Monday; October 2

For those of you who have known me for a while you are aware of my proclivity to begin a new workout routine.  Like most people I will do well for a while, then I will fall off the wagon (or more literally – the treadmill).  Through the years I have learned a few things about myself and, when it comes to working out, it isn’t the physical activity that creates the issue, it is getting off the couch and into the gym.  Once I walk through the doors of a facility I actually enjoy myself, but my biggest obstacle is changing my way of thinking.  Sure, I want to do it and I know that it needs to be done, but I have to begin a new way of thinking if I am going to be successful with a new way of acting.
What is the hardest thing about repenting?  Most of us equate “repentance” with changing what we do and, while that is the ultimate goal, it begins with a new thought process.  If we are going to overcome an addiction, we may have to revise the way we think about coping with stress.  If we are going to end an illicit relationship, we may have to rethink who we call our friends.  If we are going to replace pessimism with optimism, we may have to review how we get our information.  Years ago there was a push to “just say no” and, while I can find value in this philosophy, ending an old way and beginning something new may be more difficult than just saying so, it very well could be linked to how we think.  Commitment begins with conviction – actions follow thoughts.
Is there something we need to change in our lives?  Is there a new routine we need to develop?  We know that we need to do it and we know that we will feel better once we do it – so let’s make it happen even if it means choosing a different way of thinking. 
          Think About It!

Popular posts from this blog

Tuesday; November 29

The biblical story of the Good Samaritan has changed our world. Notice I didn’t say that it had change religion or even Christianity, it has influenced the world. There are very few people who don’t know the moral of Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan. In fact, the phrase has become a common description of everyday people doing good to their neighbors. While Jesus’ parable from Luke 10 shares several spiritual lessons, one of the most practical is that good can be done by anyone. You don’t have to be a church official to do good, it is not only possible for each one of us to help, it is required of all of us. If a Samaritan can be good, so can we! After presenting the parable, Jesus asked the man who had originally asked the question about being a good neighbor which character in the story was a good neighbor, “… he said, ‘The one who showed mercy toward him.’” at which point, the discussion from theoretical to personal, “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do the same.’” (Luke
Read more

Thursday; January 12

The other day I was watching a television show that used a rather common term applied to overcoming challenges. When organizations experience unexpected setbacks – especially when they lose key people – they rely upon the concept of “Next Man Up”. In essence, when our starters (or stars) go down, effective organizations rely upon their next levels to step into the vacancy. While this is an effective response, have we given much thought as to how we prepare to be the “next people up”? First, we must know our job. Even when we aren’t the primary players, we need to be preparing ourselves to be ready when we get the opportunity to shine. Second, we must do our best when we get the chance. Knowledge is important but what turns potential into talent is effort. Yet, maybe the most underappreciated aspect of this concept is a willingness avoid excuse-making and whining about the unfairness of our situation. When we complain about the circumstances that caused the need for replacements
Read more

Monday; September 25

When I was a youngster, I remember hearing about this thing called the Generation Gap. I was a little bit too young to be active in the social movements of the 1960s, but I do remember listening to the challenges the generations were experiencing way back then. Interestingly, now that I have been on both sides of the aging process, I have to admit that the Gap of the 1960s was nothing new. With the development of each generation comes conflict. The young people don’t feel like the older people understand them and the older folks tend to believe their input is being underappreciated. Too often trust is the casualty when two generations collide. The sad thing is that it doesn’t have to be this way. When we can capture the innovation and energy of the younger folks and harness the wisdom of those who have been around for a while we can develop a winning combination. No, we won’t always see things eye-to-eye nor will we necessarily speak the same emotional language, but when we app
Read more