Spirituality

It’s Quiet. Too Quiet

Are you uncomfortable when things get quiet? We live in a “go-go” society and it’s gotten to the point where people need constant stimulation.

We have 24/7 news available, hundreds of television channels along with endless texts and emails. Our brains can handle quite a lot, but overload can be damaging. Our brains never quit working, but they do need time to recover and recharge.

My encouragement to you is to make time to enjoy the quiet moments when you can. If you have to schedule downtime, do it! Whatever works for you is what you must do.

At first, the quiet might make you feel uneasy. If this is the case, then consider it confirmation that you need some peace and quiet. It gets easier the more you do it. Then you will feel the benefits of solitude, and you will make it a priority.

Give it a try. Then keep trying. The only thing you have to lose is some anxiety. And that’s a good thing…

Standard
Spirituality

Reasons For Optimism

If I spent much of my time listening to the news or reading print media, I might be disheartened about the future. But the truth is, I don’t watch the news or read print media or any newspapers. My best time is spent observing.

The younger generations are a true treasure to watch. They spend more time experiencing life than my generation did. They aren’t missing out on getting ahead or building net worth. They will be just fine.

For as long as I have lived I have observed some older people blaming the young for everything wrong in the world. The young see the world differently, and I love their creativity. Those who are looking for someone to blame should look no further than themselves. We all bear responsibility for the shape of our world, good and bad.

And by the way, I get my world news from Al Jazeera. They report objectively and accurately. There’s one caveat to this. I pay no attention to their reporting on Israel. The Arabs hate the Jews so they have a bias, a very obvious bias.

Take time to engage young people. Listen and learn from them. They do see the world through a different lens. And it’s a beautiful sight to behold…

Standard
Spirituality

Counting Clicks

The so-called influencers among us are click counters. A group of people have learned how to make money by getting people to check out their activities. The more clicks they get, the more they earn. Let’s take a closer look.

Andrew and Tristan Tate are horrible examples for young men. Their posts about male dominance, amassing wealth and power along with their misogynistic views are beyond controversial. Yet they have over 10 million followers on their social media platforms. Disgusting.

When you have a national or even international following, it’s important to set a good example. People are following you for a reason. You have the ability to truly influence others, to make a difference in their lives and in this world.

Use it for good. Mankind will benefit, and so will you…

Standard
Spirituality

Be Patient

Patience is a virtue. Or so it’s said. Does this mean that when I lose my patience I’m an immoral person? Of course not.

Being patient takes work. “Rome wasn’t built in a day” as the saying goes. But it did get built. If I’m stuck behind a slow driver, I will eventually get to my destination. Babies grow in the womb for about nine months before they are ready for birth. Early deliveries can create anxious parents.

When we are impatient, we are showing our frustration with our inability to control a situation. I can’t make someone drive faster or process my paperwork more quickly at the DMV. But I can show the light of Jesus in my interactions with others. They might be going through a rough period and are doing everything possible to hold it together.

Patience is a lifelong pursuit for many of us. Forgive yourself for the times you are impatient. But don’t make excuses for yourself. Vow to keep trying to be better…

Standard
Spirituality

Be Courageous

Life is hard. Few, if any, will argue that point. Life is full of unknowns and uncertainty. Every day is unique because no two days are the same.

In my travels I have encountered many people who have given up. They decided to accept whatever life threw their way. This isn’t a growth strategy. It’s a cop out. This is especially disheartening when you consider that some of these people have children who rely on them. Children deserve our best efforts.

Life is challenging when you try. It’s more difficult when you give up. Courage is required when you are going for greatness. A quote attributed to John Wayne is, “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” Whether Wayne actually said it or not, it’s true.

In this life we will experience hurdles, difficulties and setbacks. We will also experience victories. You will never taste victory until you find your inner strength, your courage to try in the face of uncertainty.

Win or lose, keep trying. You have it in you…

Standard
Spirituality

Philo Farnsworth

You may have never heard of Philo Farnsworth, yet most people use a device he created every day. Please allow me to tell you more.

Milo was born in Utah in 1906. When he was 12 his family moved to Idaho. The home Milo’s family moved into had electricity, and this became a lifelong obsession for Milo.

