What path in life are you taking?

Today I ask you to take a look at yourself. No, not in the mirror but at your hearts. I have been watching my thoughts and my actions pretty closely and found that I have much to learn. I need to tune my ears closer to the wisdom that is offered by others who have insight and knowledge of the good that surrounds me. We have free will and can pick out what’s true and fair. Wisdom and knowledge are pleasant companions while common sense will help us travel the right paths and keep us from following the bad directions of the lost! When we aren’t paying attention to our hearts, we will find a lot of detours and dead ends. When we listen to our hearts and learn from really true friends we will find all the good trails.
Listen for the good in everything that you do, everywhere you go. You will stay on track. Don’t ever assume you know everything because there is so much more to learn! Earn a reputation for living well by doing well. Run from the ones who tempt you to do the wrong thing because they will only bring you into that maze of detours and dead ends. Don’t give that smooth talking temptress a second thought because it will only distract you from looking forward and only tempt you to join them on the path to nowhere. Don’t walk around with a chip on your shoulder. The ones who are straightforward are the ones who get respect.

Never walk away from someone who needs help. Don’t tell someone “maybe later” or “next time” when you have a pocket full of money or the time right now. Even worse, never try to figure out ways to take advantage of someone when they are sitting there trusting you and unsuspecting. This is one of the quickest ways to end up in a blind alley and miserable. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth, don’t tell white lies, or gossip. Keep your heart focused on the right path and ignore the sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the roads will be paved out smoothly for you!

Your words are your life. Live what you say...

Sometimes we forget how important it is to just be honest and admit when we screw up and then move on. We should always keep promises because that is one of the best ways to be sure that people will stand by you through good and bad. Keeping promises gives us purpose and it builds trust and loyalty with our loved ones. Trust is an amazing feeling and is strong and blameless! I am a trusting person who believes that you should trust in everyone unless they give you reasons not to trust them, even if we are thrown a curve ball with being hurt we need to keep our hearts open and not close them in fear of being hurt again because then we are the ones who are not letting the goodness in. Anger only imprisons ourselves, forgiveness is the key back out into the sunshine and chirping birds...

Watch for the motives of the snake oil sales person

I learned at a young age to surround myself with people who are positive and have a great outlook on life. When we surround ourselves with loving people with goals, it will always help us to stay focused and motivated on our own. It doesn’t matter what our goals are, rather just that we have them. Through the years I have been surrounded with such people in my work life, social life, and my family life. I have been blessed to be able to enjoy the day, knowing that each day will bring more successes. I know that we must make mistakes in order to learn and grow and I have a very good “gut instinct” on people I meet. I usually sense when to run from such mean spirited people who have selfish motives or who are just really evil!


I think it is important to trust everyone that we meet unless they prove not to be trustworthy. Unfortunately some people are experts at deceiving us! This is why there are so many scams, gimmicks, and snake oils being sold every day. Recently I learned such a lesson. Through this lesson I learned to be on the look out for these scam artists before investing time or money with such snake oil sales people. If someone starts a relationship on false pretenses and is trying to sell you something by making you believe that they are actually looking for something that you are an authority on or may be selling, don’t just walk away from that person; RUN! It is like the age old saying that Clark Howard (one of my hero’s) always says “if it is sounds too good to be true then it is” Don’t stick around long enough to get bit; trust me. It stings!

I have been in sales for most of my adult life and I have never sold anyone anything that was useless or a waste of money. I couldn’t sell anything that I didn’t believe would help make that persons day or life better. This is why I am so trustworthy and sometimes feel that sting. I will always trust in others, knowing that most are good. My point of this entire story is to watch for selfish motives. Some people may be looking to take a foot of energy when you offer just an inch. Be sure to listen to your instincts and never trust anyone with a bitter voice or phony offer. There are many takers in society. If you are a giver and love to see people smile then leave the taker in the dust because that is exactly what they plan to do with you...

Wish only the best for the “snake oil sales person” because that is all they know to sell. Let God judge them. It is not our business to find out what their motives are. It is wise to walk away from their evil motives and try to help others from being hurt by them. Always remember that every ending is the start of a new beginning; move forward and learn from history.

Giving

There is a story about the seven years of plenty during the Egyptian’s time under Joseph where they stored up a huge amount of harvest for seven years. These years were called the seven fat years because the following seven years were a time of scarcity and drought known as the seven lean years. Imagine the people who, stored nothing and just kept getting fatter and enjoying the moment, I would bet they felt a lot of remorse and regrets! This story should remind us to enjoy the fat years and to always keep the future in our mind. We should always think about our actions and never get greedy, for these pleasures will soon be just a memory. When we have plenty, we tend to take it for granted and sometimes even expect it but, we tend to learn the most when we end up in the lean years! God has given us plenty and has also given us free-will which, is one of his best gifts to us. Free-will is what separates the good from evil.
Evil will always be filled with misery and it tries to pass that misery onto others but, the good are filled with the good light which, can never be dimmed by darkness. I try to always remember that, while, those temptations from the fat years now give me the opportunity to overcome the evil ways of men while, increasing my personal growth. Today is the perfect day to start making it a habit of sharing our gifts unconditionally, without expecting anything in return.

Every time you love someone you love life and by loving life you will be truly happy! Unconditional love is the most purest kind of love, there is the love that parents have for their children, a love that a brother or a sister share, and the love a happily married couple share. It is a love that can be tested but never broken. Unconditional love wants to share and doesn’t expect anything in return. The best part of the year for me is Christmas morning when I can watch children and loved ones’ opening their gifts and to see that excitement in their eyes and hear it in their voices when opening a gift that they really wanted. I have more fun watching their reactions than I do opening my gifts, this is what unconditional love feels like when you simply help someone to enjoy a fun filled day.  (From my second book - Life in a Week - What is Spirituality?)

Be yourself... Be happy and make a difference... Mike