No Ordinary People

‘There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.” –CS Lewis

This week The Avengers will come out in theaters. I’ll probably see it with my boys. After all, what’s not to love about a movie filled with everyone’s favorite superheroes?

When children play, they flaunt their  greatness. You might hear them argue over who gets to be Hulk, Thor, or Captain America. They might want to be Wonder Woman, Black Widow or Super Girl. They rarely fight over who gets to be the poor sap working in the cubicle.

There is a reason for that. (Besides the unending marketing of licensed characters.)

It’s because we were born to be supernatural. Something in the heart of a child knows it. We are not meant to be ordinary.

But what if  “ordinary” was just a disguise?

Perhaps C.S. Lewis got it best when he said,

“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.”

We may scoff at the pity of being a “mere mortal.” But truly, such a thing does not exist.

The fact that you are human, means you are created in the image of God. You are in the same class of being as the Creator. You are an everlasting spirit.

Sure, humans like to elevate certain ones among us unto pedestals. For totally irrational reasons, we crown rock stars, celebrities and athletes, while spurning the ordinary. But ask those ones at “the top,” if the adoration and fame has bought their happiness. You’ll find out they feel just like the masses.

Ordinary.

We all want the same things:

We want love, happiness and peace.

When a superstar athlete and giver, like Junior Seau, takes his own life, we are tragically reminded of reality.

We are all human. We all feel pain. Perhaps the heroes among us are not invincible. A part of us dies and we grieve for those who suffer. We mourn with those who mourn.

But can we be reminded of this truth?

We are all divine.

We are supernatural, when we are aware of The Greater One in us. We never walk alone. We have unlimited, unending, power available to us to make a difference.

In the Avengers, at the height of crisis, Natasha Romanoff says to Hawkeye, “This is nothing we were ever trained for.”

Still, they know they are right for the job.

In life, we will face many things that leave us feeling the same way. We may say, “This is nothing we were ever trained for!”

And yet, here we are – for such a time as this.  There are no mere mortals.

Congratulations.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. – Mark Twain

If the fear of moving forward has you blocked into an unfulfilling corner, than think for a moment. (but just for a moment.) Think about the future. If you take no different action and you look back at yourself even one year or five years from now, will you be happy with no change? Will you have regrets?

As Mark Twain said,

“You will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did.”

Most people will stay in a place they hate, rather than risk the unknown. This is an IMPOSSIBLE way to unleash your full potential!

You were created for dominion. You were never meant to live “under the circumstances.”

You have untold ability to make the world a better place. You have a creator who gives you the power to get wealth. He says he will bless the work of your hands – but you must put those hands to work with passion.

Now that you have thought about the pain of regret, please decide one action that you can take TODAY that will move you out of your comfort zone and closer to a worthy goal. Get information, build a relationship, shop for your investment, make a phone call, put your shoulders back, put your chin up and speak with confidence.

You can’t control the outcome, but you can trust in diligent, consistent action. If you don’t quit, you won’t fail.

More importantly, you won’t sit in regret.

What do you really want to do, be and have? Then get up, and GET GOING! You don’t have to do it perfectly, just make a plan and start moving.

I’ll be right here, cheering you on!

Gina Parris is a professional speaker and performance coach who is passionate about helping you reach your full potential – joyfully. She can be reached at GinaParris.com and WinningAtRomance.com

Are you old enough to remember the opening footage to the Wide World of Sports on ABC?

I don’t even remember what they showed as the announcer crooned “The thrill of victory…”

But I sure do remember the snow skier’s wipeout to the words”…and the agony of defeat!”

How about you? Do you have your own moments of agony?

Of course! All winners do.

You probably know what it’s like to put months and years of effort into a shot at something -and then fail.

The disappointment can be crushing. The closer the victory, the greater the agony. The more public the disappointment, the greater the shame.

How do you turn it around?

Since the defeat was both mental and tactical, the solution is too. Here are four steps that I guarantee can take you to the other side.

1.” Zoom Out”

First of all, step back!

Look at your life with a generous “wide angle” lens. Create a timeline of your whole life – past, present and future decades. List important events to come and see that this event you just endured is only a tiny blip on the Time Line of your success story.

Tell yourself, “This too shall pass” and then use it to make yourself stronger.

Perspective is quite a healer of disappointment

2. “Zoom In”

Now take that camera with a close up lens, and “zoom in” to your most inward, invisible core. See the person that you are, completely separate from all the external things that define you.

Remember, that YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE WHEN NO ONE IS LOOKING.

See the qualities about you that are bigger than your game. You have infinite Power and Love dwelling inside of you. You are a million times bigger on the inside than you are on the outside.

When you nurture the winner inside of yourself, than you will prevail against the adversaries on the outside.

3. Get Going

Successful people know that the true success comes from FAILING as quickly as possible, learning from the loss, and quickly executing with the new wisdom.

