Concerns

Any concern, too small to be turned into a prayer, is too small to be made into a burden. Corrie ten Bloom

There is no single day in our life when we are not beset by concerns; small or big , rational or irrational, manageable or unmanageable. Corrie ten Bloom, has succinctly put across this point that, while every one has concerns, if we do not pray for deliverance from that concern, then it is never a burden but just an irritant. For example, one key concern that distinguishes human being from the animals is our constant concern about managing our time. Yet how often do we pray that we must be given the wisdom to utilize our time effectively?

If your concerns are very serious, then you constantly worry about it and seek help from specialists, experts, family and friends and of course from the almighty. While the PUSH formula Pray Until Something Happens (see the PUSH post dated 23^rd Dec.2009 in our weekly blog www.poweract.blogspot.com to know more about it) is a great comforter and tranquilizer for the soul, it has to be supplemented by our personal belief and a healthy rational for it to be effective. Far too often, we in our anxiety and desperation, tend to visualize our problems as fatal, unfair and unbearable, psyching ourselves into experiencing phantom pains and frightening visualizations.

Paradoxically, a more common practice amongst the large majority, is our habit of blaming, what in our opinion are trivial demeanors and indiscretions, for our transgressions like being late, coming ill prepared, doing a tardy job or not doing a job at all. Worse still is our feeling that we are absolved of the transgressions once we have apportioned blame. We view these indiscretions and transgressions as minor concerns but if it repeatedly and routinely becomes part of your personality, it is no longer a minor matter but something snowballing into perhaps a cancerous personality disorder. When we do not pray for deliverance from such weakness, does it mean that they are not major concerns? Certainly not; in fact not praying for deliverance is a sure sign that, what in reality is turning into a major problem is seen by us as plain hiccups of daily life and just minor concerns. Alas the reality is that we are blissfully ignoring the symptoms while the disease is gnawing us bit by bit.

Remember: “What I must do is all that concerns me. This rule, equally arduous in actual and intellectual life, may serve for the whole distinction between greatness and meanness.”- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Try these:

1. There are many social issues that concern each one of us. It could be environmental pollution, garbage disposal, rising trend of accidents, blood donation, education for the poor, economically weaker, child labor etc. Choose one or two of these and make it you personal social concern. Outline ways and means you will get involved in these concerns so that is it not just a concern but a social evil that is challenge close to your heart.
2. From the numerous resolutions you have made, select one or two that you think need immediate attention. It could be undergoing a personality development course, or learning a new computer language or working towards owning your own house etc. The scope of your resolution or the magnitude is not important, but the focus should be on the urgency of it. Preparer an action plan and start implementation immediately. Share your plans with a close friend who you can request to monitor your progress and give your feedback, encouragement and also reminders when you are slipping.

This post is courtesy www.actspot.com

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