In the last blog post, I talked about what Worldview is. I also explained why it is very important to have a consistent worldview across all areas of life. If your worldview cannot accommodate everything, then you can either rethink your entire existence, or you can assimilate new things into your current worldview, and modify those things that are necessary to change.
The second portion of this series is going to be focusing on Mindset. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Mindset as; A particular way of thinking; a person's attitude or set of opinions on something. Now going from this definition of what a mindset is, we can probably envision what that might look like. A lot people probably associate mindset with motivational pictures, and posts, and pump you up memes. While this is a good physical representation of a positive mindset, there is a whole lot more that goes into creating a mindset than just looking at positive things.
There are really two types of mindsets that you can accept/achieve. The first is a negative mindset, and the second is a positive mindset... Crazy right? Now, for me a positive mindset is a creative mindset, and always asks how can I? Everyone's mindset with be slightly different than anyone else's mindset, but you can still tell if it is a positive or negative mindset. A positive mindset will continue to grow, and develop, whereas a negative one will remain small, and the same. A positive mindset will strive to learn, and understanding continually more about the world around you, while a negative one will be closed to anything new, and stay ignorant of reality. some people think if abstract ideas, and jumbled thoughts that are smooth and easily understood by themselves, while others have very organized thoughts, and can simply and quickly solve problems, both are fine, and neither one or the other are wrong. My point in say that is everyone's mindset is going to vary, and just because your mindset doesn't match someone else's doesn't mean yours is inferior, or that theirs is.
Showing posts with label Lifetime. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lifetime. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Monday, April 18, 2016
What is Success?
Well, I guess I already asked the question... What. IS. SUCCESS?
Many would define success as winning, whether it is in sports or in a contest of some sort. While they are not wrong, there is a much deeper and richer definition to success. I asked a few people to give me a short definition of success.
"To achieve fulfillment in faith and self, and through that to inspire and challenge others."
"Success is being able to wake up each and everyday here in the USA. Living in the greatest country on earth, and knowing you with God's will control your destiny."
"Success is being able to glorify God while reaching a set goal."
"Find out what is important to you, setting goals to reach those things, and surrounding yourself with resources and people to get you there. Be determined, work hard, and arrive where you want to be."
One thing that you will notice with these definitions is that they vary... As does success in our lives. For some of us, success is getting out of bed to face another day even though we suffer from severe depression, for some, it is reaching a new personal record in fitness or in sports. however, for all of us, success is closely tied to self-improvement.
We hardly call it success when we've eaten 50 chicken nuggets by ourselves, sitting on the couch binge watching netflix, or falling into a mud puddle... We simply don't view such things as a success. Why? because they do not improve our current state of being. now, if you enjoy falling in mud puddles, then be my guest and contradict me, but for the vast majority that is not a success. here are three things to help you think through what success is.
1. Success is Personal
Success is not necessarily something that can be measured by anyone but yourself. Only you know, if you gave everything you had. If you are on a diet, only you know if you stuck to it. Only you know, if your heart was in it.
Don't try to set a standard for your success by someone else's standard. Given, in business there are cooperate, and financial standards for success, but when you are working on yourself, use the Bible as your standard, and push yourself to be the best version of you that you can be. This includes, spiritual, mental, and physical discipline.
2. Success is Contagious
Success can be contagious. If you are successful you will attract two types of people, those who are already successful and those who are hungry to be successful. You will find as you grow in your journey of personal development and success building that Success is not something that can be taught, it must be caught. YOU CANNOT TEACH SOMEONE TO BE SUCCESSFUL. why? well... look at number one. It is a personal decision to become someone who strives for success.
On a side note, if you are someone who is working hard to be successful, do not be so self-centered as not exclude others from that success. Help others become successful as well.
3. Success is Hard
There is nothing easy about success. You will be mocked for trying to excel. In our country, and culture being sub par is often the status quo. Anything different from the status quo will be difficult. that doesn't mean you should strive for it, it simply means, you must push that much harder to become successful. We have no place in this world for those who are happy to be nothing. Enough people have chosen that path already. Step up, and take your place among the legends of humanity. Those who bowed to none but God, and as a result changed the world. Jesus was successful, and it cost him EVERYTHING. ..
