Living Proof

Have you noticed a change in the atmosphere? Have you noticed the level of impatience in many people, either in your life or those who you come across in the store or at your place of work? You can be the one to deescalate that---but how? Put yourself in their shoes. Try and understand that they may be going through some heavy situations in their own personal life, and pause before reacting. The big "pause" can save you so many headaches along the way.  1. Action/Reaction   It's a law. But it doesn't have to be negative. For instance, if someone does something to upset you, pause. Before you react in a negative way, pause and try to figure out "what" and "why" this person offended or hurt you. I still have to practice this method, because believe me---it's not put into practice all the time. And after the reaction, I'm always like, "I forgot the PAUSE!" When you feel insulted or disrespected, and there is no explanation of "

Lately, I've been seeing a lot of people losing passion for life---they've lost all hope. The last few years didn't help either. We've all felt that oppressiveness one way or another. But how long did you stay there? Or did it teeter back and forth like it did in my situation? I seem to get into that pit, but God always pulls me back out. It reminds me of when Jesus' disciples were on a boat in the middle of the night, when a storm came up. As the waves battered them, they saw something they couldn't believe: Jesus, walking toward them on the water.  Peter said, "Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you." Jesus said, "Come!"  So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus! But when he saw the wind, he was afraid. And when he began to sink and cried out, "Lord, save me!"  Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "Oh you of little faith. Why did you doubt?&quo