Tag Archives: #inspiration

#inspiration, #spirituality

Preparedness

Netflix reported that over 60 million people viewed the Jake Paul/Mike Tyson bout on Friday night. It was a record. Yet, many people were disappointed because Netflix hadn’t ramped up their streaming capacity enough to accommodate the demand. They weren’t prepared.

When the work week begins, most of us are ready for whatever the week holds for us. The unprepared just show up and see what happens. Taking a few minutes to review your schedule on Sunday evening won’t solve all your work challenges, but it will help you in your preparation for what can happen.

Asking God to guide us as we go through the day helps greatly. He wants to be involved in our lives, not relegated to being a spectator. Talk to Him.

Yesterday was about sayings. Today I will close with one: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Sayings

“Early to bed, early to rise makes a man…” you know the rest. There’s a lot of cute, catchy sayings that are meant to teach us something. Life is the best teacher of all. We take to heart the lessons we learn through experience.

All my life I’ve heard people say, “you know, they say” this or that. Who are they??? I wish they would show themselves because I have a few things to say to they!

When we are seeking wisdom, go to the Book of Proverbs. Written by King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, it’s full of solid advice to guide us in life. His writings were inspired by God so we know they are true. God gave us a guidebook to navigate life on this planet. We are being prepared for eternity.

Remember, God didn’t create us and forget about us. We are in His thoughts. Always…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Time Out

In sports, teams call a time out when they need to regroup or rethink their strategy. Perhaps some people in the United States should call a personal time out.

The division in this great country has been building for 20 years. The last time we were united was immediately after 9/11. It makes me sad to see how divided and angry we have become. It doesn’t have to be this way.

Democrats are raging anger about losing the election. I have seen some Republicans gloating and throwing it in people’s faces. Both are wrong. We can be better, if we are willing.

Second to the Bible, the United States Constitution is the greatest document ever written. Our republic will still be here in 2028, no matter peoples opinions.

I encourage you to take time away from the noise. Get away. Travel. Enjoy time with your family and friends. The noise is always there if you feel some need to revisit it.

We are better together…

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#inspiration

Overstocked

Have you ever gone to Costco to buy just a couple of items, but ended up spending $600.00? I have bought a 100 pound bag of pinto beans in there because it was such a great deal! I love pinto beans, but there’s no way I can eat that many beans in a year.

Sometimes we do things that, in our rational mind, we know aren’t good decisions. The emotional side of our brain takes over and rules the intellect. We all do it. I might have a solution.

When you feel the need to buy something that you know you don’t need, I encourage you to enact the 48 hour rule. Wait two days before making your purchase. Had I had the forethought to do this myself, I would not have bought all those beans. The 100 pound bag would have still been there two days later. Most important, my emotions about getting a great deal would have subsided.

Try it. And remember, your emotions are a necessary part of you, but they aren’t always looking out for your best interests…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Guidance

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Recently I was reading this and it spoke to me in a whole new way.

Many times in this blog I have stated that the Bible is the best, most comprehensive self help book ever. It tells us how to live our lives without a bunch of rah rah. And there it is: “submit to him and he will make your paths straight.” It’s the submission part that trips us up. We don’t like being submissive.

God is in control of everything. When we submit to his ways rather than our own selfish desires, we have peace and contentment. Living in his will is often the road less traveled, and I admit it’s difficult. There are a lot of things to tempt us onto the superhighway to hell! And Satan knows exactly what appeals to each of us. He’s had a long time to observe human behavior.

Following God’s word won’t turn you into a religious nut. You won’t stop showering and start dressing weird . The change is inside. You feel it.

I encourage you to give it a try. The only thing you will lose is some chaos from your life…

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#inspiration

Look At Yourself

I’m a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan. It’s the most frustrating team to be a fan of. I often say, “the Dallas Cowboys are the team of the future, and always will be!” So much talent. So little execution.

There is one common denominator to the Cowboys woes: Jerry Jones. I don’t doubt that he wants to win. He just can’t stay out of the way. Let the coaches coach, the players play, and you stay in your lane as owner.

Accountability is one of the great lessons team sports teaches. Did you take care of your body so you will be at your best? Getting enough sleep? Know your playbook? Are you mentally prepared for the rigors of the game?

When we fail, we must take a hard look at ourselves. What part did we play in the letdown? We must give our best effort. Always. And if we don’t, not only will we let others down, but we let ourselves down, too.

Enjoy the times in life when you win. Evaluate yourself and come back stronger when you don’t…

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#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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