Wisdom-Trek ©

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 94 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

The Habit of Forming Habits (1)

Thank you for joining us for our 7 day a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 94 of our Trek. Yesterday we completed looking at the trails that would help us to hike with a limp. Anything in our life that is restricting us from moving forward is considered our limp. These restrictions or barriers many times come from bad habits that we have allowed to creep into our lives over time.  In order to rid ourselves of bad habits, we must replace them with good habits. Today and tomorrow we will hike the trails of life that will allow us to start forming the good habits that we want to control our lives.

We are recording our podcast from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Our lighter work days of last week resulted in an extra heavy backpack of client work this week. This was expected, and we were prepared for the busy trail that we encountered. Life’s trek is much easier to manage when we can prepare in advance.

I actually work better with a set schedule based on the routines and habits that I have established over the years. I enjoy rising early and having my exercise and devotional/meditation time before breakfast, as it sets the tone for the entire day of productivity. Habits are part of everyone’s life. We just need to make sure that they are positive and productive habits.

It is now time to break camp and study the trails of the habit of habit formation. This could be a very rough trail to hike today because we feel that habit formation is very difficult. Fortunately, we have a detailed map for our habit hike. There is a comprehensive path for setting habits in our lives, and if followed, we can form good habits, as we get rid of those that are bad.

We recently had the opportunity to attend a trial where the defendant had shackles on his ankles, and it was very evident that it was difficult, very slow, and painful for him to walk. In the same way, if we have shackles of bad habits impacting our lives, it will hold us back, and we will never be able to fulfill our God-given potential until we are freed from these bad habits.

It is very important to realize that if we desire to rid ourselves of bad habits in any area of our lives that we must at the same time form new, positive habits, or we will just fall back into the same routine and never be free of the shackles that restrict us. Remember that one key law of life is that when we say “no” to one choice, we are automatically saying “yes” to another.  This applies to habits also.

This reminds me of the story that Jesus told when the religious leaders of his day accused him of casting out demons by the power of Satan. As I read this passage from Luke 11:24-26, where Jesus speaks of evicting demons from people, let’s use the comparison of the demons being bad habits in our lives. Many times we do refer to our bad habits as our demons. Consider the passage, “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.”

The same principles apply to our habits as to the literal demons that Jesus cast out during His early ministry.

On our trails today and tomorrow, we will explore some research from habit creation specialist Leo Barbauta as we hike the trails of “The Four Habits that Form Habits”.

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 93 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

Hiking With a Limp (3)

Thank you for joining us for our 7 day a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 93 of our Trek. Today we will continue on our Trek as we consider what it means to hike with a limp.

We are recording our podcast from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. On Sunday of this week, we were able to attend church with our daughter Elizabeth, her husband Nat, and their four children, along with Nat’s parents. It is always a blessing to spend time with family and worship together. After church we all went to Los Hermanos in St. Marys, West Virginia for lunch. The food was good, and we enjoyed our time.

After a lighter week of client work last week as we celebrated our 36th anniversary, it is back to a full schedule this week. We are also spending some focused effort on the woodwork in our dining room, getting ready to refinish it and the floor.

It is now time to break camp and continue on our exploration of the trails of life that help us to understand how best to hike with a limp. I love life, and each day I endeavor to make the choice to live it in a rich and satisfying way. I realize that some days are more difficult to do so. Sometimes the rough and rugged trails that we have to navigate are difficult enough in themselves, but if we have to deal with a limp, or something that impedes us, it becomes challenging to take that next step.

In order to set the stage for the exploration of our trails today, let’s look at someone else from the Bible that had to overcome obstacles to carry on.  In his 2nd letter to the church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul reveals a struggle that he had.

This can be found in Chapter 12 verses 7 through 10.

"Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.  Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

We see that Paul made the choice to accept his weakness, and even take pleasure in it.

That brings us to Trail #5.

Trail #5 – You can choose.

While we don't generally choose to suffer, we can choose how we respond to it. Only in our co-operative surrender does God have the freedom to mold us in His likeness. We do not stand outside of our being created; there is a decision, a will, and a choice to be made.

If then we choose to be willing participants in the process that suffering takes us through, what can we discover? If we choose to expect to find God in the dark and desolate trails of our suffering, will we discover that hope and meaning is found in the midst of our suffering? How can we gain wisdom through suffering?

