by | Life Application
I’m a sucker for a good animated movie. Even more so when the movie has a message that has a deeper meaning.
photo credit: flickeringmyth
Enter Turbo.
The movie is about Theo, an underdog snail with big dreams and a deep passion to become the fastest racer in the world. He’s also an outcast to those around him. Though others don’t believe in his abilities to race, Theo never gives up on pursuing his dreams. He lives by this motto:
No dream is too big, and no dreamer is too small.
He’s a snail for the love of Pete. All odds are stacked against him, but after an accident gives him super-speed, he’s not looking so crazy anymore. He winds up at the Indy 500, wins the race, and changes history.
Why? Because he didn’t let fear hold him back. We can’t either.
We have to let our passions outweigh our fears. (Tweet that)
Leave the tomato factory for something more.
Theo worked alongside his older brother and the rest of the snails, waiting for the tomatoes to fall from the vine each day so they could have dinner. While everyone around him settled, too afraid of the unknown to step (or scoot) out into the grass, Theo couldn’t do the routine day in and day out stuff anymore. He knew he was called to something greater.
Getting to that something great requires us to go beyond on what we know.
If you know you’re supposed to do it, then do it.
Theo could have listened to the words of his negative brother and taken his place as just another snail going through the motions, but he choose not to. He didn’t let others’ negativity hold him back. He pursued his dreams, even though his only family member told him he was crazy.
We won’t always do what looks normal to others, and if they’re afraid of change, they won’t support us. Do it anyway, unless of course you’re trying out for American Idol and you just really can’t sing. If that’s the case, listen to them, for your sake and for the millions of viewers watching at home. It’s important to be the best version of you.
Find others dreaming the same dream.
Theo wound up at a run down taco joint where he met a few other outcast snails. On his way to the Indy 500, it was these “out of the box” thinkers supporting him. They knew his dream was crazy, but so was theirs. If he failed he failed, but at least he tried, and he had a cheering section behind him regardless.
If you fail you fail, but at least you tried.
It’s not over until you quit.
At the end of the race, Theo’s shell is broken and he loses his speed. For a split second he ducks for cover in his shell and gives up. But those supporters, and even his previously negative brother, come to his rescue to say, “You were made for more.” He’s only feet away from the finish line and he has a choice. Go for it or quit.
He perseveres and without his super speed, moves inches at a time until he reaches the finish line. Other racers tried to destroy him, but he kept moving forward and didn’t look back. He won what was considered impossible.
When is the last time you strived for the “impossible”?
by | Life Application
Last year my one word for 2103 was intentional.
I don’t think I did half bad at living that word out. I was intentional about being more present in conversations, which meant keeping the iPhone in my pocket over lunch.
I strived to make existing friendships tighter than ever, and pursue opportunities with new friends, which is out of my comfort zone.
I was intentional about involving myself in community events, which again, is out of my comfort zone.
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by | Life Application
I want to make my blog better and more relevant to your needs and interests. To do that, I need and desire to know more about YOU. As a result, I have created my 2013 Reader Survey.
It’s been suggested I start a video series on the blog and it’s an idea I’m considering, but one I don’t want to consider without you, my readers.
Would you please take a few minutes to fill out the survey? By doing so, you will ultimately be helping yourself. Why? Because you will be helping me make my content even more interesting and relevant to you.
Your input is important to me. The survey is easy to fill out. The survey results are completely anonymous. I can’t tell who said what. And it will only take three minutes of your time.
Thanks in advance for your help.
by | Life Application
When things don’t seem to make sense to me, I do what I know best: I write.
And here’s the thing. A lot of things haven’t made sense lately.
So…. I write.
I write and ask God why.
I write and tell God I trust Him.
I write God again and ask why.
I write about the fact that I hate injustice.
I write to vent.
I write because sometimes it seems the paper, or the keyboard, are the only ones to understand me.
I write because it’s part of who I am.
Jeff Goins asked me this question the other day, so now I’m asking you.
Why do you write? Leave a comment below.. I would love to hear.
by | Life Application
I love to make people laugh. In many cases, I’m the life of the party. Many people are surprised to know that I am actually shy.
