A few weeks ago, someone told me I looked tired. When they asked me why, I did not tell them anything, I just acted like everything was ok. It was not that I wanted to, it was I did not want them to think I was being a whining jerk.
The truth is, I am tired; very tired.
I go to the office in the mornings, sometimes early and sometimes later. I come home and work in the backyard trimming trees, clearing brush or working in the garden. Some days I find myself in the chicken house working to organize all the things there or to build something odd. The truth is those things are fun. I enjoy manual labor. I hated it growing up, but now I have found value working with my hands to get things done. I enjoy working with my hands and getting calluses, cuts and bruises. It’s just fun.
None of that makes me tired.
What makes me tired is people.
Seriously, people make me tired. My family, who I dearly love, does not make me tired. I get tired when I see people on social media.
I get tired hearing people talk about unity, then promoting disunity. I get tired of seeing people tell me there is only one race, the human race, then post things of the exact opposite. Instead of trying to bring people together, they add fuel to the violence of the current worldly chaos. I see people, friends, tell others one life is better than another. If you believe one life is better than another, you make me tired.
I get tired of people talk about religious unity, then practice isolationism. I get tired of seeing people tell us how great Christ is and we are all one, then they divide each other into congregation types. They talk about being one, but they actually, divide among the many. Christians are part of the same team; stop dividing people under the rug of manipulation.
I get tired of people talking about politics who only vote for people based on gender, race or who their friends vote for today. If you fall into that category, you are part of the problem and you make me tired. Why not find your values and then find your political party? Doing that usually leaves you as an independent. If you vote for a person because of race, gender or only their political party, you have lost the common sense that our founders wished future generations possessed.
I get tired of selfies. I am tired of a new generation, who will probably have to work harder than the previous because of our bad choices, finding themselves taking a new picture of themselves every five minutes. Stop it. Put your phone down and go do something for someone else. Stop worrying about you and go serve others. Service to others leads to greatness; selfies lead to selfishness.
I get tired of people wanting others to fix their problems instead of fixing it yourself. There is a whole generation of people who want everything then whine when they do not get it. There are those who have no work ethic, yet want people to give them everything. The generation before me worked and made something; people today need to do the same.
I get tired of people believing something just because someone said it. These days, everyone has an opinion and we need to be very cautious believing everything we hear. I have seen the quote from Abraham Lincoln that says, “Do not believe everything you read on the Internet.” (Think about it.) Just because someone says something you think is important does not make it right.
I get tired of people complaining and not doing anything. Personal drama and complaints are the black hole of social media. Anyone who gets to close and be pulled into the chaotic world of complaints. I know it might seem like I am complaining, but I am just verbalizing my long-held views on this topic. Stop complaining and do something good.
After a very few short years of this life, I have begun to figure out where I must be daily. I must be in the lives of my family. I will not change the world through the government, through a blog post or through an inspiring message. I will change the world through small things done consistently over time passed from one generation to the next.
OK, so here is what we are going to do.
By “We” I mean anyone who I tired too. By “We” I mean anyone who is willing to take a stand against the foolishness of the world and start creating a life for the future.
We are no longer going to stand by and watch the fading of opportunities, but we will hold ourselves accountable to each opportunity that comes before us.
We are no longer going to let the foolish demands of the world take the place of our divine purpose.
We will no longer be used as pawns by a worthless world, instead we will rise up and see our value not as a number, but as a living human being who has a successful legacy ahead.
We will no longer going to talk about doing something, but we are going to do something.
Beginning August 1st, I will issue you a 31 day challenge. 31 days to the beginning of a better you. The purpose is to get a group of individuals who want to begin living better but do not know where to start.
I am not perfect, but I would like to help you. For the month of August, I want to challenge you to begin creating habits leading to a great life and a greater legacy.
Each week there is a teleconference call to get everyone moving in the same direction.
Each week there are a series of articles to read and make a part of your daily routine.
Each week there are steps to take to begin creating a better you from Day 1 to Day 31.
What will you need to do?
I am looking for a select group of committed people. Each individual needs to commit a few minutes each day to begin developing habits to lay the foundation for a better life.
I am looking for a select group of people who will be dedicated to living better even when times get hard and people want to bring you down.
You will need to invest part of your time each day into becoming better.
You will need to follow a planner of items to schedule throughout the day to begin laying the foundation of better living.
It will take a small time investment each day to follow through with beginning to create new habits.
It will take a small time investment to call in to the Sunday night teleconference and get your encouragement for the week. It will take time to begin creating habits.
Do you want to be part of the 31 Day Challenge? It is simple, there is no cost and the benefits will be amazing if you are willing to take your life to the next level.
Simply go to 31daychallenge.christophermgallagher.com and sign-up. There is an application there to begin the process of being a part of the 31 Day Challenge. More information will be mailed to you shortly.
I hope you will think about taking on the challenge.
Today you have a list; whether a big list or a small list, you have a list of things to accomplish today. Some of you are reading this right now instead of working on your list. Others have already begun working on their list and they are halfway done. Still others are retired and there only list is golf—if so, enjoy your day.
Each of us awake to a list of things we are going to accomplish in a given day. I wanted to share some tips to get your list done. A list of suggestions are below to help you “Get it done!”
How to “Get it done!”
Turn off social media – Take a break for a set period of time and get away from Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, etc. The biggest, at least for me, is not getting taken into the “YouTube Vortex” of countless videos.
Get away from your computer – Write in a journal or legal pad then come back and type it. Getting you away from the computer allows you to get away from those email popups.
