BEST of PONDER on THIS for Monday, December 24th, 2012 by Joseph Campbell in REFLECTIONS ON THE ART OF LIVING BY DIANE K. OSBON

“When we talk about settling the world’s problems,
we’re barking up the wrong tree.
The world is perfect. It’s a mess.
It has always been a mess.
We are not going to change it.
Our job is to straighten out our own lives.”

Joseph Campbell, in “Reflections on the Art of Living: A Joseph Campbell Companion” by Diane K. Osbon

For more information about this book visit Amazon.

Jeff MJeff Maziarek, author of Spirituality Simplified and Codi’s Journey, launched Pondercentral.com in April 2007 as a Web-based forum for “PONDER on THIS,” a series of weekday inspirational email messages he began sending to subscribers in March 1999. A FREE service since its inception, “PONDER on THIS” provides subscribers with meaningful content to assist them on their individual paths of spiritual growth. In addition, it benefits subscribers, authors, and publishers by including links to Amazon.com where subscribers can learn more about the book being quoted, and also purchase it.

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BEST of PONDER on THIS for Friday, December 21st, 2012 by Jeff Maziarek in SPIRITUALITY SIMPLIFIED

“As you proceed in your spiritual growth, you will eventually reach the point where you come to understand a simple but powerful truth about forgiveness – that in order to forgive, you must have first assigned blame. Once you do accept that at some level you do attract (or create) everything that you experience in your life, there is no longer any need to forgive anyone.

Reaching this level of awareness takes time, of course, for some nasty things can happen to you that you certainly would not have consciously chosen. Yet…the real reason you experience negative “surprises” in your life is that you are not always conscious of the signals (i.e., thoughts, feelings) you are sending out into the world. If you are unable to accept this premise, then understand that whenever you blame, you only weaken yourself. Why? Because you put yourself into a position where both your feelings and your state-of-mind are always at the mercy of someone else’s behavior.

It is therefore far better to accept complete responsibility for your life, and acknowledge that whatever circumstances you encounter contain within them a valuable lesson that you most definitely need to learn.”

Jeff Maziarek, in “Spirituality Simplified”

For more information about this book visit Amazon.

Jeff MJeff Maziarek, author of Spirituality Simplified and Codi’s Journey, launched Pondercentral.com in April 2007 as a Web-based forum for “PONDER on THIS,” a series of weekday inspirational email messages he began sending to subscribers in March 1999. A FREE service since its inception, “PONDER on THIS” provides subscribers with meaningful content to assist them on their individual paths of spiritual growth. In addition, it benefits subscribers, authors, and publishers by including links to Amazon.com where subscribers can learn more about the book being quoted, and also purchase it.

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PONDER on THIS for Thursday, December 20th, 2012 by Jeremy E. McDonald in PEACE BE STILL

“Most of us want to debate what we know, or believe. We continue to debate and defend with others about how we believe. This is because we have a struggle and a debate still going on inside of us. What we do is debate with ourselves. Our mirror and what others mirror back, are the insecurities we have with our own belief system. If we have to defend something, then we are not strong in how we believe. If we were strong in how we believed, there would be no need to defend it. Our solid foundation in who we are and what we know would be strong enough; it would not need debate.”

Jeremy E. McDonald, in “Peace Be Still”

For more information about this book visit Amazon.

Jeff MJeff Maziarek, author of Spirituality Simplified and Codi’s Journey, launched Pondercentral.com in April 2007 as a Web-based forum for “PONDER on THIS,” a series of weekday inspirational email messages he began sending to subscribers in March 1999. A FREE service since its inception, “PONDER on THIS” provides subscribers with meaningful content to assist them on their individual paths of spiritual growth. In addition, it benefits subscribers, authors, and publishers by including links to Amazon.com where subscribers can learn more about the book being quoted, and also purchase it.

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BEST of PONDER on THIS for Wednesday, December 19th, 2012 by John Randolph Price in LIVING A LIFE OF JOY

“Without true Self-identity we’ll find that living for the fun of it is nothing more than an impossible dream. And the nose goes back to the grindstone, the heavy backpack of responsibilities is shouldered once again, and the trudge through the quicksand of life continues. Hopeless futility? Inevitable hardships? Only if that’s what we choose – and we do have a choice.

