Thursday, June 30, 2011

Powerful Affirmation

I am realizing more each day the power of affirmations. Here's one that's been working very well for me...

I have amazing power (the power of God in me) and extreme confidence.

I have found it effective to repeat it to myself several times throughout the day. After I do so, I take a few minutes to reflect on God's presence in and around me. At those times, I can actually feel the power, and the confidence automatically builds.

The results of repeating this affirmation are dramatic. What happens is that the more you tell yourself this and live it out, the more you believe it. I challenge anyone to try it for yourself.

Have an amazing day : )

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Dominant Thoughts

In the book The Secret a key statement is that we attract what our dominant thoughts are about. Do you believe this to be true?

In my opinion there is no way around it. I've seen its truth in my own life.

Knowing this I see the importance of keeping my thoughts positive, hopeful, and confident. It's funny how my life turns out that way when I do. The same will be true for you : )

No Lack

Here's some powerful information for your day. It comes from Psalm 34:9 and says: those who fear (respect and worship) the Lord will lack no good thing.

Knowing this, let us constantly be aware that the Lord is with us and let us be aware of His greatness with thanksgiving. The result will be blessing and all of our needs being met.

May your blessings be plenty today : )

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Powerful People

There's something about meeting someone powerful. Have you ever done so? You may answer yes or no. However, I will tell you that the answer is yes. Who is it? Take a look in the mirror. It is you!

Many of us don't realize how powerful we are. I am challenging myself and anyone else to not only realize it, but to KNOW it! The power of God dwells in each and everyone of us. If we ask Him for it, maintain positive thoughts in our mind, and look for opportunities to do good, the amazing power in us will manifest. You will see great things. You will see power you never imagined, but have always had.

This reminder has helped me as I am conscious of it during the past few weeks. I challenge you to keep this reminder in the front of your mind as well. It's powerful stuff!!

Expect Positive Results

I've written often about focusing the mind on the positive. Yet I still have to remind myself to do so.

As a result, I remind myself again, along with anyone else reading this. The more we expect positive results the more we will receive them. It is the absolute truth.

Let us live our lives today knowing that. Expect positive results and watch them happen. Please be sure to share your success stories!

Playing Hookey

I'm not one to complain about my job much. However, I am deliberately not going in today. Most schools in this country are done for the summer. However, my charter school is open 'til Thursday. Finals ended and grades closed last week. All we've been doing is watching movies and playing kickball with the less than 50% of the 7th and 8th grade students that are showing up. I'm sorry, but I am paid to teach, not babysit.

I share this because I find such value in extra off days. You may tell me that I have a whole summer off beginning next week. True, but I plan on working full-time to pay some bills. Part of that job hunt continues today. I can also get so many other things done today. Time with my kids (who are already on vacation); respond to the e-mails that are awaiting me; write some blogs; finish the book I am writing; mow the lawns and clean the pool; and anything else that needs to get done. All with a clear mind focused on positive thoughts instead of the negatives of wasting more time at work.

We're not supposed to play hookey. Yet sometimes it is very valuable for keeping a positive frame of mind. Today is one of those days.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Thanks For...

I am constantly reminded lately of the benefits of gratitude. I should easily be able to think of at least 10 things in a minute to be thankful for.

Now that I have a few spare minutes that's what I'm going to do. I will think of 10 things, then reflect on them. I then feel the positive feelings that go along with them. Then, something tells me my day will be even better than it already is.

If you are looking for quick "pick me ups" throughout your day, try doing the same. Dwell on the things in your life to be thankful for. I'm sure you will appreciate it : )

Sunday, June 26, 2011

God and Me at Walmart

I've been extremely busy these days. Hence the reason for the lack of writing activity. That's a teacher's life at the end of a school year, especially at a charter school which doesn't end 'til the end of June.

I finally had a break on Saturday. Some plans got cancelled, and it was a very slow day. I spent some time with family but also had some alone time and a chance to reflect a bit. Some positive and hopeful thoughts were in my head, but the one negative kept coming back to me. Through all the business, there was one main thing I focused on throughout. ME!! I focused on how I would get through each day; how I would spend my free time in the summer; how I would accomplish this, and how I would accomplish that.

I've always been a bit too self-centered in my opinion. I thought I was improving, but these past weeks have shown me how much I am not. Anyway, I decided to focus my thoughts on others instead. God has put me on this earth to do good works for Him. That means being a light for others.

I decided to let my light shine brightly as I entered the Walmart parking lot. I had several apprehensions immediately. First, I was asking God for help in making people's days. Would God do this immediately, even though I was so self-focused for so long? Like I can turn on the selfless switch just like that? Also, Walmart is not the easiest place to do this. Most employees I see there don't seem too happy being there. And, especially on a Saturday, it is crowded with slow moving people that don't give much time to look or make a wrong move. Challenge on!

