Thought For Today - 2/28/10

There was a time in my life in which I found yourself tempted to seek a magic (for lack of better word) formula for fulfillment. It was centered upon a single goal of finding the right mate for me.

But I found that the ingredients that come together to form the foundation of happiness that would sustain my spirit throughout the challenges and trials of existence actually come from within rather than from without.

When my search for satisfaction was focused on developing a personal and intimate relationship with God (my spirit and His spirit), I found the true meaning of joy I sought.

What about you?

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/27/10

From personal experiences the past can at times be painful to think about and your only deliverance lies in complete and totally surrender to God. Only in Him can we be given the strength and courage to move forward with Him being by our side.

Then, what seems like an endless road into nothing but complete darkness and of personal regret, we come upon the light again - His light.

Then, we have no doubt it is He that has set us free, for only Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith and forgiveness that we need to move forward and another chance.

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/26/10

Your path to happiness is in the will of God. You have probably ponder who you are and where you are in life. You have tried to accept the current realities as best you can. But, you still don't have a plan or path toward your ideal.

Getting in commune with God will undoubtedly help! Take it from personal experience (me). God has a Master Plan for all of us. His Master Plan is found in His Word - the Bible.

The Bible is just not a book that can transform your life. It is a one of a kind of map that will get you to the place you are suppose to be in life. In it, you will find God's Master Plan for your life. Then, comes help chart your course to contentment - an everlasting contentment - His Master Plan for you.

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/25/10

No one was ever born to hate in my opinion. The love of God in our hearts cannot be destroyed. It might temporarily be put to sleep.

We must know this and refuse to forget it, about ourselves and about one another. The perception of someone's innocence is a choice we make, based not on our opinion of them, but on our knowledge of God. The knowledge of LOVE.

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/24/10

The real love of God (Christianity) is marked by the pureness, by the righteous thoughts of man, by the love you have for others.

If your love of God (Christianity), the kind you have, does not produce in your mind the realness of who God is, real purity, real sweetness, real truth, then it is a poor brand.

Change it right away!

The people will know it, they will feel it, they will smell it. They will know it is the mind of Christ.

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/23/10

I often see many people living in the past and they have no peace because of their past. I say to them "failure" is in the past. All they have is "now." Prosperity and success is "now!"

We did our best in the past for what we had to work with. Beyond this, we can only live in the "present" not dwelling on the past, but putting our energies and knowledge in our present actions.

Only then, can we create our reality and ourselves anew, with our current knowledge and information. Amen!

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/22/10

I was reminded by my teacher today to bless the space where we teach. I use to do this years ago and stopped. I do however pray and meditate over each class I teach and clients I train.

But, I do know that spaces can hold onto or hold a footprint of previous spirits/energy that was there. I have experienced in the past that the spirits/energies left behind will either give us energy or drain the energy we have.

So, in blessing each place we enter, we bring a subtle energy present that affects not only our own experiences in that space but also the experiences of the individuals who will enter the space after us.

While we may never see the effects our blessing has had, we can take comfort in the fact that we have provided a service for those that follow after us.

How about you blessing your place of employment, your school, even your home!

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/21/10

Compassion. That's the one thing people need more than anything else in this world. They need someone to reach out to them with the compassion of God.

Compassion is a deep yearning that responds to the needs of people. It's much deeper than sympathy. Sympathy can just sit around feeling sorry for people. Compassion has to do something for them.

Will you show some compassion today?

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/20/10

Being generous, walking in love towards others can be challenging. There can even be times it feels forced. Yet, you can still do it as a practice.

When you don't feel perfect in being generous or walking in love - it can still be beneficial. Being this way can and will transform your life. Which really means that the more you do it, the better you get at it.

Doing this will also confront you on several levels. At least it did for me. I was challenged with not having enough, not being able to empathize with others, and separating myself from others.

I came to the conclusion (after having God talk to me about me) that other people happiness should be important to me. As I realized this, it was more easily for me to offer and give what I have.

It also allow me to feel connected to the rest of the world. This is really what walking in love is all about. I finally realized that - giving to others is really giving to ourselves, because in TRUTH, there is no other.

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/19/10

It is easy to have joy when we feel good. But it is when the world appears dim that we most need joy in our lives. The joy I'm talking about can only come from knowing God and His Son Jesus.

With this our joy then resonates through our hearts, filling the empty spaces with pure, unadulterated joy. We regain our footing in the moment and remember that no sorrow is powerful enough to rob us of our inborn happiness.

When we understand that uninhibited joy, the Joy of the Lord, is the food of the soul, nourishing us from within, we know instinctively that life is worthwhile.

Have you got your joy today?

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/18/10

The Spirit of God lives in me. God has given us His Spirit!

The Spirit of Love Himself lives in us. The Spirit is in us to keep us aware of and in tune with God's love for us - when we realized our need for Him, He was right there with His Love.

And the Spirit in us keeps us aware of the need for love every person has. He give us every opportunity to express God's love to them - to connect them to His Love.

