Life Is Not Always Fair
I once heard the story of a grown bear that lived in a cage and traveled with a circus ever since he was a small cub. The bear spent everyday of his life pacing back and forth in his cage while countless spectators looked on. When the bear's keepers were not looking some of the spectators would poke the bear with sharp sticks or would throw pieces of food filled with broken glass into the cage. When the great bear would eat what he thought was a wonderful treat, the broken glass would cut the inside of his throat and stomach. One day a wealthy animal-lover visited the circus and saw the harmful acts committed against the bear. Because he felt great compassion for animals he approached the circus about purchasing the bear. He explained that he would take the bear and place him in a large open area. In this area the bear would have cool pools of water to play in and lush grassy fields to run. The circus agreed to sell the bear to the man and set up a delivery date. When the day arrived for the bear to be delivered everyone was anxious to see what would happen when the door of the cage was opened for the first time. To everyone's amazement, when the cage was opened, the bear did what he spent every day of his life doing. He simply paced back and forth the length of the cage. The bear didn't even seem to care that the cage door was open. Finally, the bear's keepers got the bear outside the cage and rolled it away. What they saw next shocked everyone. The bear looked around at his new beautiful home. He looked at the cool pools of water and the lush green pastures. Then to everyone's surprise and disappointment, the bear began his pacing. Back and forth he would go - as in an imaginary cage. Eventually he had to be put to sleep because he could not function in his beautiful new home. I hope and pray that you are not living a life like the bear described above. I heard a quote recently that went something like this, "Don't let your past dictate who you are, but do let it influence who you become." It is a well-known fact: Life is not always fair. Therefore, I am of the opinion that when life turns up the heat what you F.O.C.U.S. on helps you make it through the day a winner. My good friend, Robert Mallon, explains it this way, "The longer we look at God the smaller our obstacles become. The longer we look at the obstacles the smaller God becomes. The question is whether we want a BIG God or a big enemy. It is just a matter of perspective." When life becomes unfair what do you focus on? The principles below are basic, but will powerfully help you when you are struggling to keep a positive outlook. F - Fun. Set yourself a goal to have fun every day. Make it intentional. Put it on your calendar. Do whatever it takes - just have fun. O - Organized. When life becomes unfair we can begin to let things pile up. Things like emails and phone calls to reply to, deadlines at work, laundry, yard work, etc. In other words, a cluttered life will bring about a cluttered mind. Or is that the other way around? Either way, as much as possible, keep your day-to-day activities as organized as possible. C - Care for others. One of the best ways to forget how much you are hurting is to focus on how you can help others. Getting your eyes off yourself, and on to how you can help others, will boost your positive outlook on life. U - You. When you are going through tough times it is very important to keep a good diet, workout routine, and sleep habits. This will help keep your mind clear and your energy up. Remember, God loves you and He does not make junk. S - Successes. Not only should you plan to have fun everyday, but also you should plan to succeed. You might have to tell yourself to be on the lookout for successes in your day, but when you have one, (even a little one) celebrate. A recent rollerblading trip was an example of this in my life. My goal was to "blade" around this paved course (up and down, left and right) without falling. I looked like an elephant on skates, but when I made it to the finish line I was ecstatic! I accomplished my goal and lived to tell about it. Life is not always fair. Deaths, sickness, career changes, and struggles are going to occur. Just remember to keep your focus and to hold tight to the hand of God. When times are tough, He will carry you to the end. Footprints and Monuments is a free monthly leadership and motivational e-newsletter. No names receiving this e-newsletter is sold or distributed to any other source. You are encouraged to forward this monthly article to anyone in your address book. To un-subscribe please reply back with "Un-subscribe" in the subject field. www.jeffearlywine.com About The Author Jeff Earlywine began his ministry career while working on his undergraduate Business degree. His experiences have led him to work in many difference areas that have all benefited the local church. CONSULTANT - Jeff has spent the last fifteen years consulting with hundreds of different organizations all across the nation. Serving as a consultant at The Injoy Group challenged him to be his best while he worked with the best. Jeff has assisted many ministries in Vision Casting, Strategic Planning, and Future Planning. EXECUTIVE PASTOR - Jeff's unofficial title was, "Pastor of Organization," and by this title you might know this is his greatest skill. That skill gave him the passion to organize many different ministries in the local church. That skill also developed a volunteer staff capable of growing each of these ministries. He did this by equipping them to fulfill their God-given potential. Jeff's passion is to come along side the leader and help him to identify and develop his dream, organize the needs of that dream, and then to train and equip leaders to fulfill that dream. jeff@atlantayfc.org
MORE RESOURCES:
Selling yoga to IndiaIndependent, UK - 1 hour agoAndrew Buncombe investigates Whatever might be said of the yoga master Swami Ramdev, one cannot accuse him of being dull. Clad from head to foot in orange ... |
Yoga Bears: It's No Stretch to SayWall Street Journal - 20 hours agoDavid M. Russell for The Wall Street Journal Employees at DE Shaw & Co. attended a yoga class in a conference room at the company's New York office on June ... |
Nevada uses hypnotism to gain edgeESPN - 7 hours agoSome have done ballet, yoga, and gymnastics. But how about hypnotism? Nevada running back Luke Lippincott said he is one of three or four players on the ... |
Naked dining and yoga takes off in New YorkTelegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - Jul 23, 2008Humid summers have encouraged a nudity trend that is stretching to restaurants, yoga classes and even a stand-up comedy club. By Tom Leonard in New York ... |
Bikram Choudhury to teach Chicago seminarChicago Tribune, United States - 3 hours agoBikram Choudhury, the man who invented hot, or Bikram yoga, can bite his toes without bending his knees. And he loves to help others do the same. ... |
Hindu |
Leela RatnamHindu, India - 4 hours agoShe was a prominent member of Chennai society and a significant contributor in the areas of sports, yoga, education, cultural studies and design. ... |
Yoga - Google News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Mastering Your Moods: How To Take Charge Of Your Feelings
John Ryder awakens feeling rested, refreshed, and sensing a calm vibrancy surging all through him. Hopping eagerly out of bed, he showers, dresses, and with a gleam and sparkle in his eye, goes downstairs to his kitchen and puts on some coffee.
