Tag: inspiration
Making Monday Count
Each day is an integral part of our journey through life. Some days we may feel like we did not accomplish anything. Have you ever had the opportunity to reflect on the day’s interactions? Maybe you did not receive anything in the day, but what were you able to do for others you did not even know impacted their lives?
It happens! You can do a little thing without realizing it that makes a big difference in the life of another. It took me many years to discover this, and I still have to remind myself, but it is accurate. I had several people speak to me many years later to tell me of a time when I did something that changed their direction, and it meant a great deal to them. I take no credit for these events as I believe it is a “God thing” or a “God wink.”
Pause throughout the day to count your blessings, say hello to everyone, and compliment others for actions, words, and appearances. Don’t allow negative thoughts or emotions to go unchecked. When they begin, it is time to look for all of the positives around you and the people who can help lift you during times of need. Make the day worthwhile, cheerful, and helpful. Let others see you know your worth and theirs by investing in an intentional state of positive culture without any issues of negativity. Monday is counting on us to start right so that the other days will fall into place.
Do Good Work
The way of works is the way of life, for “He who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:17.
Life provides us with many different opportunities each day. We have many choices to make daily in responding to those opportunities. In how we face difficulties, our reflection is caught by the eyes of those who love us the most.
My husband and I began dating at the age of 16 years old. He joined the United States Navy after high school graduation and asked me to marry him when I was 18 years old, and we were married when I was 19 years old. He is six months older than me so he was already 20 years old. We packed up everything we owned and took off for the east coast.
We would tell you we had ups, downs, and bumps in our journey together. Our journey together allowed us to grow up together as we shared most of our lives together. Childhood stories, families, deaths, illnesses, hardships, and celebrations are shared. Communication is the key to every relationship in life.
When he saw a struggle begin to creep into my days, he took action to bring a reminder back to my focus. We need a support system to engage with us to keep us in check when we begin to lose focus on the road we travel. This is why we have rest stops.
“Let me tell you just a few things to help you understand what I think you are struggling with the past few days. Our lives have received a little punch from the past, but it does not mean you have to revisit the past or remain in the past. You can continue to focus on the work you do.”
“See, I believe God considers everything you do. It does not matter the job, title, or work you do as long as it is “good work.” I fix motors for others, and it may seem like it is not important work, but it is. I just fixed a pool motor for a city to open their pool for the community. They needed it right away so they could open it for the holiday weekend. I worked hard to get it done and told them how to keep it running for the summer and prepare for the next season. I made a little money, but the important thing to remember is that I did “good work.” If I had not fixed this, the children and families of the city could not have enjoyed this pool for the holiday and summer.”
“Some people take advantage of others and do not do the “good work” they are intended to do in life. These individuals love the money, power, and control more than the service they provide to others. When individuals are like this, it sends a strong signal they are not changing.”
“No matter what jobs we have had in our lives, we have approached them with the purpose of “doing good work,” and we have always had this standard. We were cutting corn out of beans, detasseling, babysitting, working in the grocery store, and all of the jobs leading us to where we are today. The purpose of life, according to God, is to do “good work.”
“To obey, to be ready for every good work.” Titus 3:1.
My struggle is always in trying to be the one to “fix” everything in life. I want others to change, things to be perfect, and to solve every problem. However, my husband reminds me to continue to do “good work” and remember others are responsible for their actions, not me. I can provide solutions, ideas, and resources, but the work is always theirs to do. It is up to each individual to make the choices in life, and I can want it for them, but I am not responsible for them.
No matter where you are on the work ladder, choose to “do good work.” The key to happiness, faith, and success rests with the choices we make in our daily journey. Look at what you do as making a difference in the lives of others. It is making a difference! If you are a grocery clerk, you are helping others get food home to feed themselves and their family. If you work at the local hair salon, you assist others in taking care of themselves, so they feel good inside and out. Every job has a purpose and a meaning. Thank you for doing it, and find the meaning in the work you do.
Punching a ticket on the train
When Billy Graham was 92 years-old, he was struggling with Parkinson’s disease. In January, a month before his 93rd birthday, leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, invited their favorite son, Billy Graham to a luncheon in his honor.
Billy initially hesitated to accept the invitation because of his struggles with Parkinson’s disease. But the Charlotte leaders said, ‘We don’t expect a major address. Just come and let us honor you.’ So he agreed.
After wonderful things were said about him, Dr. Graham stepped to the podium, looked at the crowd, and said:
“I’m reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been honored by Time magazine as the Man of the Century. Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train, when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn’t find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets.
It wasn’t there.He looked in his briefcase but couldn’t find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn’t find it.
“The conductor said, “Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it.” Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car,he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket.
“The conductor rushed back and said, ‘Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don’t worry, I know who you are; no problem. You don’t need a ticket. I’m sure you bought one.’Einstein looked at him and said, “Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going.”
Having said that Billy Graham continued, “See the suit I’m wearing? It’s a brand new suit. My children, and my grandchildren are telling me I’ve gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit more fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon and one more occasion. You know what that occasion is? This is the suit in which I’ll be buried. But when you hear I’m dead, I don’t want you to immediately remember the suit I’m wearing. I want you to remember this:
“I not only know who I am. I also know where I’m going.” May your troubles be less, your blessings more, and may nothing but happiness, come through your door. “Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil – it has no point.”
