#302 - TWO WORDS YOU PROBABLY DON'T WANT TO HEAR

Patience is necessary, and one cannot reap immediately where one has sown. – Soren Kierkegaard

Your time will come.
Your moment will arrive.
Your opportunity will present itself.

Just not now.

Now is not the time to shine, now is the time to wait.
Now is not the time to display, now is the time to develop.
Now is not the time to be discovered, now is the time to be patient.

Be patient. Be patient. Be patient.

And though this might not be a message you want to hear,
if you can embrace this season in your life
and learn the lessons being taught,
when your time finally comes…

You’ll be ready.

#301 - A VERY NECESSARY MOTIVATION

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross…
Hebrews 12:2a

In whatever endeavor you are pursuing…

There is a joy that is set before you.

A reward. A pleasure. A satisfaction.

As a writer, it may be the joy of being read.
As a leader, it may be the joy of growing people.
As a mentor, it may be the joy of inspiring change.

As a student, it may be the joy of finishing a class.
As an athlete, it may be the joy of celebrating a victory.
As an artist, it may be the joy of creating a masterpiece.

As a teacher, it may be the joy of seeing students “get it.”
As a musician, it may be the joy of witnessing crowds smile.
As a parent, it may be the joy of raising responsible children.

Whatever the joy may be,

This joy can help you to overlook the criticism.
This joy can drive you to overtake the opposition.
This joy can motivate you to overcome the obstacles.

This joy can focus you to finish.
This joy can push you to persevere.
This joy can compel you to continue.

This joy is powerful.

Therefore a very important question must be asked…

What is the joy that is set before you?

Identify it.
Remember it.
Embrace it.

Then…

Continue.

#300 - I WISH MORE WRITERS WOULD DO THIS

Some writers confuse authenticity, which they ought always to aim at, with originality, which they should never bother about. – W.H. Auden

Be real.

Reveal a real hurt.
Explain a real struggle.
Share a real disappointment.

Be transparent.

Describe a real concern.
Illustrate a real emotion.
Express a real frustration.

Be vulnerable.

What do you really feel?
What are you really thinking?
What do you really want to say?

Please, write about that.

Don’t create content that you’re not excited to share.
Don’t fill up pages with words that don’t mean anything to you.
Don’t waste your time writing about something you’re not passionate about.

Instead, write something real.

Too much fake already exists.

#299 - WHY YOUR WORK MATTERS

Regardless of its’ present obscurity.
Regardless of its’ perceived validity.
Regardless of its’ temporary mediocrity.

Your work matters.

Though it has not reached the height of its’ impact.
Though it has not reached the depth of its’ influence.
Though it has not reached the width of its’ inspiration.

Your work still matters.

I know it’s not as well known as his work.
I know it’s not as appreciated as her work.
I know it’s not as respected as their work.

But your work still matters…a lot.

And how do I know this to be true?

Because though your work may not have the exposure or notoriety that you wish it had,
there is one person who is guaranteed to be forever changed by it…

You.

Your work matters because doing it changes you.
Your work matters because pursuing it challenges you.
Your work matters because committing to it completes you.

So commit today to continue doing the work that you do…

Your growth is depending upon it.

#298 - ONE OF THE MOST ENCOURAGING PHRASES EVER

Failure is not falling down but refusing to get back up.
– Chinese Proverb

It’s OK, just try again. 

It’s OK that you missed your deadline.
It’s OK that you failed your assignment.
It’s OK that you disappointed your spouse.

It’s OK, just try again. 

It’s OK that your team didn’t win.
It’s OK that your plan didn’t work out.
It’s OK that your commitment didn’t last.

It’s OK, just try again.

It’s OK that your idea wasn’t chosen.
It’s OK that your opinion wasn’t considered.
It’s OK that your contribution wasn’t appreciated.

It’s OK, just try again.

Everyone fails.
Everyone messes up.
Everyone makes mistakes.

You are not alone.

So get up. Dust yourself off. And try again.

Victory awaits.

#297 - AN URGENT MESSAGE FOR AMBITIOUS HUSBANDS ONLY

Let marriage be held in honor
(esteemed worthy, precious, of great price,
and especially dear) in all things.
Hebrews 13:4a (AMP)

If your wife resents you…
Who cares if you’re respected by thousands?

If your wife feels neglected…
Who cares if you’re helping hundreds of people?

If your wife hates your schedule…
Who cares if you’re working extremely effectively?

If your wife despises your work…
Who cares if you’re feeling so fulfilled by what you do?

If your wife wishes that you would quit…
Who cares if you’re experiencing unexplainable momentum?

The truth is…

If your wife regrets marrying a man who loves his work more than her…
You may have won a few battles, but you’ve lost the war.

#296 - YOU CAN'T

Not by might nor by power,
but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty.
Zechariah 4:6b

You can’t.

You can’t fulfill every dream.
You can’t satisfy every desire.
You can’t please every person.
You can’t handle every request.
You can’t chase every ambition.
You can’t accomplish every goal.
You can’t meet every expectation.
You can’t develop every discipline.

You just can’t do it all.

But…

Though you may not be able to do everything you want to do,
by the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of you…

You can do everything God created you to do.

