Monica Maartens - Edenrising

CAREER

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

As we reach the end of our schooling and teenage years, our free ride starts coming to an end. Hopefully we have leant something about responsibility, like caring for a pet, keeping our room tidy, working with our pocket money in a sensible way, etc because soon we are going to put up our own home which brings a whole new set of responsibilities. Our tree of life is going to branch into many different directions which all need equal attention. Most of us enter into adulthood with no foundation of what it entails and battle tremendously. Our school education does little to prepare us for the big world out there, so all we have is what we have seen and learnt at home, but for most part we don't know how to budget, work with finances or how to fit into the corporate world. There is an entire life ahead of us, the world spread out before us, we have to start earning an income and provide for ourselves and soon probably a family of our own. Continually keep the fires burning. Looking at a career choice is far more than a job and an income - it becomes a way of life. As we spend seven to nine hours every day in our workplace, we need to at least enjoy what we do to gain financially, otherwise we become terribly miserable and unhappy. We should carefully select from the immense choice of directions something that will suit our nature and personality. In childhood our choices change many times, we want to be this and that and the next thing, but how much do we really know about the actual day to day job.... what we are required to do? In the material world there may be sacrifices we must make for advancement. What are they and are we willing to make them and more importantly, can we live with ourselves after we have made them? Any profession takes training and the first few years are used up equipping ourselves for the life ahead. Every time we change our mind, we are delayed and need to start again. Certain jobs are more of a mission in life, expecting us to give a lot of ourselves, sacrificing family time for the sake of gain. Can we do this? What is more important to us? We are all born for a purpose greater than work and back and when we establish what that is, we will be in line with our true calling and find happiness and contentment in all we do. When we go against it, we will continually be pulled in different directions fighting with frustrations, blockages and anger. Search deep inside for our true mission and purpose and follow those paths. Keeping in mind to ensure a balance between work and family, we need time to play and spend with loved ones for they are the cement of a family......©

Tomorrow...how past "mischief" and actions may have an influence on career paths......

BE HAPPY ABOVE ALL

THE FUTURE

The future lays out its spread,

our entire life stretches ahead,

we need to choose a direction,

make an important decision.

What shall we do with our days,

which paths shall pave our ways,

the greatest success to achieve,

is love and joy to receive.

Whatever we choose to do,

happiness we ought to pursue,

we spend so much time in our labour,

make sure it is something we savour.

To enjoy what we do brings great pleasure,

filling out days with delightful treasure,

we don't want to have to look back,

with sorrow and regret at our lack.

So choose what it is we enjoy,

so happiness and laughter we deploy,

life will unfold in success,

as continually we will progress. ©

WELCOMING TRIALS

TESTS IN LIFE

We can look at trials and tests in life as being victimized, tormented and targeted by some 'unknown, invisible, enemy', OR WE CAN SEE IT AT TRAINING TO DEVELOP OUR SKILLS AND ABILITIES, as preparation to give us the knowledge and deep insight we need into situation which occur in life. In my experience most people say :"go with the flow, don't make waves, it's fate, it's destiny, it's just the way life is, grin and bear it, etc, etc, etc." Very few can give us the reasons behind it and so we battle through life....falling from hole to the next... Our attitude towards these tests will determine the outcome, either we dig in and overcome each test becoming conquerors or it's going to drag us into the dungeons of darkness with confusion, frustration, anger and depression. When we feel helpless in the face of a storm, the storm takes control and wins leaving us battered, broken and torn. Then we need to do damage control with the long outdrawn battle of putting the pieces back together again. Already we are so exhausted with fighting the storm that we may just sink into the darkness and be overcome. When we see all events as opportunities to grow and learn more, finding within the depths the purpose and meaning of it all, seeking knowledge and information on it, the secrets and mysteries of life are revealed. Every event and situation is a seed and it's up to us to plant it, water it and make it grow to its full potential. A seed is only a seed until it starts to sprout and grow into which it is meant to be, because it is in the growth that the true purpose of it is revealed - when we are busy unravelling the circumstances surrounding us, we are actively busy gaining insight and we have no fear. Fear doesn't even come into the picture simply BECAUSE OUR CONCENTRATION IS ON OVERCOMING AND REVEALING WHAT IS HIDDEN IN THE DARKNESS....WE ARE BUSY. Fear is an enormous factor in the lives of those who sit and DO NOTHING. EVERYTHING SEEMS LARGER THAN LIFE. When we take the first step into seeking answers, reasons, purposes, it breaks down into much smaller sections, and what used to loom like a mountain in front of us has now become a collection of little mole hills, quite manageable..... BECAUSE WE ARE ACTIVELY DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT, ALL THE TIME EXPANDING OUR KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND WISDOM. WE ARE GROWING A GARDEN OF SEEDS IN LIFE AND THEREFORE WE ARE MOVING FORWARD AND NOT TREADING IN THE MUD MAKING THE HOLE DEEPER AND DEEPER. SO GET ACTIVE - START LIVING THE EXPERIENCES OFFERED AND MOVE AHEAD......©

