Another holiday season has come upon us and for many there’s an aura of excitement in the air. It is by far the most anticipated time of the year and who you are determines how you define its significance. To a child Christmas represents a time of cookies, Santa Claus and toys under the tree. To a retailer it’s a time to clear inventory, reach goals and make huge profits. For most people it represents an opportunity to spend quality time with the people they cherish the most. It’s easy to see why Christmas is referred to by many as “the most wonderful time of the year”.

For some however this is the most “miserable” time of year. Holidays, and special occasions often carry the burden of having to give gifts you really can’t afford, as well as the difficult memories of loved ones lost. What was meant to be a time of giving can end up being a time of rehearsing what we don’t have and what was taken.

Here’s the good news. Despite what transpired in the past, you can have a “Merry” Christmas, but it’s going to require a concerted effort and a change of thinking. Here are a few steps that I believe help.

Don’t compare!
Maybe you’re not having a Merry Christmas because you’re having a comparing Christmas. Be careful what you focus on. Wrong focus can lead to discontentment. Remember contentment is not about settling for less, it’s about being settled in less until more comes. 

Be thankful
Remember, some people would love to have what you have so cherish it.

Let the past go
The greatest enemy of your future is your past. It’s been said many times, there’s no future in your past. Letting go of the past is not denying what happened to you, it’s denying its power over you. You can replace any bad experience with a better experience. If you want to cross over into your best life you must move on. 

Know the reason for the season
In the midst of all the commercialism that surrounds this holiday season, one truth still remains. Jesus truly is the reason for the season. The birth and life of Christ gave hope to the hopeless and that same life can give hope to you even when you’re not feeling the Christmas “spirit”. The best way to keep your Christmas “Merry” is to focus more on the reason for this wonderful season. 

I want to encourage you to keep Christ first this Christmas. Embrace the life that you have, the people you have and the God that you have. That is the only way to have a very “Merry” Christmas.

Sincerely,

Damon 

One Saturday evening my wife and I were about to read our daughter a story when we noticed that she was starting to gravitate towards certain books. Instead of choosing her books for her we decided to start giving her a choice as to the books she wanted us to read to her. Even in the initial stages of our daughter’s life we are allowing her to practice making decisions on her own and thinking for herself. We understand that her ability to think can make or break her future and have a serious effect on how she progresses in life.

With this in mind, it’s important for us to understand the value of great thinking. When most people get in trouble their first inclination is to pray. Although prayer is a critical aspect in each of our lives, many of the challenges that we are facing can be solved by creative thinking. By examining the life of Jesus, you will find that whenever his disciples where in a dilemma he would not rescue them immediately, but would ask them questions that required them to think.

The executive teams of most companies are made up of great thinkers. If you are employed right now in a position that doesn’t require much thought, your occupation is in danger of being eliminated. Your ability to think and solve problems that cannot be done by a computer makes you invaluable. The difference between the rich and the poor is often nothing more than a great idea, but great ideas only come from great thinkers. Recession can never make a great thinker poor.

I want to challenge you to engage in more activities that exercise your intellect. Engaging in reading and writing can take you much further then entertainment ever will. So the next time a problem comes your way, don’t worry, don’t panic, just think.

Sincerely,

Damon

Each year around this time, people begin making what we call “New Year’s Resolutions”. They make a list of all the things they desire to accomplish, etc. before the turn of yet another “New Year”.

Listing our desires and needs is an excellent principle, even a spiritual one; but have you ever thought about making a list of what you can no longer tolerate in your life? Over the years I’ve discovered that it is often the things that we don’t need in our lives that keep us from obtaining what we really do need. As we enter into the New Year, I’ve put together a “No More” list. This is a list of hindrances to your dreams that cannot be carried into 2011.

No More Excuses
One of the greatest hindrances to seeing your desires fulfilled is making excuses. Remember you are responsible for the outcome of your life; not circumstances or other people. Make a quality decision right now to get rid of excuses!

No More Procrastination
Procrastination is deferring to tomorrow what should be done today. Those who procrastinate make the dangerous assumption that the same opportunities available today, will be available tomorrow. If you are waiting for all of your circumstances to be perfect before you move forward, that day may never come. The fear of failure and even the fear of success cause many to postpone their plans and miss their moment of greatness. If you are going to do great things in 2011, I recommend you start now.

No More Normal
The world is filled with people that are “normal”. They are satisfied with where they are and have no aspirations for anything more in life. Unfortunately no one remembers normal people. If you are going to make a difference in the earth and manifest your destiny, you must refuse to live by the status quo. In order to break out of the “normal” life you must first challenge your definition of what “normal” is. For some it’s normal to live in a multi-million dollar home. It’s normal to send their kids to private schools. Why can’t their normal be your normal? Our concept of “normal” is often shaped by our comrades. If you are going to leave the life of the ordinary you must surround yourself with people that are extraordinary. I challenge you in 2011 to visit new places and do new things that expand your idea of “normal”.

I’ve shared with you just a few things on my “No More” list for 2011. I encourage you to create your own list. There are other items on the list such as “No More Debt” and “No More Prayerlessness” that you can use to initiate your own inventory if you so desire. Whatever you decide to put on your list in 2011, don’t make excuses and don’t procrastinate, just do it!

Sincerely,

Damon

Combat is never a popular subject; particularly if you’ve lost a loved one in battle. Freedom however always comes at a high price and many have given their lives for it. In reality, any significant strides you are attempting to make in your life will not come without some form of struggle or “warfare”. Learning how to fight for what you believe in is a critical element in accomplishing any worthwhile cause. Ultimately, your warfare determines your welfare and you will never see the manifestation of your dreams without a fight.

With this in mind, here is a list of necessities to add to your arsenal. I believe these will assist you in winning any battle that you face in life.

The Right Cause
I’ve often seen people fight for issues that have no value at all. If your battle is not for the betterment of your community, family, or faith, you may need to reevaluate your motivation.

The Right Weapons
The weapons you use are determined by the type of enemy that you are attempting to overcome. If you are warring against debt, divorce, or drug abuse, you must be armed with the right information to fight successfully.

The Right Team
No one can win any battle by themselves. Make sure you have the right people to support you.

Are you tired of being defeated in your family or finances? Are you fed up with the illicit activities that are taking place in your community? Do you feel that your dreams are delayed because of past mistakes? Then it’s time to go to war and fight!

Sincerely,

Damon