In his book Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl would say this is possible and even essential for us to navigate periods of suffering well. He puts it this way, "The way in which a man accepts his fate and all the suffering it entails, the way in which he takes up his cross, gives him ample opportunity – even under the most difficult circumstances – to add a deeper meaning to his life."

Frankl tells us just how vitally important our response to unavoidable suffering is when we choose to change ourselves when faced with su...

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 92 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

Hiking With a Limp (2)

Thank you for joining us for our 7 day a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 92 of our Trek. Today we will continue on our Trek as we consider what it means to hike with a limp.

We are recording our podcast from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Our mower, which has been in the shop for the past three weeks, was returned on Saturday morning, which we were not expecting. While I was able to get some of the woodwork in the formal dining room  stripped, since it was such as nice day out, I spent several hours mowing. We have not had much rain in Ohio for the past month, so the grass was not too far out of hand. But, there were some areas that had become quite long after a month of not being mowed. It was great to get outside and enjoy the time.

Yesterday we looked at the story of Jacob when he wrestled with God and his name was changed to Israel.  Although God’s original call to start a new nation was to Jacob’s grandfather Abraham, with Jacob, who is now Israel, the new nation started to take shape.  If you missed the story of Jacob’s wrestling match, please listen to Day 91 on iTunes or Wisdom-Trek.com to get caught up. This wrestling match left Jacob with a limp that he would be inflicted with the remainder of his life as a reminder of being set apart to prepare for and build this new nation.

As we head out to explore new trails today, we realize that it will be very difficult to take this strenuous hike with a permanent limp or other disability, so we will have to be prepared for the journey. Preparation can come in many forms, but for our Trek today, let us take our rehabilitation instructions from Hebrews 12:1-3 & 12-13.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up."

"So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong."

In this passage, we see that in order to learn and adapt to our limps in life, we need training and discipline. This does not mean that we will completely recover from our limps or be without pain, but it does mean that we will learn to live with both and still live the rich and satisfying life that Jesus promised us.

So, let’s hike on our new trails for today.

Trail #2 – Are you prepared?

Our culture does little to prepare and equip us for hard things. We live in a culture designed to maximize our comfort and pleasure, celebrate these vanities, and distract us from what is real and lasting. If we take a look at what we’re sold by the media, we should expect life to be as easy as possible – filled with things that entertain and delight us amd that ensure we live hassle free lives.

From this perspective, pain is something to be avoided or ignored as much as possible. In reality, however, this is not how people actually live. We may be cushioned from the impact of suffering and pain for long periods in our lives but inevitably we are forced to come face-to-face with the harsh and often crushing realities of real and unavoidable heartbreak.

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 91 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

Hiking With a Limp (1)

Thank you for joining us for our 7 day a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 91 of our Trek. Yesterday we finished exploring our trail with 10 waypoints on making wise decisions.  For the next few days, we will consider what it means to hike with a limp.

We are recording our podcast from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. I spent Saturday working in our formal dining room, stripping the old varnish off of the wood work, which is a lot of wood as there is quartersawn oak wainscoting about ¼ of the way up around the room as well as on the doors, windows, and two built-in cabinets. In other rooms that I have already completed, I used paint and varnish remover, which is quite caustic and messy.  For this room, I decided to try a different tactic and use Scotch Bright pan scrubbers and mineral spirits. While it does not strip it quite as clean down to the bare wood, it did do a good job removing the varnish without as much of a mess, clean up, and toxic fumes.

With each room that I work on, I have come up with some slight way of improving the process. With the size of the house and the renovations left to do, I still have many opportunities for improvements. As with all the skills that we possess, if we continue to learn and practice, we can improve our craft. This is part of the refining process.

It is time now to head out on our Trek for today. As we climb a steep and very rugged trail, I want you to think about how difficult it would be to hike if you were recovering from a broken hip or a hip replacement?  I have a few friends that have gone through this painful surgery and recovery.  Some even within our Wisdom-Trek team that travels with us each day. While I have not personally experienced hip issues, from my understanding, it leaves many with a permanent limp and pain that may never fully go away.

