October 19: Bright Lights, No Spotlights

Affirmation: I am blessed, grateful and abundant.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”‭‭ Jeremiah‬ ‭17:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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Ponder, Personalize, Practice: We have pondered and personalized Proverbs 4:23. Lets transition to putting this wise adage into Practice. Write this verse in your calendar and make it a habit. Read Matthew 15:1-20 to help you further understand the importance of guarding your heart.

Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

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Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown 

Guidepost 2: Cultivating Self-Compassion and Letting Go of Perfectionism

If you can’t give compassion to yourself, you won’t be able to give it to others.

Self-compassion has three main elements (as identified by Kristin Neff, a leading researcher in the field.)

“1. Self-kindness vs. Self-judgment.

2. Common humanity vs. Isolation.

3. Mindfulness vs. Over-identification.

Instead of mercilessly judging and criticizing yourself for various inadequacies or shortcomings, self-compassion means you are kind and understanding when confronted with personal failings – after all, whoever said you were supposed to be perfect?”

“You may try to change in ways that allow you to be more healthy and happy, but this is done because you care about yourself, not because you are worthless or unacceptable as you are. Perhaps most importantly, having compassion for yourself means that you honor and accept your humanness.”

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Mastering the 7 Decisions from Andy Andrews 

The Active Decision 

3. I AM A PERSON OF ACTION. I am Resilient 

I will create a new future by creating a new me. I inspire others with my activity. I am a leader. I will create a habit of lively behavior.

I will walk with a spring in my step and a smile on my face. My activity will create a wave of success for the people who follow me. As a leader, I have the ability to encourage and inspire others to greatness. I do not fear failure, because failure exists only for the person who quits.

I do not quit. I am courageous. I am a leader. I seize the moment. I choose now. I am resilient. 

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Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff

October 19

Bright Lights Don’t Need Spotlights

 “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

I’ve always thought outdoor Christmas trees were magical. Ever since I was a kid, when I passed a Christmas tree in the center of the city, I would stand back to take in the scene. Kids notice Christmas trees with a little more energy and excitement, quick to point out the size of the gifts beneath them, wondering if anyone would notice if one went missing. Even grown-ups can’t help but gather by the side of a beautifully lit tree. Part of their splendor comes from the way they illuminate the whole block. You don’t need store lights or lamps in city centers in December. The Christmas trees shine bright enough.

Wouldn’t it be weird if someone decided to draw attention to the tree by putting up construction lights to shine a spotlight on the tree? The tree would lose its magic because the spotlights would get in the way. They would detract from the subtle brilliance of the warm lights on the tree. The tree gets more attention when it stands tall against the backdrop of the night sky with no spotlight to add an extra light. And all of this seems so obvious it almost goes without saying, but we don’t see it so obviously when it comes to the light in our own lives. Jesus said our love is the light that shines in the darkness. He said people will see our acts of love and see him in the process. We don’t need to draw attention to ourselves; our good deeds will attract all the attention Jesus needs. Shining a light then would only get in the way.

Bright lights don’t need spotlights. Just be love and it’ll light up everything.

How can you like God‘s light shine brighter in your life?