by Alethea Monk Howard
Having faith is a challenge for all of us; do we fear having faith? Faith in ourselves, in life, in our relationships. Faith builds – it strengthens and gives us hope within when we let go and let Spirit flow through us.
Most of us, at some point in our lives, let fear and doubt take over. We then begin to live without joy and harmony; we wonder why things seem to be changing around us. Why we are not at peace, why things are not going the way we would like.
One of my greatest fears was losing someone that I felt was special—someone I wanted to spend a lifetime with. Once I realized this fear and spoke the words to him, the fear began to dissipate. It didn’t matter if this person walked out of my life because he would always have a place in my heart-with or without being a part of my life. I have found a greater love in the Almighty Spirit, which is beyond anything I can imagine and more.
As I began to love myself more, as much or more than I loved him, I conquered the fear by letting love flow into my heart for myself and for him, not allowing fear to complicate my life or his. When I think of him, I send loving and happy thoughts. Therefore, I am conscientiously sending myself the same.
How good life becomes when we stop condemning each other and live for the greater good, The good that is within us. We all have it; we just need to let it flow like the water of the river until it becomes second nature.
Emotions
Letting your emotions flow,
They are a part of our being, you know.
Let them flow like the waves of the river…
It will make our lives more liveable.
Emotions riding like the wind,
Keeping us in touch within.
Giving us peace in our lives day by day,
That we may live a fulfilling life in every way.
The question is, what are we afraid of? When I ask this question, I’m speaking in terms of life, love, and relationships. Living without fear is being free to be who we are. Most of us are afraid to be who we are for fear that others may not love us the way we desire to be loved. I have come to know that if no one loves me for who I am, then I never had the love I wanted in the first place. Being comfortable with who we are is the foundation of freedom. Freedom, responsibility, and commitment are what make love a success.
Taking responsibility for ourselves and doing our part in life and relationships needs to be a priority in making love work in our lives. Some of us have heard the saying, “If you’re not going to do it right the first time, then don’t do it at all.” Sometimes, we need to get it right; only sincere practice makes it better. If we are not going to love one another totally, then leave it alone. We are important, and it would be nice to treat one another in this way.
Life can be beautiful if we give what we want in return. Create our own circumstances and take responsibility for the decisions we make. Live the life you have imagined and let it work through the flowing vessel of love.
What are we afraid of? Does our true self frighten us into being someone other than ourselves? Have we lost faith in living a life of true honesty and integrity? Do we fear having faith in the Self? It is much easier to be oneself and a lot more healthier. Only when we recognize the oneness in each other and see all as human beings, no more nor less than who we are, will we begin to trust and be comfortable with one another? We could conceive the uniqueness of each other.
When love becomes fear, it isn’t love anymore. Love is everything good, true, inspiring, creative, healthy, and beautiful. It is wanting good not only for oneself but also for the good of all concerned. We choose fear or love- the choice is ours! Fear is the simple way out; it leaves us where we are, it stunts our growth, and it is the comfort zone that keeps us down, depressed, and confused.
As I was reading a book written by Piero Ferrucci, What We May Be, he stated: “Growth is understanding what we have not yet been able to conceive, feeling what we have never felt, doing what we have never done before. It is daring what we have never dared. It may not, therefore, necessarily be pleasurable. It obliges us to leave our comfort zone, to progress into the unknown, to face the tremendous impact of the self.”
Feelings
When we let our feelings show,
Our hearts become aglow.
When we let our feelings go,
We open up a little more.
It is THEN that we see within
And the world starts to sing.
When we let our feelings flow,
We become one with the MOST,
It is then we begin to grow.
Allowing ourselves to grow, not being afraid of who we are becoming, letting ourselves flow with nature, and bringing out the best within us can bring more harmony and love in our lives. Don’t give fear power over you.
Fear is the weaker vessel, which limits us from our own greater good. We could fill this vessel with over-flowing love, allowing the growth of Self to flourish and become fearless of all there is that we can conceive. We Choose!
Alethea Monk Howard
