The Last Day

12-31-09 Thursday
Well the last day of the year is finally here. It’s a great time to reflect back on what we have come through over the last 365 days. The thing is though if we haven’t made changes in our lives then we will go through the same exact stuff in 2010. In order for ’10 to be our greatest year ever; then we have to approach the year with a different perspective and attitude. It is up to us to make it the greatest year. Don’t wait for someone else to make a move. At the same time; we need to be in a position to encourage others, help others, and to be a friend to others; in order to make this their greatest year yet. We have to get a hold of the idea that; it’s not about us.
I encourage you to begin the New Year with a fresh perspective and good attitude. Leave all the mess of ’09 right here in ’09; don’t take the baggage and garbage with you. Leave all your negative mindsets behind. Take nothing into the New Year that can hold you down. Release the anger, frustration, unforgiveness, bitterness, hurts, disappointments, and resentment behind. Take with you forgiveness, love, favor, encouragement, peace, joy, happiness, and determination with you.
If you know anyone who would like reading this blog please by all means invite them to join on facebook, or by going to www.scottwimberly.com or I can email it to them; whatever way is best for them.
Thank you so much for being an encouragement to me this year. So many you have dropped me notes during the year and I am so thankful for you all. I appreciate you all very much. Share the love with those close to you. Happy New Year’s Eve to everyone!

Fullness of Destiny

12-30-09 Wednesday
After reading the past few days notes you may be saying, “I just can’t let go of the stuff you are talking about,” or “It’s easy for you to say, but you don’t know what I have been through and done to me.” In either case you may be correct, but I do know what all the negative stuff in your life is doing to you. We can let go and move forward. We can’t move forward when we care going in circles. Stop hitting the repeat button and go forward. There is nothing in the world that is worth us not fulfilling our destiny. Let it go! If something is keeping you down and out; then it’s time to let it go. Let’s go into to the New Year free of baggage. Let’s operate in the fullness of our destiny in 2010.

Identity

12-29-09 Tuesday
As we get closer to end of ’09 and head into ’10, what will you identify with ’09? When people see you or think about you; how do they identify you? When you tell someone about yourself; how do you identify yourself? Do you identify with the negative things, the hurtful things, and the bad things that have occurred in your life or do you identify with the positive things, the good stuff that has taken place? What is your identity? We all have had stuff happen to us that was negative, bad, hurtful and even harmful, but do we have to identified by that? Let go of all of that stuff and get it out of your system. No matter how bad, we still have to get it out of us. Be identified by how you have bounced back, got back up, turned the negative into positive, bad into good, and harmful into helpful. What is your identity?

Forgive today

12-28-09 Monday
Over the past week I have witnessed an incredible act of forgiveness. In a situation where one person, already running from one accident, caused another accident where a person was killed; the parents immediately and completely forgave the man who caused their daughter’s death. Without going into details; trust me, being able to forgive as they have is incredible. Here at Christmas time, beginning to prepare for a wedding, birthday, and so on; these parents gave the gift of forgiveness. As we heard at the funeral; they forgave this person, yet we don’t forgive someone who said something about you, somebody did you wrong, etc. Please don’t take unforgiveness into the 2010. You can forgive those that have wronged you, no matter what has taken place. Then you are free of that situation. You will never reach your destiny with unforgiveness in your heart.

Clean and free

12-27-09 Sunday
As we get closer to the end of the year; it is time to let go of some stuff that we have picked up this year. Some things we want to carry over to the New Year, but there are some things that we really need to let go of right now. Let go of disappointments; whether someone disappointed you or you disappointed yourself; either way don’t carry it into 2010. Disappointment will drag you down and make you become weighed down, lose your peace, your joy, your happiness. However, when we let go of that disappointment we have more freedom than we did before the incident happened. Learn from whatever happened in your life that caused the disappointment. But don’t carry the negative side effects around inside you any longer. Release disappointment from your life. 2010 will be a much better year when we enter into it clean and free.

Take a look around

12-26-09 Saturday
We are beginning the last full week of the year. I hope that you have made this the best Christmas ever for someone else. There are so many folk that are just going through the motions; especially this time of year. However, we, and I do mean we, get so caught up in our own Christmas world that we don’t see the hurting people. I encourage us all to take the time to notice those around us and be an encourager to them. Not just in meaningless words or deeds, but sincerely mean whatever it is you decide to do to encourage those around you. Remember we all need uplifting and encouragement from time to time.

Merry Christmas

12-25-09 Friday
Merry Christmas!! I hope that this is the best and most awesome Christmas for you ever! The way to make sure that it is the best and most awesome for you; is to make it the best and most awesome for someone else. There is truth in; it is better to give than to receive. Take a look around you today and whether you give something or encourage someone; just do something to make someone else’s Christmas the best ever!
Thank you for making Embrace Your Destiny a success. If you have not gotten your copy yet go to www.scottwimberly.com and it is available. If you want it signed we can do that too. Thank you again. Love you all!! Merry Christmas!

No matter what

12-24-09 Thursday
Happy Christmas Eve! I really hope that you are having a great Christmas season with your family and friends. I determined yesterday that I will do what is right even when it hurts. It’s easy to do the right thing when it benefits us or when we are seen doing the right thing by others. However, what about when no one sees and it is not easy? That is when I want to do the right thing. I have determined that I will live with integrity in my life. This was the basis of what we are celebrating right now. Mary and Joseph did the right thing; despite it being unheard of and very difficult. What this couple did 2000 years ago should give us the incentive to do so today. To determine to do the right thing no matter how difficult.

Holding Pattern

12-23-09 Wednesday
We are getting so close to the end of the year. So many folk, me included, are saying they will be happy when this year is over. I am looking forward to getting a fresh start in ’10. There are so many things that I will be doing differently not just in the next year, but for the rest of my life. I don’t want to continue to stay in the same pattern I have been in for so long. It’s like an airplane in a holding pattern above the runway. In many ways for too long I have been in a holding pattern. It is time for change, growth, and maturity in some areas of my life.
First and foremost will be the way that I treat those close to me; my wife, daughter, mom, in-laws and so on. Basically the way I deal with people will be better. By learning that it’s not about me has really helped. That is what I will be working on for the New Year and the rest of my life.

Thankful

12-22-09 Tuesday
I am sitting here in the Best Western in Jackson; thinking back at all that took place yesterday. It was one of the best birthday’s I can remember. To be able to spend it with Melissa, Gloria, and Mama was awesome. However, I was able to add to that, Aunt Nora and some of the best friends I have ever had. We had a great time at the Pine City Bakery. I appreciate Kellie and her family for letting us use the place for that book signing. I also want to thank all of those that came by, some on purpose and some that just happened to be coming in to get a get sandwich. I appreciate you all very much! You never know how something like that is going to turn out, but you guys made it special for me. I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present. Good friends and good food is hard to beat. There were so many notes from those that were unable to come too; I thank you just as much.
I hope that in a few months we can do it again when my next book; The Right Way not My Way becomes available. There are still some copies of Embrace Your Destiny at the Bakery; and they are signed. They are also available at www.scottwimberly.com Thank you again for making my birthday a great day.

Birthday

12-21-09 Monday
I would be telling a story if I said today was not a special day for me. I have always been a birthday boy. I hope that is not being selfish on my part. I also always try to remember other folk’s BD’s too. It is your special day; only comes once a year, thank ya Jesus. This year is especially great because I get to spend it with my beautiful wife, cutie pie daughter Gloria, my mom, my Aunt Nora, other family members and friends that I will see here in Jackson. It has been a tough year in the Wimberly house, but we have held on to that peace I have been talking about.
I am seeing that if I hold on to peace and truth that I can walk through anything that the world throws at me. Even when I make the wrong choices and make mistakes in my life; I know if I will quickly get back to the truth; then peace is right there waiting for me. When others have done me wrong if I will quickly find the truth of the situation; through prayer and forgiveness; then peace is right there again. At this point in my life I am not looking for a quick fix or get success quick things; I am searching for the things that will carry me through life; peace is right at the top of the list.
Hope to see you today at Pine City Bakery in Jackson, 11:30-12:30.

Peace leads

12-20-09 Sunday
While working out yesterday I thought about what does having peace in my life mean for me. I first thought that I would never have any more trouble or hard times; but then quickly realized that was not true. However, I did realize that having peace in my life would keep me during the trouble and hard times. There are times when peace will take you through hard times and lead you through trouble, but when you come through it the peace you have is even stronger. You will be tested in life; even if you have all the peace a person can contain. The testing is for our benefit though. Hold on to peace no matter what the situation. If you don’t have peace in your life right now; then it is time to get it.
If you are in Jackson, AL tomorrow; stop by Pine City Bakery 11:30-12:30. We will be there for a book signing. Even if you don’t care about getting the book; stop on by and visit anyways.

Year Evaluation

12-19-09 Saturday
As we get closer to the end of the year a lot of us reflect back on and evaluate the year. I think the older we get the more we do this. It is good to learn from the things that we went through during the year. Take the good things and build on those and learn from the mistakes that we made. I have made it my goal for ’10 to not repeat the mistakes or make any of the bad choices that I did this year. I have determined to be a much better person, be open, honest, clear, truthful, and transparent. I desire to have peace, joy, love and forgiveness in my life every day. I am not waiting until Jan 1st to make this choice. I have started now so that by the first of the year I will already be on my way.

