Tag Archives: #hope

#inspiration, #spirituality

Gotta Lotta Flushing To Do!

Recently I posted about cleanses for our internal organs, and what a farce most are. This doesn’t imply we don’t have things that need cleansing. In fact, let’s call it a flushing.

It’s time to flush every negative thought you have about yourself. You are a miracle. Think about it. You have between 640 and 850 muscles operating in harmony with your bone structure consisting of over 200 bones. Your cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, digestive system and others are working within your body without any effort from you. And let’s not forget the gifts of sight, hearing and thinking. Don’t take these for granted. They are gifts from the Creator.

And every now and then give yourself a break. We must hold ourselves accountable, but when you fail or make a mistake, forgive yourself. Let go of it and learn.

Flush the past and start living. It’s time…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Political Fallout

Did you lose any friends over politics? I did. Two people decided their political beliefs were more important than our friendship. This didn’t anger me. It made me sad for them because I’m a lot of fun to hang out with!

From my observation, people have become more isolated than ever before due to political divide. Living in an echo chamber is dangerous. You can begin to believe you are always right. Our problems in our country are “the fault of the other side,” they say. Sometimes they yell. Everyone bears some responsibility.

Who shows up in life when the shit hits the fan? Your representative in Congress? No. Your friends and family, the ones who truly care about you arrive. Sadly, I have many friends who have lost children. The government can’t bring a child back, but those who care about you can share some of your pain by just being there.

Not much changes in government, but I remain optimistic. Optimism is how I’m hardwired. I really don’t know any other way to be.

I encourage you to remember this: it’s people that are important, no matter which side of the aisle they identify with…

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#inspiration

New Year’s 2025

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you had a peaceful, meaningful holiday season no matter what you celebrate. And now we are in 2025. Where did the time go?

Every year I see people posting “New Year. New You.” I wonder what changes they are expecting. Yet, I applaud people’s desire for growth and change. We are hardwired for growth. Sitting idle creates a stirring that can haunt us.

Do you have something in your life that you are dissatisfied with? Make the decision to change it, whatever it is. Then commit. No matter what happens, you will make the change and not go back. It’s gonna take work, but you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

Once you make the commitment, it’s over. Set your sights on greater things.

Again, Happy New Year! I wish all of you good health, great experiences, and solid relationships in 2025 and beyond…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Fakin’ It

You have probably heard the saying, “fake it until you make it.” From my observation, there are a lot of people who are faking their way through life.

People put up false fronts, acting as if everything is fine when, in reality, they are falling apart. The sudden death of a loved one, an unexpected divorce or a debilitating accident can throw people off their game. No one gets through this life without struggle.

There was a woman in prison who told me her two daughters committed suicide. The young girls had been sexually molested by her ex-husband. I stood directly in front of her and said, “I’m sorry. None of this was your fault or your daughter’s fault.” The woman kinda brushed it aside and said, it’s no big deal. I made her look at me and told her, it is a big deal. The pain you’re carrying is inconceivable to me, and I’m truly sorry. She looked at me and said, you’re right. This is the first time I’ve really acknowledged it.

I recognized what she was doing by brushing it aside because in my past, I have done the same thing. I have healed from a lot. She is just getting started.

This is an opportunity for me to give you my constant reminder to be kind. We don’t know what people are faking it through…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Don’t Tell Me!

No one likes to be bossed around or told what to do. Our rebellious nature kicks in and we resist.

Let’s take a moment to consider the disciples of Jesus. They witnessed countless miracles including bringing the dead back to life, calming a storm and curing a leper. The front row seat they occupied must have been mind blowing! Yet, they took it upon themselves to tell Jesus what to do. In one instance, Peter told Jesus to stop talking about being killed and rising on the third day. Jesus told him to “get behind me, Satan!” Jesus wasn’t making casual conversation.

We like to tell God what to do, too. We ask Him for selfish, material things, or for someone to like us back. Yet, God takes it all in. He never laughs at us or punishes us for being ridiculous. Nope. He just keeps on supplying our needs.

