Category Archives: #inspiration

#inspiration

Merit

I love watching the Olympic Games. The very best athletes in the world come together to compete in their respective sport. All of the dedication, missed parties and discipline culminate in this. Just qualifying is a great honor. They earned it.

In the United States we have placed great emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). It doesn’t matter how hard you work to position yourself for success under DEI. I believe DEI is a breeding ground for mediocrity.

Personally, I want the most qualified person flying the plane I’m traveling on. Only the best will do when that pilot is responsible for hundreds of lives.

Don’t mistake what I’m saying. Everyone should have equal opportunity to better their lives through education and training. Women should be paid the same as men for the same job. And everyone should feel included in this great experiment known as the United States. Everyone.

Merit is a good thing. Earning your way forward gives you a wonderful sense of accomplishment. Consider how the Olympians felt when they learned they qualified to compete with the best of the best. DEI deprives people of this…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Self-Help Books

The self-help industry can trace its roots all the way back to 1830. Surprising, isn’t it? The industry generates over $10 billion in annual sales, and there’s no sign of it slowing down.

People have engaged in all kinds of activities designed to conquer their fear. These activities include jumping out of perfectly good airplanes to walking on hot coals. Unless the change is internal, the only fear they conquered was one of a physical nature. The underlying trauma of the past remains.

Self-help authors have taken advantage of people. Everyone has dissatisfaction in their lives. “Read my book and never be unhappy, disappointed or afraid again,” they promise. But they are making promises they can’t keep.

The only comprehensive self-help book is the Bible. It covers every area of life, offering true solutions for every challenge you face. It doesn’t make false promises that you won’t experience some unhappy times, but it tells you how to find peace and clarity during those times.

If nothing else has worked for you, give the word of God a chance. Start with Proverbs. You won’t turn into some religious fanatic. But you will find wisdom…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Peaceful Days

Weekends are good for running errands and having some free time. After all, fitting in a little down time can be a good thing.

Peace is underrated. We all know people who thrive on creating chaos. It’s almost like they can’t be at ease unless they are stirring the shit pot. Eliminate those people from your life. At least keep them as far away as possible. And don’t feel guilty for protecting your peace of mind. You will operate better with a clear mind.

You can create as much peace as you want in your life. The crazies will always be around. Let them disrupt the peace of others…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Advantage

Have you ever been taken advantage of? Of course you have. People have agendas to fulfill and some of them are happy to use any means necessary to make them happen.

Politicians take advantage of the population. “Vote for me” and all your problems will go away, they say. In our rational minds we know this isn’t true. But the politicians aren’t appealing to our sense of reason. They are hitting our emotional hot buttons. We get disappointed and disillusioned when they don’t come through. There’s a reason Congress has an approval rating of only 13%.

I encourage you to be pure in your motives. If you need help, ask. Don’t take advantage of others. Living life with integrity will bring you everything you need in life…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Impulses

I have an impulsive habit. I admit it. Remember the infomercials that would be aired in the middle of the night? They were targeting people like me. You might recall the Ronco “set it and forget it” oven. I bought it and forgot it. Twice! Thank God I have a full head of hair or I may have bought the spray on hair.

In today’s politically charged world, there are many who want to goad us into visceral outrage. I have one “friend” on social media who tells outright lies with no consequences. He wants us to impulsively reply to his nonsense and, admittedly, sometimes I want to let him have it. After all, lying to people without being called out on the lies just encourages more lies. I just take a deep breath and pass him by, reminding myself that I wouldn’t want to live inside his head or heart.

Controlling our emotions is a sign of maturity. Perhaps I’m growing up!

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#inspiration

Shortcuts

Shortcuts are good sometimes. For example, if I’m driving from Austin to San Antonio there might be a better route than I-35. That road is constantly under construction and traffic is unpredictable. Rerouting to the west and coming in on 281 might be the preferred option.

When we are trying to accomplish something great, it’s best to avoid shortcuts. To write a book or prepare for a podcast interview, you need to do research. You will do a much better job when you fully engage yourself. You owe your audience your best work. Nothing less is acceptable.

To do things the right way means you take the road less traveled. That road is a lot less congested than I-35, and you will meet some interesting people along the way…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Sensitivities

Life is tough. Some of the challenges people face can feel overwhelming at times. I know people who have been affected by cancer, the murder of a child, rape, incest, suicide and more. The reason they are still standing is because they developed resilience earlier in their lives. Weak people crumble like an origami.

Resilience can be built, even in adulthood. You face your challenges head on, refusing to back down until you have come out on the other side. When you are going through hell, you keep going.

Tough times don’t last, but tough people do…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Prepared

Solid preparation gives you confidence. If you’re about to take a test and you have studied properly, the odds are you will do well. Just “winging it” isn’t the best strategy.

Every experience we have in life prepares us for something else. This applies to the bad experiences as well as the good. We rarely have the luxury to know what we are being prepared for. I trust that God knows how he will use the difficult times in my life. Some of my hardest times have been used to help others. When the purpose becomes clear it strengthens my resolve and my trust.

If you are in the middle of a rough patch, or even if you are going through hell, I encourage you to keep moving through it. Your pain has purpose, whether you see it now or not…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Revelations

As I grow in wisdom and understanding, God reveals things to me. I’m in a constant state of fascination and awe at how God expands my understanding. Things become crystal clear. It’s up to me to use what God has revealed.

In The Book of James the author tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James further reminds us that if we ask, we should believe God will answer.

He does answer…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Fame

Andy Warhol is credited with saying, “in the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.” Whether Warhol was the first to say this is up for debate, but it appears everyone is seeking their 15 minutes. Fame is not always pretty.

Why do people seek fame? Perhaps they want the attention that comes with fame. My belief is that wanting to be famous exposes a deeper insecurity. Fame follows accomplishment. Think of the great achievements of Lincoln, Ford, King and Musk. Two of them lost their lives because of their convictions.

Do your work. If fame finds you, all the better. If not, just do your work anyway. The only one whose opinion matters is God. Work with His purpose in mind…

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