Category Archives: Spirituality

Spirituality, Uncategorized

Rational Lies

We lie to ourselves. Now that is a true statement! We lie to ourselves and then we rationalize the lies. We overeat and swear we will exercise harder next week. We tell a little white lie and believe we are sparing someone some bad news. It’s time for this to stop.

People can handle the truth. In fact, most people can handle criticism if it’s done constructively. You discuss the behavior without criticizing the person. People appreciate honesty, especially when it’s designed to help them.

All of us have blind spots. There are things we need to improve in ourselves, yet we may be unaware of them. This is where we need our friends to tell us the truth. We need to be honest with others about their blind spots. We can take a lesson from the Apostle Paul and deliver the message with “gentleness and self-control.”

What are the lies you tell yourself? Take a moment of accountability. Write them down. Then actively work to improve. It’s a challenge, but you can rise and meet the challenge if you’re willing…

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Spirituality

It Was A Mistake

Have you ever made a mistake? Of course you have! It’s a rhetorical question. Here’s another one for you: Do you know people who continue throwing your past mistakes in your face? Move those people out of your life, far away.

Some people have a habit of looking for the worst in others. They revel in it. At their core, they are refusing to look at themselves so they spend their efforts pointing out the flaws and shortcomings of others. Their misgivings about themselves turn into projection.

It’s a beautiful thing when you trust someone to the point where you allow them to see you for who you are. Their acceptance of you can turn into self-improvement on your part. You want to be better.

Mistakes are part of life. They aren’t intentional. Don’t allow mistakes of the past to stop you from taking risks. Mistakes are vital for learning which leads to eventual success. Keep pushing forward…

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Spirituality

Devils Among Us

There is evil in this world. It may not always represent itself in murder, terrorism and other crimes of violence. Evil also comes in the forms of abuse, disease and loss.

Bad things happen to good people and we don’t understand why. People blame God and lash out in anger. That’s okay. He can take it. I have some experience with this. During much of my young life I hit him. Hard. Regularly.

But here’s a thought. When bad things happen in our lives, when the shit really hits the fan, we have a choice. We can hate God for allowing it or we can grow closer to Him. It doesn’t take away the pain. We still have to grieve and go through it. Even when we are at our lowest, when we have given up on God, He hasn’t given up on us. He doesn’t throw in the towel when he’s had enough of us raging at him. He still cares.

There are a lot of things we aren’t going to understand on this side of eternity. The spiritual battle that rages around us is just one of those things. We can’t see it, but it is happening. We can’t see gravity either, but I’m not going to jump off a high rise building.

Gravity works every time. So does God. He is the only one who can bring good from evil. Give Him a chance…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Working People

Unless you were born into a family with great wealth, you know what it’s like to work. Working people make the economy go. We don’t see who produces our food, or drives the trucks to get it to us, or the people who control our traffic signals. But they are there and they are important well beyond just their work.

People are important. All people, not just the ones we like or admire. We tend to place people into categories: those who can do something for us and those who can’t. If someone can’t help us achieve our wants and needs, it doesn’t diminish their importance to God. He created them, too, and I don’t believe God has categorized us. I’m very grateful he doesn’t!

Take the time to get to know people. Find out where they are from, what makes them tick. See others the way God sees them, not through the limited vision of human eyes.

When we see humanity through God’s eyes, the lens of our vision grows larger, much larger…

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Spirituality

The Blitz

In football, the blitz is used as a defensive move to create confusion for the opposing team. A zone blitz is when a defensive player who normally rushes the quarterback is dropped into coverage, thereby creating chaos for the quarterback. Blitzing is risky, but can produce turnovers and sacks which can change the momentum of the game.

Life can sometimes make us feel like we are getting blitzed. We like to think we can predict what will happen today, but as you know our best plans can go awry. Traffic throws us behind schedule, a child gets sick, or we have one of those days where nothing falls into place. We can bitch and moan, or we can adapt and move forward. Griping accomplishes nothing while adapting to the unexpected keeps us moving in the right direction.

