I once heard the story of a grown bear that lived in a cage and traveled with a circus ever since he was a small cub. The bear spent everyday of his life pacing back and forth in his cage while countless spectators looked on. When the bear's keepers were not looking some of the spectators would poke the bear with sharp sticks or would throw pieces of food filled with broken glass into the cage. When the great bear would eat what he thought was a wonderful treat, the broken glass would cut the inside of his throat and stomach.
One day a wealthy animal-lover visited the circus and saw the harmful acts committed against the bear. Because he felt great compassion for animals he approached the circus about purchasing the bear. He explained that he would take the bear and place him in a large open area. In this area the bear would have cool pools of water to play in and lush grassy fields to run. The circus agreed to sell the bear to the man and set up a delivery date.
When the day arrived for the bear to be delivered everyone was anxious to see what would happen when the door of the cage was opened for the first time. To everyone's amazement, when the cage was opened, the bear did what he spent every day of his life doing. He simply paced back and forth the length of the cage. The bear didn't even seem to care that the cage door was open. Finally, the bear's keepers got the bear outside the cage and rolled it away. What they saw next shocked everyone.
The bear looked around at his new beautiful home. He looked at the cool pools of water and the lush green pastures. Then to everyone's surprise and disappointment, the bear began his pacing. Back and forth he would go ? as in an imaginary cage. Eventually he had to be put to sleep because he could not function in his beautiful new home.
I hope and pray that you are not living a life like the bear described above. I heard a quote recently that went something like this, "Don't let your past dictate who you are, but do let it influence who you become." It is a well-known fact: Life is not always fair. Therefore, I am of the opinion that when life turns up the heat what you F.O.C.U.S. on helps you make it through the day a winner. My good friend, Robert Mallon, explains it this way, "The longer we look at God the smaller our obstacles become. The longer we look at the obstacles the smaller God becomes. The question is whether we want a BIG God or a big enemy. It is just a matter of perspective."
When life becomes unfair what do you focus on? The principles below are basic, but will powerfully help you when you are struggling to keep a positive outlook.
F - Fun. Set yourself a goal to have fun every day. Make it intentional. Put it on your calendar. Do whatever it takes ? just have fun.
O ? Organized. When life becomes unfair we can begin to let things pile up. Things like emails and phone calls to reply to, deadlines at work, laundry, yard work, etc. In other words, a cluttered life will bring about a cluttered mind. Or is that the other way around? Either way, as much as possible, keep your day-to-day activities as organized as possible.
C - Care for others. One of the best ways to forget how much you are hurting is to focus on how you can help others. Getting your eyes off yourself, and on to how you can help others, will boost your positive outlook on life.
U ? You. When you are going through tough times it is very important to keep a good diet, workout routine, and sleep habits. This will help keep your mind clear and your energy up. Remember, God loves you and He does not make junk.
S ? Successes. Not only should you plan to have fun everyday, but also you should plan to succeed. You might have to tell yourself to be on the lookout for successes in your day, but when you have one, (even a little one) celebrate. A recent rollerblading trip was an example of this in my life. My goal was to "blade" around this paved course (up and down, left and right) without falling. I looked like an elephant on skates, but when I made it to the finish line I was ecstatic! I accomplished my goal and lived to tell about it.
Life is not always fair. Deaths, sickness, career changes, and struggles are going to occur. Just remember to keep your focus and to hold tight to the hand of God. When times are tough, He will carry you to the end.
Footprints and Monuments is a free monthly leadership and motivational e-newsletter. No names receiving this e-newsletter is sold or distributed to any other source. You are encouraged to forward this monthly article to anyone in your address book. To un-subscribe please reply back with "Un-subscribe" in the subject field.
About The Author
Jeff Earlywine began his ministry career while working on his undergraduate Business degree. His experiences have led him to work in many difference areas that have all benefited the local church.
CONSULTANT - Jeff has spent the last fifteen years consulting with hundreds of different organizations all across the nation. Serving as a consultant at The Injoy Group challenged him to be his best while he worked with the best. Jeff has assisted many ministries in Vision Casting, Strategic Planning, and Future Planning.
EXECUTIVE PASTOR - Jeff's unofficial title was, "Pastor of Organization," and by this title you might know this is his greatest skill. That skill gave him the passion to organize many different ministries in the local church. That skill also developed a volunteer staff capable of growing each of these ministries. He did this by equipping them to fulfill their God-given potential.
Jeff's passion is to come along side the leader and help him to identify and develop his dream, organize the needs of that dream, and then to train and equip leaders to fulfill that dream.
They're out there? they look like people you know, but... Read More
Are you a person who loves challenges, or hates them?... Read More
We are all involved in this game called life and... Read More
You've been looking for a job for as long as... Read More
We hear a lot these days about accepting responsibility for... Read More
I am an educator as well as a coach and... Read More
I had a completely different idea for my main article... Read More
A balanced life not only leaves you feeling more fulfilled;... Read More
"If I have the belief that I can do it,... Read More
The power of positive thoughts to affect one's experience of... Read More
"Every prayer - every thought, every statement, every feeling -is... Read More
Human nature is created so that you can choose your... Read More
One thing that is important to realize about thought: one... Read More
As a being of thought, your dominant mental attitude will... Read More
During these times of uncertainty in the outside world, look... Read More
Early in my career a position became available which I... Read More
That strange, gut-wrenching feeling you have is not the sushi... Read More
It's a fact of life - if you want to... Read More
There was some sunshine this weekend while I was writing... Read More
As I walked my dogs recently on what "should" have... Read More
Using an opponent's force against them is the fundamental teaching... Read More
How you feel about yourself truly does affect your interaction... Read More
Our lives are overflowing with negative information from the newspapers,... Read More
What's my life all about is the question so many... Read More
"Thinking is responsible for man's primacy on earth today. Existence... Read More
Gratitude is one of the most important things you can... Read More
Are you completely happy in your life right now? Honestly?... Read More
Some people are full of confidence and able to meet... Read More
If you suffer from low self-esteem, it's because you don't... Read More
Many people find it extremely difficult to be assertive, whether... Read More
Many people don't really understand the gift they have been... Read More
At your next staff meeting lead your team through the... Read More
Our thoughts really belong to the collective consciousness of the... Read More
As we enter this holiday season, and this time of... Read More
Did you know that the 911 equivalent in the UK... Read More
You have probably noticed those people at work, school, and... Read More
I don't know about you, but for me, the technological... Read More
I'm sure most of you remember the children's book about... Read More
When we were children, we were fearless. We would stick... Read More
Does the thought of failure send a cold shiver down... Read More
One day while in deep meditation and self analysis, a... Read More
Often when radical change occurs in our lives we feel... Read More
Self belief is a wonderful thing.I know from my own... Read More
When I was a young girl, my sister and I... Read More
No, not that kind.Power and potential are synonymous. Your ultimate... Read More
I have studied the idea of changing thoughts to create... Read More
Why do we really need the experiences that we have... Read More
There are only two emotions we can experience; love or... Read More
Studies show that men and women profit most with having... Read More
Did you ever run into that person that just nags... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |