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Live your life like a Heart In A Box!!!
by: ellis j. still
We are born to dream. As children, we use our imaginations to explore the visions of our mind by acting out what our future could be like. I played with fire trucks and those yellow Tonka construction trucks that were made out of metal, with the assurances that I would be a fireman or construction worker when I grew up.
My next phase was wanting to be an explorer in outer space that would one day save planet Earth. This came from repeatedly watching entire seasons of Star Blazers, Star Trek, and Battlestar Galactica with the one-eyed Cylons. Later came Star Wars, of which I have all six episodes even today.
From there it went to realistically figuring out what I wanted to do with my life. I had great passion for drawing. I also started working in retail at age 16, so maybe I would own my own business one day. However, as I got older, and the world became more real, the creative imagination seemed to disappear and I sought practical venues for planning out my life.
You are taught to do what is proven… what everybody else is doing. To follow the status quo. Very seldom are you taught to be imaginative… to think outside the box – or in this case, inside the box.
Tina and I are avid watchers of the TV show Grey’s Anatomy. While we don’t always agree with the content, it is a well written show, whose characters we often we have dialog about in our home as if they were real people.
There was an episode where one of the main characters was tasked with watching an actual beating heart that’s been placed in a box until it can be transported to its new recipient. The Heart In The box becomes the inspiration to no longer be average, but go on and do great things… that the same imagination that created the Heart In A Box is the same imagination that dreams are made of… that spawns great movements.
Anything that you do in 2012 should be more interesting
than a Heart In A Box.
Anything that you do in life should have meaning, both to yourself, and to others. Anything that you do should be exceptional, and inspire others to greatness.
Dreams are created by a combination of what we see, our imagination, and how we envision it happening… our special personal brand, based on our life experiences.
Are you stuck in a job or situation, but you have a great idea for a business inside of you? Are you doing what you need to do just to get by & merely existing, or are you following the passion that is within you? Are you listening to the voices inside your mind that gives you excuses why you can’t make things happen, or do you listen to God’s word which says that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).
Heart in a box is all about not living mundane, but doing extraordinary things in an extraordinary way. It is about being inspired to do something outside of the status quo. It requires creativity and courage. It’s about not just knowing and reciting the words “faith without works is dead” (James 2:14-17), but owning it… knowing without a doubt in your inner core that God will do what he promised… that “every place where you set your foot will be yours” (Deut. 11:24). You have to have Faith that as you act on your dreams, God will make up the difference.
Heart In A Box is special because normally when you do a heart transplant, you take the heart out, put it in a cooler, and then you rush to put it into a warm body, and pray that it beats. But with Heart In A Box, it never stopped beating. It never knew that it was not supposed to be beating. The heart did not know that it was doing what it was not supposed to be doing. It just did it.
Question: What are you planning to do in 2012 that the world has told you that you cannot do? What are you planning to do in 2012 that is more awesome than a Heart In A Box?
© 2012, Ellis J. Still. All rights reserved
Heart In A Box image courtesy of http://greysanatomyfans.wordpress.com
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
__________________________________________
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like what you read and you are not yet a Subscriber to my blog, why not subscribe now? All posts are original, there is no fixed schedule, so you would not have to check my blog regularly, and you will be receiving an authentic review of books, organizations and life experiences as a husband and entrepreneur. If you change your mind, it is easy to unsubscribe. Once you sign up, visit your email inbox to verify your email address. Check your spam folder if you don’t receive any verification
Men On Fire VI – Built To Last!!!
by ellis j. still
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”
- click image to visit website
This week (November 3rd thru 6th) marks the sixth annual installment of the Men On Fire men’s conference. Every January I circle this weekend in November on my calendar in anticipation of what is always a special weekend of camaraderie and fun. Something special happens when men get together, and Men On Fire does not disappoint… setting the atmosphere for growth, mutual support, and learning in a way that is practical and applicable to our daily lives. It is a conference that is dear to my heart, and is the spark that propelled TBB – The Burning Bush Christian Bookstore (http://www.TBBbookstore.com ) from dormancy into what it is today.
