What Are You Soaking In?

Happy Friday, Friends:

I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn in my Sweet Home Alabama!

 

Let me ask a question, Friends; what are you soaking in?

 

“The soul becomes dyed with the colour of its thoughts.” – Marcus Aurelius

 

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2

 

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8

 

What are we soaking in, Friends?

 

I want to share two quick stories.

1.      Earlier this week I was listening to the radio. The host was talking about how some workers wanted to play a joke on one of their co-workers. When he got to work at 8:00 a.m. someone said, “How are you feeling today? You look a little off.” He stated that he felt great. A little later, another person came up to him and said, “Did you sleep good last night? You look tired.” He stated he had slept well. A little bit later on someone else came up to him and said, “Do you have a fever? It looks like you are sweating.” He said he felt a little hot. By 10:00 a.m., the person who showed up feeling rested and well had gone home sick.

2.     We were talking about this topic last Sunday at church. Pastor Steve showed a picture of white carnations in different colors of dye. It totally fascinated me so I looked into it. Within an hour of being in the dye, the carnation will begin to show the color it is soaking in on its pedals. Within 24 – 48 hours, the previously white carnation will be whatever color dye it has been soaking in. And this is interesting; if you Google it you will be told that the fresher (Kev’s interpretation – younger) the carnation is, the more it will absorb the color. The more wilted (Kev’s interpretation – older) the carnation is, the less it will absorb the color. I think there is another Happy Friday in that last part!!!

 

I won’t ask the question again but rather make a statement; it would be wise to thoughtfully consider what we are soaking in! What are the things we are reading, listening to, and thinking about consistently? Whether we like it or not, it is shaping us!

 

I am going to close with something that Jon Gordon shared on X yesterday.

“What if the experts are right? What if positive thinking really is delusional? Researchers have found that the people who convince themselves something was possible, even when it didn’t look likely, were often the ones who made it happen. Why? Because belief drives behavior. When you believe it’s possible you don’t give up. You push through adversity. You look for solutions instead of focusing on obstacles. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Most people aren’t held back by reality as much as they’re held back by doubt. So the real question is this: What could you accomplish if you chose to “delude” yourself into believing it was possible?”

 

Please feel free to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

 

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend, please cherish your precious family, and please stay well!

 

Kev