TTG #5: Today I Will Choose To Be Happy

This section was a bit tough to get through. for a few reasons.

David has left Christopher Columbus and is now in the company of Anne Frank.

Knowing that David is speaking to a child (& we all know how that story ends) is a bit tough for me. It wasn't easy for me to read knowing her fate. It was also a bit tough for me because I can't say that I'm all too happy. right now. The devil is busy and just saying "I choose to be happy" isn't enough. it'll get better... I'm sure of that!

Anyway..
Back to David and Anne.

The scene began in truly dramatic fashion. I won't spoil it for you, but the intense nature of Anne and her family's situation was not lost on me. Once the drama dies down, Anne takes David upstairs where they begin their chat.
Anne told David all about their current living conditions, how long they've been there, who the other family is with them, how they get food, etc etc. Upon hearing all the details, David could not understand how Anne could have such a sunny disposition. Through it all, she remained happy and optimistic.

Even after David pointedly told Anne how deplorable her living conditions were, she simply told him that she chooses to be grateful and chooses not to complain. Amazing.

One thing that Anne said that is a pretty deep nugget is that we "must remember that life itself is a privilege, but to live life to its fullest - well, that is a choice!" Deep, right!

Nuggets:
"Today I will choose to be happy. I will greet each day with laughter."
"Today I will choose to be happy. I will smile at every person I meet."
"Today I will choose to be happy. I am the professor of a grateful spirit."

personal fave..
"I am grateful for sight and sound and breath. If ever in my life there is a pouring out of blessings beyond that, then I will be grateful for the miracle of abundance."

still digesting...

TTG #3: I Am a Person of Action

Let the time travel begin! David is now chatting with Joshua Chamberlain who is a Colonel in the Union Army during the Civil War.

This section lost me a bit. I mean, I know time travel isn't possible and I should just look beyond that. I also know that no one in these scenes can see David except for the one giving him the 'useful' information. BUT, I draw the line when I'm expected to believe that these two engaged in MEANINGFUL dialogue in the midst of a war! in.the.midst.of.a.war.

Ok, let's move on.

They are surrounded by death, they are running out of ammunition and the enemy is coming! Perfect time to discuss the nothingness that is David's life. (please note blatant sarcasm)

Anyway..

Even with the INcredible scenario we've been presented.... we definitely do come away with some food for thought. Still digesting.

Col. Chamberlain has been put in charge of the front line soldiers and, of course, must make some tough decisions in practically no time at all. When faced with a decision, make one! The Confederates were within eyesight, the soldier count was dismal and they were running out of ammunition! Can Col. Chamberlain save the day??? Why, of course! Thanks to TAKING ACTION! He thought on his feet and directed the soldiers to CHARGE! CHARGE! And with that, the Confederates retreated and surrendered. Wow. Just wow.

Nuggets:
"My future is immediate. I will grasp it in both hands and carry it with running feet."
"When I am faced with the choice of doing nothing or doing something, I will always choose to act."
"Leading is doing."
"My activity will create a wave of success for the people who follow."
"As a leader, I have the ability to encourage and inspire others to greatness."
"I am daring. I am courageous."
"Failure exists only for the person who quits. I do not quit." - this one was major b/c I am such a quitter!!

personal fave...
"When faced with a decision, many people say they are waiting for God. But I understand, in most cases, God is waiting for me! He has given me a healthy mind to gather and sort information and the courage to come to a conclusion. I am not a quivering dog, indecisive and fearful. My constitution is strong and my pathway clear."

dope, right!
Fear can be very paralyzing, but we have to try our best to press on! God is ALWAYS with us, so we shouldn't be afraid.
Still digesting.

TTG #2: I Will Seek Wisdom

We're only on the second point and already I'm having overwhelming feelings of inadequacy!! LOL I kid, but I'm not joking..

So now our protagonist, David Ponder, has left Truman and has landed at the feet of King Solomon. They discussed keeping wise counsel and how it is beneficial to surround yourself with likeminded (progressive, even) people. He stressed the importance of 'guarding your associations' closely and to not tolerate mediocrity. The king instructed him ad nauseum to SEEK WISDOM.

Then, the king stated something that really struck a cord with me. To me, he was talking about working through adversity and finding the lesson in the struggle. Not an easy task, but a task we ALL must face (at some point). He said, "It is never the duty of a leader to struggle for someone else; a leader must encourage others to struggle and assure them that the struggles are worthwhile. Do battle with the challenges of your present, and you will unlock the prizes of your future."

Absorption is taking place.

Nuggets:
"My past can never be changed, but I can change the future by changing my actions today."
"I will seek wisdom. I will listen to the counsel of wise men."
"I will become a humble servant. I will not look for someone to open my door - I will look to open the door for someone."

Personal fave...
"I will choose my friends with care."

The personal fave is short and to the point. How many of you can say you've never been burned by your 'friends' only to realize they were never friends from the start!! We are the company we keep. If I'm slumming it with lowly individuals - what does that make me??
Let's seek upward and onward - everyday is a new opportunity for growth!

TTG #1: The Buck Stops Here

So, this section was a bit hard to swallow. The story leading up to the lesson depicted the main character (David) having a little tête-à-tête with President Truman right before the dropping of the A-bomb over Japan.

Basically, this section was teaching us to accept the choices we've made and come to terms with the outcome because nothing (at this point) can change. We can't move forward until we come to terms with the past. Stop letting the past dictate your future!!

This is especially hard for me for 2 HUGE reasons. First, I am uncommonly indecisive. Decisions are very hard for me to make. Why, you ask.... because of reason #2. I dwell on the past (any decision I make) like nobody's business!! It's not even funny. The good and the bad... both take center stage in my brain. I re-live so many moments in my past that I barely look at today - which leaves no room for looking towards tomorrow.

Looks like I've given myself some points to ponder.

Here are some quotes directly from the book. Please apply them to your own life as you see fit.

Nuggets:
"The buck stops here. I accept responsibility for my past. I am responsible for my success."
"My thoughts will be constructive, never destructive."
"The buck stops here. I control my thoughts. I control my emtions."
"Adversity is preparation for greatness. I will accept this preparation."

and a personal fave...
"I understand that God did not put in me the ability to always make right decisions. He did, however, put in me the ability to make a decision and then make it right."

This first section really made me re-examine myself. I guess that's a good thing. Hopefully, the next section will have some instructions as to how to move past the past. "Just do it" really doesn't work for me.

We'll see..

The Travelers Gift: An Introduction

My dad recently introduced me to a book. He really thinks I'll get a lot out of it as there is some deeper meaning I'm supposed to seek & find. Anyone who's anyone knows that I do NOT read... for pleasure anyway. I know, how awful of me. I'm sure I'm now seen as some sub-human creature for my world-without-words way of living.

Don't get me wrong... I read all the time. I read blogs just about daily. I read various pieces of literature for work. I read tons of articles and reports which will hopefully lead to one of my next business ventures. I read many an animated tale for those under the age of 3. I read my bible for some spiritual stimulation (probably not as often as I should). So, I gets my read on.

However..

I can't say you'll ever really see me reading a book just for the heck of it. Sorry, not my idea of fun.

So, this book Daddy has me reading. It's called The Traveler's Gift (TTG). It's a pretty easy read so far. But because of my (self-diagnosed) scatter-brain, I have to jot down some notes to make sure I'm really paying attention to what I'm reading.

Indulge me.

Allow my next few posts to serve as an online recap of what I've recently read.

Uhhh, starting tomorrow.
I'm bored to tears already.