Tag Archives: #hope

Spirituality

Conflict Resolution

Resolving conflicts is necessary for healthy relationships. You will have disagreements but they don’t have to shred the relationship. Successful conflict resolution begins with trust.

Divorce rates have come down some, yet still hover around 44%. It is estimated that 80% of the couples who stay together aren’t fulfilled in their marriages. Part of the issue is we don’t know how to resolve conflicts in a healthy way. This has generational implications.

We are taught how to argue by watching our parents. If one parent strong arms the other, we learn it’s “my way or the highway.” That’s not going to work in the long run because the counter party feels unimportant. Resentments build, and if they go unexpressed it turns to bitterness. Bitterness destroys you from the inside.

From my own observations around 80% of families are dysfunctional. It’s the same for one parent homes. Kids need structure to feel secure. If they aren’t getting it at home they will find it somewhere.

If dealing with conflict is a challenge for you, I encourage you to learn how to do it better by reading books and periodicals. Practice. Be willing to listen to the person you are in conflict with. Communicate how you feel.

This might make you uncomfortable, but staying comfortable never works. You can learn and grow, even through conflict…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Lifelines

Sometimes we need a lifeline. It could come in the form of helping someone out of a mess, or just showing up for someone after they experienced a devastating loss. We are here to help others.

It’s not weak to ask for help. It doesn’t make you any more flawed. It’s best to ask rather than let something fester and grow.

As you know, I write a lot about self work. The right psychotherapist can be the lifeline you need to live a fulfilling life. Internal damage, also known as trauma, doesn’t go away on its own. We have to work through it. This resets our brains in the right way. It’s work, but it’s worth it.

Is there anything bothering you on the inside? Has it been gnawing at you for quite a while? Take the brave first step. Reach for a lifeline…

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Spirituality

The Devil Inside

There is a battle going on. We can’t see it, but that doesn’t make it less real. One side is fighting to win you over to their side while the warriors on the side of good are fighting to protect you.

We have a part to play in the fight. We can lessen the evil intentions through prayer. Or we can choose to give into temptation. It’s up to us. God gave us a way through, but we have to believe and execute.

The Apostle Paul wrote about his own struggles with temptation. In Romans 7:18, Paul wrote “For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” As great as Paul was, he was human.

It starts with the desires of your heart. There are temptations all around us. The devil has slowly crept deeper and deeper into culture. He has tried to make the abnormal seem normal. We need good people to take a stand.

The battle will rage on inside of us and all around us until we reach eternity. Take a stand. Do what’s right. The world needs strong men and women…

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Spirituality

What AI Can’t Do

Artificial Intelligence is awe-inspiring. It is an excellent tool for research, inventory management, and AI will speed up finding cures for rare diseases. People use it to write memoranda, notes, even books. Personally, I enjoy writing my own thoughts. None of my content has been generated by AI. Yet, as crazy cool as AI is, it has limitations.

Loneliness is a public health issue, per the Surgeon General in 2023. Loneliness is different from solitude. Solitude is a peaceful quiet. Loneliness can be debilitating. Feelings of loneliness increase the risk of heart disease, dementia, depression; it even weakens your immune system. A legitimate question is why.

We have become more reliant on technology than any generation. People have abandoned getting outside in nature for screen time. Social media has created an artificial exchange. We text instead of calling. The truth is, we are hardwired to be in community with others. We have allowed phones to replace people. Catch the irony?

Another ironic phenomenon is that the human race is more connected than ever. We can call anyone. We can travel almost anywhere. We must take the initiative before it’s too late.

I’m not suggesting our phones aren’t necessary. They are. But human connection is direly needed for our ongoing well being. Reach out and check on people if you haven’t heard from them in a while. Make the call…

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Spirituality

Mexico

Parts of Mexico are locked down. Tourists are trapped in their hotels while local citizens can’t get to work. Schools are closed indefinitely. This is both a good thing and a bad one.

Here’s the good news! The cartels took a major hit following the death of their leader, “El Mencho.” The Federales took on a dangerous group within their country. They did this at great risk. Now all hell has broken loose. It is my hope that they will continue to root out the evil empires known as the cartels.

Now for some bad news. Common citizens are hunkered down so they can remain safe. It’s unknown how long this will last. My heart bleeds for the people. Mexicans are kind, gentle, good people. They live in a corrupt country. The people deserve better.

