Wisdom-Trek © - Archive 2

Day 596 – A Father’s Plea – Proverbs 7

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Wed, 03 May 2017 07:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 596 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A Father’s Plea – Proverbs 7

Hello, my friend, and welcome to Wisdom-Trek! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your Guide to Wisdom and Creating a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 596 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails, we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore Proverbs 7 from The Voice Translation, which will give us a fresh perspective on this book of timeless wisdom.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Spring is now in full swing with its showers, flowers, trees nearly full of leaves, and temperatures moderating to a pleasant range. It seems like each new day brings new life. The red-shouldered hawks that have their nest outside our 2^nd story office windows are busy all day bringing fresh food back to their newly born chicks.

Just as spring is a flurry of activities with changes that are evident on a daily basis, so are our lives changing to a “new normal.” As mentioned during a couple of daily treks last week, Hazel our 2.5-year-old granddaughter has been diagnosed with leukemia. In addition to the emotionally difficult trek that this news has brought to our lives, we also take on additional responsibilities and tasks to assist during this long trail that is now before us. We are assisting with the transport of Hazel’s two older brothers to school and back on most days. We have also adopted two of Nat & Elizabeth’s dogs so that they can focus on Hazel’s treatment and ultimate recovery.

Hazel is responding well to the chemo treatments, and the physicians are pleased with the early results. For the next 2-3 months, Hazel will have weekly chemo treatments in Columbus on Monday’s and also have blood drawn locally on Wednesday and Friday’s to monitor the results. After this stage, the treatments fall back to monthly for the duration of about two years. As Hazel’s father Nat expressed in this week’s blog, we are humbled and grateful for the outpouring of help and resources that are being provided as Hazel’s tribe of prayer warriors and supporters grow each day around the world. We would ask you to pray for Hazel and her family, and also for us as grandparents that we would have the wisdom, insight, and understanding to make prudent choices and are able to help wherever it is needed.

As we explore Proverbs 7 today, we see a passionate plea from King Solomon to his son that he may obtain wisdom…

A Father’s Plea

· 10th Speech from Father to Son

This is the tenth and final speech the father delivers to his son, and it’s the most passionate of them all. The father is on his hands and knees begging his son to live by wisdom (and escape the snare of the adulteress) no matter the effort required. Look at the action words used in verses 1-5. All of these require extreme energy and devotion: “guard,” “treasure,” “bind,” “meditate,” “engrave,” “say,” “recognize.”

We don’t typically find narratives in the Book of Proverbs, but in verses 6-20 the father uses a story to drive home his point. He tells his son a dark tale of a naïve young man who gets sucked into the clutches of the adulteress. The woman’s speech (verses 14-20) drips with allurement as she “grabs him shamelessly.” She makes promises of a “perfumed bed” and “colored linens.” The youngster lets the adulteress inflate his ego, he lets his guard down, and in verse 22 he gives in to her seduction. The father likens him to a bull, a deer, and a bird, as these are three animals subject to complete domination.

This intense narrative stops abruptly at verse 23, as the father turns to all his sons and makes this final plea (24-27), “Listen to me and pay attention,” he says, “Avoid that woman!”The house of the adulteress is a tomb in disguise, or as he puts it, it is “a gateway to the grave, leading down to death’s dark chamber.”

This story is intended to speak to more than just our intellect; it also calls upon our imagination and echoes in our heart. The father seeks to make a lasting impact. Pay attention to its overall effect on you.

Listen up now and pay attention as I share with you Proverbs Chapter 7.

¹My son, live according to what I am telling you;
guard my instructions as you would a treasure deep within you.
²Stay true to my directives, and they will serve you well;
make my teachings the lens through which you see life.
³Bind cords around your fingers to remind you of them;
meditate on them, and you’ll engrave them upon your heart.
⁴Say to Lady Wisdom, “My sister”;
recognize that understanding is your best friend,
⁵And they will keep you from the arms of another woman—
protect you from the enchantress who entices men into her bed.

⁶One day I was at the window of my house,
looking out through my lattice shutters,
⁷And there among the usual crowd of the gullible people
I spotted a naive young man.
⁸He was going down the street near the corner where she lived—that mysterious and evil woman—
taking the road that led directly to her house.
⁹At the end of the day, as night approached
and darkness crept in,

¹⁰I saw her! A woman came out to meet him.
She was dressed for temptation and devious with her affections.
¹¹Here’s what I know about her: she is loud and obnoxious, a rebel against what is proper and decent.
She’s always on the move—anxious to get out of the house and
¹²Down the street; at times in the open,
at others lurking around every corner.
¹³As I am watching them, she grabs him and kisses him,
then shamelessly tells him:

¹⁴ It was my turn to offer a peace offering,
and today I paid my vows,
¹⁵So now I come to see you.
I really want to be with you, and what luck! I have found you!
¹⁶You’ll be impressed. I have decorated my couch,
laid colorful Egyptian linens over where we will be together,
¹⁷And perfumed the bed with exotic oils and herbs:
myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
¹⁸Come in, and we will feast on love until sunrise;
we will delight ourselves in our affections.
¹⁹You don’t need to worry; my husband is long gone by now,
away from home on a distant journey.
²⁰He took a bag of money with him,
so I don’t expect him home until next month.

²¹It worked! She enticed him with seductive words,
seduced him with her smooth talk.
²²Right away he followed her home.
He followed her like a bull being led to the slaughter,
Like a deer caught in a trap
²³ (that is, until an arrow punctures his liver),
Like a bird flying straight into a net.
He had no clue his life was at stake; everything was about to change.

²⁴This is why it is so important that you listen to me, my sons,
and pay attention to all I am telling you.
²⁵Do not let your mind wonder about her ways;
do not lose yourself and drift down her path,
²⁶For she’s claimed one life after another,
victim after victim, too many to count.
²⁷Her house is the gateway to the grave;
every step toward her is a step toward death’s dark chamber.

That will conclude our exploration of Proverbs 7. Oh, how the mighty, and I might add naïve man and woman have fallen when making unwise relationship choices. Next week we will continue with Chapter 8, and each week we will explore a full chapter in Proverbs. I hope that you will join us each week so that you can gain wisdom, insight, and understanding for yourself.

All of the Proverbs provide us with rich wisdom, insight, and understanding on a myriad of life issues. Regardless of where you are in your faith walk, if the precepts in Proverbs are followed, your life will be rich and satisfying. I encourage you to take them and plant the seeds of wisdom in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom throughout your life.

Tomorrow we will hike another short trail of Wisdom Unplugged where we will discover an inspirational wisdom quote. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe on iTunes and Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 595 – Calmness of Mind – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 02 May 2017 04:09:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 595 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Calmness of Mind – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 595 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from James Allen who said, “The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.”

A person who is truly wise will also be a person who displays calmness in the midst of stress and hardships. A wise person realizes that if they allow themselves to lose control of their emotions, then they will make foolish decisions, take foolish actions, and say foolish and hurtful words to others, including those that they love. A wise person will not allow external circumstances to control their mind, which controls his actions. A wise person who remains calm in every situation is certainly a beautiful treasure in a world filled with hate and violence. There are so many verses in Proverbs that teach us these principles. Here are a few that I have chosen.

Proverbs 12:16 – A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.

Proverbs 14:17 – Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated.

Proverbs 15:1 – A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

Proverbs 17:27 – A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 – Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool.

As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe on iTunes and Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 594 – Love – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 01 May 2017 07:03:10 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 594 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Love – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 594 of our trek and Motivation Monday. We are hiking a series of trails called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack.

Each Monday for a total of 20 weeks we will explore a different tool that is needed to motivate and equip parents and grandparents to train their children and grandchildren to be successful on their trek of life. If you don’t have children or grandchildren of your own, use these tools to train others that you do influence. Today the 17^th tool from Gramps’ Backpack is Love.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. The previous tool that we explored was renewal, and the importance it is for each of our lives. With the diagnosis of leukemia in our granddaughter Hazel just over two weeks ago, there has been little time for practicing renewal in our lives.

Quite the contrary, the investment of time necessary surrounding this cataclysmic life change has required that we add many new duties to an already busy schedule. While these two weeks have exhausted us both physically and emotionally, it certainly has been a time for reflection on what is truly important.

Since we do have a long road ahead of us, it will be more important than ever that we invest adequate time in renewal also. As I have reflected on Hazel’s illness I realized that I would do anything I could to take her illness and treatment on me, so she would not have to. I would do this because of my love for Hazel and my desire for her not to go through this time of suffering. Unfortunately, this is not possible. This brings to mind the fact that because of His love for us, Christ gave up his life and suffered hell for us so that we would not have to.

Romans 5:8-9, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. ⁹And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.”

Love is the most powerful force in the universe. Unconditional love is the strongest form of love. It is so imperative that we love our children, grandchildren, and others that we impact with unconditional love, and lots of it. If they see this kind of love demonstrated in our lives, then they will learn to love others unconditionally. So the tool we will explore today is…

Love

As we learn of God’s love for us and allow it to become part of the very fabric of our lives, we will start to understand and demonstrate that love to others. Ephesians 3:17-19 gives us a glimpse of the love God has for us, “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”

Love is what sums up the entire Old Testament laws. Christ’s words leave no room for interpretation. In Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus tells us, “Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

We are humans, though, and sometimes, despite our best intentions, we fall short. When we become embittered with ourselves, with our family, with our neighbors, and even with God, we disobey the two short commands that sum up the entire law. We disobey the One who gave His life for us.

If we are to be faithful to God’s precepts, we must filter out the negative feelings that separate us from others and from Him. 1 Corinthians 13 is considered the love chapter, and we are told that love is the foundation upon which all our relationships are to be built. Our relationship with others and our relationship with our Maker.

May we fill our hearts with love and filter out the bitterness, jealousy, and hatred that we harbor towards others. God’s desire us to emulate, exhibit, and then teach the love that is found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

Love is not always giving in to others. For love to be true, it sometimes has to be velvet, and sometimes it has to be steel. Real love has staying power. Authentic love is tough love. It refuses to look for ways to run away. It always opts for working through whatever issues are causing strife. It is important to know that you have to work to keep love alive. You have to protect it and maintain it, just like you would a delicate flower.

With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today and close Gramps’ backpack. Before I do, I will pass the tool of Love on to you. Once you have this tool in your backpack, it is up to you to learn what real unconditional love is. It is up to you to demonstrate that love to your children, grandchildren, and others that you mentor. It is up to you to also teach them this kind of unconditional love. When you love God and love others properly, it is then that you will realize and understand how to live the rich and satisfying life that is available to each of us.

Next Monday we will investigate the 18^th tool in Gramps’ backpack, which is Character. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 593 – Lifestyle Is Not an Automatic Reward – Lifestyle (3)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 07:03:55 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 593 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Lifestyle Is Not an Automatic Reward

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 593 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently, we are on an extended multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I have adapted it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. It has been a beautiful spring week, and all of the trees are exploding with foliage. The large maples and oaks are a bit behind, but it won’t take too many days before they are also full of leaves.

Our granddaughter Hazel, whom I mentioned in Wednesday’s trek, is now home after her first 8 days of Chemo treatments for leukemia. Although it is always possible that the future treatment schedule will change based on her response, currently she will travel to Columbus every Monday for a Chemo treatment. On Wednesday & Friday of each week, she will have blood drawn locally to monitor the results. The weekly treatments will last 2-3 months depending on the results, and then it will move to a monthly treatment for the next 20+ months. We would appreciate your continued prayers for her healing and strength for the family.

Last Philosophy Friday I mentioned that we deal with the same challenges and fears that everyone deals with. This has certainly been true during the past couple of weeks as our lives have been dramatically impacted.

As we continue today on our 5^th trail, which is the The Trail of Lifestyle, we will explore how our lifestyle is not automatic but is created by how we respond to the challenges of life, not by the fact that we do not have major challenges and fears. If we do not conquer those fears, they will become giants that can overwhelm and defeat us, minimizing our impact on our world. Victories over the challenges of life make up the lifestyle that we live.

If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and begin the fifth trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Lifestyle Part (3)

As a reminder, our overall extended trek covers these five trails:

Philosophy
Attitude
Activity
Results
Lifestyle

1. Lifestyle is Not an Automatic Reward

Lifestyle means designing ways to live uniquely. It is a skill to be mastered, not a condition to be pursued. Lifestyle is finding new ways to bring joy, pleasure, excitement, and substance into your life and into the lives of those you care for while you are working on your goals, not once you have achieved them. Obtaining more material abundance does not necessarily mean a rich and satisfying life.

You may dream of becoming wealthy, of having a beautiful home that is tended by others so that you will be free to enjoy yourself. You dream of inheriting a large amount of money or winning the lottery that will enable you to quit your job tomorrow and go off in pursuit of the good life. You dream of chauffeurs to drive you and servants to take care of you so that we can have all the time in the world to do whatever you want to do.

The big question is what would you do? In a very short time, most of what you dreamed of one day doing would become as uninspiring as your current lifestyle. There is only so much traveling, so much partying, so much sleeping, and so much “enjoying” that you can experience before this too would become tedious.

If it is not a life of endless fun and laughter that you are after, then what is it that you are in pursuit of? What is this thing you call lifestyle? Everyone has their own opinion of what lifestyle is, but hopefully, you will agree on what it is not. It is not something you get simply as a result of having more stuff. Lifestyle is a result of living more. The rich and satisfying life consists of: living more holy, living more fully, living more consciously, living more joyfully, and living more appreciatively. The more fully you live, the more you do and the more you become. Lifestyle is not a reward for all of our hard effort. It is a way of making your hard effort more rewarding, more meaningful, and ultimately more productive.

2. Lifestyle Must Be Studied As Well As Practiced

If you wish to be wealthy, you must study wealth. If you wish to be joyful, you must study how to fill your life with joy. If you wish to live a life of peace, you need to study how to be peaceful. So it is with any attribute that you wish to have as part of your life which creates the characteristic that we call lifestyle.

Most people do not make these traits a study. For instance, their plan for finding joy consists of going through the day with their fingers crossed, hoping that somehow, something will work out that will make them joyful. Joy is a chosen art, not an accident. It is not something that falls out of the sky. Joy, that unique emotion that you mistakenly believe comes to you only when you have become successful, must precede the achievement of success. Joy is as much a cause of success as it is a result of success, and you can begin to experience joy whenever you wish, regardless of your current circumstances.

True joy and success comes from following God’s precepts, well before we receive any material success in our lives. Proverbs 16:20 tells us, “Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.”

Part of living a rich and satisfying lifestyle also includes treating others well as the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter in Galatians 5:15-18, “See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we continue our hike today on the Trail of Lifestyle. Today we learned that lifestyle is not an automatic reward but must be studied and practiced.

Next Philosophy Friday we will continue on our fifth trail the Trail of Lifestyle, and we will explore how to be happy with what you have while you strive for what you desire. So join us next Friday for these additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek is on Monday, and we will continue our series called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack where we will equip you with the tools needed to impact the lives of others. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 592 – Never of Two Minds – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 07:03:24 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 592 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Never of Two Minds – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 592 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today quote is from Confucius who said, “The man of wisdom is never of two minds; the man of benevolence never worries; the man of courage is never afraid.”

To be wise is to have a single-mindedness of your purpose, mission, and vision for life. If you are compassionate, kind, and generous, then you will not worry about what others think or feel about you, because you will know instinctively that you are doing what is right. If you have courage, then there is no reason to be fearful because you know that you will persevere even through difficult times.

You cannot be double-minded and strong or successful at the same time. In fact, if you desire to be wise, one of the keys is to not have a divided loyalty. Anyone can gain wisdom by earnestly asking God to provide it, but we must be loyal to God to obtain wisdom. James, the half-brother of Jesus, tells us that God will freely give us wisdom if we ask Him. This is in his letter in James 1:5-8, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.”

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe on iTunes or Google play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 591 – Don’t Be a Fool! – Proverbs 6

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 07:03:11 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 591 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Don’t Be a Fool! – Proverbs 6

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 591 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails, we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore Proverbs 6 from The Voice Translation, which will give us a fresh perspective on this book of timeless wisdom.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. What a difference a week can make in our lives. I was scheduled to travel to Mesa, Arizona, last week to work on our construction project there. The day before I was to leave our lives changed forever.

A little over a week ago, Hazel, our 2 ½-year-old, red-headed, spunky grandchild who is so full of life was taken to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. A week ago on Saturday, we found out that our sweet little Hazel was diagnosed with pre-b acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Of course, our hearts are broken, and it rocked our foundation to the very core. Since it was detected early, and she is young, the prognosis for recovery is good. But the thought of Hazel having to suffer through two years of chemo treatments is difficult to grasp and consider. It certainly will be a major change in our lives and especially in the lives of her parents Elizabeth and Nat Miller and Hazel’s three older siblings Paul, Gideon, and Aurora. It is hard to process, especially for one so young, but we are certain that God is in control of this situation as He is in all of our lives. We will be much more involved with Elizabeth, Nat, and the grandkid’s lives as we assist and we all adjust to a life that is no longer what our normal was.

Fortunately, Nat’s parents also live locally and are very involved with the grandkids. We would ask you to pray for Hazel and her tribe, and also for us as grandparents that we would have the wisdom, insight, and understanding to make prudent choices and be able to help wherever it is needed.

As we explore Proverbs 6 today, Solomon instructs us to be wise. Solomon puts it bluntly when he says…

Don’t Be a Fool!

· 9th Speech from Father to Son

Chapter 6 is the father’s ninth speech, and there’s a trove of wisdom gold in here. As you listen to it, look for words such as “snare,” “caught,” “hunter,” “fowler,” “robber,” “capture,” and “thief.” According to the father, there are four hunters out there looking to ambush your soul and rob it of the good life.

· Beware of:

Debt (verses 1-5)

The father warns his son of the dangers of financial liability, even if it’s to help out a friend. Stepping into debt is like stepping into a trap. Don’t sign your name, he says. If you do, get yourself out of the situation with dogged persistence (“to the point of exhaustion”) and escape like a gazelle or a bird (two animals that exhibit swift speed).

Laziness (verses 6-11)

Here the father tells the son that “poverty will come upon him like a robber” if he doesn’t learn to work hard. “Check out the ants!” he says, pointing out the diligent way these insects store provisions for their future. Solomon, as 1 Kings [4:33] indicates, was a skilled zoologist and drew many lessons from the world of animals.

Gossip (verses 12-19)

In these verses, the topic switches from the “sluggard” to the “slanderer.” Both are deemed to be worthless people, but the latter receives the father’s harshest criticism. Verses 16-19 catalog a list of things that the Lord hates, culminating with someone who creates relational disharmony.

Lust (verse 20-35)

This last warning takes the form of a speech. Once again, we encounter the adulteress. This woman will hunt you down, the father says, and capture her prey with her eyelashes. Don’t be fooled, for there will only be pain from engaging with her. In other words, the father asks a rhetorical question, “Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?”

The uniting theme of this chapter is the father’s encouragement to maintain a healthy distance from these sly hunters. To give in to them is to forsake freedom and give way to calamity. What temptations are you prey to today? Surrender them to God with a humble heart and remember what the father said, “Correction and instruction are the way to life.”

Listen up now and pay attention as I share with you Proverbs 6.

¹My son, if you will risk your family’s future to put up collateral for the debts of an acquaintance, if you seal a commitment with a handshake to someone without first knowing the value of his word.
²Then your words may well be the trap that snares you, and your promise may seal your fate. You can’t be sure to whom you hitched your future.
³So, my son—save yourself! Here’s what you need to do:
go to that person who became your master with a handshake,
humble yourself, and plead your case.
⁴Do not sleep; don’t even rest your eyes until you deal with this.
⁵Get out as quickly as possible, as a gazelle runs from the hand of the hunter,
as a bird takes off from the grip of the fowler.

⁶Take a lesson from the ant, you who love leisure and ease.
Observe how it works, and dare to be just as wise.
⁷It has no boss, no one laying down the law or telling it what to do,
⁸Yet it gathers its food through summer and takes what it needs from the harvest.
⁹How long do you plan to lounge your life away, you lazy fool?
Will you ever get out of bed?
¹⁰You say, “A little sleep, a little rest, a few more minutes, a nice little nap.”
¹¹But soon poverty will be on top of you like a robber; need will assault you like a well-armed warrior.

¹²Someone who struts around taking advantage of unsuspecting souls
and deceiving others is to be avoided.
¹³With a wink of his eye, a quick shuffle of his feet, and a slight gesture with his hand, he signals his roguish treachery.
¹⁴With a warped mind and twisted heart, he constantly looks for his own gain at others’ expense, causing friction everywhere he goes.
¹⁵But you watch: his actions will bring sudden disaster! In an instant, his life will be shattered, and there will be nothing to save him.

¹⁶Take note, there are six things the Eternal hates; no, make it seven He abhors:
¹⁷Eyes that look down on others, a tongue that can’t be trusted, hands that shed innocent blood.
¹⁸A heart that conceives evil plans, feet that sprint toward evil.
¹⁹A false witness who breathes out lies, and anyone who stirs up trouble among the faithful.

²⁰So, my son, follow your father’s direction, and don’t forget what your mother taught you—
²¹Keep their teachings close to your heart; engrave them on a pendant, and hang it around your neck.
²²Their instruction will guide you along your journey, guard you when you sleep, and address you when you wake in the morning.
²³For their direction is a lamp; their instruction will light your path, and their discipline will correct your missteps, sending you down the right path of life.
²⁴They will keep you far from the corrupted woman, away from the smooth talk of a seductive woman.
²⁵Do not lose yourself in desire for her beauty or let her win you over with her painted eyes,
²⁶For you can buy a harlot with a loaf of bread, but sex with another man’s wife will cost you your life.
²⁷Can you carry fire right next to your body and keep your clothes from burning?
²⁸Can you walk over fiery coals and keep your feet from blistering?
²⁹Take another man’s wife, and you will find out—whoever touches her will be found guilty.
³⁰People don’t despise a thief who only steals to fill his hunger;
³¹Still if they catch him, he must repay seven times over— he could end up losing everything he owns!
³²By contrast only a fool would commit adultery since by his action he loses not only his possessions but also his own life.
³³He will suffer injury and be disgraced; dishonor will leave a permanent mark on his life.
³⁴For jealousy sparks a husband’s rage— when he gets his revenge, he’ll show no mercy.
³⁵He will not be paid off or appeased; no bribe or gift will set things right.

That will conclude our exploration of Proverbs 6. There is certainly a lot to ponder here. Next week we will continue with Chapter 7, and each week we will explore a full chapter in Proverbs. I hope that you will join us each week so that you can gain wisdom, insight, and understanding for yourself.

All of the Proverbs provide us with rich wisdom, insight, and understanding on a myriad of life issues. Regardless of where you are in your faith walk, if you follow the precepts in Proverbs, your life will be rich and satisfying. I encourage you to take them and plant the seeds of wisdom in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom throughout your life.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 590 – The Mark of Wisdom – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 07:03:09 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 590 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Mark of Wisdom – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 590 of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget:

Today’s quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson who said, “The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.”

Miracles are around us every day. Unfortunately, we are usually too preoccupied and busy to notice them.

