DailyConnections.net » Motivational Thoughts

FRET-FREE FRIDAY THOUGHT 4/9/10

John Ingrisano — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 10:16:29 +0000

I have a confession. I’m a fretter. Beneath, my boyish charm and bluff manner, I tend to worry.

I fret when life is troubling. I fret when life is good … wondering when it will flip back to the troubled side again. I also fret that this fretting is a sign of lack of faith, a lack of trust.

So, today – if only for today – I declare it Fret-free Friday. I will refuse to worry, refuse to get anxious. I will put my whole trust (remember, it’s only one day) in God and put it all in His hands. Ahhhhhh! Care to join me? — jri

“Do not fret because of the wicked;

do not be envious of wrongdoers;

for they will soon fade like the grass,

and wither like the green herb.

“Trust in the Lord, and do good;

so you will live in the land, and

enjoy security.

Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you the desires

of your heart.

“Commit your way to the Lord;

trust in him, and he will act.

He will make your vindication

shine like the light,

and the justice of your cause like

the noonday.

“Be still before the Lord, and wait

patiently for him;

do not fret over those who

prosper in their way,

over those who carry out evil devices.

“Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.

Do not fret – it leads only to evil.”

- Psalm 37:1-8

ALMOST MONDAY THOUGHT 2/8/10

John Ingrisano — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:29:10 +0000

God’s Odd Blessings

This one’s longer than usual. Sorry ‘bout that.

My mother used to say I could fall in a pile of horse manure (not the exact words) and come up with a rose between my teeth. I’m not the only one.

Last Friday, I did a platform presentation at a client’s annual meeting in Pennsylvania. The plan was to fly in on Thursday, do my dog ‘n pony show on Friday morning, fly out Friday afternoon, and be home, safely snuggled in my own bed, Friday night.

God had other plans … again. This time He decided to “bless” half the nation (and me personally; yes, I take these things personally) with one humungous blizzard. After a series of misadventures reminiscent of the movie, “Planes, Trains & Automobiles,” I finally made it home Sunday afternoon.

The rose between my teeth? I got to meet some fantastic people along the way, most notably a fellow speaker with whom, by happenstance (yeah, right, Lord), I shared a limo from the airport on Thursday and also shared part of the return trip adventure, including paying a delightful hotel cook $100 to four-wheel us through unplowed highway roads to the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania airport after the snowstorm shut down the shuttles and cabs.

His name is Mike Schlappi (no, not the cook; the speaker). He’s an Olympic Gold Medalist (basketball), businessman, husband and father, marathoner, snowmobiler, scuba diver, etc. He’s also a man with a humongously huge positive attitude. (No, not the silly-grin, butterflies and everything-is-beautiful kind, but one with substance behind it.) Still, no big deal, right? (Well, except for that Gold Medal part … oh, and the marathon stuff, too.)

The big deal part is that Mike has done all this from a wheelchair, after having been accidently shot in the chest by a friend when he was 15. His presentation got a standing ovation — several actually — as a genuine inspiration to never quit, to never give up. (His book is titled, “Shot Happens: I Got Shot. What’s Your Problem?”)

The rose part for me? With my schedule blown to Kingdom Come, my luggage circumnavigating the globe in the opposite direction, my underwear on the verge of breaking a record for how many days and ways it can be worn, and all the usual stress of disrupted travel, I had the opportunity to laugh, talk and travel through part of my journey this week and this life with a terrific, everyday guy who had done (and continues to do) some pretty amazing things.

But I admit that, to me, I am not so much impressed with Mike Schlappi because of his pretty amazing accomplishments. I just got the biggest kick out of his magnificent, positive attitude, as well as his candid honesty. (Part of his presentation addressed his bouts of self-pity and how you can have some pretty lousy days even if you work to have a good attitude.)

I like Mike for a number of reasons, one of them being that he landed in a pile of horse manure at age 15 and yet keeps coming up with a rose between his teeth.

My point: God always blesses us … just not in ways we might originally choose. For me, it was a blizzard that delayed my return home and gave me an opportunity to meet Mike Schlappi. For Mike? I don’t want to put words in his mouth, but I’d say it was a bullet in the chest at age 15 that gave him the opportunity to rise to his own personal great heights and to inspire, motivate and make a big difference to the thousands of people he touches. – jri

“Faith is not something we have but

something we do.”

- Barbara Shlemon Ryan

(Living Each Day by the

Power of Faith)

John Ingrisano

Daily Connections

204 Lakeview Drive

Algoma, WI 54201

February 7-8, 2010

WEDNESDAY THOUGHT 1/27/10

John Ingrisano — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:07:49 +0000

Feeling Christian Today, Punk?

Those who know me know that I can be a tad surly at times. That having been said, I pulled into a gas station last Sunday afternoon. After pushing the buttons and waiting about a minute, nothing was happening. I stomped into the station and snarled at the woman behind the counter, who immediately reset the pump.

