July 14, 2012

Change Up

Do you change the oil in your car? If not, you better start! Just as you change the oil in your car, you need to change the oil in your life.

A body of water that doesn’t get fresh water, it will grow stagnate. You are the same. If you don’t change the oil in your car your engine will lock up. The same goes for your spirit, soul and body. You have to have fresh water and consistent oil changes. The key is to keep yourself fresh and new. Never think that you will be able to make it on what you did last year, last week, or even yesterday in some cases. When you stop changing and growing you stop living. You will become dry and stale. Continue to learn, keep on doing a new thing. God is in new things too. It may not be new to Him, but it is new to us. Be refreshed and refilled each day. Go ahead and take that class, read that book, apply for that job. There are so many things that you can do to keep yourself fresh and new. Don’t let fear stop you from reaching out and taking advantage of what is around you today. Is there a new project you want to start? Is there an area of your life that needs freshness?

July 13, 2012

Get Up and Get Going

You may have been knocked down by life but don’t stay down; get back up today and get moving forward.

It does seem like the most gifted and talented people go through some of the most horrible situations in life. They are being tested some extent and then the enemy is trying to shut them down too. Either way you have to look at it from the right perspective. You will pass the test and keep climbing. You will overcome the enemy and keep climbing. Don’t run from the the tough times. Don’t get mad and curse the bad days of your life. You may ask; “what can I get out of this unfair, unjust, just plain wrong situation?” That is a good question, glad you asked. You can find out areas in your life that need to be worked on. You can see where you are vulnerable and need help. You can learn to see life from the proper perspective. Rise above the those that just want to complain, blame and criticize. That is not you any longer. Get back today, dust yourself off, and get moving forward. There is nothing that can stop you except you. Is there something you are dealing with today that seems unfair? What is your perspective of the situation?

July 12, 2012

Overcoming Obstacles

When someone tells you that you are going to do great things in your lifetime; what goes through your mind?

You may feel it strong in your heart, but then your mind starts telling all the “why nots.” You believe your mind over your heart oftentimes when it comes to your destiny. “That could never happen to me.” “I will never break this addiction.” “I am not smart enough to do anything great.” “I am in too much debt to be able to help others.” “I will never accomplish my dreams.” “I am divorced so I will never have a great relationship.” Stop believing those excuses. Don’t look at what you don’t have or what you have done, and start looking at what is possible.  All things are possible with God! Get out of the rut you are in mentally and physically. You have a God-given gift inside of you. He intends on you using in His plan for your life. You are not a waste, but you are a valuable part of this world. Stay faithful to God and He will see you through all the adversity you are facing. Get focused on His plan for your life and see all the obstacles melt away. Is there anything stopping you today? What can you do to overcome all the things that seem to be in your way to living your destiny?

July 11, 2012

Accountability

A major aspect of self-discipline is accountability. That makes self-discipline about others too.

A good friend of mine, who is also one of my accountability partners, tells me all the time; “I do what is inspected more often than what is expected.” Accountability is a major part of the self-discipline plan. You can try as hard as you want, but a majority of the time, if someone else isn’t aware of what you are doing; you won’t do it. Accountability then, in the process, is a major cog. We must keep ourselves accountable to those that will be open and honest with us. Don’t get “yes” people to be accountable to. Get those that will tell you the truth, because they want to see you succeed. Don’t get people that aren’t accountable to others. If they aren’t being held accountable, then they will not be a good influence on you. Self-discipline isn’t all inclusive, it includes others. Being accountable too means you have to be truthful and honest. When you are sincerely wanting to change then the pain of self-discipline will be less than the pain of staying where you are at. It has been said, the pain of discipline is less than the pain of regret. Is there an area you need to change in your life today? Will you find that person to keep you accountable in that area?

July 10, 2012

Doing the Right Thing

That feeling when doing the right thing rips your heart out and hands it to you. Learning the truth behind treat others the way I want to be treated.

