BEST of PONDER on THIS for Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 by Rachel Naomi Remen in KITCHEN TABLE WISDOM

“Those who don’t love themselves as they are rarely love life as it is either. Most people have come to prefer certain of life’s experiences and deny and reject others, unaware of the hidden things that may come wrapped in plain or even ugly paper. In avoiding all pain and seeking comfort at all cost, we may be left without intimacy or compassion; in rejecting change and risk we often cheat ourselves of the quest; in denying our suffering we may never know our strength or our greatness. Or even that the love we have been given can be trusted.

It is natural, even instinctive to prefer comfort to pain, the familiar to the unknown. But sometimes our instincts are not wise. Life usually offers us far more than our biases and preferences will allow us to have. Beyond comfort lie grace, mystery, and adventure. We may need to let go of our beliefs and ideas about life in order to have life.”

Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D., in “Kitchen Table Wisdom”

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.

Posted in Self-love | Tagged , | Comments Off on BEST of PONDER on THIS for Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 by Rachel Naomi Remen in KITCHEN TABLE WISDOM

PONDER on THIS for Monday, April 5th, 2010 by John St. Augustine in EVERY MOMENT MATTERS

“In the classic Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill alluded to the presence of an “unseen Guide” whose sole purpose is to put all manner of obstacles in our path, with only one of two results. Either we become stronger and develop persistence, patience, and a burning desire to succeed with a strong inner sense of purpose, or the challenge makes us weak, fearful, impatient, and have little sense of direction or purpose in life. The bottom line is that what seems to be a setback is actually a setup, if we choose to see it that way. It’s not a perspective that happens right away – and some take longer than others to acquire it – but the only way we can develop that insight is to navigate the potholes of life, perfectly laid out for us to deal with sooner or later.”

John St. Augustine, in “Every Moment Matters”

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.

Posted in Persistence | Tagged , | Comments Off on PONDER on THIS for Monday, April 5th, 2010 by John St. Augustine in EVERY MOMENT MATTERS

PONDER on THIS for Friday, April 2nd, 2010 by Pete Koerner in THE BELIEF FORMULA

“Prayers for something to happen someday in the future will happen some day in the future; unfortunately for you, you will never be in the future. It is critical that you visualize the realization of your desire – the answer to your prayer. Visualize this as if it has already happened and you will, if you believe, see your answer. Notice that in the prayer forms we will look at, the requests are more like gratitude for something that has already occurred than they are like wishes for something to happen. Visualize your fulfillment, visualize your joy at receiving what you asked for, ask believing, be grateful for having already received it, and then release your prayer with faith that it has come to pass.”

Pete Koerner, in “The Belief Formula”

For more information about this book visit 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.

Posted in Belief, Faith, Prayer, Surrender | Tagged , | Comments Off on PONDER on THIS for Friday, April 2nd, 2010 by Pete Koerner in THE BELIEF FORMULA

BEST of PONDER on THIS for Thursday, April 1st, 2010 by Paul Ferrini in THE SILENCE OF THE HEART

“The best that linear, sequential thinking can give you is a map of your potential experience. But it cannot guide you through that experience. When you are in the midst of the experience, there are signs that help you out. The detour sign tells you when there is a need for change of direction. Highway signs tell you to get in the right lane or the left. There are signs telling you where there are places to eat, to sleep or to get gas. Without reading those signs you could not have a successful experience.

Signs come from the interface between outer and inner reality. They are created through our intuitive connection with life. Signs happen only in the present moment. You don’t get a sign that says “go right tomorrow or sometime next month.” The sign says go right now or very soon. Signs show you how to navigate in the here and now. They are extremely useful and important. Unfortunately, they are almost totally neglected by the left brain, linear mind.

When you go on a journey, a map can be very helpful. Left brain information can help you to prepare. But once you embark, signs are a necessity. Are you paying attention to the signs that arise in your life? Or are you trying to do your life with a map alone?”

Paul Ferrini, in “The Silence of the 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.

