Why taking ownership is so hard!

So many people want to know the secrets to success. What makes a business strong? What does it take to grow a church? What makes a great marriage? How can I be a good parent? Is it possible to be healthy and fit even when I am so busy? Can a mother really balance work and kids? Can a dad really be the leader he needs to be for his family? Is it possible to ever love again? Will I ever really get out of debt?
These are questions many of us have asked ourselves. Maybe even worked at from time to time. Anything worth it in life is going to require work, and lots of it. I am in the middle ground generation right now where the ones after me feel "entitled" to it all without the work, and the older ones have given up or are still working when they should be enjoying life. So here I am sitting here observing two opposite ways of thinking. I see it everywhere. I see a total lack of ownership over the situations and lives people find themselves living.
Most of us drown in our stress or drown out our circumstances by avoiding what it will take to change it. We have turned to work, ministries, addictions, relationships, social networking and every other possible thing to keep us "moving" along so we don't have to deal with the ROOT problems.
The root issue when things are not progressing in a positive way is lack of ownership.
We all have done this from time to time. We believe in a lie we heard or have developed a belief system that is really way too small.
It is never too late to start, and start small if you must..but please DO START! Falling down is part of life but getting back up is living it! Take personal responsibility for how you want to change things in your life. Taking ownership is hard because it puts you in a place where you stand face to face with your fear, insecurities, self doubt, and baggage all wrapped up in one and you push through it anyway. You stand there and wonder what in the world do you do with all of it and how do I change living this way? And then you take one step! One painful and uncomfortable step and then another and then another.Stop living the life you do not want to live and make choices towards a better tomorrow.
Is it going to be tough? Of course it is, its going to be a major pain in the rear some day's. Some times you may feel like you just want to give up,  believe that your not qualified, or rich enough, you may feel you don't deserve it, or you just have been dealt a bad deal you need to live with as punishment. It is not true.  It is really not true!! You have a huge battle in your mind. Jim Rohn said it best when he quoted, "forget about the thief waiting around the corner, what about the one in your mind!! " Your mind is where it all lays waiting dormant- are you going to allow your mind to sabotage your way of thinking or are you going to get out of your own way? The choice is yours and it is yours to make right now!! Today! Take ownership. Pull up the big girl pants or big boy pants your meant to be wearing- throw away the diapers and get out there and make your mark on the world. Life is passing by- don't get to the end of your own with regret and wonder.

Stepping up. Take ownership!

I have been thinking a lot about this lately. I have been praying about it too. In the church or in Christian circles, when we talk about stewardship our thoughts tend to lean more towards the financial aspect of Christian stewardship. When the very word is mentioned, right away tithing, offerings, maybe even donations come to mind. Finances is a very important part, but there really is so much more to what this word stewardship actually means when you are a child of God. As a child of God…you are then given responsibility over things in your life and are called to live a life that honors Him.
Lets look at the actual definition of stewardship.

Stewardship:

1: the office, duties, and obligations of a steward
2: the conducting, supervising, or managing of something ; especially : the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care: steward ship of our natural resources
I love the part that describes it as a “careful and responsible management of something that is “entrusted” to our care! ” Entrusted….is what everything we own is, as a Christian… All that we have; our homes, jobs, money, resources,family,bodies, and even our church is entrusted to us to take care of . This world is not our eternal home, but while we are here we need to take ownership in the area’s of our lives that are given to us to really take care of the way that God would want us to do. I really believe that God honors people who honor Him by caring for the things that we are responsible for daily. While God being our heavenly father,”owns” it all….we as his children are to take ownership.

 I know only good things does God have in mind for us. That is a promise from his word. I believe it….I really do. “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord…plans to prosper and not harm…to give you hope and a future!! ” Jeremiah 29:11

I believe there are times and seasons for everything. There are times to step up and time to relax. There always needs to be ownership though. We are entrusted to care for our bodies, our families, our work, our homes and even our churches. What we do is a reflection to others on the value we put on these things in our life. 

