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New Year’s 2025

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you had a peaceful, meaningful holiday season no matter what you celebrate. And now we are in 2025. Where did the time go?

Every year I see people posting “New Year. New You.” I wonder what changes they are expecting. Yet, I applaud people’s desire for growth and change. We are hardwired for growth. Sitting idle creates a stirring that can haunt us.

Do you have something in your life that you are dissatisfied with? Make the decision to change it, whatever it is. Then commit. No matter what happens, you will make the change and not go back. It’s gonna take work, but you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

Once you make the commitment, it’s over. Set your sights on greater things.

Again, Happy New Year! I wish all of you good health, great experiences, and solid relationships in 2025 and beyond…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Cleanses

There are all kinds of cleanses advertised. “For only $39.95 you can fully clean your (liver, kidneys, spleen, take your pick) and reverse the damage done!” These charlatans are playing on people’s guilt over the times they might have abused their bodies. Don’t fall for it!

The one organ we need to cleanse is our brain. And it can be accomplished without spending any money. Our thoughts control our outcomes. Negative thinking along with what we believe can only produce undesirable outcomes. Conversely, positive thinking aligned with what we believe will set the stage for success. Guaranteed.

If you aren’t fulfilled in life, I encourage you to change your thinking. It takes time, but you will change.

Your mind is powerful. Allow it to work for you, not against you…

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#inspiration

A Tribute

In 1952, a young Naval cadet walked into a small room for his interview with Admiral Hyman Rickover. Rickover was in charge of the Navy’s new atomic fleet, and he insisted on personally interviewing everyone who would serve under his command.

Over the next 2-3 hours, the young, cocky cadet proceeded to tell the admiral everything he knew about nuclear physics etc. Then it was the admiral’s turn. Rickover completely dressed the candidate down, showing the young man just how little he knew. After Rickover finished, the dejected young man got up to leave, fully humbled. As he got to the door, Admiral Rickover said, “I have one more question. While at the Naval Academy, did you always do your best?” The cadet wanted to say he did, but he had already been exposed. He answered, “no sir, I didn’t.” Rickover stared him down and asked, “why not?”

This question haunted Ensign James Earl Carter all his life. He went on to become the 39th President of The United States. You probably knew him as Jimmy.

Rest in peace, President Carter. No one can say you didn’t give your best…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Fakin’ It

You have probably heard the saying, “fake it until you make it.” From my observation, there are a lot of people who are faking their way through life.

People put up false fronts, acting as if everything is fine when, in reality, they are falling apart. The sudden death of a loved one, an unexpected divorce or a debilitating accident can throw people off their game. No one gets through this life without struggle.

There was a woman in prison who told me her two daughters committed suicide. The young girls had been sexually molested by her ex-husband. I stood directly in front of her and said, “I’m sorry. None of this was your fault or your daughter’s fault.” The woman kinda brushed it aside and said, it’s no big deal. I made her look at me and told her, it is a big deal. The pain you’re carrying is inconceivable to me, and I’m truly sorry. She looked at me and said, you’re right. This is the first time I’ve really acknowledged it.

I recognized what she was doing by brushing it aside because in my past, I have done the same thing. I have healed from a lot. She is just getting started.

This is an opportunity for me to give you my constant reminder to be kind. We don’t know what people are faking it through…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Don’t Tell Me!

No one likes to be bossed around or told what to do. Our rebellious nature kicks in and we resist.

Let’s take a moment to consider the disciples of Jesus. They witnessed countless miracles including bringing the dead back to life, calming a storm and curing a leper. The front row seat they occupied must have been mind blowing! Yet, they took it upon themselves to tell Jesus what to do. In one instance, Peter told Jesus to stop talking about being killed and rising on the third day. Jesus told him to “get behind me, Satan!” Jesus wasn’t making casual conversation.

We like to tell God what to do, too. We ask Him for selfish, material things, or for someone to like us back. Yet, God takes it all in. He never laughs at us or punishes us for being ridiculous. Nope. He just keeps on supplying our needs.

Instead of telling God what we want, why don’t we try trusting Him to give us good things? God gives us what He knows we need, which might not be what we want.

Trust Him. He is good…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Practical Atheism

We just finished celebrating Christmas which, along with Easter, is the largest day of attendance in church. A sense of obligation brings some people in, but we are failing at keeping them.

It’s estimated that anywhere from 4% to 30% of people in the United States don’t believe in God. Surveys can show wide and varied differences, and these are no different. The truth is, only God knows who believes in Him. But there’s more!

How we act is a representation of our belief or disbelief. Worry is practical atheism. We worry because we want to be in control and not allow some unseen god to take the reins. We might be looking through the wrong lens. Having faith in an invisible spirit is real faith. We know God is in control so we don’t have to be.

Judgment, treating others as less than equal, and laying guilt trips on people is in opposition of how our Creator acts. By doing so, aren’t we holding God’s character in contempt?

Going to church won’t make you a believer. If you go for the wrong reason, it might make you resentful. Go because you want to. Nothing else is necessary.

And remember, God looks at the heart of mankind. He knows everything, and that’s a good thing…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

False Hope

We live in a materialistic society. Whoever has the most toys wins, right? Wrong.

As my life has progressed and I have grown, I have learned a few things. In my early adult life I chased money, believing it would bring me what I was looking for. But it never satisfied me. I wanted more. My hope for peace and purpose was misplaced.

The 17th century philosopher, Blaise Pascal wrote “that everyone has a God-shaped vacuum in their heart.” It can only be filled with God. I have learned that what he wrote is true. In my wrestling matches with God, when I let go and let God, I win. Every. Single. Time. It’s the letting go of my desire to control that’s hard.

I ask you, what are you placing your hopes in? If what you’ve been doing hasn’t worked, give God a try. You won’t be disappointed.

I promise…

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Next!

Now that Christmas is over, you may put the stress of the holidays behind you. Now we begin the week before the new year. This time of year has its own set of challenges.

There’s much to do, right? Return gifts that don’t fit, put a tree away, and get those New Years Resolutions written down. More stress! But it doesn’t have to be difficult.

Start by doing the next thing. Then the next. Just keep going because your list will continue to have things added to it. Need to make a change in your life? Start now. Make the change your next thing to accomplish.

If you start to miss the stress, don’t forget. Christmas is coming…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Christmas Cheer

I love to laugh and to make others laugh. I find that a lot of life is full of humor. And laughter is good for us. It burns calories without having to go to the gym!

Some people are having a difficult time finding anything to laugh about, and Christmas cheer isn’t waiting for them in their stockings. They have suffered losses and setbacks. It takes time to heal from the pain. It can’t be forced.

If you know someone who might be alone this year, reach out to them. Let them know they are in your thoughts. Your small gesture might put a smile on their face.

Speaking of laughter, here is an old SNL clip that always makes me laugh. Peace to all…

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Freebies

You have heard the saying, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch.” It’s true. Everything in life has to be earned. One of my favorite politicians to pick on believes the government should pay for everything. Someone has to make the money to provide for whatever government benefits he wants to provide. You see, the government doesn’t generate a single dollar of revenue.

Retail stores offer “buy one get one free” to entice you into the store. The store might actually lose money on the offer, but figure people will buy more things while they are in the store. It must be a successful business model because stores continue to make the offer.

It’s important to remember, everything in life that has value requires work. Everything. Mental health, physical fitness, and solid relationships are brought to life by our commitment to making them happen. There is no other way.

Decide what is important to you. Then commit to making it happen. You will encounter difficulties along the road. But it’s hard to defeat a person who refuses to quit…

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