OVERCOMING DREAD

BECOMING EQUIPPED

Take every test as a challenge to win,

embrace every trial to overcome all sin,

attach it to experience as we learn to swim,

or float when the waves become too grim.

While the storms in life batter and beat,

we calmly continue its strength to defeat,

we keep ourselves busy finding its meaning,

moving to the center all to be seeing.

Every test and trial is preparation ,

to equip us for all and any situation,

without any fear we move ahead,

using knowledge and wisdom to delete the dread.

We live the experience of life to the full,

not allowing the storms to break our will,

we activity defuse any explosive situation,

rising above with fresh inspiration. ©

DON'T CHEAT YOURSELF

HOLD FAST

When we have a moral compass it is not too difficult to draw a line and stand strong against the storms that rage. It really is a matter of weights on the scales of righteousness. When an offer is presented, we weigh it with our conscience before entering in. Is what we are about to do acceptable behaviour, will we do it in clear sight of others, is it going to bring us or our family shame, disgrace and embarrassment, is it going to hurt anyone in any way - emotionally, physically, mentally, financially or spiritually. When things are done above board, it is open in the light and clearly visible, there is nothing that needs to be hidden. The moment we are pushed in to a corner or pressurized to make rash decisions suddenly without the opportunity to check it out and do our research - it is often a trap and turns into a disaster......stay away from it. There is a philosophy in life.....IF IT IS MEANT FOR US IT WILL GIVE US THE TIME OR COME PAST AGAIN WHEN WE ARE MORE PREPARED AND READY. DON'T BE PUSHED INTO A PLACE YOU DON'T FEEL READY TO OCCUPY. IF IT REALLY IS THAT IMPORTANT IT WILL WAIT FOR YOU OR COME BY AGAIN. Some things we learn as we go along, but some we need to prepare for, because we have to lay a proper foundation otherwise it falls to pieces half way through then have a lot of mess to clear up, wasting an enormous amount of time and effort. We can't put the cart before the horse, because then that cart is going nowhere. Building a successful life is very much the same as building a house.....a solid foundation is dug up and laid first, then strong bricks are selected and the right cement at the right mix is used to attach the bricks.....guide lines are strung up to build a straight wall, measurements are taken to leave place for the windows and doors.....none of it is guess work, a proper plan is drawn from which we build. It is amazing that we take so much care planning material gain and so little planning emotional development. Life's foundation is purity, the bricks we select are virtues that become our values, the labour we use is truth and we cement it with love, because love does not cause harm and therefore we will have no comebacks that cause our lives to crumble and fall. We can yield when it does not defile our virtues, morals or values, for there are many ways to reach our destination. The moment we are expected to sacrifice our honour, decency,

respect and values, we stand like a solid rock and don't give an inch. This too shall pass.......©

Tomorrow.....being tested....

DO IT RIGHT

DON'T BOW

Let not the honourable man bow to darkness,

virtues and values feed our humaneness,

always weigh the pro's and con's,

chase away the evils and wrongs.

Do not bow to vices that bite,

stick to what you know is right,

do not allow threats to deter your way,

truth and righteousness will save the day.

Dig in deeply to uncover the core,

bring all the darkness to the fore,

use the protection of Godly wisdom,

thereby retaining your precious freedom.

What is meant to be, will surely be,

it will come again when you are free,

don't be pushed into rash decisions,

take your time to do your revisions.