It takes wisdom to invest time to absorb a beautiful sunrise or sunset. It takes wisdom to understand the miracles of the seasons that come and go with unchanging regularity. It takes wisdom to enjoy the ebbs and flows of the oceans. It takes wisdom to appreciate the need for a balance of sun, rain, snow, clouds, and winds. It takes wisdom to realize that every beat of our heart and every breath that we take are a miracle that sustains our life for yet one more moment. It takes wisdom to acknowledge that all of these common things that we take for granted comes from a holy and loving God who is the creator of all things.

As Romans 1:19-20 tells us, “They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 589 – Renewal – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 07:03:51 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 589 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Renewal- The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 589 of our trek, and it is Motivation Monday. We are hiking a series of trails called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack. Each Monday for a total of 20 weeks, we will explore a different tool that is needed to motivate and equip parents and grandparents to train their children and grandchildren to be successful on their trek of life. If you don’t have children or grandchildren of your own, use these tools to train others that you do influence. Today the 16^th tool from Gramps’ Backpack is Renewal.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. When this trek is released, I should be back from a week in Arizona and have spoken at church yesterday. I do have to admit, while I love work and enjoy our life, there are times where I desperately need a time of rest and relaxation. I do not do this as often as I should, so it is something that I need to work towards.

Even the most driven and healthy parents and grandparents need a period of R&R and an infusion of God’s power. It is also imperative that we teach our children, grandchildren, and others that we mentor how to use the valuable tool of…

Renewal

All of us, even if we are very strong in our faith, occasionally find ourselves running on empty. I know I fall prey to this. The demands of daily life and the stresses that we place on ourselves can drain us of our strength and rob us of the joy that is ours in Christ.

When we find ourselves tired, discouraged, and not wanting to carry on, it is time to stop, maybe even step back for a bit, and determine the source of our situation. As Christ followers, we can also draw strength from God’s Word and other Christians to help us recharge our spiritual batteries. God certainly knows our weaknesses and frailties and the Apostle Peter in his 1^st letter 5:10 tells us, “In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.”

God does intend for us to live a rich and satisfying life. A joyous life filled with abundance and peace. Sometimes, though, joy and peace seem to elude us and feel far away.

When these times cast a shadow on us, and they will occasionally, the first step is to analyze if there are some lifestyle changes that need to be made. Are you involved in too many activities and just stretching yourself too thin? Are you getting adequate sleep, which means at least 6-8 hours on a regular basis? Are you eating healthy, whole foods, and avoiding too much sugar and other highly processed foods? Are you getting regular exercise to improve your strength and cardio?

With God’s strength, you can make the needed changes in the above list, but there is one other area that you cannot neglect. Especially when you are tired and troubled, turn your heart and mind to God in prayer. When you are weak, weary, and worried, make time to delve deeply into God’s Word and His precepts. Allow them to wash through your mind to purify and renew your thinking. When you still need additional strength, call upon fellow Christ followers to help you and support you. When you make these practices habits in your life, you will discover that the Creator of the universe stands with you and will strengthen you when your own strength is too little.

As Christ followers, we have a source of strength that others don’t have. Romans 12:2 instructs us, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

When the pace, the push, the noise, the crowds, and the constant activity are getting to you, it is time to stop the nonsense and find a place of solace to refresh your spirit. Jesus did this often as it says in Luke 5:16, “But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.” Jesus still had much work that needed to be accomplished, as there will always be more for us to do. That did not stop Him from a time of renewal.

We can never teach our children, grandchildren, and others that we mentor how to effectively use the tool of renewal unless we know how to use it ourselves. So when you are overwhelmed, worn out, weary, and want to quit, remember the words of the prophet Isaiah [40:28]-31, which is the passage I use for my life verses.

Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
²⁹He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
³⁰Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
³¹But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today and close Gramps’ backpack. Before I do, I will pass the tool of Renewal on to you. Once you have this tool in your backpack, it is up to you to learn the practice of regular renewal and teach it to your children, grandchildren, and others that you mentor. It is then that you will realize how to live the rich and satisfying life that is available to each of us.

Next Monday we will investigate the 17^th tool in Gramps’ backpack, which is Love. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 588 – Lifestyle Is Not Determined by Money – Lifestyle (2)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 07:03:28 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 588 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Lifestyle Is Not Determined by Money

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 588 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life, and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently, we are on an extended multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I have adapted it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. When this trek is originally aired, I will be finishing up another week in Arizona working with our partners on the Mesa construction project. Hopefully, we will have prepared the budget and contract for Phase II of the project. Although Phase I extended out much longer and had cost overruns that we were not expecting, we hope that the experiences and lessons learned will allow Phase II to run much smoother and to be much more profitable.

I should get back to Marietta late Saturday, and then I have the privilege of speaking at Putnam Church again as our pastor will be on vacation this week. I will be speaking on Conquering Your Giants.

Although we do have a varied and interesting life, we deal with the same challenges and fears that everyone deals with. If we do not conquer them, those fears become giants that can overwhelm and defeat us, making our impact on our world minimized. Victories and defeats make up the lifestyle that we live.

As we continue on our extended trek today, we are hiking on our 5^th trail which is The Trail of Lifestyle. Today we will explore what lifestyle is not, and also some elements of what makes up a balanced lifestyle. If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and begin the fifth trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Lifestyle Part (2)

As a reminder, our overall extended trek covers these five trails:

Philosophy
Attitude
Activity
Results
Lifestyle

1. Lifestyle Is Not an Amount

Culture is not an amount. Sophistication is not an amount. Neither is lifestyle. They are arts to be practiced by those who wish for more of a rich and satisfying life. To become the masters of these arts, the practice must begin with what you currently have.

Each of us, regardless of our circumstances, can begin the art of practiced sophistication any time we choose. For example, we are all familiar with the process of tipping those who provide us with service in a restaurant. Few of us know the origin and purpose of leaving a tip. The word “tip” is an abbreviation of the phrase “To Insure Promptness.” To insure promptness implies that the gratuity should be given before we receive the service, not after.

An example of the sophisticated approach to dining out is to take aside the person who will be serving us and present the tip in advance of the service we seek, not after. If this were practiced, the level of service would be well above average. To add to the uniqueness of the act, you might also combine some rather uncommon words with your unique gesture such as, “My guests tonight are very special and I want to give them the best possible experience. I would like for you to make sure that they are well taken care of, so here is something special for you.”

This brief moment of conversation combined with the small amount of money that would be required will work wonders. It will be especially effective if the words are spoken with sincerity and accentuated with a warm smile. That is what sophistication is all about – finding simple ways to live uniquely. Anyone can do it. It’s easy to do.

It is also easy not to do. It is easy to eat the meal, tolerate poor service, become angry, and ruin the special occasion by not doing the small but special things in an extraordinary way.

To obtain a good lifestyle is really nothing more than the art of doing ordinary things extraordinarily well. It isn’t getting up from the meal, and because of the poor service, tossing two-dollars on the table and glaring at the waiter on the way out the door. Imagine the effect that such unsophisticated conduct would have on those you had hoped to impress. It would convert a potentially memorable event into a nightmare, and all because of the missed opportunity of taking a brief moment – and investing a few extra dollars – to insure promptness.

You must learn to invest small sums in a tasteful manner before you can ever hope to master the art of handling major expenditures with sophistication.

2. Lifestyle Is a Reflection of Who and What We Are

Our lifestyle communicates a clear message about who we are and how we think. Lifestyle is where we go, what we do, and how we feel once we are there. Lifestyle is how we dress, what we drive, and the type of entertainment we choose to enjoy. Lifestyle is a mixture of substance as well as style, refinement as well as intellect, and emotional control in times of challenge as well as emotional release in times of joy and happiness.

Successful people and those in serious pursuit of success tend to communicate the level of sophistication and intelligence they have managed to acquire. How they conduct themselves leaves little doubt about their intensity for personal development and for personal achievement.

Everything about you is sending a message to others about your level of intensity as well. The things you do, the things you say, and even your appearance is suggestive of an inner attitude about life. If you are investing more money on donuts than you do on books, that suggests something about the sincerity of your desire for personal progress.

Whether you invest an evening with your spouse, reading a good book, in front of a computer or TV, playing with your children, or fellowshipping with good friends, lifestyle is a function of attitude and personal values. We can all afford to live a life that is rich and satisfying. It doesn’t take more money to change how you live. It takes more deliberate thought and a greater appreciation of the real values in life.

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we continue our hike today on the Trail of Lifestyle. Today we learned that lifestyle is not an amount but a reflection of who and what we are. How is your lifestyle?

Next Philosophy Friday we will continue on our fifth trail, the Trail of Lifestyle as we learn that lifestyle is something that we must diligently work towards and not a reward for lack of results. So join us next Friday for these additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek is on Monday, and we will continue our series called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack where we will equip you with the tools needed to impact the lives of others. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 587 – The Good News Is Simple, But Rich – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 07:03:39 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 587 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Good News Is Simple But Rich– Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 587 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Charles Hodge who said, “The Gospel is so simple that simple children can understand it, and it is so profound that studies by the wisest theologians will never exhaust its riches.”

The older that I get and the more that I study God’s Word, the more I realize that there is just so much about God that I will never fully understand. As Romans 11:32-35 tells us, “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back?”

Yet the message of God’s love is so simple that even children can understand it. The children’s song that many of us know encapsulates this well…“Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” This is sufficient as Jesus told us in Matthew 18:2-4,“Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.'”

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 586 – Rejecting Lady Folly – Proverbs 5

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 07:03:33 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 586 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Rejecting Lady Folly – Proverbs 5

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 586 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore Proverbs 5 from The Voice Translation, which will give us a fresh perspective on this book of timeless wisdom.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. In today’s world, as it has been since the beginning of recorded history, it is so easy to fall into the trap of folly. That is to say making decisions that are foolish instead of wise. We are all prone to this, and it is only when we seek out wisdom on a daily basis that we will have any hope to make wise decisions.

One area that is probably most destructive is when we make foolish decisions about our relationships, especially when it involves becoming intimate with others outside the covenant that we make when we marry. Solomon has much to say about this in Proverbs and in this chapter Solomon instructs his sons with very direct teaching. Solomon made many foolish decisions in this area, so he had much experience to teach from.

So today in Chapter 5 of Proverbs, we will explore the importance of…

Rejecting Lady Folly

8th Speech from Father to Son

There is a character in Proverbs, the adulteress, referred to as the seductive woman, who we have only had brief encounters with so far ([2:16]-19). Now in Chapters 5-7, we get a much closer look at this woman, and it’s not pretty. This lady is a sham and will do you no good.

This speech is frightening. The father calls the adulteress the “seductive woman.” As the passage implies, she is already a married woman. Beware! She might be persuasive, with lips that speak “honey-sweet” and words that are “smooth like oil,” but in reality, she is barbed and bitter. Follow her, and she will take you down with her “straight to the grave.”

The father goes on to use a contrasting set of images – the house of the adulteress is the root of destruction, but the home of your bride is the fruit of life. The father’s speech flows with words comparing the wife to that of water (a “cistern” and “fountain”).

Water in the Near East was particularly gratifying due to extremely high temperatures. Likewise, the father implies, a man’s wife is water to his soul. The sexually thirsty man should always drink of his wife’s body and be intoxicated with her love and never partake from another woman.

The father tells his son “may you know true joy with the wife of your youth” (18). This is a call to enjoy sexual intimacy with your spouse. Drink from the pure waters of marriage, and let the polluted waters of the adulteress go trickling by. If you are married, give thanks for your spouse as you read this chapter, and ask yourself how you can rejoice greater in your love for each other. If you are not married, ask God to give you patience for pure water.

People are easily seduced, especially men. Everyone is vulnerable to sexual sin at some point or another, and history is strewn with the wreckage that results when the path of adultery is followed – bitterness, death, instability, loss, ruin…Time and again, these are the consequences of violating God’s instruction.

Wisdom recognizes the beauty of sexual intimacy. After all, God designed us as sexual beings. But for physical intimacy to retain the beauty of its design, it must be shared wisely. It is meant to be shared with someone who is your own.

In marriage two become one (Genesis [2:24]), so they belong together and belong to each other. In that safe place of belonging, one finds fulfillment. So a husband or a wife must partake only of the partner’s body and love. To seek intimacy elsewhere is foolish.

Listen up and pay attention as I share with your Proverbs 5.

¹My son, stay focused; listen to the wisdom I have gained;
give attention to what I have learned about life
²So you may be able to make sensible judgments
and speak with knowledge.
³You see, the lips of a seductive woman speak honey-sweet words;
they are smooth like oil and enticing.
⁴But in the end, she is bitter,
turning the stomach and rotting the soul;
she cuts as deep as a double-edged sword.
⁵She leads you down a path that can only end in death;
her steps lead eventually to the grave.
⁶She does not travel the road to life and truth.
She follows a wandering path—
a rocky, pit-filled road that twists and turns—and she doesn’t even know it.

⁷So, my children, listen to me.
Do not stray from my advice.
⁸Stay away from her, far away from her path;
don’t even go near her door
⁹Unless you are ready to hand over your reputation to someone else,
unless you want to spend the rest of your years at the mercy of some cruel person.
¹⁰If you do, strangers will help themselves to your wealth,
and everything you have worked hard to acquire will end up in someone else’s hands.
¹¹Your life will end with groanings of remorse, of opportunities missed,
and your flesh and bones will be eaten up with sorrow, regret for worthless efforts.
¹²Then you’ll say, “Why did I hate being taught?
Why did I turn my back on correction?
¹³I disregarded all that my teachers said to me;
I turned my ear away from my instructors!
¹⁴Now I am on the edge of complete and utter ruin
in the midst of the community.”

¹⁵Here’s what you should do to be satisfied:
go home and drink in the pleasures of your own cistern, your wife;
enjoy the sweet, fresh water that has been there all along, flowing from your own well.
¹⁶Take care. Should your own springs, your body, be freely shared?
Should your streams of water satisfy anyone in the streets? Absolutely not!
¹⁷They should be kept pure for you and you alone,
not for sharing with strangers.
¹⁸May your fountain, your sex life, be blessed by God;
may you know true joy with the wife of your youth.
¹⁹She who is lovely as a deer and graceful as a doe—
as you drink in her love,
may her breasts satisfy you at all times.
²⁰My son, why get caught up in some other woman
and embrace the breast of a stranger?

²¹You see, the Eternal sees our ways before Him.
He watches every move we make and knows where those paths lead.
²²The wicked will be snared by their own wrongdoing.
Their flaws will tie their own hands, and they will be dragged through life by the cords of their sins.
²³Because they have no discipline, their spirits die and their bodies will soon follow; because they are immensely foolish, they wander lost and confused.

That will conclude our exploration of Proverbs 5. Next week we will continue with Chapter 6, and each week we will explore a full chapter in Proverbs. I hope that you will join us each week so that you can gain wisdom, insight, and understanding for yourself.

Tomorrow we will hike another short trail of Wisdom Unplugged where we will discover an inspirational wisdom quote. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 585 – Be Happy Today – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 07:03:31 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 585 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Be Happy Today – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 585 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from James Oppenheim who said, “The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet.”

The happiness that we desire today seems to elude most of us. We are always looking for happiness in the future. We wait for something to happen to make us happy. A new job, a new car, more money, better friends…The list goes on and on.

Happiness is based on how content we are with what we have now. Contentment, for the most part, is a choice. If we plant the seeds of contentment each day and choose to be satisfied with what we currently have, while striving to improve, we will find the happiness we desire today. The seeds of contentment will grow into a life filled with happiness and, more importantly, joy.

Keep in mind the very word happiness is based on what happens to us, so if we are not careful, the happenings of today will control us. Instead, we need to learn to be full of joy and peace by realizing that all will be well with us regardless of the circumstances.

As the Apostle Paul taught Timothy in his 1^st letter to him in Chapter 6 verses 5-8, “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.”

As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, please encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 584 – Fairness – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 07:03:39 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 584of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Fairness – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 584 of our trek, and it is Motivation Monday. We are hiking a series of trails called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack. Each Monday for a total of 20 weeks we will explore a different tool that is needed to motivate and equip parents and grandparents to train their children and grandchildren to be successful on their trek of life. If you don’t have children or grandchildren of your own, use these tools to train others that you do influence. Today the 15^th tool from Gramps’ Backpack is Fairness.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. When this trek is released, I will be back in Arizona for a week to continue our work on our construction projects there. If all goes as planned, I will invest much of the week preparing the contract for Phase II. If the contract is accepted, we should be able to move forward with construction within the next 60 days.

One conclusion that I have come to over my years of observations in business and indeed all of life is that life is not always fair. Not everyone has the same perspective about life, and it will usually stem back from lack of ethics, lack of compassion, and lack of understanding when dealing with others.

As parents, grandparents, and mentors to others, we need to teach those we impact that life is not always fair while still teaching and practicing fairness in our own lives and interactions in all areas of life as we deal with others.

While others and life itself may not always seem fair, the tool that we want to use and pass on to our children, grandchildren, and others is…

Fairness

You make many decisions each day, and as much as humanly possible, you need to be fair to everyone, including yourself. You need to be savvy, but fair to manage the affairs of daily life, including the affairs of your family life.

With all of the political correctness and situational ethics that seem to drive most decisions today, where can you turn for deciding what is fair and what is not? Gramps’ backpack that contains all of the tools we are exploring is God’s Word, the Bible. It is God’s timeless guide for decision making and being fair in the decisions that you must make each day. This applies to your dealings with family members, friends, associates, and even your business decisions. In Proverbs 11:1 King Solomon told us what God expects in business, but applies to all of life, “The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights.”

Instead of being anxious or fretting over whether your decision making is fair in all your dealings, go to the Bible for guidance, especially in the book of Proverbs for practical, everyday tips on many of life’s issues. As a parent or grandparent, it can be very tough to be fair in each situation, but as much as possible, you need to pass on balanced fairness to those that you teach and train.

Jesus should be the preeminent one in our lives, and because of this, we should practice his teachings. We should love each other, submit to each other and treat each other fairly as Jesus taught us.

A sound practice from Isaiah [1:17] gives us a brief outline:

“Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.”

It could be said that every person is as holy and full of the Spirit as they choose to be. A person may not be as full as they wish to be, but as full as they desire to be. The Prophet Micah also gave us a template to live a life that displays fairness to all in 6:8, “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

On a personal level, I would rather be taken advantage of in most situations if it extends and the opportunity to be fair and loving to others. It would be better to adopt the practices taught by Jesus than having someone believe that you were unfair or took advantage of them. In Matthew 5:38-42 Jesus instructed us, “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.”

When you are training your children, grandchildren, and others how to be fair with everyone you will do well to choose gentleness. Nothing of value needs to be won by force. Choose to be gentle and only raise your voice to praise another. Instead of clenching your first, fold your hands in prayer. If you make a demand, may it be only on yourself.

With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today and close Gramps’ backpack. Before I do, I will pass the tool of Fairness on to you. Once you have this tool in your backpack, it is up to you to daily practice being fair with everyone that you deal with. As you teach your children, grandchildren, and others how to be fair, you will also be training them how to live the rich and satisfying life that is available to each of us.

Next Monday we will investigate the 16^th tool in Gramps’ backpack, which is Renewal. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 583 – What Is Lifestyle? – Lifestyle (1)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 07:03:34 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 583 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

What Is Lifestyle?

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 583 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently, we are on an extended multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I have adapted it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This has been a pleasant spring week with the mature maples and oaks finally budding and their leaves starting to show. It won’t be long before we are in full foliage once again. I am making progress on cutting up the trees that we had cut down. They were large and cutting them up into manageable sections is proving to be very physically challenging. The stack along the side of the garage is growing rapidly. I suspect it will be several more weeks before the cleanup project is complete. We hope to invest in a log splitter this fall since many of the pieces are too large to carry or fit into the fireplace.

While I enjoy being outside and doing physical labor, it certainly creates sore muscles that I don’t use as rigorously during my daily exercise routine. Although life is far from perfect, and we struggle like everyone, we are focusing on enjoying our daily lifestyle and being content with how life is and not how we wish it to be. We certainly strive to improve our lifestyle but choose to be content as we work on those improvements.

As we continue on our extended trek today, we will begin our 5^th trail, which is The Trail of Lifestyle. The final blending of our philosophy, attitude, activity, and results is what creates this final personal quest that we call lifestyle. If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far.

We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and begin the fifth trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Lifestyle Part (1)

As a reminder, our overall extended trek covers these five trails:

Philosophy
Attitude
Activity
Results
Lifestyle

1. What Is Lifestyle?

Lifestyle is how we choose to live and how we design our lives. It is the sophisticated understanding of the difference between life’s trinkets and life’s treasures.

Many have learned to earn well, but they have not yet learned to live well. It’s as though they have decided to wait until they become wealthy before they start practicing sophistication. What they fail to understand is that practiced sophistication is as much a cause of wealth as it is a result of wealth.

Some attribute their poor attitude about life to their low level of income. They maintain that if they ever solved their money problems, they would show us what happiness is really all about. Obviously, they have not yet discovered that it was their failure to find happiness in the past that has affected their current income. If they continue with this error in judgment, their lack of happiness in the present will determine their future income as well. Until they have discovered that happiness is part of the cause and that wealth is merely an effect, their circumstances are not likely to change.

2. Lifestyle Is a Reflection of Our Attitude and Our Values

As we have already examined, how you feel and what you deem to be worthwhile is part of the mental process that ultimately determines what you attract into your life. If you are not happy with your current circumstances, you can begin to change them simply by changing how you think and feel.

Lifestyle is also a function of this same thinking process. Any day you choose, you have the ability to alter your lifestyle by changing how you feel and making better decisions about what you deem to be valuable.

The exciting thing about lifestyle is that you can have it all now! You don’t have to wait until you are wealthy or powerful or famous to experience happiness. You don’t have to postpone your appreciation of the finer things in life until you have reached your career goals. You can live a life that is as joyful and rewarding as you might wish, starting right now.

Anyone can give money to charity, but the real rewards lie in the giving of yourself and your time.

For little more that the price of a movie ticket anyone can attend a symphony orchestra. The music is just as stirring from the back of a concert hall during an afternoon matinee as it is from high up in a private box on opening night. You don’t have to own a Rembrandt to appreciate his incredible genius. Given with sincerity, a single, long-stemmed rose can be more meaningful than a dozen orchids. The price of admission to a fabulous sunset is still free.

You don’t have to be rich to live richly. All of the happiness and fulfillment you want can be yours right now simply by changing how you feel and what you think about this trail of life we call lifestyle. Being rich is a mindset, not a bank account. In fact, even if you have been blessed with material riches and are able to enjoy a lifestyle free from economic bondage that is not your ultimate goal.

The Apostle Paul instructed us in 1 Timothy 6:17-18 that there are riches which are much more important, “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.”

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we begin our hike today on the Trail of Lifestyle. Today we learned what lifestyle is and how lifestyle is more of a result of our attitude than our resources. What type of lifestyle do you live?