Posted in Ponder on This Daily Inspiration | Tagged , | Comments Off on BEST of PONDER on THIS for Thursday, April 1st, 2010 by Paul Ferrini in THE SILENCE OF THE HEART

PONDER on THIS for Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 by Justine Toms in SMALL PLEASURES, FINDING GRACE IN A CHAOTIC WORLD

“There is no universal rule that tells us we have to wait until the end – of a workshop or a workday or a work year – to celebrate. We must choose celebration along the way. We don’t have to wait for those special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, or that long-awaited promotion. Nina Wise, a performance artist and teacher, tells the story of a time in a hotel room in India when she was feeling very lonely and isolated. Immersed in her sadness, suddenly she heard voices singing just outside her room. She looked out her window and saw the happy sounds were coming from some people who were living on the streets, who had very little in terms of material wealth. But there they were, celebrating the joy of one another’s company.

I suggest you take a piece of paper and write down these words: “What I love in my life is ________.” Take fifteen minutes and let yourself write whatever comes to mind. Don’t think about it; just let the words flow onto the page. This is a truly wonderful exercise to do with a circle of friends. After you write, read your list aloud to the circle or to a friend. I know you’ll be amazed at what comes to you. I’m sure it will lead to more fun in your life.”

Justine Toms, in “Small Pleasures, Finding Grace in a Chaotic World”

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.

Posted in Gratitude | Tagged , | Comments Off on PONDER on THIS for Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 by Justine Toms in SMALL PLEASURES, FINDING GRACE IN A CHAOTIC WORLD

BEST of PONDER on THIS for Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 by Fr. Anthony DeMello in AWARENESS

“Somebody came up to me with a question…He asked me,”Are you enlightened?” What do you think my answer was? What does it matter? You want a better answer? My answer would be:”How would I know? How would you know? What does it matter?”

You know something? If you want anything too badly, you’re in big trouble. You know something else? If I were enlightened and you listened to me because I was enlightened, then you’re in big trouble. Are you ready to be brainwashed by someone who’s enlightened? You can be brainwashed by anybody, you know. What does it matter whether someone is enlightened or not? But see, we want to lean on someone, don’’t we? We want to lean on anybody we think has arrived. We love to hear that people have arrived. It gives us hope, doesn’’t it? What do you want to hope for? Isn’t that another form of desire?

You want to hope for something better than what you have right now, don’t you? Otherwise you wouldn’t be hoping. But then, you forget that you have it all right now anyway, and you don’t know it. Why not concentrate on the now instead of hoping for better times in the future? Why not understand the now instead of forgetting it and hoping for the future? Isn’t the future just another trap?”

Fr. Anthony DeMello, in “Awareness”

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.

Posted in Attachment, Present Moment Awareness | Tagged , | Comments Off on BEST of PONDER on THIS for Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 by Fr. Anthony DeMello in AWARENESS

PONDER on THIS for Monday, March 29th, 2010 by Daphne Rose Kingma in THE TEN THINGS TO DO WHEN YOUR LIFE FALLS APART

“Persistence is the journey of effectiveness that allows you to hope. It is the energy that wants to get things done, to assist you in moving from crisis to solution. Persistence can take you from debt to solvency, from heartbreak to love, from sickness to health, from foreclosure to having a home. Emotionally, it can take you from fear to joy; spiritually, it can deliver you from despair to peace. So persist, be steadfast in your undertaking, for only the path consistently traveled can deliver you to the outcome you long for.

Whatever your battle, it’s never easy. The monsters never just slink back into the woods with their tails between their legs. They will fight you for every breath. There is a battle in this universe for every inch of light, and only those who persist will rise to behold the astonishing light of the sunrise.”

Daphne Rose Kingma in, “The Ten Things to Do When Your Life Falls Apart”

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.

Posted in Persistence | Tagged , | Comments Off on PONDER on THIS for Monday, March 29th, 2010 by Daphne Rose Kingma in THE TEN THINGS TO DO WHEN YOUR LIFE FALLS APART

PONDER on THIS for Friday, March 26th, 2010 by William L. Murtha in DYING FOR A CHANGE

Will Murtha: [Do] Our partners and relatives all tune into us on deeper levels of understanding? [Do}We all pick up the energy of emotions of those closest to us?