May each of us have lived our lives so that when our ticket is punched we don’t have to worry about where we are going.
I did not write this story, and I am unsure who to give the credit. I found it in one of my files as I was working. The inspirations in my writings come from my daily devotions and in writings, others share with me. In these stories, promises, hopes, and wisdom, we can gain so much to apply to our own lives.
Rev. Graham was a leader I grew up knowing, watching, and listening to often. I look around today, and I know his son is doing amazing things today. I do not see the hunger, desire, passion, and grit to live life as I know he ministered to us.
How do you live? My post asked a question, sparking a thought, providing some ideas and hopefully a new way to look at life. Maybe this one will give another opportunity to look at life through the lens of a man who knew who he was living and where he was going.
Blessings to all of the opportunities you have on this glorious day.
Be the Solution Daily Quotes- 5-24-22
The world can be too much for us. Our minds race from one issue to the next. As we focus on problems with our mindset of “fix-it,” we forget in those moments to take a breath and remember we are not designed to take on the world alone. We are not to face every issue with a “fix-it” focus, but with opened eyes and hearts to know the solution will come on the designers timeline.
Blessings to each one for a day full of opportunities to see the work’s wonders to create better days ahead.
Hidden Blessings Lesson 3-Obstacle
Lesson 3: The obstacle is the way.
Blessings find us when we are ready to see them. We often miss them because we are busy looking in the wrong places or focusing on the “problem” we see. Danny and I find we have things in common, but we are not alone. Many leaders face similar obstacles, issues, problems, or challenges. Danny took a year to discover how to release from his issue, and it took me three years.
“It took nearly a year to flip my mindset from seeing Houston as a failure to counting it as a blessing. I was obsessed with proving my supervisor (and those pressuring her) wrong. I felt like I had something to prove. Somehow I had to even the score. I was wronged. I wanted to make things right somehow. What a terrible burden to carry for a year, and I am lucky to have put that burden down after a year!”-Daniel Bauer
Danny shared this story of two monks who were on their way back to their monastery. As part of their religious training they vowed to never come into contact with a woman.
“And on their way home to the monastery, they happened to come across a woman who needed assistance crossing a river.
The two monks were headed in the same direction, so the older of the two monks asked the woman if he could assist. He did so by picking her up and helping her cross the water.
The monks continued their journey in silence …
Hours went by and their journey was coming to an end. The monastery was on the horizon. The younger monk was visibly irritated and broke his silence.
He said, “Brother, how could you violate your vow to never touch a woman? I am so disappointed with you and don’t understand.”
The older monk said, “Brother, I put the woman down hours ago. Why are you still holding her?”
Grudges, vendettas, and other burdens do not serve you.”
Carrying negative experiences forward with you from the past is never healthy. After reflecting, Danny could see how this negative event closed a door for him, but another one opened. He would never have taken the chances he did, written his book or accomplished all he has if he had not been pushed to a different path.
My journey was a little different, I did resign, but it was three years later. Our bodies react to the stress in our lives. When it is compounded and not resolved, significant changes can occur. I was at that point in my life.
After inquiring with my teacher retirement system per my doctor’s request, to ask about reducing hours, the boss takes action, but not the kind you expect. I had attempted to speak to my boss about my issues, but communication with me was not a priority.
A few days later, in my office entered, my boss and one of her assistants relocated my secretarial staff, closed the door, and began to ask questions. My boss speaks, the other takes notes, then tells me I will need to work from home. I am told to gather up my things, and they walk me out.
Now to those peeking out the windows, the message sent to all is that I was walked out of my office and sent home. People believe in their minds I have done something wrong. In my heart, I am feeling the same way. I do not hear any words spoken, only my heart beating faster. Five days later, I received a letter that the Board of Education had placed me on medical leave. Wow, I thought in shock again. No one has asked to talk to me. Why? There is nothing on file to indicate I was not doing my job. My accident happened in 2010, and my unexpected departure in 2018. I am so sorry to those I left with no goodbyes or explanations. Three years passed, and no contacts.
My health has improved since leaving the position, and my diagnosis will never change from 2010. The label I worked hard to overcome, they placed on me without a blink of an eye. The leader decided to handle this situation in this manner, their way. Like my post on September 28, 2021, called Hook, line, and sinker, they bought it with fractions of information and not complete facts.
We move on until we are reminded—a story in the paper, a post on social media, or a picture. Sometimes it is a date on the calendar that takes you back to the day life changed for you and those close to you. Then you remember “what matters most” is helping others, sharing, lifting, listening, and always finding the time to be there when they need you the most! Be the solution daily to change the negatives to positives as you are the light to brighten the darkness. You can move on no matter the circumstance. You always have the power to control the action steps you take. Remember, you do not have to prove anything to anyone, be happy with yourself. Moving on isn’t always what it seems to others, but the truth is all you need. Always move forward with eyes lifted and praise the one who guides you through.
“As you care less about what people think of you, you will care more about what others think of themselves.” -Stephen Covey
“It’s not what happens to us, but our response to what happens to us that hurts us. Of course, things can hurt us physically or economically and cause sorrow. But our character, our basic identity, does not have to be hurt at all. In fact, our most difficult experiences become the crucibles that forge our character and develop the internal powers, the freedom to handle difficult circumstances in the future and to inspire others to do so as well.”-Stephen Covey