To turn our lives around takes only a moment of decision, a commitment, and the process of transformation has begun. Begin right now. We’ll let the child come out to play without worrying about images or impressions, and we’ll let the “esteem” part of self apply only to that highest aspect of our being. We’re going to stop being concerned about how others see us – I am who I am – and we’re not going to try to change to meet anyone else’s expectations.”

John Randolph Price, in “Living a Life of Joy”

For more information about this book visit Amazon.

Jeff MJeff Maziarek, author of Spirituality Simplified and Codi’s Journey, launched Pondercentral.com in April 2007 as a Web-based forum for “PONDER on THIS,” a series of weekday inspirational email messages he began sending to subscribers in March 1999. A FREE service since its inception, “PONDER on THIS” provides subscribers with meaningful content to assist them on their individual paths of spiritual growth. In addition, it benefits subscribers, authors, and publishers by including links to Amazon.com where subscribers can learn more about the book being quoted, and also purchase it.

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PONDER on THIS for Tuesday, December 18th, 2012 by Ernie Bringas in JESUSGATE

“If you’re familiar with Winnie the Pooh (who isn’t), then you’re familiar with Tigger too…He’s the only one! And that’s precisely what he unabashedly declares when he sings his catchy little tune:

The wonderful thing about Tiggers, is a wonderful, wonderful, thing.
Their tops are made out of rubber, their bottoms are made out of springs…but
The wonderful thing about Tiggers is that I’m the only one!

Those last four words fit Tigger just fine. But these are arrogant and misguided words when they come from anyone who assumes that their “holy” book or religious leader is the only one or the only way. Sadly, the Tigger syndrome (I’m the only one) appears to be the main ingredient of most religious brews. Common sense, however, should tell believers of these various faiths that they all can’t be right in their assertions of possessing God’s ultimate truth, especially when they contradict each other. But I guess common sense is no match for the “voice” of God that they all claim to be hearing. After all, once they have God in their pocket, there’s nothing left to discuss.”

Ernie Bringas, in “Jesusgate, A History of Concealment Unraveled”

For more information about this book visit Amazon.

Jeff MJeff Maziarek, author of Spirituality Simplified and Codi’s Journey, launched Pondercentral.com in April 2007 as a Web-based forum for “PONDER on THIS,” a series of weekday inspirational email messages he began sending to subscribers in March 1999. A FREE service since its inception, “PONDER on THIS” provides subscribers with meaningful content to assist them on their individual paths of spiritual growth. In addition, it benefits subscribers, authors, and publishers by including links to Amazon.com where subscribers can learn more about the book being quoted, and also purchase it.

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BEST of PONDER on THIS for Monday, December 17th, 2012 by Fr. Anthony DeMello in WALKING ON WATER

“Ambition is a brainwashing that has been done on us! We’ve been told that unless we have ambition, we won’t do anything. The energy and delight in work have been forgotten. When an archer shoots for no particular reason, he applies all his skill.  When he shoots to win the gold, he becomes blind, loses his reason, sees two targets. It’s not his ability that has changed, but the prize. He is more concerned about winning than about shooting. And the need to win has hollowed out his power. Ambition has taken away his power.”

Fr. Anthony DeMello, in “Walking on Water”

For more information about this book visit Amazon.

Jeff MJeff Maziarek, author of Spirituality Simplified and Codi’s Journey, launched Pondercentral.com in April 2007 as a Web-based forum for “PONDER on THIS,” a series of weekday inspirational email messages he began sending to subscribers in March 1999. A FREE service since its inception, “PONDER on THIS” provides subscribers with meaningful content to assist them on their individual paths of spiritual growth. In addition, it benefits subscribers, authors, and publishers by including links to Amazon.com where subscribers can learn more about the book being quoted, and also purchase it.

