To Be Determined

It's always interesting when you hear the phrase "Well, that's to be determined" or "That's to be decided". These phrases usually mean pending some future event. "We don't know if they'll make it or not, that's still TBD."

Well, for me, I think the way that phrase tends to be used needs to be put to rest. My life isn't To Be Determined. However, my choice is. My choice is to be, determined. It doesn't matter what our circumstances are. See, we can all choose that.

So many times in life, rough times happen. As a nation, as people, we have survived tough times, World Wars, Pearl Harbor, The Great Depression, Dotcom bubbles popping, September 11th and so much more. Yet through it all, we as people were determined. We were determined not to walk in fear, but in faith. We decided to push forward no matter what. We have a heritage of grandparents and great grandparents that persevered in the face of all that, so they could give us a future of freedom. Let's not sit idly by, lets earn it, lets grasp that freedom, that future, that's been given to us and move forward.

So, in the midst of all of the current events,

I choose to be determined to not allow financial markets define how I treat my neighbor.
I choose to be determined to not allow personal pain determine my ability to smile.
I choose to be determined to not allow circumstances define my joy.
I choose to be determined to offer an encouraging word and not drag people down.
I choose to be determined to keep moving forward, no matter what.
I choose to be determined to not walk or react in fear, to be not afraid.
I choose to be determined to treat people and relationships with integrity.
I choose to be determined to keep my faith and trust no matter what life brings.

I choose to be determined to Thank God every day for all of His blessings in my life. For my children, my wife, my family, my friends.
I choose to be determined to thank the people around me for their friendship and graciousness.
I choose to be determined to give more in this life than I get from it.
I choose to be determined to make someones day today.

(By the way, I saw from Google that its Paddington Bears Birthday today. So, here's a picture of one of my mascots I was given for my birthday a few years ago. ;-)


















Blessed is the man that trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is in the Lord, For he will be as a tree planted by the waters, that spreads out her roots by the river, and will not see when heat comes, but her leaf shall be green; and will not need to be careful in the year of drought or stop yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8

Lets choose to be determined, even when we are in the tough spots in life. Lets determine to keep moving forward. Lets choose to be determined to give the fruit of hope or a smile at a moments notice, no matter what.