Guiding Thought

Motivation is a choice. Intention is a choice. Direction of will is a choice. In Peace, we listen for guidance so that all our actions are motivated by Joy, all our intentions are Love, and the direction of our will is simply to share Joy and Love.

Sharing

This Guiding Thought is perhaps more intense than it first appears.

The point is not just to be aware that your motivation, intention, and will are your choices to make, but also to ask you to ensure that the choices you make are driven by Peace, Joy, and Love.

It’s the driving force that matters here, not simply the fact that you make your own choices.

I have had work colleagues who speak gracefully, eloquently, with streams of golden words flowing forth from their lips…beautiful words full of hypnotic promises and allures. But when the spell was broken, it became obvious that the beautiful words masked selfishness, insecurity, cowardice, and fear.

“Factum non Verbum” = Actions, not words. Show me, don’t tell me. It’s not that actions speak louder than words, they just speak more honestly. It’s through actions that you can see what someone’s real (or underlying) motivation, intention, or will is.

If someone says they are looking out for your best interest, but they manipulate others’ perception of you…which do you believe?

If someone claims to hold you in high regard, but they are snide or backhandedly offensive to you…which do you believe?

If someone entices you to trust them, then insults other people behind their back to you…do you trust them?

What are the underlying intentions? On the other hand…

If someone responds to an insult with a smile and a wave, taking no offense, that person is acting with calmness.

If a person meets someone who is tired, cranky, or exasperated, and offers a word of kindness, that person is acting with compassion.

What kind of person would you rather be? What are your motivations? How do you respond? Do your responses correspond to what you say your intention is?