Opportunity to Grow

This article will conclude the series for this week, addressing the question of "WHEN do I/we need to get started on taking action?"

And, throughout the week, the answer has been, "NOW!'

 As was discussed in the last article, it is sometimes difficult to "get off of the fence" when we face a future that involves "the unknown" or that is full of the "what if's?".  

 

 THERE WILL BE CHALLENGES and SET BACKS! 

Take the advice of Simon T. Bailey as stated above, and look at CHANGE as an OPPORTUNITY TO GROW!

Change IS inevitable but that does not mean that it is something that we cannot handle or control. Sure, if we look at change as a "dirty word" and as an enemy, or foe, then we will face change timidly and full of fear.

However, if we understand that change can, indeed, be considered our "friend" because it will give us the opportunity to grow, then we can actually begin to face change without fear or hesitation!

Too often, when facing change, many people will simply give up and/or run back to their comfort zone. BUT THAT IS NOT YOU....is it?

Remember, because you ARE unique and because you "see" things and look at things in a way like no one else, YOU can see the opportunity where others see only a wall and a reason to retreat.

So, stop hitting that "snooze button" for your life, dedicate yourself to DAILY growth and activity, take steps TODAY to begin to turn those dreams into reality, once and for all get off of that fence by making a decision to MOVE FORWARD and, friend, DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THE CHANGE THAT YOU WILL FACE.

Feel the breeze of freedom as you begin to step into the reality of your better future!

And, as you do so, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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RUTS: Why This One?

Here's just a quick reminder of the things we've noticed about ruts...
A path or routine u follow day after day
A rut is fixed, rigid
A rut is not creative
A rut is not flexible
A rut cannot change easily
R - routines and rituals
( a route that is safe and gets me there)
** "A rut is a grave with both ends knocked out"

As I type this article, I experienced some of these very things with some "snow ruts" (like those in the picture above) as I drove around town earlier today after a late-winter sleet and ice storm overnight. I could get out of the ruts as needed but, more often than not, I could not STAY OUT of the rut...the rut would "win" and force me back into the rut.

This caused me to add another "item" to the list above: RUTS CAN BE DANGEROUS!

If you followed through with the "homework" that I assigned to you in the last blog and podcast, then you spent some time identifying YOUR ruts. Did you? What did you discover?

This article presents a new question to ask about these ruts of yours: "Why this one?".

In other words, how did you get into this rut? What was it about this rut that caused you to repeat the activity that created the rut?

 A "cow trail" is a type of rut. Whether across a pasture or field or even through the woods, somewhere along the way a cow decided to take a certain path and others followed. Even this original "path-finder" cow began to follow that same path/trail again and again and, before long, there was a visible trail or rut that had been made by this cow and the other cows that followed along the same path.

So, with that in mind, why are you in THAT particular rut?

Did you begin the rut originally or did you follow someone else into that rut? This really is important to consider because it may be a key ingredient in not repeating the process in the future. 

This whole thing definitely goes under the "easier said than done" category. I understand that. I also understand that I'm giving you a LOT of things to consider and am really giving very little "guidance". I can't give you the answers, friend. However, I can bring up things for you to consider and then suggest more things to consider as far as possible remedies.

I do hope you will join me as we continue examining RUTS and how they impact our lives. Until then, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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RUTS: What Are They?

 

Before I get started, I wanted to share the "credits" for the "new" music that I'm using beginning with today's podcast. It's by the same person that was responsible for the "theme" I've used for six years now and I use more of his music now. Check it out for yourself for your own needs:

"Carefree" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

 

Now for the start of this new series on "RUTS".

 

As I mention on the podcast (see the two links below to access the podcast), these thoughts came from another sermon I heard from my preacher this past Sunday. As I listened I realized that the points that were being made about ruts applied to our every day lives and activities as well as spiritually.