This year’s conference subtitled “Built To Last” features Dr. Myles Munroe for the first two evenings, and on Saturday, discussions will be led by Bishop George Searight, Pastor Lawrence Powell, and Dr. Gloria Morrow. Also, a “power panel” of experts that will discuss “Reinventing and Repositioning yourself for success during difficult times” will be held. Panelist names have not been disclosed, but knowing the excellence that this conference operates in, I am sure that the panelists will be heavy hitters with a wealth of wisdom and feedback. Free time is built in on Saturday for fitness, fun and games at the Rahway Recreation Center and the conference will close out at the respective sponsoring churches.
Here are five reasons to attend Men On Fire VI: Built To Last
- It is an opportunity of sharpening, of encouragement, and of building up in a great atmosphere
- Entrepreneurship panel for business owners or start ups
- An opportunity to meet some new golfing buddies
- You haven’t been on the basketball court in a while and you need to tune up your skills
- You will be inspired to create something new, an idea, develop a thought … to go beyond where you currently are.
- Bonus reason – It’s only $60 bucks (Thursday and Friday nights are free)
For more information contact:
Abundant Life Family Worship Church
New Brunswick, NJ
732-545-3897
Agape Family Worship Center
Rahway, NJ
732-680-9800
Question: what are you doing to invest in yourself?
© 2010, Ellis J. Still. All rights reserved
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
__________________________________________
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like what you read and you are not yet a Subscriber to my blog, why not subscribe now? All posts are original, there is no fixed schedule, so you would not have to check my blog regularly, and you will be receiving an authentic review of books, organizations and life experiences as a husband and entrepreneur. If you change your mind, it is easy to unsubscribe. Once you sign up, visit your email inbox to verify your email address. Check your spam folder if you don’t receive any verification
Why You Should Run A 5k Road Race…
by: ellis j. still
By nature, we are inspired by other human beings in our quest to be better. One of my virtual mentors, Michael Hyatt (see blog roll) recently created a post titled “Why You Should Sign Up for a Half Marathon”. A half marathon is not at all in my sights, but when I was diagnosed with diabetes, I set a goal of running a 5k (3.1 miles) run this year. I even got my wife into it, and she is the last person you would see running anywhere :- ) 5k really isn’t that far to run, and there are many ways to prepare for it. So, it doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a seasoned veteran… you too can participate in 5k runs this year.
The weather will be ~26 degrees for another two weeks, so in order to start preparing, I am using the stairs inside my house along with researching aerobic workout shows on my local sports channel on TV. For when the weather breaks, Runners World (www.runnersworld.com) has training programs for beginners specific to the 5k run that I will utilize, which will walk you through how to slowly transition your body. The website really demystifies getting into enough shape so that anyone can participate in runs such as these.
My wife’s personal trainer, Pam Turner (www.turneroundfitness.com or www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=48017106312) makes fitness really fun and interactive. She has fit-camps, weight-loss challenges, and one-on-one sessions available that my wife and I intend to utilize to prepare us for the run. She also gives tips on nutrition, and is my facebook nutrition guardian angel of sorts. Every so often I make the mistake of posting on facebook when I have eaten something totally bad for me (like funnel cakes). Pam is right there to gently but sternly give me a hard time… reminding me of my health goals :- ) Getting into shape does not have to be boring or mundane. Like anything else, you get out of it whatever you put into it.
Some of the benefits of running a 5k include:
- Get your body into shape: It is a known fact that exercising improves your mental capacity, making you more efficient at work. It also boosts your metabolism, providing for higher energy levels. Weight loss is also a byproduct of training in conjunction with a proper diet and adequate rest.
- Support a cause: There are many 5k runs throughout the year, and most are fundraisers for a cause. You can give back to your community while also using it as a means to get in shape as well.
- Meet people / fellowship: You get to meet a diversity of people. Some people travel a distance to compete in many 5k runs across the country, and while it may not be that deep for you, in the runs that you do participate in, you will be sure to meet and hang out with new and exciting people from near and far.
I used Runners World to find races in my area. They have a “race finder” tool, where you can search for races of varying lengths… from 1 mile runs to marathons.
My first run will be April 24, 2010 in Newark, NJ. Will you be joining me?
© 2009, Ellis J. Still. All rights reserved
ellis j. still 