Spirituality

The Fear View Mirror

Everyone experiences fear. It’s normal to feel uneasy when you are trying something new, or if you have a health scare. Yet you cannot allow fear to consume you and control your life.

Did you know that in the Bible we are told to “fear not” 365 times? That’s once for every day of the year. Coincidence? Nope!

Recently I was having a conversation with someone who left a stifling marriage. After ten years she had had enough of feeling small and unfulfilled. For the past decade her life was filled with private jets and great wealth. She found it in herself to walk away and become the woman she was born to be. She overcame her initial fears, but there are more waiting for her.

Facing your fears is the first step to overcoming them. The work is internal. Over time, you can reshape how your mind processes whatever you fear. It takes work, but anything worthwhile does.

Sometimes life feels like a battlefield. We have battle scars from the past. But we cannot let a little pain stop us from pursuing the life we want.

Face whatever you fear or whatever is holding you back. The fight is won or lost in your mind before you begin. Think about it…

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Spirituality

Be Willing

Human beings are selfish. We are. It’s our nature. But I believe in the goodness of mankind as well. We see people show up when crisis strikes.

So many people wonder what this life is about. “Why am I here,” they ask. At the same time, everyone on the planet knows there is a greater purpose for their lives. They know. So, what stops them from pursuing their purpose?

People can become lazy, complacent, even sedentary. Maybe they think it’s too late. Time has passed them by. If you are alive and reading this, there’s still time. Get going!

Be willing to take risks. Ask God to guide your steps. He will. This doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges along the way. There will be. But put those on God’s shoulders and let Him lead you.

Willingness will keep your attitude straight. You are going to need it when you make a decision to pursue your purpose. Stay focused on your goal. And remember to pray…

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Spirituality

Forget It

Do you have to keep a list of things you need to do, and cross them off as you accomplish them? I do. There’s a lot to do on any given day.

But let’s talk about forgiveness. You may have had someone tell you to “forgive and forget.” But the truth is we aren’t able to forget, even after genuinely forgiving someone. Only God can forget. There’s another reason He’s God and we’re not.

The hardest one to forgive is ourself. Every moment of our life is stored in the subconscious mind. Bad memories may not be at the forefront of our minds but they are in there. It is possible to offer ourselves self-forgiveness and still hold harmful memories. It takes work, but it’s possible.

Focus on what you have done well in your life. Think about the times you were unselfish. Stay present of mind on those moments, not the ones you beat yourself up over.

Add the things you are holding onto to your list. The things that bother you. Face them. Forgive yourself while forgiving others, too. The past is good for one thing: learn from it…

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Spirituality

Don Rickles

Don Rickles was born in New York City in 1926, served in World War II and had a career in show business spanning six decades. There was no one like him, before or after.

Rickles was called an “insult comic,” but he himself called it attitude. He pummeled everyone from Johnny Carson to Frank Sinatra with his attitude. Even the audience members who sat up front weren’t shielded from his observations.

Many times I have written that it’s not what you say but how you say it. Rickles epitomized this. His comments, while both insulting and funny, were never mean spirited. It was a badge of honor to be picked on by Don Rickles.

Comedy today has become sensitive. Some comedians do take it too far. It’s never okay to make fun of someone in a mean way. Anyone who does this is showing a dark side of their heart, all for the sake of getting a laugh.

Rickles died in 2017. He lives on via YouTube. Catch him while you can. Someone might cancel him, and the world would lose a great artist…

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Spirituality

Read It and Heed It

Are your days filled with peace and purpose, or are you fighting anxiety during your day? You have a choice.

God didn’t create us and then forget about us. It might seem like we have been thrown to the wolves to fend for ourselves, but we have a guidebook, the Bible. Our job is to read it and apply it.

There is a lot in Scripture I don’t understand and probably won’t on this side of eternity. But there is enough in Scripture for me to accept it in faith and use it to live my life. It especially helps during the difficult days. It works during the easy days, too.

