Thank you all for your prayers. I’m about to head in to surgery. Update tomorrow.
You taking the time to write something to me is very meaningful.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
No Time to Waste
When we are young we believe we are immortal. While we have all felt that way, the truth is that our time on this side of eternity is finite. So, the burning question is, what am I doing with the time I have?
I’m not focused on death. Not at all. My focus is on living every moment I have while keeping my mind on the eternal. In 2 Corinthians 4:18, we are reminded to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
The unseen realm is unknown to man. We get glimpses and Scripture reminds us that there is a spiritual battle raging all around us. Then there is Heaven. Jesus described it as paradise. Even with this description we cannot fully comprehend it.
You and I have no time to waste. God gave us a purpose for being here. He doesn’t deal in randomness. If this side of eternity was random, all hell would be breaking loose. But there is order. And He gave us enough time to accomplish His purpose for our lives.
It’s time to get started. As John Wayne said, “we’re burning daylight.”
Make More Mistakes
In order to do something great with our lives, we must be willing to take risks. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained” as the saying goes. The fear of failure can be a deterrent, but only when you believe you gotta get things right every time.
We learn through our mistakes. When we do something correctly we aren’t required to learn a new, better way. Mistakes and setbacks are part of this imperfect life we are living.
Years ago, I was asked to be a guest teacher for a business principles college class. The curriculum I put together for the class was a list of eighteen lessons I learned during my career from mistakes I had made. We only got through five of them. Teaching the class is something I will always remember.
Success is a growth process. It rarely happens overnight, but it will happen when you work hard, work smart and refuse to quit when things get tough. You must be tougher!
Edison made mistakes. So did Einstein. Musk has blown up a lot of rockets while trying to figure out how to get one into space. We remember these individuals and others for their accomplishments. None of them published a memoir of their mistakes, but they could have.
Be willing to try and fail. Then be willing to try again. And again. And again. Until you find success. A dream without action is a waste…
The State of Discontent
People change when they want to. I’ve heard many alcoholics say they “got sick and tired of being sick and tired.” They embraced sobriety, worked the 12 steps of AA and changed their lives.
Contentment can be an ambition killer. We are here for a purpose, a purpose that impacts others for good. Going to work, coming home and watching television then doing it all over again the next day won’t get you where you want to be. When you get discontented with your life then you will change. The pain of staying where you are is worse than the uncertainty of moving forward.
Fulfillment comes when we are working at something greater than ourselves. We are contributing to the greater good. And when you see someone trying to make a change, offer some encouragement to them. Your words might be what they need in the moment.
Find your purpose. You have one. In fact, you may have several. Keep going when you find it, no matter what happens. God gave you the purpose. He will see you through…
Make Algae Great Again
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was constructed in 1923. It sits prominently between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, and is managed by the National Park Service. It’s a beautiful, peaceful site.
In 2012, the pool was found to be leaking about 25-30 million gallons of water annually. A reconstruction project was considered successful, yet soon after the project was completed an algae bloom appeared. Where were the people who were recently singing to the algae in 2012?
Yes, you read the previous line correctly. There was a group of protesters at the Reflecting Pool singing to the algae and yelling, “grow algae, grow!” They were celebrating the failed restoration. Why anyone would celebrate this is beyond my understanding.
My hope is to lift others up, that they will see their own inner beauty and potential. Tearing others down or celebrating a failure is for the weak.
Be strong…
AIP
Autoimmune Protocol is a restrictive eating plan designed to eliminate inflammation in the body. I’m beginning today. Why, you might ask? Because I have an autoimmune disorder that is causing me tremendous pain. The diseases comes and goes, but the pain has gotten progressively worse.
Pain is a powerful motivator. There are many foods I like that I cannot eat for the next 30-60 days. Organic tomatoes, black pepper and coffee to name a few. But the thing is, eliminating certain foods from my diet is nothing compared to being pain free. I’m ready.
Our foods have been infiltrated with toxins. Artificial manipulation has caused molecules to be introduced into our bodies that we don’t know how to digest. I’m trying to reset my biology.
If you have joint pain or stiffness, take a deep look at what you are eating. It may be nothing or it could be something. It doesn’t hurt to look…
The Sadness of Forgiveness
Everyone has been hurt by others. That’s universal. And we have all hurt other people. That is universal, too. But what do we do with the pain?
Forgiveness requires a lot. We must get over our desire to hurt back. When we let go of our need for revenge we can move to the next step: Letting go of the past hurt. By letting go we aren’t giving the offender a “hall pass” for the offense. But we are releasing any potential power it may have over us. This is when the power of forgiveness accelerates.
There’s a sadness that can occur when we forgive. It’s almost like losing a friendship, even though it isn’t a good friendship. When the desire to let go overtakes the desire to hold on, we have arrived.
This takes time. It can’t be rushed or forced. Forced outcomes aren’t genuine. Forgiveness is growth, too. Forgiveness is for you, not the offender.
If you are holding on to a hurt from the past, it is my hope that you will move forward on the road to forgiveness. Keep healthy boundaries up so it doesn’t happen again. But don’t shut down completely. Isolation is as harmful as lack of forgiveness.
Everything begins with gratitude…
The Price of Gratitude
For as long as I can remember, I have been a grateful man. This isn’t to suggest I haven’t been through some difficult times. There have been some, but I refused to give in to any anger or resentment. Those things will destroy you from within.
Actively practicing gratitude changes the biochemistry of your brain. You begin to see the world through a bigger, more beautiful lens. But this comes at a cost; a trade off, if you will.
You lose the mindset of lack, fear of missing out, and your mind shifts towards what you have. There’s a lot of good in your life and mine. For example, if you can read this, don’t take it for granted. A blind man would trade places with you in a heartbeat to be able to have his vision back.
Gratitude has a cost. But what you gain through gratitude is worth everything you will release from your mind…
Open Up
As awe-inspiring as Artificial Intelligence is, it will never take the place of human connection. We are hardwired to be with other people. We want this in our casual conversations, too. Ask yourself, when contacting customer service, would you rather talk to a chat bot or a real person?
All of us have a thousand acquaintances. But how do you move from the surface to knowing others at a deeper, more meaningful level? Here’s how: drop your guard. Be open with others while maintaining an open mind to their hopes, dreams and beliefs.
When we are unguarded it encourages others to lower their guard. Let the conversation flow. Listen well. Put your heart into it. People are moved when you connect with their heart. This is the moment you see the real person.
You don’t need a big circle of friends. But you do need some. Be willing to open up to others. Yes, it involves a little risk that they might not like you or accept you. That’s perfectly fine. Keep working on yourself and the right people will appear…
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