more refined life by resolving to enhance the life of every person we meet.  We are to look upon each person we encounter as the most important person in our lives at that moment, and upon doing so we truly impact them with our presence.  When we are blessed to hold an infant child, every morsel of our attention is placed upon that baby because we want the child to feel loved and special.  In the same manner, if we choose to exhibit that level of caring to others in our life, we impact them, as well as ourselves.

After holding a baby, it changes us.  It is not uncommon after a woman holds a baby that she tells everyone she meets the remainder of the day, guess what I did today? ….I held a baby.  So, the idea I am attempting to impress upon you is treat every person you meet as that special baby, and then see how your life is influenced by others.  And you will also be influencing others as they you.

Truly our life is greater when we realize and embrace the notion that it is the relationships in our lives which allow us to live an enhanced life.  Obviously, we may not have a genuine connection with every person we meet, however if we are sincere in our reaching out and remain true to our cause, we will know the difference.  The difference is vastly more important to ourselves as it is our life we are attempting to always enhance.

Today, notice the sunrise and sunset, be unafraid to gaze into the eyes of those you meet, look into the windows of their soul and take note of their persona.  Be faithful to yourself, take a walk and pray for others, and in your mind list everything of which you are grateful.  Decide to love yourself, and realize that God placed you on this earth to make a difference, and without reservation choose to be that difference in the life of one person each day.  Simply compliment someone, write a note, take a friend to lunch, maybe ask another how they feel. 

By the way, it is okay to live without reservation.  When we have the urge to make a positive remark or compliment, and we choose to rather not say it and keep it to ourselves, we miss out on expressing our true selves in that moment.  It is better to be yourself and live a more extroverted life rather than to live in an internal world which causes one to miss out on real living.  Do not hold back!  Live how you truly want to live, this is your life now… you are the master, remember that and take action!

Decide to be a lover today, love God, love your life, love others, love what you do, and above all choose to really live and not miss out on one opportunity to be your most expressive and creative self, and your life will change.  Live Brilliantly!