Feeling like life is a little too serious?

Get a little randomness going.  It’s more fun.

Below, I give you some random quotes, just to change things up around here.

Feeling lonely?

“If you think nobody cares that you’re alive, try missing a couple of car payments.”  —Earl Wilson

Feeling hungry?

“I am not a vegetarian because I love animals; I am a vegetarian because I hate plants.”  —A. Whitney Brown

Feeling bored?

“I want to get a vending machine, with fun sized candy bars, and the glass in front is a magnifying glass. You’ll be mad, but it will be too late.”  —Mitch Hedberg

(See?  I told you they were random.)

If there’s one thing that your life should never be, it’s predictable.  Variety is the spice of life. 

Cliché, I know, but true.

So change it up a little.

And remember, in the end…

“Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.”  —Unknown

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.  Be the living expression of God’s kindness:  kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”  —Mother Teresa

Some people can change the world around them because of the power they have.

Some people can change the world around them because of the influence they have.

Some people can change the world around them because of their talent and skills.

But everyone has the ability to change the world around them if they live and breathe kindness.

It doesn’t matter if the recipient of your kindness deserves it or not.  Kill them with kindness, I say.

And when you show kindness to someone else, you not only change their world…

But you change your own as well.

Not only will they feel better and happier, but you will, too.

Kindness is a reflection of God.

God has been kind to you.

Find ways to show that same kindness to someone else today.

You’re getting excited.

You can see the finish line.

You’re almost to the end of this race.

That’s great.

“But everybody knows…’almost’ doesn’t count.”  —Brandy

The time just before the finish line is not the time to rest easy.

It isn’t the time to celebrate.

You’re not done yet.

If you let up now…

There’s still time to make a mistake.

There’s still time for someone to pass you up in the race.

There’s still time for you to get run over.

“Even though you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.”  —Will Rogers

Please don’t settle for “almost.”

“Almost” will get you nothing.

Crossing the finish line well is what matters.

So don’t quit.

Don’t get apathetic or complacent.

Who knows?  Someone might still need you to be all you can be in this last leg of your race.

This is still your time to shine.

This is still your time to make a difference.

This is still your time.

Finish well.

I’m praying for you.

That ain’t just a platitude or an empty promise.

When I say I’m praying for you, I’m saying that you are significant enough to set aside some time for.

I’m saying that I’m thankful for who you are and what you mean to me.

I’m saying I’m willing to stand with you and go to war for you.

I’m saying I’m confident that you can come out victorious.

I’m saying that there’s a God who loves you enough to care about what you’re going through.

I’m saying that God is powerful enough to do something on your behalf.

I’m saying I believe that God is faithful and good.

He’s promised us love.  Joy.  Peace.  Grace.  Mercy.  Freedom.  Strength.  His presence.  A future.  A hope.  Life.

I’m praying that you’ll see these promises played out in your life.

I’m praying that you won’t let the enemy win when you’re supposed to come out on top.

I’m praying that you’ll have the wisdom and courage to make good decisions.

And above all, I’m praying that you won’t miss or forget the One who makes all these things possible.

The One who knows all your thoughts and dreams. 

The One who sees every tear you cry.

The One who rejoices over you.

The One who longs to see you free.

I’m praying that you’ll run after Him with your whole heart…

Because if He holds your whole heart, He will hold your whole world in His hands.

I’m praying for you.

Will you please pray for me, too?

Is work getting you down?

Are you feeling unappreciated?

Are you tired of doing things that are good, but not fun?

Does your situation make you want to scream and drive a pencil in your eye?

(Sorry.  That last one was how I felt doing my homework last night.)

Change your focus.  Remember the goal.

If you can’t see beyond this task or situation, then life becomes mundane, and you’ll end up just going through the motions.

No passion.  No hope.

But if you change your perspective, you can change the way you feel.

I’m not just helping someone correct a meaningless English paper.  I’m helping someone learn how to express themselves and achieve their goal of getting an education.

I’m not just doing a boring homework assignment.  I’m working my way to a degree.

I’m not just working a job.  I’m providing for my family.

I’m not just teaching.  I’m planting seeds in the next generation.

I’m not just sacrificing to do the right thing.  I’m building my character and investing in my future.

If your day-to-day activities and current situations are wearing you down, change your perspective.

Get the big picture.

Don’t just look at the problem; look at the purpose.

Remember the goal.

I went to my friend’s birthday party this weekend.  At some point, I was playing on the Wii with her kids.

In one particular game, I kept dying like crazy because I didn’t know what I was doing…but at least I was trying.

