Merry Christmas, Friends!

This will be my last blog article before Christmas so I wanted to take a few minutes to wish you a very Merry Christmas!

I hope that, in some way, that I have been a blessing in your life over the past year and that you are able to enjoy this Holiday Season with purpose in your life.

Would you like to give a gift to me in exchange? It's really very simple and I don't believe that it's too much to ask. Would you take a moment and stop by my FACEBOOK FAN PAGE and leave me a message?

I'd just love to hear that I am connecting with you in some way. Would you mind letting me know where you are from and how long you have been following me with Future You University?

This would mean a lot to me as I begin another year with my blog articles, podcasts and videos.

Thanks...I appreciate it more than you know.

And, finally, I want to wish you, your family and loved ones a very Merry Christmas! I hope and pray that you will feel the Peace that was the purpose of the "original gift", the greatest gift of all, the birth of Jesus.

Enjoy yourself and, until the next time, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

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Merry Christmas!

Christ, the Saviour is Born

I hope that you'll take the time to listen to today's podcast as I share the reading pf the REAL "Christmas Story". You can read along here if you'd like.

I would suggest that this is a great time to gather your family around, together, for this special reading of this world-changing and life-changing event.

Enjoy...

Luke 2...  And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

  ² This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.

  ³ So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

  ⁴ Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
  ⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
  ⁶ So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 
  ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
  ⁸ Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
  ⁹ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 
  ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 
  ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
  ¹² And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
  ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

  ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

 ¹⁵ So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 

  ¹⁶ And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.

  ¹⁷ Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.

  ¹⁸ And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.           ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

  ²⁰ Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

May you and your family have a wonderful and Merry Christmas!

And, as always, be sure to...

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

Mike
Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

"Santa"

Hey, what would Christmas be without SANTA? 

Oh, I know there are some that try that. But, go with me on this - the pure JOY that comes from a child seeing Santa and thinking they may have even heard Santa as he came to deliver gifts during the night is simply magical!

I think back - with fond memories - of all of the different things that my wife and I used to do to give our boys that "special magical" feeling on Christmas Eve after they had gone to bed. 

There is even the report of one young child that had Santa as a part of one of his final wishes. You can read about it HERE.

Generally speaking, Santa is a symbol of joy, peace and love extended to all children - EVERYWHERE - regardless of race or location in the world.

I have always said that I believe in Santa. Yes, even as an adult. How? Why? Because I AM Santa! You know what I mean, right? I have always been Santa to my own children and I have also been Santa to others over the years. 

When I think and hear the word, "Santa", I can't help but think of the scene in "Elf" when Buddy declares that he KNOWS him! Yeah, here's an image from that moment...

Like some of the other words we have been discussing lately, the only "problem" is that Santa is "confined" to just a certain time of the year. Wow, wouldn't you agree that, often, we could use the magic of Santa all year long?

I'm sure you've figured it out by now. That's right, I'm going to encourage YOU to "be Santa" but to do it all year long!

I simply want to encourage you to be a person that spreads joy, peace and hope to those around you anywhere and everywhere you go. No, you don't have to dress up in a red and white suit. No, you don't have to grow out a white beard and, no, you don't even have to be a male....or an adult!

We ALL have that unique ability to bring some "special magic" to our world, the world around us. 

Here's the real kicker: We don't have to actually visit everyone in the whole world in order for our influence and "reach" to extend far greater (and into more of the world) than we could ever imagine. It's called "the ripple effect" or, you may want to look at it as the "pay it forward" mentality.

Don't allow the negativity around you to turn you into a Scrooge. Allow all of the positive information that you have added to your "mental library" to overcome that negativity and share what, indeed, the world needs now, more than ever - HOPE!

It can come in the form of encouragement to your children as well as your co-workers. A pat on the back, a positive word, a "vote of confidence" shown in your words and actions.

You, my friend, are a unique gift in and of itself. There is no other like you. Share "you" to those around you and make the world a better place.

Hey, the rewards will be far better than a plate of cookies and a glass of milk...you can count on that!

Until next time, Merry Christmas! And, be sure to...

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

Mike
Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

"Scrooge"

The word, "Scrooge", is in reference to Ebenezer Scrooge, the focal character in the story A Christmas Carol (1843) by Charles Dickens. In the story, he is a "penny-pincher" and a miserable old man that detests the joy that those around him enjoy around Christmas time. 

The word, "scrooge", is used to describe those who are negative, stingy and miserable. In case you can't figure it out, it's not a compliment to be called a "scrooge". 

Life can be tough at times and, if one allows the negativity to overcome them, even the happiest and most joyful person can become a "scrooge".

Hey listen, for many, this time of the year isn't very enjoyable for them because they are going through it alone and they  miss a loved one that used to be around them during this time in the past. Others may struggle with what they DON'T have - especially if they have children at home - and they worry about how they will actually even have a Christmas for their children.

We could go on and on, couldn't we? Sure we could! There is ALWAYS plenty of negativity in the world around us. Always. 

I simply want to encourage you to not allow yourself to allow your heart to become "cold" and closed off to the love and joy that surrounds us each and every day. In the midst of all the things that may be wrong, do not forget that love and joy also abounds. It may be hard to find at times and it may require you to search for it  - especially if you are undergoing a struggle at the time.

But it's there. Allow your heart to remain open and absorb that love and joy. BE that love and joy to and for those around you!

Why?

Because YOU need it and WE (those around you) need you to continue to share the love and joy that you have within.

