Author Archives: John Harrell

Spirituality

Win Some. Lose Some. Win In The End…

Life isn’t fair. It has its share of ups and downs. Victories and losses. Happy times and long, lonely days and nights. Neither the good periods or the bad ones last forever. But we do.

God didn’t create us and then forget about us. He put us here for a purpose. Part of that purpose is to prepare us for eternity. We won’t be sitting around doing nothing on the other side of life.

The heart of man is what God wants. He spoke about this all through the Bible. He looks through us, all the way down to the fiber of our DNA. Then He looks a little further.

I encourage you to welcome the challenges life throws your way. God is preparing you for something. Be vigilant…

Standard
Spirituality

Peace Through Strength

Ronald Reagan popularized the phrase “peace through strength” during the Cold War. He was responsible for revitalizing our military with the belief that the best deterrent was to be the strongest nation militarily. It worked.

Critics believe that this approach provokes our enemies. They believe everyone plays nice in the sandbox. If we leave them alone they will leave us alone. It’s a nice thought but it’s a naive belief. Bad actors want power and domination. It’s up to us good guys to stop them. We can and they know we can.

Jesus showed peace through strength, too. When the opportunistic merchants took over the Temple, selling doves, cattle and sheep for Passover, Jesus made a whip from three cords and drove the animals from the Temple, his Father’s House.

Jesus was a badass who was filled with righteous anger that day. It must have been an impressive experience because the story is told in all four of the Gospels.

We need to show strength when we witness people being taken advantage of. There are a handful of bullies out there who pick on others. Remember that the bully is the most scared person around. They are scared so they want you to be scared, too.

Peace through strength is effective in deterring evil. It works in geopolitics just like it worked in the Temple. Be strong…

Standard
Spirituality

Forgetful

Do you ever walk into a room and forget why you went in there? My favorite thing to forget is people’s names. Faces I remember. Names no.

Many people are carrying painful memories in their hearts. As humans, we cannot forget. God alone has that power. But we can forgive. Forgiveness changes the dynamics of the pain.

We don’t want to forgive because by forgiving them we feel like we are letting them off the hook. And they don’t deserve our forgiveness. This is all true, but forgiveness is for you, not the offender.

When you forgive someone, it’s like releasing an imaginary weight you have been carrying around. The offense no longer has any power or influence over you. You don’t forget. You release.

Forgiveness is hard, I know. It takes time. You cannot force it, but you can stay open to it. If you close the door to forgiveness, it’s really difficult to open it.

Keep the door open, just a tiny crack. See what happens…

Standard
Spirituality

Talk Therapy

It feels good to get something off your chest. There’s an unseen chemical reaction in our brains that releases endorphins and lowers stress when we talk about the things that are bothering us.

Holding things in can damage us in unseen ways as well. Unresolved tension can cause disease, spikes in blood pressure and inflammation. Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. I don’t see gravity but I know it’s there and it’s working.

In the beginning of time as we know it, God said it “isn’t good for man to be alone.” We are meant to be in community with others. Having some alone time or solitude is healthy. Isolation can be destructive.

Be sure you are spending quality time with your friends. Be a good friend for them, too. Just like you, they need people to talk to, too…

Standard
Spirituality

Caught Up

Do you ever feel like you are caught up with life, your “to do” list? My list keeps growing.

We can get lured into an unhealthy lifestyle. It may start with just a little flirtation. But it seems to be okay, so maybe go a little farther. Before you know it, you get caught up in something you didn’t want but now you don’t know how to get out. If this is you, be at peace. There is always a way. Always.

If alcohol, gambling, sex or shopping are your challenges, there is a 12 Step Program for whatever you battle. And remember, it is a spiritual battle you are in. It may manifest into our physical world, but its basis is spiritual.

I know people whose lives had become a train wreck. They were hopeless. But through a lot of hard work and changes in their thinking, they restored their lives.

If this resonates with you, please take the first step to a new, better life. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.

