It’s easy to create a negative belief. They come from so many sources, like first impressions, disappointment, failure, embarrassment, fear, exhaustion…
Your default may be to think something happened (or might happen). Our bad feeling becomes a negative belief: that bad things always happen.
Our negative belief changes how we act. Soon the voice in our head sounds like:
🔹”They are always difficult to be with.”
🔹“I can never get this right.”
🔹“Nobody wants to buy my stuff.”
🔹If I fail, I’ll lose everything.”
🔹“I never have enough energy.”
Dr. Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology, tells us that when we create a negative belief, our problem goes from a small thing that happened once or twice to…
🔹PERMANENT (It isn’t going away)
🔹PERSONAL (It’s my fault)
🔹PERVASIVE (It always happens)
HERE IS WHAT I KNOW:
🔹NEGATIVE BELIEFS filter reality and filter good news out.
🔹NEGATIVE BELIEFS stomp out good thoughts before they can grow.
🔹NEGATIVE BELIEFS kill dreams and keep us small.
How do people get out of the funk?
Find something TODAY that you can be positive about, just because you can.
During Sunday School Mr. Jones had Monopoly on his mind.
Every Sunday after church and a good meal, the family would gather around the table for their weekly round of the famous board game.
He absolutely loved this American pastime and knew much trivia about the game. It first originated in 1933 and is now played in 47 different languages in 114 countries.
Jones even counted the amount of money in a Monopoly game to realize it is $20,580. He also knew the longest recorded game. It lasted 70 straight days.
During World War II, escape maps, compasses, and files were inserted into Monopoly game boards smuggled into POW camps inside Germany. Real money for escapees was slipped into the packs of Monopoly money.
He must have had the game and other things on his mind when one morning Mr. Jones stood up and said “I’d like us to pray for some smiling faces in this church.” Then, in typical fashion, he added, “I think more people would want to go to heaven, if they weren’t afraid it’d be like church when they go there!”
“Church shouldn’t be fake.” he suggested. “It’s not about entertainment, comfort, or fads. Church should be a place to bring your joys and your sorrows and connect with others who want to find God and be loved. Fog machines, exotic coffee, and specialty groups will never meet those needs the way the core truths will. Let’s focus on what will not change: God, His Word, and our need to love each other.”
“I grew up in a church, back in the sixties, and we only sang hymns,” Jones continued. “Then came the contemporary praise movement in the seventies and I thought, wow this might be better than the old hymns. And we all know the rest of the story. It seems my nine-year-old granddaughter will never know the great hymns like I do. And to be honest, that makes me sad.”
“Contemporary music can mean a stronger focus on individual performance rather than group worship as a whole,” he suggested. “New music should not be forgotten as it is necessary to express current burdens of the culture in song, but we should be congregation-ready and free of commercial trappings.”
“I just want to quit worrying and pay attention to the sermon,” he continued. “There is no get out of jail free card. Do not pass Go and do not collect $200.”
“What was all of that about?” his family asked, after the services. He gathered his thoughts and explained when they arrived home.
Life, according to Mr. Jones
Life is like a game of Monopoly. You may own hotels on Boardwalk or you may be renting on Baltic Avenue, but in the end, it all goes back into the box. The next generation will be getting out all of your stuff and playing with it or fighting over it.
The Small Stuff
The small stuff is what makes up the larger picture of our lives. Many people are like you. But their perspective is distorted. They ignore ‘small stuff’ claiming to have an eye on the bigger picture, never understanding that the bigger picture is composed of nothing more than—are you ready?—‘small stuff.’
Have you ever been bitten by an elephant? How about a mosquito? It’s the small stuff that’ll get you!
You Choose
At this very moment, you possess the power of perspective. You can choose to see your life becoming whatever you wish. If you choose, you can move the mountains in your life’s path with the eventual help of those who will come to love you and learn to respect you for what you are becoming.
Happiness and Charisma
You must become a person that others want to be around! This is far and away the greatest success secret in existence. This is the person who gets the chance. The second chance and the benefit of the doubt. You should ask yourself this question every day: What is it about me that other people would change if they could?
