Day 111 – Have You Taken Your Medicine Today?

September 19, 2015 by H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III 1 Comment

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 111 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

Have You Taken Your Medicine Today?

Thank you for joining us for our 7 day a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 111 of our Trek. Yesterday we learned the 10 steps for taming your anger. If you missed these crucial tips, please listen to Day 110. Today I have a question for you. Have you taken your medicine today?

In celebration of our 100^th day of our Wisdom-Trek, please check out Wisdom-Trek.com and sign up for our drawing for a free Wisdom-Trek t-shirt that will take place on October 5^th. We are giving away 7 Wisdom-Trek t-shirts.

We are recording our podcast from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Last night we went over to our daughter Janet and her husband Rowan’s home for dinner. Like us, they are always conscious and make sure that they eat healthy and wholesome foods. We had salmon, black rice, black beans, and cooked cabbage with apples in it. The meal was delicious, and we had a great time visiting.

Janet also suggested a couple of changes with the Wisdom-Trek podcast, which we will be implementing. I realize that up to this point, the daily episodes have been fairly scripted, so we will experiment on future days to be a bit more natural and conversational. If you have any feedback on our podcast, we always look forward to your comments.

Today was a bit off schedule for work since Paula had some major dental work completed by our daughter Chelimo (Buddy’s wife). Paula is preparing to have a replacement tooth mounted in the next couple of months. Since we were not sure how the surgery would impact her, I went along to drive back afterwards. She will be on some strong medicine for a few days as the surgery heals. Our grandson Kip was out of school today, so we also stopped by to visit him some afterwards. It was a busy but enjoyable day.

While I am not a huge advocate for being on medicine long term if it can be avoided, there are three types of medicine that are listed in the Bible that I believe we should take daily and in abundance because we can never overdose on them.

There are three types of medicine that we should take in abundance – laughter, joy, kindness.

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Medicines are supposed to treat ailments. They are supposed to make us feel better. Medicine is supposed to return us to health so that we can enjoy life more fully.

1. Laughter is the best medicine.

Psalms 126:2, “We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”

As we grow into adulthood, we soon forget to take our daily dose of laughter medicine. Studies have shown babies and children laugh hundreds of times a day. Adults, on the other hand, often barely make it to double digits. Even joyful people can feel weighed down by the pressures and heartaches of life.

But Jesus tells us, “So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven,” Matthew 18:4.

Maybe it’s time to turn your troubles over to God and become more like a child—full of joy and laughter. We need to take time and make time to laugh. As Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 4 remind us,

“For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.”

“A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.”

If you’ve been on this planet for more than a few years, you know life isn’t one big laugh. It’s filled with difficult trials. Even so, the Bible declares there is “a time to laugh.” Some ways to incorporate more laughter into your life include talking to a friend with a good sense of humor, retelling a funny story from the past, or playing a practical joke on a good friend or family member. Need another idea? Spending time around children or pets is a surefire way to ramp up the laughter.

Be sure to check out the next two days of Wisdom-Trek to learn the health benefits of laughter.

2. A cheerful heart is good medicine.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength,” Proverbs [17:22].

A cheerful heart is also a joyful heart, or a heart full of joy. Don’t keep joy to yourself. Share the “good medicine” of a joyful heart with others. Have you brought joy or laughter to someone today? If not, think of a way you can make one person laugh. It’ll bring joy to both of your hearts.

There are over 300 verses in the Bible that refer to joy, joyful, or other related words. A joyful person is one who is also full of integrity.

“Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord,” Psalms 119:1.

We should make it a practice to be joyful and help others to be full of joy just as God makes us joyful.

“You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!” Psalms [30:11]-12.

There are some issues in life that are serious and difficult to deal with, but let us not take ourselves too seriously. I’m suggesting that we become more lighthearted, relishing life more as our confidence in the sovereign Lord grows. After all, He gave us humor to enjoy and genuine smiles to share when we take pleasure in His gift.

Let’s lighten up rather than surrender to intensity and worry. A truly cheerful face radiates from a relaxed, joyful heart.

