I only saw the last half hour of the Super Bowl and I’m glad I did. When I tuned in the Falcons were ahead 28-20. But amazingly that all changed. The Patriots got a hold of the ball and a movement started to happen. Why then? Perhaps it was the reality it was now or never. As they moved the ball, a momentum developed that carried them through to the win. Although as I have read the news reports, the momentum had already begun prior to my viewing.

Momentum is like that as long as we don’t relinquish the moment, and let it go. Bringing a project to completion, accomplishing a goal, building a new team, winning a game, is much easier when there is momentum.

So if you are riding a wave of momentum with all its intangibles, build on it. Give the situation your undivided attention. You have worked hard for it.

It’s a new day…Live it!

MISSING THE MARK

Michelangelo once said, “The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.”

The word sin in the New Testament is translated from the Greek hamartia. It is  an archery term for “missing the mark.”

The master is telling us there is a time when IT IS good to miss the mark, it’s when we aim too low.

The Master is telling us IT IS NOT good to miss the mark.

So there is a time to miss the mark and a time not to.

It’s a new day…Live it!

PRAYER FOR A TEMPTED JERK

I read this quote in a Seth Godin blog:”Jerk comes from the idea of pulling hard on the reins, suddenly and without care. Horses don’t like it and neither, it turns out, do people.”

Wow that is true. We have all met and know people who have acted like jerks. And if we get real honest ALL of us have acted like jerks at least once in our lives. And it is a good chance it has been more than just once.

Often when we act out in this fashion it has to do with not getting our way, not being able to control a situation. So we pull hard on the reins, caring more about us and venting our frustration, we blow it. It doesn’t help the situation and usually makes things worse. And yes, we look like jerks.

So here’s a prayer you may want to pray when tempted to cross the line into jerk territory: “Lord please help me to care before I speak. Give me the self control not to pull the reins. And if I do pull them, give me the grace and the will to clean up the mess. Amen.”

It’s a new day…live it!

IT’S COMPLICATED

“What’s complicated about it? My momma used to say complicated was just a word that people use when they weren’t telling you the truth.” From a deleted scene from the Christmas Miracle.

There may be more here than we want to admit. Have you ever made a choice that you knew was wrong, but perhaps out of stubbornness, rebellion or greed you made it anyway?  To justify the decision you make excuses, and yes even lie to yourself…”It’s complicated”.  Because of this knowingly bad decision, life becomes very complicated and there is a disruptive change inside you.

If you want restoration, you must stop justifying the bad decision and own it. The truth is not something to fear. There may be a big cost to right the wrong, but it brings freedom.

Simple right?

It’s a new day…live it!

“Your existence is evidence that this generation

needs something that your life contains.”

Myles Munroe

It’s a new day…Live it!

THE BROKEN NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

OK, how many did you make? Do you have a list? Good, now throw it away because you are going to fail. “Well Joe you are being very negative” I am not, and here’s why.

In the book, “Willpower” the authors  share, ” Above all don’t make a list of New Year’s resolutions. Each January 1, millions of  people drag themselves out of bed, full of hope or hangover, resolved to eat less, exercise more, spend less money…By February 1, they’re embarrassed to even look at their list. But instead of lamenting  their lack of willpower, they should put the blame where it belongs: on the list. No one has enough willpower for that list…A better plan is to make one resolution and stick to it.”

What’s going on here? Did you ever have a day at work where you had to work outside your strengths or skill set? You accomplished the task, but at the end of the day you were exhausted. When we have to think differently, use a different set of brain muscles if you will, the intensity drains you. Example: If  people who have a gift of hospitality plan a party, no problem. It’s joyous for them. Working in their strength energizes them as they experience an endorphin high. However, if  they do not have this gift/strength, even the idea of planning a party is a laborious pursuit. It takes much energy to pull all the pieces together, leaving one feeling spent.

Now let’s say there are several things to do outside of their strengths/skill set, such as a list of resolutions. These new tasks take new ways of thinking, making new choices, hard choices, allotting extra time and so on. What do you think will be the outcome?

Willpower involves energy and we only have so much of it. As I said earlier, throw away the list. We all need to take the authors’ advice  “… make one resolution and stick to it.” Get back to me in a year and let me know how you do.

It’s a New Year, a new day, let’s live it!

Willpower written by Roy F Baumeister and John Tierney

MERRY CHRISTMAS…IT ALL STARTS HERE!

As we celebrate the “most wonderful time of the year” many people are stressed to the max. The angel declared at Christ’s birth, ” Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Yet peace and good will seem to be lacking.

If we are not careful Christmas turns into a season of overages. We over spend, over eat, over commit, over expect… over, over, over. And we are glad when it is finally over. What’s wrong with this picture? I think it may be time to paint a new picture, to get our eyes back on the “Reason for the Season”.

In this season of frenzy take heed to the words of the psalmist, “Be still, and know that I am God.” If we celebrate the season for its true reason, I believe the words of the angel will be personally realized.

This is a blog post written by Seth Godin on October 21, 2016 called “PET PEEVES”.

“Peeves make lousy pets.
They’re difficult to care for,
they eat a lot, they don’t clean up after themselves.”

I think it’s time to find a new pet.

It’s New Day…Live it!

If you have not heard of Jon Acuff, I would like to introduce him to you. I want to share a short clip about his latest book, “Do Over”. If you are looking for a new career, perhaps getting back in the workforce or know someone who is, this will provide some important insight.

Please check out his many videos on YouTube. He is a great communicator and an important voice.

It’s New Day…Live it!