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Life Is Like a Storm

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On our trek today, we will hike on the Stormy Trail as we see that in every life a little or a lot of rain will fall. Some of it may even be in the middle of very heavy storms.

The day starts with the glory of the warming sunrise in the east as the mists of the night are slowly thrown back to their own beginnings. The silent warmth of the sun seeps slowly through the window as the birds are bouncing from branch to branch while high in the sky is seen the majestic eagle gliding smoothly on the updrafts created by the warming earth.

Does each day start with sunshine penetrating the deep of the night? And does your heart warm to the sights and sounds of nature around you? Does this sound too good to be true?

If your life is constantly full of sunshine where each day is transformed into beauty and each worldly gift is yours to use, then you are one of a few. To the rest of us, an idyllic world only exists in our fantasies. This is not to say, however, that we might not experience a day of warmth, sunshine, and beauty. It is only to say that within each life, rain must fall and this rain is, in reality, the pain, sorrow, disappointment, difficulties, and struggle of the true road of life.

“There are two ways of meeting difficulties: you alter the difficulties or you alter yourself to meet them,” Phyllis Bottome.

Not too many years ago, I happened to meet a businessman who had started with nothing and was able to build a small fortune. It seemed that everything he touched turned to gold. It wasn’t really a gold-laden path he chose. It was more that he chose his ventures well and put in tremendous effort. He had a good life by most people’s standards; he also had a wonderful family and his son and daughter were the “apples” of his life. The children were blessed with a loving family, everything they needed, and were both moving along into fantastic careers of their own.

If you were to view the household from the viewpoint of a stranger looking in, their total life couldn’t have been better. But, within each life, there are struggles or turmoil unseen. In his case, while all appeared well, there was a looming family problem with his daughter. His daughter met a very controlling man who constantly mentally influenced her to the point she didn’t want anything to do with her family at all. She had moved in with him and the distance between her family grew further and further apart.

Her father became more and more frustrated and hurt at the same time. He had tried to reconnect with her to no avail. He was at a complete loss of what to do to try and get his daughter to even speak to him. His life was slowly falling apart. It no longer mattered to him about his career, his business, and his ability to be able to make things better. Into each life, rain must fall.

As months passed, his world was crumbling – his mind totally focused on his daughter. What was once a home filled with warmth and sunshine became one of total depression, moodiness, and darkness.

The sad situation continued for over a year. But, out of the blue one Saturday morning, the front door opened. There she was, standing alone with her suitcase in her hand. He had heard the door open and went to see who was there. As he turned the corner from the kitchen, he stopped and saw it was his daughter with her suitcase. Without a word, he approached her and hugged her as she welcomed her father into her arms. As he told me later, they didn’t speak a word for many minutes as they continued their warm embrace.

To this day, he is not sure exactly what happened with her relationship. She never spoke much about why she left only to say she slowly realized that she was more of a person than one given to the absolute control of another. She realized that her real life was more about how she had been raised not what someone else dictated to her.

Not every situation in life is reversed, as was this situation. But, if you are a parent, hope never dies. Life has its own way of throwing rain on us, but even rain stops. The real secret to life is to understand that we all must face and deal with rain. There is no protection; there is no stopping life from dealing a hand, even a hand we do not want. Even so, keep your head above water. Keep to your core beliefs. Keep looking for the sun because it is there.

In a way, this story reminds me of the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15 in which the son had come to his senses and returned home after squandering all his money. The father had the right to be very upset, but instead, he said in verses 23 and 24, “And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found. So the party began.”

I would recommend that you read the entire story. It is a fascinating one. The son’s value was never diminished, and after the rainy storm, the sun (and son) returned.

Today we looked at how life is like a storm and that a little rain must fall into every life. For some of us that does come in the form of violent storms, but the sun will always shine even after the worst storms. God always sees us as valuable. The lessons that we can learn from each other are also valuable, so encourage your friends and family to join us each day on our Wisdom-Trek Podcast.

Life Is Like Money

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On our trek today, we will hike on the Money Trail as we explore that the value of life is not diminished regardless of its condition.

Do you wonder what life is like money relates to? It is not about having a significant amount of money, and it isn’t about having a great big bank account so you can do whatever you want.

Value Beyond Crumpled And Wrinkled

Instead, life is like money because, barring destroying it with fire, it always has value, no matter how crumpled it is, how used it is, or if it is stained with coffee or magic marker or crayons used by a child thinking it is something to draw on.

Life is something like money in that you still have value no matter how many times you have been downtrodden or how often you have failed in your attempts to excel at a certain sport or how many times you have failed to succeed in starting a successful business.

Who You Are Matters More

The bright spot here is that your value does not come from what you have or what you own or how many homes you have around the world or any of these materialistic things. Your value is who you are not what you have.

Value Behind Bars

Even if someone is in prison for committing crimes against humanity, it does not lessen his or her value at all. To me, it doesn’t matter what criminal activity brings a person to prison. Instead, it is more about the value of the person within.

