Are You Feeling Stuck?

What Are You DOING?!!?!!?

Sometimes...oftentimes we get stuck in a rut. We allow years to pass as we continue doing the same thing.  Many of us get frustrated with where we are in life, because our dream hasn’t been fulfilled, or time is passing us by, or things are not turning out the way we wanted them to.

If you do not like where you are right now; if you are not satisfied with your current condition; if you are waiting for something new to happen in your life, then I would like to suggest you do the following to bring more completeness and joy into your life:

1. Do something different TODAY.  Don’t wait until tomorrow. You can change your attitude, the route you take to school or work, your wardrobe, and how you treat others. You can enroll in a class or enrich your mind with educational content on khanacademy.com, open courses at Yale or youtube.com.  
2. Think outside of the box.  Talk to a variety of people about your ideas. If they say anything negative, try not to be discouraged. Use it as a learning experience. Take it for what it is worth - someone else’s opinion. Use others ideas to help perfect and polish your ideas.  
3. Maximize every moment with your family. You may not get another opportunity.
4. Do something great for someone else this week!

Make today different and better than yesterday.  

What will you do differently today? Encourage others by informing us in the comment section below.

Grow

Have you ever seen a tree grow?  Did it strain and struggle to push out fruit or leaves?  Did you hear it say, “Uuuhhhgggg!  I have to try harder to make more branches today! Arrrggghhh, my leaves aren’t full enough. I have to struggle to get them to grow!”  No, you haven’t, because as long as it gets water and sunlight, as long as it is in the right environment, it will grow.

Babies naturally grow...if you take care of them.  If you feed a baby properly, giving them the nutrition and quantity that they need, they will grow.  I was checking on my daughter as she slept last night and I noticed something, she is now sleeping in her bed diagonally. I realized, she is almost too long for her bed!  Now, my wife and I need to invest in a larger bed that will facilitate her growth for the next few years.

Growth comes naturally when it is properly facilitated.

1. What area are you growing in?  
   
2. What do you need to change around you to facilitate your growth?
   
3. What can you do to maximize your growth?
   
4. What is blocking or hindering your growth?

Sometimes we hinder our own progress by putting off the steps we need to engage.  We may become distracted by life, our kids, our job, our health and/or our circumstances.  I know there is an area in your life that you want to grow in. You may have already started and become distracted.  I want to challenge you to choose ONE area in your life that you would like to grow in and take ONE step this week to fulfill that, to grow, to develop, to achieve success. Most positive things in life won’t happen overnight.  They take preparation, determination and focus.  

You can do it! You can grow.  You can progress. You can advance.  You can develop. You can be all that you want to be, plus more!

Leave a comment below and tell us what step you will take this week.

Rewrite Your Story

I remember my first year of college. I was an electrical engineering major at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. Go Golden Bears! Like most college freshmen, I invested much of my time studying...how to be free and have fun!  

My mom visited the campus for the closing exercise of a program I was in. The Dean of the school was at the awards ceremony, where I won the ‘Funniest Student’ award. I had so much fun during those days. After the ceremony, I listened in as my mom had a conversation with the Dean. She asked him, “Are there any scholarships available that Gary can apply for because we really can’t afford this.” I distinctly remember the Dean’s response, “Sorry, but he is not engineering material!”

Brokenhearted, I carried that statement with me for three years.  My determination, my motivation, my focus and my goal over those three years was to prove that clown wrong! I couldn’t believe someone would say such a thing about me.

I allowed that man’s negative statement to rule my life for three years. During my junior year, it dawned on me, I don’t even like electrical engineering! Why did I waste three years of my life?  I allowed someone else to write my life’s story for that time. I was emotionally battered and my grades suffered. With my senior year approaching, I made a drastic decision. I would change my major.  

I found something that I was really interested in; something that really drove me. I still use those skills today.  In fact, I’m using them right now as I write this entry.

I made a decision to write my own story. I remember at that moment allowing myself to be inspired by God to pursue what would offer Him glory and bring me happiness.

Wherever you are in life; whatever you are up against; whoever is against you; whatever you are going through; and wherever you are in your walk with Jesus, take a quiet moment right now and meditate on this: God, what is it that I can do right now to change the course of my life so you will be honored and I can be happy? Inspire me Jesus.

Whatever you were inspired to do, DO IT! Don’t wait. Fulfill your destiny!

Do not allow other’s negativity to write your life story for you.  Do not allow yourself to be trapped in some other authors narrative. With Jesus’ inspiration, start rewriting your life story today. And make it AMAZING!

I would love to read the story of your great turnaround. Share it below so that we all can be inspired.

Is The Rain Impacting Your Progress?

It's raining today in Syracuse, NY. There is no sunshine and I don’t see anyone outside enjoying themselves. Everyone I see seems to be on a mission to get to their destination. 

Many people living in Syracuse love the snowy weather, but I haven't seen the same sentiment expressed about the rain. 

The rain is interesting. It falls on everything in its path. It makes us uncomfortable, to the point that we rush to get out of it. Visual beauty seems to disappear in the rain. Everything absorbent becomes wet and soggy. Dirt becomes mud. Rain brings about dangers to our modern society. Roads become slippery, electricity becomes more of a hazard. Too much rain may cause flooding in certain areas, which can bring about drownings, disease and other safety issues. I have also noticed that people tend to smile less in the rain. 

The rain is interesting. Even though it seems to bring so much depression, it is actually the miracle we all rely on. It sustains life on our planet. It is the source of our drinking water. It causes our food sources to be plentiful. I read somewhere that work productivity increases when it rains. Finally, someone told me that its great to make out in the rain 😚.

No matter how much we may be hindered by the rain; no matter how much chaos it may bring to our immediacy; no matter how much it may delay us from reaching our destinations; no matter the dangers that it my present; no matter the obstacles it may create for us, we have to keep in mind that eventually it will work out for our benefit. 

If you are experiencing trouble in your life right now, know that your greatest blessing will come out of that challenge, if you endure it.  You have what it takes to overcome it or you would not be trusted with it. God is working something out within you to make you stronger, wiser, and better equipped for the plans He has for your future.  When it rains on you today, put up your umbrella and stand tall in the midst of the storm. Keep progressing to your destination.  You will make it.  The rain is only temporary. The sun will eventually shine. 

Until you get to that great moment, focus on your progress; work diligently to conquer your challenges and keep in mind that your victory is on the way! You have the strength to make it, you just have to believe that God has given you everything you need to endure and advance.  Continue progressing.