#loveconversations

Forgiveness is the currency of the kingdom of God. 🤔

We receive it from God in exchange for our sins and we give away forgiveness to others who sin against us. Yet Jesus says we can’t continue the currency exchange if we don’t continue to give the forgiveness (we freely received) to others.

Without forgiveness we are bankrupt 🤯

Ephesians 4:32

Just Be Yourself?!

This past week, I had the pleasure of watching three regal black men in hoodies, relaxed jeans, and gym shoes give a talk about art as a vehicle to reflect the culture. One of the men, in admiration of the other artist in the room, made this statement. He said, “I look at your art and I think… I could do that too if I weren’t afraid of what others would think of me.” He then complimented him for just being himself because doing so allows him to create work that inspires others. I was struck by his comment. Here’s why…

You see… We have been required to act and look a certain way, talk and dress a certain way, like and think a certain way so long that we struggle with just being ourselves. In fact, we don’t even know what “being ourselves” means.

It’s not until we sit with the three uncomfortable questions, “Who am I?” What do I think and believe?” and “What do I want?” that we come to truly know ourselves and can truly focus on being who we authentically are. And until we discover ourselves, we will continue to struggle with identity crisis. Until we know who we are, and what we think and want, we will remain stuck in the vicious cycle of imposed shape-shifting to be what others expect from us.

This life is a gift and it’s yours to live. You alone will live with the risk and rewards of your life - no one else.

Lean into the introspective discomfort. Lean into honesty and transparency. Lean in to being who you are without the constraints of others opinions about you.

8 Important Things You Learn As You Mature

Life has a way of teaching us many things along life’s journey. Here are eight simple and yet important things you come to know as you mature.

1. Don’t be quick to make assumptions. You really DON’T know what you’d do if you were in someone else’s situation.

Be kind.

2. You DON’T know everything but you will learn more if you listen.

Be humble.

3. You’ve messed up too. Your mess might look different from somebody else’s mess but it’s just as stinky.

Be honest.

Be gracious.

4. Beauty and charisma fade over time. A person’s good character and actions last much longer.

Be mindful.

5. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Put your energy into the things that matter.

Be intentional.

6. Joyful, content, and thankful people are happy, not the other way around.

Be thankful.

7. As you get older, sometimes your friend circle gets smaller. A few really close friends are worth their weight in gold.

Be grateful.

8. The four greatest treasures you can have are spiritual health, mental health, physical health, and community.  Like any other asset, be a good steward and they will add to the quality of your life.  

Are you a doer? You know what I mean, right? Are you one of those people that loves to give or loves to get in the trenches to help others out?

Yup, that's me.

Now, let me ask you something.

Do you often feel drained because you are doing too much? Do you feel unappreciated sometimes?

Well, that's me too!

I've come to the conclusion that often I'm drained or feeling unappreciated because I'm doing the most - meaning I'm over doing things. My Acts of Service love language kicks into overtime and I'm wearing myself out UNNECESSARILY!

The people I love appreciate me and feel loved by me but they aren't asking me to jump through hoops at all. The hoops, the jumping, the crazy running in circles thing is all ME.

The REAL issue is my need to feel loved in the way I need it. That reciprocal love can't be fixed with me doing more and more. It CAN however be fixed with me clearly expressing what I need.

So... If you're doing the most, Stop!

Get off the never ending hamster wheel and talk about your real needs instead.

People can't respond to what they don't know. Give the people in your life the opportunity to show you what they already feel in their hearts for you.

Now that's a real Love Conversation!

www.LoveConversations.Love

#LoveConversations #Relationships

Get ready to have healthier relationships and a healthier YOU!

https://youtu.be/4fXWhLFdKzs

Love Conversations is on Amazon and Kindle.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692145443/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_apa_i_b5Y4DbZXTJBPZ

Laying the foundation of a house may be hard but believe me when I tell you, EVERYTHING you build on it relies on a firm foundation. Short cuts and cheap, weak materials will affect the finished product in the end.

It's the same way in relationships. You've got to start with real character materials: honesty, compassion, trust & trustworthiness, love, forgiveness, patience - the really strong stuff.

Relationships built purely on feelings and sex will crumble at the slightest wind of adversity. You have to lay the right foundation for a tight long lasting relationship.