What A Difference This Day Makes!

In ancient times, this time of year Pagans (Paganism was centered around worship of nature, and in heathenistic practices) celebrated the return of the SUN, daylight; a time that we recognize as SOLTICE, marking the longest night and shortest day in our calendars, between December 20 – 23. This occurred on December 21st at 9:03AM. Now, daylight will get a few minutes longer each day.

Because of their beliefs, Pagans celebrated this as an god-EVENT, worshipping various deities that they credited for various functions of nature. The long nights would be over, and now there would be more sun; brought about, they believed, would come from their pagan god.

Christmas was purposely designed and created, if you will, as December 25^th by the Roman church a long, long time ago, particularly and intentionally to positively impact, correctly identify and emphatically counter and replace  the pagan rituals happening at the same time. It was established as the day to give recognition and worship to the one and only TRUE GOD, JESUS. This is the reason we celebrate JESUS’ birth at this time, in this month.

Isn’t it interesting that pagans were celebrating the change from darkness to light? That they were celebrating the coming in of the SUN, day breaking thru the darkest, longest night? The language-ing sounds amazing just to say it.

When we celebrate on December 25th, we celebrate birth of Jesus as the One Who came as the LIGHT OF THE WORLD; the One, GOD’S SON, Who brought us out of darkness into the MARVELOUS LIGHT! (1Peter 2:9). The language contrast is truly interesting: their worship of their sun god, and our worship of the Son of God.

As I look at the prophecy: “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6), the assignment was clear, and those Names given to Jesus, are a strengthening reminder to us that no matter how out of control all of the government leaders and entities are, we are still under one Ruler. They may have power to rule the people, but they do not have the power to rule over God. 

You know this, I'm sure:“In God We Trust” was put on American currency years ago by the government. Here's what I believe, it was done as a powerful reminder to them and to us, of who is really in charge. It was like saying don’t get it twisted, there is a higher authority than us, and we know it.

Well, we know that government is capable of getting out of hand based on its leadership, but it is critical for us to hold on to what we know. And, that is above all rule, God exists and rules; and He sent Jesus as a reminder for us, as our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, to help us get through this life and on to another. No matter how things look from the ground, God is still in the Heavens and still the Master of our Universe. 

We celebrate Christmas this month on December 25th. What a difference this day makes for all! Merry Christmas! - S.R.F.

Thinking About Being Thankful?

It's November, and one of the most dominant thoughts on everyone's mind is that we're headed into the Thanksgiving holiday. And, the very conscience-minded are thinking of all the things to be thankful for. It's what we do, right? What are you thankful for? Let's ponder together for a few minutes and let's see if anything is new, different, or worth some additional "thankfulness" pondering:

Time? It gets away doesn't it? And, seemingly way too fast. Ponder for a moment the good TIMES, even if it has been a rough year, a rough time, a rough life. Count the blessings, and be thankful that there are one, two, or a few things that are truly thankful worthy. Big or small, count them all.

Being Happy? Happiness gets a bad wrap. Most think it comes it big houses, fancy cars, phenomenal success, lots of money, etc.,etc., etc., and indeed those things can make a soul feel "happy". The unfortunate thing is that too much of life is spent grabbing for that kind of gigantic happiness, and never quite achieving that level. Many have found that happiness comes in a lot of small efforts in life, small packages of success, meeting small degrees of success. Don't measure happiness by its size in things. Measure it by the things that bring joy to your heart, and be truly thankful for those things.

Living? How are you doing? Just about every time I ask someone that question, they tell me all the very bad and very terrible things they can think of at the time, without pause. Believe me, I know that life is a challenge on any given day for almost everyone. I've got a lot of receipts to prove it, too. There is something I've learned to do, and that is to keep my complaints minimal. Complaining has no real value, but it is good at keeping a person filled with negativity, and in a negative place in life.

