Life Is Not Always Fair

I once heard the story of a grown bear that lived in a cage and traveled with a circus ever since he was a small cub. The bear spent everyday of his life pacing back and forth in his cage while countless spectators looked on. When the bear's keepers were not looking some of the spectators would poke the bear with sharp sticks or would throw pieces of food filled with broken glass into the cage. When the great bear would eat what he thought was a wonderful treat, the broken glass would cut the inside of his throat and stomach.

One day a wealthy animal-lover visited the circus and saw the harmful acts committed against the bear. Because he felt great compassion for animals he approached the circus about purchasing the bear. He explained that he would take the bear and place him in a large open area. In this area the bear would have cool pools of water to play in and lush grassy fields to run. The circus agreed to sell the bear to the man and set up a delivery date.

When the day arrived for the bear to be delivered everyone was anxious to see what would happen when the door of the cage was opened for the first time. To everyone's amazement, when the cage was opened, the bear did what he spent every day of his life doing. He simply paced back and forth the length of the cage. The bear didn't even seem to care that the cage door was open. Finally, the bear's keepers got the bear outside the cage and rolled it away. What they saw next shocked everyone.

The bear looked around at his new beautiful home. He looked at the cool pools of water and the lush green pastures. Then to everyone's surprise and disappointment, the bear began his pacing. Back and forth he would go ? as in an imaginary cage. Eventually he had to be put to sleep because he could not function in his beautiful new home.

I hope and pray that you are not living a life like the bear described above. I heard a quote recently that went something like this, "Don't let your past dictate who you are, but do let it influence who you become." It is a well-known fact: Life is not always fair. Therefore, I am of the opinion that when life turns up the heat what you F.O.C.U.S. on helps you make it through the day a winner. My good friend, Robert Mallon, explains it this way, "The longer we look at God the smaller our obstacles become. The longer we look at the obstacles the smaller God becomes. The question is whether we want a BIG God or a big enemy. It is just a matter of perspective."

When life becomes unfair what do you focus on? The principles below are basic, but will powerfully help you when you are struggling to keep a positive outlook.

F - Fun. Set yourself a goal to have fun every day. Make it intentional. Put it on your calendar. Do whatever it takes ? just have fun.

O ? Organized. When life becomes unfair we can begin to let things pile up. Things like emails and phone calls to reply to, deadlines at work, laundry, yard work, etc. In other words, a cluttered life will bring about a cluttered mind. Or is that the other way around? Either way, as much as possible, keep your day-to-day activities as organized as possible.

C - Care for others. One of the best ways to forget how much you are hurting is to focus on how you can help others. Getting your eyes off yourself, and on to how you can help others, will boost your positive outlook on life.

U ? You. When you are going through tough times it is very important to keep a good diet, workout routine, and sleep habits. This will help keep your mind clear and your energy up. Remember, God loves you and He does not make junk.

S ? Successes. Not only should you plan to have fun everyday, but also you should plan to succeed. You might have to tell yourself to be on the lookout for successes in your day, but when you have one, (even a little one) celebrate. A recent rollerblading trip was an example of this in my life. My goal was to "blade" around this paved course (up and down, left and right) without falling. I looked like an elephant on skates, but when I made it to the finish line I was ecstatic! I accomplished my goal and lived to tell about it.

Life is not always fair. Deaths, sickness, career changes, and struggles are going to occur. Just remember to keep your focus and to hold tight to the hand of God. When times are tough, He will carry you to the end.

Footprints and Monuments is a free monthly leadership and motivational e-newsletter. No names receiving this e-newsletter is sold or distributed to any other source. You are encouraged to forward this monthly article to anyone in your address book. To un-subscribe please reply back with "Un-subscribe" in the subject field.

www.jeffearlywine.com

About The Author

Jeff Earlywine began his ministry career while working on his undergraduate Business degree. His experiences have led him to work in many difference areas that have all benefited the local church.

