Talents and Gifts

Monday, August 25, 2014

Talents and gifts

Wishing you a happy Monday and may your Mondays always be filled with hope and expectations of great things happening.

I was in my thirties before I learned that a parable in the New Testament of the Bible about talents was not a reference to natural abilities and gifts but that talents were actually measurements of money in those days. In my forties when I got employed in the financial services industry this parable took on a even more interesting meaning for me. In the financial services industry I learned that money grows effectively at 10% per year. Therefore if money is invested at this rate after seven years the principal will double.
This parable in the Bible today would go something like this. An employer was going out of town for some time so he called his employees and gave them some money to invest. He gave to one $500,000.00, to another $200,000.00 and to the third $100,000.00. He gave to each according to their ability. The first and second invested and doubled the money they got but the third kept his securely at home to return it to his employer. After seven years the employer returned and checked on his employees to see how well they had done.
The man in this story had he made the attempt he  could have found an institution and invested the money he got at 10% and at the end of the seven years he too would have doubled his money with far less effort and risk than the other two.

On the matter of gifts and talents when I was young I envied the popularity and praise others got for their gifts and talents because I was made to understand that I did not possess any. Later in life  I became the envy of others because I possessed no gifts and talents but I managed to get so much done. My secret was that I was willing to learn and to try.

There are three things that are common to every man. They are thoughts, dreams and opportunities. On average we have two thoughts per minute, it is a pity to let all go to waste. Everyone has a dream of something he would like to do or achieve, this could be the foundation to start something. Opportunity in one form or another comes to every man, do not wait for something big but capitalize on the small. Once work is begun on any of these three there will be natural offshoots.
If what you consider doing  seem too big then this is a good sign because easy or immediate success mean that the task or challenge was not big enough. success only comes after failure.

This week put in a little extra in whatever you do. It may be five, ten or fifteen minutes or maybe an hour. Remember the effort you put in will determine the result you get.

"A bird in hand....."

"A bird in hand is worth two in the bushes" . This is a proverb that I grew up hearing ever so often to emphasize that it is better to settle for the little that is sure than risk what is sure with the hope of gaining what is big because there is always the possibility of ending up with nothing at all. The reality is that risk taking is not for everyone because loss to one person is reason for depression and suicide while it is for another person a source of joy to pursue the challenge
If what a person has is enough to provide satisfaction why risk it for the uncertain. The answer lies in a desire to rise above the status quo,  being different by not conforming and the desire to pursue a dream. The status quo enforces uniformity by discouraging creativity.
I am told that if I desire to succeed then I must follow the status quo. This is good advice but it makes me no different from anyone else and ensures that I will never reach the top. At the top is enshrined the elite that set the agenda of the status quo and decides who joins the ranks of those at the top.
It is because things are controlled by the status quo why we need dreamers because sometime giving up the bird that is in the hands pays off and the two in the bushes is had instead. This may not be for everyone but since life comes with no surety who know what may happen if the bird in hand is released. If I tenaciously grasp the little that I see how do I gain the big possibility?
This week take some chances do some crazy things and be prepared to laugh at yourself when things go wrong.

The supernatural and the miraculous

My wish as always is for you to have a happy Monday.

A sudden outpouring of the supernatural or miraculous may swamp it's recipient. Very few of us make adequate preparations for these although it is the desire of most of us that these happen in our lives. The power for the supernatural and miraculous to happen already lies dormant in many of us.
The truth is that greatness lies latent in all of us but it may require some external force to release that greatness that is lying dormant in us. Too often we expect the miraculous and supernatural to happen in a moment when it would be better for us if it happens over a period of time.
 Ask a grain farmer about the potential of a single grain if it planted in the ideal conditions for two years. A pig farmer will also tell you that under the right conditions more than a thousand pigs can be had from a single sow over a period of two years. Of course this will require replanting the grains and breeding each litter of pigs. The grain farmer may become overwhelmed if suddenly he finds himself with a huge amount of grains or if the pigs farmer if overnight he has a thousand pigs to deal with. If however they are working with the multiplying effect this allows for adjustments and plans to be made.
The same principle can be applied to dealing with our problems and pursing our dreams because once we begin the journey then getting thing done will become a habit and the multiplying effect will take place. Looking back after two years of getting things done while pursuing one's dreams such really reveal the supernatural and miraculous.