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BEST of PONDER on THIS for Friday, December 14th, 2012 by Jeff Maziarek in SPIRITUALITY SIMPLIFIED

“The reality is that you, as well as every other person in the world, have unique, innate skills that crave to be expressed. While you may doubt this to be true, remember that the God-Force literally threw away the blueprint when you were created, so there is no one in this entire world who can express themselves in exactly the same way. Others might argue that there was no way that anyone would pay them for doing what they love, or that there aren’t enough opportunities available in their area of interest. In response to that, consider this next quotation from Dr. Wayne Dyer:

“There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love, there is only scarcity of resolve to make it happen. Whatever you love doing more than anything else has built within it an opportunity to make a living at it, even though you may not believe it. Your fears of doing what you truly love are based on a belief that you are going to go broke and be unable to pay your bills and meet your family responsibilities. Not so!…If you have always paid your bills, why would you suddenly become the kind of person who does not?”

Once you do make the decision to do what you love to do, you move into right alignment with the Universe. This in turn, opens the door for all kinds of new energies and opportunities to migrate towards you. The reason is simple, as you do what you love you emit a positive energy that will attract the necessary people and circumstances to assist you on your path.

As for concerns about meeting your financial obligations, Dyer is right. If you have always been a responsible person, why all of a sudden would you become irresponsible?”

Jeff Maziarek, in “Spirituality Simplified”

For more information about this book visit Amazon.

Jeff MJeff Maziarek, author of Spirituality Simplified and Codi’s Journey, launched Pondercentral.com in April 2007 as a Web-based forum for “PONDER on THIS,” a series of weekday inspirational email messages he began sending to subscribers in March 1999. A FREE service since its inception, “PONDER on THIS” provides subscribers with meaningful content to assist them on their individual paths of spiritual growth. In addition, it benefits subscribers, authors, and publishers by including links to Amazon.com where subscribers can learn more about the book being quoted, and also purchase it.

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PONDER on THIS for Thursday, December 13th, 2012 by Pete Koerner in THE BELIEF FORMULA

“We all know what we know. Or do we? The truth is that we each only know what we have been told. When that information serves us – great! Most of the time, however, what we have been taught only leads to lives filled with pain, suffering, and misfortune; it is a sad fact that most people are simply not happy and healthy because they were taught WHAT to think rather than WHAT thinking IS. If your life isn’t working for you, try learning some new things; try asking yourself what kinds of things interest you – we tend to think differently when we are interested in a thing. We tend to think about the things we are interested in the way we should be thinking all the time – positively and creatively.”

Pete Koerner, in “The Belief Formula”

For more information about this book visit Amazon.

Jeff MJeff Maziarek, author of Spirituality Simplified and Codi’s Journey, launched Pondercentral.com in April 2007 as a Web-based forum for “PONDER on THIS,” a series of weekday inspirational email messages he began sending to subscribers in March 1999. A FREE service since its inception, “PONDER on THIS” provides subscribers with meaningful content to assist them on their individual paths of spiritual growth. In addition, it benefits subscribers, authors, and publishers by including links to Amazon.com where subscribers can learn more about the book being quoted, and also purchase it.

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BEST of PONDER on THIS for Wednesday, December 12th, 2012 by Chin-Ning Chu in THICK FACE, BLACK HEART

“The path to wealth is not to chase money for its own sake, but to understand and develop your own intrinsic talents and inclinations. You must seek a livelihood that allows you to do what you were intended to do and one that brings you joy. If you do, the money will take care of itself. Too often we select a job because it pays well or offers security. But no matter how well a job pays initially or how secure it makes you feel, it will turn out to be a dead end unless it is in line with your own particular talents. It will eventually rob you of your enthusiasm and creative brilliance. At best, you will become mediocre and your rewards will likewise be mediocre.”

Chin-Ning Chu, in “Thick Face, Black Heart”

For more information about this book visit Amazon.

Jeff MJeff Maziarek, author of Spirituality Simplified and Codi’s Journey, launched Pondercentral.com in April 2007 as a Web-based forum for “PONDER on THIS,” a series of weekday inspirational email messages he began sending to subscribers in March 1999. A FREE service since its inception, “PONDER on THIS” provides subscribers with meaningful content to assist them on their individual paths of spiritual growth. In addition, it benefits subscribers, authors, and publishers by including links to Amazon.com where subscribers can learn more about the book being quoted, and also purchase it.

