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Day 186 – 10 Habits to Create a Better Day, Every Day

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Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 186 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

10 Habits to Create a Better Day, Every Day

Thank you for joining us for our 7 days a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 186 of our Trek, and yesterday we explored how success is achieved by giving to others. Today we will learn the 10 habits to have a better day. If you miss any of our Wisdom-Trek episodes, please go to Wisdom-Trek.com to listen to them and read the daily journal.

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We are recording our podcast from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. I had a steady work day today with much still to do, but I take it a day at a time.  I have so many plans for going into 2016 and would like some dedicated time for planning, so I will have to block it out in our busy schedule. It has been a rainy and cool week here in Marietta, and I am thankful for a work environment where I can enjoy it without having to be out in it.

Let’s start out today as we continue our trek. Whether we are on an actual hike or just hiking through each day of life, there will be some days that are just difficult. On those days, it seems like we are trudging up a steep slope that is strewn with loose rocks and limbs where it is difficult to make any progress. Each of us has those days occasionally, but we do want to keep them as few as possible. How can we overcome the potential of having “bad days”?  On our Trek for today, I will share 10 habits that will help you to create a better day today and every day. 

download (12)So let’s get started on our hike of the…

10 Habits to Have a Better Day Every Day

  1. Wake up 30 minutes early.

    Get up 30 minutes before your usual time and take the first half hour for yourself. Once you get busy and into the day, there never seems to be the time for yourself. Take this time to plan to get the most from the day. Start by making this a habit each day and reserve this time for you. For this season of life, I get up at [5:30] each morning so that I can be dressed and ready to exercise at about [5:45].  I spend about 70 minutes exercising, most of which is running on the treadmill.
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  2. Read, listen, or watch something uplifting.

    Make this a daily habit. Get out of starting the day with no mental food. A great day does not begin with the news or the paper. It begins with ideas or energy that will propel you through the day. What you first hear will stay with you throughout the day. During my time of exercise, I listen to encouraging podcasts, meditations, and Scripture readings.  This helps significantly in setting my mind in the proper thought pattern early.
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  3. Eat a good breakfast to start you off right.

    Get something good into your body to wake it up and get it going. Think about the energy you will need to perform. Every day we run a marathon. What would you need to eat and drink to win it? After a shower, I usually have a breakfast of a protein drink, some carrots, water, and coffee.  If you do exercise in the morning, it is important that your breakfast contains protein to rebuild your muscles. Stay away from excessive carbs for breakfast as they will be detrimental to your energy levels.
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  4. Choose your winning attitude.

    There are enough negative issues in the world to go wrong without sabotaging yourself. Your attitude is a choice you make. Don’t let it come between you and your success. Be careful to keep it positive all day long – the choice is truly yours.
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  5. Be aware of what others are telling you.

    The people around us have a profound effect on how we get through life. Our closest friends and family are our greatest environmental influences. Make sure you have the best advisors you can find. Also, be very aware of your self-talk. You are a child of the King. Be humble and thankful. No one can ever take your place. You are one in over 7 billion.

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  6. Make the most of what you do.

    When you get to your work, make it the best place to be. Most people go to work and never think about work while they are there. Focus on your contribution. What would it be like if you were not around? Strive to give 100% each and every day.
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  7. Always remember that people are listening.

    Make a point of talking well of others. Wish others the best in life and mean it. What goes around does come around. Don’t talk negatively about anyone. Try to understand their circumstances. You never know what others are really going through. Practice being a support system for your friends and family. They need you.

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  8. Be honest and fair to others.

    It does make a difference. What you give to others is usually what you get from others. Practice integrity that people can see and feel. Be aware of what you say. Learn to walk your talk at all times. The more people trust you, the more of their time they will trust to be with you.
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  9. Pace your energy to last all day.

    Be careful of bursts of energy. Pace your energy throughout the day. If you get too crazy early in the day, you will reach a point of exhaustion before the day is over. By planning your entire day before you begin, you will have what you need. I can still hear my dad telling us boys to “look alive” as we at times were not working as much as we should have. Also, make sure you’re eating properly for all meals during the day, this will have a big impact on how much energy you have.

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  10. Get in bed early and study for the future.