Walking 60 MILES!!!

I am walking 60 miles in 3 days to help raise awareness about breast cancer and in memory of family members I have lost from cancer. I need to raise support in order to walk for the weekend. 100% of the support I raise goes towards cancer research, grants, and to fund free mammograms to women who would never be able to get them otherwise. This is a tax deductible charitable donation. Please consider helping me reach my goal. Any size donation is so appreciated. See my link below to donate.
http://www.the3day.org/site/TR?px=6987834&fr_id=1817&pg=personal

Invest in a young girl

Massive and Determined Action

I am convinced that the only way to achieve success and pursue your vision is to make consistent choices. Massive and determined action will always help you reach your goals. Sitting back and watching life pass you by will only leave you with regret. It is so important to know your purpose, know that you were created with significance for a reason. Living on purpose changes everything!! In the middle of a hopeless situation it is never what you have that will make a difference, it is what you do with what you have been given that makes the difference. Start today....take determined action steps towards a goal. Even if the consistent actions seem small...keep doing them, one thing will lead to another and positivity always breeds positivity.

Pumpkin Protein Muffins

I have been asked about this recipe so many times lately, I thought I would post it for you to try at home too. Healthy recipes and options are always something I am either looking for or inventing. This is one of my favorites and is a weekly staple. Love these for breakfast or snacks. These are packed full of protein, they are low carb, 1 gram of sugar and gluten free. ENJOY! I also personally use a vegan based protein powder ( no whey) it is completely plant based protein and does not leave you feeling weighed down. I can always order it for you if you want to know more. PUMPKIN PROTEIN MUFFINS 1/2 cup Truvia 1/2 cup organic applesauce or plain organic yogurt 2 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice 1/2 tsp ground clove 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 2 tsp vanilla 4 egg whites 1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin 2 1/2 scoops of vanilla protein 2 cups of oat flour 1/2 cup raw oatmeal 1 cup organic skim milk 1/2 cup raisins (optional) 1/2 cup walnuts (optional) 1/4 cup flax (optional) 1/2 cup chia seed (optional) Combine all ingredients and add the protein, milk, and (optional) ingredients last. Spray muffins pans and scoop 3/4 way full and top with additional raw oatmeal and or flax seed. Bake for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Making sense of the nonsense

It is a topic of conversation in the coaching industry I am currently working as well as in every day life. The questions asked about why things happen the way they do. The W's, as I would like to say:WHY did this happen, WHERE does this make my life go from here, WHAT will I do or WHAT went wrong? We will never fully understand the answer to so many unfair or unjust things this side of heaven. Just today, there was a horrible thing that happened here in our country and it is all over the news. It just seems like it surrounds us, and we are trying to make sense of nonsense. Things that happen in our lives or to others we know and see are just beyond our human comprehension. Then we go through the emotions that come with situations we never understand; the guilt, blame, sadness, anger, and hurt. There is always hope, even in the darkest of times. God will never let you down or leave you.

Make the steps count

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. One step is all it takes to make progress and literally can change your life. Make your steps count towards something positive.

Gratitude can change your life

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Dare to dream

We all have been there, in the midst of the harshest storms life has to blow your way. The kind of pain that is deep, so deep it takes your breath away, and you can barely gather your thoughts. I have been there...that pit of life that just about kills and destroys you to the core. These times are meant to refine, to make you stronger. Yet, to know it and live it are two places,that you can not possibly comprehend while walking through these types of storms. Where to begin? What to do? These questions can rip through your heart and tear you to pieces when the life you had planned crashes and breaks into so many pieces it will never be the same.
I have not mastered pain...no one this side of heaven will ever be able to do such a thing. I have picked myself up from the mud etched into my face from falling so hard, and you can too.
I will tell you this:
God's love is enough to pull you up and out and through it!!
This time will pass!
You have to reign your thoughts in daily and focus on better things!
Dare to dream ...again!
Let the waters rise

