Stay In Your Own Lane

BALBOA PRESS

Contents

Preface....................................................xiI wish to Acknowledge and thank............................xiiiIntroduction...............................................xvYou gotta believe..........................................3So ... Let's talk about God................................5The Knowing................................................9From your lips to God's ear................................12Basics of The Law of Attraction............................21Begin to begin.............................................27From broke to abundance....................................31Sorting out relationships..................................35Letting go ... of fear.....................................51Letting go ... of worry....................................54Letting go ... of anger....................................56Letting go ... of criticism................................59Letting go ... of the need to be right.....................61Letting go ... of the need to comment......................63Letting go ... of sadness..................................65Pre-Paving.................................................71Pre-paving ~ Expectations..................................75Pre-paving ~ Faith.........................................77Pre-paving ~ Personal Space................................80Pre-paving ~ A Peaceful Life...............................82Pre-paving ~ Belief........................................84Pre-paving ~ Serenity in your life.........................86Pre-paving ~ Joy...........................................88Stuck in the muck no more..................................93About the Author...........................................97

Chapter One

You gotta believe ...

We all believe in something, and that is exactly as it should be. Whether your beliefs are of a religious, spiritual or agnostic nature, that is fine ... we all "get it" (God's real intention for us) at our own pace, in our own time, and through our own method.

Many people consider themselves religious ... they believe in God in heaven, follow the (man-made) rules, and live a good life as best they can. They attend Church most every Sunday, and try their best to follow the golden rule of doing unto others as they would have others do unto them. They participate in Church groups, events and classes; some are even considered one of the "pillars" of the Church. Usually, these people are more than willing to discuss their faith, and God, at length at any time or place. Their faith in God sustains them in their daily life, and that is a good thing.

Some will say they are religious, attend Church on holidays like Christmas and Easter, don't out and out hurt others intentionally, but pretty much aren't all that concerned about the day to day practice of religion. If you ask them about their faith, they will tell you what religion they practice and change the subject as quickly as possible, so as not to get into a lengthy discussion about religion, faith, and God. That's ok, too ... God gets it, and takes what He is offered.

Then we have those who are more zealous about religion; who are indoctrinated in strict beliefs and the sharing of those beliefs with as many people as possible. They are the folks that show up at your door and wish to share with you their interpretation of "the word of God", in hopes of showing you the right way forward. They are always very nice and really don't push too much if you say you are not interested ... they then just leave you with literature to consider on your own.

According to the dictionary, the definition of agnostic is: "a person who believes nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or of anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God." Well, be that as it may, I am pretty sure that when the going gets tough (critical illness of a loved one, extreme financial crisis, imminent loss of income or home, etc) some prayers just might be sent to the God they are not sure is really there. Not a problem ... He is there for them always.

In this day and age, there seems to be more and more people who consider themselves Spiritual rather than religious. Church membership has seen a decline of sorts, but that does not mean that less people believe in God; it means that more people today are less enamored of connecting with God through the strict (man-made) rules of any certain faith. Spirituality encompasses those who feel a 24/7 connection with God and do not feel they need to attend Church every Sunday to retain that connection to God ... it just is.

More and more people today believe in God and His universe; that we are the spirit of God in these physical bodies for this time.

So ... Let's talk about God

Yep, God ...

Did you ever notice, in conversations, there are usually two kind of people (at least those I generally meet)? There are those who do not, under any circumstances, want to talk about God, and then those who love to talk about God.

The funny thing to me is that those who love to talk about God many times act like He is somebody "up there". A couple of my girlfriends even point up when they speak of God ... like He is up in the attic or the bedroom upstairs. That never fails to make me laugh (to myself, of course).

As do many others, I believe that we all have the spirit of God within us. He is not over there somewhere; He is right with each of us at all times. It is His spirit in the skin and bones we walk around in experiencing our daily lives. He is not separate from us; we are one with Him ... each and every one of us.

Sound weird? No more so than Him listening to a bazillion people around the world all praying at the same time ... you don't have to take a number, you just get to talk to Him whenever you want, and He hears us all ... . 24/7. Just think of a room (or Church, Synagogue or whatever) full of people praying, not waiting for their turn, each under the impression that God is listening to them in particular. Well, that's ok, because He is! He is the master of multitasking, that's for sure.

People ask me daily, "How are you?" I always answer, "I am good". I read somewhere that is to remind me that I am one with God (God ... good ... God). When I say it, it reminds me that I am one with God, and so is the person I am speaking to ... and that we are all one. It stops me from answering by rote and makes me return to the moment, interacting with another.

