Walls

Posted in Business, Motivational, Relationships, Spiritual

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Speak Your Mind

Posted in Business, Motivational, Relationships, Spiritual

There is a problem with people speaking their mind. It seems that many folks just blurt out nonsense without considering the impact or consequences of their statements. I have seen purely innocent statements both in person and online attacked or belittled for no good reason other than to just be contrary or try to prove that they are right and you are wrong. Why do people feel entitled to make caustic comments?

Here is my advice: “Speak your mind, but mind your tongue.” In other words…think before you speak. Consider who you are speaking to, why you are voicing your opinion to the contrary, what the possible consequences could be for your statements, and is it even necessary to say? Just a thought, but sometimes it is best to hold your tongue and just scroll on or ignore it.

People seem to underestimate the power of their words. Words have the ability to do one of two things: heal or hurt. Once they have been expressed, you cannot take them back. You can apologize for offending someone, but you have still wounded them. Depending on their state of mind, they may be able to just shake it off (if they are healthy) or they may allow that wound to fester and affect their outlook on life and their own self-worth in a negative fashion (if they have been abused).

This sums it up: Speak the truth in love. You will never know what memories and wounds that person is already carrying. Don’t make their load any heavier or even impossible. If anything…encourage them!

Shalom!

Daniel Skognes

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Letter To The 4th Grade 2022

Posted in Business, Motivational, Relationships

Dear 4th Graders:

I wanted to take a minute and tell all of you how proud I am of you! This has been a tough year in a lot of ways, but you did it! I want you to know that you will do well in your life if you build upon the things we taught you this year, and I am not just talking about English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Here are a few of the other things you have learned from us:

1. Taking responsibility for your own actions is a huge step in growing up, and if you remember to do that, it will help keep you on the right path.

2. There are always consequences to actions. Good one when you choose wisely. Bad ones when you choose poorly.

3. Your words either heal and encourage or wound and discourage others. You get to choose, but don’t forget there are always consequences.

4. You don’t have to like everyone, but you do need to show respect. Respect your Parents, your Teachers, your Classmates, and all those in authority. That one thing will make the road ahead a lot less bumpy.

5. Being able to forgive one another is also so important because we all make mistakes, and everyone needs forgiveness at some point.

6. Listening is critical to learning. If you don’t remember to listen, you may miss the entire point of the lesson.

7. If you want to have friends, you have to be a friend yourself. Choose your friends wisely, as they will influence you either in a good way or a bad way.

8. You get to play after the work is done! As you grow up you will realize the value of hard work. It is not a punishment, but a blessing…and there are great rewards to hard work.

9. Believe in yourself. That takes the pressure off of what other people think of you. Not everyone will like you. Let’s face it, if you are being honest, there are people who just rub you wrong. So, if you know in your heart who you are, then you need to trust that when others say unkind things to you or about you. That will make it a lot easier to forgive them and move on.

10. Do the right thing even when others have done you wrong. If you can remember to do that it will calm many of the conflicts that you will face in the future. You will never go wrong by doing right.

Some of you will grow up to be Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, Construction Workers, Plumbers, Salesmen, or maybe even the President of the United States. Much of that will depend on choices you make and relationships you establish. I pray that God direct your steps and bless you and your families in the years to come. You will always have a special place in my heart.

Love,

Mr. Dan

Superman

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Change

Posted in Business, Motivational, Relationships

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The Wait

Posted in Business, Motivational, Relationships, Spiritual

I don’t think I am the only one who has a problem with waiting, am I? I hate waiting in traffic, waiting for an expected call, waiting for money that is owed me, waiting for someone to apologize, waiting on someone to meet me, waiting in a fast food line, etc. Patience is not one of my virtues. I guess that is why God continually puts me in situations where I HAVE to wait.

Waiting on God is very hard to do. Obviously it requires faith, so I guess that is another area that I have to work on. It is easier for me to accept Yes or No from God than it is to have to WAIT. It is the waiting that drives me crazy if I let it.

I have become better about waiting on God as I have grown older for several reasons:

1. I have made some terrible decisions in my life when I second-guessed God and tried to “help” Him do what I wanted. He didn’t need my help, just my obedience, faith, and patience.

2. I have realized that waiting on God is for our good. God has a plan for each of us. We just have to trust Him.

3. I have found that many times when I thought something was what I wanted, I realized that it was not good for me at that time or perhaps not good for me at all.

We have a choice to make when we are waiting. We can stress out or we can chill out. If we look at the delay as a positive thing and praise God that He is in control despite what we see, what we feel, or what we think, then and only then are we are able to live a life of peace. Instead of stressing, try blessing.

Psalm 103:1 says, “Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.”

Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Romans 12:12 says, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

When you are waiting on God to open the door, praise Him in the hallway! All His promises are YES and AMEN.

Shalom!

Daniel Skognes

Common Sense Isn’t So Common

Posted in Business, Motivational, Relationships

I sent out a question asking what needs to be taught in schools that is not currently being taught. I was surprised at how often I read that “common sense” needs to be taught. The question which I came up with subsequently was, “How do you teach common sense?”

