Some of you know I’m a Dave Ramsey junkie. Today I got his monthly email newsletter, and one section of it reminded me of our fight against ordinary health and our pursuit of optimal health. Read the excerpt below:
Have you ever had a bad day and just wished that it would end? We've all experienced that. And not just a bad day. It could be weeks or months where the breaks all seem to go against you. As much as stuff may stink, every day you wake up, you have a chance to start fresh and get things moving in the right direction.
A single mom in the My Total Money Makeover community forums had this to say about a rough month, and what she's doing about it:
I've had a rough start. I received another hospital bill for my daughter in the amount of $3,970. I also am expecting another bill for $800, plus an ultrasound bill; who knows how much that will be?
I've been working more hours the past couple of weeks, plus I'm doing a lot of work for a client on the side, so the income has still been pretty decent. I hope things will continue for a while longer until I have a chance to get some things caught up.
Rather than throw in the towel, she's choosing to start from where she is and move forward. The past is in the past. You can't go back. But don't let rough spots that you've hit drag you so far down that you don't take advantage of the road ahead. If you hit a pothole as you drive down the street, you don't pull the car over and cry. You made it past that one rough spot. Keep going!
Each month brings with it its own successes and challenges. You have a new budget, new expenses, a new pace at work, new celebrations and so on. There is something about a clean slate that gives you a sense of hope. You can make up your mind to be positive about whatever comes up. We admit that it's not easy, but it's either that or sit in the muck.
You've got too much potential to sit in the muck. Fight through it and fulfill that potential. The greatest stories and accomplishments come from who had lots of obtacles to overcome, Even if you have a lot of past mistakes (and who doesn't?), there are plenty of opportunities to make things right.
And each time you take advantage of one, you get a new start.
This message rings true for all of us. In the pursuit of optimal health, you will hit some potholes. When the rough spots come, you have a choice to make. Will you sit in the muck or clean the slate and make a new start?
My road to health has not been all straight and narrow. I’ve had some detours. I know you have too. But don’t give up hope. Every day is filled with new mercies and is an opportunity for a new start! If you focus on your unsuccessful past, you'll be filled with shame and never experience a better future.
Dave Ramsey has often said something to this effect, “I don’t sell financial advice. I sell HOPE. But my vehicle is financial advice.” Dave sells the same thing that we sell… HOPE. Our vehicles differ slightly, our roads are a bit unique, and our destination may not be exactly the same. But the fuel that gets us there is.
Cling to hope! Your dreams become a reality when you develop an action plan and live it out, and hope is what keeps us moving.
Get well! Stay well!
Showing posts with label dave ramsey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dave ramsey. Show all posts
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, August 27, 2009
What Ever Happened To Personal Accountability?
As I continue to accumulate years (sounds better than the word "age"), I am becoming more familiar with the adage about time speeding up. It is unbelievable that we moved from Iowa City to Pella, Iowa over 8 years ago. Since my family and I moved, life has been a whirlwind in many ways.
In the past 2 years in particular, I have changed. Thanks to the wisdom of Dave Ramsey, who I try to follow as much as I can on my XM Radio, our family has changed our spending habits and is nearly debt-free (except for the home mortgage). His constant and unwavering commitment to the "Baby Steps" have been an inspiration to me.
Through Dave's teaching, I have come to realize that I control my own destiny. As a Believer, of course, I know I have my limitations. I know that God ultimately has a specific and unique plan for my life. (On a tangential note, I've never understood the title of the 1940's book, "God Is My Co-Pilot." Shouldn't he be the pilot and I'll play the role of the co-pilot? I guess I should read the book before I comment.) However, Dave has taught (or constantly reminded me) that I am personally accountable for my own actions.
Personal accountability is a Biblical concept. Romans 14 tells us that someday we will present a personal account to God. 1 Corinthians 12 tells us that we are members of a body, the body of Christ, which requires each person in the body to cooperate with the others. And Galatians 6 even tells us that we're accountable to others, our friends, and to encourage them when they waiver.
As a physical therapist, I have a unique view of personal accountability. Unfortunately, all to often it is the lack of personal accountability that stands out. I do not profess to have skills as a physical therapist that will provide the health benefit that each and every person desires. For those that do have a condition that would benefit from my physical therapy skills, though, the most common reason an individual does not achieve his potential is a lack of follow-through. These people do not hold themselves personally accountable to do what they must.
I often consult with industries to provide optimal health solutions. It is sad, even maddeningly frustrating, to observe a corporate culture that is permeated with a "blame them" mentality. When some refers the "them" when describing the source of the problem and that person has the same employer as he who is speaking, there's a problem with personal accountability.
Let's not even get into politics! In the wake of Ted Kennedy's passing, I find myself longing again for the message made popular by his brother, JFK, as he poignantly expressed, "Ask not what your country can do for you..." to be politically correct once again. What can we do about blame, complaining, and procrastination? Look inward.
It is Dave Ramsey who introduced me to John Miller and his book (and philosophy) "QBQ!: The Question Behind the Question." It is a short, easy-to-read book dedicated to blowing the horn of personal accountability. A simple attitude shift ("How can I make a difference?) brings about amazing results: problems get solved, internal barriers come down, service improves, teamwork grows, and people adapt more quickly to change.
Do you have any personal accounts of examples of personal accountability you can share?
In the past 2 years in particular, I have changed. Thanks to the wisdom of Dave Ramsey, who I try to follow as much as I can on my XM Radio, our family has changed our spending habits and is nearly debt-free (except for the home mortgage). His constant and unwavering commitment to the "Baby Steps" have been an inspiration to me.
Through Dave's teaching, I have come to realize that I control my own destiny. As a Believer, of course, I know I have my limitations. I know that God ultimately has a specific and unique plan for my life. (On a tangential note, I've never understood the title of the 1940's book, "God Is My Co-Pilot." Shouldn't he be the pilot and I'll play the role of the co-pilot? I guess I should read the book before I comment.) However, Dave has taught (or constantly reminded me) that I am personally accountable for my own actions.
Personal accountability is a Biblical concept. Romans 14 tells us that someday we will present a personal account to God. 1 Corinthians 12 tells us that we are members of a body, the body of Christ, which requires each person in the body to cooperate with the others. And Galatians 6 even tells us that we're accountable to others, our friends, and to encourage them when they waiver.
As a physical therapist, I have a unique view of personal accountability. Unfortunately, all to often it is the lack of personal accountability that stands out. I do not profess to have skills as a physical therapist that will provide the health benefit that each and every person desires. For those that do have a condition that would benefit from my physical therapy skills, though, the most common reason an individual does not achieve his potential is a lack of follow-through. These people do not hold themselves personally accountable to do what they must.
I often consult with industries to provide optimal health solutions. It is sad, even maddeningly frustrating, to observe a corporate culture that is permeated with a "blame them" mentality. When some refers the "them" when describing the source of the problem and that person has the same employer as he who is speaking, there's a problem with personal accountability.
Let's not even get into politics! In the wake of Ted Kennedy's passing, I find myself longing again for the message made popular by his brother, JFK, as he poignantly expressed, "Ask not what your country can do for you..." to be politically correct once again. What can we do about blame, complaining, and procrastination? Look inward.
It is Dave Ramsey who introduced me to John Miller and his book (and philosophy) "QBQ!: The Question Behind the Question." It is a short, easy-to-read book dedicated to blowing the horn of personal accountability. A simple attitude shift ("How can I make a difference?) brings about amazing results: problems get solved, internal barriers come down, service improves, teamwork grows, and people adapt more quickly to change.
Do you have any personal accounts of examples of personal accountability you can share?
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