Spirituality, Uncategorized

How Rude!

More and more I’m seeing signs reminding people to be kind to the person waiting on you. There’s even one on the highway that says “Drive safely. Our workers want to go home to their loved ones.” What has happened to manners?

My belief is that these signs are placed for the minority of the population. Most people don’t act rudely unless provoked. Also, it’s my belief that people who lash out unnecessarily are dealing with something else, and they are reacting in a way they wouldn’t normally. It’s my hope, anyway.

No matter what the sign says, people will act the way they choose to act. Signs don’t change the heart. That’s God’s specialty.

There are subliminal signs everywhere. Look people in the eye. You can see hurt, pain and struggle if you are paying attention. In those moments you can be a listening ear if you are willing.

Be willing. Look for the signs…

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Spirituality

My Mind Is Made Up

The self-righteous people love to tell us what to think. They seat themselves on a lofty perch and lord over all. If you challenge them, you do so at great risk of being insulted for being less than worthy of a minute of their time. Give me a break.

As an alternative, engaging in conversations with open-minded people will really get your engine running. No one knows everything, and studies have demonstrated that we are wrong about complex issues more than we are right. It requires humility to admit it when we are wrong. The only requirement necessary to believe you are right all the time is an inflated ego. Inflated like a Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade balloon.

Talk to everyone. Learn from others. Giving people a voice isn’t a threat. Listening to different perspectives will allow us to see the world through different lenses. It might even change your mind…

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Spirituality

Be Happy

We love to be on the winning team, don’t we? The Seattle Seahawks are still reveling in their victory on Sunday night.

Happiness is a moment-by-moment event. We desperately want the feeling to remain, but eventually it fades away. That’s okay. Another happy moment is just around the corner.

When my children were young I loved seeing the smiles on their faces when their team won. Or when they received a high grade on something they worked hard on. Those memories are precious.

But no matter how hard they tried, sometimes my kids were on the losing side of the equation. Those are teaching moments. We must learn how to lose a game gracefully, pick ourselves up, and work harder. Resilience is built during these times.

Every experience we have in this life is worthwhile. All of it can be used. We can keep our attitudes right, even when we aren’t happy. We can be happy for each other every single day. It’s up to us…

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Spirituality

Random Happenings

There is nothing random about your life. You were born in this era with a great purpose attached to your life. What you do with it is your choice.

God has a plan. As brilliant as our minds are, we are not capable of understanding it. We try, but we can’t even get in the same ballpark. God’s thoughts are way higher than ours. He is always in control, even when chaos is everywhere.

Think back on your life. How many events have you attributed to coincidence? I love the words of Albert Einstein when he spoke of coincidence: “Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.” There are no coincidences.

Letting go and letting God take control is a scary feeling. We desperately want to control our lives. But it’s important to remember that God is always working on us, always communicating with us. He wants us to fulfill the purpose He gave us. Like an unruly child, we need to submit to His greater authority.

See the world as full of miracles. You are one of those miracles, too. Then get to work on fulfilling your purpose. You will make a difference in this world if you’re willing to do what you are here for. Don’t waste another moment…

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Spirituality

Eyesight to the Blind

We have become blind to the truth. We are better together, yet we have allowed outside forces to keep us separated and angry. We can turn this ship around, but it will happen only when we become willing.

Do you remember learning about barn raisings? During the frontier days, entire communities would come together to build a barn for a family. Everyone helped. There was no payment for services. They simply relied on each other for survival. They were in community.

Do you remember the search and rescue efforts after the drownings at Camp Mystic? People showed up to help. No one segregated themselves by their politics. They just worked.

The people you criticize are your fellow citizens. If your politics are the only thing that defines your identity, you are one of the blind. Open your eyes and see the beauty that surrounds you.

The Amish and Mennonites still do barn raisings. These communities don’t have television or social media. Perhaps they are the smart ones…

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Spirituality

One Slip

Sometimes we fall into temptation. The devil is always on the prowl, looking for an opportunity to influence us into sin. We must stay alert.

