Clear Skies Ahead

A cop pulls over a car load of nuns....
Cop: "Sister, this is a 65 MPH highway -- why are you going so slow?"
Sister: "Sir, I saw a lot of signs that said 22, not 65."
Cop: "Oh sister, that`s not the speed limit, that's the name of the highway you're on!
Sister: "Oh! Silly me! Thanks for letting me know. I'll be more careful.
At this point the cop looks in the backseat where the other nuns are shaking and trembling.
Cop: "Excuse me, Sister, what's wrong with your friends back there? They're shaking something terrible."
Sister: "Oh, we just got off of highway 119." 


How often is our perception of the world the thing that keep us down?


There is something great about 'hitting a wall' or running into difficulties and challenges.  That is, there is something great about it IF we have the right mindset and attitude.  Way more often than not, when we look back at the toughest, most challenging times in our lives, we recognize those times as highly productive in transforming us into someone better and preparing us for great and exciting things.  Does that make it fun to go through challenges?  Are we more likely to seek out the difficult, life changing 'opportunities'?  Probably not, but when those opportunities unavoidably arrive, instead of cringing and whining, we can perform a self-evaluation and determine in what way (or ways) we can and will change to be better in the future.  


A sickness or injury might keep you from doing what you are used to doing (career, exercise, hobbies, etc..), but that may very well give you the opportunity to develop your mind, change your attitude, reach out to friends, neighbors and family, and magnify those God given talents that were previously 'put on the back shelf' because you were too busy with life.


Losing a job, for whatever reason, is so often the catalyst to seek out and find your true calling in life.  The 'thing' you were born to do, the thing that brings you true enjoyment and fulfillment.  Have you heard the phrase 'accidental entrepreneur'?  Losing a job has been the springboard to countless successful businesses.  


What great opportunities (hidden in the challenges) has God blessed you with?


It's going to be a great day!

Battling Giants

It's not because things are difficult that we dare not venture. It's because we dare not venture that they are difficult.   Lucius Annaeus Seneca


Dare to dream, then dare to do.  Fear of the unknown is worse than the unknown, so venture out of your comfort zone and try things.


Remember the story of David and Goliath?  It took very little effort for David, a small and young 'boy' to defeat Goliath, when for many days the entire Israelite army avoided the giant for fear of defeat.  
What are your Goliath's?  

• Perhaps you have a personal relationship that needs to be repaired/restored, and instead you are letting your 'giant' pride keep you from apologizing, forgiving, and getting back to being friends.  Whether that relationship is marriage, family, or friend, the pride giant is very real.  And just as real is the 'stone' of humility and action that will defeat that giant.  Running away from a problem doesn't solve the problem, it usually makes it bigger.  In the case of personal relationships, running away instead of facing (with humility and love) your problems means losing a loved one who both could and should be a forever part of your life.  If you once loved and cared for that friend, then do so again.
• Are you stuck in your career?  And are you staying there out of a false sense of security?  While I don't suggest quitting (due to plenty of personal experience), I do suggest getting ready to quit by finding something better, or defeating those giants in your current position that are keeping you from fulfillment.  Sometimes that something better is a side business that can be grown into a full time venture that will allow you 'quit' down the road. If you are not interested in self-employment (yet..?), then maybe a lateral shift in employment or a change of venue (company, city, state..) may be what your soul is yearning for.  Do you believe God inspires you to change?  If you feel a desire for something different and/or something more from your employment/career, don't just ignore that feeling.  Embrace it, explore it, and find out why God has blessed you with that feeling.  There is something great waiting for you, so keep your eyes open be ready to go!
• Are you struggling with addiction?  If so, then you know the pain and loss that is associated with addiction, whether that addiction is chemical, physical, mental, or other.  You fear the pain and sorrow that your addiction will cause to those around you, and struggle to find an escape.  Take courage from the millions who have overcome addictions, and know that you are not alone in your struggle.  Rarely can anyone with an addiction kick it on the first, second, or even third try.  But you, and they, can overcome.  And almost without fail, recovering addicts can point to their small 'stone' that conquered the giant.  Sometimes that stone is a relationship, and often that relationship is directly with God.  Strengthen within yourself the reasons why you want to and will overcome your addiction, and never quit trying.  Keep finding new ways to remind yourself of the 'why', and focus on the positive (those reasons you will quit) instead of the negative (the addiction itself).  

Seek out your giants, and seek out your stones.  You will find that it is far easier to face your foes than it is to avoid them.  And life is so much more enjoyable without giants looming over you.