The Essence of a Successful Father

What makes a great dad? That’s a deep life question. I’m not sure there’s any “correct” answer. Each individual’s response may vary depending on their values, customs, and background. We don’t all think or act alike.

Examples of Endurance, part 2

“Does anybody really think that they didn’t get what they had because they didn’t  have the talent and strength or the endurance or commitment?” Nelson Mandela

3 Examples of Endurance

“We draw our strength from the very despair in which we have been forced to live. We shall endure.” –Cesar Chavez

Why Kindness is Worth the Effort

We live in a world of emotionally wounded, struggling individuals. Hurting people hurt people; it’s a knee-jerk reaction. Compassion can be a tough choice when we can’t get beyond our own pain. For instance, if I’m going through a family tragedy, I probably won’t be thinking about speaking with sympathy.

Faith: the Antidote to Fear

There are certain laws of science that govern our everyday lives, such as gravity. Every object on Earth is affected by this rule. It’s what keeps us firmly planted on the ground--literally.

How Words can Create or Destroy

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”—Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)

How Barriers can Protect us Rather than Block Us

None of us like to be stopped from accomplishing our desires. We want healing, promotion, better relationships, and so forth; we want them now. Yet, we can still be consoled by these facts:

6 Powerful Benefits of Prayer

My last article was about keeping up hope in the middle of trying times. I particularly suggested expanding our vision to look on the positive side as much as possible.   For instance, I’ve heard accounts of cancerous tumors being discovered during surgery on newly injured patients.

Hope: 5 Tips for Keeping it Alive

“How many success stories do you need to hear before you make your own?”—Todo (emphasis mine)

Victory is hard work. Celebrities in any field can confirm this. Every accomplishment takes time and effort. It doesn’t just happen. We also have to simply refuse to accept failure in order to truly move forward. Here are five Bible-based suggestions for positivity:

Top Example of a Positive Perspective

“We measure our days out in steps of uncertainty not turning to see how far we’ve come.” Al Stewart

Varying Viewpoints: Everyone has a Part to Play

My last blog post here introduced different personality types. It’s important to remember that we don’t all think the same. On the other hand, each person can add value to her world in a unique way. It doesn’t matter if she’s naturally outgoing or quiet.

How to Deal With Different Personalities

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophecy according to your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”—Romans 12:5-8 (NIV)

2 Alternatives: Trust God or Give in to Worry

“Fear is nothing more than a lack of faith in God.”—The Power of Brokenness: the Language of Healing—Glen Kerby and Jim McCraigh

Personal Growth: a Beneficial Struggle

Please see more about miraculous changes in my book. Here is the link: Accept No Trash Talk: Overcoming the Odds.

Each New Year brings a chance to start again. Many of us might not be where we want to be, but we’re not where we were, either. Others have “failed up”. In other words, we’ve learned from our mistakes, and we’re moving forward. That’s something to be proud of! I flatter myself that I fall in this last category.

The New Year: A Resolution for Progress

It’s New Year’s Day—a time to look forward to growth and renewal. How do we do that if 2016 was a challenging year? Maybe the last ten years, or more, were even full of trials. We see absolutely no way to move forward.

Jesus' Birth: Why It's Important

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

and the government will be upon his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

—Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) (emphasis mine)

Hope: 7 Methods for Achieving it Right Now

Hope is belief in a brighter tomorrow—no matter what you’re going through now.

Life is a Process; That's a Good Thing.

My last article was about how life doesn’t always make sense. That’s actually normal, but frustrating. It’s hard when we can’t get immediate results.

When Life Doesn't Make Sense...

The right part of my brain (logic) is stronger than the left (creative) area. I crave the following:

• Planning
• Order
• Introspection
• Searching for, and implementing, solutions

Attitude: the key to Joy

There are plenty of roadblocks on the pathway to peace and happiness. Some of us have small pebbles strewn along the path. We can still drive or walk comfortably. Others are faced with traffic accidents or construction zones. These people could be slowed down for hours. They may even have to find an alternate route.

Celebrating Partial Victories

“I’ll be happy when_____” I can’t count the millions of times I think that daily. I’m waiting for the time when my health, my children, and my finances are in perfect order… Hold on! Reality check! Life often runs according to humorist Erma Bombeck’s philosophy:

Sacrifice: Giving up Something Good for Something Better

“Sacrifice” is kind of a harsh term. It calls to mind pain, suffering, or deprivation.

How Opposition Moves us Forward:1 Example

Who likes trauma and drama? Who likes to feel pressed down? Nobody. But life is what it is: full of uncertainty. There are no guarantees or warranties on anything.

The Miracle of Hope: 3 Examples

We live in a highly sophisticated world that is changing by the minute. Here are a few qualities that have improved over the past few decades:

Optimism: The Beacon of Light in the Darkness

Are you where you thought you’d be today?