All of us go through trials and tribulations in life that can leave us with a limp that affects us throughout our lives. This can be a very humbling and refining process for us. From a figurative standpoint, ask yourself, "What has caused me to limp, and what have I learned from it?" Has this situation changed who you are?

There is a saying that we should “Never trust a leader who doesn’t walk with a limp.” This saying comes from the story of the start of the nation of Israel and is recorded in the Bible in the book of Genesis Chapter 32 verses 22-32 where Jacob, the grandson of Abraham and son of Isaac, wrestled with God. This is the story:

"During the night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two servant wives, and his eleven sons and crossed the Jabbok River with them. After taking them to the other side, he sent over all his possessions. This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. Then the man said, 'Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!' But Jacob said, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.'  'What is your name?' the man asked. He replied, 'Jacob.'  'Your name will no longer be Jacob,' the man told him. 'From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.'  'Please tell me your name,' Jacob said. 'Why do you want to know my name?' the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there. Jacob named the place Peniel (which means 'face of God'), for he said, 'I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.' The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel, and he was limping because of the injury to his hip. (Even today the people of Israel don’t eat the tendon near the ...

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 90 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

10 Principles to Make Wise Decisions (3)

Thank you for joining us for our 7 day a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 90 of our Trek. Yesterday we continued to explore our trail on how to make wise decisions where we stopped by waypoints 3-6 along our path. Today we finish our trail as we explore waypoints 7-10.

We are recording our podcast from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today we spent much of the day on site with one of our clients in Marietta as we do each month. We also continued with client work and training as we learn the nuances of social media promotions, podcasting, and more in-depth on the online business model. It is a fascinating and challenging business model, as it is still very much in its infancy stages. Just as a child grows and learns rapidly, so does online content marketing. While the segment is not new, the explosion of the use of internet-enabled smart phones on a global level is making this market segment erupt in a like manner.

As humans, most of us are resistant and hesitant to change as we are comfortable with the habits that we have formed over our life.  Habits can be both good and bad. One good habit that we want to foster in our lives is that of making wise decisions. As with any skill in life, making wise decisions comes with practice and experience. C.S. Lewis said it well when he said, "Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance."

Since it is our desire to make wise decisions in all that we do, our 10 waypoints on this wisdom trail will help us to choose wisdom instead of folly in our decision-making. So, let’s break camp for today and finish our wise decision-making trail with waypoints 7 through 10. Because of my faith walk, I will base our discussions of decision-making on Biblical principles. 

7. Have I Honestly Considered The Warning Signs?

When we desire to make a particular decision, we tend to highlight the benefits and minimize the potential bad outcomes. Making wise decisions requires that we are honest with our advisors and ourselves. Take into consideration all the good advice that you have solicited. If those advisors have your best interest at heart, then their advice must be considered.

Proverbs 10:17, "People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray."

Proverbs 16:25, "There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death."

Proverbs 27:6, "Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy."

Points to consider:

Don’t think you are the “exception” to the rule. There are certain principles in life that are true for all persons. If a decision is not wise for someone else, be very cautious in thinking that it is okay for you.  (self-delusion)

Remember that God’s way is the best way. If there are warning signs, then no amount of justification will make the decision right. It is one thing to take a chance and quite another to be stupid. Sometimes that is a fine line.

 

8. Have I Considered The Possible Outcomes For My Course Of Action?

When making decisions, especially major ones, it is best to make a list of all possible outcomes from this decision. Write them down, with potential benefits on one side and potential negatives on the other. Don’t forget to take in lost opportunities that will result as a "side effect" of this decision. For instance, if the decision involves a monetary purchase you need to consider what other items you will not be able to purchase because of this decision.

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 89 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

10 Principles to Make Wise Decisions (2)

Thank you for joining us for our 7 day a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 89 of our Trek. Yesterday we started on a new trail and visited the first 2 out of 10 waypoints along our path, which will assist us in making wise decisions. Today we continue on our trail as we explore waypoints 3-6.

We are recording our podcast from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today was spent catching up with some client work while listening to training and podcast.  It is such a convenience to be able to listen and learn “on-demand” about any subject imaginable. Although I was not that great of a traditional student, exploring and learning new information through hands on training continues to fascinate me.  As Paula and I make plans to provide online training, mentoring, and coaching for entrepreneurs and small business owners, there is a lot for us to learn on how to properly set up an online membership training platform.

