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Creating a Legacy ™

Manifesting Motivation

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Motivation

Motivation and enthusiasm is manifested through your desire and interest and becomes a driving force that pushes you to take action and pursue goals. However, it often happens that you have the desire and interest, but you lack the motivation. This is a frustrating situation since you have goals and objectives that you would like to accomplish but cannot get enough inner strength and motivation to act.

Short spurts of enthusiasm or motivation are not enough to accomplish anything of value. You need to keep your desire and inner flame alive and focused on your goal. So what can you do about it?  Here are a few tips:

  • Devote 10 minutes a day to reading and thinking about the benefits of what you want to do or accomplish.
  • Every day read about people who achieved success by being consistent and persistent.
  • Every day, find a quiet place and for several minutes visualize yourself acting with enthusiasm and motivation.
  • Every success requires dedication, time, perseverance, and tenacity. Do not give up quickly.
  • Keep repeating affirmations that empower you and inflame your enthusiasm and motivation.
  • Never consider what you are doing as drudgery. Choose a mindset and attitude that you will enjoy the tasks at hand. If need be, tweak the process a little and make a few changes, and you can turn it into a pleasurable activity.
  • Once you decide about anything, go on with it, even after you lose enthusiasm and desire. Don’t give up even if what you are doing seems to be a burden and drudgery. Don’t give up even if you feel bored.
My hope is that as you listen to Wisdom-Trek that it motivates you to create and live your legacy each day.

Life Is Like a Bell

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Life

In our Wisdom Notes for today picture with me that we are heading out on our trail for another trek 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.

Just like people, there are different kinds of bells. Church bells ring melodious while the trolley goes clang, clang, clang. There are cowbells, sleigh bells, schools bells, dinner bells, doorbells, and handbells. Probably one of the most famous bells is the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. Paula and I had the privilege of visiting this past week as we were attending the Podcast Movement 2018 conference that was held 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 family and friends were leaving after an extended stay as she waved and shouted goodbye. We still use it for that purpose today.

When our kids were still living at home, Paula had a different type of bell for each of the three floors –cowbell for the attic, a small dinner bell for the 2nd 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 un-hear what they heard or un-see 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.”

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 ongoing 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.”

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 1st 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.” 

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.

11 Life Changing Lessons

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Life Lessons

In our Wisdom Notes this week, let us consider this thought: when we are hiking and in our daily lives, it is imperative that we enhance our power of observation. The more we increase our ability to observe, learn, and understand, the wiser we will become. This week we will expand on the trail of opportunity that we began last week and observe the 11-mile markers that will teach us some life-changing lessons. Once we have mastered these lessons, we will be able to more effectively impact the lives of others, which will allow us to create a living legacy that ripples through our world and through generations to come. I have gleaned these lessons from one of my virtual mentors, Zig Ziglar, who has impacted millions throughout the world.

“The more we increase our ability to observe, learn, and understand, the wiser we will become.”

The trail will be a little longer this week, but it is a beautiful time of year to take our Trek. Visualize in your mind as we meander down the trail, we are looking for the mile-markers that should be along the path. We must use our keen sense of observation otherwise we may miss the markers, which at times are hidden in the underbrush. In the same way, many important markers in our lives become hidden with all the stuff that we buy or the activities we do, and we miss very important lessons.

Finally, the first of 11 mile-markers comes into view.

Mile-Marker #1 – First, Help Others
“You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want.”

It’s possible to get ahead in life by taking advantage of other people. But it’s far better (and easier) to get ahead by understanding what people want and then helping them get it. Once you’ve gone out of your way to solve somebody’s problem, they’ll go out of their way to help you achieve your goals. The goal of every successful person is to help as many people as possible as much as possible. When you create something that’s of great value to many people, your life or business is assured of success.

Mile-Marker #2 – Success is Lived
“Success is in the doing, not the getting; in the trying, not the triumph.”

Seeing success as an end goal is one of the biggest misconceptions of success. Success is actually an ongoing journey, more about enjoying the trail than the destination. According to Zig, the most rewarding part of becoming a successful person is the actual becoming. He said, “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.”

