The 3 Greatest Decisions You Will Make in Life

We are forced to make many important decisions everyday.  In the process of making these decisions, some are made volitionally and others are made passively.  However you making your decisions, you must prioritize your decision-making.

 

 

With much prayer and deliberation with God, I have come up with the 3 greatest decisions you will have to make in my life.

Decision #1 - Accepting God as Your Father

 

You may be thinking, “I love God!”

I’m not here to question your love for God, but I would like to help you discover ways to deepen your relationship with Him.  Since God is our Father, He loves when we brag on Him.  Accepting God as your Father is the greatest decision any person will ever be able to make for several reasons.  The primary two reasons are 1) to praise His name and 2) to receive the blessings He has to offer.

Accepting God as your Father will give you numerous benefits.  After accepting Him as your Father, you will immediately notice the Divine Team working on your behalf by way of the Father, Son, and Spirit.  These three will add you to their Divine Team, which is called the church.

No matter where you are going in life, you will be representing the Divine Team as the church.

As the church, you will wear the name Christian.  As a Christian, you will start to recognize the importance of being saved by the grace of God.

Please remember, a life lived is better than any word spoken.  Whatever you do, just be careful of practicing the 7 Things Christians Shouldn’t Do (click on link).

So, surrendering to God is the greatest decision you will ever make because you are giving the Creator total control over your life.

Decision #2 - Getting Married

 

You want to marry the right person.

It sounds simple, but there are times when people marry the wrong person.

You want to marry the right person because this decision affects so many people from your family members to your future children.  Everyone deserves to live a happy and joyful life, but that will be little hard with the wrong person.

Besides God and His Divine Team, this person will be the most important person you will have ever met.

Decision #3 - Having Children

 

Last but not least of the three decisions is having kids.

It breaks my heart to hear how people mistreat our children these days.  Children are being abused, molested, shot, left to die in cars during the scorching heat, etc.  It’s a shame to treat our blessings from God with such irresponsibility.  There’s no reason for this type of behavior.

Having a child is one of the greatest decisions to make because being a parent requires great responsibility.  Children are a sponge.  We just need to make sure we are careful about what we are feeding them.

There you have it, my list of the 3 greatest decisions I’ve made.  A BIG thanks goes out to my God, my wife, and beautiful boys!  I am sharing this information, in hopes that you will discover the greatest decisions you have made in your life.

 

What are the greatest decisions you have made in your life?  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

Be the wEiRd this world needs!

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Be a Rainbow in Someone’s Life

Life has a way of getting our attention, whether good or bad.  I can never pass up an opportunity to take in the beauty of a rainbow.  It’s a fascinating experience seeing this long colorful arch stretch across the heavens.

 

I get a sense of excitement and anticipation whenever I see a rainbow.  Most of the time, the rainbow sparks these feelings of excitement and anticipation.

What is it about rainbows?

Aside from the appealing aesthetics of the rainbow, a rainbow has also been a source of hope since the creation of our world.  God used the rainbow as a promise to our human race after the flood.

Maybe this is why a rainbow gives us such great feelings.  A rainbow symbolizes and gives us a sense of hope!

Be A Rainbow

 

Like a rainbow; we should seek to inspire, excite, and leave an impression on the people and organizations in our lives.

Our lives should motivate others to be a rainbow because we never know what others are going through.

It was Maya Angelou that said,

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”

 

Clouds enter all of our lives.  The cloud may be a broken relationship, frustrations with a current job position, financial challenges, etc.  Sometimes clouds may bring rain into our lives, but with a little sun a beautiful rainbow forms.

There are people we love and care for that are in need of a rainbow in their life.  We are all in need of encouragement and inspiration, but more importantly we all need hope because hope gives us confidence and a chance.

What are you waiting for in your life?  Be someone’s rainbow!

 

Have you been a rainbow in someone’s life?  If so, explain how you were a rainbow in their life.  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

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How to Enjoy Life’s Roller Coaster Ride?

Life can be a roller-coaster full of ups and downs.  During these times of joy and chaos, what’s your go-to phrase?

 

Your go-to phrase should never include any words that are damaging to yourself or others, but your go-to phrase should be filled with energy, excitement, optimism, and confidence.  

 

Below I have listed several go-to phrases I use during the good and bad times of my life.  I hope my go-to phrases will assist you in discovering your own go-to phrase.

 

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” ~ Philippians 4:13

 

“Fear not, be weird!”

 

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” ~ Romans 8:28

 

These are just a few of my go-to phrases.  Whatever happens in life, it will suit you well to have a go-to phrase.

