Author Archives: John Harrell

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Healing

When I was a teenager, my life was full of anger, hatred and resentment. I couldn’t wait to get out of my cruel, sometimes violent home life. I stuffed down a lot of my feelings during these years because I wasn’t “allowed” to feel them. When I finally got free at 18 and moved out, I thought I was leaving my past behind. I thought wrong.

The trauma from the past resurfaces from time to time. Our minds are such incredible supercomputers, lighting fast and efficient at knowing what we need to live fully. We are automatically hardwired to live the way our Creator designed us to live.

Wounds from the past bubble to the top, and we can either face them or stuff them back down. They will return, but our brains know when to allow them to resurface. The wounds appear when we are ready to heal from them. The timing is perfect. Trust the timing…

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My Interview With Viktoria Romanova

Are you looking for an inspirational story to begin your day? Consider watching my interview with Viktoria Romanova as she shares her story.

Viktoriia had a nightmare. She dreamed her two year old daughter, Eva, had a blood disease. Imagine the horror she felt when the nightmare came true. Eva had leukemia.

This nightmare had a happy ending. This year Eva, now 8, won the Determination Award at her elementary school! She’s alive and thriving! Click on the link to watch:

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Friday the 13th

In western culture, the number 13 is considered to represent bad luck. The “cursed” number takes its reputation from Norse mythology.

Luck doesn’t really exist except in our minds. If luck was real then life would be a series of random events. I believe there is a Divine Order to our lives that is bigger than anything we can understand.

Embrace everything that happens to you in life, even the bad stuff. When you accept that there is no randomness, only structure, it makes the bad things easier to navigate. A little easier, anyway…

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Focus

Are you outwardly focused, or are you focused inward?

I believe most people, if being honest would say inward. We are naturally selfish, so this makes sense. Protecting our lives and the lives of our loved ones isn’t selfish because it’s done out of love.

When we shift our focus onto the needs of others, something special happens. We find more joy and fulfillment than ever before.

I believe we can be focused inwardly and outwardly at the same time. Try it! You might like it…

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Simpler Times

Sometimes I hear people say they long for an earlier time when life was simpler. But was life really easier?

Technology has sped up the pace of life so we can accomplish more each day. We text rather than call. Email instead of writing letters. We don’t even have to walk over to the television to change the channel anymore!

One thing that hasn’t changed is the need for human connection. We are hardwired to have relationships. There is no technology that replaces a connection…

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Acceptance

Recently I read an alarming statistic: Over 85% of adults in the U. S. don’t like themselves. Eighty five percent. Without going into all the data to back this claim, I accept it to be accurate.

This begs a question. Who do you see when you look in the mirror? Do you see a flawed human being, with ugliness inside and out, or do you see God’s creation? I encourage you to see yourself as the latter.

We cannot fully accept others until we have a healthy self-acceptance. You know your personal character defects, and only you can change them. Working on ourselves is the hardest thing we will ever do, but it’s so worthwhile…

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Stuff

So-called “influencers” on social media get revered for their cool toys, exotic travel and the appearance of a life everyone else wants. But is it real?

Real life doesn’t live on the internet. It exists in the homes of everyday families creating a life of routine. Families doing family stuff doesn’t seem as extravagant as a fast drive down the Autobahn in an Aston Martin.

But this is where life is lived, no matter the size of your home or what zip code it’s in. All the other is just stuff, and stuff doesn’t last. Life lasts…

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Seek Help

We are independent, aren’t we? Self-sufficiency is a sign that you’ve “made it.”

Yet the struggles of daily life remain. Sometimes the challenges we face may seem insurmountable. We try to face it alone because we’re capable of taking care of ourselves.

There may be times when we need help. There’s no shame in seeking someone to come alongside you to help you through a difficult period. In fact, it demonstrates strength to know when you need others.

You are not alone, unless you choose to be…

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Volunteering

If you are reading this, take a moment to thank the Creator for all the goodness in your life. Every good thing comes from God. This includes our minds, sight, air to breathe, good friends and family, and so much more.

I believe it’s important to help others. The needs of mankind are huge and overwhelming, yet collectively we make a difference. God uses us to do His work on earth. He places others in our paths as opportunities to serve.

Here’s a picture of me from yesterday, May 6, volunteering at a golf event which raised over $100,000 for pediatric brain cancer research. I met so many wonderful people who have been impacted by this horrible disease, yet they continue fighting to find a cure.

My recent podcast guest, Melissa Fleming who lost her son to brain cancer.

Find a cause you believe in and immerse yourself in it. You can help make a difference…

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Online Culture

You can get literally anything you want online. I have had groceries, liquor, books and more delivered to my home after ordering them off the internet. You can even get a date!

There’s a potentially dangerous downside to only ordering things online. The lack of human interaction is vital for us as people. Without human connection, we can become isolated and alone.

Online purchases are great for busy people. Yet I encourage you to shop in person when you can. The personal interaction is good for your health and well being…

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