I don't mean to be polyannnish but lately I've been thinking of what it means to see the good inthe midst of the bad. I guess we always have something to be thankful for but to me it's more than just that. As a Christian, I believe that "All things work together for good to those who love God"(Romans 8:28)
I however, don't believe that everything bad that happens comes from God. We all make bad choices which lead us to bad consequences sometimes. The good news is that God never gives up on us and even works out all out mess up for His good!
We don't always see the big picture even though He does. Sometimes He use people and circumstances to guide us where he wants us to be. I think that He also uses closed doors and disappointments to do the same.
I don't have it all figured out and never will be this is the one truth that has kept me going through the most trying times. Sure, we have to do our part but He ultimately has things under His control.
Right now, I am a product of everything that has happened to me both good and bad. The great news is that the product is not finshed yet and is stilll a work in progress!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Life's Not Fair....But Sometimes We Forget!
We learn it as a young child and then we become adults and forget it. Everyone has heard or has said as a child:"it's not fair"! As we get older we begin to realize that life itself is not fair but somewhere along the way we forget that. Something bad happens to us and we grown inside (and to God) that it's just not fair. Even though it may be true, it is also truly unproductive.
Every person in the world has had something unfair happen to them (Ok, maybe some more than others) . So what do we do about it ? It is so easy to rewind the video tape of unfairness in our own minds will sitting (figuratively) and enjoying it while a big bowl of popcorn! The problem is that the ending is always the same.
One of the greatest qoutes that I ever hear was from a former Major League Baseball Pitcher named Dave Dravecky. Dave lost his arm to cancer and that ofcourse ended his baseball career.
He said: "Life is not fair; but don't confuse life with God" .Wow, that really nails it. A lot of unfair things happen to us in life and it does no good to blame anyone - even God.
Whatever has happened has happened. Sure we can grieve, but for how long? No we may never forget about it but we can file it into a cabinet and lock it. When we are tempted to open it we just have to remind ourself; "that is the unfairness file". Don't open it up again!
Every person in the world has had something unfair happen to them (Ok, maybe some more than others) . So what do we do about it ? It is so easy to rewind the video tape of unfairness in our own minds will sitting (figuratively) and enjoying it while a big bowl of popcorn! The problem is that the ending is always the same.
One of the greatest qoutes that I ever hear was from a former Major League Baseball Pitcher named Dave Dravecky. Dave lost his arm to cancer and that ofcourse ended his baseball career.
He said: "Life is not fair; but don't confuse life with God" .Wow, that really nails it. A lot of unfair things happen to us in life and it does no good to blame anyone - even God.
Whatever has happened has happened. Sure we can grieve, but for how long? No we may never forget about it but we can file it into a cabinet and lock it. When we are tempted to open it we just have to remind ourself; "that is the unfairness file". Don't open it up again!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Forgiving Yourself
Everyone has things that we wish that we could "undo". The more I hear people (even successful people) speak, they tend to mention mistakes that they have made. It really is true that no human is truly perfect!
We do tend to be our own worst critc though. Thoughts will come to us like; " how could you do that" or how could you have been so stupid, etc.
I heard an interesting quote once that said,"when I made mistakes, I did the best I could because I did what I knew to do". Wow ! What a liberating thought. It is so easy to look back and see things now (hindsight is 20/20) and wish they were different but it is already done and over.
So today I will give myself permission to forgive myself !
We do tend to be our own worst critc though. Thoughts will come to us like; " how could you do that" or how could you have been so stupid, etc.
I heard an interesting quote once that said,"when I made mistakes, I did the best I could because I did what I knew to do". Wow ! What a liberating thought. It is so easy to look back and see things now (hindsight is 20/20) and wish they were different but it is already done and over.
So today I will give myself permission to forgive myself !
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Climbing Out Of A Rut
I think that we have all been stuck in a rut at some point in our lives. So what exactly is a rut?
The term stuck in a rut can be used figuratively to refer to a situation in which, as time progresses, the situation is unable to be changed or steered in a desired way.
In simple terms, the feeling of being unable to move forward in our careers or lives for whatever reason. The interesting thing is that some people choose to stay stuck in rut all of their lives while others seem to find a way to climb out. Why is that ?
I think that past failures and mistakes can keep us in the rut . The way out is to look up instead of looking back or even around us. Sometimes we even have to tell ouerselves, "you can do it"!
I'm convinced that so often it is us and not others that our truly holding us back. Sure, it is so easy to blame others for where we are but ultimately, what good does it do?
