I love thoughtful writing, which is to say I get jazzed by great writing.
Great writing makes you think. It pulls you into the writer’s orbit.
Think about this. Content aside, what type of writer most grabs your attention? When you’re browsing titles in your local library or online, which authors’ names make your eyes widen and your heart rev a little?
That’s what I’m talkin’ about. It’s the ones you expect to produce some great ideas, thoughts, or stories-with-a-lesson. I share a couple of excerpts from a very close friend and brother today because he’s one of such writers for me. I won’t identify him because I didn’t ask; yet across more than 20 years, he and I have prodded, picked at, counseled, and encouraged each other to never settle.
Both of us are better and more focused on God’s direction in each our lives together than either of us would have been separately. We’ve poked around in each other’s mind, heart, and spirit until we’re as family as two guys can get without sharing blood.
See what you think . . .
“Life gets better when you get better. You are going to get in this life what you create. You will create what you expect to create. Your expectations will become your reality. You’re where you are because you expected it.
“The way you think is driving your expectations. When you look inside, you are what you think you are. What (and who) you are inside is made up of what you are allowing yourself to see, hear, and think. It only makes sense, then, to be very careful what you allow to take up space in your mind.
“Your brain doesn’t care if you’re happy; its job is to protect you . . . Where your attention goes, your energy is going as well. Your living follows your eyes . . .
“Sometimes your mind gets so full of junk that it’s hard to see how to ever clear it up . . . .
“Protect your mind. You don’t have to pay attention to all the stuff going on in the world; pay attention only to what you signed up for. You can’t do it all. What you give your attention to will become the reality of your world . . . Pay attention to how much time you spend educating yourself, compared to entertaining yourself.
Pay attention to how much time you spend educating yourself, compared to entertaining yourself.
“Unsuccessful people think about what they don’t really want, while successful people focus on what they do want, and what needs to be done to get it. Feed your mind the ideas, thoughts, and inspiration needed for optimal performance. You’ll get better, think better, and be living better.”
And there you have it. You know I rarely include others’ writing on these blogs, for you know my contract with you, my reader: to lift, encourage, edify, and challenge to personal and spiritual excellence. I use fictional characters and their stories, nonfictional accounts, personal anecdotes and experiences, and any thought- and spirit-provoking information I can to make that happen.
So, why’d I use somebody else’s stuff today? It’s worth your time to read and absorb it. I’m suggesting you scroll back up and read those few paragraphs again. Let ’em sink in, kind of like when you spray on that SPF 30 suntan lotion and massage it in. Consider the truth in his thoughts while you sip your 2nd Cup, and I’ll be back with a few closing thoughts in a couple of minutes…
There’s so much happening at once in our nation right now it’s sometimes hard to keep negative, anxious, even hopeless thoughts from trampling through your spirit’s front yard. It’s even more important than ever, then, to remember Who’s really in charge of all Earth affairs.
Keep that in mind.
Remember Who God is. Remember what The Bible has been telling us for millenia. Remember how much of that’s happened just as communicated.
When tempted to despair at how long God’s holding off on stepping into the middle of such anarchy and lawlessness – and cowardice plus corruption by those who should have long ago stopped it themselves – remember how many times He’s let you back up, dusted you off, wiped away the tears and blood, and given you yet another go at life.
Let God be God, and you be being the ‘you’ you know you want to be being.
I’ve a hunch, based on past experience, things are going to turn out just right, just when they should.
© D. Dean Boone, August 2020