Category Archives: #spirituality

#inspiration, #spirituality

Inside Job

We love to be on the inside of things, to be “in the know.” We might believe this gives us a leg up on the rest of the world.

Here’s some truth for you: change is an inside job. We cannot fix anything about ourselves by changing something external. Botox might make you think you are staving off the aging process, but it is a temporary solution at best. The only way to slow down aging is intense exercise. Hard exercise changes your biochemistry, your inner organs.

Every one of us needs inner work. This never ends. But take heart! We grow when we change from within…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Including Others

Remember when you were a kid and you got picked to be on a team? If we were playing basketball, I got picked last or not at all. I was horrible at basketball.

Everyone wants to belong, to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Kids join gangs because they think they’ve found their people. Their family lives are a mess or nonexistent. Adults join car clubs and country clubs. They belong to a unique, sometimes exclusive group.

We should always treat others with kindness and respect. They might not belong to something we do, but that doesn’t make them less important.

Our identity is found in who we are, not what groups we belong to…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Damage Done

I grew up in a home filled with constant tension. If I accidentally spilled a glass of water I would be told “you’re not worth a damn. You’ll never amount to anything.” My home could become violent, too. I never knew what might set my father off. I felt alone.

The brain is an incredibly efficient marvel. It created coping mechanisms which allowed me to function through the chaos. But coping mechanisms are short-term solutions. They aren’t meant to sustain us indefinitely.

I took a lot of insecurities into adulthood. At the time I didn’t see them as such, but as my life evolved I knew something was amiss. I began working on myself. The work paid off.

I still work on myself. Practicing gratitude led to me forgiving my parents long after they were dead. But forgiveness came at the right time.

The damage was done early in my life, but I found the repair center. Find yours…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Prestige

Prestige is defined as “widespread respect and admiration felt for someone or something on the basis of a perception of their achievements or quality.” We revere people of prestige.

Have you ever met a famous person or celebrity? I have met many. I have had dinner with multiple people of prestige. The interesting thing is, they are just people. They might have special talents to entertain us, but their lives aren’t free from struggles and stress. There are some famous people who want you to worship them, but they are the minority. Most just want to be seen as regular people.

In the eyes of God we are all the same. No one reaches Heaven in a different way because of their earthly accomplishments. No one should feel diminished by another person because we are here to do God’s work. Sometimes fame comes with that, and sometimes not…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Hidden

When I was a kid, there was a popular television show called “Candid Camera.” Goofy pranks were played on unsuspecting people and their reactions were recorded by a hidden camera. The show was hilarious.

People hide their inner pain. We show the world that we have it all together. But the truth is, many people are barely holding on. For some, all they have left is hope.

Words can heal or they can hurt. Whatever is going on inside a person’s head and heart is reflected in what they say or how they act. Hurt people hurt other people. Healthy people heal others.

Our world is struggling. It’s expensive to live. Mental health was shredded from isolation during the pandemic. Masking inner pain with fake smiles doesn’t heal the wounds.

Let your guard down with others. Allow them to see you for who you are. And let them show you who they really are, not who they want us to think they are.

Be kind. Always…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

In Your Eyes

We like to focus on the shortcomings of others. By doing this, it keeps us from having to look objectively at ourselves. We compare ourselves to you so we can feel superior to you.

In the world of Christianity, we observe some (not all) Christians condemning gay people. They love to single out the homosexuals. Yet, everyone sins. Everyone.

Jesus spoke of this often. He challenged us to focus on removing the beam in our own eyes rather than calling out the speck in the eyes of others. He told us we shouldn’t judge or we will be judged in the same way.

Eliminate judgment from your thinking. Jesus died for all of us, even the gay people…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Painful Experiences

Over the past four days I have been speaking in Texas prisons, both men and women’s. My subject matter is my own life story of physical and emotional abuse, and how I healed from my painful past. My story is relatable to many of the prisoners.

The inmates openly shared some of their life stories. I must tell you, most of them are not pretty. Some of the things that people do to other people are pathetic.

There is a lot of pain in this world we inhabit. People are doing everything they can to hold it together. So here’s a reminder: be kind to everyone. We don’t know what lies beneath the surface…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

The Next Day

Once again I spent my day speaking in two prisons. It’s a very fulfilling experience for me.

The pain and suffering people lay on each other is almost indescribable. Hurt people are creating their legacy by hurting their children. People are either seriously angry with God, have drawn closer to Him, or they don’t consider Him at all. My message is one of forgiveness, acceptance and gratitude.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect with prisoners. There are people who will reject them after they have finished their sentences and are released. I won’t…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Joyful

As I write this, I’m sitting in my hotel room in Gatesville, Texas. I had the privilege of speaking in two prisons earlier today, one with male inmates and the other female. Tomorrow and Thursday I will be speaking in four additional prisons. I’m ecstatic.

Public speaking is something I have enjoyed for decades. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would do volunteer work in prisons, but I’m glad I decided to. It gives me tremendous joy when I connect with the inmates. They feel seen and heard. And I make them laugh!

Get involved in volunteer work. You will get more than you give…

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