I decided I was going to take this to the extreme. First of all, it wasn't crowded, but I was going to smile at every person that I passed. It can't be that easy, can it? But it was! I wasn't rediculous about it. Just a "hi, how are you smile". Instead of receiving the suspicious stares back, I received a return smile from almost everyone. Then came the best part. The cashier. Usually they are the most unhappy in the place. There were only two or three open. I took the least crouded one. The cashier was so typical. She did not say a word to the two customers ahead of me, except for answering a quick question and noting the price. She worked hurriedly. An employee came to her with a paper which she quickly threw to the side. It landed on the ground but she did not pick it up. Ok God. What are you going to do with this?

Finally it was my turn. I used a sincere smile and greeted her. She actually hesitated and actually took a quick look at me. This was the first time I saw her make eye contact with any customer. The look was.."did you just say something nice to me"? I let here do her thing, she quoted the price and I paid. I thought that was it for our encounter. I was thankful that I was even to put a small dent of positivity into the encounter. However, instead she picked up her head, made full eye contact, and with a big, sincere smile said thank you. I then wished her a good day, and her demeanor changed even more to the positive.

This encounter completely made my day. Not because of anything I did, but because within minutes of asking, God answered a prayer. He answered regardless of the fact that I have been completely lacking much regard for other people in the past few weeks. All I did was agree to be a beacon for His light to shine, and he took care of the rest. He confirmed that, as long as I do my part, He will do the rest. He can make something positive happen in a challenging environment.

I did not see this girl with any other customers, but I strongly believe her demeanor was different for the rest of the day. She was happier after the encounter, and so was I. This is a lesson to me that I've seen and heard many times, but needed to experience it again. God will respond immediately if we ask in prayer and are willing to play our small part. As a result, we get blessed and so do the others around us. I will never forget this short, routine shopping experience, and I will use it as a reminder about how easily we can be a blessing to others just by asking and to willingly be used by God for His greatness.

Thanks for reading. Have an excellent day : )

Monday, June 13, 2011

Believe It To See It

The above quote by Wayne Dyer (and I'm sure plenty of others as well) is contrary to what we often say and think in our lives. We say that we'll believe it when we see it. We often won't have faith in something unless we can see it happening or we can prove it to be true.

Instead, it works the other way. If we want to see great things in our lives we have to believe them first. See them happening in your imagination. Feel the emotion of experiencing in our minds what we actually want to experience in our lives. Then pray and reflect on what action to take. Once you know, then do it! It is best to do this on a regular basis whenever you have a chance during the day.

As our faith increases in our lives so do the blessings. So do the miracles. It is up to us to believe it. Then we will see it.

Have an excellent day!

Realizing Your Dreams

Your dreams can come true sooner than later. It's a simple, but true fact. How? Faith and belief in their fulfilment. The more we believe that our dreams will be realized, and the more we envision success in our minds, the faster we will experience the dreams we are seeking.

I will share a great song that relates to this. It is from an Australian singer named Natalie Bassingthwaighte, and it is called "Someday Soon". I would bet that this artist with the funny name is not known by more than 5 Americans. Regardless, she can sing, and she has a very inspirational song. Check it out, and listen to its message. Then believe and let your dreams come true!

http://youtu.be/9YzStOnfNMg

The Power of Faith

I have shared several times in this blog about how blessed I have been during the 45 years I've been on this earth so far. I am very thankful for the beautiful things God has given me. I've also said that, as good as things have been, I strongly believe there is so much more out there for me. As much as I've already been blessed, I haven't even scratched the surface of the miracles still there for me.

The problem is, for many of these miracles I should already be experiencing them. Why haven't I? Is it because God puts a cap on the number of blessings we receive? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! Is it because I am destined for only what I already have? No way!! I believe that the number one reason I haven't reached some of my biggest goals is simply because of a lack of faith. I am seeing more and more how the measure of our faith determines the level of greatness in our lives.

This week I am dedicating myself to re-learning this concept (it's sad that I already know it, but I just don't apply it enough). Since this blog is meant to share the positive things I learn and experience with as many people as possible, I will put my heart and thoughts out there for anyone to share. I certainly hope it helps anyone else who needs to hear it. Duing the week I will share some songs and verses that have helped build my faith and show me the positive effects of doing so. Feel free to share any that have helped you.

The first is from a group called Kutless. It's called "That's What Faith Can Do". It's a perfect example of what I am talking about.

Enjoy!!

http://youtu.be/WTNBWv33-QI

Friday, June 3, 2011

Thanks For a Great Week

Things to be thankful for this week:

1. Great Memorial Day weekend with family.

2. Though it's a month and a half late, the great Spring weather.

3. After some discussion with admin. today, it appears my job is safe for next year.

4. The great group of baseball players I coach. We still have footprints in our butts from the two kickings we got. However, in both games they fought until the end and held their heads high. Not one of them complained even though they desperately want to win.

Thank you God for a great week : )