Life's Golden Nuggets

Winning Starts in Your Thoughts

Choosing What You Think Upon

I have yet to run into a highly motivated and successful individual who spends much time thinking about how many problems he or she has. Across the board, I have found that successful, happy people think high thoughts. They spend their time clarifying the vision of what they are building; when they run into a problem, their thoughts are geared toward finding solutions.

You are a winner. You are a one-of-a-kind solution bringer to the world around you. You have a unique influence on the earth that no one else possesses. The answers are within you already. Becoming you is the greatest gift you can give to the world. The first step to becoming you is to decide to think only the thoughts that will get you there.

Who Are You Going to Please?

Getting Your Priorities Straight

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where someone will be unhappy no matter what choice you make? What do you do? How do you decide whom you will please and whom you will seemingly let down?

In my early years, this issue was a constant struggle for me. I would try to do everything to make everyone happy—and it was always a complete failure. The pain I felt and the pain I caused others was nearly lethal—especially in my marriage. I dealt my wife numerous wounds by not intentionally deciding who to please.

I learned quickly that if I was saying no to something, I was inversely saying yes to something else. Once I realized I had to make a decision, I wasn’t sure how. I knew this uncertainty was hurting my life and causing me to hurt others.

Fighting Fair

Controlling Your Emotions

Early on in life, I actually enjoyed getting involved in a good fight. I always thought my way was right, and I wouldn’t back down. I was born to fight for what I really believe in. The change that has occurred over time, however, isn’t just how I engage in battle but what I fight for.

When you find yourself exchanging explosive words with someone you love, it becomes important to identify motive. Why am I fighting this fight? What do I want to get out of it? What am I willing to risk losing to achieve my goal? Is it worth it?

Others’ Perceptions

Self-Awareness in Relationships

I am continuously fascinated by the topic of how we are perceived. I believe there is some truth to the idea that individual perception determines reality. Therefore, it is really important to understand how other people are reacting to us—to our personalities, our characters, our beliefs, our senses of humor, and our culture. This does not mean we should shift who we are according to our environment, but that we should honor others by acting in ways that would avoid causing hurt or anger.

It never ceases to amaze me when I see people exhibit behavior that makes them appear oblivious to how others perceive them. If it were only arrogance, it would be understandable; arrogant people do not always care how others see them. They believe they are operating on a higher plain. What I am referring to are people who want to be known, liked, and loved.

Wisdom

Relief of Asking for Help

I am constantly amazed by the gift of asking for wisdom. God first inspired me to do this because perhaps He knew I was a little dense in some areas. Without His wisdom, I would surely have fallen down when I didn’t need to.

It was just before my father was diagnosed with liver cancer that I felt the need to pray for wisdom. His diagnosis and subsequent death caused shock and sorrow for those who knew him. Looking back, I understand better why the Holy Spirit inspired me to pray for wisdom. I was able to deal with that devastating event far better than I could have imagined. I had the opportunity to share about Jesus to everyone around me. How amazing that something so painful, handled with wisdom, worked together for good.