Start living

12-18-09 Friday
Today is 6 years ago that my dad past away. Now, I am not trying to work your emotions. True it was a sad day in my life; it was not the end of my life. One life here did end, but many of us that he impacted have continued to live on. Many of you never met my dad or knew him very well, but he does live on in many of us. I wish that I could tell a story like he could; he could imitate each person in the story and make it sound like it was taking place right before your eyes.
I learned a lot of my dad; especially in the last six months, when he knew the end was getting close and he wanted to get his house in order. He was a completely different person those last few months and he wanted me to realize that you don’t need to wait until the end to make things right. This is so true, because we don’t know when our end is coming. So all of this to say, let’s begin today to live our lives the way we should. Get our house in order so to speak. Make all your relationships right. Hold no grudges, no unforgiveness, no anger, and no disappointments. Let all that stuff go and hold on to what is good in your life. Form healthy relationships with others and with yourself. Start living today for the rest of your life.

Truth over Facts

12-17-09 Thursday
We were talking about truth and what truth brings to us. I do agree that sometimes we might want to know the truth about ourselves or someone close to us, but in the end I hope that we all want to know the truth about everything. There is really no reason to be afraid of the truth. The saying is that; ‘the truth hurts.’ However once we know the truth; no doubt we are much better off because we know it. Too, knowing it and accepting and believing the truth are not the same. But truth is still truth no matter if we accept and believe it or not. That is what gives truth its strength; truth is true no matter what it make look like. I want the truth more than the facts.

2 questions

12-16-09 Wednesday
There are two fundamental and universal questions that we all ask of every person we meet and have a relationship with; whether it is superficial or a close relationship. Can I trust you? Do you really care about me? I can see now why I have so few close friends from both sides of this question. Am I trustworthy? And I do care about folk? At the same time do I trust people and do I think folk care about me? This is one thing that I will be working on everyday from now on. I will work on both sides of the questions. The thing is; is it better to have friends or to be a friend? I really think that it is better for people to call you friend than it is to have a bunch of friends and not be a friend. Anyways, it is something that I have been thinking about; being a friend and having friends.

Heart Check

12-15-09 Tuesday
We are at the half way point of the month and the end of the year is getting closer as well. I hope that you are considering making some life changes not just for next year, but for the rest of your life. Allowing you to be the real person you were created to be will be the result.
When we allow bitterness to take root in us, no matter where it came from, that bitterness will affect every part of our lives. For the next couple of weeks, let’s check our heart. Make sure there is no root of bitterness controlling our live. If you find any bitterness; which may show itself in various ways, then remove it immediately. If you find yourself anger, sarcastic, mean, unforgiving, short-tempered, and so on, chances are there is bitterness in your heart. Begin cleaning out your heart today. It will make all the difference in the world.

It's time

12-03-09 Monday
We talked about having peace, joy, rest, hope, freedom and so on in our lives. If we are going to have these things in our lives the bottom line is that we have to live a life of forgiveness. We have discussed forgiveness several times over the past year, but from time to time we have to be reminded to make sure we are forgiving. Don’t take any unforgiveness in the New Year. Between now and the end of the year get rid of all unforgiveness. To be able to forgive we need to take on love and humility. If we have those two qualities then forgiveness that is complete is attainable. Don’t let unforgiveness bring you down during the Christmas season. Allow the freedom, peace, joy, happiness, rest, and love come into your live through total forgiveness this year.

Reason for the season

12-13-09 Sunday
People are getting so stressed out; must be close to Christmas!! I used to always say, “Remember the reason for the season,” but I really see now that I still didn’t see it. What is the reason for the season? The birth of Jesus would have to be the majority reason. There are some that would have other answers, but Jesus’ birth to me is the reason. However, that is still not helping us, because we are so stressed out this time of year. It is sad really. If the reason for the season is the birth of Jesus, shouldn’t we have more peace, joy, rest, and hope this time of year? Seems like it to me. Whether or not you even believe in Jesus, are a Christian or not, attend church or not; it seems like we should have more peace, joy, rest, and hope during this time of year. Just a thought I suppose, but this year the Wimberly’s are going after those things and not the stressful things. We will see how it turns out.

Fake it?

12-12-09 Saturday
I heard the saying, ‘fake it ‘til you make it,’ the other day. I was thinking how many times we do just that, but never seem to make it. We act one way on the outside when we feel completely different on the inside. If we want to have peace and joy in our lives, or even just contentment, we have to have it on the inside first. A person can’t fake peace, joy, or even contentment. What do we have to do then to get ourselves in a place where we don’t have to try to fake it ‘til we make it? We have to go to the root of the issue. There is something that is keeping us from achieving peace, joy, and contentment. It is up to us to find it, not the outward stuff, but go to the root of the matter.

Trust Builders

12-11-09 Friday
We all have been disappointed and have disappointed people in our lives. It is how we handle the disappointing times in our lives that will factor in determining the quality of our lives. When someone has disappointed us, we have to forgive quickly and completely. Then we can begin the process of rebuilding the trust in that person. Forgivesness is not a process when you live a life of forgiveness. It is a process when you hold on to the unforgiveness. Trust on the other hand is a process. It can take awhile to rebuild trust, but once you have forgiven and allowed that to be taken out of your system them the trust can factor can be started once again. To live free and have peace; we must pratice forgiveness and be trust builders.

The Choice

12-10-09 Thursday
We don’t see things the way they really are; we see things the way we really are. We look at stuff from our past and our past, what we believe, is our perspective. From this then; what is your perspective like? Do you see things in the negative or the positive light? We have to choose whether or not we are going to see things positively or negatively. It is solely up to us. No one can determine this but us. Take the time to determine if you want to be joyful or mad, mean or nice, sweet or bitter and so on. The choice is yours.

Special Folk

12-09-09 Wednesday
As you get out and about today; be sure and treat everyone as if they were the most special person in the world. Rather than expect to be treated as special; treat others special. If you notice every major religion in the world today as some form of the Golden Rule; that tells me that it is important. We are being told to treat folk even better than we want to be treated. It takes the stronger person to do what is right first. So if you have had a run in with someone and you are waiting for them to make it right; stop waiting. Be the better person and go first; especially if you haven’t done anything wrong. Because somewhere down the line you have been the one who did someone wrong. So remember; treat others even better than you expect to be treated and do it with humility.
I am looking at having a book signing at Pine City Deli in Jackson on Dec. 21st, my birthday, from 11:30-12:30. If you have a copy of Embrace Your Destiny and would like for me to sign it or if you want to purchase a copy and have me sign it; we will have copies there, come by. If you would let me know if this is something you are interested in.

Filing System

12-08-09 Tuesday
I understand that we all have memories of our past. We have a filing system in our mind. One is the file of positive memories and the other is the file of negative memories. When we take a look at these files; which one is bigger in your mind? The one you go to and think about the most is the one that will be the largest. When something happens to you; do you immediately go to the negative file and pull it out and start going over all the negative things that have happened to you? That is like allowing a wound to almost heal and then breaking it open again and having to relive all the pain again. This is how some of us live everyday; constantly reliving all the past bad and negative experiences that have occurred in our lives. However, you can have a much better life. Begin to open the positive file. Begin to find the positive and the good in everything. The experience is the same, but how we deal with it can determine how we live our lives.

Shake it off

12-07-09 Monday
Shake it off. I have been told that so many times, but it is true when it comes to past disappointments and hurts. Sometimes we focus more on the rearview mirror than we do the front windshield. I don’t recommend that we do this when we are driving, because we will continually have wrecks. So why do we do this in our lives? If we focus all of our attention on our past we are bound to repeat it over and over again. Learn from the past; so not to repeat the mistakes and poor choices. However, if we continue to dwell in the past our live will be over and we will find we never got started. Shake off the disappointments and poor choices; continue to focus on your destiny.

Let it go

12-06-09 Sunday
We have talked about holding on to your dreams, but for some reason we hold on to our past instead. We so often allow our past to weigh us down. We remember every bad thing we have done and every bad thing that has happened to us. We let our past hold us back from moving up toward our destiny. I am learning to remember the past, but not to allow it to stop me. I don’t negate my past and things I have done and been done to me, but at the same time, I do not wallow in my past. I use it to move me closer to my destiny. Like I said, I am learning to do this; I am not there completely, but getting close. Let go of the past that is holding you down and back.

A good day

12-05-09 Saturday
I was so blessed yesterday to spend most of the day at Bryant-Denny Stadium at the Super Six. I went to see, my hometown, Jackson Aggies play Cherokee County in the 4-A State Championship. I had never seen so many folk from Jackson together at one time. The game was good, we lost unfortunately, but it was still a good day.
I watched the players, coaches, and fans as the game went back and forth. It was close the entire time. I was so proud of the way the team responded to what was happening on the field. They never gave up, never seemed to be complain or pout about anything. The coaches were awesome too; they encouraged when things went right and when things went wrong. The fans too, no bad mouthing or negative stuff that stood out. They stayed well after the game was over and supported the team.
There were a lot of life lessons to be learned yesterday if one was looking at from that perspective. There was far more than just a football game taking place. Boys were becoming men and men were becoming mentors and heroes. I learned that there is more than an Aggie Nation, but there is an Aggie Family. It is good to see this take place. We all need to see the bigger picture in life and put aside issues that cloud our perspective and encourage one another in spite of our differences.

Me too

12-04-09 Friday
Looks like Tuscaloosa is going to be full of Jackson folk today! Hope the Aggies can make them all very happy with a State Championship win!
I have seen since I started writing this blog, over a year ago, that whatever I write about I seem to walk in the middle of it. Talking about watching our words the past few days; has me watching my words. I really have to watch what I say to people. I am too quick to say something sarcastic or be short with people. I have had to apologize to Melissa and Gloria several times in the past few days. So when I say watch what you say; I put me at the top of the list. It would be so much better if I said encouraging words to folk and not discouraging words. It’s not enough that we stop saying the negative stuff, but we have to replace it with the positive stuff. Be positive in the words that you use. I will do the same.

