The Sum Total of Our Choices

     Bad habits are hard to break. We've all heard that statement before and for the most part we all would agree, it is hard to break a bad habit. I would contend that it is just as challenging to form good habits. I also would contend that we are a compilation of our choices in life, some of those choices are good and we inevitably reap the benefits of making those good choices, but on the flip side we also make some pretty poor choices that cause us a bunch of grief down the road when we also reap the consequences of the choices that would fit in the "not so good" category. So here's the rub, we all have free will to choose what habits we will form. The total accumulation of those choices will be a final accounting of our life and how we spent it on this big rock which we live.
     If we choose to eat poorly, watch too much TV, fill our minds with negative influences (such as TV), sleeping too much, not exercising enough, drinking to excess, smoking, backbiting, arguing, the list goes on and on, we have to realize those are all choices. Nobody makes you do any of the things listed above, you choose those and unfortunately those choices quickly become bad habits. Now you can make excuses like the comedian Flip Wilson used to do in his routine when he popularized the phrase "the devil made me do it", or you can give any number of other reasons why those bad habits exist. For example in the case of exercising do any of these sound familiar, my work schedule won't allow me to exercise, I'm too tired after work, I've got too many things on my to do list to work out, I can't work out because of the kids schedule, I don't want to join a gym where everyone will look at me, or you fill in the blank with the one that you are currently using or have used in the past. Guess what the reasons not to work out are the result of a set of choices and priorities you make each day.
     If you want to form a set of better habits in reference to exercising you can and you will. For every excuse you can come up with there is an alternative solution that will lead to better choices and thus good habits. If your schedule won't allow you to work out in the evening, then get up an hour earlier each day. What?? Get up earlier?? Yes, the National Sleep Foundation recommends anywhere from 7 to 9 hours of sleep for adults so going to bed at 10:00PM and getting up at 5:00AM will get you enough sleep and more than likely give you an hour to exercise before getting ready to go to work.
The bottom line here is whatever your bad habit is, you chose it and you have to be the one to break it.
     Once you begin making better choices and altering your habits so that they begin to fall in the "good habit" category, you will begin to see positive changes in your daily life. Remember you are a sum total of all of your choices. Before we end today's thought go back to our previous example and instead of exercising our bodies we replace that thought with exercising our spiritual body and soul. That too is a choice. We can try to convince ourselves that we don't have time to read and study the Word, we can make excuses for why we don't meditate and pray, why we don't spend time in worship and praise each day or even each week, or why we don't believe, all of which are choices. If I don't take care of my physical body with exercise and proper nutrition I will become weak, my body will fail me sooner in life, and my ability to help those in my life that I need to help will be decreased. The same holds true for my spiritual body as well. I must feed my soul positive messages, inspirational thoughts, motivational lessons, and faith based principles, I have to choose to work out my mind with positive tools such as devotionals, study groups, and time spent in the Word, and I have to make time in my schedule where I am focused on what is ultimately going to create a positive habit in my life.     
     Forming good habits is just as tough to do as breaking those bad habits, but as you begin replacing bad habits with good ones it becomes just that, a habit. Research has concluded that it takes anywhere from about one month to around two months to make something a habit that will stick. This week commit to breaking one bad habit you have and replacing it with an activity that will have a positive impact on your life and most importantly the lives of others you come in contact with on a daily basis. Remember it is a choice and you are the one that makes that choice. You can't blame it on circumstances, schedules, or any other excuse you can come up with, you have to choose to make it happen and then stick to it! When you struggle or begin to doubt you can maintain your choice of a good habit remember 1 Corinthians 10:13 which encourages us that "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." You are not alone! Enjoy your week and all the opportunities it will provide!
Coach Carter

    