On the other hand, when we can teach ourselves and tell ourselves that there really is a joy in looking at life from a positive perspective, a different evaluation surfaces. That perspective may not change things immediately, although it sometimes does. Seeing problems, predicaments, perils with possibility-thinking, and with your purpose and your perspective geared toward getting past those junctures in life sets a different tone and direction to head in. It's worth every effort you can put into it. 

I encourage you to give it a shot. You will get some amazing results. And, speaking of being thankful, some time down the road you'll remember these words, and I believe you'll be thankful someone cared enough to write them. ~ S.R.F.

LIVE IT UP

You probably thought this was going to be one of those "throw caution to the wind" kinds of chats that encourages you to go get your freedom at any cost. Reel yourself in. While that may sound like a great idea to some, depending on who you are, that's not where I'm going with this.

No, I'm talking about truly living life UP. I'm talking about living with an UPward way of thinking. I'm talking about keeping your head UP when life tries to bring you down. I'm talking about picking yourself UP when you have fallen on your face. I'm talking about getting UP after you've been knocked down. I'm talking about keeping your spirits UP when your smile is turned upside down. I'm talking about looking UP instead of staring doom and gloom in the face.

How do I do that, you ask? I'm glad you asked. Here are a few LIVE IT UP pointers:

1. The worst things in life do happen. You are NOT the only one that stuff is happening to. Life has a lot of hard parts and tough experiences. It can take a lot of time to manage and maneuver through the messes of life, but you must always know that there is a way out of the maze of difficulty. Looking down on yourself and being mad and bitter is not the best point of view. Work on all of the positivity you can MUSTER UP.

2. We have the ability to get past almost anything. We have to LOOK UP, though. You have to see and believe in the possibilities. As soon as you can get a grip on yourself and regain some strength, see the potential. Believe in yourself and believe that there are good things UP AHEAD.

3. You play the leading role in your life. You are the decision-maker. You are the one who is writing the script of choices. You are the one who is in the driver's seat of your thoughts and actions. You are responsible for the stage you set to star in. What does this mean? It means you have to SHOW UP for yourself. Be braver. Be bolder. Fight your fears. Do all the things that help you reach your potential and the things that help you feel good about yourself.

4. If you make great choices, the fruit will bear itself. If you make poor choices, yes, the results can be rotten fruit. But, that happens to all of us. We don't always get things right. In fact, we get the majority of things wrong, we just don't admit it. This is when we have the opportunity to LEVEL UP, take inventory of ourselves and determine to be intentional about getting the best out of life. Bigger thinking. Better goals. Deliberate actions that we know will improve the quality of our lives.

5. Be proactively positive. Be optimistic, not in the "pie in the sky" kind of optimistic approach to life. Have the kind of optimism that keeps you focused on LIVING UP and above the fray, frustrations and faultiness of life. It's all attitude, and it's in your power to choose your attitude. You can live in a funk, or you can choose a LIVE IT UP attitude.

It takes practice, a lot and often, but that mindset will help you more times that not. Is it a perfect remedy? No, it's not. Life will keep "Life-ing" nonetheless, but here's the thing: You'll be UP for each and every challenge it brings. ~ S.R.F.

Do It With Excellence

Most of us are in pursuit of something. Some goal, perhaps, that has your passion on fire? Some desire that was triggered by a childhood dream? Some idea that you can't shake because you can see it so clearly? Some kind of itch that you need to scratch because it feels like you were born to do it?

Fall into any of those categories? Yes? Maybe? Probably? Have you learned an important element in achieving your goals? If you're like the true movers and shakers, like the big ballers and shot callers, you have to know that whatever it is that you want to do, or whatever you are doing, should shine brightly with excellence.

We are living in times when we want everything in a real big hurry. It doesn't matter if it's done "right" or if all of the details were perfected. We just think "here it is" the thing, looking all bold and beautiful. But, here's a critical question, can it deliver? Can it do the bold and beautiful dynamics of what is pictured or promised? Can what others see or expect go beyond the surface and expose excellence in your product, service or personhood? That's a heavy question, I know, but it's a valuable one to consider.

