Tag Archives: #fulfillment

#inspiration, #spirituality

Power

Power. Everyone wants power, or do they? Perhaps they are seeking control and their perception is that power and control go hand in hand. They don’t.

First, let’s talk about control. The only thing we can control is our attitude. I can’t control what you think about me, and I can’t control whether you like me or not. Attitude is key to everything. It gets us through hell and keeps us going when things are tough.

Power comes from ceding power. That’s right. When we give up our quest to be powerful we actually gain power. Meekness is the best definition for gaining power. Meekness means strength under control. Doesn’t that sound a lot like power?

What we give, we get. And that includes power…

Standard
#inspiration, #spirituality

Useful Metaphors

Some things are said so often we can start to believe they are real. I call them “useful metaphors”

“Separation of church and state” is one of those metaphors. Nowhere in any of our founding documents will you find those words written. Yet, there are people who would swear in court that they are there. They are not.

“Follow your heart” is another one. It sounds nice, and it even has a spiritual ring to it. The Bible tells us that we should guard our hearts. The heart is deceitful. We should pursue our dreams, which might be a better way of saying follow your heart.

A true useful metaphor isn’t really a metaphor at all. That one says, “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is…”

Stay mindful…

Standard
#inspiration, #spirituality

Greatness

Our world is full of superstars. Athletes, celebrities and public figures catch our attention daily. People revere them. But I ask you, what is greatness and how do you achieve it?

Let’s consider the life of Jesus. He was born a baby. Infants must rely on others to care for them. When Jesus became an adult, he performed countless miracles, but not a single one benefited himself. He redeemed and restored the forgotten, the oppressed and the sick. Jesus did most of his work quietly, not seeking attention. Word spread, even without the aid of the internet, and his popularity grew. Yet, Jesus never made it about himself. His life was focused on glorifying God. That’s it. Through this, Jesus started something that’s affected billions of people for over 2,000 years.

Greatness, true greatness is achieved through service to others along with humility.

Do you want to be great? Follow the example of Jesus…

Standard
#inspiration

Processed

You hear a lot about how bad processed foods are for us, and they are. Our bodies aren’t meant to handle unnatural elements.

In today’s post, I want to talk about processing our emotions. Our brains can handle a lot, yet sometimes the mind gets wired in an unhealthy manner. But there’s good news! What was done can be undone, if we are willing to do the work.

Stuffing down our emotions like anger can destroy us. Righteous anger is okay, but it must be channeled correctly. Use it as fuel to right some of the wrongs in our world. Then anger comes out in the right way.

If you have been hurt by another person, I’m truly sorry. People do horrible things to others and damage the innocent. But I encourage you to process your emotions in a healthy way. You might need the guidance of a psychotherapist to work through it. But you can get through it and live fully.

Start today. In fact, start now…

Standard
#inspiration

Renewal

In the northern hemisphere, Spring is here! The grass is turning green, trees are sprouting new life, and in Texas we have bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes everywhere we look.

It’s time for the ritual known as “spring cleaning.” Hopefully we are cleaning our homes more than once per year.

Spring is a time for new beginnings for many. New beginnings bring new hope. New hope is followed by a better life.

Spring has arrived. Celebrate!

Standard
#inspiration

Needs

We have wants and we have needs. They are different.

Someone might want a bigger house, but do they really need it is a legitimate question. It’s the same thing with food. I might want to go out to dinner every night rather than cooking for myself, but I don’t need to incur the extra expense. It costs a lot to go out to eat!

When you are about to buy something on an impulse, wait 24 hours before purchasing it. Do you still get as excited about it as you did the day before? If not, then let it pass.

When you find contentment in your life, you’ll clearly see the difference between wants and needs…

Standard
#inspiration, #spirituality

Story Time

Our stories connect us. People find themselves in stories of inspiration, and even in stories of despair. We relate to others in a way that is undefinable.

My own life story is not pretty. I grew up in a tension-filled, violent home. I walked on eggshells, afraid of setting my father off. Being in a constant state of “fight or flight” is not a good way to wire the brain. Fortunately, we can rewire our brains and heal from past trauma. It takes work, but there’s hope in the process.

I’m grateful for my life story. I have found that it resonates with inmates in prisons. Many of them come from screwed up families, and my story gives them hope for a better future.

Take a moment to consider how you want to be remembered. I want my epitaph to read, “He Cared.” Live your life in a way that will fulfill your desire of how you want to be remembered.

Do it now…

Standard
#inspiration, #spirituality

The Eyes of a Child

Children are a true blessing. Well, they are until they reach their teenage years. Then the script flips! But they do grow up.

When my children were toddlers, I got to view the world through their eyes. Everything they experienced was a new, exciting thing, and they noticed everything. The neurons in their little brains were exploding, creating new neural networks. I loved watching them grow and learn. Their sense of awe and curiosity was infectious.

We should try to be more like little children. See the good in the world around us instead of focusing on the bad. Children have no prejudice, nor do they hold hatred or fear in their hearts. They accept everyone.

Turn the news off. Spend time seeing the world through the innocent eyes of a child. The rest of the world will always be there…

Standard
#inspiration, #spirituality

Possibilities

Anything is possible when you believe it is. Finite thinking will only produce finite possibilities. When you open and expand your thinking into the infinite greater possibilities exist.

God is infinite intelligence. Nothing, literally nothing escapes Him. He exists in the past, present and future at the same time. His power is unlimited. We box Him in with our doubts.

Unleash your mind to consider the impossible dreams you hold in your heart. Pray about it. Be audacious.

With God on your side, who can stop you?

Standard
#inspiration, #spirituality

Obey, Or Else

Obedience is a scary word for some. It means compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another’s authority.

Ah, the submission part gets us every time. We are rebellious by nature. Our rebellion began with Adam and Eve, and it has been handed down generationally for thousands of years. Rebellion is in all of us.

God has given us a perfect blueprint for how to live our lives. It’s found in the Bible. Many people want to pick and choose the areas they will obey, yet consider the others outdated and irrelevant for today’s society. There are no outdated or irrelevant parts of the Bible. If God’s Word was true a hundred years ago, it remains true today. He didn’t change.

Are you frustrated with your life? I encourage you to pick up your Bible and look for ways to grow out of the frustration. Get a version that is written in English and provides context. Start with The Book of James. James was the half-brother of Jesus, and he was the “in your face” Apostle. There’s a lot of wisdom in that short chapter. And it might interest you to know that James didn’t believe Jesus was the Messiah during his life. He believed fervently after the resurrection.

Obedience to the only Authority over your life isn’t scary. In fact, it’s freeing…

Standard