Are You Facing Giants Next Year?

There are times in my life when the distance reached at the end of the year feels like just one measly yard.  It seems trivial.  It's a slow crawl to the end zone.  Some years there are fumbles and other miscues and I end up with negative yardage.  There's a huddle with the family around midnight to come up with a fresh set of plays for the New Year. 

I'm planning to share the video below with my loved ones to encourage them (and myself) to go the distance no matter how difficult the journey may be.  Is it another one of those "Godincidences" that the player in the video is wearing #54 on his jersey?  That's the same number my boys wore when they played high school football.  Or that the guy on his back is my exact weight?  I feel like God was calling me out on this video and he was urging me to be a better husband and dad.  No need to look at history.  I know all about my mistakes.  I'm going to listen to my coach, Jesus, and I'm going to go the distance in 2018, even though I sometimes feel like a blind man.  That's okay.  It's worth checking out the video below.  You can use it in your family huddle tonight.  Have a great day.

The Proof is NOT in the Pudding

Sorry to pudding fans but pudding did not make the cut on the approved foods for the Caveman food experiment.  The latest batch of lab rats are experiencing success by restricting food choices to fruits, veggies, nuts, beans and seeds.  Processed foods, artificial ingredients, dairy and other favorites like pudding are out but wine is in as long as it it limited to no more than two glasses per day.

The lab rats appear happy as they slim down.  Keep in touch to read more about their progress in the New Year.  Have a great day.

Finding Jesus

It's been a lifelong quest.  I didn't have a star to follow like the three wise men, but my two parents wanted my siblings and me to know about Jesus when we were growing up.  The older I get, the more I realize the difference between knowing about him and knowing him.  How does one find Jesus?

There are some important clues in the Bible.  I'll never forget my dad telling me, "the keys to Heaven are in this book."  He boldly stated this within the last two weeks of his life.  He found Jesus.

Each of us has our own journey.  Finding Jesus may take a lifetime.  If you're looking for a good place to start, here's my favorite Bible verse.  I've used this at the most difficult times in my personal quest to be a better husband, parent and member of society.  May it help you find Jesus...

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you ~ Matthew 7:7.

Have a great day.

Best To Do List Ever

Sometimes it's the simple things that bring joy, like a to do list with just one item on it.  Sure, you have other activities and obligations to attend to.  But remember how fulfilling it can be to just live in the moment, every day, every time.  Try it.  Be in the moment.  Live in the moment.  Have a great day.

Weatherman Says Feels Like -11º

I don't really know how they can get so precise about how the weather feels.  The current temp reading in our hometown is -9º but our weather guy says, "it feels like -11º right now."  Maybe it's all relative.  My mama told me yesterday, "anything below 70º is cold to me."

The only temperature that matters to me is the warmth in my heart.  Being around family definitely takes the chill out of the air.  May you feel some sunshine today and experience the company of a loved one or two.  Don't worry about us, mama.  We Iowa Mulligans have adapted.  Life is good.  Have a great day.

I'm With the One Who Was Born Yesterday

I know. I know.  The retailers say Christmas is over.  My pastor said yesterday, "remember, it's a season not just a day."

It's easy to forget.  The Christmas music is gone.  Long lines are expected today at retail outlets when people return unwanted items.  And travelers are trying to figure out how to navigate through all that snow Mother Nature dumped during the Holidays.

I'm with the one who was born yesterday.  And I'm going to do my best to stay with him today and all the days of my life.  Before I close out today's message, I'd like to give a shout out to a special aunt who was born today.  Happy birthday, aunt Marcie.  I hope you get a chance to read this while you're drinking your morning coffee with your husband.  May the spirit of Christmas be with you always.  Yes, it's a season, not just a day.  Have a great day.

Merry Christmas

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~ Isaiah 9:6

I'm surrounded by my wife, all three of our adult children, all of my wife's siblings, their children and an aunt on her side of the family in our home today where we will be celebrating the most significant birthday of all times.  I carry in my heart all the fond memories of past celebrations with my parents and my siblings.  I would like to wish my dad in Heaven a happy birthday today.  And to my mother, I will see you soon in Phoenix to celebrate with you.  We are all thinking of you today.  Merry Christmas!  Love from the Mulligans.  Have a great day.

All I Want for Christmas is 12 Skinny Lab Rats

Dear Santa,

I know it's a little late but I'm sending you this special request today because I'm in dire need at the 11th hour.  Please send me 12 skinny lab rats.  Actually, the lab rats don't need to be skinny when you deliver them.  If you can squeeze them down my chimney, I prefer them to be plump.  I'll train them to eat like our ancestors and if everything works out they will be in my next book.  I know I'm on your naughty list but I'm promising you I'm going to work really hard next year.  These lab rats are all I need to finish my story.  Thanks for helping me out.  Have a great day.

