“Put God First”

Hello Friends. I hope you all had a wonderful restful summer. We are already at the end of August 2019. My goodness, summer came and went by way too fast. With September around the corner and school fast approaching, my thoughts go to students of all ages. New school year, new resolutions, new graduates starting their careers. September, in my mind is a month of new beginnings.

I landed upon some wise words this summer from Denzel Washington, who besides acting, offers motivational convocation talks to graduating students. Here are 4 of his inspirational thoughts that I would like to share with you this month.

1) He says, “Put God first”. In everything you do. “Everything I have is a gift, by the grace of God”. He states, “I’ve been protected, I’ve been directed, I’ve been corrected. I’ve kept God in my life and it’s kept me humble. I didn’t always stick with Him, but He always stuck with me. So stick with Him, in everything you do”.

2) “Fail big! Do what you feel passionate about, take chances, professionally, don’t be afraid to fail. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Fail big. Dream big. But remember, dreams without goals are just dreams and they ultimately fuel disappointment. So have dreams, but have goals. Life goals, yearly goals, monthly goals, daily goals. Simple goals, Understand, that in order to achieve these goals, you must apply discipline and consistency, everyday. Plan”. “We don’t plan to fail, we fail to plan”. “Hard work works. That’s what successful people do. Remember, just because you are doing a lot more, doesn’t mean you are getting a lot more done. Don’t confuse movement with progress”.

3) “You’ve heard the saying, ‘you will never see a u-haul behind a hearse’. I don’t care how much money you make, you can’t take it with you. It’s not how much you have, it’s what you do with what you have. The most selfish thing you can do in this world is to help someone else. Why is it selfish? Because the gratification, the goodness that comes to you, the good feeling I get from helping others, nothing is better than that. No jewelry, not the homes we have, not expensive cars, it’s the joy. That’s where the joy is, in helping others. That’s where the success is, in helping others”.

4) And finally, “say thank you. To God, daily. For grace, thank you for mercy, thank you for understanding, thank you for wisdom, parents, love, kindness, health, humility, thank you for peace, for prosperity. Say thank you in advance for what is already yours”. Denzel says, “that’s how I live my life, that’s why I’m where I am today. True desire, in the heart, that itch that you have, whatever it is you want to do, to help others, to grow, to make money, for anything good, if you’ve consulted God’s advice, is God’s proof to you, sent beforehand, to indicate that it’s yours already”.

“Anything you want that is good, you can have. So, claim it, work hard to get it and when you get it, reach back and pull someone else up. Each one, teach one. Don’t just aspire to make a living. Aspire to make a difference”.

This is MJ’s August “food for thought”. With a a few wise words from Denzel Washington. Enjoy your labour day weekend. See you in September everyone. God bless, MJ xo