Tuesday, April 21, 2009

The Reason


Believing in a vision is so important. So what is my reason for writing? After all, I try to be a good person every day. I try to encourage people as much as I can when they need it. Isn’t that enough to satisfy the motivational and inspirational needs of others?

It could be enough, but it isn’t enough because I know that I’m capable of more. My own vision is to inspire others to greatness in as many ways as possible. But to fulfill my vision, I have to extend my reach in as many different ways as possible.

Why is this vision the one I have many will ask? It actually forced me to think about it and to write it down. It also happened innocently enough when someone asked, "Why do I bring Christianity into my writing?" It was an odd question because rarely do I speak as if a preacher conducting a revival.

In fact I am always cognizant in "walking the line" of secularism and my religion. I understand there are many people that have different belief systems or non-belief systems as others may say.

In thinking about the question though it occurred to me that maybe it is the writing that brings out my Christianity. The way I write might be exposing my belief system to others. It was likely this exposure the individual was asking about.

There are two things that explain why I do this.

One is that my intent is not to "preach" and "convert" all people through my writings. It may come out in my writing, but it is what I grew up in and is a learned belief.

I am also proud of my beliefs and unashamed to say so. Yet I am not a religious scholar and in no way could I ever pretend to be one. So relax, I'm not here to lay hands on and convert the masses.

The second thing I want to express is that my writing is really about giving one or many people just a bit of encouragement. It is my way of saying, "sure, we all struggle and want a better life." I can not guarantee anything nor will life in general, but many times all we need is just a word or two that gives us the extra push to succeed or get over a difficult time.

But of course this leads to another question, "what am I selling then?" My response is that we are all selling something; a product, a service, a belief or ourselves.

But it isn't about the money, which in deed any money I do make goes to a non-profit organization. The money has been very small but the responses I get from people are really what I earn. Those that respond with a simple, "thank you, I needed those words today" are profit.

It also energizes me into knowing that I am doing some level of good. You see, it was the few simple words of encouragement from others that pulled me through really tough times. Each of us comes through change and it only takes some encouragement from others to push us through.

So my hope is that people keep reading and get some level of encouragement from the words. If it makes a difference even in the smallest of ways, then I am happy for you.

Thank you and remember;

"Believe in your vision, act upon that vision and then realize the vision."

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Seven Minute Workout

Attempting to get back into the swing of things after being sick the last three days. But it gave me a chance to catch up on some reading and found the following advice from Dr. Mehmet Oz. It is simple advice for those of us that simply don't exercise as much as we should. The clip below appeared in the April 2009 Esquire magazine along with some other very good articles on health.


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Friday, April 10, 2009

The Passion

Holbein's "The Passion of Christ" - 1524

Here it is, Good Friday, a noted and important religious holiday. It is primarily a Christian rememberance of the crucifixion of Jesus. Since I am certainly not a religious theologian, I will not pretend to teach anyone of the theology behind this holiday.

What I can do is tell you that everyday is a day to be remembered. There are both good and bad days which mark your own life's journey. Some may say, why remember a death of some person from so long ago?

But why then do we remember Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln, any number of saints or other political figures? It is because their life had meaning and purpose for us. We both honor and take time to remember how these people impacted our lives. That impact may not seem obvious, but each created change that lives on today.

Your life has a lasting impact on others as well. It is very likely that you will not have a holiday named in your honor, but others will remember you. So this Good Friday, we will remember the death of Jesus, but also remember those that have had an impact in our lives.

Have a Good Friday everyone; enjoy a reflective and peaceful Easter weekend.
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Thursday, April 09, 2009

A Simple Life


"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler." - Henry David Thoreau

I happened upon a blog post by "Wat da Wat?" during a recent trip around the Internet. The article speaks to "living the simple life" and what it means to the writer. I liked the self-reflection and search that was undertaken.

Each of us are searching for our own view of a 'simple life' as well. Those views remain different and are very personal. The idea is that you seek out the balance you want for your life. By having a better understanding of what you want in life, you will be able to discard that which isn't needed. What remains is your definition of simplicity. It all becomes clearer.

The simple life is what you make it. The same thing goes for a great life, it is what you make it. Imagine, dream and act upon what you want. Life will become much simpler as you figure it out...it always does.
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