John Harrell's Blog, page 131

Everyone Matters

Every person matters. We can be impressed by the number of degrees people have, their titles, accomplishments or possessions, but that’s not who they are. We are all equally important in the eyes of God. His opinion is the only one that matters.

Treat others with kindness. Show compassion. We are in this battle called life together…

Be Strong Enough

Why are we tearing each other apart over political differences?

All of us have beliefs and convictions. It’s not a threat to allow others to challenge us. Living in an echo chamber, aligning yourself only with those who agree with you is dangerous and limits open-mindedness. Be confident. Be strong enough to accept others where they are…

Rest

One of the keys to good health is to get proper rest. We need to refresh and recharge so we will be at our best. Take care of your mind and your body. The world needs you…

Stories Matter

All of us are writing our own life story. Let’s write stories about the reach and impact we’ve had on others, focusing on fulfillment rather than accomplishments and possessions. Be relevant…

Imaginary Conversations

Do you have conversations in your head? Of course you do! We are talking to ourselves all the time. Just like the conversations you have with other people, make sure your self-talk is worth listening to…

Religion

I don’t believe in organized religion. Religion has been used to hurt people. Personally, I follow Jesus and try to live up to the example He set for us. Jesus was a radical, saying things like “love your enemies,” and “pray for those who persecute you.” One thing He didn’t do was bring the world more religion. He showed us the true character of God.

Religion will continue. The rules of religion (no drinking or dancing etc) will remain. I simply study the life of the One who redeemed and restored hurting people…

As The Wind Blows…

Is your mood changed by things that happen to you? I believe all of us are to some extent. When something good comes along, we feel a moment of happiness.

Life will always be unpredictable. It is our responsibility to ensure we don’t allow the unknowns in life to set our mood. If we do, our emotions will feel like a rollercoaster. Up sometimes, down the other.

Our Creator gave us free will over one thing: our attitude. Let’s keep ours focused on our one true north. The unknown events of our lives will keep coming, but our attitude about how we adapt and handle them doesn’t have to change…

Procrastination

Everyone procrastinates. Lazy people have turned procrastination into an art form.

Do the things you don’t want to do first. If there’s a phone call you’re putting off making, make the call. If you need to clean your garage, clean it and don’t allow yourself to make excuses.

When you take action on the things you dread, you change. You change for the better…

Worth

Our culture is caught up in what we have and where we live, what I call our “status and stuff.” There is so much more to life than those things. The world is changed through the goodness in the heart of mankind…

Positive Thinking

Millions of books have been written about positive thinking. Millions more will be written. And we know too well that popular saying, “Let go. Let God.” That sounds great until you have to actually do it.

Ceding our desire to control is scary. We want our lives to have happy endings, so we try to control outcomes. Controlling things we have no control over doesn’t work.

Our Creator gives us control over one thing: our attitude. Keep yours focused on whatever is good, right and noble. That’s better than any self-help book…