An Absence of Faith

An Absence of Faith

49 sec.

There once was a young girl living with a strong-handed father.  Every time she would speak, the father would shut her down with “What are you saying?  You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Soon, her faith in herself was snuffed out.

Fortunately, a wise teacher came to town who promoted openness and acceptance.  After a bit, he was able to bring out of this girl her own identity.  She began opening up and shared some amazing insights. 

Reminds me of a scene in Man of LaMancha in which Aldonza says: 

“Blows and abuse I can take and give back,

but tenderness I cannot bear”

She had suffered abuse so often that she was blinded to genuine love.

She had developed an absence of faith in her own goodness or in her ability to do anything worthwhile. 

I want to be a faith restorer.  Our world needs us you know.

Care to join me?

P Michael Biggs

Offering Up-Moments

One Moment at a Time

Dancing in the Puddles

Dancing in the Puddles

48 sec. 

When you live in the northwest you do things in spite of the weather.  If we waited for sunshine and 70-degree days we would have to cram our lives into eighteen days a year.  (Not quite, but almost.)

We learn to dance in the puddles.  We go, we do, and we live out loud, even on a rainy day. 

Are conditions ever perfect? 

Do we always get our way?

Does our ship always come in, on time and under budget?

No way. 

So, we do the next best thing - we make do with what we are given.  We dance with the obstacles, the weather, the downturn of the stock market, or anything else we are handed. 

I know some people who need this thought:

    -Church people-

        -Employees-

            -Real estate agents-

                -People in other lands-

                    -Politicians-

We dance in the puddles until the sun comes out again.

P Michael Biggs

Offering Up-Words

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The Drift

The Drift

33 sec.

 

Drifting down a calm river in a raft can be fun.

Drifting through life sounds idyllic, but without a sense of where you want to go -- well, you end up nowhere, or worse, in a place you’d rather not be in.

Drifters have no rudder

Drifters have no purpose

Drifters have no sense of anything

except the next view,

and they have to take

what comes along.

There is danger in drifting.  The rocky obstacles can hurt you.  The least you can do is plan for them, watch out for them, and avoid them if you can, but don’t just drift.

P Michael Biggs

Offering a Thought-Moments

One Moment at a Time

If I were a Frog

If I were a Frog

36 Sec.

Wouldn't it be cool to be a frog?  Frogs eat bugs.  That means they eat what bugs them.

How cool would that be? 

Eat what bugs you – people, problems, paper work 

Yuck!

Rather, we learn how to handle difficulty.  We learn skills in the human relationship field. 

We don’t eat people who bug us. 

     We work it out. 

          We talk. 

               We listen.

And above all, we work it out.

Are you learning new skills in problem solving?

I hope so.  Books abound on the subject.  Internet sites too.

Just do it!

Save your palette for other tasty morsels.

P Michael Biggs

Offering Up-Moments

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Give 'em Wings

Give ‘em Wings

 36 sec.

We have it in our power to instill in others a profound sense of worth.  Oprah Winfrey once said, “ I've talked to nearly 30,000 people on my shows, and all of them have one thing in common – they want validation. 

"People want to know …

     Do you hear me?

     Do you see me?

     Does what I say mean anything to you?”

 

John Maxwell and Les Parrot said this in 25 Ways to Win with People:

“…Give [people] a compliment – a sincere and meaningful word … and give it in front of others.” 

When you give a public compliment, you give people wings like an eagle.

It’s all about encouragement.  Encouragement is like oxygen to the soul.

P Michael Biggs

Offering Up-Moments

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Strength in Two

Strength in Two

42 sec.

Look at a rope and see multiple strands.  Individually they can’t hold much, but together they tow cars, secure heavy loads and become bridges across canyons. 

There is strength in numbers.  It’s a quaint and old thought that is still true.

We are the United States of America.

What if there was a United States of Europe? 

Or any other United States of … (Name your country)

What if all political parties put aside their differences and focused on fixing the world?  That would mean thinking less of ourselves and focusing on the future of mankind.  How about that?

There is a Pakistani proverb that says: 

“One man standing is always alone,

but two are equivalent to eleven.”

I like the odds of that.

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

One Moment at a Time

Faith

Faith

49 Sec.

Some faith synonyms are these: 

Confidence

     Trust

          Reliance

               Belief

If I didn’t have faith, what would life be like? 

~I have faith in God.  I need to believe in some power, some being who is bigger than me, and who holds this universe together.  I need a God bigger than any idea I’ve ever held.  So, I have faith that there is a God and He is holding onto the strings of this universe.

~I have faith in my wife’s love.  As surely as the sun arose this morning, I believe with certainty that Carolyn loves me.  She demonstrates it in a thousand ways, and with ten thousand words.  I am loved with a furious love and I am forever better for it. 

