How can we turn any criticism into our favour?

 

Criticism is often very hurtful because it brings out our shortcomings. Once we learn to deal with it, we can instead make it a reason to improve and become better.

When someone points out our limitations, we feel we are incapable. It hurts even more if we have already tried our best. We shouldn’t let other people’s opinions bring our morale down; instead, if we find it useful, make changes and improve ourselves.

To deal with criticism, you need to trust yourself. People will always have something to say; take notice of the ones you feel can help you learn and improve, and ignore those that don't help you grow.

Dr Bhawna Gautam

What life taught me to respect people

Life has taught me to respect people, their decisions and the boundaries they have laid out. It practically taught me to stay in my own lane most of the time. You don't go hurting people because you are more advantaged, learn to show kindness and be kind to yourself.  You cannot give out love if you actually don't love yourself in the first place. Loving yourself is accepting who you are unapologetically. It doesn't matter what people say or do behind or in front you, what matters is how you respond to them.  Don't allow anyone make you feel insignificant. It's better you cut away from anyone that is always trying hard to make you feel like a nobody. Your peace should be paramount always.

Toxic people are filled with toxicity, and as a result, they are incapable of loving themselves.

Choose today, to respect, know people's boundaries and work on yourself.

Prove to yourself, not to others, how valuable you are.

How does staying positive help us in difficult times?

 

Being positive does not mean that life's circumstances do not affect a person, but rather that he does not lose hope in any situation.

Every day in life, we have to face some challenges. If we look at any challenge from a negative perspective, even a small one becomes bigger, and our life becomes more difficult. But, when we look at it positively, we can easily overcome even the biggest challenges.

Be optimistic, look on the bright side, trust and believe in your strengths. With positive thinking, you will find solutions; with faith, you will remain hopeful; and with inner strength, you will overcome the situation.

Dr Bhawna Gautam

The relationships you should hold on to.

 

The relationships you should hold on to are the relationships that add value to your life.

It's time we sit down and evaluate the people who are closest to us. What value have we been able to impart or get from knowing this person?

Am I making any progress mentally and otherwise?

Do I spend quality time with this person talking about others, or do we share ideas that would benefit us?

There are so many reasons why somebody would decide to stay with you, it could be as a result of what they are getting from you, financially, spiritually, emotionally...but you need to figure out what they actually enjoy from your company.

What are you giving out in making your relationship fruitful? We have all been so busy that we hardly spend or create time in building a lasting relationship. Modern technology has helped in widening the gap because communication is mostly on phones.

No relationship last without both parties playing their roles effectively. It's not one-sided. Be the reason why someone wants to always be in your company,not only because they enjoy it, but because you have so much to give, in adding value to their life.

A wake up call to all and sundry, including myself.

#straighttalkwithlizkween

Measure your worth

 She smiled and said,

"You have been taught to measure your worth

By your youth

But consider this carefully:

Is your worth truly measured

By how little life you have lived?

Is your beauty truly measured

By how untouched your skin is?

And is your success truly measured

By how little progress you have made?

From the perspective of your soul.

You are completely timeless, ageless

And precious

At each stage of your ever-unfolding journey

For all who are young will be old

And all who are old have been young

As both are contained within the other,

And one is not superior to the other."

Words by Tahlia Hunter

PERSEVERE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

 Saturday of the Twenty-Fourth Week of Ordinary Time 1 (23 September 2023 - Memorial of St. Pius of Pietrelcina)

📖1 Tim 6:13-16; Ps 100:1-2, 3, 4, 5 (R.v.2b); Luke 8:4-15

🎤PERSEVERE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

At the end of the First Letter of St. Paul to Timothy, the apostle encouraged his audience, which now includes us, to hold on to the keeping of the commandments of God till the end, when Christ will come again (see 1 Tim 6:13-16). There are a number of things that can make us not to do so, and those things are well represented in the parable of the sower (cf.Luke 8:4-15).

There are some people who are under the manipulations of the devil and as such refuse to let the word of God to perpetrate them. They are like the seed planted by the path (Luke 8:5, 12).

Some others are always excited at the mention of God because they look forward to receiving favour from him. They are in every crusade and revivals, running from one Church to another, but possessing no strong faith in God. They are the seeds that fell on rock (Luke 8:6, 13).

Some are ever ready to temporarily forget about God insofar as some material things would enter their hands. They are ready to skip going to Church on Sundays that coincides with the market day, and may even be ready to become cultists. Quest for material things strangles the word of God in them like the seed that fell on thorns (Luke 8:7, 14).

Yet, there are those who allowed the word of God to perpetrate them, bearing good fruit in them, and guiding their way of life. They always see the hand of God in all that happens to them, both good and bad. They are like the seeds that fell on good soil (Luke 8:8, 15).

Where do you belong?

St. Pius of Pietrelcina, popularly known as Padre Pio, encourages us to seek God alone in humility and patience, and he will supply our needs in abundance. May God help us to accept his word at all times in our lives, and may it bear bountiful fruits in our lives through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have a favoured and fruitful weekend. Peace be with you.

http://www.fadajbcezeonwumelu.com/persevere-in-righteousness/