Tag Archives: #growth

#inspiration, #spirituality

Worth Fighting For

The American dream remains alive and well. Yes, we have our share of problems and challenges, but we remain the freest country on earth.

Freedom gets taken for granted. We treat it cavalierly, as if there wasn’t a price paid to have it. The truth is, a great price was paid, from the Revolutionary War to the courts today. Many have died for a cause greater than themselves. Their sacrifice was not in vain.

The United States remains the greatest experiment ever conceived, and that is worth fighting for…

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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

Inspiration

On this blog site I have posted original content every day since June 9, 2019. I will be the first to admit that some pieces are much better than others. But the poor outings don’t stop me.

The reason I started writing every day rather than occasionally (which I had been doing) is this: I kept hearing a voice inside my head telling me that I needed to write every day. For a couple of weeks I argued with the voice. “I don’t want to write every day” I would say in my mind. But that voice was really persistent! It just wouldn’t go away. So I gave in.

Any time I write something I believe is really good, I give credit to God. I’m just not that good on my own. I never took a course on writing. In fact, I didn’t take a single English class in college (I went to a private college). I hated writing papers, yet now I love writing! Weird, huh?

I’m not sure why the voice told me I should write every day. I just listened and, eventually, obeyed. I’m glad I did.

If you have a voice nagging at you, perhaps it is time to listen. You never know where life will take you…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

You Said It!

A man was asked if he minded that his wife always got the last word. The man replied, “No. I’m just glad when she gets to it.”

The average person speaks about 16,000 words per day. I’m more interested in the quality of our words than the quantity. Our tongues can be sharper than a surgeon’s scalpel. They can be used to slice and dice people into shreds. Yet our words can lift others when they are down.

It’s important to recognize that our world is hurting. People are still struggling with the after effects of isolation, it’s expensive to live (over $10,000 per year more than just three years ago), and everywhere you turn it seems like people are at each other’s throats.

I encourage everyone to choose their words carefully. I’m not suggesting you avoid the truth. Use some gentleness and self-control when engaging in conversation with others.

Unite when possible, don’t divide. We are better together…

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#inspiration

Halfway There

We are now in the second half of 2024. Before you know it we will be celebrating Christmas! And as crazy as it sounds, some retailers already have Christmas decorations up. Yes, retailers are hurting that bad in this economy.

Take a moment to review the past six months. Think about the high moments, your victories. Keep those in the forefront of your mind every day while adding new successes as you go along.

Did you make any resolutions for 2024 that went by the wayside? It’s not too late to start again. Don’t beat yourself up, just begin again. And again. And keep trying.

You can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Make the next half of the year your best half…

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#inspiration

New Roads Await

Today we will revisit doing inner work and why it is vital.

Many people shy away from doing the self work required to grow and mature. The work challenges you to look at yourself and the decisions you’ve made, and why you went down that road. But on the other side of darkness lies peace, wisdom and new, healthy neural pathways.
Fourteen years of self-work and counting for me.

But it has been so worthwhile…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Teach Children Well

There are many dedicated, devoted teachers in our schools. I know several. They didn’t become teachers to achieve fame and fortune. Hardly! There are lots of careers available with less headaches along with better pay.

All of us had our favorite teachers growing up. Why were they our favorites? It wasn’t because they broke down difficult mathematical equations with ease, or they made English interesting. They captured our hearts. They truly cared about us. We remember them fondly because they reached us at a deeper level than most.

Teaching is a high calling. Even Jesus spoke about it. He said if anyone misleads a child it would be better for them to have a millstone tied around their neck and thrown into the sea. That’s not a casual statement.

Most teachers are off for the summer. But that doesn’t stop us from remembering the best among them…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Left Behind

We go through different periods in our lives. From childhood through the teenage years, and finally to adulthood. Our experiences shape us. Even our bad days can be used for good. Maybe they were just learning experiences. And hopefully we learned!

Over the course of our lives we have developed habits, both good and poor. We learn how to make friends and develop relationships. We make a habit of exercising and eating well. Yet I meet so many people who focus their attention on their faults. They have low self esteem and rather than focusing their energy on what they do well, they beat themselves up emotionally.

If this is something you struggle with, please be aware that you aren’t alone in your struggle. Everyone has to learn to leave the self-defeating behaviors behind and mold themselves into who God intended them to be. The Spirit is strong and will help you. Just believe in Him and believe in yourself.

It’s time to leave anything destructive behind. Sometimes this includes people…

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#inspiration

Balanced Life

I hear people preach about getting balance in your life. You know, the whole work-life balance thing. I’m not sure that’s good advice.

It is true that all of us need rest, play, social interaction and nutrition in addition to our work. These are vital elements to maintain our mental health. Yet I have always leaned into my work while adding new projects. I enjoy it. That’s how I’m wired. Some people want a structured 9-5 job along with an element of predictability in their lives. That’s fine, too!

I believe the most neglected part of life is getting enough rest. You must take time to recharge. Deep, restful sleep prepares us to go fight another day.

Play is important, too. Take some time to let loose and have some fun! And don’t feel guilty for it. Solid playtime makes you better.

Find the balance that’s right for you. Don’t copy the templates of others, or what the “experts” tell you. You know what’s best for you…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Today

Today has arrived! It has already started out well for you because you woke up and are here reading this.

Some have awakened yet they wished they hadn’t. Years ago I was in the same position. Every morning I awoke with the same dread as I had the day before. And before. And before. I wasn’t suicidal, just severely depressed. Every day I would go through the motions, just faking it through life the best I could. I had responsibilities, and I couldn’t let my children or clients down. I pressed on.

Today, that period of my life is a distant memory. I’m grateful to have gone through it. You see, it was during that time in my life that I began my self work. I found the right psychotherapist, and started down the road less traveled. It’s difficult to look at yourself, accept responsibility for your decisions, and then create new, healthy neural pathways. But it’s worth it.

If you are feeling the same way as I was, I encourage you to start building your life back. It won’t be easy, but anything worthwhile is going to be a challenge.

Do it…

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