Tag Archives: #inspiration

Spirituality

Devils Among Us

There is evil in this world. It may not always represent itself in murder, terrorism and other crimes of violence. Evil also comes in the forms of abuse, disease and loss.

Bad things happen to good people and we don’t understand why. People blame God and lash out in anger. That’s okay. He can take it. I have some experience with this. During much of my young life I hit him. Hard. Regularly.

But here’s a thought. When bad things happen in our lives, when the shit really hits the fan, we have a choice. We can hate God for allowing it or we can grow closer to Him. It doesn’t take away the pain. We still have to grieve and go through it. Even when we are at our lowest, when we have given up on God, He hasn’t given up on us. He doesn’t throw in the towel when he’s had enough of us raging at him. He still cares.

There are a lot of things we aren’t going to understand on this side of eternity. The spiritual battle that rages around us is just one of those things. We can’t see it, but it is happening. We can’t see gravity either, but I’m not going to jump off a high rise building.

Gravity works every time. So does God. He is the only one who can bring good from evil. Give Him a chance…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Working People

Unless you were born into a family with great wealth, you know what it’s like to work. Working people make the economy go. We don’t see who produces our food, or drives the trucks to get it to us, or the people who control our traffic signals. But they are there and they are important well beyond just their work.

People are important. All people, not just the ones we like or admire. We tend to place people into categories: those who can do something for us and those who can’t. If someone can’t help us achieve our wants and needs, it doesn’t diminish their importance to God. He created them, too, and I don’t believe God has categorized us. I’m very grateful he doesn’t!

Take the time to get to know people. Find out where they are from, what makes them tick. See others the way God sees them, not through the limited vision of human eyes.

When we see humanity through God’s eyes, the lens of our vision grows larger, much larger…

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Spirituality

The Blitz

In football, the blitz is used as a defensive move to create confusion for the opposing team. A zone blitz is when a defensive player who normally rushes the quarterback is dropped into coverage, thereby creating chaos for the quarterback. Blitzing is risky, but can produce turnovers and sacks which can change the momentum of the game.

Life can sometimes make us feel like we are getting blitzed. We like to think we can predict what will happen today, but as you know our best plans can go awry. Traffic throws us behind schedule, a child gets sick, or we have one of those days where nothing falls into place. We can bitch and moan, or we can adapt and move forward. Griping accomplishes nothing while adapting to the unexpected keeps us moving in the right direction.

The only thing we can control is our attitude. By maintaining an optimistic outlook while progressing toward our goals, we give ourselves an advantage.

Keep in mind that things always turn out the way they are supposed to. Even the biggest challenges won’t stop you if you refuse to give in to anger and quit. Just keep going…

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Spirituality

Phones, Phones Everywhere!

Yesterday I flew back home. On the airplane and in the airport I couldn’t help but notice how many people had their heads down looking at their phones. I occupied my time with a book.

Since its introduction in 2007, Apple has sold over 3 billion iPhones. For several versions the company would introduce new features and capabilities. We met Siri, the voice recognition software. Every day I send or receive multiple text messages and emails on my phone. The handheld device is both a convenience and a nuisance at the same time.

With the rise in technology and instant “communication,” we are losing the art of conversation. Human interaction and connection is vital for us. We are meant to be in community with others. People aren’t robots. For us to fully function we need interaction with others.

There are eight billion people on the planet. Our phones allow us to communicate with almost anyone anywhere. Yet, we are living in the loneliest period ever.

Stay connected. Your well being depends on it…

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Spirituality

Neurodivergence

Neurodivergence is a term that was coined in the 1990’s by sociologist Judy Singer. Singer was a neurodivergent person herself. Neurodivergence refers to differences in the way people’s brains work, process information, and behave.

All of us are neurodivergent in a way. We think differently, we believe different things and we don’t always behave. Even when our brains aren’t compromised, we remain uniquely different.

The longer we live, the more we learn about how the brain works. Neuroplasticity taught us that brain cells regenerate. We can create new, better ways of processing information. This includes how we interact with other people, too. We learn that not everyone deserves a response.

