So often people will issue you advice or suggest ways to approach things in life; make sure you process and assess what you were given, and think it through. Always take the time to find the truth- this doesn't mean you alienate those people or argue with them; just know your truth. So many times we wander from the inner strength and faith in what we know is true because of pressure and the need to fit in. These are the tests and tribulations that we face every day.
Whatever your belief system or lack there of, you should have an inner code of ethics regardless, and you should stick to them. Life will throw curve balls at you everyday. This is how we as people can help prevent what I now see as the "wishy washy" personality. The pastor today talked about peaks and valleys; the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Maintaining that mountain top feeling never lasts. How we deal with the decline and the valleys we end up in is where we find out how strong we are in our morality and beliefs. Knowing what you believe in and your absolute truth will help you stay grounded and steadfast in the peaks And the valleys- no matter what is going on you can act the same.
This will also help us as people set a great example for others. The passage that stuck out on this to me is:
-"Don’t correct an older man, but encourage him like he’s your father; treat younger men like your brothers, treat older women like your mother, and treat younger women like your sisters with appropriate respect.
Teach these things so that the families will be without fault. (1 Timothy 5:1-2)"
I know that scripture isn't for everybody, and I'm not one to evangelize and push on others- but you can't deny the words above are in the right light, no matter what your belief system is. I'm still finding my way everyday, but I agree with the pastor in his belief that "knowledge is power." Not power as in strength or towering over others, but power to educate yourself in order to find your truth. At work we read books on successful leadership and increasing your positive outlook, and on my own I've been reading scripture and personal behavioral articles and books.
What has helped me the most is having the knowledge to help me formulate my truth; something that as I strengthen my inner confidence and find my own path I find easier to stay my personal chosen course. The key is to not pick and choose what you apply and don't apply based on social norms and convenience but taking it all in and choose the right ways- and those only.
Just do what is right for you- don't do it for anyone else. If you want to go to church every Sunday, go. If you want to sleep late every Saturday morning, do it. But make sure you're doing it for you, and that the reasons you're doing it for are true.