Love,

Michael

He's Coming

There's really only one thing that matters – He's coming.  Keep that in mind today when you look around and see everyone in a frenzy.  The Holidays aren't supposed to be like this.  Take a moment and think about what's important and remember who's coming.  Have a great day.

Got Travel Plans?

I needed a deep breath today.  Then a long exhale.  It's one of those moments when you look out the window and see your dreams dancing along the horizon.  My travel calendar is filling up fast.  I hope to be in a city or town near you in the year ahead.  All I can say is I'm taking a page out of the Confucius playbook – wherever you go, go with all your heart.  Have a great day.

Happy Winter

Invincible is the word of the day.  It's appropriate because this is the day Mother Nature shows her darkest side.  It's a tug-of-war and she's pulling as hard as she can today.  The good news for all the glass half empty types is today is as empty as it gets.  Time for the glass to start filling up again.  I've never had an empty day, even when today happens to be the day with the most darkness in it.  My invincible summer is on fire deep inside my soul.  My goals are the kindling to set the New Year ablaze.  Yes, I'm planning on taking advantage of every extra moment of sunshine from this day forward.

Thank you, Mother Nature, for all your seasonal offerings.  The weather reporters say you may add some snow flakes on Christmas Day.  That would be a nice touch.  You may be showing your darkest side today but I want you to know it's not enough to put out the fire.  The light of the world will be here in four short days and that is something to be really happy about.  Have a great day.

Family Time

Today is a great day to create a new memory.  Please pardon me for keeping this message short.  My house is filled with family members and I want to savor every moment with them.  Have a great day.

Best Medicine

I find great joy in giving things away.  Sometimes it's tips for food preparation.  Other times it's a smile.  I'm not a doctor but today I'm offering the best medicine I know on the planet – gratitude.  It's free.  There aren't any restrictions or limits.  In fact, the more gratitude you dispense, the more healing you receive in mind, body and spirit.

If you're trying to figure out what gratitude consists of, I believe there are three main components – time, talent and treasure.  The best way to multiply your gratitude is to share the time you have with others.  No talent is required, however, the more time you spend with others, the more you will realize you have some kind of talent inside you that can also be shared.  The more you use your talent, the more refined and valuable it becomes.  Proper use of time and talent naturally leads to treasure.  The happiest people I know share time, talent and treasure with others and they never seem to be without.  More sharing leads to more resources.  May you be blessed with a bumper crop of gratitude today.  Have a great day.

Change Takes Guts

Another year is about to come to a conclusion.  How is the end of the story looking?  Remember, you're the main character in the story of your life.  It's up to you to decide how the chapters are unfolding.  One option many never consider out of fear is leaving.  In my case, the supporting characters were right but the conflict around us was too much to bear and we needed to change the setting.  My wife suggested we write some new chapters together in a place far off.  My life feels like some kind of fairy tale.  Yes, change takes guts.  If you're in the wrong story, consider all options.  Leaving is not quitting – it's giving yourself an opportunity to find the right story.  Have a great day.

The Spirit of Christmas

Someone close to me told me no matter what time zone he's in, he always wake up at 3:16 AM.  I asked him if he's familiar with the Bible verse, John 3:16.  He had heard of it but thought it meant something else.  He seemed shocked when I told him, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

The spirit of Christmas is with all always, even when we're sleeping.  I'm most thankful to be celebrating Christmas with my loved ones and I will never forget why we have this most precious season.  May the spirit of Christmas be upon you.  Have a great day.

Mind Training

Every situation has something positive to offer if you train you brain to look for the right cues.  Half the time it's easy to do because things are going your way.  What about those days when the wheels are falling off the cart?  When this happens, I believe it's a good idea to first recognize you're in "lesson mode."  Yep.  You're back in school and today you're going to learn how to improve in one or more areas of your life.  Your positive takeaway may be a lesson in patience, endurance, understanding or self-improvement.  The more challenging the situation, the greater the opportunity for impact on your life and this, my friend, is how you train your brain to see the positive in every situation.  Have a great day.

Going Somewhere?

There's no doubt in my mind about what's ahead.  It's going to be one of my busiest calendar years ever.  What I like most about my goals is the balance I'm seeking (and scheduling).  It can't be all work or all play but it should be planned in order to make it happen.  The payoff here is the person you become.  Perhaps it's a better spouse, a better parent, a better friend or a better neighbor.  Are you happy with the person you are becoming?  If you desire it, plan it, and go for it, I can assure you it will make looking in the mirror a better experience.  You make wake up one morning and ask, "how did I get here?" 