 

What’s your go-to phrase (s)?  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

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No Do Over's

Have you ever had a day, in which you just wanted to start over?  I will be the first to raise both of my hands.

 

Do remember some of the video games such as the Atari and Nintendo systems?  Once upon a time, I had a great affinity for playing video games.  Now life is a pretty busy, so it’s been a long time since I’ve played video games.  Every once and a while I may play the Wii when the entire family gathers on holidays, but it is a rare occurrence.

What does that have to do with our blog today?

Sometimes we believe life is like a video game, in which we get a do over.

Just remember, in life there aren’t any do over’s.

Start your day like you would like to finish it and vice versa.

You can’t change the past and what’s done is done.

However, you can learn from your past, change your present, and positively impact your future.

Live without Regrets!

 

What can you learn from your past, change in your present, and positively influence in your future? (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

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How to Manage Your Life Under Construction

I am always looking for ways to better myself, which puts my life constantly under construction.  In order to move forward in life, I believe we have to learn how to manage our lives under construction.

 

Managing your life under constructions means learning the proper technique of building or progressing your life.  I want to share 3 ways to build or progress your life.

#1 Design Your Life

 

Life is all about preparation.  Without preparation, it’s hard to make any progress.

So to move forward with your life, you will need a plan.  Matter fact, I would have a plan A and a plan B because life is unpredictable.

A plan is always better than having no plans at all.  A plan gives you an idea of what direction you plan on directing your life.  Otherwise, your life will be at the mercy of other people’s plans.

Don’t let anyone make plans for your life.  Take control of your own life and achieve he things you are passionate about in life.

What does a life plan look like?

To have a plan is to have goals that will push you in the right direction.

You don’t want to put together just any goals.  Make them descriptive, measurable, attainable, but also challenging.

#2 Fund Your Design

 

Once you have a great design for your life.  Then you must fund your design.  I am not specifically referring to money when I say fund your design.  However, it may take you spending money to carry out your design.

Aside from money, you will need to be resourceful and you will need some resources.

There’s a big difference in being resourceful and having resources.

Being resourceful is making due to with what you already have.  To have resources is to have things such as money, material, people, etc. that can help your design.

Many people aren’t successful with constructing their life because they feel it is all about the resources.  Of course, it helps tremendously to have money, materials, and people around you who can help push your design.  However, lacking resources should never stop your life’s design from being able to move forward.

We may not have everything to fund our design fully, but we all have something.  If it is just passion and conviction, you have something.  Maybe it’s a book you need to read to fuel your design, but it’s something.  What ever it may be, focus on what you do have instead of what you don’t have.  Capitalize on those things at your disposal.  Use it to your advantage and as the resources flow into your life, you will be able to push your life closer towards completing your life’s design.  Be resourceful!

#3 Execute Your Design

 

To put the finishing touches on your life’s construction, you will need to execute your design.  Just having a good plan will not be enough; you will also need good execution.

If you know anything about sports, you are aware that a great plan without proper execution will lead to an unaccomplished goal.   Also, a poor plan with great execution will lead to poor results.  You need a great plan with great execution.

Once you have put together a great design and have discovered the funding needed to push it forward, wait no longer to execute your plans.

You will never feel completely ready, but you are ready!  Construct the life you have always envisioned.

 

How have you managed your life’s construction?  What have you done to be resourceful in constructing your life?   (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

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Don’t Overlook Your Door to Success

I’m amazed how many times a door was closed in my life, only to discover another door was wide open for me.

 

Today will wrap up our week of success blogging.  We discussed earlier this week Do You Know What It Takes to Build a Successful Life? (click on link) and The Framework of a Successful Life (click on link).  Today, let’s talk about taking advantage of your door to success.

What do you do when you run into closed doors in your life?

Many times we work so hard to open closed doors that we waste time and energy.  Did you ever think that those closed doors in our life are closed for a reason?

Accept Your Blessing

 

We all have missed out on a blessing before in our life.  When we are so focused on opening a closed door, we miss out on two beautiful blessings.

The first blessing is the door being closed.   I look at it like this, God knows best.  He had the door closed for a reason and it was for the benefit of my life.

The second blessing is the open door.

We can’t do anything about those doors that are closed in our lives.  So, why not take advantage of the open doors in your life?

If we would use the same energy to discover the open doors in our life, I believe success would come a little easier to us.  Whatever you do, quit wasting time on the closed doors in your life.  Accept that the door is closed for a reason.  Rather than fighting and attempting to bust down a closed door, instead look around and search for an open door.

Walk through the Open Door

 

Once you have discovered the open door, walk through it.

