Hello and Welcome back to Second Chance to Live my friend. I am always glad to see you when you decide to stop by to visit with me. You are always welcome around my table. Circumstances may not always look as we would want them to in our lives. Consequently we may find ourselves discouraged by the course of events and circumstances that occur as we live our lives. At these times we are presented with 2 different choices. Will we see what we do not like as dark clouds or as silver linings.
“What we see depends mainly on what we look for.” John Lubbock
Will we focus on what we do not like or will we look for the silver lining? Will we focus on what we would like to be different or will we look closer for the opportunity? Will we feel defeated or will we consider the possibilities? My study and training in the martial arts has changed the way in which I perceive dark clouds. My study and training in the martial arts has opened my eyes to silver linings. My martial arts instructor’s, instructor original instructor was Bruce Lee, the founder of Jeet Kune Do.
Bruce Lee taught his students to learn from many disciplines, but not be defined by any of those specific disciplines. Bruce Lee taught his students to 1) Research your own experience, 2) Absorb what is useful, 3) Reject what is useless and 4) Add what is specifically your own. What I learned through my training is that what works for one person may not work for another. Bruce Lee also taught that Jeet Kune Do is a study in self-discovery and self-expression, that gives the student the ability to adapt to given situations.
Because a certain art may be useful in one situation, but not in all situations, the student should not limit themselves to one art or discipline. Self-discovery occurs as the student expresses themselves by learning and then applying what they have learned, from different disciplines. The learning and applying is a process. The process encourages the student to not compare or judge. Events and circumstances are likened to different martial art disciplines. Each event and circumstance provides a skill and a strategy.
Events and circumstances can either be perceived as black clouds or silver linings. Ominous and overshadowing or opportunities for self-discovery and self-expression.
In practice, events and circumstances help me to research my own experience. My research helps me to grow in self-discovery. In my self-discovery, I am able to absorb what is useful and what works for me. My self-discovery helps me to also find out what does not work for me. My self-discovery gives me the ability to express myself more effectively, as I encounter new events, circumstances and situations. My self-discovery and self-expression gives me the ability to effectively use my gifts, talents and abilities.
My self-discovery and self-expression give me the freedom to be at peace with myself, because I no longer have to compare or judge my efforts. My self-discovery and self-awareness gives me the freedom to be at peace with a loving God, because I know that I am a work in process.
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