Tag Archives: #identity

#inspiration, #spirituality

Insults

Have you ever been made fun of? I believe we all have been, and much of it is harmless teasing. I certainly give people a lot to work with!

I have observed people making fun of how people look or calling people dumb, even deplorable. Most of these insults occur from behind a computer keyboard, but occasionally I have experienced people making fun of others to their face. Either way it’s wrong. When an insult is hurled at someone, the offender is ridiculing one of God’s creations. God doesn’t make mistakes, nor does He second guess himself. There is a purpose behind every creation.

Let’s think before we speak. If what we are about to say is harmful, let’s quieten ourselves. Remember, God knows what He’s doing. We don’t always…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Late

The word “late” has a lot of applications. For example, if a teenage girl tells her boyfriend “I’m late,” it might not mean she is late to their date. But if you tell someone you drive a late-model car it might promote status.

If you are reading this and are feeling some frustration with your life, it’s not too late to make a change. God is not finished with every single person who is alive and breathing. That includes you. His purpose for your life will bring meaning and clarity to your life. Your inner drive will be awakened.

Take inventory of what you are good at and what you enjoy doing. This will reveal what your purpose is. Then take a leap of faith and walk through that door.

Be brave. Be audacious. You’re going to need to be…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Intrinsic Value

When considering the purchase of a new home, we take a look at several factors that might create value. These include the school district, neighborhood, crime statistics and access to shopping and restaurants. These create intrinsic value, an intangible value, so to speak. But people have intrinsic value, too.

Consider the things we take for granted: our hearing, eyesight, our brains, even our ability to walk have great value. We would miss them terribly if we lost any of them. It’s vitally important that we take care of ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually so we maximize our worth. Since we are interconnected with the rest of the world, this allows us to be the best version of ourselves to reach and impact others. Make sense?

Never discount your worth. God put a lot of thought into creating you…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

But Everyone is Doing It!

Peer pressure is huge when you are a child. Kids desperately want to “fit in” and be included in the group. This is especially true during the period when boys and girls bodies are changing, and teenage rebellion kicks in. Things might not be great at home, so kids go looking for acceptance elsewhere.

This carries over into adulthood, too. If you have ever worked in a team environment, there is usually one person who wants the others to see things their way. Unity isn’t always the best option. Thinking differently brings different results.

You were created as one unique individual. There is no one like you, and there never will be. Don’t be concerned about fitting in, especially if groupthink goes against your values and beliefs.

Make your life count. Use your unique gifts and talents to leave the world better than you found it…

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#inspiration

Fortunate

I wake up every day believing I am the most fortunate man alive. Either I wake up in Texas or in Heaven. Either way I win!

If you are feeling down and out, take heart in what you already possess. You are reading this so you have the gift of sight along with a working mind. There’s two in the positive column! And those are big pluses.

Do you have food and a little money in your pocket? If your answer is yes, then you are better off than 95% of the world. Seriously. Many people wake up and are hungry, yet have no resources to satisfy their aching stomachs.

The simple truth is, if you can walk, talk, and think, then you can do. It’s the thinking and doing that stops most people.

Don’t be most people. Use your mind and get after it…

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#inspiration

Underestimation

People like to brag. I have been one of those people in the past. Bragging or “one-upping” someone are prime displays of insecurity.

Confidence in yourself means you don’t have anything to prove. Your results speak for themselves. People notice because they are always watching.

When you receive a compliment, take it in stride and say thank you. Don’t allow it to inflate your ego or sense of self. Just keep doing the work!

Allow people to underestimate you. Set the expectations correctly, and then work to exceed their expectations.

Confidence is attractive. Ego is not…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Safety

I’m fortunate. God has provided me with a nice home in a safe neighborhood. I recognize that not everyone is as fortunate, and I wish they were.

People seek safety and security in their lives. If you are part of a healthy family , you may freely express yourself without judgment, only acceptance and guidance. Having grown up in a dysfunctional family where expressing my feelings would reign judgment and ridicule on me, I kept quiet most of the time. I felt alone and misunderstood, even full of shame for having certain feelings like anger.

When I became a father, I made a conscious decision to break the chain of dysfunction. I used to tell my kids that they could say anything they wanted to me. I was paying attention to how they said it. I guess it worked because we have a solid relationship with open communication today.

Familial maladies are often multi-generational. You can be the catalyst to change the course of your family’s history.

Be willing…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Influences

Who do you admire, and why do you admire them? You can learn a lot about yourself by answering this simple question. This is because what we see in others exists in us. We find our role models both inspiring and relatable.

This can work both ways. The two shooters at Columbine were infatuated with Adolph Hitler. They believed Hitler “got it right.” We know the aftermath of their warped admiration.

Set big goals and see yourself succeeding. Choose positive influences that will keep you inspired. You were born for greatness, not to live, work, retire and die.

Make an impact on the lives of others. Start now…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Accepted

Accepting others as they are is important to promoting civility in society. Acceptance is not approval. I can accept you without approving your lifestyle or decisions.

I have witnessed people making demands that they be accepted! Making this type of demand is a sign of defensiveness. Perhaps they should read the book, “How To Win Friends and Influence People.” It might be a great help to them.

Communication with others is the key to connecting with people. It’s not a threat to listen to people you might not agree with. In fact, you grow because you get to see the world through a different lens.

We all want to be accepted, and healthy acceptance starts with accepting yourself. See yourself as the beautiful creation God made. He didn’t make a mistake when creating you, nor does God second guess Himself. That’s good enough for me…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Reverence

To revere someone or something means to hold them with great respect. Sometimes reverence can go too far.

I have respect for the dedication and commitment of great athletes. Soon we will see some of the world’s best athletes on display in The Olympics. I know a former Olympian swimmer. I have experienced firsthand how hard he worked to achieve gold in his race.

For some reason, people revere politicians. This baffles me. I suppose I find it puzzling because I have never seen much effectiveness emerge from Washington. From my observations, politicians create more problems. Yet, they want to convince the public that “only they can fix them.” This is not true, but the masses keep buying their bs.

Our greatest reverence should be held for God alone. Without His goodness and mercy, nothing else would matter…

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