It’s easier said than done.

Why?

We think we need to bust down the closed doors because we feel there’s a bigger blessing behind the closed door, but it is a false reality.  Remember, the closed door is closed for a reason and the open door is open for reason.  Don’t let the closed door control your life.

With that said, even if the door is open we must find the power in our minds to walk through it.   The open door will be have less resistance, which will make us feel uncomfortable about believing the open door is for us.  However, that is the reason why you should walk through the open door.  The open door was open specifically for you.

I say all this because I have wasted time banging on doors that were closed.  I’ve attempted to bust down these doors because I thought my blessing was behind that door, but God gave me revelation.  I stopped fighting what wasn’t for me and accepted what was for me.  And ever since, I have been blessed with success beyond what my mind can comprehend.

I’m now ready to walk away from the closed doors of my life and walk through any door God has opened for me.

How about you?

 

What doors are closed, but you are trying to knock them down?  What doors are waiting for you to walk through them?  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

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The Framework of a Successful Life

Golf is a fun past time for me.  Matter fact, the thing I love most about golf is hanging out with my father. Along with playing with my father, I enjoy playing golf because there are many lessons to learn about life from golf.

 

We discussed the Foundation of Success in the blog topic, Do You Know What It Takes to Build a Successful Life? (Click on link)

Today’s blog will deal with the framework of success.  Everyone wants to live a successful life, but what are the key components to your framework.  Let me share a few golf tips that will help you with building the framework for your successful life.

Tip #1 - There are No Short Cuts

 

On the golf course, there are some shots that are just plain impossible.  In some cases, even with great creativity you will find yourself in a unproductive situation if you attempt to take any kind of short cut on the golf course.

In life, short-cuts will never lead you to success.  There’s a normal process to every successful life.  Many times this process includes actions of drive, determination, decisiveness, and discipline.  You will need these 4 D’s if you are going to be successful with anything in life.

Tip #2 - Keep It Simple

 

Although you may have the ability to make the impossible shot in golf, the risk of missing the shot will leave you in a world of trouble.  Some times doing what it takes is making the basic shot in golf.

How does this apply to our daily lives?

As humans, we tend to make some things more complicated than they really are.  Many situations in our lives only need a simple decision and a simple action.

Tip #3 - Stay Focused

 

I have never played a game that required focus like the game of golf requires.  Golf requires you undivided attention every shot from the tee box to the time the ball falls into the cup.

Life is no different.  Every moment of your life requires you to be locked-in from the time you open your eyes in the morning to the time you close your eyes at night.  There are many people and thing depending on your focus.

Tip #4 - Enjoy Yourself

 

In spite of the many things you must think about to have a successful round of golf, the one thing you must do is enjoy yourself.  I never forget the real reasons why I love golf.

Don’t let the seriousness of life cause you to forget why life is good!  It would be ashamed to be blessed with life, but fail to enjoy it.

Whatever you do, take time to enjoy the good and bad.  Make the most out of every opportunity and enjoy yourself while you are setting up your framework of success.

  

What other tips can be utilized to set the framework of success?  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

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Do You Know What It Takes to Build a Successful Life?

There is a unique process to building a house.  There are many inspections you must go through before you can occupy your home.

Well, when it comes to success, there are inspections that must occur before you can achieve success.

It’s not a secret.  Many people speak about secrets to success, but these same secrets are common knowledge to everyone.  So, I would like to share two common facts that will help you build success in your life.

First, let me qualify the meaning of inspections.  An inspection is just a careful examination of something.  We should be inspecting many things in our lives, but there are two primary things that will build your success.

There are many things we will need to assist us in building a successful life such as exceptional work ethic, determination, patience, and many more.  However, there are only two things that will serve as a foundation for success in your life.

Building Block 1 - God

 

We are living in an age where it is more challenging than ever to draw near to God.  There are so many distractions and reasonable things we have to get done in a day.  Unfortunately, when we start running short on time, we begin to shorten or erase the time we should be spending with God.

I believe we all would agree on God being the creator of the world.  So, how do you think God feels when we are finding time to spend with Him.  It’s more than a prayer before breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner?  It’s more than just reading a passage from the Bible.

It’s about having a close relationship with our Father, God!  It’s about walking and trusting Him to lead the way.  Rather than making a decision for our lives based off of limited knowledge, instead use God and His ability to pull you through any circumstances.

Now you have 75% of what it takes to build a successful life.  But what else is needed to build a great foundation for a successful life?

Building Block 2 - Family

 

The last building block to building a successful life is honoring and respecting the family.