What a great privilege this is!

You see, God's love truly covers everything and everyone. Through you and me - each of us a unique expression of His love in this world - each of us cooperating with Him by the Spirit - God is connecting to the hurting, helpless, hopeless people in the world.

Find someone to love today!

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/17/10

OK, continuation on God's Master Plan for our lives. Well, at least mine.:)

There are signs I'm getting from God that is pointing me in a particular direction. My thoughts and dreams are echoed from one to the other regarding the path. There is like a song or a knowing in my spirit that now is the time.

The message I'm getting from God probably will not make sense to others, but that is not my concern. What I'm experiencing on the inside feels right!

Maybe even you feel you are being told to move to a new city although your life where you are is just fine. Or maybe you feel the desire to pursue a new direction in your career when it never really interested you before. And, the list can go on and on and on.

Let me stress this, as you spend time with God, meditate on what He has told or given you visions on, He will direct you to become your best and most fulfilled selves.

And when we are open and listening, the next step is to take action and go for it. I am!:)

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/16/10

I have said this many, many times, God has a Master Plan for each and everyone of us. He may not show us the complete picture or finish product of our live. But, many of us could not handle it if He did.:)

But, I do know that we must take the first step. As we do, we learn to trust God and go with His leading, rather than following an established path from our own thinking. In doing so we learn to trust Him (God) and ourselves for trusting Him.

It is this trust that connects us to God reminds us that no matter how lost we feel, and even as we journey, on the inner level we are already home. Because God is there with us!

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/15/10

I find myself as a "Follower of Jesus (Christian)" having a responsibility to be authentic in all things I do including in the Yoga classroom.

People including students that attend Yoga classes with me might find it shocking to see me eating a large fry or driving fast down the highway. This is so true for many - putting yourself on a pedestal in the life in generally makes it harder to climb down once things settle down.

When we (as Christians) present ourselves as holier than thou—or, as I think many Christian do, as digestive purer than thou—it is no wonder that many people assume that we are.

Part of the challenge I believe is that many of us alike, have a stereotypical but not accurate image of what a Christian or Yogi instructor should adhere to: read the Bible several hours a way, a vegan diet, 8:00 p.m. bedtime, and so on.

I started to ask myself: What does it mean to be a Christian and Yoga teacher? "Does this mean I don't cut people off while driving? I do pick up trash when I see it on the street? Or are we just real people trying to keep it all in balance?"

But, one of the most challenging thing is how people and students think I'm always handling stress with ease and grace. Then, there is that classic moment. But you can't be stressed out — you teach Yoga and you are a Christian!

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/14/10

I have never been one to follow a crowd. But, many people I know has and will continue to follow crowds.

From my thoughts, you should never follow any crowd just because it's a crowd. Those crowds can includes the raw food crowd, the Yoga crowd, the Vegetarian crowd, etc.

Instead, think for yourself about what makes sense to you as I have done. Then, go to God and get His view and wisdom and if His conclusions match their (the crowd) conclusions, it's okay to join that group (or hang out with that crowd) as long as you continue to invoke a reality check from time to time.

Make sure that what the crowd is doing always makes good sense to you and you won't be blindsided by crowd stupidity. And, of course keep your ears open to see what God has to say.

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/13/10

You are not out there alone, trying to accomplish a near-impossible task.

God loves you so much, He has master-planned your good life and totally supplied every good thing you need to pick up that brush and see your life turn out as He desires it to be.

You are God's masterpiece. You are His good work in progress! Be blessed!

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/12/10

I often tell tell students when I'm teaching Yoga that when I'm home I generally play soft and relaxing music. My day-to-day activities demands can quickly take their toll on my well-being if I am not vigilant about caring for my self as best I can.

One way I can ensure that I have an opportunity to relax and recuperate each day is to create a soft place to come to when I arrive home. This soft place for me is relaxing music. For you it can be an entire room or small corner of a larger area.

It really does matter. As long as it can provide you with a safe and comforting refuge in which you can decompress and recover from your day demands.

Here is where I feel and experience security, the love of God that transcend other issues that may be unfolding in my life. This place in our homes also can act as way stations that enable us to shift our attention away from our what is going on outside and just be concern about what is going on inside (our inner being).

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/11/10

Life as some may say is "short." So, making the most of years we are here is a matter of being ourselves (our best selves) even though we may encounter people who disapprove of our choices.

I decided sometime ago to just be my best self. In doing this I discovered that there are many others who appreciate me because I was willing to let go of any inhibition.

By doing this I helped others know it is okay. No one else in the world is precisely like you or me and, each time we revel in this simple fact, we rededicate our self to the celebration of individuality.

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/10/10

OK, I will continue to share on this subject . . .

I wanted to simplify my work schedule and it was very challenging in trying to and I even felt pressed to take on more. I even tried imagining how each new commitment would impact my life before I said yes.

But, when I considered the hassle associated with superfluous obligations, I was surprised to see that my schedule was impeding my attempts to grow as an individual. Yep, that's right!