The faster you get up and move forward, the faster your shame becomes part of your glory. Somebody else needs to see you prevail so they can do it too. Your success is never just about you.

As you run your race, enjoy each step. There is only power in the present. Enjoy your breath, the sounds, the sights, the fragrances of life. Enjoy the people you share it all with.

4. Get Coaching

More than ever, you must invest in yourself. In times when bad news abounds, you can NOT reach your peak alone. Look at those who have created the greatest victories around you. I guarantee they’ve had at least one coach.

Align yourself with someone who will pull you higher, bring out your best and hold you accountable to your own dreams. Find someone with whom you can be completely honest and vulnerable.

It matters not the caliber of disappointment. You WILL move from The Agony of Defeat to The Thrill of Victory by quickly and continually executing these four steps.

Sometimes we do all the right things and we feel completely on track. We know that we can reach our goals. We know that life is good.

And then something happens.

If we’re talking about overcoming anxiety, perhaps something happens that triggers our overwhelming sense of self doubt.

And there we stand. Adrenaline rushing. Heart sinking. Failure beginning to set in.

What’s a champ to do?

Act fast!!

Immediately, when doubt rushes in, we have a chance to grow.

It’s in the moment of conflict that we gain the victory or cave into a long process of getting emotionally pumped up to face it again.

Everything revolves around what we tell ourselves.

So the next time you take a stand and believe for something better than what you currently see, prepare for conflict. It’s called Resistance.

Know that the moment will come when your un-renewed mind will face some data, and reply, “It’s not working!”

When it does, recognize it as a little voice in your head, that’s trying to protect you.

Then stand in the unlimited, supernatural strength that is rushing all about you. Let Unlimited Strength rise up and laugh in the face of Resistance.

Treat it like a sarcastic joke from an unruly child.

“WhatEVER!” You reply with a grin.

The Resistance fades for a moment and right then you conquer it with confident action.

Your action may be a faith-filled statement: “I AM a winner.”

Your action includes whatever Resistance is trying to stop you from doing.

Ultimately, you cannot lose if keep growing in your awareness, and keep standing for your breakthrough. Resistance will come back at a later time, but by then you will already be stronger and it will be a new level of victory.

I’m in your corner!
Gina

Millard was a guy who knew how to make money. While he was still in college he started a marketing company. He was a millionaire by the time he was 29 and his young wife had everything, or so he thought.

In Millard’s words, “I ensconsed my  wife, Linda in a giant ranch, but I was never there for her. I was too busy building my business.”

It was true. Linda was miserable. She had everything she wanted except her husband’s attention. Even when he was home he was mentally absent. One day, she bravely let him know how she felt. She made it clear that she couldn’t love a man who was never around. He vowed to change, but he changed nothing.

A year later, Linda finally got away to New York. She left the kids with Millard. Amid the turmoil, as he tucked his little boy into bed, the child looked at his father and said, “Daddy, I’m glad you’re here.” Somehow it melted Millard’s heart. He flew to New York to see his wife in pursuit of reconciliation.

She told him of her years of pain and heartache.

In response, Millard got committed to his marriage.

He gave away most of his money, focused on his family and ended up founding Habitat for Humanity.

Before he died, the charity he and his wife founded built more than a million homes for people who could never afford such a dream. He found his purpose.

This Valentine’s Day, no one is telling you to give away all your material possessions, but it would be a great time to get in touch with what really matters.

Do you have a spouse? Put your marriage first, until the steps to a healthy marriage become a habit. You will change not only your own lives but those of the people you influence.

Just as you have a purpose on this earth, so does your marriage! Your family has a unique DNA, a purpose that is greater than what you can accomplish as an individual.

Millard Fuller realized that outward success is meaningless when the home life lacks love, connection and intimacy. On the other hand, when the marriage was thriving, the legacy he left exceeded anything he had dreamed up in his business-only years.

Put love first this week. It will drive out the fears that make you play small.

I believe in you!

Gina Parris

Gina Parris is a speaker, relationship specialist and a champion for the Sexy Marriage. She can be reached at her websites at GinaParris.com and WinningAtRomance.com

At one time I may have hated the video below, because I didn’t understand Muhammed Ali’s “big mouth,” I disliked fighting and I thought celebrating our own greatness was a form of arrogance.

I guess it could be, but today everything about this inspirational video speaks to me, especially where the fighter is baptized into death. What do you think? If You can’t see the video here – watch it here on youtube:

Audio clips from Muhammad Ali’s speech, Rocky, and Coach Carter.  Our Deepest Fear by Marianne Williamson is read by Tony Robbins.  Still photography by Gabriel Stiritz and Lauren Herreid. Music from Transformers and Gladiator. Hanz Zimmer.
“This is a fan-made video.”