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PONDER on THIS for Tuesday, December 11th, 2012 by John St. Augustine in LIVING AN UNCOMMON LIFE

“People are desperate to know that their loved ones have crossed the threshold of death and that they are well and did not suffer. I am fascinated with our fascination with contacting those who have gone before us. As I watch these shows go through the motions of connecting with the dearly departed and help bring closure or enlightenment or whatever to the living, it dawns on me why people flock to this type of thing: guilt.

At the risk of making a blanket statement – and, certainly, there are exceptions – most of us are too busy to really connect with the people in our lives until it’s too late. Or we spend our very precious little time on Earth majoring in minor things with those close to us. Then, when the bell sounds the death knell, we seek out ways to know that the dearly departed are all right or that we are forgiven for some transgression – one that we most likely had the opportunity to clear up in person, but did not do so.

Death has a way of bringing forth what is important. No doubt, it’s a shock to lose a child or a spouse or a parent – and finding some type of relief is good for the soul. But it is also good for the soul to take the moments we have and make the most of them.”

John St. Augustine, in “Living an Uncommon Life”

For more information about this book visit Amazon.

Jeff MJeff Maziarek, author of Spirituality Simplified and Codi’s Journey, launched Pondercentral.com in April 2007 as a Web-based forum for “PONDER on THIS,” a series of weekday inspirational email messages he began sending to subscribers in March 1999. A FREE service since its inception, “PONDER on THIS” provides subscribers with meaningful content to assist them on their individual paths of spiritual growth. In addition, it benefits subscribers, authors, and publishers by including links to Amazon.com where subscribers can learn more about the book being quoted, and also purchase it.

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BEST of PONDER on THIS for Monday, December 10th, 2012 by Albert Schweitzer in THE SEARCH FOR MEANING

“You know the disease in Central Africa called sleeping sickness…There also exists a sleeping sickness of the soul. Its most dangerous aspect is that one is unaware of its coming. That is why you have to be careful. As soon as you notice the slightest sign of indifference, the moment you become aware of the loss of a certain seriousness, of longing, of enthusiasm and zest, take it as a warning. You should realize your soul suffers if you live superficially.”

Albert Schweitzer, in “The Search for Meaning”

Jeff MJeff Maziarek, author of Spirituality Simplified and Codi’s Journey, launched Pondercentral.com in April 2007 as a Web-based forum for “PONDER on THIS,” a series of weekday inspirational email messages he began sending to subscribers in March 1999. A FREE service since its inception, “PONDER on THIS” provides subscribers with meaningful content to assist them on their individual paths of spiritual growth. In addition, it benefits subscribers, authors, and publishers by including links to Amazon.com where subscribers can learn more about the book being quoted, and also purchase it.

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BEST of PONDER on THIS for Friday, December 7th, 2012 by Jeff Maziarek in SPIRITUALITY SIMPLIFIED

“Attachment [to tradition] is perhaps at the root of more conflict in the world than anything else. If you doubt this to be true, take a moment to consider most of the ongoing struggles in world, and you will find that “tradition” has something to do with them…more often than not folks are fighting about something that has absolutely nothing to do with the present moment! Interestingly, nobody on either side of the conflict stops to think about how illogical this behavior is, because they are simply too emotionally “wired-in” as a result of their conditioning.

Just because the people of a neighboring nation did some nasty deeds to your ancestors, or happen to practice a different religion than you, does not by any means justify going into battle against them today. The common retort to such a comment is that it is merely part of heritage of the various peoples; it cannot be helped: it is based on wounds that have festered over the centuries, blah, blah, blah. Yet, if you were to put a Jewish baby into a playpen with a Palestinian baby, or a Kosovar baby with a Serbian baby, it’s quite likely after some initial sorting out occurs that harmony would be the order of the day. In any event, they surely wouldn’t feel inspired to kill each other.

