JOY

"We can feel happiness from the heart and from our heads. But JOY only comes from the heart."
Jeff Johnson April 2008

This blog is motivational during the week and inspirituational on Sunday. Normally, I do not personalize it to much as the focus is on the subject and not me. Today, for the first time, I must break this pattern to explain my joy.

I love my daughter--she is 18 years old and I spoil her as much and as frequently as possible. Presently I am teaching her to drive. This is not the exciting part that brings joy--even though she is doing well at her driving practice, I am spending time with her. My daughter and I must spend 50 hours together as she learns to drive. These are hours when I have a captive audience to talk to her, have her talk to me, and I can give 'dad' life lessons. How much more could a dad ask for then to spend 50 hours of one-on-one time with the apple of his eye? My basketball watching buddy, my pool playing partner, my basketball playing opponent, and my PSII foe, but most of all my little girl.

I have true joy in my heart every time we go out together to drive. We talk, we laugh, we spend time in discussion about all kinds of subjects, and most of all we don't share it with anyone else but us. It is our time. Happiness can come from the head--JOY always comes from the heart. My daughter is my JOY and I tell her many times--I LOVE YOU my precious little girl. What is your joy story? Think on these things today. Joy makes your heart a FORWARD STEPPER.

I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,
Jeff
PS--Sweetheart, I love the ring tones you downloaded on my phone--I am now TIGHT!!!

ENJOYMENT

"1.Wake up; 2. Go to work; 3. Pay bills; 3A. Most bills anyway; 4. Go to sleep; 5. Repeat as necessary---Enjoyment by the numbers."

Jeff Johnson April 2008

If you are not enjoying yourself at all, you will quickly lose motivation, slack off, stop caring about your goals, and ultimately abandon your journey toward success. If you are not enjoying yourself, it does not mean you need to switch goals. Perhaps you need to look for the fun in your tasks, think of what new skills you can learn in the process of completing your task. James Dean once said, "Dream as if you'll live forever, and live as if you'll die today." Do you take time to pursue your passions or are you a slave to the daily grind? Many of us call it habit, or necessity, or just life.

If you are continually demonstrating negative or pessimistic attitudes, even if you think it is a way to remain realistic, you will drain yourself of energy, which could potentially lead to losing motivation and giving up. Instead practice positive thinking and maintaining the kind of attitude that you know successful people need to succeed. Envision yourself reaching goals, even if they are only for the end of the day. As Henry Ford once said, “If you think you can or think you can not—you are probably right.” A positive attitude almost always breeds positive results, but a negative attitude will do just the opposite. Happy thoughts breed happy people—even in the face of adversity.

For the next week let’s take one positive thought and think about it all day long. The next day add one to the first one; now continue to think about both of them. Keep this up until the end of the week and see if you do not feel better. We can STEP IT UP FORWARD STEPPERS.

I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

BELONGING TO SOMETHING

"Looking at both sides of the coin makes us question which one to pick--but how often do we wish we had chosen the other side once we commit to heads or tails--is this what belonging looks like?" Jeff Johnson April 2008

