Month: July 2025

Rewrite the Story

On By Jon ONeilLeave a comment

The mind is wired for stories—it’s how we make sense of the world. And like the spread on a lunch buffet, there’s something for every taste: adventure stories, victim stories, hero stories, cautionary tales, or comeback chronicles. We don’t just consume stories from books or Netflix; we absorb them from our homes, the media, our faith communities, and the workplace. But the most influential narratives are the ones we quietly repeat in our own minds.

We become what we believe, and often what we believe comes from the stories we’ve inherited—not necessarily the ones we’ve chosen. Maybe someone told you, “You’re too much,” or “You’re not enough.” Maybe you’ve internalized a story of scarcity, fear, or failure. Without realizing it, those old scripts can shape your present and limit your future.

Let’s name five common types of stories we live by:

  1. The Victim Story – “Bad things always happen to me.”
  2. The Martyr Story – “I have to sacrifice everything for others.”
  3. The Hero Story – “I’ve overcome, and I’ll do it again.”
  4. The Underdog Story – “No one believed in me, but I proved them wrong.”
  5. The Stuck Story – “This is just the way things are. I can’t change.”

Which one have you been telling yourself? And is it even true?

Tony Robbins emphasizes three life-changing questions we can use to take back authorship of our own story:

  1. What are you going to focus on? – Because what you focus on, you feel.
  2. What does it mean? – You get to assign the meaning to your experiences.
  3. What are you going to do about it? – Change begins with action.

Today, choose one sentence you’ve been telling yourself—just one—and rewrite it.
Instead of: “I’m always behind.”
Try: “I am learning to move at the pace of grace.”

Instead of: “I’m not good enough.”
Try: “I am uniquely equipped to grow into who I’m called to be.”

God didn’t create you to live in bondage to a broken narrative. You’re not stuck with the first draft. You’re invited to co-author a better one—with Him.

“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
—Romans 12:2 (CSB)

Move Like a Scorpion

On By Jon ONeilLeave a comment

Not all movement is progress.

Consider the crab. It scuttles sideways—nimble, yes, but never quite moving forward. It’s a creature of caution, dodging threats and navigating the edges of things. Sometimes we live like that—taking side steps in our careers, relationships, or even faith. Lateral moves can be strategic, even necessary. A sideways step might help you gain new skills, escape a toxic environment, or reposition for the next opportunity.

But then there’s the scorpion.

The scorpion doesn’t sidestep. It faces forward. It’s focused, deliberate, and unafraid to press ahead—tail curled, stinger ready. While the crab dances around the edge, the scorpion marches toward the center.

In life, we’re called to grow. To move forward. To pursue purpose, not just avoid problems.

In your career, don’t just think about the next job title—think about the next level of impact. In relationships, don’t just dodge discomfort—lean into growth. In faith, don’t just circle the familiar—step boldly into deeper trust.

A season of sideways might be wise. But forward is where the fruit is.

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 3:14 (CSB)

So go ahead—crab if you must. But don’t stay there. Scorpion forward.

Beyond the Beautiful Peak

On By Jon ONeilLeave a comment

The snow-capped mountain, beautiful from afar, is a powerful metaphor for achieving excellence.

The Ascent and Its Appearance

Just as a mountain rises through immense geological forces, our path to success demands significant effort and dedication. From a distance, a snow-capped peak looks serene and effortless, much like a person at the top of their game might appear. The visible snow represents their achievements and recognition.

However, this beauty masks a harsh reality. The snow persists because temperatures are “below freezing,” symbolizing the intense pressures, constant scrutiny, and often solitary nature of high achievement. The “temperature decreases with altitude”, meaning the higher you go, the more demanding the environment becomes. Maintaining that “beautiful” exterior requires continuous resilience.

The Strength in Persistence

The snow “doesn’t melt entirely” and “builds up season after season,” reflecting the unwavering commitment and endurance needed to sustain excellence. Success isn’t a one-time event; it’s a perpetual effort. The permanent snow and glaciers represent the deep discipline and wisdom forged through years of consistent effort in challenging conditions.

Embrace the Climb

Far from suggesting we should fear raising our standards, this metaphor encourages us to embrace the challenges of aiming higher. Denying ourselves the climb means missing the profound satisfaction of reaching our full potential. Yes, it will be demanding, but it’s in these very conditions that true character is forged and unparalleled beauty is revealed. The pristine white cap isn’t just beautiful; it’s a testament to enduring strength.

Therefore, we should not fear the “cold” at the top. Instead, let’s embrace the journey of continuous ascent, understanding that the difficulties we face are precisely what allow our own “snow-capped peak” to emerge, looking magnificent from the outside, and holding within it the profound story of our perseverance.

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”– Romans 5:3-4 (NIV)