Early on the morning of August 29, 2024, I found myself reflecting on a life spent giving, yet suddenly yearning to receive. My wife and I were facing a season of lack—no income, and the bills were piling up. Yet, I’ve been blessed to see significant desires materialize over the years. Instead of withholding what little I had in an attempt to hold on to more, I realized that perhaps the key was to continue giving, trusting that abundance would follow.

That very day, I began reading The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John Mann, completing it by September 2. The book inspired a shift in my perspective: rather than focusing on selling my services, I decided to freely share valuable information. I committed to learning not to sell better, but to give better—offering knowledge with quality and clarity. Each day, I asked myself, “How can I add value today?”

Now, a month later, I’ve experienced the fruits of this change. I landed another job interview, was featured on a podcast discussing my wealth management business, discovered new marketing strategies, and connected with key individuals to grow my business. Remarkably, I’ve also felt less stressed about business development, buoyed by a renewed sense of optimism. I intend to keep this momentum going.

Your opportunity may not be to maintain a giving posture, but perhaps to embrace patience, persistence, consistency, discipline, commitment, reliability, relaxation, optimism, or prudence. Or it could be something entirely different. I challenge you to think differently for a month, to adopt a new posture or perspective. At the end of that time, assess your state—you may be surprised by what or who you discover.

“ Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” —Luke 6:38 (NIV)

Imagine a fence that separates the life of your dreams from the realm of mediocrity. On one side, there’s the land flowing with milk and honey — your hopes, aspirations, and the fulfillment of your God-given potential. On the other side? Well, let’s just say it’s more like a dry, cracked desert where dreams go to die of thirst.

Now, every thought you think and action you take pulls you deeper into one side or the other. Engage in life-giving activities, and you’ll find yourself basking in the glow of your dreams. Indulge in negative thinking or procrastination, and you might as well pack a bag for your extended stay in Mediocre-ville.

But what if you decide to dance on the fence? Sure, you’re keeping your options open, but let’s be real — fences aren’t made for dancing. The danger of falling off in the wrong direction is high, and if you’re not careful, you could end up with more than just a bruised ego. Hesitation and indecision are like barbed wire on that fence, ready to slice into your spirit and leave you stuck, wounded, and going nowhere.

So, what’s the solution? Get off the fence! Pick a side — preferably the one with the greener pastures and fewer regrets. Immerse yourself in it fully, and if you ever decide to switch sides, do it boldly. Jump with both feet, because half-hearted attempts only keep you teetering in uncertainty.

Remember, the fence isn’t your friend. It’s a place of indecision, and that’s where the real danger lies. As it says in Matthew 6:24 (NIV),

“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

This verse highlights the instability that comes with indecision, reinforcing the importance of choosing a side and committing to it fully.

Choose your side, jump, and let God handle the rest. Just make sure you’re aiming for the side that leads to life.

In a world that often celebrates success in terms of fame, fortune, and accolades, it’s easy to overlook a simple yet profound principle: gratitude. Both Oprah Winfrey and Denzel Washington, two of the most accomplished figures in entertainment, credit much of their success to maintaining an attitude of thankfulness.

Oprah, the media mogul who built an empire from humble beginnings, attributes her success not just to hard work but to a daily practice of gratitude. She speaks often about her gratitude journal, a tool she used to focus on the good in her life, even during tough times. By shifting her mindset to appreciate the small things, Oprah found that bigger blessings followed. “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate,” she often says.

Denzel Washington, the legendary actor and director, shares a similar belief. Despite his status as one of Hollywood’s greatest, Denzel’s focus has always been on his faith and being thankful for every experience—both good and bad. He reminds others to “put God first” and be grateful every day, acknowledging that gratitude has shaped not only his career but also his personal peace. “Give thanks for blessings every day. Every day,” he emphasizes.

Their examples resonate deeply with my own experience. One early Sunday afternoon back in 2016, I stood in the doorway, peering outside, reflecting on what I didn’t have. I thought it’d be nice to have a better life, but I quickly caught myself and decided to be more thankful for what I did have. Almost immediately, my mood began to improve. That day marked a turning point. I adopted the practice of journaling my Wins daily, focusing on what was going well and accentuating the positives.

Since then, I’ve been able to see more Wins, and it has completely changed my perspective. With a more grateful heart, I’ve found it easier to be happy with life.

Like Oprah and Denzel, I’ve learned that gratitude is more than a nice sentiment—it’s a powerful force for attracting more of what we want in life. It brings peace, opens doors, and, most importantly, fills our hearts with joy for what we already have.

As we hustle through life, it’s worth asking: What are you grateful for today?

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” —1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)

Have you ever marveled at the power of tunnel boring machines (TBMs)? These massive drillers, with their enormous bits, relentlessly grind through earth and rock, carving out new tunnels inch by inch. The process demands hours of focused effort, but when it’s done, a brand-new pathway emerges, ready to carry vehicles or trains to their destinations. Similarly, in our own lives, we must be willing to embrace the grind, consistently working to carve out new capacities within ourselves.

Wikipedia describes a tunnel boring machine (TBM), affectionately known as a “mole” or a “worm,” as “a machine used to excavate tunnels through hard rock, wet or dry soil, or sand, each requiring specialized technology.” These machines are designed to minimize disturbance to the surrounding ground, creating smooth tunnel walls that reduce the cost of lining and make them ideal for urban areas. Despite their high construction costs and the logistical challenges of transporting larger machines, TBMs become increasingly cost-effective for longer tunnels.

Over the years, tunneling speeds have dramatically increased. The first TBMs managed just 4 meters per week, but within forty years, that speed quadrupled to 16 meters per week. By the end of the 19th century, they were exceeding 30 meters per week. Today’s 21st-century rock TBMs can blast through over 700 meters of rock in the same time.

So, what’s the takeaway from the TBM story? If you maintain consistent effort toward your goals, you can carve out a clearer path for increased capacity to handle the traffic of life, regardless of your environment. The longer you persist, the less significant your initial efforts will seem because you’ll have built enough momentum to achieve remarkable results. And just like those mighty TBMs, your victory will become inevitable.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9 (NIV)