Think on THESE Things

 

It's FUN FRIDAY! What can YOU do today to bring smiles to those around you?

Before I start let me make sure you know you can follow the daily podcast on the same topics here:

iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mike-spillmans-future-you/id423660739

RSS feed: http://mikespillman.hipcast.com/rss/futureyouuniversity.xml

Have you ever heard the saying, "God moves in mysterious ways."? I'm sure most of us have and, honestly, many times when I've heard it used, it was used out of context and in a poor manner trying to explain some tragedy when, quite honestly, the person speaking should have just remained silent.

Here's the thing: I recorded the podcast for today over a week ago. With the job that I'm working right now I try to do at least one week's worth of podcast ahead of time so that I can make sure I don't get behind. Honestly, that's a little hard to do because I like to TRY to talk about things that are relevant and, many times, this happens due to global happenings or just things that I observe from day to day. And, honestly, after I had recorded this week's worth of podcasts I decided not to do the second weeks worth like I did last time because I wanted to wait and see if anything NEW popped up that got my attention. It did and now let me explain.

I recorded this podcast over a week ago. I'm writing this article on Thursday so that it is ready for publication on Friday. (Now maybe you can see how easy it is for me to get confused!). This article speaks more from scripture than I usually have in my podcasts/articles but I felt it was one worth using and exploring in the realm of having a positive mindset. Now, I'll talk more about this in Monday's podcast/article but since the beginning of my podcasts and articles back in March of 2009 I have purposely tried to stay away from using the Bible very much even though I have been a minister for years.

Why? I wanted to try to reach a "bigger audience" without coming across too "churchy" while still using spiritual principles. Again, I'll talk more about this on Monday but something powerful struck me last night while at a mid-week worship assembly. And it was right up the alley of the topic of today's subject matter that was prepared over a week ago.

Listen to the podcast which was recorded before this event on Wednesday night because I think there is a LOT of valuable information there but BE SURE TO PAY ATTENTION to what I'm saying here.

Friend, bottom line... you can't expect good stuff in your life and from your life as long as we continue to allow so much "garbage/junk" in it as was discussed in yesterday's information. So, not only is it important to GET RID OF THE JUNK in our lives and in our minds, but it is likely MORE IMPORTANT to pay close attention to what we use to REPLACE THE JUNK with GOOD, POSITIVE influences.

I encourage you to read the scripture that I refer to in today's podcast (Philippians 4:8) and really consider the things listed there that we are encouraged to meditate upon or think on. IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE and this point was driven home to me once again during last night's event.

And I honestly believe that there is no way around it. Whether you believe in God or the Bible or not -- you cannot discount the VALUE of what is discussed in this part of Holy Scripture. Check it out for yourself, put it in to practice on a daily basis and see what happens!

And, as you begin to experience the POSITIVE change that will take place in your life, whatever you do and AS YOU DO IT, be sure to...

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

Mike

Surviving Life's Adventure

Surviving Life's Adventure

Just like the roller coaster above, life has it's UPs and it has it's DOWNs!

When you really think about it, what I have said this week is definitely true - LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE!

It just seems to be "human nature" for us to like it/enjoy it when things are on the "up" swing, right? However, I don't know that I've ever met anyone that actually expressed a liking to life when it is in a "down" swing and doing so at break-neck speed.

Oh, I've read words from people that have said we need to do this, but I've never actually met one. Have you?

So, here's the focus for the day - you CAN survive life's adventure!

You DO HAVE the ability to survive the struggles as well as life's celebrations!

How do I know that? Simple. You're still here.

The fact that you are still here reading this blog shows that YOU have the ability to survive life's ups and downs even if it's not fun!

"As long as there is breath there is hope!" I came up with this quote over a year ago and it is as true today as it was then and it will continue to be true for the rest of time!

As long as you are alive and breathing there is HOPE for something to change. And YOU have the ability to put that change into action.

