Author Archives: John Harrell

Spirituality

Look What I’ve Done

When we were little children, we were on a constant learning curve. Learned to walk and talk? Yay! Look at me!

As adults we get recognized for our accomplishments in our careers. We build our lives around family, friends, our work and, hopefully, our God. For some, those aren’t enough to fill the hole in their hearts. The damage from forgotten dreams can lead to bad decisions. Then it becomes, “look what I’ve done.”

Some people continue to devolve and make dumpster fires of their lives. Rock bottom comes and it’s in this moment they might find themselves. The good news is, redemption is always possible with God. He never turns his back on us, no matter what we have done.

There are countless stories of people who have turned their lives around. If you feel like you have made a mess in your life that you can’t correct, find inspiration from the stories of those who have come before you. Read Scripture.

There is always hope. When you are flat on your back, there’s only one way to look. Up…

Standard
Spirituality

When My Ship Comes In

One day my ship will come in, but I’ll probably be at the airport! This is a common saying I repeat. I’m only trying to make people laugh.

People have goals and dreams. So many never realize their full potential because they are “waiting until everything is just right.” Here’s a dose of reality for you. Things will never be just right. You have to step out in faith and keep moving forward.

There was a movie called “Field of Dreams.” Would you like to see a field of unfulfilled dreams? Drive past a cemetery and you will get your wish. Sometimes I wonder how much creativity has gone to the grave because people were scared.

Whatever you dream about, whatever has never left you, this is tied to your purpose. The Creator gave it to you before the world was created. Be fearless in your pursuit of what turns you on.

It’s time to begin. The world needs what you have to offer…

Standard
Spirituality, Uncategorized

What A Privilege It Is

Privileges are special rights, advantages, opportunities, or benefits that a person or group enjoys, often because of their position, status, circumstances, or accomplishments. But what about the privileges we take for granted?

Freedom of speech is something we have in the United States. Our Constitution has broad protections for speech that exceeds every other country. People have the right to say things that are offensive. They can protest (hopefully peacefully). In October 1990 the ACLU went to court to defend the KKK’s right to march. They weren’t defending the Klan’s beliefs. They were defending their constitutional right.

We who were born in the United States have privileges some countries don’t. We have clean running water and plenty of food in our grocery stores. If you live in parts of Africa and South America you don’t have the same access to these items.

Privileges are not just about what we have, but what we are doing with them. It’s a great question to consider…

Standard
Spirituality

It Could’ve Been Me

My life is filled with gratitude. To the best of my ability I try to not take anything or anyone for granted. There is nothing random in this world or in your life. Everything has a purpose.

Are you driven by your attitude or by what happens to you? Attitude is everything. It is the one thing that God gives us control over. Our attitude drives our decisions and our actions. Having free will is a great responsibility as well as a gift.

When I stop to consider those who are less fortunate, I remember that they could have been me. The poor, the mentally ill and those who are living in pain are never far from my mind. I know that the only reason I have any abundance in my life is because of God.

We will always have the poor among us. Jesus himself told us this. “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” -Anne Frank

Take the time to reach out to others. Perhaps you will get a little uncomfortable. That’s okay. Growth comes from the discomfort zone. Other people will benefit but so will you…

Standard
Spirituality

The Battle

You and I are in a war. We aren’t battling each other. We are fighting the voices of doubt inside our heads.

When we were born, we set out to conquer the world. Nothing could stop us. We believed in ourselves while the people around us doubted us. So, what happened?

Life happened. This imperfect world wouldn’t cooperate or bend to our will. Some gave up on pursuing their dreams while others adapted and marched forward. Yet there were more hurdles placed in our way. What now?

Now we see what we are made of. Our grit and determination get tested as we refuse to be defeated. The battle rages on but we will not cede territory.

Every day you are going to face challenges. Some are small (traffic delays) and some may seem insurmountable. Whether we win or lose is determined in our minds before we begin.

You will be victorious over every challenge you will encounter if you refuse to accept defeat. Keep fighting…

Standard
Spirituality

Frustrated Into Prosperity

After a family vacation in 1951 left Kemmons Wilson disappointed by the quality of roadside motels, he founded Holiday Inn in 1952. Wilsons frustration created a vision and a burning desire to change things for the better.

By 1968 the Holiday Inn chain of motels was the largest in the world with over 1,000 locations. It’s a pretty remarkable story considering how the founder started his life.

