#inspiration, #spirituality

Credit

Whether at work or at home, we contribute to the wellbeing of others. When we are working with a team, if our ideas help the team achieve its goals we want our supervisor to know. When other kids parents compliment our children, we let them know how hard we work in raising our children. We want credit.

But what would happen if we just did our work without caring who gets the credit? Maybe we are afraid we will be overlooked for advancement, or we fear someone else takes credit for our work. These concerns, while legitimate, aren’t really important in the grand scheme of things. We are not looking for recognition from our colleagues, but from an audience of one.

God sees everything. He is around us and in us all the time. He’s keeping his own score. He is just and will make things right.

Do your best, and don’t worry about getting credit. God knows…

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Never Seen

People revere celebrities and I’m not sure why. Actors are excellent at their craft, and musicians create music that will go down in history. But they aren’t saving lives. The really great ones aren’t being affected by the economy and skyrocketing cost of living. They are not relatable.

The people I look up to the most will never be famous. You wouldn’t notice them on the street, nor would you pay attention to them if you were on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and they were right next to you.

I’m talking about the ones who work like hell to take care of their families. Some are holding down two, even three jobs to make ends meet. The people who clean our hotel rooms, sweep the streets and deliver food and other goods to our stores. Teachers are heroes, too. We trust them with the ones who are most precious to us, our children.

Take time to thank God for the countless unseen people. Without them, none of this works…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

All or Some

If you are anything like me, you approach life with optimism, vigor and confidence. You believe anything is possible. But what about when we fall short or we meet frustration after frustration? What happens then?

Those are the dark times, the periods where we keep going even if we aren’t getting anywhere. Just as good times don’t last forever, neither does the darkness. Think back to the times in life where things looked bleak, pointless even. You got through those times and you will thrive again. Believe it.

Life is not “all or nothing.” Believe in yourself and remember, some is better than none…

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Truth and Consequences

Have you noticed that there are people who want to mislead you out there? Perhaps they are trying to sell you something you don’t need, or a commercial inspires your children to ask you to buy some sugary cereal.

Take the time to think before you buy. Is your child better off eating sugar-filled cereal or fruit and protein in the morning? After all, cereal is quick and easy. Cutting up fruit and preparing bacon takes time, and who’s got the time? Take the time. You are investing in your child’s future health.

Politicians are the worst. “Elect me and I promise” they say. We expect politicians to stretch the truth, so you have to watch their actions closely. What has their history been?

Stay true to what you know is right. Commit to taking the time to investigate. Think things through.

It might be a good idea to slow down a little. Life takes time…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Improving

The progression of life is challenging. We are faced with setbacks, frustrations and difficulties. During difficult periods, it’s important to remember that we have overcome every obstacle we have ever encountered. And we will again!

When you are trying to fulfill your true purpose you will want to quit. That’s natural. But don’t quit. Ever. The greater the challenge, the greater the individual becomes. You are a work in progress.

It’s hard to beat a person who refuses to quit…

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Reset

People are harder on themselves than they need to be sometimes. It’s a good thing to hold ourselves accountable, but that’s not what I’m talking about. Beating yourself up because of a mistake or disappointment is a contributing factor in poor self esteem.

We all make mistakes and we all fall short of our goals sometimes. It happens. Pick yourself up and move on. Have you blown the New Year’s resolutions you promised yourself you would accomplish? Start again! Life is a progression, not an all or none.

Give yourself a break. Challenge yourself but don’t get down on yourself if you fail to meet the challenge. Try once more.

Be kind to others, and remember to be kind to yourself…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Arrival

Sometimes in life, we just need to show up. You don’t want to go to work? Go anyway. Does a school event for your kids interfere with a sports game you want to watch? Record the game and show up for your child.

Life is unpredictable. If one of your friends goes through a loss such as a divorce or one of their children dies, show up. Yes, it is uncomfortable, but I encourage you to do it regardless of your discomfort. You don’t have to say anything. Your presence during a horrible time in someone’s life is enough. People need others when the shit hits the fan.

Much of life is about showing up. Make the call you need to make. Reach out to others.

Life itself is a participatory experience. So, participate…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

In Hiding

How do you define yourself? When you are asked to describe yourself, what is your answer?

Our identity begins with our name. We do not have a choice of our lineage, and I’m glad we aren’t given that privilege. God, in His infinite wisdom and planning, created us uniquely for a purpose. Only through our unique DNA could this have been accomplished.

People try to hide behind facades to cover up their insecurities. Embellishing one’s life is a tell-all that there’s more there than meets the eye.

I encourage you to take an honest inventory of your character traits. What are you good at? Do more of that and allow yourself to grow.

Don’t hide your talents. Use them to benefit others, just as God intended…

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Karma

Sir Isaac Newton’s third law of motion states, “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” This might be a scientific explanation for the Hindus or Buddhists believing in karma.

You do good, you receive an equal amount of good in return. The same goes for bad. This certainly makes sense at a topical level, but I don’t believe it holds true in the real world.

It has been my observation that when you are putting good into the world, you get more than you give. Doing good builds momentum. And it hits the area of your brain that produces dopamine, so it encourages you to do more good.

Doing good never goes out of style. So, keep bringing light into the world. Do not concern yourself with getting praise from others.

Everything we do is noticed by God. He doesn’t miss a single thing…

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Fire!

Did you know that you can yell “Fire” in a crowded theater and not be held liable? Free speech allows this, and I’m glad it does even if it is morally wrong.

Free speech is a treasure, and it has been under attack ever since the First Amendment was passed. Freedom of speech allows you to say something I might not like or agree with, but your right to say it is protected. Without free speech we have government rules about what we can say. Say something the political class doesn’t like and you will be jailed.

Freedom of speech can be lost in a generation. We must protect it at all costs…

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