A Spiritual Diet

February 2016

        Diet is a four-letter word, but doesn’t have to be a bad thing.  A diet is a way of modulating and keeping track of your food intake.  That’s all.  If you live by a healthy diet, then you shouldn’t have to worry about overeating or gaining weight or making bad choices.  If, however, you have gained a few pounds, then you may have to start a DIEt.  This is not the same thing at all. Diet is a noun, a thing by which to live.  DIEt is a verb, something to do and action to take.  The sooner in life you begin a healthy diet, and the more disciplined you are about keeping it, the less, if ever, you will ever need the second.

Let’s talk about a Spiritual Diet.  Like a food diet, this should be a plan on how to live well.  The more you eat healthy food in your diet, the more you will crave healthy food.  Try it.  If you walk away from sugary drinks and desserts, and substitute them with healthier and more natural alternatives, you will find your body will crave the healthier options and stop needing a sugar fix.

In the same way, if you feed your mind the equivalent of junk food – television, questionable movies, and websites that should never have been published in the first place, you will find your mind craving those things.  But if you feed your mind, and soul, well, it will crave good things.  Try reading your Bible for a month. I’m not saying how much, just how often.  Read daily, preferably at the same time, which is whatever time works well for you.  It may be after lunch or right before supper.  I found I can’t read Scripture right before bed because I get too excited at the Lord’s words and can’t sleep.  Don’t worry about how much you read.  It may be a verse.  Maybe two.  Maybe a chapter. Maybe a short book.  Please don’t try to read Isaiah in one sitting!

I truly believe that, as you read Scripture daily, your mind will start craving these sessions.  Your mind will begin to expect its daily dose, and you will find yourself thinking about what you read throughout the rest of the day as well.

It’s good to have good doses of The Word.  You will probably find that the original texts, by themselves, are great, but as you read histories from that time period, you will enjoy them even more, and Scripture will make more sense.  For example, knowing that the gospel according to Matthew was written for the first century Jewish community explains why certain examples are used.  Luke was written by a physician with an eye for detail.  Matthew, Mark, and Luke are all synoptic gospels, with the goal of giving a Synopsis, a screen shot, of Jesus’ Ministry.  The gospel according to John is an evangelical gospel, which is why it doesn’t have some of the same miracles and parables the other three share, and it often quoted when explaining why and how we need Jesus in our lives.

I think the first stop for this type of study should be a Study Bible.  There are many on the market and I have my favorites.  This may lead to other study tools, such a Bible Dictionaries and a concordance.  But don’t worry about that.  For now, read and be fed.

Now, for those of us who have dieted, what do we learn after a while?  Dieting isn’t sufficient.  We need to add exercise to attain our goal!  You will find it true with your Spiritual Diet as well.  Just like in body nourishment, exercise is all about doing the work.  You can’t just think about exercising for it to have any effect on you.  If you could, I’d have the abs of a marine, as I envision myself doing hours of planking and sit ups.  Alas.  You have to actually do the exercise for it to have an effect.

What does this application mean in your life?  It probably varies with all of us.  I think the first step would be to consider your spiritual gifts.  There are a vast number of Spiritual Gift Inventories available online, and I’m guessing your church has something available.

Once you know your Spiritual Gifts, you can look for ways to apply them.  If musical, should you join a choir or offer to sing a solo? If Administration, where can you plug in to use your gifts?

I think exercising here means any type of serving.  If there are meals to be made or dishes to be washed, be there! If someone needs a ride and you have a car, go! If teachers and helpers are needed and you have the knowledge, sign up!

Service does not have to be formal and planned.  Consider the Fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Where can you show love, right now? If you’re at work, what can you do for co-workers and clients? Not the obvious stuff, but beyond the usual.  Not spectacular, but really thoughtful.  Once at home, maybe just being a better listener will show love to family members.  You have nine great attributes from which to choose.  The Holy Spirit is holding your hand to help you show any and all of these in everyday life.  I’m sure there are plenty of opportunities in everyday life, even on your commute to and from work, to show patience if nothing else.

You have a steady diet in your life.  People tend to eat the same eight meals over and over.  So even if you don’t feel like you’re dieting, everything you put in your mouth is very much part of your diet.  Likewise, everything you put in your head, by seeing and observation, hearing and listening, is part of your diet.  Just as weight loss occurs from healthy eating, you can turn your appetite to a healthy Spiritual diet of Biblical thoughts, and see Biblical attitudes follow.

Expect It to Accept It

January 26, 2016

When you see news coming, good or bad, it’s easier to accept it. For example, when you know a loved one is dying due to an illness such as cancer, and the news comes, it’s easier to accept the inevitable versus hearing that a loved one passed away in a sudden and unexpected car accident.  As we expect things to happen, it’s easier to accept them when they do.

Expectation also allows us to get our ducks in a row.  When you plan on quitting your job, for instance, you can begin cleaning out your office slowly, and preparing yourself for lost relationships and a different routine.  But when the termination comes at the hands of others, it’s far harder to accept.  It can also lead to some chaos as life causes you to do things you didn’t plan, such as cleaning out an office and updating your resume.