Voice of Higher Presence: No, not exactly. It is a fact that we all have this intuitive ability, for it is woven into our genes at birth, and it is embedded into our energy system. But, unfortunately, few people believe this is possible or try this principle out for themselves. A couple could be married for sixty years, but this means nothing if the love that they share is not unconditional. Only unconditional love between two parties allows the true relationship bridge of empathy to be fully used and engaged. Only then can two people connect on a deeper, more loving, soul level of understanding.

Will Murtha: Are you referring to soul mates?

Voice of Higher Presence: Not necessarily. What you may term a soul mate has been grossly misinterpreted. For many people, their life-long dream is to find their soul mate, a person who they naively imagine will fulfill all of their emotional, romantic and spiritual needs. Many hold the notion that there is only one person out there, a soul mate, who is waiting to come along and make their lives more loving and abundant.

I don’t want to shatter this myth, but soul mates come in many different guises and relationships. A soul mate is any person who plays a key role in one or more of the important relationships throughout your life. You will, therefore, have several soul mates in your lifetime, not just one.”

William L. Murtha, in “Dying for a Change”

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.

Posted in Ponder on This Daily Inspiration | Tagged , | Comments Off on PONDER on THIS for Friday, March 26th, 2010 by William L. Murtha in DYING FOR A CHANGE

BEST of PONDER on THIS for Thursday, March 25th, 2010 by Stuart Wilde in THE LITTLE MONEY BIBLE

“Show interest in life and humanity and people. When you meet people, ask them questions: Where were you born…Who are you…Are you married…Where do you live? Be there for them, listen, listen, listen to the answers. Concentrating on people is loving them, so agree to concentrate. That is emotional giving. It helps people feel more secure.

Then, never deprecate them or their efforts. At best, you might suggest, in a non-threatening way, some other course of action — one that might be stronger, more likely to succeed than the course they’ve embarked on. Never trash people or dump on them. Never say things that might hurt them or scare them. Always try to keep them safe.

Make these laws of giving a part of your code of living. You will fail as we all do, and you’ll get annoyed and lose it, but keep trying. For, in the end, you have to fall in love with life and yourself; and falling in love with humanity is one of the ways you learn to love yourself.”

Stuart Wilde, in “The Little Money Bible”

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.

Posted in Giving and Receiving | Tagged , | Comments Off on BEST of PONDER on THIS for Thursday, March 25th, 2010 by Stuart Wilde in THE LITTLE MONEY BIBLE

PONDER on THIS for Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 by Rhonda Byrne in THE SECRET

“I want to let you in on a secret to The Secret. The shortcut to anything you want in your life is to BE and FEEL happy now! It is the fastest way to bring money and anything else you want into your life. Focus on radiating out into the Universe those feelings of joy and happiness. When you do that, you will attract back to you all things that bring you joy and happiness, which will not only include an abundance of money, but everything else you are wanting.

You must radiate out the signal to bring back what you want. As you radiate out those feelings of happiness, they will be sent back to you as the pictures and experiences of your life. The law of attraction is reflecting back your innermost thoughts and feelings as your life.”

Rhonda Byrne, in “The Secret”

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.

Posted in Law of Attraction, Power of Positive Thinking | Tagged , | Comments Off on PONDER on THIS for Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 by Rhonda Byrne in THE SECRET

PONDER on THIS for Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 by Suzanne Scurlock-Durana in FULL BODY PRESENCE

“When we can stand back a bit from our problems to see from a broader perspective, it becomes clear that the underlying cause of much of our resistance boils down to one cause: our beliefs. Our beliefs about ourselves and the world are, for the most part, handed down to us from our families, communities, and culture. Not knowing any better, we blindly accept and internalize these, but our narrow, hand-me-down beliefs limit the perceptual lens through which we view the world.

It is important to keep in mind that no matter what our issue or problem seems to be, it is not likely that we are seeing it “as it is.” Our unexamined narrow view is selectively closed off to people and places, concepts and opinions, ideas and solutions that don’t fit within the scope of our lens. We cannot see what we cannot conceive of or what we reject.”

Suzanne Scurlock-Durana, in “Full Body Presence”

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.

