Monthly Archives: September 2026

Spirituality

Just Be Yourself

You and I have a role to play. It’s a part only we can create, and it’s the role of a lifetime. I’m talking about the life we were given.

There are around 8 billion people on the planet right now. That’s a lot, but take this into consideration. About 117 billion people have lived since humanity began. This is a staggering number! And yet there has never been another you.

God must love variety because there are so many different types of people. This is a beautiful thing. Think of how boring and robotic life would be if we were all the same.

People try to blend in with the crowd. Some believe if they show the world who they are, then others might not like or accept them. While I believe it is universal to want to be liked by everyone, it’s not necessary. The most important person who needs to like and accept you is you.

If self acceptance is a challenge for you, then I encourage you to do the difficult, inner work necessary to jettison any insecurity you may have. See yourself through the eyes of our Creator. He made each of us exactly how He wanted us to be. And unlike humans, God doesn’t second guess himself.

Just be yourself as you go through this life. Show the world who you are, not the person others expect you to be. You are unique…

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Spirituality

Take Care

Entropy is a physics term which means that things go from order to disorder. It kinda describes the state of our planet. We haven’t taken the best care of it by allowing pollution to degrade it.

Your body will deteriorate if you don’t take care of it. Regular exercise can make your bones stronger while building muscle mass. You can actually turn your body into a fat burning machine.

We take better care of the things we own versus what we rent. Have you ever washed a rental car before turning it in? But your personal vehicle gets attention. So does the home you own.

It is vitally important to keep your mind stimulated. Retirement is a death sentence if the retiree doesn’t have purpose. Crossword puzzles and sudoku alone aren’t going to cut it.

Our spiritual side needs attention, too. We are spiritual beings living in a physical body. We know our eventual home is not here. This life is temporary. Eternity is a mighty long time.

My encouragement to you is to do something every day to improve your life. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it did get built. If you are reading this, God isn’t finished with you. Find fulfillment in your life. It’s waiting for you to show up…

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Spirituality

The Judge and The Jury

The court of public opinion is alive but I don’t think it’s well. Social media has given everyone a public platform to express themselves, sometimes loudly and rudely. There is a better way.

We are in an era where some people take an opinion and state it as fact. Information comes at us so fast and no one has the time or energy to investigate all of it.

So, where does one go to separate fact from wishful thinking? You can’t trust the media anymore. And it’s futile to ask your friends and acquaintances. They might not know any more than you do. We certainly don’t want to lose friends over this.

It’s important to read history that was written by the people who lived it. Booker T. Washington wrote his autobiography and it’s fascinating. There are many others so take your pick.

Another important consideration is the ability to think critically and objectively. Approach a subject that you might know something about with the attitude that you might be wrong. It’s not a threat to test our beliefs and our convictions. It’s a healthy exercise.

People will judge you when you disagree with them. It doesn’t matter. The judgments come from those who don’t know you. And remember, it’s okay to disagree and engage in healthy conversations. Listen and learn from those who see the world differently…

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Spirituality

Shaken, Not Stirred

One of James Bond’s signature moves was to order a martini that was “shaken, not stirred.” Now I will confess, I think James Bond is uber cool. I mean, what’s not to like about a man who dresses impeccably, is cultured, saves the planet from the bad guys, and he always gets the girl.

Like can make us feel shaken at times. It’s like we are walking a tightrope without a net. When we consider the risks of moving forward, it can paralyze us if we let fear dominate our thoughts.

At the same time, for some the thought of staying in the same place stirs something inside of them. The risk/reward ratio says they will experience some pain before they get the reward. Pain is real, but it’s temporary. The stirring inside propels them forward. Self doubt is cast aside and growth happens.

Wherever you are in life, I encourage you to face any fears you may have. Going through them might feel like you’re walking through hell. You will get singed, but you will come out the other side. You will be stronger, and you will be forever changed.

Go for it. Start now. There’s no time better than the present…

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Spirituality

Followers

Lots of people on TikTok and YouTube advertise that they can get you followers. Is getting followers really the goal? In my opinion, putting out good content on a consistent basis is more worthwhile.

Having a great many followers might bring some revenue into your bank account. That, too, is a hollow pursuit.

There are some on social media who say outrageous stuff just to call attention to themselves. But their content still sucks (Hasan Piker, the Tate brothers). No sane person should follow them, not even for curiosity sake.

