Make today the best day of your LIFE!

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Ever feel like throwing in the towel, saying "what's the use in striving toward my dreams" and just giving in? Well today is your day to get just the boost of confidence you needed to keep forging ahead.

I have a new slogan my husband, Rock, and I have been using lately: "Champions never quit, never give in and always win."

Webster's Dictionary definition of the word "champion" is, "One that wins first place or first prize in a competition. One that is clearly superior or has the attributes of a winner; an ardent defender or supporter of a cause or another; one who fights or defends; a warrior."

In life we must fight for what we believe in. Whether that means fighting to have a quality prayer life, a good marriage or time with your children, we have to persevere and obtain those things we know are rightfully ours. God's word says he not only came to give us life, but wants us to have life more abundantly (John 10:10). That means we have the right to access a lavish, full, fruitful, prosperous and joyous life on this Earth.

There will be times when we have to fight to walk in this good life.

Sometimes we are fighting for our financial status, doing all we can to say out of debt and to save up a sizable nest egg.

Sometimes we may have to fight to maintain our friendships and relationships. It's not always about being right, but about doing right for the long-term good.

If you've been feeling worn down, take a moment to rest and regroup. Take a long walk, talk to a good friend, read a good book or drive through a neighborhood that inspires you. Whatever you do — just don't quit.

The race isn't given to the strong or to the swift, but to he that endures (Ecclesiastes 9:11). It's not about where we start, but where we are going and where we end up.

By all means, don't defer your happiness to a certain event or status in your life. "Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers." — 1 John 1:2, New American Standard Bible.

Enjoy your life right where you are today. Enjoy the journey, and as always, make today the very best day of your life!

Back 2 School

For many of us it seems like school just let out and the summer really got into full swing. But can you believe some kids have already started the annual routine of going to bed early, packing up their lunches and book bags and heading back to school?

Here are some quick tips to help get you kids school year off to a great start!


As a way to celebrate your children going on to the next grade in their school career, schedule a back to school breakfast at their favorite restaurant. You’ll have to sacrifice and get your day going earlier than usual but it will be something they’ll always remember.

This also gives them something special to look forward to. If you can, try to have the breakfast on the first day or during the first week of their return to school.

While this may seem to be a very obvious and simple suggestion, you might be surprised to know how many parents struggle with getting their children to school on a regular basis. If you’re trying to break the habit of chronically running late, here are a couple of things to consider.

Children typically don’t do what you say, they repeat what you do. So if you’re setting the example of always running late and getting them to school or other events “just in the nick of time” - they will more than likely repeat this negative habit in the adult lives. In addition, when we bring our children into an event late, it automatically starts their day out with feelings of condemnation, stress and worry. Their worried about what their teacher and other students think, they have to explain why they were late and will probably be reprimanded.

Getting them to school 15 minutes early allows them to take some time in their morning to pace themselves and get their day off to a nice solid and calm start!

Make sure you take time every night and every morning to speak a special blessing over your children. Let them know how much you love them and God loves them. Tell them they can do anything they set their mind to with God’s help and that they are beautiful or handsome, strong, smart and full of courage. Declare that they have favor with their teachers and other students and that they are well liked and succeed wherever they go.

Receiving this kind of affirmation from a parent at an early age sets the course of confidence for their day and for the rest of their lives. It only takes a couple of minutes and helps develop characteristics that will last a lifetime.

Changes can make life better

You don't have to defer your happiness in life waiting on one single event to "make everything perfect." Here are a few common concerns people have about their lives and suggestions to maximize your current situation:

1. I feel stuck in my job.

If you feel like your job is leading you down a dead-end path, you are not alone. Recent studies show that 6 out of 10 people are unhappy with their current jobs. What are you passionate about?

Have you been dreaming of writing that book, launching an invention or opening a store? You can set small goals for yourself and begin your own business on a part-time basis. You might say, "I just don't have the time to work my business full time." That's OK — working it part-time is better than no time at all. Dedicate a couple of hours a day toward your goal. Also consider starting online which will keep your overhead low and give you the flexibility to work from home at varying hours.

If you want to go into a different professional field all together, research the cost to get advanced training or a degree part time or online. It may feel like a slow process, but if you start now, you will finish and have the skills to move into a new field.

2. I need a vacation, but can't afford it.

When it comes to money and time, we do what we deem to be top priority. If it's been years since you've been on vacation, maybe it's time to raise yourself up on the priority list.

You don't have to wait for the perfect moment, when all the stars and your finances line up to enjoy a vacation with your spouse or family.

