John Harrell's Blog, page 110

Accept

Are you living life fully, or merely accepting what comes your way? Unfulfilled dreams can cause people to give up too quickly on what they truly desire.

Successful outcomes don’t happen overnight. It takes commitment, drive and unrelenting desire to achieve what you want. There are lonely times, but they don’t last. There are happy moments when you achieve a breakthrough, but you gotta keep working.

Henry David Thoreau wrote, “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation, and die with their song still in them.” Don’t die with your music still inside you. The world needs to hear from you…

Wanda Huff

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but it’s something that we should be aware of every day. One in eight women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. Our guest today is a breast cancer survivor. On December 11, 2021, Wanda Huff received her final treatment after 2 years and 8 months. Today, she shares her story of diagnosis, treatment, encouragement, strength and hope, and life after cancer!

Breast Cancer Awareness

October is officially Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but it’s something people share be aware of every day. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetimes.

Tomorrow, I will post my recent interview with Wanda Huff, a breast cancer survivor. Wanda walks us through her journey dealing with the disease, including multiple surgeries, radiation and immunotherapy. It’s a gut wrenching story, but she got through it and is cancer free!

Be sure to watch our interview tomorrow. Until then, here’s my friend Wanda ringing the bell!

Take It Easy

If you have kids, you know they are going to do things that will get them in trouble. It could be as simple as being disruptive in school, or doing stuff that gets them sent to a detention center. Either way, they are in trouble.

How we handle it as parents sets the tone for their character development. If we try to get them out of it, then they learn nothing; that their poor decisions have no consequences. If we allow them to go through it, then hopefully our children learn something that will benefit them later in life.

Being too easy on our kids is as detrimental as being too hard on them. Find the balance to help in their development. Our kids are our future leaders. Help them to lead well…

Aging

Are you fighting growing older? It seems like there is a plastic surgeon on every street corner. Botox, fillers and anti-aging creams rule the day.

The most effective way to win the battle is by keeping your mind active and clear, while taking the time to exercise your body. Reading, journaling and learning new things will keep the neurons in your brain stimulated. Intense physical activity will keep your body young, fit and moving fluidly.

No matter your age, it is never too late to start. A year from now, you will look back and see your progress. Why not begin today? The year is going to pass anyway…

Content

My first book, “Killing My Father Then Finding Him” is 46 pages long. I joke that I kept it short because I want men to read it, too! But the truth is, there is a great amount of content in that short book. Everything that needed to be said was said in the book.

I keep this daily blog short because it encourages people to read it. In today’s “busy is better” culture, people have limited time. By the comments I receive and the amount of consistent readers worldwide, the content must be relevant because y’all keep showing up!

Sometimes, less is more. This applies whether it’s in a book, a blog, or a conversation…

Limited Faith

Do you doubt God? I do sometimes. Intellectually I know God can do anything, yet my mind can also see situations I deem to be impossible. Even for God.

When I doubt, I’m limiting God’s ability to act. Faith is, as it is said, what we hope for and cannot see. When God goes countercurrent and does something in my life I didn’t believe He could, I’m quick to say thank you and ask forgiveness for my doubt. I guess my memory is short, because I repeat the same scenario again and again!

Jesus told us to pray expectantly, as if we have already received it. And you know what? It works!

Lead

Leadership is easy to recognize. People who lead others aren’t born this way, they are developed over time. When their moment comes, they are ready.

Some people try to lead by force or through intimidation. That might work for a short period, but it’s not sustainable.

Simply put, leaders take the reins and do what’s right. They stand up for good and fight against evil. Leaders are oftentimes counter-culture, and don’t “go with the flow.” Being popular isn’t important to them.

Lead well. Be a lion among the sheep, not to harm, but to protect…

Steps

Because of the high number of divorces in today’s culture, there are more blended families than ever before. All of us know people with step-dads, step-moms and step siblings. This can cause rifts within the family if we allow it to.

Family dynamics are challenging enough without the added stresses of blending families. Family is part of our identity. In fact, it is the first foundation of who we are.

It isn’t a threat when family’s merge. While we don’t get to choose who our parents are, step families chose to be together. When done correctly, with forethought and intention, blending families together can bring much happiness and fulfillment…

Speed

I move at warp speed most days. I’m gifted with a high energy level, so I try to put it to good use.

In pursuit of some of my passions, I realize it’s necessary to slow down a bit. Slowing down is a struggle, I admit. These are the moments I need my head to overrule my heart.

Fastest is always the best way. Take your time to get it right the first time so you don’t have to repeat yourself!