When we're out here dealing with people and businesses as much as we do, as consumers we want excellence. We expect it. When we don't get it, chances are we are done with our experience with you.

I had used a drycleaner for many years up until recently. I enjoyed and appreciated their service because they always did a great job with my clothes. They added some new staff recently and during my last few visits I had more complaints than I had ever had before. My favorite winter coat got ruined because it wasn't treated with the proper dry cleaning process, and the same thing happened with one of my favorite sweaters. On my third and last visit, which left me disappointed as well, I explained that I was done doing business with them. I haven't been back since. The new staff was not being as conscientious of the process or services that should be provided.

Doing things with excellence is important, regardless of how small or insignificant a task may be. We should take pride in our work, which can be a challenge if you feel unappreciated, but do it because of how it reflects on you as someone who does take pride in work well done. Let that be your mindset regardless of how sloppy or unfazed another individual may be about how they do things. Keep your mind on the leveling up that type of thinking sets you up for. 

Doing things with excellence shows. Doing things with excellence shines. Doing things with excellence sets you ahead of the rest. Doing things with excellence puts you at an advantage in your personal and professional life. Be intentional about everything you want to achieve, but don't do it with short cuts. Don't do it half-a$$ed. Don't do it without pride in a job well done. Don't do it because it makes you look perfect, whatever that means. Do it right. People see it. You get noticed. And, maybe most importantly, you can hold your head up and smile about your own sense of excellence and shine. 

Goals don't get reached without excellent plans. Dreams don't happen with taking some excellent steps in the direction of your plans. Your work doesn't shine unless you polish it with excellence. Don't settle for the okey-doke measures of trying to accomplish something. Mediocracy is way too common. Is that who you want to be? Is that where you want to land? Of course not.  ~ S.R.F.

Turn Things Around

I recently spoke to a couple of people who were experiencing some heavy difficulties in life. These were the kinds of issues that tear at your spirit and also weigh hard on your heart. We've all been there, I'm sure. We want a remedy. We want change. We want it to disappear. We want out. We want it to be over. Of course, easier said than done in so many cases.

Way too many crises to describe here, but I have endured difficult and challenging times in my life, the kind that steals time, the kind that takes the breath right out of your body, the kind that shatters your heart and your life for a while. If I could turn back the hands of time and have a re-do, I would. Since I can't, I always have to find a perspective that will help me go face-forward on with life, and some way, somehow, turn things around.

How do you turn things around that are failures, that have devastated you, nearly killed you, left you broken and broke? I have an abiding faith in God first and foremost, but there are other things that I knew I had to do to keep from sinking into the depths of despair.

1. No pity parties. Living in pity isn't living. It's like sitting in mud. There is nothing pretty or satisfying about it. I've felt a lot of emotional hurt, but I've never had a pity party and never invited anyone I know to one. I read "The Power of Positive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale very early in my life and those words of his sunk deeply into my heart and head. They say what comes from the heart reaches the heart. That was true for me about his book. I decided that being stuck in the mud was worthless. 

To turn things around to the best of my ability, I would always have to try to have a positive perspective and outlook. I live that principle out day-to-day to this day. My friends and family have no idea about some of the things I've faced because I didn't have a pity party, and didn't send out any invitations to come into my issues. I made that choice. Pity parties don't help, they make you hurt worse. However, please don't avoid seeking help and support when you need it, but avoid having a funeral for yourself while you're still alive, and while you still have so much to live for.

2. No negativity. It can be difficult to avoid all negativity, but there are things you can control. I don't gossip with people, and really don't want to hear negative perspectives on other people's personal lives and problems, unless there is something I can contribute to help. I don't watch or listen to stuff that has weird content. I like to laugh, so I entertain myself with healthier stuff. I'm not stuffy and critical about what choices other people make, but it's my choice to avoid negative conversations, content, and craziness. I may have opinions, but I not opting in. No way. We have the opportunity to decide. Will negativity keep you from turning your life around? For sure it can, and it will. Listen, don't go backwards.

