This Week’s Thought Drop:
Farewell to 2023! Whether this has been one of the best years of your life or among the worst, it has been a year of life. For that reason, we should celebrate! As we face the coming of a new year, my prayer is that you will receive the blessings of God and that you will prosper as your soul prospers. Happy New Year!
Last Week’s Thought Drop:
I bring you good tidings of great joy! The birth of Jesus changed the course of human history, setting in motion something the world desperately needed. The life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus made a way for fallen humanity to be reconciled with their Creator! As we celebrate this Christmas season with our loved ones, remember to thank God for the wonderful gift of salvation!
Previous Thought Drops:
“You are what you eat” is a saying reminding us of the importance of consuming healthy, nutritious food if we want a healthy body. The phrase is even more applicable to what we feed our minds. In a world of social media and mobile networks, we have access to all sorts of videos, photos, and news (both real and fake). This influx of entertainment and information feeds into our brains and affects how we think, talk, and act. We start to become like the things we consume – especially through video. Just as we should be conscious of the food we eat, we must use caution when it comes to the information we consume!
Be strong, so that you can lift up your brother who has fallen. Prepare a little extra food, in case you come across someone who is hungry. Work hard and stick back a few dollars so that you have something to give to those in need. Maintain your health, so you can care for someone who is sick. In other words, do all the things we know we’re supposed to do in life, but don’t do them for selfish reasons. You will be amazed at the difference this will make in your life!
When you spend your time giving thanks for everything you have, there is no time left to stress over what you don’t have.
What does it mean to share? The thought is basically “I have this thing, and I want to give some of it to you”. Sharing doesn’t mean giving away all of what you have, nor does it mean giving up something that is necessary to your survival or that brings you happiness. Sharing comes from abundance. When you have plenty – more than you need – then you give of your excess to another person so they, too, can have what you have. Usually, sharing is reciprocated, but that is not the purpose of sharing. Sharing is done simply to spread your abundance to others so they can also partake. What do you have that you can share? It doesn’t have to be a “thing”. Maybe you have a talent that you can use to help someone else. Perhaps you have a smile that you can bestow on a stranger, or a caring hug that you can give to a friend. The amazing thing about sharing is that it increases our joy. You feel more happiness, joy, and contentment when you share what you have than you would feel if you increased the amount of it you possess. It truly is better to give than to receive!
Once again, we survived the end of Daylight Savings Time. The time change affects people in different ways, and it usually takes a little while for our bodies to adjust. But it is also a reminder that the concept of time, as measured by a clock on the wall or the display on our phones, is just a way for us to organize our lives. The clock does not change the rising and setting of the sun, the passage of days or years, or the aging of our bodies. Those things happen as they are supposed to happen, unaffected by how we measure or define “time”. My 10:00 AM is 6:00 PM elsewhere in the world, but it’s still the same turning of the earth on its axis. Let’s not get too focused on the clock or calendar. Instead, let’s live every moment of our precious time on earth in a manner that glorifies the Creator of it all!
I once had a manager who was excellent at quality control. No error or mistake seemed to get by him. He said his approach was to always look for something wrong. Any time he walked through the building, he made it his goal to find something wrong. And you know what? He always did! That’s because you find what you are looking for. Constantly searching for something wrong may be a valuable skill in assuring the quality of your work, but it can be devastating to your mental health and your relationships. When it comes to living a life of joy, having a strong marriage, and developing meaningful relationships, we must look for something good and right. You will find what you are looking for, because there is goodness and beauty all around us! Learn how to always look for something right. It might not make you the best quality control inspector in the world, but it will make you a happier, healthier person!
Important fact #1: There is a God (and He has everything under control). Important fact #2: You are not Him (and nobody expects you to be).
Beware of the “love but”. You’ve heard it: “I love my job, but the stress is terrible,” or “I love my wife but she drives me up the wall.” The “but” after the word “love” says that your love needs to be examined. If you love your spouse but need to stop at the bar for a few drinks before you go home at night, the “but” may indicate that you don’t really love your spouse as much as you should. If you love to eat ice cream each night before bed but it’s negatively impacting your health, that “but” may be telling you that your love is misplaced. If you find yourself saying “love but”, it’s time to examine your love.
Outrage. Horror. Fear. Anger. Sorrow. So many emotions come into play as we see the atrocities of terrorism and warfare. Thousands suffer because of the actions of a few. Words like murder, slaughter, barbaric, butchering, and inhumane barely scratch the surface of what some people have done to other people, and these words trigger a strong emotional response and awaken in us a cry for justice. Whatever emotions you feel and thoughts you have about what is happening in Israel, there is one word that each of us must resist. Hate. Hatred robs us of our ability to think and act rationally, fairly, and with justice. Hate drives the kind of behavior we have witnessed this week, just as it drove the unimaginable atrocities seen in the 1940s. If we allow ourselves to hate, it destroys our humanity and will lead us to actions similar to those we now condemn. Be angry. Be sad. Acknowledge your fears. But never, ever allow yourself to hate.
Not everything you do will yield immediate results. That doesn’t mean it isn’t important. Your current level of physical fitness isn’t just the result of what you did yesterday. It’s the cumulative result of the decisions and actions you have taken for months and years. If I decide to “get in shape” now and begin an exercise routine, it will take a long time to overcome the effects of my lifestyle over the last two decades. However, my future self will be glad I made better choices and took action now. Goals, and the steps we take toward them, are not meant to yield immediate results. They are to guide us and motivate us as we seek future results. Don’t let a lack of immediate results deter you from pursuing your goals!
The power to choose is a tremendous gift! We don’t always get to choose our circumstances, but we can choose our response. Emotions such as anger, sadness, or fear can come upon us unexpectedly, but we can choose how we react to those emotions. God has given each of us the ability to assess our situation, consider the possible actions to take, weigh the consequences of each action, and then choose our next step. Today, use your God-given power to choose your actions and your attitude, no matter what circumstances you face.
What if I can? This isn’t the question we usually ask. Usually, we are doubtful and ask “What if I can’t?”. That question leads to fear, intimidation, and (often) refusing to try. But what if you can? You will only know if you research it, educate yourself, and give it a shot. I recently used “what if I can” to try something new. As a result, I now have several jars of grape jelly I made from wild grapes I found! When faced with something new, try asking “What if I can?” instead of “What if I can’t?”. You will notice a tremendous difference in your approach to the new challenge!
God can… Think about that statement. The ellipsis represents whatever you need it to represent. God can heal you. God can fix your problem. God can provide that need. God can free you from addiction. God can deliver you from that abusive situation. God can save your soul (yes, even you!). God can calm your fears. God can protect your loved one. God can comfort you in your sorrow. If you don’t remember anything else you have read or heard, remember this: God can…!
“It’s crunch time!” In sales, the last day of the month is seen as the day to push hard to finish the month strong. It’s time to focus, knuckle down, and make things happen. Every sales manager will be saying this today, just like they did last month. But really, shouldn’t we be treating every day as if it’s the last day? If we do, we don’t need to stress about “crunch time”!