Have your hopes and dreams of yesterday become the reality of today?

Have you been able to completely resolve major issues of the past?

Counting Your Blessings: an Immediate Mood Booster

I recently published articles here, here, and here about various aspects of staying content when life sends us emotional hurricane Matthews. We can do our best to protect our family and property, but that doesn’t guarantee we won’t have any trials. How does one really prepare for such life-shifting events?  

How to Find Joy in the Moment

Are you where you thought you’d be at this moment in your life?

Are your health, relationships, and job perfect?

Are your finances in order?

De-Stress Now: 4 Practical Tips

Most individuals consider themselves to be busy. Many of us are completely overwhelmed.  At any given moment, there can be multiple demands on our time and resources.

Winning Against the Odds--7 Examples

Everybody loves stories of winning against tremendous trials. The most heartwarming stories in current events and history are those that deal with victorious underdogs:

Why Faith Requires Action

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” –Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

How can we "Sing in the Storm?"

We can truly be peaceful in the middle of tempests. I am not saying that we should all be able to be carefree in the midst of horrific natural and unnatural disasters. That would seem unworkable and heartless.

How new Life Comes Through Struggles

This article is especially for those of us who are fighting huge obstacles daily, or even every minute of our lives. It doesn’t matter what kind of setbacks we’re talking about; they can all lead to the same kind of feeling:  

How Patience Leads to Miracles

3 Reasons to "Wait for It!!!"

It’s hard to be patient in a world used to immediate results. I understand that. However, some of the greatest victories often come about through forced patience, or through the deep analysis of past mistakes. In brief, successes are usually achieved when we are willing to let go of the past and reinvent ourselves.

Kindness: a 2-way Street

“Trolls”, bullying, road rage, and every other kind of disrespect abound in today’s world.  This is not good news for the victims, obviously. However, think about it: negativity doesn’t aid the perpetrator, either. It may accomplish an immediate goal of a grudging apology, a subdued child or “subordinate”, or a quieter room or house, but is that enough?

Angels Among Us--2 Examples

Most of us are busy. We have schedules to keep and responsibilities to fulfill. Time doesn’t stand still. Our attention may be divided between home, family, and work. It’s a wonder some individuals can focus for even a few minutes at a time.

How do we Make Effective Choices?

It’s almost time for Americans to vote for our next president. Our current one has already served two terms; he cannot run again. Those who choose to vote must sort through the sea of contradictory information out there and decide who and what they believe.

How we Reap What we sow: 2 Examples

“Do not be deceived God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”—Galatians 6:7 (NIV)

Why do bad Things Happen to Good People?

 I am not claiming to be the spiritual or philosophical genius of all time. Also, I am not saying that I have the only answer to the most pondered question in history. So, why am I even exploring this loaded query that, frankly, everyone asks, at some point? What gives me the right?

Where can we Turn for Total Compassion?

It’s in our nature to turn to those close to us for compassion in tough times. Everyone wants a shoulder to cry on--or at least a listening ear. We especially expect those we live with to be sympathetic. Nevertheless, this ideal condition is not always achieved.  

Prayers DO get Answered--2 Examples

“I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.”—Abraham Lincoln

Why Aren't all Prayers Answered Immediately?

Hold on!  I don’t have an inflated ego. I’m not claiming to have the only answer to this important question. This article will not be a detailed theological analysis; that’s beyond the scope of my humble blog. Instead, we’re going to gently explore the topic based on proven life experience.

How Attitude is a Game Changer, part 3

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference” Sir Winston Churchill

How Attitude is a Game Changer, part 2

“A strong positive attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug.”—author unknown

Fighting Ridiculous Odds: One Inspiring Example

A story that has been passed down for generations illustrates an important point with dark humor:

No matter how difficult our lives seem to be, somebody’s always struggling more.

How to Balance our Needs and Desires

My last two articles here and here were about attitude. Here are their messages:

• We can’t allow our circumstances to dictate our level of happiness.
• The road to optimism is not always easy to navigate.

A Positive Attitude: It's Possible for Everyone

Happiness. What is it? Can it only occur when everything goes our way? Or is it more complicated than a temporary, pleasant emotion?

How Attitude is a Game Changer

It’s common knowledge that royalty, Hollywood stars, and Wall Street tycoons aren’t always content and well-adjusted. If money and popularity could guarantee happiness, we wouldn’t hear about so many problems among “successful” people:

Focused Communication: A Recipe for Success

Here, wait just a minute, I shouldn’t be writing this article right now. I have a million things to do. Let me check my social-media notifications and e-mail, turn the stove off, make sure my cell-phone battery has enough charge …Sound familiar?