Why Are You Waiting?

We are doing quite a bit of waiting at this moment. It’s never easy because you want to get to the other side of whatever you’re facing.

We are all facing the same storm, but we are all certainly not in the same boat.

Steve Furtlick

There are some of the same concerns for all people right now, but some are facing different challenges on top our universal concerns.

While we stumble through the wilderness looking for a way out, don’t lose hope. Faith is the most important thing you can have right now.

The other side of the storm is your promised land. When you get there, don’t be afraid to enter it.

This may sound like common sense, but some may hesitate. Why? You get stuck in the storms of life for so long sometimes it can be hard to believe when the waves have calmed down and the wind has stopped.

Everything you are facing right now will pass. You will get through it. Never stop believing God’s promises for your life.

When the storm has passed, take possession of the life God has planned for you. Make your test your testimony to His goodness.

What promises of God have to held onto in your storms?

How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord has given you?

Joshua 18:3

There is a song I like to listen you when I get discouraged when going through a storm.

Holy Ground

For when we have a need He is still the answer Reach out and claim it for we are standing on Holy Ground.

Living For A Purpose

One of the key elements of a flourishing life is a since of purpose that allows us to find our passions, pursue important goals and ultimately live lives of authentic happiness . Most of us go about our lives without actively thinking about what purpose we are trying to accomplish. However, there are steps we can take to develop a more deliberate awareness of our goals and achieve lives of meaning.

Psalms 138: 8 says: The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord endures for ever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Be clear about your purpose and intentions: Who do you want to be? How do you want to live? What do you want to do? How are you going to do it?

Then explore the roads that lead to your goals and the obstacles that are in your way. Ofer, these obstacles will become opportunities for growth and change.

Purpose is about intention, having goals that help build the framework For your plans and fulfillment in life. If you want to eat more healthy, you’ll want to buy more fruits and vegetables. If you want to have a positive effect on the environment, learn more about the issues and join like minded people so you can get your cause out there.

Look At The Big Picture

Then fill in the details. From the time you are small, those around you- from your parents to the society you grew up in influence you, tell you what is important and how they expect you to live. While these influences can be helpful, it is important to find your own meaning and purposes. The easiest way is to look at the big picture and then work out the small details.

I recently met a man the came from a troubled childhood, he grew up in a single parent household. He mother worked to jobs to provide for him and his siblings. He has a very good job and wanted to do something to help in the community he thought paying back was just writing check. yes, money will always help but it’s not really about money, it about purpose. Helping people through your experiences, what you e been trough in life. Helping them learn through your life and what you had to go through to get where you are. There’s a plan to give back three categories, money, hands, and heart. You can give back with your money, hands and your heart. I personally like giving back with my hands and my heart. I have met some great people and experienced so many blessings in this way. And it can lead to the fulfillment of your purpose.

Look At Your Morals and Values

If you want to live with purpose, you need to understand and explore what you value most. If you value teaching children you can focus on that area. If you value creating beauty, you can focus on growing a beautiful garden or express yourself through music. If you value helping others, find a area which you can. My community has areas that help in drug and alcohol addiction, helping others with depression, suicide, church’s that help with yard work for the elderly, organizations the help Veteran’s in our area. If you want to help others you will have to find out what’s in your community.

Use Your Strengths To Build Up Your Weakness

Often we need the weaker parts of ourselves in order to accomplish what we desire. If you feel stuck in an unsatisfactory job because you are adverse to risk-taking, work on building up your courage. If you struggle with time management and don’t have time to add volunteer responsibilities you’re interested in, work on your organization skills and start small with just every other week. I volunteer at a thrift store that all it’s profit goes to helping people go to rehab for addictions. I can only work 3-4 hours a week. But if you don’t have much time. Every little thing helps.

Think About Your Legacy

Imagine what kind of legacy you would like to leave. Think about you past and what you are satisfied with and what you regret. What messages do you want to leave behind. Who you are and what is important to you. This will help shape your purpose and goals.

The Importance Of Self Disipline

I was thinking about self-discipline. Most of the failures in my life have come as a result of my own weakness.

It was said Procrastination is the easy way to quitting.

The possession of self-discipline enables to you choose, and then persevere with action, thoughts and behavior. Which leads to Improvement and success. It also gives you power and inner strength.

This skill gives you the power to stick to your decisions and follow them through, without changing your mind.

I admittedly don’t have self-discipline when it comes to eating. I love to eat that is my down fall. I cannot say no to food. I have tried a thousand diets seen many Weight loss doctors. But all of them I have failed at. Just because I cannot say no to food. I know I need self-discipline to do it. I will never give up on losing weight. No one perfect but don’t give up on something just because it’s difficult.

