LIFE: Motivation

Have you ever met someone that was always motivated?  It seemed like they were always doing something to achieve their goals and with great passion.  If I had to guess why they were so motivated, it was because one, they were passionate about their goals, and two, they found ways to keep themselves motivated. 

If you’re finding yourself unmotivated, I encourage you to form some goals.  You also may find it helpful to read inspiring and motivational literature.  Look up some quotes on success, motivation, and passion and print them out and read every day.  Use positive affirmations such as, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Think of motivation using this analogy.  An airplane is powerful and has plenty of potential, but unless there is a pilot to start it up and actually fly it, it just sits there, not moving.  The pilot is the motivation to get that plane off the ground and you have incredible potential as well and motivation is that internal drive that will activate it. 

©2010-2011 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved

HEALTH: Being healed

Jesus was an extraordinary man.  He spent a great deal of his time going from city to city not only teaching people about God, but also praying and healing people.  There are many references in the New Testament of healings and miracles taking place.  In Matthew 8:16-17 it speaks of Jesus driving out demons from people that were brought to him and healing all that were sick.  Matthew 11:5 states that the blind could see, those who were lame could walk, and the deaf could hear. 

If God’s son, Jesus, was so concerned about healing all the sick, then it’s safe to say that God wants us healed and whole also.  God wants us in optimal health.  God laid out a diet plan in the Bible and if we heed God’s instructions, we will be able to walk in better health to enjoy this awesome life we’ve been blessed with.

©2010-2011 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved

MARRIAGE: What do you focus on?

In any relationship, focusing on the positive instead of the negative is helpful when it comes to having a joyous and satisfying relationship.  Oftentimes, when couples are struggling it is because they are putting too much emphasis on the character defects of their spouse and not enough emphasis on the positive qualities. 

We must consciously make an effort to focus on our partners good qualities and appreciate him/her because of them. God gave your partner to you as a gift and it is important to be able to treasure your spouse despite their character defects.

©2010-2011 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved

WORK: Hard work

Being successful in any area of life requires hard work, especially when it comes to your career.  You must work hard and not be afraid of failure.  Many successful men and women have failed over and over but they continued to get up and continue on, learning what they could from their failures.  Hard work and determination are necessary for success.  

An excellent quote regarding hard work comes from Norman Vincent Peale. “Nothing of great value in this life comes easily. The things of highest value sometimes come hard. The gold that has the greatest value lies deepest in the earth, as do the diamonds.”

Hard work brings prosperity but being lazy brings about poverty. (Proverbs 28:19)  If you have struggled with being a hard worker, make a commitment today to make a change.  Challenge yourself to put forth your best effort every day. 

©2010-2011 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved