The Traveler's Gift : Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success by Andy Andrews
I like success... I even like the word. My mom even has a blog called "Sustained Momentum" - our, FGE, definition of success... but anywho.. quick story....
While filming a video for the Austin Peay Comm Dept, a dear friend of mine handed me a book and said, "You and your mom would really enjoy this." My immediate thought was, "He obviously has no idea that I don't read books... but maybe my mom would like it." My second thought was, "Sarah, you're lame. Read the dang book." So I did.
As I had 984,769,276 things to do that week, Mom read it first. She loved it. She was so enthusiastic about it and was so eager for me to read it that she printed me a 4 page synopsis of the book (just in case I didn't want to actually read it, but just get the information lol) For her thoughts you can visit http://sustainedmomentum.blogspot.com/2010/10/making-best-decisions.html :)
Anyways, I finally got around to reading it. Took me a while, but hey it happened :)
If you plan on reading it and don't want anything to be given away, then feel free to stop reading and just know that I found that it was wonderful and incredibly inspirational. :)
For anyone else still reading, mostly for me to go back and read cause I gotta give the book back, lol, here's the 7 Decisions in the book, and my "take", if you will, on them.
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Decision 1 : "The buck stops here. I am responsible for my past and my future." - I find that I make, or try to make, excuses, or blame others, for my past and current situation all the time. I over analyze things and it gets me nowhere, and then I wonder why. But I'm done. "I am where I am today -- mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially -- because of decisions I have made."
"Challenges are gifts, opportunities to learn."
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Decision 2 : "I will seek wisdom. I will be a servant to others." - I enjoy helping others. I am my mother's daughter and she is one of the most loving people and tries to find ways to help others and be a servant. I wish I did it more often. But the whole seeking wisdom thing isn't something I necessarily do. I don't choose my friends as well as I should and I don't seek counsel of wise people. But I will. "I will train my eyes and ears to read and listen to books and recordings that bring about positive changes in my personal relationships and a greater understanding of my fellow man."
"I will choose my friends with care; I will listen to the counsel of wise men; I will be a servant to others..."
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Decision 3 : "I am a person of action. I seize this moment. I choose now." - I like being a person of action. For those of you who may not know me, I'm a person of action. When I want something done, I do it. However, I do let things get me down and get in the way of my action. But no more. "No longer will I dwell in a pit of despair... I can do nothing about the past. My future is immediate. When I am faced with the choice of doing nothing or doing something, I will always choose to act!" So many times I get caught up in the "what if" of my future, or even the present. And all it does is bring me down. I waste precious time that could be used furthering the Kingdom of God, wondering about the whatifs in my life.
"I am courageous. I am a leader. Leading is doing. To lead, I must move forward. I seize this moment. I choose now."
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Decision 4 : "I have a decided heart. My destiny is assured." - Again with my whatifs, they cause me to pause and waiver. And so does any drama in my life. I allow it to cause me to pause and stop the course I am on. Why? Yeah, I have NO IDEA. "I will awaken every morning with an excitement about the new day and its opportunity for growth and change." And sometimes, stupidly, I think... boy I sure hope God knows what He's doing... and of course He does. I know He does. Just sometimes, I think well maybe I'm supposed to this... or that... or meet this person or that person, or maybe I met this person for a reason or not....
"I will not wait. I am passionate about my vision for the future. My course has been charted. My destiny is assured."
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Decision 5 : "Today I will choose to be happy. I am the possessor of a grateful spirit." - This was the 2nd hardest decision for me to grasp and run with. I understood the concept.... but as someone who deals with depression, I went "really... everyday I have to be happy?" haha like that was asking too much of me. I LOVE laughter. It's hands down one of my favorite things. I have a STUPID laugh, but I love to do it, so why would it be too much to ask of me to be happy and grateful? I spend more time in one day crying than I do thanking God for the blessings He's given me.... but no more. "My God has bestowed upon me many gifts, and for these I will remember to be grateful. Too many times have I offered up the prayers of a beggar, always asking for more and forgetting to give thanks."
"I will greet each day with laughter. I will smile at every person I meet. I am the possessor of a grateful spirit."
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Decision 6 : "I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive myself." - WooooooWeeeee... the hardest chapter for me to get. I love the idea of forgiveness. But I have never been a person of a forgiving spirit. I harbor things of the past, and dwell on wrong doings done unto me, and it WEIGHS me down. Like physically, I can feel my heavy heart. "No more! At this moment, my life has taken on new hope and assurance..." I now understand that forgiveness has value only when it is given away. By the simple act of granting forgiveness, I release the demons of the past about which I can do nothing, and I create in myself a new heart, a new beginning." I'm still working on the forgiving myself, but that is a process I'm excited to complete.
I also ask forgiveness of anyone I have wronged. I am truly sorry and hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me.
"I will forgive even those who do not ask for forgiveness. I will forgive those who criticize me unjustly. I will forgive myself."
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Decision 7 : "I will persist without exception. I am a person of great faith." - I have been fortunate in the strength of my persistence in some aspects of my life. It's applying that same persistence, if not a greater amount, to every aspect of my life, especially my faith. "I know the outcome I desire. I hold fast to my dreams. I stay the course. I do not quit."
"I will continue despite exhaustion. I focus on results. I am a person of great faith."
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Well that's all I got....
As I said before, I'm NOT a big reader... and I'm not a big blogger either. I've started a few blog-ish-type things and they all have been fizzles. So for me to read a book AND blog about it... well let's just say it doesn't happen all that much. This really was a blog merely to document the outline and my thoughts on the book. If you felt inspired, wonderful, if not, I pray that you find something that does inspire you to find your personal success.
:)
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