Summer is here in the Northern Hemisphere! That means it’s time for a vacation, right? But what is the purpose of a vacation?
Taking time away from our daily routines is good. We create memories with our loved ones, and we have an opportunity to unwind from the stresses of life. Experiencing new things also stimulates our minds. Our brains sorta reboot, if you will.
Take a trip this summer, even if it’s a short one. Life’s routines will be waiting for you…
Have you ever had someone try to cram their politics or religion down your throat? I believe we all can answer that question with a resounding yes!
Trying to convince others to believe what we believe through force doesn’t work. People have their own reasons for their convictions, right or wrong. It’s none of our business, actually.
The best way to communicate our faith is through our actions, not a bunch of religious talk. People might respond to our political beliefs by asking questions of why we believe the way we do. Then, and only then, we can begin a dialogue.
Let’s focus on our actions, not our words. Find out who you are, then stay true to yourself, but keep an open mind to the beliefs of others. We are better together…
Today is Fathers Day in the United States. People celebrate their dads and their great memories with them.
Fatherless homes are one of the fastest growing family demographics of today’s culture. Over 90% of homeless people come from fatherless homes, as well as 75% of rapists and 69% of youth suicides. If you ever think that good fathers aren’t necessary, just consider those alarming statistics.
To all the solid men who are dedicated dads, enjoy your day…
Our culture has become addicted to their screens. We constantly have our heads buried in a phone or a laptop. I’m not just talking about adults, either. Kids are doing it, too.
Our minds and bodies aren’t meant to be totally absorbed in information. We need interactions with other people, and we need physical activity.
Technology is a necessary component of our lives. Yet it should not dominate our time. I encourage you to get outside, enjoy some sunshine every day and get physically active. Pay attention to how different you feel afterwards. Try it for 21 days and let me know what happens…
What’s the difference between relationship and religion? Relationships are intimate, they are turned on, and they are a safety zone. Religion, even the word turns people away. Let’s examine this just a little further.
Think of your closest relationships. They are built on a foundation of trust. Trust takes time to build. You feel like you can be yourself around your closest friends and family. There’s no need to pretend to be someone you’re not.
Religion evokes guilt, shame and judgment. This is because many religions use these as tools to get your attendance and your money. That’s not what God wants. He wants a personal relationship with us, even when we are at our worst. Yes, you read that correctly. God isn’t looking down on us with His arms crossed condemning us. No. God created us and He hasn’t forgotten about us. We are always on His mind.
I encourage you, and myself, to pursue a deeper relationship with God. Study the life of Jesus. Jesus was a rebel and he was a badass. He took away guilt, shame and judgment while calling out the hypocrisy of some of the religious leaders of the day. He is here for us, even though we don’t see him…
The heart connects us. We listen to those we care about in a deeper way. We listen with our hearts.
Trolls on the internet show the dark side of themselves. They don’t consider how their insults and judgements might harm someone else. They only care about making themselves feel “superior.” How do we deal with them? Here’s a counterintuitive way: pray for them. We cannot change the heart of mankind, but God can. Let Him.
Less is more, especially when we speak from our hearts. People remember how you made them feel…
Jesus told us to “love our neighbor as we love ourselves.” But how do we show love to our neighbor, and who is our neighbor?
Let’s begin with this: everyone we encounter is our neighbor. Everyone. We should try to follow the golden rule and treat people the way we want to be treated. This includes difficult people and the times we are in a hurry. We have an opportunity to leave a lasting impression on everyone.
We can only show love and compassion to others in ways which equal how we feel about ourselves. If our self-esteem is healthy, we will treat others as if they are equally important. They are.
All of us are works in progress. Keep working on yourself and your connections with others will deepen…
We tend to rush through our day, trying to cram as much in as possible. Maybe I’m the only one?
When we get in a hurry, the odds of us making a mistake go up. This might include not listening to someone who needs to be heard. Instead of creating a deeper connection, we distance ourselves.
I encourage you to slow down, even if it’s just a little. You will do more things right the first time, and fewer opportunities will be missed…
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…
There are people in this world who will act like we are the greatest thing ever, only to turn on us when we don’t allow them to manipulate us. You know the type. Narcissistic personalities have pervaded society, or at least it seems that way.
Narcissists will try to break us down and rebuild us the way they want. They are sick. They see nice people as prey, not as a person who has their own goals, dreams and desires. Narcissists are like ninjas when it comes to manipulating and gaslighting people. They have struck you before you even knew they were trying.
Stand up for yourself. It won’t be easy to learn this lesson. Remember this-God alone has authority over our lives. Let Him guide you through the process of learning…
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