Seeking is a term that is used in various circles to describe someone who is looking around, trying to decide, or just visiting. Everyone is a seeker in something. It could be a career move, a new location to live, a church to join, a religion, or a GOD to trust. Seeking periods are both healthy and necessary, however, commitments to joining must be the end result of seeking. Joining something is the first step in belonging. Let's look at some modern day examples of belonging.In 1981, when the decapitated head of his abducted 6-year-old son Adam was discovered, John Walsh pledged to turn his grief into action. More than two decades later, Walsh is a well-known victims' rights advocate and host of the long-running TV show "America's Most Wanted." "America's Most Wanted," is a television show that has aided law enforcement in the capture of more than 1000 fugitives around the world. It's the fifth longest-running show in television history. Walsh said recently, "I didn't want to be on television ... didn't want to hunt men down, but you know what, as my wife always said to me, 'Let's make sure Adam didn't die in vain,' "
In 1980 Candy Lightner’s 13-year-old daughter Cari was killed by a drunken hit-and-run driver as she walked down a suburban street in California. The 4 time convicted drunk driver received a 2 year sentence served in a work camp for this murder. Candy Lightner responded, "I promised myself on the day of Cari’s death that I would fight to make this needless homicide count for something positive in the years ahead." Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) soon grew into a nationwide organization with almost two million members and supporters and with more than 600 affiliates in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Great Britain. Since MADD was founded, traffic deaths have dropped by 44 percent and helped save over 300,000 lives, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. These stories and your favorite stories bring home Matt 6:21 which says simply, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Can you see the heart in these organizations founders? If you were asked does John Walsh belong to catching criminals? or does Candy Lightner belong to stopping drunk drivers ? The answers are unquestionable. This is what belonging looks like. In 1John 2:19, he writes, "They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us."
When we look at the Bible Rev 3:15-16 15 tells us, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." Everyone wants to be accepted. Many of us struggle with wanting to join something, but fearing rejection we hesitate--sometimes for 30-40 years. Jesus has died for you, in whatever sin, in whatever lifestyle, in whatever----PERIOD. Jesus will not reject your request to forgive ALL sin, accept YOU completely and absolutely if repentance is true. This makes joining to HIM easy. The understanding that Jesus died for YOU, gives reason greater than John Walsh's story and Candy Lightner's examples go from joining to belonging. The question now is do I belong to something? Is there a 'standout' part of my life that could give an unquestionable 'YES' I belong? Jesus made a belonging statement on the cross by dying for YOU and I and RISING FROM DEATH so that we may live forever. Be a FORWARD STEPPER from joining Jesus to belonging to Jesus.

I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,
jeff
PS If you enjoy the daily motivational BLOG's and the SUNDAY Inspirational BLOG tell your friends, e-mail them, and spread the word--THANK YOU.

TIMING

“Right times are filled with millions of times looking for it.”
Jeff Johnson April 2008

Trying to fit things in—squeeze schedules, negotiate priorities in our heads—when do we have time to just do what we really need to do? Our time is precious, there is never enough of it, and what needs to be done now should have been completed yesterday---I think, or was it due the week before? Time---what would we do without it—and what would we do with more of it? We can control it, we do own it, we do accept almost everything we put into it, and yes there is more of it than we think.

The problem is not with the amount of time we have, but in our comfort level with rest. Try this test—stay BOTH still and quiet—eyes closed for five minutes. Look at your watch and note the time and second hand----close your eyes. Next, open your eyes when you think it feels like five minutes are up OR when you can not stand it anymore. Note the time spent in still and quiet. Do you feel guilty or relaxed or both? Many times we feel guilty with idle time—unless we have to much of it.

Everyday we should have a quiet time, and alone time to reflect. Squished time and crowded schedules does not allow for the balance in life necessary to enjoy who we are and what we are doing for ourselves. We all have the time to rest—because the test proved it! Life is beautiful; rest is wonderful, taking a ‘breather’ is necessary to enjoy the busy. Think of the last five minutes—repeat daily—feel better—take time to enjoy life—to enjoy being free—FORWARD STEPPERS—STEP into relaxation.

I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

PS READ MY SUNDAY BLOG, ' Belonging To Something.'

BLOCKS

“Blocks, we can either walk on them to where we want to go, or see our shadow grow on them.” Jeff Johnson April 2008

Fill in the blanks _____________BLOCKS, or ___________BLOCKS. We can put “building” blocks or “stumbling” blocks as answers. Each answer has a protocol for dealing with those things that block our progress. However, each answer is right, each answer is appropriate; each answer has a place for us to grow forward. YES, GROW FORWARD.

When we are on a growth path and something gets in our way or slows us down we must make a choice. We can either use them as motivators to say, ‘nothing is going to stop me now,’ and climb over them or we can use them as deterrents to stymie our progress. The reason both answers listed above are correct is if the blocks are motivators then this is correct, but if we are stopped, then maybe it is a time to check our energy level and re-charge. The problem is not in being stopped, having problems, being discouraged, or even changing plans, but in the re-starting. It is only a problem if we do not begin again.

When we stop, evaluate why we stopped and most important when are we going to start again. We should NEVER quit, just rest for a bigger growth period when we start again. Look to the brighter side of beginning again, measure successes accomplished and savor them. We all have growth—even little steps allow us to cross a room—look at all the ways you are a FORWARD STEPPER and a GROWTH PATH MAKER. March on!