And, while I"m at it, "Merry Christmas!"

Until next time, whatever you do, please be sure to...

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

Mike
Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

My Christmas Wish For You

Whether you live in the United States and celebrate Christmas or not, I have a special message for you. Even if you live in the United States and don't celebrate Christmas, this message is still for you.

 

Yes, this is a special time of the year when most people tend to be more thoughtful and helpful. They also seem to think about the blessings of their lives and they find ways to express that thanks. Time is often spent with friends and family with laughter and smiles as they spend this special time together.

 

Again, no matter where you live or what your situation, I have a special message - my Christmas wish for you - today.

 

On this day, I wish for you and your family the following:

 

JOY -May you find true happiness and joy in your life. May you not forget to notice and enjoy the "everyday" people in your life that bring you joy and happiness. Don't forget to notice the "little things" that surround you each and every day and then share that joy with those around you. By doing so, you will see joy and happiness returned to you.
 

PEACE - May you experience true peace in your life in the coming days and year. As you purposely set out to increase the joy and happiness in your life, may you also discover the peace that will accompany these. May you learn to worry less and enjoy peace more. May you find relationships renewed, strengthened and regained so that you will experience more peace - and less stress - in your life.

LOVE - As with peace, may you experience the joy and peace of love in your life. Too many take for granted those that surround them every day and, in so doing, they miss out on the benefits of love that is right before them every single day. Don't be afraid to forgive and to allow healing to take place in any relationship where this is needed. May you open your life up to allowing yourself to take the risk of love so that you may enjoy the benefits of love.

 

HOPE - "As long as there is breath, there is hope." May you never, ever lose hope, friend. My wish for you is that you never give up on your dreams and that you always reach for "more" in order to better yourself along the way. Never allow yourself to believe that things cannot improve in your life and for your life. Never lose sight of this as you open your life up to more joy, peace and love. Live hope daily.

 

This is my Christmas wish for each of you. Think of how our world can change by each one of us making the above list a part of our daily routine. Embrace it, apply it and share it with everyone around you and watch what happens.

 

It begins here with you and with me.

 

Until next time...

 

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

 

Mike

Future You University   "Like" FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes     Podcast RSS feed



Christmas 2013

Updates and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

UPDATES and "Merry Christmas!!"

It's been a while since I last posted anything on the blog so I thought I'd spend a few moments and give an update while also wishing each of you a "Merry Christmas" with wishes for a "Happy New Year" as well!

As you know, I lost my job back in the middle of August (hard to believe it's been FOUR months since this has happened) and, due to the uncertainty of things, I felt I needed to cease doing my podcast and blog at that time. I didn't want to do a "hit and miss" podcast/blog...I wanted it to be consistent.

If you know anything about me at all then you also know that I am upfront and honest so I'm not going to change that now. The past four months have been very difficult! Without going into a lot of detail at this point I'll just say it has been very stressful financially, emotionally and spiritually. I've had to work VERY hard to keep a positive mindset and to practice the things that I have shared for you in past podcasts and blogs.

Truth? Some days I did alright in that area and some days I did not.

Surprised? You shouldn't be!

I have never said - and hopefully it was never implied - that EVERY day was going to be a GREAT and WONDERFUL day regardless of the circumstances. The whole focus on what I have done in the past was to help us all understand that, regardless of the circumstances, WE had CONTROL when it came to the positive or negative impact on our lives.

It is a DAILY struggle for us all - I don't care who you are or how you are doing in your life at the moment.

So, bottom line - in case you didn't know it already - I'm just like you! I struggle each and every day with my mindset and realize that I MUST continue to FIGHT to keep the negative out!

Sure, some days are easier than others and some days are just plain hard.

But the key is this: NEVER GIVE UP!

Remember, "As long as there is breath, there is hope."

I'll be sharing some more news about my plans beginning in 2011. I will go ahead and tell you that I should be starting my podcast and blog once again along with some other exciting things planned.

STAY TUNED!

And, friend, I do want to wish you and your family a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

And, as always, whatever you do...

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

Mike

My Christmas Wish For You

My Christmas Wish For You!

First of all - MERRY CHRISTMAS! from my family to yours. May this be a special time for you, your family, your friends and those that you love!

In today's podcast I simply wanted to share the joy of some of the Christmas music I have been using for my podcast over the past couple of weeks by playing the full length versions of a couple of the songs. Once again, here is the link that has a LOT of free, downloadable Christmas music available for you: http://www.feelslikechristmas.com/

The two full-length songs used today (found on this sight under "traditional instrumental") are: We Wish You a Merry Christmas - Moscow Symphony Orchestra and Deck the Halls - John Morgan. I hope you enjoy listening to them.

SPECIAL NOTE: I made a mistake in today's podcast! No, it's not just a grammatical mistake - I make PLENTY of those! Some of you won't catch it, but many of you will and here's what I want to do: The FIRST person to send me an e-mail that correctly identifies the mistake that I'm talking about will receive a FREE T-shirt from http://www.PrepareTheFutureYou.com . Just send an e-mail to me at: mike@futureyouuniversity.com and let me know what the mistake was and, if you are the first to correctly identify it, I will let you know and get the information I need from you to send that to you.

My wish for you this Christmas is for PEACE and the PEACE OF MIND that comes from the SECURITY of knowing that you have taken control of your own destiny!

What a wonderful gift to give yourself, your family and those you love!

What a wonderful gift to share with anyone and everyone!

Again, Merry Christmas!

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

Mike