Oh, by the way... Christ is our example for how we are supposed to live.
Think about it.
Colossians 3:23-24
Many would define success as winning, whether it is in sports or in a contest of some sort. While they are not wrong, there is a much deeper and richer definition to success. I asked a few people to give me a short definition of success.
"To achieve fulfillment in faith and self, and through that to inspire and challenge others."
"Success is being able to wake up each and everyday here in the USA. Living in the greatest country on earth, and knowing you with God's will control your destiny."
"Success is being able to glorify God while reaching a set goal."
"Find out what is important to you, setting goals to reach those things, and surrounding yourself with resources and people to get you there. Be determined, work hard, and arrive where you want to be."
One thing that you will notice with these definitions is that they vary... As does success in our lives. For some of us, success is getting out of bed to face another day even though we suffer from severe depression, for some, it is reaching a new personal record in fitness or in sports. however, for all of us, success is closely tied to self-improvement.
We hardly call it success when we've eaten 50 chicken nuggets by ourselves, sitting on the couch binge watching netflix, or falling into a mud puddle... We simply don't view such things as a success. Why? because they do not improve our current state of being. now, if you enjoy falling in mud puddles, then be my guest and contradict me, but for the vast majority that is not a success. here are three things to help you think through what success is.
1. Success is Personal
Success is not necessarily something that can be measured by anyone but yourself. Only you know, if you gave everything you had. If you are on a diet, only you know if you stuck to it. Only you know, if your heart was in it.
Don't try to set a standard for your success by someone else's standard. Given, in business there are cooperate, and financial standards for success, but when you are working on yourself, use the Bible as your standard, and push yourself to be the best version of you that you can be. This includes, spiritual, mental, and physical discipline.
2. Success is Contagious
Success can be contagious. If you are successful you will attract two types of people, those who are already successful and those who are hungry to be successful. You will find as you grow in your journey of personal development and success building that Success is not something that can be taught, it must be caught. YOU CANNOT TEACH SOMEONE TO BE SUCCESSFUL. why? well... look at number one. It is a personal decision to become someone who strives for success.
On a side note, if you are someone who is working hard to be successful, do not be so self-centered as not exclude others from that success. Help others become successful as well.
3. Success is Hard
There is nothing easy about success. You will be mocked for trying to excel. In our country, and culture being sub par is often the status quo. Anything different from the status quo will be difficult. that doesn't mean you should strive for it, it simply means, you must push that much harder to become successful. We have no place in this world for those who are happy to be nothing. Enough people have chosen that path already. Step up, and take your place among the legends of humanity. Those who bowed to none but God, and as a result changed the world. Jesus was successful, and it cost him EVERYTHING. ..
Oh, by the way... Christ is our example for how we are supposed to live.
Think about it.
Colossians 3:23-24
Thursday, April 14, 2016
7 Habits to Cultivate into Your Life Before College
CONGRATS! YOU MADE IT! You finished high school and in the fall you start college! Some people are super excited to be getting out of the house for the first time, while others fear being away from their parents. Feeling either way is just fine. It's a part of growing up.
Your college experience hinges heavily on you. The things that you choose to get involved in, the classes you take, the major you select, the people you choose to surround yourself with. All of these things hinge on you. Will you enjoy it? depends on you.
but...
no pressure. :P
Having recently graduated college and started Grad studies, I look back at my college experience and I honestly wish people had warned me of certain things. Of course my parents told me to manage my time wisely, but to a senior in high school what in the world does that even mean? I was told to be responsible and do the right things, but while I knew what that looked like in theory... what does that mean in real life?
Ugh.... so many questions.... what do I do?!?!
Well... Here's a list of seven habits you should start incorporating into your lives before you go to college.
1. Time Management
HA! got you. just kidding. Well, lets start with a question. What is time management and what does it look like? when you go to school you will have classes you must keep track of, and meetings to schedule with advisors, study sessions with friends. All of these things will need to be scheduled. I would advise that you start living on a schedule before you leave. Regardless of your class schedule you should create habits that you can keep throughout your college career. For example, 7:00am Wake up 7:30 breakfast, 8:00 reading (class) etc etc. start living in a structured way so that you will succeed and start building a healthy habit of being organized. It might not be fun to be living on a schedule but it is infinitely more frustrating missing assignments and meetings because you can't keep track of things in a professional manner.