What is it about the way I dress that other people would change if they could?
What is it about the way I act that other people would change if they could?
What is it about the way I talk that other people would change if they could?
You WILL Make a Difference
One day, you will look back on your ‘worst time’ in your life as a fortuitous event. Even your worst times have value and can become, in retrospect, your best times. You will make a difference. Now, what kind of difference? That’s up to you.
Just keep smiling and roll the dice. When you get a chance, sing a good ‘ol gospel hymn now and then.
Where do material blessings come from? It’s in the Bible, Deuteronomy 8:18 NIV
“But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”
Can money get in the way of more important things? Wealth can become the center of our life and take God’s place. It’s in the Bible, Jeremiah 9:23-24, NIV
“This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.”
Wealth can give us wrong attitudes about material things. It’s in the Bible, Luke 12:15 NIV
“Then [Jesus] said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
It is unwise to make financial success a priority. It’s in the Bible, Matthew 6:24, NIV
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
I Timothy 6:9, NIV
“People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.”
While it is not impossible, it is difficult for the rich to become citizens of God’s kingdom. It’s in the Bible, Mark 10:23-25, NIV.
“Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!’ The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus said again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.'”
The love of money leads to evil. It’s in the Bible, I Timothy 6:10, NIV.
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
Greed often accompanies prosperity and can lead to crime. It’s in the Bible, James 4:1-2, TLB
“What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Isn’t it because there is a whole army of evil desires within you? You want what you don’t have, so you kill to get it. You long for what others have, and can’t afford it, so you start a fight to take it away from them. And yet the reason you don’t have what you want is that you don’t ask God for it.”
It’s true, the more you give, the greater will be your reward. It’s in the Bible, Luke 12:33-34, NIV
“Sell your possessions and give to the poor: Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
What investment strategy does God recommend? It’s in the Bible, I Timothy 6:17-19, NIV.
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
A valuable reminder for property owners. It’s in the Bible, Leviticus 25:23, TLB
“And remember, the land is Mine, so you may not sell it permanently. You are merely My tenants and sharecroppers!”
Contentment is not related to amount of money or possessions. It’s in the Bible, Philippians 4:12-13, TLB.
“I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want; for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.”
God asks us to return tithe [10%] and offerings to Him and in return He promises unlimited blessings. It’s in the Bible, Malachi 3:8-10, NIV.
“Will a man rob God?” Yet you rob Me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ “In tithes and offerings.” Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
Christ endorsed tithing. It’s in the Bible, Matthew 23:23, NIV.
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”
How may all, rich and poor, honor God? It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 3:9, NIV.
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
If we put God first, He will take care of all our needs. It’s in the Bible, Matthew 6:33, NIV.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
What is the financial counsel of Solomon, the wisest and richest man who ever lived? It’s in the Bible, Ecclesiastes 5:10-20, TLB.
“He who loves money shall never have enough. The foolishness of thinking that wealth brings happiness! The more you have, the more you spend, right up to the limits of your income, so what is the advantage of wealth—except perhaps to watch it as it runs through your fingers! The man who works hard sleeps well whether he eats little or much, but the rich must worry and suffer insomnia. There is another serious problem I have seen everywhere—savings are put into risky investments that turn sour, and soon there is nothing left to pass on to one’s son. The man who speculates is soon back to where he began—with nothing. This, as I said, is a very serious problem, for all his hard work has been for nothing; he has been working for the wind. It is all swept away. All the rest of his life he is under a cloud—gloomy, discouraged, frustrated, and angry… . To enjoy your work and to accept your lot in life—that is indeed a gift from God. The person who does that will not need to look back with sorrow on his past, for God gives him joy.”
What does the Scripture say about my monthly bills? It’s in the Bible, Romans 13:7-8, NIV.
“Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.”
Be cautious about countersigning loan notes. It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 22:26-27, TLB.
“Unless you have extra cash on hand, don’t countersign a note. Why risk everything you own? They’ll even take your bed!”
What reminder are we given about borrowing money? It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 22:7, NIV.
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
God expects fairness in business dealings. It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 16:11, TLB.
