Just because a thought comes into your head doesn’t mean you have to grab it. Most of the negative or fearful ones are just noise. Leave them alone. They will fall on their own weight if you don’t dance with them or fuel them. Don’t touch them. Just Let them fly by and dissolve.
Pick 1 small behavior with value, practice it daily for a month and see what happens. A short daily walk, calling 1 friend a day to encourage them, prayer time, reading 1 article in an area where you desire growth. You might be surprised at compounding growth from small steps.
After having dinner with my daughter who is a senior in high school and will be leaving next fall, I want to remind parents of young children: the days are sometimes long....but the years are short.
One of the biggest differences in people who get what they want in life and those who don’t is the willingness to do things they don’t feel like doing. Simple but true.
My Navy SEALs friends taught me the moment they touch ground after parachuting in, they immediately ask themselves 3 questions: Where am I? Where is the enemy? Where is my buddy? That’s great advice for us in ALL of life. Find the answer to
#3
and u can better answer #’s 1 & 2
When u have to do something difficult, like a tough part of work, say “thank You” for first of all, having the work, and secondly having the ability to do it. Gratitude fuels.
One of the biggest differences in people who get what they want in life vs. those who don’t, is the willingness to do things they don’t want to do and which are painful to do.
External conflicts are difficult to resolve before resolving the internal conflicts that fuel them. That’s why so many people give up and walk away, thinking they have left the conflict by getting away from the person....only to see it again with another.
My mother used 2 tell me “save ur pennies. Pennies turn into nickles. Save your nickles. Nickles turn into quarters. Save your quarters, they turn into dollars.” Love is like that too. Small acts of care in a relationship, over and over, turn into deep love.
Something I was reminded of today: you never know what doors are going to open or what answers will appear until you enter into the process. Trust the process.
People without boundaries respond automatically to the anger of others. They rescue, seek approval, or get angry themselves. There is great power in inactivity. Do not let an out-of-control person be the cue for you to change your course:
It’s a New Year!!!! Celebrate wins, learn from losses, and take that wisdom into ‘18. Don’t let anything from last year ruin this one....learn, let go, and move on! The future begins today!
Time doesn’t heal all things. If you have an infected finger, all the time in the world won’t heal it. The right ingredients with time will heal it. Are you getting the support you need?
If you are thinking of someone strongly for “no reason,” there may be a reason. They may need your prayers, or a call to see how they are. We “sense” what is going on with the people we are connected to. Act on it.
When we truly trust someone, we can be “careless.” We don’t have to watch our back....they have it for us. We don’t have to be on guard, or walk on eggshells fearing to say what we are thinking. And, we don’t have to constantly worry about what they are doing. Trust rocks!
Have a difficult conversation, apologize, make a thousand sales calls with 998 rejections, study, fast, get another degree, pray long and hard, open up and share your pain, swallow pride, try something u may fail, face a fear. Just a start:)
I love the verse that says God’s mercies are new every morning. Remember that EACH day can be a new beginning for you...and to offer to others. Keep boundaries, but offer, and seize, new beginnings. Forgive and begin again.
Would you rather be resented or feel resentful? When you say “no” to a controlling person, you may be resented. But that’s better than saying “yes” and then resenting them for “controlling” you. Harboring resentment will kill your heart.
The tone with which you begin a conflict is one of the most important predictors of the outcome. Begin softly and lovingly… You’ll end up in a better place.
A sure sign that you are getting wiser: when you are increasingly becoming more aware of your own faults than the faults of others. Hard to do.....but it brings life and problems that we actually can solve.
Time & energy are all we have. Where & how we invest the energy of our hearts, minds, souls & strength in the moments of time we have = our life. When you look back at a day, or week, or year...what you will have left is the fruit of where u invested those energies. Invest well:)
Remember: Every time you say “yes” to something that involves time, energy, or money......you just said “no” to something else that you won’t have that time, energy or money to spend. Make sure that “yes” was worth it.
Motivation alone won’t accomplish ur goals. It waxes and wanes. What accomplishes goals is prioritizing the activities that make them happen. “Prior” means “before.” Those actions must come before other things that are less important. Otherwise, they’ll inevitably get neglected.
Don’t compare urself 2 where someone else “is.” Use others’ examples to inspire you at times, not to judge you. If you want to compare, compare the way you are working on something to the way that fruitful people work. Imitate their process vs. compare yourself to their outcome.
Emotionally intelligent people recognize the difference between someone opening up their heart and sharing something when they need support, and letting someone simply spout off useless negativity.
In your past, you may have survived by not trusting, or being vulnerable to anyone around you. Now, in a different place, with good people, you have to do exactly the opposite to thrive. Make the leap.
Remember…take charge of the things you can control, and don’t worry about the things you can’t. Good reminder for this season! Take care of your health the best you can!
If you want to reach a goal in work, health, spiritual growth, a hobby, skill, or a relationship, DON’T only measure the goal. MEASURE the adherence to, implementation of, the ACTIVITIES that cause the goal to be reached. Keep track of what you DO. That will make the goal happen.
When you analyze the thinking patterns of great athletes & other high performers, 1 factor stands out over and over: the lack of self-critical, self-attacking thinking about their failure or mistakes. They do not make themselves “bad,” but learn from it and move on to do better.
Research shows that how you view stress is as powerful as the “amount of stress you are under.” Those who view stress as a good thing, a challenge to grow, & interpret it positively have a 43% less chance of dying early, & do better throughout. “Consider it all joy..” James 1:2,3
“Nice guys finish last” is not true....Strong, nice guys, in fact, do very well. Combine strength with care and you will go far. Be strong, and be compassionate.
Some key words to making life work: I need your help; I’m sorry; Please forgive me; I forgive you; I’m scared, but I’ll do it; I don’t like that so please don’t do that again; I love you; Thank you; I’m sad; I disagree; Dear God; Not my will but thine.
Life runs on two words: “Yes” and “No.” It is how you use them that determines where you end up. Say “yes” to life giving things, and say “no” to things that diminish you or your life or others you love. Usually when we get these backwards, it is because of some sort of fear.
While you might be attracted to someone’s externals, talents and accomplishments, remember: what you will actually experience long term is their character. Look past what is shiny.
Not all things or people are toxic. There is no reason to start a war over someone’s immaturity or perfections that rub us the wrong way. That is the time for us to grow in patience and longsuffering, the ability to wait on people as they grow and mature.
Lower your threshold to being personally offended and you will open the door for greater understanding and connection with others. Don’t take things so personally and you will be able to love more. Decreased drama equals increased life:)
Pick one thing....anything (how you treat someone, how you eat, how you do some aspect of your job....anything) and do it 10% better today than yesterday. Watch what happens. Then tell someone what you learned.