2. Reading for enjoyment
Yup. You read that right. Learn to enjoy reading, because you will have to read stuff in college that is not only dull, but duller than that. No one ever read a math textbook for enjoyment... (some might have, but they are a special breed of person!) If you start getting in the habit of reading intellectually challenging books, you will find reading your textbooks much easier, and more tolerable if you start reading over the summer. Reading is a blessing for the rest of your life, and you should never stop learning.
3. Exercise
This one is important because it is very easy to become a potato wandering around campus. If you don't plan ahead (time management) you will struggle to find time for exercise, but if you are exercising you will think clearer, and have a much more enjoyable time. My freshman year of college I gained 50 pounds, and that wasn't enjoyable at all.
4. Meaningful friendships
It has been said that you are the sum of your five closest friends. That is most definitely true. Surround yourself with people who want to grow, and want to change the world. befriend those who challenge conventional thinking, and desire to think critically about issues that the world is facing. Befriend the dreamers, and leaders. Don't waste your years of college with those who are happy with being average. You have a greater purpose in you, than average.
5. Listening
This is one, that I did not take advantage of in my first few years of college. When you are on campus you have access (if it is a small school) to extremely knowledgable professors and teachers. Shut up. Listen to what they have to say, and treasure the moments you have sitting in their offices listening to their wisdom. you don't know half of what you think you know. Be teachable, and let others invest in you.
6. Sleeping
call me boring, but it is true. You need sleep. it is super critical that you don't spend your nights up until three in the morning randomly doing nothing. Literally nothing good happens after midnight on a college campus. be smart, and discipline yourself to sleep as you would if you had to go to work to next day at 7am. being a student is your job for the next few years, so treat it as such. Sleep is extremely important for your overall well being and mental functioning.
7. Living For Christ
Of all the things on this list this is by far the most important aspect of life after high school. Whether you go to a secular college or christian college, you will be surrounded by people who do not want to put Christ first in their lives. You will be in the minority. Do not cave to peer pressure, pursue Christ in all things. In the habits you form, place Christ at the forefront of your thoughts. Be disciplined with your time, So that Christ is always put first. That does not mean skip class to pray in your closet, but it does mean, getting up early enough to spend time with Christ and his Word, before you go to class. Do all things to the glory of God. He created you, and He desires the best for you! So give Him your best and do your best in appreciation for all He has done for you!
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Do You Want to Leave a Legacy?
Well? Do you?
Do you want to leave a legacy?
Do you want to be remembered when you're gone?
Personally I'm terrified of leaving behind a world that I never impacted. What if I never helped anyone, or impacted anyone? What if there was someone somewhere that did look up to me, and I never helped them. Often my motivation is selfish, I want to be recognized for my works or my personality. There is a song that I always hear in my head when I begin to ask myself about the legacy I'm leaving. "I dreamed I was missing, and you were so
scared, but no one would listen, cause no one else cared." the song goes on to say, "When my time comes forget the wrongs that I've done, help me leave behind some reasons to be missed." Well, when I'm gone will I be remembered for the good things I've done or will I be remembered for the mean, crude, and hurtful things that I've said? It haunts me for a few reasons. I don't want people to remember me for being rude, or hurtful, but there is a far greater reason.
When I stand before God at the Great Throne of Judgment, will he say "well done my good and faithful servant" or will he shake his head and say, "You were given so much,and you wasted it." I always picture a huge tv screen where God will quickly watch through your life and see if there is anything worthy honoring. I already know there will be many times and
many incidents that I will regret and feel ashamed of anyone, especially God looking at it and me. I know that Christ has forgiven me for my sins, but it will still hurt, and be humiliating. I don't want to lead a life that lets God done, or saddens him. My life should inspire others to look towards Christ, and see Him.
So, do you want to be remembered when you're gone? If so, keep reading. There are three tips for leaving a legacy.