 

Let me start by sharing a list of things about "ruts" that we will be using for our discussion in this series:

   - A path or routine u follow day after day

   - A rut is fixed, rigid

   - A rut is not creative

   - A rut is not flexible

   - A rut cannot change easily

  - A rut involves routines and rituals

  - A rut is a route that is safe and gets me there

** "A rut is a grave with both ends knocked out"**

 

Wow, read that last one again! If that doesn't get your attention then I'm not sure what will!

 

Now, let's understand this - routines and rituals that are done on a daily (or almost daily) basis are not necessarily bad. Think about it, putting on deodorant and brushing your teeth on a daily basis is NOT a bad thing! I've come across a few people that NEED to get into that habit or RUT for sure!

 

Be sure to listen to the podcast to get more than what I'll share with you in this blog and get in the habit, routine and, yes, even call it a "rut", of doing both every time.

 

But DO notice that, even though ruts may feel "safe" and they may "get you 'there'" they are fixed, rigid, non-creative, non-flexible and "a grave with both ends knocked out".

 

"Safe" is not always a good thing, friend! This kind of "safety" (which is a false sense of "security") can often lead to your own "death" along the way.

 

Think about that. Listen to the podcast. Identify YOUR "ruts". Join me next time as we continue this discussion.

 

And, until then, whatever you do, always be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

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Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed

Break FREE From Debt!

 

You've heard me talk about Dani Johnson many times before, right?

 

Her programs WORK - end of story and, friends, THIS is just one of the programs that are completly CHANGING PEOPLE'S LIVES!

 

I own the program myself and it is INDEED making a difference in reducing debt and how we now look at money in every way.

 

Check it out for yourself and make a decision to GET OUT OF DEBT and then to STAY OUT OF DEBT!

 

You'll be glad you did!

 

And, yes, I stand behind this fully because any thing that Dani Johnson does WORKS. Simple as that.

 

- Mike

Achieving Inner Peace

Those that find themselves in circumstances that leave them feeling lost, those that have accepted the value - or lack of value - that others have placed upon them and those that have accepted "left overs" from those around them rarely know inner peace. As a matter of fact, they know very little of ANY peace in their lives.

 

Hopefully this week's articles and podcasts have been helpful for those that have struggled with allowing others to determine and control their self-worth. Again, YOU ARE OF GREAT VALUE AND WORTH no matter what anyone else has told you.

 

Yes, you have to start where you are but you have HOPE today - TODAY - of taking a  new path in and for your life! You must know that and believe that and begin to move in a new direction for your life.

 

Notice the graphic: Inner peace begins THE MOMENT you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions. In other words, it begins INSTANTLY.

 

Just the DECISION to not allow this anymore in your life will bring a sense of peace into your life. Just the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT that you have allowed others to control how you feel about yourself and how you "look" at yourself will bring a sense of peace into your life.

 

Oh yes, it will likely bring a sense of disappointment in yourself and maybe even a sense of disgust and shame.....but move past that quickly. You have felt that too many times before and for too long.

 

TODAY IS A NEW DAY!

 

Please know again that I know and understand that I am not a psychiatrist or psychologist and that I also know that making such a move and decision could even be dangerous for you in certain situations.

 

Get the help you need to even make that first move away from such a situation and protect yourself but, for yourself and even for your children if you have them with you, you MUST make that move and understand that you DO have so much to offer so many.

 

Inner peace does not mean that all problems disappear. It does not mean that you will not struggle with guilt or question yourself from time to time.

 

It DOES mean that, in spite of those times of negative feelings, you can still find peace KNOWING that you are moving in a different direction with choices made by YOU with a strong belief in your ability to do so and of your WORTH.

 

I'd love to hear from you. And, yes, MEN, this could even be you that is too often overlooked in these type of situations. Yes, even you can struggle with these very things we have been discussing this week.

 

"As long as there is breath, there is hope." - Mike Spillman

 

Yeah, I wrote that and I believe it fully. There is hope as long as you are alive and breathing. Take that hope and let it begin to burn inside to a full flame.

