John Harrell's Blog, page 27

No Lookbacks

I meet so many people who believe their best days are behind them. This is so untrue that I’m not sure where to begin, but I’ll try.

The past is good for learning, but it needs to remain in the past. Our memories can be clouded, thinking that things were better than they really were. The mind, just like the heart, can and will deceive us. Focusing too much energy on how things were rather than how they can be is a waste. Don’t waste!

Time is precious. Get up and get after it. God has us here for a reason. And the truth is, we want our lives to have meant something. This drive and desire was put in us by the Creator when we were born.

You don’t have to have everything figured out before you find your purpose. Just begin. God will lead you where you are supposed to go.

Trust Him…

Learning Curves

A lot of early life is trial and error. When we were babies and learning how to walk, there were a handful of stumbles and falls before we got it right! And yet we survived.

As adults, we haven’t figured out everything even though some act like they have. Life is a continuous learning process where we find ways that work while still learning what doesn’t. And as long as we are trying to learn and grow, this is how it will be. You really haven’t failed unless you believe you have. You have simply found a way that doesn’t work!

Abraham Lincoln ran for public office nine times before ever winning a race. He didn’t quit when most would have. No one would call Lincoln a failure.

I encourage you to be a lifelong learner. Read instead of watching television. Connect with other people in person, not through text messages. Drink from the wisdom of the great philosophers. And remember to talk to God during your day. He’s the one who gave us everything we have.

When life throws you curves, remember that you can hit those, too…

Consistency is Key

How are you doing with your resolutions? This week is our first full week since New Year’s, so the grind begins.

I encourage you to stay consistent in your pursuit. Change isn’t like flipping a light switch, and real change is challenging. Don’t fool yourself. The temptation to give up is going to present itself regularly. Stay true to your new, better course.

In your mind, see yourself as having already won the battle. Believe it. When you can bring emotion into the equation, you have become unstoppable. Whatever you believe about yourself will manifest. Guaranteed!

If you slip back into old habits along the way, pick yourself up and begin again. Nothing can stop a person who refuses to quit…

Undeserved

Have you ever taken the time to consider the love of God?

We know God is love, and His Spirit is all around us all the time. But God gives good things to believers and nonbelievers alike, and He gives to the people who curse and blame Him. He doesn’t discriminate.

As humans, it’s hard to get our heads around this kind of goodness. When others mistreat us or cuss us out, our natural inclination is to strike back. And sometimes we do. One thing I learned about the character of God is, He can take a punch. In years past I hit Him pretty hard or ignored Him altogether. God never sought revenge.

How do we show that we love God? We can’t see Him. He doesn’t need anything from us. I believe Jesus told us how when he said, “what you do for the least among you, you do for me.”

Please take a moment every day to acknowledge God’s love for all of us. Do it even if you’re mad at Him…

Gotta Lotta Flushing To Do!

Recently I posted about cleanses for our internal organs, and what a farce most are. This doesn’t imply we don’t have things that need cleansing. In fact, let’s call it a flushing.

It’s time to flush every negative thought you have about yourself. You are a miracle. Think about it. You have between 640 and 850 muscles operating in harmony with your bone structure consisting of over 200 bones. Your cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, digestive system and others are working within your body without any effort from you. And let’s not forget the gifts of sight, hearing and thinking. Don’t take these for granted. They are gifts from the Creator.

And every now and then give yourself a break. We must hold ourselves accountable, but when you fail or make a mistake, forgive yourself. Let go of it and learn.

Flush the past and start living. It’s time…

Political Fallout

Did you lose any friends over politics? I did. Two people decided their political beliefs were more important than our friendship. This didn’t anger me. It made me sad for them because I’m a lot of fun to hang out with!

From my observation, people have become more isolated than ever before due to political divide. Living in an echo chamber is dangerous. You can begin to believe you are always right. Our problems in our country are “the fault of the other side,” they say. Sometimes they yell. Everyone bears some responsibility.

Who shows up in life when the shit hits the fan? Your representative in Congress? No. Your friends and family, the ones who truly care about you arrive. Sadly, I have many friends who have lost children. The government can’t bring a child back, but those who care about you can share some of your pain by just being there.

Not much changes in government, but I remain optimistic. Optimism is how I’m hardwired. I really don’t know any other way to be.

I encourage you to remember this: it’s people that are important, no matter which side of the aisle they identify with…

Life Changes

For everyone who set New Year’s Resolutions, here’s a quote from George Bernard Shaw that, if applied, guarantees a successful outcome:

“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”

Your mind is powerful. It will work for you or against you. Allow it to work for you…

New Year’s 2025

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you had a peaceful, meaningful holiday season no matter what you celebrate. And now we are in 2025. Where did the time go?

Every year I see people posting “New Year. New You.” I wonder what changes they are expecting. Yet, I applaud people’s desire for growth and change. We are hardwired for growth. Sitting idle creates a stirring that can haunt us.

Do you have something in your life that you are dissatisfied with? Make the decision to change it, whatever it is. Then commit. No matter what happens, you will make the change and not go back. It’s gonna take work, but you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

Once you make the commitment, it’s over. Set your sights on greater things.

Again, Happy New Year! I wish all of you good health, great experiences, and solid relationships in 2025 and beyond…

Cleanses

There are all kinds of cleanses advertised. “For only $39.95 you can fully clean your (liver, kidneys, spleen, take your pick) and reverse the damage done!” These charlatans are playing on people’s guilt over the times they might have abused their bodies. Don’t fall for it!

The one organ we need to cleanse is our brain. And it can be accomplished without spending any money. Our thoughts control our outcomes. Negative thinking along with what we believe can only produce undesirable outcomes. Conversely, positive thinking aligned with what we believe will set the stage for success. Guaranteed.

If you aren’t fulfilled in life, I encourage you to change your thinking. It takes time, but you will change.

Your mind is powerful. Allow it to work for you, not against you…

A Tribute

In 1952, a young Naval cadet walked into a small room for his interview with Admiral Hyman Rickover. Rickover was in charge of the Navy’s new atomic fleet, and he insisted on personally interviewing everyone who would serve under his command.

Over the next 2-3 hours, the young, cocky cadet proceeded to tell the admiral everything he knew about nuclear physics etc. Then it was the admiral’s turn. Rickover completely dressed the candidate down, showing the young man just how little he knew. After Rickover finished, the dejected young man got up to leave, fully humbled. As he got to the door, Admiral Rickover said, “I have one more question. While at the Naval Academy, did you always do your best?” The cadet wanted to say he did, but he had already been exposed. He answered, “no sir, I didn’t.” Rickover stared him down and asked, “why not?”

This question haunted Ensign James Earl Carter all his life. He went on to become the 39th President of The United States. You probably knew him as Jimmy.

Rest in peace, President Carter. No one can say you didn’t give your best…