Next Philosophy Friday we will continue on our fifth trail, the Trail of Lifestyle as we learn that lifestyle is not an amount but a reflection of who and what we are. So join us next Friday for these additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe on iTunes and Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 582 – The Doors of Wisdom Are Never Shut – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 07:03:28 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 582 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Doors of Wisdom Are Never Shut – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 582 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today quote is from Ben Franklin who said, “The doors of wisdom are never shut.”

As time quickly rushes by and days turn into months, years, and decades, we start to feel that life is passing us by, and we are missing so many opportunities. No matter what your age, economic status, ability, or talents, there never comes a time where you cease the ability to gain wisdom, insight, understanding and knowledge. You may have to seek for it, but the reservoir is full. And it is up to you to drink deeply of the waters.

If you struggle with finding that reservoir of wisdom all we need to do is to ask God for it. James the half-brother of Jesus told us in his letter 1:5-8, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.”

Also, King Solomon wrote to us in Proverbs 2:6, “For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

We are without excuse. As Ben Franklin said, “The doors of wisdom are never shut. Go to that open door and receive wisdom.”

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. Just as you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 581 – Embrace Lady Wisdom – Proverbs 4

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 07:03:20 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 581 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Embrace Lady Wisdom – Proverbs 3

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 581 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore Proverbs 4 from The Voice Translation, which will give us a fresh perspective on this book of timeless wisdom.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. One of the primary objectives for Wisdom-Trek is to help you create and build a living legacy. A legacy which is much more that material possessions. A legacy that weaves into your life character traits that are both good and godly. A legacy of unwavering integrity. A legacy that is built on a solid foundation from which you can grow and flourish. A legacy that is passed on to your children, grandchildren, and others that you impact both in word and action. A legacy that they can embrace and pass on for generations to come. That is what the father in this chapter is teaching his children.

So today in Chapter 4 of Proverbs, we will explore how to…

Embrace Lady Wisdom

In this chapter, we find three more speeches from the father to his son.

· 5th Speech from Father to Son

Verses 1-9: At the beginning of this chapter the father gathers his children around for a special speech. It’s almost like he’s a proud, slightly worried dad giving a wedding toast. He shares the words he received years ago from his own father, urging him to embrace Lady Wisdom. “She will raise you to a place of honor in return,” he says. Notice the reverent, relational way the father speaks of Lady Wisdom to his sons

· 6th Speech from Father to Son

Verses 10-19: Now the father and son sit down for a man-to-man talk. No more soft words like “cherish,” “honor,” or “embrace.” He uses stark contrasts to make his point. There are only two ways of life — wickedness or righteousness. Notice that there’s not a third option. Choose light or dark, life or death; it’s up to you. Just like in Chapter 3, the father uses very pointed, descriptive vocabulary to clarify the benefits and consequences of the two distinct paths

· 7th Speech from Father to Son

Verses 20-27: For the seventh speech, the father builds on the preceding one. Once the correct path is chosen, the father makes his son ready for the journey. He stresses that following this path will require his heart, eyes, ears, mouth, and feet. Count how many times each is referenced. To stay on this path requires your whole being. These words are not just mere advice — they are “life that brings wholeness and healing to your body.”

The Book of Proverbs teaches us how to live the GOOD and GODLY life – walking the radiant path with Lady Wisdom at our side. What paths are you ready to forsake to choose the rich and satisfying life? Listen up and pay attention as I share with your Proverbs Chapter 4.

¹Gather, children, to hear your father’s instruction.
Pay close attention so you will understand,
²For I am passing down to you important precepts.
Do not abandon these valuable life lessons.
³Back when I was young—the very image of my father,
and yet from my mother’s view, still her only boy—
⁴My father, with his years of experience, became my teacher.

Father: Son, grab on to every word I say to you—hold them close—
stay true to my instructions as you live, and they will serve you well.
⁵Whatever it takes to gain Wisdom, do it.
To gain understanding, do it! Never forget this!
Never stray from what I am telling you.
⁶If you don’t forsake Lady Wisdom, she will protect you.
Love her, and she will faithfully take care of you.
⁷Gaining sound judgment is key, so first things first: go after Lady Wisdom!
Now, whatever else you do, follow through to understanding.
⁸Cherish her, and she will help you rise above the confusion of life—
your possibilities will open up before you—
embrace her, and she will raise you to a place of honor in return.
⁹She will provide the finishing touch to your character—grace;
she will give you an elegant confidence.

¹⁰Hear my words, my son, and take them in;
let them soak in so that you will live a long, full life.
¹¹I have pointed you in the way of wisdom;
I have steered you down the path to integrity.
¹²So get going. And as you go, know this: with integrity you will overcome all obstacles; even if you run, you will not stumble.
¹³Tighten your grip around wise advice; don’t let it slip away.
Protect Wisdom, for without her, life isn’t worth living.
¹⁴Do not start down the road of the wicked—
the first step is easy, but it leads to heartache—
do not go along the way of evildoers.
¹⁵Stay away from it; don’t even go past it— and if you find yourself anywhere near it, turn your back and run as far as you can in the opposite direction.
¹⁶For evildoers are so twisted they cannot sleep unless they have caused harm;
they’ll lie awake all night until they figure out a way to cause someone to stumble.
¹⁷For they feed on evil the way most eat bread;
they drink violence the way most guzzle wine.
¹⁸Yet the way of those who do right is like the early morning sun
that shines brighter and brighter until noon.
¹⁹Evildoers travel a dark road because they love to hide their deeds in darkness;
they can’t see the perils ahead that cause them to stumble.

²⁰My son, pay attention to all the words I am telling you.
Lean in closer so you may hear all I say.
²¹Keep them before you; meditate on them;
set them safely in your heart.
²²For those who discover them, they are life.
They bring wholeness and healing to their bodies.
²³Above all else, watch over your heart; diligently guard it
because from a sincere and pure heart come the good and noble things of life.
²⁴Do away with any talk that twists and distorts the truth;
have nothing to do with any verbal trickery.
²⁵Keep your head up, your eyes straight ahead,
and your focus fixed on what is in front of you.
²⁶Take care you don’t stray from the straight path, the way of truth,
and you will safely reach the end of your road.
²⁷Do not veer off course to the right or the left;
step away from evil, and leave it behind.

That will conclude our exploration of Proverbs 4. Next week we will continue with Chapter 5, and each week we will explore a full chapter in Proverbs. I hope that you will join us each week so that you can gain wisdom, insight, and understanding for yourself.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 580 – Forgive Yourself – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 07:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 580 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Forgive Yourself – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 580 of our trek, and it’s time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Alden Nowlan who said, “The day the child realizes that all adults are imperfect, he becomes an adolescent; the day he forgives them, he becomes an adult; the day he forgives himself, he becomes wise.”

If you have been an adult for any length of time, I know that you will relate to this quote. It hits us hard when we realize that our parents don’t know everything and are very fallible in many areas of their life. Even as grown adults, to see our elderly parents not being the strong stalwarts that we once envisioned is difficult for us to reconcile.

To be a true adult, we must accept our parents as they are, not what we envisioned them to be. We must be willing to forgive them as often as may be needed. True wisdom will begin to shed light on our understanding when we realize that in many ways, we are also fallible, just like they are.

We must forgive ourselves for the many ways in which we have disappointed both our children and our parents. It is only when we can forgive ourselves that we will be able to truly forgive others. It is only when we stop judging our parents and others in our lives that we will be able to forgive them.

When we forgive and are willing to give of ourselves, it is then the blessings from God will be poured out on us also. As Jesus taught us in Luke 6:36-38 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

Just as you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 579 – Optimism – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 07:03:41 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 579 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Optimism – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 579 of our trek, and it is Motivation Monday. We are hiking a series of trails called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack.

Each Monday for a total of 20 weeks, we are exploring a different tool that is needed to motivate and equip parents and grandparents to train their children and grandchildren to be successful on their trek of life. If you don’t have children or grandchildren of your own, use these tools to train others that you do influence. Today the 14^th tool from Gramps’ Backpack is Optimism.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. I am recording this before the weekend, but if all goes according to plan and the weather cooperates, I will be investing most of my time during this weekend continuing to cut up the large trees that we had cut down in March. There is a lot left to complete, so I doubt that this project will be finished.

This last week has been a busy one, but we were able to complete the remaining tax returns that were on our schedule. We are optimistic that we can now focus more time on some of the other projects that need our attention. Having an optimistic, but realistic outlook and focus on life is imperative to success in all areas of life. It is also a crucial character trait to teach to our children, grandchildren, and others that we impact. They will certainly learn more by observing us and how we view various situations of life.

Although I grew up in a poor family financially, my parents always displayed an optimistic outlook on life. They were so rich in many others areas of life. I learned that material wealth was not nearly as important as having wealth in the non-material areas, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the character traits that we need to optimistically pass on to others.

So the tool that we will explore today is…

Optimism

Optimistic parents and grandparents will use the power of positive thoughts to improve their own lives, and then pass those traits onto those that they impact. Especially as Christ followers, we have every reason to be optimistic about life. The green grass, the blue skies, and all of creation give us ample reason to be optimistically joyful.

How many times though is rejoicing the last thing on our minds? Too often we fall prey to worry, frustration, anxiety, and sheer exhaustion that cause the burdens of life to weigh us down. What is needed is plenty of rest, exercise, nutritious food, and a large dose of realistic perspective. Sure life is hard sometimes, but being optimistic and joyful about life makes it so much easier.

An optimistic attitude about life is all-important. Let the soul take a quiet attitude of faith and love toward God.

When we truly put our faith and trust in God and realize that He controls all of life, we can rest in the fact that He will indeed see us through anything that we may face. This is a reminder to us that even when the challenges of the day seem overwhelming, and even those times when our hearts are broken, God remains steadfast, and so must we. Jesus’s half-brother James tells us in Chapter 1 verses 16-18, “So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹⁷Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow ¹⁸He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.”

The people that are most successful in all areas of life are those who are cheerful and hopeful. They choose to view each day optimistically and go about their business with a smile on their faces and a song in their hearts.

Jesus offers us a rich and satisfying life, but He does not force it on us. We must choose to accept it. Each day we need to claim the joy that is rightfully ours in Christ. We need to choose to take the time to celebrate God’s glorious creation. When we do, we will think optimistically about ourselves and our world. It is then we can share that joy and optimism with our children, grandchildren, and others we have the opportunity to impact.

After Nehemiah had led the Israelites in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, he gave this encouragement in Chapter 8 verse 10, “And Nehemiah continued, ‘Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!'”

The essence of optimism is not a life without trials, but joy in the midst of trials. It takes no account of the present circumstances, but it is a source of inspiration, vitality, and hope. Where others are destroyed by circumstances, optimism enables a person to hold their head high, to claim the future for themselves, and to not abandon their joy to the enemy. As the Apostle Paul wrote to us in Romans 8:18 & 25, “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.” Also in 2 Timothy 1:7 Paul tells us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

For much of life, it is not what happens to us that determines our destiny, but how we view what happens to us. Life may not be perfect, but being confident, joyful, and optimistic allows us to live a life that is rich and satisfying. This is what we need to teach our children, grandchildren, and all those that we impact.

With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today and close Gramps’ backpack. Before I do, I will pass the tool of Optimism on to you. Once you have this tool in your backpack, it is up to you to daily live optimistically before everyone. As you teach your children, grandchildren, and others your optimism for all of life, you will also be training them how to live the rich and satisfying life that is available to each of us.

Next Monday we will investigate the 15^th tool in Gramps’ backpack, which is Fairness. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day.

Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 578 – The Two Choices We Face – Results (8)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 07:03:49 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 578 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Two Choices We Face – Results

Hello, my friend, and welcome to Wisdom-Trek! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your Guide to Wisdom and Creating a Living Legacy. Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast.

This is Day 578 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently, we are on an extended multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I have adapted it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. It has been a rainy, but a mild week of spring. We are enjoying the warmer temperatures, the flowers that are in bloom, and our pair of hawks that are waiting patiently for their new chicks to arrive. The leaves on the smaller trees are just starting to show some green while the large mature maples and oaks will soon follow. With the passing of each new day, we see signs of new life that are expected in the season of spring.

As we continue on our extended trek today, we will conclude our 4^th trail, which is The Trail of Results. We would consider it odd if during the spring no flowers bloomed and no trees brought forth their leaves. These are expected results of spring. Yet with many people, we do not see the results in their lives that we would expect and they are capable of producing.

This will be our focus for today. If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and conclude the fourth trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Results Part 8

As a reminder, our overall extended trek covers these five trails:

Philosophy
Attitude
Activity
Results
Lifestyle

1. How Far Should We Reach?

It seems that every life form on this planet strives toward its maximum potential…except human beings.

A tree does not grow to half its potential size and then say, “I guess that will do.” A tree will drive its roots as deep as possible. It will soak up as much nourishment as it can, stretch as high and as wide as nature will allow, and then look down as if to remind us of how much each of us could become if we would only do all that we can.

Why is it that human beings, who are bearers if God’s image, and surely the most intelligent life form on earth, do not strive to achieve their maximum potential? Why is it that we allow ourselves to stop half way? Why are we not constantly striving to become all that we can be? The reason is simple: By God’s grace and design, we have been given the freedom of choice.

In most cases, choice is a gift. When it comes to doing all that you can with your abilities and your opportunities, choice can sometimes be more of a curse than a blessing. All too often you choose to do far less than you could do. You would rather relax under the shade of the growing tree than to emulate its struggle for greatness.

2. The Two Choices We Face

Each of us, including you, has two distinct choices to make about what you will do with your life. The first choice you can make is to be less than you have the capacity to be. To earn less. To have less. To read less and think less. To try less and discipline yourself less. These are the choices that lead to an empty life. These are the choices that, once made, lead to a life of constant apprehension instead of a life of wondrous anticipation, which is a life that is rich and satisfying.

What is the second choice? To do it all! To become all that you can possibly be. To read every book that you possibly can. To earn as much as you possibly can. To give and share as much as you possibly can. To strive and produce and accomplish as much as you possibly can. All of us have that choice.

To do or not to do. To be or not to be. To be all or to be less or to be nothing at all.

Like the tree, it would be a worthy challenge for you to stretch upward and outward to the full measure of your capabilities. Why not do all that you can, every moment that you can, the best that you can, for as long as you can?

Your ultimate life objective should be to create as much as your talent, ability, and desire will permit. To settle for doing less than you could do is to fail in this worthiest of undertakings.

Results are the best measurement of human progress. Not conversation. Not explanation. Not justification. Results! If your results are less than your potential suggests that they should be, then you must strive to become more today than you were the day before. The greatest rewards are always reserved for those who bring great value to themselves and the world around them as a result of who and what they have become.

As a Christ follower, we all should fully utilize our God-given talents and abilities to impact our world for good. To be the image bearers that we were created to be. 1 Peter2:9 puts it this way, “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we finish our hike today on the Trail of Results. Today you learned that you must strive to reach your full potential in all that you do. You have two choices, to live to that full potential, or to fall short. The results are up to you.

Next Philosophy Friday we will begin our fifth and final trail. The Trail of Lifestyle where we will invest a few weeks exploring how our lifestyle is an integral part of our trek of life.

So join us next Friday for these additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life. Our next trek is on Monday, and we will continue our series called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack as we equip you with the tools needed to impact the lives of others. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks or read the associated journals, they are all available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe through iTunes or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 577 – What Drives Change? – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 07:03:25 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 577 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

What Drives Change? – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week, wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 577 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget:

Today’s quote is from Leo Tolstoy who said, “The changes in our life must come from the impossibility to live otherwise than according to the demands of our conscience.”

Change…no one really likes it, and we resist change either consciously or unconsciously nearly all the time. True change comes to our lives because we determine that it is not possible to continue living as we are currently. Our conscience may nudge or prompt us to change, but it is all too easy to ignore God’s still small voice within our conscience. In fact, it is possible to so sear our conscience that we can not longer hear that prompting.

As humans, God has given us free will to make our own choices. In doing so, we have the innate capability to rationalize and justify any choice or decision that we make. It is only when the desire to change is greater than the desire to stay the same will we force ourselves to make and accept the changes that are needed in our lives.

Sometimes God does allow the consequences of previous decisions to be a change agent in our lives. We should be receptive to this. As the Apostle Paul wrote in his 2^nd letter to his apprentice in Timothy 2:24-26, “A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.”

So be willing and open to the internal promptings of God to make the needed changes each day to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe on iTunes or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically for you.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly I am your friend as I serve you in through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 576 – More Precious Than Jewels – Proverbs 3

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 07:03:07 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 576 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

More Precious Than Jewels – Proverbs 3

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 576 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails, we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore Proverbs 3 from The Voice Translation, which will give us a fresh perspective on this book of timeless wisdom.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. In addition to our grandson Kip staying with us last week, we had the blessing of investing time with all of our grandkids over the weekend. Some of them even stayed overnight on Friday, which is always a fun time. Although each one is different, each of them is a precious jewel to us. In Proverbs, Solomon tells us that God’s wisdom infused within us is like wearing fine jewelry. It is also described as being more valuable than gold or silver.

So today in chapter 3 of Proverbs we will explore how wisdom is…

More Precious Than Jewels

In this chapter, we’ve got two more speeches from the father to the son, with a poem about Lady Wisdom nestled in between.

· 3rd Speech from Father to Son

Verses 1-12: This speech is a classic that contains some familiar verses. The father leaves behind the earlier emphasis on outside evil forces and moves on to encourage the son to address his own character. Pay attention to the physicality of the words and how often the father uses “you/your” to highlight personal works of faith and their rewards.

Give God your best of what you make, and you will prosper to the fullest with plenty of food and drink. The last two verses in this section (11-12) stand out because they don’t focus on prizes for honoring God. Instead, the father encourages the son to accept God’s discipline. Don’t lose heart when times are hard, he says, but rather trust that God corrects those He loves—like a father disciplining a son.

· 2nd Speech from Lady Wisdom

Verses 13-20: This is a beautiful poem about the value of wisdom, personified once more as a woman. “No gem is more precious;” the author sighs, “nothing you desire can compare with her.” The poet paints Lady Wisdom as a haven, a resting place, and a force of peace — a powerful one. In fact, she’s compared to the “tree of life” from Genesis 2:9, and in verses 19-20 we’re told that God himself employed wisdom to create the world, “It was by Wisdom that the Eternal fashion the earth.” God’s wisdom is a powerful force in this universe, and we have access to it!

· 4th Speech from Father to Son

Verses 21-35: This chapter ends with another speech from the father, emphasizing again that the way of wisdom is a way of peace. When you are wise, you’ll sleep well, live without fear, and will avoid traps that other people easily fall into. The father gives some practical relationship advice aimed at bringing peace. Give people what they are owed, don’t think of ways to harm people, don’t accuse people without evidence, and don’t envy people who get things through violence.

¹My son, always remember what I have taught you;
keep my instructions dear to your heart.
²If you do, they will be your guide to
a long, healthy, prosperous life.

³Stay focused; do not lose sight of mercy and truth;
engrave them on a pendant, and hang it around your neck;
meditate on them so they are written upon your heart.
⁴In this way, you will win the favor of God and others,
and they will think well of you.

⁵Place your trust in the Eternal; rely on Him completely;
never depend upon your own ideas and inventions.
⁶Give Him the credit for everything you accomplish,
and He will smooth out and straighten the road that lies ahead.
⁷And don’t think you can decide on your own what is right and what is wrong.
Respect the Eternal; turn and run from evil.
⁸If you depend on Him, your body and mind will be free from the strain of a sinful life,
will experience healing and health, and will be strengthened at their core.

⁹Pay tribute to the Eternal in all of your affairs.
Honor Him with the best of what you make.
¹⁰That way you will prosper to the fullest
and have plenty of food to eat and wine to drink.

¹¹My son, do not ignore the Eternal’s instruction
or lose heart when He steps in to correct you;
¹²Because the Eternal proves His love by caring enough to discipline you,
just as a father does his child, his pride and joy.^[a]

¹³How fortunate are those who discover Lady Wisdom
and those who understand her ways!
¹⁴For her worth is greater than the most expensive prize you could win.
Her profit is greater than the finest thing you could buy.
¹⁵No gem is more precious than she is—
your most extravagant desire doesn’t come close to her.
¹⁶She holds the secret of a long life in one hand
and riches and fame in her other hand.
¹⁷Her ways are pleasant; all of her pathways are peaceful.
¹⁸She is like a tree that produces a satisfied life for anyone who can wrap their arms around her;
happiness waits for any who hold her tightly.

¹⁹It was by wisdom that the Eternal fashioned the earth
and by understanding that He designed the heavens.
²⁰Through His knowledge, the deep was divided into seas and sky,
and the clouds understood when to let down the morning dew.

²¹My son, never lose sight of God’s wisdom and knowledge:
make decisions out of true wisdom, guard your good sense,
²²And they will be life to your soul
and fine jewelry around your neck.
²³Then each one of your steps will land securely on your life’s journey,
and you will not trip or fall.
²⁴Your mind will be clear, free from fear;
when you lie down to rest, you will be refreshed by sweet sleep.
²⁵Stay calm; there is no need to be afraid of a sudden disaster
or to worry when calamity strikes the wicked,
²⁶For the Eternal is always there to protect you.
He will safeguard your each and every step.

²⁷Do not withhold what is good from those who deserve it;
if it is within your power to give it, do it.
²⁸Do not send your neighbor away, saying, “Get back with me tomorrow.
I can give it to you then,”
when what he needs is already in your hand.
²⁹Make no plans that could result in injury to your neighbor;
after all, he should be more secure because he lives near you.
³⁰Avoid fighting with anyone without good reason,
especially when no one has hurt you;
you have nothing to fight about.
³¹Do not envy someone who profits at the expense of others
or copy any of his tyrannical ways,
³²For crooked people are detestable to the Eternal,
but those with integrity receive His counsel.
³³His curse lingers over the wicked and their families,
but He forever favors residence of those who do what is right.
³⁴God treats the arrogant as they treat others,
mocking the mockers, scorning the scornful,
but He pours out His grace on the humble.^[b]
³⁵In the end, the wise will receive honor,
but fools will face humiliation.

That will conclude our exploration of Proverbs 3. Next week we will continue with Chapter 4, and each week we will explore a full chapter in Proverbs. I hope that you will join us each week so that you can gain wisdom, insight, and understanding for yourself.

That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks or read the associated journals, they are all available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe through iTunes or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 575 – Ultimate Love – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 07:03:19 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 575 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Ultimate Love – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week, wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 575 of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from John Owen who said, “That wisdom which cannot teach me that God is love, shall ever pass for folly.”

Wisdom and folly, love and hate, pain and pleasure, good and evil. We tend to think of these attributes as opposites, but they are all closer than most of us realize. God created humans for fellowship with Him and to be bearers of His image. God is holy, He knows what is best for us, and therefore He has given us guidelines to follow which are found in His Word.

These precepts or guidelines were not created because God desires to restrict us, but it is because of His love for us. He knows what is best for us. It is because of His love for us that He has also given us free will which allows us the choice of whether we will live by His precepts. It is because of His love for us that He permits us to reap the harvest from the seeds of the choices that we make.

