Author Archives: John Harrell

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The Scapegoat

As we all have, I have known a couple of people during my life who wanted to blame me for their lack of a successful outcome. They needed a scapegoat and didn’t place value on our relationship. Needless to say, these people are no longer in my life.

Our actions have consequences. We are responsible for the decisions we make, and we must be willing to accept the outcomes of our decisions. Holding ourselves accountable doesn’t make us heroes. It does keep us steady and reliable.

Do not allow yourself to be anyone’s scapegoat. And don’t blame anyone but yourself for poor decision making. Give yourself a break if your decision was well thought out, but things went awry. You can’t control everything.

Do your best. Always. And if someone wants to blame you for their actions, you will see how they define your importance to them.

Find the healthy people. Keep looking until they show themselves…

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Spirituality

Delete

We delete old emails and text messages when we no longer need them. Why aren’t we deleting bad habits and negative thoughts, too?

We have only so much time in this life. We can waste our time, or we can make good use of it. It’s our choice. No one else controls us or our thoughts.

The power of choice is one of the greatest gifts from the Creator. Free will is truly free. We can choose to be difference-makers, doing what we can to lift others. Or we can accept whatever life sends our way. Again, we have the power to choose.

My encouragement to you is to choose to think of others first. Be outward focused. Seek opportunities to help and encourage others. You will gain more than you give. Promise!

Delete the things that waste your precious time. You won’t miss them…

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Spirituality

Five Stones

Goliath, who stood around 9 feet tall, was feared by the entire Israeli army. Goliath taunted them daily. He appeared to be unstoppable.

A shepherd named David saw things differently from the others. David was insulted by “this uncircumcised Phillistine.” Goliath was an abomination to the Lord in David’s eyes, so he decided to do something about him. David’s brothers, along with the other soldiers tried to talk David out of his plan, but David was undeterred. He knew he had God on his side, and God would use David to kill the giant.

You know the story of David and Goliath. David took him out with one stone hurled at Goliaths forehead. The now-emboldened Israelis destroyed the Phillistine army after David had slain Goliath.

David believed. We should believe, too. God is on our side just as He was on David’s. So what stops our belief? We see things through our eyes rather than through God’s eyes. That’s the only difference.

People sometimes ask why David took five smooth stones instead of just one. After all, he was confident that God would show up, right? Well, Goliath had four brothers. David came prepared…

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Spirituality

Spring 2025

The season of Spring begins next week. In Texas, we have already seen signs of new beginnings such as flowers blooming. Spring comes early in Texas because of our moderate climate and short winter. Come for a visit but please don’t move here. We are full!

Every year people take on the task of Spring cleaning. It’s a good time to get rid of clutter, wash windows and clean out your garage. It feels great when you do that.

This year, why not do a cleaning of a part of your life you might not be pleased with? If you have a habit of watching too much television, turn it off and read a book. Sedentary lifestyle? Go for a walk. Junk food in your pantry? Replace it with fresh fruit, organic if you can find it and it’s affordable.

We spend our efforts cleaning the outside. Let’s be different and clean the inside as well. The results take a little longer to see, but you will see them…

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Spirituality

Take It Easy

In many ways we have become lazy. The proliferation of 7-11 stores was due to our desire to save time. We were willing to pay higher prices for convenience.

Fast food has become a staple of American culture and cuisine. Yes, we save time when we pick up a bag of hamburgers on the way home. But we miss the human connection we get from preparing a meal together. The loss is intangible so we don’t notice it as much.

Today, there are six obesity drugs available. Give yourself a weekly shot and you’ll lose much of your appetite. Yet, you also lose the satisfaction of taking the weight off naturally through exercise. The satisfaction of accomplishment is gone. Plus, weight loss through diet and exercise has no side effects, unlike drugs.

We are hardwired to grow, to achieve. This aids in the development of healthy neural pathways. God has given us every tool we need to live long, healthy, productive lives. Let’s not take His gift for granted…

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Spirituality

Wasteful Words

Politics has divided us in the United States in a way I never thought I would see. People who have been friends for decades have severed ties, as have families. And for what? You don’t like their politics so you can’t be associated. That’s shallow.

The funny part of this is, people make stuff up about the other side of the aisle. They post ridiculous memes designed to convince you of their moral superiority. You better get on board or you’ll not be allowed to sit with the cool kids.

We live in a world where everyone is an expert. Unless you have devoted your life to a cause, you are a casual observer. We aren’t a professional physician because we read a medical textbook.

Dying on the hill of politics is a waste of your time. Find a greater purpose…

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Complaint Department

Have you ever known someone who begins most sentences with, “the problem with that is…?” I have met a couple people like that. Focusing on problems instead of solutions never accomplished anything.

Being a problem-conscious person rather than a solution-conscious person affects the brain, too. Scientific research has shown that constant complaining shrinks the hippocampus over time. The hippocampus is responsible for memory and problem-solving. You cannot miss the irony.

Our world has plenty of challenges, no doubt. Keeping our focus on solving them, collaboratively, will progress us towards new ways to approach them.

Instead of complaining, find a way to work through it. Your hippocampus will thank you…

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Truth in Advertising

Madison Avenue is the epicenter of advertising in America. There are some very creative people working there. Yet, sometimes even the best twist the truth.

A few years ago, Cosmopolitan Magazine featured an array of obese women on the cover with the caption, “This is Healthy.” I’m certain the magazine sold a lot of copies. I’m also certain the potato chip companies, the sugary soda companies and the fast food chains benefited.

Obesity is not healthy. It will shorten your life, and it causes your organs to work overtime. To believe otherwise because Cosmo said so is rationalizing behavior at best.

Not everyone is going to look like a model. Most of us will not grace the cover of a magazine. That’s okay. We have other talents to put on display.

Don’t be fooled. Take care of your health…

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Spirituality

Why I Write

Why do I write? As I was driving home yesterday, I spent quite a bit of time thinking about this.

I became a writer in 2015. A friend of mine encouraged me to write. He would say encouraged, but I say pestered! Yet, I’m glad I listened because without his constant harassment I would have never begun. And the truth is, I am the least qualified to write anything. I didn’t take English in college because I hated the subject so much.

My encouragement to you is to listen to those who encourage you to try something new, something that is worthwhile. You might really enjoy it, even when you believe you won’t.

The reason I write is to inspire and help people. In a divided world, my hope is to build bridges, not tear them down.

Anyone can criticize others and bring them down. That’s easy. I choose to lift them up through words and actions.

Be a peacemaker…

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Spirituality

Walk It Out

There was a time where I remember being told that the sun was bad for us. It isn’t. Have you noticed how the plants and flowers grow towards the sunlight? Animals and birds love the way the sun feels on their bodies. So do we!

Nature is there for us to enjoy. The endorphins in our brains come alive when we experience beauty. We will not get the same healthy energy from sitting and watching television. Experiencing natural beauty while moving our bodies will benefit us in ways that are indescribable.

Get outside every opportunity you have. Take a long walk. Breathe deeply. Enjoy the beautiful scenery that’s all around you…

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