Taking Time to Listen

Take time to listen before waiting to speak… 

Have you ever caught yourself on “auto-pilot” in a conversation? 

For me, it usually happens during a familiar conversation or recurring situation. 

My mind tells me the answer before the other person even asks or finishes! 

Now maybe it’s different for you, but I catch myself going into auto- pilot mode when I start deciding what must be done even before I have really listened and or HEARD what the other person is trying to say. 

OK, so this is part of standard fare for raising kids under 5 when it comes to junk food and unsafe toys, we DO know the answers before they form the question, 

but this type of listening hurts us in all other aspects of our lives. 

Think about it. 

We like to be listened to, heard, and feel that we have been understood. 

 It’s a spiritual principle that we need to treat others in the same way that we wish to be treated. 

So maybe this is the 3rd time Aunt Mabel has told you the story about her trip to the grocery with the wrong coupons. 

Perhaps by actively listening to her and building conversation around her story, she may finally feel heard and stop telling you the same story. 

 How do you listen? 

 Does the solution noise in your head drown out what the other person is trying to say? … 

Check your own experience and…

Take time to listen instead of waiting to speak. 

“We never gave the spiritual side of life a fair hearing.” Big Book pg 50 

Lord, let us listen with our hearts and hear with You Holy Spirit that resides in us all, AMEN. 

 "To answer before listening-- that is folly and shame. Proverbs 18:13 

Have a blessed day Y’all!! 

Inspired 365 Mentorship with Mark Farley!!

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Looking Away or Looking to Help?

 Looking away or looking to help..... 

Sometimes when we see uncomfortable or unpleasant things, we divert our eyes away so our mind won't focus and our hearts won't feel the situation. 

I used to do this every time I walked by my teenager's room. 

I am sure it's a well-organized myriad of clothing, books, and life pertinent items to her, but it looked like remnants of a hurricane to her mother and me. 

It's easier to just look away and move on. 

What about those times when we are at work or out and about with a group of friends and we see someone noticeably upset or hurting. 

Hopefully it's our natural reaction to seek to learn the situation, offer comfort, and help if possible. 

Now what about when we see that out of place person trying to deal with something that is obviously unfamiliar for them? 

I know that it's easier to look away and pretend we don't see that older person in the store trying to figure out how to lift that case of water. 

Or it’s "better to ignore" the dirty looking person on the street with the shopping cart full of weird stuff. 

I am not suggesting we stop and try to change their whole life, but what about looking them in the eye and saying hello? 

What would Jesus do? 

 Check your experience...

"Helping others is the foundation stone of our recovery." Big Book pg. 97

Lord, let us open the eyes of our heart to see where You would have us offer compassion and help, AMEN. 

"Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." Philippians 2:4

 Have a blessed day y’all! 

Join me in looking at the things we face daily with passages from both the Big Book and Bible!

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Motives & Efforts

Motives and efforts…. 

Ever heard the saying you get OUT of it what you PUT IN to it? 

 Great examples of this are folks that run their first Triathlons, lose massive amounts or weight, win their first bodybuilding contest, or achieve some other life altering change for the good. 

The secret to success in each of these examples is that while they were training and working to achieve their goal, they constantly made sure their efforts matched their motives daily. 

We can use this “secret” in our everyday lives for ordinary things as well. 

This is a biblical principle that never changes! 

From being a better person, to overcoming an uncomfortable situation, if we measure our motives and match them to our efforts we will see change.. 

How well are your efforts matching your motives?... 

Check your experience…

“Keep on the firing line of life with these motives and God will keep you unharmed.” Big Book pg 102

Lord, let us provide the efforts needed along with the right motives to bring healthy changes into our lives and strengthen our walk with you, AMEN. 

“People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16: 2-3 

Have a blessed day y’all!

Did  you know that Mentorship can help you grow and achieve your goals and dreams? 

Inspired 365 Mentorship with Mark Farley!!

https://www.faiththroughworksfellowship.org/inspired-365-life-coaching 

Email today and let’s chat to see if we can make up a plan for you to get you to where you want to be! 

Inspired365LifeCoaching@gmail.com