Try setting aside a percentage of your income every month to go toward your vacation fund. Maybe you won't go to Paris or Cancun right away, but you can start with a local resort by the lake in your area. '

Or you can become a tourist in your own city. Make a hotel reservation downtown, schedule dinner, a play, trip to the spa or a shopping excursions. Just one night away from your regular routine will do wonders for your peace of mind and add zest to your life.

3. I want to move into a new home

Of course, it's easy to go out this week and start looking at new nicer homes. But maybe the money's just not there yet. Here are a few simple, less expensive alternatives to upgrade your current living space:

- Freshen your rooms up with new paint.

- Get your carpets cleaned.

- Purchase new bedding, linen, towels and window treatments.

- Rearrange the furniture and décor in your house and eliminate clutter.

As always, make today the best day of your life!

Don't fear the outside of the box

Maybe you've lived in the same area your entire life, had the same friends, gone to the same places and you're feeling a little trapped.

If you feel like you're stuck in a box, in a rut, doing the same thing day in, day out, and desperately need a change — be encouraged!

The change you need is already on the inside of you.

God created each and every person on the planet with the inherent gifts, talents and wisdom needed to navigate through every part of their lives.

You just have to dig deep to stir up that fire and the gifts of God already in you. Spend time in prayer, reading God's word and begin to tap into new areas of your creativity.

Make a decision and an effort to get fired up about life, love and your purpose again. Don't stay in a place of indifference.

Be selective

If you find you feel a bit discouraged after you share your dreams with certain individuals, you need to remember everyone may not understand or see your long-term vision.

So be selective about whom you share your dreams with. Make sure you share your vision with people who will be your biggest cheerleaders and supporters.

There are many people who will rally behind you, but unfortunately there are some dream assassins out there, people who will quickly take what you believe and shoot it down.

So protect your hopes and your heart and connect with others who propel you into your destiny. As you change for the better and break the status quo within your circle of friends, remember everyone may not support or understand you. But keep moving forward because great visionaries always see outside of the box.

Avoid perfection paralysis

Don't wait for the perfect moment to feel you have the right amount of time and money to begin working your dreams. Start now. Start small.

Even start out scared if you have to, but just get those wheels turning.

A lot of people feel like they have to wait until they have full confidence and feel fearless before they begin pursuing their dream. But what they may not realize is many of us pursue our purpose despite the fear.

If we wait until there's no sense of nervousness, we may never get started. Take a few small steps every week toward achieving your goals. Eventually you'll look back and realize each of those small steps created one great leap of faith in your life.

When something goes wrong, do you tend to bounce back or fall apart?

People with resilience seem to be able to quickly harness inner strengths and quickly rebound from setbacks. Whether its sickness, divorce, job loss or death, resilient people realize they will either sink or swim when challenges come their way.

On the other hand, those who are less resilient tend to feel like victims of their circumstances, dwell on issues and become easily overwhelmed. They may feel their only refuge is in coping mechanisms such as overeating, drugs, alcohol or seclusion. Challenges are an inevitable ,and having the ability to bounce back certainly won't make problems go away. But having the right attitude will give you the insight to see past them. Find a way to avoid being overtaken by the currents of life. Instead learn to ride the waves.

This doesn't mean you should become emotionally distant or cold. Nor does it mean you always respond to adversity with ease and grace. You don't have to be in denial either. But you can still admit to challenges in your life and then, go into solution mode.

Whatever you do, just don't dwell on the problem. It's not always about what you go through, but how you choose to react and the fact that you must decide to come out on the other side. Learning how to bounce back is also a great example for your family. This will teach them out to avoid common pitfalls like depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.

Here are common characteristics of resilient people. See if you can see some of these traits in your own character. Remember performing well under pressure is a life skill that takes time to develop. So if you aren't where you want to be, just keep working at it and if you don't give up. You'll get there.

Characteristics


- Ability to easily to adapt to change.

- Having a general feeling of control of your life.

- I tend to bounce back after a hardship or illness.

- Regularly developing solid relationships with friends and family.

- Holding the belief that you never give up even in seemingly hopeless situations.

- Ability to think clearly and logically under pressure.

- Finding humor in stressful situations.

- Having a self-image of confidence and strength.

- I like challenges and feel comfortable taking the lead.

Many people are going through tough times right now all across the globe. But you can choose to allow the joy of the Lord to be your strength. Learn to be a victor over life's trials and not a victim. And by all means, enjoy the process as you grow and learn to bounce back.

