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Category: Self-Improvement

Watch Your Step

Watch Your Step

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Watch Your Step“You better watch your step.” Have you heard that from a parent, teacher, or boss? When it happens, we know we have pushed all the wrong buttons. We are in trouble or soon will be, unless we change our behavior.

If we don’t watch our step when we walk or run, we fall. Falls frequently occur because of:

  • Wet leaves on steps
  • Not paying attention (Having our head in the clouds)
  • Stepping on rocks, holes, or toys

If we fail to watch our step in relationships, we risk:

  • Offending other people
  • Earning a bad reputation
  • Suffering personal problems

Falls can happen quickly. That is true in any situation.

  • Sometimes we cause falls ourselves.
  • Sometimes other people cause them.
  • Sometimes they are no one’s fault.

As a result, we want to use caution — to watch our step.

  • Prevent the mistakes we can.
  • Prepare for the mistakes that happen.
  • Pick ourselves up when we fall.

Let’s learn from the steps we take, both good and bad.

“I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes” (Psalm 119: 59 NIV).

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Tightfisted

Tightfisted

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TightfistedFew people want to be called tightfisted or closefisted. We don’t like to be known as selfish or cheap. A tightfisted person hates giving or spending money. They want to keep it all for themselves.

However, we can be tightfisted with more than money. Too often we fail to share our time and love. We need those much more.

  • How many children wish for more time and love from parents?
  • How many husbands or wives wish for more time and love from a spouse?
  • How many people live alone, thinking no one cares?

We can do something about the needs around us. If we are tightfisted, it is never too late to change. Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol provides a perfect example.

Of course, we want to use what we own wisely. We need to save money for future needs. At the same time, most of us can give far more than we do. With money, time, and love, let’s freely share.

The Gaither video Give It Away includes a scene of children receiving Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes filled with gifts. What a great reminder that we can make our world a better place to live.

This Thanksgiving, let’s give thanks for what we have. Then let’s open our tight fists and share with others. After all, we can’t take it with us.

“Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8 NIV).

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Hunky-dory

Hunky-dory

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Hunky-dory 2Dana uses two thumbs up to say she feels hunky-dory. Her mother first learned that expression when she stayed with us a few years ago. She asked my husband, “How are you?”  When he replied, “Hunky-dory,” Dana’s mother had no idea what he meant. Once she learned, this became a favorite funny expression.

Now Dana also knows hunky-dory means:

  • Okay
  • Just fine
  • No big problems

Although she may not feel on top of the world, she has no major complaints.

Even in the middle of hard times, life can still be good. Like children, why not treasure every special moment:

  • A butterfly on a flower
  • A favorite snack
  • A hug from someone we love

Those little moments make such great memories. If we will treasure them later, why not treasure them now? Look around at today’s blessings. Enjoy them. Make this a hunky-dory day.

“It is good to say thank you to the Lord, to sing praises to the God who is above all gods. Every morning tell him, “Thank you for your kindness,” and every evening rejoice in all his faithfulness” (Psalm 92:1-2 TLB).

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Thanks to Helen Liu for the photo.

Let Things Slide

Let Things Slide

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Mount St. Helens
Mount St. Helens

Why bother doing a good job, if it’s a chore we hate, right? Wrong! We all face the temptation to let things slide, especially if no one sees us.

Why not neglect our responsibilities and have a little fun? Work seems less important if we want to do something else. The longer the job takes, the worse the temptation.

Do any of these excuses sound familiar?

  • “Nobody ever looks under the bed, so why sweep there?”
  • “The boss doesn’t like me, so why do his senseless work?”
  • “Why should I care? No one else does.”

The longer we dwell on such thoughts, the more our excuses grow.

Quite honestly, few people look under the bed. Sometimes the boss doesn’t like us and gives us senseless work. And people don’t always care.

But does that justify less than our best?

We will know:

  • Dirt is under the bed.
  • The assigned task wasn’t done.
  • We cared no more than anyone else.

Once we make a bad habit, it’s hard to break. Like the pressure of a volcano, it grows worse and worse. Sometimes the results are tragic.

Therefore, let’s do our work well. We will feel better about it. Plus, we gain a good reputation.

The easy way does not always equal the best way. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might (Ecclesiastes
9:10 NIV).

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Photo courtesy of morgueFile.

True Colors

True Colors

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True ColorsI love the explosion of colors every fall.

  • Leaves turn red, yellow, and orange.
  • Pumpkins appear in gardens, yards, and stores.
  • Flowers bloom in every color of the rainbow.

People’s true colors may not be so pleasant or so easily seen. Those with evil plans try to hide them. Their real attitudes, plans, or opinions may not be clear until they hurt us.

At the same time, discovering other people’s true colors can provide pure joy.

  • The fun-loving nature of a shy person
  • The hidden talents of a singer, artist, or actor
  • The kind heart of someone when needs arise

As we enjoy this beautiful time of year, may it remind us of the one who made such beauty possible. May our true colors reflect the splendor of our loving creator.

“He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy” (Acts 14:17 NIV).

What is your favorite time of year?

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Hardheaded

Hardheaded

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HardheadedAre you hardheaded? The following test may help you decide.