Secret weapon

My wish as always is for everyone to be having a happy Monday.

My other wish today is that everyone possess a secret weapon.I do not mean a weapon to cause hurt or injury  to another person. What I am talking about is a secret weapon to overcome obstacles and those things that would want to hinder or stop us from pursuing our dreams. Life is of such that it continually throws in our way obstacles and things over which we have no control. I am now meeting persons who are implying that I should envy them because they have reached the point in their life where they are set for the rest of their life and they will be happy for the rest of their life.  The percentage of such persons are so small that they are not worth mentioning anyway. The majority of us continue to constantly face challenges and would love to find out how to adequately deal with these uncontrollable circumstances and obstacles.
On the matter of secret weapons I recall how I have seen some natural obstacles dealt with.
   1. level it down with heavy equipments. What was though was a small hill was really a natural hill made out solid earth and not rock so the heavy equipments were brought in and it was leveled and trucked away. Soon there was no trace of the hill.
    2.  Cut through it. This was a hill solid rock and what was needed was a way through so the heavy equipments were brought in and a way cut through the rocks. The tall cliffs told the tale of what was done.
   3.  Tunnel through. The obstacle remained but a way was tunneled through.

There is always the option to find another or more suitable site. To go around or over the obstacle or let the obstacle remain. If the obstacle remain it will always be the cause of problems and this is why we need a secret weapon to remove obstacles in our paths and deal with uncontrollable situatons in life.
In each of us lies a secret power that is comparable to heavy equipment but it is up to each of us to call upon and utilize the secret power that reside in us.  

When will you retire?

My wish for you is that you will have a happy Monday.

It still remain that that mind will never be able to conceive things that are outside of the individuals ability to achieve. When the mind begin to  dream and conceive the impossible then it mean that the individual is not maximizing his potential and is limiting the scope of the mind. The mind operates within the scope of an individual's knowledge and experience. Fantasy is then the minds desire to explore new worlds.
There is the never ending debate as to whether an individual should set goals in life. This is similar to asking should you set out to achieve something. The answer is a big yes.  Each goal that is achieved should be celebrated and a monument erected as a reminder of that achievement. These monuments can be the benchmarks for raising the bars even higher and reminders that the impossible goals, tasks, dreams or whatever it is can be achieved.
Many quit because the way get difficult or because they face opposition when the very fact that there is opposition is the indicator that there is something good ahead. If the road ahead is straight and smooth there is no need to anticipate the unexpected because there will not be any.
Care should be taken not to peak too soon. Goals accomplished is becoming the peak for too many so instead of raising the bar higher they settle for being mediocre. They think they are doing well and they are doing well when compared with those in a less fortunate position but they cannot envision being in the realms of those above them.
Should you ever begin to live a life of luxury you become essentially worthless because then you stop contributing to the well being of this world.
There are many groups that persons can be placed but I find two groups  rather fascinating. The first comprises of the young that have achieved all they care to have and have retired young and early and are devoted to living in and enjoying luxury. The second group cannot envision retiring because there is so much to contribute to the well being of mankind. This group see the brain as being creative and want to continue using the brain until the day of death.

The phone call

I am wishing for you a happy Monday.
One morning in the middle of last week a little thought entered my mind, what if God should ever decide to use man's means of communication? As I thought about this some ideas began forming so I got my pen and a piece of paper and began writing. Three hours later after typing what I had written I had to decide whether to share it or file it on my computer. I decided to share it in another forum to see how well it would be received. It was well received so I have decided to share it here also.

