Tag Archives: #inspiration

#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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#inspiration

Trendy

When a new fad comes along, you can’t escape it. Traditionalists like me place an internal bet about how long it will last. It’s the safest bet I have ever made because I can’t lose. Or win, for that matter!

There are some things that never go out of style. Manners, kindness, consideration of others and compassion are just a few examples. The goodness of mankind is on display daily. You have to take the time to notice because there’s a lot of noise vying for your attention.

Let’s keep goodness trending. Fads will forever come and go. Goodness moves mountains…

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#inspiration

Beautiful

Do you ever look at the night sky and think, how beautiful the stars look? I do. I’m in awe of the natural beauty that surrounds us. It’s everywhere. The mountains and the oceans are magnificent.

It’s said that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” and there’s a lot of truth in that. No one thinks your children are as beautiful as you think they are. The lens we view the world through matters.

Take in all of the beauty around you, and take care of nature. It’s all we have…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Credit

Whether at work or at home, we contribute to the wellbeing of others. When we are working with a team, if our ideas help the team achieve its goals we want our supervisor to know. When other kids parents compliment our children, we let them know how hard we work in raising our children. We want credit.

But what would happen if we just did our work without caring who gets the credit? Maybe we are afraid we will be overlooked for advancement, or we fear someone else takes credit for our work. These concerns, while legitimate, aren’t really important in the grand scheme of things. We are not looking for recognition from our colleagues, but from an audience of one.

God sees everything. He is around us and in us all the time. He’s keeping his own score. He is just and will make things right.

Do your best, and don’t worry about getting credit. God knows…

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#inspiration

Never Seen

People revere celebrities and I’m not sure why. Actors are excellent at their craft, and musicians create music that will go down in history. But they aren’t saving lives. The really great ones aren’t being affected by the economy and skyrocketing cost of living. They are not relatable.

The people I look up to the most will never be famous. You wouldn’t notice them on the street, nor would you pay attention to them if you were on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and they were right next to you.

I’m talking about the ones who work like hell to take care of their families. Some are holding down two, even three jobs to make ends meet. The people who clean our hotel rooms, sweep the streets and deliver food and other goods to our stores. Teachers are heroes, too. We trust them with the ones who are most precious to us, our children.

Take time to thank God for the countless unseen people. Without them, none of this works…

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