A Different Point Of View

A writer’s mission is to articulate something – truth – mystery – instruction … usually from a collection of thoughts and ideas scribbled and jotted down in journals, notebooks or computer files. Those nuggets come to us, and we save them, curate them, and share in a way that hopefully the reader gets what we are trying to say. That’s how it usually happens.

For me, today, the ideas felt so complete that I decided to share them just as I got them – in the order that they came to my pen. I hope they offer as much encouragement and inspiration to you as they still are to me.

“It’s time to get off the poor me train, give yourself a good kick in the ares, and start taking action to get the life you truly deserve.” (Steve Atchison)

“I am not a product of my circumstances, I am a product of my decisions.” (Steven Covey)

“Happiness is, when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” (Gandhi)

Stop focusing on how stressed you are and start focusing on how blessed you are.

“Soulful living is about slowing and developing a present-moment awareness.” (Prevention Magazine)

“Growth is painful; change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.” (Steve Maraboli)

“The best teachers are the ones who show you where to look but don’t tell you what to see.” (Alexandria K. Trenfor)

“Write down the thoughts of the moment. Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable.” (Frances Bacon)

“As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.” (Henry David Thoreau)

I could probably chew on these the rest of the month and not taste the full value they bring to my life. How about you?

Greg Tutwiler, www.FreedomLiving.org

Stinkin’ Thinkin’

The world lost another great philosopher yesterday. Zig Ziggler passed on at the age of 86. He was loved and respected by many, not only for his positive approach to life, but also his commitment to the Christian faith. He influenced many from several generations and his wisdom will continue for generations to come I’m sure.

One of my favorite books of his is actually one featured in the “For Dummies” series; called Success For Dummies. In honor of Zig, I  pulled a few tid-bits from that work, continuing in the same theme from my last entry, Moving Past The Fear.

Zig coins the phrase, “Stinkin’ Thinkin’,” and suggests that when you develop a case of it, consider these ideas about dealing with that negativity in your thought process:

1. “There are no hopeless situations, only people who lose hope in their situations.”

2. “You can find at least two ways to look at virtually everything. A pessimist looks for difficulty in the opportunity, whereas an optimist looks for opportunity in the difficulty.”

3. “Many people look only at the problem and not at the opportunity that lies within the problem.”

4. “A small coin can hide even the sun if you hold the coin close enough to your eye. So when you get too close to your problems to think objectively about them, try to keep in mind how your vision can be obstructed, take a step back, and look at the situation from a new angle. Look up instead of down.”

5. “You can’t do anything to change the fact that a problem exists, but you can do a great deal to find the opportunity within the problem.”

6. “A positive attitude doesn’t guarantee success, but a cynical attitude guarantees failure.”

Thanks for all your great wisdom, Zig!
Enjoy your days with Jesus!

What Did You Do With It?

“A noble and God-like character is not a thing of favor or chance, but is the natural result of continued effort on right thinking …” (James Allen)

How would life be different if we would take just one idea, thought, quote, or profound statement and focus on it sincerely – intently … if we could let the principal message message soak in. If we would take action on the lesson learned and incorporate it into our daily living – How would our lives change. What’s the last good piece if advice you heard? What did you do with it? Right thinking is a crucial element of life. Right action is paramount.