Lost In The Fog

READY... “It is not the clear-sighted who rule the world.  Great achievements are accomplished in a blessed, warm fog.”  ~ Joseph Conrad

AIM…  Slowly, the cloudy haze rolled in across the grassy field.  Moment by moment, the mist crept closer, sweeping my face with sprinkles of the wet air.  Soon, the fog enveloped my entire being.  I could no longer see past the end of my outstretched hand.  It surrounded me.  I was lost in the middle of what seemed like a vast nothingness. 

Ever feel like you’re caught in the middle of a huge brain fog?  Yep.  That’s been me for the past few weeks.  I apologize for not keeping my loyal readers stoked with inspiring messages.  I’ve literally been lost in the fog. 

So much has been going on in our media I wanted to address.  But with the sensitivity of the topics, what would be appropriate?  So many exciting things are going on around me.  But what should I share and what’s been overdone? 

I’m stepping out of the fog today, ready to recommit and challenge my readers.  You may like what I share, you may choose to disagree.  That, my friends, is what makes this world interesting.  We all have voices and we are all entitled to share our views.  My hope is that your view is steeped with integrity, good moral fortitude and a passion to change the world.  Are you ready?  Let’s step out of the fog together.

FIRE!   Being stuck in the fog is not fun.  You can’t see in front of you, behind you or even on either side of you.  Today, shine your light and step out of the fog.  Make a commitment and let’s go for it!

 Be Excellent!

Lori

Bullseye!

READY… “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9 NIV

AIM… WOW!!  This is the 150^th edition of Arrows of Integrity!  I am still amazed every week (or so) that so many of you are enjoying the stories, gaining personal insight and direction, and are using these messages to help you make good decisions for your life.  I must admit, there are moments when I wonder if this is it.  Am I supposed to continue writing my Arrows messages?  Then, one of my loyal readers will send a comment to me regarding how that week’s information really made a difference for him or her.  Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your continued support, love, and grace over the past three years!  I’m thrilled to see what God has in store for these Arrows in the future.  I am so grateful you have shared these messages with your friends, and I hope you encourage them to subscribe if you find yourself forwarding them each week.

I would be remiss if I didn’t share a few bits of inspiration with you on this very special celebration of our 150^th edition.  It got me thinking about the tagline for our title.  Are you REALLY “Aiming for excellence as you target life together” with the rest of the Arrows of Integrity gang?  Have the weekly messages caused you to change directions or think twice about your approach in life?  The overall intent is for each one of us to take these God-inspired words and apply the instruction and advice to our daily lives; for each of us to CHOOSE the high road, to set an example of excellence and to be a guiding light in the world of chaos we live in.  Remember, true integrity is determined by the choices you make when no one else is watching.  However, your example of integrity is being watched every moment of every day. Who is learning from YOUR example?  I encourage each one of us to take a moment to evaluate our intentions and rethink our approaches and reactions to life.  No matter if you are performing a task at work, shopping at the grocery store, driving down the highway, coaching a little league team, leading a Bible study at church, studying for an important test or preparing for retirement, your character determines your destiny.  Choose wisely, my friends, and nothing will stand in your way of hitting the bullseye of success!

FIRE!   As you target life, be true to yourself and your commitment to living a life of integrity.  Let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no.  Be honest.  Make wise choices that your children would be proud to witness.  Have the courage to stand up for your moral decisions.  Love others.  And at the end of the day, when you look in the mirror and have maintained your self-respect, you’ll know you can sleep peacefully on your journey to success.

Be Excellent!

Lori  

 Check out my daughter, Alyssa’s version of Arrows of Integrity.

I’d say it’s a bullseye!

 

Free To Be Me

READY… “Freedom is for honest people. No man who is not himself honest can be free – he is his own trap.” ~ L. Ron Hubbard

AIM… Being Americans means we are free to live the lives we choose. Being Americans means we are free to say whatever we want to say. Being Americans means we are free to wear whatever type of clothing we want to wear. Being Americans means we are free to listen to any kind of music we choose. Being Americans means we are free to chase our dreams and make them come true.

However, because we are Americans and are free to live as we please, some Americans turn blind eyes to the consequences that come with those choices. Some Americans lie, cheat, or steal, while others kill, destroy, disobey, overindulge, ruin and take advantage of their favorable circumstances. Why? Could they really be that disillusioned to believe that the freedoms they have been granted allow for their actions? While we may have the freedom to do what we would like, we must always be cognizant of the consequences of those actions. We must also consider those consequences before we exercise those freedoms in our everyday lives! Sometimes our emotions get the best of us and cause us to make decisions outside of what our normal lives would allow. Agreed? That is certainly no excuse for poor behavior, but it does make sense of the times we fall short of being an excellent person. Let’s all agree to be better Americans and exercise an appreciation of our freedoms by making good choices as we journey through life.

FIRE! Be proud to be an American of integrity this week! Choose one area of your freedom and make a responsible choice in your behavior or decisions. God bless America and God bless you!

Be Excellent!
Lori

The Minority

READY8 “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 NLT

AIM8 Ever feel like you’re in the minority? That the decisions you’re making in life to be a person of integrity, to keep your kids and your family on the path of truth make you feel like you’re the only one standing up for what’s right in this world?

Do not feel alone. Jesus was a minority too. When he preached the truth about God’s love, hope and healing, he was believed by some and doubted by many. When he faced the unfair trials and was wrongly accused, he stood firm and never wavered from his mission. When he was hung on a cross between two thieves, he STILL asked God to forgive the people around him because he knew he was right and they just didn’t understand.

Friends, as you make decisions in your lives that affect you, your children and your family - stand firm. Do not waver from the path of integrity and truth. Even though people around you may not understand what you’re doing or why you’re choosing the things you choose, you can rest assured that YOU are choosing what’s right and God is well-pleased with your decisions. Really, in the end, nothing else matters.

FIRE! Embrace the path of righteousness this week. Be consciously aware of your choices and decisions. Understand that the decisions you make are your decisions and you are free to choose to be a person of integrity in all you do. Be thankful to Jesus that you may live in freedom from all condemnation...if you choose.

Be Excellent!
Lori