The Power Of Thought

Positivity and controlling ones thoughts may be the single most important thing a human being can do.

Not only do these actions affect EVERY area of your life, they dictate exactly how those areas will turn out.

You can turn bad situations in to good ones and good ones in to great ones. It’s simple.

It’s is up to you.

Problem is, it may be one of the most challenging processes for all humans.

Self-discipline is the key to a successful life. Whether it is family, faith, business, etc. it is truly the end all be all.

Without self discipline and the ability to control yourself you are lost.

Jesus had complete self discipline. That is precisely why he is the most famous person who ever lived even in a time when social media and instant media were thousands of years away.

He fasted, performed miracles, prayed, and was ultimately crucified all because he had incredible self-discipline, will-power, and faith.

These three characteristics will provide you with all you need if you can master them. If you do not have control of yourself how can you control anything else?

Think about your areas of weakness – I guarantee you that you are lacking in one of these three key areas of not 2 or all 3. I know I am. That’s why I continue to work on those new good habits every single day.

It is never too late to right the ship!

Wow, Why Our Economy Stinks

Hobby Lobby May Close All 500+ Stores in 41 States

SEPTEMBER 5, 2013

By David Green, the founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

When my family and I started our company 40 years ago, we were working out of a garage on a $600 bank loan, assembling miniature picture frames. Our first retail store wasn’t much bigger than most people’s living rooms, but we had faith that we would succeed if we lived and worked according to God’s word.
From there, Hobby Lobby has become one of the  nation’s largest arts and crafts retailers, with more than 500 locations in 41 states. Our children grew up into fine business leaders, and today we run Hobby Lobby together, as a family.
We’re Christians, and we run our business on Christian principles. I’ve always said that the first two goals of our business are (1) to run our business in harmony with God’s laws, and (2) to focus on people more than money. And that’s what we’ve tried to do. We close early so our employees can see their families at night. We keep our stores closed on Sundays, one of the week’s biggest shopping days, so that our workers and their families can enjoy a day of rest.
We believe that it is by God’s grace that Hobby Lobby has endured, and he has blessed us and our employees. We’ve not only added jobs in a weak economy, we’ve raised wages for the past four years in a row. Our full-time employees start at  80% above minimum wage.
But now, our government threatens to change all of that.
A new government healthcare mandate says that our family business MUST provide what I believe are abortion-causing drugs as part of our health insurance. Being Christians, we don’t pay for drugs that might cause abortions, which means that we don’t cover emergency contraception, the morning-after pill or the week-after pill. We believe doing so might end a life after the moment of conception, something that is contrary to our most important beliefs.
It goes against the Biblical principles on which we have run this company since day one.
If we refuse to comply, we could face $1.3 million PER DAY in government fines.
Our government threatens to fine job creators in a bad economy.
Our government threatens to fine a company that’s raised wages four years running.
Our government threatens to fine a family for running its business according to its beliefs.  It’s not right. I know people will say we ought to follow the  rules; that it’s the same for everybody. But that’s not true.
   The government has exempted thousands of companies from this mandate, for reasons of convenience or cost.  But it won’t exempt them for reasons of religious belief.
So, Hobby Lobby and my family are forced to make a choice. With great reluctance, we filed a lawsuit today, represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, asking a federal court to stop this mandate before it hurts our business. We don’t like to go running into court, but we no longer have a choice. We believe people are more important than the bottom line and that honoring God is more important than turning a profit.
My family has lived the American dream. We want to continue growing our company and providing great jobs for thousands of employees, but the government is  going to make that much more difficult.
The government is forcing us to choose between following our faith and following the law.  I say that’s a choice no American and no American business should have to make.
The government cannot force you to follow laws that go against your fundamental religious belief. They have exempted thousands of companies but will not except Christian organizations including the Catholic church.
Since you will not see this in the liberal media, please pass this on to all your contacts.

Sincerely,
David Green
CEO and Founder of Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

Thoughts and Prayers

First, I want to say that thoughts and prayers go to all involved and affected by the Navy Yard shooting today in Washington, D.C.. What a horrible tragedy and we hope all of those injured and grieving families are brought relief and peace.

My article today originally was going to be on people’s thoughts on Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco missing his child’s birth yesterday for his team’s football game.

I for one was shocked. I come from a hockey background where men routinely miss games for the arrival of their children. I understand that football is 100x more popular, therefore much more of a business, but, come on.

My opinion is that no man within realistic time and warning should ever miss the birth of a child. What message does that send to the child? You weren’t as important as a football game was? In essence, yes, that is exactly what that says to the child, his other children, extended family, and now all who know about it.

This sets a terrible precedent and I believe this shows one of the many reasons we have lost our way in this society. It proves that we have many lessons we haven’t learned from history and civilizations before us that thought they knew better.

I just want the reader to sit and think about one thing: what is the ultimate purpose of life? Just take a minute to think about that.

Me, personally, I believe that the purpose of life is to get to Heaven. You work towards Heaven and help those whom you come in to contact with do the same – namely your wife/husband, then your surrounding family.

I think some might say that the purpose of life is to pro-create and develop the next generation. Another great answer which I believe to be true as well.

I don’t know anywhere in there that says, “watch, play, or think about football”. (Or add in your favorite sport, profession, or activity)

During the homily at mass yesterday, the priest talked about God being more important than food and water. That is a large concept to grasp but extremely important.

Whether you believe in God or not is not the point. The point is realizing there is something bigger out there than all of us. We aren’t here for ourselves. We are here to serve one another and grow bright and promising youth. Whether it is our spouse first, second our kids, then third our extended family and friends.