Now, some of you are thinking to yourself, "I can NOT believe she thinks she is one with God!" Well, it's not like I think I am God and He is not ... I just believe (again) that we are all the spirit of God; that He is in each and every one of us, and we should act accordingly.

So ... the next time you get angry and yell at someone, have a ranting fit or flip someone off ... just remember that you really just yelled at God. You might want to rethink that one next time around; I'm just sayin ...

And, if you are going to believe in someone, why not make it God? I was listening to Joel Osteen one night, and his message, Trusting the Faithfulness of God, was about having faith and believing in God, even though what you want to happen has not happened yet.

I live in Missouri, but attend Church in Texas, by way of watching Joel on TV. His messages are always meant just for me ... lol, and I love that about the time spent enjoying what he has to say any given week. You can watch him on TV or at any time you can also watch him on the net at http://www.joelosteen.com.

Another thing I like about Joel Osteen is that he is more spiritual than religious, in my opinion, which means to me that he always shares a faith (in God) based message without being all preachy about it. He makes it real. He reminds us of things that really do happen in our everyday lives; but that our faith in God, and His love for us, is what really matters in life and is what will get us through to amazing places in the end ... not necessarily in our timeframe, but in God's.

How many times do you ask someone you trust for their opinion of a situation in your life? How many times do you look to someone outside of yourself for answers and help? Why would you trust anyone else more than you would trust God to provide all the answers you need? Why would you begin to think that anyone loves you more than God? They don't, by the way.

Each and every one of us has the spirit of God within us, and if we would be still and listen ... the answers will come. Not by a loud speaker like voice telling us what to do, but by a knowing of the right choice to make in any situation. It takes practice to be still and find that knowing, but anyone can learn to do it.

Many people are so busy worrying about "the problem", what will or will not happen if ... , the trivialities of everyday life, the latest gossip, and sharing everything they know with their friends and family, that they don't begin to understand the joy and peacefulness of just being still and communicating with the one who does have all the answers they are looking for in all that activity ... communicating with God.

Sometimes we are so busy making plan B, C, and D, because we just know that our wished for plan A is probably not going to happen, that we forget to have the trust and faith in God that He knows we are looking for something better, something more ... and He intends to bring us that in the way He knows is best for us ... when the time is right.

Towards the end of his segment last nite, Joel reminded us that we should not be begging God for this or that. In my studies over the past 8 years of the Law of Attraction, I have learned that is so true. We should spend our time in appreciation of all the blessing we do have, and by doing so we are letting God know that we acknowledge His work in our life and we do trust that He is on the job, so to speak, and working in our best interest; and we are attracting more good things while we are at it ... how cool is that?

Instead of focusing on what you don't have yet, what you don't see happening (fast enough) in your life, or the fear that "your wants and wishes will not come true" ... how about trusting that God does have your back, He is on your team, and He is working miracles in your life, whether you take the time to stop and realize all the amazing people, things, and blessings in your life or not.

Take a moment and think (honestly) of all the times you thought you would curl up and die if this or that didn't happen ... and it didn't, and you didn't. Looking back on it, I am willing to bet that the house or job you didn't get was "miraculously" replaced by a situation much better for you in the end. I think that all of us could make quite a list of those type of situations where we tried to make something happen and couldn't, but in the end (by the grace of God), everything worked out to your advantage.

Problems and issues encountered in our lives just make us stronger. It is so true that God never gives you more than you CAN handle, and then He gives you the strength to handle it. There have been countless times in my life where I have thought of that poem, "Footprints" and KNOW, without a doubt, that it is a time where God is carrying me along like a small child, which I am certainly not. The comfort of knowing that, and the appreciation for the respite, got me through the tough times.

My first book, By the Grace of God, the Skin of My Teeth ... and Friends, is basically about the fact that there is nothing that can and will get you through everything and anything life has to offer like a complete and total trust and faith in God.

Learn to have so much faith and trust in God that he is the one you always turn to ... not begging or pleading, but in appreciation and knowing that He is always there for you; now that is something worth spending your time working on. Don't just think of Him when things go amiss, but keep Him in your heart and mind all day everyday; sharing all your successes and joy with Him. He loves hear from you when you are happy, not just when you are in a panic about something!!

If you are going to believe in someone, why not make it God?

The Knowing ...

That subject title makes me laugh out loud ... sounds like it should be a blockbuster movie, or maybe it is ... ??? I don't keep up with all of that, but am not trying to steal it ... I am using it in a different context I am sure.

