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Turbulent Waters
By Matt Moody
All boats float equally well in still waters,
but when waters are rough,
small boats are vulnerable
and sometimes sink!
It is easy enough to float along in life when waters are still.
But in times of trouble and turbulence, it is then
we see the size of our character
and learn how large or small we are.
The purpose of Life is not to avoid troubled waters,
but to navigate them faithfully
with patience and compassion.
Life's problems are not solved by running away
or by going around, but by facing,
straight on.
To master a difficulty, we must go through it!
A path with no obstacles provides no test of character.
Those who would win the prize must be proven.
It is not how troubled the sea, but how steady the pilot.
It matters not the comparative point in the journey,
but whether we are facing the right direction
and making unwavering progress.
And the direction we must face, in every case . . . is Love.
Mother Teresa taught:
"We cannot do great things,
only small things with great love."
In easing another's heartache, we forget our own.
Life's richest reward is not paid in silver or gold,
but in fortitude forged
as we faithfully travel through troubled waters.
Gibran wrote:
"Our pain carves out a larger space for love to fill."
Without a tear in our eye,
we could not see the beauties of a rainbow.
So be glad, as you sail unsettled seas
knowing that your greatest reward
is your own becoming:
Becoming a more wise and wonderful you!
Recovering the You that is True
Life is a journey wherein we chart a course
toward Light and Love,
or allow wind and waves
to decide a lesser destiny
along the course of least resistance.
Boats of all size float equally well in still waters.
But it is the bigger boats that survive stormy seas,
while small ships sink in the same rough water.
And so we must be Large,
Large in Character,
Large in Love.
(Changing Your Stripes, 3rd Edition, page 139).
Becoming "large in love" is not accomplished through determined will power
or positive self affirmation or vivid visualizing. Jesus taught:
"Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?"
His Love flows to you, and through you, as you release your will and yield to
His Will—you experience a mighty change through the miracle of Redemption.
"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you;
and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh."
Read about Lasting Change from Your Core: A Change of Heart
The Greatest Prize
for Life's labors isn't
in material possessions
or impressive accomplishments,
but in the progress of personal character.
You labor for your own becoming, this is your richest reward.
Who You Become is your greatest possession,
make it your Masterpiece!
(Changing Your Stripes, 2nd Edition, page 274).
"Changing Your Stripes" presents principles for getting out of
the ditch in which you've been dumped (the difficulties of which you are a victim),
and the ditch in which you've jumped (the difficulties for which you volunteer).
"Mastering a challenging situation
is ultimately a matter of
mastering yourself!"
- Matt Moody
"Changing Your Stripes," teaches you the principles that lead to lasting change,
making you a new kind of creature capable of communicating
with calm, even as storms of contention swirl.
If these ideas resonate and ring true,
then . . . this book is for you!
Sold Exclusively
through this website
Changing Your Stripes is a
unique reference book that will help
you understand, . . . and solve all of
Life's ever-appearing problems
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Changing Your Stripes
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