VIDEO SCRIPT/LYRICS:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure, beyond measure.

Ima show you, how great I am.

Last night I cut the light off in my bedroom, hit the switch, and was in the bed before the room was dark.

Ima show you, how great I am.

Only last week, I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalized a brick, Im so mean I make medicine sick.

Ima show you, how great I am.

This kids gonna be the best kid in the world.
This kids gonna be somebody better than anybody I ever knew.

Ima show you, how great I am.

I have wrastled with an alligator, I done tussled with a whale, I done handcuffed lightnin, thrown thunder in jail.

Ima show you, how great I am.

All you chumps are gonna bow when I whoop him, all of you, I know you got him, I know youve got him picked, but the mans in trouble, Ima show you how great I am.

But somewhere along the line you changed, you stopped being you.
You let people stick a finger in your face and tell you youre no good, and when things got hard, you started looking for something to blame, like a big shadow.
Let me tell you something you already know, the world aint all sunshine and rainbows, its a very mean and nasty place and I dont care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.
You, me, or nobody, is gonna hit as hard as life; but it aint about how hard you hit, its about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much you can take and keep moving forward.
That’s how winning is done!

‘Cause if you’re willin to go through all the battling you gotta go through to get to where you wanna get, whose got the right to stop you?
I mean maybe some of you guys got something you never finished, something you really want to do, something you never said to somebody, something.
And you’re told no, even after you pay your dues. whose got the right to tell you that, who?

Nobody.
Its your right to listen to your gut, it aint nobodys right to say no, after you earn the right to be where you want to be and do what you want to do.

Now if you know what youre worth, then go out and get what youre worth.
But youve gotta be willing to take the hits.
And not pointing fingers saying you aint where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody.
Cowards do that and that aint you!  Youre better than that!

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

All you chumps are gonna bow when I whoop him, all of you, I know you got him, I know you’ve got him picked, but the mans in trouble, Ima show you how great I am.

What do you think?

Keep playing to win and enjoy your game!

I’m in your corner,

Gina

I read on FoxNews recently that the divorce rate among military couples is up 43% since the beginning of the Iraq/Afghanistan war. I also happen to know that on some military installations, like Ft. Campbell, the divorce rate is now a staggering 90%.

Really? We went to war and ended peace at home? Our military families face unique stressors (as I know firsthand) but whether you wear a uniform or not, I want to share 4 keys to peace at home. We live in a world filled with wars and rumors of wars – not just literally – but financially, emotionally and relationally.

I am convinced that all true success begins and ends with relationships – especially those inside your own home. What a perfect place to revel in peace on earth. Below are 5 steps to get you started:

P – Pursue personal growth. Take responsibility for your own ability to grow spiritually, mentally and physically. You can feel good, no matter how your spouse or kids are feeling.

E – Enrich your relationships. Make a point of spending time with friends who build you up and bring out the best in you. Look for ways to be a blessing to them. Then, bring your best self to your loved ones at home. Too often those closest to us get our leftovers, and our selfishness.

A – Accept the things you cannot change. What we resist persists, so the first step to overcoming frustration is to accept the things you can’t change, (like other people) and accept yourself in spite of all your emotions about it.

C – Cultivate a spirit of faith. Once you’ve accepted what you can’t change, you are able to look for the good in every situation. Life is 10% about what happens to us, and 90% about how we respond to it. Keep that switch of faith turned on and expect a positive outcome.

E – Express your gratitude. Never focus on what you don’t have, don’t know or can’t do! Instead focus on all you have to celebrate. When we are thankful for the good things in our life, we attract more good things. Gratitude is the healthiest of emotions – and leads to a life of inner peace and outer joy.

My prayer is that this year, no matter what goes on in this crazy world, your heart and your home will be filled with love, joy and peace. There is Love available to you that never fails. That love will enable you to walk in P E A C E that transcends understanding. In that place nothing is missing and nothing is broken. You are whole.

I believe in you!

The truth is, I actually ENJOY Christmas, but sometimes all the hoopla makes me painfully aware of those who find Christmastime to be downright agonizing. What if you are one of the dear ones who is dealing with deep loss this year? How do you just smile and say a jolly  “Merry Christmas! Ho ho ho!!”

Well, for one thing, you can skip the “ho, ho, ho!”  You have my permission.

Next, let’s talk about the range of jolly, merry, happy, jovial, drunken, festive, gluttonous, stupendous, magical, moments of wonder.

What if they all elude you? (except drunken and gluttonous of course.)

Well then, you certainly wouldn’t be alone. Millions of people will spend billions of dollars trying to grasp what eludes them.  But what if just for one Christmas,  things could be different. What if…

What if instead of seeing the heartache for a moment you see…

real angels bringing good news?

Too far fetched? Okay. Let’s try this:

What if instead of inner turmoil you sensed inner peace?