You can’t be everywhere at once, nor can you do everything at once. Wanting to be everywhere and do everything stresses us out and makes us feel overwhelmed. What should you do when you have so much to do that you’re paralyzed by the enormity of it all? Start by repeating that first sentence. Then, pick one thing on your to-do list and do it. Just one thing. Finish that one task and mark it off your list. Then you can take a breath, pat yourself on the back, and pick another one thing from your list. I realize that this seems too simple, but it’s actually one of the best power moves you can make. You will feel better, accomplish more, and will no longer feel the weight of the world pressing in on you!
Do things on purpose and with intent. To act randomly, without a goal, will not lead to accomplishment and fulfillment. We must know our Reason, set our goals, and then act in a way that draws us closer to those goals. Remember, you have a Reason, and your actions should be dictated by that purpose!
Persistence (continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty) is often the key to success. Sometimes all it takes to succeed is to keep going. Being consistent (acting the same way over time) is also a key to success. Consistent application of a skill causes it to become second nature. Bringing the two together unleashes tremendous power. Consistent persistence, or persistent consistency, in the pursuit of your goals will lead to amazing success!
Paul talked about how one person plants, another waters, but God gives the increase. When we remember that God is responsible for the results of our labor, we feel freedom. The stress and burden of responsibility for results is lifted from our shoulders, and what a relief it is! It reminds me of that feeling at work when I realize I just need to do my job, and the boss has to deal with all the stress and worry of business operations. At the same time, God (just like a business owner) is looking for people who willingly take upon themselves some of that burden or responsibility. A worker who is willing to do more than just what’s required, and to take ownership of their work, is invaluable to the success of any business. God is looking for such workers in His Kingdom!
I have a shirt that I really like, but it doesn’t fit. To be more precise, I’ve outgrown it. Now, if this was a favorite shirt from my childhood that I have outgrown, it wouldn’t be a problem. I’m supposed to outgrow those and move on. However, this is a full-size, grown-up man shirt that is now too tight around the belly. This leaves me with three options. I can either cast the shirt aside and move on, I can wear it anyway even though it’s uncomfortable and doesn’t look the best, or I can lose enough weight to enable me to wear it again. It’s my choice. In life, we face many things that no longer “fit” in our lives. This may be a job, a home, a hobby, or even a relationship. Some things we just naturally outgrow as we mature, and we simply move on. For everything else, we must decide if we are going to cast it aside, stay in the uncomfortable situation, or take the necessary action to make it “fit” again. Each of us must make the choice for ourselves.
I watched a man take his final breath. It was more like a short gasp, really. One breath, and he went from life into death. At that moment, it didn’t matter what he had (or did not have). It didn’t matter that he had a car repair to make, or a bill to pay. It wasn’t important what he had or had not accomplished. Right then, it only mattered that he was ready to meet Jesus. What was important at that moment is the only thing that is truly important. Everything else in life is secondary to our relationship with Jesus. Take a breath, and think “What if that’s my last breath?” Are you ready to meet Him?
There’s nothing quite like a bowl (or bag) of fresh, buttery popcorn. The smell, the crunch, the taste… it’s just so good! When we get to the end, there are always some unpopped kernels. We simply cast these aside, and their presence in no way diminishes our enjoyment of the popcorn. And yet, we will allow one small failure, an unkind word, or a single disappointment to ruin our day, or even the entire week. Why don’t we just accept life’s setbacks the same way we accept the unpopped kernels of corn? It is possible for you to enjoy your day, week, month – your life – even with some disappointments or problems. Choose to enjoy the precious moments of life, and cast aside the other stuff. Treat yourself to life in the same manner you treat yourself to a bowl of popcorn (which I’m sure you are craving right now)!
Our focus holds tremendous power. As with all power, it can be good or bad. Focusing on a problem can overwhelm us while focusing on a solution allows us to overcome an obstacle. Focusing on an annoying habit can destroy a relationship, but focusing on the relationship allows us to dismiss such annoyances. A lack of focus stands in the way of accomplishment; staying focused on a goal results in many achievements. We should harness the power of focus!
Valuable. It means something that is of great worth. It’s often associated with monetary worth, but something may be valuable because of its usefulness (like water in a desert) or sentimentality (such as Grandpa’s pocket watch). When I prayed this morning and asked God what word people need to hear today, He responded “Valuable”. Jesus (and I) want you to know that you are valuable; you are a person of great worth!
It is important to have a dream. Your dream serves as a motivator and inspiration to keep going. It makes the hard work and sacrifices worthwhile and keeps you focused during the daily grind. You will go through seasons in life where the dream doesn’t seem possible and your reality tells you to quit dreaming. It is in those moments when your dream is more important than ever. Hold onto your dream, even when circumstances tell you it will never happen. Your dream may be the only thing that can keep you going during the tough times!
We must diligently be about our business, and guard against allowing busy-ness to interfere. We have a Reason, but if we’re not careful our time will be consumed with so many activities that we don’t even remember why we’re here. As we move into the time of summer vacations, family gatherings, leaving school, or whatever else life brings, don’t lose sight of what really matters!
In today’s world of GPS systems and turn-by-turn directions, the humble compass has been rendered obsolete. Or has it? Your phone will show you how to reach an address, and it will show you every point of interest, gas station, and restaurant along the way. But even the most sophisticated navigation systems require a component that indicates direction, which is what a compass does. When it comes down to it, knowing the direction to go will get you there. A map works with a compass to show you the best route. Everything else may be helpful, or could just be a distraction. But it all comes down to having a compass to show direction. In this journey through life, God is our compass and the Bible is our map. With these, we can reach our destination – Heaven!
What is a servant? By definition, it means a person who performs duties for others. It also means a devoted and helpful follower or supporter. It sounds like a servant is a pretty great person! It’s someone who has proven themselves to be dedicated and trustworthy. It is a person you can count on. The Bible talks about the Lord saying “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Knowing the definition of a servant, this is an amazing compliment. You will never go wrong if you have the heart of a servant.
The same actions and thinking that got you into a mess will not get you out of it. This is a simple truth, but one that many people forget. You must be open to new ideas and to trying new things if you want to change your circumstances. It doesn’t necessarily need to be something new. Perhaps it’s an idea that you rejected previously or an action that you have refused to try in the past. You can choose something different, and in doing so can change your world!
Whatever your thoughts are about the Bible and the story of Adam and Eve, it demonstrates this principle: Change a word; change a life. God said that if they ate the forbidden fruit, they would “surely die”. The serpent said to Eve “Thou shalt not surely die”. One word. That was all that changed, and it had devastating consequences. Changing a word has tremendous power, both in our thinking and in those around us. Changing “I can’t” to “I can”, or replacing “I should” with ” I will” transforms a situation. Swapping “worthless” for “valued”, “chosen”, or “loved” will forever change a child’s life. (It works with adults, too!) Pay attention to the words you say, to yourself or to others. What one word can you change that will transform your world?
Never stop dreaming. Dreams enrich our lives and give us hope through hard times. Along with dreaming, make sure you follow at least one dream in your life. Even if the pursuit leads to failure, you will have the lessons learned and you won’t be plagued with “what if” for the rest of your life. If you chased a dream and failed, go ahead and dream again. I like the scene in “The Greatest Showman” where Phineus is in the apartment, with signs from all his failed attempts in the background, and he comes up with the idea for the circus. Although he was surrounded by “failures”, he followed a dream to great success. Never stop dreaming!