    Strive to learn something new each day and write it in a journal or notepad before going to bed. In today’s fast changing technology and work environment, you need constant study to keep up. Develop the habit of reading a work or personal development book before you go to sleep. Reading for only 30 minutes a day is like a year of college. You can’t succeed if you don’t read and study. Remember throughout your day that life is what you make it, day by day. Getting to bed on time to get the sleep that I need is still a work in process for me. There is always so much that I would like to do, so I have to realize that more sleep will make me more productive during the day.

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From the time you wake up, until the time you go to sleep, practice having the best day ever by making deliberate choices. As you string together better days, it will add up to the rich and satisfying life that we all desire.  Remember that God has made each day for us. It is our choice on how we live it.  Psalms 118:24 tells us, “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

The 10 habits to have a better day every day can be implemented by just about everyone. I challenge you to begin tomorrow to put them into practice and then make a commitment to string together 30 days in a row. At the end of one month, you will be on the trail to a rich and satisfying life. On each of those days take the opportunity to share Wisdom-Trek with your friends and family and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy as we discover 6 building blocks of self-esteem.

That will finish our podcast for today. Remember to listen to your daily dose of wisdom each day. Please share Wisdom-Trek with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person so they can come along with us each day.

If you would like to be added to our weekly email update and special publications from Wisdom-Trek, just text the word “Wisdom” to 44222 on your phone, and you will receive a message asking for your email address. It is very quick and easy to do.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this Trek together, let us always:

  1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
  2. Love Unconditionally
  3. Listen Intentionally
  4. Learn Continuously
  5. Lend to others Generously
  6. Lead with Integrity
  7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 185 – 7 Stepping Stones to Success

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Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 185 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

7 Stepping Stones to Success

Thank you for joining us for our 7 days a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 185 of our Trek, and yesterday we stopped by the 12 Mile-Markers for building your character, which resulted in 6 character traits that you possess as a result. Today we will explore how success is achieved by giving to others. If you miss any of our Wisdom-Trek episodes, please go to Wisdom-Trek.com to listen to them and read the daily journal.

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We are recording our podcast from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. In addition to a full workload, today we were able to have Elizabeth and four of our grandchildren over. Elizabeth and Paula made split pea and ham soup with the ham that was left over from Thanksgiving. Homemade split pea soup is delicious.

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On today’s Trek, we are hiking the trail of success. I think that everyone desires to be successful, but what many people do not grasp is that the trail to success is paved by helping others obtain what they desire from us.  One of my virtual mentors, Zig Ziglar, said it best in his famous quote, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”

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So let’s get started on our hike of the…

7 Stepping Stones to Success

A major part of the process of achieving success and living the kind of life that you dream of is to give. Many people think that to get what you want you have to take it. There is a universal truth, though, that the true trail to get what you want is to give. When you give, you get. What you plant, you will harvest. The Bible mentions this correlation numerous times such as in Galatians 6:7, “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.”

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If this is true, then what is it we must give? I’ll show you the way…

  1. Give others your honesty. The world we live in has a simple rule that most follow: Lie when you have to. Unfortunately, this may make some people wealthy, but it make us humans poor. To achieve success is to become wealthy not only in money but in character. To be successful, truly successful, is to be able to attain your goals and keep your character at the same time

How about you? Are you honest in all things? The problem with little lies is they become big ones. Lies spin out of control. You get caught in one lie and you lie to get out of it, etc. In all things and at all times, give others your honesty.

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  1. Give others your respect. Most of the time we give people respect based on what they have done or what they have accomplished. We gauge whether or not they are “worthy” of it based on what we know of what they have achieved or who they know or are related to.

But I believe we should have a higher standard. We respect people not for what they have done or for who they are related to or for what they can do for us. Instead, we respect people for simply being themselves.

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  1. Give others your vulnerability. We are taught to “be strong.” And yes, we should be strong. But we have also embraced something that I think keeps us from having the kind of life that we long for. It is an idea that keeps us from experiencing the kind of relationships that would bring deep meaning to us. It is the idea of vulnerability.

“But Guthrie, make yourself vulnerable, and people will step all over you!” It is true that this will happen. But I have also seen that most people will be drawn to you. They will help you. They will open up to you. You see, we are all broken people inside. We all have secrets. Yet everyone plays the poser. When one lets down their veil, others soon follow, and we all win.