The phone call

The nice music you heard playing just now was my cell phone ringing

I did a quick check and it revealed an unknown person was calling

Although some callers can be quite irritating and annoying

Courtesy dictates I reflect my joy and pleasure in answering

It was well I did so, a voice even more pleasant than mine for me was inquiring

And it transmitted a familiarity that said about me he knew everything

Who could this be? I was mystified and musing

Today he had decided to make use of man’s way of communicating

So he had made a cell phone call instead of heart and mind inspiring

Yes, he identified himself as the Eternal One the great and mighty king

The cell phone almost fell from my hand as my heart began racing

Because instinctively I knew it was he and the truth he was telling

He had heard all the prayers I had been daily praying

And my three greatest wishes today he will be granting

I had no desire to rush and delayed by requesting time for considering

He was ever so gracious and gave the exact time when again he was dialing

I sat to contemplate the things from him I would be requiring

As the great Eternal One he could not back down from what he was promising

 “Is there anything too hard for me to do?”  That was his boasting

And I intended to make great and grand whatever I was requesting

I wanted money for King Solomon said money answers all things

With money I could have everything and excesses overrunning

But deep down I knew I had so much that the wealthy was lacking

I did not want money to deny me the pleasures of these enjoying

I could enjoy divine favor by asking for his blessings

But I did not want what came with his blessing, pain and suffering

Then there were my enemies, I would like to see avenging

I did enjoy testing him by being to those that hated me kind and loving

If this was removed I just feel something will be missing

I could ask that diseases be removed and I enjoyed perfect healing

This would remove my patient enduring that so many found inspiring

One by one I eliminated what in my life I thought was top ranking

And whatever I asked he would surely be granting

Three choices of anything I wanted became really confusing

Then it dawned on me that I was focused on temporary cravings

I considered then what was eternal and lasting

And made up my mind what I will be choosing

First although really scary I desired his favor and blessings

Second a guarantee of in his eternal presence living

Third that his perfect will my life be reflecting

He was right on time calling and he knew that I was laughing

But I knew he would not be annoyed but rather would be smiling

For so often I had murmured and complained of his ignoring my praying

I had focused on this life and what made for comfortable living

Now I was  given the chance I was opting for the everlasting

And he laughed knowing I was trusting my all into his keeping

 

(copyright Prince Bradford 7/2014)

Overcoming obstacles

My wish as always is that you will have a happy Monday.
Obstacles can either been seen as setback to your progress or opportunities to test your  resilience. Their effectiveness lies in how they are perceived by you.
Who are you that you should want to rise above the station that we have to you assigned? Do you want to think that you are better than us. A river can never rise above it's source and you will never be able to go any higher than those who have been before you. Do you really think and believe that we are interested in seeing you succeed?
If you have never had these questions and comments hurled at you in contempt by those closest you then you are fortunate indeed. A great teacher years ago noted that it is among his own that a prophet is without honor. Your power rest in whether to fit into the mold designed for you by others or whether you will break free and pursue your dreams. Some persons will even deliberately place hindrances in the way of your progress. Always remember that you are the only man that can squash your dreams.
A good indicator that others are not looking out for your best interest is seen in those who highlight their own achievement while belittling your efforts. Remember that you can never exhaust the power of inspiration that has been deposited inside of you. In this age of technology literal obstacles are being overcome in many ways.
   1. Use heavy equipment to demolish and remove
   2. Use heavy equipment to make a path through
   3.  Make tunnels and underground paths
   4.  Make overhead roads
   5.  Build bridges
   6.  Make use of transportation
   7. make use of technology

In reality the list is in exhaustive. There will be obstacles that originate in the mind that must also be overcome. These too require persistence and prayer because a victory won in the mind is a battle already won.  In the end where there is no test there will be no way to gauge you ability to stand and overcome in the face of adversity.