“The Lord demands fairness in every business deal. He established this principle.”
Honesty and fairness are always expected of those who wish to please God. It’s in the Bible, Isaiah 33:15, TLB.
“I will tell you who can live here: All who are honest and fair, who reject making profit by fraud, who hold back their hands from taking bribes, who refuse to listen to those who plot murder, who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong.”
It is important to work to earn a living. It’s in the Bible, II Thessalonians 3:11-12, TLB.
“Yet we hear that some of you are living in laziness, refusing to work, and wasting your time in gossiping. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we appeal to such people—we command them—to quiet down, get to work, and earn their own living.”
We know of so many people who are struggling with finances today. It is a rarity to find someone who is not.
If you’re staring at a near-empty bank account today, we invite you to open your Bible and dive into God’s Word. We invite you to meditate on its messages of peace, hope and perseverance. And we invite you to join us in reciting these four prayers:
🔹Lord, give me peace when money is tight. Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid. – John 14:27 (GNTD)
🔹Lord, give me hope when I have none. May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit.– Romans 15:13 (GNTD)
🔹Lord, give me wisdom as I make decisions about my money. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.– Proverbs 3:5-6 (GNTD)
🔹Lord, provide for my needs. Look at the crows: they don’t plant seeds or gather a harvest; they don’t have storage rooms or barns; God feeds them! You are worth so much more than birds!– Luke 12:24 (GNTD)
🔹Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) due to physical exercise reduces the ability to perform intensive physical training and participate in sports at high levels.
🔹Omega-3 fatty acids may provide a partial protective effect against development of DOMS and may accelerate recovery after damaging exercise.
🔹Because cod oil produced through fermentation contains natural bioactive compounds such as Vitamins A and D along with omega-3 fatty acids, it may assist in the recovery from DOMS.
Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Muscle Recovery After Strenuous Exercise
By Dr. Subramaniam Sathivel
Physical exercise, particularly resistance exercise, often results in delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) that peaks 1-2 days after the exercise and takes up to 5-6 days to get resolved.
DOMS has shown to reduce the ability to perform intensive physical training and to play sports at high levels.
There is evidence to suggest that omega-3 fatty acids could provide a partial protective effect against development of DOMS and may even accelerate recovery after damaging exercise.
The main omega-3 fatty acids are alpha linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
EPA and DHA, in particular, may reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines while raising anti-inflammatory markers. Some researchers have reported that omega-3 supplementation decreases the soreness after exercise. They found that individuals are able to perform a specific type of exercise at increased levels after omega-3 supplementation, and concluded that omega-3 supplementation could decrease the severe localized soreness due to this type of exercise.
Based on these findings they believe that omega-3 supplements could be beneficial to athletes, especially athletes involved with high-intensity strength training. Other researchers have suggested that fish oil containing omega-3 fatty acids could be a natural anti-inflammatory.
Researchers have investigated the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on muscle soreness over three days in competitive soccer players. Their findings showed that the soccer players experience muscle damage due to the high demand of physical activities during soccer games and were able to show that combining omega-3 fatty acids with a multi-ingredient supplement resulted in protection of the muscles from damage during exercise and reduced muscle soreness in recovery.
They speculated that a possible reason for these desirable effects is that the omega-3 fatty acids improve the structural integrity of the muscle cell membrane before exercising. This could lead to protection of the muscle fibers in the active muscles from developing DOMS.
In a study done by a group of researchers the effect of a high dose and low dose of EPA on the recovery from muscle damage induced by exercise was looked at.
Twenty-seven physically active males participated in this study. They used 100 plyometric drop jumps to induce muscle damage. The participants were tested for muscle soreness and isokinetic muscle squat jump performance.
The researchers found that those who took the high EPA dose were able to return to their baseline performance faster.
Another group of researchers investigated how muscle soreness in 20 professional Rugby players was affected by the consumption of a protein-based supplement containing omega-3 fatty acids. They observed a moderate beneficial effect of omega-3 fatty acids in reducing fatigue.
The researchers concluded, “The moderate beneficial effect of adding fish oil to a protein-based supplement on muscle soreness translated into the better maintenance of explosive power in elite Rugby Union players during pre-season training.”
