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25 07, 2014

Interdependent ~ Interpersonal Intelligence

Interdependent relationships – We are triune beings
We are spirit-soul-body and live fully in interdependent relationships

Reflecting on a recent seminar I attended in San Diego … ERQ: strategies for promoting emotional & relational intelligence – relational & personal competence it has given me a lot of food for thought. The field of interpersonal neurobiology is an emerging field of expertise that intrigues me immensely!  The class focus overall was about interpersonal neurobiology.

My thoughts here are not necessarily a summary of my notes or the course notes – but more an overall contemplative processing.

Intertwining – imago inter-relationship with God, The Divine.

To separate ourselves from The Divine, Our Divine Creator, is separating ourselves from ourself. To divide ourself from the divine is living a divided life, out of sorts, out of balance and harmony. 

The Divine came into the world to bring abundant life for humanity by being reunited, renewed, redeemed and transformed into our original imago Divine nature. (John 10:10b)

“If the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace.” Romans 8:6b
“Through the power of the Holy Spirit (of the Divine) – you live. For all who are led by the Holy Spirit (of the Divine) Spirit of God are children of God. ” Romans 8:13b

“For His Divine Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:16

As intertwined-interdependent beings our hearts become more whole as we draw nearer to, not away from, our Divine Creator in pursuit of oneness and wholeness within abiding in Him.

Peace Be With You!

24 07, 2014

No No Status Quo!!

Let me start with a disclaimer…Don’t shoot the messenger please!

Sitting at the age and stage of my life, married 30+ years to my high school sweetheart, and being the parent of a thirty-something and 3 twenty-somethings, I view life very reflectively. You know, I wish I had known then what I know now!

I have lived through seasons of grief and regret that seemed like they would never end! What I discovered in those seasons was instead of waiting for my circumstances to change and the people around me to change…it was I that was in need of change. I needed to change my attitude, my perspective, who I looked to for advise.

I, too needed to allow a healing to occur in my soul…my heart – my mind-will-emotions!

I hadn’t consciously realized but I had bought into the status quo flow of churchianity – a variation of Christianity that left out the deeper kingdom messages of Christ. Void of really seeking the Kingdom of God, but instead had adopted the world’s best “business practices” and sprinkled or submerged the church teachings in it – becoming part of the status quo. Instead of taking FIRST the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness as Jesus taught, not becoming conformed to the world, but being renewed in our minds in Christ Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit and the true and holy Word of God. That, dear ones, is transformational, out-of-the-box thinking!

God REALLY DOES have all the answers to the world’s problems, struggles, frustrations, hurts and heartaches. If we actively pursue and seek out and understand, through faith, God will reveal truth through His Holy Spirit. God is the fullness of truth.
If we seek to delight [...]

2 07, 2014

Approaching Independence Day a lot of th

Approaching Independence Day a lot of things are going through my mind. I’m thinking about two similar, yet very different words….INDEPENDENCE and INTERDEPENDENCE.

Just so happens, LifeVictory Coaching’s July theme is INTERDEPENDENCE. Inter = a Latin preposition (Latin’s cool!) signifying among or between. Add Dependence = Reliance; confidence; trust; a resting on. A state of being subject to the will or power of another or cause…So, INTERDEPENDENCE = Reliance, confidence or trust among or between another. Sounds like relationship to me.

We have an innate interdependence upon each other. None of us would be where we are today, good, bad or indifferent if it wasn’t for, or in spite of intertwined and interdependent relationship we have with each other.

Now, to specifically bring into the discussion the reason we celebrate INDEPENDENCE DAY. The significance of it rests on The Declaration of Independence and everything that went on before, and now after it’s historic signing. The solemn declaration of the Congress of the United States of America, on the 4th of July 1776, by which they formally renounced their subjection (forced dependence) to the government of Great Britain. Independence is the state of being not dependent. Complete exemption to control. A state of which a person does not rely on others for subsistence; ability to support one’s self.

As we approach Independence Day this Friday I hope and pray that it’s not just another holiday/day off work/long party weekend…. or whatever….but that you will pause and reflect on the dedication, resilience, sacrifice of not only our Founding Fathers and the Framers of the Constitution, but each [...]

6 06, 2014

Feeling led to comment on Father’s Day…

Feeling led to comment on Father’s Day…

I know for some, actually many people, a deep sorrow because of a dad/father who’s gone absent or was never there for you at all. It is a very sad thing.

I am so deeply sorry for your pain and heartache. And, if you are a father who lives with regret for wrong choices, missed opportunities, etc., don’t live in regret, or run from your problems any more. If it’s drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, workaholism, fear, self-doubt, self-hatred…whatever has a stronghold on you – you can be free from it (women too).

There are excellent, and free, programs all over – Celebrate Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous, Alcoholics Victorious, Narcotics Anonymous…reach out and ask for help. You are not alone, there is help. You are loved. You can be whole. Your children and families need you.

Men were created to protect and provide. We are all created in the image and likeness of God – the lies we believe about ourselves and God can lead us astray and get us on a path of destruction and confusion. Leading us to believe the lie that we are hopeless and that there is now way out. God is a God of U-Turns – He is always faithful and His promises are always true. Jesus is the Way, The Truth and The Life – and He LOVES YOU

So, don’t let pride, lies, past mistakes define you and keep you locked in a prison of shame – Jesus holds the key to your freedom http://ow.ly/i/5OpK4 http://ow.ly/i/5OpNp

3 06, 2014

The V in LifeVictory is about VISION, VI

The V in LifeVictory is about VISION, VIRTUE and VALUES.