A few things in life are absolutely tragic, no question about it. But a joyless Christian, that’s ridiculous! Like laughter, joy is contagious.

In Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi Chapter 4 verse 4, he encourages, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again — rejoice!”

3. Kindness, like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

The third medicine that we should consume and share with others each day is a very healthy dose of kindness.

Proverbs 16:24, “Kind words are like honey — sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”

Stanford University reveals a growing body of scientific evidence that indicates kindness holds the power to heal. We now know that this often overlooked, virtually cost-free remedy has a statistically significant impact on our physical health. For example, the positive effect of kindness is even greater than that of taking aspirin to reduce the risk of a heart attack or the influence of smoking on mortality. And, it doesn’t even require a trip to the pharmacy.

Scientific research now shows that kindness has the following side effects:

faster healing of wounds,
reduced pain,
reduced anxiety,
reduced blood pressure,
and shorter hospital stays.

Are you taking the medicine of laughter, joy, and kindness each day? If you do, you may be able to discontinue other medicines that do not have nearly the positive effect. Bring these three medicines with you tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Tomorrow we will see that laughter really is one of the best medicines available.

That will finish our podcast for today. If you missed any of our previous podcasts, please check out Wisdom-Trek on iTunes, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spreaker, YouTube, or Wisdom-Trek.com.

If you enjoy our daily doses of wisdom, I encourage you to take the time to invest yourself.

Invest in improving Wisdom-Trek by leaving your name, email address, and comment on our website, so we can provide you with wisdom and insights that best fit your needs.
Invest in yourself by listening to our 7 minutes of wisdom each day.
Invest in the lives of others by encouraging your family and friends to journey with us on our Wisdom-Trek.

Thank you!

The journal from this podcast can be found at Wisdom-Trek.com, where we also have pictures, tweetable quotes, wisdom nuggets, and free resources.

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:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

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

Day 110 – Taming Your Anger

September 18, 2015 by H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III 1 Comment

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 110 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

Taming Your Anger

Thank you for joining us for our 7 day a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 110 of our Trek, and yesterday we learned how to prevent our lives from becoming like garbage trucks. Today we will build on that topic and learn the 10 steps for taming your anger.

We are recording our podcast from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Last night we had my sister Rebecca over for our monthly get-together as we enjoyed eating a meal, talking about life, and looking through some more old pictures when we were both very young. It is great to be able to spend the time together and remember some of our past. While I am not one for living in or wishing for the past, it is good to reflect, enjoy, and learn from our past so that we can live with more significance and have a greater impact on our world.

These times of relaxing and reflection are good for everyone. Getting out in nature and going for a hike is also an excellent opportunity to relax and have meaningful conversations about life and how we deal with the pressures and issues of life.

As we break camp and head out onto the trail, the subject of anger control comes up. All of us deal with anger in our lives and the lives of others. It is an issue that we need to prepare our minds for in advance, so that we know how to handle anger issues when they are directly impacting our lives. Yesterday we talked about how to handle the situation when someone dumps their garbage or anger on us. Do you internalize it? Do you take it and and then dump it onto someone else? Or, have you made your life a “no garbage zone?”

As a Christ follower, I attempt to allow God’s Spirit to control my actions, but even if I endeavor not to accept or allow garbage in my life, I am human and have weaknesses. And, so do you. You will find at times that garbage will seep into your world and keeping your temper in check can be challenging.

Do you fume when someone cuts you off in traffic? Does your blood pressure rocket when your child refuses to cooperate? Anger is a normal and even healthy emotion, but it’s important to deal with and control it in a positive way. Uncontrolled anger can take a toll on both your health and your relationships.

If you are ready to take responsibility for controlling the anger in your life when it occurs, then following these 10 anger management tips will be useful.

1. Think before you speak.

In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to say something you’ll later regret. Take a few moments to collect your thoughts before saying anything, and allow others involved in the situation to do the same.

Proverbs 17:27, “A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.”

