Tag Archives: #inspiration

#inspiration

An Observation

The theme of my blog and my podcast is to spread encouragement, strength and hope to a world in desperate need of it. From the feedback you have given me, I know I am making a difference. But I want to do more.

The top podcast category is comedy. Over 20% of listeners spend their time in that genre. This reminds me that the world needs to laugh. So, as best as possible, I will introduce more humor into my work. In person I’m funny as hell with a genuine ability to tell funny stories. Let’s see if I can pull it off.

I appreciate everyone who reads my daily posts and listens/watches my podcast. You are special to me.

Let me know how I do. I’m certain I will hear from you…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

The Holidays

Holiday season is upon us! Thanksgiving is still three weeks away, but there are plenty of people who already have their Christmas tree up and decorated. Some retailers started promoting Christmas in July. Every year it begins earlier and earlier.

With the holidays approaching, we will be deluged (assaulted?) by the Hallmark movies. You know the story. A perfect family has some trouble. They bend but don’t break and they live happily ever after.

Real life is not a Hallmark movie. For some it’s more like a dystopian nightmare. They are facing struggles we can’t imagine. This is why I regularly post about being kind. Kindness costs you nothing, but it reaps dividends we also can’t imagine.

You never know, your kindness might be someone’s last, best hope…

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#inspiration

Milton Hershey

If you like chocolate, then you know the name Milton Hershey. He was the one who brought chocolate to the United States.

Milton Hershey was born in Pennsylvania and raised by both parents until he was 12. His father tried business and farming (twice), but could never find and maintain success. When Milton was 12, his mother separated from Milton’s father and took her son with her. Not only that, Milton Hershey dropped out of school as well! He could only read and write at a fourth grade level.

Hershey failed at many jobs, but he found his calling in candy. He began making candy in his basement and then selling it in a little store he opened. Hershey eventually failed at that, too.

When Hershey attended a candy conference in Chicago, he discovered chocolate at the Nestle display. A lightbulb went off in his head and the rest is history.

Hershey wasn’t educated, he failed in business several times, yet he didn’t allow any of his shortcomings to deter him. He created a legacy of helping orphans and building homes for them. Hershey, Pennsylvania continues to thrive today.

Never let a lack of education or business setbacks stop you. Create your own legacy…

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#inspiration

Medicate

Medications are a part of life. If you get an infection, prior to the invention of penicillin you had to wait it out and hope for the best. Penicillin revolutionized antibiotic therapy.

It seems like every third commercial is for a drug. “Have you ever been depressed? Try Abilify.” First off, I’m not picking on Abilify. But consider the advertising. Almost everyone has experienced depression. Most often it’s seasonal depression, not chronic. It will pass.

Unless you have chemical depression, consider natural therapy. Get outside. Go hiking. Do something for someone who can never repay you. Take into consideration what you are eating. Many of our foods alter our brain chemistry. What I’m suggesting is, there might be a better way to help your mental health than a drug.

I encourage you to medicate yourself with fresh air, sunshine and the company of good people. Give it a try. The only thing you might lose is a depressed attitude…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

True or False

We have a tendency to either stretch the truth or sugarcoat things so they don’t seem so bad. Why not just tell it like it is?

There’s been a growing trend where people don’t call a lie a lie. Substituting the word falsehood or disinformation might sound more palatable to some, but it doesn’t change what it is. If it isn’t the truth, it’s a lie.

The truth will stand on its own. There’s no need to exaggerate to make a point. God’s word is always true, so you can rely on it no matter the situation. In fact, God cannot tell a lie. It goes against his nature. What he said 2,000 years ago is still true today. Our exaggerations pass in a moment.

I encourage you to see things clearly. Question everything except the word of God. He’s the only one who will tell us the truth every time…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Holding On

Great memories are treasures we hold in our hearts. Moments in time permanently etched in the fiber of our being.

What are we holding onto that doesn’t serve us well? This could be anything from a bad habit to people who aren’t good for us. It’s a real challenge to let go.

Changing a habit takes about three weeks. Even after that we have a desire to return to old behavior. If we aren’t careful, we will allow our minds to play tricks on us. The tricks are real.

Letting go of people is challenging, too. There was a time in my life where I eliminated every person who wasn’t edifying and enriching to my life. I was lonely for a while, and loneliness sucks. But I held on to a stronger belief that I knew the loneliness would pass. I focused on myself. The healthier I got, the more healthy people I attracted into my life. It was worth the effort to make myself a priority.

I encourage you to take inventory of your own life. If there’s something you need to rid yourself of, take the brave first step in a new direction.

You might experience some loneliness, too, but the darkness will pass. Every time…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

The Floor is Yours

Parents know this: your children are watching everything you say and do. If they call someone an asshole, it’s because they heard it from you first! Children are constantly learning while their neural pathways are being formed. We have a great responsibility to teach them well.

Adults are watching you, too. They watch you at work, in restaurants, at parties, basically everywhere. People pay attention to how you treat others. Are you kind, or do you take great satisfaction in being rude? Be kind. Always.

Our outer behavior reflects what is in our hearts and minds. We are either building trust or we are tearing it down. People let their guard down when they know you won’t shred their emotions.

Confidence is attractive, arrogance is not. If there’s something you don’t like about yourself, go to work on it. The work is internal. Change comes over time.

Remember parents, your little ones are watching. The floor is yours…

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#inspiration

Feel The Heat

To purify gold you must heat it to a temperature of over 1000 degrees Celsius. The final result is absolutely beautiful. Gold becomes so shiny you can see yourself.

Feeling the heat means you are under pressure. You have a deadline, or you are facing an extremely stressful situation. When we are dealing with difficult circumstances, we have a choice: melt or rise to the occasion. It’s yours and yours alone to decide.

In the heat of the battle we find out just how strong we are. And oftentimes we surprise ourselves.

Strength is tempered when things are hard, not when life is easy. Once you have risen to the challenge and conquered whatever you are facing, there’s no going back.

You are forever changed…

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#inspiration

The Beauty of America

I have followers in over 160 countries spread throughout the world. I’m grateful for all of you. My home is in Texas. If you have never visited Texas I hope you have an opportunity to. We’re friendly people!

Part of the beauty of the United States is the kindness we show to others, including our enemies. If there was a disaster in Russia, for example, we would be the first to respond. We have a history of helping. If you recall, the United States helped build a sarcophagus over the Chernobyl nuclear reactor after its core was breached.

It’s election season in the United States, and that can bring out some ugliness from some people. The beauty for most of us is, we can vote differently and still remain friends. I believe the heart of mankind is good.

The election will pass and our country will survive. We are better together…

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#inspiration

Redirect

For years I have been writing and speaking about controlling our thoughts. It’s challenging, I know, but it can be done.

Here is a solid way to begin the habit of controlling your thinking. I call it redirection. Whenever a potentially destructive thought or impulse enters your mind, instead of acting on it simply do the opposite. You don’t feel like exercising? Visualize yourself looking fit and do it anyway. You want to eat something that isn’t good for your body and overall health? Remember your fit physique visual. Over time, your mind will manifest your new way of thinking.

I get that our minds can seem like they are completely out of control. They really aren’t. You have control of your attitude which will direct your thoughts. Thoughts become actions.

Try it with just one bad habit you want to change. Stick with it and you’ll see the desired results…

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