Be More Like the Cactus

     I'm certain everyone is familiar with cacti and it's ability to survive the heat and lack of water in the desert, but have you ever researched how this thorny plant accomplishes this feat? Cacti are definitely survivors some living up to 200 years in the harsh conditions of some of earth's hottest and driest locations. It's safe to say the cactus has found ways to withstand the heat and to thrive in the desert on a minimal supply of the one nutrient that all living things need to exist, water. Many times in our own lives we find ourselves in a desert, living under intense "heat" with no source of relief in sight. Many times our well feels as if it has ran dry and we are placed in the middle of a drought. The cactus could teach us all a little bit about planning for life's droughts and how to store up nourishment during those times when the heat is turned up and we need something to quench our thirst.
     The cacti was created to store up water in preparation for long spans of time with no precipitation, while enduring extreme temperatures and a blistering sun. Without going deep into the details of how this is accomplished let's just say the cactus is equipped with a few qualities that allow it to retain moisture when it is available to survive the times when it is not even a mention in the weather forecast. An intricate web of roots near the terrain's surface allows the cactus to catch all possible moisture before it seeps down to other potential plants and their roots. Cacti also have spines that act like an accordion expanding during precipitation and then closing up to retain the moisture during long periods of drought. In addition, when we think of a cactus we almost always think about the prickly thorns that protect the cactus from animals damaging the plant and thus forcing it to use it's reserved water for repair. Interesting research, but I'll leave the in-depth study to the science department. What I'm more interested in is how we can survive life's droughts and withstand the adversity and afflictions of our lives when we feel the heat is being turned up with no relief on the horizon. Taking on the qualities of the cacti that help it survive and thrive might be a good lesson for us all to learn.
     I have heard it said that if you aren't going through a crisis in life currently, then you either just made it through one, or you are probably getting ready to experience one. That's not being pessimistic, that's being a realist. Life is going to be filled with an abundance of joyous occasions and reasons to express our gratitude and our happiness, but it's during those periods of drought when the "heat" is blistering that we need a reserve source of nourishment to overcome. Just as the roots of the cactus stretch out to find sources of nourishment, we must realize we can't do things on our own. We have to reach out to those we love and also to call on our faith to provide water for our soul, mind, and body. We need to store up scriptures, songs, and stories of others that have overcome and of those that are still overcoming adversity in this world. When we step back and look at what others around us have endured and how their faith carried them through we should soak up their takeaways and store them in our reservoir. Developing a defense system such as the spiny thorns of the cactus will allow us to fight off depression, despair, or doubt and stand firm holding on to the promises that "He will never leave us nor forsake us" Deuteronomy 31:6, and that "when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13. 
      We relish in the good times of life, yet it is during the challenges and adversities of life that we experience growth and stamina. It may seem like you are living in the middle of the Mojave Desert, but my friend if you store up water from the well of faith you will always have enough to survive and you can be confident of His promise. ".... but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14 ESV. Be more like the cactus so that you are prepared for the heat and droughts of life. Live life and live it more abundantly! Coach Carter

On the Edge, But Hanging In and Holding On

     Many of the weekly thoughts that are shared in this blog are formed from casual, mundane instances that happen to me along life's daily journey. This week's FTM is directly related to an incident that happened earlier this week. To some coincidences and luck create a great deal of the events that take place in our lives each day, but I fall in the camp of there is no such thing as a coincidence, things happen for a reason and it is our job to be attentive and look for the purpose or lesson attached to the things that go on in our walk each day.
    Included in my morning routine is a 1 to 2 mile run accompanied by a quick shower to freshen up before I head out to work. I wear a cross pendant on a leather cord which I have to remove before showering and as I was going about this routine this past Tuesday something happened that caught my attention and inspired today's thought for the week. I removed the necklace and laid it on the vanity in the bathroom. As I moved away from the vanity somehow I must have knocked the cross pendant near the edge of the sink's base. The leather cord dangled from the ledge and the cross teetered right at the point of following the cord down towards the ground. I stood frozen watching to see if the necklace was going to fall or if it would stay in place. Looking at that cross made me think of the many times I have been right there on the edge and felt like there was no way I would be able to hold on, but somehow I did, and by holding on I was able to outlast the adversity that I was experiencing.
     Not that I overcame my adversities by myself. Faith and trust equip us to hang in and hold on when we feel like we are at the edge of a cliff, dangling and uncertain of what is going to happen next. The words of Dr. Vance Havner, an early twentieth century theologian, provide us with a thought to hang on to in the midst of our turmoil and tribulations, "We find that when Jesus is all we have, He is all we need and all we want. We are shipwrecked on God and stranded on omnipotence." Just as that necklace was being pulled by gravity towards the ground, something held it tightly to the edge without letting it fall. It was the cross that held it firmly in place, dangling yes, but as it dangled it held strong, glued to the vanity.
     Whatever you are going through in life, whatever cliff you feel like you are standing on, hang in and hold on to your faith and place your trust in the One that will provide your anchor. When you feel like it is too tough don't quit or give up, just keep holding on to that cross. Whether it's your job, your marriage, school, business, sports, illness, or even in the face of death hang in there and trust. It may seem like you have nothing left to hold on to,  remember it is then that all you have to hold on to is all you need. "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1.
Coach Carter