I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

I am off on Friday, but will have a Saturday BLOG. Please read Sunday’s BLOG—‘BELONGING TO SOMETHING.’

LABELS

“We tear labels off our clothes in some cases and we ‘forget’ to tear them off our clothes at other times, if only we could shed them or display them about ourselves as easily.”

Jeff Johnson April 2008

Labels stick to us and either controls us by how we wear them or we control them by how we shed them—either way, they define us. When we hear certain names in public, even if it is not about us directly, it causes ire, happiness, or mixed emotions. We can be called Republicans, Democrats, Communist or you name the political party name and a certain emotion is stirred. If we are called pretty, young looking when we are---well--- not young (I’m not going there), or told we have a nice build when---well---we ---you get the point—a certain emotion is stimulated. Even when it is not exactly true we have the emotion. Recently, someone asked me how much I weighed—O.K. it was my doctor. I told him and he told me the truth—it hurt. Later in the day I met some friends for dinner and they told me I looked real nice and it looked as if I had lost weight (NOT TRUE). I experienced two separate emotions with the same comment.
So, let’s look at how labels control our life---Yes, I still ordered chocolate cake! See, this label is still controlling my life and defining me—because I don’t LOVE chocolate.

Some labels have very hard lessons associated with them. I am not discussing these today. I am looking at the labels that stop us from reaching our full potential. Some examples are, “You are not __________, “ or “_________,” or you need/should be like_________! Get the picture—my bet is you are like me—I filled in all the blanks and my mind was still saying, ‘Hey, you missed one ______! The words that fill these blanks are stumbling stones. I use the word stone because blocks are to—well the label makes them feel hard to step over. The labels are actually made to allow us to step higher, see farther, and become stronger—WE ARE FORWARD STEPPERS.

Take the labels that are causing the most harm in fulfilling our full potential. Change the way we look at them from negative in my case, ‘Jeff, you are heavy for your height,’ which made me feel bad, but I am on my way down, this is just the place where I am today—wait until tomorrow. When we hear those labels—cut them off in our head and think I am stepping on them to raise myself up, to make myself stronger, this is just a temporary holding spot and watch me move forward. All of the labels I have cut off now make the stones I am walking on feel softer. The labels that stick to me---allow me to enjoy chocolate---not really! STEP FORWARD----FORWARD STEPPERS—

I believe in you because, YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

SEEKING & FINDING

"In order to seek we must find first—power through the spirit of GOD."
Jeff Johnson April 2008

Hide-and-seek is a favorite game among children. We all have played it and understand the rules of the game. A group of children gather together, picks someone to be “it,” who then closes their eyes—through split fingers☺, while everyone else in the group hides. The object is to find everyone and tag them before they get to the safe place. However, as we get more experience in playing the game we go just far enough away from the safe place to tempt others to run toward the safe place.

The Bible is clear with many verses on how to seek, places to seek and to avoid (mediums), and assurances on finding. The lessons on seeking, like in hide-and-seek, give us a prompt go to a safe place—GOD’s loving arms so HE can lead us to our destination—our find. For the most part when we are seeking, we need answers to questions whereby we feel hopeless, and vulnerable. But the way to seek is first to find—let me explain.

"For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. " LUKE 11:10

The scriptures show us in Matt 6:33 “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you.” Mark adds, “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Mark 14:38 We need to ‘find’ a strong body first through GOD’s spirit, not our spirit and body. In 2 Tim 1:7 we are told, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power.” So, how much power can the spirit give us? We learn this in Judges, “The Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat.” Judges 14:6 I have never needed to do this, but it would be nice to have this much power in my hour of need.

Here are the rules of seeking and finding: The first thing is to find GOD’s spirit with all of HIS power to then immediately seek HIS kingdom in (RIGHT) and (WISDOM) which is righteousness. By doing this we take our eyes off what we are seeking and concentrate on the ‘safe place’ in a powerful manner. “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” ACTS 17:27 The next thing is within the power of GOD’s spirit, we need to knock as if we want the door open so we can sup with HIM. The main point here is GOD’s spirit gives us the power to not only knock, but to want to enter in and sup with HIM—to be close enough to HIM to eat with HIM. The last step is knowing that GOD’s spirit can and will allow us to ‘find’ gives us a powerful hope. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” Rom 15:13. There is an additional power in having hope that allows our body to feel different and act anew—with a powerful intrinsic conviction.

