Proverbs 22:13 shows God's sense of humor. It says "The lazy person claims, "There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!"

To me, this Proverb is timeless.  To me, the 'lion' translates into excuses.  The lazy person is often blaming the 'lion' or excuses to not get things done.  
 

When I think about the times in my life I've grown the most, it was always when I was facing some sort of trial.  One trial in particular was the divorce from my first wife.  That event shook me up - but it also woke me up.

 

"A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man."  -Proverbs 6:10-11

This proverb is powerful.  It applies to so many aspects of our life.  When we think of poverty we usually associate it with lacking money.   But it can also be associated with our health, our relationships, even our spiritual well-being.
 

Philippians 4:13 says "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me."  This passage has gotten me through some tough times and over some big obstacles.  Too often when life gets busy we go into survival mode.  We exist with an attitude of "conquer the day" or "just get through the day".

Proverbs 11:14 says "Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety."

Who do you have on your "wise counselor" team?

Are there people in your life who support and guide you no matter what the circumstances? Do they say the hard things to you that others may shy away from?  Who keeps you moving forward in your life - to help you see through the forest that, let's admit, can get very dark at times?

Proverbs 22:6 says: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

When my stepson was younger, he played football and basketball.  I really enjoyed going to his games and watching him compete.  One of the perks of these outings was getting to know the other parents.  We formed a camaraderie off the field that was fun and entertaining.

However, there are always those parents that drive you crazy...if you have kids in sports, you know what I'm talking about.  It's the parent that constantly criticizes, complains and coaches from the sideline.

I knew one of those parents.

 

My days are filled with coaching, instructing and counseling my clients through all kinds of challenges.  If I'm being honest, it can be very rewarding but also very frustrating at the same time.  You see, there are people who truly are their own worst enemies.

Ever wake up feeling tired and unmotivated?  Believe it or not, I do!  One of the passages I NEED to read every morning to get my mind right is Philippians 2:3-5.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus"   

Last Monday was one of those days. I woke up feeling tired and unmotivated.  I was having a pity party because I expected it to be a long challenging day. (Insert sad violin music here.)  How did I FLIP THE SWITCH?  Read more here.

Turkey hunting isn't as easy as people might think since you see them all over the place.  You have to wear a lot of camouflage and be really still since wild turkeys have great eye sight.  With turkey hunting, you have to make a plan to try and put yourself in the best position for success. Many times it doesn't always work out.  

If God were looking over your shoulder, would you be doing things differently?  

Would you be going through the motions or are you consistently giving 100% in all you do?

Colossians 3:23 created a big shift in my mentality.
 

If you have been reading my emails lately, you'll notice they all incorporate a Bible passage meaningful to me.  I was recently ordained as a minister and I believe in the power of scripture in every aspect of life.  This is why I start my emails with a message for you.

Today's message is "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Hosea 4:6
 

It never ceases to amaze me how we will meticulously take care of our automobiles but completely neglect our bodies.

Only to act surprised and shocked when our health takes a nosedive after years of filling our body with junk food while starving it of exercise and proper nutrition.

The body we have is the body we've earned.

Would you be surprised if your car quit running if you never changed the oil or took it in for a tune up?


 

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." Revelations 3:15-16

A lot of people deceive themselves thinking they are hot in pursuit of their fitness goals, when  really they are lukewarm.

They have convinced themselves they are 100% committed, but their deeds prove otherwise.

I remember when Tracy our manager, was first training with me. She kept getting frustrated about not losing weight. But every time I looked in her food log, it was filled with soda crackers and she was washing them down with TAB.


 

"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." James 4:17

I work with a lot of people. So many of them know the right things to do, but they rarely do it.  I hear it all the time - just like the scripture says.

I call it the "Should Syndrome."

Do you know the #1 way to smash a plateau?

The answer is really simple....GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY.

Having sat through hundreds of consultations with people who have hit plateaus, it has become very clear...

Most of the time the problem is not the plateau - it's you.

"The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."  John 10:10

Life can steal your joy.

Age, injuries, stress, and mental health issues are all thieves of joy.

Your big "WHY" is important in EVERYTHING you do.

If it's not there, your motivation will only carry you so far.  Eventually you will quit or backslide which leads to a mediocre life at best not the rich and satisfying life you deserve.

Here's a story of how knowing your "WHY" is essential if you want to see success.

In Numbers 25-31 we see fear preventing God's chosen people from entering the promised land.

Here's the story..
 

There are at least two significant moments where encouragement changed the course of my entire life.

"And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?" Mark 8:36.

A few years ago an old school friend of mine retired from a successful military career.

He told me he wanted to something with "real meaning and purpose."  He had been disciplined with his finances plus had his military pension so he told me he did not some "big fancy corporate job."

I remember how excited he was to start the second chapter of his life pursuing significance instead of success.

Galatians 6:5 says "For each will have to bear his own load."

Simply put, this translates to personal responsibility.  We are ALL responsible for ourselves, our actions, our emotions.   Unfortunately, many of us continue to struggle with this.