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  1. Give others your care. Too many people are running around this old earth not caring about others. The days of “Look Out for Number One” and “Winning Through Intimidation” are over! Let’s bring about a new day when we can care about others and succeed!

Take the time to show people you care. Listen to them. Empathize with them. Love them. Now, I don’t mean that you have to go around hugging everyone—that probably wouldn’t be accepted in some circles anyway—but we can take some time to step back from life and business and be human! And I have found that when we do so, our life and business succeeds as well!

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  1. Give others your passion. There is nothing this world needs more than passionate people. And people need passionate people. Living in this day and age can be tiring. The hustle and bustle of it all can wear you down and tire you out. Give your passion to others and fire them up.

Don’t just be humdrum—be excited. Give people all the energy you can muster up, and you will find that energy reciprocates. They will get energized and passionate. This in turn will fire you up more when you are already charged and get you going altogether when you don’t feel like moving at all!

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  1. Give others your experience. We all have areas that we excel in, and they are usually areas that we have experience in. One of the things we can do to make our lives more meaningful and be of utmost help to others is to show them the way through the experiences we have.

Sometimes it will be what they should do – shortcuts to take or people to meet. Sometimes it will be what they should not do – shortcuts not to take and people to stay away from! Whatever it is, we can be of service to others by giving them our experience, and ultimately, it will make us all better!

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  1. Give others your help. All in all, what we want to do is to help others. As mentioned earlier, Zig Ziglar says that if we will “help others get what they want, we will in turn get what we want.” If we want to be successful, we should consider ourselves servants of other people. What can we do to help them and make them better? This is the true path to greatness and success, not only in business but in life!

Jesus put it this way in the good news according to Luke 6:38, “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” 

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The principle of planting and harvesting is like the law of gravity, it is undeniable and unbreakable as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 9:6, “Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.”

So the stepping stones to success are giving to others.  Are you willing to give to others?  If it is done through the proper motives, the principles of planting and harvesting will prevail.  Today take the opportunity to share Wisdom-Trek, with your friends and family and encourage them to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy as we discover 10 ways to have a better day.

That will finish our podcast for today. Remember to listen to your daily dose of wisdom each day. Please share Wisdom-Trek with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person so they can come along with us each day.

If you would like to be added to our weekly email update and special publications from Wisdom-Trek, just text the word “Wisdom” to 44222 on your phone, and you will receive a message asking for your email address. It is very quick and easy to do.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this Trek together, let us always:

  1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
  2. Love Unconditionally
  3. Listen Intentionally
  4. Learn Continuously
  5. Lend to others Generously
  6. Lead with Integrity
  7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 184 – The 12 Markers + 6 Traits of Character

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Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 184 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

The 12 Markers + 6 Traits of Character

Thank you for joining us for our 7 days a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 184 of our Trek, and yesterday we hiked the “Should Have, Would Have, Could Have” trail otherwise known as the Tyranny of the Should. For today’s trek, we will stop by the 12 Mile-Markers for building your character, which result in 6 character traits that you will possess as a result. If you miss any of our Wisdom-Trek episodes, please go to Wisdom-Trek.com to listen to them and read the daily journal.

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We are recording our podcast from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. It is starting out as a busy week as expected, but we have been able to accomplish a significant amount and also complete some planning for 2016.

Over the weekend, we moved our large wind chimes to the back corner of The Big House so we can enjoy them while working in our 2nd-floor office. We are also enjoying the return of our Red Tail Hawk today. It appeared to be looking for some food, so the mice and chipmunks would do well to stay hidden.

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When we go for a difficult hike, one of the resulting benefits is building persistent resolve to continue on, even when we may not feel like it. This in turn helps to build strong character. It is time now to set out on our Trek, as we will search for the 12-mile markers that will help us to build good character and then explore the resulting 6 character traits that we should all obtain.