3. No folding in fear. Don't let fear stop you. When you're facing the hard things, fear can enter your heart. You wonder. You worry. You get weary. Going forward in a maze or into darkness is a great big challenge, but if you want to turn things around in your life, you have to move forward afraid. Give yourself time to heal. Give yourself time to restore. Give yourself time to reflect. Give yourself time to grieve. Give yourself time to strengthen, and once you get your breath back and your bearings, make your move. 

You may feel afraid, but be deliberate. Be bold. Be faith-filled, and be determined. Faith is the bridge over fear. Believe in God, and believe in yourself. Make up your mind. Make the effort. Take the necessary steps. You're worth it. Your life is worth it. You can turn things around.- S.R.F.

Get Your Head Right

It seems that everyday that I venture out into these streets, I am sure to see something baffling. It doesn't take me long to realize that people are running on impatience and energy drinks, and that's a bad combination. Twice this week I was almost hit, one driver speeding through a stop sign, and the other ignoring the red light. Y'all do know that these are for our safety, the signals that say STOP? There is no second guessing, these signs mean just what they mean. I believe I was only saved by angels. I shook my head, and thanked God.

I know what it's like to be in a hurry. I get it. I know what it feels like when we're tied to life stuff that has little room for adjustments, especially at a slow pace. We get impatient. But, let me ask you something, how is that going for you? I can imagine your answers.

I'm going to share some pointers on how to handle that stuff. A few insights come to mind. Here goes:

1. You have time, you just have to RE-THINK how you are using it. My greatest flex in life is being FLEXIBLE. If I'm running late for something, I'm definitely not considering running red lights and stop signs, regardless of the situation or issue. I'm pre-thinking about what I need to do or say when I get where I'm going, or maybe even contact someone with the news that I'm running late. That's just one scenario. I know you're saying "Well, that's common sense." Well, EXACTLY! Get your head right and use it, or risk causing an accident or possibly killing yourself and possibly others in your fierce attempt to move faster. Come on, now. Just stop it, so you can stop for those traffic signs, and put a stop to any other abusive or bad behavior created by impatience. 

2. You have choices, you just have to RE-THINK what they are. What about all that yelling, screaming, blaming, hating, chaos and craziness that is showing up in your life? Is it "them", or is it you? Oh, it's them??? I've always loved this quote "don't start nothin' won't be nothin'". And, you know what? I remind myself often of this when the customer service I receive sucks, when a levels of agitation from others spill into the day from almost anywhere, when people are deliberate about their hate and anger toward you, when any number of almost idiotic encounters occur. You feel like cussing and knocking somebody out, but don't do that.

Well, you live and you learn, right? I see way too many fights and disturbances on social media and I scratch my head, seriously I do. You want to smack down and even kill people who just crossed your path, people that you met a few seconds ago? Really? Seriously? Get your head right. It will cost you nothing to say nothing in response to their lack of people skills. It will cost you nothing to walk away with your confidence and emotional intelligence in tact. 

It will cost you nothing if you chose to win with doing nothing, a win by default effort. It's just not worth it to risk something, and possibly everything in a baseless encounter, whether it's with family, friends, co-workers, or some random situations. Regardless of how it started, you can be the one to end it. You must make a choice to do that, because you can if you think first.

3. You can learn patience, you just have to RE-THINK how you handle things. If you have the mindset that conditions you to think that every little mishap is meant to destroy you or destroy your day, let me say this with well-meaning love: get your head right. Stuff is always happening that could catapult you into negativity. You spill your coffee. Your kids have asked you something ten times, and they don't understand while all you do is huff and yell. Work and the people at work exhaust you. Your spouse is annoying. Traffic. Bills. Health. School. Lack of rest. Other people's problems that are now yours, too. Life. Strife. No light at the end of the tunnel. These, and so many more daily aggravations are about to drive you crazy, huh?