 

And, as you do so, whatever you do, be sure to....

 

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

 

Mike

 

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Let it Go (Part 2)

Did you ever wear weights while training for some sport?

 

The idea behind this is for you to train while wearing weights around your ankles so that you get used to doing your task (mine was basketball) at full speed while having that extra weight strapped to your body. THEN, once game time came around and you took the weights off, you should be able to actually run faster and jump higher because you are doing so without the added weight.

 

The Bible, in talking about the life-long fight against sin, also uses this example in part in Hebrews 12:1 - "... let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..."

 

You can also see this same concept with an airplane that needs the ability to lift or to stretch their fuel usage by ridding the plane of nonessential weight! You really see this dramatically played out in movies when they begin to throw out the non-essentials.

 

I've seen it played out in different movies with boats and even covered wagons in the old west when needing to spare their  horses from such a heavy load.

 

HERE'S THE POINT: When you rid your......automobile, airplane, boat, covered wagon or even YOURSELF.....of excess weight you can go faster, fly higher, have your fuel or even your horse last longer!

 

And, friend, so it is with those things that we just need to LET GO in our lives! (If you haven't done so, go back and read the last blog article as well as listen to the last podcast for the first part of this discussion).

 

Yes, it is difficult to let go and walk away from those things to which we have grown accustomed - especially when those things are PEOPLE.

 

However, what you will likely find over time is that you actually are beginning to live life again or, perhaps, for the very first time. You may even find yourself thinking and saying things like, "I never knew that life could be this good!"

 

Just as the Bible verse above expresses, life IS a race, but friend, it is NOT a sprint...it is a marathon. Any excess weight that you carry begins to burden you down the longer you participate in this race called life.

 

You hear me say daily (if you listen to the podcast) that "as long as there is breath, there is hope" and it applies in such a strong way with this topic.

 

Many, weighed down by those things that need to be left behind, have become so burdened down that they have lost sight and lost hope of what life really has to offer.

 

DO NOT GIVE UP and do NOT allow yourself to continue carrying those things which MUST be left behind.

 

So, let me put it this way: DON'T GIVE UP but, instead, GIVE IT (what needs to be left behind) UP so that YOU can GET UP and move on in your life and begin to LIVE LIFE!

 

And friend, as you do so, be sure to....

 

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

 

Mike

 

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There Comes a Time to Do It Yourself!

 

There are a lot of things in our lives that started out with us needing help. Eating, bathing, getting dressed, walking, talking, riding a bike, and swinging, among many others.

 

You can pick which ever one "connects" with you in this analogy but, as you can tell from the graphic at the top of this article, I've chosen to use learning to swing on a swing set.

 

You don't remember how it was before but maybe you've seen pictures and/or videos of how it all began. You likely started out in some sort of special "baby swing" so that you didn't fall out of or off of the swing!

 

Your parents - or someone else - would put you in that swing and.....

 

Well, if it were completely up to you using what you knew about swinging then the end of the last sentence would read something like....absolutely nothing happened. You just sat there in your swing.

 

However, more than likely what happened was that someone began to push you in your swing and you begin to move back and forth with no effort of your own.

 

Pretty cool, right?

 

Even better than that was when you got old enough to communicate - even just a little - and you could call out for someone to push you so that you could swing. And they would! "Swing!" or "Push!" and someone would come running to help you swing as you smiled and laughed and enjoyed this swinging with, again, little to no effort on your part.

 

So, what happened?

 

At some point, others began to tire of you needing to be pushed and they began to teach you and show you how, with the movement of your legs and body, you could swing all by yourself anytime that you wanted!

 

It was hard to do at first, do you remember? You couldn't quite get the movement down to get going the way that you wanted but someone kept working with you and showing you how to do it and, before you knew it, YOU WERE SWINGING ALL BY YOURSELF!

 

What freedom! What adventure! No longer were you tied to what others could do or wanted to do - you could do this ALL BY YOURSELF!

