Category Archives: influence

appreciation, Blogroll, Gratitude, Growing, influence, intentional, life

Activate Appreciation!

My word for today is appreciation and it’s one of those words you actually have to think about a little bit. When we think of appreciation, we often think of someone else appreciating us or our appreciating someone else, but appreciation is so much more. Appreciation is an attitude of gratitude, an acknowledgement of action and an admiration of accomplishment.

When we think of the word appreciation, it is usually attached to something that you have done for someone or something that someone has done for you to help make life a little better and/or easier. It really is a beautiful thing and the truth is, we need a lot more of it in our world today. The cold hard reality is that many people that should be appreciated, never are and many that reap appreciation are really getting someone else’s reward. The other sad thing is that many of us have allowed ourselves to become to busy and distracted, which leads to our missing the opportunity to live in the power of appreciation.

As I was thinking of appreciation today, it was not so much from the stand point of wanting it for myself, but to try and make sure that I do better at expressing it, offering it and sharing it with others. In my own life, I have found that appreciation received, motivates me to want to do more and better. I believe this is true for almost any of us. We want to know that what we do matters.

Appreciation Is An Attitude Of Gratitude! It is a small way of saying “thank you”. An expression of appreciation spoken or written is one way of counting our blessings. Taking the time to think about who and what we appreciate helps to fix and shape up our attitude and a good attitude is key to living the blessed life.

Appreciation Is An Acknowledgement Of Action! When we let someone know that we appreciate them or we let others know what we appreciate, then it is an acknowledgement of appreciation for whatever action touched us enough to motivate us to say this is something that matters to me and has made a difference in my life.

Appreciation Is An Admiration Of Accomplishment! Taking the time to in some way express appreciation shows that we admire and value the person or thing we are appreciating. When we admire something, we are giving it value and making it matter even more in the grand scheme of things.

I encourage you to take some time to think about the people, places and things you appreciate and let it be known. You will be amazed at the difference it will make in your life and in the lives of others…

Blogroll, complaining, Condemnation, Criticism, emotions, Excuses, Growing, influence, life, mindfulness, personal growth, self help

Only You Can Prevent Word Fires!

It’s absolutely amazing how careless we have become with our words. I guess we have always been this way, but it seems to have gotten worse with the advent of social media and I think that the ability to hide behind a mask has made some folks a little more brave and a lot more careless with their words.

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! -James 3:5

Smokey the Bear taught us that a simple spark can set the woods on fire and destroy in minutes what nature took years to grow and develop. And James is explaining that our words can work in much the same way in our lives and living.

We can use our words to tear down or to build up. Our words will either break us or make us better. If we use our words to complain and spread negativity, then they will defeat and ruin us, as well as those around us. When we line our words up with God’s Word and seek the positivity of the Gospel, then they will lead us to blessing and victory.

I hate to say it, but sometimes, those of us who call ourselves Christians can be some of the most negative and pessimistic people you could ever run across. And before we get to busy thinking that it is someone else that we are talking about here, we would do well to look in the mirror and review some of our more recent conversations for revelations that the Spirit might use to surprise us with some gentle correction.

The bottom line is that we can use our tongues to set a fire that provides a warm, safe place. A place where people can be themselves without fear of retribution, judgement and condemnation. Or we can use our tongues to set a fire that will destroy the very blessings we were created to live in.

I can remember my Granny saying when I was just a little boy: “Think before you speak!” I have found that when I really take the time to do that, sometimes I don’t speak at all, because I know it is better to keep my mounts shut, than to light that fire. At other times, after thinking before I speak, I have found that I changed my words so that I might light a fire of acceptance and comfort of others, which changes their life and mine.

My prayer is that God’s words will be my words and provide comfort, healing, encouragement, joy and love to all around… So I will do my best to think about a couple of other forest animals and what Thumper shared with Bambi: “My Mother said: “If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say nothin at all!”

Blogroll, God, influence, journey, life, responsibility, Uncategorized

Influence!

Today, this moment is what I have and what I do with it determines what’s next. Most all of us want out lives to count for something. We don’t want to get to the end of our huan experience and it all have been for nothing. It would be an amazing gift if our life could positively influence the lives of others.

To live a life of influence, we must deal with our thoughts before they deal with us. Thoughts are powerful and they have the ability to build up or tear down. Our thoughts inspire our words, and our words develop our actions, and our actions affect the universe which influences and impacts our life and living.

“Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.” -Romans 14:13

This is why surrender is so important. We must choose who or what we are going to surrender to, because we all surrender to someone or something. Our surrender to our Creator is actually a very high form of taking responsibility, because we are not giving into powers outside of us, but instead yielding the to power within us, which allows the miraculous power of God and His love to do a work in and through us and this is the greatest influence that could ever take place on any level.

This love serves as a light to illuminate the darkness and guide us in the way eternal to the blessings we were created for. It allows God to use us physically, mentally and spiritually. We use our hands and feet to touch and serve others. We use our mind and thoughts to life others up. And we use our spirit and love to manifest joy, peace and blessings.