In the adult hide-and-seek game GOD’s spirit is walking close enough to us to prompt a run towards the ‘safe place’-- HIS loving arms—to lead us to that which we are seeking.

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,
Jeff

SEEKING & FINDING

"In order to seek we must find first—power through the spirit of GOD."
Jeff Johnson April 2008

Hide-and-seek is a favorite game among children. We all have played it and understand the rules of the game. A group of children gather together, picks someone to be “it,” who then closes their eyes—through split fingers☺, while everyone else in the group hides. The object is to find everyone and tag them before they get to the safe place. However, as we get more experience in playing the game we go just far enough away from the safe place to tempt others to run toward the safe place.

The Bible is clear with many verses on how to seek, places to seek and to avoid (mediums), and assurances on finding. The lessons on seeking, like in hide-and-seek, give us a prompt go to a safe place—GOD’s loving arms so HE can lead us to our destination—our find. For the most part when we are seeking, we need answers to questions whereby we feel hopeless, and vulnerable. But the way to seek is first to find—let me explain.

"For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. " LUKE 11:10

The scriptures show us in Matt 6:33 “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you.” Mark adds, “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Mark 14:38 We need to ‘find’ a strong body first through GOD’s spirit, not our spirit and body. In 2 Tim 1:7 we are told, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power.” So, how much power can the spirit give us? We learn this in Judges, “The Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat.” Judges 14:6 I have never needed to do this, but it would be nice to have this much power in my hour of need.

Here are the rules of seeking and finding: The first thing is to find GOD’s spirit with all of HIS power to then immediately seek HIS kingdom in (RIGHT) and (WISDOM) which is righteousness. By doing this we take our eyes off what we are seeking and concentrate on the ‘safe place’ in a powerful manner. “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” ACTS 17:27 The next thing is within the power of GOD’s spirit, we need to knock as if we want the door open so we can sup with HIM. The main point here is GOD’s spirit gives us the power to not only knock, but to want to enter in and sup with HIM—to be close enough to HIM to eat with HIM. The last step is knowing that GOD’s spirit can and will allow us to ‘find’ gives us a powerful hope. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” Rom 15:13. There is an additional power in having hope that allows our body to feel different and act anew—with a powerful intrinsic conviction.

In the adult hide-and-seek game GOD’s spirit is walking close enough to us to prompt a run towards the ‘safe place’-- HIS loving arms—to lead us to that which we are seeking.

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,
Jeff

A ROAD TO PEACE

"There are many roads to peace. Peace be with you, peace be within you, peace be your desire........shhhhh........... peace comes in silence. "

Jeff Johnson April 2008

It is quiet in the night. Only the moon light fills the room casting shadows.
I can feel my body relax—silence fills the room. I allow it to cover me.
My arms are limp, my hands are relaxed, my feet and legs are still—I close my eyes.
Touching the covers I can feel the threads inside my fingers.
Thoughts leave slowly, my mind is slowing down.
I am not trying to sleep I am searching for an inner contentment; serenity; a state of tranquility.
Serene; away from quarrels and disagreement, absent of deadlines, removed from cell phones, my mind is almost empty—I am searching for a safe place.
No strife, no conflict, harmony within myself—removing myself from mental involvement---totally relaxed.

Peace.

Try to spend some time here—see how you feel in the AM. Best served with sweet dreams .

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

PS—I am off on Friday, but I will have a Saturday blog.
Sunday’s Topic: Seeking & Finding--CHECK IT OUT

GROWING PAINS?

“Growing, regenerating, becoming new again, reviving, refreshing, all words that make you smile and feel good inside. Come join me as we do them all.”

Jeff Johnson April 2008

The only way you can have growing pains is to offer resistance—or exercise. I hope my doctor doesn’t read this sentence. To many times we feel a need to grow, or expand (not our waistline) but emotionally, internally, spiritually, or professionally. Soon the search is on to fill this need in our life. There needs that are not being fulfilled, something is amiss, or maybe we just need a change. All of these emotions are natural and healthy. But sometimes we don’t have the desire to change; in fact, change scares us or causes emotions that are hard to predict. Some of us have become ‘stuck’ in a rut and the hole is becoming bigger. There is hope for both cases.