You have heard many gurus tell you to stay in the moment, respond with sensibility, take deep breaths, hide for a few minutes, stay focused? They are not lying to you. Techniques absolutely work, but techniques only work with a lot of practice. The key is to make being patient a practice with every opportunity, all of them. Yes, you practice constantly with every perceived negative issue that comes your way and across your path. Constant practice won't really make things perfect, but I guarantee you that you will not only experience a new level of patience, you will experience a new level of peace and perspective. Try it and you will amaze yourself. You will make better decisions. You will feel happier. Your outlook will be better, and so will your "inner" look, the part of yourself that needed to see and treat things differently. It's a game changer. 

Emotional intelligence is a real thing. It's something that can save the day. It's something that can save a marriage. It's something that can save you. When you practice getting your head right, which is what emotional intelligence really is, you can save yourself and everyone in your own little world. People, that's important. ~ S.R.F.

What Are You Thinking?

I think about thinking all day. You know why? Because that brain of ours is so efficient at doing what it is supposed to do: Taking in, guiding, and feeding our thoughts. It's a whole mental dance.

I can remember how this particular quote impacted me when I first heard it: "Your life will go in the direction of your most dominant thoughts." And, here is another one that will make you THINK: "Wherever you are in life, your thoughts took you there." Wow, right?! That second quote is debatable, though. Where we land is not always our fault, but I do agree that very intentional thinking can guide you to levels of peace, comfort and success.

You've heard about "stinkin'-thinkin'" carrying a toll on your everyday stuff? Certainly you have. It's true that negative thinking will bring poor results, poor resolve, sabotage and failure. This is when and where you have to give some credence to the fact that "your thoughts brought you" there. If you are a negative thinker, you know it's true. Positive thinking does not make every move you make successful and glorious, however, a positive perspective will most often keep you level-headed, optimistic in the midst of setbacks, and powering toward your next move, eventually. Positive thinkers are often happier, too. They believe there is potentially a "better" beyond the worst of things. Is that true? Like I've been saying, it's what you think that matters.

What are you thinking? Good thoughts? Bad thoughts? Are you feeling engulfed in helpless, hopeless thoughts? I know for sure that you are thinking something, so analyze the sad thoughts and the self-destructive thoughts. You are not alone with that type of thinking, but there is a way to help save yourself from further grief, agony and negativity. That first step is to try to release yourself from it. Cry. Shout. Scream. Holler. Get all of the negative energy out to make room for your thoughts to refresh. Get some good therapy. Read some good material. Over time the thoughts minimize if you keep at it. Keep reminding yourself that the negative thoughts will never take you to a positive place and space internally or externally. Write a poster-sized message about that and place it in an area where you see it often. YOU CAN break those stinkin'- thinkin' cycles.

Challenge yourself to get the best out of that incredible brain of yours. You wanna be happy? What are you thinking? You want more peace? What are you thinking? You want better? What are you thinking? THINK about that, and then see where the happy, peaceful and best thoughts take you. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Here's some food for THOUGHT: You can fuss, cuss, and complain about the rain, or you can dance in it. - S.R.F.

LET'S GET IT! LET'S GO!

Let's get it! Let's go! Yes, Sir! Yes, Ma'am! I am talking to YOU!

What is the thing that you have been putting off for forever and a day? What is it that you put on the back burner long ago that's about to burn up?! What was it that you said is a definite 2025 resolution, for sure goal and an absolute plan, that hasn't gained any ground yet or has yet to bear any fruit? What is it, Sis? What is that thing, Bro? Time to make some headway?

If you needed a wake-up call, this could be it. It's, perhaps, the alarm you needed to shake you from your complacency and get re-motivated. Don't hit "dismiss" if you know this is it. You already know that the plan you have could be life-changing, so keep your eyes open to the possibility and the vision.

If you had pretty much forgotten about what you said you were going to do, then this is likely your reminder to refresh the game plan, focus on intention, and see yourself with the WIN. This time, play hard with intentionality, and remember you cannot score if you are not in the game. Get back in.