Kemmons Wilson never knew his father. He died when little Kemmons was only nine months old. Wilson grew up in poverty. He started working odd jobs and delivering newspapers at a young age. He dropped out of high school so he could help his family even more than he already was.

Every obstacle he faced could have deterred Wilson, but it didn’t. He had no college degree, no connections and no money. But he had a strong work ethic, and he had a love for business. God equipped him to change the way families traveled the world. Businessmen, too.

We have an element in society who believe the world owes them something. The world is hard. The strong not only survive, they thrive. Fortunately most people still value hard work and dedication.

Kemmons Wilson passed away in 2003. He left a business legacy few people may ever attain. But his story remains one of inspiration and never allowing lack to stop us.

Life is tough. Be tougher…

Standard
Spirituality

Seeking Something

In 1845, Henry David Thoreau moved into a small cabin he had built in the woods. Thoreau lived there for two years, two months and two days. He wasn’t in total solitude because he regularly visited nearby Concord, Massachusetts. It was from this experience he wrote “Walden; or, Life in the Woods.”

Thoreau learned some lessons at a young age many people take a lifetime to learn. One of those lessons was that a meaningful life is built on recognizing what truly matters and living deliberately. Even in the 1850’s men were working like hell to accumulate wealth, status and possessions. Thoreau dared to ask the question why.

Thoreau recognized something else. He knew that the Creator had imbued each of us with a unique purpose. Many people spend their lives knowing this, but they put off pursuing their purpose in lieu of a different life. But the missing piece of the puzzle remains no matter how much we amass.

Henry David Thoreau wrote some words that haunt me. Yet they inspire me, too. “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation, and die with their song still in them.”

Find your purpose. The world needs to hear your music…

Standard
Spirituality, Uncategorized

Backtracking

Most days I get outside and take a walk. Living in Texas I can usually depend upon agreeable weather. And I can walk much farther than I can run.

Yesterday I got temporarily lost in my neighborhood. My sense of curiosity took me down some streets I had never walked through before. The scenery was beautiful, but I realized my short attention span had taken over. Obviously I found my way home since I’m writing this!

I see people who are living their lives in the past. They long for the good old days” when life was much simpler. People use the phrase “back in the day” frequently. Life was just as challenging then as it is now. Our memories fade and distort the truth.

Keep the past where it belongs, in the past. Keep your focus on what lies ahead. We don’t know what is around the next corner, but I believe it’s gotta be something good…

Standard
Spirituality

The Weather Report

Weather fascinates me. The cloud formations, the wind and the thunderstorms. Even extreme heat and cold are reminders that I feel completely alive.

But what is your temperature? It’s a compliment to be known as a warm, friendly person. Those types are approachable and non-judgmental. And we have all encountered people who are like icebergs. Their hard exterior is difficult to break through, but I have found that deep down they want to be different.

How many friends do you have? I have hundreds of acquaintances, but only a small number of friends. Many people abandon others when trouble arises. Those are. our fair weather friends. They are nice enough, but you can’t rely on them to stick around when the going gets tough.

Everyone wants to be around you when you are successful. That’s easy. But it’s the people who stay with you no matter what who are worth their weight in gold.

God pulls for us in our successes and in our setbacks. He doesn’t change how He sees us. And God is reliable. He can’t lie to us or mislead us. His weather is perfect. Every time…

Standard
Spirituality, Uncategorized

Public Support

Have you ever been honored by your profession or made to feel like a VIP in some way? Perhaps you fly First Class and receive privileges set apart from the Coach passengers. Recognition is nice, but it’s not sustainable.

In 2019 I resigned my membership in Austin Country Club. It is a wonderful club and has an air of exclusivity to it. But what made the difference was the people who worked there. Austin Country Club did a remarkable job with their hiring practices. I have never been much of a country club guy, but I enjoyed getting to know the staff and learning their stories.

Everyone wants to belong, to be part of something bigger than themselves. It begins with our family. Why do you think kids join gangs? It’s due in part because they aren’t feeling accepted at home. Their fellow gang members give them something missing from their lives.

Many people I encounter are dealing with an emptiness inside. People try to fill the hole in their heart with drugs, affairs, gambling or sex. Those are not fulfilling in the long term.

God alone is the only one who accepts us unconditionally. He created us and He wants to see us live full lives on this side of eternity. You don’t have to become a religious nut to get it. Just believe. God will take care of the rest…

Standard