Deep Roots

     One of my daily devotions this morning was on the topic of Palm Sunday where people lined the streets waving palm branches as Jesus returned to Jerusalem. The devotional passage associated with my devotion took me to Psalm 92:12. As a practice, I research the scripture that is associated with the provided verse because I have found that this gives me a deeper understanding of the circumstances surrounding that particular scripture and sometimes a clearer message of the intent of the verse in context. As I was reading today's verse the two verses that follow verse 12 gave me the thought for this week's FTM.  
12  The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
    they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
¹³ planted in the house of the Lord,
    they will flourish in the courts of our God.
¹⁴ They will still bear fruit in old age,
    they will stay fresh and green
 Psalm 92:12-14
     When we look at a tree the things we notice are the outreaching branches full of life, the beautiful foliage that provides comfort and shade from the sun's wrath, and the fruit of which we partake and are nourished. Sometimes we may even take in the beauty of the trunk of the tree, the bark of the cherry tree is especially pleasing with it's sleek and shiny smooth base. These are the aspects of a tree that we find pleasure in, yet the most critically important part of the tree is the one that we do not see and does not receive many accolades for it's beauty or appearance.
     In the case of the roots of a tree we all realize that without the roots the tree would not exist. The roots provide the nourishment for the tree to grow and also for the blooms of spring to eventually result in the fruits of June and July. I suppose the roots are kind of like the "behind the scenes" contributor to a tree's success. Not only do the roots provide nourishment they also provide stability. Where we live we are surrounded by trees and during thunderstorms and high winds I say a little extra thank you for the roots of the tree that have spread out and down deep providing a strong, firm foundation as the winds sway the branches back and forth. Without deep roots trees would not survive even the mildest storms we experience each year. So, as beautiful and beneficial that the trunk, branches, leaves, and fruit are, without the roots none of these would be of relevance to our lives.
     Isn't that how it is in life? Aren't we recognized and acknowledged for what we do on the surface of life? Are not our accomplishments and accolades founded on what is seen and how we go about our business each day? We will be known by our daily deeds whether they are good or bad. The difference being in what we are rooted. In life our "roots" will determine how we grow and how well we will handle life's storms. If we plant our roots in the wrong places they will not flourish and when the winds are rising and our faith is challenged we will not be able to withstand the challenges facing us. If our roots are planted in faith and trust then they will grow deeper and stronger which in turn allows us to face and overcome the storms that we face in our families, relationships, finances, workplaces, and all other areas of life where we can experience hardship or tragedy.
     The fruit of the tree is what we enjoy, yet unless the roots are firm and have grown deep we may never get to experience the joy of the fruit! This week reflect on what you are rooted in and how that impacts your daily walk. You may find that your priorities are set on the things that others see such as the branches and fruit on the tree creating a need to reorganize your priorities giving more attention to the source of our growth, our roots! Have an amazing week and dig deep!
Coach Carter

Have a Great Day and Work Hard!

      Growing up in the southern region of our United States a common salutation might include something along the lines of "I'll see you later and don't you work too hard." A nice thought with good intentions, right? As a matter of fact that phrase was one of my most common quotes as I would say my goodbyes to family and friends. I would chime out that decree without giving one thought to what I was actually invoking with my suggestion to not work too hard. The fact of the matter is when I would say "don't work too hard" I was actually promoting somebody to be lazy or to not give their best! Now that one hit me right in the face! I know many of you reading this are thinking "Oh it's just a saying, you aren't really meaning to say to not do your share of the work that needs to be accomplished." Yes, but the message I was sending was exactly that. Subliminally would it suggest it's not only okay, but it is what is expected of me to do? Is the best job expected to be less than the best effort we have to give? When I received my epiphany about what message this simple salutation was purveying I had to stop and give myself a reprimand for suggesting it is okay to slack and do less than your best.
     For me one of the most important qualities I should display to my family, friends, students, colleagues, and others that I come in contact with is a superior work ethic. Giving our best is a true reflection of who we are, what we stand for, and what we represent. You can take that on many different levels and from multiple perspectives. As a father we want to demonstrate the benefits of a good days work, as a coworker we need to do our fair share and at times more when necessary, and as an American we should be proud to work and support our family, our government, and our way of life. Most importantly, for my faith, it is imperative that I do my best in everything and anything I set out to do. The apostle Paul penned a scripture in Colossians 3:23 that has become my rallying cry as an educator, coach, coworker, parent, husband, or any other role that I might carry in my life. Paul's encouraging words challenge us by saying "Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as you are doing it for the Lord and not for men". When you start thinking about the significance of how you go about your day's work it starts to change the purpose of what you are doing. Things no longer are just a job or just another day of work before you make it to another weekend. What you do and how you do it matter. People are watching you to see how you go about your business. Little eyes are set on you to learn how they should behave in their lives as contributors to this world.
     What I do is important, what you do is critically important to not only your livelihood but it will form the model of what your legacy will be in your circle of influence. How you go about your job, your responsibilities, and your daily routines will be a direct reflection on how you want to see others do their job. Instead of shouting out "don't work too hard" we should be encouraging and expecting our friends and families to "work hard", "give your best" "earn what you get", and "do more than what is expected". When we change our mindset to grasp the concept that how hard we work and the expectation of equally hard work from others makes a difference then we are on the road to real progress and real time pride in what we are doing! A hard days work never hurt anyone and expecting a hard days work from others is not asking for anything more than what they should be doing anyway.
     I created EXTREME TEAM sports as a way to get the message out that even in sports we should be giving our best every time we are on the mat or on the court. Think of it this way, Whatever you do, GO EXTREME, as if you doing it for the Lord and not for men. I'm not sure if Paul ever used the word extreme or not but the meaning is the same, give it all you got, go for it, and always do your best. If we adopt that mindset and if we display it in our lives and expect it in the lives of our family and friends our work takes on a whole new meaning. No longer will we be just making it through the day and doing just enough to get by, you know the "don't work too hard" concept, but instead when we are saying our send offs to those we come in contact with daily we will instead encourage them by saying "Work hard, do your best, and never give up!"
I work for a great big boss and I want to be the right kind of example and to make him proud!
Go for it and GO EXTREME!!
Coach Carter