Where Courage Comes From

Fear never really goes away.  It can be resisted.  It can be overcome.  But it can't be eliminated.  When I'm in a situation where I appear to be the underdog, I use a little trick to stack the deck in my favor.  It works.  My secret weapon is prayer.  It changes the outcome.  Why?  Because courage gives me the strength to open the door and enter the arena no matter how big or scary looking my opponent is. 

What are you afraid of?  Give prayer a try.  I recommend you treat prayer like a muscle.  In order to get stronger, you need to exercise daily.  The more you pray, the more you will shape and tone your prayer muscle.  Others will look at you and say, "Wow, look how much courage that person has."

What You Give Multiplies What You Get

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you ~ Luke 6:38

The math is simple.  Those who give end up with more than they started with.  The happiest people I know are the ones who give unselfishly.  They are like farmers who plant seeds.  The more you plant the greater your harvest.  Plant some seeds today.  Invest in others.  You will become rich.

Is Fun on Your Menu Today?

If you're like me, your to do list is already made and you're all set to attack your goals once you wake up.  There are times when I get so carried away with my goals that I forget to have fun.  Goals don't need to be like chores.  Promise yourself you will put fun on your menu.  Make someone laugh today.  Show your humorous side.

Your Upbeat is Within You

Sometimes it's difficult to hear positive music from the world.  I prefer to listen to what's playing inside my head.  It's upbeat and the tunes are catchy.  You can join me for a jam session any time.  Or, you can find your own upbeat.  You can hear it best when the TV is off.  Find a quiet place and turn up the volume from inside your mind.  Let your positive vibes fill the room.  Have a great day.

Why Consistency Matters

Every day, every time, without fail, no exception ~ Bob Zand, a good friend from another land

One of my best memories of my dad was car shopping shortly before he passed away.  He was looking for a new car.  I introduced him to my good friend, Bob Zand.  Bob is one of those people who sees the world through rose-colored glasses.  He believes you keep your head up, no matter how bad the current situation may be.  Like all Americans, Bob grieved the day we were attacked on 9/11.  Bob's pain was double.  He told me about all the dirty looks he got from co-workers, just because he grew up in the same part of the world as the attackers.

Bob overcame all the prejudice.  He saved enough money to buy his own five-star car dealership.  And he did this by paying attention to the smallest of details.  I memorized his mantra and adopted it.  It helped me get through some dark days.  Repeat after me, "Every day, every time, without fail, no exception."  Thank you, Bob Zand.  Your words inspire me to write every morning when I wake up.   The streak is still going at 1,800 days in a row.  August 29th will be my five year blogiversary.  Yes, consistency matters.

Share the Positive Pledge, Please

I found this little morsel this morning.  It pretty much sums up how I feel about my life.  If you're reading this blog, you're one of the positive people in my life who inspire me to live the dream.  Thank you for visiting today.  If you agree with the positive pledge, please share it with a friend or family member.  Have a great day!

When Creativity and Discipline Intersect

Creativity without discipline is messy.  And discipline without creativity is boring.  They need each other, just like the white piano keys need the black ones to add meaning to our songs.  Can you imagine your life without any sharps or flats?  So, what happens when you intersect your creativity with discipline?  In my personal life, I get organized chaos.  The structure that comes with discipline allows me to complete my work in an orderly fashion.  I know to go when the light turns green, proceed with caution on the yellow lights, and stop on the red lights.

When you find yourself working out of the right side of your brain, make sure you have some kind of blueprint to follow.  Set time limits for each stage of your project so it gets done.  It's like building a house.  You know what the finished product looks like, you know where to start and you have an orderly way of proceeding through each stage.  How does your intersection look?  Don't stress.  Just add the traffic lights and you'll be okay.