Failing

"If I fail, I try again, and again, and again. If YOU fail, are you going to try again? The human spirit can handle much more than we realize. It matters HOW you are going to FINISH. Are you going to finish strong?"

- Nick Vujicic

Kids, Nick was born without hands and feet. He had bouts of depression growing up, even tried drowning himself in the bathtub. Yet, he overcame all insecurities and weaknesses and focused on his strengths and gifts. He turned out to be one of the world's greatest motivational speakers. Look him up and let me know if he inspires you too.

Love you both!

Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The  Lord  is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.    He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.    Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;    but those who hope in the  Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Philippians 4:13 NIV

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Marcus Buckingham

"Every environment offers chances to learn"

"Which aspects of you are enduring?"

"Those who are tempted to use their talents to delight in other's failures should re-examine their values"

You Raise Me Up

Kids, this is a good song/prayer. :)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

When I am down and oh, my soul, so weary

When troubles come and my heart burdened be

Then I am still and wait here in the silence

Until you come and sit awhile with me

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains

You raise me up to walk on stormy seas

I am strong when I am on your shoulders

You raise me up to more than I can be

There is no life, no life without it's hunger

Each restless heart beats so imperfectly

But when you come and I am filled with wonder

Sometimes I think I glimpse eternity

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains

You raise me up to walk on stormy seas

I am strong when I am on your shoulders

You raise me up to more than I can be

I am strong when I am on your shoulders

You raise me up to more than I can be

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains

You raise me up to walk on stormy seas

I am strong when I am on your shoulders

You raise me up to more than I can be

Proverbs 24

If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!

Lesson from the story of David

"If you think you are strong, be careful that you do not fall."

Read the Bible to find out what happened to David after he defeated Goliath ok? :)

Carrot, egg, coffee beans

There was once a father whose son was leaving for his first day of  college. Unsure of his future and fearful of  expectations others would give him, he had gone to his father and poured his heart out. Without saying a word, the  father led him to the kitchen.
Inside the kitchen, the father allowed a kettle of water to be brought to a boil. In it, he placed a carrot. After a few minutes, he took out the carrot and set it aside.
The next thing he placed inside the kettle of water was an egg. After a few minutes, he took out the egg and set it aside.
The last thing he placed was a handful of coffee beans. After closing the kettle's lid, he turned to face his son.
"Son, the water in the kettle represents adversity. In the course of navigating through life, we sometimes come across situations that put pressure on us and make us uncomfortable"
"The carrot represents some people who go in with an optimistic view. Strong, hard, and unrelenting, they realize in the end that they are unable to take the pressure and soften up, just as the carrot did."
"The egg represents people who go into life with a negative view. Starting out as fragile individuals, they become hardened and difficult to live with in the end."
"The coffee beans, however, eventually changed the water that it was boiling in. These are the people who allow circumstances to change them for the better and increase their sphere of influence, as a result"
Handing his son a cup of coffee he then asked: "When adversity comes knocking, how will you respond? Will you be a carrot, egg or a coffee bean?"

Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,

When the funds are low, and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As everyone of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about,

When you might have won had you stuck it out;

Don't give up though the pace seems slow,

You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out,

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far;

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,

It's when things seem worse,

that you must not quit.

When you are tired and about to give up, remember this...

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 NASB)


I love you sweethearts! :)

Prayer

Lord, today I ask for patience and strength. Amen.

On your time and energy

To focus your time and energy, use these guidelines to help you:
> Focus 70% on developing strengths
> Focus 25% on new things
> Focus 5% on areas of weakness

-John Maxwell

Quotes

"When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay"

Book quote

"Factual knowledge... won't guarantee excellence, but excellence is impossible without it."

From the book "Now, Discover Your Strengths"
Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton