you have made some good point on this topic....my question is....you used the word accept in your post...does this refer to Forgiveness?

Meaning, in quite time of reflection...do you forgive your thoughts...about others...and forgive their thoughts about you?

IMO...forgiveness is very important...regarding spiritual growth...

happy trails

My thoughts....

It's easy to maintain or regain your inner strength while physically isolated from external drama, and negativity..

The hard part is to maintain or regain it, when you're not physically isolated from the outside world.

The key is to understand that nothing external changes when you turn your cell phone on or off.

peace.

tt, very thought provoking insight & question. I feel that "acceptance" is critical to building & sustaining "Inner Strength". In fact, I practice what is known as "Radical Acceptance"...... you know like, it simply Is what it is ....the raw, Reality of the situation is such & such, without justifications, reasons or judgments. Sometimes we say or believe that we've accepted something, although, in fact we've qualified the issue by attaching our own thoughts of justifications, etc., therefore, not accepting the actual, real issue. We can not change or let go of, what we don't truely accept or acknowledge.

No, I don't forgive myself for my thoughts, I accept my thoughts ....I love my thought process and I see seeking or granting forgiveness is only needed or due, when one has done +wrong. As for my forgiving my thoughts about _others_?? No, not at all, why would I feel the need to 'forgive' my thoughts about 'others'? I would think that one would have to have some really 'ill-will' thoughts, 'bad wishes', etc., about/towards others to warrant... Forgiveness for Their "THOUGHTS" about others. That type of thing is 'way beyond'+ my thoughts & thought process, actually, that type of thing is 'way beneath' mySelf. Yes, tt, I imagine that for some , forgiveness for their thoughts about others is warranted, and that must be troubling to them. However, it's not a factor in 'me' maintain strong & balanced. Peace, balance

I am a strong proponent of Personal Strength or Inner Strength. Introspectively, I realize that I seek Strengthening endeavors and knowledge and association, I love it. Regularly, I find myself detaching from some one/thing, specifically &/or detaching from every one/thing to maintain or regain my Personal/Inner Strength. I've been known to unplug , totally disconnect from people, their drama, issues, energy and from random energies. I sometimes declare that, "um done", I need to chill", and I literally unplug all electronic devices and turn my cell phone off for absolute silence and total disconnection from all influences & interceptions. I've found that stresses & energies can be weakening and disturbing. I've found that to endure, overcome & prevail over the onslaught of stressors ...... at times I have to just BE. *During this hiatus, I regroup.... leisurely think.... accept.... vegetate.... pray.... consider, acknowledge & give thanks for my many blessings....etc., etc. I find that detaching, periodically, to be tremendously strengthening and Balancing. Yes, I'm a strong proponent of Balance, as well....personal/inner balance is prerequisite for STRENGTH. *My thoughts... Your thoughts? Peace & Strength, balance56

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About 20 some years ago , I started feeling like everything was getting on my nerves . That is when God said to me , that I needed to rest one day a week , and do absolutely nothing .

I found this kept me from every getting run down , both Physically and mentally . Constant stress depletes the Flesh and the chemicals of the brain , and leaves us hyper sensitive and over reactive and over emotional .

So for things to get back in balance a person has to disconnect and take one day off a week , or in your case , disconnect until your battery is recharged .

The truth is , we are nothing but a Battery . But we are a Rechargeable battery . But even Rechargeable Batteries die someday and no longer Recharge .

Sometimes , just because we are a Spirit and a mind , we forget that we live in a flesh house , that will start to break down if pushed to hard for too long . Our brain is made up of not only Spirit , but physical Chemicals .

So , yes we have to disconnect from the things that are Draining us . Because we are a Battery , and we need to recharge .

Anyone who thinks different , just has not got old yet .

The older a Battery gets , the longer it takes to Recharge , and it does not hold a charge as long , until it needs recharged again .

We All are a battery that someday , will not Recharge , no matter what Doctors or anyone does .

Another thing about Battery's is that , if you wait too long before you recharge it , you risk destroying it .

We are the same way . We Should Recharge long before we get to a place where everything and everyone is driving us nuts .

Sometimes in life , we bite off more than we can chew , and get pushed far beyond , what is possible .

So once again , as your name says , Balance is in order .

Well, actually I find that, the valuable & beautiful things about this hiatus thing is that, while disconnected/"isolated", that it fosters introspection, clarity, inner-Self expressions, which Strengthen & Balances me. You see, if I/one do(es) this, It is not 'hard', or even the least bit difficult to maintain and acquire more Strength, in the outside world, it's incredibly easy. You are absolutely right, I totally agree, that," nothing external changes when I turn off my communication devices, in fact, when I reconnect to every one/thing.... things usually have gotten even more problematic. However, it's all good..... Because, for having disconnected, having gone into myself and self soothed & acknowledged and connected to & summoned the deep, limitless supply of inner strength ...I am Better capable to endure, resolve and prevail. Ya know? Does that make sense to you? Thanks Much for your thoughts, balance56

you missed my point.....with that said....I currently do not have a reply.....

Well, actually I find that, the valuable & beautiful things about this hiatus thing is that, while disconnected/"isolated", that it fosters introspection, clarity, inner-Self expressions, which Strengthen & Balances me. You see, if I/one do(es) this, It is not 'hard', or even the least bit difficult to maintain and acquire more Strength, in the outside world, it's incredibly easy. You are absolutely right, I totally agree, that," nothing external changes when I turn off my communication devices, in fact, when I reconnect to every one/thing.... things usually have gotten even more problematic. However, it's all good..... Because, for having disconnected, having gone into myself and self soothed & acknowledged and connected to & summoned the deep, limitless supply of inner strength ...I am Better capable to endure, resolve and prevail. Ya know? Does that make sense to you? by balance...

