Over the past 2 weeks we are adding new tools to our tool chest.

This is the list of tools we were given: fear, unworthiness, guilt, hurt feelings, anger. That sure did not sound like a list of tools to me. Sounded more like something that could hammer me versus repairing me. When I read the list, I do not want those things! They are more likely things I want to bury when I think of them. When we bury things – they rot and decay.

How does it sound to you? I will look for your thoughts later in the comments.

The challenge is to look back to those situations. The intention of this challenge is not to keep hanging on to stuff. It is to look back over it as “an observer” looking outside in to see the feelings I experienced.

The next step is to decide if hanging on to them will serve me. I have only looked at a few so far. I have known fear on numerous occasions throughout my life so far. I had several bouts of deep dark depression as a young adult.

Thankfully, God sent good people around me and I came through it. It was very scary and did alter my plans, but it did not kill me. Looking back on it now, I see that it sent me on a search for answers that led me to getting healthier. Then eventually it led me to share health and wellness with others. I feel happier with this path than my original choice.

The second one that shows up easily is guilt. I think “should of “falls into this easily. I “should of” what_______ (fill in the blank)? We cannot go back! We can just strive to be our best today – the day we have. I will be looking at other categories as I continue this journey.

Mark Januszewski- Master Key Experience Instructor asked us these questions:
What do I need within me to do hard labor?
What is required in the metaphor of the magnifying glass?

Then he said:” take these two questions and go back into situations in life – terror – what was going on. Observe-what was my mind, body doing?”

Take each of feelings and look at it as observer with a magnifying glass to use as tools for greatness!

I want to link to two of the scrolls again as they give us helpful tips to live our life well today. Og Mandino scrolls from “The Greatest Salesman in the World.”

Scroll II: I will greet this day with love in my heart.
Pg. 60: But how will I react to the actions of others? With love. For just as love is my weapon to open the hearts of men, love is also my shield to repulse the arrows of hate and the spears of anger. Adversity and discouragement will beat against my new shield and become as the softest of rains. My shield will protect me in the marketplace and sustain me when I am alone. It will uplift me in moments of despair, yet it will calm me in time of exultation.

Scroll V: I will live this day as if it is my last.
Pgs. 75-76: Procrastination I will destroy with action; doubt I will bury under faith; fear I will dismember with confidence.

I chose this picture for this week thinking that the stones on our backs could be fear, unworthiness, guilt, hurt feelings, anger. They do weigh us down! Then I thought of another question. What Gems are hidden in stones? Here are ten: Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires, Emeralds, Topaz, Opals, Amethyst, Turquoise, Garnets, and Peridot. Lots of beauty there and in you!

As you find that beauty in yourself – the fruits of it will be a gift to yourself and all of those around you.

I love this verse. Galatians 5:22-23, New King James Version

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 [a]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Till next week – What are you looking for with your magnifying glass?