Accepting Change
Well I've finally done it..
It's All About Beliefs
Changing your mindset can have a significant impact on achieving your goals.We've all heard about the power of positive thinking but does it work? How does your thinking influence your actions and get you the results you want?Understanding Your MindsetThe Wall Street Journal recently published an article about the significance of our beliefs and the mental models, or mindsets that shape our behavior.
A Major Block to Constructive Change
A Yale University study a few years ago revealed that the average child is scolded - criticized - over 20,000 times between the ages of two and ten. Mom says, "No, Charlie - don't touch that!" Or a teacher says, "Jackie, that's not the way to do it!" All those "Nos" and "shouldn'ts" add up to a predisposition toward self-criticism that we must look at before we can truly change our lives.
Perspective Is Everything
Ever witnessed an incident that needed to be reported to the police? It's amazing how much the stories from each of the eye-witnesses varies from others who experienced the same event!Ever wondered why that is? We each come to an event with a different perspective which is determined byValues AttitudesExperiences Environment Your personality styleValues are the principles you hold as important; the standard by which you determine how things should be. Everyone has values.
From The WorkWise Collection: Transform Your Fears into Positive Power
Fear is a double-edged sword. It can hold you back or drive you forward.
Powerful Insights
? If it takes me to periphery (Drifted into continuous thinking compulsion), it is controlling me. If I am at centre (without taking the support of any idea in my own nakedness), nothing is controlling me.
Give Your Attitude A Little Altitude
Need a way to make your life a better place to live?Life is our perception of what it is, not necessarily the reality of what it is.Let's see if I can explain that.
Heal and Release the Past
I had a completely different idea for my main article but certain events that happened today helped me to tune into my soul and listen for what I really want to write about.It's a New Year and I am feeling elated about the possibilities for me this year.
How to Get Rid of Stinking Thinking
Q: I seem to beat myself before I ever get started. I catch myself trying to talk myself out of doing anything because of all the obstacles I see.
Anamchara - Beyond Positive Thinking
One of the most well known books ever written on success is James Allan's "As a man thinketh."This book advocates thinking in a positive manner in order to create the life you dream of having.
Reality Exposed
Did you know that our thoughts may be influencing ourreality and lives? Have you ever seen a movie called'What the Bleep Do We Know!?'.Interestingly, there is a part in the movie about howdifferent emotional states affect water molecules and causethem to form patterns.
Quick Fixes: Happiness In A Bottle
This is the age of the Quick Fix - the magic bullets that claim to take away our sorrows, our tiredness, our sadness.You need look no farther than your mailbox to see the range of remedies - prescription drugs and supplements - being plugged for everything from stress to low energy.
Rebuild Those Plans
Byron and I started our first business full of enthusiasm and energy. The business was a seminar business with a focus on self-development.
Enlarge Your Vision
Millions struggle through life barely earning enough to survive. Many are trapped in a job they hate, but are making just enough that they think they can't afford to start at the bottom in something else.
Individualized Positive Affirmations for Improving Self-Esteem
Positive self-esteem is very important if not crucial to our happiness and well being as a human being. Having positive self-esteem can make the difference in that which we take on in life, in that which we go about achieving and creating.
Mastering Mindfulness: A Thinkers Ode to Meditation
I'm lucky.When I was fifteen, I was the sole survivor in one of those horrific car accidents involving a bunch of teens, lots of alcohol, and late-night fast driving.
So What Is A Limiting Belief?
So what is a limiting belief?Don't you love the current expression: 'does what it says on the can'. The can is, of course, purely metaphorical and 'does what it says' suggests clarity and ultimate intelligibility.
An Exercise To Open Your Mind To Your Possibilities
Everything exists twice. First, in your mind.
Potency
No, not that kind.Power and potential are synonymous.
|