My encouragement to you is to keep your focus on creating quality, not merely trying to get more followers. Then you can feel good about your work. And the right people will find you…

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Spirituality

Take A Look Around

Every day, I look at the world and consider how fortunate I am. Is my life perfect? Of course not, but perfection doesn’t exist on this side of eternity.

There is always something to be grateful for. Actually, there are many things. We can take a lot for granted without meaning to. Having a home in a safe neighborhood, food to eat, great friends and two sons who are solid young men are just a few things on my list. If I listed everything I could write all day long.

Two people can look at the same situation. One sees an insurmountable problem while the other sees a challenging opportunity. It’s perspective. Which lens do you see the world through?

Take a few deep breaths. In your mind, focus on what you’re grateful for. Write it down. Over time you will begin to see the good in your life, not what you believe you lack.

If you have a working mind aligned with a willing spirit, you have everything you need…

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Spirituality

Have The Courage to Be Used

Has someone ever used you? Of course they have! If we are being honest, we have used others to get something we want. Maybe tickets, backstage passes, or an introduction. It happens.

God uses us. But God uses people in a pure way. He puts us in positions to accomplish His will on earth. God cannot do anything underhanded or nefarious. That would go against His nature.

You might think that God could never use you. I have met many people who believe this lie. They feel like they are too small to be used by God, that He only uses the greatest among us. Not true!

Consider some of the people in Scripture that God chose: Moses, Elijah, David, Gideon and many others. These were very flawed men. Yet, God saw the greatness in them. Now these men are known by many.

Try to see the world through the eyes of God. Pray about this. Ask God to use you. He will. Then be willing to say yes when you are called…

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Spirituality

How Ya Looking?

People talk a good game. But there are several better ways to take the measure of another person. Let’s examine.

The eyes tell a lot about someone. They show us what is in the heart.

Are you a good poker player? The best poker players watch the body language of the other players. It’s because of this I don’t play poker. If I have two great hold cards, I’m like a puppy dog wagging his tail. It’s unmistakable.

Pay attention to the manner in which people walk. The people who walk fast, keep their heads up and shoulders back are displaying inner confidence. You can’t fake it.

The way we carry ourselves is representative of our inner self image. This is why I encourage others to do the difficult, inside work on themselves. Getting rid of past hurts, mixed messages we believed about ourselves and false beliefs will bring out the best version of yourself.

Do the work…

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Spirituality

Getting It By Osmosis

In today’s column I’m using the term osmosis as a metaphor. You will understand.

Recently I saw an advertisement for gummies filled with THC that are designed to reduce PTSD and allow for better sleep. Or there’s the clothes specifically designed to hide a poor physique. Are the manufacturers encouraging people to give up?

This is pretty much the same as believing you are getting some exercise because you drove past a gym. Life doesn’t work this way. In many ways people are being manipulated to take the easy route. Easy doesn’t cut it for those who aim higher.

I’ll admit, the older I get the harder it is to stay thin. It takes more effort than it did when I was in my 20’s and 30’s. But it is worth the effort. What we gain from exercising is more than just muscle. The mental health benefits are immeasurable.

PTSD doesn’t go away on its own. In 2010 I suffered from PTSD. You feel like a walking zombie. No emotions. You are just existing through life. Using a therapy called EMDR, I recovered. No gummy could have accomplished what EMDR did.

Today’s column might sound a little rough. This is not my intention. I want you to notice the subtle ways advertisers try to influence us. Life is a contact sport. Make contact…

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Spirituality

Make Your Choice

Both faith and fear challenge us to believe in something we can’t see. We have a choice in our to approach to life. We can have a faith-filled mindset or one overcome with fear and trepidation.

No matter which choice you make, it doesn’t alter the fact that God is in control. He doesn’t take time off or need to rest and recharge. Seeing God through human eyes might be shortsighted. In fact, it might limit His power. Let’s examine this.

When Jesus went to his hometown, Scripture tells us “he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”
— Matthew 13:58

Now, Jesus was still fully God, so he could do miracles in Nazareth. But why display divine power among people who didn’t recognize him for who he was and believe in him?

Faith and fear cannot coexist. We choose one or the other. And it can happen many times each day. Whatever we choose will determine our outcomes. Choose wisely…

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