Someone once said that the past can either be an anchor or a launching pad. Sometimes we may need a little push by others to get us there along the way though. A friend told me about his first experience with skydiving. I asked, "how did you get the courage to take the first step out of the plane"? He said with a laugh," well I didn't really have much choice, someone is hooked to your back and pushes you out"!
I guess to be truthful though, sometimes we have to push oursleves to climb out of a rut. The way out is to see our self out. No, it is never easy but it will be worth it on the other side of the rut!
The term stuck in a rut can be used figuratively to refer to a situation in which, as time progresses, the situation is unable to be changed or steered in a desired way.
In simple terms, the feeling of being unable to move forward in our careers or lives for whatever reason. The interesting thing is that some people choose to stay stuck in rut all of their lives while others seem to find a way to climb out. Why is that ?
I think that past failures and mistakes can keep us in the rut . The way out is to look up instead of looking back or even around us. Sometimes we even have to tell ouerselves, "you can do it"!
I'm convinced that so often it is us and not others that our truly holding us back. Sure, it is so easy to blame others for where we are but ultimately, what good does it do?
Someone once said that the past can either be an anchor or a launching pad. Sometimes we may need a little push by others to get us there along the way though. A friend told me about his first experience with skydiving. I asked, "how did you get the courage to take the first step out of the plane"? He said with a laugh," well I didn't really have much choice, someone is hooked to your back and pushes you out"!
I guess to be truthful though, sometimes we have to push oursleves to climb out of a rut. The way out is to see our self out. No, it is never easy but it will be worth it on the other side of the rut!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Putting Off Procrastination
Well, we are almost one week into 2008 and I wonder how many New Year's resolutions have been broke? I think that there a lot of things that are on our "To Do" lists but I wonder how many will actually get done?
I guess the bigger question is "why don't we do what we know we should do"? Sometimes, I believe it is because we are afraid to just gets started . Usually, once we do it is never as bad as it seems. We tend to walk around with things hanging over heads dreading to do things.
Once we actually do whatever we dread, we always feel better about ourselves- so why don't we go ahead and do it if we know it will make us feel better? It reminds me of the old Nike ad; "Just Do It"!
Motivation is the key. If we know the task or whatever will be enjoyable, it will be easier to do. I wonder though if it is possible to "trick" our brains into wanting to do something. I guess thats waht self-discipline really is. If we wait until we "feel" like doing something then most of the time it won't get done.
I know that accomplishing little things is a good way to start.Speaking of that, I think that I am going to start another Blog........ but maybe I'll wait until tomorrow! - LOL
I guess the bigger question is "why don't we do what we know we should do"? Sometimes, I believe it is because we are afraid to just gets started . Usually, once we do it is never as bad as it seems. We tend to walk around with things hanging over heads dreading to do things.
Once we actually do whatever we dread, we always feel better about ourselves- so why don't we go ahead and do it if we know it will make us feel better? It reminds me of the old Nike ad; "Just Do It"!
Motivation is the key. If we know the task or whatever will be enjoyable, it will be easier to do. I wonder though if it is possible to "trick" our brains into wanting to do something. I guess thats waht self-discipline really is. If we wait until we "feel" like doing something then most of the time it won't get done.
I know that accomplishing little things is a good way to start.Speaking of that, I think that I am going to start another Blog........ but maybe I'll wait until tomorrow! - LOL
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Simple New Year 's Resolution
January 1st 2008 - Happy New Year!
Well, here we are, another New Year's Day. I know that a lot of people have a whole laundry list of New Year's resolutions to keep. As for me, I'm just going to keep it realy simple this year. Maybe because I am just getting older or just because I am simple minded!
My goal, my resolution is to truly live one day at a time. I have one of those tear off calendars that I recieved for Christmas that will help me do that. As I was watching the New Year's Ball drop in NY City last night, I realized that one year is not that far away.
What if we could celebrate each New Day like each New Year? Is it even possible? I believe that it is. Ever single day is a precious gift that we will never get back. We have 365 of them each individually given to us by God one at a time.
So....... Have A Happy New Year One Day At Time!
Steve
Well, here we are, another New Year's Day. I know that a lot of people have a whole laundry list of New Year's resolutions to keep. As for me, I'm just going to keep it realy simple this year. Maybe because I am just getting older or just because I am simple minded!
My goal, my resolution is to truly live one day at a time. I have one of those tear off calendars that I recieved for Christmas that will help me do that. As I was watching the New Year's Ball drop in NY City last night, I realized that one year is not that far away.
What if we could celebrate each New Day like each New Year? Is it even possible? I believe that it is. Ever single day is a precious gift that we will never get back. We have 365 of them each individually given to us by God one at a time.
So....... Have A Happy New Year One Day At Time!
Steve
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