Reading through this passage today reminded me of an idea I first heard about while reading a book by T. Harv Eker. The idea was simple: “don’t focus on the fruit, focus on the root”. When we think of what’s happening in our life, and what results we’re getting, we often think of and focus on the fruit of our life – i.e. the results we are getting. How happy we are, how much stuff we have, how much is in our bank account, etc.

But to improve or change any of these things, we have to look at where they come from. The source of all of those things and material manifestations, start with a root – you. Not exactly you, but the inside of you. Your conscience, your intelligence, your intellect, your spirit – everything on the inside that you can’t see. Focus on improving those, and you will eventually get excellent fruit. Period.

Contractors and water damage specialists came to asses the damage, and after all was said and done, we are now living in a hotel for at least 2 weeks while the condo is cleaned and rebuilt. Needless to say this has been a very tramatic time for our family. Being displaced, coming close to losing valuables and household items, and the sudden loss of all that we are used to has been difficult. We packed a couple small bags, headed to the hotel, and now we wait. If you want to keep peace in your life, there’s much to learn from a situation like this:

Live simple: When life displaces you, you have to be prepared to move on an instant. That means that if you rely on everything from specialized toothpicks to your special shower message system….you may have a problem. Frankly, this will cause you a lot of stress and steal the peace that you could have.

Focus on the good. When you face a situation like this, it’s really easy to focus on the negative things. I don’t have this, I don’t have that. But with a little work, you can keep a positive outlook and attitude, and that will change everything. You can suddenly change the whole mood of your entire family just by keeping a positive attitude.

Think about the concrete and the future. It’s really easy to get mad at the past, to get mad at the fact that your house is in 3″ of water, that you no longer have a place to hang your hat, etc. But it doesn’t help. And, as a matter of fact, it makes things worse. You cause yourself grief, and most likely cause friction with your family.

Notice what you now have time for. It’s amazing since this happened how I have cut out little things that are meaningless. Checking up on pointless emails, over use of social sites like facebook and twitter. It’s amazing when you are forced to trim down the fat, and really focus on just what’s important, what time saving mechanisms you come up with. Can I keep these when I’m not living crunch time?

Look for lessons not problems. The more you look for what you can learn from the situation the better. When you focus on problems and set backs, it’s like going in reverse on a freeway. You’re not likely to get anywhere you want to go, and you are very likely to damage and hit other people who are going the right direction.

“But whenever they were in trouble and turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him out, they found him.” – 2 Chronicles 15:4

It’s amazing to me what a little ambition can do. I’ve seen jobs, money, marriages, relationships, lives, and just about everything from A to Z radically change just because of ambition. When somebody really wants something, it’s amazing what resources will come to them. It’s almost like things just seem to fall in to place. I’ve seen it again and again.

Sometimes we write off books like The Secret and The Law of Attraction because they seem so simple. Yet the simplicity of their message – when you really, really want something, you get it – is very true. There is actually very little that can stop you when you really, really want something. Don’t let the power of ambition pass you by.

Ask almost anybody these days about their job security, and you’ll get a similar response: “iffy“. Even the best of us, with the most solid of industries are not immune to the constant layoffs, budget cuts, and general economic downturn we’ve seen recently. This uncertainty can cause a lot of stress, and steal the peace that we at this site are looking for. So here’s some thoughts on keeping your job security as strong as possible:

• Be the best. Learn as much as you can and be very careful to never make a mistake. When someone needs ‘the best’, you want them to come to you first.
• Work the hardest. Be the first in the office, the first to answer the phone, the first to respond to emails, and the first to tackle difficult tasks. Let it to be said that no one works harder than you.
• Always be helpful. Never take an arrogant tone, or an I’m-too-busy attitude. You want to be the most helpful, upbeat person around. Never stifle your opportunities by being a jerk.

Don’t let your job security to be a source of anxiety. With a little focus, and elbow grease it can be a source of pride, accomplishment and peace.

When you think about what you have, you are grateful. You are engaging in active gratitude and focusing on what you’ve been given, the people who have helped you, your successes, good times – generally very positive things. When you think about what you want, you are, in a sense, first thinking “I don’t have“. That’s a negative thought, it leads to depression, ungratefulness, bitterness towards yourself and others, jealousy, and anger.

If you find yourself bitter, angry or depressed, ask yourself, “what have I been wanting lately?” replace that with “Here’s what I have already” – you’ll automatically feel better.