2. Once you’re calm, express your anger.

As soon as you’re thinking clearly, express your frustration in a confident but non-confrontational way. State your concerns and needs clearly and directly without hurting others or trying to control them.

Proverbs 25:15, “Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.”

3. Get some exercise.

Physical activity can help reduce stress that can cause you to become angry. If you feel your anger escalating, go for a brisk walk or run or spend some time doing other enjoyable physical activities.

Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

4. Take a timeout.

Timeouts aren’t just for kids. Give yourself short breaks during times of the day that tend to be stressful. A few moments of quiet time might help you feel better prepared to handle what’s ahead without getting irritated or angry.

Matthew 14:23, “After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.”

5. Identify possible solutions.

Instead of focusing on what made you mad, work on resolving the issue at hand. Does your child’s messy room drive you crazy? Close the door. Is your spouse late for dinner every night? Schedule meals later in the evening, or agree to eat on your own a few times a week. Remind yourself that anger won’t fix anything and might only make it worse.

Psalms 4:4, “Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.”

6. Stick with “I” statements.

To avoid criticizing or placing blame, which might only increase tension, use “I” statements to describe the problem. Be respectful and specific. For example, say, “I’m upset that you left the table without offering to help with the dishes,” instead of, “You never do any housework.”

1 Peter 4:8, “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”

7. Don’t hold a grudge.

Forgiveness is a powerful tool. If you allow anger and other negative feelings to crowd out positive feelings, you might find yourself swallowed up by your own bitterness or sense of injustice. But if you can forgive someone who angered you, you might both learn from the situation. It’s unrealistic to expect everyone to behave exactly as you want at all times.

Ephesians 4:26-27, “And ‘don’t sin by letting anger control you.’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.”

8. Use humor to release tension.

Lightening up can help diffuse tension. Use humor to help you face what’s making you angry and any unrealistic expectations you have for how things should go. Avoid sarcasm, though. It can hurt feelings and make things worse.

Proverbs 15:23, “Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!”

9. Practice relaxation skills.

When your temper flares, put relaxation skills to work. Practice praying, meditating, deep-breathing, imagining a relaxing scene, or repeating a calming word or phrase, such as, “Take it easy.” You might also listen to music, write in a journal, or do a few yoga poses. Do whatever it takes to encourage relaxation.

Psalms 145:5, “I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.”

10. Know when to seek help.

Learning to control anger is a challenge for everyone at times. Consider seeking help for anger issues if your anger seems out of control, causes you to do things you regret, or hurts those around you.

1 Chronicles 16:11, “Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.”

Apply these 10 tips to your life, and gradually you will be able to tame your anger. Please join us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy, and we will ask “Are you taking your medicine?”.

That will finish our podcast for today. If you missed any of our previous podcasts, please check out Wisdom-Trek on iTunes, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spreaker, YouTube, or Wisdom-Trek.com.

If you enjoy our daily dose of wisdom, I encourage you to take the time to invest yourself.

Invest in improving Wisdom-Trek by leaving your name, email address, and a comment on our website, so we can provide you with wisdom and insights that best fit your needs.
Invest in yourself by listening to our 7 minutes of wisdom each day.
Invest in the lives of others by encouraging your family and friends to journey with us on our Wisdom-Trek.

Thank you!

The journal from this podcast can be found at Wisdom-Trek.com, where we also have pictures, tweetable quotes, wisdom nuggets, and free resources.

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:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

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

Day 109 – Life is Like a Garbage Truck

September 17, 2015 by H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III 1 Comment

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 109 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

Life is Like a Garbage Truck

Thank you for joining us for our 7 day a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 109 of our Trek, and yesterday we came to understand that our life is like flying in a jet. If the plane loses cabin pressure, we must put on our masks first, so that we can then assist others. It is the same in all areas of life. We need to take care of ourselves, so that we will have the ability to assist others. Today we want to learn how to prevent our lives from becoming like a garbage truck.

old garbage truck — Collecting garbage is as old as humans.

