Palm Sunday and Easter

With Palm Sunday and Easter just around the corner I thought the story I read in passing below about someone who fell into a pit and couldn’t get out – and how others treated that person – makes for an awesome reflection.

 
A subjective person came along and said, “I feel for you down there.”
 
An objective person came along and said, “Well it’s logical that someone would fall down there.”
 
A Pharisee said, “Only bad people fall into pits.”
 
A mathematician calculated how the individual fell into the pit.
 
A new reporter wanted an exclusive story on the person in the pit.
 
A fundamentalist said, “You deserve your pit.”
 
A Calvinist said, “If you’d been saved, you’d never fallen in the pit.”
 
An Armenian said, “You were saved and still fell in that pit.”
 
A charismatic said, “Just confess that you’re not in that pit.”
 
A realist came along and said, “Now that’s a pit.”
 
A geologist told him to appreciate the rock strata in the pit.
 
An IRS worker asked if he was paying taxes on this pit.
 
The county inspector asked if he had a permit to dig the pit.
 
A self-pitying person said, “You haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen my pit.”
 
An optimist said, “Things could be worse.”
 
A pessimist said, “Things will get worse.”
 
Jesus, seeing the man, reached down and took him by the hand and lifted him out of the pit.
 
Let’s keep in mind that God loves everybody.  Treat people the way Jesus would treat them.  Do that and others will always feel encouraged.

My Muses

I find that I work better and think more creatively when surrounded by objects on my desk which inspire me.  I like the minimalist desk because clutter is a distraction.  As a result, I place a few items which serve as my muses.  Whenever I have a mental or writer block these pieces help me to push pass the wall to the next level.

 

Examples of my current muses:

• Miniature books with awesome titles – “Follow Your Dreams”, “You’re the BEST!”, and “Shoot for the Moon”
• Ivory and brown marble sculpture of a person reading the Bible – it’s one of my favorite books about wisdom and wholesome living
• Red, spherical and heavy paper weight – the interior contains bubbles suspended in space
• 45-minute sand timer – it helps me to focus and ignite my imagination

 

Hope my experience sparks ideas that help you to pick the muses which will inspire you to your creative best.

The Power of Perseverance

Do you have the perseverance to go the distance?  If not, let the sixteenth President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, inspires you to keep going.  Read the list below to see for yourself what perseverance did for one of our most popular U.S. Presidents.

 

• 1832  Lost his job.
• 1832  Defeated for the Legislature of Illinois.
• 1833  Failed business.
• 1836  Suffered nervous breakdown.
• 1838  Defeated for Speaker of the House.
• 1843  Defeated for nomination for Congress.
• 1849  Rejected for appointment to U.S. Land Office. 
• 1854  Defeated for U.S. Senate seat.
• 1856  Defeated for nomination for Vice President.
• 1858  Defeated for U.S. Senate Seat.
• 1860  Elected President of the United States.

My God

Who is God to you?  The question is an easy and hard one to answer at the same time.  For me, God is one of the beloved members of my Inner Circle.  I appreciate and depend on his huge heart, impeccable taste (he created this magnificent universe with amazing people, plants, and animals), perfect timing, colossal sense of humor, and ageless wisdom. 

 

Thank you for your abundant love, mercy, blessings, and guidance!  I love you, God!

 

 

Live Your Dreams

Many people do not live their dreams because of three main reasons.  People often cite lack of time and money while the number one reason is fear.  What if for 2009 you decide to be bold and really go after your dreams?  Here are two strategies you can apply to take your dreams from fantasy to reality. 

 

Use the W.O.W. and W.I.N. methods.  Whatever your dreams may be ask yourself this question:  what is my WOW?  Which means what is the first action you can take within one week to kickstart your dreams?  Then take the next action and continue to the following action after that.

 

During your journey ask yourself this question daily:  what is my WIN?  In other words, what’s important now?  This will help you to focus on the activities which will move you forward to reaching your dreams.

Vietnamese and Chinese New Year

Happy Vietnamese and Chinese New Year!!  For 2009 this new year’s celebration begins on Monday, January 26. 

 

The Vietnamese and Chinese traditions use twelve different animals to represent each year of the twelve-year-cycle.  The animal order remains the same with the year of the Rat at the beginning and the year of the Pig ending the cycle.  2008 was the Year of the Rat.  2009 is the Year of the Ox.

 

For people born in the Year of the Ox, the following are positive traits and characters influenced and inspired by this animal.