Monica Maartens © 16/10/2017

EVER CHANGING

KEEPING OUR HEADS

Life is so packed with many different routes to follow, it is very easy to be pulled into various directions, without even realizing it, at any one time, causing us to become panicky and losing our heads when the ride becomes too fast, not knowing what to hold on to or what to let go. As we gain more and more knowledge and experience so our truths develop and grow, forever changing. We should never hold on to philosophies and teachings simply because yesterday's knowledge becomes today's compost on the new experiences we gain - they change as we delve deeper , higher and wider. It starts from a seed, then roots itself in deeply, then grows and makes branches, leaves and flowers, eventually fruits as it becomes our words and deeds.....all totally different to the appearance of the seed. The truth of the seed remains in the seed, but as it grows it expands and develops into many different uses and views and we need to remain open to these 'changes'. The real truth lays in the nourishment of the fruit - the proof of the truth lays in the practical use of the growth of the seed. We need a fool proof recipe to use throughout life, that will work under any condition in all circumstances. Now what would that be? What is going to keep us firmly anchored through the storms that bash and beat around our heads? When we are implanted with morals and virtues from a young age, we have a clear vision that cuts right through all the lures and temptations. We have a solid foundation on which to build our lives. Virtues and morals are one thing that doesn't change : honour, moral excellence, righteousness, courage, valour, goodness, purity and the likes. It is like love and faith, it doesn't come in measure, it's either there or it is not, period. It is a complete unit. When we plant any seed in the soil of purity and feed it with the water of love, it will branch forth into righteousness, goodness, justice, fairness and bear the fruits of joy, peace, kindness, mercy, compassion, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, deep happiness and contentment, regardless of the circumstances - these qualities will be the POWER OVER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. Events and situations mustn't throw us from pillar to post causing us to lose our heads in the turmoil and confusion that it brings with it. Our virtues will be like a sharp sword controlling the circumstances to fit into our morals and virtues. We don't cheapen and sell out on virtues and morals but stand solidly in them, they always win. We're the person and the person is in control of the situation. WHEN WE HAVE A SOLID FOUNDATION - A SAFETY NET - A MORAL GUIDE LINE TO WORK ON, WE WILL BE ABLE TO ADAPT AND YIELD WITHOUT BREAKING UNDER PRESSURE AND LOSING OUR HEADS.....©

Tomorrow....when to yield and when to stand.....

LOSING OUR HEADS

TEST OF TIME

In life that's so varied with many choices to make,

so many adventures and explorations to undertake,

how shall we know what will make or break,

what shall we bypass and what shall we take.

It's so easy to lose our head,

when the platter of life lays out its spread,

we need a recipe that stands the test of time,

so wherever we venture it will keep us in line.

Herbs and plants start life from a seed,

sprouting roots and leaves to provide in our need,

it completely changes as it grows,

from out of the seed its nourishment flows.

So too the knowledge is a seed of wisdom,

as it is used it nurtures our freedom,

based on virtues it releases is treasures,

changing our lives into magnificent pleasures.

DIFFERENT LIVES

BEING JUDGMENTAL

There are so many passages and journeys in life and we are all so individual in our perception and understanding of circumstances that we can't really judge each other. It is said that our paths are written for us before we are even born, and we need to travel on certain paths to gain the knowledge, insight and experience we need to do what we need to do. So....just because we are on certain paths, doesn't make us lost, bad, evil or misinformed.....we have been guided onto these paths intentionally to gain the deep insight only experience can bring. Reading about something and actually experiencing it are world's apart. The most we can do is share our experiences so it is out in the open and others can take from it what they need to find their way around. One of the 'games' in life is to get from start to finish without falling into bondage of any kind, so we need to be very aware of this. Not to be brought under the power of others due to things we wish to hide or wrongs we have committed that deserve reprimand or even punishment. This steals our freedom of choice and pushes us into a position of silence or looking the other way, adding to the wrongs and taking us deeper into 'slavery' of sorts. The only thing that holds us ransom is our silence and secrets. Once we expose what is hidden there is nothing to hold against us and we are free. At its worst we can be held captive by "the agreement with the grave" where we become puppets in someone else's hands and we have no say, no longer responsible for our actions, just a tool in another's hands, stuck inside a body that does evil and having to live with it......what a nightmare. What can we do to help those in this trap is to pray for their release, as they are spirits trapped in 'dead' bodies and being in the darkness are not able to do it for themselves. So instead of judging them, pray and help them to be released......©

Tomorrow.... keeping our heads....

LEAVING FOOTPRINTS

SWORD OVER OUR HEADS

So many people travel through the earth,

so many roads to walk from birth,

so many levels of understanding,

in this life that is so demanding.

Our mission is to get from A to Zee,

exploring all the things we need to see,

each ones perception differs from another,

it's not suppose to dampen or smother.

We need to beware of falling into bondage,

turning on each other with darkened revenge,

learn how to live in justice and fairness,

filling each other with joy and happiness.

We don't do things we need to keep secret,

later in life it leads to deep regret,

held over our heads like a sword that strikes,

too late to try and make it right.