Release your cares and worries; a new beginning is in store.
On the southern Oregon coast, Oregon resident and artist, Denny Dyke, has transformed his local beach into mazes, as part of his “Circles in the Sand” project. Dyke’s designs are made in the hard, wet sand of low tide. And thanks to the help of volunteers who use rakes to darken the negative space between the interlocking spirals, tourists and locals can stroll through the beautiful “Circles in the Sand” spirals. It is an act of love for Denny Dyke. For the creations have inspired the crowds who visit. But the labyrinths will only last for a few hours, before the rising tide will wash them all away and take them back to the sea. So, over 60 times a year, Dyke and his team of volunteers create the maze again.
“It’s one continual path,” Denny Dyke tells a reporter, “with no dead ends and no wrong turns.” And as people walk through his creation, he encourages them to ‘take their worries and leave them in the center of the spiral.’ Then, calm and relaxed, visitors can exit the labyrinth with a smile.
In a world that is sometimes filled with fears and concerns, how many hours in a day do you spend worrying? Are you allowing yourself to become filled with anxieties over situations that you cannot control? Or do you continually fret over problems and permit these emotions to consume your mind? Yet, a philosopher once wisely stated: “Today is the tomorrow you worried about, and all is well.”
Worrying is a choice, and we can decide not to do it. Hence, let go of everything that is worrying you and weighing you down. Let’s cultivate the attitude that whatever we are anxious about, with the powerful aid of God’s help, will eventually resolve itself. Moreover, let us not travel into the future, worrying about something that may or may not happen tomorrow, next month or in a year. God will take the undeserved and unfair circumstances that have occurred and turn them around for our good, if we put our trust in Him. And as we do, He will wash away the mistakes and disappointments of the past, and we will experience that peace which surpasses all understanding.
Today, let this moment be a turning point. And let go, forgive and forget the unjust situations of yesterday. Release cares and worries. A new beginning is in store.
Forgive a wrongdoing, pardon an offense and excuse a mistake. Let’s not concentrate on how we were mistreated, who was disloyal, and hurtful experiences. “To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it,” wrote Confucius. As long as we carry and hold on to bitterness and grievances, they steal the joy of right now. Let’s cease talking about how unfair life has been and start affirming positive solutions, being determined to rise above the difficulties. When we release, forgive and forget the pain of the past, it is we who triumph.
For three long years, a dear friend of mine suffered through many adversities. First he was falsely accused of something he did not do, unjustly losing a prestigious 25-year career. He underwent health problems; he had a personal crisis, financial troubles and lost his home. Yet, remarkably, he never gave up hope, his faith in God or the belief that he would come out of his trials stronger and better than he was before.
We met for lunch, and he was strong and healthy. You would never know the terrible ordeals he withstood. With sincerity in his voice my friend said, “Through it all, my faith was strong and the support from my family and close friends helped me so much. I learned to thank God no matter what happened, because I know when we have the right attitude, He can transform the worst possible situations into something beneficial.”
Continuing, my friend acknowledged, “When I was confused and did not know what to do, I tried to relax and let God work, trusting Him to make the wrongs right. Then, it was extremely important that I forgave the people who tried to do me harm. By forgiving and forgetting, I set myself free; and you know what? When I changed my thinking from negative to positive, it made room for me to pursue other great opportunities. And today, I appreciate and enjoy my life more than ever.”
Often things happen to us that we simply cannot fathom. However, instead of holding on to anger, anxiety and doubting God’s fairness, our reaction should be, “I will not let this steal my joy and ruin the rest of my precious life,” and “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Then, stand tall and surrender the situation up to God. For even when stumbling blocks occur, right behind them can be a glorious possibility that alters that setback into a stepping stone.
In the Bible, I read in the book of Job where, for some reason, God allowed Satan to put affliction after affliction, tribulation after tribulation upon this upright man. Job didn’t understand why God had permitted these things to happen.
But through his suffering, Job never lost his faith. He knew that God was good, loving; and as a result, unceasingly putting his hope and “trust in Him.” (Job 13:15). Job’s faith was stronger than what was coming against him. And in the end of the book, I read that God restored to Job twice as much as he lost and blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than his beginning.
A new beginning is in store for you. So declare with great authority, “I am not going to live my life worried, negative or discouraged anymore. Instead, I’m going to pray, trust God and depend on Him. God has taken care of me in the past, and He will take care of me in the future. At this moment, I’m placing my life into God’s loving and capable Hands.”
Then, get your zest back and begin to live again, being filled with hope, peace and joy. Expect your miracle to come to pass. See the possibilities in this new, precious day. Reach out, help and appreciate those around you. Pursue the things you enjoy. And do as Denny Dyke with his “Circles in the Sand” encourages, ‘take your worries and leave them in the center of the spiral.’
God loves and cares about you! And so do I.
Catherine Galasso-Vigorito’s nationally syndicated weekly column, “A New You,” has endeared her to readers across the country for over 15 years. In addition, Catherine is featured on television and radio where she inspires viewers and listeners by offering inspirational commentary, home decorating and entertaining ideas, plus DIY segments. She is the bestselling author of three books: A New You, God Will Do the Rest, and The Open Window. As a designer, her gift lines have been featured on QVC and she is a former Miss Connecticut USA.