Family is everything!  Many people will enter you life, but not all those people will be with you through your good and bad.

When you discover the importance of family, you will discover a new life.

There is nothing on this Earth more important than your family.  Matter fact, accomplishing your dreams and aspirations will be feel much better if you are able to share it with your family.

We all have different views about the word success, but the foundation of success begins and will end with God and family.  Believe it or not, some of the world’s most accomplished people didn’t successful because they lacked one or both of these building blocks.

 

What do you believe it takes to build a successful life?  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

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Are You Free?

Today, we celebrate the independence and freedom our country established on July 4, 1776.  How appreciative are you for your freedom?  Are you free?

 

Although we all claim to have freedom, are we truly free?

The United States of America is an amazing country to live and offers many opportunities to move our lives forward, no matter our background.  As an American citizen, I am privileged to live in such a country and enjoy the amenities it offers.

The Truth

 

With that said, I’m a firm believer that freedom came long before our country was founded.

As I explained in Life’s Replay Button, my greatest meditation time is spending time in the face of God.  The Bible (NIV Version) mentions in John 8:32, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

The truth of the matter is God created you and I out His own image.  Recognizing that fact, gives us freedom to be what we were created to be.

The presence of God gives of purpose, focus, discipline, passion, and freedom to live a productive life of serving.

Let the Fireworks Begin

 

Once you figure out the source of true freedom, your opportunities to grow will go far beyond the limitations of any city, state, country, continent, or any human mind.

You will discover the unique individual God has called you to be.

God doesn’t create junk, so He will reveal His greatness in you once you come to know the truth.  Then, the real fireworks will begin.

 

Have you started your fireworks show?  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

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Live a Joyful July

I usually hear the word joy in church, but outside of church I hear people talking about wanting to be happy.  Matter fact, we have all been bouncing and dancing to the “Happy” song by Pharrell in the last few months.

 

First, there is nothing wrong with Pharrell’s “Happy” song.  I love it!!!  And there’s nothing wrong with being happy, but if I had to choose happiness versus joy.  I would pick joy every time.  Why?  Because there’s a difference in happiness and joy.

What’s the Difference?

 

Happiness is temporal.

Let me say this again, I don’t believe there’s anything wrong with being happy.  However, it would be really hard to be happy if a close relative passes, if I am terminated from my job, if my house burns down, etc.

On the other hand, joy is being calm during any circumstance.  It isn’t possible to be happy all the times, but I can always be joyful.  No matter the situation, joy will always bring the best out of you.  On the other hand, happiness will only bring the best out of you when things are going your way.

Again, there’s nothing wrong with happiness.  Matter fact, I like being happy.  “Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof…”  I’m sorry, Pharrell’s song is playing in my head.  You have to admit, it’s a catchy tune!

The best way to illustrate the difference is happiness being more like a sprint and joy being a marathon.

Life is a marathon.  Many people sprint out the gates at the beginning of the year, but they tire out and loose out on many beautiful opportunities the rest of the year has to offer.

Sprint a little, but pace yourself with joy.

Make It a Meaningful Year

 

To make 2014 a meaningful year, you will need joy.

There will be situations that will challenge you inner peace, but if you have joy you will be just fine.

Time is flying.  We are already 7 months into this year.

Have you completed any of your monthly quarterly, or annual goals?  Don’t look back and have regrets of what could have been, should have been, or would have been.  Don’t let this year slip away!

If you have a already started off well, make your year more dynamic year and possibly the best year of your life by continuing to set and assess new goals to achieve.

Maybe you haven’t started this year with the right mindset, but you want more out of life.  Just remember, It’s Never Too Late.

So, Live a Joyful July!

 

Tell me about your year and what you plan to accomplish by year-end.  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

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Life's Replay Button

It would be great if our lives came with a replay button.  However, what would you do with a replay button?  Would you change some things or would you keep living the same?

 

I believe we all would change some things.  We would examine the footage of our life and make the necessary changes to be successful.

Since we do not have a literal replay button, how do we examine the footage of our lives?

Understanding Your Replay Button

 

Everyone’s replay button is different, but we all have one.

For me, my replay button consists of 2-3 meditation periods a day.  I know it may seem hard to find time to meditate, but it works for me.  It allows me to reflect on the past and how I can live better in the present.

You have to do whatever it takes to make your life a success.

Along with my meditation periods, I love Getting Out of My Fog and Getting into the F.O.G (click on the link).  In the face of God, He reveals amazing things about His plans for my life.  His stored memory is much better than my memory.  God has a great memory and unlimited bonus footage of men and women in the Bible that has attempted to do it the wrong and right way.   So, I love having God as a replay button.

