Always Add a Little More Sugar

A Daily reflection from my upcoming book

Joy: There’s No Reason Not To
Lessons from Under My Mother’s Roof
by Todd Keough

Always Add a Little More Sugar
It never hurts to put a little more sugar in. In life this is also true. If you add a little sugar to your speech and how you interact with others you will make others feel good and bring a little more joy into this world. There is never a reason to add too much sugar or things can end up too sweet. Your sweetness must be genuine if you over do it you act out of a place of trying to please rather than a place of kindness. You never need to please anyone but it never hurts to add a little sugar so you bring joy in both your life and someone else’s.

Today’s reflection:

World: Today think of one action you can do to add a little more sugar to the world. Where have you seen a little sweetness lacking in this world or with those you have interacted with? How can you be the one who brings sweetness into that situation? Is it at work? Home? School? Look into your own self and picture where that sweetness has been lacking. Now take two minutes and write about where you have seen sweetness lacking and how you would like to bring a little sugar into that area today.

Self: Now I want you to think of one area where you have not added sugar in your own life. How have you not been sweet to your self? Where have you been bitter? Is it the way you have spoken to yourself? Is it the way you have treated yourself? Where have you not sprinkled sugar on yourself? How can you add a little sugar into your own being today? Now take two minutes and think or write these down.

Prayer: Today I ask to open myself up and see where I can add a little sugar into this world. Great and Holy Spirit you want me to be kind to others and myself. Help me today to bring a little sugar to all those I encounter and see especially myself. I enter the mystery of this day and ask that I have the willingness to sprinkle sugar and love into the hearts I encounter. I pray that I am not a people pleaser rather that I am true to others and myself. You know where I am needed and how to shake me out best so please allow me to be open to this mystery.

Affirmation: I will be a little bit of sugar in this world today for myself and others allowing my sweetness to flow throughout this world.

Everyone Is Welcome

A Daily reflection from my upcoming book

Joy: There’s No Reason Not To
Lessons from Under My Mother’s Roof
by Todd Keough

I was taught that everyone is welcome. My Mother always told me that my door should be open to all people. I sometimes let my own fears or insecurities not allow me to open the door to all people. I believe that those who may think differently than me or have different opinions than mine should not be welcomed. This is not only to the door of my home but also to the door of my heart. I shut people out who may need me or that I may need. I must fight against my inclinations of fear and embrace all people with love even those who may have differing views than my own.

Today’s Reflection:

World: Where have I not allowed others to fear included because of my own fear and insecurity. What types of people can I not accept? What types of people do I not welcome into my home or heart? Is it people who look different than me? Think differently? Who even may have opposing politic views? Or maybe even people who spew hate? In what ways can I find ways to welcome these people and engage them with love instead of fear? Close your eyes and envision for two minutes and then write down and act upon it.

Self: What aspects of myself have I not embraced today out of fear? What part os myself are unwelcome guests who I do not let enter my house or heart or when they come I ridicule them? Is it the parts that I fear are dark? Or stupid? Or fat Or not talented? How can I welcome those parts into myself  so I can embrace the wholeness of who I am. Reflect for a few minutes on this and write down these thoughts and come up with one way you will embrace yourself more fully today.

Prayer: Oh great healing Spirit that envelopes the world. Please come and soften my heart and allow me to be there for other and welcome them in. Not in a way that hurts or harms me but in a way where I can be the love that society needs. Please help me to not answer fear and hatred with the same but instead with love. Please spread your loving and nurturing spirit around me so I live in love instead of fear.

Affirmation: I am the face of love that this world needs and I will encounter all I meet and see with a welcoming spirit of love and compassion instead of fear.

There is Always Enough Food

A Daily reflection from my upcoming book

Joy: There’s No Reason Not To
Lessons from Under My Mother’s Roof
by Todd Keough

It is important to realize that there is always enough food and we do not have to binge ourselves. It is also the case that if we act with respect and dignity toward the earth and all people there is enough food for all of us in this world. This is also true with the other things in our life. We are never satisfied with what we have and do not feel there is enough food, time, experience, or self for others. The truth is if we relax and do our part there will be enough for us and all people.  We can learn to give out of our excess and learn to live in a world where we all give from what we have.

Today’s Reflection:

World: Reflect on one way today that you can ensure that there is enough food for all. Where have you taking more than you need because you are worried about running out? Where have you become selfish or stingy because you believe there is not enough food? In what way can you help this world see and know that there is enough for all people? Look into your heart and see where you have accumulated more than you need and how you can go about providing more food for others. As well look at where you have giving of your time, resources, or self to provide food for others. Take two minutes and write down where you would like to provide more and also where you feel like you are providing the right amount.

Self: Now think of how you do not feed yourself or where you do not give enough to yourself because you think if you take that there will not be enough for someone who comes after you. How do you deny yourself the food you need either figuratively or literally because you do not think you deserve it. Reflect on those moments and in this space write down how you will give yourself the food you need today because you deserve it as well.

Prayer: Please all that is an every was allow us and as a society and a world to realize that you have provided enough resources for all of us to be full. May we embrace the continued notion that we do not need to keep accumulating so that we look better or have more than the other. However, that we can all realize that we are all brothers and sisters who all deserve to be full.

Affirmation: If I live within my means today I create a world where all people including myself have enough and do not need to worry if there is enough food.