Power to the People

 

We are a divided country.

But we don’t have to be.

The power is with the people.

We have the power—and the responsibility—to choose our responses to the world and the people around us. Instead of focusing on our divisions and our inherent need for rightness, we can choose peace. We can choose forgiveness. We can choose love.

Regardless of your political affiliation, religious beliefs, or any other polarizing factors, you can choose to see that which unites us instead of that which divides us. You can choose kindness by listening to your neighbor or colleague even if his beliefs differ from your own. You can make a meal for someone who is shut-in, even if she holds radically different political beliefs. You can forgive someone who has ‘wronged you’ by remembering he is doing the best he can.

We can work together, play together, and live together peacefully despite our differences. We can choose inner peace by not allowing others to create waves of anxiety in our ocean of calm. We have the choice to respond to any situation with composure, understanding, and love.

I’m not suggestion we shouldn’t have an opinion or that we should blindly accept and walk away. I am suggesting that we embrace one another’s perspectives and engage in respectful conversations. I’m suggesting we look beyond politics, religion, sexual preferences and all other dividing factors. When we take the time to look deeper, we begin to see our connections.

When we are continually bombarded with negativity, it’s easy to get sucked into a lower vibration, which results in stress, agitation, and even depression. Once again, we have the power to change this. Turn off the TV, put down your phone, end the conversation that’s spiraling into a negative vortex. Use your free time—even if it’s just a few minutes here and there—to ground yourself. Focus on your breathing, take a walk, gaze at the sunshine, pet your dog.

Always remember that you are in charge of your response and you can change your response at any moment. Changing your response in a positive way increases your energy vibration. When you raise your individual energy vibration, you contribute toward raising our collective vibration.

It’s time for peace, love, and unity…and we the people have the power to usher it in.

“Power to the people, power to the people, right on!”—John Lennon

This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction blended with new age spirituality. 

Restart in Bristol, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance—He’s a hot mess. She wants stability. Will these childhood sweethearts risk another pass at love? Kindle: https://amzn.to/37cCw1b. Audiobook: https://adbl.co/3hgKZpF.

 

The Perfect Lap, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance—2019 Reader’s Favorite Contemporary Romance Finalist: His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? Kindle: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv. Audiobook: https://adbl.co/2WAsOnp.

Nora’s Promise, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance— Reader's Favorite 2019 Contemporary Romance Bronze winner and 2019 NIEA Bronze winner: She trusts animals more than men. He races through women like checkered flags. Can one orphaned boy bring them both to the finish line? Kindle: https://amzn.to/384lB1f . Audiobook: https://amzn.to/2OktquX.

To sign up for my Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/.

 

Recommended Reading:

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne: https://amzn.to/2GwSGJc

The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k

The Success Principles by Jack Canfield: https://amzn.to/39SgKSt

Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.

Photo by Wylly Suhendra on Unsplash.

Forgiveness—An Overlooked Practice that Delivers Significant Benefits

Forgiveness is a common theme in my novels because it’s an often overlooked practice that delivers great benefits.

When someone we care about hurts us, it’s natural to feel angry and resentful, and to carry a grudge against the offender. However, these upsets can leave lasting impressions of bitterness that impact our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Ironically, if you don’t practice forgiveness, you are the one who suffers the most.

Embracing forgiveness allows us to experience peace, love, joy, and hope. Forgiveness doesn’t mean you agree with whatever occurred or that you want to make up with the person who caused you harm. It does, however, provide you with a sense of peace that allows you to move on.  

How does one go about forgiving? A model by psychologist Robert Enright outlines four steps. The first is to identify your anger and any ways you have avoided your emotions. The second step is to simply make the decision to forgive. A good place to begin is by acknowledging that ignoring or muddling through with the offense hasn’t worked and that forgiveness is a path forward.

Third, develop compassion for the person who hurt you. Ponder whether the act was due to ill intent or whether it was due to beliefs, circumstances, and/or conditioning in the offender’s life. Finally, release any lingering harmful emotions and consider how you may have grown from the act of forgiveness.

