So you’re getting locked down? Good. Ok, maybe it’s not good, but you better start looking at it that way in order to take advantage of the situation. “Take advantage of what situation?” You may be asking yourself. Every situation or circumstance has an advantageous perspective if you choose to have that. If you choose to wallow, or as my ‘Ol Man would tend to say, “piss and moan” about it, then you will gain nothing from the experience. Look, I’m a definitely NOT pro-shut down; however, I have learned to thrive under adverse circumstances because I’ve had many learning opportunities. So have you.

I know this may be expected from me as #1, but let’s get real. That pit in your stomach (or is that just your belt putting an abnormal amount of pressure on your belly button because perhaps there’s too much belly there?) is most likely an emotion called conviction. I’m sure that last sentence will be offensive to some, but was it offensive, or was it conviction? To know the difference is key to successfully responding to growth opportunities in your life, because they are oftentimes masked as situations where you feel offended or convicted. 

I’m going to spare you all the numbers, because you know they exist already. Our nation has their health upside down, not because of a virus, but because of a much more chronic condition called “carrying around too much fat.” Look into the statistics on body composition and risk factors for COVID-19, but don’t give that stupid virus that much credit, look into the predisposition you’ve put yourself in for diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Those are the killers. 

 If you have children, do I even need to go there?

P+T+A=R.

Programming + thoughts + actions = results. That’s the equation I want you to focus on. Programming is an interesting thing. In order to understand what I mean by that term, think of yourself as a computer that needs to be programmed. Let’s just say you were a computer programmer, which I know nothing about, but let’s take a shot at this together shall we? 

I imagine a computer programmer, that wants a healthy, functioning computer, needs to install a hard drive that makes the correct decisions when a user is utilizing the computer. Right? I also imagine that the computer programmer wouldn’t knowingly install a bunch of viruses to destroy the functions of the computer, right? 

In case your missing my metaphor above, you are the computer programmer for your thinking. If you aren’t liking the results you’re getting, you must begin programming yourself better. Identify the viruses that you’ve allowed to get installed into your mind, body, and soul and extract them with better programming. Shut off the TV, unless it’s the The Chosen series, pick up a good personal development book, (Start with the Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews if you’re not a reader), and get reading. Surround yourself with people that will support your growth. This may be the hardest part, because you’ll need to begin “socially distancing” yourself from people who may be a poor influence on you.

Better programming leads to better thinking. Better thinking leads to better actions. Better actions leads to better results. 

We all need a release, or a hobby, that makes time feel different and allows us to just…..be. It takes us away from the stress of life and makes us feel alive and refreshed. 

Let’s make sure that we make the distinction between hobby and addiction. Some people may read that and say, “I love to go the bar and drink!” That allows me to escape the stress of life. While that may be true, it doesn’t pass the test of making us feel alive or refreshed. It only makes us feel drunk and hungover. I know I reference TV watching a lot, but even though it’s mindless and allows an escape, it rarely leaves us in a better place. 

Recreation should include moving our body in some fashion, and in many cases gets us outside. My favorite recreation is hunting and fishing. I could do it every stinking day and it just makes time feel different for me. It gets me outside, gets me moving, brings me closer to God, and allows me to just….be. 

Discover, or perhaps re-discover your recreation that brings you joy.

Don’t have a business? Perhaps you should start one? It could start in your garage distributing pieces of iron and showing others how to use that iron to get fit. That’s me in case you didn’t know what I do. Or, it could be in your living room with a tripod cell phone holder, some good lighting, and a product you love that you use/sell that you passionately share with others. That’s what my wife does.

Even if it’s a little side hustle that brings you joy and doesn’t make you much money, having a business empowers you to think differently, strategically, and gets you outside your comfort zone. Having a business mindset is very different than having an employee mindset. Most people go through life with an employee mindset and do not enjoy that very much, but it allows them to outsource many responsibilities upon someone else. Perhaps this is a source of problem in our society at large? 

Thinking like a business person brings a whole new perspective to life, state and federal policies, and it brings about adventure in many ways that being an employee does not.

If you know me, you’d know that I truly believe this should be #1. However, if I put faith at number 1, chances are you wouldn’t have read past the word faith. I hope I’m wrong, but with the world as jacked up as it is, it’s apparent that faith has been put on the back burner for most Americans. 

It becomes increasingly apparent when the topic of death comes up and the whole world acts surprised as if this is the first time in history humans experience death??? I’m not trying to be insensitive here I promise, but if the thought of dying or losing a loved one gives you severe anxiety and an incredible amount of fear, then perhaps some more thought should be given to what comes after death. 

You and I aren’t here on accident as the only verifiable life in the universe on a planet the revolves around a sun that is perfectly placed to produce the perfect environment to sustain life. 

In your quest to know yourself and discover who you are, I ever-so-dearly encourage you to go on a faith discovery with God. I guarantee you, this journey far outweighs all the other growth opportunities above, and if you get this one right, the rest just may fall into place.