Fork in the road, Get it? lol
“The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt.” Max Lerner
I came across this quote today and found truth in it. I thought I'd elaborate a bit and put it into context.
Life can be a very challenging battle and with today's modern culture staying true to one's core beliefs can seem nearly impossible. I recently read "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz and found some very sound advice particularly for someone who might be struggling with this issue.
Now dissecting the above quote it says "The turning point", spiritual awareness, awakening, or whatever you want to call it, is the time in ones life where you "discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt.”. Meaning this is a time when you make a decision to follow what you truly believe in.
"The Four Agreements" is a nice simple guide that identifies this ongoing struggle and provides steps that will help one endure it and come out better for the wear.
Ruiz provides the following four principals and states their applicability to your life and a description of their power.
The principals are as follows:
1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
2. Don't Take Anything Personally
3. Don't Make Assumptions
4. Always Do Your Best
While these basic ideas seem simple I recommend reading the book as Ruiz states in a very straight forward manner why these ideas can help transform the way you think in a positive way. He helps us un-brainwash us from the everyday culture we have grown accustomed too and challenges us to think about why we behave to way we do.
The last agreement "Always do you best" is something that I found particularly frightening. I have a tendency to quit early, not finish what I start and do just enough to get by way too often(sound familiar). I have been trying to apply this principal to my life for only 3 to 4 days now and already feel happier, more complete and have a much stronger sense of self worth because I know that my best effort is being put forth.
So I guess what I am trying to say and why this quote I came across rang so true is that I am at a turning point. In church today, the preacher brought up the fact that when a recession hits and you lose things of value, your car, house, job maybe even your spouse, you have two options. You can lie and cheat because you feel you have been cheated. Or you can be who you are at your core and be honorable, work hard, fight through the pain and claw your way back doing things the right way.
I am at a turning point in my process of growing up and I am discovering my true strength that has survived what felt like endless pain. I am discovering that through God, always doing my best and pulling together the strength and fire that burns within, I will prevail.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13
Word