In celebration of our 100^th day of our Wisdom-Trek, please check out Wisdom-Trek.com and sign up for our drawing for a free Wisdom-Trek t-shirt that will take place on October 5^th.

We are recording our podcast from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is amazing how quickly the hours rush by each day. I realize that we are making progress on the various projects that we are working on, but there never seems to be enough hours in the day. That is how life’s trek is. We slowly and deliberately continue climbing toward the summit one small step at a time. We know that if we continue to follow the trail each day, we will reach the destination eventually. What is slowing you down today?

As we head out of camp today, we notice that the garbage bins are overflowing onto the ground, and there is garbage strewn all around. We comment to each other that we sure hope that the garbage truck picks it up soon. What a mess it is! We then think about the purpose of a garbage truck, which is to pick up other people’s smelly and gross garbage and take it somewhere else and dump it. This reminds me of a story of how, if we are not careful, our lives can become like a garbage truck.

garbage-truck — Life is like a garbage truck.

This true story was experienced by David Pollay on a business trip to New York City, and it goes like this.

“I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, the car skidded, the tires squealed, and at the very last moment our car stopped just one inch from the other car’s back-end.

I couldn’t believe it. But then I couldn’t believe what happened next. The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us. How do I know? Ask any New Yorker, some words in New York come with a special face. And he even threw in a one finger salute! I couldn’t believe it!

But then here’s what really blew me away. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was friendly. So, I said, ‘Why did you just do that!? This guy could have killed us!’ And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, “The Law of the Garbage Truck®.” He said:

‘Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they look for a place to dump it. And if you let them, they’ll dump it on you. So when someone wants to dump on you, don’t take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Believe me. You’ll be happier.’”

This story should cause you to reflect. How often do you let other people’s garbage trucks dump their trash on you, and then how often do you transfer their garbage and spread it to other people – at work, at home, on the streets? We should not do this; however, that’s easier said than done. When we overreact to people who “dump their garbage” on us, we need to realize that what the other person does is his or her problem, but to the degree that we overreact is our problem. To react in a Christ-like manner, it is imperative that we resolve our “garbage.” If we don’t, we will be forever allowing others to control our moods and trigger our unresolved problems.

After teaching the beatitudes, in the 5^th chapter of Matthews’s book of good news, Jesus covered several other areas of teachings, one of which was how we should treat those who have mistreated us.

Matthew 5:43-48, “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

How often do you let other people’s garbage pollute you and change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? The mark of a successful (wise and mature) person is how quickly he/she can get back his/her focus on what’s important.

F130804DB02 — Don’t spread other peoples garbage.

The best leaders know that they have to be ready for their next meeting. The best sales people know that they have to be ready for their next client. And, the best parents know that they have to be ready to greet their children with hugs and kisses, no matter how many garbage trucks they might have faced that day. All of us know that we have to be fully present, and at our best for the people we care about.

The bottom line is that successful people do not allow their lives to become garbage trucks. What about you? What would happen in your life starting today if you let more garbage trucks pass you by?

The author of the story above, David Pollay, came up with this.

The No Garbage Truck Pledge

“I do not accept garbage in my life.

When I see garbage trucks,

I do not take them personally.

I just smile, I wave,

I wish them well. And I move on.

I do not spread garbage to others, I am not a garbage truck!

I do not accept garbage in my life.”

It is so important that we not allow our lives to be like garbage trucks, but instead we need to free our minds, control our anger, and move on. As we move on, please join us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Tomorrow we will learn how to tame your anger.

That will finish our podcast for today. If you missed any of our previous podcasts, please check out Wisdom-Trek on iTunes, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spreaker, YouTube, or Wisdom-Trek.com.

If you enjoy our daily doses of wisdom, I encourage each of you to take the time to invest yourself.

Invest in improving Wisdom-Trek by leaving your name, email address, and comment on our website, so we can provide you with wisdom and insights that best fit your needs.
Invest in yourself by listening to our 7 minutes of wisdom each day.
Invest in the lives of others by encouraging your family and friends in person and online to journey with us on our Wisdom-Trek.

Thank you!