If you have lost your motivation, may these words inspire you with the jump-start fuel you need. You will always need more fueling along the journey, but today can be a day that you get yourself moving again. You know what they say, "you only lose if you quit." It's also been said, "don't allow quitting to be an option." Motivation can easily be restored. Remember that idea that once illuminated your thoughts, and you were certain it would light your pathway? It still can. Fire up those thoughts once again!

Plans can get shifted. You can get thrown off track for a time by any number of things. Put your game-face on! Curve balls get thrown at you, but this is the moment, RIGHT NOW, when you say to yourself "I'm in it to win it! C'mon Self, let's get this, LET'S GO!  - S.R.F.

 

YOU LIVE AND YOU LEARN

Life is a classroom. We can be good students of learning, or we can be the ones who sat at the back of the room, not paying any real attention, or decide to take a nap instead of gaining the knowledge being given us. Are you paying attention, the kind of attention to the details of life that can teach you the good, the bad, the ugly, the better and the best? It's all out here for us to learn from, all of it.

I love hearing the stories of trial to triumph, from defeat to victory, from down-and-out to moving on up to higher places. All of those stories have lessons in them, lessons learned and lessons to be learned from all those individuals who braved the challenges they faced to get through many hard stages and difficult, stormy seasons. I hear these wonderful reflections and encouraging accounts from the lives of others, and I take notes. We should, their stories tell us that hard things can have a very happy ending, a very happy beginning.

Are you taking any notes of your own? Or, are you napping on the potential to gain knowledge and insights about life, and grow from what you learn? I hope you don't miss any inspiration that comes your way that could teach you something, that could boost your courage, information that could change your life.

A few years ago, I was one of the featured speakers at the University of Houston for a student enrichment day. My topic was on choosing your direction in life. I love speaking, and I always strive to give my best and most valuable insights about anything I'm asked to speak on. I emphasized how important it is to stay on track and stay focused, not new news, but my presentation was definitely unique. Afterwards, a young man came up to me and said, "You changed my life today. Thank you." He said it a few times, in a very definitive way. My heart was melting. He heard me. He knew I cared. He listened, and was going to take away what he had learned. He had paid attention with his head and his heart.

Yes, pay attention with our heads and hearts, that's a great way to walk through life, it's the very essence to living and learning. Lessons abound, through stopping, looking and listening to people, places, predicaments and possibilities. You are in life's classroom, and there's a quote that states "life is a great teacher." Indeed, it is. Grab the wisdom. Grasp the knowledge. No time for napping. - S.R.F.

A CHANGE WILL COME

Life is ever-changing for us, in us, and around us. It can feel like a form of insanity when we look at the particulars and the pace of it all. One moment we can feel in charge. The next moment, a change happened and threw everything off course into a new and different direction, and not necessarily a desirable direction. 

These change "factors" of life happen all day, everyday, and they introduce you to the unexpected and the unanticipated irregularities of our days and lives. Most of us hate it, because so much of it seems to be out of our control. Work stuff. Business stuff. Family stuff. Stuff stuff. "Stuff" happens constantly and we find ourselves at the mercy of its movement.

Honestly, it can be a hard pill to swallow. We want to be "masters of our destinies" and the "captains of our ships," but a swift wind blows or some craziness jumps onto our path, and there we are having to do things another way, at least until we get our bearings and we're feeling less tossed to and fro from the "disturbance".

It would be great if changes that happen could be described in a nicer way, but it is what it is, Folks. The strategy and secret that I have personally learned is to remain as flexible as possible with whatever is going on. I've learned that plans can change based on any number of reasons. I've learned that things won't always go as good or great as you thought they would. I've learned that things can change and go another way on a dime. I have also learned that you can get devastating blows seemingly out of nowhere. You can have your nice, neat life flipped, turned upside-down in a moment. I've learned that not everything is as nailed down and permanent as it looked. 

Yes, I've learned all that, and so much more. And, if I had not learned to understand those things and realize that in most all cases I needed to keep my head on as straight as I possibly could, AND discern the flow of the changes in the circumstances, AND go with that flow it if I needed to, I would be going through the rest of my life at minimum very confused, and at maximum, I'd be pretty crazy, with more emphasis on crazy, not pretty.