The way out of this attachment to tradition is obvious, and that is for adults to stop passing these negative teachings on to their offspring.”

Jeff Maziarek, in “Spirituality Simplified”

For more information about this book visit Amazon.

Jeff MJeff Maziarek, author of Spirituality Simplified and Codi’s Journey, launched Pondercentral.com in April 2007 as a Web-based forum for “PONDER on THIS,” a series of weekday inspirational email messages he began sending to subscribers in March 1999. A FREE service since its inception, “PONDER on THIS” provides subscribers with meaningful content to assist them on their individual paths of spiritual growth. In addition, it benefits subscribers, authors, and publishers by including links to Amazon.com where subscribers can learn more about the book being quoted, and also purchase it.

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PONDER on THIS for Thursday, December 6th, 2012 by Pete Koerner in THE BELIEF FORMULA

“When we are waiting for something, our attention often goes to the wait, or waiting, and how difficult or uncomfortable that phase is for us; this makes time seem to slowly creep by and we begin to think that our ship will never come in. Now, you see, the focus has shifted – due to impatience – from our desire to the lack of that thing. Don’t let time change what you are praying for (thinking about). This is the essential meaning of the saying, “A watched pot never boils.”n>

Pete Koerner, in “The Belief Formula”

For more information about this book visit Amazon.

Jeff MJeff Maziarek, author of Spirituality Simplified and Codi’s Journey, launched Pondercentral.com in April 2007 as a Web-based forum for “PONDER on THIS,” a series of weekday inspirational email messages he began sending to subscribers in March 1999. A FREE service since its inception, “PONDER on THIS” provides subscribers with meaningful content to assist them on their individual paths of spiritual growth. In addition, it benefits subscribers, authors, and publishers by including links to Amazon.com where subscribers can learn more about the book being quoted, and also purchase it.

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BEST of PONDER on THIS for Wednesday, December 5th, 2012 by Stuart Wilde in SILENT POWER

“Try not to lean into the future by talking or thinking about it constantly.  Instead, take time each day to make the “now” special, honoring what you do have and what you have achieved. Avoid what I call plan-itis. Endlessly making plans and talking about them – “one day, someday” – trashes your power and gets you nowhere – no results and no action.”

Stuart Wilde, in “Silent Power”

For more information about this book visit Amazon.

BONUS PONDER on THIS

“Truth is whatever you get people to believe.”

Tommy Smothers

Jeff MJeff Maziarek, author of Spirituality Simplified and Codi’s Journey, launched Pondercentral.com in April 2007 as a Web-based forum for “PONDER on THIS,” a series of weekday inspirational email messages he began sending to subscribers in March 1999. A FREE service since its inception, “PONDER on THIS” provides subscribers with meaningful content to assist them on their individual paths of spiritual growth. In addition, it benefits subscribers, authors, and publishers by including links to Amazon.com where subscribers can learn more about the book being quoted, and also purchase it.

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PONDER on THIS for Tuesday, December 4th, 2012 by Alan Cohen in RELAX INTO WEALTH

“For everything you want to sell, there is someone out there who wants to buy it. For everything you want to buy, there is someone who needs to sell it. The universe functions in perfect balance and timing. Do not be put off by momentary setbacks. Small or large issues may come up in the course of your transaction, but if you hold the vision and remember the big picture, when all is said and done, all well be taken care of. That’s divine order.”

Alan Cohen, in “Relax into Wealth”

For more information about this book visit Amazon.

BONUS PONDER on THIS

“The only way out is through.”

Alanis Morissette

Jeff MJeff Maziarek, author of Spirituality Simplified and Codi’s Journey, launched Pondercentral.com in April 2007 as a Web-based forum for “PONDER on THIS,” a series of weekday inspirational email messages he began sending to subscribers in March 1999. A FREE service since its inception, “PONDER on THIS” provides subscribers with meaningful content to assist them on their individual paths of spiritual growth. In addition, it benefits subscribers, authors, and publishers by including links to Amazon.com where subscribers can learn more about the book being quoted, and also purchase it.

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