12 Markers for Building Your Character

  1. I possess the Right Motivation: I realize that in some capacity, everyone is a leader. As a leader, I am called to be an example-setter of high character to the people to whom I am responsible — whether they are my peers, children, employees, and/or constituents. No matter if it seems inefficient, inconvenient, or ineffective, I will build character because it is the right thing to do.
  2. I possess an Accurate Mindset: My character flaws undermine my leadership but are correctable. Character is who I am; competency is what I do. I will no longer confuse the two. Character is not only attractive to me but is irresistible.
  3. I possess the Freedom to Choose: I am 100% in control of my character and my response to others. I choose to be a leader of character. I regret my past character-poor choices. I will do all within my power to change. I will become more like the mentors and models I most admire.
  4. I possess a Teachable Spirit: I am designed to be a life-long learner. I am teachable and have a strong bias to apply what I learn to who I am and what I do.
  5. I possess an Optimistic Vision: A few might remember my competence, but virtually all will remember my legacy of character, good or poor. Many will exceed me in various competencies, but I will set my sight on building a reputation of uncommon character.
  6. I possess a Clear Target: I know the “bulls-eye” of high character. I know exactly what character-ethics are and the corresponding behaviors I desire, even though I may struggle to achieve them consistently.
  7. I possess the Right Tools: I have taken the time to assess and acquire the correct resources to support my character-building journey, including a list of defined character-ethics and a support system of like-minded leaders.
  8. I possess a Sensitive Conscience: I may not always act on its every conviction, but I have a conscience that consistently generates a sense of great personal peace when I act in high character and appropriate guilt when I do not.
  9. I possess the Ability to Find a Caring Mentor: My mentors know me personally, and we have agreed on a transparent, accountable, encouraging relationship as it relates to building character. My mentors help me to create and maintain the conditions and principles necessary to build my character. Our respective roles and expectations are defined and mutually understood.
  10. I possess an Integrating Perspective: My goal is to operate out of one, unifying and aligning character identity. I will tirelessly work to reconcile all of my various relationships to conform to this single identity.
  11. I possess a High View of Relationships: I value relationships, but I’m not perfect. I want to forgive those who make errors and be forgiven as well when I commit them. While this does not eliminate the consequences of committing wrongs (or omitting rights), it assures others that I earnestly value them.
  12. I have Counted the Cost: If I start, there is no going back. I will be painfully exposed for what I am if I attempt to champion a double standard or refuse to confront chronically poor character of those in my charge and/or completely abandon my own pursuit of character.

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Now that you have a firm grasp of the 12 measures of building character, let’s now explore the six traits that make up strong ethical character.

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The best road to a better life is to be a better person, and all of us can be better. I like to refer to this as the six B-C’s of Character: conscience, courage, consideration, compassion, confidence, and control. Let’s look at each of these traits:

  1. Be a person of conscience. Listen to the inner voice that helps you know right from wrong and urges you to do what is good and noble.
  2. Be courageous. Confront the challenges and choices of your life forthrightly. Make the tough decisions that need to be made, and, above all, maintain your integrity by doing what you know to be right even when it costs more than you want to pay.
  3. Be considerate. Be more deliberate, thoughtful, and attentive as to how your words and actions will affect others and reflect on your character. Think ahead so you can avoid undesirable and undesired consequences.
  4. Be compassionate. Demonstrate a genuine concern for the well-being of others. Be kinder and more charitable. Strive to understand more and judge less.
  5. Be confident in your capacity to overcome whatever difficulties come your way with integrity and dignity. Don’t underestimate your resiliency. Resolve to persist until you prevail.
  6. Be in control of your emotions, appetites, and urges that tempt you to compromise your principles or sacrifice long-term goals for short-term indulgences.

Remember, your character is your destiny.  Your integrity will lead you on the correct trails of life. 

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Proverbs 10:9, “People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.”

Proverbs: 20:7, “The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.”

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Today on our trek we learned from the 12 mile-markers along our trail that helps us to build character and result in the 6 character traits of a person with integrity. Does your life reflect what we have learned? As you have the opportunity, continue to hike this trail to strengthen your character. Allow your character to be an example to your friends and family as you encourage them to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy as we explore the concept that you must give to others in order to reach your successful destination.

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That will finish our podcast for today. Remember to listen to your daily dose of wisdom each day. Please share Wisdom-Trek with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person so they can come along with us each day.

