John Harrell's Blog, page 89

Love Your Neighbor

Jesus told us to “love our neighbor as we love ourselves.” But how do we show love to our neighbor, and who is our neighbor?

Let’s begin with this: everyone we encounter is our neighbor. Everyone. We should try to follow the golden rule and treat people the way we want to be treated. This includes difficult people and the times we are in a hurry. We have an opportunity to leave a lasting impression on everyone.

We can only show love and compassion to others in ways which equal how we feel about ourselves. If our self-esteem is healthy, we will treat others as if they are equally important. They are.

All of us are works in progress. Keep working on yourself and your connections with others will deepen…

Posts

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are great ways we can communicate with others. Each post represents a part of our lives.

I use such media to post inspirational thoughts or something funny. My posts are showing the world a bit of who I am. Even inspiring messages get an occasional snarky message. My thoughts are that the person who criticizes me is the one who needs the message the most. I’m not offended.

I encourage you to use your social media to build bridges, not divide. We have enough division in our world…

Youth Mental Health

Today I want to further address one of my favorite subjects, our young people.

Since the Columbine massacre in 1999, there have been 147 kids killed in school shootings. One child lost is one too many, but there’s something else. Youth suicide has exploded. For each of the 147 deaths, 400 kids have taken their own lives. Mental health has been shredded even more during the pandemic. We can reverse this disturbing trend.

Let’s begin by acknowledging our young people. They are important and need to know they are accepted and loved, whether that love comes from a parent, teacher or someone else.

Everyone needs human connection, and that includes our young people…

Great Writing

The artists get it right. They have a unique ability to turn their inner pain into something beautiful.

Last night I went to see Seal. He intimidated that his childhood wasn’t a happy one. Yet, he found his way through music. Here’s a short clip from the concert. Listen to the lyrics…

Animals

I love animals. Always have. When I was a kid, my mutt dog “Chipper” was my closest confidante.

Animals have a heightened awareness of their instincts. They must listen to their inner voice to survive in some situations. When a storm is coming, animals go to safety well before the storm arrives. It’s pretty cool, actually.

Pay attention to animals when they meet someone new. If your normally friendly dog acts aggressively towards someone, this tells you everything you need to know about that person.

We have instincts, too. Use them…

Education

Education is defined as “the receiving or giving of systematic instruction,” but it’s really more than just information. We can read and memorize data from textbooks, but we know thought has taken hold when we apply such knowledge. Application shows proficiency.

The status of education in the United States is troubling in some cases. We are “dumbing down” our requirements so more kids can pass. This isn’t a solution. It merely hides a deeper challenge. We need to increase our standards, demand accountability from our educators, and focus on the areas Horace Mann did: the head, the hands and the heart. Intellect, application and emotion.

We can reverse the state of education, but we must be willing and not give up. Our future depends on it, and us…

Timing

We tend to rush through our day, trying to cram as much in as possible. Maybe I’m the only one?

When we get in a hurry, the odds of us making a mistake go up. This might include not listening to someone who needs to be heard. Instead of creating a deeper connection, we distance ourselves.

I encourage you to slow down, even if it’s just a little. You will do more things right the first time, and fewer opportunities will be missed…

Wealth

Society reveres the wealthy. There’s even a term for it, “High Society.” We have turned the wealthy into a god.

Wealth and resources are given by God. He is the provider, and God can take away. God told Solomon he would give him anything he wanted. Solomon asked for wisdom, not money. Interesting, huh? Solomon became the wealthiest man the world has ever known.

If you have wealth, and everyone does, use it for good. You might not have a lot of money, but if you’re reading this you have eyesight. What is your sight worth? If your mind is processing the information, what is your brain worth?

Take inventory. You have wealth, too…

Our Post-Pandemic World

In the past several months, I have heard from so many people who are struggling with anxiety, depression and feelings they haven’t felt before. The common theme with each of them has been, “I don’t understand why I feel this way. I’ve never been like this before.”

God prompted me to remind them of what we have dealt with since 2020. Isolation has shredded mental health and created new, unhealthy neural pathways. We are hardwired to be in relationship with each other. This goes beyond loneliness. We are experiencing a mental health crisis that’s worse than the pandemic. More people than ever are feeling hopeless and taking their own lives.

If you are reading this and are experiencing similar feelings, please reach out to someone. Your life is precious and has purpose. None of that has changed because of a virus.

The Suicide Prevention Hotline is 988. It’s confidential, free, and it might be the lifeline you need…

Expectations

When I go to a five-star restaurant, I expect great food, atmosphere and service. If I only received two of the three, then the experience didn’t meet my expectations.

What do I expect from myself? Certainly I expect to give my best in life. For some people, my best isn’t good enough, while for others it’s more than enough.

But what about God? He gives the believer and the non-believer the same fresh air and sunshine. We all get the gift of life. So let’s not take Him for granted.

Jesus told us to “pray expectantly.” Believe we have received it before actually receiving it, thanking God in advance. That’s faith in a nutshell. And I believe it’s good, solid advice…