As children bring their broken toys
With tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to God
Because He was my friend.

But then instead of leaving Him
In peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help
With ways that were my own.

At last I snatched them back and cried,
“How could you be so slow”
“My child,” He said, “What could I do?
You never did let go.”

- written by Robert J. Burdette

Read more at Poem : Broken Dreams

RESOLUTION

Mitch Harrison, CCRC

Let's do some evaluation: on this site in many others, you will hear reference for healthy disposition to positive attitude and moral character. So, let's check in. How have you been? How has your attitude been? What are you doing with your life? Where are you at right now in your life? Do you know what direction you are headed? If you answered no or negatively to any of these questions, well then ask yourself, what are you waiting for? Are you kidding yourself? In other words, are you aspiring for unrealistic expectations of self and others? We also talk about this on this site; setting small goals with realistic expectations that lead to making larger more prominent decisions that will effect you for the long haul.

Principle and habits go hand in hand. Our habits will always overcome our will power. Why? Because that is how the human mind is designed, unfortunately. So we must make our habits fall in line with our will power so that our habits are productive and constructive. Good habits will fuel change in our hearts, giving strength to our will power. Real change comes through. By developing and strengthening good habits, you will have spiritual renewal. Be quick to offer your talents and skills to things to will uplift, break bad patterns and transform your mind, body and soul. This is the first part of Complete Resolution: Spiritual Renewal.

This is where we answer the question: why? What's the motivation for "doing good?" After all, it's a broken, flawed world full of death and hate and destruction. But what if just for a moment, it wasn't? What if we all, at an individual level, CHOSE one day to say, no more? I talk about on this site about the Ripple Effect. I change and be to myself and others and then those around me do the same and then those around them do the same and before you know it, you have whole communities, towns, cities, countries, nations, practicing "good" habits, lending their talents and abilities to the betterment of self and others. Some say when you understand the "why" and if the "why" is big enough, the "how" doesn't matter. I say, it's IN the how that makes all the difference and creates a permanent imprint on you and everyone you come in contact with.

The next part of making a complete internal/external resolution is Structural renewal. You are surrounded by people who see what you do and how you act and react to things in your life. You may have friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, colleagues, classmates, etc. that deal with you on a daily basis one on one. Then there are those who see what you do and don't even know you ie the strangers you pass in public everyday. This is your structure. You directly influence your structure by exuding a positive attitude and practicing clean, healthy habits. This is where you answer the questions "what" and "when".

That last part of complete internal/external resolution is Systematic renewal. This is the part that is hardest for most people because we are drenched and soaked in temptations from a 360 degree radius! But we MUST have a clean new system, it answers the hardest question: how? The answer is CHOICE. You must choose to change. You have to want to change. No one, no god, no faith, no belief or lack thereof, will make a choice for you. You have to choose that you want to change from the inside out. When you do, the system works in your benefit to bring the most abundance life has to offer you. Take the time to put the "system" in place and the structure will surround and strengthen the spirit.  

They all work together like clock work. For more information and discussion on this complex topic, feel free to email me at : DETHOMAS2012@GMAIL.COM or leave a comment below for others to share their thoughts and ideas. 

 

Say No to Yes!

Let's face it. Some of us are always in a hurry. Rushing to work, school or even to play. We rush to get a great deal or sale before the so-called savings are gone, we hurry to get to someone or something or do something before it's too late. All I have to say is, where's the fire? I understand as humans we are limited, constricted and quite simply, in a cold war with time. But there is something to be said about just taking it slowly, learning to work with time instead of against time. Let it work for us instead of us working against it. It may be as simple as saying, no, at times we would normally say yes. Let's take a closer look at how this interesting flip on the theory unfolds for our benefit. -DeMaster A. Thomas

The Cost and Craziness of Culture

The Vision for Life: Living with Peace

Making and Keeping Priorities

The Priority and Reward of Rest (Quiet Time)

"Yes and "No" mean something. When you say it, stand by it. It only has as much strength as you give it. Let what you say be simple and clear and it will leave little room for confusion. K.I.S.S.-Keep It Sweet and Simple and mean it. Anything more is doing too much and invites room for misunderstanding.

Say NO to the urgent and YES to important. There is truth to the saying, "the early bird gets the worm." Here's an experiment for you, take a day, maybe once a week, where you get up in the morning before sunrise, take a few moments to be quiet and just do some deep breathing and meditation. 

This is just a simple exercise to literally clear the mind of all the gunk and start fresh. This is the brain's way of saying "NO" to the noise of everyday hustle and bustle and "YES" to the peace and quiet of the soul. Once your mind is clear, your are more attentive, focused and you free your mind to say "NO" to things take your attention away from what's really important and "YES" to the mission that lies ahead. This can be done for just about anything; school, work and daily activities. 

Another popular saying is, life is but a stage and we are all but actors. This too is true. Especially when it comes to truly doing and being at your best. You see, Life doesn't sign autographs. Because to Life, you are the star! To be at your best, you have to say "NO" to the things that will bring you down and tear you apart and "YES" to the priorities that make the most of your time. You would be surprised if you take a moment to really do inventory on your life at how much you have around you that can kill, steal and destroy your momentum, motivation, excitement and enthusiasm. This is the hardest of them all, because we are human. Temptation is a human's worst enemy. It kills more lives than any known or unknown disease since the beginning of humankind. Saying "NO" to temptation will prevent unhealthy things in life from overtaking you and robbing you from living a full and abundant life. In your faith and your walk in Life, you will never be tempted beyond your ability or given too much of anything you can't handle. This is simply a matter of believing in yourself and knowing that no matter how much you "think" you can't. YOU CAN! So, say "NO" to temptation and "YES" to success and it will give the strength you need to endure and overcome.