Unacceptable

"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~ Vince Lombardi

"Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it." ~ Bill Cosby

There are some things that are unacceptable to me. I have a hard time watching some of my other married friends succumb to allowing their marriages to fall by the wayside through selfishness, adultery or "growing apart." I love to see my friends pressing towards their purpose and doing whatever it takes to elevate their current circumstances. I pray fervently for those connected to me to be well and continue to prosper in the Lord.

Isn't it funny how I can have that kind of faith for others, but can't translate that faith to myself? Maybe I'm the only one...I don't know. I didn't think I was afraid of success until I started going beyond my 9 to 5 job to seek out my own path. Using my unique talents and capabilities never caused me to doubt myself until I started listening to that still small voice that wanted me to test the waters.

Speaking of voices, it would seem that I have God in one ear, and the devil incarnate trying to scream over Him. Maybe I'm just blaming the devil and refusing to acknowledge that the negative voice is actually my own. That actually sounds more accurate.

But God says that what I write matters. He told me that it will change the lives of men and women around the world. I want to believe, but my eyes see how no one ever comments on my articles, and the response I got from sending my book out to a target audience (trust me...it wasn't pretty). Then my mouth, instead of agreeing with God, starts investing into the stock of fear, which has paralyzed me in the past.

I'm just being real here. God told me I have greatness inside me, and it's time to go ahead and let it on out. Yet when I take a step, apprehension bombards my mind. Things have changed little by little, though. Instead of losing ground, I stand my ground with every baby step I take. Instead of worrying about what I cannot control, I celebrate every small goal I complete towards making the dreams God gave me come true.

Losing is no longer something I'm going to settle for. And in the past few days, I have decided that I want God's will for my life more than I am afraid of the responsibility that comes with that package. Fear and defeat are no longer options in my book. I'm going for the gusto, and TRUST ME...I will be victorious.

Anything less would be unacceptable.

The Champion's Ship

I hated every minute of training, but I said, "Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion." ~ Muhammad Ali

There is a body of people that carry themselves like champions, no matter what their circumstances bring their way. They won't quit, back down, let up or shut up until they fulfill their purpose, destiny and dreams. The Champion's Ship is making a stop, and I hope after reading this, you will hop on.

The suffix "-ship" denotes four specific things:

1) A state, condition or quality. If you want to get on the Champion's Ship, you must have a mindset that come hell or high water, you won't forget that you're a champion. I was walking with a friend yesterday, and she looked down on the ground within the dirt and grass and found a quarter. It was beat up, dirty, barely recognizable, but guess what? That bad boy was still worth its full 25 cents! Just because you take a hit doesn't mean you're valued any less.

2) Office, dignity or profession. Whether you're flipping burgers or houses, do it to the best of your ability. Promotion comes to those who carry themselves like they belong in the Champion's Ship no matter what their profession is.

3) Art, skill. The Champion's Ship has reserved seating and season tickets for those who find out what their passion is and work towards making the world a better place because of that passion. Muhammad Ali was a fighter, Jesus is a Savior, I am a writer, my friend is a singer...give your all to that passion, and you will find your name written on a suite in the Champion's Ship.

4) The body of persons participating in a specified activity. The Champion's Ship requires dedication, sacrifice, motivation, enthusiasm, prayer, and a willingness to leave a legacy for generations to come, should the Lord wait a little while longer to return. Peter Daniels, a champ I definitely look up to, said that he wanted his life to change the world for 300 years after he was dead and buried. This man who only had 6 years of formal education, has totally revolutionized the economic system of Australia and its surrounding nations because he believed that he belonged on the Champion's Ship long before his circumstances lined up with that belief.

What about you? Do you belong on the Champion's Ship? What sacrifices are you making now in order to live the rest of your life like a champ? Tell me about it!