The Knowing I am talking about here is the knowing that All IS Well; it can and will remain so. And, you ask, how do we make that happen in real life? (Now that answer should be a blockbuster movie.)

There are things you just know such as the sun and moon will rise each day. You know (barring some unforeseen incident) that if you work your hours, you will get paid at the end of the pay period. You know, for example, that if it is really cold or hot, you need to dress appropriately, and if you don't pay attention while driving, it is very likely you will cause or be involved in an accident due to your inattention (we have talked about that). There are a zillion things we "just know" (well really, from experience or others teaching us that it is so).

We spend most of our waking hours assessing what is going on now, next and soon. If it seems like it will work for us we let it happen, but if we don't like it we start frantically shoving square pegs in round holes, so to speak. Do you find it as amazing as I do how many square pegs are always available to use?

There is another way. Many use it on a regular basis (those who are "all about" The Law of Attraction and the other Universal Laws, who believe in them and make use of their availability). Many know about the availability of them, but give it a half hearted attempt (does not work ... trust me, I know). And then there are those that don't know or care.

Who's "Universal Laws"? Well ... that would be God's. Yep, you know ... the Big Guy (whatever you call Him).

Can you, in your farthest imagination, imagine yourself completely and utterly following the saying, "Let go and let God"? With everything and anything that comes up, you just let it go, KNOWING that all will be well if you stop trying to orchestrate it and make it happen your way?

No, that does not mean that the laundry or dishes will automatically get done without your input and effort. It does not mean that you no longer need to take care of your daily needs or job; nor does it mean that your pets will now feed and walk themselves (or pooper scoop for you). It doesn't mean you don't have to put in normal physical or intellectual effort.

What it does mean is that if you let go of your negative thoughts, behavior and expectations and learn that things can and will work to your advantage on a regular basis if you have the faith and trust in God to take care of you ... without fail or exception, then you have "The Knowing" going on. Let His higher than high energy be your set point, and follow His lead.

When things, in your opinion, "go wrong" the first instinct is to change the situation and fix it as best and quickly as you can. What if you held still and observed? What if you exerted patience and faith instead, waiting for the final result? How many times did things really work out to your advantage in the end when you were freaking out about the problem but hadn't actually done anything yet? I have found that many times ... I should have left the situation alone, and watched it work it's self out ... His way!

If you are going to have habits (we all do), they might as well be good ones. There is never a bad time to set new intention. I intend to practice habits that are beneficial to me, and avoid as best I can the ones that are not. I have finally remembered the things I have always known:

Worry, about anything, is a waste of time and needless.

God has better plans for me than I could ever imagine.

He is always with me and looking out for my best interest ... it works best if I let go and let Him be in charge.

Focusing on the positive, in any situation, just brings more positive things to my life.

There is no end to the abundance, of all things, available to me ... I just have to be willing to receive and allow, and know I am not cheating anyone else out of anything; there is more than enough of everything to go around.

Setting boundaries for yourself is a good thing; being clear on what you will and will not allow.

"No." is a complete sentence.

It is not my job to fix or change anyone else as a person, or their life as they live it.

I can pre-pave my days to be anything I want (see chapter on pre-paving).

The list goes on, but you get the point ... knowing that All really IS Well, instead of worrying about knowing general stuff, is what makes the difference in your days and your life. Trust and faith in God, no matter what, makes it easy to know. Not just know, but really KNOW.

Before moving to central Missouri, I lived in the city of St. Louis, MO. I walked the streets in my neighborhood at night without a care or fear in the world. Ok, that makes me sound like a "street walker" or whatever ... which was certainly not the case. I loved to walk, and the point is I did not limit my walking hours to the daytime. I would walk on well lit streets only, but I still had no expectation that anything bad would happen to me. I KNEW that All was Well, and anything bad that was going to happen would not happen around me, it would happen somewhere else. Besides ... I truly believe that I never walk alone.

From your lips to God's ear ...

I think we have all heard, read or thought the phrase, "From your lips to God's ear" at one time or another in our life. The problem is that it is almost always uttered in a state of panic and fear that something we do not want to happen will happen. I heard it again the other night and that was the case, said in hopes that God was listening (He is) and would automatically fix the problem.

Maybe it is in reference to someone's ill health, the possibility of losing a job, a relationship issue, financial lack and crisis ... maybe a family issue that is about to blow up, or an addiction issue that has gotten out of hand ... ???

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Stay In Your Own Laneby Betty Ferguson Copyright © 2012 by Betty Ferguson. Excerpted by permission of BALBOA PRESS. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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