The Things We Say

12-03-09 Thursday
The things we say. Have you just listened to how people talk; especially about themselves? Some of the things we say about us are out of this world. We speak more negative stuff about ourselves than we do anyone or anything else. Then we wonder why we never catch a break. Take the time to listen to what you are saying about yourself. You might just be surprised at what you hear. I believe that we live and die by what we say; especially the things we say over and over again. Those are the things that we believe. For the most part we don’t repeat things that we really don’t believe. What we say and what we believe, the majority of the time will line up. Be careful with your words. Even when you are joking around; watch what you say, because your words are powerful.

Our Words

12-02-09 Wednesday
Is there a situation that is staring you in the face that you feel like is keeping you from having the greatest year ever. We talked about yesterday about not removing your belief or your faith from that situation. You have to believe no matter what it looks like. There are things taking place in your life that you cannot see just yet. However, it is up to you whether these things are positive or negative. Just think back on the words that you are using each day. Are you using positive or negative words in your situation? Really do you use positive or negative words about any situation? There is incredible power in your words. Even if you think nobody is listening to you. The truth is; you are listening to you. We have to change our thought patterns; then our word patterns will change. Although it is not always easy; it is achievable. Thoughts lead to words which lead to habits which lead to our destiny.

Year End

12-01-2009 Tuesday
Wow! Can you believe we are starting the last month of the year? This year is almost over. At the beginning of the year did you plan on making this the greatest year of your life? How is that working out? For many it has been an awesome year; for some it has not, but the year is not over. If this has not been the greatest year of your life then you still have time. God is still working, but don’t begin to doubt. Don’t say, “I knew this was going to be a bad year,” “I never catch a break,” “I will never have an awesome year.” Those statements are some of the reasons you may not be having an awesome year. Don’t stop believing in what your future holds. Your most awesome days are still ahead. This is still going to be the most awesome year ever. And you know what? Next year is going to be even more awesome. Let’s finish the year strong! Don’t stop pressing.

Keep Pressing

November 30, 2009 Monday
I pray that everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We had the best Thanksgiving weekend we have ever had here. It was awesome!!
When you are heading toward your goal; your destiny, there will be those that tell you that you can’t make it, but I say, “Yes you can.” There is nothing that can prevent you from reaching your goal; except the limitations you place on yourself. Remove the extra baggage that comes in the form of self-doubt, unforgiveness, bitterness, low self-esteem, criticism, your heritage, your past, and so on. Don’t let doubters talk you out of your prize. Keep pressing toward the goal; your destiny. Prepare well for your journey; for it isn’t easy, but it is attainable. Never give up and give it all you got. Don’t leave anything here when you are done. The old saying, ‘you can’t take it with you,’ is very true.

Adversity

November 29, 2009 Sunday
As we get closer to the end of the year and we look back at the year; what do you see? Do you seen missed opportunities, broken relationships, career problems, financial problems, etc.. Or do you see where you made positive changes in your life, took advantage of the opportunities. When adversity comes; we have two ways of looking at it. One is to say, “Why me,” and the other is to say, “Why not me.” Look at adversity as an opportunity. We will never grow to our fullest without adversity in our lives. Use the adversity as a step to the next level in your destiny. Don’t complain and whine about having adversity in your life. It’s going to be there no matter what you do; so make it work for you, rather than you working for it. Adversity as bad as it seems can be your best friend.

Finish Strong

November 28, 2009 Saturday
I want to congratulate Coach Jeff Kelly and the Jackson Aggies on reaching the Super 6. It’s been a great year so far; now it’s time to finish the drive. That is something a lot of folk have trouble doing; finishing the drive.
How many times have you been trying to reach a goal and stop before you reach it? It may be weight lose, a relationship, school, financial, a career, or state championship. However, too many times when we get frustrated because we aren’t seeing the results that we think we should; we give up. The opposite is true too.
We get so close to the goal; can see it within reach and then relax and lose the intensity. When you can see the goal within reach is when we need to take it to the next level. The hardest part of the climb can be the last few feet, but that is no time to relax and lose our focus. Focus on the goal at hand and finish strong!!

Patterns

November 27, 2009 Friday
We all develop patterns in our lives. Whether it’s driving the same way to work every day or like me; I cut the grass in the same exact pattern every week. Some patterns or habits are really good. Like showering and brushing your teeth. However, not all patterns or habits are good for us. This time of year we start looking at the New Year and resolutions. If we start changing unhealthy patterns right now by the end of the year we will have already got our resolutions done. By waiting until the first of the year, we haven’t made the changes we need to make and that are why so many people never accomplish their New Year resolutions. So let’s start today on Black Friday. Change your unhealthy patterns beginning today.

T-Day

November 26, 2009 Thursday
Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your day and spend some time with family and friends. Today is a day not to be taken for granted; so make everyday a thanksgiving day; in that we are thankful for God has given us. Too many times we focus on what we don’t have or what we have lost during our lives. However, by doing so; we lose the grateful and thankful heart that we need today.
I am so thankful for Melissa and Gloria; those two are the most awesome wife and daughter ever. I am also thankful for my extended family and in-laws. I have been so blessed to have folk that will stand by me and will allow me to stand with them during the good and the bad. Lastly, I am thankful for all of you guys that read my blog and have encouraged me during the writing of Embrace Your Destiny and now The Right Way not My Way; thank you all very much.

Put it on

November 25, 2009 Wednesday
What a great time to be alive. You were born right at the exact time and place that you were supposed to be born. You may not always think so, but your destiny disagrees. You are here right now for a purpose; not by accident. Never curse your birth or your life. When others curse your birth or life; don’t listen to them. The ‘I wish I had never been born’ or ‘I wish you had never been born,’ comments have to go. Be thankful for your life. Even if today it isn’t the life you had dreamed for. That too can change. Put on the garment of thankfulness and make the best of your day. Each day we do this, we will see change take place in our life. Thankfulness or gratefulness is a major step toward your destiny.
Be sure and check out www.scottwimberly.com to purchase your copy of Embrace Your Destiny, makes for a great Christmas gift. Thank you for making it a success.

Grateful lifestyle

November 24, 2009 Tuesday
This is a week that we all look at what we are thankful for. However, wouldn’t be great if we lived a life of gratefulness. If we didn’t have to wait all year to show folk that we are thankful for them. By developing a lifestyle of gratefulness or thankfulness we are having thanksgiving all year long; just without the sweet potato pie. But the benefits of a grateful life are even sweeter than the best sweet potato pie. Be thankful for the folk God has placed in your life; even those you might not necessarily like. There is a reason they are there. As we talked the other day; iron sharpens iron. So they are more than likely there to get some of the rough edges off of you.

Think/Thank

November 23, 2009 Monday
This being Thanksgiving week; it is appropriate to talk about the things that we are thankful for. I want to look at that from a slightly different perspective. That is; what are thinking about. Your thoughts will determine your direction. If you are thankful for something then you will think about it. So look at fills your mind; is it things you are thankful for or not. We can choose what we think about; no one can control our thoughts; that is only if we allow them to do so. Thoughts cross our mind all day and night, but what are you choosing to spend time thinking about. If you are unhappy in your life right now, then check your thought life. Your thoughts determine your life.

First Things

November 22, 2009 Sunday
What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning? Besides, I hope I make it to the bathroom… The first thoughts of your day are vital to your day. First thoughts set your focus for the day. They set the mode or the attitude for the day. So if you think negative thoughts first thing; you have already set your mind in a negative thought pattern. Reverse your thinking if that is the case. Begin your day with the most positive thoughts. Focus on the stuff that is going right. If you don’t think anything is going right; then focus on what you want to go right. Think about where you want to end up; not so much where you are, if that is the case.

Reach for it

November 21, 2009 Saturday
I want to give props to the Aggies of Jackson High School. They have advanced to the 4th round of the state football playoffs. As Bubba Butts says, “Only four quarters to Tuscaloosa.” That’s where the state championships will be played in two weeks.
Do you seem to be saying, ‘nothing good ever happens to me,’ ‘I might as well give up,’ ‘I never get the promotion,’ ‘I guess it’s just always going to be like this,’ and so on? There is so much more in store for you in life. Don’t settle for second best in your life. Reach for the top of the mountain. Don’t settle for the average, mediocre lifestyle so many others have settled for today. Keep striving for the best. Believe in yourself and your gift/talent to get you to where you are supposed to be in life.

Walk it out

November 20, 2009 Friday
Many times we let go of our dreams because of our past. There is nothing in your past that will stop you from reaching your destiny. We all have made mistakes and wrong choices, but God is still in control. He formed us all and He still has a plan for us. He knew we would make mistakes and those bad choices, but He has not given up on us. If God believes in us; then why should we not believe in us too? If you don’t see your life going anywhere; do a check-up and see where you are missing it. There is a path for you to follow; get back on the right road toward your destiny. No one can stop you from reaching your destiny but you. Let’s get on track and walk it out!

Dreaming

November 19, 2009 Thursday
I want to thank you guys for purchasing my book Embrace Your Destiny. The first day of sales went well. It does make a great Christmas gift. So, if you haven’t gotten one yet, I hope you will consider doing so.
There have been several folk that have mentioned they too would like to write a book, but they don’t think they ever will be able to. I asked why not. I got various reasons why they didn’t think they could write their book. However, I do know if you hold on to your dream of writing a book or whatever your dream maybe; then you have an excellent chance of seeing it through. It’s when we let our dreams die; then there is little to no chance of seeing them through. Keep your dreams alive and achieve them. If your dreams are long gone and dead; then bring them back up. God has given you the ability to dream and everything you need to fulfill your God-given dreams is inside you now.