Take the step…

Standard
Spirituality

Eve of Destruction

My personality is hardwired in optimism. It always has been. I have an ability to see the good in every situation. The “good finder” in me sees it in people, too.

My optimism about the future of The United States is waning. I’m not happy about this, but I must be realistic. Let me explain.

America has gotten lazy. We rest on the strength of will of those who came before us. Our last of the World War II heroes are dying off. For a while we were replacing them with dudes in dresses and makeup. I’m glad that era has passed, but rebuilding takes time.

The United States’ obesity rate is epidemic. This has caused our healthcare costs to spin out of control. The country has $38 trillion of acknowledged debt, but there is another $200 trillion in unfunded future healthcare liabilities no one talks about.

It’s not too late! We can turn things around if we are collectively willing. It won’t be easy. Nothing worthwhile ever is…

Standard
Spirituality

Free Range Chickens

The term “free range chicken” has a nice sound to it, doesn’t it? It makes us think that the chickens are running wild in the barnyard, and so they must be better to eat and the hens produce superior eggs. It’s really just a marketing term, nothing more.

People are free range beings. We are independent thinkers. We don’t like being labeled or confined. All of us are unique. We come and go as we please. As long as we obey the law, we remain free.

We also have a desire to be part of a group, a community where we “fit in.” This makes sense because we do need other people in our lives. But let’s not take unity too far. Being part of a unified group is good unless the group doesn’t want people to express themselves freely. Go against the group and you’re out.

Stay true to yourself. The qualities and characteristics you possess are what makes you the beautiful person you are. Be who you are, not the person that others want you to be.

Be free range…

Standard
Spirituality

Beliefs

Someone recently asked me what I believe in. So, I thought I would share a few of my beliefs here.

First off, I believe in God. Our world is in a spiritual battle, an unseen fight. God has already won the battle. It’s just a matter of time until we see it.

I believe in what is true, what is right, and what is noble. I believe most people are good in their hearts. We see the goodness of mankind show up when tragedy strikes. Sure, there are bad people, really evil people in the world, but that’s not most.

I believe in the next generation. It’s hard to be a child nowadays, but I believe our young people are some of the best.

I believe in justice. If we don’t find it here, God will make it right.

And I believe in spreading goodness and light into the world. People need to find hope and know they aren’t alone in their struggle. It’s easy to criticize. It’s worthwhile to encourage.

If I wrote everything I believe in, it might break the internet! This was a small glimpse into my mind. And yet, there are people who will find fault with my beliefs. That’s okay. God loves all of us, even the critics…

Standard
Spirituality

Clear Vision

Seeing the world around us as it is rather than how we wish it was is vitally important for objective thinking. Believing things are better (or worse) than they are is a form of denial. Reality never denies the truth.

Do you have a vision for your life? Many people are just going through the motions, getting by, and living for the weekend. Living with unfulfilled dreams is merely existing. There is a lot of life on the other side, but you gotta go get it.

We were placed here for a reason. God created everyone with a purpose in mind. There is nothing random about your life. You know in your heart that this is true.

Life may have knocked you down but it didn’t knock you out. It’s time to re-engage. Bring the calling on your life to the front of your mind. Create your unique vision for your life and get started. Conditions may change but your vision doesn’t have to.

Remember the writings of Thoreau and plant his words in your heart: “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation and die with their song still in them.”

Don’t allow your music to die with you. The world needs what you have to offer…

Standard
Spirituality

Neighborly

Have you ever had a bad experience with a neighbor? I have. Only one, but he was a rude, selfish ass. And the thing is, you are stuck with them until one of you moves.

In the workplace we have neighbors. My office has around 20 people in it. We may only casually know our coworkers, but we can make a difference in their lives. We simply need to be aware of what’s going on around us and offer support if appropriate. Even casual acquaintances need to know we care.

People are struggling. Most people put on a brave face for the world, but they might feel empty inside. Show patience and kindness when you can. Even if you are in a hurry. Your simple smile might be what someone needs in the moment.

We are never too busy to show kindness…

Standard