When It All Seems Lost

My staff have told me that my life story could be sold to Lifetime. I told them they probably would not take it because no one would believe it.

There are days I feel like I’m on a show that we used to watch called “Hidden Camera.” The new fancy word for it is “you got punked.” There is now probably even a newer phrase…but I can’t tell ya I know what that is.

In life…you will have people talk bad about you. You will have women deceive you, men deceive you…and people just love to watch you fall. When I was younger I had the mentality of “ I will show you!” And then end up getting myself in trouble. What I have noticed as I have gotten older is, Karma does exist…and if you wait around long enough…it really does come around. I’ve watched it…but you don’t ever want to be the person who is happy it does.

As I get older I get smarter….but I still have a lot of wisdom to gain and not as many years to gain it as I would like. So for me, the last couple of years here’s some things I’ve tried to do…and they seem to be working. In a world full of people who want to watch you fail….these are some tips on how to survive:

1. Be someone who can be counted on. Show up when you say you will. Do what you said you would. Follow through. If circumstances prevent it, let the person know as far in advance as possible.

2. When you say your gonna do something, do it to the best of your ability. Don’t do it just to get by…go big or go home!

3. When you show up…look the part….whatever that part may be…do it to the best of your ability.

4. Take care of yourself. Exercise…explore. Be adventurous. Work out.

5. Read books, constantly learn new things….

6. Get involved in your community…don’t just throw money at charities…get your hands dirty.

7. Surround yourself with busy friends…people who are too busy to talk bad about others. Be around the movers and shakers of your community.

8. Give yourself time to smell the coffee…get your nails done…have a massage.

9. Get out of your comfort zone. Whether that’s playing a keyboard in front of your church like you said you would never do….or clowning…or getting involved in a group you said you were too scared to join.

10. Lay the hurt at Jesus feet. There is no one that suffered more lies and more hatred than Jesus…and unlike me…He is perfect. I pick up the hurt of people that they say about me…again and again…but lay it down…lay it down and keep it there.

11. I am not perfect….I have failed at many things in my life…but I can’t live there. After I have apologized…and asked for forgiveness I can only move forward…I can’t stay there paralyzed in what I have failed at.

12. Make the world around you beautiful….paint something…clean something…give something…make someone laugh…the gift of laughter is the best gift I can give right now…and every time I do…I always get more in return.

There are days when the clouds roll in…Satan loves those days…he tells his best lies on those days. Many of us believe him….I’ve been very close…but the sun always comes up…and the problems always work themselves out. Not always how I’ve envisioned or hoped. Sometimes the sun doesn’t shine for awhile…and the mountain in front of me that I just climb seems so unbelievably endless. Do NOT give up…because the way down that mountain will be the most amazing beautiful answer that you have ever seen.

He makes beauty out of ashes…He fixes Broken things….He uses the silliest of people….

Be strong my friend….let them say all the things…keep standing tall….keep being strong. Their lies will be revealed. The injustice will be overcome…just hold on.