It's Ready

November 18, 2009 Wednesday
I wanted to take today and thank all of you guys for helping me make my first book; Embrace Your Destiny, a huge success. It became available last night. You can go to http://www.scottwimberly.com and there it is. Just in time for Christmas; it will make a great gift for your friends. Also, I would appreciate it if you would tell your friends about the website and the book. Word of mouth is the best way to market something. Thank you so much!!

listening to you

November 17, 2009 Tuesday
I have really started to practice the best communication skill of all; listening. I know that I don’t know it all and I don’t want to come across as someone who does. However, I do want to learn. The best way to learn is by listening, I never learned anything when I was doing all the talking. I want to hear what people are saying and this includes you. Let me know what your concerns are, what your hurts are, what your defeats are, what you strengths are, what your victories are, and what your vision for your life is too. I want to learn more about you. Listen is the only way I can do that. You are all so awesome and each of you has a gift/talent that hopefully you are using to the fullest.

learning to listen

November 16, 2009 Monday
Learning to listen can be difficult for some, it has been for me, but I am learning. Learning to listen is simply taking the time to see something from another person’s perspective. Sounds easy enough; so why so difficult to do? I am seeing that for me it is pride more than anything. I see that in my life and it hurts me. However, I am turning that hurt into empathy. Meaning that I will begin to humble myself and listen to others. Listening is the way we learn. Also, we have to learn to listen; so it goes both ways. I am hearing much more than I ever have by listening to others; especially right here in my own home. Take the time to listen to others have to say; it is well worth the effort.

Holidays

November 15, 2009 Sunday
We are inching every so close to the Holiday Season. People either love or hate this time of year. It is surprising that suicides increase dramatically during this time of year. It is a sad but true fact. People are carrying around so much depression, self-hate, poor self-image, anger, hate, bitterness, and hurts. It may sound too easy, almost insulting, but we have to let those things go from our lives. The longer we hold on to that stuff the stronger it gets in our life. What we feed will grow. If you keep on thinking, talking, and focusing on your failures then you will become a failure. This does not have to be the case though. Focus on what God has done for you and the things you have been blessed with in your life. Let’s make this the greatest Holiday Season ever!

investment

November 14, 2009 Saturday
When you deposit money in your bank account; things are good. When you take money out; things are not always good, especially if you are over drawn. The same is true in relationships. When you deposit in the relationship account; things are good. When you make withdrawals; things may not be so good.
Okay, all of that to say this; let’s begin making deposits into our relationship accounts. This is really important if you are married, plan on getting married or know someone who is married. It is vital in the life of a relationship. When you invest in someone there is peace and a relaxed atmosphere. However, when you are overdrawn in the relationship account; the smallest things are huge. So let’s start today; invest in your relationship account.

iron

November 13, 2009 Friday
There is a verse in the Bible that says that ‘as iron sharpens iron; so one man sharpens another.’ We know that to be that folk sharpen one another. There will be people in your life that are to sharpen you; as you are in other peoples’ lives to sharpen them. When something is being sharpen for good use there are sparks flying everywhere. So don’t be upset with folk when they are sharpening you. As for us, we have to be careful how we sharpen others. The same iron that can sharpen a blade can also dull it to the point that it is no longer able to cut.

Thoughts Words Habits

November 12, 2009 Thursday
There is an old saying that goes, ‘you will become what you believe.’ There is a lot of truth in those words. There is little doubt that you will end of becoming what you believe you will be. Your thoughts lead to your words and your words lead to your actions and your actions lead to your habits and your habits lead to your destiny.
So the question is what do you believe about yourself? What are you saying about yourself and your destiny? What habits have you developed in your life that are determining your destiny? Circumstances and life itself do not determine what we believe about ourselves; rather it is what we believe that ultimately determines our destiny.

what you see

November 11, 2009 Wednesday
Happy Veterans Day! Thank you to all of you that have served in our military.
I wanted to get away from forgiveness for a bit. I wanted to ask you; ‘how do you see yourself’? The way you see yourself is crucial to your future, to your destiny, to your peace, to your joy, and so on. If you see yourself as someone who has made too many mistakes and made too many wrong choices then you won’t have a good outlook on your life. If you see yourself as someone that was created by God, no matter how it may look on the outside, and that you have a definite purpose and destiny. We all have made mistakes and made wrong choices, but God is still in control. Allow Him to guide your life and direct your steps. You will see your whole life begin to change. You will still have to go through some rough times, but they won’t last; you will. Take a look at yourself and see what you could be…

grudge

November 10, 2009 Tuesday
I have gotten a whole of response from this post about forgiveness. For the most part I think that we all agree. Mainly that forgiveness is a process, but we are to forgive. I believe that more we practice something the better we get at it. So if we practice forgiveness doesn’t it make sense that we would get better at it? When you see the results of forgiveness; it only makes sense that we forgive quickly and completely. But holding on to unforgiveness we are the one that is affected negatively. There comes a root of bitterness; which is followed by anger and resentment. While the person we are not forgiving is doing just fine. I am trying to leave a life of forgiveness; toward myself and others. I am quick to ask for forgiveness and quick to forgive. Holding a grudge is like drinking poison; while waiting for the other person to die.

room in the heart

November 9, 2009 Monday
Yesterday my status on Facebook was: can we have the love of God in and not forgive others. I got some awesome responses to that statement. I have gone to another level of understanding when it comes to forgiveness. Not that I understand it all yet and may never understand it completely.
I do see where if I am going to say I am a Christian and that I have God love in me; then I must forgive and forgive completely and quickly. Melissa, my wife, mentioned that grace and mercy are critical to forgiveness. I completely agree. Without those two power twins there is no to forgive. I have gone back again in my life to seek out those that I need to forgive and those that I need to ask forgiveness from; including myself. I don’t see how God can be a part of my life if I am holding unforgiveness in my heart. Is there room for God and unforgiveness in the same heart?

what does it take

November 8, 2009 Sunday
Yesterday we got into a little about forgiveness. I had mentioned that maybe humility was the key ingredient when it came to forgiving. I know that love is very important, but it seems like pride is the reason we don’t forgive; then wouldn’t it make sense that humility would be the reason that we do forgive. When it comes to it, you have to have love and humility to forgive. All I am trying to determine is why we don’t forgive others and ourselves. Rather than look it from why we don’t; the negative side; I am looking at it from the positive side or what does it take to forgive. The most important thing is for us to forgive quickly and completely.

Concepts of forgiveness

November 7, 2009 Saturday
Over the past few weeks and even months I have learned a lot about forgiveness. We have talked about forgiveness here on several occasions. However, I don’t think that you can ever cover the subject completely. I have heard and said on many occasions that you know you have forgiven someone when the pain associated with the memory is gone. There are several different concepts that go into forgiving someone; yourself included. Most would probably say love is the main concept, but I am wondering if humility is the first.

love ourselves

November 6, 2009 Friday
It is impossible to love others if we don’t first love ourselves. I know I always had a hard time loving myself because all I focused on were my mistakes and bad decisions. All I could see was the things I had done wrong my entire life. I always thought of myself in the negative person instead of 3rd person. However, I have learned through much pain and regret to live in the positive person. Don’t neglect the negative, but don’t live in it and focus on it. Learn from the mistakes and bad choices; then apply that knowledge. Look at the positive aspect; every situation has a positive and a negative side. What you focus on is what you are become.

where you heading

November 5, 2009 Thursday
I would like to wish my mama a Happy Birthday today. Today is her 39th BD (again). I am excited about getting to run down to spend some time with her today.
I have been hearing a lot about self-image this week. I know we have covered that quite a bit in some past writings. However, I wanted to say one more thing about it. It goes along with what I have been saying about focus and all that. How do you see yourself? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? The two things that will determine a lot about where you will be in 5 years are the books you read and the folk you hang out with. Those are two of the biggest influences in your life. You may be saying I don’t read books or listen to them on CD or IPod . There you go that will tell a lot about where you are heading. Also, your friends are crucial, because they influence you. Check out your plan and see where you are heading.

Focus

November 3, 2009 Wednesday
What is it you are you believing for today? What have you been focusing your attention on, because that will tell you what you believe for today? So you see, if you are worrying about something that you don’t want to happen, but all your focus is on that thing, then that is what you are dreaming for today. It is hard to focus on the positive things that we dream about in life. I struggle with that everyday just like some of you. However, I have to tell myself everyday that today is going to be my best day ever. I have to believe for the absolute best out of every day. Set your sights for the best, for the top. Live in a way that can produce the best for your life and see the change it makes.

love covers

November 2, 2009 Tuesday
Well, how did your day go yesterday? Did you have the best day ever? Even if life hit you hard with some punches, some body blows, how hard did you hit back? By that I don’t mean you trade one wrong for another, but you respond in love. That is much harder than getting even with someone. If you say you love and have love in you; then no matter what happens to you; you respond with love. That is tough. But I know that it’s not what happens to you, but what happens in you that matters the most. To have to best day ever; we must operate in love that covers all wrongs.

Best day

November 2, 2009 Monday
I hope you’re ready to get started on another week. Let’s all set out to make this day the best day we have ever had and this week to be the best week we have ever experienced. You may be going through stuff right now that makes you say there is no way this is going to be the best day much less the best week I have ever had. If you are trying to make it happen in your own strength then you are right. However, this day and this week were planned long ago by God; He can enable you to make this the best day and the best week ever. Your best days are yet to come!!

