28 Getting Rid of the Gorilla #4

GETTING RID OF THE

Gorilla

Freedom is useless if we don’t exercise it as characters making choices . . . We are free to change the stories by which we live.  Because we are genuine characters, and not mere puppets, we can choose our defining stories.  

We can do so because we actively participate in the creation of our stories.  We are co-authors as well as characters.  Few things are as encouraging as the realization that things can be different and that we have a role in making them so.

If you had permission to do what you really wanted to do, what would you do?

Don’t ask how; that will cut your desire off at the knees.  How is never the right question; how is a faithless question.  

Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive because what the world needs are  people who have come alive.

What is written in your heart?  What makes you come alive?  If you could do what you’ve always wanted to do what would it be?  You see, your calling is written on your true heart, and you will discover it when you enter your deep desires.

Living with an unforgiving HEART is like living with a gorilla.

If we don’t find a way to release and pardon the people who hurt us, our pain and anger settle at the bottom of our souls.  Then without knowing it, they find each other and begin to grow.  Over time the rage and tears of others hurts takes on a life of its own.  That is when the gorilla comes to live with us.  Now he’s larger, more powerful—overwhelming.

Living with the gorilla changes everything about us.  Nothing in our lives goes untouched.  An unforgiving HEART affects everyone and everything we touch.

Divide your life into 2 periods: BG (before gorilla & AG (after gorilla).  How did you view people before the gorilla came into your life?  How did that perspective change after he moved in?  Write down the words that describe your perspective in each of these periods.