Success

I originally wrote this for a friend having issues finding work. But it can be applied to many things in life.

           5 Key Things That Will Push You To The Top
                   inspired by: Zig Ziglar


 
 1) Failure is an event. Not a person. Don't beat yourself up over it.

 2) Know thyself.  I'm not going shakespearean, Neo from the Matrix here.  But knowing who you are, solidly, being cool with who that is, and extending that confidence opens many a door.

 3) Dress for success.  We all judge, judging is bad, but we all judge. I work at a clothing store, and what a man (or woman) wears impacts first impression like you wouldn't believe.

  4) Night is darkest just before the dawn.  Honestly, and I'm experiencing financial hardship myself, nothing bad lasts forever.  There is always hope, you just need to sell yourself on it.

  5)  Persistance.  In the words of a wise blue fish, "just keep swimmin"
 
This may seem like simple stuff, and we often think "well, I do all that stuff." But we may not be doing so in the extent we think.  It's crazy how standing back and just taking a look at the mirror, can give us a perspective, and even unlock the door we need to go through.

The keys to success are yours for the taking, you just have to reach out and grab them

Not Afraid, Not Alone

I have a heart for inner city kids, when I was in college doing my education degree (I had to leave during the recession), my first practicum was at an inner city school. A lot of the kids come from broken homes, a number don't know their moms/dads, or barely know them. They don't have any positive influence in their lives, and some make bad choice, either for attention, or the impression they've been left with. It breaks my heart on a daily basis seeing kids go through this. My eyes are not dry, my heart is definitely broken, my emotions run wild, my passion flares up, and I get raw and down to the point with this. These kids need someone, they need hope, and a light in their life. They don't need punishment, or this reform school garbage. They need love, because they ain't gettin it any where else. They end up going to the wrong places looking for acceptance, for love, for some fake level of 'you did alright'. There is an attack on our Youth today, turning them into lifeless zombies drifting through life, numb and cold. Things need to change. Please help me; help me spread hope. Help me bring life to young men and women who feel their life deep down, means nothing. Help me, make a difference. 

**I wrote the words previous, and following this in raw aggression and desire for a change. Everything I say is real, pass it on.

When I slip into ignorance, complacancy surrounding me
I go numb, don't know what's goin on.
Ignorance is bliss, can I keep living like this?

When I see the hurt, when I see the pain
I know there's a God, he couldn't be more real to me
Cuz I know that when there's pain in the night, Joy comes in the morning
There is a hope, I'm not afraid, I'm not alone, I'm not afraid, not alone.

In the pain and the suffering, I know what hope will bring
I'm not alone, I'm not afraid.
I got the Lord Almighty by my side.
I'm not alone, not afraid.

Though the world is dark, cold, falling apart,
Here in His presence, He comforts me.
No mourning in Heaven, He'll wipe away my tears
I will rejoice, I will rejoice
I'm not afraid, I'm not alone.

Crisis

Life is not pain problem-free. As one of man said, “You’re either in a crisis, coming out of a crisis, or about to go into a crisis.”




Life is not all sunshine and lollipops (apologies if this is the first time you're hearing of this), it's true. Real life has it's ups and downs, low points, and high points. How we deal with them, can be directly influenced by our relationship with God. Sometimes we go through a trial to test our faith (1Peter1:7, 2 Corinthians 13:5, sometimes Satan wants to pull us away form God (John 10:10), and sometimes we just hit a speed bump so to speak, in our lives.




The thing with a struggle, crisis, dilemma, and the like, is that they build character when we persevere, (supposing we don't run off in the corner cowering). If we "man up" in a manner of speaking, push through, (as Paul says, run the race and fight the good fight for the faith), we will stand in the end stronger than we were in the beginning. The deciding factor in all of this, as aforementioned, is a relationship with God. Thus I am brought to my main point.




Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose"




Yes, this is from the bible. We KNOW, not we think, but it is for certain knowledgeability, that we say this. That ALL THINGS, that means everything! Work together for those who love God. See where our relationship with our Heavenly Father comes in? His love never fails, never gives up (1 Corinthians 13). God has a purpose for us (Jeremiah 1:5; 29:11,12).




So whatever your current situation is, remember that God cares about you and loves you. That He has a plan and a purpose for you.