Here’s what I’m learning about myself: I’m more of an introvert than I thought.
At least three times per month, I attend networking events with my local chamber. I’ve been doing it for several months and it’s still hard for me. Actually, it’s so awkward I fret about it constantly before attending. I even have pep talks with myself on the drive there.
As I get out of the car and walk towards the front door, I pray silently under my breath, “God speak through me. You know I don’t want to do this, but with your strength I can.”
I want to stand in a corner, hold my cell phone up and pretend I’m talking to someone so I look important and involved in “networking”. I want to find someone I know, cling on to them and walk behind them like a lost puppy dog, but I can’t.
Why? Because these events aren’t about me.
They’re about something greater than myself. Something I have to stand up for and tell the world about. I have to step out of my comfort zone and remind myself that today could be the day I make a connection that could change the lives of women forever because I told at least one more person about Esther’s House.
So, there I sit at a table surrounded by people I don’t know, and if we’re being honest, people my flesh doesn’t really want to know, because it’s too uncomfortable for me.
Then I ask myself this question. What would Jennifer and Louanne do?
Jennifer and Louanne are two of my greatest friends. They’re in my “circle”. They know me from the inside out. They also don’t know a stranger. Networking is in their blood. They would meet everyone in the room if possible, and enjoy it. Oh how we’re so different.
But it works for me. So, I put a smile on my face and I “fake it til I make it”. I shake hands. I create conversation. I laugh at people’s jokes when they’re not funny at all. Sometimes I picture myself pulling out the executive’s nose hairs sitting next to me, because I can’t look at him one minute longer. (Hey.. Just being honest.)
Then I actually start to enjoy myself.
My smile becomes genuine. My interest in conversation is more in-depth. By the end of it, I’ve made some great connections.
Networking isn’t natural for me, but that doesn’t mean it’s not necessary. It grows me. It’s uncomfortable. It’s hard for me.
God didn’t create us to just follow the easy things. He doesn’t call us to things bigger than we are and say they are going to be easy. He gets us through those things, but He never said it would be easy.
So, next time you’re in an uncomfortable position, ask yourself, What would Jennifer and Louanne do?
What takes you out of your comfort zone? I’d love to hear. Share in the comments below…
by | Life Application
Yep.. I said it. And I’m thankful right now that I’m sitting behind a computer screen and you can’t shoot me.
Actually, these were the words of Dr. Joshua Straub two weeks ago, speaking at my church. He stood in front of 1500 people on a Sunday morning, without the ability to hide behind a computer screen and agreed that Obamacare was actually a good idea. After the grumbles and moans settled down, he got to his explanation.
I do believe Obamacare is good for us.
In 2010, when Obamacare was being pushed through the Senate, many Americans, including myself, didn’t pay attention to what was really going on. We simply continued to watch our reality television and distract ourselves with other things.
Then.. it was too late. It’s 2013 and Obamacare is here!
Now people are waking up because their wallets are being affected, but guess what? It’s too late. We’re being hit personally, but guess what? It’s too late. It has surrounded us and doesn’t intend to leave anytime soon.
The reason I think Obamacare is a good idea, is not because of the services being offered. It’s a good thing because it’s causing America to open our eyes again and see the things being forced upon us. If a big piece of legislation such as this swoops in on us, what else is coming in the future?
Here’s where I’m going with this.
What happens next? What’s the next law to take effect that will change our lives and the history of our country forever?
We often talk about it, but I have a sad feeling, without us returning to our knees in prayer as a country, we’re in trouble. Are the days where we hide our Bibles in a nook of the house upon us? Christians are already becoming the minority. We’re slapped with a lawsuit for putting a nativity scene outside of a building. But what are we doing to fight back?
This post isn’t about whether or not socialized healthcare is a good idea. It’s about waking up to what’s happening around us.
It’s a wake up call to get back on our knees, humbly, and repent for what we have turned this country into. The majority of our government leaders aren’t. Our president certainly isn’t. But we can.
Let’s open our eyes together before another “Obamacare” sneaks up on us with life-changing results we can’t do anything about. Join me in prayer for our government.
