John Harrell's Blog, page 16

Optimism or Dread

You have a choice. A new work week is upon us. Are you facing the week with an optimistic attitude, excited about what’s to come? Or perhaps you are one of the millions of people who are just trying to make it through to another weekend.

Working at a job that lacks fulfillment is prevalent across society. It doesn’t have to be this way, but there is the challenge people face. What to do about it when I have a mortgage, car payments, taxes and food to pay for. It does require money to live.

Life is full of trade-offs. I trade some of my time off to pursue night school. Or I can remain where I am and continue the cycle, the grind.

Going back to school is just one example. You can start a garden and sell vegetables at a local Farmer’s Market. You can take acting classes. It really is up to you to decide how to use your time.

Take a moment and ask God to show you the way. You might not get an immediate answer, but you will get an answer. Then it’s up to you to take action.

It’s time to wake up every day with the attitude that you can’t wait to get started!

An Educated Guess

Our education system is in need of a makeover. Currently, 54% of people between the ages of 16 and 74 read at a 7th grade level. This is abysmal, but it’s not beyond repair.

When Horace Mann developed school curriculum he had teachers teaching the head, the hands and the heart. Kids learned how to absorb information, think and apply what they learned. And they were also taught about their emotions. As a result, in 1950 the illiteracy rate in the United States was around 2%. Today it hovers around 23%. Abysmal, yet fixable.

Children will learn at an incredible pace when you give them the opportunity to. Education has been dumbed down in the name of no child being left behind. We are failing our children.

If you have kids, take the time to read with them. Make it interesting by reading a wide variety of subjects ranging from history to science fiction. You will learn some things, too!

It’s not too late to right the ship. Let’s begin!

Born Against

We are naturally rebellious. Parents don’t have to teach their little children bad behavior. And the teenage years are when the resistance really flourishes.

We live in an imperfect world. Imperfection is shown in more than just the breakdown of families. We have allowed our environment to become polluted. Human rights are non-existent in many countries. People are starving in the slums of third-world countries. It’s almost overwhelming to think about.

Since the day you were born, you have had an invisible enemy who wants to destroy you and everything good in your life. I’m talking about spiritual warfare, the unseen battles that are going on around us. Just because we can’t see them doesn’t make them less real.

Pray. Pray for your loved ones, the people you have hurt. Pray for the little children who don’t know where their next meal is coming from. Pray for the people who are about to give up and are considering ending it all. Just pray.

God is the only one who can change the heart of mankind. Pray for a miracle…

Repurposed

Old, vacant buildings can be renovated and repurposed for a new business. In the Midwest, especially, there are hundreds of former factories sitting vacant due to jobs going overseas. That’s a lot of unused real estate!

Maybe it’s time to change your life, a sort-of personal repurposing. The life you have been experiencing hasn’t really fulfilled you. You want more. It’s possible if you’re willing to turn the reins over to God and stop trying to do everything yourself.

You were created for a great purpose. There’s nothing random about you being here during this phase of history. Ask God to lead you where He wants you to be. If you’re willing to follow God, then get ready to be uncomfortable.

Growth requires change. Change isn’t negative if it gets you to where you are supposed to go…

Invisible

When I was a little kid, I thought it would be cool to be invisible. My plan was to sneak up on people and surprise them when I became visible. Playing pranks has always been part of my life!

Recently I read where an average person will see around 80,000 people during their lifetime. But how many do we remember? More importantly, what set them apart to cause us to remember them? I believe I have one answer.

How we treat others goes a long way toward being remembered. How you looked to them might fade, but not how your kindness made a difference. You made them feel seen. Making others feel important while lessening your importance is an act of humility.

In a world so full of divisiveness, be kind. Kindness will make you visible, not just another person…

Re-entry

If you are reading this it means you woke up this morning. Are you a morning person or a night owl? I’m both! I like to say I burn the candles at both ends, and also the middle.

Start your day with enthusiasm, knowing that every day you awaken God isn’t finished with you and your mission in this life. No matter what you are facing today and every day, having a positive attitude and a strong sense of self-confidence will get you through it.

You might be going through a rough period right now. It’s important to remember that you have gotten through every difficult period you have faced before. Your life can turn on a moment’s notice. You must keep pushing yourself to get to your next moment. Don’t give up.

Life is rarely easy on this side of eternity. But there are bright moments. Be the one who brings the light…

Great Food

Truth be told, I could live on cheeseburgers! I absolutely love them.

Food is fuel for our bodies. Not just our physical bodies, but food powers our brains, too. Eating processed foods or biologically altered ingredients does harm at our cellular level. And we can’t forget about the dangers of pesticides.

Fresh, organic fruits and vegetables are the best. You will feel the difference. Grass-fed beef tastes better, too. It might mean you will spend more at the grocery store, but you’ll be doing your body a favor.

Take care of yourself, mind, body and spirit. You are worth it…

Protests

In Austin, Texas, there seems to be at least one or two protests each week. Most of the protesters are peaceful and respectful of the police and their fellow citizens, but there have been a few incidents of violence.

You are allowed to protest anything you want. This is guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. Free speech is one of our treasured rights as Americans. It should never be taken for granted.

In 1517 Martin Luther protested the Catholic Church. Luther made this outrageous claim that our salvation came through faith alone. The Pope was on equal footing with all of us. Needless to say, this brought about a maelstrom of protests. It didn’t seem to matter to Rome that Martin Luther’s position was backed up by Biblical evidence. The fight was worth it. Today we have both Protestants and Catholics under the umbrella of Christianity.

You are allowed to protest poor service in a restaurant to a manager, denial of claims by your insurance company, or a bad performance review by your boss. Just do it peacefully. The world has enough chaos and violence already…

Take the Hard Path

In order to grow, you must get uncomfortable. When you decide it’s your time, no longer will you take the easy way through. You will face every challenge that comes at you with a drive and determination you have awakened inside of you.

To accomplish all God has planned for you, you must have grit. Don’t misunderstand, God isn’t making your life harder. He allows your invisible enemy to place hurdles and obstacles in your way. But guess what? God will help you through everything. Just trust and believe.

Push yourself to do the things you don’t want to do. And don’t quit. Don’t even slow down! You will get everything accomplished if you keep going…

Doubting Thomas

Do you have doubts? Of course you do, and that is a loaded question. We doubt eyewitness accounts, the news (rightfully so), and we doubt ourselves. Defense attorneys try to establish reasonable doubt. This doesn’t mean we doubt everything.

A “doubting Thomas” is a skeptic who needs to see things for themselves before they believe it. That’s okay. It’s not a threat to your character to be doubted. It is a wise decision to be doubtful about what you hear on the news. They have a story to tell and they aren’t always concerned with the truth.

When you live your life with integrity and tell the truth, you will build a solid reputation. Then even the full-time doubters will believe you.

And there is one who never doubts you or your abilities. His name is God. Get to know Him and you won’t doubt Him, either…