If life has seems blurred and you need to refocus going back to the basics is the way to go. Admiral McRaven addresses 10 fundamental principle to get you back and course.
- Start each day with a task completed.(Making beds)– Handle the simple task first. Take pride in the small things and the more challenging task will become more manageable.
- Find someone to help you through life. (Row together) Task become easier when you have help. Forge relationships that allow you to develop accountability and support. Ecclesiastes 4:11 states, “Also, if two lie down together they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone.” Find a friend that is willing to row at your pace with a constant synchronized flow. Paddling becomes easier together and at times a true friend will take both paddles over to keep you moving in life.
- Respect everyone.(The Munchkins) Regardless of anyones outwards ability don’t judge them and don’t measure the size of their hearts. Learn to give everyone a fair opportunity.
- Know that life is not fair. (“Sugar Cookie”) There will always be difficult moments and our pain as well as our dirt will be visible for all to see. Remember it’s the small grains of sand that become an irritant in clams that create the most beautiful pearls.
- You will fail often. (The circus) Growth in any area of life is about the willingness to endure the pain and resist the urge to quit. Develop the proper perspective that set backs are only set ups for what God is planning to do in your life (Jeremiah 29:11). The true champions that you remember are the ones that get knock down and pick themselves off the canvas. The key to success is to continue moving forward even when you have to take a breath and recover. James 1:12 says, blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. Holy Bible – New International Version. Remember that in any challenge you face there is a process. Your life is seamlessly woven together by trials that allow for growth and perseverance. Your loving Father has His hands open ready to hold you up when you fall. Psalms 37:24 states, the you may stumble, God will hold you up with His hands.
- Take some risks. Take the plunge because you will never know how far you get to accomplishing your dreams and goals unless you take some risks. Moses struggles with taken risks, God was asking Moses to confront his brother, the Pharaoh, the most powerful political figure in the region, to set thousands of slaves free, ending a several hundred-year tradition of enslaving the Israelites. Moses, understandably, throws every excuse at God that he can think of. “What if they don’t believe you sent me?” “What if they don’t listen to me?” “What if I’m scared?” “What if I don’t speak well in front of crowds?” Finally, he pleads with God, “Please, send someone else.” (1) This is the secret to taking risks….”it’s not about you or even you going in your own strength.” It’s about God being with you and establishing His purpose through your life to make a real change in this world. Several questions to ponder: will my risks injure me? Will my risk taking hurt some one else? Is there a greater good when taking the risk I want to take? Here is what God has to say about your risk, ” Note the interaction between Moses and God and apply it to your your life. Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, `The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, `What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said too Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: `I AM has sent me to you. Take the plunge today head first and break the record!
- Face down the bullies. (Sharks) In life we will deal with many types of sharks which can be harmless or dangerous. Regardless, when you find yourself in shark infested waters, it doesn’t matter what species you need to distinguish from because fear will grip you. What matters is the ability to fight and control your emotions. Why? Because fear can be the greatest enemy that will paralyze you. In Psalms 23:4 David searched in his moment of fear after being chased by his enemy and learned the secret to standing up to the bully. “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” In the mist of peril know that God is with you. He has provided His Word to combat and cast all fear away. God’s word gives us the ability to hit the shark in the snout and remain still while the enemy retreats. If you back down the enemy will always chase you from behind but stand your ground. If the struggle is depression or a habitual sin; stand your grand and be reminded you are not alone. God is with you and His rod and staff wii help you navigate through the enemies minefield.
- Step up when the times are toughest. (The dark keel) I remember as a child moving from place to place with my mother and two sisters. The biggest challenge I faced was adjusting to the dark. Since my surrounding were different I recall continuing to bump into things. As the weeks progressed my surrounding became predictable and much easier to navigate. The enemy wants to keep us in the dark and paralyzed so we don’t move. His objective is to limit the movement, or place obstacles in our lives that inhibit progress. In life the more you press forward and bump into pain and tough time, the stronger you become if you keep moving forward. Learn to reach the light switch quickly. The more you remain in the light of God the easier it is to see the obstacles headed your way. Tough times are never easy to handle but it’s just like weights; the more you pick up and press them over your head, the stronger you get. In tough times remember you are not alone.. In Isaiah God says, 43:2. “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.” Be comforted that you don’t have to face what you are going through alone. Cry out to God because He hears you.
- Lift up the downtrodden. (Song of hope)
- Never ever give up. (Don’t ring that bell)