Better Things Ahead

The past. Every person has a different one. Every person has some "skeletons" in their closet which they must deal with and try to keep in that proverbial closet. Similar to the person who "cleans" by putting everything in a closet or under a bed, the past is still present even when it is hidden. Just because we hide it does not take it away. Hiding simply takes it out of sight but not out of mind.

The past does not always mean things that we are "guilty" of or that we "did." The past can be filled with events that happened to us. Bullies, bad relationships, abuse, failure, rejection, cancer, illness, fear, and the list could continue.

I have my own set of past memories. Even though I may go on with everyday life like there really is nothing wrong, it doesn't take much to think about it and rehash some memories. However, even if I may remember the past, I know it shouldn't be forming who I am today and for the future. That brings us to this week's quote...

There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind. ~ C.S. Lewis

As I am getting a bit older, I am noticing that my body is not responding to things like it did in the past. Physically, I am bringing the past to the present - the choices of the past affect the status of the present. It is a tangible reminder.

That can be the way our choices of bringing memories and issues of the past with us into the future. You choose how the past "handles" you. Does it have a grip on you or is it simply a 'sticky note' reminder that you know its there and you can take it off very easily. Which are you going to choose?

Understandably, there are things of the past that may be to a level that you are never going to forget. I cannot imagine how some people who have encountered heinous attacks can make the future seem brighter. Similarly, other violent/shocking life experiences are going to be very traumatic on individuals. So there is no superficiality in this thought and challenge to look to the future with a sense of brightness. The key is stated above when we must understand how we are going to choose letting the past "handle" us. Are we going to take control or let the past control us?

Maybe you need to find someone who you can visit with if you haven't had your "breaking" point. If you have had that point, maybe you can think about how you are stronger than the past. If you are religious, know that God is bigger than any past issue and He can help you throw it. Look to the future, there is a brightness found there!

Now it's your turn...what memory of the past do you need release the grip of? What do you need to do to accomplish this? Feel free to leave comments...

Windy: How do you react?

Living in western Kansas means that you are going to experience some windy days. It is a prominent weather outcome whenever there is going to be a change in the weather. It is not odd at all to have a forecast of 15-25 mile per hour winds for a day. That might be our norm. To have a forecast of 35-45 would be less frequent, but not out of the ordinary. People still go on with their activities for the day. Is this complained about, yes. Is it accepted, yes.

Last week I was flying to Atlanta, Georgia and the captain alerted us that it was windy there. He was also warning us about our landing, as that may be a bit rough, due to the wind. Aside from the landing, I had to laugh to myself about the description of it being "windy." Living in Illinois for a few years, their windy was not the same as "western Kansas" windy. Descriptions are subjective, so to be told something is windy is relative upon their view.

How do you respond when you experience a day that is windy? That brings us to this week's quote...

The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails. ~ William Arthur Ward

If this quote accurately labeled people, then I've seen a lot of pessimists in my day! However, I think you can be pessimistic about "areas" in life, where you will be optimistic about other areas. Regardless, I found the quote interesting in a few ways.

For one, it may be talking about the wind, but really it seems to be pointing to life. Those that tend to have a life filled with complaints are going to look at life pessimistically. Those that are always looking on the "bright side" are going to see things optimistically. Those that see life as unpredictable and will encounter victories with celebrations and defeats as opportunities to learn seem to see things realistically.

The question is where are you in most cases? Are you to one extreme or another? How does life treat you when you see things a certain way?

May we lead more of our life "adjusting our sails" rather than the other two extremes.

Now it's your turn...What was your reaction to the quote?

Higher the Better

We tend to be a people that focuses more on the "Why" than the "Why not". We try to find things that would prevent us from doing great things. That is frustrating to me when I hear of people talking like that. I am not free of ever speaking that way, and I'm sure it has frustrated people. However, more often than not, I like to try to empower a person and let their ideas be lifted off the ground, instead of halted at the blueprint.

When we look for things, we have a drive and a vigor that continually motivates us to achieve it. If we aim for something we know is achievable, we may get it accomplished, but not much passion will be behind the project.

We shouldn't just settle for what we can achieve, but what would take us to the next level of achievement. Don't just aim for what we can see, aim for something beyond that. This brings us to this week's quote...

Set your sights high, the higher the better. Expect the most wonderful things to happen, not in the future but right now. Realize that nothing is too good. Allow absolutely nothing to hamper you or hold you up in any way. ~Eileen Caddy

We set our sights too low for God. Remember that God can do more than we can ask or imagine? (Galatians 3:21) He gave Solomon more than what he asked for. I am not claiming that God is going to give you more money than you need or more people in your church than what you ask for...but He might. There is always the sense that we have a certain responsibility on our part to do down here, and He can work through us by being in heaven.

Let us not have blinders on which hinder us from looking higher. There are "glasses" made for basketball players to put on so they cannot watch the ball while they try to dribble. We need those on in life. They prevent us from looking down, so that we can look up and see life! So we do not set our goals low, but instead, set them higher. We need to "see the floor" (basketball term for needing to look forward and all around, instead of looking down) so that we know what is going in in the game of life.

Aim high. Look how to get there and do what you can to achieve it! Life is too awesome just to let it pass you by. Look for, anticipate, and expect the great things to come! I know each day I can't wait to see God show up in my day. I can't wait to see where/how He shows up today!

Looking upward...