Do This When You Need an Attitude Adjustment

 Your attitude is like a compass.  When it's negative the compass malfunctions and you can't find your way.  Have you ever noticed how foggy your vision gets when your anger explodes.  You may as well discard your goals.  They can't be achieved when you are in a negative state of mind.  You find your brain telling you it can't be done.  You know what happens?  It can't be done.  The challenge you have is to adjust your attitude. Fix your compass.  Wipe out all the fog in your surroundings.

I discovered that my attitude soars when I walk away from negative people.  Misery loves company.  You don't need to be around people who relish in your mistakes.  Feed your brain positive thoughts.  Replace negative self talk with words of affirmation.  Seek out people who genuinely want you to succeed.  Change your attitude and you can change your life.  Have a great day.

Another Milestone on the Horizon

45 days to go.  That's when I celebrate ten years at my day job.  Although I'm not at liberty to represent the company as an authorized speaker (you pretty much need to be the CEO for this), I am allowed to share my life as long as I set up the disclaimer that I'm not representing company views.   I'm thankful to work for a company that cares about the employees and I'm thankful they brought me aboard in May, 2012 when I first arrived to the Midwest.

It's hard to believe I've been at my day job for ten years, mainly because the time has gone by so quickly.  I like to keep things simple, learning one or two new things every day.  This works for me because the gradual approach allows new concepts and ideas to sink in and become permanent.  One of the most valuable lessons I learned is to make sure everyone on the team is on the same page while we pursue common goals.  Team work really does make the dream work.  

I'm looking forward to spending the rest of my career at my day job as long as my mind and body allow me the opportunity to serve others.  I would like to thank all the bosses I've had these last ten years.  Also, I would like to thank my teammates for all they have taught me.  Have a great day.

Why I'm Biting My Tongue Every Day

 My wife and I are in agreement about this season of Lent – it's our best ever.  Why?  Because this is the year we find ourselves closer to God than ever.  This is not by our own actions, rather God's action in our lives.  We are working on our weaknesses.  Silence is now my preferred response when I find myself getting sucked into a conversation that could damage someone else.  It's far better to keep those words in my mouth than to let them add fuel to the fire.  Gossip is a dangerous weapon that can kill even the strongest among us.

Test yourself.  Do you find yourself at the water cooler gossiping about others?  Opt for the silence.  Bite your tongue.  Walk away.  See what happens when you learn to control your negative talk about others.  Have a great day.

Beyond the Finish Line

 You did it.  You accomplished a big goal you set for yourself.  You are at the finish line trying to figure out the next step.  I'm learning how easy it is to get complacent once you hit an important milestone.  Like mountain climbing, reaching one peak reveals an even higher pinnacle off on the horizon.  I see my completed tasks as stepping stones that help me to keep growing.

It's okay to celebrate victories in your life.  Remember this:  standing still leads to slippage.  Challenge yourself to reach for the stars.  Inspire the people around you to get in the race.  The finish line is not the end.  Keep moving forward.  Have a great day.

Do This When You're Arm Wrestling with Dark Forces

I'm going to admit something to you I find rather embarrassing.  If you've been reading my stories for a while, you most likely already know this from your point of view.  Well, my own somewhat stubborn behavior often blinds me to my own abilities or lack of abilities.  I don't want the Evil One to get a big head should he be looking over my shoulder as I type today's message, but I do recognize he happens to be stronger and more powerful than yours truly.  I thought I could outlast him by remaining committed to my long term goals but this dude won't stop harassing me.  I'm utterly failing in my attempts to complete my two book writing projects and I know why.  I'm facing supernatural forces that are kicking my butt.  What's next?  Do I put up the white flag of surrender?  Hell no!  I may be weak on my own but I have a secret weapon and that's what I'm doing.  I also recommend you do the same when you find yourself in a similar situation.

Prayer is the ultimate solution.  As I listen to the Bible in a Year in my daily podcasts I understand more and more about God's ways.  He is the one who created all these creatures who now wander the earth in search of people like me who they falsely believe they can disrupt all the good that God has planned for his children.  Pick up a Bible and see for yourself how much God loves you and me.  The Evil One may try to stop you but with God you can become unstoppable.  I will not cave to the Dark Side.  He's mad at me for taking out the debt dragon he tempted me to bring into my home.  Too bad.  By the way, I didn't kill the debt monster.  I beat him by letting Jesus be in charge of my finances.  The same is true with every project I undertake while I'm here with you.  In the name of Jesus, I will keep writing.  Have a great day.

How are You Doing in the Living Like No One Else Department?

 I first heard of "living like no one else" from Dave Ramsey, an advocate for debt free living.  His ideas helped me slay my debt monster who I once believed was going to be a permanent resident in our home.  Something changes inside you when you decide you want to live like no one else.  What I've come to understand is that living like no one else, when applied to every area of your life, changes everything.

Think about the food choices you make.  What was your last meal like?  What is your next meal going to include?  I ask this because most people can't distinguish between what they eat and what most other Americans consume.  Sadly, eating like everyone else means dying like everyone else.  Poor food decisions lead to being fat, sick, and nearly dead.  

Worship choices also fall into a category most people don't even consider.  In my opinion, spiritual choices have far greater consequences than finances or health.  Worship choices determine what happens when we die.  Eternity is difficult to grasp.  We tend to think in finite terms, like birth and death.  We have a beginning and an end.  The chapter after death has no end.  The worship choices you make in this world have consequences.  I choose not to live like everyone else when it comes to worship because I understand the idea of deferred gratification.  Ask yourself how you want to live when it comes to worship.  Examine your daily choices.  I recommend going all in.  Have a great day.

Day 92 BIAY

 It's April Fools Day today.  I think back to all the times I got fooled.  My track record isn't good.  Maybe that's why I committed to the Bible in a Year on January 1.  It helps that my wife is doing the same thing.  It also helps that I'm listening to a podcast rather than reading.  This is the best twenty to twenty-five minutes of my day.  There is much ground to cover until the end of the year.  

Watch out for the April Fools pranks today.  If you find yourself annoyed by the people around you who are relishing in their tricks today, give the BIAY podcast a try.  You may not be able to escape every prank, but you will find yourself at peace.  Have a great day.