Sisters Gathering to Heal our Relationships

I know it's not easy to forgive. And yet, if we're to have sweet and juicy relationships we must forgive the people that hurt us. All of them. I forgave my charming, minister father for abusing and abandoning me; that single act changed the course of my life.

Spirit led me to put a call out to Sisters, black, white, Asian, Hispanic and any other race, to come, let's heal our relationships through FORGIVENESS. Here I share two of the healing mantras, Ho'oponopono and Healing Mantra Movement, with you. www.DeBoraRicks.com

You'll Never Amount to Anything!

"You'll. Never. Amount. To. Anything!" my father would shout. This morning, as I sat in the silence and stillness, my Science of Mind magazine open, I closed my eyes to pray, meditate, connect with Spirit and these thoughts came to me. They came because on Sunday I'll be giving a testimony at my place of worship on the theme, The Other Side of Through. Yes, I have made it to the other side of many, many  throughs.  

You'll never amount to anything! was one of my charming minister father's favorite things to say to me. What he really meant, I know today, is "I haven't amounted to anything!' He had to mean that because how could he predict MY future? Who was he or anyone to tell me, God's precious child, what life had in store for me? I didn't know it then but I now know my dad spoke about himself because whenever we hurl insults at another, we're really telling them what we think of us.  

I'm writing this post because you might be able to relate. Somebody, some so-called "smart" grownup may have told you the same thing or something quite similar. Who gave them the authority? Get all the juice out that doggone lemon that's there, then toss it...because remember, it is you, and you alone who gets to create your life...on your terms. Not based on what your mama, daddy or grand pappy said. 

Well, I have amounted to something. And you know what, I have my father to thank. Thanks to my dad-- who I have since forgiven for dumping his poor self-regard onto me--I had something hard to push against. It was my father's ugly words that fueled my ambition. It was my father's insistence that I would be nothing that drove me to be something. At 14 years old good ole dad decided that he would no longer give me lunch money and bus fare for school. God spoke. The God in me said, "I'll make it with you...or I'll make it without you!" Well, I made it.

Yep, I squeezed all the juice out of that there "you'll never amount to anything" lemon that was there! 

I have amounted to something. Not because I am a lawyer, author, editor, speaker, mother to a bright, loving, powerful soon to be Howard freshman, homeowner, gold card carrying member, world traveler, pretty good daughter to my mother, no, I've amounted to something because my life has meaning. I like my life. And I do good work in the world. Even before I heard Les Brown command, "don't let another person's opinion become your reality" years ago I'd resolved to not let anybody tell me who I get be, what I get to have, and what I get to do. That is, nobody gets to tell us how good it can get for us. Given my rather rough beginning, I think I done done good. But I can't take the credit for it; it was Divine Mind that did it. I only take credit for being wise enough to turn within to this Power, listen and take heed.

Smooches!
DeBora
Visit me on the Web
Visit us at the Spiritual Empowerment Center, 2129 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218 on Sundays at 10:30 AM, a member of the Centers for Spiritual Living. 

They'd Rather Be in Pain

I'll be brief. I was talking to a friend of mine this morning whose aunt is experiencing severe back pain. Well, she told her aunt that she was using an amazing product that was working wonders for her. It had alleviated her knee pain. And it was all natural. Her aunt, moaning, asked, "Well, how much is it?" She told her and auntie moaned louder. She said her medication didn't cost THAT much. Medication, mind you, that clearly is NOT working. I know a young woman whose knees throb with pain. I told her a supplement and cream I use wiped my knee pain out. She says she's waiting to hear what a guy friend has to say about the products. Duh! He's not the one in pain. I could go on, but you get the picture.

In any event, there's a club to which sweet ole auntie and this young woman belong. It's called the IRBIP club. Of course you're wondering what IRBIP stands for. I'm glad you asked. IRBIP stands for I'd Rather Be In Pain. You know the folks. You might even be a member of this club.

See, some people would rather suffer than spend the time, money, and/or energy to heal. Whether the pain is physical, emotional, financial, relational, or spiritual if someone offers you a cure and you turn your nose up at it, chances are you're a member of the IRBIP club. Tis tis!

Here's my confession. I once belonged to this not so exclusive club. There I was languishing in a job that paid me way too little for my talents, gifts and skills. They hated that I was opinionated, educated, and not easily controlled. What did I do? Because I was loyal to my club, you know, the IRBIP club, I suffered. And I did it beautifully. You know, like we're taught to do. Though I sometimes whined, mostly I followed the IRBIP teachings and sucked it up and took it like a man. I know, I'm not a man, so what? I dragged my nicely dressed self in to work, took their abuse with my chin up, and waited for the weekend. Then one day I got fired. Yep, I got fired. Thank God! Once released from bondage, I then shredded my IRBIP card. And nobody better ever call me asking if I'd like to reactivate that membership, unless they feel like experiencing some emotional pain. HeeHee

We choose the life we live. With every yes and no we choose life more fully or we choose a "life" of quiet desperation. Sadly, the latter is what most people unconsciously choose. Why? Because most people can't even imagine living an emotionally, physically, spiritually, and financially healthy, wealthy, and whole life. Their mother, father, siblings lived in pain so they think they have to live in pain. All some people expect from life is pain. Well, we get not what we claim we want, we get what we expect.

Fear of the unknown. Fear of the new. Fear of success. Fear of happiness. Fear of change. These are the fears that keep people stuck, accepting pain as a way of life. Tis tis! Fear is the opposite of FAITH. Stop talking about faith and start living in faith.

Are you a member of the IRBIP club? Be honest. If you are, no worries. You can have a new thought that leads to new actions today. It's your birthright to live a healthy, wealthy, prosperous, sweet and juicy, pain-free life. Claim it!

Okay, I wasn't so brief. I couldn't help myself; I'm on a mission to wake up. As I awaken more fully, I'm impelled to share my aha! moments with you.

In love & light,

DeBora

DeBora M. Ricks, Author/Speaker/Attorney/Distributor

If you're ready to cancel your membership to the IRBIP club, visit www.mylifevantage.com/deboraricks and www.DeBoraricks.com

Author of Love Addicted: One Woman's Spiritual Journey through Emotional Dependency

To book me to speak call 410.599.2131 or send email to Info@DeBoraricks.com

Get your FREE How to Write a Book that $ells E-book at www.DeBoraRicks.com

Keep the Faith, Baby!

I spent a lot of time this morning in my meditation room. It's a good thing I did too because I just received some disappointing news. Rather than fall apart, beat myself up, or even feel dejected I've decided to keep it moving. That's life. Stuff happen. Things don't always go as we'd like. I remember going to a book signing, given by someone I know. I'd approached this person about us working together, about me doing a signing. I'd done her a favor in the past but the favor wasn't returned. I got some feelings about that too. I prayed about it. Then God reminded me of this, "No one person, opportunity, or job is the key to your good. I got you! The Universe is immensely abundant. Opportunities are everywhere. They abound. We are to hold the vision of what we want. We set our intentions. But guess what, God's got the details. It's not for us to say who's supposed to butter our bread. Keep your head and spirit up. More good is always in the cue for you. And for me! Keep the faith, baby!

Peace & Love, DeBora