I am grateful for those that have come into my life to give me advice, sometimes though I failed to follow the instruction and had to repeat the lesson. Oh how many times did I hear my mom and dad so don’t do that? Oh how many times did I get burned from not listening? How many times have my kids had the same experience? Yesterday I talked about listening; but if it goes in one ear and out the other what good does it do. Today I am thankful for the lessons I have learned; many the easy way but some from the hard way. As I get older I am finding it easier to watch and learn. Take time today to listen and incorporate something new that will help you move forward
Nov 19
Gratitude Day 19 – Listen to advice
Nov 18
Gratitude Day 18 – The ears of the wise
I am so grateful for my ability to listen. God has given us two ears and two eyes and one mouth for a reason. Great knowledge comes from listening to others and seeing what others are doing. This challenge I put myself on for writing 30 days of Gratitude started off easy and now I have difficulty in writing because it seems like I am doing all the talking. I know many of my friends have things to be grateful for. I am thankful for the friends of my past; who helped shape me into who I am now, I am thankful for current friends who help keep me accountable to my goals, and I am thankful for the friends that I meet tomorrow; if I am allowed. By listening to my mentors many whom I also call friends; I am getting ready for a journey that will help build my Mind, my Body and my Spirit. I have been working out and I am thankful for my trainers. I am thankful for the surgeon who got me fixed back up. What I am really looking forward to is to get back in training. But most importantly today is my first day back to real work after being on light duty since September.
Nov 17
Gratitude Day 17 – Use of words with restraint
While reading the today’s proverb, I chose to highlight the couple of verses that I have the most trouble with and as we get closer to the holiday season. Last night I delivered a speech titled “Choices are”; there will be increased traffic in the coming days as more people decide they want to spend money they don’t have to impress their neighbors and buy their children’s affection. The focus becomes less on the celebration but more on the consumption. Last night during Table Topics ™ one of the questions was about the upcoming “Black Friday” the respondent simply said “I am not into it, why wait in some line for hours to save a few dollars. Why not spend time with those who matter now. I read a note the other day that said “enjoy the moment; it is the only one that is guaranteed; for you do not even know if the next breath is yours.” Proverbs 17:27-28. A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. My challenge for you for next weekend is to stay home and not go out. Spend time with family. Put away the cell phones and actually have a conversation with your family.
Nov 16
Gratitude Day 16 – Commit to Succeed
Here we go again another beautiful Monday. I had a wonderful weekend went to the District 16 Toastmasters Fall Conference in Oklahoma City. Had some great educational training. Met some friends I hadn’t seen in a while and then met some new friends. I listened to 6 great Humorous speeches and was thankful I wasn’t a judge. From learning about a very large guy dressing up as Elsa, a New York transplant all the way to finding the right toilet paper. The room was in stitches the whole time. The highlight of the evening was the banquet where Wanda and I received our Distinguished Toastmaster medallions; my wife Wanda qualified just this year and I finally got around to getting mine that I received in 2011.
Wanda also received the Area Governor of the Year award. The President Distinguished Area award and a couple of other awards. I am so proud of her and her accomplishments. She has a true commitment to succeed with the tenacity of a bulldog. So how fitting that today’s proverb comes from Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
My challenge for you as you work on finishing your 2015 goals and start planning your 2016 goals is to remember Proverbs 16:3 and know that with Him you will have success.
Nov 15
Gratitude Day 15 – Don’t Reject Correction
I am grateful for my daughter. She is my middle child and for her protection she is sandwiched between her brothers. She may not enjoy the protection but I don’t have to worry about troublesome young men; her brothers take care of it for me. Yesterday driving down the road my driver front blew while I was driving 70 MPH. I was safely able to bring the truck to the side of the road. I just wish I had a jack in the truck. It took about an hour and a half to have one delivered. While I had the downtime I decided to think and reflect on a few things I could do to help others and came up with the plans for a 6 session audio program working title “Discover the Path to Your Purpose”. Sometimes we find ourselves in a rut this program will help you live into your dream.
Proverbs 15:12 a mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise.
For more information on this program leave me a message in the comments. I am planning on launching the program January 1 2016. Have a blessed Sunday.
Nov 14
Gratitude Day 14 – a fool’s talk brings a rod
As I write this I realize it may be a bit incendiary but with the past couple of days post I have to say it. In the news I have seen people doing foolish things and then have issue when the consequences of the actions bring down the rod of correction. Maybe that is the problem today no one is learning to control themselves it is all about them, no need to share. If I don’t get my way I’ll get mom or dad to take care of my mess. I am grateful that I didn’t helicopter my children. That I taught them that not everyone is a winner, not everyone deserves a trophy. Life is what you make of it. I am happy my kids learned valuable lessons and one day I received a text from my son that brought tears to my eyes, because there were many days I thought I had failed him but when he told me “I was thinking about it and I just gotta thank you for raising me to be not as ignorant as 95% of my generation” today’s Proverbs verse is Proverbs 14:3 A fool’s talk brings a rod to his back; but the lips of the wise protect them.
Today I would like to share just 3 Things I learned as a father.
- Babies do not come out of the womb with an instruction manual. Although there are many books on the shelves the best book is the one that was inspired many years ago. The Bible will help you.
- Before the baby comes you will say I won’t do things the way my parents did; there will be many times when you will say gee that is what my Dad did.
