March Madness & Mad About You

The oddest thing happened when I tried watching the game today. The TV channel, that local CBS station that the NC State v. Georgetown game was to be shown on, was blacked out. Some days my TV is fickle. Go figure. And on today of all days. On this day when we North Carolinians are hoping to see if State would make it to the Sweet 16, those final 16 teams on the way to the final NCAA tournament game in New Orleans. And, just for the record, March Madness is a single elimination NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) basketball tournament and this 3rd round’s winners advance to be a part of the final 16 teams, then the Elite 8, the Final Four and on to the championship.

As I channel-surfed, trying to find another channel that it might possibly be on, I found Joel Osteen. Now, Joel is THE man for positivity. And I seldom turn down an opportunity to feed my soul with uplifting positive thoughts. While he wasn’t speaking about sports teams, he did encourage us to speak to people what we believe they can become. Maybe you see the potential for greatness in someone but they just don’t see it yet. You can make a difference by speaking greatness into their life. Joel used the example of Oprah and how, when she was young, someone had told her she was pretty. Until then, she had not believed it; she didn’t have confidence. But, because one woman simply complimented a little girl, it started her on the path of believing in herself.

So, as I kept up with the scores and play-by-plays online, I was reminded again of how simple, how easy it is to make a difference in the lives of those I come in contact with each day.

And while “March Madness” almost always refers to a really exciting basketball tournament, this month I challenge you to create your own “March Madness.” Remember that the God of the universe is mad about you. He loves you and he loves the people you come in contact with each and every day.

Today, you have the power to speak greatness and belief into the lives of others. Likewise, you have the power to speak negativity into their lives. Choose wisely. And make a positive, lasting difference. Change a life today.

Oh, and by the way, one of the first teams to make it to the Sweet 16 is NC State! Go Pack!

Mad about you,
Jean

Limiting Yourself?

"I'll never lose weight."
"I'm sure I won't win."
"I can't."
"I'm too ___ to succeed."

Have you ever been guilty of limiting yourself? Of thinking negative thoughts, speaking negative words that hold you back from your full potential? If so, it's time to put them aside and get on with it!

Realize how much better life can be when, instead of tearing yourself down, you build yourself up. There is enough negativity in the world coming at you every day. Don't wait for others to build you up; do it yourself. Realize YOU are a child of God, made in His image, and in order to go about His business effectively, you need a good self image, confidence and belief in God and His creation: You!

Limiting beliefs can hold you back from your dreams, can lessen your influence with others and can lead to a mediocre life that had the potential of greatness.

Today's challenge: Whenever you begin to belittle yourself, take a moment to replace those thoughts/words with something positive. After awhile, you'll find that your negative thinking is gradually being replaced. You'll feel better about yourself. You'll be a better friend, a better spouse, a better parent, a better business person.

But, don't take MY word for it. In the words of Nike: Just Do It!

Positively yours,
Jean