All 3 words project some pretty epic meaning in our lives.

The words we think about create an environment in our lives and circumstances that can either help us rise to the occasion, press through, take courage – persevere!

Or send us on a slippery slope of despair, fear and doubt where we can get stuck.

Without a VISION people perish the scriptures say. Virtue is a strength; bravery valor; moral goodness and excellence; abstaining from vice. Are we in need of more of this today?

I think yes!

As we live out a VISION towards VIRTUE and VALUES that lift humanity. VALUES that value LIFE, Honor, Integrity, Character, Honesty and most of all LOVE in all of it’s God created dimensions we will truly find ourselves individually and collectively reaching a place of wholeness as a culture.

Reaching towards BEing the Change God Wants to See In the World. That is a VISION that is Virtuous and Valuable to all.

1 04, 2014

~ F A I T H ~ ~ F O R G I V E N E S S ~

~ F A I T H ~
~ F O R G I V E N E S S ~
~ F R E E D O M ~
Power words to explore for April from L.I.F.E.V.I.C.T.O.R.Y. Coaching – Building Bridges of Understanding Through the Reconciliation of the Heart, Mind, Soul & Spirit – The Body follows!

30 03, 2014

Identity ….. I D E N T I T Y ….. a word

Identity ….. I D E N T I T Y ….. a word we take for granted. Yet the bases by which we make life’s decisions are often based on how we see ourselves….our identity!

Your ID lists your name, age, where you’re from, height, weight (oh joy!), eye & hair color. Those are facts people can easily identify you with, but is that who you are?

Your true identity? Those variables can actually be changed or modified in various ways. But what I’m talking about it, your IDENTITY is your natural giftings, your personality type, your core values, your IQ, your EQ (Emotional Quotient – found to be more important for life success than your IQ).

Being aware and operating in your uniquely designed and created self, by our Creator God, is vital. Self-awareness and self-acceptance are vital. Our Loving Creator God created you for LOVE, for good plans and a good purpose! http://ow.ly/i/54z1y

21 07, 2013

3 words are rattling around (well actual

3 words are rattling around (well actually more!) but 3 that are intertwined and relevant in a number of conversations I have had with various people the last couple of weeks…actually ever since Independence Day. Independence…Interdependence…Codependence.
Let’s start with defining the core word in each…DEPENDENCE. Just fyi, I will be using the American Dictionary of the English Language – Noah Webster 1828. “Reliance; confidence; trust; a resting on. A state of being subject to the will of an intelligent cause, power or operation. Connection by which one thing is sustained by another, in its place, operations, or is affected by it. Inability to sustain itself without the aid of.”
Okay….so foundationally there we are. Now, INDEPENDENCE…
“A state in which a person does not rely on others for subsistence; ability to support one’s self. A state of being not dependent; complete exemption from control, or the power of others. A state of mind in which a person acts without bias or influence from others.”
Interestingly enough, the words INTERDEPENDENCE and CODEPENDENCE were not in the 1828 Noah Webster’s Dictionary.
So, I went to my iPhone app dictionary.
Interdependence…”of two or more people or things dependent on each other.”
Codependence…”excessive emotional or psychological reliance on a partner, typically a partner who requires support due to an illness or addiction.”
It has been interesting how many times these words have come up in random conversations this month. I think partially because we just celebrated America’s Independence Day on July 4th.
But, in the greater scope of things that fact that we are created for relationship. We may have temperaments that are more [...]

5 07, 2013

Independence Day vs. Interdependence Day

Independence Day vs. Interdependence Day – The difference may seem obvious but I would ask in the bigger picture of life is the all out drive for independence a good thing?

One of the L.I.F.E.V.I.C.T.O.R.Y. Life Principles being INTERDEPENDENCE is a reminder of how intertwined we human beings are. I recently read an article stating that the number one human condition is a deep sense of loneliness. We really were created for social connection – we need each other.

Is there someone you can connect with today? Reach out! http://ow.ly/i/2wXM3

25 06, 2013

My response to a recent facebook post –

My response to a recent facebook post – just thought I’d share here.

I completely agree that awareness is essential in relationships and to not throw our hearts “into the ring” prematurely.

Proverbs 4:23 – Above all else, guard your heart for it will affect everything else in your life (It is the wellspring of life)

I do not for a second discount the hurt and trauma anyone has experienced from bad relationships.

However, we as women, me included (I’m 51) married for 32+ years, post-abortive with my husband (had an abortion while planning our wedding) – that choice created MASSIVE relationship dynamics for us both. It’s truly only by the grace of God we have survived together and now are finally beginning to thrive as a couple. But it has been hard work at times, HARD work on both of our parts. But worth the effort.

Our culture has created a mess. The lies we buy into as truth can impact us individually and our relationships with the opposite sex. I personally cried out to God years ago saying “I couldn’t live like this anymore” with regards to my marriage. I sensed so strongly that I had been hyper-focusing my finger pointing on my husband and I had three pointing back at me. OUCH!

I also had to look at and get rid of the log in my own eye, so that I could have a better view of anything I was doing to provoke my husbands behavior – he’s only human too!

Again, I must add here – I do not discount any pain, suffering or trauma you may have experienced in relationships from truly bad character.

But, we as [...]