Watch What You're Thinking!

Proverbs 3:27 states, "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he." 19th century Danish philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard, seemed to share the same sentiment when he penned, “our life always expresses the result of our dominant thoughts.” More up-to-date, but still to-the-point is Earl Nightingale, who wrote: “you become what you think about most.” So, the take away for me is watch what you‘re thinking!
Several years ago, I read the following on the Air Force Academy web site:
“Watch your thoughts,
They become your words;
Watch your words,
They become your actions;
Watch your actions,
They become your habits;
Watch your habits,
They become your character;
Watch your character,
It becomes your destiny.” (Author Unknown)
Similar theme, right? Right! It must be important! Then, I remembered this from the Apostle Paul: “finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8 NIV)
Okay, I think I’ll need to let this soak in for awhile. Then, I’ll need to act accordingly. What about you and your dominant thoughts? Where are they taking you?

An Attitude of Gratitude

Who have you to thank for your life as you now know it? A spouse? A friend? A parent? A teacher? A coach? A mentor? God? When have you last told them, "thank you for all you've meant to me"? Albert Schweitzer was right when he wrote: "At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." So, who will you connect with this week to say, "thanks"? I'd like to challenge you to call, email, post, text or write a heartfelt thanks to someone each day this week. Yes, it is Thanksgiving week, so maybe all of this sounds very cliche, but we often do much less than the best we know. So, do it. Live with an attitude of gratitude this week, and maybe you'll get so good at it, it will become a lifelong habit. Master Eckhart seem to understand the importance of this when he stated: "If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice." Happy Thanks-Giving, Everyone!