The time will come when Mexico becomes reasonably safe to travel to again. The economic cost may run high. Tourism is second to oil in the Mexican economy.

Take a moment to remember Mexico in your prayers. They desperately need them…

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Spirituality

Power Within the Church

Where did all the rules of religion come from? Here’s just a few I’m curious about: no dancing, divorced people aren’t allowed to go through communion, no drinking, and if you eat a hamburger on Friday you are going straight to hell!

Jesus taught differently. He taught mercy and compassion. And he spoke with authority. Jesus gave many of the religious leaders fits because some of them had taken it too far. The synagogue was the epicenter of social interaction, and people feared getting kicked out. So they kept their heads down and complied.

It is my belief that the rules are all about power and control. If you break a rule, your guilty conscience will allow us to manipulate you. There might be a monetary benefit involved. Jesus spoke about giving, too. His version doesn’t involve guilt as a motive.

Rules can be taken too far. This is true in business as well. You will have people walking on eggshells trying not to do something wrong. No one can flourish in that environment.

Jesus told us to love God and love others. Two rules. Not always easy to follow, but good enough for me…

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Spirituality

Lent

The season of Lent begins today. After a night of revelry (Mardis Gras), it’s time for some calm. Lent is a time designated for us to grow closer to God.

It might surprise you to know Lent isn’t mentioned in the Bible. It’s a man made construct dating back to the 2nd century. The theme of 40 days follows a biblical pattern.

Some people have thought of Lent in negative ways. I’m “giving it up for Lent” is a common phrase. But that might miss the point. The focus should be on what we gain which includes closeness to God, clarity and wisdom. These are good things.

At the end of Lent we celebrate Easter. The resurrection of Christ is the birth of Christianity. As Christians, all hope lies here.

If you choose to grow during Lent, it is my hope for you that you have a successful outcome. But more important, God is pulling for you, too…

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Spirituality

End Times

In his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Dr. Steven Covey encourages us to “begin with the end in mind.” When you adopt this principle, it changes your approach to your life. You become aligned.

Many people are simply drifting through life, taking in whatever gets thrown their way. They aren’t pursuing anything because they don’t know what they want. They had dreams, big dreams, but everything got derailed and they abandoned them. It’s time to put them back on track.

If you have lived any length of time, then you know life will knock you around. But it’s important to remember that you aren’t knocked out. Get up and get moving.

Having a clear, long-term vision sets the stage for success and a meaningful future. You are living in the moment while keeping your focus on your vision. It becomes easy to say no to anything that doesn’t advance your progress. Vision brings you back to life.

Take inventory of what you are good at. Pray about your vision. If you don’t have a vision at present, ask God to open your eyes to His purpose for you. He will. Then it’s up to you to act on it.

Make it happen…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Push Rewind

We live in the digital age. Just like our subconscious minds, everything is recorded and stored forever. We are able to retrieve anything from the past and replay it as often as we like.

When I hear people talk about “back in the day,” it makes me think they believe their best days are behind them. Like this was their time in the sun. But it’s not true. Our best days are ahead of us. We don’t know what’s around the next corner, but I believe it’s something good.

Now I must caution you. I view life through the lens of optimism and unlimited possibilities. It’s how I’m wired. And I realize not everyone sees the world in the same way. That’s okay. This is a big planet and there’s room for everyone.

I encourage you to live each moment fully. The past is a great lesson, but don’t spend too much time reliving it. Your best days lie ahead…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

How Rude!

More and more I’m seeing signs reminding people to be kind to the person waiting on you. There’s even one on the highway that says “Drive safely. Our workers want to go home to their loved ones.” What has happened to manners?

My belief is that these signs are placed for the minority of the population. Most people don’t act rudely unless provoked. Also, it’s my belief that people who lash out unnecessarily are dealing with something else, and they are reacting in a way they wouldn’t normally. It’s my hope, anyway.

No matter what the sign says, people will act the way they choose to act. Signs don’t change the heart. That’s God’s specialty.

There are subliminal signs everywhere. Look people in the eye. You can see hurt, pain and struggle if you are paying attention. In those moments you can be a listening ear if you are willing.

Be willing. Look for the signs…

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