How Can I Help You?

I'm 100% serious when I ask the question, "How can I help you?" Sometimes we are afraid to ask such a question because we may be afraid that someone will take us up on that offer. In connection with this, if you haven't read the last article by now, be sure to do so because it "ties in" to what we are discussing in today's article.

As I've stated before, I don't know what you do or don't believe, but I'm going to share a verse from the Bible with you and, honestly, this verse applies regardless of what you do or don't believe. Hebrews 10:24 reads, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works..."

Let's take a closer look at the wording in this verse and see how it applies to us today again, regardless of what you do or don't believe. "And let us consider one another..." Bottom line - GET YOUR FOCUS OFF OF YOURSELF AND CONSIDER OTHERS.  This, alone, would greatly improve every relationship that exists in our world today! But, there's more in that this verse gives a REASON to do so: "...in order to stir up love and good works..."

Usually when we hear the phrase "stir up" we may have a different thought than what is expressed here. I know for myself, when I think of someone "stirring things up" it is usually with a negative connotation. You know what I mean, right? There are some people that just like to "stir up" trouble. But this is different! In this verse, we are encouraged and challenged to think about others and how we might be able to "stir up love and good works". WOW!

Does our world not need to hear this message today?

In a marriage relationship, if BOTH were focused on trying to figure out ways to "stir up" love and good works, or good things for them, what would that relationship be like? What about the workplace?

I'm sure you have heard this quote from John F. Kennedy many times before. If not, take a moment and notice what he said: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

This is quite a different attitude than the one we see many people feel about our country today, is it not?

When we begin to ask (and mean it) the question, "How can I help you?" we will begin to see all of our relationships improve. Our marriages, our families, our work relationships, our communities, our nation and our world. 

Yes, it really IS that simple but, at the same time, it really IS that difficult. Why so difficult? We tend to be focused on ourselves and what WE want and what is good for ME!

Break the mold and step out considering others and see what begins to happen. 

And, again, I do mean it when I ask, "How can I help YOU?" Connect with me and let me know. And, as you do so, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

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The POWER of ONE DAY! (part 6: The Day of Your Death)

In this series we have talked about many things. We have talked about events in history that most anyone would know due to the impact that it had in history. I talked about the assassination of John F. Kennedy but we could also talk about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

 

We have talked about the importance in understanding the IMPACT that each of us - YOU and I - have on those around us. What we do, either good or bad, positive or negative, can make all the difference in the world FOR the world of those that cross our paths every day.

 

We have discussed this idea and how it relates to the problem of bullying. I hope and pray that this part of the series, in particular, will be something that will help SOMEONE along the way.

 

In our last blog post I even talked about the POWER of the day of your BIRTH! Go back and read it if you haven't done so already.

 

As a matter of fact, if you haven't had the chance, take some time and read each of these that have been posted so that you can "feel" the thought behind everything that has been shared.

 

Now, today is going to be a little different. Today we are going to discuss the POWER of ONE DAY with that day being the day that you die.

 

Sounds morbid, I know but I hope you will stay with me and follow along with my reasoning.

 

Can I share something personal first? As I type this out on a Monday I do so following news that my Dad passed away last night. He had been battling with cancer and I got to visit with him last Tuesday. I'm not going to say much more about it but, please know that when I speak on this topic it is FRESH in my mind and in my thoughts, okay?

 

Yes, more than likely, the day that you die may be a sad day for those that know you. I mean, YOU HOPE SO, RIGHT? I have actually been to a few funerals where there were no more than two or three "mourners" which, to me, is a sad thing to see.

 

In reality, what I'm talking about is not actually the fact that the day of your death is so powerful as much as it is a marking of your LEGACY that is so powerful!

 

Did you notice that the picture of the tombstone at the top of this entry is BLANK? And so it is with your life, friend. Sure, you could go ahead and have your name and the date of your birth put on ahead of time - you know those. However, you do not know the day that you will die and, even though this is not "written" on the tombstone, what is said ABOUT you with that tombstone has not been written - or FINISHED being written - yet.

 

A person's death can do many things. I've seen many times where a person's death actually brought a family back together when there has been separation due to arguments or other division. Even if not that, a family is brought together and, even though the situation may be sad, the family gets to visit and catch up with what has been going on in the lives of those gathered.

 

Here's the main thing I want to address and I am not going to spend a lot of time on it: THE POWER OF THE DAY OF YOUR DEATH POINTS TO YOUR LEGACY!

 

There is POWER in what is possible to live on through the lives of your children and grandchildren. There is POWER in the influence that you are able to leave on and in the lives of those that you have had contact for a period of time.

 

Friend, we NEVER know the full impact of the lives that we have touched and we will NEVER know. However, this kind of influence and impact is often seen when people gather to remember one who has passed.

 

What about YOU?

 

Are you leaving a legacy of positive impact? Or are you leaving a legacy (yes, it is still a legacy) of "well, I'm glad to see him gone!"? That's sad, but it's real!

 

As I talked about in yesterday's entry, each and every day that you wake up and take a breath YOU have the chance for a "do-over". YOU have a chance to correct what may need to be changed concerning your legacy. Each and every day!

 

Every day YOU have the opportunity to allow your LEGACY to grow and expand to those that you may not ever even meet. It is called "the ripple effect".

 

Yes, the POWER of ONE DAY!