Posted in Belief, Openmindedness | Tagged , | Comments Off on PONDER on THIS for Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 by Suzanne Scurlock-Durana in FULL BODY PRESENCE

PONDER on THIS for Monday, March 22nd, 2010 by Terry Cole-Whittaker in LIVE YOUR BLISS

“Unfortunately, many people make money their source and prosperity, and when they believe they do not have enough money to do what they want, they give up. Nothing is worse than not following our heart or doing our life’s work, because our enthusiasm and joy in living diminishes. What every person needs to know is that she has enough to go forward with her plans. And starting and continuing, even if this means taking the tiniest baby steps, guarantee that she will arrive at her desired destination while having a lovely time all the way.

Money is a tool we use. Money does not create our prosperity; we do, though our soul power, the power to co-create, the power behind our desires and natural genius to manifest what we need and want.”

Terry Cole-Whittaker, in “Live Your Bliss”

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.

Posted in Abundance, Doing What You Love, Money | Tagged , | Comments Off on PONDER on THIS for Monday, March 22nd, 2010 by Terry Cole-Whittaker in LIVE YOUR BLISS

PONDER on THIS for Friday, March 19th, 2010 by Misa Hopkins in THE ROOT OF ALL HEALING

“Taking responsibility for everything that happens in your life is one of the steps to claiming your power and experiencing a complete healing. Once you truly embrace your journey and take full responsibility for your life, it would feel pretty harsh to do so without compassion. After all, you have been a human being who for the most part has probably been doing your best. You have probably created some moments you are proud of and some moments that still bring you shame. In order to deal with the shame, you need to consider how your own wounded motivations have been driving your feelings and choices. Once you acknowledge the wounded person who made the choices you are not proud of, you may find yourself able to feel compassion for yourself, thereby releasing the past and fully embracing your new state of realization, as well as compassion for others.”

Misa Hopkins, in “The Root of All Healing”

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.

Posted in Self-love, Taking Responsibility | Tagged , | Comments Off on PONDER on THIS for Friday, March 19th, 2010 by Misa Hopkins in THE ROOT OF ALL HEALING

BEST of PONDER on THIS for Thursday, March 18th, by Neale Donald Walsch in FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD

“Even if you manage to eliminate need from your relationship with each other, and with Me, you may still have to struggle with expectation. This is a state in which you have an idea that someone else in your life is to perform in a particular way, is going to show up as who you think they are, or who you think they should be.

Like need, expectation is deadly. Expectation reduces freedom, and freedom is the essence of love. When you love someone, you grant them total freedom to be who they are, for this is the greatest gift you could give them, and love always gives the greatest gift.

It is the gift that I give you, yet you cannot imagine that I am giving it to you, because you cannot imagine a love so great. So you have decided that I must have given you the freedom to do only the things that I want you to do. Yes, your religions say that I give you the freedom to do anything, to make any choice that you wish. Yet I ask you again: if I torture you endlessly and damn you eternally for making a choice I did not want you to make, have I made you free?”

God, as spoken to Neale Donald Walsch, “Friendship with God”

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.

Posted in Freewill choice | Tagged , | Comments Off on BEST of PONDER on THIS for Thursday, March 18th, by Neale Donald Walsch in FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD

PONDER on THIS for Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 by John St. Augustine in EVERY MOMENT MATTERS

“What is it that speaks to us and says, “go back” or “turn left”? I suppose it has many names – intuition, the inner voice or guide – but those are just human terms for something that seems to be more “being” than “human,” and also seems to get easier to hear the more connected we become to the inner world. For me, it was on a walk, but it has also happened while I am driving or very tired, when my resistance to inner instruction is very low. Strangely, this inner guide always has our best interests in “mind,” for lack of a better term.

Here is what I know about this force or guidance: When I listen to it, really listen and get it, then all manner of events fall together in perfect harmony and cadence. The time that it takes becomes irrelevant because that still, small voice seems not to operate on the man-made time zones we are all used to. Even with all the evidence presented here and the scores of other times when that which is within beckons me, I still sometimes balk when the unseen mentor suggests a course of action or change in my life. It’s a tough gig, this human thing, but the “being” part of me delights in watching me grow.”

John St. Augustine, in “Every Moment Matters”

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.

Posted in Intuition | Tagged , | Comments Off on PONDER on THIS for Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 by John St. Augustine in EVERY MOMENT MATTERS