As I have loved you

Joh 13:34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. As I have loved you, you should also love one another.

If you grew up in a loving, supportive home where you were allowed to express your emotions and made to feel and believe that you were worthy and valuable, you are very lucky indeed because children who grow up in such a supportive environment are likely to form healthy, open relationships in adulthood.

Joh 8:31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who believed on Him, If you continue in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

For a lot of people, freedom means that they are physically free – from imprisonment and restraint - but the ultimate and most exquisite form of freedom is making your own decisions and choices – having total control of your own life. Recognizing and exercising this freedom means that you accept responsibility for your life in every respect - your thoughts, words, actions, choices, decisions and creations.

Phi 4:8 Finally, my brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think on these things. 9 Do those things which you have also learned and received and heard and seen in me. And the God of peace shall be with you. 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me has flourished again. Although you indeed did think, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak according to need, for I have learned to be content in whatever state I am.

It is not events or circumstances in our lives that lead to unhappiness and associated unhealthy emotional consequences, but rather our reaction to these events or circumstances. It is our irrational beliefs about and reactions to these events and circumstances that lead to unhealthy consequences.

Acknowledge that neither another person, nor an adverse circumstance, can ever disturb you - only you can. Others can cause you physical pain or prevent you from achieving your goals, but you create your own emotional suffering, or self-defeating behavioral patterns, about what others do or say.

Psa 37:3 Trust in Jehovah, and do good; you shall dwell in the land, and you shall be fed on truth. 4 Delight yourself also in Jehovah, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Roll your way on Jehovah; trust also in Him, and He will work.

Stop sabotaging yourself. We prevent our own success. We find excuses, or blame others, for our own failures or mistakes instead of learning from them. Our self-talk is all negative. "I'd never get a job like that," or "I'm not good enough," or "Why try? It's too hard." Re-program yourself by writing appropriate affirmations, which will change your thoughts, beliefs and behavior.

Psa 37:7 Rest in Jehovah, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of him who practices wickedness. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret yourself to do evil.

We often prevent our own success by sabotaging ourselves. We blame others and find excuses for our own failures or mistakes instead of taking responsibility and changing our lives forever by having the courage to make a career from our passion. We sabotage ourselves with negative beliefs and self-talk.

Successful people surround themselves with people who share their passion, goals and beliefs. To create that, you have to support others in the same way.

Do you listen to your friends, colleagues and family when they express a need to reach a certain goal? Do you offer support and encouragement?

Remember to display the behaviors that you want others to display to you. In other words, if you want trust, love and respect, then you have to show them that you trust, love and respect them.

If you want your family to support your dreams, goals and career, then you have to support their dreams, goals and career.

Encourage the people that matter to you and they will give you the same encouragement and support.