What are the options when life seems to be taking over? First thing to remember is to try to keep yourself under control. Life REQUIRES navigation, and a lot of stuff can and will go the way we want it to go if we work with it. Upsets, disturbances and distractions are normal stuff, and we can CHOOSE to get through many things if we just use our heads, and do what we think is the right thing to do, the things that will hopefully give us right and good results.

Secondly, know that you can navigate through almost anything and everything. Master the tools of being aware and prepped for mishaps, misunderstanding and misfortune. It's not a fun way of thinking about things by any means, and it shouldn't have you in a place in your head where you fear waking up in the morning. That would also make you crazy.

Change is gonna come in some of the most interesting and unusual ways. It never means life is against you, be careful to not think that way. There is way more good, and way more good change that can come into our lives on any given day, too. Let that sink in, deeply.

S.R.F.

WHAT'S THE USE YOU ASK?

 What's the use? Have you ever said that when you've been in a struggle? 

Maybe when something you had hoped for, prayed for and dreamed about didn't happen? Or, you have tried and tried and tried to get to your goal and it seems to get further and further away? Well, here's a news flash for you: so many of us have been there, but hopefully not still there.

Although, if you are "still there" in that place of "what's the use" I believe I was sent to give you some encouragement today. As much as we would like for things to happen quickly and easily, that is just not how things will typically go. Most everything we attempt to do will take a lot of effort to get to, whether it's self-growth, or meeting your goal, or any of the other plans you have in your heart and imagination.

What's the use in making all the effort when it's always so stressful? It can be frustrating. It can be exhausting. It can be confusing. It can make you furious. You can feel a great deal of uncertainty about all of it. When every best effort and every best idea falls flat, it can make you want to give up, JUST DON'T.

Don't give up if you believe you are doing the right thing. Don't give up if you believe with just more time and effort, you will make it happen. Don't give up if you've seen it already done by others. That's a definite sign you can get there, too. Give up only when it really was just a fantasy in the first place, only a truly impossible dream. Yes, we do have those made-up scenarios in our heads that will probably never pan out in life. You be the judge, and don't waste another minute on it if that is the case. Save yourself further frustration when you know you are going nowhere fast in reality.

Keep dreaming, though. There are things that are well worth the striving, so keep driving toward your visions. Finally getting there is one of the best feelings in the world. Do the doable, even if it seems to be taking more time than you ever thought it would. Look around. All the things you see was once someone's imagination, desire, creativity and goal. And, yes, you can do it, too. - S.R.F.

FAITH-ING THE FUTURE

Surely, all of us want 2025 to be a really good year. Yes? We are wanting old things to pass away, and for all things to become new? Well, okay, there's THAT, so here's the task before us: One of the ways we do that is taking responsibility for how life unfolds, things that are in our ability to manage and navigate through our faith, choices and actions.  Life is full of potential, and also the blazing and  amazing spiritual power we have through faith that can make so many positive things happen. 

Faith is a very effective tool and ability to impact the days and months ahead. Every moment of life requires reacting, and so our faith helps us to rise, reason, rectify; to restore; to re-do; re-build; re-assess, and to renew things for ourselves. You made some resolutions, right? Yes, that part of how you do life is what I'm referring to right now.

You want a happy new year? Be RESOLUTE about it. Happiness is a choice. Being happy does not mean that we jump out of bed doing cartwheels. It doesn’t mean that we fake excitement or exuberance. It means that we can choose joy. 

We face many, many “facts” in life that can overwhelm us and try to overtake us and bring us back to square one, but let us be bold enough in our FAITH-ING this year, to rise up to the realties and keep moving forward, in faith, making the effort to BE happy. Our perspective can mean so much in our day, and in our year. How we see our future, how we position our expectations, and how we believe what we believe for ourselves is EVERYTHING. ~ S.R.F.