You are the average of your five closest friends.
You become the people you hang out with.
Show me your friends, I’ll show you your future.
You can’t soar like an eagle, running with turkeys.
And the list goes on…

Why are there so many similar clichés and quotes? Because it’s TRUE! 

Look at the following list. Are there people in your life in the wrong category?

Inner Circle (Most Influence)
Friends / Family
Acquaintances
Occasional Contact
Limited Exposure
Complete Separation (Least Influence)

It’s 100% your responsibility to tend your garden of influence. There might be hurt feelings when you limit your time with Negative Nancy and Paul The Prideful. You might even be “labeled” by some of your friends when you stop going out with them. It’s ok. Immediate discomfort, it’s far better than regret.

Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

Proverbs 14:7 KJV

We all have a “good word” for someone today.

Prepare to share.
1. Have an excellent morning routine. Set your trajectory before you fire the engines.
2. Plan your day. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
3. If you find yourself in a funk, change your state. Physical movement like bouncing, screaming, forced laughter and walking will oxygenate your brain and release hormones that can get you back on track.

The person who is ready to share a good word is also the person who is capable of receiving one.

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

Proverbs 12:25 KJV

Even if you are not looking for it, sometimes trouble just shows up.
Sometimes it’s trouble from a bully.
Sometimes it’s trouble from an unwanted diagnosis.
Sometimes it’s trouble from mother nature.

Trouble can come from almost any angle at any time.
Question is what are you gonna do when it arrives?

Remember, God always has a plan.
When trouble comes, He expects us to stand.

I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.

Job 3:26 KJV

How long has it been since you had a good day?

My definition of a good day.
1. Do some meaningful work.
2. Have a deep conversation.
3. Emotionally experience gratitude.
4. Laugh myself to tears.
5. Share genuine love.

I believe good days aren’t had, they’re made.

And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day.

Esther 8:17a KJV

I want to believe my actions control my outcomes 100%.
I want to believe if I do good, I receive good.
I want to believe I’m in control.

The FACT is, there are always factors beyond our control that can cause famine, failure, and destruction. Bad things happen every day to wonderful people who are doing all the right things.

The question is, what are you going to do when things don’t go as planned? Facing this uncertainty and still pressing forward, shouldering the responsibility regardless of the outcome, is noble and honorable. Conversely, if you quit, stop sowing, and avoid responsibility, there will be no crop to harvest. If you choose the latter, don’t bother praying, even God cannot multiply zero.

You cannot guarantee your success, but you can absolutely guarantee your failure.

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: [4] So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 3:3-4 KJV

What about my family?
What about my friends?
What about my children?
What about my neighbors?

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 

Don’t let the simplicity of the golden rule fool you. It’s much more than smiling, a kind word, or helping someone across the street. Our actions both, good and bad, touch the lives of many others. It’s our responsibility to understand and limit the collateral damage of the things we do. On the flip side, we should never let our actions be dictated by the thoughts and whims of others.

Act with regard for others but without regard for what others think.

Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:

Nehemiah 9:33 KJV

Outcomes can be predicted but they cannot be guaranteed.
Humbly plan, diligently work, and never boast.

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Proverbs 27:1 KJV

We often use phrases like…
That’s the last straw.
I’m at the end of my rope.
It’s over!

None of which are actually true.

In reality, you might need to find a new camel, get a longer rope, or start again. Either way, try to keep that negativity in your mind instead of letting it come out of your mouth. Have the mental battle and then speak the truth to yourself and everyone around you.

I’m not saying, there are no breaking points. 
I am saying, you are stronger than you can possibly imagine.

But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy.

2 Chronicles 36:16 KJV

If your house is on fire, you need to make haste and PUT IT OUT!
If your life is on fire, haste is probably not in your best interest.

Here are three things that might help you eliminate unnecessary haste.

1. Give it time.
Setting a future “due date” can temporarily put the fire out. When you have time, you can diligently think through what is best.

2. Ask questions.
Wise counsel is invaluable when making big decisions. Beware that you don’t become an ASK-HOLE. Do not habitually ask for advice and then never use it.

3. Forget about it.
It looks like a fire but it’s actually a mirage. If you can turn and focus on something else for a while, when you turn back it might be gone. 🙂

Hasty thought produces scarcity.
Diligent thought produces abundance.

Live in abundance.

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

Proverbs 21:5 KJV