Have a great day.

Ignorance Awareness

Please humor me – I'm on my third day in a row on my philosophical kick.  Today I'm reflecting on something Socrates said and it challenges what I know (or don't know).  Here goes:

True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing.

This one hits me hard.  Why?  Because the deeper I go on my life's journey, the more I realize what I don't know.  Today is ignorance awareness day.  I may have to incorporate this into my next book because the truth is I really don't know very much about what I'm doing or why it works.  It's the greatest experiment I've ever participated in.  Scary?  Perhaps.  Unburdening?  Yes.  Thought provoking?  You decide.  Tomorrow I promise to change the subject to something more tangible.  Thanks for humoring me.  Have a great day.

Greater Than the Sum of the Parts

Aristotle, ranked as one of the greatest philosophers of all times, said, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts."

I'm beginning to see how this message relates to my life.  Have you ever noticed how improvement in one area of your life affects all the other areas, even though they may appear somewhat disconnected?  Or, if you experience a setback in one area, the other parts of your life also experience a decline?

Like the bones in our bodies, all the areas of our lives are connected.  I'm getting ready for a quantum leap in my personal life and my strategy is to break down the walls separating the bones.  This effort is going to require some planning and cooperation from the people I'm connected to.  If all goes well, Aristotle's quote may become my new catch phrase for the next phase of my life.  You can be the ultimate judge about the whole being greater the sum of its parts.  It's time to get busy.  Have a great day.

Rhythm and Harmony

Life can be challenging when the notes don't seem to line up properly on the page.  Do you ever have those days when you can't get the beat right?  Life was much simpler for Plato.  He loved to ponder.  Perhaps it's in the stillness you can find rhythm and harmony.  Here's a Plato quote to consider:

The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the best plan for living happily.  This is the man of moderation, the man of manly character and wisdom.

May you find your rhythm and harmony today.  Have a great day.

The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily. This is the man of moderation, the man of manly character and of wisdom.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/plato_162795

The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily. This is the man of moderation, the man of manly character and of wisdom.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/plato_162795

he man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily. This is the man of moderation, the man of manly character and of wisdom.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/plato_162795

he man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily. This is the man of moderation, the man of manly character and of wisdom.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/plato_1627Have a great day.

Caveman Update

Mrs. Caveman and I are refinancing our hut today in order to reduce the interest rate and shorten the pay-off period.  It's an important step according to Abraham Maslow,  the man who also coined the term, metamotivation,  people who are self-actualized and striving beyond the scope of their basic needs to reach their full potential.  So, that's what this caveman is doing.  I'm making sure the bare essentials are taken care of.  I'm concentrating on food derived from the caveman food experiment that forever altered my direction in life.  I've discovered that a food program consisting mainly of fruits, veggies, nuts, beans, seeds and a couple of glasses of red or white wine daily delivers age-defying results.

For those of you interested in learning more about my progress, I want to assure you I'm getting closer to a final report that will include recipes, stories from others who gave the experiment a try and a personal account of my journey.  I'm removing all the obstacles blocking me from reaching my full potential and I'm striving to be one of those in the metamotivation category who reach their full potential and share their lessons with others.  I admit there was a time in my life when I felt my basic food and shelter needs were in danger but that is ancient history and now it's time to focus on publishing something that may help others seeking a better life.  Thanks for being patient with me.  Have a great day.

Got Christmas Spirit?

Sometimes it's hard to find Christmas Spirit in the modern world.  There are so many distractions.  Cell phones.  300 channels of TV.  Traffic jams.  Overcrowded shopping malls.  It's easy to forget that Christmas Spirit is found off the beaten path in a manger with two nervous parents who couldn't get a hotel room in time for the birth of their son.  He's coming.  Not once, but twice.  Today is a good day to ponder what that means.  Have a great day.

Connect With Destiny

Don't be afraid to answer the phone the next time destiny calls.  No, she won't tell you her name.  She's probably disguised as a friend or a relative but she will reveal herself if you're willing to listen to your intuition – that tiny voice of discernment inside your head.

If you're like me, you probably have some built in defense mechanisms to keep destiny at arms length.  The truth is, we just don't like appearing foolish or out of control.  The problem is that ignoring destiny means living a life of mediocrity.  You will miss out on a dream life if you choose to play it safe.  Ask yourself, "do I have trust issues?"

Trusting destiny means trusting in your own abilities to do what you're created to do.  You are the one unique person created to do what you are called to do.  Destiny is the messenger.  Answer the call.  Have a great day.

