Friday is Good

“You will rise by lifting others.” - Robert G. Ingersoll

This day, Good Friday to Christians around the world, is a day in which one man gave his life for all of us. It was the ultimate sacrifice for others. I am not here to sway the religious or non-religious of this day or even Easter. I am writing to state that goodness can come from helping others. That a series or even single sacrifice can change the world.

Does that mean run out and die for all of mankind?

There is possibility in both the religious and philosophical view into why service to others is a good thing. From a religious perspective, we know that Jesus preached of love and the lifting of others. In the finite terms of our own human life, will not making life better for others make our own lives more fulfilling? Is there not something in that for both those whom believe and those that do not?

What then is the reason for our existence?

Whether you believe in creation, evolution or some combination of each; we have the ability to reason and wonder what purpose we are in being here. We can bring purpose to our existence, if only for the shortness of our natural existence. There are many that live a life of always taking, of never giving back, of constant hate or disregard for others. We can live of life of giving, of constant love and compassion for others. We can make life better. We can create purpose to our lives.

There can be purpose to your life.

For me, there is purpose to that man who died on a cross. For me, there is something beyond what exists here and now. But for me, I also believe that I can make a difference while I am here. That I can make life better for others and for those to come. That my children and their children will benefit from what I have done in this lifetime. I can create purpose for my life by helping others.

You can also have an impact on the lives of others, on your children, their children and humanity. It does not take being crucified, nor does it take the wealth of kings. All it takes is love and lifting others. You can create purpose to your life.

Stay inspired my friends!

Storms Reveal

"Storms reveal what a sunny day conceals." - Jill Sweetman

When the day begins, I get into my car and drive off down the road to work. In the breaking morning light, I look to the sky in order to get a sense of what the weather will be that day. I have done this from my early days of being raised on a farm. Over the course of my many years, I have learned to appreciate and curse what awaits over the horizon.

I could look to a weather forecast the day or days before and make a judgement on what kind of day might be in store. But I would rather wait upon the change, the gathering light in the morning, to see what is revealed.

Many times, if the day starts out sunny and mild, the expectation of a great day sets the mood for many of us. We tend to be more pleasing to others and in our attitude. When things are going well such as family, work and other parts of our lives; our true ability to weather a storm is easily concealed.

But when weather is bad, when 'storms' in life come along, our true nature can be revealed.

Think of your morning drive to work. If storms are filling the early day with rain, wind and miserable conditions, do you allow your spirits to dampen? If you do, those feelings will translate into stress, shortness with others and just a lousy attitude.

If you learn to accept the rain and adjust your own reaction to it, the drive isn't so bad. Your attitude can bring a certain amount of 'sunshine' into the gloominess of a rainy day. Very easy for me to state the obvious, but you need to examine your own attitude when things are bad.

When things are going well, it is easy to be positive about things. It is easy to be nice, friendly and helpful to others.

Yet when things are not going so well in your life, this will be the true measure of your inner attitude.

Stay strong, stay positive, stay happy and stay inspired my friends!

Life's Challenges

"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you,

they are supposed to help you discover who you are."

- Bernice Johnson Reagon -

Stay inspired my friends!

Posting Online

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.” - Warren Buffett

Have you ever considered how big and wide the Internet is today.

It is growing exponentially.

It is estimated that in 2013, nearly 2,769,000,000 people were using the Internet.

Global Internet Usage - Wikipedia

The original ARPAnet connected users at only four locations with perhaps a few hundred users. By 1972, there were 40 sites connected to the ARPAnet. Today, the Internet far exceeds the wildest expectations of those first developers.

It is estimated that the Internet is growing at a rate of 65 percent every year!

The image above represents a hierarchical structure of the Internet, based on the connections between individual nodes (such as service providers). In an article titled Mapping the Internet, we get a view into just how connected our world is today.

So why is it that so many people, young, old people and everyone in between will post things to the Internet that they wouldn't otherwise display on their front door?

Could it have to do with anonymity or the belief in not being found out?

By now, everyone should be fully aware of the fact that once you put something out on the Internet, it is there for the rest of time.

The next time you think about posting graphic pictures, language or things that simply might be embarrassing when you go in for that new job interview (yes, prospective employers are checking you out online). We sometimes forget that plenty of stuff sits out on the Internet which can destroy a person's reputation if they are not careful.

If you think about it, maybe you will do things differently.

Stay inspired my friends!