The only thing we can control is our attitude. By maintaining an optimistic outlook while progressing toward our goals, we give ourselves an advantage.

Keep in mind that things always turn out the way they are supposed to. Even the biggest challenges won’t stop you if you refuse to give in to anger and quit. Just keep going…

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Spirituality

Phones, Phones Everywhere!

Yesterday I flew back home. On the airplane and in the airport I couldn’t help but notice how many people had their heads down looking at their phones. I occupied my time with a book.

Since its introduction in 2007, Apple has sold over 3 billion iPhones. For several versions the company would introduce new features and capabilities. We met Siri, the voice recognition software. Every day I send or receive multiple text messages and emails on my phone. The handheld device is both a convenience and a nuisance at the same time.

With the rise in technology and instant “communication,” we are losing the art of conversation. Human interaction and connection is vital for us. We are meant to be in community with others. People aren’t robots. For us to fully function we need interaction with others.

There are eight billion people on the planet. Our phones allow us to communicate with almost anyone anywhere. Yet, we are living in the loneliest period ever.

Stay connected. Your well being depends on it…

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Spirituality

Neurodivergence

Neurodivergence is a term that was coined in the 1990’s by sociologist Judy Singer. Singer was a neurodivergent person herself. Neurodivergence refers to differences in the way people’s brains work, process information, and behave.

All of us are neurodivergent in a way. We think differently, we believe different things and we don’t always behave. Even when our brains aren’t compromised, we remain uniquely different.

The longer we live, the more we learn about how the brain works. Neuroplasticity taught us that brain cells regenerate. We can create new, better ways of processing information. This includes how we interact with other people, too. We learn that not everyone deserves a response.

I encourage you to read about this fascinating subject. You might see the world differently…

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Spirituality

Simply Said

Have you ever listened to someone who uses a lot of lesser known words to make themselves sound smarter than they are? Those types will drone on and on and all I can think is, no one speaks this way in everyday conversation.

I have had a good number of teachers who made learning interesting. Chemistry became a class I looked forward to because the professor was an excellent teacher. We were learning advanced chemical combinations but we were really learning them. It made sense.

A phrase I repeat often is, less is more. If something can be adequately explained in 20 seconds or less, then there is no reason to turn it into an hour. Speak clearly and precisely and you will become known as an excellent communicator.

Always remember, less is more. Actions matter. And I will finish with a quote from St. Francis: “Preach the Gospel often. Use words when necessary…”

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Spirituality

Interesting Interactions

Yesterday I flew from Austin to New Orleans, Louisiana on Southwest Airlines. I don’t like to fly Southwest for a variety of reasons. The airline has open seating, the planes are packed, and the fleet is old. However, yesterday was a pleasant surprise!

The first surprise was that the plane wasn’t full. Second, the jet was new. Finally, I struck up a conversation with a fascinating young woman and it made the flight very interesting. She is a writer who has created a great story for film which I got her to share with me.

I listened, fascinated by her ability to make me see the story come to life in my mind. Her characters had depth and her storytelling was well thought out. Making a film is challenging. My hope is that her film gets produced. Hollywood needs new, exciting creative ideas!

The final surprise was my own reflection on myself. When I arrived at the airport I was counting the minutes until the flight would be over. My attitude needed work. Had I kept the same mindset I would have missed this wonderful conversation.

You never know who you might meet. Be ready!

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Spirituality

Reflecting

This morning I learned that a girl I used to know had passed away last night. While I haven’t seen her in decades, it still affects me. You see, she was a bright light in this world. Our world became a little darker without her in it.

We remember the people from our past. School friends, old girlfriends and even those who briefly passed through our lives are all in the mix. We hold them in our hearts. They have been a part of who we have become. I will always treasure the good people.

All of us are on the train to our final destination. The train ride began when we were born. It’s a great ride most of the time. There’s an occasional tunnel to pass through, but we come out of it. Then one day the conductor will say, “yours is the next stop.”

Life doesn’t end when we leave this world. We live on in eternity where there is peace and perfection. Make your difference on this side before the conductor stops by your seat.

Live with purpose…

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