This week we are honored to be guests on two other podcasts.  The first one is called “Small Business Drivers” and the host is Nicky Roche, a successful Australian small business owner.  The second one is called “Journey of a Marriage” and the host is Roy Chumley.  He interviewed both Paula and I about our successful and lasting marriage.  It was an appropriate time as we are celebrating our 36th anniversary this week.  Links to both of these podcasts can be found in today’s journals or on “The Big House” section of the website.

As with any skill in life, making wise decisions comes with practice and experience.  Many times that experience is gained by making unwise decisions. The fact is that if we learn from this experience then we will make increasingly wise decisions in all areas of life.  If you agree that God is the author of wisdom, then decisions which are made in the light of God's word are stable and show wisdom.

 

Since it our desire to make wise decisions in all that we do, our 10 waypoints on this wisdom trail will help us to choose wisdom instead of folly in our decision-making.  It is time for us to break camp now as we continue on our trail of making wise decisions.  On our Trek today we begin with waypoint 3 of 10, so let’s get started. Because of my faith walk I will base our discussions of decision-making on Biblical principles.

3. Is There a Time Pressure Forcing Me To Make An Impulsive Decision?

Unless it is absolutely unavoidable do not make a decision if someone is pressuring you with a deadline or scarcity.  Scarcity and time pressure schemes are two of the most effective, and dangerous, methods that are used to try and force us into making decisions. Rarely are either reason a good reason to make a decision. In order to make a wise decision ask yourself, “Would I make this decision now if there was neither the scarcity or limited time pressure?”  If the answer is “no,” then do not fall prey to these tactics.

Proverbs 19:2, “Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.”

Proverbs 21:5, “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”

Points to consider if there is time or scarcity pressures put on you to make a decision:

Never fall prey to the “once in a life time” deals and the lure of instant gratification. There will always be other opportunities to make the same decision if it is a decision that you need to make.

Don’t let the fear of missing out drive your decision. You will only miss out if you make a decision that is wrong

When in doubt, choose not to decide at this time, which is a decision itself.

 

4.

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 88 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

10 Principles to Make Wise Decisions (1)

Thank you for joining us for our 7 day a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 88 of our Trek. We have just finished up exploring the 7 principles that enable you to put more life in your years. Today we are starting on a new trail, and we will be stopping by 10 waypoints along our path over the next few days, which will assist us in making wise decisions.

 

We are recording our podcast from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today is day four of our Anniversary Week #36. Today Paula and I went to Mountwood Park in West Virginia.  We started with a nice picnic, went for an hour long paddle boat ride, and then hiked about 4 miles. With temperatures in the low 70s it was perfect weather for our outing for today. It was a real blessing to get outside again to enjoy being with each other and God’s creation.

Since we work from home almost every day, one challenge with a staycation this week has been to stop after we complete some required work each morning and break for our planned activities. I have to admit that I love to work and enjoy just about everything that I have ever done in my career. This is partly due to my genetic make-up, my upbringing on the farm, and the values that were instilled in me from an early age. I would also say that a primary reason that I have loved just about every work environment is because I have chosen to like it. I enjoy learning, growing, and providing value to others.

Every day each of us is faced with numerous choices, which require us to make decisions. Our objective in producing Wisdom-Trek is not just to help you make decisions, but to teach you to make wise decisions, and to make legacy-creating decisions.

Wisdom is an attribute that we should all strive for in our lives.  As mentioned before, I personally rely on the Bible, which I consider to be God’s Word, as my basis and foundation for wisdom.

Gaining wisdom is not unlike establishing other good habits in our lives, whether those habits are eating properly, staying physically fit, or learning some new skill. We perfect those habits by properly practicing them each day. In the same manner, the more that we make wise decisions, the wiser we will become, and the easier it will be to make wise decisions in the future.

While the Bible, other literature, and information we study do not address every decision that we will face each day specifically, there are principles in the Bible and elsewhere that help us to foster a wise decision-making matrix within our lives. The question that we are all faced with is what should we do when the Bible doesn’t seem to speak directly to the situations we face and the decisions we need to make?