According to the Mayo Clinic, letting go of grudges and bitterness can create improved overall health and peace of mind. Benefits of forgiveness include:

·        Healthier relationships

·        Improved mental health

·        Less anxiety, stress, and hostility

·        Lower blood pressure

·        Fewer symptoms of depression

·        A stronger immune system

·        Improved heart health

·        Improved self-esteem

While forgiveness isn’t always easy, it brings about significant health benefits and a sense of peace that helps you move forward in your life.

“Forgiveness is not always easy. At times it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness.”—Marianne Williamson

  

Forgiveness Excerpts from the Racing Hearts in Serenity Series:

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From Restart in Bristol:

Holly leaned back in her chair, pondering Skye’s wisdom. If Skye could forgive Brad, maybe it was time for Holly to forgive, too. She had a lot of forgiveness to contemplate. Maybe she needed to forgive her parents for not understanding her needs as a child and for not giving her more security. She needed to forgive both Curtis and herself for the deep hurt they had caused each other. If they could move beyond the pain of their breakup, maybe they would create space for something new.

*

From The Perfect Lap:

Last week in church, Ella’s minister had talked about forgiveness. Pastor Sue had indicated that holding onto hurt and resentment harms the person holding the negative feelings more than the alleged violator. As a believer in the Law of Attraction, Ella understood that when she felt angry and resentful, she was putting out negative vibrations which attracted more of the same.

It was time for her to let go of her bitterness toward Dierks. He clearly hadn’t been the man for her, so why was she wasting her precious energy on negative thoughts and feelings toward him? She supposed it was a long-held habit, but she was ready to let go of the toxicity.

*

This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction blended with new age spirituality. 

Restart in Bristol, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance—He’s a hot mess. She wants stability. Will these childhood sweethearts risk another pass at love? https://amzn.to/37cCw1b

The Perfect Lap, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance—2019 Reader’s Favorite Contemporary Romance Finalist: His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv

Nora’s Promise, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance— Reader's Favorite 2019 Contemporary Romance Bronze winner and 2019 NIEA Bronze winner: She trusts animals more than men. He races through women like checkered flags. Can one orphaned boy bring them both to the finish line? https://amzn.to/2OktquX

To sign up for Sedona’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/ …No spam—ever!

Recommended Reading:

The Success Principles by Jack Canfield: https://amzn.to/39SgKSt

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne: https://amzn.to/2GwSGJc

The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k

Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.

8 Ways to Choose Kindness

Kindness Matters!

In my contemporary romance, Nora’s Promise, Steph indicates Kindness is a Choice.

What do you think? Is kindness something you’re born with…is it learned…or is it a choice?

Like Steph, I believe kindness is a choice. Sometimes it’s easy to be kind; at other times it can challenging. Choosing kindness requires presence, intention, and a connection with your true self.

There are health benefits associated with kindness. Scientific studies have shown that practicing—or even witnessing—acts of kindness promote feelings of peace and joy, reduce stress, and increase immunity.

Albert Schweitzer said, “Constant kindness can accomplish so much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.”

There are countless ways to choose kindness. Below is a short list of ideas to help you get started.

8 Ways to Choose Kindness:

1.     Smile! A simple smile creates ripples of positivity.

2.     Give someone in need a hug.

3.     Offer a kind word. Mother Teresa said, “Kind words are short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”

4.     Give a compliment.

5.     Forgive. Holding a grudge is harmful to your health…let it go, and offer compassion instead.

6.     Pay it forward. Buy a stranger a cup of coffee or surprise a neighbor with a batch of cookies.

7.     Practice non-judgment. Transcending the need to judge allows you and others the freedom to be who they are.

8.     Be kind to yourself! Spend time every day doing things that bring you joy.

“Remember there is no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” Scott Adams

This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of romance/women’s fiction novels with spiritual and new age twists.

To receive future Peace, Love, & Joy blogs via email, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/

Nora’s Promise: She trusts animals more than men. He runs through women like tires. Can one orphaned boy force them to change gears? Click link to purchase: https://amzn.to/2OktquX

The Perfect Lap: Coming May 1—His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? For more information, please visit: https://sedonahutton.com/books

Recommended Reading:

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne: https://amzn.to/2GwSGJc

The Ten Commitments by Dr. David Simon: https://amzn.to/2UEH0J2

The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k

Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.