***Do You Have a Magic Arrow?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could own a magic bow and arrow that had an arrowhead filled with love and shoot people with it when they are being mean, hateful, nasty, or spiteful. When the arrow hit them, it would spread love and joy throughout their hearts and bodies. They would immediately turn into the kind, loving people you’d like them to be.

You can have such an arrow. While no one can tell you where or how to get it, you CAN acquire it! This arrow is called “Charisma.” It comes from the Greek words “kharisma” meaning divine gift and “kharis” meaning grace. Charisma is the divine gift of grace. When people are acting in a manner unbecoming to them, use your divine gift of grace to listen and then respond to them in a manner that makes them comfortable. Be self -confident and comfortable with yourself. Communicate in a natural and unpretentious way.

People who have these magic arrows are more in control of their lives. They have a goal, a direction and seem to be “in charge”. They have the ability to get others to believe in them, follow them and respond to them in positive ways.

The dictionary defines “Charisma” as “a special, inspiring quality of leadership.” Some people come by it naturally. Others have to work hard to get it. Either way, you can have it and use it to make all your relationships better.

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
Make it a habit to say or do things every single day that will make another person feel better. When you walk past someone, smile and pay him or her a compliment; make a telephone call to say hello to an elderly person or a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while; send a card or an email to someone just to let him know you are thinking of him. It’s always the right time to do a kind act.

BE KIND TO YOURSELF
Take the time to discover what you love – what makes your heart sing – then do it on a regular basis. It certainly doesn’t have to be profound or complicated: Sit under a tree; lie in the grass and watch the clouds; walk on the beach; go to the library; go to the spa; get a massage; take dance lessons; sing in the choir; spend time with your family; spend time alone.

Very often we are much nicer to other people than we are to ourselves. The Bible exhorts us to “love thy neighbor as thyself.” It does not say “instead of” thyself. You would never say to your best friend, “You’re so stupid. You’re so dumb. You could have. You should have.” Yet, how many times have you said exactly those things to yourself? Stop it! You are never again to follow the words “I am” with a negative word or thought. If you hear yourself doing it, say, “Stop. That’s not right.” Then say, “I am…” and attach some positive words.

BE THANKFUL FOR YOUR GIFTS
Every night when you lay your head on your pillow, say thank you for at least two things in your life for which you are grateful.

On those sometimes difficult nights – when you are laying there thinking about all the things you didn’t get done, you still need to do, you could have said, you shouldn’t have said, you don’t have, and wish you were – concentrate on two people, traits, or things that happened for which you are grateful. Think about what you DO have instead of what you don’t. Focus on what you ARE instead of what you aren’t. As Rev. Robert Schuller tells us, “Obstacles are seldom the same size tomorrow as they are today. Today’s responsibilities are tomorrow’s possibilities.”

Aim your arrows at people who seem to need it the most and you will find benefits and gifts that you never imagined as you hit the target time and time again.