Tag Archives: #greatness

#inspiration

Merit

I love watching the Olympic Games. The very best athletes in the world come together to compete in their respective sport. All of the dedication, missed parties and discipline culminate in this. Just qualifying is a great honor. They earned it.

In the United States we have placed great emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). It doesn’t matter how hard you work to position yourself for success under DEI. I believe DEI is a breeding ground for mediocrity.

Personally, I want the most qualified person flying the plane I’m traveling on. Only the best will do when that pilot is responsible for hundreds of lives.

Don’t mistake what I’m saying. Everyone should have equal opportunity to better their lives through education and training. Women should be paid the same as men for the same job. And everyone should feel included in this great experiment known as the United States. Everyone.

Merit is a good thing. Earning your way forward gives you a wonderful sense of accomplishment. Consider how the Olympians felt when they learned they qualified to compete with the best of the best. DEI deprives people of this…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Self-Help Books

The self-help industry can trace its roots all the way back to 1830. Surprising, isn’t it? The industry generates over $10 billion in annual sales, and there’s no sign of it slowing down.

People have engaged in all kinds of activities designed to conquer their fear. These activities include jumping out of perfectly good airplanes to walking on hot coals. Unless the change is internal, the only fear they conquered was one of a physical nature. The underlying trauma of the past remains.

Self-help authors have taken advantage of people. Everyone has dissatisfaction in their lives. “Read my book and never be unhappy, disappointed or afraid again,” they promise. But they are making promises they can’t keep.

The only comprehensive self-help book is the Bible. It covers every area of life, offering true solutions for every challenge you face. It doesn’t make false promises that you won’t experience some unhappy times, but it tells you how to find peace and clarity during those times.

If nothing else has worked for you, give the word of God a chance. Start with Proverbs. You won’t turn into some religious fanatic. But you will find wisdom…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Advantage

Have you ever been taken advantage of? Of course you have. People have agendas to fulfill and some of them are happy to use any means necessary to make them happen.

Politicians take advantage of the population. “Vote for me” and all your problems will go away, they say. In our rational minds we know this isn’t true. But the politicians aren’t appealing to our sense of reason. They are hitting our emotional hot buttons. We get disappointed and disillusioned when they don’t come through. There’s a reason Congress has an approval rating of only 13%.

I encourage you to be pure in your motives. If you need help, ask. Don’t take advantage of others. Living life with integrity will bring you everything you need in life…

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#inspiration

Shortcuts

Shortcuts are good sometimes. For example, if I’m driving from Austin to San Antonio there might be a better route than I-35. That road is constantly under construction and traffic is unpredictable. Rerouting to the west and coming in on 281 might be the preferred option.

When we are trying to accomplish something great, it’s best to avoid shortcuts. To write a book or prepare for a podcast interview, you need to do research. You will do a much better job when you fully engage yourself. You owe your audience your best work. Nothing less is acceptable.

To do things the right way means you take the road less traveled. That road is a lot less congested than I-35, and you will meet some interesting people along the way…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Sensitivities

Life is tough. Some of the challenges people face can feel overwhelming at times. I know people who have been affected by cancer, the murder of a child, rape, incest, suicide and more. The reason they are still standing is because they developed resilience earlier in their lives. Weak people crumble like an origami.

Resilience can be built, even in adulthood. You face your challenges head on, refusing to back down until you have come out on the other side. When you are going through hell, you keep going.

Tough times don’t last, but tough people do…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Fame

Andy Warhol is credited with saying, “in the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.” Whether Warhol was the first to say this is up for debate, but it appears everyone is seeking their 15 minutes. Fame is not always pretty.

Why do people seek fame? Perhaps they want the attention that comes with fame. My belief is that wanting to be famous exposes a deeper insecurity. Fame follows accomplishment. Think of the great achievements of Lincoln, Ford, King and Musk. Two of them lost their lives because of their convictions.

Do your work. If fame finds you, all the better. If not, just do your work anyway. The only one whose opinion matters is God. Work with His purpose in mind…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

The Great Escape

Are you running from something? Maybe an unsafe situation, an ex, or perhaps you are running from yourself.

As a young adult, I couldn’t wait to get away from my family home and leave my dysfunctional past behind. I threw myself into making money and chasing women. My pursuit of both had no limits, and I was pretty good at both. But I was empty. No matter how much success I had in the business world, it was never enough. Same with women.

We can run from ourselves but we can’t escape who we are running from. I really didn’t like myself but my ego refused to recognize it that way. Arrogance blinded me. God humbled me. Only through psychotherapy was I able to recognize why I made the poor choices of my past. When I took ownership of my part I changed. And I became free from the trauma of my childhood and my fucked up history after childhood.

Today, I am free to be who God created me to be, who I am. Now I’m ready to be used for whatever God has in store for me.

Stay tuned…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Check The Box

A lot of life feels like we are just checking the box. We get to work on time. Check the box. Pick up kids and get them to their after school events. Check another box. It’s like we have a daily to-do list and then we do the same list the next day. As I have said before, much of daily life is routine and boring. It’s that way for everyone, no matter what People Magazine wants us to believe.

Let’s take a moment to consider our goals, dreams and desires. Are we checking any boxes in this important part of our lives? If we are just going through the motions or giving it lip service, we are cheating others as well as ourselves. We are built for purpose, God’s purpose. Let’s live like it matters because it does. Ignoring our purpose will not make it go away.

I encourage you to do something, even if it’s just one thing, every day to get you where you want to be. Start today. In fact, start now…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Timid

Wherever I am I notice everyone. I make eye contact and speak to others. It is remarkable to me how many people are timid about saying hello. Perhaps they have a lot on their minds and can’t take on anything else. The truth is, I don’t need to know.

We weren’t timid as children. We were outgoing and friendly. Then life happened. Life can knock you on your ass sometimes. Life can make people reticent to try one more time. But I say don’t quit, no matter what you’ve been through or what happens in your future. You are here for a purpose.

In 2 Timothy 1:7, it says “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” Recapture your inner power. It’s there, it’s just muted.

Start today. Rekindle the fire that burns within you. Go make your mark on the world…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Exceptionalism

America has been called exceptional, and I believe she is! America is exceptional because of the people.

Yes, we have our share of crazies and jerks, but they are in the minority. The only reason we hear about them is because what happens in most people’s lives doesn’t make headlines.

When a neighbor brings food to a family after a tragedy or a loss, their act of kindness and compassion goes unnoticed by the masses. But the people on the receiving end remember. When people take the time to serve their community, helping those who can never repay them, the servers are showing the image of our Creator. This goodness is pervasive. People feel encouraged to keep it going.

Be exceptional. Start today…

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