What is “enough”? It’s a word without an exact definition, because “enough” changes by circumstance and individual. Enough money to pay the rent is different from enough money to retire. Much of the stress in our lives comes because we don’t know how to define “enough”. We want to work hard enough, have enough comfort, get a big enough house, and on and on it goes. However, we seldom take the time to define “enough” for our situation. Since we don’t know what “enough” is, we constantly push ourselves for “more”. It’s important to define “enough” for your life, and therewith to be content. If someone says you need more money, more stuff, more leisure time, or more of anything else, it won’t matter because you know you have enough. Just think how satisfying and relaxing it would be to know you have enough!
“If we each have a penny and exchange pennies, we each still have one cent. If we each have an idea and exchange ideas, we each now have two ideas.” I don’t remember where I first read this concept, but I displayed it on the wall of my office for years. I realize now that we each would have more than two ideas, for when you bring two ideas together they will give birth to additional ideas. True wealth and prosperity come from the gathering and growing of ideas. Humanity will never reach our true potential without opening our minds to new ideas.
If I learned anything from a certain umbrella-carrying, flying nanny, it was that our routines can blind us to life. We can get so caught up in our daily routines that we miss the beauty and amazingness that is all around us. We must make a conscious decision to look beyond the mundane routine of life and see what God has given us. I think I will take a different route to work today, just to break out of my routine…
You cannot complete a journey of a thousand miles in one step. We all know this, but then we often stress ourselves out worrying about the whole journey. We get overwhelmed by how far we have left to go. It’s okay, and even advisable, to just focus on your next step. We can only live one day at a time, so don’t let tomorrow or next year worry you. Focus on the step you need to take today.
While discussing an artistic piece of jewelry, an antique dealer commented that the imperfections in the piece are what make it perfect, because people don’t want something that looks exactly like thousands of others. I love that thought! We spend so much time trying to hide our imperfections, but our imperfections are what make us perfect. The world needs – nay, craves – our uniqueness. We are each fearfully and wonderfully made by the master craftsman of the universe. We are made perfect by what we consider to be our imperfections!
External motivation is important and valuable. Whether it’s financial gain, a prominent position, or praise from another, we all (whether we admit it or not) need and enjoy such rewards. The problem is that the power of external motivation fades, and it takes more and more rewards to motivate us. An internal drive is much more effective as motivation. This is why it’s so important to understand your Reason – that God-given desire to do something. Knowing your Reason will keep you going in a way that no external reward can do, and it will cause you to keep going even when the rewards don’t come. When you realize that you are doing something because God put it in you to do it, then nothing can ever stop you!
Every situation has value and can help us become a better person, if we will allow it. Struggle builds strength, poverty brings appreciation for the simple things, tragedy teaches resilience. Success teaches there is a reward for our efforts. All things work for our good, as long as we are willing to accept the lessons we are being taught.
Believing is foundational to achieving. This is not only true in salvation, but in every aspect of life. You won’t accomplish something if you don’t believe it can be done, or that you can do it. Why? Because if you don’t believe, you won’t put forth the effort necessary to achieve!
Faith must be rooted in knowledge. Otherwise, it is not really faith but wishful thinking. This is true of your faith in God but is just as true for other types of faith. We have faith in a person because of our history with them. We have faith in a car because it has proven to be reliable. The list goes on. Paul stated, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded…” Do you know who/what you have faith in? If so, don’t let any outside influence shake your faith.
The weather is always changing and is often unpredictable. We just learn to adapt and go on. For all its unpredictability, we know one thing for certain: there will be weather of some kind every day. Life is like that. We never know what is going to happen, so we have to just adapt and go on. No matter what life brings, there is still life for us to live!
If you don’t know where you are, how can you get where you want to be? In this time of “resolutions”, too many people set their goals before honestly assessing where they are. We must understand where we are in order to determine the right path to reach our goals. Otherwise, we’re like the man who wanted to go to Mexico so he headed south. It would have been fine, except he started out in Brazil!
Everyone is different, yet we are all the same. Our humanity makes us the same, and yet every person is unique in their looks, thoughts, abilities, and experiences. Everyone experiences joys and sorrows, heartaches and triumphs. Yet everyone experiences those things in a unique way. Let us all love one another, for we’re all the same, and let us recognize and celebrate each other’s individuality.
When I woke up this morning, I didn’t feel particularly great. I wasn’t even certain I would be able to go to work. It occurred to me that I should be thankful for the ability to make that choice. Our soldiers don’t get to call in sick when fighting for our country. Many people would lose their job or wouldn’t be able to afford groceries if they missed a day of work. Sadly, some people are in slavery and have no choice but to work, no matter their health. I realized today just how blessed I am that I can call in sick if I need to. While thanking God for this ability to choose, I began feeling better! What small blessing are you thankful for today?
Don’t underestimate the power of gratitude. When you focus on expressing gratitude for the people and things in your life, you will not have any time left to be jealous of someone else or to be bitter about what you don’t have. Thankfulness has a way of crowding depression out of your mind, and it runs misery out of your home. It invites its friends, Joy and Peace, to come live with you. You can completely transform your life with an attitude of gratitude!
Did you know that kindness is an expression of thankfulness? It’s true! When you show kindness to someone, you are essentially saying “I am so thankful for the blessings in my life that I want to share that goodness with others”. Giving a gift, doing a favor, or even offering a word of encouragement are all acts of kindness that come from an attitude of gratitude.
Several days ago I read a quote attributed to Nathan Ivey that said “Your emotions are real, but that doesn’t mean they are right. Never let your emotions dictate your decisions.” What powerful advice! We tend to make decisions based on emotion, but that can get us into trouble. Others try to ignore or deny their emotions and make cold, calculated decisions. Mr. Ivey’s approach allows us to acknowledge the power of emotion without making us a slave to our emotions. To put it in my own words, consider how you feel about a decision but don’t let that be the only factor you consider when making your decision.
What is more important: price or cost? This may sound like something a salesperson uses to confuse customers (and some use it that way), but there is a difference between price and cost. For instance, you can buy a “fixer-upper” house for a lower price than a new home. But then you will have to invest money, time, and energy into making the cheaper house livable. You may need to replace appliances, repair the roof, put in new flooring, patch the walls, etc. All of this adds to the cost of the home, and you may end up putting more into the lower-priced home. This isn’t even taking into account the stress and energy involved in dealing with the problems discovered during the time you own your “bargain”. In most purchases, paying the price for quality ends up being the lower-cost option over time. Sometimes it’s worthwhile to pay the price to avoid the future cost. It’s also worth the price to reap the benefits (monetary, emotional, or physical) down the road. The same concept applies to relationships. It may be easier (lower-priced) to have a “buddy” instead of a friend, but over the course of a lifetime, one friend is worth more than a thousand buddies. The price of setting boundaries for your children saves them (and you) a lifetime of problems. Don’t just consider the price (short term) in your decisions. Count the cost, then choose wisely.
I like fall. It’s a beautiful time of year with crisp temperatures and blazing colors. Many people don’t care for it because it’s the transition into winter. What’s interesting is that fall is both its own season and a season of transition. I can enjoy the season even though I know it’s a transition into something I don’t necessarily care for (although I do think snow is wonderful). Our lives are full of seasons as well, each of which is its own thing but also is a transition period. Whether your current situation is good or bad, it is but a season that will lead to something else. We can enjoy (or learn from) our current season even while knowing that change is coming. This season will pass, giving way to the next season with its own set of good or bad. Keep going, even through the hard times, because this too shall pass!