The journal from this podcast can be found at Wisdom-Trek.com, where we also have pictures, tweetable quotes, wisdom nuggets, and free resources.

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:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

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

Day 108 – Life is Like Flying in a Jet

September 16, 2015 by H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III 1 Comment

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 108 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

Life is Like Flying in a Jet

Thank you for joining us for our 7 day a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 108 of our Trek. Yesterday we learned howlife is like a bell and regardless of what type of bell we are, we need to serve that purpose faithfully and always ring true because we can never unring a bell. Today we want to see how life is like flying in a jet.

2132918259_f4cfcc9cbf_o1 — Life is Like Flying in a Jet

In celebration of our 100^th day of our Wisdom-Trek, please check out Wisdom-Trek.com and sign up for our drawing for a free Wisdom-Trek t-shirt that will take place on October 5^th.

We are recording our podcast from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. We are working hard to stay focused on some deadlines for our client work during the day as our evenings and weekend are filling up this week. We are having beautiful weather in the Charlotte area this week with sunshine and temperatures around 80°.

With this beautiful weather, it is a great day to continue on our Trek. As we enjoy our time in nature feeling the warm breeze, watching the rustling of the trees and grass, and hearing the birds sing their melodies, we stare up into the cloudless blue sky and stand in awe of God’s creation. As we continue looking into the sky, we notice the faint lines left by the jets as they pass through the air 35,000 feet above us going nearly 600 miles per hour. Some of the modern inventions, such as the jets that pass overhead, are truly miracles.

As Paula and I are planning a trip to Arizona next month to visit the construction project that we are involved in, I have been thinking about flying again. During a three year time period, when I worked with a national consulting firm, I traveled every week, so I spent a lot of time on planes. I really enjoy flying, both commercially and privately, and understand the importance of safety and the checklist as part of that process.

One of the seemingly unusual instructions that we are given before taking off is “If cabin pressure should change, panels above your seat will open revealing oxygen masks; reach up and pull a mask towards you. Place it over your nose and mouth and secure it with the elastic band that can be adjusted to ensure a snug fit. The plastic bag will not fully inflate although oxygen is flowing. Secure your own mask first before helping others.”

From an emotional standpoint, especially as a parent, your initial reaction would be to assist your children with putting their masks on first before you would put your own on. Is it not selfish of us to think of ourselves first?

Growing up in church, we were taught the children’s song Jesus and Others and You. What a wonderful way to spell JOY! And, while I understand that this was supposed to teach us to think of others first and not to be selfish, the song does lack some fundamental logic.

The logical conclusion in the flying scenario is if you do not take care of yourself first by making sure your mask is on and that you can breathe, you may be unable to assist anyone else to stay alive.

I remember 30 years ago before this became a popular analogy with public speakers, Paula mentioned how this statement is what we should practice in our lives. If we do not take care of ourselves in all areas of life, we will not be able to assist others properly.

Both Paula and I have a heart to help people, but there have been times when we have given more time, resources, and money than was probably logical. And, it has impacted us in a negative manner.

In today’s busy world, the first thing that we seem to neglect is ourselves. There’s only so much time in the day and most times, taking care of exterior responsibilities are more important that taking care of our inner selves. We need to take advantage of the biggest untapped opportunities of life just waiting for us to pause, connect, and listen.

It has been told that Mother Teresa took 4 hours each morning to reconnect before she took a step into the world, and Pope John Paul took 3 1/2 hours of quiet time each morning. Yet most people bounce out of bed, hop in the shower, and think they are ready to tackle the world unarmed, disconnected, and ill-equipped.

The secret is to put your own oxygen mask on first before you try to help someone else. Just as in flying, you can’t help someone else if you’re not ready yourself. If you don’t take care of YOU first, you’ll have less to share with the world. Taking time for you isn’t selfish. It’s the best thing you can do for yourself and for others. If you don’t take care of yourself, you can experience burnout, stress, fatigue, reduced mental effectiveness, health problems, anxiety, frustration, inability to sleep, and even death. Are you experiencing any of these symptoms?

