When my children were younger, they would ask me as my birthday approached, “what do you want for your birthday?”  My answer? I just want to wake up! If I wake up I can handle anything life throws at me.

I am eternally optimistic. Always have been and I consider that to be one of my gifts. Forever looking for the good in people and situations, I believe we will find what we are looking for. So I ask you, what are you looking for in others? Do you want them to validate you as a person? Do you want them to admire you? Compliment you? You don’t need anyone’s validation. We were thought into existence before the world was created, and that’s enough for me.  Consider this…look for their good qualities and take the focus off of yourself. We are naturally selfish so doing this may take a little practice. But try it. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain.

Zig Ziglar said, “you can get everything you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.”  To further that beautiful philosophy, you will have more friends than you could ever count. Your relationships will be more meaningful and fulfilling. And that is worth a lot!

Live life fully, and always remain hopeful!

We all experience doubt and fear sometimes. We are human, so that is to be expected and not a character flaw. But the question arises, what can we do to not give in to doubt and fear? After all, we have dreams and desires, too. Those should be our focus. The biggest dream killers are doubt and fear, and I would suggest to you that they come from the forces of evil, not God. God loves us completely and wants so much for us to fulfill the purpose He has for our lives. Satan wants to destroy all good in our lives, and will stop at nothing to prevent us from living our lives fully.

In Matthew 14: 22-33 it says that after feeding the 5,000, Jesus sent his disciples ahead and the disciples were attempting to cross the Sea of Galilee. In the middle of the night the boat was being tossed about by a storm and the disciples were having a difficult time. Suddenly, they saw what they thought was a ghost walking on the water toward them, and it frightened them. It was Jesus. He said, “fear not, it is I”. Peter, one of the disciples said, “if it truly is you, Lord, then let me walk to you.”  Jesus said “come”. Peter stepped out of the boat and was walking on the water toward Jesus. But when Peter considered the storm, he became afraid and began to sink. Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out and caught him. The point to consider is this, as long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus he was fine. But when he took his eyes off of Jesus, Peter became fearful. Keep your eyes on Jesus. He will get you through whatever may frighten you.

When in doubt, a scripture I repeat to myself is Phillipians 4:13…”I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me”…think about it, and live life fully.

Source: A message of hope…