John Harrell's Blog, page 101

Fitness

If one of your goals is to get fit this year, here’s a few helpful tips.

First, if you have health issues, get clearance from your doctor. After that, remember to lift weights to build strength. Do some cardio exercises to strengthen your heart, but don’t make cardio your dominant exercise. Get a good trainer. Eat good food. Do not start eating like a rabbit (meaning salads only). And finally, stay with it.

Over time, you will see results. Just keep going…

New Year’s Resolutions

We have reached the point of the year when people make resolutions for the coming year. Are you making some?

Here is a way to ensure you stick with your resolution: write only one. One change you are going to make, and commit to that change for one month. Keep a journal. Write about it. Talk to God about it. But commit yourself to accomplishing it.

You can do anything you set your mind to…

I Believe

What are your beliefs? Write them down, then state them out loud.

I believe in God. I believe in my health. I believe I have 40 more good years in me. I believe in my ability to create the wealth I need. I believe in myself. These are just a few of mine.

This is a powerful exercise. Do it daily for the next month. See what happens to your mindset…

Timing

Timing is everything. When you need to have a difficult conversation with someone, choosing the right time makes all the difference.

God’s timing is perfect. That said, I don’t always like His timing in the moment, but it turns out the best when I accept it. He really does know best.

If you are in a challenging period of your life, take a minute to thank God for the lessons you are learning. He never punishes us, only disciplines. Discipline means teaching, even when we don’t like it…

Higher Ground

All of us have a deeper desire than we are living. We have been imbued by the Creator to live for a greater purpose, to be part of something bigger than ourselves. What stops us from pursuing it?

Faith can be a scary thing. We step into an abyss, not knowing what’s next or where we are going. What might seem scary can also be exhilarating. Our mindset in pursuit of our reason for living sets the tone. Do we have a fear mindset, or one of great faith? We get to choose.

Fear can paralyze you. Faith will energize you. Choose faith and live higher…

What You Give, You Get

Opportunities are everywhere. Keep your eyes, mind and heart open…

Travel

Did you like to travel? I believe most people would reply with a resounding, yes! Travel exposes us to new, exciting adventures we might not otherwise see.

Our senses come alive from new stimuli. New neural pathways are formed as we make memories. But we can have similar experiences every day. Reading, writing, taking in a museum or having stimulating conversations will accomplish the same thing. Using all your sensory perceptions is key.

Try it! Most of us are not able to physically travel all year long, but our imagination is only as limited as we allow it to be…

Gifts

On Christmas morning, people all over the world are celebrating and opening gifts. But there is one gift we might overlook daily: the gift of life.

Birth itself is a miracle. It is awe-inspiring to study and understand all the things that must go right to produce a baby. The odds are against us, but when God is involved all the odds are shifted.

There are people who won’t wake up today. Some died naturally, while some chose to take their own life. Never take life for granted. It is a gift from God…

Learn It!

Do you ever observe unhealthy patterns in other people and wonder why they won’t change? Why do people stay in abusive relationships, drink to excess or lie?

Here’s some truth which I will express as gently as I can: they have to learn healthy habits for themselves. When people find their voice, their inner strength, they change. They own the change because they did it for themselves.

Until that moment comes, pray for them. Pray hard, and believe God will change them because He can. There is unlimited power in Jesus. Believe it…

Peace

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, or nothing at all, I wish you peace this weekend…