Archive for May, 2010
Making Mistakes Is Not A Bad Thing – You Can Fly!
Posted by: | CommentsAre you fearful of making mistakes in life? …or perhaps it’s been a while since you’ve made a mistake. If so, could it be because you haven’t taken enough risks in life?
Taking risks is like a numbers game, the more risks you take the more mistakes you will make. When you go out on a limb, chances are you won’t get it right the first time. That’s okay! Life is all about learning along the way.
If you want to grow, learn to take risks. Be bold. Be courageous! It’s okay to fall — it’s not okay to stay down.
Don’t allow others to dictate the risks you take. Along the journey, you will find others who will tell you what you can’t do, but don’t let that phase you. Tune out the voice of the nay-sayers — aspire to prove them wrong.
Be like star trek — Boldly go where no man has gone before!
I’m reminded of the bumblebee. According to 20th century legends, the laws of aerodynamics prove that the bumblebee should be incapable of flight. Studies have shown that it does not have the capacity (in terms of wing size or beats per second) to achieve flight.
The bumblebee is the perfect example of how we should tune out what the nay-sayers say we can’t do. You see, this genius species of bees can’t understand Read More→
Hope Is Within Reach!
Posted by: | CommentsMany times we are faced with disappointments in life. It can be something that’s totally out of our control. It may be something as small as traffic holding us from getting to our destination on time, or the unfortunate loss of a loved one.
You should know that things are going to happen in your life that are going to discourage you and deter you from your focus. In these times, you may be tempted to lose hope.
My friend I want to remind you today that no matter how bad your lot, things can always be worse. You may not be happy with the cards you’re dealt but remember that you can overcome whatever obstacle that you encounter in life. Know that hope is within reach!
Don’t fall prey to discouragement, fall prey to encouragement. There is a brighter day ahead!
The scripture says, “Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning.” You may be in your season of mourning but know that your mourning will be over when the morning comes.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven,” It goes on to say in the fourth verse, “…a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…”
It’s okay to mourn, sometimes you will have days when it seems Read More→
Are You Hearing or Listening? Open Your Ears Not Your Mouth
Posted by: | CommentsThere are times in a conversation when it’s no longer a dialogue, it becomes a monologue. I can’t help but scratch my head at the irony here because a conversation where every man is for himself defeats the purpose of a conversation period.
Do you find yourself engaging in discussions where you’re just itching at the next opportunity to speak your mind in the hope of getting your point across? This is a very easy thing to do, I raise my hand high on that one.
It’s so easy to get in our own heads and focus on our own thought that we totally neglect the words and thoughts of the other has to say. There words just go right over our head — in one ear and out the other.
Next time you find yourself engaging in dialogue, take a step back and listen to what the other person is saying. Evaluate the point that is coming across. Open your ears not your mouth. It’s one thing to hear words and ideas but another thing to actually listen to what is being said.
You see, when you hear someone, you get a general idea of what is being said but you just might miss the true essence of the message. When you listen, you quiet the self-dialogue that goes on in your head and you dissect what is being said. You take the message for it’s exact meaning.
I’ll never forget the countless times when I was younger and was given specific instructions on how to do a critical homework assignment. To often I was in my own head. I was too busy focused on the questions arising in my head. Meanwhile, those very questions were being answered, I just wasn’t listening.
There are many times where you may find yourself in this predicament.
Make a point to listen to the message that’s being portrayed. Sometimes this can be a hard thing to execute, especially when you have Read More→
ShareWhat’s Next? That Is The Question
Posted by: | CommentsSetting goals is a life long journey. For some people, setting and accomplishing one goal is not enough to create life-long fulfillment.
Having accomplished one goal may be a temporary sense of fulfillment, but after making such an accomplishment, you should ask yourself — what’s next?
For instance, if a body builder’s goal is to bench press 500 pounds, once he reaches that mark, he shouldn’t become comfortable there. His next goal should be to bench press 550 pounds then 600 pounds.
You see, some people thrive off of reaching their full potential. Are you among that number?
You should constantly challenge yourself and strive to reach higher heights. Aspire to always put your strength and abilities to the test.
When you push yourself to accomplish new and exciting things, you give yourself something to look forward to. The scripture says, “Without a vision the people perish.” Always keep the bigger picture in mind.
