Tag Archives: #change

Spirituality

Urban Development

Since 1993, I have lived in Austin, Texas. When I first moved here, Austin was a quirky city with a bit of a small town feel. It’s not that way anymore.

Corporations were quick to notice that a lot of people wanted to live in Austin. Many tech companies built facilities there, complementing their main offices on the west coast. They were smart.

The cost of living in Texas was and is much lower than California’s. Not having a state income tax is nice, too. The mass migration to Texas from California caused our property values to soar. Californians could sell their cracker box sized homes and buy a 10,000 square foot home for less in Texas.

Not all development is good or bad. But the culture of the city has changed. Austin used to be a casual type community. Now it’s more stiff and pretentious. It happens.

Austin will continue to grow and thrive, no doubt. The state certainly will, too. We have been the beneficiaries of the mass exodus from California. My hope is that the people who move here leave their crazy politics behind. After all, it was their politicians who priced them out of their beautiful state.

Everything always works out the way it’s supposed to…

Standard
Spirituality

Weight Loss

As we age our metabolism changes. When I was in my 30’s I could practically will weight off. Today? Not so much! Diet and exercise are the only sustainable ways to stay physically fit.

There are other weights we might need to shed. In my observation, some people are weighed down by feelings of guilt and shame for things they have been forgiven for long ago. The people I’m referring to have had a true change of heart, but bad religion or other people want to keep the offender mired in their past.

Weak people love to remind others of the bad decisions they made in their lives. The weak ones might need to look themselves in the mirror rather than focusing on others. Weak people tend to have massive egos which blinds them to the things they need to work on.

It has been said that we are all “works in progress.” Is this true? Growth requires discomfort. Staying the same while claiming that our societal ills are someone else’s problem is arrogance and complacency.

My encouragement to you is to be willing to get involved. Don’t rely on the politicians because many of them aren’t qualified to be the assistant manager of a garage sale. Throw off anything weighing you down. Sometimes the dead weight includes some people. Be willing…

Standard
Spirituality, Uncategorized

Through the Spirit

True change comes from within. We might change our behavior for a while to accommodate someone else’s demands, but it won’t last unless we want it to. We are unique individuals, not clones.

It’s true that if you have a bad habit that needs to be addressed, you should work to change it. An alcoholic doesn’t get sober until he or she decides they want sobriety. Then they commit to doing whatever is necessary to stay sober.

For believers, the Spirit of God lives within us. The Spirit is constantly talking to us, guiding us and encouraging us. But are we always listening? No, we aren’t because the demons want our attention, too. And they are really good at getting it.

The Spirit is changing us inside. We are being crafted into the character of Jesus. We won’t reach perfection on this side of eternity, but we certainly get better.

Listen to the Spirit. It cannot lead you astray because it’s God talking to you. Through the Spirit we find life, peace and contentment. And that’s a winning combination…

Standard
Spirituality, Uncategorized

Checking The Box

For years, I attended the 7:30 am church service at a local Catholic Church. Going to the early service guaranteed I could be out of there by 8:05. I was, as the title says, checking the box.

Fortunately I woke up and realized I was wasting time. Through the recommendation of a friend, I found a church home. Instead of checking the box, I found myself energized to learn more about God and experience more of him. The relationship went from transactional to relational. I’m glad I woke up and came to life.

Many people are going to jobs they don’t like. They are just getting through the week, waiting for the weekend to arrive. How can you be effective at your career when you aren’t engaged? You can’t.

It’s a worthwhile investment in yourself to take inventory of your life. Are you living, or just existing? If you find yourself checking the box in any area of your life, it might be time for a new direction.

Make the change…

Standard
Spirituality

I’m Trying

Did you have any bad habits you need to break? It is my belief that all of us have room for improvement. Perhaps we need to drop a few pounds, stop being judgmental of others, or something else. Let’s take a look.

A habit is only bad if it causes harm to you or others. Abusing alcohol has ill effects on all the organs of the body. In addition to the physical damage, it’s awful to be around a drunk. But rational thought goes away if someone wants to get drunk. Let’s hope they don’t get in a car, have an accident and cause irreparable harm.

If there is something you want to change, you can if you really want to. It takes more than willpower alone. Ask God for help. He cares about every detail of our lives. He will show up. Every single time.

The New Year is going to be here soon. Make a decision to change one thing in your life. Think about what you are gaining, not the bad habit you are eliminating. Break it down to one day at a time.

Finally, write your goals down. Physically write them. Review them daily. If you experience a setback, get right back up and try again.

You can do anything you set your mind to. Anything…

Standard
Spirituality

The Power to Change

Change is a funny thing. In one way it is self-contradictory. For example, many people say they don’t like change. Yet, the only constant in life is change. Those people are screwed!

Most everyone I meet is trying to grow. Growth requires change. Getting rid of bad habits, better decision-making or beginning an exercise program requires change and commitment. And it is difficult. But you can do it if you want to.

You don’t have to do it alone. Ask God to help you. He will show up. You might have to ask Him multiple times per day. God didn’t forget what you asked for. He’s wanting to see how badly you want it. And only God can change impure hearts. Let Him do His thing.

The road of life we are on will end one day. Make your life count…

Standard
#inspiration

Procrastination

Everyone procrastinates. Literally everyone. In her autobiography, Condoleezza Rice admitted to being a procrastinator. If the former Secretary of State does it, what exempts us?

Putting things off just makes them worse. You can change your attitude about procrastination with very little effort. Just make the decision.

Don’t wait! Do it today…

Standard
#inspiration, #spirituality

Evolution

Do you believe people are capable of changing? I do. Consider the story of the Apostle Paul. Paul was the “Hebrew of Hebrews,” a devoted persecutor of Christians who was on his way to Damascus to arrest men and women and bring them back to Jerusalem for trial. Paul had a Divine encounter which led him to zealously preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ while at the same time writing two-thirds of the New Testament. Now that’s change!

Most of us will never have the risen Christ speak directly to us as Paul did. Oftentimes God works more subtly in our lives to effect change. In my own life I can tell you that God has worked on me, in me and through me. I’m glad I recognize it for what it is. Or perhaps I should say who.

People evolve and change when they want to. Change can’t be forced, but we can set the example for others. The ability to change lives inside all of us…

Standard
#inspiration, #spirituality

Change Your Mind

The way we think will determine the outcomes in our lives. Do you want to make a change in your life? Then start by changing your thoughts.

Read great books. Feed your mind with the stories of people in history who made a difference. Read the writings of the Apostle Paul. Ask for help to change and believe God will help you. He will.

Finally, get rid of every distraction that isn’t enriching your life. It’s time for change…

Standard
#inspiration

Inflexible

There are three types of intelligence: intellect, personality and adaptability. Psychologists have studied these for decades and have come to the conclusion that one of these types of intelligence has the highest correlation to success. Which type do you believe it is?

If you had said intellect, you would be wrong. And while a pleasant personality is necessary to get along with others, that answer would be incorrect, too. The correct answer is adaptability.

Being flexible in your approach to problem solving means you see things from a variety of angles. You aren’t hyper focused on just one. Your ability to adapt will take you far.

If you are fortunate enough to have a high amount of all three, there’s no stopping you…

Standard