Hello balance, where are all the others...when you take your break...regarding you finding inner strength and balance...meaning where are they in your thoughts? Imo, they are an impotant part. Or do you consider yourself and Island? tt

There are many ways to find strength.

1. There is strength in uniting in truth.

2. There is strength in surrendering to God.

3. There is strength in purity and holiness.

4. There is strength in introspection

5. There is strength in perseverance.

6. And there is strength in retreat.

I would say that our power lies in utilizing all of these tools and perhaps in none of them to the exclusion of the others. As we take time to recharge our batteries, we can face life's stresses and challenges with grace and ease.

Blessings,
Yaani

Absolutely it makes sense to me. Even though I know the key is to understand the outside world is not what changes, doesn't mean I can always maintain my inner peace among all the external drama. Sometimes I need my fortress of solitude, even if, as a husband and father, it's only five minutes in the john.

I was just trying to say that it is possible to maintian inner strength, enen when the world outside is a mad house, but when we do allow it to get to us, definately take a break. five minutes in the can, one hour meditation, or a weekend camping trip.

it's all good for the soul, even if not needed.

peace

Just know that we all have different ways of detaching from stress and negative energy. For example, you unplug from everything to regroup. Maybe much like Christ did leaving the crowds or the disciples in preparation for what He knew He had to do. I detach from stress and negative energy by talking to others or writing down my thoughts and looking at them objectively rather than personally. I also destress by exercising and moving my body. Whereas you might be sitting still. I am a person that creates my own stress or negative energy to counteract and somehow am insulated from others. You might be a person that feels the stresses of others or the negative energy of others and therefore need to defrag (for lack of a better word). So, I need to be energized to destress while you need to be quiet to destress. Really, it doesn't matter how a person destresses or gets rid of the negative energy as long as they do it regularly. I imagine that there might be people that create their own stress as well as feel the stresses of others. They might need to find a healthy combo of being still and energizing.

Another thing that I do is plan vacations. Escape is a wonderful way to destress and release negative energy. But, IMHO alcohol and drugs aren't a good way to escape. Food isn't really a good escape either. Yes, meditation or breathwork or exercise is a way of escaping. I escape by resting in God at times (this is as close as I can come to meditating). Obviously so is planning and going on a vacation. Even remembering a previous vacation is an escape (that diverts one from being overwhelmed by stresses and negative energy). So is doing anything new.

By the way, sleep is also a wonderful way to regenerate good vibes and destress. One thing to know is forced sleep (through sleeping pills or alcohol or even going and doing to the point of exhaustion) isn't a way to regenerate good vibes and destress.

Dear Yaani, how do these beautiful, truthful thoughts come to you? Excellant, I think you're one of the few here who actually respond on the mbs with an unemotional, authentic, without hidden agenda, honorable voice for a better understanding. The six ways to find strength that you've shared are profound. I've copied them and will hang them in my office, as they are inspirational. You write: I would say that our power lies in utilizing all of these tools and perhaps in none of them to the exclusion of the others. As we take time to recharge our batteries, we can face life's stressors and challenges with grace and ease." Thank you, Yaani balance56

tt, you ask me, "where are all the others...when you take your break...regarding you finding inner strength & balance....meaning where are they in my thoughts?" *Others, who? What are you +talking about? "All the others" Are you trying to ask me if I think about my family, I don't know what the hell you're asking, initially you asked "if I forgive myself for the thoughts I had about 'others'. *So you wrote that as a preface of, "Or Do You Consider Yourself and ISLAND?"+ Come on tt, aren't you crying & ranting on your thread about "others" BEING SNIDE?? You can't even help it, can you? Tickles me.

Are you saying that being just you and accepting yourself leads to more acceptances of all that is for what it is and that things like prayer, meditation, and being thankful for ones blessings etc... are ways to stay focused on knowing the "now" and provide the strength to prevail and endure??? Simply put...

Being me

I accept

All I can...

I pray to

Know now...

In Grace

I endure...

Hiddenym

7 x 7 matrix

P.W.F.

pd

Me thinks tt is talking about God (Father/Son/Holy Spirit). Do you feel you generate your own strength or is strength imparted to us by God (the One that generates, provides for and sustains us all) through Christ and our helper the Holy Spirit. Or do you think it is more of a combination of both?

Gigi, What a lovely, insightful thought.... and you know you are so on point....I do tend to detach, in preparation of what I know I have to do. You I've never heard that term understand this process and the need & benefit of it. It's interesting that you become action orientated to rid yourself of negative energy, I've read that writing & exercise can be 'clearing', I do do a lot of cleaning during my chill time. That is so fastinating, That you create your own energy to counteract and insulate yourself, I love that. I have no insulation....I have to either neautralize it , ignore it I do those I'm close to although, I have to actually receive or take it, that way or I give it back. You know, I really think that what you said about finding a combination of being still and energizing, is such a good idea. I really have to try to impliment that, I think that that would be so good. Good idea! OH girl, you wrote,"*I escape by resting in God at times." *I've never heard that term or idea. Powerful !! Resting In God. Wow. Thank you for teaching me that gigi, thank you for your post, it's connection and sharing of uplifting information that I come here for .....sometimes someone inparts spetacular gems. I appreciate you sharing. Peace & Serenity, balance56