If you would like to be added to our weekly email update and special publications from Wisdom-Trek, just text the word “Wisdom” to 44222 on your phone, and you will receive a message asking for your email address.  It is very quick and easy to do.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this Trek together, let us always:

  1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
  2. Love Unconditionally
  3. Listen Intentionally
  4. Learn Continuously
  5. Lend to others Generously
  6. Lead with Integrity
  7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 183 – Should Have, Would Have, Could Have

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Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 183 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

Should Have, Would Have, Could Have

Thank you for joining us for our 7 days a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 183 of our Trek, and yesterday we explored the 25 nuggets or Proverbs for Abundant Living. Today we are going to hike the “Should Have, Would Have, Could Have” trail otherwise known as the Tyranny of the Should. If you miss any of our Wisdom-Trek episodes, please go to Wisdom-Trek.com to listen to them and read the daily journal.

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We are recording our podcast from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. On Sunday, we went to church with my Dad, who lives about an hour north of The Big House. We also took him out for lunch at Cracker Barrel, which is his favorite place to eat. Our daughter Elizabeth and her four children came over for the evening to help us consume some Thanksgiving leftovers, and the grandkids helped Gramps get started on the renovations in the library. This week will be a busy work week with client work and planning for 2016.

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Have you ever had those times where you have felt or said, “I should have made a different choice or decision?” For example, your narrative may have gone like this…“I should have made a different decision, then I would have been in a better place. And, I could have so much more in life.” The trek that we will hike today is the “Should Have, Would Have, Could Have” trail, or as some may refer to it, The Tyranny or the Should of Trail.

Tyranny of the Should

Learn how to free yourself from the destructive, incessant pressure to be perfect.

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Everyone lives with “shoulds.” One might say that Christianity and other faiths are a way of life built on shoulds, such as one should love others, one should keep themselves from bad practices, and one should give to charity. For many, their shoulds are experienced as positive and fulfilling. Meeting one’s moral obligations is a great source of pleasure. When we do the right thing, we feel good about ourselves and feel that life has meaning and purpose.

But there are others who do not experience shoulds in a positive way. They feel pressured and strangled by them. For such people, their inner shoulds are sources of great emotional suffering. Dr. Karen Horney named this experience, the “tyranny of the should.”

When we do the right thing, we feel good about ourselves and feel that life has meaning and purpose.

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Here are some examples of shoulds that can become problematic:

  •      I should always feel happy.
  •      I should not dislike anyone.
  •      I should feel strong and in control.
  •      I should have perfect clarity.
  •      I should always be giving.
  •      I should not make mistakes.
  •      I should never get angry.
  •      I should never waste time.
  •      I should always feel productive.

Shoulds become tyrannical when they are experienced as making impossible demands that are impossible to meet. “You should never be weak,” is an impossible demand to meet. The “tyranny of the should” is experienced as a demand to be perfect and, therefore, feels like an order given by an oppressive dictator who ruthlessly demands perfection and nothing less. Shoulds are rigid, unyielding, and devoid of compassion for your limitations and weaknesses. You are never able to relax because the pressure to be perfect is unrelenting.

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When shoulds are reinforced by social pressure, they become even more unbearable. Under the burden of these dictates, your behavior may become pressured, forced, and may even take on an obsessive quality. The hallmark of the experience if you are controlled by the tyranny of the should is that you feel driven, but you never feel like the driver of your life. There is a loss of personal agency, genuine creativity, and authenticity.

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If this isn’t enough, shoulds are also experienced as punitive. Every should carries an implicit message that, “If you don’t do it perfectly, you are a bad person.” Thus feeling like a failure, you inevitably fall prey to self-hate and shame. If you loathe yourself, you feel depressed, hopeless, and sapped of vitality. Thankfully there is hope. Here are the five steps to destroy the Tyranny of the Should.

1. Become aware of your shoulds.

Make your list. When you begin to become aware of them, you will discover just how many there are, some obvious and others quite subtle. So listen very carefully.

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2. Recognize that some shoulds are lies.

For example, you might hear yourself say that I should always feel happy. Is this true or false? It is certainly a lie because it is not humanly possible to be happy all the time and never be in a bad mood.

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3. Identify the truth.