God is love, and because of His love for us, if we choose to learn from Him and gain His wisdom, we will also love Him. God is also a God of justice, not because He desires to punish us, but justice as a result of our choice on whether we choose to follow His precepts. To think that God would arbitrarily punish us is folly.

Because of God’s love for us, we should love each other. In fact, God’s entire law can be summed up in two statements. Love God, love others. The Apostle John explained it this way in his 1^st letter in Chapter 4 verses 7-12, “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.”

As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 574 – Humility – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 07:03:09 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 574 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Humility – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 574 of our trek, and we are hiking a series of trails called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack.

Each Monday for a total of 20 weeks, we will explore a different tool that is needed to motivate and equip parents and grandparents to train their children and grandchildren to be successful on their trek of life. If you don’t have children or grandchildren of your own, use these tools to train others that you do influence. Today the 13^th tool from Gramps’ Backpack is Humility.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. The renovations on the downstairs bathroom are now complete, and we are very pleased with the results. It provides a shower and an extra cabinet for Paula’s mom, so that will make it more convenient for all of us.

We are seeing the trend where many more households are becoming multi-generational either out of need or convenience. As we see this blending, it is important for us to realize and take advantage of the situation to teach our children and grandchildren the important character traits that we all should incorporate into our lives. One of those traits, or as I refer to them, tools is humility.

As parents and grandparents, we need to be humble and show humility in all of our interactions. We need to demonstrate and teach our children, grandchildren, and others that we mentor what a truly humble person is like. It is very difficult to be humble in all situations and takes great wisdom to practice it continually. So the tool that we will explore today is…

Humility

We need to learn that humility is something that we choose to put on each morning, in the same manner as we get dressed each day. Most of us have the discernment to dress appropriately for each day. Let one of those character garments be that of humility. The Apostle Peter in his first letter Chapter 5 verse 5 explains this to us, “In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

As fallible human beings, we have much to be humble about. Why, then, is humility such a difficult trait for us to master? Precisely because we are fallible humans beings. Yet if we are to grow and mature as Christians, we must strive to give credit where credit is due, starting, of course, with God and His beloved Son.

As Christians, we have been reborn or refashioned and saved by Jesus Christ, and that salvation came not because of our good works but because of God’s grace. It is foolish to think that we are “self-made” because, in reality, we are “God-made” and “Christ-saved.” How then can we be boastful? The answer, of course, is that if we are honest with ourselves and with our God, we simply can’t be boastful. We must, instead, be eternally grateful and exceedingly humble.

Humility is not easy for anyone. All too often we are tempted to swell up with pride, even if it is behind a façade of humility. God does expect us to work hard and be diligent and wise, but we have to realize that all that we are or ever hope to be, we owe to a loving God. Peter continues his teaching from the verse above in 1 Peter 5:6-7, “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

Throughout nature and in humans, God uses what is broken to bring glory to His name. Broken clouds to let down rain, on soil that must be broken before planting. The broken grain to produce bread which must be broken to provide us nourishment. He also wants our stubbornness broken in humble obedience to grow His kingdom.

Since we are God’s image bearers, I am all for having a strong and balanced self-image, but as C.S. Lewis put it, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”

As a parent, grandparent, and mentor to others, one of the greatest character traits that we can display is a life of humility.

James, the half-brother of Jesus, sums up what our view of humility should be well in his letter James 4:7-10, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”

A person that displays a proud demeanor, many times, is a person who lacks confidence in themselves. We can have confident faith in God to provide all of our needs.

With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today and close Gramps’ backpack. Before I do, I will pass the tool of Humility on to you. Once you have this tool in your backpack, it is up to you to daily put on the garment of humility for others to see and experience as you humbly teach your children, grandchildren, and others the character trait of humility. You can be confident in your faith and still live a life of humility. Don’t be too proud to pass humility to others through word and actions.

Next Monday we will investigate the 14^th tool in Gramps’ backpack, which is Optimism. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 573 – The Value of Confidence – Results (7)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 07:03:03 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 573 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Value of Confidence – Results

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 573 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life, and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently, we are on an extended multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I have adapted it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This week has been extremely busy with client work as we have multiple projects we are currently working on. In addition to that, we are finishing up the renovation of the downstairs bathroom. We are replacing the claw foot tub with a 4’ shower unit, replacing the toilet, adding a cabinet/counter space and replacing all the light fixtures. We are on week three of the project, and hopefully, this will be the last week.

We also have the special treat of having our grandson Kip with us this week, but it does change the dynamic of our work schedule. We certainly enjoy the blessed time having him stay with Granny and Gramps for the week.

It is a balance to cover all basis because we realize that if any aspect is neglected, then it will intensify future challenges. As we continue on our extended trek, our 4^th trail is The Trail of Results. Today we will explore the value of confidence in determining our results.

If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the fourth trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Results Part 7

As a reminder, our overall extended trek covers these five trails:

Philosophy
Attitude
Activity
Results
Lifestyle

1. Neglect Intensifies Future Challenges

While challenges can serve a worthwhile function in helping you to achieve your goals, there is no need to deliberately invite them into your life. Ten years from now you will be somewhere, the question is where? Now is the time to fix the next ten years. Life will present you with enough obstacles without purposely attracting them to you.

One of the best ways to minimize future challenges is to anticipate the results of your current neglect. Anticipating the results of your current neglect begins with asking yourself important questions about your attention to the basics:

How many books have you read in the past ninety days?
How regularly did you exercise last month?
How much of your income have you invested this past year?
How many letters or emails have you written in the past week?
How many times have you written in your journal this month?

The answers to these and many other questions will provide you with vital information about your potential for progress and future rewards. If you cannot discipline yourself in the small things, you will lack the discipline to capitalize on the great opportunities when they appear. Every error defeated by disciplined activity paves the way for your future success. That is how the trails of life are completed, a single step at a time.

2. The Value of Confidence In Determining Results

If you are to pursue the rich and satisfying life, you should never settle for less than the best you can be. Doing less than your best has a disastrous effect. It erodes self-confidence and diminishes your self-worth. Doing less than you can inevitably affects your attitude. It leads to a bottomless pit of degrading emotions and produces embarrassing and discouraging results.

Doing less than you can creates guilt, guilt leads to worry, and worry gives birth to self-doubt. Then comes the inevitable loss of self-confidence, and the blueprint for failure is now virtually complete. The less capable you feel, the less you do. And less activity means fewer results. As your results decline, so does your attitude. The negative spiral has now begun, and your life is soon spinning out of control.

And how did it all begin? When you allowed yourself to do less than you could have done. The growing weight of things left undone undermines your confidence not only in yourself, but also in the possibility of a better future.

There is a solution for those whose lives are caught up in this negative spiral. By going to work on your attitude, you put yourself in a better position to begin the process of taking action. From increased activity, you can produce new results. From these early results, your self-confidence will once again begin to grow. As your confidence increases, you push yourself into new activities which produce new results, and that improves your attitude even more. Suddenly, what was once a life spinning out of control is a life headed toward the pull of the future. It begins with doing whatever is necessary to change your attitude. This is the beginning point of all human progress and achievement.

Most of the time the best prescription for a poor attitude is activity. You may find yourself with an acceptable attitude, and need only involvement in which to apply your talent. It has been wisely said, “Weak is he that permits his attitude to control his actions, and strong is he who forces his actions to control his thoughts.” Whether the recipe for success begins with activity or attitude, the essential step is to go to work on one or the other, or preferably both. It is inactivity, regardless of the cause, that is unacceptable.

Action can begin with writing a long-overdue letter or making an important, but difficult telephone call. It can be the purchase of a journal or the reading of a book. It can be the simple act of turning off the TV or radio and taking a training course, listening to a podcast, or reading a good book that will provide new insights.

Whenever your life is turned upside down, you must find something worth doing to change things for the better. You may do it with wavering confidence in the beginning. You may have to do it despite the presence of fear. Inevitably, your doubts and fears will step aside when your unyielding commitment to take action comes into the picture. The results produced by these initial acts of faith will become the foundation upon which to build a whole new life.

Results are more than just an objective; they are the seeds of future joy and prosperity. Every result we experience, no matter how small, is another certain step taken toward a life of achievement.

Ultimately our self-confidence is built on the confidence that we have in God to give us the wisdom, insight, and understanding to carry on. As Hebrews 10:35-36 tells us, “So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! ³⁶Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.”

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we continue our hike today on the Trail of Results. Today you learned that you must not fall prey to neglect and that you must value confidence to determine positive results. This applies to all areas of your life.

Next Philosophy Friday we will finish up the Trail of Results before moving on to our fifth and final Trail of Lifestyle. So join us next Friday for these additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek is on Monday, and we will continue our series called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack where we will equip you with the tools you need to impact the lives of others. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 572 – Are You a Kind Person? – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 07:03:29 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 572 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Are You a Kind Person? – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 572 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Condoleeza Rice who said, “Terror and tragedy have made us more aware of our vulnerabilities and mortality…We’re living through a time of testing and consequence, and pray that our wisdom and will are equal to the work before us.”

In today’s global political and economic situation, we face threats that we would never have imagined a few decades ago. With the advent of 24/7 news channels and instant information at our fingertips, we all fall prey to the over exaggeration of the terror and tragedy that we are faced with. Yes, there is reason for concern, but we must have the wisdom and insight to keep that concern in proper perspective.

The world overall is a safer and more prosperous place than at any time in recorded history. There is still much work to do to make the world even safer.

This starts with each of us being more kind and compassionate. This means that we must be willing to step up and take a stand when there is an injustice. This means that we need to treat others as we would like to be treated. This means that we need to put our faith, hope, and trust in God and pray for the wisdom to live a good and godly life – one that is built on a moral foundation and is full of integrity.

We need to put into practice what the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter in Ephesians 4:31-32, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

The change that this world needs begins and ends with each of us individually.

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 571 – The Benefits of Wisdom – Proverbs 2

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 07:03:21 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 571 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Benefits of Wisdom – Proverbs 2

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 571 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore Proverbs 2 from The Voice Translation which will give us a fresh perspective on this book of timeless wisdom.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. I invested last week in Arizona working with our construction project there. Interest is strong for purchasing the townhomes that we are just completing. It appears that we will be able to start on Phase II within the next couple of months. The desert was green and in bloom and was beautiful in its own way. Spring in Ohio, which is just starting to show its colors is also beautiful in its own way. King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:11 that, “Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”

Although we don’t know exactly what the future may hold for us, there is a great benefit to having wisdom in our lives. It allows us to anticipate possible outcomes to our decisions and make wise decisions. So today in chapter 2 of Proverbs, we will explore…

The Benefits of Wisdom

This entire chapter is the father’s second speech to his son. It is more encouraging (and a little less bloody) than the last one, but his tone is still urgent. If you seek out wisdom, you will find it, but you’ve got to look hard.

Verses 4-5

“Look for [wisdom] as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure. Then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”

How badly do you want wisdom? Do you value it as something rare and precious? If so, you’re going to have to work for it like a man digging for gold. The good news is that God is pleased to give wisdom and success to people who seek it, so get ready for the most important treasure hunt that exists! But be warned of greed or pride. The best way to succeed is to stay humble and continue to ask God for help.

In verse 5 we learn that we must truly respect the Eternal One – the one True God. This is synonymous with knowing God. Like a child who touches fire and learns its true strength, when we know God, we humbly revere His huge, all-encompassing power. This transforms our stance towards Him, as well as our behavior. Don’t worry if this sounds intense! The father promises that as wisdom “enters your heart,” you will have direction and guidance, and knowledge “will be pleasant to your soul.”

Verses 12-22

There’s a lot of imagery here about the landscape of good or evil paths. The father warns about two specific dangers on the journey – you are going to encounter people who take shortcuts in life at the expense of others (evildoers) or who tempt you to break your marriage covenants for easy sex (the seductive woman). These people may seem thrilling at first, but their cheap, twisted, “shadowy pit” will lead you to misery, or, as the father says, “they will never again find their way back to true life.” That is serious. Remember, wisdom will keep you away from the grips of these people and will lead you to a life of stability and joy.

¹My son, if you accept what I am telling you
and store my counsel and directives deep within you,
²If you listen for Lady Wisdom, attune your ears to her,
and engage your mind to understand what she is telling you,
³If you cry out to her for insight
and beg for understanding,
⁴If you sift through the clamor of everything around you
to seek her like some precious prize,
to search for her like buried treasure;
⁵Then you will grasp what it means to truly respect the Eternal,
and you will have discovered the knowledge of the one True God.
⁶The Eternal is ready to share His wisdom with us,
for His words bring true knowledge and insight;
⁷He has stored up the essentials of sound wisdom for those who do right;
He acts as a shield for those who value integrity.
⁸God protects the paths of those who pursue justice,
watching over the lives of those who keep faith with Him.
⁹With this wisdom you will be able to choose the right road,
seek justice, and decide what is good and fair
¹⁰Because wisdom will penetrate deep within
and knowledge will become a good friend to your soul.
¹¹Sound judgment will stand guard over you,
and understanding will watch over you as the Lord promised.
¹²Wisdom will keep you from following the way of evildoers,
of those who twist words to pervert the truth,
¹³Of those who reject the right road
for a darker, more sinister way of life,
¹⁴Of those who enjoy evil
and pursue perverse pleasures,
¹⁵Of those who journey down a crooked path,
constantly figuring out new ways to trick and deceive others.

¹⁶Wisdom will pluck you from the trap of a seductive woman,
from the enticing propositions of the adulteress
¹⁷Who chose to leave the husband of her youth,
to forget her sacred promises to her God;
¹⁸For her house is on the road that leads to death,
and her path goes down to the shadowy pit.
¹⁹Those who go to her will never return;
they will never again find their way back to true life.

²⁰As for you, you should walk like those who are good
and keep to the paths of those who love justice,
²¹For those who live right will remain in the land
and those with integrity will endure here.
²²But not the wicked; they will be forced out and banned from this promised land,
and those who deal in deceit will be plucked up like weeds.

That will conclude our exploration of Proverbs 2. Next week we will continue with Chapter 3, and each week we will explore a full chapter in Proverbs. I hope that you will join us each week so that you can gain wisdom, insight, and understanding for yourself.

Tomorrow we will hike another short trail of Wisdom Unplugged as we uncover an inspirational wisdom quote. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 570 – His Infinite Wisdom – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 07:03:07 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 570 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

His Infinite Wisdom – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 570 of our trek, and it’s time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from J.P. de Caussade who said, “Since God offers to manage our affairs for us, let us once and for all hand them over to His infinite wisdom, in order to occupy ourselves only with Himself and what belongs to Him.”

Most of us try to control every detail of our lives and many times the lives of others. Much of the worry, anxiety, and drama that we have in our lives is because we feel out of control. We feel that the bad things of life are going to hit us, and there is little we can do about it. It is virtually impossible to control others, and many aspects of our own lives are beyond our direct control.

God does give us free will, which allows us to try and control our lives and gives us the false sense that we can control circumstances. God also tells us in His Word that He will take care of us so we can turn over to Him all of the worry and anxiety that consumes our lives. God has infinite wisdom. He knows what is best for our lives. Instead of being occupied with all the things we cannot control, let is impact for good what we can and leave the rest to God. As Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:25-27, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”

Let us focus on living a right life as Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, please encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 569 – Prayer – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 569 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Prayer – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 569 of our trek, and we are hiking a series of trails called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Communication is so important. We need to continually and effectively communicate with our spouse, our children, our grandchildren, and others that we have the opportunity to impact. It would be a dysfunctional relationship if compassionate and effective communication were not part of it. This is why our next tool is so crucial.

Since God created us, if we do not have continual and effective communication to Him through prayer, then our spiritual relationship will also be dysfunctional. As parents and grandparents, we need to communicate with God, and we also need to demonstrate and teach our children, grandchildren, and others that we mentor what it means to have an effective prayer life. So the tool that we will explore today is…

Prayer

Every parent and grandparent should make frequent use of God’s indispensable tool – the tool of prayer. As James, the half-brother of Jesus instructed us in James 5:16, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”

“The power of prayer” – these words are used rather lightly within many Christian circles. They are familiar, yet sometimes I think we forget what they really mean. Prayer is a powerful tool for communicating with our Creator. It is the opportunity to commune with the giver of all good things. Prayer helps us to find strength for today and bright hope for our tomorrows. Prayer is not a practice that is to be taken lightly or to use infrequently when we have a crisis.

So let me ask you this question, “Is prayer an integral part of your daily life, or is it a hit-or-miss habit?” Do you pray on a consistent and regular basis, or is it an afterthought when the difficult times of life overwhelm you? The Apostle Paul in his letter in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 encourages us to, “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

The strength of your spiritual life will be in direct proportion to the quality of your prayer life. The phrase “prayer changes things” is often misused, but is true. It changes you. Instead of worrying, planning, and plotting your next step, when you have a consistent and effective prayer life with your creator, you can present your petitions to God and ask Him to give you wisdom, insight, and understanding that will give you the direction to take.

James once again in chapter James 1:5 instructs us,“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” Pray constantly about things great and small. God is listening, and He desires to hear from us. As King David put it in Psalms 19:14, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

Just as Christ was an example to us that we need to pray, we need to be an example to our children, grandchildren, and all that we impact. If Jesus Christ who was God in the flesh prayed often, should not we follow His example? In Luke 5:16 it tells us, “But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.”

Just as Jesus used these times to connect to God, prayer connects us with God’s limitless potential. Jesus even referred to the temple as the house of prayer for all nations. He never referred to it as the house of preaching or music…an interesting thought for us.

God knows that we, with our limited vision, don’t even know what we should pray many times. When we entrust our request to Him, we trust Him to honor our prayers with His divine wisdom. Prayer helps to alleviate worry and concern. It is also a time where we should express our gratitude to God for all He has done for us. Philippians 4:6 puts it this way, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today and close Gramps’ backpack. Before I do, I will pass the tool of prayer on to you. Once you have this tool in your backpack, it is up to you to establish a habit of earnest prayer as a righteous person because you know and understand as James did that prayer has great power and produces wonderful results.

As you are establishing a life of prayer, you then need to teach and train your children, grandchildren, and everyone you impact that prayer really does have great power and produces wonderful results. While prayer may not change the mind of God, it does allow our minds to be changed, to be aligned with His precepts found in His Word. An effective and continual life filled with prayer will allow us to live the rich and satisfying life that God intended for us.

Next Monday we will investigate the 13^th tool in Gramps’ backpack, which is humility. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 568 – Check and Measure Results – Results (6)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 568 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Check and Measure Results

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 568 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently, we are on an extended multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I have adapted it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. When this episode is initially released, I will still be in Arizona working with our partners on the final stages of Phase I of our construction project. The project owner and realtors have an open house planned for March 25^th, so we are hopeful that it will generate some additional sales so that the funding group will move forward with Phase II. Although we have worked together on projects previously, any large project of this nature requires that results are often checked and progress is measured continually.

As we continue on our extended trek focusing on our 4^th trail, which is The Trail of Results, we will explore why checking and measuring results in life is so imperative for a successful outcome. If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the fourth trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Results Part 6

As a reminder, our overall extended trek covers these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

1. Check Results Often

You cannot afford to wait ten years to see if your plan, your philosophy, your attitude, or your efforts need to be modified. Neglect and delay can be costly.

Progress must be measured on a regular basis. The timely checking of the key indicators in all parts of your life is a barometer of responsible thinking. How often you need to check your results depends on how far you want to go. The greater the distance, the more frequently you need to check. If you are only going as far as the next block, being off a few degrees isn’t going to make much difference. If you have your sights set on some distant star, then miscalculating by even one degree can lead you millions of miles off target. The longer you wait to discover this small error in judgment, the harder you will have to work to get back on course. Of greater consequence is that the passage of time tends to diminish your desire to get back on course. You may accept the little that you have and abandon your dreams of all that we might have been.

2. Making Measurable Progress In A Reasonable Amount Of Time

That is the great challenge of life – making measurable progress in a reasonable amount of time. That is what creates both purpose and value in your life.

If you are to confront this challenge with enthusiasm and with any hope for success, you cannot use your current circumstances as an excuse for your failure to make measurable progress. When circumstances make progress difficult, this should be your signal to push harder, not to diminish your efforts.

The difficulties you encounter serve a unique purpose. Difficulty tests the strength of your resolve. If your “want to” is strong enough, then you will be driven to seek solutions. As you invoke the power of creativity and intensify your efforts to conquer each new problem, you actually speed up your progress.

Without challenges to capture your attention, you may take twice as long to arrive at your objective. If the way is easy, you will tend to drift along at a leisurely pace, content in the knowledge that success is within your grasp. If the way is fraught with obstacles, you will dig deeper within yourself calling upon more ingenuity, more abilities, and more strength than you even knew you possessed. Conquering these challenges leads to a new level of self-confidence that drives you further and faster toward your inevitable success.

If you are not making measurable progress in a reasonable amount of time, then it may be that your goals are too small. It is difficult to get excited about minor rewards.

The problem may also be that you really do not believe in your dreams, or to be more specific, believe in your ability to make them happen. Instead of being challenged by obstacles, you use them as opportunities to withdraw from the confrontation. That is why checking your results often is so important. If you are not making measurable progress in a reasonable amount of time, then something is clearly wrong with either your objectives or the execution of your plans.

3. Whatever Happens, Happens To Everyone

In the final analysis, we are all faced with about the same circumstances over the period of a lifetime. Some choose to use them as an excuse for poor performance while others use those same circumstances as a reason to grow and to drive themselves to new heights of accomplishment.

You have opportunity mixed with difficulty. You will have times of illness in addition to years of health. The storms impact the rich as well as the poor.

The storms impact the rich as well as the poor.

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Whatever happens, happens to everyone. The only difference is your approach to the “things that happen.” It is not what happens that determines the quality of your life, it is what you choose to do about what happens.

There is an inherent tendency to want the results when you want them or need them. The law of planting and harvesting tells us that to harvest in the fall you must first plant in the spring. You must use the summer to help the plants to grow strong by guarding against the certain invasion of the devouring insects and the strangling weeds. You must continue your activity in spite of your current needs. The harvest will surely come, but it will come in its own due season. As Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 tells us:

¹For everything there is a season,

a time for every activity under heaven.

²A time to be born and a time to die.

A time to plant and a time to harvest.

³A time to kill and a time to heal.

A time to tear down and a time to build up.

⁴A time to cry and a time to laugh.

A time to grieve and a time to dance.

⁵A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.

A time to embrace and a time to turn away.

⁶A time to search and a time to quit searching.

A time to keep and a time to throw away.

⁷A time to tear and a time to mend.

A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

⁸A time to love and a time to hate.

A time for war and a time for peace.

Results do not respond to need. Results respond to effort, to labor, to activity. If you have done your part, the results you need will appear in a reasonable amount of time.

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we continue our hike today on the Trail of Results. Today we learned that we must check and measure results often, and if we have been diligent in these steps then in due season, the harvest will be ready. This applies to all areas of your life. There is a season for everything, you must wait for that season, but while you are waiting, you must check and measure progress and make the necessary adjustments. Once again, this concept is rooted in the basic fundamentals of the law of planting and harvesting.