Expect a lot from other people.  People may surprise you as you expect great things from them.  You may see colleagues meeting deadlines, employees arriving at work on time, even your children improving their grades as you treat your wishes as expectations, not hopes.

So let’s start expecting! If we are looking forward at what to expect, then choose to expect good things and prepare for them.  Expect that promotion.  Expect to be the one to be chosen for the European business trip (if that’s what you want; I don’t enjoy the flight to Europe).   Your air of expectation will create a confidence in you.  When the good things come, you will recognize them immediately and be ready to accept them.  You won’t have to talk yourself into anything because you know you deserve it and were expecting it.  This may lead to disappointment when something doesn’t happen, but a little disappointment is worth what you gain from expecting great things.

Start looking forward and expecting great things in all parts of your life.  You may unwittingly make them happen just by being ready to receive.

Ten Things to Do for Others

January 19, 2016

1. Listen to them.  Don’t listen to respond, but listen to hear them.
2. Empathize if you can, sympathize if you can’t empathize.
3. Let others go first. Encourage others to go first.  Whether physically or in a conversation.  It says more about you when you act like a lady or gentleman.  And your mama will be proud of you, wherever she is.
4. Random acts of kindness. Whether a spouse, roommate, colleague, client, or stranger, perform some random act of kindness at least once a day – from opening a door for someone to paying for their lunch.  Be creative.  Use your talents for this one. If you can bake (like me), then bring homemade goodies to your next meeting.  Just to be kind.
5. Pay a sincere compliment. Make it personal and thoughtful.  Noticing physical attributes works, such as, “you have a lovely smile,” or, “you dress well. I like your style.” Compliments on good insights, or being brilliant, are always appreciated.  Complimenting their emotional attention works as well: “you are always so thoughtful and compassionate.”
6. Notice small details. If others are always early, let them know you notice.  Whatever is often overlooked, but you know takes effort, make it a point to let them know you notice.
7. Be spontaneous. Even if it means going out of your way, if something makes someone else’s life easier, go along with it.
8. Offer before someone asks for help. Of course you should help upon request, but go a step further and see the need, then offer to fill it, so the other person doesn’t have to ask.  Don’t let them say no, either.
9. Write it down – whether it’s a letter, an email, a sticky note, or a package, put down on paper something nice you want to say to someone. Leaving a note for your child that simply says, “You rock” will mean more than you realize – until you hear it about it ten years from now.  A note sent, even inner-office mail, means you took the time to think about someone.
10. Buy a small, thoughtful gift: Leave a carnation on a windshield, get an extra treat from the machine, pick up something silly at the Dollar Store, just for the fun of sharing it and making others smile.  It’s not a huge deal, and whether you choose to remain anonymous is up to you.

Just enjoy life in small ways.

Seven Steps to Recognizing Opportunities

It’s so easy to look back and see opportunities that, at the time, we just didn’t recognize for what they were.  For instance, years ago while visiting New York, I met up with a friend from High School (even longer ago).  She offered to make some introductions and get me some modeling jobs.  I told her I was too short.  Why?  Why would I make that decision and walk away without even pursuing an opportunity?

Well, I’m guessing I said what I did because I believed it.  I had learned that models had to be 5’10” or taller, so I took myself out of the running.  In fact, I later learned I was misinformed.  Rather than going down a new path, possibly only for the entertainment of the walk, which is reason in itself, I destroyed the possibility before it began.  Looking back, dismissing what was a kind offer wasn’t a very nice of me, either.

So, over the years, I have found seven very simple ways of Recognizing Opportunities.  As you employ them I believe you will find yourself on new paths and perhaps more successful, or successful in new ways.

1. Change your mindset. It’s easier to believe the bad stuff, so learn to believe the good and ignore the bad.  It may help to consider the source of both good and bad news.  Assume the best and open yourself up to new ideas rather than immediately finding reasons why things won’t work.

2. Listen more and speak less. This is the adage of having two ears and one mouth.  Listening to others allows you to hear about opportunities.

3. Change the way you hear things. When somebody mentions news on a neighbor, for instance, think about how it affects other things—a new job you might want?  A new employee you might hire?  A possible babysitter for your children?  Listen with an ear for the next step.  File away information for future use.

4. Go beyond your comfort zone.  Be the small fish in a large pond. Don’t go after                        dozens or hundreds when you can go after thousands.  Therefore, skip the mom and              pop stores and go after larger game.  Yes, it’s harder, but the payoff should be worth              it.  Now, be wise about it and play the numbers . . . . Fill your dance card with 20%                  corporate and 80% small business.

5. Stop limiting yourself, and putting limits on your opportunities. When an opportunity is before you, jump on it. Don’t ask for the next appointment, go ahead and try for the sale. Don’t ask for any tickets, request the best.  Ask out that gorgeous person.

6. Create opportunities and see them through. How often do we think of great ideas in the middle of the night, and ignore them the next day? Write down the idea.  Come up with plans, and implement, your ideas.  Thinking about things without action won’t get you ahead. Create your own success.

7. Think outside of the box. Think inside of the box.  Keep thinking!  Ideas come along every day.  Learn to recognize the best ideas as opportunities.