You can use trustworthy people who love you.  It may be a parent, sibling, spouse, friend, etc.; the key is he or she must be loving and trustworthy to you!  A loving and trustworthy person will not sit by and watch you fail at life.  Before that happens, they will intervene with their love.

If you love to write like I do, your replay button may be writing.  Start a journal.  Start writing about what happens during your days.  You will then be able to keep track of valuable factual information that one day you can look back and find positive or negative patterns in your life.

No matter what your replay button may be, you need to understand your own person replay button.

How to Push Your Replay Button?

 

What good is it for you to have worked on understanding your replay button, but then you don’t use the button to better your life?

When you discover your replay button, make sure you are making it work for you.

PUSH THE BUTTON!!!

Capitalize on have your own personal replay button.

If it is journaling, be creative with the various ways you journal.

Here are some tips on how to push your button, if you replay button is journaling:

1. How many times a day will you journal?
2. How detailed will you be with your journaling?
3. Who will be able to read your journal (Personal vs. Public)?
4. Who will hold you accountable to consistent journalize your thoughts?
5. Will you journal with pen and paper or a computer?

 

The list could on and on, but it is your creativity that will drive your ability to effectively push your replay button.  If nothing else, you have more information about who you are and the person you are becoming.

This process applies to any replay button you will decide to utilize to better your life.

If you are having difficulties understanding or pushing your button, find someone who can help you discover and exercise these tools.

Although we don’t have a literal replay button, we all have a replay button that will benefit our life.

Find it.  Nourish it.  Protect it.  More than anything, TAKE ADVANTAGE of it!

 

What’s your life’s replay button?  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

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Are You Weird?

You may be thinking I’m a little crazy looking at our topic for today.

Let me assure you, I am crazy!  I believe we all are intensely passionate about something in our life, which makes us crazy about something.  I call it being WEIRD!  I’m not afraid to admit that I’m wEiRd!  I’m just following in the footsteps of my big brother, Jesus.

In some ways, we all claim to be different.  But, I behavior sometimes suggest that we want to be like everyone else.

What’s the Big Deal?

 

We must decide whether we are going to be…

• Different or the Same,
• Unique or Usual,
• Extraordinary or Ordinary,
• Uncommon or Common,
• Weird or Normal.

Whatever you do, you will have to make a decision.

I choose to be WEIRD!

You are a BIG Deal!

 

Being weird is a great thing.  Choosing weird is choosing to stand out.  Weird is not settling for normal or what other may think you should be.  It’s not only CLAIMING different, but it is all about BEING different.

You are a BIG Deal!

There will never be anyone like you to walk this Earth, so be proud of your WeIrd!

It makes you who you are.

Don’t be afraid of weird.  Embrace it!

Fear Not, Be Weird!!!

Regardless of where you are in your life’s journey, just remember that You are a Big Deal!!!  Since you are such a BIG deal, I think you should tell yourself that every morning before you start your day.  If you are having a hard time believing you are a big deal, I know for a fact that God believes you are a BIG Deal.

Why?

He sent His Precious Son just for you.

 

How can you embrace your weirdness?  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

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Painting the Colors of Your World

It’s a fascinating thing to see a professional in his or her environment.  Watching a painter can be a unique experience.  He or she has to have vision, insight, and tons of creativity to make something from nothing.  With a blank canvas, a painter creates a masterpiece with a variety of colors and brush strokes.

 

Our lives are much like painting on a blank canvas.

Rather than focusing on what you don’t have to be successful, instead focus on the resources you already have to paint the colors of your world.

For the most part, we all have the same colors and brushes to create our masterpiece.  But make no mistake about it; the most important part of creating your life’s masterpiece has everything to do with your brush strokes.

How’s Your Brush Strokes?

 

Living in our world can be complicated because of the many distraction, which we discussed in the Why is ME Time Essential? (click on link).

Even with all the distractions, it’s our choice to be positive or negative with our outlook and our actions.

If your life is going to be a masterpiece, you will need to differentiate between a positive and negative brush stroke.

Positive Brush Strokes includes the following:

• Motivation
• Preparation
• Exploration
• Realization
• Restoration
• Conviction
• Evaluation
• Dedication

Negative Brush Strokes includes the following:

• Procrastination
• Restriction
• Limitation
• Trepidation

 

Are you Ever Finished with Your Masterpiece?

 

You will always be creating and putting finishing touches on your masterpiece.  Unlike a traditional painting, your masterpiece will never truly be a finished work of art until the day you die.