Next Philosophy Friday we will explore that habits of neglect grow exponentially, so we must have confidence in determining results. So join us next Friday for these additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek is on Monday, and we will continue our series called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack where we will equip you with the tools needed to impact the lives of others. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 567 – Are You a Salty Person? – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 07:03:12 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 567 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Are You a Salty Person? – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 567 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Sadhu Sundar Singh who said, “Salt, when dissolved in water, may disappear, but it does not cease to exist. We can be sure of its presence by tasting the water. Likewise, the indwelling Christ, though unseen, will be made evident to others from the love which he imparts to us.”

Are you a salty person? Salt, when it is it completely dissolved in water, cannot be detected just by looking at it. In the same manner, a person who just sees you will not be aware of your status as a Christ follower. When you taste salt water, it is immediately evident that the water contains salt. It is only when others can experience your love for them and others will it be evident of your relationship to God.

There are so many Bible verses that relay this thought. The first one is 1 John 3:18-19,“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.”

Salt is used to preserve food and also to enhance its flavor. In the same way, as Christ followers, we should preserve love in the world and enhance the lives of others. If we lose our saltiness, then we will fall prey to what Jesus taught us in Matthew 5:13, “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.”

So let me ask you again. Are you a salty person? Preserve and enhance your world through an overflowing love put into action.

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. Just as you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 566 – The Purpose of Wisdom – Proverbs 1

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 566 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Purpose of Wisdom – Proverbs 1

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 566 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore Proverbs 1 from The Voice translation, which will give us a fresh perspective on this book of timeless wisdom.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Let’s begin our trek today with a brief commentary on chapter 1 as we explore and discover…

The Purpose of Wisdom

Here we go! Before we explore the proverbs themselves, which start in Chapter 10, we are first going to explore nine chapters of poems. The point of these poems is to whet your appetite for how important God’s wisdom is in your life. These poems are speeches. Some of the speeches are from father to a son that you get to listen in on. Others are from a character called “Lady Wisdom” and are written directly to you. In Chapter 1, we hear from both of these voices.

· Verses 1-7: The Introduction

Before these speeches, there is an introduction to the entire book. The book opens with a pep-talk about its purpose, and the message is clear—whether or not you think you’ve got life figured out, you need this advice. The introduction ends by saying that gaining wisdom will be impossible if you don’t cultivate humility for God’s authority—“the Fear of the Lord,” a theme that will appear many times in this book. “Only fools despise knowledge and discernment,” concludes verse 7, bringing up the implied question: “Wise or foolish—which are you going to be?”

· Verses 8-19: 1st Speech from Father to Son

After the introduction comes a speech, the first of ten, from father to a son. There’s consistent language here about resisting evil, and the father doesn’t pull any punches while warning his son. His words are concise, direct, and rather forceful—if people tempt you with claims of an easy, deceitful life of “ill-gotten gains,” do not follow them. Period. It will only bring ruin. Period. The father ends with especially descriptive words about the violence that will come from falling into these ways.

· Verses 20-33: 1st Speech from Lady Wisdom

The next speech is the first from Lady Wisdom, a character in this book who personifies the concept of wisdom. She claims that rejecting her advice will lead to self-destruction and you’ll only have yourself to blame. If you don’t listen to wisdom, you’re going to crash and burn. Hard. She’s pretty much going to bust out with “I told you so.”

As a whole, Chapter 1 bluntly cuts to the point—our choices are a serious matter, but wisdom is accessible to us. The stakes are high, but we have instruction to guide us. Guard yourself, pay attention, and consider carefully how you will respond. Are you going to be open-minded and learn new ways of living well in God’s world? Of course, the answer should be YES!

¹I, Solomon, David’s son and Israel’s king, pass on to you these proverbs—a treasury of wisdom—

²So that you would recognize wisdom and value discipline; that you would understand insightful teaching

³And receive wise guidance to live a disciplined life; that you would seek justice and have the ability to choose what is right and fair.

⁴These proverbs teach the naive how to become clever; they instruct the young in how to grow in knowledge and live with discretion.

⁵The wise will pay attention to these words and will grow in learning, and the discerning will receive divine guidance,

⁶And they will be able to interpret the meaning of a proverb and a puzzle, the twists and turns in the words of the wise and their riddles.

⁷Let us begin. The worship of the Eternal One, the one True God, is the first step toward knowledge. Fools, however, do not fear God and cannot stand wisdom or guidance.

⁸So, my son, pay attention to your father’s guidance, and do not ignore what your mother taught you—

⁹Wear their wisdom as a badge of honor and maturity, as fine jewelry around your neck.

¹⁰My son, should your less honorable peers pressure you to do what is wrong,

you should be strong enough not to go along.

¹¹If they should say, Come on! Everyone, hide and let’s wait to see whom we can beat to a pulp. We’re going to jump some unsuspecting chumps for no reason at all.

¹²We’ll have our way with them, and when we’re through, there will be nothing left, as if their bodies were swallowed whole by the grave’s dark pit.

¹³We’ll take whatever we want—all their wealth and their fancy clothes—

and when we’re through, we’ll have piles of their treasure for our own.

¹⁴You have to join us; forget about God. We’re going to rake in the goods, and we’ll share all we take!

¹⁵My son, do not join them; keep well away from their violent, destructive paths.

¹⁶For they run right away, every time, to do wrong, and they are thirsty for blood.

¹⁷You see, it makes no sense to bait the net and set the trap while the bird is watching,

¹⁸But these hiding in the shadows and waiting to spill innocent blood are really just hastening their own destruction!

By giving into their sinful desires, they set themselves up to be ambushed.

¹⁹This is what happens to everyone who tries to profit by violence;

violence will eventually rob them of their very lives.

²⁰There’s another voice in town. It belongs to Lady Wisdom, who calls out in the street. She cries out in the town square,

²¹At the city gates, in the noisy city streets, you can hear her speaking over the racket.

²²Lady Wisdom says: You simple, naive people, how long will you love your feeble ways? You simpletons, how long will you enjoy making fun of what you don’t understand? You fools, how long will you hate learning what truly matters?

²³Turn to me and receive my gentle correction; Watch and I will pour out my spirit on you; I will share with you my wise words in order to redirect your lives.

²⁴You hear, but you have refused to answer my call. My hands reached out, but no one noticed.

²⁵All my advice, all my correction, all have been neglected— you wanted nothing of them.

²⁶So I will be the laughter you hear when misfortune comes, and it will come.

I will be the mocking sound when panic grips you—

²⁷When panic comes like a stormy blast, when misfortune sweeps in like a whirlwind, when sorrow and anguish weigh you down.

²⁸This is when they will call on me, but I will not respond; they will be frantic to find me, but they won’t be able.

²⁹Because they despised knowledge of my ways, and they also refused to respect and honor the Eternal,

³⁰Because they rejected my advice and turned down my correction,

³¹They will surely get what’s coming to them: they’ll be forced to eat the fruit of their wicked ways; they’ll gorge themselves on the consequences of their choices.

³²You see, it’s turning away from me that brings death to the simple,

and it’s self-satisfaction that destroys the fools.

³³But those who listen to me now will live under divine protection;

they can rest knowing they are out of harm’s way.

That will conclude our exploration of Proverbs 1. Next week we will continue with Chapter 2, and each week we will explore a full chapter in Proverbs. I hope that you will join us each week so that you can gain wisdom, insight, and understanding for yourself.

All of the Proverbs provide us with rich wisdom, insight, and understanding on a myriad of life issues. Regardless of where you are in your faith walk, if you apply the precepts in Proverbs, your life will be rich and satisfying. I encourage you to take them and plant the seeds of wisdom in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom throughout your life.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 565 – Quality Is Never an Accident – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 565 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Quality Is Never an Accident – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 565 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from William A. Foster who said, “Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.”

Quality in our lives and all of our endeavors boils down to the choices that we make. We can choose to barely get by in our work and in our relationships, or we can choose to invest our highest intentions and our most sincere efforts.

We can choose to make wise and intelligent decisions on the direction we will take, and we can choose to master the art of execution skillfully. It all boils down to the choices that we make.

Most of the time our choices are not choices between bad and good or between wrong or right. Most of our choices are between what is good, better or best. Choose wisely in every decision that you make small or large, and you will live a quality life and have a quality impact on others.

As Ecclesiastes 10:2 tells us, “A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one.” We are also instructed in Romans 6:16, “Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.”

As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 564 – Values – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 564 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Values – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 564 of our trek, and we are hiking a series of trails called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. When this episode originally airs, I will be back in Arizona working on our construction project. We have finished up completely on the first six townhomes, and they are on the market. We are also nearly complete with the second six. If sales are strong, the funding group will move forward with the next two pods of six units each. There are a lot of details in finalizing the buildings, and it always takes longer and costs more than expected.

It is our desire to bring value to both the funding group and the ultimate purchasers of the townhomes. As parents and grandparents, we should bring value to those whom we impact with our lives. To bring value, our lives must be built on a solid foundation of values which are driven by our moral code and integrity. So the tool that we will explore today is…

Values

Every parent and grandparent needs to articulate and demonstrate a clearly defined set of values. That set of values must be firmly rooted in a moral code. The best and most complete moral code is found in God’s Word. We should love to live and stand firm on that foundation. Psalms 119:47 reads, “How I delight in your commands! How I love them!”

Every day the influences of society try to shape your values. Society wants you to focus on the distractions and temptations of our troubled 21^st century world. Society’s value system is far different from God’s value system. If you are wise, you will pay more attention to the things that distract you from His precepts.

When God’s values are woven into the very fabric of your life, they become your values, and then you share in His abundance of peace. If you adopt a worldview that is contrary to God precepts you are opening yourself up to making unwise and unhealthy choices.

You live in a world that is filled with countless opportunities to make some very unwise choices. The common worldview with its political correction cries out, “Worship me with your time, your money, your energy, and your thoughts,” but God commands otherwise. He commands you to worship Him and adore Him alone. Everything else must be secondary.

To experience God’s peace and blessings and then teach them to others, you must build your life and indeed your entire value system on His foundation, which is the Bible.

Teaching a Biblically based value system to your children, grandchildren, and others that you impact is paramount. For a society to function properly, the family unit must be solid. God, through His prophet Isaiah, tells us in 48:18, “Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.”

If you want to be proactive in the way you live your life. If you want to influence your life’s direction. If you want your life to exhibit the qualities you find desirable. If you want to live with integrity…then you need to know what your values are. You need to embrace them and practice them every day.

Sadly, most family problems, whether they are relational or financial, are seldom the real problem. They are often a symptom of a weak or non-existent value system.

God gives us this pattern of values in Deuteronomy 11:18-21, “So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.”

God’s Word is the guide book for which you must establish your value system and then be able to show and teach them to others Joshua 1:8, “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”

With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today and close Gramps’ backpack. Before I do, I will pass the tool of values onto you. Once you have this tool in your backpack, it is up to you to establish a life with a strong foundation of values. Once you have accomplished that you then need to teach and train your children, grandchildren, and everyone you impact why those values are so necessary for your life and should be in theirs. When you possess a solid foundation of values, regardless of any difficult circumstances, you can have a life that is both rich and satisfying.

Next Monday we will investigate the 12^th tool in Gramps’ backpack, which is Prayer. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 563 – The Value of New Skills – Results (5)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 563 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Value of New Skills – Results

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 563 of our trek and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently, we are on an extended multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I have adapted it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Although it has been a cold week outside, especially compared to the mild winter, we do see new signs of spring each day. Our pair of red shoulder hawks continue daily in preparing their nest, our family of deer has been sauntering through our yard, the daffodils are blooming nicely, and the days contain progressively more hours of light with each passing week.

Although I love each season of the year, spring is especially invigorating as it brings new life to each new day. There is intrinsic value with each new flower that blooms and each new creature that is born.

As we continue on our extended trek, today we will explore the value of each new skill that we learn so that we can grow in the results that we achieve with each new skill we obtain. If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the fourth trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Results Part 5

As a reminder, our overall extended trek covers these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

1. The Value of New Skills

The development of new skills is vitally important if you expect to make major progress and improve the level of your performance. A person can chop down a tree with a hammer, but it might take thirty days. By learning to use an ax, he can accomplish the same goal in thirty minutes. If he advances his skills even further and uses a chainsaw, he can accomplish the same task in about three minutes.

Life and labor get easier when knowledge is combined with new skills. Skill is the refinement of your current abilities added to the acquisition of new talents. It is the result of investigation driven by curiosity. It is the result of creativity and imagination intelligently applied to new methods. It is a product of refined attempts as emerging quality rises to new levels. Skill is also a thorough understanding of the task at hand that comes from patient study and serious observation.

Skill is what is acquired when a person becomes the master of a task. It is having full confidence in your ability and in your command of the many intricacies of your jobs. Skill is the process of learning. Skill is the result of accumulating a mountain of experience and the never-ending dedication to making good things better.

Those who would possess happiness and success must first master as many skills as they can gather up, blending each into all of the rest until finally a unique talent emerges. With the accumulated value of your skills and talents, all things become possible.

2. The First Step For Getting Better Results

How dramatically you can change your results is largely a function of imagination. In 1960, it was a technological impossibility for man to travel into outer space. Within ten years, however, the first man stepped out onto the surface of the moon. The miraculous process of converting the dream into reality began when one voice challenged the scientific community to do whatever was necessary to see to it that America “places a man on the moon by the end of this decade.” That challenge awakened the spirit of a nation by planting the seed of possible future achievement into the fertile soil of imagination. With that one bold challenge, the impossible became a reality.

Can a poor person become wealthy? Of course! The unique combination of desire, planning, effort, and perseverance will always work its magic. The question is not whether the formula for success will work, but rather whether the person will work the formula. That is the unknown variable. That is the challenge that confronts us all. You can go from wherever you are to wherever you want to be. No dream is impossible provided you first have the courage to believe in it.

3. If You Will Pay The Price, You Will Inherit The Promise

Solving financial difficulty is easy, but it is also easy not to solve. If the rewards are eluding you, then the best place to start is with an honest look at your results. If the results are not there, something is wrong. The lack of results is symptomatic of a problem that needs to be addressed and corrected. To ignore the symptom is merely to perpetuate the cause. Rarely will a problem repair itself. Instead, a neglected problem intensifies.

Those whose efforts have produced a poor result often have a lengthy list of reasons to justify their poor progress. To them the items on the list are not excuses; they are reasons. They blame the company, or they blame the boss. They blame taxes or the overall economy. They blame their parents or the teachers or the system. Sometimes they even blame the politicians or the overall government.

While any one of these items may not be perfect, they are not the cause of poor results. If this were the case, then no one would succeed. The fact is that in two nearly identical situations, some people have successful results, and some have dismal failures.

It almost always boils down to the price that a person is willing to pay for successful results. There is no shortage of opportunity throughout the world. There is only a shortage of those who will apply themselves to the basics that success requires. There is always a price that needs to be paid for the seeds of success and the nurturing of success to reap the harvest of success.

The question is, “Are you willing to pay the price for the success you wish to harvest, regardless of what that success means to you?” Your results will be in proportion to your investment. One of Jesus’s parables is a good example of this principle. Matthew 25:16-18 reads, “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.” The entire story can be found in verses 14-30.

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we continue our hike today on the Trail of Results. Today you learned that we must invest in ourselves and pay the price required for success. I am not just referring to financial success, but success in all areas of your life. To achieve better results in your life, you must plant the seeds of self-development and nurture them into new skills. Once you have these skills, then you must invest time and resources that will reap a harvest of success. This concept is rooted in the basic fundamentals of the law of planting and harvesting.

Next Philosophy Friday we will explore the importance of Checking and Measuring Results Continually. So join us next Friday for these additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek is on Monday, and we will continue our series called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack as we equip you with the tools needed to impact the lives of others. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 562 – Check Your Priorities – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 562 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Check Your Priorities – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 562 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Dr. Charles Stanley who said, “Our challenge for today and every day is to make it a priority to invest time with the Lord in His Word. We may have to reorganize our schedule or wake up earlier. But it’s worth the effort — discernment, and wisdom await us if we put into practice the truths we absorb each day.”

What are your priorities? You may think you know them, but to really understand what your priorities are, keep track of what you invest your time and money on. Once you do this, you may certainly need to rearrange your life so that your actions actually are in line with your desired priorities.

One area of life that many people neglect is their spiritual health. To be strong spiritually, you must invest the time needed to learn from God’s Word, which will build up your spiritual muscle and strengthen you as a Christ-follower. You can also think of the time invested in learning God’s precepts from the Bible as implementing a filter in your mind so that it will filter out the false and negative input and leave you with a clean spiritual perspective.

Consider God’s Word a Brita Filter for your mind. When you invest time in God’s Word, and it becomes a daily habit, then you will gain the wisdom, insight, and understanding that is needed to live a rich and satisfying life. To be transformed, you need to implement these habits into your daily schedule, which will progressively allow you to change the way you think.

The more time you invest in God’s Word, the more mindset change you will see. As Romans 12:2 tells us, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com or subscribe on iTunes or Google play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 561 – The Beginning of Wisdom – Proverbs, An Introduction

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 561 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Beginning of Wisdom – Proverbs, An Introduction

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 561 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will restart our exploration of Proverbs with a new introduction.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Last week was a busy, but productive week. For one client we are preparing information for their bi-annual audit, which requires assembling data from the past two years. Fortunately, most of this information is stored electronically and is organized. We are also still working on company and personal tax returns for clients, family members, and ourselves.

Since I am creating this podcast before the weekend, if all goes according to plan, we will be investing in a heavy-duty chain saw and will have begun cleaning up the four large trees that we had a tree service cut down for us. The weather is turning cold for this weekend, so we will see how much we are able to accomplish.

Another exciting announcement is that Paula has decided to begin her own podcast called A Quilter’s Life where she will be interviewing people who quilt and allowing them to share their lives as quilters with listeners. We have received very positive feedback from those that we have mentioned it to, so we feel that it will be well received.

We have been working together in preparation of that and hope that she will be able to release her initial interviews within the next 2-3 months. Since Wisdom-Trek is not an interview-based podcast, we have both been learning the additional aspects of what is required to setup and interview others. At this time Paula plans on having weekly episodes for A Quilter’s Life. I will let you know when it is released.

This podcast is a new beginning for her, and as we look at our topic for Wisdom Wednesday, I have decided to start back through the book of Proverbs with a little bit of a different twist.

Today we will look at a brief introduction of the book of Proverbs. Starting next Wednesday, I will read a short synopsis of each chapter and then read the chapter using a newer translation called The Voice, which is slightly more conversational in nature and will give us a different perspective on the book of Wisdom.

Each month as I personally restart reading the book of Proverbs, I look forward to it with a new anticipation. So today let’s begin with our introduction to Proverbs entitled…

The Beginning of Wisdom

The Book of Proverbs is part of the Bible’s wisdom literature. The Bible’s wisdom literature explores the question, “What does it mean to live well in God’s world?” You can think of it as “The Good Life for Dummies.”

Wisdom literature comes in all forms: songs, story, reflection and romance. This book is primarily one form of writing called a proverb. A proverb is a short, pithy statement that contains a powerhouse of wisdom. A proverb is a type of poetry. However, the structure of Hebrew poetry is different than English poems.

In most simple modern poetry, like what we find in greeting cards, two lines are made to rhyme with each other through their final words. Hebrew poetry, on the other hand, contains two lines that don’t rhyme words but rather rhyme ideas. The second line in a Hebrew poem will reinforce the same thought as the first line, but in different words. Most of this book is a collection of these short, poetic pieces of wisdom called proverbs.

The Book of Proverbs is interested in how to architect the best life possible on God’s earth. The proverbs themselves are compact in nature, but they are not trite! The proverbs cover important life lessons, and they do justice to the full complexity of life.

Solomon is the author of many of the proverbs—but not all. The book itself appears to be the work of a later hand who organized it into its final form, such as is mentioned in Chapter 25 verse 1. Solomon authored at least 3,000 proverbs in his day, but only a small percentage of those works made it into this final collection.

As we make our way through this ancient book of wisdom, we’ll look carefully at key terms and major themes that will “gently nudge” us to the prevailing message found in the work. We’ll find that themes like “The fear of the Lord” weave through the entire book.

As we begin, you’ll notice that the first nine chapters are not proverbs, but are instead a series of poems that warm you up as to why you should read the proverbs. These poems tell us about the nature of God’s wisdom and its critical role in our lives.

Next week we will begin with Chapter 1 and continue through the entire book of Proverbs each Wisdom Wednesday over the next 31 weeks. I hope that you will join us each week so that you can gain wisdom, insight, and knowledge yourself.

I have read through the Book of Proverbs between 400-500 times over the past 35 years, and each month I am reminded of the great wisdom truths that are contained in this book. This habit has been the single most impactful practice in obtaining wisdom in my life.

All of the proverbs provide us with rich wisdom, insight, and understanding on a myriad of life issues. Regardless of where you are in your faith walk, if you follow the precepts in Proverbs, your life will be rich and satisfying. I encourage you to take them and plant the seeds of wisdom in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom throughout your life.

Tomorrow we will hike another short trail of Wisdom Unplugged as we discover an inspirational wisdom quote. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Or you can subscribe at iTunes or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 560 – Question Everything – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 560 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Question Everything – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 560 of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from George C. Lichtenberg who said, “One’s first step in wisdom is to question everything — and one’s last is to come to terms with everything.”

Do you believe everything that you are told, or do you question what is being said to verify if it is true? A wise and prudent person does not accept what they hear or see at face value. It is wise to listen, make sure you comprehend, and then allow what is being said or shown to be filtered through your past experiences as well as through your value system built on moral and ethical standards. You should question your inputs to see if it lines up with Biblical teachings and precepts.

As you gain wisdom, insight, and knowledge, you will come to understand that while we can and should question, there are situations and circumstances in life that you cannot change. As you mature in wisdom, you will need to change what you can, accept those things that you cannot change, and realize that you cannot control everything that happens. When this is the case, you have to come to terms with that.

A good example of this is found in Acts 17:11, “And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.”

As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 559 – Patience – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 559 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Patience – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 559 of our trek, and we are hiking a series of trails called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack.

Each Monday for a total of 20 weeks we are exploring a different tool that is needed to motivate and equip parents and grandparents to train their children and grandchildren to be successful on their trek of life. If you don’t have children or grandchildren of your own, use these tools to train others that you do influence. Today the 10^th tool from Gramps’ Backpack is Patience.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Life is hectic, and situations can really try our patience. In our instant everything world that we now live in, we lose patience so easily. If our fast food meal takes us five minutes to receive, if a website takes more than a few seconds to load, if we get behind someone driving that happens to be driving just the speed limit, we go crazy. This is why it is so important that we include the tool of patience in our backpack as one of our character traits. We first need to learn it ourselves, which is very difficult, and then through patience, we need to teach it to others. So the tool that we will explore today is…

Patience

Patience is a tool that every thoughtful parent and grandparent needs themselves and to then skillfully teach it to others. The lack of patience is really a sign of foolishness and selfishness. The reason we become impatient is that we feel that our time and priorities are more important than others.