I encourage you to read about this fascinating subject. You might see the world differently…

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Spirituality

Simply Said

Have you ever listened to someone who uses a lot of lesser known words to make themselves sound smarter than they are? Those types will drone on and on and all I can think is, no one speaks this way in everyday conversation.

I have had a good number of teachers who made learning interesting. Chemistry became a class I looked forward to because the professor was an excellent teacher. We were learning advanced chemical combinations but we were really learning them. It made sense.

A phrase I repeat often is, less is more. If something can be adequately explained in 20 seconds or less, then there is no reason to turn it into an hour. Speak clearly and precisely and you will become known as an excellent communicator.

Always remember, less is more. Actions matter. And I will finish with a quote from St. Francis: “Preach the Gospel often. Use words when necessary…”

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Spirituality

Willful Blindness

James was the half-brother of Jesus. He didn’t believe Jesus was the Messiah until the resurrection. Could you imagine growing up having Jesus as your older brother? The kid never did anything wrong so you couldn’t blame him for anything!

The Book of James is one of my favorite books of the Bible. James has been referred to as the “in your face” Apostle because he talks straight. No ambiguity. The book is only five chapters but he packs a lot into it.

James 4:17 says “ If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” This is haunting. Lots of things can distract us from doing good.

Let’s face it, sin is fun. If it wasn’t everyone would be good all the time. Sinful desires will tug at us all our lives. Yet, we aren’t powerless over it. God promises us a way out. Since God cannot lie, I believe it.

We will face temptation all our life. Let’s try to replace it by doing what is good and right. Then we will have the satisfaction of knowing we are living in God’s will…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Before You Begin

New week, new you, right? People begin changing their lives at the beginning of the week. A large percentage will abandon their goals before they have accomplished what they set out to do. There is a way to place yourself in the minority who succeed.

Before you begin, you must recognize that the battle is in your mind. It doesn’t require physical willpower to effect change. The change you desire can be made when you win the fight over your old ways of thinking.

Your mind is powerful. Really powerful. How we think will determine our outcomes. If you want better health, become health conscious. Keep your thoughts focused on the healthiest version of yourself and put blinders on to anything else. This works with time management, finances, even spiritual growth.

After a while your mind will take over. If you start thinking about going back to old, bad habits, your mind will stop you. When this happens you know you have retrained your brain. Victory!

The fight for the life you want is fought between your ears, not in the physical world. Change your thoughts and change your life…

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Spirituality

Trading Places

Do you ever look at someone else’s life and wish that was you? Maybe you would love to trade places with them if even for just one day. That might not be a bad idea.

People are great actors yet they don’t receive awards for the parts they play in real life. They might be falling apart inside but you would never know it. The great comedian Robin Williams took his own life and he had everything so many want. His brilliant comedy masked the pain he was carrying inside, a pain that never goes away.

If you were able to trade places with someone who you believe has it all together, you would see that they don’t. Everyone has challenges. Others are dealing with different problems than you, but they still have them.

God gave you the life you have. He has equipped you with everything you need to thrive, to find fulfillment. God never said it would be easy, nor did he say this side of eternity would be perfect. He did say our faith would be shaken. Mine has been. Yours probably has been, too.

Keep your mind focused on your purpose. Everyone has one. Find yours and give it everything in you…

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Spirituality

Second Chances

There is a song by the group Shinedown that I really like. The song is called “Second Chance.” In the song is a lyric: “Sometimes goodbye is a second chance.” Perhaps there is something, or even someone in your life that it’s time to say goodbye to.

Everyone has a bad habit or two. They know it so you don’t need to point it out to them. They will break free when they are ready and not one second before. They will be doing it for themselves and not because of your nagging.

Sometimes there are people in your life who need to go. It might be a member of your family. It’s okay to say goodbye to them if they aren’t good for you. Maybe they constantly criticize you or cut you down. There’s a difference between constructive criticism which is done in private and criticism that’s designed to hurt you or embarrass you.

Do what you need to do to protect your mental and physical health. It’s your life. Make choices that bring out the best in you.

If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be any good to anyone else…

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