James W. Inspirational Thoughts

 If not today, tomorrow? If not tomorrow, when? At what point does the procrastination cease and you take care of business? You've been passively coasting along in life ignoring the inevitable as if it doesn't exist, yet life is passing you by. What's next for you as these years keep adding up? 

 Have you ever sat back and ask yourself, "are the friends you proclaim to be friends, truly your friend"? Many people are quick to embrace people they can benefit from, whether that be family or friends. However, if you truly want to know exactly where you stand with a person, (hold a mirror to them and observe the responses). You'll be surprised. And oh by the way, upon holding up that mirror, don't get so beside yourself that the same exact mirror can't be rotated around towards you to see your response. Sometimes in life you have to test the waters just to see where you stand on the totem pole with people you hold in high regards.  

 If someone tells you something that you already know, do not remind them by referencing " I know" to them, that's arrogant. Exercising humility can be very difficult, even during the most simplistic of moments. Attentative listening can take you a long way in life.

 Whatever it is your looking for in life is looking for you, and everthing you ever wanted to be is sitting in front of you. Truth and honesty has taken a back seat to lies and deception. People cringe over the truth because they've denied the person they see in the mirror. That being the case, what is your purpose in life? Because without a purpose you have nothing. 

 Did you know that not everybody has good communication skills? Just because you can put together a complete sentence with a sound mind, it doesn't automatically qualify you as a skilled communicator regardless of your place in life. So if your one of those individuals that's skilled with communicating with people, do not become alarmed with those that do not possess that same gift. Some people have it, some people don't, it's just one of those things. 

 Ignorance can be very difficult to ignore when it's unprovokedly forced upon you. However, it can be done by simply walking away in silence. Nobody can force you into something you opt not to engage in.

 If the answer is always no, how can you enjoy life? What is the alternative and is it worth it? It comes a time in life when you have to ask yourself, how did you get to that point of using rejection as your sole foundation to life? Your probably saying to yourself, you know what the other side looks like based on previous experiences. Problem is, you can't use previous experiences as the foundation of the future, because every situation is different.

 Once you discover a person doesn't know God, don't crucify them for it, simply pray for them. It's not easy getting acquainted with the lord, as it takes a lot of sacrifice and determination. So don't judge them based on your own learning curve, because you had to learn him as well. 

 When you looked yourself in the mirror, how did you envision yourself 10 years ago? When you looked yourself in the mirror, how did you envision yourself 20 years ago? When you look yourself in the mirror today, how do you envision yourself? If you happen to have some previous photos from years past, ask yourself those same questions upon viewing those pictures and see what you come up with? You'll be surprised at what you see.

 You've worked hard most of your life to finally find that place of peace, why would you allow someone to take that away from you? Once you've found that special place of peace, do not allow nothing or anyone come between you and that special place, it's not worth it. 

 If it is difficult for you to fall in love, why not try growing into love? Mental health is something that should be taken very serious, simply because it is those issues that creates mental interference. What is it that is preventing you from having the desire to fall in love? Something that's happened in your past correct? What is it that's preventing you from moving forward and loving all over again, the past? Exactly the point. Stunted growth.  

 It's not meant for you to be liked by everyone, that's not the way life works. It's always going to be someone lurking in the weeds that's jealous of you because they are insecure about themselves. You might be wondering, who exactly is that person that's jealous of you? The person that's jealous of you is staring you right in the face, but you can't see them because they are chameleons in your life. Now in your mind you may "think" you know who that person is, but in actuality you don't. Always remember, the answer always lies in your face inexplicably. 

 Open your eyes and show some understanding on life. Stop looking for things to fall in your lap. Stop seeking the easy way out. And stop thinking life owes you something. Sometimes in life conveniency comes with a price tag. Meaning, sometimes you have to put forth a little more effort and time in order to enjoy the fruits that life has to offer.

 Are you the type of person that hold grudges? Not everyone holds grudges, however, for those that do, ask yourself why? It makes absolutely no sense to hold a grudge against anyone regardless of the circumstances surrounding those feelings. Why? Because whatever it was that happened to you to provoke those feelings in the first place, God allowed it to happen for a reason. Now in saying that, it doesn't mean you have to abruptly sit down and have dinner with that person. But what it does mean, is that you need to forgive and move forward with your life without prejudice. 

 If you gave it your best and still failed, it doesn't mean your a failure, it simply means it wasn't meant to be. It's a myth that hard work pays off, that's simply not true, because it's people out here that put maximum effort in relationships, jobs etc, and still fail. Sometimes in life you have to play with the hand your dealt and find that place of peace while continuing to love yourself and love life. 

 It's very difficult to convince a negative minded person into optimism. They've preconditioned themselves into thinking one way, therefore it's the only thing they know.  So much so they'll gravitate to anything associated with negativity. It tends to make you wonder, what and how does a person allow themselves to get to that place in life? Which raises the question, can a person protest to have faith in the lord and be a negative minded person? How can the two coexist? 

 Pushing the envelope can work for or against you, pending on the circumstances. If your trying to get to a certain place in life, pushing the envelope can be profitable. But if your one of those individuals that tends to procrastinate or be passive on your agendas, persistenly pushing the envelope on that end of the spectrum can work against you. 