Whether it’s meditation, prayer, reading something inspirational, or going for a walk in nature, go put your own oxygen mask on first and then step forward to help others. You will find things lining up for you with such grace and ease in a way that you couldn’t have planned if you’d tried. It seems backwards that by spending time on ourselves, we actually have more time later, but that’s just how it works. Both Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul did it for a reason, and it certainly wasn’t because they were selfish or lazy.

If you don’t feel you can afford time for yourself, understand that even Jesus, after pouring himself into others, took many opportunities to unplug and get away in solitude and pray. I think it would do us well to follow His example more often.

Luke 5:16 tells us, “But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.” In Mark 1:35, we read, “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” Jesus understood where real strength lies.

Jesus understood where real strength lies.

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One practice that I have implemented throughout my adult life is to get up before others in the house to exercise, pray, and read/listen to devotional materials and inspiring stories. This helps to set the tone for my entire day.

Here are some practical tips for today’s Trek. It’s time to let go of the guilt and the excuses, and put your oxygen mask on first by:

Getting enough rest
Exercising regularly
Going for long walks outdoors
Eating right – fresh, whole foods that you prepare at home, stay away from processed food and sugars
Having regular physicals
Going to the doctor when you need treatment
Spending time every day on a renewal activity
- Praying and meditating
- Sitting quietly at least 10 minutes
- Listening to uplifting music
- Reading an inspiring book
- Writing in your journal
- Writing a list of what you are grateful for
Cutting down your stress with laughter
- Reading comics and joke books
- Buying a joke of the day calendar
- Watching a funny T.V. show or movie and allowing yourself a good belly laugh without feeling guilty for taking some time to chill out

Now that you understand why you must put your own oxygen mask on first and then step forward to help others, you will be better prepared for each day’s trek. Join us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy, and we will learn why life is like a garbage truck.

That will finish our podcast for today. If you missed any of our previous podcasts, please check out Wisdom-Trek on iTunes, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spreaker, YouTube, or Wisdom-Trek.com.

If you enjoy our daily doses of wisdom, I encourage you to take the time to invest yourself.

Invest in improving Wisdom-Trek by leaving your name, email address, and a comment on our website, so we can provide you with wisdom and insights that best fit your needs.
Invest in yourself by listening to our 7 minutes of wisdom each day.
Invest in the lives of others by encouraging your family and friends to journey with us on our Wisdom-Trek.

Thank you!

The journal from this podcast can be found at Wisdom-Trek.com, where we also have pictures, tweetable quotes, wisdom nuggets, and free resources.

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:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

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

Day 107 – Life is Like a Bell

September 15, 2015 by H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III 1 Comment

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 107 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

Life is Like a Bell

Thank you for joining us for our 7 day a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 107 of our Trek. Yesterday you discovered that you are the leading character, or star, in the story of your life. You learned that if your life is like a movie, then you need to make it a great one – for you and your supporting characters, and it should be filled with the scenes that matter most. Today we want to determine how our life is like a bell.

Handbells_Whitechapel — Life is Like a Bell

In celebration of our 100^th day of our Wisdom-Trek, please check out Wisdom-Trek.com and sign up for our drawing for a free Wisdom-Trek t-shirt drawing that will take place on October 5^th.

We are recording our podcast from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. We are getting focused on the client work that we need to accomplish this week. The first day after traveling is usually a bit of an adjustment, but we are making good progress catching up on some work details that were somewhat behind schedule. It will take us a couple of more days, though.

It is now time to break camp and head out on our Trek for today. We are making good progress over summits and through the valleys, past the meadows and the rivers. As we crest a hill, we hear from deep within the valley the distinct ringing of a church bell calling out to the people of the village that it is time to come, worship, and fellowship together. In today’s hectic and fast-paced world, we reflect fondly on a simpler time when we took the time to come together as a like-minded community.