In this example, the truth would be, “It is okay to feel unhappy and be in a bad mood from time to time. No one is happy all the time.” Upon embracing the truth, you will feel a perceptible shift; a sense of liberation and a feeling of lightness. Now, how long you allow yourself to be stuck in that mood is a choice that you will need to make. When we find ourselves unhappy or angry, we need to make a mind shift so that we do not remain there long term. Make this mind shift by doing something positive for others.

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“Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith,” Galatians [6:10].

4.  Recognize that you are not a bad person.

Just because you are not happy all the time doesn’t mean your are a bad person, that something is wrong with you, or that you have a psychological problem. To think so is a falsehood. We all fall prey to these feelings, but this does not mean that you have to be controlled by these emotions. Work on recognizing your feelings so that when they do manifest themselves, you are able to take action.

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“Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it,” Psalm 1[39:14].

5.  Accept yourself as a good person who is imperfect and limited.

No longer needing to be perfect, you can begin to discover and embrace the truth about yourself. Living as an imperfect, limited, and messy human being requires letting go of your idealized self-image. Embracing reality is often painful.

Becoming more grounded in your own true feelings and perceptions is a primary indication that you have begun to free yourself from the “tyranny of the should.” As the grip of this reign of terror loosens, you begin to feel more alive, becoming the driver of your life and no longer being driven.

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“Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks,” 1 Timothy 4:4.

Today on our Trek we considered the “Should Have, Would Have, Could Have” trail as we learned the five steps to overcome The Tyranny of the Should. Consider what type of mind shift and changes you need to make in your life to live the rich and satisfying life that you should. As you have the opportunity, please encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy as we hike the trails that will help us to build character.

That will finish our podcast for today. Remember to listen to your daily dose of wisdom each day. Please share Wisdom-Trek with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person so they can come along with us each day.

If you would like to be added to our weekly email update and special publications from Wisdom-Trek, just text the word “Wisdom” to 44222 on your phone, and you will receive a message asking for your email address. It is very quick and easy to do.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this Trek together, let us always:

  1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
  2. Love Unconditionally
  3. Listen Intentionally
  4. Learn Continuously
  5. Lend to others Generously
  6. Lead with Integrity
  7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 182 – 25 Proverbs for Abundant Living

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Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 182 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

25 Proverbs for Abundant Living

Thank you for joining us for our 7 days a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 182 of our Trek, and yesterday we completed our three-part series on the Psalm of Thanksgiving – Psalms 100. Today we are going to look at a list of inspirational sayings starting with “In life…” that are Proverbs for Abundant Living. If you miss any of our Wisdom-Trek episodes, please go to Wisdom-Trek.com to listen to them and read the daily journal.

The best things in life aren't things

We are recording our podcast from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We had a very blessed day on Thanksgiving with our kids Elizabeth and Barnabas over for an evening dinner along with their spouses Nat and Leesha and five of our six grandchildren. Our niece Rebekah and her husband Victor along with their two children were also in.

Friday morning we were able to be on site with a client to assist with the month end billing. On Friday afternoon, we finished up cleaning out the gutters, completed the little bit we had left on the leaf harvest, and hung up the Christmas Star on the front of the house. On Saturday, we reran some cable TV wire to the two front rooms and cleared everything out of the library, including two large built-in bookshelves so that we will be able to start the renovations this next week. On Sunday, we will be going to church with Dad and going out for dinner afterward. It has been a great Thanksgiving weekend with so much to be thankful for.

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Let’s get started on our Trek today as we hike the trail of Abundant Living and look for the 25 proverbs that will provide direction and insight to our lives. We will call our trail today the…

Proverbs for Abundant Living

After three days of exploring the requirements of being a thankful servant in Psalms 100, which was some fairly deep study, I wanted to switch to an easier trail today and dig up some nuggets of wisdom that we can ponder and reflect on.  As usual, I will also intertwine wisdom from the Bible into the points. Let us take a leisurely hike today as we look at a series of points that we should always integrate into our lives to create a living legacy each day.

