Barbara Faison’s Living By Design Blog

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“We are all students and teachers in the school of life. Be open to learning and growing at all times and in all situtations.” Barbara J. Faison

“A mind at peace, a mind centered and not focused on harming others, is stronger than any physical force in the universe. ” Wayne Dyer

“Our feelings are our most genuine paths to knowledge.” ~ Audre Lorde

“As we let our light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence actually liberates others. “Marianne Williamson

“ Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work.It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.” — Unknown

“We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive.”—Albert Einstein

“Love is the ability and willingness to allow those that you care for to be what they choose for themselves without any insistence that they satisfy you.” Wayne Dyer

We are each responsible for all of our experiences.” Louise L. Hay

“There are no extra pieces in the universe. Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill, and every piece must fit itself into the big jigsaw puzzle. ” Deepak Chopra

“Actors act. Singers Sing. Dancers Dance. Artists create Art. Do or be whatever it is you want to do or be with passion.” – Barbara J. Faison

“Learning, understanding, or practicing spiritual disciplines will not immunize you against any of the lessons you must “grow through” in your life.” – Iylana Vanzant

“Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends.” – Walt Disney *******************************************************************************************

The Rules for being Human
When you were born, you didn’t come with an owner’s manual; these guidelines make life work better.
1. You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it’s the only thing you are sure to keep for the rest of your life.

2. You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called “Life on Planet Earth”. Every person or incident is the Universal Teacher.

3. There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of experimentation. “Failures” are as much a part of the process as “success.”

4. A lesson is repeated until learned. It is presented to you in various forms until you learn it — then you can go on to the next lesson.

5. If you don’t learn easy lessons, they get harder. External problems are a precise reflection of your internal state. When you clear inner obstructions, your outside world changes. Pain is how the universe gets your attention.

6. You will know you’ve learned a lesson when your actions change. Wisdom is practice. A little of something is better than a lot of nothing.

7. “There” is no better than “here”. When your “there” becomes a “here” you will simply obtain another “there” that again looks better than “here.”

8. Others are only mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another unless it reflects something you love or hate in yourself.

9. Your life is up to you. Life provides the canvas; you do the painting. Take charge of your life — or someone else will.

10. You always get what you want. Your subconscious rightfully determines what energies, experiences, and people you attract — therefore, the only foolproof way to know what you want is to see what you have. There are no victims, only students.

11. There is no right or wrong, but there are consequences. Moralizing doesn’t help. Judgments only hold the patterns in place. Just do your best.

12. Your answers lie inside you. Children need guidance from others; as we mature, we trust our hearts, where the Laws of Spirit are written. You know more than you have heard or read or been told. All you need to do is to look, listen, and trust.

13. You will forget all this.

14. You can remember any time you wish.

(From the book “If Life is a Game, These are the Rules” by Cherie Carter-Scott)

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Tell me who your best friends are, and I will tell you who you are.
If you run with wolves, you will learn how to howl.

But, if you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great heights.
A mirror reflects a man’s face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses.

The simple but true fact of life is that you become like those with whom you closely associate for the good and the bad.

The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve.
Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity.
An important attribute in successful people is their impatience with negative thinking and negative acting people.

As you grow, your associates will change.
Some of your friends will not want you to go on.
They will want you to stay where they are.
Friends who don’t help you climb will want you to crawl.
Your friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream.
Those who don’t increase you, will eventually decrease you.

Consider This:

*    Never receive counsel from unproductive people.
*    Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to the solution,   
     because those who never succeed themselves are always first to tell you how. 
*    Not everyone has a right to speak into your life.
*    You are certain to get the worst of the bargain when you exchange ideas with the
      wrong person.
*    Don’t follow anyone who’s not going anywhere.
*    With some people you spend an evening: with others you invest it.
*    Be careful where you stop to inquire for directions along the road of life.
*    Wise is the person who fortifies his life with the right friendships.

Happy moments, Praise God!
Difficult moments, Seek God!
Quiet moments, Worship God!
Painful moments, Trust God!
Every moment, Thank God!
Choose to rise…Don’t settle…and go for your dreams!!!

And most of all, let God lead you in everything you do – Unknown

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Once upon a time there was a girl who had four boyfriends.
She loved the fourth boyfriend the most and adorned him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best. 

She also loved the third boyfriend very much and was always showing him off to neighboring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another. 

She also loved her second boyfriend. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times. 

The girl’s first boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the first boyfriend Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him! 

One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, ‘I now have four boyfriends with me, but when I die, will I be a alone.’ 

Thus, she asked the fourth boyfriend, ‘I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?
‘No way!’, replied the fourth boyfriend, and he walked away without another word. 

His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart. 

The sad girl then asked the third boyfriend, ‘I loved you all my life. Now that I’m dying, w ill you follow me and keep me company?’  ‘No!’, replied the third boyfriend. ‘Life is too good! When you die, I’m going to marry someone else!’ Her heart sank and turned cold 

She then asked the second boyfriend, ‘I have always turned to you for help and you’ve always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?’ 

‘I’m sorry, I can’t help you out this time!’, replied the second boyfriend. ‘At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.’
His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated. 
Then a voice called out: ‘I’ll go with you. I’ll follow you no matter where you go.’ The girl looked up, and there was her first boyfriend. He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect.  

Greatly grieved, the girl said, ‘I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!’  

In truth, you have four boyfriends in your lives:

Your fourth boyfriend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you die. 

Your third boyfriend is your possessions, status and wealth.When you die, it will all go to others. 

Your second boyfriend is your family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to the grave. 
 
And your first boyfriend is your spirit. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. 

However, your spirit is the only thing that will follow you wherever you go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the throne of God and continue with you throughout Eternity. 

Thought for the day: Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you’re in the perfect position to pray. Being happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect. It means you’ve decided to see beyond the imperfections. – Unknown