Suggestion Versus Requirement?

In life, we constantly have decisions to make:  What are we going to wear?  What are we going to have for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?  How will I prioritize my busy schedule?  Will I go to church this Sunday?  Will I go to that party on Saturday night?  I have an X amount of “blow” money.  Do I want to spend it on this or that or put it in my rainy day fund?  Hmmm…decisions, decisions, decisions.

At what point do we decide, of those things that could be suggestions, to turn them into requirements?  Is it working out, doing community service, being a better employee or a more committed business owner or both, paying tithes, giving back in some manner, going to school or going back to school?  What in your life is currently on your suggestion list that needs to move to your requirement list?  Ponder…and then progress towards your next S.M.A.R.T. goal.

#Choices  #Life  #Change

Don’t Trade Life for Temporary Things

From Rick Warren’s Daily Devotional – This particular devotional spoke to me because it is so terribly easy to get distracted for both the long term and the short term. However, the words below remind and encourage me to stay focused on the things, the people, the relationships, the projects, the expenses, the whatever(s), that matter most.  It is the only way to make marked progress.  If you are fortunate enough to know that you are near the end of your days, wouldn’t you want to be able to reflect and know that most of what you were focused on, mattered? 

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So much of what we waste our energy on will not matter even a year from now, much less for eternity. Don’t trade your life for temporary things.  

 Jesus said, “Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62 TLB) 

 Paul warned, “Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out.” (1 Corinthians 7:31 MSG) 

 What are you allowing to stand in the way of your mission? Whatever it is, let it go. “Let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back .” (Hebrews 12:1 TLB)

#Life  #Focus