 

I remember swinging for hours on end with all kinds of  "adventures" going through my head. I even remember once thinking that I could jump over a low hanging branch right in front of my swing set and.....yes, you got it...I even TRIED to jump over that limb. That didn't turn out well!

 

But did that stop me from swinging again? NO!

 

Did that keep me from enjoying the thrill of swinging as high as I could? NO!

 

Even now, at 54 years of age, if I find a swing in a park I cannot resist sitting in the swing and swinging back and forth.

 

Surely, by now, you've figured out the analogy.

 

When we are trying something new in this journey of reaching our goals and dreams, we need a lot of help at first. We need someone (or a group of people) to teach us, to train us on what to do and how to do it. Aren't you glad these people exist?

 

Perhaps it's just encouragement that you get from blogs like this and podcast like the ones I put out. I'm glad I can be a part of your journey!

 

But, with all of this, there comes a time when you have to step out and step up and do it yourself, FOR yourself!

 

If you refuse to do so you are missing out on the thrill and exhilaration that comes with enjoying the freedom of "doing it" ALL BY YOURSELF!

 

And just think...just like the example of learning how to swing, you will get the opportunity to teach and train someone else to do the same thing and to enjoy the same freedom, thrill and exhilaration that you have experienced and enjoyed.

 

And friend, I don't know that there are many things in life better than that!

 

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your day. I really mean that.

 

As you continue along your journey, whatever you do, be sure to...

 

 

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

 

Mike

 

 

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Stepping Away From the Mundane



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(This article first published at: http://www.empowernetwork.com/mspillman/blog/stepping-away-from-the-mundane/ )

 

I (or I should say, my wife and I) walked away from my job two days ago and I feel more alive today than I have in a very long time.

 

This thought/idea may sound completely foreign to you but, for me, it's been a life-saving move and one that was ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY for my life and my mission in life.

 

Like many, I had allowed myself to get into a situation (and this situation was mostly due to my mindset) to where I felt I had no other option but to crawl to a J-O-B. This was a job that ANYONE could do (and DOES do), that required no special skills and, quite honestly, had no future whatsoever. It was strictly a J-O-B and a way to bring some money in and to pay the bills. It paid the bills (most of the time) but that was ALL it did. There was no freedom with our time and there was not enough left after paying bills to actually enjoy what time we did have when we were off from that job.

 

But here's the worse part: IT WAS SUCKING ME INTO A HOLE THAT MANY NEVER PULL THEMSELVES OUT OF - it was like quicksand. Do you have any idea what I'm talking about? If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts on that type of concept.

 

I/we stayed there longer than I had planned and I knew that if I didn't do something DRASTIC (something that 98% of those there would not ever do) then I, too, would be stuck there continuing to dread every day.

 

 

Friend, THAT'S NOT WHAT LIFE IS ABOUT!

 

So, I/we walked away. Yes, we have plans and things in action that we have had to put off due to having that J-O-B. And I feel more ALIVE, EXCITED and ENERGETIC than I have felt in a very long time.

 

As a matter of fact, a couple of hours ago my wife and I sat on our back porch watching the rain (which we love to do but haven't done in a very long time due to that J-O-B), smelling the rain and just talking excitedly about what all life had to offer us now that we have cut the chains that were dragging us down and keeping us attached to that mind-numbing activity from which most people never, ever break free.

 

What about you? Does that scare you? Does that sound crazy or does it MAKE SENSE to you? Does it EXCITE you?

 

But how?

 

That's the fun part, friend. But first and foremost you have to CHANGE your MINDSET! Instead of being AFRAID (fearful) of taking such a step you need to WAKE UP and be MORE AFRAID (fearful) of staying where you are if you DO NOT LIKE where you are. Make sense?

 

But, as always, it's up to you. Think and plan - YES! But, sooner or later those thoughts and plans must position yourself to finally take ACTION.

 

I'm so glad I/we did.

