Drop that Class! by Julianne Pearson

While attending college and graduate school, there were individuals that began a class with me that didn’t complete the course of study.  After a few weeks of instruction, they would withdraw or drop the class for various reasons.  Some would state that the subject matter was too difficult; others reported that they were not fond of the instructors’ teaching style.  Additionally, there were those who realized they were not in a posture to take that particular class in light of all the other things that were currently transpiring in their lives. 

      Although throughout my educational matriculation I can only recall dropping one class, there has been other type of classes I had to drop.  Due to ignorance throughout my journey to the Truth of Me, I signed up for certain classes believing I would benefit greatly from the information gleaned.  Oh, how wrong I was!  After discovering through life experiences all that would be required of me, I realized it was no longer beneficial to my learning experience and potential growth for me to regularly gather with other students of  those particular courses of study.  So you know what I did?  I started dropping the classes one by one!  I declared a cease and desist on various subjects in my life.  I was done!  It was over!  Finished!  Kaput!

      By now I’m sure you have realized I am no longer speaking of the traditional classroom experiences.  I’m speaking about those “life experiences” that have left a bitter after taste in my mouth.  You know…those life experiences that make you literally sick to your stomach at the thought of even taking the class again; the classes that make you righteously indignant as you watch others willfully take the same class that brought you so much misery, and you would not desire the painful consequences even on your worst enemy. 

      Although I have dropped classes such as Whining 101, Spiritual Punk 101, and Spirit of Comparison 211, allow me to shed some light on the class I sat in for an unnecessary length of time – False Responsibility 101.

      Yes, you read it correctly – False Responsibility 101!  It was just a few short weeks ago that I finally dropped that class.  For absolutely too long, I chose to live my remixed version of Erykah Badu’s 2000 release entitled, “Bag Lady”.  All God has ever required of me is to rise and acknowledge the Truth that has been revealed to me without the obligation of taking ownership for the revealed Truth that someone else chooses to ignore.  I came to the realization that their denial and consequences are not my responsibility. Therefore, the results of continually taking False Responsibility 101 become an unnecessary weight God never intended for any of us to carry.  Whatever Truth God reveals to us means He is fully confident that we have the ability to respond according to His Purpose, Principles, and Plans. 

      Therefore, I encourage you to begin saying “No” to that class even when professional, master manipulating students try to get you to enroll.  Be confident and say…

·        No!  I did not give you a failing grade.  You chose not to pay attention in class, or do your homework in excellence, and neglected to study for the pop quizzes and scheduled tests.  In all actuality, you earned that grade.

·        No!  I am not the reason why you are on punishment this weekend.  Every decision you make has consequences – good or bad.  Therefore, the consequences of your unwise choices are the reason why your plans have been altered.

·        No!  I did not make you mad.  Managing your own emotions is your responsibility, not mine.  Therefore, stop hitting me!

·        No!  I did not force you to cheat on me.  It was your choice to renege on the commitment you made to God and me before all of our family and friends.

 

·        No!  I am not the reason why you have chosen to remain unfulfilled in a life of discontentment.  Apparently, your misery factor has not outweighed your fear factor.  Therefore, you have chosen to remain in the pain you know without venturing out into the possible and probable joy of the unknown.

      Remember our choices are ultimately reflections of our decisions.  As we experience the consequences of our decisions, we must ask ourselves…what is our dime in this quarter?  Meaning, what unwise choices did we make that resulted in the unfavorable consequences.  Once we accept our dime (portion) in the quarter (situation), we must leave the rest alone!  And if you’re one of the professional, master manipulators, refrain from inappropriately placing blame and take responsibility.  Admit (be honest and acknowledge), confront (actively address), and deal (diligently apply the Word of God) with those character flaws that keep you from living up to your fullest potential.  Please understand I am fully aware there are various factors that influence our decisions (mental assent).  However, never should we negate the personal power of choice by submitting our wills to those destructive influences. 

