The artists get it right. They have a unique ability to turn their inner pain into something beautiful.
Last night I went to see Seal. He intimidated that his childhood wasn’t a happy one. Yet, he found his way through music. Here’s a short clip from the concert. Listen to the lyrics…
I love animals. Always have. When I was a kid, my mutt dog “Chipper” was my closest confidante.
Animals have a heightened awareness of their instincts. They must listen to their inner voice to survive in some situations. When a storm is coming, animals go to safety well before the storm arrives. It’s pretty cool, actually.
Pay attention to animals when they meet someone new. If your normally friendly dog acts aggressively towards someone, this tells you everything you need to know about that person.
We have instincts, too. Use them…
Education is defined as “the receiving or giving of systematic instruction,” but it’s really more than just information. We can read and memorize data from textbooks, but we know thought has taken hold when we apply such knowledge. Application shows proficiency.
The status of education in the United States is troubling in some cases. We are “dumbing down” our requirements so more kids can pass. This isn’t a solution. It merely hides a deeper challenge. We need to increase our standards, demand accountability from our educators, and focus on the areas Horace Mann did: the head, the hands and the heart. Intellect, application and emotion.
We can reverse the state of education, but we must be willing and not give up. Our future depends on it, and us…
We tend to rush through our day, trying to cram as much in as possible. Maybe I’m the only one?
When we get in a hurry, the odds of us making a mistake go up. This might include not listening to someone who needs to be heard. Instead of creating a deeper connection, we distance ourselves.
I encourage you to slow down, even if it’s just a little. You will do more things right the first time, and fewer opportunities will be missed…
Society reveres the wealthy. There’s even a term for it, “High Society.” We have turned the wealthy into a god.
Wealth and resources are given by God. He is the provider, and God can take away. God told Solomon he would give him anything he wanted. Solomon asked for wisdom, not money. Interesting, huh? Solomon became the wealthiest man the world has ever known.
If you have wealth, and everyone does, use it for good. You might not have a lot of money, but if you’re reading this you have eyesight. What is your sight worth? If your mind is processing the information, what is your brain worth?
Take inventory. You have wealth, too…
In the past several months, I have heard from so many people who are struggling with anxiety, depression and feelings they haven’t felt before. The common theme with each of them has been, “I don’t understand why I feel this way. I’ve never been like this before.”
God prompted me to remind them of what we have dealt with since 2020. Isolation has shredded mental health and created new, unhealthy neural pathways. We are hardwired to be in relationship with each other. This goes beyond loneliness. We are experiencing a mental health crisis that’s worse than the pandemic. More people than ever are feeling hopeless and taking their own lives.
If you are reading this and are experiencing similar feelings, please reach out to someone. Your life is precious and has purpose. None of that has changed because of a virus.
The Suicide Prevention Hotline is 988. It’s confidential, free, and it might be the lifeline you need…
When I go to a five-star restaurant, I expect great food, atmosphere and service. If I only received two of the three, then the experience didn’t meet my expectations.
What do I expect from myself? Certainly I expect to give my best in life. For some people, my best isn’t good enough, while for others it’s more than enough.
But what about God? He gives the believer and the non-believer the same fresh air and sunshine. We all get the gift of life. So let’s not take Him for granted.
Jesus told us to “pray expectantly.” Believe we have received it before actually receiving it, thanking God in advance. That’s faith in a nutshell. And I believe it’s good, solid advice…
I often say, “I have one mood, and it’s good!” It’s true. I don’t allow the difficulties of the day to affect my mood.
Every day we will face unknown challenges. As much as we want to believe we can control what happens to us, we are not in control. God has a much greater plan that we are incapable of understanding. So let’s trust that He is on our side, and that good can come from even our worst day.
When you let go of the desire to control, freedom waits…
There are people in this world who will act like we are the greatest thing ever, only to turn on us when we don’t allow them to manipulate us. You know the type. Narcissistic personalities have pervaded society, or at least it seems that way.
Narcissists will try to break us down and rebuild us the way they want. They are sick. They see nice people as prey, not as a person who has their own goals, dreams and desires. Narcissists are like ninjas when it comes to manipulating and gaslighting people. They have struck you before you even knew they were trying.
Stand up for yourself. It won’t be easy to learn this lesson. Remember this-God alone has authority over our lives. Let Him guide you through the process of learning…
We all fake our way through certain situations. Introverted people act extroverted when forced to be in a group setting. Jerks act like good guys when they are vying for the pretty girl. Eventually everyone gets exposed.
There’s a better way. Just be yourself. Always work at improving yourself, but stay true to who you are. Don’t fake it, simply face it…
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