For a lot of prisoners, even when they are released, they wear the stigma of being a convict for the rest of their lives because they saw no value in themselves.

Failure Does Not Diminish Value

Many people who have failed often devalue themselves thinking that their failure demonstrated that they should never think of having more than they have had in the past.

Unfortunately, these types of people do not learn the most valuable lesson there is and that is failures are your best teacher.

The point is to learn from mistakes, take out what was done right, and then incorporate that planning and thinking into the next business or life event. I remember the story of a guy who started a small pre-cooked meal business hoping to move away from his current job that he loathed.

When this business did not produce the results he wanted, he just plain and simply gave up trying or even thinking of another business he could start that would move him to where he wanted to be. Would you say that this person devalued their ability to succeed?

Real Value Established Through Living to the Fullest

The value is in the person; the value is in the quest to move beyond that which comes easy; the value is who you are through hard times, and the value is also who you become when you surpass your own expectations. Do you want to be more like money?

Even if you are still unconvinced of your value after this, realize that in God’s sight you are more valuable than any other part of creation. Luke 12:6-7 tells us, “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them.  And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

And Luke 12:23-25 tells us, “For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” 

Today we looked at how life is like money and when we realize that our lives are valuable regardless of who we are or what we have accomplished, we will become valuable. God always sees us as valuable. The lessons that we can learn from each other are also valuable, so encourage your friends and family to join us each day on our Wisdom-Trek Podcast.

Life Is Like a Triangle

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On our trek today, we will discover three bits of wisdom that will help us to navigate through each day of life.

I like to spend time with and study older people whom I consider to be my wise mentors. My parents were wise in many areas of life, and my Granny and Gramps were considered wise as well. I also study Jim Rohn and Zig Ziglar to glean wisdom from them. All of these people faced challenges that we all face one way or the other. They have seen successes and many happy times throughout their lives, but they have also seen times of struggle and sorrow.

As I was preparing for today’s trek, I settled on three nuggets of wisdom to share. I consider them an important triangle of practical wisdom for everyday life. These nuggets have nothing to do with saving money or working hard, but these three important wisdom nuggets will provide the rich and satisfying life that we all seek to obtain.

What are they? Well, here is what I would like to share with you today…

1. Make each new day count by helping someone or just making someone smile.

Part of this personal philosophy is all about giving from within so that another person is happier for the fact that they spent time with you and know you. This strength to make someone happy comes from your own sense of confidence, well-being, and happiness. So, to help someone or make them smile, you must have a sense of giving to others, which in turn is given back to you through their thanks or through their simple smile back to you. Life is not about receiving at all times; it is a combination of being thankful for what you have as blessings and sharing those blessings with others who need a little fraction of what you have. Luke 6:31 reminds us to, “Do to others as you would like them to do to you.”

2. Don’t dwell on life’s troubles. Think of the good times.

Everybody has troubles in life. No one is immune. But, troubles are no different than the bad weather in that bad weather affects everyone but passes sooner or later. When there is bad weather, the best thing to overcome its doom and gloom is to remember all the good weather you have experienced in the past and recall all those fun and enjoyable things that you did to appreciate the beauty of the day. For example, a simple walk in the park watching and listening to all the sounds and sights or an enjoyable picnic by the side of a babbling brook where peace and tranquility surrounded you.

In Matthew 5:44-45 Jesus told us, “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.”

3. Don’t worry about things you can’t do anything about.

Worry is one of the most debilitating and useless of all emotions. Worry is not about the ability or the decision to control or to do something positive. It is all about a self-centered behavior that leads to nothing except to cause a person stress. When issues that you can do something about confront you, that is a totally different matter. If we have control over a situation, we should not worry but rather create a solution. But there are many things in life we have no control over and worry does nothing except cause stress and even illness.

One of the best Bible passages that Jesus taught about worry is Matthew 6:25-34, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

Today we looked at how life is like a triangle and if we practice these 3 simple precepts, we will live a rich and satisfying life. The lessons that we can learn from each other are valuable, so encourage your friends and family to join us each day on our Wisdom-Trek Podcast.

Life Is Like a Milk Bottle

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The focus of our Wisdom Note is a lesson gleaned from my childhood. My parents would always encourage each of us 10 kids to set goals and work hard to achieve them. They would tell us not to be a follower and not to set limits on what we could achieve. They truly believed that there were no limits and that you could achieve whatever you wanted.

This reminds me of the following story about a radish and a milk bottle. It’s a story that I have never forgotten.

A Farmer’s Lesson In Life

A farmer won the first prize at the country fair for his huge radish that was the exact shape and size of a quart milk bottle. Many were curious as to how the farmer was able to grow this radish that was the exact shape of a milk bottle.

Finally, one gentleman went up to the farmer and asked the question. The farmer replied, “It was easy. I got the seed growing and then I put it into the milk bottle. It had nowhere else to go.”

