The older I get the faster my life seems to be speeding along. There is so much information and so much “STUFF” out there competing for our attention. Oh how I long for the “SIMPLE LIFE” or at least for slowing down. The decision to prioritize is ours. I am coming to the conclusion that “less and slower are better.” I want to focus on simplifying my life by doing what God calls me to do.

Have you ever really stopped long enough to ask yourself what it would take to truly BE OUTSTANDING? What would that look like? I suppose the first thing many people think of would be to accomplish something on the outside that people would see, deem significant and applause. I’ll never forget when God gave me a vision for my life to BE OUTSTANDING. To my surprise it all started internally. I believe God gave me the key to be outstanding.

We all need direction in life. The $64,000 question is: Who do YOU go to when YOU seek such direction? When you read the bible you will find all throughout the scripture countless examples of how God talked to His people. He loves us so much that He gave us His living Word. How awesome it is when we take time to listen to God speak to us in so many ways. It’s like finding buried treasure in those priceless moments when we receive crystal clear direction from Him. YES! It is possible.

I can say that without a doubt one of the greatest and most rewarding habits I maintain is the habit of keeping a journal. More specifically, the practice of keeping an intimate relationship with the Lord through two-way journaling has been incredibly beneficial and pleasing to me. There is no one greater or wiser who could possibly speak into my life than my Creator himself. The record of our communication is a priceless treasure and eternal legacy.

The high speed of modern day life is overwhelming. That makes maintaining balance such a significant piece to our success and peace of mind in life. So what is it we are trying to balance? Simply put it all boils down to PRIORITIES. What are yours and who do you lean on to help you set your priorities?

Habits are something we as humans all have and live by. The question is are they a blessing or a curse? Are they adding value to your life and in turn to others or are they detracting value to you and others? Stop and take a personal inventory of your daily habits. Ask God to show you which ones will help you fulfill His calling on your life so you can be a blessing to others.

Time is a precious gift. We all have the same 24 hours in a day to either invest wisely or to waste. The choice is completely up to each of us as to how we will prioritize each moment. Is your life zooming by or are you one of the rare ones who knows the value of slowing down to savor and spend this God given gift in such a way that would please the giver of the gift?

If there was a daily habit that was proven to transform your life, would you make use of it? Something as simple as consistently writing things down is one such practice. It is the habit of journaling. It will absolutely work to transform your life if you put it to work for you. Try it and you will taste and see that the Lord is good through this daily commitment.

It is right and good that we honor and appreciate all who have served and do serve in the armed forces of the United States of America, not just on Memorial Day but every day. We owe a great debt of gratitude to these heroes who are willing to lay down their lives for God and their country. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:12,13). To do so is truly Christ-like. This is what freedom is all about.