John Harrell's Blog, page 47
June 24, 2024
Dividing Lines
It’s an election year and you know what that means. People are drawing lines in the sand over their candidate. There are many factors that influence voters selection: history of voting for a party, a desire for change, they like the way a candidate sounds, or they just plain hate one of the choices.
Arguing over politics is as old as America herself is. You almost can’t avoid it. In today’s internet connected world the debate sometimes turns nasty. People hurl insults at others from behind their computer keyboard, with no consequences for the ugly things said. We get to peer into the heart of others through their words and actions. It’s not always pretty.
Take a moment to examine your own heart when you feel yourself getting amped up over politics. People throw insults at me regularly because of what I believe. They don’t bother me. I have a sound basis for what I believe, and I won’t lie or exaggerate. Facts matter. Opinions are…just opinions.
I encourage you to reach out to those with whom you disagree with. Listen and learn from each other. You will be better for doing it, and so will our country…
June 23, 2024
Teach Children Well
There are many dedicated, devoted teachers in our schools. I know several. They didn’t become teachers to achieve fame and fortune. Hardly! There are lots of careers available with less headaches along with better pay.
All of us had our favorite teachers growing up. Why were they our favorites? It wasn’t because they broke down difficult mathematical equations with ease, or they made English interesting. They captured our hearts. They truly cared about us. We remember them fondly because they reached us at a deeper level than most.
Teaching is a high calling. Even Jesus spoke about it. He said if anyone misleads a child it would be better for them to have a millstone tied around their neck and thrown into the sea. That’s not a casual statement.
Most teachers are off for the summer. But that doesn’t stop us from remembering the best among them…
June 22, 2024
Rights
A few years ago, DFW Airport was shut down and all of the planes were grounded because of weather. I happened to be a passenger on one of those airplanes. An ornery passenger started hitting the call button repeatedly until our nice Flight Attendant appeared. He immediately started chastising the young lady, almost bringing her to tears because “he had rights” and needed to be in Austin for an important meeting. I had had enough. I tapped him on the shoulder and when he turned around, I told him to “shut the fuck up. It wasn’t her fault the airport was shut down. It’s safer to be on the ground than to try to fly.” The entire cabin clapped, he shut up, the Flight Attendant opened the bar and served everyone but him!
Our rights have become used and abused to get our way. Had the airline accommodated the emotionally disturbed man I mentioned before, the exercise of his “rights” would have endangered everyone else.
Freedom of speech is one of our greatest rights in The United States. With that freedom comes responsibility to be honest and to speak with integrity. Politicians and the media tell outright lies and are not held accountable. This is a perversion of our first right cited in The Bill of Rights. we expect politicians to stretch the truth, but lying is a whole different level.
It’s best to exercise your first amendment rights by telling the truth. Free speech does not mean the freedom to lie…
June 21, 2024
Loneliness
Loneliness is at epidemic levels in the United States. Even in a crowd or at a party, people can experience loneliness. But there’s good news!
Before we get to the good stuff, let’s examine loneliness a little closer. It’s been prevalent for decades. The feeling of being alone was exacerbated by the forced isolation during the pandemic. Mental health was fragile already, and why our medical “experts” thought staying away from people was a good idea is baffling to me. The CDC itself states on their website that human connection is vital for good mental health and vitality. Oh well, let’s move on.
The good news is that you can cure loneliness. It’s a temporary state of mind. Get started by calling a friend and asking them to lunch. Find the right psychotherapist to walk through your bout of loneliness with you. Try a church group out. You don’t have to join the church, and if that’s a requirement to participate with the group, find another church. You should feel welcome without conditions.
Finally, do something for someone who can never repay you. Yes, they will benefit, but you will gain so much more.
Get started! The cure for your lonely condition is right around the corner…
June 20, 2024
Sensationalism
People nowadays like to refer to themselves as “influencers.” Influence works both ways. There’s the so-called influencer in Britain who videoed himself licking a toilet in a public restroom. And there’s the girl who has made it her goal to sleep with 600 men in 2024. Who are these people influencing?
Outrageous acts produce headlines. William Thomas got front page coverage and a bunch of NCAA records when, in his senior year at UPenn he changed his name to “Lia” and transferred to the women’s swim team. This is an outrage to women, but it seems fewer and fewer people care. I hope he isn’t propped up as a role model for young children.
