Be an Inspiring Soul

If I started naming the individuals who have inspired me during my lifetime, we would be here for a while.  The art of inspiring someone is a needed art.  It is a necessary art, for there are too many people and books and TV shows standing ready to tell you what is wrong with you and how to fix what is wrong, “if only you’ll buy this product or book”.

The alternative is a normal human being in my life who might per chance say the right words at the right time, and those words will become the catalyst in my life for great change, great insight and great inspiration.

I want to be that kind of person.  Honestly, that is what drives me to write my blogs and books.  And the bright side is I have actually had some individuals write me or call me and tell me “Because of you I didn’t give up.”

Those are healing words to one who is a giver of words of hope.  

And now I turn to you. 

Are you a …

Minister

Teacher

Speaker

Business guru

Husband

Wife

Aunt

Uncle

Neighbor

Close friend

Sibling

Or anything else I may have left out …

You are in an awesome position to change someone’s life for good.  You could be the mouthpiece of great hope, blessing, inspiration, a compass, and a life savior.  Just be willing and be wise and look for subtle opportunities at odd moments in your day when someone may need the very words or kind actions you have to offer.

I’ve heard life changing words from numerous books, close friends, bosses, ministers, my wife, my siblings, my step-children and from co-workers.  They have wisely spoken the right words at the right time.  My destiny has been changed for the good, and I am forever grateful to those blessed people. 

Now, go and do likewise.

P Michael Biggs

Up-Words Web Site

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

On Becoming Unforgettable

Nat King Cole said it first in song.  His version with daughter Natalie has become a classic in the annals of music history by now, or should be.

I am a writer and that means I work with words.  This quote caught my attention this week.

Each phrase has a double edged prong.  Note this

“Flatter me – not believe you.”

“Criticize me – not like you.”

“Ignore me – not forgive you.”

“Encourage me – not forget you.”

The first part of each phrase involves using words.  Even the ‘ignore’ phrase uses silent words, and sometimes they are the most hurtful of all.

And the last part of each phrase – our reactions to those phrases.

I want to be one who encourages you.  Not simply because of the possibility of you never forgetting me, but because I want you to leave after our lives have brushed up against each other and I want you to hear something from me that is a great predictor for your future, or a boost and a lift to your present situation.

We have enough negative garbage going on in our world.  I’m all about spreading the good stuff, the positive and believable facts and possibilities that abound in your life.

And you know what?  I need that too, and I do receive my fair portion of encouraging words and thoughts from many people. 

So, how can I encourage you today?

And how can you encourage someone on your path today?

Believe me; people around you need a strong word of encouragement. 

Life is hard. 

Relationships are harder. 

Money is tight.

Health issues abound

Prices are rising.

The political climate in our world is at crises stage.

People are discouraged. 

And my crystal ball is unplugged.

Think we need some strong words of encouragement?  I do!

Be an encourager. 

BE AN ENCOURGER and you‘ll never be forgotten.

I replay a letter I received once from a friend named Michael Wells.  It arrived at a desperate moment in my life when my future was uncertain career-wise.  His last words in the note were, “And oh, by the way, we are praying for you.”

Twenty-two years later I still remember that note and that experience.  He helped me hang on a bit longer until the next word of hope arrived. 

Want to become unforgettable?

Be one who encourages.

And now, just for kicks, enjoy Nat and Natalie’s song.

 If the above link doesn't work, click here

Unforgettable - Nat and Natalie

P Michael Biggs

Up-Words Web Site

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Don't Listen to Your Scars

Got scars?  Don’t we all.  They are scars of miss-steps, missed opportunities, lessons learned, and bruises on the body and on the mind. 

Scars are a part of life.  Carolyn showed Adia (Grand-daughter) her appendix scar tonight. 

Some people hold the belief that scars dictate how their life should turn out.  I’m so glad that is not true.  Scars don’t dictate where we are going. 

I’ve accumulated a few scars along the way:

  Divorce

  Bankruptcy

  Jobs that weren’t highly satisfying

  Friendships that went south

  Investments that flattened my bank account

  Bad decisions that didn’t pan out

  Relationships that caused great heartache

If I were a blues song writer, I think I could write a doozy of a song with all the scars my life bears.

Rather, I want to focus on where I can go and what I can do in spite of the scars in my life.

If I had listened to my scars, I’d be stuck in some two-bit job that was a life sentence.  Instead, I’m cruising along pursuing what I call my magnificent obsession.  I’m writing and speaking words of hope, encouragement and inspiration to those who will listen and read. 

Scars are a part of our bag of experiences for sure, and we should never let our scars drive the car.  Scars don’t dictate.  I’m putting my scars to rest.  I’m focusing on the possibilities that lie ahead. 

Some tips that have helped me are:

Journaling – I have journals going back to 1980.  Dare to be bold in your journals.  Pour your heart out on the pages, and protect them from others.  They are your private pages.

Conversations with trusted confidants – my trusted allies have given me wise counsel.  Counselors and therapist are also great healing agents for some of life’s tougher scars.

Books – I’ve found books to be a great source of healing on my journey of scar recovery.  There are too many to mention, and this is a personal matter that you really need to dig out for yourself.

Prayer – a huge one for me, for I am a spiritually turned individual.  I have a personal relationship with God and I take advantage of that experience. I have also learned that God is not so vulnerable but that He can handle anything I throw at Him in conversation.

My wife – Carolyn is the best wife I could ever ask for.  Her support, love, and our depth of conversations is a treasured experience that continually enriches my soul. 

These are just a few elements worthy of mention in helping one cope with life’s scars.  I hope you find your own remedies and places of safety and peace.

There IS life after scars.  Your scars are not in control of your destiny.  

You are.

P Michael Biggs

Up-Words Web Site

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Make Stuff Up

We’re into the second month of 2016.  There is still plenty of time to dream to want, and to aim for the yet undiscovered and the yet-to-be invented. 

I hope you’ll make stuff up this year.  I hope you’ll make something that has never before existed.  I hope you stick your toe into a new lake.  I hope you read a book that you’ve never before read and it rocks your world.

I hope you’ll try on some new ways of thinking and doing.  I hope you learn to drive to work by a different route occasionally.  I hope you notice a gorgeous elm that you’ve never seen before, or a new glimpse of the river in a different light.

I hope you write poems you never thought you could write, and sing songs you never thought you could sing.

I hope you manage your company with an outlandish management style, and treat your people with grace and human understanding like never before.

I hope you love your significant other like there is no tomorrow.  I hope you have conversations unlike any other conversations ever. 

I hope you hold hands more, laugh more, dream more, and listen to some amazing music that feeds your inner soul like never before.

I hope you meet God on a new playing field, in new light, with new words and fresh ideas that stretch your whole idea of who God is.

I hope you make stuff up and you don’t feel any guilt or shame for trying the new.

P Michael Biggs

Up-Words Web Site

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time