Work 30, Off 10 – Take 30 minutes and work on one item from your to do list and then take a break for 10 minutes. Work 30, Off 10. Walk away from your desk and take a break, but remember work an honest, hard 30 minutes.
Start small – Start with the smallest item on your to-do list and work to the largest. Small victories gain momentum.
Give these simple steps a try and let me know what you think. How did they work for you?
Last night, Senator Ted Cruz suspended his campaign after a second place finish in the Indiana Primary. As soon as the Senator suspended his campaign, social media was flooded with disgust over the elections, concern for our country and an unwavering pattern of whining about what to do next. Some say they will not vote, others will go to the polls and hold their nose as they pick the lesser of two evils and still others are joyous to pull the lever (or push the button) on election day.
May I remind you this election season has not turned out the way it has not because of the past year or even two years? It is due to a pattern of behavior which began years ago with the entitlements, a “that’s the way we have always done it”, a troubling financial system and a pure lack of respect for mankind. If you do not believe me, I would challenge you to research it.*
The fate of our country is not in the hands of the politicians, but it begins at our kitchen tables. It begins in our homes, not in Washington D.C. Our homes are suffering due to a lack of parenting, a lack of relationships and a lack of respect. If you want to turn the culture of our nation back to its founding principles, then start at home.
Let your family know that you are committed to them and their future; along with the legacy that you are leaving to your family. Let them know what you will make mistakes, but it is time to rise above the status quo and begin living for a greater purpose.
Start by talking; not texting. Put away technology and begin a conversation with your family over their interests, their goals and even how their day went. It is time we build the family through our relationships and not through problems. Allow your children to speak and allow them to learn.
Continue by getting your hands dirty. This nation was not built on watching television, but it was built by the hands of those willing to get out and work to make things happen. With the summer approaching, I believe there is ample opportunity for you and your family to get outside, breathe a little and get a little dirty. Teach your children the benefits of growing your own food, digging in the dirt and living a fulfilled life.
Teach your children respect. Just because you disagree with someone does not mean you have to throw up your hands, degrade them, unfriend them and never speak to them again. It means you disagree. The current process of disagreements is filled with insults, hatred and anger; instead of a respectful discussion.
Teach your children that they can respect others, but not agree with them. Allow them the ability to have a discussion over a disagreement and not a blatant, cutthroat domination. This country needs to talk, not fight like cats and dogs over the smallest of matters.
Teach your children there are things worth fighting for in life. There are standards and morals that must be fought over, but fought the right way and with the right information.
Stop giving everyone a trophy. Not everyone wins in life and each person needs to understand that every day. Some people will lose; they will fail. Some of the greatest winners in life have had the greatest failures. Allow your children to fail. It is ok, they will survive. Teach them.
Teach your children the value of hard work. Notice I did not say, “teach them to work,” but instead “teach them the value of hard work.” The future generations will need to work harder than we do; even with the power of technology. Teach them to value hard work. The value of hard work is remembered best in the value of a day off. Many people see a day off as another day because they have not valued hard work during the week. Value hard work.
Read the Bible. It does not matter if you are religious or not, just read it. It is the best-selling book of all time and so many will never read it. Begin in Psalm 11.3 if you want, but read it. (read the verses that follow it too)
My friends, this world is not over because of one election, it is over when a people of standards, morals and power cower behind the excuses that are currently being made.
Step up. It is time.
Just my thoughts,
*I really dislike providing all the information to people, but instead letting them do some groundwork and find out for themselves. I believe it is better that way.
The #MondayMotivation post is designed to give you that extra boost Monday morning to propel you through your workday. Motivation is a daily key to remember our “why” and to press on toward the prize ahead.
Each week, my wife and I sit down and plan the week ahead. Communicating those time gaps are greatly important to growing our family and living our dreams.
Take a moment and look at a “To-Do List” you can use this week as you plan and live this week.
Communicate love to my family.
Eat dinner with my family.
Do something special with each member of my family.
Read 100 pages this week.
Do something out of your comfort zone this week.
Send a note of encouragement this week.
Turn off your cell phone for one hour and relax.
Take a walk and listen to nature. (Stop missing the world around you)
Creating a better life begins with acting on your knowledge. Use this week to work on the knowledge you have gained.
Close to one year following the shocking Roe vs. Wade decision, the country was seeing the immoral act of an irresponsible nation as they covered their mistakes by depriving the innocent of “life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.” While our nation began living in the atrocity of moral decline, the choice of selfishness, now made legal, would take the life of one created equal by God.
It is always powerful to remember that our present choices have an effect on our life and might even effect the lives of others.
One year after the Roe vs. Wade decision, an 18 year old young lady would make a choice to determine her future and the life of another…she was pregnant. The road ahead as a single mother would be difficult and filled with obstacles. Her experiences would be much different than any other 18 year old because she had to make a choice…a hard choice; what would she do?
The Supreme Court of this land made a decision like hers easier by legally allowing her an “easy way” out. Even further, this decision could at a time where very few, if any, of the people in her life would ever know. The decision was hers.
Would her family support the choice she was going to make?
Would the father of the child support her decision?
Did she know what her child would become?
Did she desire to see her child, even though she would hold him alone?
Those were a few of the powerful questions she would have to face; not once, but every day. The road before her was already seeming difficult and the pressure of a child was weighing heavily on her shoulders.
The world may never know her thoughts or the stress she faced…what would her choice be?
The legal system of this country gave her an easy way out…what would her choice be?
It could be done in such a way that her family would never find out…what would her choice be?
No matter what the decision, her life would be changed forever. To make the decision, she would have to reflect on her values, morals, beliefs and the life of the child growing in her womb.
Her choice was simple…she chose life and I am glad she did.