1 Live Every Moment Like You Won't Get Another One
No, I'm not talking about Yolo. I'm not saying go out partying all the time and living it up. If you really believed you'd be standing before God the next day, I think we would all be a little more sober. You will get opportunities to impact the world, and the lives of others. What if you had one more encounter with your parents, or a loved one? Wouldn't you want that time to be meaningful? Live every moment like you won't get another moment to cherish.
2. Treat Everyone Like Eternity Is Tomorrow
This point really matters to those who are in Christ. We were all given the chance to live our lives the way we want. But as Christians our first goal in life should be to share the hope of Christ with those who are lost and have strayed from home. We all belong to God since he is our creator and will have to give an account of how we lived our lives. Sadly, many of his creations have chosen to walk away from the love of their creator and live life for themselves. Brothers and Sisters, please don't let the people you know, die without having impacted them for Christ.
3. Live for Something Bigger than Yourself
This applies to everyone. Anyone who lives for selfish motives wastes the life given to them. Our human nature has fallen and is completely depraved and there is no good in us, without God's grace. Since I am a Christian, I want and strive to live my life for Christ, and his kingdom. There are many times that I fail, and many times that I live for myself, and I always feel ashamed when I realize my sin. I don't want to live for myself, I want to live for something bigger, and I think there's a part of us, that always wants to live for more than ourselves.
God, please help me to live for you, help me to impact the world in a positive way for you. Let your lost children see you and come to know you. Let them find the joy that those of us who have accepted you enjoy. Please don't let me waste my life on selfishness, but rather, let me impact others for you, so that when I leave this place, people remember me as the man who lived his life like Christ. Hide me, and let you be seen clearly.
Do you want to leave a legacy?
Do you want to be remembered when you're gone?
Personally I'm terrified of leaving behind a world that I never impacted. What if I never helped anyone, or impacted anyone? What if there was someone somewhere that did look up to me, and I never helped them. Often my motivation is selfish, I want to be recognized for my works or my personality. There is a song that I always hear in my head when I begin to ask myself about the legacy I'm leaving. "I dreamed I was missing, and you were so
When I stand before God at the Great Throne of Judgment, will he say "well done my good and faithful servant" or will he shake his head and say, "You were given so much,and you wasted it." I always picture a huge tv screen where God will quickly watch through your life and see if there is anything worthy honoring. I already know there will be many times and
So, do you want to be remembered when you're gone? If so, keep reading. There are three tips for leaving a legacy.
1 Live Every Moment Like You Won't Get Another One
No, I'm not talking about Yolo. I'm not saying go out partying all the time and living it up. If you really believed you'd be standing before God the next day, I think we would all be a little more sober. You will get opportunities to impact the world, and the lives of others. What if you had one more encounter with your parents, or a loved one? Wouldn't you want that time to be meaningful? Live every moment like you won't get another moment to cherish.
2. Treat Everyone Like Eternity Is Tomorrow
This point really matters to those who are in Christ. We were all given the chance to live our lives the way we want. But as Christians our first goal in life should be to share the hope of Christ with those who are lost and have strayed from home. We all belong to God since he is our creator and will have to give an account of how we lived our lives. Sadly, many of his creations have chosen to walk away from the love of their creator and live life for themselves. Brothers and Sisters, please don't let the people you know, die without having impacted them for Christ.
3. Live for Something Bigger than Yourself
This applies to everyone. Anyone who lives for selfish motives wastes the life given to them. Our human nature has fallen and is completely depraved and there is no good in us, without God's grace. Since I am a Christian, I want and strive to live my life for Christ, and his kingdom. There are many times that I fail, and many times that I live for myself, and I always feel ashamed when I realize my sin. I don't want to live for myself, I want to live for something bigger, and I think there's a part of us, that always wants to live for more than ourselves.
God, please help me to live for you, help me to impact the world in a positive way for you. Let your lost children see you and come to know you. Let them find the joy that those of us who have accepted you enjoy. Please don't let me waste my life on selfishness, but rather, let me impact others for you, so that when I leave this place, people remember me as the man who lived his life like Christ. Hide me, and let you be seen clearly.
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