It is interesting how God works with His perfect timing to teach with love. I borrowed a copy of The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews from the local library (just renewed membership after being dormant for close to a decade). The 7 lessons & what it means personally to me are below with the 1st being the most relevant.

the-travelers-gift

1. The buck stops here. I am responsible for my past & my future.

I have made many mistakes both personal & financial in the past. I have lost over $50,000 since my youth due to mistakes & painful learning experiences (Mistakes I can now help others to avoid).

The buck stops here. I am only worth as much as my word. I thought I had remove all masks & facades a long time back. Yet I have found myself telling un-truths & lies of omission to the one I love the most. I had not been pushing myself & growing as much as I potentially can. No more. I take responsibility.

2. I will seek wisdom. I will be  a servant to others.

King Solomon of ancient past is indeed the wisest man there ever was. So how does one compare? Does one merely hope to have a fragment, a silver of the wisdom that Solomon has?

Solomon says “Seek wisdom. Seek wisdom. Wisdom waits to be gathered. She cannot be bartered or sold.. She is a gift for the diligent. And only the diligent will find her. The lazy man – the stupid man – never even looks. Though wisdom is available to many, she is found by few. Seek wisdom. Find her, and you will find success & contentment.

Surround yourself with wise council. Even the wisest person Solomon did. And you?

Serve others. I have found the joy in serving others at church. Now to bring that great joy to every aspect of my life to all those around me.

3. I am a person of action. I seize this moment. I choose now.

My sleep schedule has been bad. Very bad of late. I find myself awake & up til the wee hours of the morning. And it is affecting my performance & time availability the next day. I find myself doing things that are unproductive. Difficult yes to break through especially when working from home.

It is time to take action. From the adjustment of sleeping time to regular hours. From ensuring that I focus & dedicate fully to work during working hours. To extend working hours as I am now on my own to be much more than when I was on a salary. To not put off things that need to be done whether due to distraction, boredom or fears. To take action. Now.

When faced with a decision, many people say they are waiting for God. But I understand, in many cases, God is waiting for me!

4. I have a decided heart. My destiny is assured.

The power to control direction belongs to me.

I have a decided heart. I will not wait.

I have a dream. I will not wait.

I have a short finite life. I will not wait.

For my assured destiny awaits.

5. Today I will choose to be happy. I am the possessor of a grateful spirit.

I tell others to not sweat the small stuff. That we can choose how to respond what that m#*@^#% drives recklessly on the road. Circumstances change. But we, and only ourselves choose our own response.

A gentle reminder to self, to be happy & grateful. To give thanks. And not be a beggar in my prayers.

6. I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive myself.

To forgive but not forget. A sign of a smart person? Or simply folly as how else than can you forgive fully?

I will forgive. Freely. Everyone who has hurt me.

Including myself. Especially myself.

7. I will persist without exception. I am a person of great faith.

I acknowledge that most people quit when exhaustion sets in. I am not “most people”.

Whether it takes 4 months, 4 years or 40 years.

My creator declares, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope & a future”.

I will persist. I will have faith.