 

• Leadership qualities
• Loyal
• Dependable
• Great organizers
• Patient
• Honesty
• Strong work ethics
• Creative
• Loyal
• Eye for detail
• Responsible

 

In the Vietnamese and Chinese cultures, this is the time to gather with family members and friends, honor the ancestors and celebrate with a big banquet of tasty foods that symbolize prosperity in the New Year.

Adventures

Add depth, meaning, and beauty to your world.  Embrace the opportunity to meet fascinating people, explore intriguing places, and champion worthy causes.  Venture beyond your comforting zip code.

 

The experiences you collected from these pursuits become priceless treasures that form the beautiful the tapestry of your life.  They are also great resources when you need solace and support.  Be adventurous.

Inauguration Day

Farewell to President George W. Bush.  Thank you for leading our country through the best of times and the worst of times!  May God continue to bless you and your family.

 

Greeting to President Barack Obama.  May God bless you with wisdom and courage as you lead the United States of America through the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Seek a Mentor for Success

This week I learn a great definition for a mentor.  A mentor is someone whose hindsight can serve as your foresight. 

 

Get a mentor and leverage other people’s experiences, ideas, and time to help you travel your success journey.  Then return the favor, and be a mentor for someone else. 

2009 Wishes

Grandpa Lewis, thanks for your great wishes below!  They are so great I’m sharing them with everyone.

 

May peace break into your home and may thieves come to steal your debts.
May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.
May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips!
May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy.
May the problems you had, forget your home address!

In simple words …………

 

May 2009 be the beginning of the best of your life!!!

Hot Fashion Trends for 2009

Always leave home wearing these accessories. 

• Self-confidence
• Smile
• Optimism
• Generosity
• Compassion
• Patience
• Diligence

Money

The holidays are now behind us.  The credit card statements arrive in the mail box for payment.  The quote below by Earl Wilson, an American newspaper columnist, sounds funny and rings true.

 

“Nowadays, people can be divided into three classes – the Haves, the Have-Nots, and the Have-Not-Paid-for-What-They-Haves.”

The Basics

How do you reduce annoyances, disappointments, and time wasters?  Read the fine print before you sign.  Check the label so you know what you get.  Write down the confirmation number.  Always inspect what you expect.

Luck

Are you a lucky person?  Do you have the luck of the Irish?  Will eating Lucky Charm cereal help you?  Luck is not limited to some people.  Luck is available to anyone who is alert.  Luck is the intersection of opportunity and preparation.  Whatever is your endeavor, know that the harder you work, the luckier you get.

Hello 2009

Welcome to the brand new day and new year!!  We get a fresh start, a blank canvas, and a clean slate to dream anew.  In 2009, may your imagination become the reality for you and the world to celebrate and benefit.

Goodbye 2008

2008 has been an awesome year.  The blessings, surprises, farewells, laughs, tears, victories, congratulations, and celebrations – all the elements which give our lives fun, depth, and meaning.  Goodbye 2008 – thank you for all the amazing memories!

Compete – Don’t Envy

A sage advice by Kimora Lee Simmons from her book entitles, “Fabulosity – What It Is & How to Get It.”  Kimora, thank you for phrasing this insight so eloquently and straight on!

 

No matter where you are in the game, no matter how successful you might be, there will always be others out there who are more talented or more beautiful or more connected than you.  Get used to it!  If you start dwelling on everybody else’s genius, it’ll become a huge tidal wave of doubt. 

 

Yes, there is an entire universe of brilliant people out there, but they probably don’t have the exact cocktail of smarts + style + initiative + right-place-right-moment timing that you can have – if you stay positive.  There’s an Arabian proverb, “Compete, don’t envy.”  A desire to compete gets you in the race, but envy leaves you green and sick, sitting on the side.

Happy birthday, Jesus!

Happy birthday, Jesus!  Chapter 9 verses 6 -7 of the book of Isaiah from the Living Bible describes this significant and magnificent event below.

 

For unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder.  These will be his royal titles:  “Wonderful,” “Counselor,” “The Mighty God,” “The Everlasting Father,” “The Prince of Peace.”  His ever-expanding, peaceful government will never end.  He will rule with perfect fairness and justice from the throne of his father David.  He will bring true justice and peace to all the nations of the world.  This is going to happen because the Lord of heaven’s armies has dedicated himself to do it!

Celebrate Christmas 2008

Jesus Christ is the reason we celebrate the Christmas season.  Peace, goodwill, and the blessings of God be with you and your family.