This skill also manifests as inner strength, assisting you in a stronger will power. When this is well-developed it becomes to overcome overeating, procrastination and laziness.

Understanding A Few Things

Self-discipline means self-control, the ability to avoid unhealthy excess or anything that could have negative consequences.

The ability to reject instant gratification and pleasure, In favor of some greater gain, which requires spending effort and time to get it.

It means perseverance and not giving up.

It is the strength no to give in to negative feelings.

It means overcoming one’s weaknesses.

It is the ability to pursue ones plans despite temptations to abandon them.

A disciplined person is more punctual invests more time and effort in what they do, and is more likely to take control and responsibility for their life. They can set goals and take steps to achieve them.

.self-discipline is one of the most important ingredients of success. It expresses itself in a few ways.

The ability not to give up, despite failure and setbacks. The ability to resist distractions or temptations. Trying. Over and over again until you accomplish what you set out to do.

Life puts challenges and problems on our path and in order to rise above them, we have to act with perseverance and persistence. The paths in our lives require discipline.

Having this skill leads to self-esteem and confidence, to happiness and satisfaction.

But the lack or self- discipline can lead to failure, loss, spoiling of relationships, health problems and obesity.

Are You Steadfast?

How Being Steadfast can change your life. I think this is a word that many people never think about. It’s not a word that you hear in any conversation.

When I was talking to a friend the other day and she thought it was the most boring word in our language. Different things speak to different people that’s just the way it is.

The dictionary defines steadfast- firmly fixed in place, firm in belief. We all reach the point when we know somethings need to change in our life. We need to reach a point where he go through the process of really finding ourselves. It happen to us when we begin to be steadfast.

Being steadfast is being determined to accomplish something no matter what happens.

Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach.

Isaiah 54:4

When to want to do something like learning like driving a car you have to be steadfast( Do it until get it without giving up.) in your heart and your mind this is what you have to do to be steadfast. When you determine that there’s something that you want to change in your life you want to change or learn you have to become steadfast towards it.

You need to go after it everything you have the same way as learning to cook. You do it over and over without giving up. If it’s something you have determined is a change that you should make in your life, then you shouldn’t let anything get in your way. You need to fix your mind on it and keep after it.

How To Be Steadfast In Your Life

To be honest, I am not perfect at applying this to my life all the time. But if I want to change something I can experience the changes I want. When I am contented I don’t waste time being upset and making excuses.

Crying isn’t always a bad thing or something that you should never do. I think there are times when crying is the natural reaction to pain and death or sorrow and grief. But crying doesn’t does not change change situations. There are times when the tears need to stop and action needs to start. You have to make a conscious decision or else cry for way to long.

Actual Change

Choose a area in your life you know you want to change something that you’ve always made excuses for in the past. Become steadfast is seeing improvement in that area of your life.

There is no one that can do the changing for you. Make the actions today, tomorrow and the day after that to reach the end goal that your looking for. Be steadfast in your heart and your mind.

Fighting The Enemy That Lives Inside.

Before you try to conquer the outside world you have to master the inner world of your mind.

You might have some awesome goals like I want beach front property. I want to help hurting people.

That’s no problem, the enemy does not live in the outside world. It’s not money, people, or opportunity that is holding us back. It’s us.

Make sure your worse enemy doesn’t live inside yourself. It can come out when you don’t expect it at all.

All of the sudden, you have a true inner war on your hands. Why am I doing this? Is it really worth it?

There’s a war going on inside your head that most people aren’t even aware of. Were in a constant battle with ourselves.

You have to realize who’s in control of your life. It’s not the economy, your family, spouse, boss, or anything else you can possibly blame. This means one simple thing: This is your life own it. Never blame yourself, that’s what a Warrior does, Instead, fight your inner enemy by not giving up.

Know yourself, what makes you angry, sad, fearful? What are your decisions based on?

Have Zero Expectations.

One of our biggest causes of inner conflict is we have too high expectations.

We expect too much from our spouse, family, friends, co-workers, and even our boss.

But, that’s not the way the world works. You don’t control it. You only control yourself.

Never have high expectations for anything. You will only be disappointed. Instead, except nothing. Stop expecting your friends will always be there for you. You will always stay healthy, your family will always be with you. You will always make money.

Now you’re free. Everything you get is a gift.

You’re Not Perfect: Accept it

Never beat yourself up for making mistakes. Never beat yourself up over anything. Yes, we need to judge ourselves and try to do better. But don’t punish yourself for it.

This is life and life is unpredictable it makes no sense. Tho gs happen.

When you try to be perfect, you’re always at war with yourself. You will never be at peace. Nothing is ever good enough.

