One of my motivating reasons for self-development is to consistently operate as the person I was created to be and use this, my purpose, as the reference point for my behaviors.

One morning while in the gym, I started cranking out bench press reps. I got to where my mind said, “Stop, you’re tired” but I pushed two more times. Then, I felt unusually tired to the point of slight weakness. Even though I thought I knew when to stop, I was using a faulty reference point I had established, the night before. It was one that said push beyond my stopping point. Going to sleep after such a suggestion seemed to reinforce that behavior or even embedded it into my subconscious. Imagine locking in this or other faulty programming that can affect your health, well-being, or development. Fortunately, with congruence between your conscious and subconscious comes clarity on where your reference point really is.

It is critical that you optimize the frame of mind in which you go to bed because it is when your reference point for the next day gets engraved.

A stirring question would be, how do you know who is the person you were created to be, so you can reference that outstanding individual? According to Jeremiah 29:11, you were created to exhibit God’s glory in what you do and speak. Because you have unique gifts, you have the capacity to fascinate others with certain things you do or say. Having someone ask, “How did you do that?” or say, “It’s fascinating to hear you say that” would not be an outlandish occurrence. Besides, living in your purpose brings fulfillment.

If you are not living in your purpose, the devil wins. In addition, you feel defeated, depressed, or aimless.

When you are aligned with the correct reference point, your actions would include adding value to others and yourself, not inadvertently being hurtful. True, there may be distractions which abound to the contrary. But through Him you are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37).

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Chorus

Great is thy faithfulness

Great is thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me

Tony Robbins is the world’s most preeminent performance coach. Over his thirty plus years in the field he worked with a range of clients including billionaire investor Paul Tudor Jones, tennis champion Serena Williams, and former president Bill Clinton. He practices a 10-minute morning ritual that primes him for the day. It includes a breathing exercise, the expression of gratitude, experiencing connection, and visualizing success. Notice the practice of gratitude.

By practicing gratitude, you avoid losing sight of what you are blessed with and afford yourself the opportunity to receive more. We are tempted to compare ourselves with others and even negate or minimize what we have. There is nothing wrong with striving for improvement or for abundance. But it should not be done out of selfish or misplaced ambitions. God wants us to remain grateful.

In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you

1 Thessalonians 5:18

It is no wonder then that we are admonished in Romans 8:28 “…that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”

We know that God is omniscient or all knowing. So, if all things are working for our good, we should strive to avoid stressing ourselves about whether things will work out according to our plans. After you have worked and prepared, allow God to work. Then be grateful for how He worked.

Today take a moment and give thanks for three things in your life. If you don’t already, I challenge you to make it a daily habit to pause and acknowledge at least three things you should be grateful for.

This was my tribute to my parents on their 50^th Wedding Anniversary.

(Flip a 25 cents coin). I just flipped a 25 cents coin. Most of us probably know that this is done when trying to decide on something and you may be wondering what I am trying to decide. It would not matter if the coin landed on heads or tails. Rather it would be more important to know if I am using heads or tails to choose which way to go, this time. If I chose heads this time, next time it may be tails. Either choice is simply a different face, but of the same coin.

Today I am going to call my coin “My Parents.” One side I’m going to call mom and the other, dad. I will talk about three main things, the value of my parents to me, the face called mom and then the face called dad.

Let us first look at the denomination I call “My Parents.” What’s their value to me? Golden of course and it is not just because we are celebrating their golden anniversary. Mom and dad instilled Christian values that both keeps me grounded and caries me through the fluctuations of life. Their emphasis on being educated motivated me to earn multiple degrees and licenses. Also, their commitment to the family unit has served as a cherished model of how marriage should be for keeps. Today my wife and I have been married for over 14 years, and still counting.

Now lets us look at the side called mom. My keyword to describe mom is resilient. When I was about eight years old, and living in Trinidad, I showed mom a mouse, which she tried to block from running away with her hand. Unfortunately, the mouse was feeling suicidal and bit mom on a finger. “Ooo!” said mom as she pulled back to process the bite. Then in the next swift motion she grabbed the mouse by the tail and body-slammed it on the ground. Dead! I looked at mom in worship and amazement as I thought “My mom is a ninja!” I still marvel at that move today.

On another occasion I asked mom to help me solve a Math problem I had while in middle school. She encouraged me to figure it out on my own. This was one of the best things she did for me. This seed of resourcefulness enabled me to solve many challenges big and small since then. Otherwise, resilience enabled me to bounce back from those unfortunate outcomes.

Now let us look at the side called dad. My keyword to describe dad is visionary. When I was about 15 years old, the leader of Crusaders, left out of frustration with the lack of attendance. Crusaders is a semi-military organization designed for churches. Dad pinged me to take on a leadership role, but I didn’t want to lead because I felt I was too young, and I just wanted to be a teenager. He challenged me by saying among other things, “You would be good at it.” He added, “Who else is going to do it?” Weeks later I became knighted as a captain. I was responsible for operations as well as training in drill and ceremonies for young people from about ages 8 to 18 years old. After we left the new leader, who was a junior in the program when I was there, summarized her perspective of my leadership by saying, “Johnny, nobody could run Crusaders like you.” That military leadership seed grew and blossomed into me becoming an officer in the United States Air Force. Before my honorable discharge I planned and led both projects and people.

I remember many times excitedly reporting to dad how well I did in my grades. He would light up and laugh with delight. His superior quality of fatherly support inspired me to strive for not just the minimum but to be among the top. I am sure this mindset was part of dad’s vision for my future.

Mom and dad, today I celebrate you! You will aways be a valuable currency in my life, no matter which side I flip to. I love and cherish you both. Happy 50^th and golden Anniversary!