  Sometimes in life it's the smallest things in life that will stop you in your tracks and you unconsciously don't even recognize it. It can be something as subtle as a song that has a melody that throws you into a temporary coma. Or it could be someone you find vastly attractive that throws your thought pattern completely off. It can also be something someone said that was so profound, you thought about it for days after those words were spoken. It can even be a sexual experience that only this one person can give you each and every time you interact with them. Or perhaps it can be something as subtle as a touch that instantly sends you into ecstasy. Or it could be a person that has a certain look, a certain walk, a certain natural body scent that instantly grasp your attention. The mysteries of life that goes unexplained.

 Do you know what's meant for you? Do you know what's for you? Chances are you don't know the answer to the first question, and you probably answered the second one correctly. If you knew what was meant for you, chances are your life would be different. You see, the things that were meant for you, are the very same things you take for granted and lack interest, which is why your in the postion your in today. 

 So many people desire to have love, but do not understand everything that comes with it. Because if you are under the mindset that love is painless, your sadly mistaken. You must take the bitter with the sweet and understand that love isn't perfect, it doesn't come with conditions, and it's designed to hurt. The pain you've felt from past love pales in comparison to the pain Jesus felt when he gave his life for all of us to live the life we live today. 

 Sometimes no means yes, and sometimes yes means no. If your confused on what to say, simply inform them you'll give it some thought. 

 Have you ever went to the lord for questions about things you were going through? You were seeking answers correct? Well, if you know the lord as you say you do, why didn't you allow him to answer your questions? You see, most people that converse with the lord, are always the one doing all the talking, while never thinking to sit back and allow the lord to respond. Stop being selfish and allow the lord to talk. He's trying to talk to you, but your always doing all the talking after you make your request. You'll say what you have to say and roll over to sleep. And you wonder why your prayers weren't answered?

  Have you ever been around a person that denies your company? If so, do not concern yourself with ignorant behavior, because at the end of the day it's there loss not yours. It's so many people that suffer in life from blatant ignorance, don't let that be you.

 Unconditonal love can be very difficult to give, especially when your not receiving return value for your efforts. So if your looking for returned value for anything you do in life, obvious you don't know the lord. Many people seem to think you receive what you put into life, and that's simply not true. Because if that were true, many millionaires would not have become millionaires, evil people wouldn't live such long lives, good people wouldn't die so young, great people wouldn't become homeless, and good people wouldn't encounter such hard luck in life. If this message comes off a bit to deep for you, go read your bible, it's written in his word. 

 If you see someone constantly being patted on the back by people you've considered questionable in character, do not concern yourself with the person that's in question, concern yourself with the person being patted on the back. 

 Losing your composure through disappointment only validates that you've lost your focus with the Lord. Loving the Lord doesn't mean you know him, because if you truly knew him it would reflect in your character. Chances are you've somehow lost your way in the midst of the storm and can't seem to find your way back. finding that inner peace starts with humility and focus.

 Have you ever came across or been involved with a person that's quick to anger and hold a grudge? Do not concern yourself with people like that, simply ignore them. "Only fools get angry quickly and hold a grudge".(Ecclesiastes) Chapter 7 verse 9. You must allow a fool to be a fool and wallow in their own misery.

 If you don't like what you see in the mirror, how can you love someone else? If you don't like what you see in the mirror, what are you going to do about it? If you don't like what you see in the mirror, others will see you the exact same way. You have to love yourself before you can love anyone else. Excuses are for weak minded people that don't want anything out of life. They are content with living a life of mediocirty. 

 Always be mindful of the feelings of others, it's the right thing to do. Why? Because you cannot determine the mindset of the person your dealing with. For example, if a person tends to be overly aggressive towards you based on something that can be defined as adolescent at best, you could be dealing with a person that's dealing with depression. Such things cannot be determined until that person starts reacting abnormally. Mental illness is real, always keep that in mind at all times through your walk in life. 

 If your not open to change, where do you go from here? Your trajectory in life has been lowered due to your constant inability to change, leaving you with a very low ceiling to work with. It's like minimizing your blessings in life. 

 You don't have to be an expert on life to know forgiveness heals the soul. You have to love yourself before you can love someone else. And it all starts with loving the Lord, because when you love the Lord, everything else falls into place, but you have to know him to love him. 

 What is it about looking up at the stars that brings us so much peace? Although we know what a star actually is, far away we see a sparkling image that's beautiful to the eyes and brings peace to the inner soul. It's the one place you wish you could go and live healthy forever, removing you away from all the drama and pitfalls that surrounds us on earth. They look oh so close yet are so far away. If only we could reach for the stars and live in eternity.

 No cause for concern when things aren't favoring you during troubled times, it's just God's way of building strength within you for future problems in life. 

 The reason your prayers weren't answered is because you keep getting in the way. Stop trying to do his work for him, you'll only make matters worse in doing so. 

  Just think, you survived Covid-19 and lived to tell about it. Don't ever forget those that were with you during those rough times. And especially show your appreciation. Lack of appreciation exhibits poor character, as that is displeasing to the Lord.