Tag Archives: #leadership

#inspiration, #spirituality

Undeserved

Have you ever taken the time to consider the love of God?

We know God is love, and His Spirit is all around us all the time. But God gives good things to believers and nonbelievers alike, and He gives to the people who curse and blame Him. He doesn’t discriminate.

As humans, it’s hard to get our heads around this kind of goodness. When others mistreat us or cuss us out, our natural inclination is to strike back. And sometimes we do. One thing I learned about the character of God is, He can take a punch. In years past I hit Him pretty hard or ignored Him altogether. God never sought revenge.

How do we show that we love God? We can’t see Him. He doesn’t need anything from us. I believe Jesus told us how when he said, “what you do for the least among you, you do for me.”

Please take a moment every day to acknowledge God’s love for all of us. Do it even if you’re mad at Him…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Political Fallout

Did you lose any friends over politics? I did. Two people decided their political beliefs were more important than our friendship. This didn’t anger me. It made me sad for them because I’m a lot of fun to hang out with!

From my observation, people have become more isolated than ever before due to political divide. Living in an echo chamber is dangerous. You can begin to believe you are always right. Our problems in our country are “the fault of the other side,” they say. Sometimes they yell. Everyone bears some responsibility.

Who shows up in life when the shit hits the fan? Your representative in Congress? No. Your friends and family, the ones who truly care about you arrive. Sadly, I have many friends who have lost children. The government can’t bring a child back, but those who care about you can share some of your pain by just being there.

Not much changes in government, but I remain optimistic. Optimism is how I’m hardwired. I really don’t know any other way to be.

I encourage you to remember this: it’s people that are important, no matter which side of the aisle they identify with…

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#inspiration

New Year’s 2025

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you had a peaceful, meaningful holiday season no matter what you celebrate. And now we are in 2025. Where did the time go?

Every year I see people posting “New Year. New You.” I wonder what changes they are expecting. Yet, I applaud people’s desire for growth and change. We are hardwired for growth. Sitting idle creates a stirring that can haunt us.

Do you have something in your life that you are dissatisfied with? Make the decision to change it, whatever it is. Then commit. No matter what happens, you will make the change and not go back. It’s gonna take work, but you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

Once you make the commitment, it’s over. Set your sights on greater things.

Again, Happy New Year! I wish all of you good health, great experiences, and solid relationships in 2025 and beyond…

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#inspiration

A Tribute

In 1952, a young Naval cadet walked into a small room for his interview with Admiral Hyman Rickover. Rickover was in charge of the Navy’s new atomic fleet, and he insisted on personally interviewing everyone who would serve under his command.

Over the next 2-3 hours, the young, cocky cadet proceeded to tell the admiral everything he knew about nuclear physics etc. Then it was the admiral’s turn. Rickover completely dressed the candidate down, showing the young man just how little he knew. After Rickover finished, the dejected young man got up to leave, fully humbled. As he got to the door, Admiral Rickover said, “I have one more question. While at the Naval Academy, did you always do your best?” The cadet wanted to say he did, but he had already been exposed. He answered, “no sir, I didn’t.” Rickover stared him down and asked, “why not?”

This question haunted Ensign James Earl Carter all his life. He went on to become the 39th President of The United States. You probably knew him as Jimmy.

Rest in peace, President Carter. No one can say you didn’t give your best…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Fakin’ It

You have probably heard the saying, “fake it until you make it.” From my observation, there are a lot of people who are faking their way through life.

People put up false fronts, acting as if everything is fine when, in reality, they are falling apart. The sudden death of a loved one, an unexpected divorce or a debilitating accident can throw people off their game. No one gets through this life without struggle.

There was a woman in prison who told me her two daughters committed suicide. The young girls had been sexually molested by her ex-husband. I stood directly in front of her and said, “I’m sorry. None of this was your fault or your daughter’s fault.” The woman kinda brushed it aside and said, it’s no big deal. I made her look at me and told her, it is a big deal. The pain you’re carrying is inconceivable to me, and I’m truly sorry. She looked at me and said, you’re right. This is the first time I’ve really acknowledged it.