Know that self-growth is achieved when you constantly strive to meet new expectations. Don’t become complacent and settle for one accomplished goal. Continue to rise to new occasions and set new standards for yourself.
I think about various influential people across our nation who have made great strides. President Obama didn’t stop once he landed his spot in the oval office. He celebrated but he didn’t stop there, he was expected to rise to the occasion. He was expected to meet the standard that he set for himself.
Michael Jackson didn’t lose momentum once he gained the likes of Motown Records and landed his first platinum selling album. No he used those Read More→
ShareYou Are A Victor, So Carry Yourself Like One
Posted by: | CommentsOften enough, we have a tendency to carry ourselves in a way that doesn’t represent the champion that God has us to be. The scripture reminds us that we are victors not victims. It affirms that we are above and not beneath, that we are the head not the tail.
When you walk around with your head down to the ground and your shoulders all slouched over, you are not representing the true winner that God says you are.
You see, people can sum you up within a few seconds of first meeting you. They judge you by how you dress, how you carry yourself, your body language, and the words that you say. Not that I’m advocating that you should worry or stress over what others think. But if you don’t represent God then who will?
Don’t put the responsibility on your local minister or church pastor to represent Christ, I dare you to take up your cross and follow Him. You’ve got to hold up your end of the bargain.
My friend, when you walk around in a way that says you are defeated, less than accomplished, wash out, burdened or cast down, you’re not showing the world the God that we serve. We serve an omniscient God. He’s all-powerful, all-wonderful, all-knowing — that’s the God that we serve.
The type of God that we serve makes us look like a million bucks even if we’ve never touched a million pennies!
Dare you lift your head up and put your shoulders back and declare that you are all that and a bag of chips! Dare you go around saying, “I’m equipped and empowered to succeed in everything I put my hands to do today!”
My friend, it’s time to shake off all the defeat of your past. Even if your history wasn’t bright and your future doesn’t look promising, I dare you to change your mind-set. Your mentality should be that you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you!
Your words should be, “I am, because God says I am!” In other words you Read More→
ShareYour Perfect Health Is At Your Finger Tips – Exercise Your Way To Health
Posted by: | CommentsOne of the greatest things we can do for ourselves is engage into physical exercise. Whether it be some form of light cardio or heavy weights, you owe it to yourself to take that step forth towards better health.
Many people have set goals to obtain that perfect physique and that’s great motivation but dare to engage into to exercise if for no other reason than for better health.
When you exercise, your body releases neuro-transmitters called endorphins. These endorphins are natural “feel good” chemicals that our bodies release when engaging in any physical exercise.
These self-produced chemicals are great contributors to how we feel throughout day. They are natural pain relievers, they have a tendency to make us feel more energized, and the are a great benefactor to our happiness.
Now-a-days exercise is more at our finger tips than ever before. We’re long gone from the days of being enslaved to a gym membership.
Although, a gym membership has it’s benefits, such as personal trainers and high tech equipment, we’ve now reached the days of getting the same type of exercise right in our own homes.
If you take a trip to your local sporting goods store, take notice of the exercise equipment that’s available to you. They have everything from home gyms, to ab rollers, cardio equipment, resistance bands, and more.
I personally use resistance bands and I find that they are very convenient for me. I’m able to pull them out the closet whenever I get ready to workout and hang them back up when I’m done.
If you haven’t already engaged in a work out regimen, I think that it’s Read More→
ShareBenefits of Smiling
Posted by: | Comments“A smile confuses an approaching frown.” – Author Unknown
As we get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the day, we tend to let our smile fade away. We forget the true benefit that a warm smile has on us and others around us.
I encourage you to start your day off with a smile. It will instantly curve your mood for the better and it will uplift another person’s mood in return.
Well you may say, “Jarrod, people won’t take me seriously if I walk around smiling for no reason.” I dare you to shake this mentality and open your range of thinking. You’re only focusing on the negative aspect of the spectrum, when thinking such a thought.
Too often we focus on the reason why everyone says we shouldn’t smile, but what about those reasons that we should smile? Here are a few reasons why you should smile:
- Smiling is contagious.
- Smiling has been proven to be an instant mood changer.
- When you smile you communicate to yourself that everything is okay.
