| "Watch your thoughts, for they become words. | | | | insanity is doing the same thing over and over and |
| Choose your words, for they become actions. | | | | expecting a different result. That is a powerful thought |
| Understand your actions, for they become habits. | | | | if you really take time to think about it. So, if you want |
| Study your habits, for they will become your character. | | | | a different result, you change those things getting you |
| Develop your character, for it becomes your destiny." | | | | there, right? "Well, yes, but; I'm too old; Too young; Too |
| Read those words again, and again, as they are very | | | | poor; Too well-known in this area; Too whatever..." No, |
| simple, very powerful, and very true. Think about the | | | | you're just too full of excuses! You want that cycle to |
| ripple effect, how things are touched and shaped that | | | | change... |
| you may not even know about. Your thoughts will lead | | | | Then you need to change the path that you're on... |
| you to your destiny. You do not have a | | | | change your direction. Although it is not possible to |
| pre-determined destiny, except that destiny that you | | | | change your circumstances overnight, it IS possible to |
| choose for yourself by your own thoughts. Your only | | | | change your direction overnight. And if you don't |
| pre-determined destiny is the one you choose for | | | | change what you are doing today, all of your |
| yourself. Your future is just one decision away. | | | | tomorrows will look like yesterday. |
| Those things that determine your thoughts are most | | | | Our inherent physical nature is that even if we are |
| times the things that catch you unaware, those little | | | | what we think is "content", we still strive to do better. |
| everyday things that slowly seep in and shape your | | | | And that's ok... in fact it's what we should do. If we are |
| opinions that you think are your own. These can be | | | | remaining complacent and just coasting, then we are |
| radio, television, discussions, political events, religious | | | | not growing. If we are not growing, then we are |
| teaching, or whatever surrounds you every day. Think | | | | regressing. There is no stopping the movement of our |
| about it this way, if you pour half a glass of milk, do | | | | lives. We either move forward or backward, and |
| you expect to taste orange juice when you take a | | | | maintaining is just a slow backward movement of who |
| drink? Do you expect to smell the sweet refreshing | | | | we are. We better be out there trying to improve our |
| aroma of orange juice? Do you expect to see orange | | | | lives in every area if we want to please our Creator, |
| juice in the glass or on the table if you pour it out? Of | | | | but always keeping in mind that it is for Him, not |
| course not! If you put milk in, you get milk out, plain and | | | | ourselves, that we work to be better, do better, have |
| simple. So why is it that we think we can fill our heads | | | | more, do more, etc. |
| and hearts with garbage from music, television, | | | | For example, when Paul (in the Bible) said that he was |
| negative political discussions, hanging around the wrong | | | | content to have his "pillow a stone" as he traveled |
| people, or incorrect religious thoughts and get pure, | | | | from town to town in the Middle Eastern deserts, he |
| unaltered opinions and thoughts? How can we fill | | | | wasn't for one second saying that he hoped it stayed |
| ourselves with junk and not portray junk back out? | | | | that way, just that he was ok with that for now... that |
| Well, although some will disagree with me because | | | | he could deal with that because he was focused on |
| they think they are strong enough to battle these | | | | the positive in his life, not the negative. |
| constants, it is impossible to put garbage in and get | | | | Paul would certainly have liked to be more |
| anything of value out of a person, even you. | | | | comfortable, like all of us, but his mind and his heart and |
| Making the right decision for your future is indeed a | | | | his energy was focused on something much better |
| difficult and concentrated task. For this reason alone | | | | and much higher. He had a goal bigger than himself. |
| many, in fact, most people do not make the best | | | | The stone was better than nothing to lean on, so it |
| choices. Our society likes the easy and convenient | | | | was ok with him for that time. But I bet if you would |
| things in life, and that includes easy thinking. We've all | | | | have offered Paul a nice soft cushy pillow and some |
| heard it before that if you want to change some things | | | | warm blankets, he wouldn't have said "Oh, no thanks, I |
| in your life, then you have to change some things in | | | | kind of like my rock. Thanks anyway." |
| your life. This now cliché statement is referring | | | | The point here is that we need to change where we |
| to this same idea, that if you want to change where | | | | are now. You need to find a focus on something that |
| you will be tomorrow, change how you are thinking | | | | is bigger than you, and that can only be something that |
| today, because those thoughts today will determine | | | | betters the lives of more than just you. Focusing on a |
| your actions, your words, your character, and your | | | | thing will only suffice for a short while, and the rewards |
| destiny for your future... and it all starts with your next | | | | of attaining it last even shorter. It is only through |
| single decision. | | | | touching others and serving others that we become |
| You are nothing more than a reflection of your | | | | great. |
| thoughts, and your thoughts are nothing more than a | | | | To summarize, back to the short saying that started |
| combined reflection of your surroundings and past | | | | this chapter; your thoughts will determine your destiny. |
| experiences. To grow, you must overcome your | | | | Only you have the power to change your direction and |
| current reflection and become a projection of what | | | | determine your path. Change is uncomfortable, yet |
| you want to become. When you project that image | | | | causes growth that becomes natural and |
| and choose to begin focusing on the goal of becoming | | | | second-nature. Find a goal bigger than yourself, worthy |
| that projected person, then you will overtake the | | | | of your time, something that serves the needs and |
| reflection, break the cycle, and become great. Whether | | | | good of others, a goal that inspires you to great |
| the best janitor or the best physician, you will be a | | | | actions, making you the leader that you are within, |
| great person with value to add to every life that you | | | | even if you don't realize it yet. Arise, be who you are, |
| come in contact with, whether directly or through that | | | | not who society tells you that you are. You are a |
| ripple effect we've discussed. | | | | leader, unaware, waiting to lead the march towards |
| We've heard it said many times, that the height of | | | | greatness. |