I did not realize until this morning I have not written in four days.  That has not happened to you.  Yet, we all lose our marbles at times because of stress, anxiety, regret, tension, ………..you get the idea.

 

Many “experts” tell us to take a walk, take up sports, or take up a hobby.  Anything that will hep you or I relive our tension.  Exercise becomes a daily habit.  Yes, we become healthier, lose weight, or even feel better.  Yet, there is still the stress that will not go away.  It hounds us during everything.  Many days it seems to grow.

 

Jesus had stress.  It was the disciples, religious people, and even family.  Many times, he would just disappear into the mountains.  He would get away and be with His Father.  We need to follow His example.  Get away for the evening or even the day.  Do not go shopping, go to a park and just look at the beauty of creation and for the Creator.   He will come, just as He did for His Son.  He always is there for His children.

Everyone is constantly busy.  Everyone seems to be going to football games, soccer, band trips, practices, Labor day trips, festivals, and then the lake.  Cannot forget the lake.  When one becomes busy, the little things of life slip through our hands.  They are forgotten.

 

Do not forget them.  For one day the little things of life that you have now will be huge.  Take every second to enjoy the little things that God gives you.  Cherish them.  Relish them.  For that touch from you child, the kiss of a lover, an awesome sunset, or a simple “I love you,” you may wish for again.

 

 

Every day we have people that make mistakes, sins, actions, against us that hurt us.  It is at this time we have a decision to make.  We can hold on to the anger or let it go. 

 

Holding on to the anger will bring bitterness, regrets, and depression.  It will hurt our lives and those around us.

 

Letting it go will bring peace to ourselves.  Yes if the other party asks for us to over look their mistakes, they can have peace.  Yet this letting go is mainly for those who have been offended.  It is for our personal well being.

 

This letting go has another name: forgiveness.  Today forgive.  Today let it go.

Treat people the way you want to be treated.  If you treat them with kindness, fairness, compassion, and respect, they will do the same.  However, if you lie, cheat, steal, manipulate, abuse, they will do the same to you.

 

Do not be surprised on how people treat you.  They are only following your lead.

We have all heard the phrase, “you are your own worst enemy.”  It is true.  No one can compare to the damage we do to ourselves on a daily bases.  Through procrastination, negativity, bitterness, lack of motivation, lack of creativity, lack of commitment, biased, and self-centeredness, we destroy our hope, dreams and ambitions.

 

We make the decision what and who will listen to.  Listen to your heart.  Listen to the Holy Spirit.  Step forward and attack the daily issues.  Believe in yourself.  God does.

When we were growing up  our parents would tell us something to do.  Our reply would be, “It is too hard.”  It was suppose to be hard.  They wanted us to grow.  Growth comes through testing, difficulties, and of course strain. 

 

The same is true in life.  Yes, it is hard.  But there is no growth if there is no strain. 

 

However, there are people that use it is too hard as an excuse.  They want growth without the strain, the pain, or the troubles.  They feel entitled.  What you then have is a selfish, self-centered person.  A person that will never grow and never live.

 

Take the strain.  Learn from it.  Grow.  Then, you will truly live life.

Two of the most powerful words in the English language is “thank you.”  They are not said often enough.

 

Thank you.  Thank you for reading this web page.  Thank you for the words of discussion, encouragement, and sometimes disagreement.  Thank you for looking this page up everyday and liking it.

 

So as you finish out this day, I hope theses words of thanks encourage you if you have had a bad day or remind you of your importance.  Thanks again.

Yes it is Monday.   If it can go wrong, it has.  If it can get lost, it is gone.  Wrong turns.  Late to appointments.  Lost items.  Monday.

 

Yet, there is something that I often forget about this day.  It begins a new week full of opportunities, challenges, and of course adventures. Adventure is what I am looking for.   What will happen next?  

 

Often in life we forget that this journey is an adventure.  It will be full of success, failures, mistakes, laughter, accomplishments, parties, and of course the occasional wrong turn.  The wrong turns can be fun at times.

 

So what is it for you?  The dread or the hype?  The fear or the challenge?  Just remember, it is your attitude that will determine how your week will progress.  Jesus discussed this all the time.  Your attitude will present your heart.

Yes, we all get angry at times.  The issue is not that we get angry, it is what we do with that anger.  We have several choices: internalize it, voice it, physically act it out, or learn from it.

 

If you take one of the first three options, the other person or the situation that made you angry is in control.  They own you through your anger.  In the future they will use the same technique again knowing that they will get an angry reply.

 

However, it you choose to learn from your anger, you win.  The issue becomes an opportunity of learning which means you own the situation.  No one controls  you, instead you are in control. 

 

So the next time you get angry, choose to learn.   From learning, life gets better.  Just look at the life of Peter.

Everyone has two choices: live or die.  That is true.  You wake up every morning with the choice before you.  To live, with all  the risks, fun adventure, chances, and faith or to die, with all the normality of the day before, no risks, no adventure, just work, go home, watch TV.  Hold on you may say.  We have to work to pay the bills.  We have to take care of the house.   We have kids to run to events.  All true.  Will not deny.

 

Here is what is missed.  It is the attitude.  Is my attitude to live?  Do I want to make each moment an adventure, even if it is at work?  Do I want to make the tending of the chores fun and joyful?  It is all about attitude.

 

So, is your attitude one of life?  If so you will bring life to everyone around you.  And that in itself is an adventure.   Just look at Jesus.