- Studies have shown that employers promote employees who tend to smile more.
- People who smile are seen by most to be more confident.
- Smiling is universal body language.
- When you smile, the whole world smiles with you. When you frown you frown alone.
- It takes less muscles to smile than it does to frown.
- You look better when you smile. After all, why do they always say Read More→
What Inspires You? How to Go From Discouragement to Encouragement
Posted by: | CommentsI have a ritual that I put in place when I lose inspiration. I execute this ritual when I find myself getting tempted to view the cup as half empty. This ritual consist of me strategically implementing certain things into my daily regimen so that I remain inspired.
We all look at the cup as half empty from time to time. There may be times where you dwell on things that you have going against you, rather than focus on that which you have going for you.
I believe what truly matters is that we combat that temptation to focus on the negative so that we can continue along the journey with the goal in mind.
I may read a motivational book for inspiration when my flame dies down. Or maybe I’ll put on a funny movie. Anything that triggers an emotion of positivity, inspiration, and empowerment is key to transformation during these moments.
You see you have the power to take control of those emotions that cause you to get discouraged. You can combat that discouragement by the choices that you make. What motivates and inspires you? What have you found that has been proven to uplift and empower you?
Take a sheet of paper and draw a vertical line down the middle. On one side of the line, make a list of things that inspire you, motivate you, or anything that makes you happy and sparks a positive emotion within.
On the other side of the line, list the things that have been known to discourage you in the past. It could be focusing on negative experiences in your pass, or hanging around the wrong people. This is the only moment that I suggest trying to conjure up those things that discourage you.
Once you have your list, make a decision to avoid the things that discourage you. Instead, dwell on those things that motivate and empower you. You see, what it all comes down to is Read More→
ShareLive an Extraordinary Life
Posted by: | CommentsWhatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with they might…. Ecclesiastes 9:10
There are times when we find ourselves half stepping through the daily tasks that we pursue. It may be due to stagnation and complacency, pure habit, or lack of energy. There may be times when, although we’re due in at 8 am, that is the exact moment we set foot through the door.
Now don’t get me wrong, it’s better to be there at 8 am than to arrive later. But you should strive go that extra mile. Why not be the exception and show up ten minutes early?
If someone asks you for a helping hand, lend them two. If your goal is to say a kind word to one random stranger a day, why not up that to two random strangers a day?
You see, God doesn’t want us to live an ordinary life. He doesn’t want you to go around with the attitude that, “Well, I’m doing somebody a favor by giving them my time. I really don’t have to be here, I’ve got a million and one other things I could be doing…” No, God wants you to lead an extraordinary life. You should aspire to go that extra distance.
I have a favorite quote that I often think about, and it says, “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” When going about our daily lives, we should look for ways to be extraordinary.
Instead of throwing that aluminum can out with the trash, try recycling it that would make all the difference. Maybe you want to hold that door open for that person entering in after you today. Or maybe you’re waiting in a long line at the bank, why not Read More→
Remove Boundaries and Explore Limitless Possibilities
Posted by: | CommentsThere is no limit to what you can achieve in life. You have the power to do all you want and more in life. You have to remove the limits that have been placed on you.
Just like they say in the Army, “Be all that you can be.” I couldn’t say it any better myself.
The scripture says, “… I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Notice that it didn’t say “I’ve come that you might have a life full of scarcity and limited potential.” Neither did it say you might have a life full of “just enough”. No, it says “I came that they may have life more abundantly!”
My friend if that’s not enough to get you excited, I don’t know what is. God has promised an overflow of abundance for you today!
Everyday you should strive to meet greater goals and reach higher dimensions. When you achieve one goal don’t stop there, your mind-set should be, “what’s next?” When you wake up in the morning, you should look for ways to do something even greater today than the day before.
I’m reminded of a great saying that says, “Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done.” In other words before man landed on the moon, someone placed a limit on that man’s ability to do so. Oh but Apollo 11 proved them wrong, did they not?
What are those limits that others have placed on you? What about those boundaries you placed on yourself? Dare you dream of the limitless possibilities?
You determine your altitude in life. Sure you may not be climbing at the rate you’d like to and whose to say that at some point you won’t level off a bit. That’s okay, what matters is Read More→
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