      Even if False Responsibility 101 is not the non-beneficial class you’re enrolled in, what classes are you signing up for that continue to hinder your ability to live effectively with joy and peace?  Truly, it’s the daily courses of study we take that determine how well we live.  Therefore, choose wisely!  Or like me, just DROP THE CLASS, and pick another one that will assist you in producing more favorable results!

© 2011 Julianne Pearson

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H.A.V.E.N. at Home by Julianne Pearson

In the 1939 film entitled “The Wonderful World of Oz,” Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) says one of the most memorable quotes of all times.  Can you guess which one I’m speaking of?  Let me help you.  It’s towards the end of the movie.  Dorothy has on those shiny, sparkling red shoes, and she’s clicking her heels together three times, all the while repeating this famous phrase.  Can you hear the words…“There’s no place like home.  There’s no place like home.  There’s no place like home.” 

      Home can mean so many different things to so many people.  However, I believe there is one universal Truth that home should be – that is a “haven”.  What is a haven?  It is a place of refuge, protection from danger and trouble.  Every home should be a safe place for the development of every family gem.  In order for the individuals of your family to wholeheartedly believe that there’s no place like home, allow me to share with you how to establish that type of abode. 

      Are you ready to make your home sweet?  Let’s get started as you pause for personal reflection and consider the current condition of your home in the light of these five key principles to making your home a h.a.v.e.n.:

     1.  Strive to create an atmosphere conducive for healing.

Is your home a safe place for the individuals in your family to be naked and unashamed about their cares, concerns, and hurts?  Is it a place of encouragement, exhortation, and inspiration?  Begin by deciding and choosing to make the threshold of your house the line of demarcation from the outside hostile environments they enter into and deal with on a daily basis.  This will begin to foster a family mindset that states, “Everything will be alright as soon as I get home.”

     2.  Develop the skill of acute awareness.

Be purposeful in your desire to see healing take place in your home by being sensitive to the slightest changes in the temperature of your home environment as well as the dispositions of each individual who lives in your abode.  For some, this will take discipline and much effort because they have become self-concerned, self-focused, and self-absorbed.  Look beyond yourself and attempt to be sensitive to the needs of those living within your sphere.

3.      Strive to operate from a voluntary self-sacrificing perspective.

In order to effectively operate from a voluntary self-sacrificing perspective, one must adequately develop the skill of acute awareness which equips him/her to look, listen, and fill the voids or needs of the home as well as those you are privileged to live with.  When you have been given the privilege to see a need (for example, a sink full of dishes) and you have the capacity to fulfill (bring to a place of wholeness) that need, there is no need to wait for someone to ask you to help.  Roll up your sleeves and get to work!  This perspective gives you the wonderful opportunity to re-present the King, Who is Love!

4.      View every individual in your family from an eternal perspective.

           

God created everyone for a particular purpose.  And since the time each of us arrived on earth, God has been envisioning us from that eternal perspective.  This is exactly how we should see each other – from God’s vantage point.  Without having an eternal perspective, you can become discouraged, frustrated, and unnecessarily angry at the temporary condition of your loved one’s soul – mind, emotions, and behavior.  Therefore, embracing their eternal perspective endows you with the grace to endure the tumultuous snap shot of their lives while you’re expecting the joyful release of their entire movie. 

5.      Consider your home a network of exceptional people.

Since God is a God of Purpose, understand that you have been divinely connected to your family for an eternal purpose.  When you endeavor to create a home that is conducive for healing through acute awareness and everyone begins striving to operate from voluntary self-sacrificing and eternal perspectives, networking can begin.  This is where the enhancement of the individuals has provoked the advancement of the whole family by capitalizing on each others’ strengths while minimizing the exposure of individual weaknesses.  Therefore, the family team comes alive where together (unity) there is excellence; however, when a-part (dissension) yields mediocrity.

I am hopeful you are encouraged to establish a home sweet home by personally embracing and reflecting these five key principles to creating a h.a.v.e.n.  Please know that you are only able to give what you possess.  Therefore, begin by establishing your personal h.a.v.e.n. (within you) and live from the inside out!  From experience, it’s worth the discipline and all the effort.  Your home will be a place like no other.  You may be surprised that some may never desire to leave!

© 2011 Julianne Pearson

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