There are times when I read Scripture and I don’t get anything from it. Those are the days I put it aside. There’s no reason to beat my head against a wall, right? Then there’s other times I read the same passage and the words jump off the page at me. I never know what I’m going to experience so I keep coming back.

If you’re feeling lost, lonely, or have reached the end of your rope, give it a try. And keep trying. God will speak to you through Scripture, but you gotta pick the book up to hear His voice…

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Spirituality

Coffee or Tea?

Which do you prefer in the morning, coffee or tea? Personally, I’m a coffee drinker. I love the smell and the taste. Tea is nice, it’s just not for me.

The point of today’s column is, we are all different. We are uniquely created and wired in our own special ways. As long as we are living a moral and ethical life, there is no right or wrong.

Along with our drink preferences, we see the world differently. We combine logic and feelings to create our perceptions. As we learn more in this life, we are able to adapt and evolve. Only the closed-minded are rigid in their beliefs.

The more we engage with our fellow man, the clearer we see the world. People are important. All people. The good in the heart of mankind transcends politics. Yet for some reason, some have decided to draw a line in the sand over political differences. You can miss so much when you do this.

Look for the good in others. You will find what you’re looking for. Every time…

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Spirituality

What Did You Say?

Parts of society are pouring over every word you say. They are looking for evidence of racism and hate speech in what you say. This is short-sighted.

I’m not denying that some people are racist and hatred flows through their spirit. But it’s a very small group of people. Most people are good. Their kindness can be overlooked because you’re looking for something else. Just watch the actions and ask yourself if they align with what you are looking for.

What we read and believe will influence what is in our hearts. Our words and actions flow from our hearts. Get your heart right and watch what happens.

You will usually find what you’re looking for. Look for the good. You will usually see it…

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Uncategorized

When Life Gives You Lemons

You know the saying, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” It’s all about your perspective. Do you view your challenges as setbacks or opportunities?

The word “problem” is not in my vocabulary. Challenge is a more suitable word. That’s all problems are, simply challenges to overcome. Let’s not make them more than they are.

Were you born into poverty? Poverty is a mindset you can conquer with the right attitude. Control your thoughts and you will change your outcome. Was your family abusive? Stop the cycle. You can do it if you’re willing.

It really is up to you. You aren’t a victim and you aren’t powerless over your circumstances. And as you are changing your thoughts and beliefs, God will place people and opportunities along the way to help you. Have faith in this. But you must take the first step.

Have you decided to make lemonade today? Maybe throw a little tequila in there to make it taste even better. That’s your choice, too…

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Spirituality

Fitting In

When I was a kid, I played sports. My favorite sport was football and I was pretty good at it. Then basketball season came around followed by track. If I told you I was good at basketball I would be lying. Same for track. But I loved being part of a team.

Peer pressure is real. Kids are growing into their bodies. They are being invaded by hormones and their parents are rarely the most understanding people. It’s a confusing time for our young people. Kids join gangs and school groups because they want a sense of belonging.

Some of this flows into adulthood. In the business world we have leaders and followers. We need both. Our best leaders have the heart of a servant and lead with humility. They bring out the best in others.

Always remember that you are an individual with unique talents. Don’t lose yourself for the sake of fitting in with the crowd. Find out who you are and stay true to yourself…

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Spirituality

Thank The Lord

Most of my prayers are prayers of gratitude. There are so many things in my life to be grateful for. The source of everything good is God.

Please don’t think my life is without challenges. All of us have difficulties. And I thank God for the challenges. He didn’t cause them but He did allow them. God will bring me through them and He will use them for good. We grow through the hard, even painful parts of life. It’s all perspective.

You and I were born in this era for a reason. We are where we are by design. There is nothing random in this life. Recognize it and find your purpose.

You have the power to make a difference. And deep down, don’t we all want to be living with purpose? In your heart you know this to be true.

However you pray or speak to God, remember to give Him thanks. He is good…

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