Tag Archives: #leadership

Spirituality

Transformation

I have read a meme that says, “You’re only one decision away from a different life.” I understand. Many people live their lives in frustration and disappointment. Life didn’t turn out the way they planned.

God didn’t create us and then forget about us. He’s present, always, and desperately wants us to find fulfillment. But we won’t find it in a bigger house, a healthier bank account or a hotter spouse. Those are nice, but they are rabbit holes that keep us chasing.

I have seen stories of drug addicts, alcoholics, even porn actresses who have completely transformed their lives into something meaningful. Embracing a relationship with God was the universal game changer. Putting God first will give you what you are searching for, but it takes time. First, He has to change us. By change, I don’t mean you will turn into some religious weirdo. No, God develops our character.

Do you want a different life? Make the one decision to place God’s plans for your life above your own. It isn’t easy because the world is always calling us. But it can be done.

Then you will be unstoppable…

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Spirituality

Phonies

You have probably heard of imposter syndrome. People believe themselves to be a fake because they are acting like things are better than they really are. That’s not being fake. It’s simply not airing everything in your public life.

Phonies are like chameleons. They shift their energy from crowd to crowd. You are never sure who you’re going to get. Being a phony is pathological when it is manipulative. Other people are just insecure, so they put on a front.

Get comfortable with who you are. Accept yourself and work on personal growth. You are here for a purpose, and there’s nothing phony about that!

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Spirituality

Better Together

As you know, I love music. During my life I have gone to hundreds of concerts. I can’t think of a single performance that was a disappointment.

One thing I love about live music is its ability to take us out of the world for a couple of hours. For a short time, everything is right. We are sharing the experience with several thousand people. Among the crowd are Republicans, Democrats, vegetarians, meat eaters, gun owners and gun grabbers. We don’t even think about who’s sitting (or standing) next to us.

Music is one of the things that connects us. And it’s a great reminder that we are all in this life together. We are more alike than we are different. Everyone has goals, dreams, desires, pains and struggles. We can help each other if we are willing to put our politics aside and see people for who they are, not their political party.

Please keep this in mind when you are engaged in your daily life. People are important, and the goodness of mankind transcends politics…

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Spirituality

Saying Goodbye

When someone dies, I don’t think of it as a goodbye. It’s simply “see you later.” Hopefully, much later!

We hang up the phone and never think it might be the last time we ever speak to that person. Our thoughts move on to whatever is next. Recently we had three plane crashes. The family and friends of the dead never thought they wouldn’t see them again. We take life for granted.

It’s best to resolve conflicts with your circle of people. Keep things out in the open so there’s no bad blood between you. In this manner, should their life (or ours) be ended, there is nothing left to work through. We can miss them without any guilt.

People have severed relationships due to politics. In my opinion, this is shallow. People are important and we are way more than just our political beliefs. Would any of us refuse to help someone in need because they have a bumper sticker of the other side? Some have said goodbye and shut the door forever.

Please remember, if you are in conflict with someone else, I encourage you to resolve it. Have the difficult conversations, unless you believe it might cause more harm than good.

Above all, pray for each other…

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Spirituality

The Critics

Critics are everywhere. You know who I’m talking about. Critics are the people who have a problem for every solution. They can identify every wrong thing in the world, but they contribute very little to nothing in making things better.

Many people fear criticism, so they stay in the shadows rather than speaking up. Or perhaps they don’t want to waste their time and energy trying to engage with the self-righteous. Self-righteous people have an insane desire to be right, and they will go out of their way to prove others wrong about everything. Those people are energy drainers.

Constructive criticism is essential for improving ourselves. Most anyone is open to learning which facilitates growth, both personal and professional. It is possible to deliver a constructive message without destroying a relationship. Yet, the divorce courts are full and the Human Resources Departments are ever-expanding.

It’s important to not be too critical of yourself. We can hold ourselves accountable while being kind to ourselves. It’s possible…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Dare To Be Different

I need to tell you something. You might want to sit down if you aren’t already.

You are different. There is no one like you now, and there never has been. There will never be another you. Since the beginning of time as we measure it, over 100 billion people have lived. That’s a staggering number. Yet, not another you.

I encourage you to acknowledge and embrace your uniqueness. God created us for a purpose. There was nothing random in creating you. Your life story might not be idyllic, but you can choose to be whatever you want to be. You are only limited by the barriers you create in your mind.

Trying to “fit in” will only leave you frustrated and unfulfilled. Dare to show yourself to the world. Be who you are, not who others want you to be. It’s your life, not theirs. Do not concern yourself with the critics. They are everywhere, but they are just projecting. Their opinions don’t matter.

Pursue your purpose. It’s time to live and thrive in authenticity…

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Spirituality

And The Beat Goes On…

Every time I tap into social media, it makes me think we are on the verge of destruction because of politics. We aren’t, and I’m being facetious. I don’t pay attention to the noise.

People have been fighting over their political beliefs since before the Constitution was written. And the people will be still be fighting long after I’m gone. For some, it seems to give them a sense of purpose. They dig their heels in and express their righteous indignation with a passion they weren’t aware they had.

Human decency should triumph over politics. People are what matters, regardless of their politics.

So, my encouragement to you is to take a break from political noise. Enjoy your life today and every day. Get outside. Take a friend you haven’t seen for a while out to lunch. Read for pleasure.

The noise will always be there if you want to return to it. I hope you don’t miss it…

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Spirituality

This Must Change

Recently I read about people who were doing “Dry January,” putting their drinking on hold for 31 days. From the struggles people seemed to be experiencing by giving up alcohol, they should have chosen a shorter month, like February!

Our country has become obese, and it’s not getting better. Obesity is as harmful as alcoholism. We can rationalize eating because food isn’t going to hurt us. Or does it?

Healthy bodies begin in the mind. How we think will determine what we do. Good health is available to everyone. Taking the steps to improve isn’t a sacrifice.

What we gain must remain in the forefront of our minds. Read articles about health. Get any junk food out of your house. You can regain your health if you refuse to give up. And I encourage you to use your extra energy for something good!

Good health is within your reach. Reach for it…

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Spirituality

Tone

When I was raising my children, I told them they could say anything they wanted to me. I was listening to how they said it. I wanted them to feel free to express themselves. Their tone of voice revealed more than their words.

This holds true in life. An angry tone is usually easy to pick up on. So is a happy tone. When we combine the tone of someone’s voice with the look in their eyes, it gives us an opportunity to connect at a deeper level.

Take the time to listen to others, really listen. Then watch how your communication with others improves…

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Spirituality

Weighed Down

Is your past holding you back, weighing you down? It’s time to release yourself from the dead weight of the past and start living again.

The mistakes we made are good for one thing: we learn from them. There are a lot of things we do the right way. We rarely give those much thought, but we should. Turn your thoughts toward your daily victories, whether big or small.

The voice inside your head that constantly tries to dissuade you from trying anything new is a liar. Stop listening to it and listen to the other voice, the one that encourages you, prompts you, the voice that is on your side. This voice will lead you to your purpose.

Both voices will always be there. They are inside everyone’s heads. It’s your choice to decide which voice to listen to. It’s always been your choice.

Choose wisely…

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