#MotivationalMoment: The Danger of Comparisons

#MotivationalMoment: The Danger of Comparisons

We all do it: we look at what others are doing and wish we were doing that too.

Truth be told, you cannot be happy and envious at the same time. In fact, one of the greatest secrets of having happiness in your life is learning how to eliminate comparisons.

Why Do We Make Comparisons

Our brains have a natural tendency to make comparisons as a system of developing logic and reasoning. And all the ways we compare ourselves to others are the same ways we find value in our lives. The answer isn’t to stop making comparisons, but to remember what God thinks about us.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:13-14

[shareable]You cannot be happy and envious at the same time.[/shareable]

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

David, the author of this Psalm, declared that God is present at conception and birth.  Since we are made in the image of God and God has a special purpose for each person who is born. We live in and with our bodies all our lives, and we know how amazing they are. God formed us as He wants us to be, and we must accept His will no matter how we feel about our genetic structure, our looks, or our abilities.

[shareable]Since we are made in the Image of God, He has a special purpose for us.[/shareable]

Made in the Image of God

God’s character goes into the creation of every person. When you feel worthless or even begin to hate yourself, remember that God’s Spirit is ready and willing to work within you. We should have as much respect for ourselves as our Maker has for us.

Check out today’s #MotivationalMoment: The Real Reason Why Comparisons are Dangerous and Useless.

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This is my personal blog. It is focused on “empowering people to live an abundant life.” My mission is to help you connect life’s dots while passionately pursuing your purpose. I write on personal development, leadership, finance, relationships, inspiration, and motivation. On occasion, I write about stuff that doesn’t fit neatly into one of these categories.

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REPOST: The Best Kept Leadership Secret – Be a Servant

I’m excited to share some thoughts regarding leadership.  Recently, I googled the word “leadership” and it reavealed 141 million hits!  Wow!  Now I understand why many are confused when it comes to defining leadership.  Since this is our first session, I’d like to begin by sharing the “best kept” leadership secret – BE A SERVANT.

The phrase “Servant Leadership” was coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in The Servant as Leader, an essay that he first published in 1970.  In that essay, he said:

The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first, perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions…The leader-first and the servant-first are two extreme types. Between them there are shadings and blends that are part of the infinite variety of human nature.

The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served. The best test, and difficult to administer, is: Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived? (Source: Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership)

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The Single "BEST" Way To Cast Vision

No specs…No “ours does this does yours…”

Not even the name of the product spoken in the ad.

One word to describe this entire ad campaign: Classy. Such a big contrast from ads with robotic space ships or trash talking the competition or the “hey mom, look what I can do” type of ads that we see from the competition.

The Lesson: Focus on the experience & tell a compelling story.

Paint a picture of what could be and what should be!

I’m trying to figure out how the church can show how life “could be” and “should be” with Jesus (John 10:10).

Goodness…they really know what they’re doing don’t they.

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Would You Invest In You, Inc.?

I recently heard someone say, “Life is a cruel joke and I ain’t laughing.”  I agree wholeheartedly.  In fact, the majority would agree that life comes at you fast, doesn’t play fair, and is downright unpredictable!  Wouldn’t you agree?  Since life doesn’t play fair, why should you?  If you plan to excel, you’d better learn how to “hack” life and make it work for you.  Hack life, what in the world is that?  “A life hack a clever solution to a tricky problem,” according to UrbanDictionary.com.

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What The Church Can Learn From Apple

Yesterday, Apple summoned reporters to an event in San Francisco where it unveiled a new version of its popular tablet computer – iPad 2.  “Apple clearly sent a message to all of the manufactures lining up to complete with it: Just go home.”  (Andy Ihnatko – Chicago Sun-Times)

Apple is a very successful company.  They’re innovative, swimming in cash, and have the friendliest staff I’ve ever met.  I began thinking: “What could the church learn from Apple?”  Theologically, I understand the church is a body and not a business and  incorporating business models is risky (some may even say it’s heretical).  Whatever!  I’m a believer in principles and if there’s a transferrable principle, I’m applying it.

After visiting Apple’s retail stores and buying their products, the church can learn a lot if they would open their eyes and use a little imagination.  Here’s what we can learn:

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