Tag Archives: #inspiration

Spirituality

Waging Wars

We can be our own worst enemies. We do things we know aren’t good for us, but we do them anyway. It’s like we are waging war on ourselves.

Good thoughts lead to good outcomes. There are consequences attached to every decision we make. Sometimes people think of consequences in a negative way. They can be but don’t have to be.

Have you ever known an alcoholic? They do completely irrational things that a sane person wouldn’t think of. Some of the brightest people I know are addicts who got into and stayed in a recovery program. They decided to stop the fight with themselves. Their sobriety became the victory they needed.

There are two voices competing for our attention all the time. One voice is encouraging us, prompting us in the right way. The other voice is talking down to us, reminding us of every bad thing we have ever done. Listen to the voice from the light. Filter the other voice out. Both voices are present every day. It’s up to you to decide which voice to listen to.

The battle within us will be going on for the rest of our lives. You can win it if you’re willing to fight.

Be a fighter. Ask God to help you when you feel like you can’t go on. He will show up, every single time…

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Spirituality

Frustrated Into Prosperity

After a family vacation in 1951 left Kemmons Wilson disappointed by the quality of roadside motels, he founded Holiday Inn in 1952. Wilsons frustration created a vision and a burning desire to change things for the better.

By 1968 the Holiday Inn chain of motels was the largest in the world with over 1,000 locations. It’s a pretty remarkable story considering how the founder started his life.

Kemmons Wilson never knew his father. He died when little Kemmons was only nine months old. Wilson grew up in poverty. He started working odd jobs and delivering newspapers at a young age. He dropped out of high school so he could help his family even more than he already was.

Every obstacle he faced could have deterred Wilson, but it didn’t. He had no college degree, no connections and no money. But he had a strong work ethic, and he had a love for business. God equipped him to change the way families traveled the world. Businessmen, too.

We have an element in society who believe the world owes them something. The world is hard. The strong not only survive, they thrive. Fortunately most people still value hard work and dedication.

Kemmons Wilson passed away in 2003. He left a business legacy few people may ever attain. But his story remains one of inspiration and never allowing lack to stop us.

Life is tough. Be tougher…

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Spirituality

Seeking Something

In 1845, Henry David Thoreau moved into a small cabin he had built in the woods. Thoreau lived there for two years, two months and two days. He wasn’t in total solitude because he regularly visited nearby Concord, Massachusetts. It was from this experience he wrote “Walden; or, Life in the Woods.”

Thoreau learned some lessons at a young age many people take a lifetime to learn. One of those lessons was that a meaningful life is built on recognizing what truly matters and living deliberately. Even in the 1850’s men were working like hell to accumulate wealth, status and possessions. Thoreau dared to ask the question why.

Thoreau recognized something else. He knew that the Creator had imbued each of us with a unique purpose. Many people spend their lives knowing this, but they put off pursuing their purpose in lieu of a different life. But the missing piece of the puzzle remains no matter how much we amass.

Henry David Thoreau wrote some words that haunt me. Yet they inspire me, too. “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation, and die with their song still in them.”

Find your purpose. The world needs to hear your music…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Backtracking

Most days I get outside and take a walk. Living in Texas I can usually depend upon agreeable weather. And I can walk much farther than I can run.

Yesterday I got temporarily lost in my neighborhood. My sense of curiosity took me down some streets I had never walked through before. The scenery was beautiful, but I realized my short attention span had taken over. Obviously I found my way home since I’m writing this!

I see people who are living their lives in the past. They long for the good old days” when life was much simpler. People use the phrase “back in the day” frequently. Life was just as challenging then as it is now. Our memories fade and distort the truth.

Keep the past where it belongs, in the past. Keep your focus on what lies ahead. We don’t know what is around the next corner, but I believe it’s gotta be something good…

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Spirituality

Something On My Mind

Pardon my rant this morning, but I have something to say. The public forum of social media has a lot of merit, but the public can show their ugly side, too.

Recently Susan and Michael Dell were in the Oval Office with the President. Hateful trolls used photos from the occasion to make fun of Susan Dells appearance. The comments were rude, wrong, and meant to hurt her. Do these people believe she doesn’t have feelings?

The Dell Foundation focuses on education, economic opportunity, and improving outcomes for children and families. The foundation contributed over $6 billion to fund Trump accounts. This was a wonderful intersection of the public and private sectors working together.

Weak people ridicule others. It’s dangerous, too. Scripture tells us “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another.” If you want to read the entire verse it is James 4:11.

Let’s think before we speak. If our comments lift up our fellow man, then by all means speak up. If what you say is hurtful, consider how you would feel if the words were aimed at you. Something to consider…

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Spirituality

Stigmatized

Being stigmatized often causes people to be unfairly judged, stereotyped, excluded, or treated differently. Why do we do it, you might ask. It is my belief that people stigmatize others to avoid looking at themselves.

Have you ever made an embarrassing mistake? Most of us have said or done things we would like to erase from our memories. In 1981 I was arrested for driving while intoxicated and spent a night in jail. The drunk tank is no place I wanted to return to.

Even in 2026 seeking therapy is still stigmatized by some parts of society. Up until 2008 insurance companies paid partial benefits for therapy. It took federal law to rectify this.

When I’m speaking with inmates, I share my story of growing up in a dysfunctional family. Most of the men and women in prison can relate. The people who have been in prison often get stigmatized. Yet, I remind them that when they get out, they should walk out with their heads held high and their shoulders back. They have satisfied everything the State of Texas has required.

We aren’t limited by the worst decisions we made unless we allow them to limit us. Keep the people who throw your past in your face far away from you. Those aren’t your people.

Surround yourself with people who inspire you to be your best. They are your people…

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Spirituality

Competing Voices

We have two voices inside our heads. Both are talking to us all the time, competing for our attention. Let’s dive into this.

We talk to ourselves more than we talk to anyone else. Our minds are always working, even while we are asleep. This is one of the reasons we must be discerning about what we read, watch on TV, and who we listen to. The subconscious mind remembers all.

One of the voices is encouraging us, prompting and pushing us towards our purpose. The other voice is reminding us of everything we have ever screwed up. “Why should this time be any different,” the voice says. If you listen to and believe that voice, you will be talked out of trying something before you begin.

One of the voices is from God. He is rooting for us every millisecond of our lives. The discouraging voice is from the devil. He wants us to stay mired in mediocrity and frustration.

I encourage you to listen to the voice of encouragement. You might be risk averse because of something that happened in your past. Break free from this. You weren’t created to fail. You are here to thrive and to make a difference.

Embrace the unknown and live fully…

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Spirituality

False Alarm

How many times have you worried about something that turned out to be a waste of your time? Most chronic worriers can’t count that high. Worry is wasted energy, so let’s talk about it.

It is estimated that over 90% of the things people worry about never come to pass. Ninety percent! But this is more alarming: you have used up time worrying about something and you cannot get the time back.

We have a finite amount of time on this planet to accomplish our purpose. God alone knows our end date. He has given us exactly enough time to do His will through us. Here’s the remarkable part of this: God doesn’t force us to do anything. It’s up to us.

If worry is a challenge for you, I encourage you to work on eliminating it from your life. It begins with your attitude. Believe that you can control your thoughts and emotions, then flip the script when worry presents itself. You can do it if you believe you can.

Finally, remember this when worry creeps in: everything always seems to work out the way it’s supposed to…

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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…

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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…

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