Why have our priorities gone by the waste-side? What has made us think that a profession or money is somehow more important than our own family?

Family is easy to take for granted, you always feel like they are going to be there for you. And, a lot of times they are no matter what. But, in the end, they are the only thing that you have. Friends come and go, but no one will ever love you like family does or have that special bond with you.

Not to mention this sets a bad precedent for men and women. Men continue to look bad and women are made to deal with life-altering events by themselves. If we were designed to work like this we would be asexual. That’s just science.

Oops, did I just mix religion and science? Yes, yes I did.

What Conservatives Can Learn From Liberals

Whether you agree or disagree with them you have to acknowledge there is one glaring problem that plagues too many in the GOP: NO BACKBONE.

We see progressive liberals and even progressive Republicans who say very pointed things and can be heavily ridiculed about them at times, rightly so. But, there is one difference; when progressives are questioned and ridiculed about their beliefs, they stick to said “beliefs”.

Conservative lawmakers, candidates, judges, etc., etc., etc., continue to say what they believe and get vilified and lambasted for it in the mainstream media. Todd Akin or Richard Mourdock ring a bell? These GOP members constantly articulate their beliefs (albeit poorly) only to back down a short time later when questioned about their comments. They are told that this is going to destroy them and alienate them from the Independents, so they cave.

Democrats NEVER have to “worry” about alienating anyone. More people consider themselves “conservative” than compared to ANY group in the country, and conservatives are the ones that have to worry about alienation? I think quite the opposite. I believe that if the Republicans in D.C. would grow a spine and stay principled and true to their beliefs that you would attract more people back to the party. Republicans have alienated many people NOT because of the views but because they have NO spine and many cannot trust in which way they are going to be “bending” that day. There is no platform to stand on anymore; are we against raising taxes or are we for them? Are we for the 2nd Amendment or are we against it?

The Democrats NEVER apologize for their beliefs. Republicans are always made to retreat and compromise their principles, values, and morals. Compromise is just a code word that everyone – especially conservatives – needs to move to the left. I think that the GOP would be smart in taking Ronald Reagan’s approach of listening and compromising as long as it does not go against our morals. But, in order to do that we must first define what those morals are.

This is a link to MSNBC’s Melissa Harris-Perry backing her statements that your children are not solely yours, they belong to the collective. A great example of a progressive being ridiculed and not backing down, but, instead doubling down. Staying true to your convictions – no matter what they are – is something to be amdired. I can handle anyone who believes in what they say, admits it, and embraces it. Then we can begin to have a substantial and meaningful debate. Melissa Harris-Perry

Marriage…

The gay marriage debate has been a heated one over the last couple decades, to say the least. Most supporters call those opposed: bigoted or homophobic. The truth in the matter is conservative, God-fearing people believe that marriage should be reserved for one man and one woman. They dont have any problem with gays and lesbians. Conservatives beleive in liberty and in this country you can do as you please as long as it doesnt endager other people.

In saying that, marriage provides benefits for a man and woman that can bear children and pro-long the exisence of humans. Two people of the same gender cannot provide that, therefore, should not be provided with those benefits.

There is also an unseen threat to this marriage debate, this is what has conservatives very worried: where does the lunacy end?

People with multiple wives will want their right to marry, marrying animals, objects, etc.. There was just a man on this week’s show of the ‘The O’Reilly Factor’ with three wives who wanted the ability to do so legally, or have it “de-criminaliazed”.

This debate, like many others, leaves us wondering when the end will come. This country was founded under God, and last time I checked; he loved everyone no matter what, but made it clear that marriage was between man and woman. This is the conservative belief and I see nothing bigoted or homophobic about that.

News You Need To Know (9/19/11)

Here are a few news snippets from the last day or so that you need to know:

“Urination” Speech – From a Progressive rally; encouraging supporters to not pour beer on Republicans, but urine instead. And I thought that Tea Partiers were the violent, racist, hateful folk. Again, another hypocritical example from the left.

Ten Wealthiest States – A look at some of the wealthiest and poorest states in the Union.

California Bible Ban – California state government comes down on couple holding bible studys. When you hear politicians talk about “separation of church and state”, this is exactly what the Founding Fathers meant. Government is not supposed to be banning things like “Merry Christmas” or nativity scenes. Government cannot come in to your life and tell you what you can and cannot practice. On a side note, this story also brings to light the millions of stupid rules and regulations the governments create.

Buffet Rule? – Warren Buffet is the face of Obama’s new tax hikes plan from his new jobs bill. Buffet has talked about how he pays more taxes than his secretary which is an outright lie. Buffet is a smart man and he is comparing the capital gains tax rate – which he pays – which is around 15% to his secretaries income tax rate ,which is around 33% we’ll say. The numbers aren’t important in this story. The principle of it is; Buffet is comparing apples to oranges and deceiving the public. These are two different taxes that these men are talking about and they both know it, but will not tell you that. Their agendas are more important than the economic success of this country. One can only speculate as to what Warren Buffet and Barack Obama’s agendas are. He and Obama alike, know full well that what they are claiming is dishonest and the American people deserve the truth. The Democrats will play this class-warfare tactic until the sun explodes. The only two political tactics they have: class-warfare and manafacturing facts (ie. Fast and Furious Scandal).

Palestinian Statehood – Palestinian leader vows to keep up the fight; putting America in a bind.

Cobra Crash – Another crash sadly happened earlier today. Pray for the loved ones who have died over the last four days including this latest incident.