RENEW YOUR SELF!! Yes, ‘make yourself new, restore yourself, reaffirm what it is or was that brought you to the point in life whereby you were happy to be there. Take time to REALLY sort this out inside. Sometimes, many more times than we can count, we need to stop and figure out just how fast we are moving. Recharging takes time, it takes a planned opportunity to focus on us—no one else. Think of what it would take to build a small house out of wooden matches. It takes this much focus to change direction and restore the physical and or mental vigor desired. The end result of taking a time out is we can start over, we can become new again, and we can bring into being again, and resume those behaviors when we were once happy.

Step up FORWARD STEPPERS; find that cause to reappear in new form, replenish yourself, repeat those old familiar steps that were once full of life and desire—they are there, list them, walk them again and again, and start over-- regenerate. We can fill our new needs, we can satisfy our yearnings, and just the thought excites us. Instituo-ui-utum reparo—“begin now to renew.”

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

INPUT + OUTPUT= ME

“We can be positive or negative—input controls it all.”

Jeff Johnson April 2008

We have learned through science that gravity pulls—so what goes up must come down. This is textbook physical science. I want to propose that mentally if we continue to fill ourselves with positive thoughts, surround ourselves with positive people, and look for the positive in things—avoiding the negative, we can be more positive in our life.

Everyday we make choices about children, our job, opportunities, family, and attitude. We choose what we eat, when we eat (at times), and how much time we spend doing things we like and don’t admire as much. Many control what our children see on T.V., listen to on the radio, and even the words they use—hopefully. It is just as important to control our input.

Search out positive things to put in our mind, dwell upon those ‘something’s’ in your life and claim mentally that they will turn out better than anticipated. Change our initial thoughts to a positive outlook as a first response. Create a confidence that we can and will move forward “No Matter What.” Reduce doubt, and spend more time focusing on the movements forward. This will take work and must not be confused with fantasy land thinking. However, if the positive inputs are in greater intensity and volume than negative, then positive outputs will be easier as well. Even if things do not turn in our favor—there is always a next time and more good to come attitudes to admire. Step forward in a sure manner FORWARD STEPPERS—Positive thinking brings positive output.

El Pensar positivamente lleva a un camino positivo----SONRIE! (To think positive leads to a positive walk---SMILE!

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

I AM WITH YOU—FEAR NOT?

“Understanding there is a safety net to protect us should end some fears right away”

Jeff Johnson April 2008

IN STICKING WITH MY PROMISE TO GOD, SUNDAY’S BLOG IS DEDICATED TO HONOR HIM AND WORSHIP HIM WHO CREATED ME.

When the lights go off at night some children become afraid; when we pray for career choice decisions in school or job changes we have a fear. When we do new things for the first time or adjust to new changes, and even become sick, we have fear. So, how can we manage our fears? Many of us have an inner strength we call GOD that comforts us. Many of us have an inner strength we call GOD and do not believe HIM enough to understand what HE wants us to do with our fear. Gaps on this point need a bridge, so how does it work if there is belief and yet fear still exists? The answer starts by observing that we are raised in fear e.g. “The ‘ole’ saying, “wait until your_______gets home,” or perhaps, “the new job will include these NEW duties and skill sets,” —so why expect anything else when our life events become more complicated? We must now change our views to look at how GOD challenges fears in our life.

GOD can heal everything without exception—even today in 2008. I find it very interesting that HE has not ‘removed’ fear, but he pointed us—again—to HIM through rescue from the life event. In Exodus 3:11 Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"12 And God said, "I will be with you.” GOD is providing this relief of fear through RESCUE. Look at the prophet Jeremiah 1:6 "Ah, Sovereign LORD, I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." 8 GOD said, “Do not be afraid …, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. In Isaiah 41:10 we read, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.” In each one of these instances, a designed plan was presented to Moses, Jeremiah, and Isaiah, as each one expressed in a kind way—REMOVE THE FEAR! However, GOD responded by saying I will rescue you by: supporting you, strengthening your weaknesses, and helping you—ALL forms of rescue.