Are you going to tell me that you have never had to get creative in order to survive life's adventure? Sure you have! Hey, "McGyver" has nothing on you! You've had to learn how to juggle bills or juggle jobs or..... you can fill in this part, right?

Has it always been easy? NO!

But, remember, no adventure is "easy" - that's what makes it an adventure! The risk involved ensures that it is not going to be an easy task. Seriously, what would be the adventure if it was all easy?

Now, please understand that I KNOW it's easier for me to sit and type these words than to remember them when things get tough. But, I know this about myself as well. I CAN because I already HAVE!

That's right. Just like you (and everyone else) I have survived which tells me that I can do it again - regardless of what life throws at me. And, yes, some things may knock me for a bigger loop and make it harder to get back up on my feet....but I WILL get back up on my feet. I know I can and I know I will.

Why? Because I - like you - am a SURVIVOR of life's adventure!

Take a look back at your life - as painful as it may be - and just notice times in your life that you have pulled through and survived when, at the time, it seemed like it might be impossible to do so.

Yeah, see? You CAN do it. You've done it before and you can do it again.

So, what's there to be afraid of?

Indeed, life IS an adventure and it's an adventure that YOU can survive.

So... let's go!

And, as you do so...

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

Mike

What Adventure Are YOU Ready For?

What Adventure Are YOU Ready For?

In the March issue of Success magazine, Jeff Probst (host of "Survivor") makes the following quote that I used for the "spring board" for today's discussion: "The adventure you're ready for is the one you'll get!".

Are YOU approaching life as an adventure? Are you LIVING life or are you merely "existing"? These are some things I'd like you to seriously consider as we go through this discussion. I do encourage you to read the article that I've mentioned. I have posted it on the FYU fan page on Facebook but, for your convenience, here is the link:

http://www.successmagazine.com/jeff-probst-a-survivors-perspective/PARAMS/article/987

This article will challenge you and, I believe at the same time, inspire you to approach each and every day with a little bit different outlook - AN ADVENTURE!

Another quote that I used from the article was this - "I'm here for an uncertain amount of time and I want to get the most out of it."

Hey friend, what Mr. Probst says is true for us all! We ALL have an uncertain amount of time here - so what are YOU doing with YOURS?

I've shared thoughts before on the movie, "The Bucket List" in which two men make a list of things that they wish to do before they die. We should ALL create such a list! MTV also ran a show with a similar theme ("The Buried Life") featuring a group of young men that were setting out to check off items on their list while helping people along the way complete something on their own list. Likely, we all get inspired by such things but, does it change us or inspire us enough to actually DO something?

Tell me, friend, what do YOU do to keep your days from becoming a monotonous routine if you do the exact same thing every day for years at a time? What do YOU do to keep from taking your days from granted? What do YOU do to squeeze the adventure available out of each and every day?

You don't have to become a contestant on a show like "Survivor" or "The Amazing Race" to enjoy and experience the joy of life right where you are! It's not always easy to do, but isn't that part of what makes it such an adventure?

You see, just like everything else I talk about - this is a choice and it is YOUR choice!

How you approach your day is YOUR choice. You either choose to dread the day and go through it merely "existing" OR you can choose to anticipate the day with excitement and attack the day (yes, along with it's problems) as the adventure that it is and retire at the end of the evening feeling that you have, indeed, lived an adventure!

It's up to YOU!

Now, this takes a little "advanced training" in the area of "adventure - living" but it's something to strive for... each and every problem that comes your way is an adventure waiting for you! If you will allow yourself to develop a mindset that will help you approach even your problems and your struggles in this way then you will also begin to live a life of "adventure" while others simply go through each day griping and complaining about the problems in their lives.

This DOESN'T mean that it is always fun! Most adventures involve some hardship and some times that just aren't fun...BUT that is part of the adventure!

To be able to push yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually beyond your perceived abilities is what makes life such an adventure!

