Tag Archives: #inspiration

Spirituality

The Megaphone

A megaphone is a portable device used to amplify one’s voice. My first exposure to a megaphone was at pep rallies in school. The cheerleaders would use them to get the crowd revved up. Sadly, this didn’t always lead to victory on the football field.

Everyone has a voice. Some people in media have an international voice. Politicians are rarely shy when it comes to finding their way to a microphone. But are any of them saying anything worth listening to? You be the judge.

The loudest voice in the room is not necessarily the one to be listened to. If someone feels the need to shout, then perhaps they believe the only way to be heard is to talk over everyone else.

God spoke to Elijah. He didn’t yell or make a spectacle. No, God spoke in a whisper. Scripture tells us about a donkey who spoke. Now that will get your attention!

Oftentimes less is more. Actions are louder than words. Even louder than the most amplified megaphone. Use your voice for good…

Standard
Spirituality, Uncategorized

Say What You Think

When you find someone who speaks their mind, with poise and eloquence, that person is a rare find. There are many out there who are quick to tell you what’s on their minds, but once they open their mouths you know there’s little substance behind their words.

Yes, the blowhards are everywhere. Even in the professional ranks. Groupthink is just as dangerous. Going along to get along is not using your brain. God gave us the greatest supercomputer ever built. It’s up to us to use it.

You have heard that “knowledge is power.” No, the truth is knowledge is potential power. Knowledge is meaningless if you sit idly by and never use it. And it’s usually a solid idea to verify your knowledge. It could be wrong.

Intellectual honesty is a dying art. Speaking the truth, with some gentleness and self control, is valued by your counter party.

Stay true to yourself and always being honest with people. You will piss some people off by having a different opinion or belief. That’s okay…

Standard
Spirituality

A House Divided

Abraham Lincoln was giving a speech in 1858 after winning his Senate seat. Lincoln famously said, “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” But Lincoln wasn’t the first person to say it. Old Honest Abe was quoting Jesus.

Jesus was healing people and casting out demons. Some of the scribes and Pharisees accused Jesus of getting his powers from dark forces, specifically Beelzebul. Jesus simply answered their false accusations by asking, “why would Satan work against himself? That a house divided against itself cannot stand.”

If you pay any attention to news media you would think Americans are at each other’s throats. We’re not. Well, some are but they are the minority. Most of us respect the right of others to believe differently. It isn’t a threat.

At the same time, hanging out with only the people who are like-minded is living in an echo chamber. And it’s dangerous. You can become arrogant in your thinking.

We are more than our politics. Way more. Everyone has goals, dreams and desires for their lives. And everyone has struggles. People show up to help when disasters occur. Perhaps this is why they are called acts of God. This is when we see the good in others, which reflects the goodness of our Creator.

We are better together…

Standard
Spirituality

Urban Development

Since 1993, I have lived in Austin, Texas. When I first moved here, Austin was a quirky city with a bit of a small town feel. It’s not that way anymore.

Corporations were quick to notice that a lot of people wanted to live in Austin. Many tech companies built facilities there, complementing their main offices on the west coast. They were smart.

The cost of living in Texas was and is much lower than California’s. Not having a state income tax is nice, too. The mass migration to Texas from California caused our property values to soar. Californians could sell their cracker box sized homes and buy a 10,000 square foot home for less in Texas.

Not all development is good or bad. But the culture of the city has changed. Austin used to be a casual type community. Now it’s more stiff and pretentious. It happens.

Austin will continue to grow and thrive, no doubt. The state certainly will, too. We have been the beneficiaries of the mass exodus from California. My hope is that the people who move here leave their crazy politics behind. After all, it was their politicians who priced them out of their beautiful state.

Everything always works out the way it’s supposed to…

Standard
Spirituality

Are You Rich or Poor?

Some parts of society are obsessed with wealth. Money is a tool, nothing more. The pompous, pontificating politicians will tell you, loudly, that the wealthy are greedy. They are lying to you.

In my professional career I am privileged to work with some people who have tremendous resources. Not a single one is self-centered or greedy. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. They have their philanthropic causes they support. And every single one I know is kind and thoughtful.

I’m certain there are exceptions. There always are, but it has been my experience that people of means are quick to help others. Again, the politicians are lying to you.

The political class is filled with useful idiots who want more of our hard earned dollars. Who’s greedy, you might ask?

If you have a little money in the bank, good friends and family and good health, you are already wealthy. Put the focus on people because all people are important. Everyone matters.

Take a moment to think the Creator for the good in your life. He is the one who gives us everything. Stay in gratitude…

Standard
Spirituality

Dirty Laundry

A few weeks ago my washing machine broke down. It took a week to get a repairman out to repair it. My laundry started piling up in a way I hadn’t seen since my college days!

Conflict happens in life. While it is encouraging that the divorce rate has lessened in recent years, it still hovers around 40% for first marriages. People who are divorcing are usually angry. Rather than processing their anger in the proper way, they bring it out in public. It’s not pretty.

Tabloids like the National Enquirer try to find ways to expose people at their worst. The Enquirer found a market for dirty laundry because the publication is 100 years old this year.

There are many things that should remain private. Embarrassing someone publicly might make you feel good, even victorious in the moment, but it’s more damaging to you than good.

Take the high road, not the low…

Standard
Spirituality

Embarrassed

There came a time when my sons were embarrassed to have me in the same zip code. It happened practically overnight. One day I was their hero and the next day I was the goat.

Have you noticed how quickly some public figures are to apologize when they get caught doing something wrong? Their illicit behavior may have gone on for years but they immediately became contrite. Was it genuine? Only God knows because He searches the heart of man.

Public figures live in the spotlight. People Magazine and TMZ follow them around. Any moral slip up and it’s in view of the world. Yet, there are stories of people who have erred but genuinely redirected their lives. Those stories don’t make the news quite as often.

Everyone makes mistakes. It’s important that we change our thinking so we don’t continue doing the wrong things. And self forgiveness is part of the process.

Life is a long road with curves and potholes along the way. You gotta learn to drive through those conditions, too…

Standard
Spirituality, Uncategorized

Keeping Score

When little kids play sports, sometimes they don’t keep score. “They” being the officials. The kids know the score. If you didn’t want them to, you shouldn’t have taught them how to do simple math!

How do adults keep score? Perhaps we do it by measuring wealth or status. Maybe fame or lack of notoriety goes on the scorecard. The truth is, those are hollow victories. You can lose your wealth so therefore it’s not sustaining.

God’s scorecard is the heart of mankind. He sees us at our purest level. Nothing is hidden from God.

If your heart is troubled, go to work on getting it right. Ask for guidance from above, then believe you will get an answer. We are all works in progress.

When you get your heart right, good things happen…

Standard
Spirituality

Peak Performance

Some coaches goad their players by telling them “they want 110% effort.” This is ridiculous. We can only give 100%. Better coaches would encourage us to “leave everything on the field.” In other words, give it everything you have.

In order to be at your optimum, you must do the prep work. Eat right, rest, stimulate your mind and throw in some exercise on a regular basis. By doing these things consistently, you put yourself in position to succeed. This applies in sports as well as daily life. You won’t be your best if you are running on an empty tank.

Of course, sometimes things don’t go our way. When we are mentally right we adapt, we adjust. We realize today wasn’t our day, but we live to fight on.

Each day will present its own set of new challenges. Look forward to them. You must push yourself harder on some days than others. If you are operating at peak strength, you put the odds in your favor…

Standard