Is there a Santa Claus?

Enjoy the timeless story below.  For those of you who are news buffs, check out this website:  http://www.newseum.org.

 

Eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York’s Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history’s most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.

“DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old. “Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. “Papa says, ‘If you see it in THE SUN it’s so.’ “Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus? “VIRGINIA O’HANLON. “115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET.” VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world. You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernatural beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Serenity Prayer

Donna, thanks for bringing my attention to this beautiful serenity prayer below by Reinhold Niebuhr!  With our fast pace, stressful and busy lifestyle, we need to call in the Higher Power to help us deal with the burden and blessing of living.

 

God grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference.

 

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.

 

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

As it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

If I surrender to His will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life,

And supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next.

Fresh Breath for the Holiday Season

Fresh breath is desirable anytime and especially around the holiday season when there are parties, galas, receptions, and soirees to attend.

 

For toothpaste, Healthy Mouth gel by JASON is an excellent choice.  It contains CoQ10 for gum support and periodontal protection. Enriched with Certified Organic Tea Tree Oil and Aloe Vera Gel to help soothe and heal gums. It also blasts away bad breath with natural flavors of Tea Tree, Clove, and Cinnamon.  Available at Whole Foods or http://www.jason-natural.com. 

For dental floss, reach for Glide by Crest.  Its minty flavor and shred resistant properties make flossing quick and easy.  Available at grocery stores and pharmacies.  

 

For mouthwash, Thera Breath by Dr. Katz offers a gentle, fast and effective rinse without any stinging or burning sensation.  Available at Wal-Mart or http://www.therabreath.com/.  

 

For after meals and snacks chew any of these gums below for fifteen to twenty minutes to freshen your breath.  The saliva produced while chewing the gum will also clean your teeth and reduce plaque build-up.  Available at pharmacies, convenient and grocery stores.   

• Dentyne ice
• Trident Xtra Care
• Stride

Now go mix and mingle.  Speak up confidently.  Breathe freely.  Have a fresh and fun time.

Live Long and Prosper

Live long and prosper.  I think that is a Vulcan greeting spoken by Mr. Spock in the popular TV show, Star Trek.  I was watching the Oprah Winfrey Show about the Blue Zones where people live healthy lives well into their seventies, eighties, nineties, one hundred and beyond.  I like to pair living long with being healthy because I believe a better quality of life depends on both. 

 

One of the people featured is a 94-year-old heart surgeon, Ellsworth Wareham, who can still be found performing surgery in the operating room.  He said, “I think it’s important for an individual to have some security and peace in his life. And I get that from believing in a loving, caring God, you see. And so if he’s in charge of my life, why sit around and worry? I mean, he takes care of the universe, he can certainly take care of me, so I don’t worry.”

 

What’s the secret to live long and prosper? 

• Eat nutritiously. 
• Exercise regularly. 
• Live purposefully. 
• Give generously. 
• Work diligently.
• Have fun daily. 
• Believe in a Holy and loving God.     

Suffering

This past Sunday JoAnn Hummel, the Teaching Pastor at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship, preached a sermon about suffering.  She told of her trip to one of the countries in Africa where she saw a three year old boy whose only clothing was a plastic grocery bag.  His arms went through the two openings of the bag’s handles.  Two holes were punched through at the bottom of the bag for his legs.  When JoAnn held up the flimsy plastic bag, it visually brought home the message that there is much suffering in this world. 

 

Although we cannot snap our fingers and instantly make suffering disappears, there is much we can do starting at our home, neighborhood, city, state, country, and the rest of the world.  Realize that when you reach out to help, no matter how small a gesture or effort, you are making a difference.  When you see people suffer, do what you can – be it prayers, money, time, or a hug.

 

Remember that the miracles from God work through the caring hands of willing people.

 

Delegate and Conquer

Have you heard of the phrase “Let’s divide and conquer”?  Some of you may have already used it effectively as a strategy to get more done.  I like its twin method too: “delegate and conquer.”

 

I observe that successful people and those who have accomplished so much with their lives use this strategy of delegate and conquer.  We have all been given twenty four hours in a day – no more and no less.  So if we want to have thirty six or forty eight hours in a day, we must beg, borrow, and buy.  Having done that, let’s treat other people’s time as a precious gift and its owner as a partner in the quest to achieve a common mission.

 

If you want phenomenal success and happiness, learn to use your time and talent wisely as well as those people whose money, skills, and experiences which are available to you.