Patience is the embodiment of love. Love is an exercise in patience. One of the attributes of love is being patient. 1 Corinthians 13:4 reads, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud.”

From time to time, even our most considerate friends and family members may do things that worry us, confuse us, or anger us. Why is this? Because they are human and not perfect, just like we are. It is exactly because they are human that we must be patient with their shortcomings, just as they need to be with ours. Ephesians 4:2 tells us, “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”

St. Augustine said that Patience is the companion of wisdom. It is also listed as part of the fruit of the spirit contained in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

The next time that you find yourself getting irritated and drumming your fingers while waiting for a loved one to do the right thing on a timely basis, take a deep breath and relax. Ask God for a little more patience. After all, we have very little control over most circumstances and events in our lives anyway. Impatience just makes the journey much more miserable. The world unfolds according to God’s timetable, not ours. For that matter, our acquaintances, friends, and loved ones live and grow according to their time table too. Sometimes we must wait patiently, and that is a good thing because it helps us to grow our patience. After all, think about how patient God is with us, and our shortcomings. Colossians 3:12-14 reads, “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today and close Gramps’ backpack. Before I do, I will pass the tool of Patience onto you. Once you have this tool in your backpack, it is up to you use it in your own life by becoming more patient, humble, and gentle. Then teach and train your children, grandchildren, and everyone you impact to be more patient. This can only be done if it is first demonstrated in your life. When you possess this kind of patience, regardless of your circumstance, you can have a life that is both rich and satisfying.

Next Monday we will investigate the 11^th tool in Gramps’ backpack, which is Values. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 558 – Improve Yourself = Improve Your Results – Results (4)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 558 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Improve Yourself = Improve Your Results – Results

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week, wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 558 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently, we are on an extended multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I have adapted it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. I have been able to be in the office all week and have enjoyed watching our pair of Red Shoulder Hawks as they arrived back to repair and prepare their nest for this year. They work hard to make sure the nest is ready for bringing new chicks into the world.

In addition to that, a few weeks ago we also had four large trees cut down by a professional tree service. To save costs, we requested that they just drop the trees and cut them into large sections. My plan for the weekend is to cut them into fireplace size logs. The diameter of the large sections will be a challenge, but it will provide a lot of firewood for the next few winters. Since I usually work 10-12 hours a day in front of the computer, I look forward to being outside performing physical labor as I have the opportunity. The more that I expand my skillset, the better person I am become overall.

We are continuing on our extended trek focusing on our 4^th trail which is The Trail of Results. Specifically, we will explore how better results are produced by becoming a better person. If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the fourth trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Results Part 4

As a reminder, our overall extended trek covers these five trails:

Philosophy
Attitude
Activity
Results
Lifestyle

1. Better Results Come From Being a Better Person

You first become and then you attract. You grow personally, and then you advance materially. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people seem to have the plan reversed. Their philosophy is “If I had more money, I would be a better person.” That is not the way life is designed to work. You cannot harvest a crop unless you first plant and then nurture it. Having more money or things doesn’t make you more, it merely magnifies what you already are. Those who cannot save a few pennies out of meager earnings will never be able to save dollars out of future fortunes. The same discipline it takes to put a few coins in a jar every week is the same discipline it takes to open a savings account or manage a large investment portfolio.

The conversation about your intended progress will only take you so far and promises about your future will only buy you a little time. Promises must soon be matched by performance. If your results do not appear in a reasonable amount of time, you run the risk of losing the trust of others in addition to your own self-respect. You may find that those who once believed you no longer do, and you will one day be left only with your well-intentioned, but unfulfilled pronouncements.

A loss of this magnitude is worth preventing. It is on the day when you discover your losses that you will taste the bitter pill of neglect. It is on that day when you will finally experience the agonizing consequences of self-delusion, procrastination, and unkempt promises.

Will you read the books, make the plans, make good use of your time, invest a portion of all that you earn, polish your current skills, attend classes to develop new skills, and get around better people to improve your chances for success? Will you tell the truth, improve your ability to communicate, use your journals, and give careful attention to all the virtues that success requires? Or will you be content to let the time slip through your fingers like grains of sand while you slowly lose self-confidence, the respect of others, and perhaps even the few possessions and valuable relationships that your past efforts have managed to attract into your life? Will you go on sitting idly by while your dreams diminish to memories as hope gives way to remorse? Surely not.

2. The Future Rewards Are Always There Waiting For You

As certainly as you once dreamed, you can dream again. As surely as you once believed, you can believe again. No matter where you are right now, you still have the ability to change it all.

The journey toward success is a journey of a thousand steps, and it begins with a single book or a single promise finally kept. It begins with the awakening of your sleeping spirit brought on by dreams of all that could be.

Any day you choose, you can stand up and take that first step on a journey that can lead you to a new and better way of life. You must not expect the results merely because you have begun the activity, but with continued effort and certain steps surely come to your future rewards. As we are told in Galatians 6:7-9, “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we continue our hike today on the Trail of Results. Today you learned to harvest better results, then we must be continually planting better seeds of improvement into our lives. That is to say, you must become more valuable as a person and more valuable to others. To achieve better results in your life, you must plant the seeds of self-development. This concept is rooted in the basic fundamentals of the law of planting and harvesting. The law of planting and harvesting is always in force, just like the law of gravity.

Next Philosophy Friday we will explore The Value of New Skills. So join us next Friday for these additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 557 – Striving for Perfection – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 557 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Striving for Perfection – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 557 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Ben Franklin who said, “On the whole, though I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining but fell far short of it, yet I was, by the endeavor, a better and happier man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted it.”

That is quite a mouthful from Ben Franklin, but there is certainly some deep truth contained in it. None of us will ever reach perfection although we should continually strive for that level. Instead of perfection, we should be excellent in all that we do, even if it is not perfect.

It is indeed true that we will have much more happiness, contentment, joy, and peace if we endeavor to stretch beyond what we think we are capable of achieving. Another shorter, but similar quote is, “It is better to have tried and failed than to not have tried at all.”

I realize that I have used this Bible verse from the Apostle Paul several times before, but it is so applicable to Ben Franklin’s quote. It is found in Philippians 3:12-14. I am quoting from The Voice translation to give us a slightly different perspective, “I’m not there yet, nor have I become perfect; but I am charging on to gain anything, and everything the Anointed One, Jesus, has in store for me—and nothing will stand in my way because He has grabbed me and won’t let me go. Brothers and sisters, as I said, I know I have not arrived; but there’s one thing I am doing: I’m leaving my old life behind, putting everything on the line for this mission. I am sprinting toward the only goal that counts: to cross the line, to win the prize, and to hear God’s call to resurrection life found exclusively in Jesus the Anointed.”

If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com or subscribe on iTunes or Google play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 556 – A Mother’s Faithful Instructions – Proverbs 31:1-31

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 556 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A Mother’s Faithful Instructions – Proverbs 31:1-31

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 556 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 31^st and final chapter in Proverbs.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We had a great weekend in Charlotte. We had an important meeting on Friday and were able to assist our younger daughter Janet and her husband Rowan complete their tax returns.

On Saturday I was able to invest most of the day with our grandson Kip playing with his safari animal and remote control race car and coloring several pages of animals. We then had an early dinner with my sister Rebecca before heading to watch Janet play in her first roller derby bout. There were two bouts in which Charlotte’s “A” team won a decisive victory over a team from Florida, while the “B” team played against a very tough team from the Carolinas. Janet was lead jammer for the “B” team, and although the final score was not in our favor, Janet played a really tough game and was named MVP of her team. It was great to be there and cheer her on.

As with all of our children and their spouses, we are very proud of her. We are blessed to have a very close relationship with all of our children. This brings us to our topic for today in Proverbs 31. The first 9 verses are instructions from a mother to her grown son who is king. Verses 10-31 describe all the attributes of a wise, virtuous, and capable woman who is more precious than rubies. So let’s explore the nuggets of wisdom from…

A Mother’s Faithful Instructions

First, let’s dig into the advice King Lemuel’s mother shared with him in verses 1-9.

¹ The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him.

²O my son, O son of my womb,

O son of my vows,

³do not waste your strength on women,

on those who ruin kings.

⁴It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine.

Rulers should not crave alcohol.

⁵For if they drink, they may forget the law

and not give justice to the oppressed.

⁶Alcohol is for the dying,

and wine for those in bitter distress.

⁷Let them drink to forget their poverty

and remember their troubles no more.

⁸Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;

ensure justice for those being crushed.

⁹Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,

and see that they get justice.

Anytime we allow a person or substance to take over and control our rational and emotional mind, it leaves us open to making unwise decisions. This is especially true of a person who is in a position of authority. King Lemuel’s mother warns him of the dangers of women and wine. In different ways, both have brought down great leaders. Both are certainly distractions to a king’s true work—defending the poor.

Rulers need to be of clear mind and heart so that they can administer justice fairly. The only appropriate reason to allow our mind to be dulled is when we are suffering from some great emotional or physical pain. With today’s advanced medicines, we do have choices other than alcohol to lessen pain.

A Wife of Noble Character

An interesting note as we read through verses 10-31 now is that in the original Hebrew language this section was a poem. The subject of a twenty-two-line poem found in the last chapter of the book of Proverbs, the “woman of noble character” is meant to be a tangible expression of the book’s celebrated virtue of wisdom. The author is essentially showing us what wisdom looks like in action. There is a direct connection between the Proverbs 31 Woman and “Woman Wisdom,” found in earlier chapters of Proverbs.

This section is packed with very rich imagery. The poem is also an acrostic, so the first word of each verse in the original Hebrew begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet in order.

This communicates a sense of totality as the poet praises the everyday achievements of an upper-class Jewish wife, a woman who keeps her household functioning day and night by buying, trading, investing, planting, sewing, spindling, managing servants, extending charity, providing food for the family, and preparing for each season. Like any good poem, the purpose of this one is to draw attention to the often-overlooked glory of the mundane everyday tasks.

As a poem, Proverbs 31 should not be interpreted prescriptively as a job description for all women. Its purpose is to celebrate wisdom-in-action, not to instruct women everywhere to get married, have children, and take up the loom.

¹⁰Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?

She is more precious than rubies.

¹¹Her husband can trust her,

and she will greatly enrich his life.

¹²She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

¹³She finds wool and flax

and busily spins it.

¹⁴She is like a merchant’s ship,

bringing her food from afar.

¹⁵She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household

and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

¹⁶She goes to inspect a field and buys it;

with her earnings she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷She is energetic and strong,

a hard worker.

¹⁸She makes sure her dealings are profitable;

her lamp burns late into the night.

¹⁹Her hands are busy spinning thread,

her fingers twisting fiber.

²⁰She extends a helping hand to the poor

and opens her arms to the needy.

²¹She has no fear of winter for her household,

for everyone has warm^[^c^] clothes.

²²She makes her own bedspreads.

She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.

²³Her husband is well known at the city gates,

where he sits with the other civic leaders.

²⁴She makes belted linen garments

and sashes to sell to the merchants.

²⁵She is clothed with strength and dignity,

and she laughs without fear of the future.

²⁶When she speaks, her words are wise,

and she gives instructions with kindness.

²⁷She carefully watches everything in her household

and suffers nothing from laziness.

²⁸Her children stand and bless her.

Her husband praises her:

²⁹“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,

but you surpass them all!”

³⁰Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;

but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

³¹Reward her for all she has done.

Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

It would do us all well to look throughout the Bible for examples of strong and capable women. As we study the Scriptures, we need to be careful of focusing only on marriage, motherhood, and domesticity, which are admirable roles but they don’t necessarily define a Godly woman. Instead, it is holiness, with integrity and bravery, that we should all seek, regardless of our gender.

Proverbs 31 is not the only place where we find women of valor in the Bible. You can turn to Sarah, Deborah, Esther, Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany, Mary of Nazareth, Martha, the Apostle Junia, Priscilla, Phoebe, and Tabitha too. You can also turn to the women of valor in your life, possibly your mother or grandmother, and many others around the world who are bringing their unique gifts, insights, passions, and callings to bring hope and healing to the world. That is what it really means to honor a woman as described in Proverbs 31. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

Today on our Wisdom Trail we received some sound motherly advice, and also an example of some of the attributes that a woman who is wise will possess. All of the proverbs provide us with rich wisdom, insight, and understanding on a myriad of life issues. Regardless of where you are in your faith walk, if the precepts in Proverbs are followed, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom. I would challenge you to take just one precept that we learn today in Proverbs and commit yourself to applying it to your life.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 555 – Use Experience Wisely – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 07 Mar 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 555 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Use Experience Wisely – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 555 of our trek, and it’s time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Auguste Rodin, who said, “Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.”

Experience, it can be a cruel taskmaster or a gentle mentor, it all depends on how you allow it to impact you. Every person fails and falls short of their hopes, dreams, and expectations. A negative experience may very well seem like a failed task and a complete waste of time, but you need to change your mindset.

You should never consider a failed opportunity as a lost opportunity. If you use your failures, your setbacks, and your disappointments as an opportunity to gain wisdom, then it will never be a lost opportunity or a waste of time.

Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently with the wisdom, insight, and understanding that you have gained through experience. Any opportunity where we can learn and gain wisdom can never be considered a lost opportunity.

God in His divine wisdom will allow the correction of failure as a teaching tool. Proverbs 3:12-14 tells us, “For the Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.”

As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 554 – Faith – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 554 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Faith – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 554 of our trek, and we are hiking a series of trails called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack.

Each Monday for a total of 20 weeks we are exploring a different tool that is needed to equip parents and grandparents to train their children and grandchildren to be successful on their trek of life. If you don’t have children or grandchildren of your own, you can use these tools to train others that you do influence. Today the ninth tool from Gramps’ Backpack is Faith.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Life, at times, can be very uncertain. The economy rises and falls, the world’s political environment is always changing, marriages and families struggle, and most media outlets spew negative propaganda on the right and the left in their 24/7 news cycles. That is why it is so important for us to have a strong foundation and belief system that we can teach to our children, grandchildren, and everyone that we impact. One of the most valuable tools in our backpack is the tool of…

Faith

Faith is an indispensable tool that should be found in your backpack…But what is faith, and how is it used in our lives? The Bible describes faith in this way in Hebrews 11:1, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”

This helps us to grasp the concept of faith, but how do we apply it in our lives?

Every life, including yours, is a series of successes and failures, celebrations and disappointments, joys and sorrows. With a strong belief system and foundation for life, you can come to realize that every step of the way, through every triumph and tragedy, God will stand by your side and strengthen you…that is if your faith is in Him. Jesus taught His disciples that if they had faith, they could move mountains. You can too…even if it is one stone at a time.

An example of faith is found in Matthew 9:22 where a suffering woman believed that she would be healed by merely touching the hem of Jesus’ cloak. The verse says, “Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, ‘Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.’ And the woman was healed at that moment.”

The message to Christ followers of every generation is clear. We must live by faith today and every day.

When you place your faith, your trust, and indeed your very life in the hands of Jesus Christ, you will be amazed at the marvelous work that he can do with you and through you. Faith is like a muscle. It can be strengthened through use. Some of our faith exercises can be praise, worship, Bible study, and prayer. We must have the faith to trust that God desires what is best for us so that we can best reflect His image. This does not mean that we will be without pain, sorrow, and disappointments. Even James, the half-brother of Jesus understood this when he wrote in his letter in James 1:2-4, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

As you grow in faith, you will come to realize that with God, all things are possible and that He stands ready to open a world of possibilities to you. The way you please God is through growing faith as it tells us in Hebrews 11:6, “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

Your faith should not change based on your current circumstances or moods, but be firmly rooted in God as your foundation. C. S. Lewis put it this way, “Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods. For moods will change. That is why Faith is such a necessary virtue: unless you teach your moods ‘where to get off,’ you can never be either a sound Christian or even a sound atheist, but just a creature dithering to and fro, with its beliefs really dependent on the weather and the state of its digestion. Consequently one must train the habit of faith.”

This is why it is so important to both teach and demonstrate solid faith to your children, grandchildren, and everyone that you impact. That is why the Prophet Isaiah tells us in 7:9, “Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm.”

Faith needs to become part of the very fabric of your life. You must come to the point where you can say, “I do not want merely to possess a faith; I want a faith that possesses me.” You can grow in your faith as you exercise it and as it becomes a habit in your life. It is then you will come to the realization that faith is not merely holding onto God. It is also God holding onto you.

With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today and close Gramps’ backpack. Before I do, I will pass the tool of Faith onto you. Once you have this tool in your backpack, it is up to you to choose to grow in faith, to demonstrate a strong faith, and to teach faith to others through word and deed. When you possess this kind of faith, regardless of your circumstance, you can have a life that is both rich and satisfying. Teach this faith to your children, grandchildren, and everyone that you impact.

Next Monday we will investigate the tenth tool in Gramps’ backpack, which is Patience. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day.

Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 553 – To Have More You Must Become More – Results (3)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 553 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

To Have More You Must Become More – Results

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 553 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. Currently, we are on an extended multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale.

The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book called The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I have adapted it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We are heading to Charlotte the day this episode originally airs for a meeting on Friday and to watch a roller derby bout on Saturday that our daughter Janet is participating in. Of course, we will be able to invest time with our three kids that live there, along with their spouses and our grandson Kip.

We continue on our extended trek focusing on our 4^th trail, which is The Trail of Results. Specifically, we will look at the law of attraction today. If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and start on the fourth trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Results Part 3

As a reminder, our overall extended trek covers these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

1. You Attract What You Have By the Person You Have Become

In designing a better future, the major focus of your plan should be to become more than you already are. If you are not happy with your current results, then the place to begin is with yourself.

Everything you have in life, the tangibles as well as the intangibles, is a direct result of who you are. The answer to the good life lies in becoming more than you currently are so that you can attract more than you currently have.

If you lost everything tomorrow, you could easily replace it all. Why? Because you acquired those things as a result of what you are. Assuming “what you are” has not changed, in time you will attract back into your life everything you may have lost. The same applied knowledge, the same attitude, the same effort and the same plan will always produce the same results.

This fundamental concept should give you cause for both elation and alarm. The elation comes from the fact that any day you choose, you can begin to make changes within yourself that will attract even more good things into your life. The alarm comes from the fact that unless you make those necessary changes, unless you convert your errors into new disciplines, and unless you change your dreams into well-defined plans and intelligent, consistent activities, you will always have exactly what you now have. You will always live in the same home, drive the same car, know the same friends, and experience the same frustrations and setbacks that you have always experienced because you have not changed. The results will always be predictable because results are always determined by what you are in the process of becoming.

Doing more is only part of the answer. The real answer lies in becoming more than you are so that your increased potential becomes an integral part of everything you do. That is how life gets better, when you get better. You cannot have more without first becoming more. This is part of the law of planting and harvesting. You cannot have more harvest until you plant more seed.

2. Success Must Be Attracted, Not Pursued

Personal value is the magnet that attracts all good things into your life. The greater your value, the greater your reward. Since the solution for having more is becoming more, you must be in constant search for new ways to increase your value. Self-control is the practice of discipline, patience, planning, and intensity of effort. It is also the wise investment of a good portion of your results. The development of a well-balanced attitude, consistent activity, the gathering of knowledge, and frequent reading. This creates a sensible personal philosophy and are examples of ways in which your value can be increased.

It is the acquisition of more value that you must pursue, not more valuables. Your objective must be to work harder on yourself than you work on anything else. By giving careful attention to your philosophy, your attitude, and your activity, you are making a positive contribution to what you are becoming, and in the process of becoming more than you now are, you will attract more than you now have.

In the same manner, when Joshua was about to lead the nation of Israel into the Promise Land, God told him that he had to become more by studying His precepts continually. Success would be a natural outcome of becoming more. Joshua 1:6-9 tells us,“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we continue our hike today on the Trail of Results. Today you learned about the law of attraction and that to have more you first must become more. That is to say, you must become more valuable as a person and more valuable to others. The law of attraction is rooted in the basic fundamentals of the law of planting and harvesting.

Next Philosophy Friday we will explore Better Results Come from Being a Better Person. So join us next Friday for these additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek is on Monday, and we will continue our series called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack where we equip you with the tools needed to impact the lives of others. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 552 – Our Rose-Colored Glasses – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 552 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Our Rose-Colored Glasses – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 552 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today quote is from J. I. Packer who said, “Not until we have become humble and teachable, standing in awe of God’s holiness and sovereignty…acknowledging our own littleness, distrusting our own thoughts, and willing to have our minds turned upside down, can divine wisdom become ours.”

We all see through our own rose-colored glasses. That is to say, our own world view is based on what we have filtered through our senses, our experiences, our education, and our belief system. It is only when we realize that we are prone to skew our view of reality based on our paradigm will we ever be able to understand how much more we have yet to learn.

One key characteristic of a person who is becoming wise is knowing that they lack wisdom, insight, and understanding. We must search for wisdom like it was a hidden treasure and seek for it as we would seek for gold. Through this process, we will come to the realization of how much more we have yet to learn and that we should always seek more wisdom. It is then we will begin to receive divine wisdom. As Proverbs 9:9 tells us, “Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.”

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 551 – There are Three Things that Amaze Me – Proverbs 30:18-33

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 551 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

There are Three Things that Amaze Me – Proverbs [30:18]-33

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 551 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 2^nd half of Chapter 30.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. After nearly three weeks of constant travel, I am in our office most of this week before heading to Charlotte for three days. After that, I should be in for two weeks before heading to Arizona towards the end of March.

Last week in our study of Proverbs, we switched focus from King Solomon who wrote most of Proverbs to a man we know little of whose name was Agur. In some translations it indicates that Agur was writing “to Ithiel and Ucal,” men who could have been disciples or friends of Agur, although some Bibles translate the meaning of the two names with the assumption that they do not refer to actual people. Most commentators believe Agur lived in the same era as Solomon. We don’t know much about Agur except what we can glean from this one chapter. This is one of my favorite chapters in Proverbs because of its rich imagery and contrasting statements.

The name Agur comes from a Hebrew word meaning “collector.” Agur and his father Jakeh are only mentioned here in the Bible and are otherwise unknown. As we start with verse 18 today, Agur’s talent for relating to the obvious shines through. It is a Hebrew poetic style comparing similar statements for impact. This section starts out with…

There Are Three Things That Amaze Me

Let’s dig for the nuggets of wisdom today that Agur shares in verses 18-33.

¹⁸ There are three things that amaze me—

no, four things that I don’t understand:

¹⁹how an eagle glides through the sky,

how a snake slithers on a rock,

how a ship navigates the ocean,

how a man loves a woman.

While we have made significant advancements in our scientific knowledge of the first three items that are listed, they still are an amazement to us. To witness the eagle in flight floating on the winds, the snake slithering on a rock at angles we could never achieve, and a large ship navigating the largest oceans, leaves us in awe.

A greater mystery in life is what causes the attraction between a man and a woman. Many times the physical and emotional differences between couples are so different that we wonder what chemistry caused the attraction in the first place. All four of these references leave us standing in amazement.

²⁰An adulterous woman consumes a man,

then wipes her mouth and says, “What’s wrong with that?”

