​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
 
Personal development is
not a valid concept.
It implies that we can
take ownership  of ourselves,
grow in our own right, 
learn new skills and become happy.
 
Personal development is, in fact,
the opposite of what it says.
Our real potential  for growth
lies with, and among all others,
and all that we encounter.
 
Personal development is about
how we contribute to the whole,
and not what we keep for ourselves.
For the whole, is greater
than the sum of the parts.
This is where our real value is.

​JOURNAL
 
A new notebook.
A new chapter.
A new beginning.
 
New thoughts.
New words.
New writing.
 
A fresh start.
A different path.
A day in my life.
 
An amazing journey.
An unfolding story.
An everlasting process.

​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE. ​
1. Get a Journal.
​2. Write in it every morning.

FUTURE PRESENT
​
Let’s make the future.
Now, here today.
Let’s not wait or  expect
it to arrive sometime.
Let’s act now, as if,
the future is here.
 
Let’s do what we should.
Let's not allow excuses
or experience,
to stand in our way.
Let’s make the future.
Now, here today.

MONDAY MORNING

Monday morning
and time to set out
my focus and plan,
for this week.

Lots of stuff
as always,
to be done
in  my daily routine.

But my stuff
is always there.
And all of us 
has stuff to do.
 
It’s what we think
that really matters.
What do we bring or
what’s our added value?

I can bring a positive spirit
I can bring encouragement
I can bring friendship
I can bring help.

I can also think 
about my journey 
and what all of
my stuff is about.

This is the real focus
for my week ahead.
Behind, within and above
all of the stuff.

FREELANCERS

Some people pray to the Saints
in heaven to intercede for them,
and to help them.

They believe that these holy people
have a good place in heaven.
They also have God’s ear.

The prayers are usually calls
for help with illness, or for situations
 that are causing stress or worry.
 
And the prayers are not only
for the person themselves,
but often for those they love.

But everyone who has died
is in heaven, and has God’s ear.
They are all waiting for you to ask for help.
 
So, reach out to those you know who have died,
Reach out to those who you don’t know,
and ask for their help, too.
 
For heaven is like a team of freelancers,
all working together to help us.
Heaven is packed with experience and wisdom.
 
You see, the energy and interests,
that we have in this life,
continue to grow and flourish, in the next.

So, what answers do you need?
What help are you asking for?
Who are you asking?

​DAILY ROUTINE
 
During lockdown
one day can seem much
the same as the next day.
 
It may be helpful to create
mini projects and activities,
and not just daily to-do lists.
 
So plan a two day project.
Create a three day initiative.
Set up a five day activity.
 
In this way, we can move
not from day to day, but
from success to success.

​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE. ​
1. What   projects, initiatives and activities are you working on this week? 

 STRENGTH OF CHARACTER

It is when we are at our weakest
that love is at its strongest within us.
 
It is when we are at our weakest
that we can allow love to grow within us.
 
It is when we are at our weakest
that we experience love most powerfully.
 
It is when we are at our weakest
that love rescues us.
 
It is when we are at our weakest
that we are at our strongest.

​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE. ​
1. When have you been at your weakest?
​2. What happened to change this?

AGNOSTIC

We can promote love
without religion or belief.
 
We can love others
without religion or belief.
 
We can help others
without religion or belief.
 
We can serve others
without religion or belief.
 
We can give all we have to those in need
without religion or belief.
 
We can promote goodness
without religion or belief.
 
We can do what is right
without religion or belief.
 
We can give a voice to those who have no say
without religion or belief.
 
We can be truthful
without religion or belief.
 
We can stand up for those who are down
without religion or belief.
 
We can be kind and gentle
without religion or belief.
 
We can do all of this each day
without religion or belief.
 
We can become love
without religion or belief.
 
We can be as one
without religion or belief.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Jesus was a carpenter,
a joiner as we say.
This was his mission
and his message.

His vocation was
the same as ours.
To create and fix,
and join us all together.

SPIRIT MERCHANT

My Grandfather owned
a Pub in Ireland.
In his day, he was called
a Spirit Merchant.
 
When I helped behind the bar,
he told me how we
are all connected to love,
through  a Spirit of kindness,
and a Spirit of joy.

Through   a Spirit of friendship,
a Spirit of compassion,
a Spirit of caring,
a Spirit of humility, and
a Spirit of resilience.

Through a Spirit of helping,
a Spirit of humanity,
a Spirit of determination,
a Spirit of gentleness, and
a Spirit of gratitude.

He smiled as he told me,
that, in every moment,
in every day,
love is with each of us.
For we are all working
as Spirit Merchants.

​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE. ​
1. Can you see behind your role or job title to what you really are, and what you really do? 
2. What spirits do you serve as a Spirit Merchant?