Eruption of Entitlement

I have noticed this for several years and I cant even begin to imagine how this is affecting our country, our lives, and relationships. It is becoming most common in my generation (we will say the 30 somethings) and younger. It is this ," I am entitled" mentality. I see it everywhere. Honestly, I even see it driving down the road. You watch sometimes when people get cut off the obnoxious words that fly out of the mouths of even a babe when their "right" to the road has been intruded upon. I see 16 year old's "expecting" they are getting a car. Really?? You are 16!! Sweethearts, that is a hard earned piece of metal you are throwing a tantrum about and the fact that it is not being "given" to you because you are.... oh, "of that age to have a car!" It has reared its ugly head in just about everything. Where did this spoiled rotten mentality actually overcome this generation, not to mention the apathy that is coupled with it? Not only are we seeing an eruption of " I am owed or entitled," but we are seeing an apathetic way of life springing up all around us. I have heard the phrase, "I just dont care," more often then I wish I had heard. Do people actually mean they do not care? Maybe! Quite possibly they do not. However, it is causing major problems. No one is entitled or owed a single thing. In fact, what we deserve we actually should be thankful we do not get. There are things in life you need to work really hard at....and with that being able to truly care that you have obtained it so when you get that hard earned promotion, car, dream home, or even a loving spouse....you reallyyyy cherish it.
Think about what you can "give" back once in awhile instead of what you think you are actually "entitled" to receiving!

Leave the NOT POSSIBLE, behind!

Success is not a far off dream that you cannot attain.Success is not a dream that doesn’t happen.
Success is not a “maybe”.... Success is leaving that, "NOT POSSIBLE" behind. Turn all of the obstacles into stepping stones.Get out of your own way, sometimes you are the biggest reason things have not changed. Never accept defeat.Get excited.Think big.Make it happen.Be part of the one percent that DO IT! Leaving behind the people or the things that make you believe that your dreams are not possible....can be a very tough thing to do. Obstacles come in all kinds of forms. I have really had my share of obstacles, too many to write on here and honestly, I really do not want to focus on them anymore. Learn to use the things that trip you up as a tool to get higher to your ultimate goals and dreams. It does not matter what town you are from, it does not matter what family you had or did not have, it does not matter who has come against you, what matters is that you make a choice today to never be the same. Look to the future. Know that the plans and purposes are planted deep in your heart and it is up to you to fulfill them and get out of your own way.

Pants on the ground...pants on the ground...

Pants on the ground. Pants on the ground..looking like a fool with your pants on the ground! I can not tell you how many times I have heard this lately in regards to American Idol. Yes, you have to admit that it is pretty funny when you watch as the man sings his heart out with this hilarious and catchy phrase about a fashion disaster in our culture today. I don't know about you but i have certainly seen more boxers and underwear than I would like to see in my entire lifetime from unknowing strangers. There are just somethings you do not want to see even if your toilet is overflowing....and you need a plumber, I agree, you do not need a show too. I really do not get why it is so hard to wear a belt. A belt will hold it all together...and save us all some eye pain. Right?

Well as I thought about it for moment.... people in general do this every day in life as they face enormous amounts of stress, pain, pressure, family dysfunction, etc...and what do they have that holds them all together? What is your belt in life? Most people walk around with their entire life all out there exposed in front of them and all the world to see and live completely out of control.
What is it that holds you together; or do you think that holds you together? Is it work, people, satisfying other's, finances, addictions, friends,   hobbies? When your struggling the most it is hard to remain focused. Human beings turn to all sorts of things, actions, and people to fill parts of them that are empty and out of control. The only lasting one that will help you regain perspective, fill your empty spaces, and give you the peace, love, and security you long for is God.
So pull your pants up and on... and get to "steppin", life is meant to be lived, and it is meant to be lived well!