So, I stomped out again and began filling my tank. Then I realized, wow, it was no big deal. Besides, here was this woman working on a Sunday. So, when I went back in to pay for my gas, I smiled, wished her a good day and as I turned to go, said, “God bless you.” She gave an ever-so-slight, startled flinch, and then a big smile came across her face. “God bless you, too,” she said and we both paused and smiled at each other — forgiveness, acceptance, understanding. Turning a hostile encounter around, I may have helped her day, while she most certainly helped mine. Nice.

My point: It’s so obvious that my efforts to summarize it sound awfully banal. But here goes: We may not always feel like glowing, loving Christians, but we can still make a difference in ways we never really imagine each and every day. I guess that means we should just do the best we can and leave the rest of it in God’s hands. — jri

“Here is a test whether your mission

on earth is finished: If you are still

alive, it isn’t.”

– Richard Bach

My brother, Lou, has gotten what he asked for — a more demanding schedule. He is working now in a more remote satellite camp in Uganda, in a canvas hospital/clinic with almost no supplies. He has not seen the young lady he spoke of before. He should be returning home around February 7th, so please continue to keep him in your prayers. Thank you.

John Ingrisano
DailyConnections
Family Finances Conference Center
Custom Communications
204 Lakeview Drive
Algoma, WI 54201
(920) 559-3722

January 27, 2010

SATURDAY THOUGHT 1/23/10

John Ingrisano — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:51:46 +0000

Pure Delight

I awoke this morning from the sleep of the innocent, with a deep sense of forgiveness, love and acceptance by a caring God in an orderly world. It’s nice to have one’s life and one’s faith values in sync.

Even better, as I was letting out the dogs, a song from long ago and out of nowhere – a song my mother used to belt out in her loud, joyous, and woefully off-key voice – filled my heart and then filled my house, causing the dogs to dance and the windows to rattle.

My point: I think sometimes God just wants to remind us that He cares, and the recognition of that caring is pure delight (maybe even bordering on joy). So, I invite you to celebrate that love — which is free for the asking for all of us. Bonus: I guarantee that you will not be able to keep from smiling if you open your lungs and let loose with one of my Mother’s favorite songs, below. (Yes, a potentially sad song, but Mom made it joyful, as was her nature.) God bless and may your weekend be filled with pure delight. — jri

“In the morning, O Lord, you hear

my voice;

in the morning I lay my requests

before you

and wait in expectation.”

– King David

(Psalm 5:3)

“You are my Sunshine,

my only Sunshine.

You make me happy

when skies are gray.

You’ll never know, Dear,

how much I love you.

Please don’t take my sunshine away.“

– You Are My Sunshine

Jimmy Davis & Charlie Mitchell

John Ingrisano
DailyConnections
Family Finances Conference Center
204 Lakeview Drive
Algoma, WI 54201
(920) 559-3722

MONDAY THOUGHT 11/30/09

John Ingrisano — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:33:04 +0000

“I Thought You Were a Christian!”

What follows I neither brag about nor apologize for: About 15 years ago, I attended a gathering of Promise Keepers at Soldier Field in Chicago, along with tens of thousands of other Christian men. It was summer and lunches were provided, but the facility service people were not only letting the stacked boxes of food sit out in the hot sun (a great formula for food poisoning), but were attempting to herd the attendees around like mindless sheep. I admit that, at one point, I did back one of these clowns against a wall, my Bible under his throat, and gently reminded him that he needed to get the food passed out immediately or I would remove part of his anatomy. Praise the Lord! The meals were quickly distributed.

I think a lot of guys get this church stuff all wrong. I’ve seen a lot of men split from church because they confuse being a Christian with being watery-eyed, gentle patsies who roll over and play dead when someone kicks them in the butt. I thought that, too, until I met a Catholic priest maybe 45 years ago who had been a tank commander in the Korean War. He had an incredible mix of no-nonsense Christian gentleness and love, along with the ability to put you against the wall when he needed to get your attention. (I learned from the best.)

My point: I’m not good at rolling over, and I suspect I’d make a lousy martyr (unless taking a few of them along with me still qualifies). No, I’m comfortable being both tough-minded and Christian. I think if more men thought that way, we’d have a whole lot more Christian men. — jri

“Always be prepared to give an

answer to everyone who asks you

to give the reason for the hope

that you have. But do this with

gentleness and respect.”

– St. Peter

(1 Peter 3:15)

MONDAY THOUGHT 11/23/09

John Ingrisano — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:48:50 +0000

Grateful

I have a special place in my heart for those in recovery: men and women who had led their lives to the brink of self-destruction … and then clawed their way back. They are not grateful for the bigger yacht or fancier car. They tend to wake up in the morning grateful for the simple gift of having been given a second (or third or fourth or five hundredth) chance … for the simple gift of having awakened at all.

My appreciation for these terrific men and women, however, comes mostly from their recognition that their lives — both the destruction and the recovery — have been their choices. They are not victims, but survivors. Oh, and by the way (and this is certainly not intended to be a parenthetical “Oh, by the way”), almost all that I know recognize that their recovery has more to do with “a higher power” than their own sweat and tears alone. Faith, determination and hard work … and letting God take over the controls.

