John Harrell's Blog, page 21

Wasteful Words

Politics has divided us in the United States in a way I never thought I would see. People who have been friends for decades have severed ties, as have families. And for what? You don’t like their politics so you can’t be associated. That’s shallow.

The funny part of this is, people make stuff up about the other side of the aisle. They post ridiculous memes designed to convince you of their moral superiority. You better get on board or you’ll not be allowed to sit with the cool kids.

We live in a world where everyone is an expert. Unless you have devoted your life to a cause, you are a casual observer. We aren’t a professional physician because we read a medical textbook.

Dying on the hill of politics is a waste of your time. Find a greater purpose…

Complaint Department

Have you ever known someone who begins most sentences with, “the problem with that is…?” I have met a couple people like that. Focusing on problems instead of solutions never accomplished anything.

Being a problem-conscious person rather than a solution-conscious person affects the brain, too. Scientific research has shown that constant complaining shrinks the hippocampus over time. The hippocampus is responsible for memory and problem-solving. You cannot miss the irony.

Our world has plenty of challenges, no doubt. Keeping our focus on solving them, collaboratively, will progress us towards new ways to approach them.

Instead of complaining, find a way to work through it. Your hippocampus will thank you…

Truth in Advertising

Madison Avenue is the epicenter of advertising in America. There are some very creative people working there. Yet, sometimes even the best twist the truth.

A few years ago, Cosmopolitan Magazine featured an array of obese women on the cover with the caption, “This is Healthy.” I’m certain the magazine sold a lot of copies. I’m also certain the potato chip companies, the sugary soda companies and the fast food chains benefited.

Obesity is not healthy. It will shorten your life, and it causes your organs to work overtime. To believe otherwise because Cosmo said so is rationalizing behavior at best.

Not everyone is going to look like a model. Most of us will not grace the cover of a magazine. That’s okay. We have other talents to put on display.

Don’t be fooled. Take care of your health…

Why I Write

Why do I write? As I was driving home yesterday, I spent quite a bit of time thinking about this.

I became a writer in 2015. A friend of mine encouraged me to write. He would say encouraged, but I say pestered! Yet, I’m glad I listened because without his constant harassment I would have never begun. And the truth is, I am the least qualified to write anything. I didn’t take English in college because I hated the subject so much.

My encouragement to you is to listen to those who encourage you to try something new, something that is worthwhile. You might really enjoy it, even when you believe you won’t.

The reason I write is to inspire and help people. In a divided world, my hope is to build bridges, not tear them down.

Anyone can criticize others and bring them down. That’s easy. I choose to lift them up through words and actions.

Be a peacemaker…

Walk It Out

There was a time where I remember being told that the sun was bad for us. It isn’t. Have you noticed how the plants and flowers grow towards the sunlight? Animals and birds love the way the sun feels on their bodies. So do we!

Nature is there for us to enjoy. The endorphins in our brains come alive when we experience beauty. We will not get the same healthy energy from sitting and watching television. Experiencing natural beauty while moving our bodies will benefit us in ways that are indescribable.

Get outside every opportunity you have. Take a long walk. Breathe deeply. Enjoy the beautiful scenery that’s all around you…

Backroads

When I was a teenager, I used to love exploring backroads and Farm-to-Market destinations. The adventure of the unknown was exciting to me. Then “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” came out and I was a little more cautious! But the call of the mysterious kept me coming back.

Each of us is on a road, a different road than anyone else. Traveling down that road is an unknown. We aren’t completely certain where it leads us, but we must remain undeterred in our travels.

This is the road of our life I am talking about. It has twists and turns, ups and downs, happiness and sometimes, tragedy. But regardless of the uncertainty, we march on with a different drumbeat keeping us in time.

You can choose to copy others and try to travel down their road, but it won’t get you where God wants to take you. To find fulfillment, you must stay on your road no matter how difficult it gets.

Copying others will leave you feeling hollow. Find inspiration and strength from their stories, but stay true to yourself and your calling…

Better Than Happiness

What’s better than being happy, you ask? Being fulfilled is better. Fulfillment demonstrates that you have found the meaning for your life.

We are not the creation of a whimsical, careless God. He designed us perfectly. We all have a part to play in the grand scheme. And I believe God knows what he is doing.

Never question or demean your value. God didn’t create you and then forget about you. Seek God and your purpose will be revealed.

Fulfillment is what we seek. Nothing more…

Watchers

I never watch the weather. You see, only old people watch the weather and I like to stay young!

Everyone is always watching something. We watch the road when we drive, watch television, watch the bats (in Austin, Texas), and we watch each other. There are always eyes on us.

God watches over us all the time. He is there when we sleep and He’s here right now. Some believe God is looking to catch us doing something wrong. That’s just not true. He sees those things, but He sees everything else as well. When we do something good for mankind we don’t need to blow our own horn about it. The only one who matters sees it. And He remembers.

The world is watching. Give them something worth their attention…

Show Yourself

You have read where I said, don’t waste your pain. Don’t waste your talent, either. You were given unique abilities to be used to advance God’s Kingdom on this side of eternity. Everything we have is for God and His purpose, not our own.

You know what you are good at. Something inside of you lights up when you are using your talents. You are the only one who has your ability. My encouragement to you is to work on improving yourself so you can be effective. If you keep your talents hidden, that’s selfish.

You will only find the fulfillment God has planned for you by bringing your talents to the surface. Be fearless. Find your purpose.

I will say it again. Don’t waste your pain. Don’t waste your talent, either…

Lead The Way

Upon occasion, everyone has been placed in a position of leadership. Leadership isn’t confined to the workplace. You can lead there, but you are called to lead your family and friends as well.

Great leaders don’t boss people around. They set the tone and empower their followers to think for themselves, use their creativity and get things accomplished. The best leaders are those who have the heart of a servant.

Consider Jesus, if you will. He took a ragtag group of men with different backgrounds and personalities, and he led them by example. After Jesus died, his disciples (now called apostles) were equipped to build the church. They had learned well because what they started is still going over two thousand years later.

If you are in a position of leadership, allow your people the ability to grow. Teach them well, and get the hell out of the way. Give guidance when needed, and allow your people to make mistakes.

Lead well…