Building for Something Bigger and Better

We exist in a world where instant results drive most people. Older generations will recall a time, however, when people planned ahead and saved, building a future - patience being rewarded through a well-organised approach to fulfilling their dream.

That reward remains today if we will build the sort of future that God is steadily sowing into our hearts now.

EXTENDING THE BUILDING ANALOGY

Construction is a metaphor well worthy of our plans for better things.

The need for the asset is, first, identified. This is equivalent to the pressure-for-change that compels us to build for a happier future, bright with hope, and fulfilling our purpose.

Design is the next phase. We develop the blueprint and think some more. We take the blueprint to people we trust and solicit their opinion. Back to the architect we go - who in this case is us - and we continue to refine the design.

When we are happy with these plans we take them to the local government authority for approval. Then we engage a builder who will bring these plans to reality.

The timeline is developed and contracts are signed. Then we wait and monitor progress, all the while anticipating how good it will be to enjoy this new building.

The whole developed world understands this principle of slow development.

It's no different for us in our personal lives. The process of slow development, plans maturing over time, with plenty of scope for reflection and critique, helps us to achieve the best possible outcome. This method employs wisdom.

BUILDING A BETTER FOUNDATION

Jesus' concluding point in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:24-27) centred on the foundational strength of two buildings: one built on sand, the other on rock. Not only must our faith be built solidly, our plans are best blessed also when we patiently lay them, like bricks, one course at a time.

Change is a risky business. Perhaps we learn once in life - maybe once too many - that flippant change of directions can end disastrously. Wisdom suggests there is nothing wrong with change, just we need to understand what needs changing, how to do it, and what timeline is realistic.

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Why do we forge ahead to bring about instant change when we miss out on the climaxing anticipation of a well-laid plan eventually coming to pass?

It's because we are naturally impatient. We don't know what will happen tomorrow, so we want what we can get today. It affects all of us unless we understand that good things can't take place without much thought and planning.

The best future is planned, custom-designed to our unique needs. While we wait, there is peace in preparation and joy in anticipation. And patience is all we need. Better to build something that is needed, and wait for it, than to occupy a redundant dwelling early.

© 2011 S. J. Wickham.

Steve Wickham is a Registered Safety Practitioner (BSc, FSIA, RSP[Australia]) and a qualified, unordained Christian minister (GradDipBib&Min). His blogs are at: http://epitemnein-epitomic.blogspot.com/ and http://tribework.blogspot.com/

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Creating Change: Finding Something to Be Passionate About

One of the biggest differences that I notice that separate people who are really truly happy from everyone else, is that those who radiate happiness are passionate about something in their lives. Recently I went on a site visit with some clients that I work with who are interested in putting a business together. They had done a few feasibility studies but couldn't really decide which direction they wanted to head in. I had the chance to take them on a tour of a business that had some similar components to the kind of operation they were thinking of running. The group left the visit unable to decide the direction they wanted to head in.

They had three initial goals: be able to grow and sustain the organization, be able to hire people with disabilities, and be able to turn a profit. The one thing they lacked was passion. I very carefully chose the business that I took them to for the tour. The owner of that business has passion oozing from every cell of his body and his enthusiasm is highly contagious. When the group asked him what made his company so successful his response was: "That's what I do."

After listening to this gentleman for more than two hours the group walked away with this lesson: You have to have passion to be a success. You have to live, breathe, and feel your work. Without passion you are just going through the motions and you will not succeed, or your success will be short-lived. Find your passion before you invest your money, before you invest your efforts in developing a business plan, before you invest your time and energy into a business.

The group that I was working with left the tour with a few ideas. They went back to meet with their board of directors and they have narrowed down some choices that they are at least a little bit passionate about. With some more research, and site visits to various businesses hopefully they can find a business idea that they will truly be passionate about, and can implement with great success.

If you find that your happiness quotient is low and that you're lacking a bit of passion in your life, here are some steps to get back on track:

1) Make note of what excites you. Carry a small notepad or notebook around for a week. When you are feeling happy, jot down what in particular is generating that feeling of happiness.

2) Take a trip to a book store. What section do you gravitate towards?

3) Spend some time in solitude. Let your mind wander a bit. Listen to your thoughts

4) If you could spend a whole entire week doing anything that you wanted, what would it be?

5) If you told someone else "That's what I do!" what would it be in regard to?

Whether developing a business or not, we all need a certain level of happiness and passion in our lives. I am sure that on some level, we all know this but with all of the day-to-day activities in our lives we often forget this lesson.

Lori Bell is founder of Creating Powerful Change, LLC and creator of http://www.help-me-change.com/ which offers tips, tools, and techniques for implementing successful change in to your life. As your Personal Change Agent, Lori will provide you with an easy to follow step by step process that allows you to tap into your hidden potential, to grow personally and professionally, and to create a life that finally feels right and works great for you! To receive other free articles and the no cost product- "Are You Ready for Success?" visit http://www.help-me-change.com/ now.

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