Tag Archives: #inspiration

Spirituality

Protests

In Austin, Texas, there seems to be at least one or two protests each week. Most of the protesters are peaceful and respectful of the police and their fellow citizens, but there have been a few incidents of violence.

You are allowed to protest anything you want. This is guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. Free speech is one of our treasured rights as Americans. It should never be taken for granted.

In 1517 Martin Luther protested the Catholic Church. Luther made this outrageous claim that our salvation came through faith alone. The Pope was on equal footing with all of us. Needless to say, this brought about a maelstrom of protests. It didn’t seem to matter to Rome that Martin Luther’s position was backed up by Biblical evidence. The fight was worth it. Today we have both Protestants and Catholics under the umbrella of Christianity.

You are allowed to protest poor service in a restaurant to a manager, denial of claims by your insurance company, or a bad performance review by your boss. Just do it peacefully. The world has enough chaos and violence already…

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Spirituality

Doubting Thomas

Do you have doubts? Of course you do, and that is a loaded question. We doubt eyewitness accounts, the news (rightfully so), and we doubt ourselves. Defense attorneys try to establish reasonable doubt. This doesn’t mean we doubt everything.

A “doubting Thomas” is a skeptic who needs to see things for themselves before they believe it. That’s okay. It’s not a threat to your character to be doubted. It is a wise decision to be doubtful about what you hear on the news. They have a story to tell and they aren’t always concerned with the truth.

When you live your life with integrity and tell the truth, you will build a solid reputation. Then even the full-time doubters will believe you.

And there is one who never doubts you or your abilities. His name is God. Get to know Him and you won’t doubt Him, either…

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Spirituality

Awaken

Let’s admit it, life can be routine and boring. We go through a lot of the same motions every day. Where is the adventure?

It’s up to us to create our own excitement. Sitting around waiting for something to happen is a waste of time. Life is meant to be lived, not merely existed through.

Awaken your senses. Make the neurons in your brain come alive. You can do this by creating new experiences for your mind to behold. Take deep breaths. Inhale every good smell with intention. It’s time to feel alive again.

Turn the television off and go enjoy your life. Start now…

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Spirituality

You Gotta Do It

I love inspiring stories. The underdog is the one I root for. Doing the work to get yourself through the rough times builds resilience, strength and confidence.

We find ourselves in the stories of those who came before us. We think, “if they made it, then maybe I can, too.” We have so many lives to study from history.

Write your own story. Keep a journal. Writing helps you sort your thoughts. In a way it simplifies life. As you live your life, you are creating your own history.

Keep on creating memories. The world is watching and learning…

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Spirituality

With Honor

We admire those who do the right things when others might be tempted to do wrong or take a shortcut. Those people handle their lives and decisions with honor and integrity. A lot of good happens in the dark, out of sight, too.

During most of Jesus’ time on earth, he didn’t call attention to himself. There are many miracles he performed, yet instructed the recipient to not tell anyone. He wasn’t trying to bring honor to himself. Weird, huh?

When your eyesight has been restored from a supernatural experience, human nature is to tell everyone by shouting it out! I probably would. In fact, I know I couldn’t keep quiet.

Every day we have decisions to make. We all make some left turns when we should have gone right. But hopefully we get more correct than incorrect. When we make a mistake, or we treat others wrong, make an apology unless it might cause more harm than good.

Handle your business quietly, and with honor. Allow God to guide you. He sees everything, including the heart of man…

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Spirituality

Tell Me About It!

There are some very creative people in the world. I’m constantly amazed by some of the things people come up with on TikTok, Instagram and other platforms. And they do it quickly!

There are others I avoid. Some people revel in cutting others down. By doing so, I guess they are trying to establish their moral superiority over the rest of us. No one is better than anyone else. God sees us as His children, and God loves us equally. Although, I believe I’m Gods favorite to make Him laugh! My life can resemble a walking sitcom.

Some people try to force their own brand of leadership on others. If you’re a leader, you know it and other people will recognize it. It’s not necessary to shout it from the rooftops.

Show up well in life. Give others the best version of you. Be unguarded and open in your interactions with others. You will both benefit…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

100 Days

Beginning January 1st, I eliminated alcohol for 100 days. April 10th, yesterday, was day 100. What a relief!

The benefits of eliminating alcohol for 3 months are many. Too many to list here. But by staying sober it allowed me to consider my relationship with alcohol. It’s not always healthy.

I like the taste of Crown Royal. I really do. Yet I found myself drinking on days I didn’t need to. That was getting me nowhere. I figured out that I was drinking on days I felt lonely. But booze isn’t a good replacement for people. Human connection is solid whether you are at Happy Hour or just speaking on the phone.

I will celebrate tonight with a cocktail. But I have resolved to not drink when I’m feeling lonely. Feelings pass, and the truth is, I enjoy solitude. So I guess I have grown over the last 100 days.

You can do anything for 100 days. Anything. Never doubt yourself…

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Spirituality

Stradivarius

A Stradivarius is a string instrument created by the Stradivari family beginning in the late 1600’s. They are known for their excellent craftsmanship, tone and durability. There are about 650 instruments remaining in the world, and a Stradivarius violin sold for $18 million dollars in recent years.

As rare as a Stradivarius is, you are more rare than they are. Around 1,100 instruments were created by Antonio Stradivari, yet only one of you has lived, breathed and walked on planet Earth. And considering that over 100 billion people have lived since the beginning of time as we know it, this makes you even more rare and valuable.

Be fearless in showing the world who you are. You were created to stand out and to use your unique gifts to make a difference in the world. Don’t hide your identity. Show yourself!

You have a lot to offer to mankind. Don’t waste your talents…

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Spirituality

The Power to Change

If someone is described as being graceful, it’s believed they show elegance and grace. That is quite the compliment!

Elegant people are stylish, beautiful even. But being full of grace can mean the person shows compassion in situations where some might respond in anger. Compassion is needed now like never before.

Our world is struggling. People are worried, living beyond their means and they are spending more time disengaging than meeting life head-on. This must change.

We need God and we need each other. We must take the time to encourage others. We must be honest, and we can encourage people without sacrificing our integrity.

If you are one of the struggling people, you aren’t alone. Reach out to your friends and family. Go do something for someone who can never repay you. Act, don’t just accept life as it comes to you.

You have the power to change the world. It begins with changing yourself…

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Spirituality

Don’t Believe the Lies

We lie to ourselves. We convince ourselves that we are better at some things than we are. That’s just bragging. Or maybe some tequila convinces us we can dance really well! We can’t.

The worst lies we believe are the ones that condemn us to an unfulfilled life. We deceive ourselves into thinking we have no talent, no intelligence, no confidence, and we talk ourselves into believing we don’t have the power to change. We have everything we need to change.

Enough. Let this be the dividing line of your life. God created all of us and He doesn’t make junk. God never second-guesses himself, either. We were created for a greater purpose. There is nothing random about your life.

I encourage you to stop believing the lies and start believing in yourself. You are capable of doing whatever God created you to accomplish.

Believe in yourself. When others criticize you or put you down, remember this: they don’t have the final word about your life…

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