Another one of life’s mysteries that can leave us pondering is an illicit affair between people who are married to others. Those that are involved in such activity appear oblivious to the dangers. It is a situation that will never end well and causes such hurt and grief to all that are involved.

²¹There are three things that make the earth tremble—

no, four it cannot endure:

²²a slave who becomes a king,

an overbearing fool who prospers,

²³ a bitter woman who finally gets a husband,

a servant girl who supplants her mistress.

Here is another analogy that compares, contrasts, and then adds a fourth element for emphasis. Three things that shake our very paradigm of our world…A slave who rises to the position of king is an unusual occurrence but has happened on occasion. A person who is obnoxious and treats others unkindly and yet seems to prosper in life. A person with a bitter and unhealthy attitude, who still seems to find a mate in spite of it. The fourth element for emphasis is a servant girl rising through the ranks and becomes a lover to one who is in authority. This unnatural and unhealthy relationship will shake the very foundations of the family and household.

²⁴There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise:

²⁵Ants—they aren’t strong,

but they store up food all summer.

²⁶Hyraxes—they aren’t powerful,

but they make their homes among the rocks.

²⁷Locusts—they have no king,

but they march in formation.

²⁸Lizards—they are easy to catch,

but they are found even in kings’ palaces.

The next set of four examples from the animal and insect world shows that those who are small but wise and mighty can have a huge impact on their worlds. Ants are such tiny insects, and yet they work so hard to store up the food necessary to survive even the harshest of winters. Hyraxes or rock badgers are easy prey to a lot of different predators, but they build a sophisticated tunnel system among rocks to have a way to escape. Locusts, or grasshoppers, do not appear to have a ruler of the swarm, and yet they move across a field in stark formation devouring vegetation as they proceed. The last comparison in this section is that of a lizard. You can’t keep them out of homes or palaces. They will always find a way in. Even those of high positions cannot control them easily.

²⁹There are three things that walk with stately stride—

no, four that strut about:

³⁰the lion, king of animals, who won’t turn aside for anything,

³¹ the strutting rooster,

the male goat,

a king as he leads his army.

This next set of comparisons is from the animal kingdom and is rather humorous to think about. Three animal are compared to a king, all of whom strut about as if they were rulers of all. No one disputes that the male lion is the king of all animals. Their presence and stately stride are second to none. If you have ever raised chickens or goats, you know very well how a rooster or male goat will strut around as if they were king. The last is comparing the animals to a human king who does strut before his army and subjects as if they were the ruler of the earth.

³²If you have been a fool by being proud or plotting evil,

cover your mouth in shame.

³³As the beating of cream yields butter

and striking the nose causes bleeding,

so stirring up anger causes quarrels.

This final section of this chapter compares what problems are caused by someone who is a fool. It is a shameful thing. Just as beating cream will produce butter, or getting hit on the nose will cause it to bleed, so a fool will stir up the anger of another and inevitably cause quarrels.

Today on our Wisdom Trail we were able to see a little of the rich imagery of life that is presented by Agur. Next week we begin the final chapter of Proverbs. All of the proverbs provide us with rich wisdom, insight, and understanding on a myriad of life issues. Regardless of where you are in your faith walk, if the precepts in Proverbs are followed, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom. I would challenge you to take just one precept that we learn today in Proverbs and commit yourself to applying it to your life.

Tomorrow we will hike another short trail of Wisdom Unplugged where we will discover an inspirational wisdom quote. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 550 – Trust But Verify – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 550 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Trust But Verify – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 550 of our trek, and time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from C.S. Lewis, who said, “Never, never pin your whole faith on any human being: not if he is the best and wisest in the whole world. There are lots of nice things you can do with sand; but do not try building a house on it.”

If you put your entire trust or faith in another person, no matter how good and godly they are, at some point, they will let you down. No person is perfect and without weaknesses. I tend to be a very trusting individual, which has come back to bite me a few times. I would still prefer to have a trusting outlook on life, but you also have to be realistic and understand that you will be let down and be prepared for those inevitable times. While you can put your trust in a person for certain situations, a wise rule to follow is to trust, but verify.

In this quote, C.S. Lewis compares putting our entire trust in another person to building a house on sand. If you do this, at some point your house will come tumbling down. A Bible verse that comes to mind related to trusting other is Psalms 146:3, “Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there.”

So you might be asking, what can you put your trust in? Well, the opposite of building a house on the sand is building a house on solid bedrock. That brings me to Psalms 18:2, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.”

Trust but verify.

Just as you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, please encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 549 – Attitude – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 549 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Attitude – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 549 of our trek, and we are hiking a series of trails called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack. Each Monday for a total of 20 weeks we will explore a different tool that is needed to equip parents and grandparents to train their children and grandchildren to be successful on their trek of life. If you don’t have children or grandchildren of your own, use these tools to train others that you do influence. Today the eighth tool from Gramps’ Backpack is Attitude.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. As I am recording this trek, we have just arrived back from the podcasters cruise to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. The cruise was filled with great content, friends, and fun and was an investment that will produce a good return. When this trek originally airs, I will also have been to Arizona for a week and now back in Marietta.

February has been a month of nearly constant travel, but we are certainly enjoying the journey. We do head back to Charlotte this weekend for a meeting on Friday and to watch a roller derby bout on Saturday that our youngest daughter Janet is participating in. While traveling can be stressful if we allow it to be, one attribute that helps us as we keep moving forward is to choose to maintain a proper attitude at all times. For a family or any organization to maintain a proper attitude, the leaders must have a good and proper attitude. This tool is one of the most crucial tools for our lives, so let us open Gramps’ backpack today as we explore the tool of…

Attitude

The attitude of the parents and grandparents sets the tone for the entire family. This continues to be true for parents with grown children as you will always have an impact on your children regardless of their age. The importance of your attitude also applies to anyone that you lead or influence.

The Christian life is a cause for celebration, but at times, life is difficult, and we don’t feel much like celebrating. In fact, when the weight of the world seems to bear down on your shoulders, celebration may be the last thing on your mind. When you find yourself in this situation, it is imperative to understand that your attitude should not be controlled by external circumstances and feelings, but by your core beliefs. I know this is easier to say than to put into practice, but you can grow to this level. As God’s children, we are all blessed beyond measure on good days and bad. This day is a non-renewable resource. Once it is gone, it’s gone forever. You should give thanks for this day while using it for the glory of God, regardless of the particular circumstances that you may be facing.

What will be your attitude today? Will you be fearful, angry, bored, or worried? Will you be cynical, bitter, or pessimistic? Will you be joyful, content, peaceful, and satisfied? The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 2:5, “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” If you analyze this verse, you will realize that this is not only a command but also an implication that it is your choice, completely within your control.

God created you in His own image, and He desires you to experience joy and abundance, or in other words, a rich and satisfying life. God created us with free will and the ability to choose. God will not force His joy on you; you must choose it yourself. So today and every day hereafter, celebrate the life that God has given you.

Yes, some days this choice is much easier than others, but it is always your choice. It originates in your mind and is then expressed in your posture, words, and actions. Since it comes from your mind, think optimistically about yourself and your future. Yes, you have to think realistically, but that means you must accept what is, and choose to change to what can be.

Give thanks to the One who has given you everything, and have faith that He will give you all good things. Since your attitude does begin in your mind, you must filter what goes in your mind so you can control what comes from your mind.

Since your attitude does begin in your mind, you must filter what goes in your mind so you can control what comes from your mind.

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The Apostle Paul gives us the recipe for creating and maintaining a great attitude, which we must learn and then teach our children, grandchildren, and everyone that we influence in Philippians 4:4-9, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

As Charles Swindoll said, “We must admit that we spend more of our time concentrating and fretting over the things that can’t be changed than we do giving attention to the one thing that we can change which is our choice of attitude.”

Life is what you make it. That means you have a choice. You can choose to have a life full of frustration and fear, or you can just as easily choose one of joy and contentment. Your attitude is your choice.

With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today and close Gramps’ backpack. Before I do, I will pass the tool of Attitude onto you.

Once you have this tool in your backpack, it is up to you to choose the attitude that you desire to pass onto your children, grandchildren, and others that you disciple and mentor. Teach them how to live life with a good and Godly attitude. A life that is both rich and satisfying. Groom them by displaying an attitude at all times that is worthy of emulating. They will learn from both your actions and your words.

Next Monday we will investigate the ninth tool in Gramps’ backpack, which is Faith. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 548 – How to Measure the Results of Your Activity – Results (2)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 548 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

How to Measure the Results of Your Activity -Results

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 548 of our trek and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. Currently, we are on an extended multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale.

The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book called The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I have adapted it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We continue on our extended trek today on the Trail of Results. Last week we started on this trail and focused on how we can achieve predictable results. This week we will expand this trail as we explore How to Measure Results.

If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and start on the fourth trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Results Part 2

As a reminder, our overall extended trek covers these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

1. How to Measure Your Results

The results of your past efforts can be measured in several different ways. The first way to measure your results is by looking at what you have. The most common way is to consider your home, cars, bank accounts, investments, and all of your other tangible assets are a good measuring rod of your material progress.

Your assets reflect only one aspect of your current value. To measure your financial value, you merely examine your assets. This is but one aspect of your total value and not to suggest that the only way to measure value is by a list of your material possessions.

There are all kinds of wealth, and the greatest fortunes in life are the non-material assets that you have in your life which is joy, health, love, family, experiences, and friendships. These assets will always outweigh the value of any material possessions you might acquire. That being understood you can reflect on what you have accumulated over the years in the form of material assets as a good indicator of past efforts and possible future results. The non-material assets you possess will follow a similar pattern.

If you currently have a significant accumulation of money and material possessions, you are probably well on your way toward achieving that dream known as financial independence. With financial freedom comes the options of choice in the non-material assets that you are able to accumulate. If your list of assets is rather meager despite your efforts over the last ten, twenty, or thirty years of labor, then this may be a good indicator that something needs to change in your life. You may need to make some major changes in your current level of activity to increase your results. You may need to increase your skills or your knowledge or your awareness to take better advantage of life’s opportunities. You may need to make some adjustments to your philosophy about money and to your attitude about what expenditures constitute a worthwhile investment.

If you are not satisfied with what you have achieved at this point in your life, then now is the time to fix the future, and it is never too late to start. Unless you change how you are right now, then what you have will always be about the same as it is today. Going back to the principle of planting and harvesting will clearly show that the same seed sown by the same sower will inevitably produce the same harvest.

Going back to the principle of planting and harvesting will clearly show that the same seed sown by the same sower will inevitably produce the same harvest.

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For the harvest to change, it may be necessary to change the seed, the soil, or most likely, the activity of the sower. Perhaps as the sower, you insist on using a plan that simply cannot work. It may be that you as the sower believes that sowing should be done in the summer instead of the spring.

When winter arrives, and the sower’s need is great, you may be found standing in the barren field condemning the circumstances for your failure because the soil did not yield its promised harvest. This would be the ideal time for you to measure and assess the reasons why the soil did not cooperate with an ill-conceived plan. You must measure and assess why you achieved less than expected and you must guard against complaining and compiling yet another list of reasons for your unfortunate dilemma.

Everything you have acquired is a result of past efforts and past thoughts. You gather intelligence, or you gather ignorance. And your future will produce rewards commensurate with what you have done in the past. You must use your time to plan, to labor, to measure, to invest, to share, to refine past activity, and to add to your storehouse of knowledge and wisdom. These are the seeds you must gather along the way so that the quality of your results will improve with each passing year.

Another important way to measure your results is to take a closer look at what you have become. What sort of people have you attracted into your life? Are you well-respected by your co-workers and neighbors? Do you honor your beliefs? Do you try to see someone else’s point of view? Are you listening to your children? Do you express sincere appreciation to your parents, your spouse, and your friends? Are you honest and ethical in your business transactions? Are you known for your unwavering integrity among your peers? Do you stand out in a good way because you still march to the beat of a different drummer in a world that so desperately needs your light? Are you happy with who and what you have become?

What you have become is a result of all of your past experiences and how you have handled them. What you have become is also a result of the personal changes you have either voluntarily or involuntarily made over the years. If you are not happy with what you have become, then you must change what you are. For things to change in your world, you must change. This is one of life’s fundamentals. This is the law of planting and harvesting.

Living the rich and satisfying life is not easy, especially during the times of planting and nurturing, but the reward of harvest is always worthwhile. As Psalms 126:5-6 tells us, “Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.”

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we continue our hike today on the Trail of Results. Today you learned that you must measure and assess the results of your labor in order to change your results in the future. This is the basic fundamentals of the law of planting and harvesting.

Next Philosophy Friday we will explore That You Attract What You Have by the Person You Have Become. So join us next Friday for these additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you Monday!

Day 547 – Never Mistake Knowlege for Wisdom – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 547 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Never Mistake Knowledge for Wisdom – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 547 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Sandra Carey who said “Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living, the other helps you make a life.”Once again in our wisdom nugget today we contrast knowledge with wisdom. When we gain knowledge, it will help us to improve ourselves, and it will help us to obtain a better standard of living. The more we learn, the more opportunities we will have to succeed.

This is not guaranteed, though, because the application of that knowledge is also required. The application of that knowledge requires the second aspect that will help us to make a life, which is wisdom. Wisdom allows us to take the knowledge that we learned and then live a life that is rich and satisfying.

Many of us lack this second crucial aspect. Yes, it is important to gain knowledge, but it is even more important to seek out and gain wisdom so that our lives will have meaning and purpose. Wisdom comes from God and allows the application of knowledge into our everyday life. Proverbs 2:5-7 tells us, “Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.”That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. Just as you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 546 – I Am Weary, O God – Proverbs 30:1-17

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 546 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

I Am Weary O God – Proverbs 30:1-17

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 546 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails, we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 1st half of chapter 30.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. In our study of Proverbs, we switch focus from King Solomon who wrote most of Proverbs to a man we know little of who name was Agur. In some translations it indicates that Agur was writing “to Ithiel and Ucal;” these men could have been disciples or friends of Agur, although some Bibles translate the meaning of the two names with the assumption that they do not refer to actual people. Most commentators believe Agur lived in the same era as Solomon. We don’t know much about Agur except what we can glean from this one chapter. This is one of my favorite chapters in Proverbs because of its rich imagery and contrasting statements.

The name Agur comes from a Hebrew word meaning “collector.” Agur and his father Jakeh are only mentioned here in the Bible and are otherwise unknown. From the very first verse, Agur’s talent for relating to the obvious shines through. I am sure that many of us can relate to him from his first statement which is…

I Am Weary, O God

Let’s dig for the nuggets of wisdom today that Agur shares in verses 1-17.

¹ The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh contain this message.

I am weary, O God;

I am weary and worn out, O God.

In today’s ever changing, fast paced society, we have more technology available to us that should make life so much simpler, and yet we are rushing through life at ever-increasing speeds. Nearly everyone seems to be involved in more work and activities than we can possibly fit into our schedules. Our sleep suffers, our diets suffer, and we are weary and worn out. Well, I guess not all that much has changed since Agur wrote these proverbs. We do need to take note and make the needed changes in our lives.

²I am too stupid to be human,

and I lack common sense.

³I have not mastered human wisdom,

nor do I know the Holy One.

Although probably a highly educated person in a position of authority, Agur finds himself feeling inadequate, especially when it comes to his knowledge and understanding of God, whom he refers to as the Holy One. We should dedicate our lives to learning and understanding God’s precepts.

⁴Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down?

Who holds the wind in his fists?

Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak?

Who has created the whole wide world?

What is his name—and his son’s name?

Tell me if you know!

We have made great advances in gaining knowledge of our world and even the universe, but the more we discover, the more evidence we find of what we do not know. There are signs everywhere of an intelligent creator, but society’s lack of acknowledging God as that creator is ever-increasing. God created all things, and God embodied as His son was Jesus Christ.

⁵Every word of God proves true.

He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.

⁶Do not add to his words,

or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.

God’s Word, through the Bible is true, every word contained in it. He does protect and shield us for eternity. We need to do all that we can to understand it and not add to it.

⁷O God, I beg two favors from you;

let me have them before I die.

⁸First, help me never to tell a lie.

Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!

Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.

⁹For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?”

And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.

Augur had two simple desires for life, which were to be a person of integrity whose words are truthful and to have enough material things to satisfy his daily needs. So often we ignore these two important concepts. So often we are tempted to lie, cheat, and steal to gain more and more material possessions that will never satisfy us. May we seek to be honest and satisfied with enough to meet our daily needs.

¹⁰Never slander a worker to the employer,

or the person will curse you, and you will pay for it.

We should never slander another person but be willing to care for and love them. Otherwise, we will suffer the consequences for our misspoken words.

¹¹Some people curse their father

and do not thank their mother.

¹²They are pure in their own eyes,

but they are filthy and unwashed.

¹³They look proudly around,

casting disdainful glances.

¹⁴They have teeth like swords

and fangs like knives.

They devour the poor from the earth

and the needy from among humanity.

Our hearts and minds are the reservoirs of our soul containing the contents of who we truly are. If it is full of corruption and pride, then it will be evident in our actions. No amount of self-justification will make it right. Let us fill this reservoir with that which is good to help others.

¹⁵The leech has two suckers

that cry out, “More, more!”

There are three things that are never satisfied—

no, four that never say, “Enough!”:

¹⁶the grave,

the barren womb,

the thirsty desert,

the blazing fire.

Here Agur begins some of his beautiful analogies and descriptions about life. The poetic style is designed for emphasis. The reality is that we are rarely satisfied with what God has given us. We are always crying out for more. Agur describes our lives with four unquenchable desires – the grave who takes the life of everyone, a barren womb who so desperately desires to be filled with life, a desert which drinks all the water that is poured out on it, but desires more, and a blazing fire that will consume everything in its site.

¹⁷The eye that mocks a father

and despises a mother’s instructions

will be plucked out by ravens of the valley

and eaten by vultures.

We should honor and be respectful to our parents – they gave us life. I realize some may not have come from a great family situation, but we should love our parents for who they are. If they were good, loving, and nurturing parents, replicate their good traits. If they were not, resolve to be a good parent or mentor yourself.

Today on our Wisdom Trail we were able to see a little of the rich imagery of life that is presented by Agur. Next week we will finish this chapter and learn even more. All of the proverbs provide us with wisdom, insight, and understanding on a myriad of relationship and life issues. Regardless of where you are in your faith walk, if the you follow the precepts in Proverbs, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom. I would challenge you to take just one precept that we learn today in Proverbs and commit yourself to applying it to your life.

That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 545 – Fixed Truth or Situational Ethics? – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 545 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Fixed Truth or Situational Ethics? – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 545 of our trek, and it’s time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from John Adams, who said, “Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt.”

After a contentious election cycle in the US last year, this quote gives us a great point to ponder. The fact is that regardless of what the constitution or laws of any country say, it is the heart of the people that will determine the general direction of the country. If the populous chooses to live with integrity and honor, then the constitution and laws will follow the path of what is right, just, and fair.

On the contrary, if the populous chooses to live by a code of situational ethics instead of a fixed moral code, then the constitution and laws will be interpreted in such a way to fit the situation and rationalization of those people. Regardless of the political correctness that seems to permeate much of our political realm today, there are truths and moral codes that do not change. For nations to exist over a long period of time, these fixed moral codes must be followed, both for the general populous as well as the leaders of the nation. God’s truth will ultimately win out for all nations of the earth.

Psalms 33:11-13 shares this insight, “But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken. What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance. The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race.”

As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 544 – Leadership – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 544 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Leadership – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 544 of our trek, and we are hiking a series of trails called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack. Each Monday for a total of 20 weeks we will explore a different tool that is needed to equip parents and grandparents to train their children and grandchildren to be successful on their trek of life. If you don’t have children or grandchildren of your own, use these tools to train others that you do influence. Today the seventh tool from Gramps’ Backpack is Leadership.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. All of us are leaders in some area of our lives. It may be with our children and grandchildren or in a large company or church. Regardless of who your lead, your role is important. Being a leader is a responsibility that we should take seriously as it allows us to impact the lives of others, possibly for all eternity. That is why this tool is so important. Let us open Gramps’ backpack today as we explore the tools of…

Leadership

The old saying is familiar and true, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” As believers, we are called to imitate, as best we can, the carpenter from Galilee. The task of imitating Christ is often difficult and sometimes nearly impossible, but as Christ followers, that should be our objective.

Our world and our families need leaders who willingly honor Christ with their words and their actions, but not necessarily in that order. If you seek to be such a leader, then you must begin by making yourself a worthy example for your family, your friends, your church, your work, and in your community. Your words of instruction as you disciple and mentor others will never make an impact unless you are willing to practice them yourself. Most learning is caught by your actions rather than taught by your words.

Christ-centered leadership is an exercise in serving. First serving God by following the precepts in His Word, and then serving others by example and word. Christ was the ultimate servant-leader. He became a servant to all that he led, and you must seek to do the same for those that you lead.

Ask yourself, “Are you the kind of servant-leader whom you would desire to follow?”

The example that best describes what our attitude should be like as a leader is found in Philippians 2:3-5, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”

An example for leaders in the church is found in 2 Peter 5:2-3. This pattern is an excellent model for leadership at every level and in any home or organization, “Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.”

There is no higher calling than to lead your children, grandchildren, and others that you have an impact and influence on. It is also our responsibility to train them to be good leaders themselves. True and effective leaders are not afraid to surround themselves with people of ability and are not afraid to give those people opportunities for greatness.

With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today and close Gramps’ backpack. Before I do, I will pass the tool of Leadership onto you. Once you have this tool in your backpack, it is up to you to start effectively using it to disciple and mentor others. Teach them how to live a life of full of integrity and love. A life that is both rich and satisfying. Groom them to become leaders themselves. This is the model to be used with your children, grandchildren, and others that you lead. They will learn from both your actions and your words.

Next Monday we will investigate the eighth tool in Gramps’ backpack, which is Attitude. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 543 – The Law of Planting and Harvesting – Results (1)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 543 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Law of Planting and Harvesting – Results

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 543 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. Currently, we are on an extended multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We have now completed 3 of the 5 trails on this extended trek, and today we start on the Trail of Results. Having a correct philosophy about life is crucial. Having a proper attitude in life is essential. It is imperative that you have the correct and sufficient activity to succeed…But none of this matters if your results are not adequate.

If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and start on the fourth trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Results Part 1

As a reminder, our overall extended trek covers these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

1. Predictable Results

Any business or personal activity undertaken in the proper season and combined with the passage of enough time will produce a predictable result. The reason for the seasons is productivity, and the purpose of your activity is results.

Results are the harvest that comes from your past efforts. If the farmer has planted only a handful of seeds in the spring, he cannot expect to reap a very bountiful harvest in the fall. Likewise, if a person has engaged in only minimal activity in the past, he should not expect significant results in the present. As the Apostle Paul wrote in his 2^nd letter to the Corinthians 9:6, “Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.”

Results are always in direct proportion to effort. Those who rest in the spring do not harvest in the fall, regardless of need and regardless of desire. Results are the reward reserved for those who had the foresight to seize an earlier opportunity. If the opportunity was missed, the reward will be withheld. The opportunity of springtime is brief. Opportunity approaches, arrives, and then quickly passes. It does not linger; nor does it pause to look back. Opportunity merely presents itself, and those who respond to its arrival with intelligent activity will realize a full measure of the desired result.