You can use this story as an analogy to life. Our lives are shaped by the kind of surroundings we place ourselves in, the people that we allow to influence us, and the goals we give ourselves.

These Are Key Ingredients

If we only dream and take no action, then we get no further. But if we plan, set a goal, and take action, then our life takes a different shape.

The important parts of goal setting go way beyond just writing down a goal statement and thinking that somehow your goal will be reached.

To write a goal is only a minor part of the way forward. The rest of the elements of how to reach that goal must also be stated clearly and with a definite time frame for each step.

This means that you must develop a detailed plan of action in which each action step is detailed on what you must do, when and how you must do it, and how much time it will take. If you do not make your plan detailed in this way and set specific target dates for completion, you will simply not be creating any expectation or urgency in your mind that helps keep you moving.

But what about the bumps along the path? Sometimes, even when you are following your action plan, you will run into a snag. Snags are not uncommon, and you should realize this before you even get started.

These snags, though, should be viewed only as little inconveniences; these inconveniences are meant for you to resolve and move forward again.

These little problems are those that most people cannot overcome because they simply quit, using the excuse that their goal was never meant to be.

Show that you are different. Show that you have the dedication and resolve to keep going, and you will demonstrate to yourself and everyone around you that you are dedicated to accomplishing that which you have set out in your goal statement.

Do Not Go It Alone

The fact that you know that there will always be minor roadblocks is a good reason to solicit the guidance and help of a mentor.

This mentor is a person who has a positive attitude, is very skilled at always looking and finding solutions to issues and problems, and is someone who has experienced similar issues along their way to accomplishing their goals.

I cannot stress finding the right mentor or mentors enough. I trust that I can fill the role as one of your mentors in life. If you ever have a need to discuss any issues with me directly, please email me at guthrie@venturecg.com, and I will get back with you on a timely basis.

Goals and actions can help us accomplish more in a year than what some people will accomplish in a lifetime. To prove this point, read the biographies of successful people, and you will see that goals and actions did, in fact, play a big role in their success.

In summary, don’t put yourself in a bottle. In other words, move out of what is comfortable and secure if you want to move forward. Also, don’t allow others to try and force you into their bottle. Instead, follow the encouraging words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Church in Rome in Chapter 12 verse 2, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

What Is Your Focus On?

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The focus of our Wisdom Notes this week is two short stories that will help us to make sure that we focus on what is important each day and not get distracted by the unimportant.

Our first story today is Life Is Like a Black Dot.

One day a professor entered his classroom and asked his students to prepare for a surprise test. They all waited anxiously at their desks for the exam to begin.

The professor handed out the exams with the text facing down as usual. Once he handed them all out, he asked the students to turn over the papers.

To everyone’s surprise, there were no questions – just a black dot in the center of the paper. The professor, seeing the expression on everyone’s faces, told them the following, “I want you to write about what you see there.” The students, confused, got started on the inexplicable task.

At the end of the class, the professor took all the exams and started reading each one of them out loud in front of all the students.

All of them, with no exception, defined the black dot, trying to explain its position in the center of the sheet. After all had been read, the classroom silent, the professor started to explain…

“I’m not going to grade you on this. I just wanted to give you something to think about. No one wrote about the white part of the paper. Everyone focused on the black dot, and the same thing happens in our lives. However, we insist on focusing only on the black dot – the health issues that bother us, the lack of money, the complicated relationship with a family member, the disappointment with a friend…The dark spots are very small when compared to everything we have in our lives, but they are the ones that pollute our minds. Take your eyes away from the black dots in your lives. Enjoy each one of your blessings, each moment that life gives you. Be happy and live a life filled with love!”

Ephesians 5:1-2, “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”

Philippians 4:8, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Our next story is Changing Our Vision.

There was a very wealthy man who was bothered by severe eye pain. He consulted many physicians and was being treated by several. He did not stop consulting a galaxy of medical experts. He consumed heavy loads of drugs and underwent hundreds of injections, but the ache persisted with more vigor than before.

At last, a monk who was supposed to be an expert in treating such patients was called for by the suffering man. The monk understood his problem and said that for some time he should concentrate only on green colors and not let his eyes fall on any other colors. It was a strange prescription, but he was desperate and decided to try it.

The millionaire got together a group of painters and purchased barrels of green paint and directed that every object upon which his eye was likely to fall be painted green just as the monk had directed. When the monk came to visit him after a few days, the millionaire’s servants ran with buckets of green paint and poured it on him since he was in a red dress, lest their master see any other color and his eye ache would come back.

Hearing this, the monk laughed and said, “If only you had purchased a pair of green spectacles, worth just a few dollars, you could have saved these walls and trees and pots and all other articles and also could have saved a large share of his fortune. You cannot paint the world green.”

Let us change our vision and the world will appear accordingly. It is foolish to shape the world. Let us shape ourselves first.

Today we looked at how life is like a black dot and the importance of changing our vision. The lessons that we can learn from each other are valuable, so encourage your friends and family to join us each day on our Wisdom-Trek Podcast.