"Be the change you want to see in the world” – Mahatma Gandhi

Chaos cannot thrive where peace resides. If you are agitated by little disappointments you are probably angered by bigger letdowns and infuriated by greater disillusionments – you experience loss of self-control (chaos).

Believing that outside influences can MAKE you feel this way is to give away your power and deny the peaceful strength and godliness of your higher self. It is ego and fear that bends a peaceful inner posture and welcomes chaos in. Negative emotions are born of fear. Fear comes from something you experienced in your past – something that made you feel powerless. It may have been a tiny moment, something that might have gone unnoticed by someone else. Or it may have been something painful and huge that you could not stop or control. Either way, an event left a wound. Over time, if untended, wounds fester. When we’re talking about the human psyche, a fear-based infection often comes out as anger. Until the wound is looked at and treated, anger erupts and creates chaos. Life begins to look and feel unfair. "I had this bad thing happen to me, now, every time I turn around, more bad things happen. I can’t catch a break!” The more focused we are on the unfairness of life, the more fearful we become of the next bad thing happening. The more bad things that happen – the angrier we become. The cycle is created and set. A habit forms – I know something bad is coming, so, I’m going to be ready. I’ll show the world! If you try to kick me down, I’ll come at you like nobody’s business. Sometimes it even becomes the habit to "get them first.” "If the world won’t give me what I want, I’ll just storm in there (or sneak in there) and take it!” Chaos! Fear and anger creates CHAOS.

We talked last week about looking at our contracts – realizing that we invited…no, INVENTED…our challenges. When something comes along that challenges us, and we feel the habitual anger to begin to rise, heed those warning signs. In that moment, determine that you are going to react differently. Instead of preparing to do battle, prepare to be at peace. To be your very best, you have to step out of your comfort zone. If you’ve become comfortable with doing battle to take what you want or to punish others for not doing what you want, react differently.

Sometimes fear makes us feel guilty. That bad thing wouldn’t have happened if I’d been better, if I’d been stronger, if I’d…fill in the blank. Guilt and self-loathing invites chaos, too. Preparing for peace instead of preparing to do battle, on the other hand, fosters the spread of peace in our lives. It prepares for better outcomes. Our greater goal is to make this world more wonderful, more peaceful. We aren’t doing that if we are perpetuating fear and anger and guilt.

It is easy in difficult times to give in to negative thinking and complaining. Attitude, however, is essential to faith! Faith is conviction. It is believing with the heart and mind that all will work out to our highest good BEFORE having proof that it is. Now, to dis-invite chaos from our lives, we have to act peacefully even if we don’t FEEL peaceful. We have to make a conscious choice to ACT peaceful in stressful times to create a habit of being peaceful. Does that mean to be a door mat? No. It says to sidestep the battle. Find another way to receive your blessings…or be open to a different blessing that may be even better for you!

In 2nd Kings of the Bible a story is told of an army nearly dying of thirst in the desert. Elisha, the prophet, told King Jehoshaphat, that he should have the men dig ditches to catch rain. There was no sign of rain coming - no clouds, no moisture in the air, no breeze blowing. Elisha said that God would reward the king’s FAITH if he would dig. And so, they dug. The rain came and filled the ditches a soon as they were completed. Whether we’re talking about rain – or we’re talking about money or peace – we are told that if we set it in our minds THEN ACT accordingly, we will receive what we have prepared for.

Our minds must claim abundance and peace so our actions can move us in that direction so the blessings can come. Our minds have to think in the present, too. A blessing is not coming. It is here.

Thankfulness for good things brings the good things. "I AM so thankful that I have the perfect job for me.” "I am so thankful that my kids are doing well in school.” Other’s may say to you, "Are you crazy? You don’t have the perfect job.” "Your kids are doing lousy in school.” Continue to tell yourself, "God has blessed me with these things.” You aren’t crazy. Miracles are laid at your feet when you believe and act accordingly. Don’t turn your back on that sudden job offer, or the person who volunteers to tutor your kids.