Hebrews 12:2 talks about Jesus enduring the cross “for the joy that was set before Him”. In other words, focusing on His goal or Reason allowed Jesus to endure His present circumstances. There is a valuable lesson to be learned from this. As long as you keep your mind and focus on your Reason, you will be able to endure any present situation. The joy of fulfilling your purpose will overshadow any hardship. Keep your Reason in mind and press on!
Think about your thoughts, for thoughts manifest themselves in your words and actions. Ultimately, your thoughts determine your success or failure. To paraphrase a famous quote: Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right. Thoughts are important, because how you think influences your attitude, approach, speech and actions. You need to think about the thoughts you allow to occupy your mind!
After leaving Egypt, the children of Israel were provided manna to eat every day. Each morning, they were to gather enough for the day. They were not to gather more or less, and they were instructed not to save any for the next day (except for the Sabbath). The important lesson here for us is this – take one day at a time. God will provide all we need to get through this day, and He will take care of tomorrow as well. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Go out and live the blessing of this day!
Don’t just live today; experience today. Feel the joy and peace, or the pain and frustration. Learn the lessons being taught – even if the lesson is simply that you CAN survive. Cherish the moments that will become fond memories. Don’t waste today longing for the past or waiting for the future. Experience today.
Every day, we have a choice to make. Will we, through our words and actions, honor the people (living or dead) who had a major impact on our lives? Will we live by what they taught us, thus making their investment of time with us pay dividends? Will we also pour into others the knowledge and wisdom that they poured into us? The greatest way to honor a parent, teacher, role model, or friend is to carry on their legacy in our daily lives.
“Try it. You might like it.” Probably every one of us heard this from our parents, and most parents have likely said it. This is great advice. It’s always a good idea to try something new – different foods, a new store, an alternate route to work, etc. You may discover something you really like, or you may find out that it isn’t for you. Either way, you’ve grown as a person. Also, it gives you something fresh to talk about with your friends, making your conversations even more interesting!
Don’t let a bad moment ruin a perfectly good day. Brush it off and move on!
Webster’s defines “art” as “the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects”. In other words, any time you intentionally use your skills and imagination, you are being an artist. That means your sales presentation which closes the deal is a work of art. So is the concrete foundation you laid or your eye-catching merchandise display. Every day, you and I are creating works of art. That kind of makes going to work seem a little more worthwhile, doesn’t it?
You are not in this alone. Your fears, your struggles, your problems… you are not the only person going through such things. Even though you feel alone, and although nobody’s situation is exactly the same as yours, know that someone else is also struggling. How does this help? First of all, knowing you are not alone is a comfort in and of itself. Second, this knowledge makes it easier to reach out. You can connect to others who are struggling and thus help one another through the tough times. Finally, knowing that you are part of a community of struggling people gives you the strength to keep going. It is easier to be an overcomer when you know you’re not fighting alone. Remember, my friend – you are not alone!
You are not here by accident. You have a purpose. There is a reason you are alive at this time in history. Whether you know it or not, you are playing an important role in human history. You have been created for such a time as this. Therefore, lift up your head, square your shoulders, and face this day with confidence and determination. This is your time, so live each day with hope – trusting that your Creator knows what He is doing. Because you are not here by accident!
Trust the process. One of the most difficult parts about growing a garden is following the process (preparation, planting, watering, weeding, and waiting), trusting that the process will bring a harvest. Without the process, the bountiful harvest cannot come. Whatever you do in life, taking right actions precedes reaping the desired rewards. Galatians 6:9 says we will reap if we faint not. Trust the process, knowing that your harvest will come!
The fact that you haven’t done something doesn’t mean you can’t do it. The fact that something has never been done does not mean it cannot be done. Remember that Thomas Edison discovered hundreds of ways not to make an incandescent light bulb before he learned how to make one!
Be the best YOU possible. This is the greatest gift that you can give to your family, your community, the world… and yourself!
Just a little bit more. How much impact can just a little bit more have on your life or your situation? A little more effort, a little more practice, a little more education, a little more time… a little more can be the difference between failure and success! Victory may come by practicing a little harder. Your promotion may come because you do a little more than others. A breakthrough might come from working a little bit longer. It doesn’t usually take a lot of effort to reach your goals. All it takes is your willingness to give just a little bit more!
Strive to be the best at whatever you do, even if you know you will never be the best. It’s not possible for every athlete to be the greatest of all time, yet they all still compete. First Corinthians 9:24 talks about how all runners run in a race, knowing that only one will win. Thrive on being competitive. Maybe you will win, maybe not. Odds are you won’t win, but you can still make it a great race!
What makes a pitcher great? His next pitch. The best pitchers make mistakes, and sometimes the batter knocks even a perfect pitch out of the park. What sets the great pitchers apart is their ability to re-focus and make their next pitch. It doesn’t matter what success or failure you’ve had in life. What matters is your next pitch. Focus on your goal, and take the next step. In the end, your results will speak for themselves!
My GM has a go-to saying when things get tense. He says “It’s never as bad as it seems, and it’s never as good as it seems”. I like it. It keeps me humble and focused, and it reminds me to step back and see the big picture. In the heat of the moment, things can seem really bad. However, if you think about the situation from an overall standpoint, or think in terms of decades instead of moments, you realize that your situation will change just like every situation you’ve ever been in changed. When you’re feeling overwhelmed (or invincible), stop and think about this simple phrase. It will change your life!
Just because you don’t see it, that doesn’t mean it’s not there. Many years ago a friend of mine showed me a picture with nothing but a bunch of squiggles and dots. Hidden within the nothingness were four detailed pictures. After some practice, I learned how to see the pictures but some people never could see them. The pictures were there even though they were not visible to the untrained eye. The solution to your problem, the pathway to your dream, and your Reason in life are all there. You simply have to train yourself to see them!
Proverbs 6:6-8 tells us to consider the ways of a simple ant, and intimates that we become wise by doing so. Have you ever observed ants at work? Every one of them stays busy doing what ants do. Their entire life they build tunnels, gather food, and work together with the rest of their family. What strikes me most is how they work for the good of the colony, building and expanding their home and laying up stores of supplies. Each individual has everything s/he needs while working for the strength and future of the colony. Americans would be wise to consider the behavior of this small, simple creature.
If you don’t know how to do something, start doing it. There is no greater teacher than experience. Once you start, then you will learn, develop and improve. Learning comes by doing, so don’t be afraid to start!
At some point in your life, you have said (or at least thought) “I just can’t make it”. And yet, here you are today on the other side of that situation. Think about that the next time you find yourself in a predicament that feels like it is going to destroy you. You’re stronger and more resilient than you realize!
It’s not complicated. Being successful is really simple, and we often over-complicate it. To be a success, do the things that lead to success and avoid the things that are detrimental to success. If you’re unsure what leads to success, study the habits of successful people, as well as people who have not succeeded. This will teach you what to do and what to avoid. For most people, the most difficult part of being successful is identifying what success is. We don’t have room to discuss that here. For now, just know that success comes from doing what leads to success and avoiding pitfalls. It really is that simple!