 

Until next time, whatever you do, be sure to "Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

 

Mike

Drive Like There's No Tomorrow!

Drive Like There's No Tomorrow!

Have you ever lost your driver's license? I'm not asking if you've ever misplaced it - but have you ever had it taken away from you?

Once I got old enough to get even my learner's permit (had to drive with an adult licensed driver starting at age 14 and until I was 16) the worst thing my parents could do to me by way of discipline was to take my driving privileges away.

I've never had it taken away due to any problems with traffic tickets, etc. but, maybe you have. IF you obeyed the law at that point (and, many - if not most - don't) and did not drive, you found out what an inconvenience it was to depend upon others to drive you where you needed to go.

One of the saddest things to me is when a person gets to the point that, due to their age and declining abilities, they must surrender their license...usually unwillingly. Now, true, for the safety of all involved, this needs to be done and usually BEFORE it actually happens.

Regardless, it's sad.

The main reason it is so sad is because, usually, this is the last bit of real freedom that they have. Who WOULDN'T be reluctant to give that up? When they surrender their license and their driving privileges they now are pretty much totally dependent on other people for just about everything.

Do you realize how long it has been for them since this were true?

They can no longer do what they want to do when they want to do it or go where they want to go when they want to go!

What does this have to do with our "theme" for this week's topic? EVERYTHING!

It goes hand-in-hand with yesterday's thought about not expecting others to do everything for us but to "get behind the wheel" and take control of our own lives!

THIS IS NOT A BURDEN...this is a blessing, a privilege and a right!

Why in the world would you want to hand that over to anyone else?

Like the elderly person that wants to hang on to their driving privilege as long as possible (FREEDOM!) so should each of us do ALL that we can for as LONG as we can to make sure we are DOING ALL that we can to live the life of our dreams!

Do NOT surrender! Do NOT give up! Do NOT give in!

It is YOUR life! It is YOUR dream! It is YOUR goal!

Get behind that wheel, take control of your own destiny and "DRIVE" LIKE THERE IS NO TOMORROW!

(Yeah, I'm getting a little excited here!)

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and GO FOR IT!

And, hey, as you do so...

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

Mike

Independence Day!

Today is July 4th and, in the United States of America we celebrate this as Independence Day. Now listen, it doesn't matte WHERE you're from - I'm going to cover some points that ALL can relate to.

HOWEVER, I want to speak a moment to my fellow Americans.... as we remember and celebrate this special day.

1. Don't forget what it is we celebrate - Yes, there are cookouts and fireworks that are enjoyed by many, but don't forget what we REALLY celebrate today. This is the day we celebrate the BIRTH of our country and the bravery that those who signed that Declaration of Indepence exhibited by putting their names on the line. Not only that, but the countless number of men and women that have sacrificed fighting to maintain that freedom.

2. BE THANKFUL! Are you one that gripes and fusses about all of the things that aren't right in our country? Realize that there are those that died so that you can have that freedom! Oh, believe me but check it out for yourself - many countries would "shut you down" in a heartbeat for talking against your country. It still happens today. BE THANKFUL of where you live and the FREEDOMS that we enjoy.

3. DO SOMETHING to make our country better! Talk is cheap - DO SOMETHING! Many already have and it cost many of them their lives.

NOW FOR ALL OF US....

Regardless of where you live or where you are - we ALL have the opportunity to claim independence in our own lives as we pursue a brighter and better future. Think about it - YOU have the power to change your life in such a way so as to claim Independence in your own life in the following ways:

* FREEDOM from an uncertain future - YOU can change it and chart your course!

* FREEDOM from financial worries - YOU can change even your financial future!

* FREEDOM from the stress of the above things - Yes, again, YOU can change your future!

Get the point? I could go on and on with that type of idea but here's the kicker - YOUR FUTURE IS NOW and YOU have the POWER and the ABILITY to make it what YOU want it to be!!!!

So, for so many reasons -

Happy Independence Day!!!