 

But do NOT miss this point. The one day that is being discussed in this post is a combination of each and every day that has come BEFORE the day of your death.

 

That's how this works.

 

I did not see eye to eye on a lot of things with my Dad. But I am thankful that my Dad - my father - instilled many strong and powerful characteristics that have served me well and have actually been passed along to my own sons.

 

And I believe they will be continued to be passed along and instilled for generations to come.

 

THAT'S AWESOME!

 

So, friend, take advantage of TODAY so that "that day" - the day of your death - will show "the POWER of ONE DAY" as those gathered remember your life that came before that final day.

 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

 

Mike

 

Future You University          "Like" FYU on Facebook!          MichaelSpillman.com

 

The POWER of ONE Day!

 

Our world is FULL of historical dates when, one ONE particular day, something happened that was so significant that it changed some part of our world FOREVER.

 

No, I don't believe that this is an overstatement. I believe that it is a fact whether we realize it or not. Sure, some things that have happened in the world may not have impacted you directly, but it still likely has impacted you even indirectly.

 

For example, November 22 marks the fifty year anniversary of the assassination of then President of the United States, John F. Kennedy. Sure, anyone born after that time would not know of any impact or ramification that the activities of this one day might have on their life, but they are there.

 

I'm not going to spend a lot of time on this example. It can be applied to MANY examples that have taken place all over the world. However, let me just say that world history was changed on that day. I say that simply due to the fact that we will never know what would have taken place in our world if this had not happened.

 

There are many NEGATIVE (bad) examples we could use but there are also many POSITIVE (powerful and good) examples that could be used as well.

 

What about the one day that Thomas Edison finally had success with the light bulb? It's easy to say that our world has been changed FOREVER as a result of that one day. Sure, I realize that there were MANY days behind that "one" day. Nevertheless, there WAS that "one" day when it finally worked.

 

Every day YOU have the opportunity to use your life for good (positive) or bad (negative) impact. Every single day.

 

The day that you were born changed the world forever. Oh, I know that it may not impact the world in the way that my other examples did BUT, at the same time, if you are alive, the end hasn't been written on that story, has it?

 

You may be influencing someones life in a way that you may never, ever realize. YOU may be the "spark" that directs another life to greatness.

 

Yes, YOU!

 

Oh, I have to continue this thought even more in the next blog and podcast but I hope you will let these thoughts sink in.

 

You and the POWER of ONE day. Wow!

 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

 

Mike

 

Future You University          FYU on Facebook          MichaelSpillman.com

Ask What You CAN Do!

Ask What You CAN Do!

In John F. Kennedy's 1961 Inaugural Address we find the often-quoted phrase, "...ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

This is a very POWERFUL statement and it doesn't have to apply to the United States of America or to any government. This can be true of ANY situation that we find ourselves to be a part of whether it be a family, a job, a team, etc.

However, too many people sit around and wait for someone - ANYONE and often, EVERYONE - to do "it" for them.

It?

It can relate to a lot of things, but let's just say that "it" refers to just about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING!

In other words, there are some people in our society that sit around and wait for others to do EVERYTHING for them! I know this will sound harsh, but it's true - people like this are leaches on society!

I've dealt with people that want something and, when that thing is supplied they want something more. It's never enough and it's never EXACTLY the way they wanted either!

All I'm saying is this: STOP WAITING OR STOP DEPENDING ON SOMEONE ELSE TO DO FOR YOU IF/WHEN YOU CAN DO IT FOR YOURSELF!

Please understand, I know that there are those that - out of necessity - MUST depend on their government (or other sources) to provide for them due to circumstances out of their control.

Hey, I'm not excited to share this, but there was a period in time when we had to sign up for and receive food stamps so that I could feed my family. I HATE THAT!

But, because I was able to do so, it was a short lived situation.

Some can't pull themselves out of that situation - I hope you understand what I'm saying - but there are many that CAN but that WON'T!

Why? Because it's easy to sit back and allow someone to do it for you.

But, friend, that's no way to live!

Again, this applies to ANY situation and not just to a government doing stuff for you.

What about your family? What are YOU giving to the overall working of YOUR family? You can't constantly be a TAKER!

And your workplace? Have you allowed the negative attitude of others to sway you into thinking that you should not do ANYTHING that's not asked of you? Do what your told and nothing more.

What a terrible way to live and what a terrible way to waste away a day!

And, by the way, you will likely not ever get a promotion either.

DO MORE THAN IS EXPECTED OF YOU and see what happens.

That's the attitude that is behind this quote.

ANY group (again, whether it be a family, school, workplace or government) is STRONG when it has those that are willing to DO and to SERVE without waiting to be asked.

What about you?

Why not approach TODAY with this mindset?

And, as you do so, always remember to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Special Thanksgiving Entry - An Attitude of Gratitude

An Attitude of Gratitude!

In today's abbreviated podcast I share some quotes about the need for having an attitude of gratitude in our lives. I have listed them below for your convenience.

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." - Albert Schweitzer

"Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy -- because we will always want to have something else or something more." - David Steindl-Rast

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of all virtues, but the parent of all the others." - Cicero

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude." - Dennis Waitley

"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings." - Eric Hoffer

"Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul." - Henry Ward Beecher

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." - John F. Kennedy

And, from my family to yours - may you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and may you continue to live a life of gratitude!