Fish oils, including cod liver oil, contain these beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. With that in mind, cod liver oil may be useful for muscle recovery from intensive exercise.
🔹Youth is a good time to develop a relationship with God. It’s in the Bible, Ecclesiastes 12:1, TLB.
“Don’t let the excitement of being young cause you to forget about your Creator: Honor Him in your youth before the evil years come—when you’ll no longer enjoy living.”
🔹God is more interested in willingness than in age. It’s in the Bible, I Samuel 2:18, TLB.
“Samuel, though only a child, was the Lord’s helper.”
🔹What does God expect of children? It’s in the Bible, Colossians 3:20, NIV.
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”
🔹One of God’s commandments is for children to honor and respect their parents, It’s in the Bible, Exodus 20:12, NIV.
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
🔹How long are children to respect their parents? It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 23:22, NIV.
“Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.”
🔹Prompt discipline is an expression of parental love. It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 13:24, TLB.
“If you refuse to discipline your son, it proves you don’t love him; for if you love him, you will be prompt to punish him.”
🔹Youth can be Christ-like examples. It’s in the Bible, I Timothy 4:12, NIV.
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
🔹Children should learn from their parents. It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 1:8, NIV.
“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”
🔹Living a reckless life dishonors parents. It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 28:7, TLB.
“Young men who are wise obey the law; a son who is a member of a lawless gang is a shame to his father.”
🔹It is wrong to take unfair advantage of parents. It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 28:24, TLB.
“A man who robs his parents and says, ‘What’s wrong with that?’ is no better than a murderer.”
🔹Young people should be selective in choosing their friends. It’s in the Bible, II Timothy 2:22, TLB.
“Run from anything that gives you the evil thoughts that young men often have, but stay close to anything that makes you want to do right. Have faith and love, and enjoy the companionship of those who love the Lord and have pure hearts.”
‘Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else. You are the one who gets burned.’
Powerful Winning Hacks That Take Venom Out of Angry People
During a job performance review in the 1990s, my boss, H-E-B Food-Drugs Vice President Ralph Mehringer said something that I remember to this day.
“You have the unique ability to take the venom out of angry people,” he noted. “You quickly de-fang them.”
I liked that.
Ralph is a keen observer and calls it as he sees it. His words were motivating, so of course, it reinforced my learning and practicing.
I became interested in studying Neuro Linguistic Programming, or NLP for short. Eventually I became a certified NLP Practitioner.
It helped immensely in leadership and dealing with others through powerful techniques such as “anchoring,” reading body language and facial expressions, “reframing thoughts” and building rapport.
As the years progressed, “de-fanging” became natural and automatic-like.
Here are some tips I learned along the way and continue to use today:
1. When someone is angry and confrontational, stand next to them, rather than in front of them. You want to appear not to be much of a threat, after all you’re physically on their side, and they eventually calm down.
2. Slow the pace of speech.They are likely to be yelling or talking rapidly. It’s critical not to engage in a like manner. When it’s your turn to reply, do so in a deliberate, kind, quiet and slower tone.
4. Rephrase what the other person says and repeat it back to them. In that slower, quieter voice, this helps you understand their concern. This makes them feel you care and are listening to them. It shows your genuine interest in them. It validates them and helps you. Note: Don’t overdo it. You don’t want to appear condescending.
3. Open with “I need your help.” Most people don’t like the guilt of not helping someone out. When asking for a favor from someone, begin with “I need your help.” It GREATLY increases the chances of getting the favor done. But best of all, it can be used as an opening line to someone very irritated about something. Usually I act innocently not knowing why they’re upset. It’s a good precursor to leading them out of their anger towards a better outlook.
5. If you want someone to agree with you, nod while you talk. I learned this as a door-to-door insurance salesman in the early 1980s and discovered it works well with group presentations too. When you notice them beginning to change their attitude, or better yet nod back, you’re on the right track. They are beginning to subconsciously agree with you.