My friend’s little daughter, on the other hand, spent most of her time in a safe bubble so she wouldn’t die or hold back the rest of us.

At one point, her aunt, who was also playing with us, told her to try coming out of the bubble.

My friend’s daughter said, “I can’t.  They said I’m not good enough.”

It bugged us.

So we told her that she would never know until she tried.

It took a little bit of time, but she eventually came out of the bubble.

And she died, just like me…

But we got a little better as we went on.

Later, we played Olympic video games.

She said the same thing:  “I can’t.”

We told her that she can.

I told her when to swing at the ball.  She started to get the hang of it.

She figured out some things on her own.

She won some points…and then some games.

Later, she smoked her brother in a soccer match.

She had said, “I can’t…”

But apparently, she can.

What about you?

What do you think you can’t do?  What has someone else told you that you can’t do?

You’ll never know until you try.

You won’t be perfect at it first.  You may even fail the first few times…

But you’ll never get better until you try.

And if you try…

Your “I can’t” may eventually become “I can.”

Why are you bringing up the past?

If it’s to be grateful, that’s okay.

If it’s to learn a lesson so that you can live better, that’s okay.

But if you’re bringing up the past so that you can live in it…

Then we’ve got a problem.

“Yesterday’s victories will not carry you through today.  Neither should yesterday’s defeats dominate tomorrow.”  —Tony Evans

Yesterday is not enough for today.

Yesterday is not enough for tomorrow.

If you’re not careful, your yesterday could hold you back in your tomorrow.

Your future is waiting for you.

The past is gone…

A new day is here…

And your present needs you to be present.

So learn from yesterday…

Be grateful for yesterday…

And then leave yesterday behind.

Your today and tomorrow depend on it.

If all the odds seem stacked against you, keep moving.

If you’ve lost people who are close to you, keep moving.

If nothing is going right for you right now, keep moving.

If it feels like everything you’re doing doesn’t make any difference, keep moving.

If you’re so tired that you just want to lay down and quit, keep moving.

If you can’t see any good on the horizon, keep moving.

Just keep moving.

If you stay where you are, you will continue to experience what you’re experiencing.

But if you keep moving, change is possible…

And if change is possible, anything is possible.

No matter where you are or what you’re going through, life is still worth living. 

You are loved.  You have a future.  You are not alone.

And if you can make it through the night, joy comes with the morning.

So please don’t quit.  You can do this.

Keep hoping.  Keep praying.

Keep moving.

Want a surefire way to get yourself down?

Start comparing yourself to others.

Look at what they have.  I don’t have that.

Look at what they can do.  I wish I could do that.

Look at where they are.  Why am I not there?

It’s a trap.  This wrong line of thinking leads to the wrong kind of feeling.

It’s not fair.  I should be farther along than I am.  I’m not good enough.  Why try anymore?

And pretty soon, depression, anger, jealousy, bitterness, and apathy start to set in.

It’s time to change our focus.

It doesn’t matter what everyone else has.  God will give me everything I need for my life.  The rest is just stuff.

It doesn’t matter what everyone else does.  God made me unique.  He’s given me my own special combination of skills for my specific purpose.

It doesn’t matter where other people are in their lives.  I know God has a purpose and a plan for my own life.  His timing is not my timing, but He knows what He’s doing, and I can trust Him.

Want a surefire way to get yourself up?

Stop comparing yourself to others…and start focusing on who God is.

It doesn’t matter what anyone else has or does.  God is a God “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.”

There’s no limit to what He can do.

He knows the desires of our hearts, and He can take those farther than we can.

In fact, He can go way beyond our wildest dreams and imagination.

And if you couple His capable power with His crazy, unrelenting love for us…

Then there’s no comparison that can stand. 

God loves you and wants to work everything for your good.  Everything else fades away in the light of that truth.

Walk in that truth today.

“Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it.”  —Bill Cosby

What is your dream?

Some of us want to be the best at something.  Some of us desire to be influential. 

Some want to accomplish a goal.  Some think about traveling around the world.  Others dream about finding love. 

And some hope to change the world.

If you’ve got a dream inside of you, that’s great.

But if that dream just stays inside of you, that’s worthless.

It would be greater if you live out the dream.

However, many of us let fear hold us back.

We’re afraid of what the dream costs.

We’re afraid of not making it.

We’re afraid to hope.

Fear will always be speaking to you.  It’s your choice whether or not you’re going to listen to it.

“In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.”  —Bill Cosby

So be strong.  Be courageous.  Be persistent.

Don’t let yourself be afraid to hope.

Fear is not your master.  Don’t let it hold you back from your dream.

Greater things are in store for you if you let your desire be greater than your fear.