Common sense is not part of any curriculum that I know of that is currently being taught in our schools. So…how do you teach it? Common sense comes from developing the ability to make choices that are positive and beneficial, but how do you get it? Is it hereditary? Can it be learned? Do you develop it from experience?

I don’t have all the answers here, but I do know that there is a lot of truth to the adage: “It takes a village.” When kids are taught in their homes right from wrong, consequences for their choices, self control, and the impact of their decisions, teachers are able to do what they are hired to do without the continual behavior interruptions.

Common sense comes from proper teaching at home, at school, and throughout life. It comes from making choices and seeing the outcomes…both good and bad, and learning the lesson hopefully the first time. I know that addictions and abusive behaviors can and will cloud a child’s judgment. We obviously need to protect kids from all harm.

There is no simple remedy to instilling common sense, but if we work together as parents, teachers, and as a community, we can teach it collectively. Certainly we need to model common sense for the kids. If we don’t have it ourselves, how can we possibly teach it? Common sense begins at home for all of us, and that begins with looking in the mirror.

Shalom!

Daniel Skognes

Walks and Talks

Posted in Business, Motivational, Relationships

Walks are therapeutic. They are great for your health and also for you state of mind. Next time you are feeling stressed out, take a walk. If you have a spouse or friend who can walk with you, even better. Walking and talking relieves stress in magical ways. When we are allowed to get something off our chest in a safe place, it clarifies the situation and allows for options to be considered that you may not have imagined. Just make sure you take someone positive with you. You don’t need someone to pour gas on the fire. You need someone who will listen and love you through it in a non-judgmental way. If you have nobody to walk with you, remember that God is always with you and He is a GREAT listener. The only caution I would give you is that if you are alone and talking to God out loud, make sure you are in a secluded place. Otherwise, people just might think you are crazy! :o)

As a footnote, I do walks and talks with kids regularly at school to allow them to cool down from volatile situations and vent to me. Most of the time they calm down when they are truly heard. In the end, isn’t that what everyone wants: to be respected and heard? Self control is best learned at an early age, but we are never too old to learn it.

Shalom!

Daniel Skognes

Fingerprints

Posted in Business, Motivational, Relationships, Spiritual

Fingerprints are unique, and everyday we leave our fingerprints on the minds and hearts of people we encounter. I regret that two people who profoundly changed my life both passed away before I could tell them how much they meant to me. Both were teachers. One was in high school, and one was in college. The first one encouraged me to be a creative writer, and the second one taught me the power of humor and story telling when engaging an audience.

This made me realize that we need to tell people how they have impacted us before it is too late. Think about folks that have changed your life for the better. It might be a teacher, a preacher, a friend, a neighbor, your spouse, a child, or even a stranger. Someone along the way said or did something for you that touched your life in a profound way. Perhaps they are still doing it. Take time to write that person a handwritten letter and let them know how much they mean to you and how grateful you are for them. Trust me, it will make their day. It will also remind you to do two things: 1. Leave positive fingerprints on all those who cross your path. 2. Have an attitude of gratitude.

Shalom!

Daniel Skognes

Faith Over Feelings

Posted in Business, Motivational, Relationships, Spiritual

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Hard to Focus

Posted in Business, Motivational, Relationships, Spiritual

Let’s face it: it is easy to lose focus in a world full of distractions. Cell phones, laptops, people, school, jobs, animals, and worries are all vying for our attention. Personally, I love the sound of silence. Early mornings are my time to focus on the day. I get so much more done when everyone else is asleep. LOL.

Is it any wonder that lack of focus is a problem for most people these days? It stresses people out when they can’t focus. It is like someone switching the light on and off rapidly as they are trying to think! Just my opinion here, but it seems self-evident that if you cannot focus, you will never be at peace.

First of all, we need to get our priorities straight:

1. We need to focus on God. He is our rock, our refuge in time of need, our provider, our hope, and our salvation. Know God, know peace. No God, no peace.

2. We need to focus on our family. Next to God, family is the most important thing. Family comes before jobs, hobbies, me time, etc. If you lose focus of your family, there are lifelong consequences that you will regret. Blessed be the ties that bind.

3. Focus on your friends. If you are fortunate enough to have 3 or 4 really close friends, you are indeed wealthy! There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Be that friend!

4. Focus on yourself. Be the best person that you can possibly be. We are all works in progress. There is nobody that can claim they have arrived. We always need to be learning, improving, self correcting, and striving for excellence.

5. Focus on your work. Whatever you choose to do in life, do it with all your heart. Work is a blessing….not a curse. Learn to enjoy what you do. Bloom where you are planted.

6. Find balance in your life. It is hard to walk if you lose your balance, right? Same thing if events in your life are in constant chaos. Make better choices and take time to unwind. That is why God said, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” We all need time to recharge our batteries and refocus on what really matters in life.

Shalom!

Daniel Skognes