John Harrell's Blog, page 33

Look At Yourself

I’m a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan. It’s the most frustrating team to be a fan of. I often say, “the Dallas Cowboys are the team of the future, and always will be!” So much talent. So little execution.

There is one common denominator to the Cowboys woes: Jerry Jones. I don’t doubt that he wants to win. He just can’t stay out of the way. Let the coaches coach, the players play, and you stay in your lane as owner.

Accountability is one of the great lessons team sports teaches. Did you take care of your body so you will be at your best? Getting enough sleep? Know your playbook? Are you mentally prepared for the rigors of the game?

When we fail, we must take a hard look at ourselves. What part did we play in the letdown? We must give our best effort. Always. And if we don’t, not only will we let others down, but we let ourselves down, too.

Enjoy the times in life when you win. Evaluate yourself and come back stronger when you don’t…

Veterans Day

November 11th is Veterans Day. For many it’s simply a day off. For others, the day represents a deep, meaningful remembrance of the sacrifices some have endured for us and our country.

People who serve in the armed forces are special. They don’t serve for fame or fortune. It is their way to honor this great nation and give back to it. We are safe because of the work they do.

In some ways we have dishonored our veterans. Our anti-war sentiment spilled over to the soldiers who served in Vietnam. When that battle was over, people spat on them and waged a hateful campaign against them. They were simply following orders.

Take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices our veterans made for our freedom. And take a moment to thank God for them.

Without our veterans, life would look very different…

An Observation

The theme of my blog and my podcast is to spread encouragement, strength and hope to a world in desperate need of it. From the feedback you have given me, I know I am making a difference. But I want to do more.

The top podcast category is comedy. Over 20% of listeners spend their time in that genre. This reminds me that the world needs to laugh. So, as best as possible, I will introduce more humor into my work. In person I’m funny as hell with a genuine ability to tell funny stories. Let’s see if I can pull it off.

I appreciate everyone who reads my daily posts and listens/watches my podcast. You are special to me.

Let me know how I do. I’m certain I will hear from you…

Birthdays

November 8th is my birthday. That’s right! It’s today. As much as I enjoy being the center of attention, I would rather my birthday pass without much attention. I woke up this morning, so that’s enough.

We should give thought to the time in history we were born in. God knew the exact moment I would be brought into this world, and He knows when I will check out. It’s up to me to make the most of my time. Not for selfish reasons, but to bring honor and glory to God. He’s the reason for everything I have.

I encourage you to remember why you’re here. Life is a grind sometimes, but if you are here God is not finished with you, yet.

And if no one else remembers, God knows your birthday…

The Holidays

Holiday season is upon us! Thanksgiving is still three weeks away, but there are plenty of people who already have their Christmas tree up and decorated. Some retailers started promoting Christmas in July. Every year it begins earlier and earlier.

With the holidays approaching, we will be deluged (assaulted?) by the Hallmark movies. You know the story. A perfect family has some trouble. They bend but don’t break and they live happily ever after.

Real life is not a Hallmark movie. For some it’s more like a dystopian nightmare. They are facing struggles we can’t imagine. This is why I regularly post about being kind. Kindness costs you nothing, but it reaps dividends we also can’t imagine.

You never know, your kindness might be someone’s last, best hope…

Milton Hershey

If you like chocolate, then you know the name Milton Hershey. He was the one who brought chocolate to the United States.

Milton Hershey was born in Pennsylvania and raised by both parents until he was 12. His father tried business and farming (twice), but could never find and maintain success. When Milton was 12, his mother separated from Milton’s father and took her son with her. Not only that, Milton Hershey dropped out of school as well! He could only read and write at a fourth grade level.

Hershey failed at many jobs, but he found his calling in candy. He began making candy in his basement and then selling it in a little store he opened. Hershey eventually failed at that, too.

When Hershey attended a candy conference in Chicago, he discovered chocolate at the Nestle display. A lightbulb went off in his head and the rest is history.

Hershey wasn’t educated, he failed in business several times, yet he didn’t allow any of his shortcomings to deter him. He created a legacy of helping orphans and building homes for them. Hershey, Pennsylvania continues to thrive today.

Never let a lack of education or business setbacks stop you. Create your own legacy…

Make Time

Last week I ran into a friend of mine. He was leaving his office to go pick up his foster daughter from school. This man is the Senior Pastor of a large church in Austin. The demands on his time are many. Yet, he makes the time to show this girl she is important.

We make time for what is important. You want to be healthy? You make time to exercise. Want more education? You make time to get advanced schooling. Want to know God more? You spend time studying the Bible and talking to Him during your day.

We all have the same 168 hours each week. The reason some people accomplish more than others is because they are focused on what is important. Time is seen as a precious commodity and should not be wasted.

My friend I mentioned before is creating a legacy that will last for generations. I believe that is time well spent…

Angered

There’s a lot of angry people out there. Some people have lost their minds over politics. They even seem to revel in their angry rhetoric. It almost gives them a purpose.

Jesus got angry. In fact, he made a whip and cleared the Temple with it. Getting angry isn’t wrong when you are angry about the right things.

Injustice makes me angry, as does the exploitation and harming of children. Currently there are over 300,000 children who have been trafficked across our border that our government has lost track of. How something this colossally cruel and irresponsible could happen is beyond me.

When you get angry, ask yourself a question: is it worth it? If it’s important, pursue it with everything in you. If the answer is no then let it go.

There will always be something new to make you angry waiting around the next corner…

Medicate

Medications are a part of life. If you get an infection, prior to the invention of penicillin you had to wait it out and hope for the best. Penicillin revolutionized antibiotic therapy.

It seems like every third commercial is for a drug. “Have you ever been depressed? Try Abilify.” First off, I’m not picking on Abilify. But consider the advertising. Almost everyone has experienced depression. Most often it’s seasonal depression, not chronic. It will pass.

Unless you have chemical depression, consider natural therapy. Get outside. Go hiking. Do something for someone who can never repay you. Take into consideration what you are eating. Many of our foods alter our brain chemistry. What I’m suggesting is, there might be a better way to help your mental health than a drug.

I encourage you to medicate yourself with fresh air, sunshine and the company of good people. Give it a try. The only thing you might lose is a depressed attitude…

The Family

Families are in a crisis. It’s estimated that 70-80% of families are dysfunctional. I grew up in a family filled with fear, chaos and sometimes violence. Living in a constant state of “fight or flight” does damage that can last a lifetime.

Dysfunctional families are characterized by, don’t talk, don’t trust and don’t feel. I don’t need to go into a great amount of detail about those. They speak for themselves. When I was a child, I thought the families I saw on television were representative of all families. Boy, was I naive.

Healthy families display open communication, conflict resolution and cohesiveness. Parents lead by example and set expectations and boundaries for their children.

If you grew up in chaos, you have the ability to change the course of the next generation. Work on yourself. It’s difficult, no doubt, but you will be creating a legacy.

Do the work…