Bringing Hope by Battling Complacency

I got together with a group of eight guys last night to chat about life. We all come from different backgrounds, making the experience rich and worthy to be treasured. The conversation was heartfelt and very real, unlike the perceptions that men can’t go deep.

The topics of most interest, seemed to surround success and complacency. Most found that the more successful the man, the more complacent he becomes. And, the more complacent he becomes, the more the family unit deteriorates. However, we found one exception that thwarts the downward spiral.

If a man’s success is not based on the monetary standards of our society, but rather on spiritual activism that reaches out to others regularly, complacency is broken and the family is strengthened. Plus, those around watching or being affected by the ripple effect find strength and comfort from the exercise – leading them to let go of complacency.

I couldn’t help but realize that when I’m exhausted in attempting to overcome a negative battle, that is the exact time others are watching with hope for their own future. They just want to know that it can be done. They desire to understand that effort can be effective when there seems to be little hope. In fact, the moment someone steps out of their own pain long enough to help others, hope is dispatched to all in need and to those watching.

The next time I find myself tired and not wanting to fight the same unending battle, I will remember that someone is watching and hoping I persevere and turn the tables of complacency into activism for the sake of others gaining hope. I shall be a standard for those who need to gain strength during times of unrest. I shall stand firm in what is right until those attacking out of selfish ambition give way to those who serve for the sake of others. And, should I fall in exhaustion, I shall count on my friends to life me up so I can continue where I left off.

Will you be a standard for someone today and bring hope into their lives?

Living Life in the Zone by Dr. Joe Pettigrew

Author Dr. Joe Pettigrew, suggests that men who live life in the zone, find power, grace, strength and fearlessness. His book, Living Life in the Zone is written with the sports enthusiast in mind. Each of the 40 daily chapters includes a thought of the day, life coaching section and a game plan to implement the lesson into the reader’s life.

My favorite section is the Playmakers, where life experiences from various athletes are shared in relationship to the key idea. Several of the stories make the book well worth reading and helps bring the Bible’s application into focus. The book also has a Time Out section to reflect on the key ideas and how it pertains to the reader’s life.

Like any devotional, this book offers great rewards to the reader who takes the time to diligently work through the Today’s Assignment section, allowing him to solidify the message in a practical way within his own life. Over all, this practical book for the sports minded scores big with life application.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”