On our Trek today and for the next few days, we will stop by 10 waypoints that will help us to make wise decisions when there are not clear commands, guidelines, or direction. Because of my faith walk, I will base our discussions of decision-making on Biblical principles. If you happen to have a different basis for your value system, these points will still apply to your decision-making process.

Our first waypoint question is:

1. What are the principles that should form my decision-making matrix?

We first need to understand where wisdom ultimately comes from. Although there are many wise individuals from whom we can glean practical sage advice, when you look for the basis of this wisdom, it is rooted in the Bible. God has blessed certain individuals with the gift of presenting this wisdom in ways that help us to understand it better.  Based on this premise,

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 87 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

It Is the Life in Your Years That Count

Thank you for joining us for our 7 day a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 87 of our Trek. This week we are exploring the 7 principles that will enable you to put more life in your years. We are equating these principles to our hiking trails. So far we have explored trails 1-4, and today we will finish up with trails 5-7. Each day of life is a new trek. Let us always make the most of it.

We are recording our podcast from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today is our actual anniversary and day three of our Anniversary Week #36. Today we visited Blennerhassett Island and Mansion, which is across the river in Parkersburg, West Virginia. We have talked about visiting for years, and now we finally did.

Paula and I are working on being more intentional in living life fully by taking action on our plans, instead of just making it a someday plan. After 36 wonderful years together, we realize just how fast the years slip by and taking actions on our plans must be done intentionally. The day was beautiful – in the mid-70s and sunny. It was such an enjoyable and relaxing day.

We also learned a bit more about the pioneer history of the Mid-Ohio Valley, which happened about the same time as my ancestors traveled to and settled in Marietta. We toured the museum, and then took a paddle wheel boat to the island where we spent about three hours touring the mansion and grounds. Thank you for sharing this special day with us. Tomorrow we plan to go over to Mountwood State Park, which is about 30 miles from us, for a picnic and hiking.

As we venture out to explore three new trails today, don’t just listen to this podcast but apply these principles to each day. Remember that it is the life in your years that count.  Regardless of what your life has been in the past, it is what you make of your life from this point forward that will make a positive impact on your world. This is what God thought about the Prostitute Rahab in James letter to the Jews in Chapter 2 verses 25-26, "Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works."

Believe in someone or something; don’t give up on your faith.

· Trust Yourself

In times of stress and challenge, we all question our choices. We can read and research more available information than any one library could house in less time than ever before. As more information is downloaded, our beliefs are clouded and we can become lost in a sea of information, looking for the “right” knowledge to move forward. The reality is each of us possesses an insight that we can harness. That little voice inside that some call “intuition.” In the midst of doubt, trust yourself to know how to take the next step, know that if you can find your inner comfort and listen closely, your choices will enhance your journey in ways that will nourish and strengthen your beliefs. As a Christ follower, I believe this comes from God’s Spirit that is integrated within me.

· Pray Daily — Talk to God

Prayer requires no planning, no funding and no fear. I personally believe in a loving and living God, but you may not share my belief. Open your heart and speak your mind to the power you believe in, whether you call it God or not. There is no right or wrong way to do it. Just do it. Tell Him your joys and your sorrows, your plans and your worries. You are welcome from day one. There is no special club card required. Pray like your life depends on it.

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 86 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

It Is the Life in Your Years That Count

Thank you for joining us for our 7 day a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 86 of our Trek. Yesterday we began our exploration of the 7 principles in order to put more life in your years. We are equating these principles to our hiking trails. We explored the first two trails yesterday, so today we will continue on our exploration of additional trails.

We are recording our podcast from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today is day two of our Anniversary Week #36. For many years I certainly did not focus on how important it is to celebrate these special moments of life, so three years ago I committed to make the week of our anniversary a special time. Since we are going on a cruise the first week of November this year, we decided to make this year’s anniversary week a staycation where we would relax and take some day trips.

Today we did have some work to take care of (the joys of entrepreneurship), but it was scaled back a bit. We went for a nice walk, had a special dinner at home alone, and enjoyed watching a movie. Although I am a bit too focused on business most of the time, I am working at taking the time to pause, reflect on what is truly important, and enjoy taking time to enjoy the special moments of life.

So, let’s head out today and explore some additional trails on how to live each day to the fullest because in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. We should fill our life with joy each day, as the Apostle Paul reminded the Church in Philippi in Chapter 4 verse 4, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again — rejoice!”