Mile Marker #3 – Keep Moving
“Remember there is plenty of room at the top — but not enough to sit down.”To be a difference maker in this world, you must continue moving forward until the very end. A strong work ethic is a key to success. “Get rich quick” schemes will never work. “The elevator to success is broken, but the stairs to success are always available.”  Many people have negative associations with hard work. But just as climbing the stairs can be more satisfying than riding the elevator, the work of success doesn’t have to feel hard at all. Zig put it this way, “You don’t pay the price for success. You enjoy the price for success.” Proverbs 13:11 puts it this way, “Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.” 
Mile-Marker #4 – Actually, You Do Have Time
“Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days.”One excuse that I don’t have much patience for is “I don’t have enough time.” Every person that’s ever lived has had the same number of hours in a day, week, or year. The difference between people who achieve their ambitious goals and those who don’t is the ability to harness those hours purposefully and efficiently.Next time you feel like you don’t have enough time to do what you want to do, think about somebody you admire who’s accomplished that and more. If they could find the time, then so can you.  Learn to use your time wisely. As Zig said, “You can earn more money, but when time is spent it’s gone forever.”

Mile-Marker #5 – Make Motivation a Habit
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily.”Self-motivation needs to be part of your daily routine. No person or external force can motivate you. It must come from within. Learn and practice daily habits that will motivate you.Mile-Marker #6 – Find Good Everywhere
“The healthiest of all human emotions is gratitude.”

Zig has always emphasized the importance of your attitude (“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”). And, he’s called gratitude “the most important and by far the most life-changing attitude.”

No matter how bad you think your situation is, you can still be thankful for what you have – whether that’s your health, your family, or simply the fact that you’re alive on this amazing planet. Appreciating what you have can help set in motion events that will give you more to be thankful for…“The more you express gratitude for what you have the more you will have to express gratitude for.”

You can learn to love just about any situation in life if you remind yourself every morning and every night of everything that you do like about that situation, even small things.

Mile-Marker #7 – Over-Deliver
“When we do more than we are paid to do, eventually we will be paid more for what we do.” This is a principle that will eventually pay rewards.

“Over-deliver in all you do, and soon you will be rewarded for the extra effort.”

Mile-Marker #8 – Delay Gratification

With fast-food restaurants on every corner and high-speed Internet in the palm of our hands, we live in a world of instant gratification. But instant gratification disappears as quickly as it comes, and it often does little to advance your long-term goals. “The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want right now.” If you always succumb to immediate desires, then you’re always going to be living from one fleeting pleasure to the next. Instead, take action in the present based on what you want most in the long-term.

“Discipline yourself to do the things you need to do when you need to do them, and the day will come when you will be able to do the things you want to when you want do them!” “Learn to live a few years of your life like most people won’t, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t.” 

Mile-Marker #9 – Focus on Inward Change
“You are the only one who can use your ability. It is an awesome responsibility.”

If you have problems with other people realize that “You’re not going to change anybody else, so focus on what you need to change within yourself.”  People do what they want, whether you like it or not. Exerting your energy to try to force someone to do something they won’t or be something they aren’t is frustrating to both parties. With that said, people may choose to treat you differently when you behave differently. “When you choose to be pleasant and positive in the way you treat others, you have also chosen, in most cases, how you are going to be treated by others.” 

Mile-Marker #10 – Just Start
“People who won’t take step number one never take step number two.”

Sometimes beginning is the most difficult part of a task or project, especially when we get wrapped up thinking about all of the potential complexities and challenges. If you’ve been procrastinating on something important, commit to taking five minutes and completing the first step. You may be surprised how much more doable the project seems after you simply start it.

Mile-Marker #11 – Character is Everything
“Honesty and integrity are absolutely essential for success in life – all areas of life.”

You must be a person of values. Always conduct yourself with honesty and integrity because that is the right thing to do morally — but it is also a good life practice. “If people like you, they’ll listen to you. But if they trust you they’ll do business with you.”

You might benefit in the short-term by deceiving and short-changing people. But it’s a losing game in the end. Realize “You can get everything money will buy without a lick of character. But you can’t get any of the things money won’t buy: happiness, joy, peace of mind, and winning relationships. 

As we come to the end of the trail for this week, even if it has been a difficult day always remember that “Yesterday ended last night.  Today is a brand-new day and it’s yours.” In our Wisdom Notes next week we will consider, Life is like being a farmer.