I have tried being the perfect daughter, the perfect wife, and perfect mother. All It does is take away your peace. You will never get to enjoy life for what it is. Even though it makes no sense, there’s still enough beauty in life. You just have to take off your blinders to see it. We need to get rid of that tunnel vision.

Always keep in mind that you’re worth more when you’re at full strength. Have you ever wanted to achieve something so bad that you put all your energy into it? You work hard you don’t sleep.

You might win a hard battle, but not the war. Life is a long time. Don’t burn yourself out before you reach the end. That’s self-sabotage Instead, save yourself.

Never Question Life

Instead of asking ourselves why is this happening to me. Ask yourself what can I learn from this?

I get it you work hard but nothing happens. You ask ”What am I doing this for.” No one reads your work, you’re never promoted at work. No one buys your product, no one hires you, no one cares.

Once you have one of those negative thoughts like that the floodgates will open, it’s the same of binge eating: It won’t matter if I have another cookie, you might as have eaten the whole dozen.

Don’t get down on yourself. There’s no point in doing that it’s not helping you.

Never question life. Never think about it. It’s a discussion you will never win. Avoid the war, not all wars can be won.

Believe In Yourself

How do you believe in yourself? You can’t say things like ”I’m the best, I’m the best.” to yourself if you don’t truly believe it. Deep down we always know that we’re lying to yourself.

Lying to yourself doesn’t help. Lying to others doesn’t help. We need to work and practice and see results and believe your abilities. Not putting In the work you will never develop any skills. There is no belief.

Work is where it all starts. There are no get to rich quick tactics. We all love fake promises because they distract us from reality. There’s no such thing as an overnight success. Even when people tell you to opt for the quick road pick the longer harder road to your destination.

Enter by the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way is east that leads to destruction, and those who enter y it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few

Matthew 7: 13-14

I promise you will feel more fulfilled when you get there.

The lazy person is always looking for the next best thing.

Life is about the journey. That’s where you will find the blessings. No matter how hard it is.

Stop Making Assumptions

Never make conclusions based on assumptions. My father always said- never assume anything you will make a ass out of you and me. That great advice.

Always look at the facts. Don’t think you have the facts. Also ignore conventional wisdom. Most things you hear and read around you is not true or very subjective. Avoid inner conflict by looking at the facts always.

Keep Moving

No matter what you do, never stand sit, staying still, the same thing as moving backward. Life doesn’t wait for you.

What does not move is dead.

Robert Greene

You don’t become strong by ignoring your inner troubles. Your battles are not won on your smartphone. You fight by looking in the mirror.

Win or Die

The battles you fight within yourself are very real if you arm yourself with the right strategies, you will win.

Why should you fight? Napoleon Bonaparte said it best: ”Death is nothing to live defeated is to die every day.” You will never be defeated as long as you keep fighting.

Finding Light In Darkness

We should always try to find a healthy balance between the darkness and the light, which can often be challenging. It has been said that many creative types are more inspired during dark times, but I have found that profound darkness hinders creativity and that the creative juices come out best when there’s a balance between the darkness and the light.

Thinking back to my childhood my mother was a very dark person. She would tell me horrible things about the devil beating his wife. These were of course superstition but they upset me horribly. My father, on the other hand, was a very light person, he would always have something good to say, to make everyone smile.

I’m the type of person who reaches for the light as much as possible. Yes, I have darkness in me but I push that darkness out with light. Yet in the past, I have been filled with many dark moments in my life. Love and losses are that way- these moments seem to come in waves. But realize even in darkness there is a shimmer of light. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Darkness can never extinguish the light.

Light is defined as life, darkness is defined as death. In Joh. 1:4 God was life, and the light was the light of men. Those who have faith through him will have eternal life. In John darkness is Present the absence of light; the absence of eternal life and darkness referring to death spiritually.

Some people easily move on or get on with it, following dark moments, while others tend to linger in the darkness. It may have to do with acknowledging or being more mindful of one’s shallow side. The shadow spot with I like to call the gray area in our lives, maybe thought of as a dumping ground for our undesirable traits or those characteristics that have not been brought to our consciousness, which may include obsession with dark moments such as getting over the loss of a loved one.

It had been said we can not know light without experiencing the darkness but at the same time, both dark and light can be great teachers. We can have light the size of a mustard seed in us all the time if we focus on that light instead of the darkness in it. We might be more energetic, happier, and more successful.

There is gold in the gray area in the sense that there’s something to be learned from it but many resist wanting to mine that gold.

Be confident in your ability to balance the light and the dark, know that the darkness does not have to overpower everything in your life. Light is always there. When we find the right balance we persevere in life.