Tag Archives: #faith

Spirituality

Find The Beauty

The critics are everywhere. You know who I’m talking about. These are the people who find a problem in every situation. They might not recognize a solution if it hit them in the backside.

Beauty exists all around us. There is beauty in every person, every scene in nature, and there is beauty in every failure. If you don’t stop and look around, you might miss it.

Political divide has been building for over twenty years. The gap has grown wider and it doesn’t look like it will reverse. People are spending an inordinate amount of time criticizing the other side, yet they have nothing to show for their efforts. Why not take the energy used to criticize and use it for something meaningful? Just think about the impact we can make, the beauty we can bring forth.

God created everything and everyone. He made us all, and he didn’t make a mistake. He didn’t even have any second thoughts. He must love variety because no two people are alike. There’s beauty in the variety.

Change your perspective. Find the beauty in every moment. It’s there…

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Spirituality

If Only

Have you ever used the term “if only?” If only I was wealthy. If only I was taller. You get the point.

God made us not only in His image, but he created us exactly as he wanted us to be. Being dissatisfied with ourselves is an insult to the one who made us. And consider this: you were thought of before the earth was formed. That should blow your mind.

If only is a cop out. It’s an excuse, nothing more. It’s time to recognize there is nothing random about your life. You are here for a purpose greater than yourself. Live like it.

Get rid of if only. Replace it with “I get to.” Watch your world change…

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Spirituality

Friends of Value

The actress Dyan Cannon was quoted in a recent article as saying she had many “friends with benefits.” When Ms. Cannon found out what the term meant, she laughed and clarified what she meant. It’s not what you thought!

I’m grateful to have a small circle of good friends. They are really good people. When you have the right people in your life, you only need a few.

We all have a lot of acquaintances, people we know from work, the gym or other shared activities. These are people we are friendly with, but not necessarily friends with.

Trust is the foundation for any relationship. Without trust, the relationship is casual at best. But it takes time to build trust. It can be tested, and often is. But the people who matter most in your life come through. Every single time.

I encourage you to bring value to your friendships. Be the one who checks on them without needing anything in return.

Great friends are a treasure. They are worth more than gold…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Unspoken

Take a look at the faces of the people you encounter. Take a good look. People are more stressed today than ever. To further complicate things, loneliness has reached epidemic levels. Yet, we live in an era where we can call anyone in the world any time we want to.

Kids have it the worst. Children who are living in homes where abuse, addiction and neglect keep their problems to themselves. As of 2023, about 25% of children are living in these conditions. This has doubled since 2014. Kids are carrying stresses they aren’t equipped to handle. Worse, they feel alone and believe they are the only ones who live like this.

Human connection is vital for good health. We need to be in community with others. If you are feeling lonely, reach out to someone. There are many good people in this world. In today’s “it’s all about me” culture you have to look hard for them, but they are out there. You don’t have to go it alone.

If your kids speak about troubled kids at school, consider inviting them over. Their troubled behavior might be a cry for help. Compassion triumphs over isolation.

Today’s column is my reminder to be kind to everyone. We don’t know what lies beneath…

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Spirituality

The Cycle of Abuse

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but this is an area that requires daily awareness.

On average, a person will return to an abusive relationship seven times. I have heard people say they don’t understand how anyone could return to an abusive environment, but let’s show some compassion rather than judgment.

The abuser starts with isolation. Cutting off family and friends means they have begun to exert control over the other person. It begins subtly, then it escalates. The abused are manipulated and beaten down emotionally and, oftentimes, physically. Their self-worth has been destroyed, causing further reliance on their abuser for any validation.

The abused hold on to hope their abuser will change. There are occasional bright spots. The abused are so low they begin to convince themselves that “it’s not that bad.” It’s a living hell no one should live in.

The cycle can be broken. It takes courage you may not know you have. Find it no matter how deep you have to dig. There is a better life on the other side of hell.

The number for the Domestic Abuse Center is: 800-799-SAFE (800-799-7233) or you may text START to 88788. Make the call.

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Your Very Best

We like the best. When we travel we want the best hotel, restaurants and local attractions. We wear the best designer labels, showing off our taste for the best.

But what about how we live our lives? Are we giving our best effort every day? The people who get the most accomplished are separated from the rest by one trait: commitment.

Although they are often related, accomplishing much in life doesn’t necessarily bring wealth. Mother Theresa dedicated her life to the poorest of the poor in India. She had worldwide acclaim, yet very little money. She gave them her best.

Commit to one thing and do it well. It should be something you love doing, even when it’s not fun. Your focus must be on making a difference, not creating wealth. Wealth may come, but it should be secondary.

Start each day with a quick prayer of gratitude for another day. Then go give the world your very best…

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Spirituality

Considering The Impossible

A survey of 50 adults over the age of 95 revealed three interesting themes. As the oldest generation looked back at their lives, they wished they had risked more, reflected more, and they wished they had created something that would last, a legacy.

If you are reading this, it’s not too late for you to pursue your dreams. Even if they have been dormant for decades, they still exist in your mind and heart. Look forward thirty years and think about how you will feel when you have done what you were sent here to do.

We pursue our purpose for fulfillment, not fame or personal glory. We give the glory to God. After all, he’s the one who gave us our unique talents we use to make a difference in the world. If we keep it to ourselves, we have lived selfishly. There’s no fulfillment in selfishness.

The excuses will flood your mind. “I’m too old. It’s too late for me. I don’t have enough education.” Those are just a few of the excuses, and they are all lies you might tell yourself. Ask yourself, “how big is my God?” Then go do what he put you in this generation to do, even if it seems impossible to you.

Henry David Thoreau wrote, “the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation and die with their song still in them.” It’s time to let the world hear your music…

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Spirituality

Givers and Takers

You have probably heard all the sayings: “it’s better to give than to receive.” And “it’s the thought that counts.” If these are true, and they are, then why are we so damn greedy?

The culture of the United States is greed. Yet, we are the most benevolent country in the world. Greed and kindness can coexist. The greedy part of our psyche is insecurity while the benevolence comes from the heart. The heart is what really matters. It’s the heart of mankind that God searches.

Publications like People Magazine give us a glimpse into the lives of our favorite celebrities. The images are showing us a carefree life with no worries. It’s a created image that doesn’t exist in real life. Everyone has challenges in their lives whether they are famous or not.

Giving of yourself and your resources is good for the spirit. When you help someone who can never do anything for you, you get a feeling that is impossible to describe. I believe this is how we were created in the image of God. He’s the only one who gives and gives.

My encouragement to you is to try to be more giver than taker. Find a cause that touches your heart. Get involved. See how your life gets even better than it is already…

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Spirituality

Aging in Reverse

So far, no one has been able to reverse their biological clock. But in the technologically advanced world we live in, anything is possible.

There are several things we can do to slow down the aging process. Intense exercise that incorporates strength training along with some cardio builds muscle and reduces inflammation. Exercise also enhances your cellular function. I encourage you to work up a sweat at least four times per week.

Our diet can help as well. Organic foods, olive oil, fresh vegetables and nuts are in the optimal mix. Reduce alcohol consumption, too.

Prayer and meditation are good for easing your mind and taking away worries and stresses. Undue stress can cause inflammation. You really can prevent it if you take the steps to reduce it. But you gotta believe.

Keep your mind active. Have meaningful conversations. Listen well. And keep an open mind to new possibilities.

Take the time to take care of yourself. You will be better for it, and your quality of life will improve dramatically…

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