Tag Archives: #confidence

Spirituality

Seeking God

One of my favorite Scriptures is Jeremiah 29:13: “You will find me when you seek me with all your heart.” But what does it look like to seek God, an unseen Spirit?

One thing I ask God for, is to show me His vision for my life. I want what God wants for me. I’m certain it’s better than anything I can dream up on my own. Way better. God sees things I cannot. If I was allowed to see my life as it will be in ten years, I wouldn’t understand how I got there.

This isn’t about religion. It’s the other “R” word, relationship. God doesn’t want us to picture Him as some distant, unconcerned deity. No. He is a loving father who cheers us on even during those times we aren’t cheering for ourselves. When I’m fulfilling the purpose I’m on earth for, I’m aligned with God and I will see God in the purpose.

Try meditating on Jeremiah 29:13. Ask God to show you His vision for your life. Keep asking and keep seeking until it becomes crystal clear…

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Spirituality

Learning Curves

A lot of early life is trial and error. When we were babies and learning how to walk, there were a handful of stumbles and falls before we got it right! And yet we survived.

As adults, we haven’t figured out everything even though some act like they have. Life is a continuous learning process where we find ways that work while still learning what doesn’t. And as long as we are trying to learn and grow, this is how it will be. You really haven’t failed unless you believe you have. You have simply found a way that doesn’t work!

Abraham Lincoln ran for public office nine times before ever winning a race. He didn’t quit when most would have. No one would call Lincoln a failure.

I encourage you to be a lifelong learner. Read instead of watching television. Connect with other people in person, not through text messages. Drink from the wisdom of the great philosophers. And remember to talk to God during your day. He’s the one who gave us everything we have.

When life throws you curves, remember that you can hit those, too…

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#inspiration

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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#inspiration, #spirituality

Self Aware

Are you fully in touch with who you are? Knowing ourselves is essential for growth.

There are areas we all need improvement in. And there are things we do well. Don’t forget your wish list! These are the things we wish we could do. Some are achievable, while others are fantasy.

Take inventory of yourself. Be honest. If you are really brave, talk about your strengths and weaknesses with a trusted friend. Be willing to listen to constructive criticism. And give yourself a break when necessary.

I encourage you to take your talents and use them to make a difference. The world needs to hear from you…

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#inspiration

National Days

Today, December 12th is National Ding-a-Ling Day. Yes, you read that correctly. It’s a day to call people you have lost touch with, or just act a little weird if you like.

There is a day for everything. Literally everything. The only day we don’t have is White Mans Day. That makes sense. Being a white man, I’m told by some that I’m the problem. I’m not.

When I speak in Texas prisons, at least one-third of my audience is black. Another third is Mexican or Latino. No one has ever had a problem with my race or gender, and I’ve spoken to thousands of people. It has never come up.

People will sometimes make assumptions about others based upon baseless evidence. This is wrong. None of us want to be classified by merely our race, gender or politics. We are more than that. So much more.

I encourage you to approach everyone with an open mind. We can learn something from everyone…

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#inspiration

Is It True?

There’s so much information thrown our way every day that it’s difficult to separate the truth from the lies. Our media is culpable, but so are we if we spread the lies we hear.

If we were to spend our time vetting information we would never accomplish anything else! We need information about the state of the world to help us make decisions. But how do we know if what we are being told is true?

The world is a much closer place thanks to technology. We can call someone in a foreign country and it sounds like they are next door. There are sources available to help us glean information. Then it’s up to us to think it through.

Decide what’s important to you and your family. Ask yourself if what you’re hearing is really true. Take time away from the noise to think.

And if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is…

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#inspiration

Veterans Day

November 11th is Veterans Day. For many it’s simply a day off. For others, the day represents a deep, meaningful remembrance of the sacrifices some have endured for us and our country.

People who serve in the armed forces are special. They don’t serve for fame or fortune. It is their way to honor this great nation and give back to it. We are safe because of the work they do.

In some ways we have dishonored our veterans. Our anti-war sentiment spilled over to the soldiers who served in Vietnam. When that battle was over, people spat on them and waged a hateful campaign against them. They were simply following orders.

Take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices our veterans made for our freedom. And take a moment to thank God for them.

Without our veterans, life would look very different…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

The Popular Vote

Because it’s election season in the United States, the popular vote is being talked about. Who will be the winner? Popularity isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

If you are living your life with a strong desire to be liked, you will be disappointed. Not everyone is going to like you when you stay true to your values. It’s not a bad thing to try to get along with others, but turning into a chameleon so you will be liked and avoid confrontation is weak. It just doesn’t work.

Jesus certainly wasn’t loved by everyone during his ministry, and he is the Son of God! He wasn’t trying to be popular or to establish rule over the Romans. In fact, his desire to not be made a king got him killed (although his death on the cross had been prophesied).

Decide what you value and stand up for it. You are going to piss some people off and that’s okay. If you’re taking a stand for what’s true, noble and right, you will be following the example Jesus set for us.

And that’s a good thing…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Holding On

Great memories are treasures we hold in our hearts. Moments in time permanently etched in the fiber of our being.

What are we holding onto that doesn’t serve us well? This could be anything from a bad habit to people who aren’t good for us. It’s a real challenge to let go.

Changing a habit takes about three weeks. Even after that we have a desire to return to old behavior. If we aren’t careful, we will allow our minds to play tricks on us. The tricks are real.

Letting go of people is challenging, too. There was a time in my life where I eliminated every person who wasn’t edifying and enriching to my life. I was lonely for a while, and loneliness sucks. But I held on to a stronger belief that I knew the loneliness would pass. I focused on myself. The healthier I got, the more healthy people I attracted into my life. It was worth the effort to make myself a priority.

I encourage you to take inventory of your own life. If there’s something you need to rid yourself of, take the brave first step in a new direction.

You might experience some loneliness, too, but the darkness will pass. Every time…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

The Floor is Yours

Parents know this: your children are watching everything you say and do. If they call someone an asshole, it’s because they heard it from you first! Children are constantly learning while their neural pathways are being formed. We have a great responsibility to teach them well.

Adults are watching you, too. They watch you at work, in restaurants, at parties, basically everywhere. People pay attention to how you treat others. Are you kind, or do you take great satisfaction in being rude? Be kind. Always.

Our outer behavior reflects what is in our hearts and minds. We are either building trust or we are tearing it down. People let their guard down when they know you won’t shred their emotions.

Confidence is attractive, arrogance is not. If there’s something you don’t like about yourself, go to work on it. The work is internal. Change comes over time.

Remember parents, your little ones are watching. The floor is yours…

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