So, faith in God and faith in love – do we need much else?

P Michael Biggs

Offering Up-Moments

One Moment at a Time

The Thinking Poem

The Thinking Poem

47 seconds

(Little is known about the following poem and the man whose name is generally attached.  It has appeared in various forms, and the general consensus is that this is very close to the original.  No other comment is required or needed.  Read and Act on it.)

Thinking Poem

If you think you are beaten, you are.

If you think that you dare not, you don’t.

If you’d like to win, but you think you can’t,

It’s almost certain you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost,

For out in the world you’ll find.

Success begins with a fellow’s will,

It’s all in the state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are.

You’ve got to think high to rise.

You’ve got to be sure of yourself before,

You can ever win the prize.

Life’s battles don’t always go

To the stronger or faster man,

But sooner or later the man who wins

Is the man who thinks he can.

Walter D. Wintle

(This is a share-able moment.  Would you be so kind as to share this with someone today? Thank you for your thoughtfulness.)

P Michael Biggs

Offering Inspiration

One Moment at a Time

The Power of Action

The Power of Action

39 sec.

Thoughts and ideas are good things, but action is better.

I can think about writing a blog for thirty minutes, but nothing happens until I put my fingers to the keys and write.  It is then that the ideas really begin to take shape and come to life on my screen.

What do you want to do? 

Write? 

     Sing? 

          Build? 

               Speak? 

                    Study? 

Just do it – NOW. 

Begin!

Julia Cameron says this in her book The Right to Write:  “Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it – for action has magic, grace and power in it.”

Nothing happens until we begin it.

Go.

               Begin your dream.

The world is waiting.

P.S.  Someone you know needs a nudge today.  Send this to them.  Tell them I said 'Hi'!

P Michael Biggs

Offering Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Imitation

Imitation

36 sec.

Imitation is a good thing.  Musicians do it.  Beginning comedians do it. 

When I was a young drummer, I listened to Gene Krupa albums and learned his solos.

In college, one of my professors was a top drawer conductor and I copied his style.

We copy - we mimic.  All successful people do that.  That is how we learn to create our own style.  It’s “finding your own voice.”

Britney Spears is one of the most copied female artists today.  Go to any talent show and you’ll hear a dozen young wanna-be Britney’s singing their hearts out. 

Mimic, and then make it your own.

Uncover your own voice. 

P Michael Biggs

Offering Up-Moments

One Moment at a Time

More than Meets the Eye

More than Meets the Eye

(40 Sec.)

My wife teaches piano to 35 students.  But she is offering more than meets the eyes. 

Carolyn is offering friendship, self-esteem, she builds self-confidence and on more than one occasion she has become a counselor at critical moments in some of her parent’s lives.

That is what happens when we open ourselves up to all that life brings us.  We enter into those unplanned moments and become more than meets the eye.

She is expected to teach, but they get a friend, a counselor and a listening ear as a bonus.

And she loves.  My goodness, do those kids know they are loved. 

Are you offering more than meets the eye?  Increase your serve in whatever field you are in.

P Michael Biggs

Offering Up-Moments

One Moment at a Time

Learn the Notes

Learn the Notes

43 Sec.

My wife, Carolyn, teaches 35 piano students.  The other day she put a challenging piece in front of an older student.  He struggled through it.  After she played it for him, he asked, “How did you do that?”

She answered, “You first have to learn to play the notes before you can become skillful.”  

For Carolyn it comes naturally, for her skill is highly developed.  Her student hadn’t had enough experience yet to allow him to play that score.

 

There is a lesson in there for all of us, in whatever we pursue. 

 

-Become President?                  

Learn the notes.

-Be a mechanic?              

Learn the notes.

-Be a speaker, writer, or teacher?

          Learn the notes.

The lesson is simple. 

Whatever we want to become, we first learn to play the notes.

Great reminder.

P Michael Biggs

Offering Up-Moments

One Moment at a Time

Look Past Your Past

Look Past Your Past.

52 Sec.

Your past is over.  Done.  There’s no going back.

From this day forward every moment is a new beginning.  Start now to create your future.  Look past your past.

We’ve all had bad experiences, bad upbringing, and hurtful words tossed our way. 

The time has come to move beyond all of that.

But how?

Try journaling.  My journals have proven to be safe and helpful tools for personal growth.  If you fear discovery, use a computer with a secret password to secure your thoughts. 

Above all, write till you empty your heart.  Get it all out. 

Today, take your first step toward a brighter future.

Remember this: 

     You are enough. 

          You are smart enough. 

               You are talented enough. 

-Approve of yourself-

From this day forward learn to navigate life on your own terms.  You no longer need your past as a crutch. 

Your past is past.

P Michael Biggs

Offering Up-Moments

One Moment at a Time