Tag Archives: #hope

#inspiration, #spirituality

Spirits

We know that God is Spirit. Are you aware that there are evil spirits all around us? Alcohol is called spirits. I believe this is because it weakens us. People do things they wouldn’t normally do while drinking.

There is a spiritual battle going on in the unseen world. Just because we can’t see it doesn’t make it less real. An impulse you get that might harm others or yourself originates in the darkness. God cannot cause us to sin. His nature is perfect. Evil causes us to sin and suffer.

Let’s face it, sin is fun. If it wasn’t, we wouldn’t be tempted to do it. Sinful behavior is only good in the short term. Righteous behavior allows us to be free of worry and guilt. We face the choice of good versus evil every day.

I encourage you to read and absorb God’s Word. Make it part of you. In this world we cannot avoid sin. Yet, God gives us a way to fight through it. Guaranteed…

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#inspiration

Trendy

When a new fad comes along, you can’t escape it. Traditionalists like me place an internal bet about how long it will last. It’s the safest bet I have ever made because I can’t lose. Or win, for that matter!

There are some things that never go out of style. Manners, kindness, consideration of others and compassion are just a few examples. The goodness of mankind is on display daily. You have to take the time to notice because there’s a lot of noise vying for your attention.

Let’s keep goodness trending. Fads will forever come and go. Goodness moves mountains…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

When Fears Become Gods

Fears can be a powerful force. The fear of missing out is a real phenomenon. And there are over 500 listed phobias. The fear of fears has a name, too. It’s phobophobia. Where should I begin?

If you allow your fears to dominate your thoughts, you can become paralyzed. You are so fearful that you become afraid to make a move. Keeping fear at the forefront of your mind can impair your decision making, and it takes a toll on your overall health. You must find a way to fight through it.

I encourage you to take a break from media, social and political. The MSM pours fear out in truckloads. If they keep you fearful you will tune in because you might miss something. You won’t miss anything, I promise. Take a break. Get outside. Exercise your body and your mind. Your future self will thank you.

Personally, I’m deathly afraid of snakes. If I’m on a lake and I see a snake, I’ll be the third man to walk on water! They creep me out.

Take care of yourself. People need you at your best…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

All or Some

If you are anything like me, you approach life with optimism, vigor and confidence. You believe anything is possible. But what about when we fall short or we meet frustration after frustration? What happens then?

Those are the dark times, the periods where we keep going even if we aren’t getting anywhere. Just as good times don’t last forever, neither does the darkness. Think back to the times in life where things looked bleak, pointless even. You got through those times and you will thrive again. Believe it.

Life is not “all or nothing.” Believe in yourself and remember, some is better than none…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Improving

The progression of life is challenging. We are faced with setbacks, frustrations and difficulties. During difficult periods, it’s important to remember that we have overcome every obstacle we have ever encountered. And we will again!

When you are trying to fulfill your true purpose you will want to quit. That’s natural. But don’t quit. Ever. The greater the challenge, the greater the individual becomes. You are a work in progress.

It’s hard to beat a person who refuses to quit…

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#inspiration

Reset

People are harder on themselves than they need to be sometimes. It’s a good thing to hold ourselves accountable, but that’s not what I’m talking about. Beating yourself up because of a mistake or disappointment is a contributing factor in poor self esteem.

We all make mistakes and we all fall short of our goals sometimes. It happens. Pick yourself up and move on. Have you blown the New Year’s resolutions you promised yourself you would accomplish? Start again! Life is a progression, not an all or none.

Give yourself a break. Challenge yourself but don’t get down on yourself if you fail to meet the challenge. Try once more.

Be kind to others, and remember to be kind to yourself…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Arrival

Sometimes in life, we just need to show up. You don’t want to go to work? Go anyway. Does a school event for your kids interfere with a sports game you want to watch? Record the game and show up for your child.

Life is unpredictable. If one of your friends goes through a loss such as a divorce or one of their children dies, show up. Yes, it is uncomfortable, but I encourage you to do it regardless of your discomfort. You don’t have to say anything. Your presence during a horrible time in someone’s life is enough. People need others when the shit hits the fan.

Much of life is about showing up. Make the call you need to make. Reach out to others.

Life itself is a participatory experience. So, participate…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

When Oughta Becomes Shoulda

People say they live their lives with no regrets, but they aren’t telling the truth. Everyone has regrets. Maybe it’s something I said that I wish I could take back. Or something I did. Perhaps I took the easy way out rather than doing what’s right. We are all guilty of this.

When we say “I oughta start exercising or I oughta apologize,” we run the risk of our oughtas becoming shouldas. Someone dies and they pass away with an unresolved conflict between us. Things like this can haunt you for the rest of your life. I should have apologized but now I can’t.

We live in a broken, imperfect world and it always will be. There are some regrets you can head off at the pass. Make the call. Be the bigger person.

Do it today…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

The Evolution

Finding out who you are is grueling work. We are more than our possessions, our careers and our zip codes. Those are just things that much of the world uses to measure us.

Everyone is different and has been given unique talents and abilities. Some people are extroverts while others find crowds to be energy draining. Some people come alive in front of a microphone while others freeze when asked to do public speaking. There is no one, right way.

I encourage you to take the time to learn about yourself. That might sound silly but it’s not. People have gotten so busy that they have lost their sense of self. They wake up one day and realize they are living a life of frustration. They want more.

Write down the things you enjoy doing and what you’re good at. Then you have begun the trip down the road less traveled to find your true identity…

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#inspiration

I Don’t Need That Kind Of Help

In his book, “The Vision of the Anointed,” Thomas Sowell explains how Congress decides they see something that merits their attention. Millions of dollars are spent studying the “problem,” while countless hours are wasted on something that, many times, was already getting better.

In 1950, less than 3% of people 14 and older were illiterate. The government decided that was too high and decided to get involved. Today, the illiteracy rate is 21%!

In 1960, 20% of black children were born in single parent homes. Congress wrote welfare laws that affected black families disproportionately. The laws were written so that if the welfare applicant had two parents living in the same home, they wouldn’t qualify for help. Fast forward to today and we have 80% of black children being born without a father. Thank God that this is starting to go the other way. Fathers are important.

When Congress decides to involve themselves in problems “only they can solve,” I’m not sure I want their help. My money is on the people. They will solve their problems better than anyone, especially the government…

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