We all have gifts to use for GOD’s glory and service. Many life circumstances cause us to fear. We fear moving forward, we fear rejection, we fear things that are new, and you can add your own fears here. GOD will rescue you by just turning to HIM. Rest in the loving arms that want to strengthen, comfort, heal, and yes---rescue you. Step up FORWARD STEPPERS into the life GOD has for you—by preparing to be rescued instead of stifled inside of fear.

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

DOORWAYS

“Opening a new door or closing an old door can change a life forever. It really all depends on where you are going.”

Jeff Johnson April 2008

We all have experienced a door slam closed in our face or behind us? In some cases, the experience has been a blessing in disguise or perhaps a heart break. The symbolism of the door slamming has multiple meanings. One thing is for sure—when a door slams we must move out of the doorway into something else. Many times this is the hardest part—leaving something comfortable or uncomfortable and finding something ‘new.’ Sometimes it is voluntary and more often than not—involuntary. We are creatures of habit, so making choices to change is very difficult. However, when they are made our past experiences can allow us to accept better positions in life or consider enhanced alternatives.

Today, if a door has closed for whatever reason, pick up and take a look at what was important behind the door that is left behind. Look at the door as a separation time to evaluate both sides of the door. Consider the experiences necessary to remember for growth and what events should be left behind the door so forward movement can begin. Make up your mind now that “I can do better next time,” or “I will improve my life from this experience”—even if the experience is good or bad. We should learn from every experience in life.

Believe that an old door opens to a new door. Understand the experiences behind the old door can allow us to choose a new door that will allow us to grow into something better than we are leaving. Make up your mind to turn this experience into a positive life changing step—BECAUSE you are a FORWARD STEPPER. Step forward now and take control of the new experiences that are waiting for you.

I believe in you BECAUSE YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

Mirror Mirror See Me All

"What is a mirror but an instrument to shine light on something beautiful—like us—and make it brighter."

Jeff March 2008

Mirrors are funny things, we can look thinner, fatter (well it’s true), smaller, taller, and almost any shape under the sun—that too. We use mirrors to apply make up (O.K. the secret is out), shave, admire our outfit, think while looking at ourselves, and an array of things not mentionable here. But when we walk away from a mirror we have with us exactly what we started with—us—what a beautiful thing. When we look in the mirror we are looking at something unique—something special—something worth developing, molding, and applying our purpose in life with the image we are viewing. Mirrors just tell part of the story—we need to learn how to see beyond the reflection.

Looking at the surface of almost anything never tells the entire story. So, why do we look at the mirror and accept a surface story, a reflection so to speak, to consume our life. Inside we are beautiful, outside we are beautiful-no matter what, what we want to be is and remains a beautiful thing and it is growing. Just like the mirror, we can make our inside and outside look like anything. Knowing we are growing, we are looking up instead of down, and continuing to find new ways to develop—even slowly—does not show up on the mirror. Keep walking FORWARD STEPPERS—there is a whole new world to seek out—do not be limited by the mirror images—because the inside is still developing. The outside may be distorted by the mirror, but the inside of us, the side that really matters is being shaped up for life. Mirror Mirror on the wall--I am the fairest of them all--on the inside too.

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

PATHWAYS

“What do we see when we walk down everyday life paths, people and things to ignore because ‘they deserve it’ or chances to show mercy? What did Jesus mean when he said, “Go and do likewise?””

Jeff Johnson April 2008

Jews and Samaritans were not the best of friends during New Testament times. While the actual reasons for the hatred between the two groups is not known, it is known that the Jews believed the Samaritans were not pure from a religious viewpoint.
LUKE 10:
³⁰In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ³²So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵The next day he took out two silver coins^[a] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' ³⁶"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" ³⁷The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

This story has been told a million times. Sometimes the story brings up conjectures of prejudice, but I have a different slant. I want to look at what it took to walk by this man. Remember, this was not an age of 70 MPH freeway driving. I will not diminish the human nature of rubbernecking at whatever speed, but in this historical setting it would be at 2 ‘Mule Speed per Hour.’ Let’s look at the lesson here.