Freedom

November 1, 2009 Sunday
I have found that we only have freedom when we submit. That didn’t make sense to me when I first heard it, but the more I think about it the more it does make sense. The greatest freedom I have ever experienced was when I submitted everything in my life to God. It has always been my freedom to make choices that messed me up. It was only when I surrendered my freedom to God and submitted to Him that I really found true freedom. Our freedom comes at a cost; don’t take it for granted.

Best Days

October 31, 2009 Saturday
Your best days are still ahead. If you think you have reached your peak; no way. If you believe you have done all you can do and now don’t know what to do; there is no better time to be alive. There are many more opportunities available to you. You have to go and take advantage at what’s out there. But the point is, don’t think you’re finished or you don’t have anything left to do with your life. The reason you’re still alive is there is more for you to do. Don’t bury your dreams, because they seem too farfetched. Get busy on your purpose and destiny. Be an encourager to someone today!!

Hope

October 30, 2009 Friday
When you are facing a life decision always factor in hope. When we have hope we move, we take action. When we have no hope then we give up. Without hope there is no action. When we are faced with a difficult situation and we don’t think we have any hope then we don’t do anything. The point here is; always factor in hope. Hope is the catalyst; hope gives us the energy to get it done. When you have hope built up inside of you there is no situation you can’t work through.

Frustration

October 29, 2009 Thursday
Are you frustrated with your life? Do things not seem to be the way they should be? Is there something missing? It could be that you are not fulfilling your destiny. If you aren’t operating in your strength zone then you aren’t going to be at peace with your life. The picture of frustration is a person who is not walking in their destiny. Your destiny was laid out before you were created; it is has been planned for a long time. Therefore, when you aren’t following the plan for your life; you will be frustrated to no end. We still have the power and/or the gift of choice as to how we fulfill the plan, but the key is to walk in your strength zone and fulfill your destiny.

Habits

October 28, 2009 Wednesday
If you desire to leave a great legacy then you have to develop great habits. If there is something you don’t like in your life then you have to change it. The way to change it is to change some things that you do in your daily life. If you have a bad habit then it’s time to replace that bad habit with a good habit. If we looked at significant and successful people in the world you will find they all did this; those that remained significant or successful, not just temporarily. So we have to check our daily routine and see if there are some habits we need to change. We can do this, find someone to keep you accountable and see the awesome results that will follow.

legacy

October 27, 2009 Tuesday
What type of legacy are you leaving your children? Even if you don’t children, you are leaving a legacy behind. It is actually the only thing you are leaving behind. I have been thinking a lot about this lately. What will I leave Gloria? What will I leave Melissa? What will I leave you? I know that my family will be taken care of financially, but there is so much more than that. I want them to be stronger because I was part of their life. I want them to know that I loved them and cared for them. I want to leave a legacy that will continue on for generations and generations. What you are leaving behind?

Chickens or Eagles

October 26, 2009 Tuesday
I have heard that you can tell how successful you will be five years from now by the friends you have and the books you read. Look around at the folk you hang out with; are they encouraging you to grow or discouraging you from growing. If they are reading and growing then chances are you will too. If they aren’t doing the things necessary to change and grow then chances are you aren’t either. I used to tell my students that if I want to know all about you; all I have to do is check out your friends. The old saying ‘birds of a feather, flock together,’ is so true. Do a quick check of your surroundings; are you pecking with the chickens or are you flying with the eagles?

Yes you can

October 25, 2009 Sunday
Enjoyed a hot cup of coffee on a cool, crisp morning; I love the fall. When I sat down this morning to write; all I could think of what the reasons why I am not qualified to write this blog or even the books that I have been writing. Then I considered the question and why am I not qualified. The reasons were because of my past, not smart enough, not creative enough, not good enough, and so on. I quickly caught on to the lies that were being told to me by the enemy of my mind. So I began to tell him that I was good enough. I had destiny to write and create. God had predestined me with a destiny. The same goes for you. You do have what it takes to fulfill your destiny. Don’tyou’re your dreams die with you or worse before you do. Live in your destiny zone!!

Loyalty is not dead

October 24, 2009 Saturday
Believing the best about someone is so rare. When you hear something negative about somebody do you automatically believe it or do you go to their defense? We seem to believe the negative but not the positive. When you hear something negative you should stand up for that person, defend them. Now if it is true, when you can talk to them one on one then you can address it. Loyalty seems to be outdated. Be loyal to your family, friends, and co-workers. Stand up for them; stand in the gap for them. Loyalty is not a thing of the past.

Our own worse enemy

October 23, 2009 Friday
I have often heard that we are our worse enemy. I remember T. D. Jakes saying, his biggest enemy was the enemy in a me. I see what he is saying. We can be our worse critic and judge. However, what if we turned that around and became our own biggest fan. I don’t mean to be arrogant or conceited but see ourselves the way we really are. None of us are perfect, but if you are trying to do what is right then you are awesome. If you are speaking the words of life to yourself and others, you are doing great things. You were created by the Creator of the universe; so you have greatness inside of you. Don’t tell yourself that you are not any good, or that you are worthless. That is not true! You are an awesome creation of God!!

Speak Life

October 22, 2009 Thursday
How do you see your future? Do you see positive things or the negative things that are coming your way? We all have both of them heading our way, but which have you fixed your attention on? When I way focus on and pay attention to the positive; I don’t mean to deny the existence of the negative, but don’t give it life. The life comes from the words which come out of your mouth. Remember the Bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue. So be careful what you are saying; even when you are joking. Speak words of positive life even if it doesn’t look like it is going to happen; speak it anyways.

Focus/Words/Destiny

October 21, 2009 Wednesday
We have been discussing your focus and your words. I am seeing where they mean more than I had ever thought. We will move toward what we are focused on. We will also talk about what we are focused on. Don’t talk yourself out of what is yours. You have the greatest gift of all inside you. That would the gift that was inside you at birth. Your gift is different than anyone else’s because it was designed just for you. So don’t think you aren’t qualified to have a destiny or to make a difference. You may have made some bad choices in your life but you still have a destiny and you can still make a difference in the world. Focus on what is right and speak words of life to your life.

Focus

October 20, 2009 Tuesday
What are you focusing on today? Are you concentrating on the negative circumstances in your life? Are you focusing on what is wrong in your family, at your job, at your school? What is getting your attention; the negative or the positive? I am not saying to ignore the negative, but what are you giving your attention to today? Focus on the positive side of things. There is a positive side to negative circumstances too. It may not seem like much, but it is there. Find the positive aspect and give it your attention. Speak life to the positive; not the negative.

Hope for life

October 19, 2009 Monday
I am a firm believer in hope. As long as I have hope I will never give up. It’s when all hope is gone that we have a hard time hanging in there. But never fear, because there is hope. What is it you are hoping for right now? Begin to speak the words that back up your dream. Drop the negative hoping destroying words; words of defeat and death. Speak words of hope; words of life. There is healing for you. If you need physical, mental, or the ultimate; spiritual healing it is available for you. You can be made whole in every aspect of your life. Don’t give up hope.

Vision

October 18, 2009 Sunday
I hope you still love this awesome cool, crisp weather. We are all visual creatures; God created us that way. We process millions of bytes of information each day. However, we also are internally visual too. How do you see yourself? Do you see yourself as a success or a failure? Do you see your marriage as awful or awesome? The way we see ourselves is what we will move toward. If you don’t see yourself with a great destiny then you won’t fulfill your destiny. Things may not look so good on the outside right now, but start seeing things the way God intends for us to see them. See yourself as healthy, whole, loved, successful, significant, etc. Now start living like that. Make decisions that will ensure your God-given destiny is fulfilled.

Keep on Dreaming!

October 17, 2009 Saturday
How many of you have a dream for your life? It may still be just that a dream, but don’t stop dreaming your dream. If that dream is from God, then it has life and now it’s up to you to give it legs. Don’t stop short of your dream. I have found in my life that there were times I would get complacent and stop short of my dream. Carry your dream all the way to the finish. God has wonderful plans for us. Keep on dreaming!

Fall weather

October 16, 2009 Friday
Cool weather is here this morning! It feels so good outside. I just hope it stays with us for a few months. I have been looking back over the past few months of writings and see some definite changes in what I have wrote. I am going to finish out this year focusing on a positive perspective. I have all the reason in the world to be thankful and positive. I appreciate all you guys being so supportive and encouraging to me during the past year. You all are the best ever!!

The right way not my way

September 17, 2009 Thursday
I have come to the final crossroads in my life and this time I will take the right way instead of my way. My way, my choices, my decisions, has lead me down a road of death, destruction, and anything else that you can think of. I am so sorry for all the damage I have done to other people. I am so sorry for the way I have treated people. I wish I could make it right, but I don’t even know if that is possible now. All I can do now is make things right with God and get delivered of all this mess inside of me. I am so ready to begin the process of healing. I don’t want anyone to ever feel the way I feel right now. There really isn’t a way to describe it. But it is so awful. My guts are being ripped out of me. I know this is the reaping what I have sowed. I do not want anyone to feel sorry for me or pity me. This is my own doing. But I do know that I will not stay this way. I will be made whole. I will be a changed man.

This is me

September 16, 2009 Wednesday
I have finally seen just how evil, evil can be. I have even seen where I would lie to and try to protect myself from the ones that are trying to help me the most. How could someone ever be so evil? I have come to the end, so I thought, so many times, only to pick up right where I left off and go even farther. I have to change; I have to have real God centered change. If I don’t then all is lost. I have to die to myself in ways I never dreamed possible. But as bad as it seems, there is a part of me that is crying out, “thank you,” for deliverance, for freedom. I can no longer go on the way I have been going on for all these years; all my life. I have to change and start now.