6. If someone doesn’t like you, ask to borrow a pencil or pen. This is called the Benjamin Franklin Effect. It’s just a small favor that actually helps nudge them to like you. Not as effective, but still good, is to subtly touch someone’s upper arm when you ask for a favor.
7. Mimic them without them realizing it. It’s called mirroring and takes some practice. It has to be subtle and with finesse. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it try folding your arms in a non-threatening way. It helps to determine their interest. If someone is observing you, they will likely mimic you.
8. Repeat a person’s name many times in the conversation. Don’t overdo it, but it helps you remember their name, and makes them like you more.
9. If the person is a child, bring bubbles. Hint: this can work for adults too. Bubbles are magical mood changers.
Please note this article begins a series on posts offered to help our readers understand how NLP can not only help you in everyday life and business practice, but reveals the ways politicians, propagandists and others can manipulate your thought process to change your beliefs.
God is pleased with personal giving. It’s in the Bible, Exodus 35:22, TLB.
“Both men and women came, all who were willing-hearted. They brought to the Lord their offerings of gold, jewelry—earrings, rings from their fingers, necklaces—and gold objects of every kind.”
God is pleased when we give generously. It’s in the Bible, Ezra 2:68-69, TLB.
“Some of the leaders were able to give generously toward the rebuilding of the Temple, and each gave as much as he could. The total value of their gifts amounted to $300,000 of gold, $170,000 of silver, and 100 robes for the priests.”
God is pleased with regular sacrificial giving. It’s in the Bible, II Corinthians 8:2, TLB.
“Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, they have mixed their wonderful joy with their deep poverty, and the result has been an overflow of giving to others.”
Generosity takes preparation and planning. It’s in the Bible, Leviticus 19:9-10, TLB.
“When you harvest your crops, don’t reap the corners of your fields, and don’t pick up stray grains of wheat from the ground. It is the same with your grape crop—don’t strip every last piece of fruit from the vines, and don’t pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and for those traveling through, for I am Jehovah your God.”
Giving can be an act of worship. It’s in the Bible, Matthew 2:11, NIV.
“On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”
Gifts should be given willingly. It’s in the Bible, II Corinthians 9:7, NIV.
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Each person should give as much as he or she is able. It’s in the Bible, II Corinthians 8:12, TLB.
“If you are really eager to give, then it isn’t important how much you have to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you haven’t.”
Much is required of those who have been given much. It’s in the Bible, Luke 12:48, NIV.
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
Giving tithes and offerings assures the blessings of God. It’s in the Bible, Malachi 3:8,10, NIV.
“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob Me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings…Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
Generosity comes back to the giver. It’s in the Bible, Luke 6:38, TLB.
“For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give—large or small—will be used to measure what is given back to you.”
God is the ultimate example of giving. It’s in the Bible, John 3:16, TLB.
“For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
These are some of my favorite healthier alternative meals that are also easy to prepare.
They are relatively quick and easy to make, plus they pass that “Jack Test” for being especially delicious.
Enjoy!
4. Quick Pepper Steak
Ingredients
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons minced fresh gingerroot
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth
3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon molasses
1-1/2 pounds beef top sirloin steak, cut into 1/4-inch strips
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 large green peppers, cut into 1/2-inch strips
1-1/2 cups sliced celery
3 green onions, chopped
4 teaspoons lemon juice
In a bowl, combine the cornstarch, brown sugar, ginger and garlic powder. Stir in broth until smooth. Add soy sauce and molasses; set aside.
In a nonstick skillet or wok, stir-fry steak in oil for 4-5 minutes; remove and keep warm. Stir-fry peppers, celery and onions until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Stir broth mixture and add to the vegetables. Return meat to the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in lemon juice. Serve over noodles if desired.
The content of this article is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified health care professional before acting on any information presented herein. Any statements about the possible health benefits of any subject discussed have not been evaluated by medical professionals or the Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness.
🔹Real friendship involves loyalty. It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 17:17, TLB.
“A true friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.”
🔹The best friend to have is Jesus. It’s in the Bible, John 15:15, NIV.
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you.”
🔹Choose friends who love the Lord and have pure hearts. It’s in the Bible. II Timothy 2:22, TLB.
