Keep Moving Forward
My buddy Jason works two jobs and burns the candle at both ends. He is tired physically and emotionally, He knows this economy is temporary. He knows other have it worse than he does. He knows that better days are coming. But he is tired, mentally and physically. It is taking a toll.
So what do you tell someone like Jason? How do you encourage and pump him up to keep going. He is already doing the right things. What more is there to help?
I have some ideas. And I am qualified to share them because I have been there, I am there and I have seen and touched the light.
First, it is time to revisit the dream, you know, that thing that keeps us going. Some people call it the big WHY? You have to know what you are working for, what you are shooting for. What drives you? Is it love, world peace, stamping out hunger and poverty? Is it being free financially? Do you want something so much that you are willing to keep on going? You must have a big WHY, otherwise there just isn’t a good reason to continue when the going get difficult, like now.
Fill in the blank; The reason I keep going every day is ____________________________________.
Second, you have to take a lot of little vacations. I don’t mean trips to Paris, but trips to Starbucks. These mini vacations give you the opportunity to pump yourself up. We have a wonderful little bakery in town that serves a great al fresco lunch. Sometimes a musician plays while we eat. These little events I regard as vacations in the middle of the day… they really help.
Fill in the blank: My favorite mini-vacation is ___________________________________________.
Third, I can go on these mini vacations because I block my time. My life is scheduled from 5am to 10pm. I only have that much time to get everything done, so I block my time and stick to it. I focus on the important things that contribute to my big Why. All the other stuff just has to go… Bye Bye!
Answer yes or no. I religiously follow a schedule. Yes [ ] No [ ].
Fourth, I see the world through spiritual lens. For me everything is a God thing, the good, the bad and the ugly. This totally affects my mindset because… nothing can happen in my life apart from the knowledge of God… AND … if God is for me who can be against me? Sure, bad things happen to good people. The difference is the unflappable belief that God flips even the worst situations.
Repeat this affirmation: God is with me and I am with God.
Last week I wrote: There is no balance in life. I believe this. There are natural ups and downs in life and the occasional deep deep dips, like the current economy. Rather than living by well worn platitudes let’s continue to move forward in the love and grace of God, no matter what happen.
I Love You – Bryan Martin