This one thing

September 15, 2009 Tuesday
I am discovering a lot about myself. I am seeing how I have been a manipulator, selfish, prideful, and controlling. I know I have talked some about this in the past and folk would say, you are being too hard on yourself. Trust me on this one; I am not being too hard on myself. It is far past the time for me to just come clean and get rid of all that stuff. I am tired of myself. I am tired of all the stuff I have done. I have gone back to the one thing that I know; Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Beyond that right now I don’t know anything else. It’s time to change, to start the process of becoming the person God created me to be.

Take a closer look

September 14, 2009 Monday
I talked sometime back about perspective. It’s all in how you look at things. One situation can have many different perspectives. One situation looked at by 10 folk will have 10 different perspectives. Some of the 10 may be similar but they will be different in some way. We look at situations based on our past, our experiences, our mindset, our paradigms. What is bad to one will look good to another. Some of our perspective will be based on our agenda too. It’s so important to look at situations from every possible perspective. But the main perspective has to be the perspective from the best point of view, from the angle that offers the least obstruction. A clear mind and conscious is of the utmost importance to have correct perspective.

Life is life

September 13, 2009 Sunday
I have said a bunch of times to not give up. A big part of that is that you don’t give up on yourself. It’s one thing that we must keep in mind. However, we do that too often. It is so easy just to say, ‘I can’t do that, I am not good enough, that’s too hard, I am not smart enough, and so on. But the truth is, you are good enough and you have more than enough already inside of you. You are born with everything you need right inside of you. The thing is, has it been growing and maturing inside of you? Or when things go wrong and get tough or not go the way we think they should, we just give up? Remember if doing the right thing was easy, everyone would do it. But the truth is, doing the right thing can and usually is the hardest way and the toughest path to take. Take the path least traveled. Every one of you is awesome! You have what it takes to be great! You can be significant as well as successful!

keep on

September 12, 2009 Saturday
After spending time in Jackson this past week I picked up on a couple of things while visiting with folk. The main thing that I got was to never give up. I talked a lot about destiny and purpose with people and the number one thing was to never, ever give up. When things are at their worst is when you are getting close to the answer. I know that there are many people that have questions about their life, their purpose, their destiny. If you keep on course and stay with the plan, you will get the answers to your questions. Whether or not you like the answers I can’t promise, but I promise that your answer is so close. Don’t stop trying, keep on keeping on.

Believe it

September 11, 2009 Friday
I have been hearing a lot about my sign dream. The best thing was that I am not the only one that dreams about signs. I believe there will be other signs out on 43 too. When you can dream it, you can achieve it, but only if you have the determination to do it. Desire is good, talent is great, but determination to never give is a must. We need people to dream again and then go do it. Not all dreams are nightmares! Dream the impossible dream, because nothing is impossible when you have the determination to back it up. So I believe that Carrie will not only have a sign, but the Aquatic Center too.

Remember

September 10, 2009 Thursday
I had a great day yesterday. I went down to Jackson to see my mom. I try to get down here every 6-7 weeks. I used to not like coming to Jackson for a long time, but that has changed. I look forward to coming down now. I enjoy the time with my mom and then seeing friends that I don’t get to see very often. I spent some time at Jackson High School. Was able to go to football practice and spent some time talking to Ken Harbuck, Coach Landon Hilt, Coach Jeff Kelly, and Coach Bob Bumpers and even saw Mrs. Walker in the office. There is something about re-establishing those relationships. It took me 10 years but I do enjoy going home every now and then. It’s a time of refreshing where it used to seem draining. Never forget where you came from. I been seeing, in my mind, two big signs on either side of town; Welcome to Jackson, AL; The hometown of Scott Wimberly, bestselling author, speaker, mentor, and coach. I can see it; even drove down by the Water Treatment Plant and Anderson Bros Dodge, where each sign will be so I could picture what they will look like.

Why ask why

September 9, 2009 Wednesday
I have been asking myself one question lately; “why”? I see more than ever that it isn’t the what, but the why. It isn’t so much what we do but why we do it. Folk can do the same thing, but for different reasons. Some things look ok and even look good when we do them, but when we get to the why, that’s the question. Our motives are the key to the ‘why.’ Why do we do the things that we do? In my case, more times than not I have to answer that question with: selfishness. I am working on that right now. I want love to be my motive. I want humility to be my motive. I want the needs of others to be my motive. I have to learn that it’s ‘not about me.’ It’s about my wife, daughter, and my mom, it’s about you. I am learning the ‘why’ is the most important question in my life right now.

yoga

September 8, 2009 Tuesday
I went to my first yoga class Sunday; it was pretty much what I thought it would be like. I liked it a lot and will be going back more often. The reason I wanted to go was for the stretching aspect, but I now see it was more than that. I was carrying all kinds of stress in my shoulders and back. I was more relaxed when we were done. By clearing the stress I was able to get the good muscular stretch that I was looking for. The thing is why we carry all that stress. Probably because life itself is just plain stressful, but does it have to be? Why do we carry all this harmful, muscle tightening stress? It would be so much more comforting and easier on our bodies if we didn’t have all this stress in us. We don’t have to take yoga to get the stress out, even though it’s fun.

Mind clearing

September 7, 2009 Monday
At church the topic of the sermons for some time now has been about discipleship. I am a firm believer in discipleship; which is a form of discipline. It takes discipline to be a disciple. Anyways, the back bone of this whole thing is destiny, purpose, and discipleship. These all work together. The more I write, the book Embrace Your Destiny, Playbook of Champions, and A Walk Through My Mind the more I am seeing the truth of destiny. I have never believed more than I do now that we all have a specific purpose and destiny.
But we all pick up so much baggage along the way that we can’t see our destiny clearly. The only thing that gets rid of the baggage seems to be forgiveness. Forgiving ourselves, forgiving others, and accepting the forgiveness of others are all involved. With forgiveness comes a clearing of the mind; which in turn helps us to see our destiny more clearly.

The Dark side

September 6, 2009 Sunday
I was thinking about Star Wars the other day, the dark side of Darth Vader and all that stuff. We all have that dark side inside of us. We all have those things in us that we deal with on a daily basis. In the church we call it the flesh. We all have to deal with the flesh side; some even call it the mental side. Call it what you will; we all have that “area” that we deal with in our lives. When someone else gets it out in the open and actually does expose that area in their life, we are wishing that we could do that, but we don’t. We are quick to judge and slow to forgive when it’s the other person on the stand, but when it’s us… I know that I am guilty of all of the above; however, I am finding the more that I expose about my “dark side” the more light I have. I keep telling myself, ‘Step into the light.”

Agenda

September 5, 2009 Saturday
How many of us really know without a doubt that we have some very valuable to offer to others? We all have something on the inside of us that we are to share with other folk. Something great and powerful resides inside each of us. The tragedy is that some of us never realize it or never share it with others. It is a tragedy to die with that gift still lying dormant inside of you. Tap into to what was placed in you even before you were born. You are here for a reason, not just yourself; we are here for each other. Lay down your own personal, selfish agenda and look at the big picture. This is the hardest thing for me at times, laying aside my selfishness; for I know that I am a very selfish person, but with God’s help that is ending. What can I do for you? That is my agenda.

Lasting Legacy

September 4, 2009 Friday
I said yesterday that I would not be sending this out to everyone on facebook any longer, but if you want to get it daily, just send me your email and I can email it to you, otherwise, it will be on the group page each day. I will send something out weekly as a reminder on facebook.
I have been thinking awhile about encouragement, people walking their destiny, people’s purpose, and leaving a lasting legacy. I had been questioning how we encourage people. I had lunch with Ben Rodriquez, youth pastor at DFC, yesterday and we talked about this stuff. We wondered how many people are actually operating in their destiny and are aware of it. I said I thought it is 35% are, but only 30% actually know that they are. He felt I was too high and he is more than likely right. Do you know what your dreams are? Do you know what your specific purpose on earth is? Do you know what your destiny entails? Not everybody does, I understand, but wouldn’t it be so awesome if more and more people actually were moving in their destiny, their calling, their purpose, their dreams, and leaving a legacy? I want that so much for my life, my family, and for those around me.

Encouragement

September 3, 2009 Thursday
How we offer encouragement if we have never been encouraged? How can we offer compassion if we have been had it offered to us? It is one of my desires to offer encouragement to others. I have been encouraged and I know that it is part of my destiny to be an encourager. I see people every day that are in need of encouragement. We all are in need at some time or another, but there are some that are in dire need of a dose of encouragement. Some receive encouragement by spoken word, some by a smile, and some by a pat on the back. People receive in different ways. I am looking at a third book project about encouragement. It is a necessity in today’s world.

Freedom

September 2, 2009 Wednesday
There is a freedom that only comes from being in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing, the right way, for the right reason. That is also my definition of righteous. The Psalmist, Janis Joplin, said that ‘freedom’s just another word, for nothing left to lose,’ which I agree with. It seems like we only reach our righteousness or our freedom when we come to the end of ourselves. When we run out of gimmicks, games, and tricks we run into our destiny and purpose; which brings peace, freedom and righteousness. If only I would die to myself and my desires and start living. I desire the best for my wife, daughter, and us as a family. That will only happen when freedom comes.

Living to die

September 1, 2009 Tuesday
Let me correct yesterday, I meant to say that we are all created with a specific reason.
I want to be who I was created to be. However, I keep getting in the way of who I was created to be. I have to know that it’s not about me, but about others, then I wouldn’t get in the way. I have always heard we must die to self and live for Christ and others. But how many of us really die to self? I know I am not doing a good job of that. I keep resuscitating and not dying to self as I should. It is only when we come to end of ourselves to we truly see what dying to self and living for others is all about. I hope that at this time in my life that I have completely died to myself so that I can now truly live.

