Category: Spiritual Writings

The Benefits Of Optimism

“Numerous studies have explored the link between optimism and positive outcomes. The results paint a compelling picture of the benefits of maintaining a positive outlook. Below, we take a closer look at these benefits.

Improved Physical & Mental Health – Optimists tend to have stronger immune systems and lower risks of cardiovascular disease. They’re also more likely to engage in healthy behaviors like regular exercise and balanced diets.  Optimism is further associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety. It also correlates with higher levels of life satisfaction and overall well-being.

Better Stress Management – Optimists typically cope better with stress. They’re more likely to use problem-solving strategies and seek social support when faced with challenges. And this can spill over into so much more! They will seek out help when they need it. They will also potentially learn boundaries for themselves to cope better in the future or avoid similar stressful problems.

Increased Longevity – Several long-term studies have found that            optimistic individuals tend to live longer than their pessimistic counterparts. And this just might go hand-in-hand with how optimistic people tend to also maintain better and more satisfying relationships.  An infamous Harvard study about happiness outlined that relationships played a key role in this, potentially contributing to longer lives.

Career Success – Optimistic individuals are also potentially more likely to persist in the face of career obstacles. This resilience often leads to greater professional achievements over time.

For instance, optimists are more likely to see problems as challenges to be overcome rather than insurmountable obstacles. This perspective often leads to more creative and effective problem-solving!

Optimism is a powerful tool for navigating life’s challenges and maximizing our potential. With patience and practice, anyone can learn to approach life with a more positive perspective. 

All in all… in a world that often seems filled with negativity, choosing optimism is a radical act of self-care and empowerment. It’s an investment in your future that can pay dividends in every area of your life.

So why not start today? Your brighter, more optimistic future is waiting!”

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Hope And Optimism

“Hope is confidence in God … not wishful thinking.  To have hope is to trust in God to meet our needs … even in the midst of difficult times.  When we do go through tough times our confidence in God can get a little rattled, as the Old Testament figure Job experienced.  In the midst of his pain and heartache he cried out, ‘Where then is my hope?  Who can see any hope for me?’ (Job 17:15)

Ultimately, hope comes from God.  The Scriptures say, ‘May the God of hope fill you all with joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’  (Romans 15:13)  Hope is an essential element of the Christian’s life.  In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul included hope as one of the top three qualities of a person’s life: ‘And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love.’ (1 Cor. 13:13)

Can a person be filled with hope without being filled with optimism?  According to the encyclopedia, optimism is ‘to anticipate the best possible outcome.’  Can we demonstrate hope in God without anticipating the best possible outcomes of the situations we face?

I believe we can.  In fact, I think hope is best exemplified when it is demonstrated in the face of negative circumstances.  There are many times when hope and optimism go hand in hand.  David had both when he faced Goliath. He had confidence in God and he expected the best possible outcomes … Goliath’s defeat and an Israelite victory over the Philistines.  And yet, there are many examples of people who had hope in God but did not anticipate the best possible outcomes.

Simon Peter is a good example.  He and the disciples had been fishing all night and had caught nothing.  They had worked so hard and yet still had nothing to show for their labors.  And then Jesus tells them to cast out the net one more time.  Simon did not expect to catch any fish.  He was pessimistic.  But, he had confidence in Jesus, so he cast the net.  Though the circumstances did not look promising, his hope in God made up for his lack of optimism.

The point is this: hope and optimism are not the same thing.  You can still be hopeful even if you are not optimistic.  You can still be a dispenser of hope even if you think you are going to face hard times ahead because you know that God will meet your needs.

Hope doesn’t mean that the best possible situations will always occur, but it does mean that in some way God will bring something good or useful out of the situation.  As we look into the future, we many not always be filled with optimism, but we must always be filled with hope … God is still in control!”

www.healthandwellnessfl.com, By Paster Timothy L. Neptune

Trust Feelings More Than Words

If you feel drawn to someone, but you are annoyed because you think that they are telling you some lies, try to look beyond the lies and try to focus upon the feeling. People offer all kinds of words for all kinds of different reasons. Most lies are offered to try to keep things in alignment.

We’re not encouraging it, but the motive behind lying is usually a pretty honorable motive. In other words, when a child lies to their parents, it’s usually because they want to be free to do what they want to do, and they don’t want their parents to be upset about it.    It’s about wanting an alignment.

Physical ears have a hard time hearing this. You keep talking about “We need to be honest.” And we say, we don’t meet any of you who are honest. Even those who claim to be the most virtuous, are not honest, but your vibration always is. We would trust the feeling more than the words.

Abraham Hicks, Excerpted from Houston, TX on 1/13/01

It Is A New Day

Awake refreshed and renewed, expecting the very best from the glorious day and therefore receiving only the very best. Relax and let Me take over. Never start the day strained and full of tension. Sleep and rest renew the Spirit and revitalize it. Start the day off on the right foot with a heart full of love and gratitude, full of great expectations for the new day.

Today has no blemishes on it to mark it, so why not keep it that way? Keep your consciousness raised to the highest and see the most wonderful happenings unfold this day. It is a new day and a new way. Leave yesterday behind with all its faults and failings, and turn over a new page. Why drag the old behind you into this new day? By all means learn your lessons, but why dwell so much on those lessons that they drag you down so that you cannot enter the new with a light and joyous heart?

~ guidance received by Eileen Caddy,

Getting Through Life’s Challenges

When life throws a curveball, it’s tempting to pretend everything’s fine or to wish things were different. But acknowledging the reality of your situation can actually be liberating. It’s okay to feel what you’re feeling—it’s part of being human. Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up; it’s more like standing firm in the present so you can figure out what to do next.
Next, let’s shift our attention from the problem itself to the possibilities ahead.
It can be so easy to get lost in the maze of ‘why is this happening?’ Instead, try to channel that energy into brainstorming solutions. If one approach doesn’t pan out, consider it a stepping stone rather than a setback. Sometimes the path isn’t straight, and that’s perfectly fine.
And remember, no one has to go it alone. Reaching out for support can feel daunting, but it’s often a game-changer. Whether it’s chatting with a friend over coffee or seeking professional/spiritual guidance, sharing your thoughts can lighten the load. There’s something comforting about knowing you’re not alone in this.

Don’t underestimate the power of self-care, either. It’s easy to neglect your well-being when times are tough, but nurturing yourself is essential. Whether it’s hitting the gym, losing yourself in a good book, or simply taking a shower and preparing yourself some good wholesome food, these moments can recharge your spirit and give you clarity.

Finally, think of each challenge as a teacher. It might not feel like it at the moment, but there’s always something to take away from tough times. Take a moment to reflect on what you’ve learned and how you’ve grown. This understanding can only strengthen you for whatever life throws your way next.”