MatthewDenton.com

The other day, I was in a deep, dark place… And these words pulled me out.

Struggle means: to progress with difficulty.
You know what that means? It means that you’re going to make it.

And I don’t even know what you’re going through.
And I’m not even going to tell you that I understand.

But if you’ll accept this suggestion as it be. From experience, take it from me.
Your struggle – it’s all part of his plan.

And you are going to make it.

Setbacks are just set forth to strengthen your spirit and character.
If you ever obtain the wisdom that you have already been blessed with…
You’ll see. You had to be messed with.

In order to be able to look someone else in the face, eye to eye, and say:
You are going to make it.

He who has begun a great work in you, shall complete it; until the day of Christ.
What that means: God is in you. Every day of your life.

Just making sure that you’re going to make it.

And in the pit of your stomach, you know it. So put that mask away and show it.
And let the world see it. Because if you want it, you can be it.

You just have to take it.
Tell God that you want it, and tell yourself that you can make it.

And don’t rely on your family and friends for foundation.

More than likely they’re just waiting to see if you’re serious or not.
Or if what you say is really what you’ve got.

And don’t get mad at them for not believing in your dreams.
And then not spend time convincing them with your pleads.
You just pray to God that they have the courage to follow your lead.

And if they still reject you, dust off your feet and your shoulders, and he’ll eject you.
Because sometimes you have to remove yourself; and then they’ll respect you.

But you are going to make it. Regardless.

As long as you start each job at the end.
What I mean: see it done, before you begin.

Money? It’s already there.
Health? Baby, you are already healed.
Faith? You have not, because you ask not.
Family? He who has created you, is more than you’ve got. And all that you need.

You just have to believe… that you’ll struggle, but…
You are going to make it!

Don’t let your “killer” idea get killed… Most brilliant ideas are aborted the moment they are shared with someone else – extinguished by excuses and fear.

Below is a 24-page PDF on how to shut down the naysayers.

In this video, Barry Schwartz “…makes a passionate call for “practical wisdom” as an antidote to a society gone mad with bureaucracy. He argues powerfully that rules often fail us, incentives often backfire, and practical, everyday wisdom will help rebuild our world.”… Pay special attention to his explanation of why corporate incentives don’t work.

This video was recorded at the TED Conference in February 2009… [click to play]

Full Transcript from Ted.com:

(more…)

I was organizing old emails, and ran across the following from my friend Jim Byrum.
The wisdom is timely for me, as I am progressively pursuing a vegetarian diet.

So, in support of the vegetables (and fruits), I offer the following:

Times are hard… Many people, and businesses, find themselves “in a ditch”.
Well, it is time to dig out.

Here are a few minutes I pieced together from TD Jakes… Well worth watching!