This morning, I woke up hungry. I had a gnawing in my stomach and thought that I had better get some food. I got out of bed and started my morning routine, and a little over an hour later ate my breakfast. It was then that I realized that I must not have been so hungry after all, since I was able to wait an hour to eat. We hear coaches, managers, and motivational speakers talk about how we need to “get hungry” in order to succeed. The Bible talks about being hungry for righteousness. What they are saying is we must get past the “I should probably eat” stage (which I was in this morning) and get to the “I must put food into my body NOW!” mentality. If you can put off eating, and food isn’t dominating your thoughts – or if you refuse what’s before you because it isn’t what you like – then you are not really hungry. If you are not seeing the results you want in some aspect of your life, maybe it’s time to get hungry!
Like it or not, we often base our sense of worth on the words and actions of others. While this may not be the healthiest way to live, it comes naturally for us to do this. However, we still have the ability to choose whose words we listen to. Knowing this fact, don’t let the words and actions of those who don’t love you or care about you determine how you feel about yourself. Strangers, internet trolls, and acquaintances who do not love you will say and do all kinds of things that will tear you down. Those who love you will build you up, even when they are saying something you may not like or that is painful to hear. Telling the difference between those who love you and those who don’t is easier than you might think. If their words are demeaning, harmful, destructive, and tear you down, then that person does not love you. If their words build you up, make you stronger, and are working for your good, they love and care about you. It’s not about how they make you feel (it’s not easy to hear a hard truth about something you need to change); it’s about the overall effect on your life. The same goes for the voices in your head. Any thought that tears you down, demeans you or causes you to feel less valuable, did not originate from someone who loves you. At the same time, there is One who loves you who will send thoughts that lift you up and cause you to feel valuable. You can choose which voices to listen to! I know this subject needs a much deeper discussion, but I wanted to get the thought out there for you today because I do love and care about you!
Someone said that when you find yourself thinking “I don’t want to” or “I’ll do it later”, that you should train yourself to immediately go do whatever it is. This is good advice for tasks that you know need to be done or that are beneficial activities, like exercise. You can teach your brain to turn “I don’t want to” into “I’m going to”, and to change “maybe I should” to “I will”. Such thinking will bring you much success and contentment as you accomplish more every day!
Sometimes I don’t need your advice. I don’t need your encouragement. I don’t need your positivity. Sometimes, all I need is to know that you care. I know you want to help, and that you’re doing your best to get me through this situation, but right now all I need is to know that someone loves me. I will find a way to deal with my pain, sorrow, anger, disappointment, or grief. It may not be the way others deal with it, but it’s what works for me. Advice isn’t helpful right now, and your encouraging words, phrases, and anecdotes just seem so empty, so hollow at this moment. I’ll be ready to hear them later. Right now, please just let me feel your genuine love and concern. Show me you care with a hug, a pat on the shoulder, a gentle squeeze of my hand, or by handing me a tissue and walking away to give me space to grieve. I’ll communicate to you what I need through words and actions, and you will never realize how much it means to me when you pick up on that communication and fulfill that need. Remember: sometimes I don’t need your help. I just need your love. And your expression of love will help me more than anything else in this world.
Value is not always determined by dollar signs. Sure, Tiffany & Co. may have a beautiful ring made up of every precious metal and gemstone available that costs millions of dollars, but I wouldn’t trade it for the simple gold band that my wife slipped onto my finger thirty-five years ago because of what my ring represents. To me, the symbol of love and devotion on my left hand is worth more than any other piece of jewelry could ever be. A piece of stale bread means more to a starving child than a gourmet dinner means to someone who has just finished their third meal of the day. If we focus on monetary values we will never appreciate the true worth of what we have. Don’t let dollar signs determine the value of the people, places, and things in your life. Appreciate the true value of what you have!
Don’t worry. That’s great advice, right? The problem is, that advice is useless most of the time because we don’t know how to “not worry”. Why? Because we don’t understand what it means to worry. The Cambridge Dictionary says that to worry is to “think about problems or unpleasant things that might happen in a way that makes you feel unhappy and frightened“. Basically, to worry means to focus your thoughts on something that scares you. Once you understand that your fear and anxiety are the result of the focus of your thoughts, then you are on your way to following the advice of “don’t worry”. By intentionally focusing your thoughts on pleasant things that might happen rather than unpleasant possibilities, then you can start feeling hopeful rather than scared. Look: we are humans with active imaginations, and we are going to imagine all sorts of possible outcomes. It’s just what we do. Saying “don’t imagine possible outcomes” is just plain stupid, because we cannot stop ourselves from it. However, we can focus our imagination on possible positive outcomes that make us happy rather than on possible negative outcomes that frighten us. When we start intentionally thinking about all the good possibilities, we have effectively stopped worrying!
Did you know that the sweetest perfumes contain ingredients that, by themselves, don’t smell good? It’s true! The perfume would not be as pleasant or long-lasting without all the ingredients, even though some of those ingredients actually stink. It takes all the ingredients to produce the pleasant product we know and love. The same goes for the mistakes, poor decisions, and regrettable actions in your past. These things, though unpleasant on their own, are part of what makes you so perfectly you. They help create the person we know, love and cherish. Don’t let regret or guilt destroy and devalue you. You wouldn’t be the person we love without all the ingredients!
People have a tendency to embrace the “shall” statements of the Bible but ignore the “if” statements. I am this way myself, and I have observed this tendency in others for years. We want the promised rewards but don’t want to take the necessary actions to receive them. This approach is not unique to church members but is fairly universal among humans. We hear the statement “You will be successful” but ignore the “if you are committed to your goals” part. “If you follow this diet and exercise program” gets lost when we hear “you will lose 20 pounds”. Don’t forget that the reward only comes IF you do your part!
“You know what to do. You just don’t know when to do it.” This was a common saying used by one of my former sales managers when talking to his team. He was referring to how everyone had the necessary training, and anyone on the team could talk about how to handle a given situation. However, in the heat of the moment when the situation arose, we often reverted to old habits or simply “winged it” instead of doing what we were trained to do. The mark of a true professional is someone who puts their training into practice. Whether you are in sales, playing sports, in the military or law enforcement, a parent or a teacher, you must apply your training in order to be truly successful. Most of you know what to do. Will you apply that knowledge when in the heat of the moment?
“What’s my motivation?” is a question actors sometimes ask to help them get into character. Did you know that you can also use this question to help prepare you for today? After all, the whole world is a stage and you have a role to play in the production of Life. That is the essence of Find Your Reason. As you approach each new day, task, meeting, or event you should take a second to think about what is motivating you to partake in the activity. Remembering your “why” will help you give your best performance in today’s role!
What do you think? We all ask, and are asked, this question all the time. Sometimes it is about something small, but other times it can be a life-changing decision. What we may not realize is just how important it is to ask ourselves this question. What we think about can have a tremendous impact on us on an emotional, psychological, and even physical level. Many great leaders, teachers, motivators, and psychologists teach the importance of our thoughts. It also appears in the Bible (see Proverbs 23:7). What you think is very, very important! So… what do you think?
