January 2010 - Goal

Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

A girlfriend occasionally forwards me daily scripture from Joel & Victoria Osteen: the above scripture was explained like this:

Many people today don't realize that the reason they're not happy, the reason they're not enjoying life is simply because they've trained their minds in the wrong direction. They've trained their mind to worry. They've trained their mind to complain. They've trained their mind to see the negative. But just as we can form these negative mindsets, we can retrain our minds and form positive mindsets.

One of the main keys to developing a positive attitude is to learn how to stay grateful. When you stay grateful, you are focusing on what's right rather than what's wrong. This doesn't happen automatically, you have to discipline yourself to focus on the positive. You have to make a conscious effort every single day until a good habit is formed.

Remember, when you live with an attitude of praise and thanksgiving, you are shielding yourself from the attacks of the enemy. The seeds of discouragement cannot take root in a grateful heart. Neither can bitterness, envy or strife. When you have a grateful heart, you are strong. You are empowered, and you can confidently enjoy the good life He has prearranged for you!

This among other things I will work on in January. In the meantime, I'm enjoying listening to the boys build cars and helicopters and such with their new erector set. They spend 30+ minutes building something, 1 minute playing with it, and 2 minutes taking it apart to build something else.