Jesus was tempted in the desert. Satan hit him when he was tired, hungry, and at his weakest. Yet, Jesus never sinned. He showed us it is possible to resist the temptations meant to harm us. And he showed us how to do it-with Scripture embedded in our hearts and minds.

There is also the temptation to avoid doing what we know is right. Even the great Apostle Paul fell into this trap. In Romans 7:15, Paul writes “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”

When we slip, let’s pick ourselves up and resolve to not do it again. Should we slip again, pick yourself up again. And again. And again. God never runs out of forgiveness. We do. He doesn’t.

This life we are living is a struggle. But we have hope in the eternal realm. God sees everything, and He will send His messengers to help us through our challenges. Just ask…

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Spirituality

Dual Personality

Are you comfortable with who you are? Some people prefer to be a chameleon, changing colors for the crowd they are in. Doing this can leave you feeling hollow, unfulfilled and inauthentic.

Everyone wants to be seen, heard and understood. It’s universal. We should give a voice to those who come into our sphere because we can learn something from everyone when we are willing to listen.

We are multi-dimensional: mind, body and spirit. Each of these components needs attention. Taking care of yourself requires mental stimulation, physical exercise and spiritual fulfillment. Please don’t neglect any part of yourself. You do so at your own peril.

You were created with a purpose for your life. Deep in your heart you know this to be true. Your purpose is not selfish. No, you are here to make a difference in the lives of others.

Whatever you do, stay true to yourself. Be the same person in every situation. Approach life with an open mind along with intellectual curiosity. Talk to others, even those you don’t agree with. You will begin to see the world through the eyes of others. Then growth happens…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

It’s Okay to Be Wrong

No one likes to be called out for being wrong, right? But the truth is, we are wrong about complex issues more often than we are right. This is a difficult truth for many to accept, so let’s explore it a little further.

Before we go there, it’s important to remember the things we do right. Things like cause-and-effect, social intuition, and skills built through repetition have been honed over time.

We are terrible at forecasting. A great example of how bad we are can be seen on the Las Vegas Strip. The massive casinos were built and remain operational because we believe we can “beat the odds.” We do, sometimes, but that’s not every time. The casinos win more than the gamblers.

Our own motives are oftentimes clouded. We believe we are being objective, but we are full of biases.

Would you like to be considered to be wise? Listen more. Talk less. Stay in the areas where you are proficient. There’s Biblical evidence to support this. James tells us to “be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry.” Great advice!

God gave us a wonderful gift: our brains. Let’s use our thoughts to make this world better than it was when we entered it. We would be right in doing this. Every time…

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Spirituality

Never Too Late

Excuses are everywhere. “I’m too old, too tired, settled or whatever.” Excuses are weak and they are lame. Get rid of them.

We are called to make a difference in this life. Otherwise, what is the purpose of living? The impact we make might come in small increments, and it might be followed by a big breakthrough. But you won’t accomplish anything sitting around waiting for opportunities to drop in your lap. You’ve gotta pursue what turns you on, what brings light into your life.

The painful parts of your life can be used to help others overcome their pain. Empathy is shared experience, so don’t waste your pain. Every experience we have had can used for good.

It’s never too late to find your calling. Don’t be afraid. For a period of my life I was scared God would send me to some hellhole country. Then one day I realized God wouldn’t put me in a position to fail. I actually laughed out loud when the light bulb went on! I’m only guessing, but I believe God laughed, too.

Start today. Make your mark on this crazy world we live in. The world needs you…

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Spirituality

The Big Game

Super Bowl Sunday is almost here. The Super Bowl is the most watched game on television. People have parties while Las Vegas has a big day, too.

The game I’m referring to in the title is the game of life. This is the game we all participate in. Are we winning the game, or are we behind? I suppose the answer lies in which part of life and when are we checking in.

If you are having a difficult period, perhaps your teammates are carrying you through. Your team is your family and friends, so choose wisely.

On the flip side, when you are winning is the time to celebrate with your team. Victorious times are a lot more fun when shared with others.

Life can be hard, but you don’t have to go through it alone. There are a lot of good people in this world. Find them and place them on your team…

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