My willingness to pare down my agenda, no matter how gradual my progress, did empower me to retake active control of the life that NOW defines me!

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/9/10

There use to be days that I would receive so many request from individuals that I wanted to just fly away. And, there is nothing wrong with going along with the requests others make of you, but, provided the requests do not interfere with your health or your happiness.

I had to keep in mind that it is only when I feel I have the right to say no that I can say yes with utmost certainty, sincerity, and enthusiasm.

While saying yes at times may have a cost, I can feel good about saying yes when my reasons for doing so are rooted in my personal individual values and my appreciation for the request before me.

Listen to your spirit in all things!
Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/8/10

To receive favor from God, including financial favor, not only do you have to establish God as your Source, you have to recognize His great love He has for you!

Because I live in Christ and Christ lives in me, God favors me this day! I will meditate on that truth and let it sink deep into my understanding. I then can begin to expect the favor of God to work wonders in my life!

How about you?
Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/7/10

The other day I mention to someone that teaching Yoga was my source of income. It didn't really hit me as to what I said until later as I was driving on the freeway.

I heard in my spirit that God is my Source. My teaching Yoga is just an avenue of bringing income into my household.

I know many in the world are thinking, "What are they going to do in these challenging time?" I am going to look to my Source (God), because it is much better to trust in Him as my Source than to put trust and confidence in man or myself!

So, here is my challenge to you. Become God-is-my-source minded. Make it personal. When you get this on the inside of you that My God (my Source) will supply all my need, no one can take that away from you!

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/6/10

There have been times I forgot to just take the time to recognize the richness that defines my life. I know it was because many of the situations I encountered as I went about my daily affairs prompted me to think about what I don’t have rather than all the abundance I do enjoy.

With this type of attitude, consequently, my gratitude existed only in perpetual conflict with my desire for more, whether I crave time, convenience, wealth, or a closer walk / deeper relationship with God.

As I fell deeper in love with God and His Son - Jesus, my heart begin to flood with a compassionate gratitude. Because now I know only through Him (God) can I savor and, above all, appreciate life in a renewed grace!

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/5/10

The other day I was talking to my dentist and she mentioned that one should grow with grace.

With her making that statement, I thought about how people can be surprised to discover that they have limits and they have changed over time.

Their willingness to accept the limits as they reveal themselves to them can smooth their passage through life and give them the means to flourish.

On a personal note, I am learning to honor myself by focusing my attention on what I can do rather than what I'm not in position to do and it has not interfered with my ambitions unless I allow them to interfere.

You too, can thrive within your limits, actively shape your circumstances, and avoid stress or tension by simply recognizing that certain aspects of life nourish you while others will drain you, and doing your best to perceive the fine line between applying yourself diligently and overworking yourself.

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/4/10

With regard to our actions towards other, we may have something difficult and challenging to express to someone.

Taking the time to pray and ask God how to address the situation and consider how we would feel if we were in his or her shoes will enable us to communicate more sensitively than we would if we just expressed ourselves from our own perspective.

When we look at any situation as God would look at it, we probably will modify our approach by taking their feelings into account. We can then and only then look at it in bringing benefit to that person and ourselves equally.

The more we do this, the more we reaffirm our integrity and the integrity of our relationship to the world and with God.

Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/3/10

From personal experience, I love my sons and they love me. I had to learn that I needed to let them live their own lives and make their own decisions.

I learned I needed to let them learn from their own experiences rather than rob them of wonderful life lessons and the opportunity to fine-tune their own judgments.

When I saw that they were happy with their lives and the path they were taking to reach our goals, I just rest assured that all they need from me was to share in their joy.

I trust you can relate to this - whether with your children, relatives or friends.
Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/2/10

Short and sweet to the point today.

Any challenges, discomfort or pain involved in facing any issues is well worth the effort in the end.

When we face our problems instead of avoiding them or running away from them, we free our energy and transform ourselves from individuals who run away into individuals who move enthusiastically forward!

What are you doing?
Much love,
Joseph

Thought For Today - 2/1/10

At some point in our lives and on a continual basis, many of us find ourselves with the desire to become better people or to go deeper in our love walk towards God and others.

I have been for some time now feeling driven to grow, expand, and change myself. My innate need for personal expansion has led me down many paths as I develop within the context of my individual life.

Yet the initial steps that put me on the road to be better and do better was not always clear. There were days I knew I wanted to be better but have no clear definition of "better" until I took the time to really, really see the purpose of Jesus earthly mission.

To say the least, my frustration was gone. I took small steps, keeping my own concept of growth in mind rather than allowing others to direct the course of my journey.

And I accept change won’t happen overnight. As I did and you too - may not recognize the transformations taking place within. And you may never feel you have reached the pinnacles of awareness you hope to achieve, you can still make the most of walking in love as Christ did which is a process of transformation.

Becoming a better person is your choice and is a natural progression in your journey of self-awareness.

Much love,
Joseph