Anglesey, Llanfihangel Tre'r Beirdd Church - Bell Tower and Carved Faces — Church Bell

Just like people, there are different kinds of bells. Church bells ring melodious while the trolley goes clang, clang, clang. There are cow bells, sleigh bells, schools bells, dinner bells, door bells,and hand bells. Probably one of the most famous bells is the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia.

Bells have been an important part of my life. Growing up on the farm, we had a big train bell mounted on the back of the house which we could hear just about anywhere over the entire 100 acres. Mom would call us in from the orchard, the valley, or the lake for dinner or other important matters.

At The Big House, we have a large train bell mounted outside the back door that my granny always rang loud and long when company was leaving after an extended stay as she waved and shouted good bye. We still use it for that purpose today.

When our kids are were still living at home, Paula had a different type of bell for each of the three floor – cow bell for the attic, a small dinner bell for the 2^nd floor, and an electronic bell for the first floor. The kids always knew which floor to come to based on the bell used. It sure saved a lot of shouting to round up the children.

This also reminds me that our lives are like a bell. Each bell was designed for a specific purpose. It can ring loud or soft, fast or slow, but it should always ring true based on the type of bell. One truth that is undeniable, though, is that you can never unring a bell.

The expression “You can’t unring the bell” has been frequently used in courts of law. Once an attorney makes a statement or presents evidence, jurors can’t “unring the bell” and unhear what they heard or unsee what they saw. If the statement or evidence is later found to have been inadmissible, it could be grounds for a mistrial. “Unring a bell” has been cited in many legal decisions.

Politicians also know that they can’t “unring a bell” — statements and actions can’t be erased from the public’s mind. There are many idioms similar to “unring a bell,” such as “You can’t unscramble eggs” and “You can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube.”

This is why it is so important that we always engage our brain, before we engage our mouth. Once a word is spoken, it cannot be unspoken. As Proverbs 15:28 says, “The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.”

Once a word is spoken, it cannot be unspoken.

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And also in Proverbs 10:11, we read, “The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.”

The old axiom “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me” is just not true. Words can wound deeply, so be very careful of what you say and how you say it. Some people remember much longer than others, and when we are wounded, it is hard to forgive and forget, especially if it is an on-going practice by the offender.

The book of Proverbs has so many verses about how we should and should not speak. The words that hurt the most are those that come from ones we love who should also love us.

Proverbs 11:9, “With their words, the godless destroy their friends…”

Proverbs 15:1 , “Harsh words make tempers flare.”

Proverbs 15:4 , “…the deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”

Encouraging words, on the other hand, can be a life giving force.

Proverbs 16:24, “Kind words are like honey — sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”

Proverbs 18:20, “Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.”

Ephesians 4:29, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”

If you find yourself wishing that you could “unring the bell,” consider how much time you spend talking, for it says in Proverbs 10:19, “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.”

Remember that a closed mouth gathers no foot.

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While I am not a proponent of living in the past at all, the past should be a teaching tool for us. No, you can’t unring a bell, but the next time you “ring the bell,” make sure that its purpose is to help, encourage, and build others up.

If you find yourself the recipient of someone else’s thoughtless or cruel words, make sure that your bell continues to ring true. We are encouraged in the 1^st letter that the Apostle Peter wrote in Chapter 3 verses 9-11,

“Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say,

‘If you want to enjoy life
and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies.
Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.’”

Regardless of what type of bell you are, serve that purpose faithfully and always ring true because you can never unring a bell.

You can never unring a bell.

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Now that you understand how life is like a bell, ring true each day on your trek of life. You have a purpose no one else can fill. Join us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy, and we will learn why life is like flying in a jet.

That will finish our podcast for today. If you missed any of our previous podcasts, please check out Wisdom-Trek on iTunes, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spreaker, YouTube, or Wisdom-Trek.com.

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Invest in improving Wisdom-Trek by leaving your name, email address, and a comment on our website, so we can provide you with wisdom and insights that best fit your needs.
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Thank you!

The journal from this podcast can be found at Wisdom-Trek.com, where we also have pictures, tweetable quotes, wisdom nuggets, and free resources.

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:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

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

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