- Give them plenty of love; give them discipline, failure to discipline shows an absence of love whether you believe it or not discipline is the best way to show a child love.
Ron Olsen
Christian Life Coach
Nov 13
Gratitude Day 13 – A Wise son heeds his father’s advice
As I write this it dawns on me that today is also Friday and the 13th so many have superstitions about the date but realize it is just a fear tactic; don’t let fear rule you overcome it. Growing up I had many learning opportunities a few that my father tried to steer me away from. Later I would learn that the reason was not because he didn’t care but because he loved me and did not want to see me hurt like he was when he had traveled that path before me. I am grateful the love of my father and all that he taught me. I am hoping that in time I will be the man that he is so it is fitting that today’s Proverbs verse is Proverbs 13-1 A wise son heeds his father’s instructions, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
Today I would like to share just 3 Things I learned from my father.
- My father was only warning me away from a path that he tried and did not want me to have the same experience.
- My father was always quick to go to bat for me when he knew I was in the right.
- If my father found out I was in the wrong I would be disciplined and taught to be correct in my actions..
Ron Olsen
Christian Life Coach
Nov 12
Gratitude Day 12 – Discipline and Stupidity
As I saw today’s Proverb I just had to put together some things I have learned in the past and bring it forward to today. When I was growing up and was in school there was to forms of discipline. The first discipline was to buckle down and study do the course work and show proper respect to the adults around me. The second discipline was what was referred to corporal punishment, if you acted stupid in class there would be consequences. To be perfectly honest it took more than once to have the experience before I finally learned that it would be better to do my course work and show respect to my elders. The past few days I have seen video of kids in open defiance of adults not showing respect and I have to wonder where has the discipline gone, who is responsible for the actions of these children; I am thankful that I had loving parents that disciplined me and showed me love today’s Proverbs verse is Proverbs 12-1 Whoever love s discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
Today I would like to share just 3 keys to embracing discipline.
- Understand you are not always the expert; be coachable. Discipline is asking for advice and following it. Don’t fall into the trap that you have to know everything. Surround yourself with those who are able to help raise you up.
- Take time to breathe before you say something stupid. There seems to be a disconnect between the thought processes of the brain and the little muscle in your mouth called the tongue. Take a breathe and focus on the words you want to deliver before you speak those words. In other words engage the brain before the mouth.
- Find the joy in everything. So many focus on the negatives in life. What I have found is when I focus on what is going wrong in my life, I seem to get more of it. You get what you focus on so find the golden nuggets those lessons learned and focus on those in time the positive energy will overcome the negative in your life.
Ron Olsen
Christian Life Coach
Nov 11
Gratitude Day 11 – Hug a Veteran Today
Today in the United States we celebrate Veterans. So when you see one today thank them. Thirty three years ago in Kansas City I signed on the line my intent to become a Marine. Yesterday they celebrated 240 years. But the seed to become a Marine was planted many years before. When I was younger say about 3rd or 4th grade my friends in elementary would leave campus on our lunch and go visit the recruiting office which was about two blocks from the school. We visited because we could get some awesome stickers for our gear. One day during one of our visits we were visiting the Marine recruiter and he said, “One Day you boys will be in my beloved Corps”. When you are 8 or 9 your thought process is right. The irony of this is several of us did join the Marines. I am thankful for the experience and the training that I received. I learned the best way to do things is to be part of a team, when you work together you achieve more. Over the years I have employed many advisors to give me guidance; they become my team. Today look at who your team members are; are they helping lift you up or are they pulling you down. If it is the latter; I would strongly recommend get on a new team one that is willing to help you get where you want to go in life. Life is what you make of it; the good, the bad, and the worse. Take time to day to be thankful for the pleasure of the Good, the opportunity of learning in the bad, and in the worse be thankful for the team around you to lift you up.
Proverbs 11:14 For Lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisors make victory sure
Nov 10
Gratitude Day 10 – Happy Birthday Marines
Today 33 years ago I was placed on a bus to Kansas City to stay at motel so that I could go to MEPS on the 11th. It was a fantastic trip that started me on a very rewarding path. Each of my Brothers and Sisters were forged into Marines at either MCRD San Diego; where the birds of freedom kept leaving or at MCRD Paris Island; where the sand fleas just loved you so much. No matter which forge you started in you became the steel of the United States Marines. Happy Birthday Brothers and Sisters. OOOHHH RAAHH.
Proverbs 10:4 Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
Find your mission, your passion, what is it that drives you. Use that to keep moving you forward.
ATTN TO ORDERS:
MARINE CORPS ORDERS
No. 47 (Series 1921)
HEADQUARTERS U.S. MARINE CORPS
Washington, November 1, 1921
759. The following will be read to the command on the 10th of November, 1921, and hereafter on the 10th of November of every year. Should the order not be received by the 10th of November, 1921, it will be read upon receipt.
On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of Continental Congress. Since that date many thousand men have borne the name “Marine”. In memory of them it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.
The record of our corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world’s history. During 90 of the 146 years of its existence the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation’s foes. From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war, and in the long eras of tranquility at home, generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the seven seas, that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.
In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term “Marine” has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.
This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the corps. With it we have also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as “Soldiers of the Sea” since the founding of the Corps.
JOHN A. LEJEUNE
Major General Commandant
75705—21
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