Ambivalence is not always a bad thing.

In a recent sermon about Living Life, the most profound statement was "I am ambivalent about death".  

What a way to live!  To not worry about when or how you will meet your end on earth, but to live without concern about the end result.  

It's especially gratifying if you have a personal relationship with God.  

Death has no sting, for I know where the end of this earthly journey ends.

Yeah. That.

This is not an original thought.  I am sharing the following from a friend...

Have you ever noticed that when something disappointing and difficult happens in your life... if you keep your chin up, keep a good attitude, and keep working towards what you want, life has a way of working out just fine, or sometimes, even better than you had imagined?

Yeah. That.

TRAIN YOUR BRAIN

How many times have you heard the following?

This is too good to be true.
-or-
I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I have been guilty of the same statements.  What I have come to realize is that those statements become self-fulfilling prophecies.  The more you dwell on the potential negative outcomes of any situation, the more you bring them to you. 

How about an experiment?  Each time you find yourself thinking a negative thought about a situation, rethink the situation and concentrate on the good and accept it wholly.

All to often we are guilty of not accepting tranquility, bliss, or peace in our life when it's right there, waiting for you to enjoy it. 

Train your brain to be thankful for the peaceful times and just enjoy life!

Speed bumps

While driving, we are generally provided a courtesy sign on the side of the road that a speed bump is ahead.  We know to slow down and take the speed bump at a lower speed.

This isn't the case with life.  Speed bumps in life come in may forms.  They may be the death of a loved one, or a friend that is your age, or even your own time to stare death in the face.

These events have the same effect.  They cause us to stop and think about the precious life we are leading, and if even for a moment, we stop our schedule, talk with those we care about, and just be.

Take time this week to disconnect from the outside world, spend time with your loved ones, spend time in nature, and be still.

Just in case you were wondering...

YOU 

ARE 

ENOUGH.

Your piece of the puzzle

We all have different talents.  For so many years, I was jealous of those with a great singing voice because I have always desired to make a joyful noise.  That bit of jealousy kept me from honing my own talents. 

This morning, well it was 2:30 a.m. and it is technically morning, I was driving to work and listening to praise music and it seemed to click in my head.  The people that write songs and/or sing them have that talent to relay a message to those of us that listen.  Singing is their talent.  Story telling in a song is their talent. The same song can have numerous messages for a multitude of people. 

Be appreciative of your talent.  Hone it.  It is your piece of this puzzle that we call life on earth that will touch a life somewhere, some how.  You may never know the life you touched, nor the long reaching effect that will have.  Just use your skill, put it "out there" and let the message reach the person for which it is meant.

You don't have to pander

For those of you building a business, or a brand, this is a good reminder that building something that will last requires time, effort and the right people.

The reason you don't have to pander is that you're not in a hurry and you don't need everyone to embrace you and your work. When you focus on the weird, passionate, interesting segment of the audience, you can do extraordinary work for a few (and watch it spread) instead of starting from a place of average. ~ Seth Godin

What do you see?

The key to happiness

Figure out what it is that you love.  Then, go do that.

Age

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. ~ C.S. Lewis

Today

Today my life will be filled by:

The Wall

If you're a marathon runner, or know one, you've heard them speak of the wall, which usually occurs around mile 18.  At this point your body wants to quit and your "sensible brain" is screaming for you to stop.  

It is only through sheer determination, grit, and will that get you through the wall.

Many of us are at a wall in some sense.  For some it is emotional, for others it is seeking a dream.  The world may be telling you to stop, but I am telling you that whatever your wall is, you can get through it.

Lose your pride

Unless you are the sole decision maker in any business, or even at your home, pride has no place in it. 

“Let your actions always speak for you, but be forever on guard against the terrible traps of false pride and conceit that can halt your progress. The next time you are tempted to boast, just place your fist in a full pail of water, and when you remove it, the hole remaining will give you a correct measure of your importance.” - Og Mandino

You did what??

Value, value, value.  We all want value for our dollar or to be valued for who we are or what we do.  If you are a financially successful professional then you know the monetary compensation (value) placed on your time. 

My question to you is this; What do you give a way free?  I'm not talking about things you donate to a charity.  What is it that you do that you freely give your time?  Charities? People? Your business?  (we all know the thousands of unpaid hours invested in a personal business).

What if giving your time and investing in the value of others would not only fill your bank account, but fill your sense of purpose as well? 

Go give it away!

It's all about power

Reading words on your computer screen or in a book can have a profound impact on life.

Hearing them, directly from the source, is at least 10 times more powerful.  The spoken word has an impact and yet it's the passion, the tone, the inflections that make it so much more effective.

If I type your name, there isn't much of a connection.  However, if you hear me calling out your name, there is.


With that being "said", click on the link below and listen with the volume UP

Power Words

Would it make a difference?

I have an experiment for you to try.

Read this next passage as if I was reading it to you:

You are a terrific person that will do great things.  I am so proud of you.  The passion I see in your eyes proves the depth of your determination.  I'm your biggest fan!


Now read the same thing as if your best friend was reading it to you...


You are a terrific person that will do great things.  I am so proud of you.  The passion I see in your eyes proves the depth of your determination.  I'm your biggest fan!























Now read it as if Jesus was standing in front of you telling you the same thing...

You are a terrific person that will do great things.  I am so proud of you.  The passion I see in your eyes proves the depth of your determination.  I'm your biggest fan!




Did it make any difference how you felt about the message and the emotional impact on you?  Should it?  Do not discount compliments, no matter the source.

Travel Tips

We hear countless success stories from those we encounter, and even a good story of success on the newscast occasionally.  What do these people that continually fail, then reach an unprecedented level of success have that drive them?  It could be fear of failure or simply put, they have a goal and they know that failures will come. Expect to have setbacks and detours.

As with everything we attempt in life, going into something with the fear of failure will probably result in failure.  Knowing before hand that with EVERYTHING, there are setbacks, side roads, rabbit holes, and obstacles, may give you a different mindset.  Take each and everything that keeps you from your goal and use it to your advantage.  Learn from it.

Sometimes, the road less taken, provides the greatest view of your destination.