Easily Distracted

  Good Morning Friends!
  I want to talk to you today about Purpose.  We were each designed with a specific purpose.  You have something you were made to accomplish.  You are here for a reason, and God is not done with you until you leave this earth, so do not believe the lie that you have missed your chance, are too old, too young, have made too many mistakes, or any number of other deceits we allow to creep into our mind and stop us from doing what we were put here for.
  One of the greatest tactics the enemy uses to keep us from reaching our destiny and achieving our calling is distraction.  Have you ever had a time in your life where you knew you needed to do something...read that book, call that person, apply for that job, but it seemed like life was just so busy, and you couldn't seem to find the time or energy to get it done.  That is distraction my friend, and if you allow it to, this distraction can keep you waylaid and ineffective for days, months, years, or a lifetime.  Do not be blinded by all the little things which come up against you.  The enemy is hoping that if he uses enough distractions and keeps you off course long enough that you will give up on your dream or forget your purpose, and many people do.  
  One way to prevent getting sidetracked by distraction is to have priorities and stick to them.  I encourage you to sit down and make a list of what the most important things you need to do each day are.  You can have a list of overall guiding values for your whole life, or you can make a specific list for this year, month, week, or day.  The important thing is to know what is most important and get that done first so that you cannot be pulled aside when other "to-do's" pop up throughout your day.        In fact, this principle is so valuable, that in the early 1900s, Charles Schwab paid Ivy Lee $25,000 or the equivalent of $400,000 today to teach his employees how to get more done in a day.  Ivy Lee's strategy, make a list of the six most important things that need done each day in order of importance.  Then, start with number one, and work your way down the list, focusing on only one at a time.  Basically what he was teaching them was to keep the most important things most important.  Seems simple, but in a world of text messaging, Facebook, Instagram, E-mail, and a plethora of other distractions, this idea can be easily lost.  
  Another way to stay focused is to have a word or a few words which define what is most important to you or what you need to be focusing on.  For example, maybe your word for the year is "Simplify."  Each day, as tasks come your way you would ask yourself the question, "Is this helping me to simplify my life?"  If the answer is "Yes," then you know you are on track.  If the answer is "No," then you know to steer clear of this activity.  You can also have a list of a couple things which you need to do each day to stay on track.  For example, "Breath, Walk, Save."  Then, you know that each day you need to take time for meditation, walking, and putting something in to your savings account.  Keeping these three words at the forefront of your mind will ensure you keep moving in the right direction and you get the most important things done.
  Whatever your purpose, take some time today to get focused and really hone in on what is most important for you.  Then, do not allow distractions to pull you off course.  Set your mind on your list and complete the things that are essential to your purpose first.  You will find that you are less stressed and more productive when you are working within your goals and dreams.  Stay focused today!  I can't wait to see you succeed!

~K.W.

State of Being

  Hey friends, I want to encourage you tonight that’s ok to just “be.”  We live in a world that is so focused on “do,” and sometimes we get consumed with our list. I’m coming off a week out of town which means that there is cleaning and laundry, shopping and bills, and a myriad of other things which need attended to, and I have been diligently slugging away at the list all day. But I sat down with a cup of tea just now and looked around. There are still more dishes, there is studying I need to do. There are forms that need filled out for my son, and books to read and projects to finish, but sometimes we have to take a step back. Step out of the busy. Hit the off switch for a minute. Look around you and just “be.” Take in the feeling, the smell of a candle, the taste of a hot tea, the coolness of a breeze.
  We’ve been conditioned to think that sitting still means we’re doing something wrong, but there is health and life in just taking a deep breath and observing the world around us.  We can find restoration in those still small moments. Whether you are on the mountain top, in the depths of the valley, or somewhere in between on your journey, take a moment to absorb where you’re at.  That little rest will power you forward as you head on down the road. And whenever you feel the world is rushing by too fast, remember that it’s ok to stop and let yourself be. I can’t wait to see you succeed!

~K.W.