The artists get it right. They have a unique ability to turn their inner pain into something beautiful.
Last night I went to see Seal. He intimidated that his childhood wasn’t a happy one. Yet, he found his way through music. Here’s a short clip from the concert. Listen to the lyrics…
In the past several months, I have heard from so many people who are struggling with anxiety, depression and feelings they haven’t felt before. The common theme with each of them has been, “I don’t understand why I feel this way. I’ve never been like this before.”
God prompted me to remind them of what we have dealt with since 2020. Isolation has shredded mental health and created new, unhealthy neural pathways. We are hardwired to be in relationship with each other. This goes beyond loneliness. We are experiencing a mental health crisis that’s worse than the pandemic. More people than ever are feeling hopeless and taking their own lives.
If you are reading this and are experiencing similar feelings, please reach out to someone. Your life is precious and has purpose. None of that has changed because of a virus.
The Suicide Prevention Hotline is 988. It’s confidential, free, and it might be the lifeline you need…
On the morning of April 20, 1999 two dark and disturbed young men ended the lives of 12 students and one teacher before the two murderers took their own lives. At the time, the Columbine High School massacre was the largest school shooting in American history.
From this unthinkable tragedy, an organization was born: Rachel’s Challenge. Rachel Scott was the first child killed that day, but she did not die in vain. Her impact on the lives of others lives on. Over 30 million people have experienced her story, thousands of youth suicides have been prevented, and at least 8 documented copycat school shootings have been averted.
After Rachel’s Challenge is introduced into a school, the school becomes a safer, better-connected community. Students are no longer trying to learn in a “fight or flight” environment. I proudly serve on the board of Rachel’s Challenge. Check it out here:
Do you know anyone who spends much of their time focusing on days gone by? All of us have fond memories of past events, but that’s what they are, just memories.
Some things from our pasts are hard times we went through. They were lessons to be learned along the road of life. Learn them and move on. Leave them where they belong, in the past.
Every day is an opportunity to create more fond memories. Remember to focus on the good in your life. Be grateful for something every day. Leave the past in the past and look forward with both eyes open…
Every battle we face in daily life is won or lost by the attitude we approach life with. Should we take a defeated mindset into solving a problem, we are beaten before we try. But the mind of a determined person is going to succeed eventually.
It’s hard to beat someone who refuses to give up…
Our world is full of noise. We have news 24/7, and we feel like if we aren’t busy then our lives have no meaning or purpose.
This is not true. Our purpose doesn’t change in the stillness. In fact, in the quiet moments our thinking becomes more crystal clear than in the chaos. We have an opportunity in those moments to connect with our Creator. He’s talking to us constantly, but we don’t listen because the noise is louder. God often speaks in whispers.
Make time for stillness in your life. Practice it every day. The noise will be waiting for you…
I’m grateful today. Our Creator gave me another day of life. I have fresh air to breathe, food in my refrigerator, and a safe home. My heart is beating and my mind is clear.
Now it is up to me to use this day to make a difference in the lives of others. Let’s do this every day…
Are you waiting for everything to align perfectly before you begin your life’s dream? I encourage you to stop waiting and start doing. You don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin.
Take a step in the direction of your dreams. Then take another. Expect things to go awry sometimes. You will redirect and be back on track! Just begin…
Remember when you were a kid and learning what foods you liked? People would say, “try it you might like it.” To this day, I wish I had never tried barbecue or Tex-Mex. My waistline battle would be much easier!
When you start something new, you aren’t proficient in it immediately. It takes time. None of us walked perfectly when we first started, but we didn’t quit.
Trying something new is adventurous. You might not learn to play guitar as well as Eric Clapton, but you will reach a skill level of proficiency if you stick with it. I encourage you to start on the ideas you hold in your mind and heart. Stay with it when setbacks come. Let your confidence build. Try it today…
We are busier today than we have ever been before. People are working longer hours, sacrificing their relationships and their health, while gaining very little ground. Is the trade-off worth it?
We all have our priorities. We spend our time focusing on what, or who is most important to us. These are matters of the heart.
Learn to say no to anything that robs you of time with your children. Say yes to gratifying experiences! You don’t need to feel guilty for not allowing yourself to be pulled away from what matters most. And equally important, take care of yourself…
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