Hanging out

August 31, 2009 Monday
Everybody has their place in life. We are all here with a course to run. There is no one born into this world with a specific purpose and reason for being. The question is, ‘what is our purpose’? That goes for us as individuals and as groups. If we are meeting our individual destiny and purpose then we will be drawn to the groups that are doing the same thing. Like for me, I am drawn to people that want to talk about destiny and purpose. I am drawn to people that want to encourage others. Those are the types of people that I desire to be around, because I want to be like them. I want to be a giver or a dealer of hope, so I hang out with people that want to talk about hope and giving hope to others.

what if

August 30, 2009 Sunday
Sometime back in the fall I was wondering what it would be like if we all were operating or at least moving into our destiny. I really wonder, what is the percentage of folk are actually in that mode? What percentage of the folk are moving toward their destiny and operating in their destiny? I sometimes wonder if it is even 40% of the world. What would this world be like if we all were living in our destiny? There would be no lack, no mess, stress would be gone, and all sorts of things would be different. What would it really be like? I really do want to know, I want to experience that world of destiny minded people. What can I do to encourage people to reach their destiny?

Catching Up

August 29, 2009 Saturday
Got back from Grove Hill this morning around 1am. Had a good time at the game. First person I saw was Freddie Pringle, who I haven’t seen in years, it was so good to catch up with him. Then I spent the evening walking with the chain gang; which Doug Bradford was part of, another cousin I haven’t seen in years. Bobby Keahey was also part of the chain gang. So it was entertaining to say the least.
We are getting a lot closer to having Embrace Your Destiny out on the market. So much has happened since I started that book; I can see why authors say that once the book comes out they wonder if it is really all that good. I see where I would change things and add things, but that’s why we continue to write. I have made a lot of those changes in the project I am working on now, Playbook of Champions and I know that when it’s done I will be making changes in the 3rd book, which right now is going to be called The Encourager. I have created a character in the Playbook; his name is Aggie, and I want to carry him over into The Encourager. So I am seeing a lot of Jackson in the 3rd book. So look out Jackson folk, I am going to be talking to you over the next year or so. But anyways, that’s where we are right now. Embrace will our soon, I will let you know more about it ASAP. Thanks so much for all you have done. I love you all very much!!

Teamwork

August 28, 2009 Friday
Well, its game day again. We head down to Gator Country tonight to play Clarke Prep. I haven’t been to a “Grove Hill Academy” game since ’82. A lot of memories have come back since I have been working with Tuscaloosa Academy, writing this book. I have learned a lot about myself in being around the sport again. I worked some with Jackson High School even after I had stopped teaching and working as an athletic trainer. I really have missed the sport and being part of a team. That was one thing that I was determined to do again; be a part of a team. We all, men in particular, want to be a part of something that is bigger than us. I have a desire to be part of a team. I love the concept of teamwork and accomplishing a common goal. The same is now coming true in my marriage. I am seeing that even more now, than ever before, that I want to be a part of something awesome and great. Marriage without a doubt is teamwork. It is crazy how we can’t see the obvious; right in front of my face. The old saying, ‘can’t see the forest for the trees,’ is so true in my life. There are things that have been right in front of my eyes and I just didn’t see it. Thankfully, the blinders have been taken off and now I am beginning to see things. As the Psalmist said, “I can see clearly now the rain is gone. Gonna be bright, bright, sunshiny day.” I am thankful for my sight!!

wins and loses

August 27, 2009 Thursday
I just want to thank each of you that have sent notes of encouragement through the past year. I really do appreciate each one of them. Even those that aren’t positive notes, I still take it as encouragement. We can learn from the positive as well as the negative. I know that I learn more from adversity than I ever do from winning. I rarely learn much from a win, but from a loss I learn volumes. It is good to have wins though, it means we are learning from our loses. Wins are good but loses teach us more about ourselves. I am thankful for what I have learned about myself in the past few weeks and months. I didn’t like it, but I am glad that I learned it. Now the key is don’t make the same mistakes over again. Once we have learned something, put it in to practice.

Oil change

August 26, 2009 Wednesday
I got to thinking about being drained and how it’s not always a bad thing. I feel like I am due for an oil change. I have oil in me, but its low and not any good now. It’s time to change the oil in me, just like in your car. It is way past due in life for a good oil changing and cleaning up on the inside. So you see, all in all the drained feeling, although it isn’t a great feeling, is not bad at all. Now it is time to put in the fresh new oil to replace the old. It’s the oil that reduces the friction of life. The saying is that as iron sharpens iron so one person sharpens another. When you sharpen something there is friction and sparks are flying everywhere. So you got to have the oil to keep it from getting too hot and messing up the iron.
I want to thank you for taking the time to read my daily posts. I know it can be overwhelming at times, especially if you don’t check your facebook each day. If you had rather get this by email we can arrange that too. Starting Jan ’10 I won’t be doing a daily blog on facebook but rather twice a week. I may continue to add to the blog each day but not mailing it out on facebook. I think this is better, but since I have committed to a daily blog for a year I will do so until Dec 31. Thanks again for sticking it out with me.

Drained

August 25, 2009 Tuesday
I have sit here for what seems like hours and I have nothing. I don’t know what to write. I feel drained in every aspect of my life. I really don’t think that is such a bad thing. There have been things in my life, things that had a strong hold in my life that needed to be drained out. I am thankful that those things are being drained out and being replaced with a new thing. I apologize for rambling and not making much sense, but in my heart I know exactly what I am trying to say. Thank you for being so supportive and putting up with me and my rambling.

Calming Peace

August 24, 2009 Monday
One of the things in life that I want is to be a peacemaker. I have said before that I hope that one day when I walk into a room that no matter what someone is going through that they know that everything is going to be ok. Not because of me, but because of who I am and who’s I am. The fact that I carry the Peacemaker inside me is more than enough. I so desire to have a calming effect on people. To be like the bomb squad and defuse the situation and not blow up people is my desire. We either carry a bucket of water with us or a bucket of gasoline; it’s one or the other. I am tired of being the cause of people’s pain and causing situations to be worse because of me. Peace is the key. Security that comes from the peace we carry. Security in knowing that I have the Peace of God.

Peace Infection

August 23, 2009 Sunday
There has been a lot of talk about swine flu and all that stuff lately. People being infected and carriers of the strain of flu has been the talk. When it comes to peace, I would love to be a carrier of peace. To be one who has so much peace that the peace I carry calms others, I infect other people with peace. Don’t misunderstand, I know that I don’t have that peace yet, but I am working on it. To be a peace keeper is one thing but to be a peace maker is something completely more. It’s not so hard to keep the peace, but can you make peace where there is turmoil? Only if you have more than enough peace inside you can you be a peacemaker. I have to get the stuff that is un-peaceful out of my life before I can replace it with peace. Peace is a key to so many things in our lives.

Peace Out

August 22, 2009 Saturday
I was thinking yesterday, what is it that we want from life? The answers to that question are endless I suppose. I have thought about this often, especially when Melissa was pregnant with Gloria. What did we want, what do I want from life, what do you want from life, and so on and so on. I finally have come to the conclusion that peace is the main thing in life I desire. My reasoning being that if I have peace then no matter what is going on around me, to me, to you, to my family, I know that all is well. Peace is the umpire of life. Peace will call you out or safe, may even have to throw you out the game for a period of time. But when we have peace, we know that we will walk through whatever life hits us with. When things are good and we have peace we can enjoy our family, friends, and others. Peace keeps me sane, keeps the joy in my life, and keeps hope alive in my life. Without peace nothing will work out for you. You will not have joy no matter how good things are going without peace. Peace is what I desire most in life. So peace must be what I bring to the table.

show courage

August 21, 2009 Friday
I think I will wrap up the courage aspect of this blog for awhile. I will let this be the last courage talk for now. What I have learned so far is that when scared; show courage. When you are unsure of yourself; show courage. When you don’t know what to do; show courage. When you make a mistake; show courage. When you fail; show courage. When you are done wrong; show courage. When you are threatened; show courage. When you are tempted; show courage. When decision time comes; show courage. When you fall; show courage. When opportunity knocks; show courage. In other words always show courage. Courage will be a faithful friend when you exercise it in your life. Courage is from the heart, so keep your heart clean and strong. Let’s all be the cowardly lion and search out courage until we find it.

baseline courage

August 20, 2009 Thursday
As I mentioned earlier, courage is the first characteristic or quality in the book project that I am working on; Playbook of Champions. I see the need for courage in my life, in so many different aspects. When I find myself hiding it is because I am scared and don’t have courage. I see now that I have spent my entire life hiding. Whether it is mentally, physically or spiritually, it is the same. I have lacked courage in all aspects of my life for all my life. Only now am I starting to develop the courage necessary to come out of hiding and face the world as it is. There are so many variables and so much that is unknown, but hiding is not the answer; courage is the answer. Courage to come out of hiding is hard for me but I am doing my best.

real me courage

August 19, 2009 Wednesday
School starts today for my 6 yr old daughter. She is starting the 1st grade at Tuscaloosa Academy. The previous two years were easy because it was Pre-K and then K-5, but not “real” school. But today the real deal starts. It was harder on me than I thought it would be. I know it was on Melissa too, the past two years were on her as well. But that letting go… Gloria loves school, she loves to read and learn. She makes friends so easy. She has never met a stranger. My God I have so much to learn from her. I have so much trouble with relationships. I have never invested in a relationship all of myself, that is changing as we speak though. My parents, family, wife, daughter, friends, no one has ever had all of me as a friend. No one has ever gotten to know the absolute “real” me. All of that is about to change, actually it is already changing now. All this talk about courage to do this and that, well it is time that I have the courage to be me; the absolute real me. The thing is, I don’t think I know the real me either. So it is a learning experience for me too. I may lose every friend I thought I ever had, but that’s ok. It’s way past time that I remove every wall, barrier, and defense mechanism from my life and establish well defined boundaries. Courage is a must for me now!

decision courage

August 18, 2009 Tuesday
We are still on the courage thing today. It takes courage to have hope and to change, but too it takes courage to accept responsibility for your actions. One way to look at it is to say that it takes courage to not make excuses. When we make excuses for what we do, we stop ourselves from change. I had a slogan on my board when I was at Open Door; Excuses stop Change. What I was saying is that when we make excuses we will not change our actions, mindsets, and such. When we have the courage to stop making excuses for why we do what we do, then and only then, will we change ourselves. We have to take responsibility. We want to blame our parents, our DNA, and society for the way we are. We are the way we are because of the decisions that we have made. Those other things are definitely influencers in how we are, but they aren’t the determining factor; we are the final say so in that. Have the courage to accept responsibility and stop making excuses, then we will become who we are supposed to be.