I recognized what she was doing by brushing it aside because in my past, I have done the same thing. I have healed from a lot. She is just getting started.

This is an opportunity for me to give you my constant reminder to be kind. We don’t know what people are faking it through…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Don’t Tell Me!

No one likes to be bossed around or told what to do. Our rebellious nature kicks in and we resist.

Let’s take a moment to consider the disciples of Jesus. They witnessed countless miracles including bringing the dead back to life, calming a storm and curing a leper. The front row seat they occupied must have been mind blowing! Yet, they took it upon themselves to tell Jesus what to do. In one instance, Peter told Jesus to stop talking about being killed and rising on the third day. Jesus told him to “get behind me, Satan!” Jesus wasn’t making casual conversation.

We like to tell God what to do, too. We ask Him for selfish, material things, or for someone to like us back. Yet, God takes it all in. He never laughs at us or punishes us for being ridiculous. Nope. He just keeps on supplying our needs.

Instead of telling God what we want, why don’t we try trusting Him to give us good things? God gives us what He knows we need, which might not be what we want.

Trust Him. He is good…

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Freebies

You have heard the saying, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch.” It’s true. Everything in life has to be earned. One of my favorite politicians to pick on believes the government should pay for everything. Someone has to make the money to provide for whatever government benefits he wants to provide. You see, the government doesn’t generate a single dollar of revenue.

Retail stores offer “buy one get one free” to entice you into the store. The store might actually lose money on the offer, but figure people will buy more things while they are in the store. It must be a successful business model because stores continue to make the offer.

It’s important to remember, everything in life that has value requires work. Everything. Mental health, physical fitness, and solid relationships are brought to life by our commitment to making them happen. There is no other way.

Decide what is important to you. Then commit to making it happen. You will encounter difficulties along the road. But it’s hard to defeat a person who refuses to quit…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Unspoken Stories

This week I have been doing volunteer speaking in seven Texas prisons. Some of the stories the men and women tell about their lives are unthinkable. Physical, emotional and sexual abuse are common to many of the inmates. But there is hope…

The State of Texas criminal justice system is designed to give inmates a path forward. An inmate can become a cosmetologist, a barber, even a nurse, courtesy of the state. The state believes in them while many in society have rejected them. Over the past couple of years I’ve had the privilege to speak to thousands. Many life stories will stay with me forever.

One of the truths I share with prisoners is that when they leave, they need to walk out with their heads held high and their shoulders back. They have done what the State of Texas required of them. Yet, there are people who will reject them because they are convicted felons. Some will throw their past in their faces and try to keep them down. Those aren’t their people.

There are a lot of good people in the world. You gotta look hard to find them, but they are there.

Be good…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Fantasyland

The Walt Disney Company is in the business of creating fantasy worlds. They are excellent at their craft. And just think, it all started with a mouse.

People create stories in their heads to cover up pain. They tell themselves (and others) the stories so often that they begin to believe they are real. The reality of our lives won’t change because we wish it away.

We put on masks, creating a facade for the world to see. Inside our heads and hearts we believe if people saw us for who we are, they won’t like us. It may surprise you to know that just the opposite is true. People crave human connection, rea connection. Not something based upon superficiality.

I encourage you, let your guard down. Connect. Leave the fantasy world to Disney…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Self Aware

Are you fully in touch with who you are? Knowing ourselves is essential for growth.

There are areas we all need improvement in. And there are things we do well. Don’t forget your wish list! These are the things we wish we could do. Some are achievable, while others are fantasy.

Take inventory of yourself. Be honest. If you are really brave, talk about your strengths and weaknesses with a trusted friend. Be willing to listen to constructive criticism. And give yourself a break when necessary.

I encourage you to take your talents and use them to make a difference. The world needs to hear from you…

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