The key is to consistently live with grace.  Life will continue to present a plethora of opportunities for you to make positive brush strokes and to move forward with your life’s masterpiece, if you will live gracefully.

Paint the colors of your world with positive brush strokes and leave behind a legacy to positively influence our world.

 

How are you painting the colors of your world?  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

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Why is ME Time Essential?

Life gets busier and more hectic the longer we live.  Expectations and demands are higher than ever.  Our To Do List are longer and our emails are never-ending.  So, what are we to do?

 

 

Some things are simply mandatory and require time.  We still want to enjoy this life and it’s pleasures, but there are just some things we must do.

We surely don’t want to find ourselves only living for the weekends or for holidays.  There is too much life to live between Monday and Friday of each week.  We all know there only 24 hours in day, but what are you doing in that 24 hour time span.  Many are involved with a job, children, spouse, aging parents, church and list can go on.

Today’s blog is to help you carve out some ME time with all the other things that may be going on in your life.

Creating a Things To Do List

 

Let’s take the first step for creating ME TIME by creating a Things To Do List. Amazingly, this list will help you see exactly what tasks should take priority in your life.

Let’s be honest, there are some things that can wait!

It’s okay if everything on the list doesn’t get completed, but you must make sure those things are minor and not the major things that are most important.  For example, getting the laundry done may be high on the priority list, especially if you don’t have any more clothes to wear.  Your priorities will vary depending on where you are in your life.  Regardless of if yo are able to complete your list or not, now you have your list.  It is much better than not knowing what needs to be done.

Adjusting Your List

 

You know what’s undone, now it’s time to adjust your list.  Adjust the undone tasks as you daily adjust the Things To Do List to allow you to have ME TIME daily.

TIP of the Day

If you aren’t on your To Do List, I would seriously recommend you evaluating your priorities.  You must be well in your health and sound in mind before you can help anyone else.

So, at the very top of this list of tasks on the Things To Do List is time for you.  Be specific!  Be detailed about how will you spend your ME TIME.

Only you know your day, at least 20 minutes a day, but hopefully longer will give you time to disconnect from everything and recharge YOU.  Truly this will soothe the beast in you.

Question

Have you ever thought you were going to explode, lose your mind, or have a total loss of memory from simply doing too much?

Protect Your ME Time

 

Use your ME TIME wisely and carefully guard it from all distractions.  If something is left on the Things To Do List, please don’t let it be your ME TIME.

There are fabulous things to do just for you such as read a book, mediate, go for a walk, go to the gym, sketch a picture, or connect with a friend/family member you haven’t spoken to in a while.  Oh, what about a long soothing bubble bath.

Be creative, step out of the box, and try something new.  Just start today for a healthier you.

My personal favorite ME time is to study and mediate on the Word of God with a cup of green tea and honey.  My time spent in the Face of God takes my mind to a place of peace and contentment.  When I am in that place, I have a sense that I can accomplish anything on my life’s journey.  The ME TIME with the Word sets the tone for the rest of my 23 hours.

 

Share with us how you spend your ME TIME and the results you have experienced.  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Jackie & Bryant

MTN Universal

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Are You Speaking Words of Affirmation?

There are over 430,000 words in the Woordenboek der Nederlandsche (WNT), which is the world’s biggest dictionary.  Out of all those words, how have you shaped your vocabulary?

One of the most important things in life is developing your vocabulary.

Believe it or not, your vocabulary can determine your life’s success.  Vocabulary can build or tear down.

We all have witnessed the person who says, “Today is going to be a bad day.”  And guess what, the day ends up being a bad day.

On the contrary, we know those people who talk about how great their day will be.  And guess what, their day ends up being great.

What’s the secret, if there is a secret?

It’s all about speaking words of affirmation, which is defined as words of encouragement or support.

So, are you speaking words of affirmation?

Let me share 3 ways to speak words of affirmation into your life.

1. Know Your Personality

 

Before you can speak words of affirmation, you must know your temperament.

Just as it is natural for people to speak their primary language, there are some people who naturally speak with words of affirmation.  Make no mistake about it; speaking words of affirmation is a language.  If you are unfamiliar with this language, I believe you should get well acquainted with this form of language.

If you have a negative personality, the first step to speaking words of affirmation is being aware that negativity is part of your personality.  Knowing this information will help you recognize your tendencies and what needs to be done to change your personality from a negative to a positive one.

2. Think Positive

 

Even if you are already speaking words of affirmation, it’s important to continue to speak words of encouragement to yourself and others.

Another way to speak words of affirmation is to think positive.  Those who sit around thinking negative will always receive negative.  Instead of focusing on the negative, why not focus on the positive?

