Soul Food Revolution

Next to last, but certainly not least is the principle of forgiveness: “I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit”

At this moment, my life has taken on new hope and assurance. I now understand that forgiveness has value only when it is given away. By the simple act of granting forgiveness, I release the demons of the past about which I can do nothing, and I create in myself a new heart, a new beginning. I will greet his day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive even those who do not ask for forgiveness. I will now and forevermore silently offer my forgiveness even to those who do not see that they need it. By the act of forgiving, I am not longer consumed by unproductive thoughts. I give up bitterness. I am content in my soul and effective again with my fellow man. I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive those who criticize me unjustly. I am not a slave. I have chosen my counsel. I know the difference between right and wrong. I know what is best for the future of my family, and neither misguided opinion nor unjust criticism will alter my course. I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive myself. For many years, my greatest enemy has been myself. I realize today that it is impossible to fight an enemy living in my head. By forgiving myself, I erase the doubts, fears, and frustration that have kept my past in the present. From this day forward, my history will cease to control my destiny. I have forgiven myself. My life has just begun. I will forgive even those who do not ask for forgiveness. I will forgive those who criticize me unjustly. I will forgive myself. I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit.

Excerpt taken from The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews. Also, follow Andy on Twitter.
Continue reading

I hope you all enjoyed the first principle from Andy Andrew’s book. Today we move on to the second principle called “I will seek wisdom.”

Knowing that wisdom waits to be gathered, I actively search her out. I will change my actions TODAY! I will train my eyes and ears to read and listen to books and recordings that bring about positive changes in my personal relationships and a greater understanding of my fellow man. I will read and listen only to what increases my belief in myself and my future. I will seek wisdom. I will choose my friends with care. I am who my friends are. I speak their language, and I wear their clothes. I share their opinions and their habits. From this moment forward, I will choose to associate with people whose lives and lifestyles I admire. If I associate with chickens, I will learn to scratch at the ground and squabble over crumbs. If I associate with eagles, I will learn to soar to great heights. I am an eagle. It is my destiny to fly. I will seek wisdom. I will listen to the counsel of wise men. The words of a wise man are like raindrops on dry ground. They are precious and can be quickly used for immediate results. Only the blade of grass that catches a raindrop will prosper and grow. I will seek wisdom. I will be a servant to others. A wise man will cultivate a servant’s spirit, for that particular attribute attracts people like no other. As I humbly serve others, their wisdom will be freely shared with me. He who serves the most grows the fastest. I will become a humble servant. I will look to open the door for someone. I will be excited when I am available to help. I will be a servant to others. I will listen to the counsel of wise men. I will choose my friends with care. I will seek wisdom.

Excerpt taken from The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews. Also, follow Andy on Twitter.

For the next 7 day’s I’m going to do something out of the norm for me. I don’t usually ‘re-use’ another persons work but sometimes we find jewels that are just too good not to share. I was recently given a book. In fact it was as recent as Thursday. Saturday night I finished this 207 page book. It’s a very easy read. Most importantly, a very engaging read. Even more importantly, if one will apply the principle’s of this book, it’s a life changing read. Within this book are 7 principle’s. To be more accurate in the description, they are actually 7 decisions. Decisions that if you will meditate upon and apply them, your life will change…..drastically. For the next 7 days I will reveal one decision daily. As you read the new decision, add it to the others. Each day meditate upon the decisions twice. Do this for 30 days and you will be well on your way to drastically enhancing and changing your life. After the first 7 days, I am going to give you some other applicable ways to apply these decisions to your everyday living. Receive the 7 principle decisions. Apply them. Finally, be creative in how you use them. Your life will be opened to a whole new realm of opportunity.

I invite you to share these 7 decisions with everyone you know, then share your experience with our growing online community. Lastly, I invite you to purchase a copy of the book we are highlighting, entitled ‘The Traveler’s Gift’ by Andy Andrews, by following the link at the end of each passage. And now for the first decision: Continue reading

Over the years I have worked with many couples that are trying to ‘fix’ their marriage. My wife and I have gone through phases where we’ve tried to ‘fix’ our marriage. Maybe there have been seasons in your relationships that things needed ‘fixed.’

Just stop for a moment and think about this word ‘fix.’ Does it really make sense? Maybe when you need your car repaired. You can go to the parts store and get the parts you need to fix it. Maybe the air conditioner at your house is broken. You can call someone to fix it. Things can be fixed. But people? Relationships? Is it really possible for people to be fixed? I really don’t think so.

One myth we have bought in to that, I believe, has hindered so many relationships is this: I NEED you in order to live. Remember the movie Jerry McGuire? Think back on the famous scene where Jerry looks at his wife,  with all the emotion he can muster he says, ‘You complete me.’ All at once every women in the theater swooned as Tom Cruise’s character worked his magic. Don’t kid yourself ladies, you all wished that would have been you he was talking to! The problem with that statement is simple: how can I ever complete someone when I am just as broken and messed up as they are? Two broken, incomplete people CANNOT form one healthy relationship! It doesn’t work that way! Because of all this messed up thinking we have bought, I came up with a principle that really isn’t new. It’s in fact an age old principle that I just put in ‘Mitch talk’ so I could understand it better. I like to call it a ‘Mitchism.’ It is simply this: It is better to be chosen than needed. I would much rather be chosen by someone than be needed. I would much rather go into a relationship with someone that was willing than with someone that thought they had to be there. I would much rather have employees that chose to work for me than those that just worked for a pay check. I would much rather be a chosen employee than a slave.

You see, when we go in to a relationship knowing we are chosen, then we are more willing to participate in developing this relationship. We look at each other from a totally different perspective. We view each other in simple terms instead of seeing each other’s faults and failures. When relationships are chosen, they are full of grace, forgiveness and love. Whether it be a business or a marriage, it is always best to be chosen.