"Wow, I didn't know I could do that!" is a much better way to live than to always wonder IF you could have or what MIGHT you could have done "IF ONLY".

So, friend, what adventure are YOU ready for today?

I'd love to hear from you on this one. I'd love to be inspired by YOUR story and YOUR adventure of life. Please share with me anytime by dropping me an e-mail at: mike@futureyouuniversity.com

And, as we live this life of adventure, be sure to...

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

I don't usually answer this, but I will today....NO ONE!

Mike

Make ENTHUSIASM Your DAILY Habit!

Twelve "Do's and Don'ts" For a Positive Life

1. Make ENTHUSIASM Your DAILY Habit!

Today we start a new series of discussions - you can see the title at the top along with the first topic to be discussed. I do want to talk briefly about where this came from and how you very likely have had - or will have - similar instances in your life.

Sometime around 1978 or 1979 (yeah, think about that - 30/31 years ago!) someone gave me some sort of brochure and, this list of twelve things was part of the brochure. Apparently even then (either a Sr. in High School or a Freshman in college) there was something about it that "spoke" to me since I stuck it in a book and kept it.

Off and on over the years I would run across it, read it and put it back in the book but, for whatever reason, around 10 - 12 years ago I took it out, typed it up and framed it and now it sits in my office. Think about even that part - it has been sitting in my office for 10 - 12 years. Yes, I have scanned over it from time to time but it has not been until recently that I have really paid close attention to it again.

So, here's what I want you to consider about what I've shared. What/who has come into your life over the years that, at the time, may have had no known impact? Perhaps you have already experienced what I have described and have "found" or "rediscovered" something/someone that has been right in front of you for quite some time already!

Life prepares you for the right time and presents things such as this when you are ready to receive. I firmly believe that!

Perhaps this is one of the reasons our brain works in such a marvelous and miraculous way! When we read something, hear something - whatever - it's there and it's there forever. Now, as we get older it may take longer to go through all of our "files", but it is there! And, sometimes we remember something that we came across years before and only now accept it as something of value.

Be open. Be ready to receive!

Now, back to the point of the day - "Make ENTHUSIASM Your DAILY Habit!"

The choice is yours, my friend! How many times have you already heard me say that? No one else can do it for you - it is YOUR choice, YOUR decision!

I mentioned on the podcast that this paper also shared the information that the word "enthusiasm" comes from the words for "God" and "within". Now, you can take that or leave it - it's your choice - but I think that is pretty powerful!

When I think of "enthusiasm" I think of a "zest" for life! I think of a child that is opening a present on Christmas morning!

Each day should be like that for each of us! Yes, I think it sounds corny too when you hear that thing about each day being a gift and that is why it is called the "present" - but it IS true!

And, yes, I know that a lot of you out there have a hard time seeing today as NOTHING to get enthused about because of all of the problems in your life - BUT EVEN YOU HAVE THAT CHOICE AND ABILITY!

Yes, I also know that all of your problems won't disappear BUT you DO have the choice about how you approach today with whatever it brings!

Change your thinking and you can change your life!

You can change the way you look at things IN your life and, perhaps by doing so - will recall something from the past (like what I talked about at the first part of this entry) that will help you attack some of your problems today!

Hey, ever hear this one before? "As long as there is breath there is HOPE!" ? SURE YOU HAVE! And it is true, my friend! It IS true!

One way to make enthusiasm your daily habit is by doing exactly what you are doing right this moment! It is imperative that you fill your mind with as much positive energy and influence as possible and I'm glad I can be a part of that for you.

I'm glad the author of this list that I'm using used the words, "daily habit" - because it requires a daily approach in order for it to become a habit AND once it becomes a habit, it becomes second nature to us and a part of our life.

Think about it. It's YOUR choice. I hope you will CHOOSE to make enthusiasm your daily habit!

And, as you do, always remember...

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

Mike