There will come a time in your life when you know you have to do what is right, but it hurts.  When you have to stop enabling someone that you love and they look at you with those questioning eyes. When you have to cut ties with someone that consistently hurt you time and time again.  We all have or will have to face those people in those situations during our life. Remember that you will receive what you give. When you show mercy and grace by doing what is right, the same will come to you when you most need it. Although your heart may be breaking you must do what is right. Emotions may tell you to do one thing, but go with what is right. You will never have to question your decision when you do what is right.

July 10, 2012

Says Who Podcast/Blog

Who told you that you aren’t good enough,not smart enough, not loved, not appreciated? Says who?

Click to play podcast:

Who told you that you don’t have what it takes to succeed? Who told you that the best grades you could make in school are C’s not A’s? Who told you that you are not attractive enough to have a personal relationship or talented enough to have a great career? Who told you that your marriage will never last? Who said you will never break that addiction, just learn to live with it? Who told you there was something wrong with you? Who said everything is your fault and no one will ever forgive you? They said; is the biggest lie ever told. Be very careful who you are listening to today. Your life does depend on it. The power of your life is in your words. When people are speaking negative, curse filled, demeaning words to you; get away from them. Get around those that build you up with the truth. Sure, you have weak areas and faults, but they don’t have to define you. Make the changes you need to make, no more excuses for the way you are. You have to speak words of life, truth, encouragement to yourself. There is so much power in words. If you can believe all the negative words, then you have the ability to believe the positive words. Get up from there, you are blessed and favor is with you right now.  Begin speaking up lifting words to others. Is there someone you can speak to right now to build them up? Will you use your words today to be a life speaker to someone?

July 9, 2012

Mama Said

You are going to have some good days and some bad days, that is a given. When the good days come, enjoy them for the rest they bring you. When the bad days come, know that they will pass on by. You can have peace knowing that the bad times in life will not last forever. These seasons of your life can be valuable learning times. Don’t fear the bad times, don’t get bitter during these times, and don’t stay there. There life lessons that we will make us better people. When you resent the tough times and become bitter, you will never learn from those seasons. When you are knocked down, gather yourself, get back up, learn from what happen and then teach others how to avoid this situation. It’s not enough to just get up and then get going again, but be a teacher. Use this experience as a learning time for you and for other people. Are you dealing with a tough situation today? What can you learn and teach to encourage others in the same place?

July 8, 2012

Value Your Days

Sometimes, our days can be so full and busy that we forget how precious and fragile life here on earth really is.

It can be so easy to allow little things to creep in and steal our peace and joy. Maybe something doesn’t go our way, or someone says something upsetting. Even traffic can cause us to get our focus off if we let it. We have to remember that each day is a gift. If we choose to focus on what’s wrong, we’ll miss the beauty that each day has to offer. I encourage you today; don’t let the precious moments of life pass you by. Don’t wait for holidays and birthdays to show people that you care. Remember, each day is unique and irreplaceable. You have been given time that can be invested or wasted; hours that can be used or misused. That’s why the psalmist prayed to God, “Teach us to number our days.” He was saying, “Teach us to value every moment we’ve been given.” As you keep a proper perspective, you’ll gain a heart of wisdom. You’ll draw closer to God and experience the full blessing that He has for you!

July 7, 2012

Stretch Out

Don’t settle for where you are right now; stretch yourself to go to the next level right this minute.

You may be comfortable right where you are today, but it’s not where you are supposed to be.  Often times people settle for where they are in life rather than go through the effort of stretching toward their destiny.  You may have decided that you will never loss that weight, you don’t believe you can break that addiction, or get out of debt. There will be voices that tell you that you just have to life with or manage the negative aspects of your life. Never get comfortable in your mess. Take the time to prepare yourself for your destiny. Stretch yourself in areas that you have difficulties. Make yourself uncomfortable in your comfort zone and begin moving to a higher level in your life. God has an awesome plan for your life, but you have to make the effort to life it out. Take that class even though it doesn’t look like you will get the job. Start making a plan to loss the weight even though you think your metabolism won’t let you loss the weight. Start finding ways to cut back on spending so that you can get out of debt. Make the changes necessary to get out the settled and into the stretched. Do you have an area that you have settled in that you know you need to stretch in? Are you ready to stretch it out?

July 6, 2012

Through Eyes of Love