There are so many better stories that should be grabbing people’s attention. The lives of Dr. Ben Carson, Booker T. Washington, Henry Ford, Elon Musk and so many others will inspire you. You might not go down in history, but that’s not the goal. And remember, you altered the history of the world when you were born.
You can be sensational without the extra noise. Now go make a difference. Today…
June 19, 2024
Left Behind
We go through different periods in our lives. From childhood through the teenage years, and finally to adulthood. Our experiences shape us. Even our bad days can be used for good. Maybe they were just learning experiences. And hopefully we learned!
Over the course of our lives we have developed habits, both good and poor. We learn how to make friends and develop relationships. We make a habit of exercising and eating well. Yet I meet so many people who focus their attention on their faults. They have low self esteem and rather than focusing their energy on what they do well, they beat themselves up emotionally.
If this is something you struggle with, please be aware that you aren’t alone in your struggle. Everyone has to learn to leave the self-defeating behaviors behind and mold themselves into who God intended them to be. The Spirit is strong and will help you. Just believe in Him and believe in yourself.
It’s time to leave anything destructive behind. Sometimes this includes people…
June 18, 2024
Late
The word “late” has a lot of applications. For example, if a teenage girl tells her boyfriend “I’m late,” it might not mean she is late to their date. But if you tell someone you drive a late-model car it might promote status.
If you are reading this and are feeling some frustration with your life, it’s not too late to make a change. God is not finished with every single person who is alive and breathing. That includes you. His purpose for your life will bring meaning and clarity to your life. Your inner drive will be awakened.
Take inventory of what you are good at and what you enjoy doing. This will reveal what your purpose is. Then take a leap of faith and walk through that door.
Be brave. Be audacious. You’re going to need to be…
June 17, 2024
Balanced Life
I hear people preach about getting balance in your life. You know, the whole work-life balance thing. I’m not sure that’s good advice.
It is true that all of us need rest, play, social interaction and nutrition in addition to our work. These are vital elements to maintain our mental health. Yet I have always leaned into my work while adding new projects. I enjoy it. That’s how I’m wired. Some people want a structured 9-5 job along with an element of predictability in their lives. That’s fine, too!
I believe the most neglected part of life is getting enough rest. You must take time to recharge. Deep, restful sleep prepares us to go fight another day.
Play is important, too. Take some time to let loose and have some fun! And don’t feel guilty for it. Solid playtime makes you better.
Find the balance that’s right for you. Don’t copy the templates of others, or what the “experts” tell you. You know what’s best for you…
June 16, 2024
More
When my kids were little, I would take them to the pool and we would play a game. They would stand on the edge of the pool and jump into my arms. I would “play” for hours because their battle cry was “one more time, daddy!” We would do this until my arms felt like they were going to fall off.
I don’t believe I was teaching my kids to be greedy just because they wanted more of a good time. But our society has become one of greed. It’s everywhere, from who has the most toys to getting super sized at your favorite fast food restaurant. Greed is so pervasive that the politicians want in on the game by taxing us as much as possible. In a touch of irony, when you lower taxes you actually increase tax revenues. That’s because people spend more when they have more!
Contentment brings peace. Peace brings an intangible prosperity into your life. Don’t misunderstand, I’m more ambitious now than I have ever been, but if I accomplish nothing else I will be okay. Being content doesn’t take away drive and desire, it gives them a higher purpose than simply making money.
I encourage you to take inventory of any areas of your life where you are dissatisfied. If the source of your dissatisfaction is greed, go to work on eliminating it. Then peace follows…
June 15, 2024
Today
Today has arrived! It has already started out well for you because you woke up and are here reading this.
Some have awakened yet they wished they hadn’t. Years ago I was in the same position. Every morning I awoke with the same dread as I had the day before. And before. And before. I wasn’t suicidal, just severely depressed. Every day I would go through the motions, just faking it through life the best I could. I had responsibilities, and I couldn’t let my children or clients down. I pressed on.
Today, that period of my life is a distant memory. I’m grateful to have gone through it. You see, it was during that time in my life that I began my self work. I found the right psychotherapist, and started down the road less traveled. It’s difficult to look at yourself, accept responsibility for your decisions, and then create new, healthy neural pathways. But it’s worth it.
If you are feeling the same way as I was, I encourage you to start building your life back. It won’t be easy, but anything worthwhile is going to be a challenge.
Do it…