Today we will explore trails three and four.

3.   Leave your mark. You only have one chance at each day. Make it count.

· Personal Growth

Leaving your mark starts with knowing yourself. The ability to leave your mark also requires you to know what your mark is all about. Personal growth can begin with taking time to outline your intentions and desires in this life. Ask yourself who you are, who are you really, what is your living legacy today, and what will it be when you die? Your thoughts become your actions and your actions are what leave your mark in this world. Spend time in personal growth and understand your life’s focus.

 

· Find Your Voice

It’s okay to talk to yourself. Journaling is a great way to have a discussion with yourself about what is upsetting you and what matters to you. It is also a great way to find your voice, understand what you stand for and how you want to make an impact on the world. Another critical piece of finding your voice is telling others about your ideas and insights. Remain open to constructive feedback and practice non-judgmental behavior when others don’t see your point of view or disagree with you. Life is full of diversity — there is room enough for everyone’s voice. Don’t forget to circle back and reread your journal entries. We all come up with exceptional and very exciting ideas, but they can fade away if they are not cultivated. Returning to read your past journal entries can rekindle an idea whose time is now!

 

· Give Back

Be someone’s sunshine! People need to seek sunshine and strength from others during their darkest times. One of the best ways to live your legacy each day is to give back to the world. A few ideas that might fit your journey are praying for others, being a mentor, or volunteering. Legacy building does not require financial resources. It requires time invested in others. If you have the capability to invest financially, mentor, volunteer, and pray,

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 85 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

It Is the Life in Your Years That Count

Thank you for joining us for our 7 day a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 85 of our Trek. Yesterday we finished our Trek through 10 waypoints, which contained practical wisdom on when it is best not to speak or to at least keep our speaking to a minimum. Saying 10 wise words is so much more effective than saying 100 words without substance. For the next few days, we will explore 7 principles in order to put more life in our years.

We are recording our podcast from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. I am creating the journal for today’s podcast on our trip back home to The Big House. This morning we worshipped at Center Point Baptist Church in Lancaster, Ohio, where one of my nephews Eli Chamberlain was ordained into the ministry today. Afterwards we had a meal and fellowship with Eli and his wife Alyssa, her parents, my brother Martin and his wife Wanda (Eli’s parents), and five of their seven children and their families. It was a great blessing to be with family once again and to celebrate life.

After that time of celebration, Paula and I kicked off our anniversary week of activities. Since Hocking Hills State Park was nearby, we went on a nice trek this afternoon and hiked from Old Man’s Cave to Cedar Falls and back. A total hike of about six miles, some parts of it were very challenging. It is the most beautiful state park in Ohio with thick woods, steep rolling hills, two small waterfalls, and a stream flowing through the gorge. The day was beautiful, and we had a great time enjoying God’s creation, talking, and spending time together outdoors.

As I mature and grow wiser, I am realizing how important these times together outside of our daily routine are. My encouragement to younger couples is don’t be so wrapped up in living life that you put off or miss these special moments. You don’t have to spend much, if any money, to create great adventures together. It is not about spending money to go to an event; it is about spending time together loving life.

As we head out on our Wisdom-Trek for today, the previous statements tie into the seven trails that we will explore over the next few days. We will explore how to live each day to the fullest because in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.

Jesus desires us to live a life that is lived with abundance, a life lived fully. This is not in reference to material abundances but internal abundance through Him. He does not want us to be robbed of the joy that is found in Him. In John 10:10 Jesus proclaimed, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

Today we will explore the first two trails.

1. Your attitude is a choice. You are in control. Create a positive attitude.

You might say,"Yes, I hear you Guthrie, but how can you choose a positive attitude each moment of each day?" As with anything worthwhile, it will not be easy. It takes consistent persistence to create this habit. Here are three tips that may help.

· Wake Up and Pause

Each day when you open your eyes you have a choice. Choosing the path of a positive mindset empowers you to move through the day with a sense of joy, even on the bleakest of days. Love yourself and be thankful. Find one thing that is positive about waking up. It could be the mere fact that you did. Each day choose to be positive about the day ahead. You are exchanging a day of your life for what you fill those 24 hours with, so make it positive.