Tag Archives: #leadership

#inspiration, #spirituality

Advantage

Have you ever been taken advantage of? Of course you have. People have agendas to fulfill and some of them are happy to use any means necessary to make them happen.

Politicians take advantage of the population. “Vote for me” and all your problems will go away, they say. In our rational minds we know this isn’t true. But the politicians aren’t appealing to our sense of reason. They are hitting our emotional hot buttons. We get disappointed and disillusioned when they don’t come through. There’s a reason Congress has an approval rating of only 13%.

I encourage you to be pure in your motives. If you need help, ask. Don’t take advantage of others. Living life with integrity will bring you everything you need in life…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Impulses

I have an impulsive habit. I admit it. Remember the infomercials that would be aired in the middle of the night? They were targeting people like me. You might recall the Ronco “set it and forget it” oven. I bought it and forgot it. Twice! Thank God I have a full head of hair or I may have bought the spray on hair.

In today’s politically charged world, there are many who want to goad us into visceral outrage. I have one “friend” on social media who tells outright lies with no consequences. He wants us to impulsively reply to his nonsense and, admittedly, sometimes I want to let him have it. After all, lying to people without being called out on the lies just encourages more lies. I just take a deep breath and pass him by, reminding myself that I wouldn’t want to live inside his head or heart.

Controlling our emotions is a sign of maturity. Perhaps I’m growing up!

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#inspiration

Shortcuts

Shortcuts are good sometimes. For example, if I’m driving from Austin to San Antonio there might be a better route than I-35. That road is constantly under construction and traffic is unpredictable. Rerouting to the west and coming in on 281 might be the preferred option.

When we are trying to accomplish something great, it’s best to avoid shortcuts. To write a book or prepare for a podcast interview, you need to do research. You will do a much better job when you fully engage yourself. You owe your audience your best work. Nothing less is acceptable.

To do things the right way means you take the road less traveled. That road is a lot less congested than I-35, and you will meet some interesting people along the way…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Revelations

As I grow in wisdom and understanding, God reveals things to me. I’m in a constant state of fascination and awe at how God expands my understanding. Things become crystal clear. It’s up to me to use what God has revealed.

In The Book of James the author tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James further reminds us that if we ask, we should believe God will answer.

He does answer…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Fame

Andy Warhol is credited with saying, “in the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.” Whether Warhol was the first to say this is up for debate, but it appears everyone is seeking their 15 minutes. Fame is not always pretty.

Why do people seek fame? Perhaps they want the attention that comes with fame. My belief is that wanting to be famous exposes a deeper insecurity. Fame follows accomplishment. Think of the great achievements of Lincoln, Ford, King and Musk. Two of them lost their lives because of their convictions.

Do your work. If fame finds you, all the better. If not, just do your work anyway. The only one whose opinion matters is God. Work with His purpose in mind…

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#inspiration

Say It Ain’t So!

Why are we hesitant to call things what they actually are? For example, in a little less than two months we will commemorate the 23rd anniversary of September 11th. People refer to it as “the events of September 11th” rather than calling it what it was: a terrorist attack.

Not to be overlooked but the news media are calling an assassination attempt on President Trump “the events of last Saturday night.”

Sugar coating things doesn’t make them more palatable. The two incidents I cited were horrible. Dumbing them down is irritating and insulting. We need to be bold about speaking the truth.

Yes, the truth hurts sometimes. But we can handle the truth…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Check The Box

A lot of life feels like we are just checking the box. We get to work on time. Check the box. Pick up kids and get them to their after school events. Check another box. It’s like we have a daily to-do list and then we do the same list the next day. As I have said before, much of daily life is routine and boring. It’s that way for everyone, no matter what People Magazine wants us to believe.

Let’s take a moment to consider our goals, dreams and desires. Are we checking any boxes in this important part of our lives? If we are just going through the motions or giving it lip service, we are cheating others as well as ourselves. We are built for purpose, God’s purpose. Let’s live like it matters because it does. Ignoring our purpose will not make it go away.

I encourage you to do something, even if it’s just one thing, every day to get you where you want to be. Start today. In fact, start now…

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#inspiration

Minimum Wage

Modern minimum wage laws can trace their roots all the way back to the year 1349. King Edward III issued a decree which established a minimum wage for workers. In 1933, FDR introduced the first minimum wage in the United States. It was set at a whopping 25 cents per hour along with a 44 hour work week.

In 1914, Henry Ford set the bar high when he started paying Ford workers $5 per day. This was revolutionary. Ford was a visionary , and he attracted the best workers to choose from, and the rest is history.

Congress yells constantly about a “living wage” while trying to increase the minimum wage set for workers. Wages are the largest contributor to inflation. But the minimum is just that, a minimum. I worked a lot of jobs as a teenager and I was happy to have work. Minimum wage was never a goal, and Congress should stop trying to change the mindset that minimum wage should be enough to support a family. It’s expensive enough to live in 2024. We don’t need the “help” of the politicians. They tend to royally screw things up without consequences. Just check their track record.

No matter your pay, always give more than what you are paid for. Your efforts will be noticed, and they will be rewarded…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Requirements

In Luke 12:48, Jesus tells us “to whom much is given, much is required.” Notice that Jesus used the word required, not expected. Since Jesus didn’t make small talk, I believe this has deeper meaning along with eternal consequences.

We are here for a greater purpose than many of us are living. Our purpose is to do God’s will and work on this side of eternity while bringing honor and glory to God. This is our requirement, not merely a suggested activity.

I encourage you to get out of your daily routine, get uncomfortable and do what you are here to do. God wouldn’t ask us to do something we are incapable of. He equips us with everything we need. Will it be easy? No. Hell no. But it will be gratifying.

If you get nervous, and you will, remember Luke 12:48. You are given much. Now use it…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Exceptionalism

America has been called exceptional, and I believe she is! America is exceptional because of the people.

Yes, we have our share of crazies and jerks, but they are in the minority. The only reason we hear about them is because what happens in most people’s lives doesn’t make headlines.

When a neighbor brings food to a family after a tragedy or a loss, their act of kindness and compassion goes unnoticed by the masses. But the people on the receiving end remember. When people take the time to serve their community, helping those who can never repay them, the servers are showing the image of our Creator. This goodness is pervasive. People feel encouraged to keep it going.

Be exceptional. Start today…

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