We’ve all heard about random acts of kindness where people intentionally do something for a stranger, like pay for their food while going through the drive-through or leaving an encouraging note for a co-worker. It may seem like a small thing to brighten someone’s day like that, but it’s bigger than you realize. A random kind act, at minimum, has a positive impact on two people – the recipient and the person doing the deed. Most likely, it’s even bigger than that. The drive-through worker will probably smile and realize that there are good people in the world. The recipient’s friends and family who hear of the kindness of a stranger will feel a slight twinge of joy. But the most powerful effect is when the recipient then shows kindness to someone else. The ripple effect keeps growing and spreading. You can have a tremendous impact on the world around you through one simple act of kindness. Why not show some world-changing kindness today?
Do you want to truly feel connected to the important people in your life? Do you want to have a deeper relationship with your spouse, child, friend, co-worker, or even with God? I’m here to tell you that you can. And the really good news is, it’s easier than you might think! To connect with another in a deep, personal, fulfilling way, all you have to do is (are you ready for this?)…. have a conversation with them on a regular basis. That’s it! Simply talking to a person and having a normal, back-and-forth conversation with them on a regular basis will work wonders. The topic is not important, and you don’t even have to agree on the subject at hand. Just have a conversation. Simply sharing your thoughts with someone, and showing them that you care about and respect their thoughts, will create a strong, meaningful relationship with that person.
Be kind today. Many a life-long friendship began with a kind act or word. You never know when a simple smile, kind word, or a small gift is going to be the exact thing someone needs to make it through their struggle. Lives have been changed through one act of kindness, even from a stranger. Remember that people may forget what you do or say, but they never forget how you make them feel. Make it your mission to be kind today!
With a world of information at our fingertips, we have become very accustomed to instant gratification. With that, it can become difficult to remember the value of consistent action. Most of the time, success comes from regular and dedicated action taken over a period of time. Success also normally comes in increments rather than all at once. Keep taking one step after another, and you will eventually complete your “journey of a thousand miles”.
As we bring in 2022, I want to thank everyone who has journeyed with me through 2021. Do you use the New Year celebration to reflect on the year past, or to make plans for the year ahead? My advice is that you do both. Think on the positive things that happened this past year, including the fact that you made it through some challenges and are still going. Then look with hope to the days ahead, knowing that more good things are on the way. By grasping the good from the past and looking with hope to the future, you will be setting yourself up for an amazing 2022!
Peace on earth, and good will toward men! May you and your family be blessed with peace and good will this Christmas and in the days ahead. Merry Christmas!!!
This week, I had to say goodbye to an old friend. Her death hit me harder than I expected, but it’s no wonder since she has been a daily part of my life for more than 12 years. She greeted me each morning as I went outside, and welcomed me home at the end of the day. It’s amazing how a dog can become so much a part of our lives! The pain of losing her made me think about how painful it is to love and lose, and I have to ask if loving is worth the pain of losing. The answer is a resounding yes! Although loving another – whether human, canine, or something else – does open us up to heartache and pain, each day leading up to it is a glorious treasure. The joy of special moments shared with a loved one makes each day beautiful. So please, go ahead and love. Sure, it may bring some hurt, but it’s totally worth it. As Tennyson said: “‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”
What do you do when you don’t know what to do? You do what you know to do! So many times in life, we find ourselves in situations that can leave us feeling hopeless. Maybe you’ve been sick and don’t know how to feel better. Perhaps your car won’t start and you don’t know why. Maybe your career seems to have hit a wall. Whatever the situation, you may find yourself starting to panic because you don’t know what to do. If this happens, take a deep breath, relax, and do something that you know how to do. If you don’t feel well, just getting up and getting dressed can make you feel better. Open the hood and wiggle the battery cables. More than once, this has helped me get my car running again. Update your resume with your recent accomplishments. Simply doing something that you know how to do can often get you over the hump and on your way again. It can ease your mind and lower your stress level. It gives you a sense of power instead of helplessness. If you relax and think for a moment, you will remember that there is something you know to do. Do it. It erases the panic that comes from not knowing what to do!
Next Tuesday is the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. As we remember this infamous day and honor those who lost their lives in service to our country (as well as the civilians who were killed), I can’t help but think about the days leading up to that fateful Sunday. Lives were about to be changed forever, and the lives of 2,403 people were about to end. Did these people show love and kindness to others in their final days? Did they express gratitude for their blessings, enjoy the beauty of their final sunset, and tell their family how much they loved them? Could their loved ones at least look back on the tragedy knowing that they had a good final day of life? The world was forever changed on that day, even though very few people knew it was about to happen. Then I started thinking about how individual lives can be forever changed in a moment. On a personal level, lives are being significantly impacted by tragedy and somebody’s world is being changed every day. Accidents, murders, attacks, or sudden illnesses can happen at any time. Businesses close or eliminate jobs, houses burn down, and other events change individual lives daily. What effort are we making today to ensure that this, our potential last day, is special? The reality is that we have no promise of tomorrow, so we must treat every day as special. Show kindness, express love, forgive, show appreciation and gratitude, enjoy beauty, laugh, let go of things that have been bothering you. Do these things today. That way, if tomorrow your world comes crashing down, you will at least know that you had a wonderful today!
Thankfulness. It means being conscious of benefits received, well-pleased, and expressive of thanks. Yes, saying “thank you” is important and should be our natural response when someone does or says something kind, but thankfulness goes way deeper than that. It is a lifestyle, a part of our being, and a driving force behind our actions. At least, that is what it should be. It’s one thing to say “thanks” when your mom hands you today’s lunch, but it’s quite another to be so thankful that you try to make your mom’s life easier by doing your chores, respecting her authority, and honoring her as the woman who gave you life. You can say “thank you for your service” to a Veteran, and you should. But how about living every day with gratitude for the freedom and security we have? We owe it to them to work hard, to take care of our community, to thrive in business, and to protect this nation and the freedom that our Veterans shed their blood for. We can honor and thank God by pausing to enjoy a beautiful sunset, by hugging a child, by using our creativity and talent, and by living the best life we can. Yes, thankfulness goes way deeper than words!
On this Veterans Day, I want to share a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt that may be familiar to a lot of people: “Lest I keep my complacent way I must remember somewhere out there a person died for me today. As long as there must be war, I ask and I must answer was I worth dying for?” Often we talk about how our Veterans fought and died for freedom, but I try to think differently. These amazing men and women, of whom the world is not worthy, fought and died for me. I must live my life in a way that honors their sacrifice. I encourage all of you to think about Veterans in this way. They deserve nothing less.
In sales, everyone wants to land that big contract or have that huge sale. It’s no different than fishing, where everyone wants to land the world-record catch. The successful angler is the one who consistently performs, landing plenty of small, average, or even somewhat larger fish daily, ready for the huge fish when it comes along. Sure, you can only throw out a giant hook with huge bait and try to catch the trophy fish, but you are going to miss catching a lot of nice fish along the way. It is more effective to use the proper bait and technique to catch any available fish, whether it’s just a regular old fish or a world-record trophy. The same concept applies to sales. Day in and day out, you should consistently employ effective sales practices. You will land plenty of “regular” clients, and you will be ready for the huge contract when it comes along.
The “dreamer” in the Bible (Joseph) became great by serving faithfully wherever he happened to be, and by staying true to his God in every circumstance. He had a dream, but it didn’t seem likely that it would come to pass. So he served his dad, endured betrayal, worked as a slave, and became a model prisoner. He trusted God through it all and placed himself in His hands. This formula allowed him to become second in command below Pharaoh, and eventually the dream became reality. This same formula of staying true to God and serving faithfully will bring about great things in your life as well!
