From Chad

MOOMBA, or “my only obstacle may be attitude,” is a contagious bad attitude that can be combated through intentional attitude training, including reading, listening, and memorizing inspirational content. Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.

Maya Angelou’s poem “A Brave and Startling Truth” envisions a world of peace and harmony, free from violence, hatred, and destruction. The poem challenges humanity to confront its contradictions and embrace its potential to create a better world. The poem concludes with the question: “When we come to it, we must confess that we are the possible, we are the miraculous, the true wonder of this world. That is when, and only when, we come to it.”

The Christmas Truce of 1914, a brief moment of peace amidst World War I, serves as a reminder of humanity’s capacity for compassion. Today, let us honor the sacrifices of service members and strive for a world where peace prevails, starting with forgiveness and understanding in our own hearts.

Once upon a time at a dinner party, Charles Laughton, a renowned British actor, recited the 23rd Psalm at a Christmas dinner party, receiving applause. An elderly aunt, however, moved the guests with her simple yet profound recitation of the same passage, emphasizing her deep connection to the Shepherd.

A Christmas reunion.

Giving is the highest level of living.

A quote from Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist” suggests the universe conspires for those who want something. The Bible’s version, from 2 Chronicles 16:9, implies God supports those whose hearts are completely His.

It’s a great name for a band but horrible way to live. This is message 553 and day 20 in the New Year Resolution Challenge and this message is dedicated to one of the good ones Bern Bertsche. It is a wise aphorism that bad company corrupts good morals. Bad company is a a great name for a rock and roll band but an awful life choice. Jim Rohn use to say a person is the average of the five people they spend the most time with. Who do you spend the most time with? You know you don’t have to actually be physically in person to spend time with people. I’m not talking about Zoom calls. You don’t have to have ever met a person or even know them to spend time with them. You can spend time with anyone in your mind. Seneca said, ‘Cherish some man of high character, and keep him always in mind, living as if he were watching you, and ordering all your actions as if he saw them.’ I have people I am with everyday. They are nearly always with me. But I haven’t seen them in person for months or years. I’ve mentioned my Hero Wall before. I have pictures pinned in my closet of people I cherish. They speak to me. One of them always tells me to be more gentle. Another encourages me to remain consistent. I can’t actually hear them of course. It’s their character that is a daily influence. I saw an article on a research study that showed who people worked near impacted performance. Sitting close to a high performer improved performance by 15%. Sitting close to a low performer decreased performance by 30%. Remember that Sunday School story about the person standing on a folding chair? Someone else had to stand on the ground and try to lift them up. It was impossible. But if the person on the ground tried to pull the person off the chair, it was a piece of cake. So, do whatever you must to be close to good people. Proximity is power, and that power works both ways. Surround yourself with positivity, and watch as it transforms your life!

The message encourages seizing potential and privilege, emphasizing the advantages of modern life and the importance of gratitude. It highlights the opportunities available and the need to make the most of them.

Chuck Norris, a legend at 84, embodies the principle that winners lose more than losers. A story from his book illustrates this, where he avoids a fight with a man who later recognizes him, choosing to win by losing and avoiding conflict. This principle applies beyond sports and sales, extending to relationships as well.