I believe most of us know our personalities, but this can be a tough step to speaking words of affirmation.

Thinking positive means disciplining and conditioning the mind.  You will train your mind to release those thoughts and words that are negative, in turn causing you to hold tight to those thoughts and words that are positive.

Your perspective will be quite different once you start thinking positive.  Rather than seeing the glass half empty, instead you will see the glass half-full.

Try it for one day!

Every situation that day, think of something positive to say whether the situation is full of good or bad.

Make it a habit!

3. Be Positive

 

It’s a pretty simple concept.

If you think it, you will be it.

Being positive is…

• Speaking when don’t feel like speaking,
• Smiling when don’t feel like smiling,
• Encouraging when you don’t feel like encouraging,
• Listening when you don’t feel like listening,
• Helping when you don’t feel like helping, etc.

 

By no means am I suggesting for you to let people run all over you.  However, just like no one wants to be around a negative person, your mind doesn’t want to be around negative thinking.  Our minds hate negative thinking.  It’s called stress.  And we all know that stress can kill.

Today, I challenge you to start speaking words of affirmation.  Start with one positive encouraging thought a day and increase your affirmations once you are comfortable with that daily routine.

 

How are you speaking words of affirmation into your life?  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

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Getting out of Your Fog and into the F.O.G.

No matter who you are and where you are from, life can be complicated. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how much money you have, our lives will always have some form complexity to it.

You may not call it complicated or complex.  Whatever you may call it, in some form or fashion fog always tends to find a way into our lives.

Getting out of Your Fog

 

What is Fog?

One of the definitions for fog is a state of mental confusion or unawareness.  Basically, fog is anything that distracts or hinders us from accomplishing our life goals.

Do you have any fog in you life?

In you’re honest your answer will be yes.

I am an optimist, but I am also a realist.

The reality is we all have some form of fog our lives.

There are two forms of fog - external and internal.

External Fog

We can’t avoid external fog because that form of fog is out of our control.

External fog includes the following:

-The way others treated you, -The expectations of others, -The responsibilities in life (family, church, job, etc.), and -There are many more we could mention here.

 

External fog will always be present because we don’t have any control over it.

Internal Fog

On the contrary, we do have full control of the internal fog in our lives.

Internal fog includes the following:

-Personal attitude -Personal expectations -Personal goals

 

It’s nothing wrong with having the right personal attitude, having the right expectations, or having the right personal goals.  However, the key is for your attitude, expectations, and goals to be RIGHT!  If things aren’t RIGHT, you will find yourself with in your own internal fog.

Getting into the F.O.G. (Face of God)

 

F.O.G.?

Getting into the Face of God.

So, where do you start?

It all begins with the love of God.

When you are in the face of God, you won’t be able to see your problems, hurdles, hindrances, or difficulties.  All you will see is the encouragement and MoTivatioN of God.

Our perspective, insight, and vision will become clearer in the face of God.

If you have doubts because of the fog in your life, you need to position yourself to get in the Face of God.

In the Face of God, you will discover the amazing ability to see pass your Fog and towards peace and prosperity God has planned for your life.  Take time to pray, study, and spend time with others who love God.

Are you ready to get out of your fog?

I challenge you to get out of your fog and get into the F.O.G.

Discover the power God has for you and your dreams.  In His face, you will find that all things are possible.

 

What are you doing to keep the fog out of your life?  How are you staying in the F.O.G.?  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

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Why It Will Work?

Many people talk themselves out of their own dreams.

Why?

Primarily people kill their dreams before they even get started.

Don’t focus on the negative, but be inspired by the positive.

 

Make no excuses.  Take a chance.  Take a risk.  It’s worth the blessing!

 

What positive thoughts will you use to make your dream a reality.  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

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The Power of Influence

As you get older, you start to recognize the power of influence.  By no means am I calling myself old, but I am older. I am able to see the power of influence first hand, every time I look at my precious boys.  It amazes me to see how they soak up everything like a sponge, especially what Daddy and Mommy does.

The power of influence doesn’t only pertain to children and their parents, but it applies to peer-to-peer relationships, leader-follower relationships, and any other relationship.  It is one of the most powerful tools you will ever possess.

The question is, “Do you know how to use this powerful tool?”

Quit trying to be a Big Hitter

 

You never know whom you are influencing.  Many people want to hit home runs in life.

What do I mean?

Everyone wants the BIG things life has to offer.  Everyone wants the…

• Big Business,
   
• Big Job Position,
   
• Big Paycheck,
   
• Big Car,
   
• Big House,
   
• Big TV, and
   
• Anything else BIG!