1. Do you always want everything your way?
2. Do you refuse to listen to other opinions?
3. Do you have a hard time changing your mind?
4. Do other people call you stubborn? Worse, do they call you stubborn as a mule?

People have different levels of stubbornness or hardheadedness. Some are hardheaded about everything all the time. Others are a little hardheaded part-time.

Strong opinions can be helpful. Presidents and other leaders must stand firm on certain issues. At the same time, they must be willing to listen to all sides of any issue. That was true for the presidents carved on Mt. Rushmore. It remains true for leaders today.

A great plan for both leaders and followers: Listen well. Decide carefully.

“They have become as hardheaded as a rock. They refuse to change their ways” (Jeremiah 5:3 NET).

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You Can’t Take It with You

You Can’t Take It with You

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You Can't Take It with You“You can’t take it with you.” “I’ve never seen a hearse with a trailer behind it.” Both expressions tell us that when we die, we leave our possessions behind.

So, why do we become so concerned about what we own? Those things won’t last.

What we spend most of our lives collecting will someday belong to someone else. Or they may be  thrown in the trash or recycled. Yet, we keep buying stuff we don’t need, trying to live high on the hog.

A missionary friend once laughed and said she enjoys “returning to America every four years to learn what the latest gadgets are that we cannot live without.”

She knows what matters most can’t be purchased with cash, check, or credit card:

  • The love of family
  • A true friend
  • Peace of mind
  • Purpose for living
  • An eternal home in heaven

A meaningful life has no price tag. Why not make our lives more meaningful? Instead of buying useless items, why not spend our money for:

  • Disaster relief
  • World hunger
  • Scholarships
  • Church and missions programs
  • Crisis ministries

We live on earth such a brief time. If you can’t take it with you, why worry about it now? Let’s invest in true riches!

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21 NIV).

What are your favorite charities?

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Fill Someone’s Shoes

Fill Someone’s Shoes

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Fill Someone's ShoesCharli likes to wear her parents’ shoes. She tries so hard to fill them, but she can’t. Her parents have big shoes to fill.

We often say it will be hard to fill someone’s shoes when that person leaves a position. We also say the person left big shoes to fill. We mean:

  • The person did a good job.
  • We will have a hard time finding someone else that good.
  • The next person will have to work hard to do as well.

None of us can fill someone’s shoes like that person. We may get close. Some people may see no difference. Yet differences remain.

That is true for:

  • Teachers
  • Business leaders
  • Family members
  • Anyone

We each fill our shoes in our own way. God made only one Charli. God made only one me. God made only one you.

Great workers and leaders challenge us to do our best. Yet, we will always be who we are. Therefore, Charli needs to be the best Charli possible. I need to be the best me possible. You need to be the best you possible.

Let’s all leave big shoes to fill.

“Work hard so God can say to you, “Well done.” Be a good workman, one who does not need to be ashamed when God examines your work” (2 Timothy 2:15 TLB).

Thanks to Natalie Parker for the photo.

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A Full Plate

A Full Plate

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A Full PlateWe find the world’s largest apple pie at the Casey County Apple Festival in Liberty, Kentucky. During that September festival, Liberty grows to five times its normal size. Local people and visitors all want a full plate of pie. However, no one wants  the entire 10-foot pie on their plate.

Occasionally most of us put more food on our plate than we should. If we try to eat everything on that full plate, we get sick or feel awful.

To prevent such feelings, we can:

  • Share the food with someone else.
  • Eat what we want and throw the rest away.
  • Eat part of the food now and part later.

Sometimes we have more to do than we can manage. Problems overwhelm us. We have a full plate or a lot on our plate. If we try to do everything ourselves, we get sick or feel awful.

We can avoid those feelings if we:

  • Ask someone to help us.
  • Leave less important things undone.
  • Work on part now and part later.

Everyone has limits. We can’t do everything alone. Accepting that truth usually means a longer, happier, and healthier life.

“Share each other’s troubles and problems, and so obey our Lord’s command” (Galatians 6:2 TLB).

Have you attended the Apple Festival? If so, what did you think of the pie?

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Fly off the Handle

Fly off the Handle

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Fly off the HandleDon’t fly off the handle — helpful advice for axes and for people.

An ax can do great good or great harm. Its heavy metal blade cuts through wood. That wood can provide heat, art, building supplies, and more

However, if the ax blade flies off the handle, look out. Anyone nearby is in danger of injury or death.

Likewise, anger can do great good or great harm. Controlled anger helps us:

  • Speak against evil.
  • Right a wrong.
  • Change ourselves.
  • Lead others to change.

However, we often let anger get out of control. Anger controls us rather than our controlling the anger. We fly off the handle (lose our temper). As a result, we suffer and cause others to suffer.

With an ax, we want to:

  • Keep it in good repair.
  • Hold the handle firmly.
  • Cut wood and never hurt people.

With anger we want to:

  • Understand its cause and purpose.
  • Keep it firmly controlled.
  • Use it for good, not harm.

Remember to treat anger like water off a duck’s back. Use it in a positive way, and gain tools for a better life.

An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. (Proverbs 29:22)

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