As a 14 year old farm boy plowing a field, Milo had an idea. He saw the straight rows he had plowed and thought, “why can’t images be transmitted in lines rather than the complicated spinning discs used at the time?” He drew outlines of his thoughts on the blackboard for his high school chemistry teacher, Justin Tolman. Tolman kept the drawings which eventually were instrumental in winning a patent lawsuit against RCA (another fascinating story).

The electronic television set was invented by a 21 year old boy who had no college education, no connections and very little money. Milo had something more powerful than those things combined. He had a dream.

Dreams are given to us by God. It’s up to us to do the work to bring our dreams to life. The deep purposes imbedded in our hearts are there for a reason. We will find fulfillment when we use our gifts for the betterment of mankind. Dream big, worthwhile dreams and do the work…

Standard
Spirituality, Uncategorized

Say What You Think

When you find someone who speaks their mind, with poise and eloquence, that person is a rare find. There are many out there who are quick to tell you what’s on their minds, but once they open their mouths you know there’s little substance behind their words.

Yes, the blowhards are everywhere. Even in the professional ranks. Groupthink is just as dangerous. Going along to get along is not using your brain. God gave us the greatest supercomputer ever built. It’s up to us to use it.

You have heard that “knowledge is power.” No, the truth is knowledge is potential power. Knowledge is meaningless if you sit idly by and never use it. And it’s usually a solid idea to verify your knowledge. It could be wrong.

Intellectual honesty is a dying art. Speaking the truth, with some gentleness and self control, is valued by your counter party.

Stay true to yourself and always being honest with people. You will piss some people off by having a different opinion or belief. That’s okay…

Standard
Spirituality, Uncategorized

The Evolution of the Ages

The Pony Express was created on April 3, 1860. It was a remarkably fast way to send mail in those days. Yet, the Pony Express only lasted about 18 months, ending on October 26, 1861. What killed it? That damn technology called the transcontinental telegraph which connected the country.

We are living in an age where you can send massive amounts of information to another person in an instant. And you don’t have to leave home to do it. In some ways the advances in technology have made us lazy. Why pick up the phone and call someone when you can send them a text or email?

We have exited the Information Age and entered the next phase, the era of Artificial Intelligence. This period doesn’t have an official name yet, but it will. And I wonder what will be next.

Technology makes our lives more efficient. There are trade offs that come along with it. The thing we cannot lose is human connection. We need to be in community with each other. Mental health is the worst it’s been in my lifetime, and I suspect replacing people with technology plays a big part in that.

Get outside. Call someone for lunch or Happy Hour. Find a reason to laugh every day. Check on people you haven’t heard from in a while. They will benefit but so will you. Stay connected…

Standard
Spirituality

The Contradiction of Humanity

The human race is a large, complex group. We are over 8 billion strong. Each of us is unique, gifted in different ways, and we have our own goals, dreams and desires. We are a true mosaic.

Every one of us has the capacity for love, hope, character, the desire to do good, and the ability to make a difference in this world. At the same time we have the ability to harm others, to destroy the good that others create, and we are capable of being selfish. The choice is ours.

God created us in His image. We aren’t God, but we have the ability to carry out His will on earth. When we are living in the will of God, we are in the zone of the spirit. We feel it. You can’t miss it. The desire to do something harmful cannot live in the presence of God.

Prayerfully ask God to show you the way He wants you to go. He will answer. This I promise. And there will be no contradiction in your answer. Then you will know it’s from the one true God…

Standard
Spirituality

Spiritual Trip

When I was a teenager I became a Christian. My faith was professed publicly that I believed Jesus is the Son of God, and that all of my sins were forgiven. Even the ones I hadn’t committed yet! Pretty good deal, huh?

Over time I put God on the back burner, calling for His help when I got myself in a mess. Then I put him back where He belonged. My experience with Jesus is very similar to many other people’s.

This is not to suggest that I stopped believing. No, my belief never wavered. My focus was out of whack. The outer world had my attention. Well, God is always working on us. So let’s fast forward to May of 2013.

Due to a sequence of events I’ll write about in a future column, in May 2013 I had what I call my second encounter with Jesus Christ. Man it was powerful. He got ahold of me and never let go. My spiritual life took off in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

Jesus brought the real me to the surface, the man he created me to be. I didn’t become a weirdo or religious freak. My life continues to evolve and grow.

My fight with worldly stuff is ongoing. But Jesus has taught me a peace and contentment that I couldn’t have had without him. It’s available to everyone who believes…

Standard