Courage of Hope

August 17, 2009 Monday
Having courage to hope is essential to reaching your destiny and to just living day to day. So many people have given up on hope, that’s because it takes courage to believe that tomorrow will indeed be better. I know it seems in my own life that it will only get worse; can it get better, can I change, can I grow, stuff like that. It takes courage to have hope that tomorrow will be a better day. Without hope what’s the use in even getting out of bed? Hope is the key to day to day life. Courage to have hope is so important to living a life of destiny. Without hope you won’t be able to reach your destiny. We have to have the courage to hold on to hope.

To be real

August 16, 2009 Sunday
The more I write about courage the more I realize that it is involved in just about everything we do. It takes courage to be real and be who you really are these days. I know I have been so guilty of not being my real self too many times. But with the courage that can only be from God, those days are over. We must be real; we must be who we really are. The courage to love yourself, not to have self-hate, which I have lived with for all my life basically has to go if we are going to be real and difference makers. The courage to accept ourselves, not as we are so much, but to accept ourselves and make the changes necessary, to grow. This courage is innermost and only is for those that are serious about destiny and making a difference in the world around them. This is the courage that I am striving for, not there yet, but striving for daily.

Difference Courage

August 15, 2009 Saturday
August is half gone today; this year is escaping so fast. This means that our lives too are moving so fast. I have been talking about courage a lot here lately and the more I write about it the less courage I find that I have today. If I had courage I would have done the right thing more often in my life. If I had courage I would in turn have more integrity in my life. However, I believe that we can build our courage just like anything else. The more we practice courage the stronger it becomes in us.
I don’t know about you but I want to make a difference in the people around me. I want to make a difference in the world. I want to make a good and a positive difference in people. I know that I have made serious mistakes and I apologize for them all. I want to be transparent and live my life open and honest; with no walls. I know this takes courage, but I am determined to overcome the mistakes and sins of my life to make a stand for courage and to make a difference

Standing Courage

Courage to stand… There are so many different things going through my mind it’s impossible to write them all, so I will just do one a time. I have done things to hurt people, disappoint people, anger people, and so on… I have learned that there is freedom in having the courage to stand and say that I have made wrong choices and I am learning to change and to become the man that I was created to be.
The courage to be repentant of things I have done and choices I have made will enable me to be the man I am supposed to be, the husband and the dad I am supposed to be. The courage to say I am wrong and I am repentant is an awesome thing.

Mistakes

August 13, 2009 Thursday
It takes courage to admit your mistakes. I have made so many mistakes in my lifetime that it boggles my mind to think about it. But one thing I have realized is that I would rather admit when I am wrong, which takes courage, and make things right to the best of my ability, which again takes courage. I have not always taken this approach but I know that has to change. To always take the courage route and not what appears to be the easy way out. The peace that comes from taking the courage route far outweighs the mental and emotional torture we put ourselves through when we don’t do the right thing. I continually ask for mercy, grace, and forgiveness for my mistakes knowing that I am not perfect nor do I pretend to be, but I will strive for courage and take the courage route.

Equalizing Courage

August 12, 2009 Wednesday
It takes courage to overcome disappointment. When you have been hurt or disappointed by someone, it takes courage to overcome those feelings and still demonstrate the love that we are to show to folk. One thing to remember is that we too disappoint and hurt others as well. We are not the victim and should not act like one. People of courage do not have a victim mentality. There is a time of recovery from being hurt and disappointed but there is no time to feel sorry for ourselves and/or have that victim mentality. Courage is the great equalizer to those feelings. When those negative emotions try to control us, we muster up the courage we have developed to stop them. So courage isn’t developed in the hard times, but it is exercised during the hard times. In other words, courage is developed and exercised all the time.

dream courage

August 11, 2009 Tuesday
What about having courage to dream? The courage to be a person of vision is important. I used to teach, or at least try to teach, my kids at OD about being a person of vision. I would share vision with them. We sometimes try to turn vision into a spiritual word, but it is more than that. It is spiritual but it also carries over into the natural. You must have courage to dream and be a visionary. Don’t be scared to see things as they can be and as they will be. Things are very rarely as they seem. You have to take a chance and see them as they could be. See people as they could be not just as they are right now. It does take courage to see past the right now and look into the what will be.

lion courage

August 10, 2009 Monday
Courage takes on many forms. We have mentioned a few of them during the past week. Take heart and have courage. It will take courage to fulfill your destiny. It will take courage to help others fulfill their destinies as well. Courage is a vital part of our lives. Living a lifestyle of courage means that you never give up. You persist without end. No matter what comes against you giving up is not an option. Courage will keep you going when you don’t feel like you can go another day. When nothing seems to be going right in your life; it is courage that will keep you going. Courage is of the heart and from the heart; we draw life from it. Like the lion from the Wizard of Oz; “Courage! What makes a king out of a slave? Courage! What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage! What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk? What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage! What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder? Courage! What makes the dawn come up like thunder? Courage! What makes the Hottentot so hot? What puts the "ape" in apricot?

comfort zone

August 9, 2009 Sunday
We all hear about our comfort zone and getting out of our comfort zone to do one thing or another. With the same courage we have been talking about the past few days, this is how we get out of our comfort zone. “Be of good courage” is what God told Joshua in the Bible. He was telling Joshua to get out of his comfort zone and go and move in his destiny. Only with courage; good courage, will we move out of our comfort zone and into our destiny zone. You have what it takes already inside you. Activate your good courage today!!

Army of Encouragers

August 8, 2009 Saturday
To be an encourager we must have courage and then give that courage to others. The en means to make or put in. You can’t make something unless you have all the ingredients. You must have courage to make or give someone else courage; to encourage. Maybe this is why we find it hard to encourage folk; we don’t have the courage in ourselves much of the time. Being an encourager takes a lot of courage on our part. Let’s begin to develop the courage necessary to be an encourager. Where you are strong encourage others, and where they are strong they will encourage you. We make an army of encouragers; which can’t be defeated!!

My Encourager

August 7, 2009 Friday
Today is Melissa and I 10th Anniversary. Just seems like the other day I was waiting at the altar with Bro Pat and my dad, for her to make her entrance. A day that I will cherish forever and ever, our wedding day!!
Melissa has been an awesome encourager to me, especially in the past 2 years. We have gone from one extreme to another in several areas of our lives. We were in debt up to our eye balls this time last year and she would keep on telling me, “Everything is fine, we got each other and that’s more important than money in the bank.” Today we still have each other and we got the money in the bank. When I knew it was time to leave OD and start writing she was right there encouraging me to do it. I know it has been a stretch for her in so many ways. Putting up with me is enough to discourage anybody, but she is still by my side. Not behind me and not out in front, but right by my side. She is the ultimate encourager to me!!

Courage to Encourage

August 6, 2009 Thursday
I am seeing more and more that it takes courage to Encourage folk. To tell someone that they are doing a great job does in fact take courage. To stand with someone when they are going through a tough spell takes courage. You have to have courage though if you are going to encourage others. You can’t give someone something that you don’t have. So then, in order to encourage someone else, you too, must have courage. To encourage someone else means taking putting your attention on them and not on yourself. For some of us that takes courage. Or just the opposite, to encourage someone, by telling and showing them that you too have gone through something similar takes courage. To be able to bear yourself and expose yourself takes courage. To humiliate yourself, which just means to humble yourself for the sake of others, takes courage. Be an encourager to others!!

standing courage

August 5, 2009 Wednesday
What about the courage it takes to make a difference in the people around you? The courage to be a world changer; even if that world is just one or two people, is needed. The courage to be different, knowing that you will stand out, because you don’t conform to what everyone else is doing. The courage to make a stand for what is right, to do what is right, because it is right, and then do it right. It takes courage to do these things. Maybe that’s why we don’t have a lot of people making a difference. Do we have a lack of courage? If you don’t have this courage, find someone who does and learn from them, support them, and you will begin to develop life changing courage. We all have the capability to have courage; we just don’t all exercise it.

life courage

August 4, 2009 Tuesday
Courage is the first topic of my book Playbook of Champions. It takes courage to be a champion, not just a football champion, but a champion in life. It takes courage to be able to stand when stuff around you in falling apart. It takes courage to stand when everyone else has run away or abandon you. It takes courage to take the punches that life throws at you. As Rocky Balboa said, “It isn’t how hard you can hit, but how you can take a punch from life.” It definitely takes courage to be a champion in life. Take heart and you will have courage.