And that’s plenty.

#295 - THE FULFILLMENT OF YOUR DESTINY DEPENDS ON THIS

Responsibility is the price of greatness. – Winston Churchill

Your leadership could save a life.
Your passion could solve a problem.
Your mission could start a movement.
Your creativity could support a community.

Your existence could make a positive impact in this world.

But a very important truth must first be understood.

Your “could’s” will never become a reality until your “should’s” become your priority.

If you know you should take the risk…
If you know you should start the project…
If you know you should ask the question…
If you know you should develop the habit…
If you know you should begin the process…
If you know you should forgive the person…
If you know you should have the conversation…

Then do it. Immediately.

All of your “could’s” depend on it.

#294 - WHY YOUR OPINION ISN'T ALWAYS NECESSARY

Do not speak unless you can improve the silence.
– Chinese Proverb

You don’t have to “weigh in” on everything.

Unless you can edify…
Unless you can educate…
Unless you can encourage…

Please don’t post another status update.

Unless you can add value…
Unless you can provide a solution…
Unless you can start a conversation…

Please don’t publish another blog entry.

Unless you can uncover lies…
Unless you can reveal truths…
Unless you can shift paradigms…

Please don’t promote another website.

Too many noises already prevent our ability to hear.
Too many messages already prevent our ability to focus.
Too many distractions already prevent our ability to create.

Let’s not add to the garbage.

Instead, let’s consider the fact that sometimes,

Silence……is the most sensible solution.

#293 - IF YOUR BLANK PAGE COULD TALK, THIS IS WHAT IT WOULD SAY

I’m waiting.

For your time.
For your effort.
For your attempt.

I’m anxious.

For your ideas.
For your passion.
For your creativity.

I’m prepared.

For mistakes to be made.
For concepts to be changed.
For rough drafts to be written.

(Don’t worry, I can handle being erased on!)

But most importantly, I’m expecting.

A convincing message to be delivered.
A creative masterpiece to be unveiled.
A compelling movement to be started.

So find me, sit down, and start writing.

Your contribution is necessary.

#292 - THIS IS WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOUR MESSAGE ISN'T SPREADING

Don’t raise your voice. Improve your argument. – Desmond Tutu

If you’re not enjoying the rewards…
If you’re not eliciting the responses…
If you’re not experiencing the results…

Don’t do this.

Don’t just try more.
Don’t just try louder.
Don’t just try harder.

And definitely don’t do this.

Don’t just get more people to do what you’re doing.
Don’t just use more “channels” to say what you’re saying.
Don’t just try more social media outlets to promote what you’re promoting.

Instead…GET BETTER.

Become a better artist.
Become a better writer.
Become a better parent.
Become a better spouse.
Become a better teacher.
Become a better speaker.
Become a better musician.

Get better.

Take a class. Follow a blog. Go to a conference.
Read a book. Find a mentor. Watch a YouTube video.
Study your craft. Practice your art. Adjust your approach.

Do whatever you have to do to get better.

The big idea is this:

When no one’s listening to what you say,
pursue a more effective way.

Your message is worth it.

#291 - THE PEOPLE WHO SHOULD MATTER MOST

My definition of success: When those closest to me love & respect me the most. – John Maxwell

My perspective has changed.

I used to think that my parents’ opinions of me weren’t very valuable.
I used to think that my siblings’ perceptions of me weren’t very important.
I used to think that my close friends’ feelings about me weren’t very critical.

But I think differently now.

After taking my one month “writing sabbatical,” here’s what I now understand.

When the opinions of the people in your “cyber world” mean more to you than the opinions of the people in your “real world,” you have a problem.

A rude awakening is necessary.

Respect from your siblings is more important than “re-tweets” on Twitter.
Love from your spouse is more important than “likes” on a Facebook status update.
Conversations with your loved ones are more important than comments on your blog.

The bottom line is:

Your family should be more important to you than your fans.

After all, they will be the ones who will still be around when everyone in your “cyber world” decides to follow someone else.

#290 - 11 REASONS TO REST

Sometimes the most urgent thing you can possibly do is take a complete rest. – Ashleigh Brilliant

As you may or may not have noticed, over the last month I have been on, what I now call, a “writing sabbatical.”

Though I started out the year with the goal to write and post one inspirational blog entry each day of this year, after writing 200+ consecutive posts, I started to experience writing and creative “fatigue.”

So, despite the fact that I would not reach the original goal I set out to obtain, I decided to take a break.

And I do not regret it one bit.

My decision to rest from writing benefited me tremendously.

My rest repaired me of my pains – specifically the pain of writing everyday!
My rest reminded me of my priorities – particularly the priority of my family.
My rest relieved me of my pressures – especially the pressure to please others.

My rest required me to stop.

And by allowing myself to stop,

My rest relaxed me.
My rest refocused me.
My rest rejuvenated me.

My rest protected me from burnout.
My rest prepared me to finish the year strong.
My rest provided me with the inspiration I need to write 122 blog posts in the next 122 days!

The truth is…

My rest blessed me.

And when the time is right, I encourage you to take your rest.

Because it will bless you too.