CONSULTANT - Jeff has spent the last fifteen years consulting with hundreds of different organizations all across the nation. Serving as a consultant at The Injoy Group challenged him to be his best while he worked with the best. Jeff has assisted many ministries in Vision Casting, Strategic Planning, and Future Planning.

EXECUTIVE PASTOR - Jeff's unofficial title was, "Pastor of Organization," and by this title you might know this is his greatest skill. That skill gave him the passion to organize many different ministries in the local church. That skill also developed a volunteer staff capable of growing each of these ministries. He did this by equipping them to fulfill their God-given potential.

Jeff's passion is to come along side the leader and help him to identify and develop his dream, organize the needs of that dream, and then to train and equip leaders to fulfill that dream.

jeff@atlantayfc.org

---

Reality Exposed

Did you know that our thoughts may be influencing our... Read More

Life Can Seem Unfair Until We Change Our Perspective! See How!

Empty, Hollow, Nothing?.those words shout the sound of disappointment and... Read More

Why You Must Learn to Forgive for the Sake of Your Own Happiness

Your ability to forgive those who have hurt you in... Read More

Taming Your Gremlin

"Who am I fooling?" "I'm a loser," "I'm too old,"... Read More

How To Radically Improve Your Everyday Experience Of Life In Two Simple Steps

Can you do something for me?Tell me?Please don't think tomorrow.What?Yeah,... Read More

Optimism: The Tremendous Benefits of a Positive Attitude

How many times have you heard someone say, "Hey, cheer... Read More

Change in the Workplace: Don?t Fear It; Use It!

Every day something changes at work: your products, your customers,... Read More

How To Condition Your Mind For Success

Your mindset is a strong factor in achieving any type... Read More

Yourself

With the beginning of a new year, are you happy... Read More

Thinking Like A Winner

Since the beginning of human history we have been living... Read More

Universal Thought Systems #4

Before we are able to use the Universal Thought System... Read More

Universal Mind

"There is an infinitely worthier subject for philosophers (to study)... Read More

The Power of the Mind

Each of us has a mind by which we convert... Read More

Shifting Your Paradigm

What is a paradigm? In my own words, a paradigm... Read More

Positive Self Talk - What Should You Say?

How do you explain things to yourself? With positive self... Read More

The Use of Affirmations

What is an affirmation? One possible definition is a specific... Read More

All In The Mind

"In life, if you give yourself a concession, you'd take... Read More

Accepting Rejected Thoughts

Sometimes we are in a position to look into the... Read More

So What Is A Limiting Belief?

So what is a limiting belief?Don't you love the current... Read More

Life Issues Pt. 3 - An Attitude of Gratitude

An Attitude of Gratitude. How important is this to you... Read More

Deep Doghouse Communication for Angry Men

Many times when an angry or rageful man comes into... Read More

Dump Those Negative Tapes

Every time something doesn't go quite right (rather frequently for... Read More

My Attitudes

"If you don't enjoy getting up and working and finishing... Read More

Release Your Agression In Your DIARY OF EMOTIONS

In order for you to make positive ground daily you... Read More

How Attitude is Everything

"Most overnight successes are just plain lucky. Just ask any... Read More

Whats On Your Shift List?

The most happy and successful people on earth have a... Read More

Combat Your Bad Days

No matter how positive a person we are overall, there... Read More

Change Your Attitude from a Whiner to a Winner

Who are the Whiners? Whiners are the people who always... Read More

Be Selfish and Save The World

Why do we help others? There is a whole lot... Read More

The Power Of AND

Not Amen, just so we're clear on that.AND.The little connector... Read More

Get Out of Jail Free: How to Identify Unconscious Beliefs

Know thyself.These words were inscribed in the vestibule of the... Read More

Does It Really Matter?

We are all involved in this game called life and... Read More

Choose Wisely

During these times of uncertainty in the outside world, look... Read More