Instead of telling God what we want, why don’t we try trusting Him to give us good things? God gives us what He knows we need, which might not be what we want.

Trust Him. He is good…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Practical Atheism

We just finished celebrating Christmas which, along with Easter, is the largest day of attendance in church. A sense of obligation brings some people in, but we are failing at keeping them.

It’s estimated that anywhere from 4% to 30% of people in the United States don’t believe in God. Surveys can show wide and varied differences, and these are no different. The truth is, only God knows who believes in Him. But there’s more!

How we act is a representation of our belief or disbelief. Worry is practical atheism. We worry because we want to be in control and not allow some unseen god to take the reins. We might be looking through the wrong lens. Having faith in an invisible spirit is real faith. We know God is in control so we don’t have to be.

Judgment, treating others as less than equal, and laying guilt trips on people is in opposition of how our Creator acts. By doing so, aren’t we holding God’s character in contempt?

Going to church won’t make you a believer. If you go for the wrong reason, it might make you resentful. Go because you want to. Nothing else is necessary.

And remember, God looks at the heart of mankind. He knows everything, and that’s a good thing…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

False Hope

We live in a materialistic society. Whoever has the most toys wins, right? Wrong.

As my life has progressed and I have grown, I have learned a few things. In my early adult life I chased money, believing it would bring me what I was looking for. But it never satisfied me. I wanted more. My hope for peace and purpose was misplaced.

The 17th century philosopher, Blaise Pascal wrote “that everyone has a God-shaped vacuum in their heart.” It can only be filled with God. I have learned that what he wrote is true. In my wrestling matches with God, when I let go and let God, I win. Every. Single. Time. It’s the letting go of my desire to control that’s hard.

I ask you, what are you placing your hopes in? If what you’ve been doing hasn’t worked, give God a try. You won’t be disappointed.

I promise…

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#inspiration

Next!

Now that Christmas is over, you may put the stress of the holidays behind you. Now we begin the week before the new year. This time of year has its own set of challenges.

There’s much to do, right? Return gifts that don’t fit, put a tree away, and get those New Years Resolutions written down. More stress! But it doesn’t have to be difficult.

Start by doing the next thing. Then the next. Just keep going because your list will continue to have things added to it. Need to make a change in your life? Start now. Make the change your next thing to accomplish.

If you start to miss the stress, don’t forget. Christmas is coming…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Christmas Cheer

I love to laugh and to make others laugh. I find that a lot of life is full of humor. And laughter is good for us. It burns calories without having to go to the gym!

Some people are having a difficult time finding anything to laugh about, and Christmas cheer isn’t waiting for them in their stockings. They have suffered losses and setbacks. It takes time to heal from the pain. It can’t be forced.

If you know someone who might be alone this year, reach out to them. Let them know they are in your thoughts. Your small gesture might put a smile on their face.

Speaking of laughter, here is an old SNL clip that always makes me laugh. Peace to all…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Nearby When You Need It

All of us have things in our past we would love to forget. The mistakes we’ve made, the things we have said we wished we hadn’t. All of them play on a never ending loop in our heads.

At the same time, there are more things we did right, and we continue doing them. We aren’t constantly reminded of them because they don’t induce stress. Yet, stress isn’t always a bad thing.

I grew up in a constant “fight or flight” way of thinking. My mind created coping mechanisms so I could survive. Over time, those coping mechanisms ceased to serve me well. At that point I was kinda lost. I was living in an adult world with no adult skills. Only by the grace of God I made it through.

In 2010 I found the right psychotherapist and I went to work on myself. Over time, I learned what the root causes were of my decision making. Only then did I remove the root and began making better, healthier decisions. It has been challenging, but man I have grown immensely.

The past remains in the past. It’s always nearby if I need it, but its only use is as a reminder of how far I have come. I’m still working on myself because that never stops.

Do the work…

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