Perhaps you’ve heard that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results. There is a lot of truth to that. If you are not getting the result you want, maybe you should change your approach. However, sometimes there is a process to follow that may not yield immediate results but will be worth it over time. Consistently following the process and trusting it to bring the desired result is not insanity. For example, if you follow a scientifically-proven, doctor-prescribed diet and exercise regimen, you might not immediately lose weight and feel better but you will be healthier and in better shape six months from now. That’s consistency. If you continue to ignore your doctor, sit on the couch, and eat a bag of cheese doodles every night and think you will be in better shape in six months, that is insanity. Remember the difference between insanity and consistency. If you are following a proven process, remain consistent and you will reap the benefits. If you have been just “doing your thing” and hoping for different results, perhaps it’s time to stop that insanity and make a change.
Nature has a way of making us feel small. Whether staring up at a mountain peak, down into a vast canyon, or across an endless ocean, people are reminded of just how small minuscule they really are. We are drawn to these massive reminders of our smallness, choosing to gaze in awe at Pike’s Peak, the Grand Canyon, or the shining sea. It is good for us to feel tiny and insignificant, lest we should think too highly of ourselves. At the same time, we remember that we have climbed the mountains, descended into the canyons, and crossed the vast oceans. When we are determined enough, brave enough, and confident enough to try, we can overcome that which is bigger than us!
Don’t try to accomplish something. Determine if it’s worth doing, and then set about doing it. “I’ll try” is another way of saying you don’t really intend to get it done or that it isn’t all that important to you. Take an honest look at the task before you and decide if it is important and/or necessary. If it is, commit yourself to getting it done. Approach the task with “I will” instead of “I’ll try“.
Setbacks are not failures. When you experience a setback in any endeavor (notice that I said “when”, not “if”), failure only comes if you give up. You must just figure out a way to overcome the setback. Maybe you can fight your way through it, or perhaps you will find a way around it. Either way, you must keep working toward your goal. The setback may renew your creativity or teach you something you didn’t know before. Embrace the knowledge and wisdom you gain, and keep going. As you overcome each setback, you will move forward with greater confidence than ever before.
I cannot change the whole world today. Although I cannot change the whole world today, I can change something. Today, I will change something. By making a change today, I will change the world.
I read something yesterday that bears repeating. Basically, it said that character is more important than reputation, because character is who you are and reputation is just what others think of you. This made me stop and think for a bit, and I do believe it’s more important to work on character than reputation. This goes along with something else I heard recently about acceptance vs. belonging. Many people try to belong or “fit in” with a particular group, but what they really want is to be accepted as a real person. If you talk and act a certain way just so you fit in with a group, then those people will never know who you truly are. Anyone who only cares about your reputation isn’t a true friend, and they don’t know the real you. You should focus on your character, and on being someone who is reliable, trustworthy, and real. Be the kind of person that others would want to have in their lives. In the end, you will find that people will accept you into their circle and you will have quality people in your life. If a particular group rejects you, that’s okay because those aren’t the kind of people who will be a true friend to you anyway. Build character, not a reputation.
You don’t have to do it all. In fact, you will accomplish more if you don’t try to do it all yourself. The most successful people understand the power of empowerment. When you share your vision with others and release their energy and creativity, they will accomplish part of your goal while you work on another part. Jesus demonstrated this when He sent his disciples out in pairs to teach, heal and deliver people in various cities. In doing so, more people were affected by His ministry than if He had tried to go into each city personally. He understood the power of empowerment!
Many years ago, I came across this saying: If you have a penny and I have a penny and we exchange pennies, you still have one cent and I still have one cent. However, if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange ideas, you now have two ideas and I now have two ideas. I do not know who originally wrote this thought, but I have always liked it and wanted to share it with you. I will add one additional thought as well that kind of goes with it. If you and I share with each other something that gives us joy, then each of us will have even more joy in our lives!
Who, or what, is influencing and controlling you? Like it or not, your actions and decisions are being affected by people or events from your past. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The problem with it is that the negative experiences and the hurtful people who don’t even care about you are often the ones wielding the most control over your life. It’s important to examine the source of your thoughts and decisions, which influence your actions and behavior. We all had someone in our lives who set good examples, encouraged us, and inspired us in some way. We have had some successes or events that made us feel good and caused us to want to achieve more. If those are what determine your current actions, thoughts and feelings, great! However, the sad truth is that most of us are governed by our past mistakes or by the people who laughed at us, abused us, and told us we’re no good. Maybe you’re letting the school bully, who doesn’t even remember your name, cause you to cower in fear while others take advantage of you. You may be letting someone who didn’t love you and who hurt and abused you cause you to believe you deserve to be mistreated now. Possibly you are being governed by a voice that says you’re worthless or no good. This will not only hold you back, it will drag you down and destroy you. It pays to consider why you think and act like you do. Then, it’s time for you to exercise the greatest, most powerful gift you have been given – the power to choose. You can choose to stop listening to the negative, destructive voices of the past. You can choose to act with the confidence of someone who knows their worth. You have the power to rise above the events and people that have been dragging you down for years. You can choose to listen to the voice that says you are loved, you are special, and you can do it (whatever “it” is). You can ignore the voices that say you’re a failure, nobody cares what you have to say, or that you are worthless. The positive voice is there if you will but search for it. When you hear it, you can listen to that voice and ignore all the others. One of those positive voices is your own, because deep down you know that you are special, loved, and created in the image of God. Choose to listen to that message!
Think of any city on earth. If you turn your face in the direction of that city and take a step, you are closer to that city than you were before. You can easily get closer to any location on earth just by knowing where it is and taking a step in that direction. Goals are the same way. As long as you know your goal, you can take a step toward it and be closer than you were before. Every step you take puts you closer to reaching your goal. All you have to do is know what your goal is, and move in that direction!
Let’s say your left leg gets broken in an accident. Everyone can see that your leg is broken, including you when you look at it. However, you get aches and pains elsewhere. Your other leg gets tired from supporting all your weight, and your armpits hurt from the crutches. You get frustrated because you cannot move as quickly and easily as you want, and possibly get a little grumpy from the constant pain and discomfort. Everyone understands, and you cut yourself some slack because you know healing takes time. What we don’t understand is how an internal injury or emotional trauma affects us in these same ways. After I had a stroke, the physical signs went away in a couple of days. However, I became very frustrated with myself because I didn’t feel good, had very little energy, and was kind of emotional. My angel of a doctor explained to me that my body was reacting to a trauma injury, just as if I had broken my leg. She reminded me that my whole body was affected and needed time to heal. Remember, just because you can’t see a kidney problem, a growth in your lungs, or even a broken heart, your body still reacts as it does with a physical trauma. Cut yourself (or your loved one) a little slack. Give your body time to heal.
We cannot focus on everything at once, but it would be a mistake to only focus on the task at hand. What is happening around us could be a benefit to what we are doing, or it could be harmful. That’s why we need to stay aware of the world around us, but we cannot let it distract us from performing our role. Think about a football team. The quarterback has to constantly work to be the best he can be. While he is practicing, the offensive linemen are also practicing how to effectively block the other team. The defense is working on how to best stop the opposing offense, while the kicker is perfecting his craft. If the quarterback notices that the kicker is not taking his practice seriously, he should speak up for the good of the team. If he sees the offensive linemen working extra hard, he should thank them because they are going to protect him come game time. However, he should not neglect his own practice to monitor the kicker or praise the linemen. That would be just as harmful to the team. Be aware of what is happening around you and speak up when appropriate, but don’t let those things keep you from focusing on your goals.