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  1. In life we are to encourage and build up each other,  not to discourage and tear down one another.  (So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians [5:11])
  2. In life we are to add not subtract, to multiply not divide.  (Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. Proverbs [9:11])
  3. In life we are to leave an enduring impression, not a careless dent. (Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens. Psalm 89:2)
  4. In life we are to smooth out the rough roads along the journey, not create new potholes. (The valleys will be filled, and the mountains and hills made level. The curves will be straightened, and the rough places made smooth. Luke 3:5)
  5. In life we are to sing a joyful song; not just drone a groan. (Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! Psalm 66:1)
  6. In life we are to add our harmonious strains to life’s symphony, not strain the symphony with clatter and clang.  (Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians [3:14])
  7. In life we are to soar on eagles’ wings, not to peck and cluck with our beaks in the dirt like chickens. (But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah [40:31])
  8. In life we are to radiate light into unseen places, not permit unknown fears to dim our radiance. (Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. Psalm 34:5)
  9. In life we are to leap in faith, not to limp with doubt. (And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. Genesis 15:6)
  10. In life we are to give freely of our time, our love, and our resources, not to cling on to them greedily. (Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. Proverbs [11:24])
  11. In life we are to lift up others, not push them down. (We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. Romans 15:2)
  12. In life we are to open our hands to those in need, not to clutch our hands in fists of distrust. (Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 1 Timothy [6:18])
  13. In life we are to lend a helping hand to make loads lighter, not use heavy hands to hold others back. (Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2)
  14. In life we are to be messengers of peace, signs of joy, not Chicken Little portents of gloom-and-doom. (And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. James [3:18])
  15. In life we are to enjoy, to savor, to remember, to reflect, not to overlook, to forget, to ignore, to reject. (And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. 2 Timothy 2:6)
  16. In life we are to seek conscious awareness, not doze in the doldrums of half-awake. (For I am always aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth. Psalm 26:3)
  17. In life we are to dare mighty things, not to fear things gravely. (With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes. Psalm [60:12])
  18. In life we are to show up, stand up, step forward and speak up, not to cringe in fear, choosing to sit down, or to step back, allowing the voices of silence to speak so loudly. (Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. Proverbs 31:9)
  19. In life we are to exercise proper stewardship of earth’s resources, not pillage the heritage of future generations. (You take care of the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile. The river of God has plenty of water; it provides a bountiful harvest of grain, for you have ordered it so Psalm 65:9)
  20. In life we are to move forward through forgiveness, not grind to a halt mired in bitterness and resentment. (Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians [3:13])
  21. In life we are to be wacky, weird, and wonderful in our own unique God-given way, not to be lemmings, stuck on life’s treadmill. (However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. Ephesians 4:7)
  22. In life we are to reach, to stretch, and to soar, not to slink in fear, held back by mistrust and doubt. (That tree, Your Majesty, is you. For you have grown strong and great; your greatness reaches up to heaven, and your rule to the ends of the earth. Daniel [4:22])
  23. In life we are to realize, “I am a remarkable Somebody!”, not listen to other’s jabs such as, “You’re a Nobody, an Everybody, an Anybody.” (Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. Psalm 1[39:14])
  24. In life we are to comprehend, “I am worthwhile,” not tremble with feelings of worthlessness. (For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7)
  25. In life we are to create, to laugh, and to live life nobly, not to despair, to moan, or to live a life less. (And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. Ecclesiastes [5:19])

nothing-in-life-is-to-be-feared-it-is-only-to-be-understood-now-is-the-time-to-understand-more-so-that-we-may-fear-less

Today we took a leisurely hike along the Proverb Trail for Abundant Living.  I would encourage you to review them, along with the connected verses. Ponder these nuggets and allow them to permeate your mind, and you will be living a rich and satisfying life. As you have the opportunity, please encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy as we look the “Should of, Would of, Could of trail” in The Tyranny of the Should.

That will finish our podcast for today. Remember to listen to your daily dose of wisdom each day. Please share Wisdom-Trek with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person so they can come along with us each day.

If you would like to be added to our weekly email update for Wisdom-Trek, just text the word “Wisdom” to 44222 on your phone, and you will receive a message asking for your email address. It is very quick and easy to do.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this Trek together, let us always:

  1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
  2. Love Unconditionally
  3. Listen Intentionally
  4. Learn Continuously
  5. Lend to others Generously
  6. Lead with Integrity
  7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!