Disney Spirit Award Presentation on ESPN

It's a feel good story that started with one simple gesture – a wave.  And that's how our local college football team won the Disney Spirit Award.  Fans and players alike, even opponents, take time out after the first quarter of football and salute the patients of University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital with a friendly wave.  The hospital overlooks Kinnick stadium and patients gather together to cheer for the Hawkeyes.  Click here to take a peek at the ESPN video clip from the Disney Spirit Awards and see why this wave is becoming world famous.  Have a great day.

Let Curiosity Be Your Passion

It served Albert Einstein well.  Why can't it work for you?  Curiosity.  It's the magnet that attracts the things in life you become passionate about.  It's the gravity that pulls you into your life's purpose.  You'll never run out of opportunities if you follow curiosity.  And if time appears to stop, you're on curiosity's tail.  Hold on.  It's going to be a bumpy ride.  Have a great day.

Your Daily Routine Influences Your Life

I'm a big believer in daily habits.  Bad habits lead to trouble down the road and good habits yield permanent results.  Like it or not, everything you do is a habit.  If you're not happy with the results you're getting, try forming new habits for better results.  Here are three G's to consider when deciding which habits you may want to implement:

1. Gratitude – Practice gratitude daily.  Be thankful for every meal, every person you encounter and every new opportunity or challenge you face.
2. Give Back –  Make it a daily habit to give something back based on your own unique gifts.  I recommend doing this as part of your morning routine so you don't forget.
3. Go Somewhere – Go somewhere outside your social network that will benefit others, such as  a homeless shelter or a rescue center for unwanted animals.

If you want to make a difference in the world, you really only need to change one person – yourself.  Good luck.  Have a great day.

Prepare for Battle

Do you desire to be a knight in shining armor?  If so, keep in mind you must prepare yourself for all the battles ahead.  This won't be easy.  For me, surrender is not an option.  Letting go is.  There's a difference.  Surrender means you're done.  Finished.  Game over.  Letting go means it's time to consider new options.  New battle plans.  A change in scenery.  Time to go back to the basics.  More practice.  And one day you wake up and the person next to you says, "thanks for being my knight in shining armor."

Have a great day.

Act on Your Dreams Now

One of the biggest challenges you may encounter with your dreams is to put them on a calendar and commit them to action.  Many do this in the month of January and it doesn't usually work.  That clean slate gets filled up with dreams and by the time it flips to February it's clean again.  The words are gone.  So are the actions.  My action plan is not dependent on January 1.  I put my dreams on the calendar as soon as they appear in my head, no matter the season or the time of year.  One of the biggest lessons I've learned about sharing my dreams is that it's better to reveal these dreams by taking action rather than just talk.  Action speaks louder than words.  Today is a great day to act on your dreams.  Go for it.  Have a great day.

Daily Publishing Streak Ends at 3,019

It was a technical glitch I didn't catch until it was too late.  I woke up early in the morning on Saturday as usual and wrote my blog story, Be Still.  The publish button did not work properly and the story ended up in the drafts folder where it sat until this morning when I caught the error.  That concludes 3,019 days of consecutive publishing.  Time to start over.  Today is day 1.  Perhaps this was meant to be.  Call it Divine Intervention.  Starting over today means the beginning of a new era and now I'm in alignment with the Christian calendar.  Today is the first day of the church's New Year.  We call this Advent – a time of joyful expectation.

My head is still spinning from the spiritual download I received yesterday.  I wouldn't call it a premonition because the flow of dreams did not cause anxiety but rather tranquility.  It was like discovering a compass or a light switch.  I'm looking forward to the new year ahead and will do my best to keep publishing on a daily basis.  Have a great day.

Be Still

This is a hard one sometimes for me – being still.  But this is the only way God gets my full attention.  Perhaps that's why he likes to reach me in the middle of the night when I'm in a deep slumber.  Well, he got me good last night and this verse resonates with me today from Psalm 46:10...

Be still, and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

My wife knows every detail of the dream.  I will put it into action.  And all the credit goes to the one who commanded me to be still.  It works.  Try it.  Have a great day.

Practice Gratitude

Some things are meant to be and some are not.  I'm thankful for both.  Sounds strange, doesn't it.  Let me explain.  The things that are meant to be are your blessings, although they can be divided into two categories – blessings and challenges.  You need both for fulfillment.  The things that aren't meant to be can also be divided into two categories – blessings and challenges.  Once you figure out that everything in life you are going through is an opportunity to be thankful, your happiness gauge can soar off the charts.  Practice gratitude.  Don't leave anything off your list.  Have a great day.