When is the last time you tried something new? I highly recommend it! You should challenge yourself to try something new and different on at least once a month. You might find a food, activity or experience that you thoroughly enjoy. Or you may find out once and for all that you really don’t like something (like when I actually tried chicken livers. I was right: I don’t like them!). Trying new things is very beneficial. It’s good for your brain since your mind will continue to grow as you add new experiences and knowledge. It helps your creativity, and you will find more joy and happiness in your life. New activities or experiences keep your sense of adventure alive. You will feel more confident when you embrace new things instead of avoiding them. You will likely meet new people as you venture into new realms, and making new acquaintances enriches your life. New experiences, whether you enjoy them or not, give you new topics of conversation. This helps keep your relationships with your spouse, family, friends and coworkers, fresh and exciting. Do it this week. Find something new to try. Go to a different restaurant, or order something you’ve never tried before. Visit a local attraction that you’ve never been to, strike up a conversation with a stranger, or take a different route to work. Do something new. You’ll thank me later!
Someone once asked the question “How do you eat an elephant?” The answer is “one bite at a time”. This is a good reminder about patience, steady progress, and determination. Obviously, nobody can swallow an entire elephant, but by taking one bite, then another and another, eventually someone could consume one. Our goals are the same way. Taking one step at a time, steadily working toward your goal, is the only way to reach it. Whether your goal is to build your retirement, take a vacation, build a company, or to eat an elephant, you can do it by taking one bite at a time.
“The hardest thing to remember,” said the old man, “is something that is not true.” This casual comment during my conversation with the gentleman jumped out at me and I had to write it down. When you tell a lie, or are living one, you must constantly be on guard to prevent the truth from coming out. You have to remember what lie you told, and what other supporting falsehoods you imparted in the protection of your lie. It’s exhausting, and since you do not have facts to fall back on, it is hard to remember what lies you’ve told. When you live and speak the truth, your life is less complicated and you can focus your attention and energy on something productive and good. You will never reach your full potential without speaking and living the truth.
Even in the darkest night, the sun is still shining. You may not be able to see it because it’s on the other side of the world, but it is still shining. When storm clouds fill the sky and everything is dark and gloomy where you stand, the sun is shining. The light and warmth of the sun exists all the time, even if you are not able to see or feel it. Hold onto this fact when you feel like the night is closing in on you, knowing that if you wait long enough the sun will shine on you again. At the right time, the sun will rise and the darkness will flee. Knowing that the sun will rise is a form of hope, and God has given us this hope to remind us that He is always there, even if we do not feel Him.
We all know about the big race between the tortoise and the hare, and how the tortoise won because he kept going. This tale teaches an important lesson about being steadfast, diligent and focused, but I find myself thinking “Yeah, but who wants to be a turtle?”. Mutant ninja versions aside, I think we would all rather be cute, fuzzy, fleet-footed bunnies than ugly, strange-looking critters who constantly withdraw into our own shells. Here’s a thought: Why don’t we strive to be rabbits who can stay focused on our goal? Seriously. Let’s run fast, jump high, put our special skills to use, and have a blast doing it. Sure, we’ll get tired and need to rest. That’s fine; go ahead and take a break. Just remember to set an alarm and to get right back to the race. Success is not about being slow and steady. It comes from being focused and consistently moving toward your Reason. The hare should have won the race. He was defeated because he lost focus.
- Which President gave baths to elephants? “Washing-ton”
- Which President hung out among the eaves? Adams
- Which President provided housing to soldiers? “Barrack” Obama
- Which President made and sold logging chains? “Link-in”
- Which President was known for overactive follicles? “Hairy” Truman
- Which President built futuristic weaponry? “Ray-gun”
- Which President was a loan officer? “Lending” Johnson
- Which President is great at cleaning carpets? Hoover
- Which President loved to just chill out? Coolidge
- Which President provided a way out of the O-room? “The-O-door” Roosevelt
- Which President could go right through you? Pierce
- Which President always put in a little extra? “Fill-more”
- What’s it called when people applaud the President in his office? A Standing “Oval-ation”
We put too much emphasis on results when determining if someone is a success. Only the athletes on the podium are celebrated as Olympic champions. Unless a business has a huge IPO and is making tons of cash, we don’t recognize the person who started it as successful. Only a congregation of thousands and an online following in the tens of thousands indicate a successful Pastor. This way of defining success is wrong. Every athlete who is chosen to represent their nation is a success. Any business owner who is following his or her passion is a success. Every individual who follows the calling on their life is a success. Success comes from finding your Reason and pursuing it with passion. The results are a by-product of success. You succeed by doing what you are made to do. Find your reason and pursue it with passion and you will be a success!
You can never have a peace that passes understanding if you insist on understanding everything that happens. We are not meant to know the “how and why” of everything that happens in the universe. God has given us curiosity and a desire to learn, as well as creativity and imagination. He has also given us faith. These all work together in our lives and are designed to balance each other out. If we focus only on learning, we will be frustrated by what we cannot know. If all our time is spent on imagination, we will just be dreamers with no sense of reality. If we operate by blind faith, we will not grow and develop. All these things work together to allow us to live our best life. Go ahead and be creative. Be curious and learn about the world around you. And have faith that there are things you don’t need to understand.
We’ve all heard that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and it’s true. What most people don’t think about is the second step, or the third, or the thousandth. Beginning a journey is exciting, and it isn’t as hard as many people think. It’s taking the next step, then another, and another, until you reach your goal that is difficult. When you get tired or face obstacles, it’s hard to keep going. But you can do it! Focus on the destination – your dream or vision – and take another step. Don’t worry about the distance you must travel. Just look at the next step you need to take, then take it. Rest if you must. Take a breather if you need to, then take one more step. That’s how you reach your destination: take the first step, then take another one. When you stop to look back, you will be amazed at how far you have come!
A mistake is not failure, and failure is not a mistake. Too many of us buy into the lie that we have to be perfect all the time. Even more of us believe the lie that the people we look up to and admire never make mistakes or experience failures. This is simply NOT TRUE! Everyone messes up sometimes. We all make mikstates mistakes. In typing this, I had to use backspace more times than you will ever know. That doesn’t stop me from sharing some words of encouragement with you. I simply fix my mistakes and move on, and the finished product is (hopefully) something that will help people deal with their own setbacks in life. If you make a mistake, just do like I do when typing: 1) Stop; 2) Back up; 3) Apologize and/or fix the error; 4) Move forward, trying not to make the mistake again. This simple formula will change your life!
What are “Thought Drops“?
Never underestimate the effect your thoughts have on your life. God has designed us in such a way that we can change our words, actions, mood – even our health – simply by changing our thoughts. Proverbs 23:7 basically says that we are what we think. Our thoughts are important!
“Thought Drops” are just something to think about to get you through your day or week. They’re like breath mints for your brain, designed to refresh and recharge your thoughts! It’s our goal to give you a little pick-me-up or to be a breath of fresh air.
Look for new “Thought Drops” every Thursday. Happy thinking!!!!
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