Be the very best dad you can be

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Dad's day is here this weekend and families all across the country are making plans to honor their dads, grandfather, uncles and brothers. Here are a few tips to be the very best dad you can be.

Discipline with love

Fathers can still effectively discipline their children with a calm, yet stern, tone without yelling and screaming. You should never speak down to your children, saying things like "you are so stupid" or "you get on my nerves." The old saying, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me" couldn't be further from the truth.

The words you speak over your children will have a lasting impression for years to come. It may seem like a simple concept, but you'd be surprised how many adults I've counseled because of things their parents said to them decades ago.

Also avoid giving "the cold shoulder." If you need time to yourself, go away to fish, read or sit quietly so when you are with your children, you are fully present and give them your best.

Commit to dinner time

With long work days and varying kids' activity schedules, sitting down to have dinner together as a family almost seems to be a thing of the past. But even if you can't have dinner together every night, at least commit to dinner together a few times a week at the same time. This is a great time to go around the table and ask what the highlights of the day were and see if anyone has concerns. Make sure you set the example by initiating this time together. It's also a good time to listen and give advice.

Take time to read

If you still have young children, make sure you start reading to them early on. This is a great way to end your night, learn something new and have quiet time together. This is a nice way to step away from the world of electronics and TV and really develop their cognitive skills. If they always see you reading instead of watching TV, they will likely develop the same habit and carry it with them for the rest of their life.

Father's job never done

Often times dads give their toddler and preteen children more attention and then feel like they don't know how to relate to them as they get older. This is especially true for girls.

But remember your children still need you in their teen years and beyond. This is when talk time and making sure they feel loved and validated are the most critical.

There are so many things pulling at them in school and in the media. You want to always be the consistent voice affirming their value, talent and identity. Find something positive to compliment them on every day.

Take hold of chances in your life

Have you recently been offered a new position in your career, the chance to go back to school to finish your degree, or maybe a business opportunity? There are moments and seasons that come into each of our lives that are "once in a lifetime."

If you wait too long to think about whether or not you should take a chance and try something new, you may let the opportunity slip right through your hands. Ideally, we want to all live with little or no regrets. As we look back over the years, nobody wants to feel we made a series of bad choices or missed out on something big. In order to avoid those regrets, we have to seize every precious and spectacular moment in life that comes our way.

Here are a few tips to help you seize the moment:

1. Don't fight to create your path, pray to find your destiny.

It's often been said you can figure out your life's purpose by identifying what moves you to laughter or moves you to tears.

What is it that stirs you up? Are you passionate about writing, medicine, politics, raising a family, or finance? What is it that you could do all day whether you were paid to or not and love it?

These are questions you want to ask yourself to help identify your purpose.

You don't have to try to force yourself into the right place or the right crowd. Begin to pray and earnestly seek God's direction to get on course with the path predestined for you to follow.

2. Don't do the same thing every day.

Get out, network, meet new people and put yourself in the position for new opportunities to come your way. If you go to the same places and do the same exact things 365 days a year, how can you expect something new to come your way?

Apart of seizing the moment includes following God's leading so you are in the right place at the right time for God's favor to show up in your life. Success happens when preparation meets opportunity. Prepare yourself now for what you are dreaming to do. So when the door of opportunity shows up, you can walk right through it.

3. Recognize when something good has come your way.

Opportunities may come in the form of a simple suggestion from a friend or relative.

Practice the art of listening when new ideas or opportunities are presented to you — not just listening with your ears, but also listen with your heart. Don't just overlook suggestions or that "gut" feeling you get about something, or you could be missing out on something that would change your life in a great way.

Internships can make big impact

Summer break is finally here and kids all across the country are looking forward to staying up later, sleeping in and having a break from the daily school routine. This week and next week we'll discuss ideas to make your child's summer break more meaningful and memorable.

Exposure vital

You really want to begin exposing your kids to a variety of career options for their future when they are as early as 10 or 11 years old. And not just through conversation and research, but through hands-on experience.

Find out which career fields interest your child. If they are still too young to work during the summer, you can call to set up a tour at a hospital, television station, real estate office, college or whichever field they might want to pursue. Also ask if there would be any opportunities for them to help out for a few hours during the summer so they can see what actually goes on in the workplace.

Internships can be easy to arrange by making a few phone calls. Law offices, doctor's offices and other businesses are often open to having an intern if your child demonstrates initiative, commitment and a good work ethic. Some internships pay a small hourly amount, while many are for high school or college credit only. This type of experience will be a great resume builder and children gain more from working in an environment where they are intellectually and socially challenged.