“Run from anything that gives you the evil thoughts that young men often have, but stay close to anything that makes you want to do right. Have faith and love, and enjoy the companionship of those who love the Lord and have pure hearts.”
🔹What characteristics make you a good friend? It’s in the Bible, Philippians 2:3-4, TLB.
“Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing.”
🔹Gossip can destroy friendships. It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 16:28, NIV.
“A gossip separates close friends.”
🔹Friends are worth keeping. It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 27:9-10, TLB.
“Never abandon a friend—either yours or your father’s. Then you won’t need to go to a distant relative for help in your time of need.”
🔹A friend cares enough to be honest with you even if it hurts. It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 27:6, TLB.
“Wounds from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy!”
Today, many people are suffering just to make ends meet. Once, I was considered somewhat wealthy compared to most. Life experiences changed that.
Not many know this, but I was actually homeless for a while. I took a retirement job at a golf resort. This allowed me to sleep safely in my pickup, shower in the locker room, eat healthy and make wonderful friends. Homeless was only temporary, but I learned plenty about life and happiness. Each day at work for 9 years my goal was to make 100 people smile or laugh. I counted them daily.
For many years it has been a personal ambition to make others feel better about themselves and have a positive outlook when they walk away. It makes me happy.
After a long successful and busy career, I counted on my investigation and writing skills to earn more money. It became natural to just look around for every little thing I could be grateful for in my life. The main secret to happiness is to appreciate what we have. I became rich in my own way.
There are many ways to live a happy life. These are things that make me the happiest I have ever been:
🔹Stay creative.
🔹Help others.
🔹Do free or low cost activities. For us it means enjoying a walk, swim, bike ride, library, community center, attending classes, hiking, camping, gardening, and picnics. We don’t watch TV or spend hours on social media. It is similar to being a child again, full of wonderment and discovery.
🔹We made changes. Instead of spending every night in an expensive hotel, we take our tent and gear to ocassionally camp out overnight. It’s healthy and beautiful outdoors. We have no Internet at home. I don’t even know what internet and cable/satellite TV costs these days. We take our garbage to the local dump less than two miles away. We average $18 a month. Our nearest neighbor spends $45 to have someone pick their trash up.
It’s a simple and awesome existence. Less stress.
I learned that you can be happy when you don’t have the means and money you once had. In fact, some of the saddest people I know have plenty of money. They pay taxes on their homes and real estate. Their lives are complex. Ours is simple and cheap. We don’t spend and accumulate “things” much anymore. We survive and accumulate memories. We laugh and smile a lot.
🔹What is the value of early attention to child training? It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 22:6, NIV.
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
🔹What does God expect from parents as they raise children? Parents must be godly examples in words and actions. It’s in the Bible, Deuteronomy 6:6-7, NIV
“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
🔹God expects parents to be patient. It’s in the Bible, Colossians 3:21, TLB.
“Fathers, don’t scold your children so much that they become discouraged and quit trying.”
🔹What does God expect of a mother?It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 31:26, TLB.
“When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule for everything she says.”
🔹Discipline is an expression of parental love. It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 13:24, TLB.
“If you refuse to discipline your son, it proves you don’t love him; for if you love him, you will be prompt to punish him.”
🔹Kind, firm correction helps children learn. It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 29:15, TLB.
“Scolding and spanking a child helps him to learn. Left to himself, he brings shame to his mother.”
🔹The purpose of discipline is to help the children mature, not to anger them. It’s in the Bible, Ephesians 6:4, TLB.
“And now a word to you parents. Don’t keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful. Rather, bring them up with the loving discipline the Lord Himself approves, with suggestions and godly advice.”
🔹Children often bear the consequences of their parents’ sins. It’s in the Bible, Exodus 34:7, TLB.
“I, Jehovah, show this steadfast love to many thousands by forgiving their sins; or else I refuse to clear the guilty, and require that a father’s sins be punished in the sons and grandsons, and even later generations.”
🔹What response does God expect from children? It’s in the Bible, Ephesians 6:1, NIV
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”
Clever Journeys 