Saturday, January 14, 2012

I Wish I could!

 
“I wish I could---“is the beginning of many statements that one will hear from individuals in all walks of life.  It may a desire to accomplish something special in the future or contain many regrets of the past.  It is unfortunate that so many people are stuck between two worlds—holding on to the past on one side and not having either the courage or wherewithal to move forward.  Therefore, they seem to be stuck in the issues of the past and just wishing for something different. 
There is hope!  We do not have to be held hostage by the past.  Arthur Brisbane stated, Regret for time wasted can become a power for good in the time that remains, if we will only stop the waste and the idle, useless regretting.”[1]  Today is a new day and it can be full of new hope, new aspirations, new attitudes, new dreams, and new plans for obtaining the things for which we often just wish.  There will never be a more appropriate time to start on the positive side of “I wish I could---.”
Already, some may be saying, “If only I could.”  Fulton Oursler stated, “’if only!’  Those must be the two saddest words in the world.”  Those two words fall into the same category of “but” or “I wish.”[2]  To move forward into new heights of satisfaction in ones life requires a dissatisfaction of either where we are or where we have been.  This realization will allow us to see the opportunities the future offers just for the taking.  We cannot expect the opportunity to come knocking at our door; we must gain confidence in our own ability to open the door of opportunity.  Norman Vincent Peale stated, Believe in yourself!  Have faith in your abilities!  Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”[3]
  Many use the past as a standard and therefore, limit the possibilities of both the present and the future.  Neither satisfaction nor regrets of the past are healthy for future successes.  We must forget past failures and successes and move forward with confidence that we can make it.  Just as looking back is an endangerment to the mountain climber who desires to reach the pinnacle, it endangers us as well.  The climber’s hope of reaching the summit is by forgetting the things behind and continuing a step at a time, never taking his eyes off the goal.
With the rest of our life in front of us, we need to change the statement from, “I wish I could…” to “I am going to…”  The statement is an open-ended statement for each of us to fill in.  There are tremendous opportunities ahead just for our benefit.  Let us press on to victory in 2012.

Phil 3:13-14 "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  NASB




[1] Arthur Brisbane
[2] Fulton Oursler
[3] Norman Vincent Peale

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Thank You

This last year has been very rewarding to me in many ways since I started writing the inspirational blog.  I really did not imagine how well it would be received but after reviewing the number of individual page viewings, I was amazed to see the number over three-thousand.  Therefore, for all the support and encouragement, I just want to say thanks.
I will continue writing this year and hope the blogs will be words of encouragement to you.  If there are subjects that you would like to have me consider, send me a personal message and I will honor the confidentiality and try to answer them.
I trust that this year, you will find peace and comfort in all you do and that God would direct your steps in a positive direction.

Thanks again and may God bless you!

Cecil

HAPPY NEW YEAR