Experience key

Whatever the case, these experiences will help your child understand the day-to-day work that goes into each career field — beyond just the glamour and salary. This experience is invaluable in helping them narrow their field of study.

For example, your child may desire a career as a TV reporter, but may realize through the hands-on experience the research and writing that goes into the job isn't appealing. Or a child interested in being an architect may enjoy drawing, but may also find there is a need to develop his math skills to do well.

Plan now

So get started planning out summer work plans with your children today. The exposure could be a life-changing experience.

Be open to healing in relationship

This month, in honor of Mother's Day, we talked about healing relationships between mothers and children. There was such a great response to that column, I felt it necessary to further explore this issue.

Father's Day is just around the corner in June, and there are so many out there who need to mend broken relationships with the mothers and their fathers as well.

How do we begin this process?

I often say in communication and life, we must first seek to understand and not just to be understood.

Parents are people, too

When we are first born, I think God gives us all this great ability to believe our parents can do anything. Ideally, they really should be our first representation of God on the Earth. We should be able to depend on them, learn from them and ideally aspire to be a lot like them.

But what if we could rarely rely on mom or dad to follow through on their promises? Or if we saw arguing, depression, anger and hopelessness in them as our example? How can we learn to love, forgive and have a strong relationship with our parents?

It starts with first understanding they're people too.

They started out just like we did, as babies, influenced by their environment and life's circumstances.

Moms and dads have hurts, disappointments and concerns just like us. If you've been hurt by your mom or dad, don't walk in bitterness and try to return a wrong.

Be understanding. I Peter 3:8 tells us to "be of one mind, having compassion for one another... being tenderhearted, be courteous, not returning evil for evil, but on the contrary blessing knowing that you were called to this."

As their children, we often only see them in the role of a parent. But they had an identity as individuals far before you came along. Think about the way they were raised, the things they went through that shaped the person they eventually became. The relationship they had with their parents also plays a major role in the kind of parenting style they used with you.

Ideally, each generation should go a step beyond the one before them. I hope your parents were able to do more and be more for you than your grand- and great-grandparents did for them. Now you have the responsibility to work to take that a step further for your children.

Talk to your mom or dad about the changes you'd like to see them make and pray for their ability to change. No matter what we've been through in life, we all still have the ability to change who we are. But that is a matter of decision.

If they're not willing to make those changes, move forward and make a personal decision that you will be quick to change, grow and reshape yourself when you receive constructive criticism from those closest to you.

J-Rock Motivates TV

Victory In Life Is Available But Not Automatic

We’ve all heard the old adage, “the best things in life are free”. There is some truth to that statement. However, many of the things that are worth having in life require good old fashioned hard work. The Webster’s dictionary defines Victory as “achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties”.

Victory in our lives is available but not necessarily automatic. Obtaining a good marriage, a successful family or career all takes work. All of these things are available but will take implementing systems, tools and hard work. Let’s explore the journey of two American’s that rose out of poverty and despair through faith and hard work.

George Washington Carver – Scientist & Inventor

George Washington Carver was born with incredible odds stacked against him. His father died in an accident just before his birth. After being born into slavery, he and his mother were kidnapped. He was returned, but his mother was never found. Through persistence, faith and determination he became a world renowned scientist and inventor.

Carver found over 300 uses for the peanut. He also invented other things that we wouldn’t imagine living without. Some of them include shoe polish, bleach, instant coffee and shaving cream.

Andrew Carnegie – Entrepreneur & Philanthropist

Andrew Carnegie was born in the mid 1800’s to a very poor family and got his first job at 13, working in a textile mill, for only $1.25 a week. Slowly he worked his way up to $35 per week at Railroad Company where he learned about the steel industry and stock market. He took what he learned there and became a successful investor.

After his father died when Carnegie was only 20, he became the sole provider for his mother and siblings. It was at that time that his mother taught him how to fend for himself and work hard through life’s toughest challenges.

When he retired, he was the richest man in the world and gave away over $350 which would be equivalent to $3 billion. Overtime, keeping himself encouraged and surrounded by people that he could learn from, Carnegie applied what he learned. He achieved victory in his life from poverty to financial prosperity.

Born into life with great challenges, both Carver & Carnegie persevered to become people that helped reshape our world for the better. What can you do today to make an impact and have victory in your life?

One day at a time, one success at a time, no matter where you start, you can have a victorious life! It isn’t automatic, but victory is available to you at any moment. You can begin creating the life you dream of and obtain it!

Make today the best day of your life!