Pray

So what does pray mean?  I think Merriam Webster says it pretty succinctly :  to address God or a god with adoration, confession, supplication, or thanksgiving.  I believe in the power of prayer and often have to remind myself that prayer is not just asking for stuff but giving thanks for all that I have.   In Eat, Pray, Love, I think the Pray segment may have been the most powerful in terms of self realization and its message to me personally.  Recall the brash Texan, Richard, who nicknames Liz, "groceries."  Now here's a guy who seems to have it together and understands shit only to realize that he too is extremely vulnerable and fighting his own demons.  How many of us have our demons?  You know those things that continue to haunt us from the past.  Those crazy thoughts that put us into a funk.  The idea that we need to go find ourselves when our self is right in front of us.  Then there's those demons that we conjure up-the guilt of the past, lost love, the would've, should've could've's of our lives.  


Richard the Texan says it best:  "You're going to have to learn to select your thoughts the same way you select your clothes every day. Now that's a power that you can cultivate. You want to come here and you want to control your life so bad work on the mind, and I don't think you should be trying to control a thing because if you can't master your thoughts you are in trouble forever."  

A simple truth..master your thoughts first, then you can master your life.  How often do we let negatives control our lives, attitudes, and daily moods.  We let others control our emotions because we can't control our own.  Everyone I know has issues and will from time to time let those issues get the best of them which leads to comments said out of anger or frustration.  Sometimes, we're in a place of sensitivity so even the slightest comment can set us off into an emotional maelstrom because we're already on the ledge.  But think of the possibilities if we can master our thoughts and consequently our emotions.  Becoming your own master means having a deeper understanding and for that matter, a higher tolerance of others.  It's knowing that there are two sides to every story.  It's also knowing that it's okay if something or some action is illogical and inexplicable.  It's one of life's mysteries.  Deal with it.  Mastering one's thoughts means Accepting.

Richard goes on to say “If you could clear you all that space in your mind, you would have a doorway. And you know what the universe would do? Rush in.”  That's what happens when you learn to accept and to allow things to happen and to master your thoughts.

Praying for guidance and strength  and making the decision that life is about choosing will further one's ability to be their own master and commander of their life.  The possibilities are endless.  Would you rather choose a life of misery, resentment, guilt and regrets?  I think not.  Life is so much better when it's about giving, sharing, loving, and being happy.  All things that one can choose to do or be.  So please choose wisely.

This is part 2 of a 3 part series inspired by that chick flick, Eat, Pray, Love.  If you haven't seen it,  borrow it from a lady friend (who will keep it confidential if you're a guy and stick it in a brown bag so nobody busts you). Thanks for stopping by.