My point: Beats me. This one is just a rambler. But with Thanksgiving fast pulling into port, I guess it’s that we all do have much for which to be grateful. And, to all those in recovery, I just want you to know that I am inspired by your hard work and determination. God bless. — jri

“But they had a wanton craving

in the wilderness,

and put God to the test in the desert;

he gave them what they asked,

but sent a wasting disease among them.”

– Psalm 106: 14-15

Have a joyful Thanksgiving, and if you know any recovering drug addicts or alcoholics, let them know how proud you are of them.

John Ingrisano
DailyConnections
204 Lakeview Drive
Algoma, WI 54201
(920) 559-3722
November 23, 2009

TUESDAY THOUGHT 11/10/09

John Ingrisano — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:42:43 +0000

Courage!

I had the privilege of meeting an incredible man last week. George Velasquez was born to dance. He became a professional ballroom dancer and danced competitively. It was what he did. Actually, it is still what he does … but he also inspires people these days. How? Well, the man I met last week had only one leg, no toes, and only stubs where fingers were supposed to be. It started with a hit-and-run accident 15 years ago, followed by a series of surgeries and infections.

The kicker: Though I suspect there was a lot of despair (Imagine being robbed of the one thing you were born to do!), he never quit. He still dances. He refused to be robbed of that one thing he was born to do! The man I met was cheerful, positive, active. Through great loss (and, I suspect, continued and ongoing pain and frustration), one man went from teaching people how to dance to inspiring them how to live. Check out his story and see him dance at http://dancingoutofthedark.com/. (I think the title of his website says it all.)

My point: I don’t know if George Velasquez is a spiritual man or not. However, his story reminds me that God uses us, builds us, challenges us, and heals us in many ways, ways we cannot imagine. Accept, celebrate and rise to the challenge of each and every day. — jri

“Great crowds came to him, bringing the

lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and

many others, and laid them at his feet; and

he healed them. The people were amazed

when they saw the mute speaking, the

crippled made well, the lame walking and

the blind seeing.“

– Matthew 15: 30-31

TUESDAY THOUGHT 8/11/09

John Ingrisano — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:08:19 +0000

Prayer for Those Seeking Work

No attempt at inspiration today. Just a prayer request. As the economy struggles and strains, more and more people are out of work. Many many more fear they will end up in the next round of layoffs. Most carry their terror quietly.

There is nothing like the gut-wrenching fear and feeling of helplessness of not knowing how one will pay the bills; of waking up in the middle of the night in a cold, desperate sweat; of calling out to God … but sensing that God is nowhere to be found.

Pray for these men and women and their families, not just that they will find work, but also that they will have faith to accept (if not understand) that God is never far away and always knows what He is doing … and what He is doing is always good. God bless. — jri

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;

establish the work of our hands for us –

yes, establish the work of our hands.”

– Moses

Psalm 90:17

SUMMER SATURDAY SUGGESTION

John Ingrisano — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 12:04:03 +0000

Clean Out the Cupboards

No pithy, self-absorbed spiritual meditation this morning. Instead, a gentle suggestion to think about your local food pantry this weekend.

It’s summer; people are busy at work or play. But more people are in need of help than ever before due to the bad economy. As a result, donations are down.

Please consider: (1) Rooting through your cupboards for that canned whatever you will never eat, but that could be a feast for a hungry family; (2) donating a few bucks to your local Loaves & Fishes food program; and (3) picking up some extra dry goods on sale at the grocery this week and bringing them to church on Sunday. If we all brought just one box of cereal or can of soup, the larders would be overflowing. Just a suggestion. Blessings. — jri

“The disciples, each according to his ability,

decided to provide help for the brothers

living in Judea.”

– Acts 11:29

WEDNESDAY THOUGHT 6/10/09

John Ingrisano — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:23:58 +0000

Undivided Hearts

I know people (most of us, I will hazard to presume) who fight the same dragon day after day after day. Maybe it’s the struggle with the work we’ve chosen, a battle with the bottle or pills, that same argument with the same person, or even something so seemingly small as those same ten pounds we’ve been losing and losing and losing for the last 20 years.

In short, it seems to me that too too many of us waste our days struggling with “divided hearts,” perpetually in conflict between what we want and … well, what we want. Here’s the kicker: When we do that, though we live in a world of incredible beauty and wonder, we often flat-out miss it because we fail to look up, to look out, to look around at the vast wealth and abundance that surrounds us.

Here’s the point: Look up … look out … look around. No need to struggle or even try. Open your heart — an undivided heart — to the incredible blessings the Good Lord has placed before you this day. And as my sainted Italian grandmother would say: Enjoy! – jri

“Teach me your way, O Lord,

and I will walk in your truth;

give me an undivided heart,

that I may fear your name.”

– King David

Psalm 86:11