During this period in time the body was covered completely from head to ankle. Here is a man who is stripped naked—I am not sure anyone could ignore this. Maybe on some California beaches today we would ignore it, but not then. The man was beaten half to death. If you are anything like me, when I get a sore throat I am complaining to anyone who will listen—and even to those who will not listen. Being broken and bleeding one could infer a lot of pain, moaning and groaning, with sounds that could be heard at a distance. A person traveling at 2 ‘mule speed per hour,’ without an iPod, cell phone, or CD, will listen to the sounds around them for a long time before arriving at the scene. Once the scene is behind people will listen to the same sounds for a long time, only now it is associated with a face to the story. Three questions come to mind: 1) How many times could someone say to themselves without a ‘conscious’ heart weight being added, “I am not going to help this person no matter what?” 2) How much would a person’s heart weigh after walking away from this situation? 3) When would the cries for help, the moans, the look of terror or blood and dirt caked skin leave the thoughts of anyone? So, let’s rationalize this—I am not trained to help, I am not sure what I am getting myself into—Is it safe—and my all time favorite=The next person will assist. We surely could not use today’s excuse of, ‘I am in a hurry.’ So what is the point here! We all have a purpose in life; we just need to learn how to grow into helpers.

Every person lives their life on a pathway whereby we can be a Good Samaritan. ‘Helper growing’ is a skill we all have to develop and have already started developing in many areas. What if someone would have tossed the wounded man a blanket? What if someone else tossed the man a flask of wine or water or vinegar, and maybe someone else a few coins or a robe—see the point? The person with the donkey was a ‘full fledged helper,’ but the ‘helper growers’ could offer relief through their level of comfort. Jesus command of, “Go and do likewise,” is easier said than done with most of us. But, what if today we said, “Jesus, I am going to be a ‘helper grower’ and take a FORWARD STEP toward filling this command. I will do a little on my path today to help someone in need. Here are some steps to becoming a ‘helper grower:’ 1) Take a look at your heart, feel the weight of a person that you have walked away from just because…2) Think about your level of comfort in giving to this person, 3) Thank Jesus for allowing you to have the capacity to give ANYTHING to someone in need. 4) Now do it. You are now an official ‘helper grower!’ I have always wondered if the Samaritan had a ‘been there done that’ experience and that was his path of ‘helper growing?’ Maybe you are an Inn keeper, a neighbor, or maybe you are a traveler on the other side of the road—become a FORWARD STEPPER towards becoming a ‘helper grower.’ We have the pathway.

I believe in you BECAUSE YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff

SMILING

I made someone smile today, it only cost me a smile. I made someone smile today, it only cost me a compliment. I made someone smile today, it only cost me a wave. I made someone smile today, it only cost me a thank you. I made someone smile today, it only cost me a little time to help. At the end of the day, I realized I had smiled the entire day.
Jeff Johnson May 2004

Make someone smile today--maybe even you.

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,
Jeff
PS--READ Sunday's Inspirational blog

CONSTANT NEW BEGINNINGS=CHANGES MADE

"When we want to ‘be better’ what will that look like? How will we begin? Where will we end up and what will it feel like? It seems when we start something new there are more questions than answers. Can we just say “see ya when we get there?” Jeff Johnson March 2008

Knowing there needs to be change in some situations is easy. Wanting things to change for the better or just disappear can be easy. So, why is change so difficult to start? Many times we want change but we want it now rather then later and we lack focus. Focus requires we have a level of concentration that most irritations do not allow. The purpose of having focus is to have all energy directed at the area of change—both in positive changes to our life and removing irritations. One point remains true, when we want change we will either focus on the area we want changed or on the changes we need to make—only one focus area will move us forward.

Everyone has made changes in life. Some are more memorable than others. However, when we have objective— goals which we believe we can attain, then we remove a huge barrier to moving forward. You can make changes in your life. Presently, if you are contemplating changes or you are in the process of changing, you are already changing. The steps are already in place—it is the change in focus that you are working on now. It can be done, it can start today, and successful changes in the past can be repeated. Take the next step today, be thankful for the process of change no matter how small that you have already been passed, and move forward one more time. You are a FORWARD STEPPER—even if the steps are slow, even if the steps are small, even IF… Never give up, never stop moving forward, never let step sizes be the measurement of success—let the steps taken be the measure of success.

I believe in you because YOU ARE WORTH IT,

Jeff