 

I’m not saying there is anything wrong with wanting the big things of life.  Just remember, BIG things happen because of a series of small things.  Instead of trying to hit the home run and striking out, first just try to get on base.

How to make it Work?

 

The key to making the power of influence work for you has everything to do with the small things of life.

It’s all about your attitude.  It’s a smile.  It’s being kind, when you have the right to be mean.  It’s taking the time to talk to someone, when you really don’t have the time to talk.  It’s doing more than what’s expected.  It’s having high energy and a positive attitude on Monday’s.

These small things will leave a long lasting impression on the many people in your life.  Don’t let those things that matter most be at the mercy of those things that matter least.

For example, it doesn’t matter how much money you will make today, but what matters is the amount of relationships you will develop today.

This attitude will in turn develop many opportunities for you to excel and progress all areas of your life.

Make the power of influence work for you.  Stop swinging for the fences.  Start working on single isolated actions and being the best in your current life’s position.

 

How do you use the power of influence in your life?  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

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Take Heart

If there is one structure in your body you want to keep healthy, it is your heart.  The heart is one of the most important organs in our bodies.  Without the heart, we are without life!  Not only is the heart referenced to physically keeping our bodies alive, but having heart is also known as connecting to something beyond us.  Taking heart is demonstrating passion, love, compassion, and being selfless.

Many times we have seen what it means to take heart when it comes to sports, but what does it mean when it comes to daily living?

Great Hearts Live Alike

 

When I discuss this topic, many mental pictures enter my mind.  I would like to share just a few with you.

First, I am reminded of my Savior, Jesus Christ.  Taking on the daunting task of saving the entire world.  Could you imagine that conversation?

God: “Son, I need you to do something for me?”

Jesus: “Yes, Father.  Anything for you.”

God: “I need for you to save the entire world from sin.”

Jesus: “Okay, Father.”

God: “There’s one more thing, Son.”

Jesus: “Yes, Father.”

God: “They will hate you for trying to save them.”

Can you imagine God asking you to die for the entire world?  I can’t imagine that grave responsibility.  He left the courts of heaven and all his power as God to become human like us.  He traded the splendor and glory of being in presence of God to die for our unpleasant, nasty, and disgusting SIN!  Jesus revealed the true meaning of “Taking Heart.”

When I think about taking heart, I also think about the movie Braveheart.  Although it has been said that Braveheart is a historically inaccurate modern film describing the First War of Scottish Independence.  Mel Gibson played William Wallace, who saved Scotland with his brave and spirited heart inspiring those who came after him to succeed at bringing Scotland freedom.

Go Beyond Your Limits

 

Just remember, everything in life should be done with all your heart.  With heart, you can accomplish anything.  Don’t believe what others my say you can’t do or the negative thoughts you have about yourself.  Go beyond your limitations and take heart.  Be determined!  Have courage!  Take heart!

 

What does taking heart mean to you?  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

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Tune Up to Get in Tune

When I was younger, I played the trumpet in the 7^th and 8^th grade.  It lasted only those 2 years.  Since then I have played the guitar off and on for the last 11 years, but I need to be more committed to practicing and playing to be considered a guitar player.  But, that’s like anything else in life.

Life is like playing an instrument, it’s hard to play out of tune.

We have various aspects of our lives we must get in tune from marriages, children, churches, jobs, friends, exercise programs, financial situations, etc.

How do you get your life in tune?

You probably need a tune up, which takes three things: practice, experience, and heart.

Consistent Practice

 

You may be wondering, “How do you practice when it comes to life?”

The word practice deals with habitual, repeat performance.

If you are going to be successful with any part of your life, it will take consistent practice.  In Killing Bad Habits (click on link), we discussed how to kill bad habits and how to develop good habits to live a productive life.

Experience

 

There is a big difference between practice and experience.  With practice you are pretty much learning on the job, but with experience you have learned from the countless hours of involvement and participation.

Basically, experience is taking what you have learned from your consistent practice and having better insight with your decision-making.  The consistent practice will reveal the negative and positive about life, but your experience will uncover various trends and patterns helping you to avoid the negative.

Heart

 

Heart is more important than consistent practice or experience.

Why?

You can do anything in life, but without heart it will not be your best effort or a great success.  Stay tuned to Wednesday’s blog when we will discuss the importance of the heart in further detail.

Until then, just remember to do everything with all your heart.  Your heart will get you in tune with everything in life, but you just have to listen to it.

 

How will decide to get in tune with life?  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

Be the wEiRd this world needs!

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