What if, instead of grief, you experienced profound comfort?

What if instead of lack, you had a glimpse of heaven?

What if instead of abandonment you were overcome with a spirit of adoption?

What if instead of loneliness, you realized that you’ve been loved this whole time?

What if instead of rejection, you felt unbelievable favor?

What if instead of sickness, you felt a wave of healing?

What if instead of sorrow, you were overwhelmed with gratitude?

What if instead of darkness, you were flooded with light?

What if instead of despair, you were filled with hope?

What if instead of doubt you were strengthened in your faith?

The tide will always come in and the tide will always go out. The sun will go down tonight

and it will come back up in the morning.

The winter will give way to spring, and then summer, then fall and more winter.

Your heartache will turn.

The thing that stays constant is undying love.

Love.

I have no three step solution to basking in love.

I have no magical formula.

I have no clever motivational speech.

I simply have my heart, filled with love from the heart of God.

I can’t fill it on my own. I am powerless that way.

Even more powerless is my ability to fill the hurting.

But God says he has a word to sustain the weary. His truth brings water to a thirsty soul.

He offers those with no money to come, buy and eat!

He satisfies your mouth with good things, so your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

My Christmas wish for you is an abundance of love – manifested in a hundred different ways.

My wish is that you will see the unseen, and fix your heart on the eternal.

Merry Christmas, my friend. You may not know me, but I know the One who loves you.

His name is Emmanual – God With Us.

He longs to fill you, bless you, turn it around for you.

What if?  And then, why not?  Here’s to better days ahead – and to a Heaven that is more real than earth.

Until next time, this Christmas as always, I’ll be right here…

in your corner.

Gina

P.S. If you have or need a word of encouragement, feel free to comment below!

This morning I went on a walk. This is my daily “gratitude walk.” I highly recommend this – for mental and physical fitness.

While I raced along the few miles, I gave thanks for all the beautiful things that I noticed – the brightly colored leaves, the blue sky, the perfect weather,  and the three different friends who honked and hollered out my name, reminding me that there are worse things than living in a small town.

And then…as I was cruising along, thinking about all I have to do today, a turtle nearly tripped me. Yes, he was almost crossing the paved walking path. I picked him up and he tucked his head and legs into his shell faster than you could say, “slow and steady.” I did not know that turtles make a vacuuming sound when they do that. I must have stressed him.

I stared at his beauty and contemplated bringing him home. He could be my token reminder to slow down. I wondered if he belonged to the orthodontist, from whose multiple acres he was emerging. I considered a phone call:

“Hey Doc? I wondered if I could have this turtle in exchange for the five grand I  dropped on Firstborn’s already perfect teeth…” That could be fair.

But alas, I carefully placed my beautiful frightened buddy back on the huge lawn, and thought about his pace. Slow and steady, slow and steady.

Today, I take my lesson from the turtle. I will win the race. I will stay peaceful and diligent, and if I get stressed, I’ll vacuum!

How about you?

Did you take a gratitude walk today? If so, or even if not…let’s hear some things for which you are thankful! You can post right here.

Yours,

Gina

Recently week I read a book about a marvelous judge named Maxx Rosenn, of the US Court of Appeals, Third Circuit. The tribute was written by one of his protégé’s, Dr. Mollie Marti, who is one of my mentors. The book was a masterful look at mentorship, excellence, and leaving a legacy.

As I read, I found myself captivated by a man who was so important, so busy and yet who seemed to move slowly, deliberately and with incredible productivity. Though physically slight, he was truly a man of stature.

One thing Mollie notes about her mentor is that he was a “master at the art of rejuvenation.”

What a lovely phrase.

It got me thinking about the way it’s easy to rush here and there and miss the beauty of life. How sad to miss a chance to be rejuvenated.

It seems we have a chance right now. So, let’s Rejuvenate, shall we?

What does that even mean? Re-ju-ven-ate: Verb: To make young again.

Here’s how to start:

1. Laugh out loud
   It’s been said that the average child laughs 400 times a day while the average adult laughs almost never! Look for the funny side of things, and let yourself laugh. There’s a reason the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to “such as these.”
2. Slow Down
   Try breathing slowly for a few moments and focus on feeling your body relax. Where ever you are right now – it’s a perfect place to be, on the inside. Stop and smell the roses.
3. Become Present
   Tune in to everything that you can glean right this moment through your senses. What can you see that is lovely? What sounds do you hear when you listen closely? Are there any fragrances in the air? What about taste and touch? Find delight through your senses.
4. Give Thanks
   The healthiest emotion you can cultivate is thankfulness. As you laugh, slow down and become present you will find yourself giving thanks. As you do, you open your life to so much more of the good things you desire.

That will make you age backwards! That is when you’ve mastered the art of rejuvenation.