Mottoes to Live By

“People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success.”
~ Norman Vincent Peale

Norman Vincent Peale was a friend of mine for many years. He and I had similar mothers who gave us mottoes to live by; not mottoes to die by. He was able to live his message, “Every person is born for a purpose. Everyone has a God-given potential, in essence, built into them. And if we are to live life to its fullest, we must realize that potential.” The word potential shouldn’t scare you—it relates to having hope in a future that brings you chances to make a difference.

His Mom said, “Norman if God slams one door further down the corridor another will be opened.” And I would add, if all the doors are shut you can go through a window. My Mom’s message was that troubles are God’s redirections and that “something good will come of this.” So imitate therapeutic parents and give your kids love and faith and hope.

Why? Alice Miller says it well, “The truth about our childhood is stored up in our body and though we can repress it, we can never alter it. Our intellect can be deceived, our feelings manipulated, our perception confused, and our body tricked with medication. But someday the body will present its bill, for it is as incorruptible as a child who, still whole in spirit, will accept no compromises or excuses, and it will not stop tormenting us until we stop evading the truth.”

We must face the truth and reparent and rebirth ourselves by turning our past and its wounds into energy to move us forward.

Peace,
– Bernie