All that you do determines your future results. Like the farmer who tills the soil in preparation for planting the seed, you must work to develop a sound philosophy. Like the farmer who cultivates and fertilizes his crop to destroy the weeds and nourish the growing seeds, you must strive to develop a new attitude. Like the farmer who tends his crop from morning until nightfall in anticipation of the future harvest, you must engage in labor, or that is to say, in daily activity.

If your past labors have produced a poor harvest, there is nothing you can do about it. You cannot alter the past. You cannot ask God to make an exception to the rules no matter how hungry you are. Nor will God permit you to ask the soil for an advance. The only thing you can do is to prepare for the inevitable arrival of another spring, another opportunity, and then plant, nourish, and tend your new crop as diligently as possible, remembering the painful consequences of your past neglect. In remembering the consequences, however, you must not allow yourself to be overcome by them. Their lessons must serve you, not overwhelm you.

Throughout your life, you will experience a number of springtimes and a number of harvests. Your future happiness is seldom the product of any one harvest. Rather, it is the result of many small individual opportunities that are either capitalized on or sadly neglected. For your happiness lies in the accumulative effect of your past activity. This is why it is so important to study results, your own and that of others. Checking your results on a regular basis provides you with an excellent indicator of how well you are using your opportunities. Your current results are an early indicator of what the future will likely hold in store as you continue on your present course. If your current results are satisfying, then the future will likely produce the same bountiful harvest. If your current results are not as you would like them to be, then you need to take a closer look at those factors that may have nudged or even pushed you in the wrong direction.

The law of planting and harvesting is immutable. You are responsible for being diligent in the planting seasons of life and to work hard during the growing seasons, so that you will have plenty during the harvest season. Galatians 6:4-5 it well, “Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.”

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we hike today on the Trail of Results. Today we learned that the law of planting and harvesting is immutable and that our results are in proportion to our activity.

Next Philosophy Friday we will explore How to Measure Your Results. So join us next Friday for these additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek is on Monday, and we will continue our series called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack as we equip you with the tools needed to impact the lives of others. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you Monday!

Day 542 – Preparation Meets Opportunity – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 542 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Preparation Meets Opportunity – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 542 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Dwight D. Eisenhower who said, “Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him.”People who are wise and brave do not sit passively by waiting for life to happen to them. They make life happen. They are proactive preparing for opportunities to come their way. There is no such thing as luck. Yes, there are those individuals that happen to be at the right place at the right time, but that does not guarantee their success. They also had to be prepared to take advantage of the situation when it was presented to them.

Luck or success is what happens with preparation meets opportunity. It is too late to prepare once the train of opportunity arrives. So don’t wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great. A weak person waits for opportunities, a strong person creates them.

As the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians 5:15-17, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly I am your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 541 – There Is More Hope for a Fool – Proverbs 29:15-27

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 541 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

There Is More Hope for a Fool – Proverbs [29:15]-27

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 541 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 2^nd half of chapter 29.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. On the day this trek is released we will be on the last full day of the Podcast Movement cruise. It is our hope that it will be both relaxing and a good opportunity to listen and learn from others who podcast. On Wisdom-Trek Day 537 we explored the concept of how we can do better at listening. We need to listen to learn. Anytime we are speaking, we cannot be learning, and verse 20 of this passage reminds us that if a person speaks without thinking…

There Is More Hope for a Fool

Let’s start our trek as we explore verses 15-27.

These are More Proverbs of Solomon recorded by King Hezekiah.

¹⁵ To discipline a child produces wisdom,

but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.

Most of us think of discipline in a negative connotation. It definitely does not need to be. The root of discipline means to disciple or mentor another person. Children and even adults need to be a disciple throughout their lives. A parent is neglecting his or her children if he or she does not discipline them because that is how they learn and gain wisdom. Otherwise, they will disgrace themselves and their parents.

¹⁶When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes,

but the godly will live to see their downfall.

This is so evident in a nation, in businesses, in organizations, in schools, and even in families. When they are led by a person without integrity, then bad practices and wicked deeds will flourish. If we have integrity, do what is correct, and follow God’s precepts, then we will see victory over those who do not.

¹⁷Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind

and will make your heart glad.

This is the same concept as verse 15. We as parents and grandparents need to actively disciple and mentor those whom we influence. When they learn the lessons, it will bring peace of mind and a glad heart to all.

¹⁸When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.

But whoever obeys the law is joyful.

Whether as children or adults, if they do not accept the lessons that are being taught there will be chaos, heartbreak, and anger. Those who do learn the lessons will have joy.

¹⁹Words alone will not discipline a servant;

the words may be understood, but they are not heeded.

As part of discipline and mentoring we just cannot tell someone, we must actively show them both through lessons and examples. It is one thing to have “head knowledge” about a matter, quite different to have a working “hands on” knowledge.

²⁰There is more hope for a fool

than for someone who speaks without thinking.

We all fall victim at times to engaging our tongue without engaging our brain. When we do this, what spews out of our mouth is not good. If we continually make this a habit, then we become a fool, and a fool that is without hope.

²¹A servant pampered from childhood

will become a rebel.

Everyone needs to be disciplined as part of their training. Whether it is a servant, employee, or child if we do not have discipline in our lives, we will rebel and do that which is foolish.

²²An angry person starts fights;

a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.

Controlling your anger is so important. When we cannot control ourselves, then we will all the time be getting into fights and all sorts of trouble. As with many other verses in this passage, the lack of discipline in a person’s life will result in unruly behavior. Self-discipline is so important.

²³Pride ends in humiliation,

while humility brings honor.

Pride is the downfall of many. In fact, most sinful or wicked behavior has its roots in pride. Inevitably a person who is full of pride will end up in a very humiliating situation which could impact multiple areas of life. If instead, we choose to remain humble ourselves we will find that honor is granted to us. It is important, though, that honor does not lead us to become prideful.

²⁴If you assist a thief, you only hurt yourself.

You are sworn to tell the truth, but you dare not testify.

We should not assist or support those who do wrong. In this verse, it mentions a thief, but could apply to other actions. If we assist those who do wrong, when we are called into a legal battle, we will either have to lie or avoid testifying to protect ourselves. Neither is a good or right option.

²⁵Fearing people is a dangerous trap,

but trusting the Lord means safety.

We should not be fearful of other people. I realize that in certain situations they could cause us harm either physically or emotionally, but they should not be able to harm us spiritually. By trusting in the Lord, we will have His safety over us.

²⁶Many seek the ruler’s favor,

but justice comes from the Lord.

We all have a tendency to seek approval from those who are in authority over us. While there is not anything inherently wrong with that, as long as it is with pure motives, realize that true and pure justice comes only from God.

²⁷The righteous despise the unjust;

the wicked despise the godly.

This is as old as time itself. Those who follow God’s precepts have difficulty dealing with those who do not. On the flip side of that, those who practice wickedness despise those who strive to follow God and His precepts found in His Word.

Today on our Wisdom Trail we continue to explore a series of Solomon’s Proverbs that were assembled by King Hezekiah. Next week we move onto the final segment of Proverbs. All of the proverbs provide us with wisdom, insight, and understanding on a myriad of relationship and life issues. Regardless of where you are in your faith walk, if you follow the precepts in Proverbs, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom. I would challenge you to take just one precept that we learn today in Proverbs and commit yourself to applying it to your life.

That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 540 – Forgetting the Past – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 540 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Forgetting the Past – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 540 of our trek, and it is time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who said, “Look not mournfully into the past. It comes not back again. Wisely improve the present. It is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future, without fear.”On our trek of life, we can learn from past experiences, but we cannot live in the past. It is behind us. Any fond memories we may have of the good old days are embellished and probably not nearly as good as we remember. King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 7:10 tells us, “Don’t long for ‘the good old days.’ This is not wise.”Let’s make the most of today by both improving ourselves and the lives of those we have an opportunity to impact. Be about creating a living legacy each day. Keep in mind that today will be tomorrow in 24 hours. And it will then be in our past.

Instead of getting bogged down in the past or the burdens of today, let us press forward into the future by planning and living in such a manner that those we do impact will impact the lives of others so that our legacy will span into eternity. As the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:12-14, “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 539 – Supporting Others – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 539 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Supporting Others – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 539 of our trek, and we are hiking a series of trails called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack. Each Monday for a total of 20 weeks, we will explore a different tool that is needed to equip parents and grandparents to train their children and grandchildren to be successful on their trek of life. If you don’t have children or grandchildren of your own, use these tools to train others that you do influence. Today the sixth tool from Gramps’ Backpack is Supporting Others.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. As persons of influence, we have certain moral obligations that we should pass on to our children, grandchildren, and others on whom we have influence. The tool from Gramps’ backpack that we will explore on our trek today needs to become part of the very fabric of our lives. That tool is…

Supporting Others

I believe all of us would like to make a difference in our world and to make it a better place, but we are not sure of the best way to make an impact. Jesus told the story in Luke 10 that we refer to as The Good Samaritan – a story about an individual who helped a fellow traveler when no one else would. The uniqueness of this story is that the Good Samaritan was a social outcast and enemy to the Hebrew traveler that was assaulted. We too should be “Good Samaritans” when we encounter people who need our help, regardless of who they are. Galatians 6:2 tells us, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”

The words of Jesus are clear as to the extent that we should help others. In Matthew 10:8 he said, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!”

As followers of Christ, we are commanded to be generous with our family, with our friends, and with others that are in need. We must give freely of our time, our possessions, and most importantly, our love.

John Maxwell said,

“No one stands taller in the climb to success than when he bends over to help up someone else.”

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The tool of supporting others has its origins in the law of planting and harvesting as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, “Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”

For this tool to be effective, you must use it. Wherever you happen to be on your trek of life be a “Good Samaritan.” Your children and grandchildren, others you impact, and even complete strangers need this tool.

John Wesley summed it up well when he said, “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”

There are times when we are called to love, expecting nothing in return. There are times when we are called to give money to people who will never say thanks. We are to forgive those who won’t forgive us. We are to serve even when no one else notices. We are only fully alive when we are helping others.

With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today and close Gramps’ backpack. Before I do, I will pass the tool of Supporting Others on to you. Once you have this tool in your backpack, it is up to you to start effectively using this tool to help others. Become a “Good Samaritan” every day and your children, grandchildren, and others will see your example and learn your ways. Make it an integral part of your life and then teach these principles to others.

Next Monday we will investigate the seventh tool in Gramps’ backpack, which is Leadership. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day.

Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 538 – The Need for Disciplined Activity – Activity (6)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 538 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Need for Disciplined Activity

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 538 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. Currently, we are on an extended multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book called The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I have adapted it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. With tasks or activity that we are involved in, it requires consistent persistence in a disciplined manner. This ties into the topic of our final trek today on the Trail of Activity as we will explore why Activity Must Be Disciplined and determining the Starting Point of Disciplined Activity.

If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the third trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Activity Part 6

As a reminder, our overall extended trek covers these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

1. Activity Must Be Disciplined

Discipline is a word that we have repeatedly used throughout this extended trek for very good reason. There is a tendency for the negative side of life to infiltrate your plans, your dreams, and your activities in an effort to seize control. There is a tendency for optimism to surrender to doubt. There is a tendency for a simple plan to become a complex plan. There is a tendency for courage to give way to fear and for confidence to be overwhelmed by worry.

Only through the consistent application of discipline can you prevent the negative tendencies of life from destroying your plans. With the passing of a little time and the attainment of a little success, you can become careless. That is why those in pursuit of a rich and satisfying life must develop a new sense of appreciation for discipline, and become aware of all that they can do and all that they can have.

What you can do is remarkable. You can do the most amazing things, once you have made the decision to tackle the disciplines that lead to a new philosophy, a new attitude, and a new and intense level of activity. What you will do is your choice and is sometimes disappointing.

Any day you choose, you can walk away from wherever you are regardless of the circumstances. Step by step, one page at a time, one paragraph at a time, one new discipline at a time…you can begin the process of amending your activity to such a degree that today can become the starting point of a whole new life.

Anyone can do it, so you can do it!

You do it by designing a good plan. You do it by setting new goals. You do it by working every day on the little things that will make a major difference in how your life turns out. Like everything else that success requires, developing the discipline that it takes to achieve your dreams is easy to do…and it is also easy not to do.

2. The Starting Point of Disciplined Activity

Here is one of the best places to start on the process of working on new disciplines. Everyone has a mental list of “I should haves.” For instance:

“I should have written to my mother this weekend.”
“I should have told her how much I really care long before now.”
“I should have called that creditor and told the truth last month.”
“I should have started my exercise program years ago.”

Any day you choose, you can go to work on the basics – on a host of small activities that will start the process of self-discipline. The joy that comes from this small achievement will start the miracle process.

The early inspiration that comes from the practice of new and simple disciplines will start a process called “soaring self-worth.” It does not matter how small or how insignificant the activity is because it is within those obscure but important disciplines that the great opportunities exist.

This kind of simple progress will build a ladder leading out of the abyss of failure and neglect that once was your dwelling place. With each new discipline, you will have constructed a new rung that will enable you to climb out of the darkness where the failures, the complainers, the confused, and the misguided gather to share their sad stories of how unfair life is.

Building the ladder is easy to do. The smallest of disciplines practiced every day starts an incredible process that can change your life forever.

Until you have learned to take care of the little opportunities life brings your way, you will never master the disciplines for living a rich and satisfying life. The major accomplishments in life begin with the mastery of the small disciplines. The mental, emotional and philosophical “muscles” required to write a letter, clean the garage, or pay your bills on time are the very same “muscles” involved in running a company or managing a department. As Galatians 6:9 tells us, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

You cannot rule the city until you can rule your spirit. You cannot rule the nation until you can rule yourself. You cannot design your future until you have redesigned your habits. You cannot increase your rewards until you increase your level of intelligent activity.

The place to start is within yourself through the development of new disciplines. That is where success really starts – by becoming the master of the small details of your life. All of the great rewards in life are available to you if you will discipline yourself to walk through those early stages of growth without neglecting any of the disciplines. You must not permit any small activity to rob you of your future health, wealth, friendships, and lifestyle. You cannot allow any error in judgment to delude you into thinking that “letting the little things slide” will not make a major difference. You cannot say to yourself, “This is the only area where I am letting down on my self-discipline.” It is this “only area” that will start the process of erosion on all of your other disciplines.

One of the great challenges facing you is disciplined activity. You must discipline the reach of your knowledge, for you can have too much as well as too little. You must discipline yourself to maintain a proper attitude, for you are surrounded by sources that can quickly erode the attitude you have worked so hard to develop. Also, you must discipline yourself to convert dreams into plans, and plans into goals, and goals into those small daily activities that will lead you, one sure step at a time, toward a better future.

Finally, you must use the power of your imagination. You must ponder all that is possible. You must remind yourself that to do what is possible and sometimes challenge yourself with the impossible. As an ancient warrior once wrote, “It is better to aim the spear at the moon and strike the eagle, than to aim at the eagle and strike only a rock.”

It is better to aim the spear at the moon and strike the eagle, than to aim at the eagle and strike only a rock.

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Planning, imagination and intense activity are awesome forces that have the power to dramatically change the quality of your life.

Activity is a major part of life’s trek. It is the power that gives substance and meaning to your philosophy and your attitude. Intelligent, planned, intense, and consistent activity creates new energy and keeps you moving toward the exciting future that your thoughts and desires have already designed for you.

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we complete our hike on the Trail of Activity. Today we learned that our activity must be disciplined, and we detailed what that means.

Next Philosophy Friday we will begin our fourth of five trails, which is the Trail of Results. Our trek next week will focus on how to measure those results. Join us next Friday for these additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek is on Monday, and we will continue our series called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack in which we will equip you with the tools needed to impact the lives of others. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 537 – Listen Intentionally – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 537 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Listen Intentionally – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 537 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today quote is from Margaret J. Wheatley, who said, “Listening is such a simple act. It requires us to be present, and that takes practice, but we don’t have to do anything else. We don’t have to advise, or coach, or sound wise. We just have to be willing to sit there and listen.”How well do you listen? I mean really focus on what the other person is saying without interruption or forming your response before they finish. This is such a difficult habit to learn, but it is possible. Most of the time we have already determined in our minds what is being said and are formulating our response before we hear what is actually said.

Intentional listening is so rare in our conversations today. We desire to spew our “wisdom and knowledge” that we barely hear, let alone acknowledge, what is being said. We all need to slow down our conversations so that we can communicate much more effectively.

One of the 7 habits that I list at the end of each podcast is to Listen Intentionally. This means listening with the intent of hearing what is being said before responding appropriately. I am as guilty of this as anyone, but one habit that I am intentionally working on. One practice that I have started is when Paula comes over to my desk to talk, I stop all other activities, face her, and really attempt to listen. I am certainly not perfect yet, but I am improving.

I am concerned that for most of us, we also are lacking in listening to God through His Word. When God speaks to us, we also need to put into practice what we learn as James 1:22 tells us, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 536 – A Just King – Proverbs 29:1-14

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 536 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A Just King – Proverbs 29:1-14

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 536 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 1^st half of Chapter 29.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. On the day this trek is released, we will be heading to Florida to visit Paula’s Aunt in Ft. Myers and then heading out on a 5-day podcaster cruise on Saturday. A couple of days after returning from the cruise, I will be heading back to Arizona for my monthly on-site work for our construction project there. This means that I have to prepare enough daily treks ahead of time to cover the entire month of February. This will be a challenge, and some of the daily treks may be a bit shorter than usual. We are thankful for a stable client workload, and that we are able to work independent of our location. This stability reminds me of verse 4 on our trek today tells us…

A Just King Gives Stability to His Nation

Let’s start our trek as we explore verses 1-14.

These are more Proverbs of Solomon recorded by King Hezekiah.

¹ Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism

will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.

One of the traits of a wise and mature person is that they are willing to accept constructive criticism to improve themselves. None of us have all knowledge and wisdom, and we all have much room for improvement. A person who is unwilling to accept beneficial criticism from others will destroy themselves due to their foolishness.

²When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice.

But when the wicked are in power, they groan.

It is so encouraging and pleasant when you are under the authority of a person with integrity and whose actions are right, just and fair. When we are forced to be under a person who is wicked, it is a heavy burden and groaning is a natural outcome.

³The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,

but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted.

As a father of five grown children, whom all love and are growing in wisdom, is a joy. It is quite different when your grown children hang around those who are morally bankrupt. The training invested in that type of child does not have a good return. Many time wayward children are also a financial drain on the parents.

⁴A just king gives stability to his nation,

but one who demands bribes destroys it.

Whether it is a king, president, governor, or anyone else in a position of authority, a leader who is just and fair will bring stability to their organization. If these same leaders are crooked and demand that which is not rightfully theirs, then the nation or organization will be destroyed from within.

⁵To flatter friends

is to lay a trap for their feet.

We should be honest with all people at all times. When we flatter our friends and others, it is usually for some nefarious reason to get something in return. This is trapping them with deception.

⁶Evil people are trapped by sin,

but the righteous escape, shouting for joy.

Individuals who practice deception will be trapped by the very deception that they are promoting. When you don’t lie or deceive others, then you never have to worry about what you said, thereby escaping this trap. It is a joyous time.

⁷The godly care about the rights of the poor;

the wicked don’t care at all.

A person who is compassionate will be concerned for all people, and especially the rights of those who are unable to defend themselves. A person who is wicked is also selfish and does not care about others.

⁸Mockers can get a whole town agitated,

but the wise will calm anger.

A wise person will also be a peaceful person. When a situation becomes tense or there is anger, a wise person will attempt to calm the situation. A person who stirs up anger is just the opposite. They thrive on agitating others.

⁹If a wise person takes a fool to court,

there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction.

Taking someone who is foolish to court is very difficult since a fool does not desire justice. They will stir up trouble. A wise person will try and avoid this situation so that they do not waste their time.

¹⁰The bloodthirsty hate blameless people,

but the upright seek to help them.

A person who is by nature cruel and vicious despises those who are good by nature. Those who are good, love to be around others who are the same.

¹¹Fools vent their anger,

but the wise quietly hold it back.

You can tell a person who is not wise because he has no problems spewing his anger on others. A wise person, even in a situation that upsets him knows better than to express it.

¹²If a ruler pays attention to liars,

all his advisers will be wicked.

The saying a fish rots from the head down certainly applies in this situation. If a leader is wicked, then most of those below him will also be wicked.

¹³The poor and the oppressor have this in common—

the Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.

Those who are poor and those who oppress the poor must realize that all that we have or ever hope to be is from God. We need to understand this and act accordingly.

¹⁴If a king judges the poor fairly,

his throne will last forever.

Justice is appropriate in every situation. When a king or anyone in a position of authority is right, just, and fair, then their leadership position will be eternal as they impact those whom they lead.

Today on our Wisdom Trail we continue to explore a series of Solomon’s Proverbs that were assembled by King Hezekiah. These proverbs provide us with more wisdom, insight, and understanding on a myriad of relationship issues. Regardless of where you are in your faith walk, if you follow the precepts in Proverbs, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom. I would challenge you to take just one precept that we learn today in Proverbs and commit yourself to applying it to your life.

That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 535 – Knowledge Is Power – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 535 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Knowledge Is Power – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 535 of our trek, and it’s time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget:

Today’s quote is from Zig Ziglar, who said, “Knowledge is power, and so is dynamite. Both are dangerous unless handled wisely.”It is true that knowledge is power, but how that power is used is the defining question. Knowledge does not automatically result in power, but the more knowledgeable we become, the more potential power we have access to. The lack of knowledge, or chosen ignorance, does prevent a person from having the capacity to gain more knowledge.

In today’s interconnected world, with its free resources, the wall of ignorance is broken down, which allows nearly everyone to obtain knowledge if they choose to. As with most resources that we have access to, knowledge can be used for both good or evil.

In today’s quote, knowledge is compared to dynamite. Both are powerful and effective when the person who possesses them also has the wisdom on how to use them. As we explored in our last Wisdom Unplugged episode, there is a vast difference between knowledge and wisdom. The ideal situation is to possess an abundance of both knowledge and wisdom. True and effective knowledge can only be found when it is coupled with wisdom. Proverbs 1:7 tells us, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. If you enjoy these quotes, I have created and published a searchable database of over 10,000 quotes that I have collected for many years. If you would like free access to my database of inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com.

Just as you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly I am your friend as I serve you in through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 534 – Perseverance – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 534 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Perseverance – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 534 of our trek, and we are hiking a series of trails called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack.

Each Monday for a total of 20 weeks, we will explore a different tool that is needed to equip parents and grandparents to train their children and grandchildren to be successful on their trek of life. If you don’t have children or grandchildren of your own, use these tools to train others that you do influence. Today the fifth tool from Gramps’ Backpack is Perseverance.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. To continue on your trek of life each day at times is not easy. Most of our lives are less than ideal, and many of our daily life routines are quite boring. Although through this podcast and social media the life that Paula and I live may seem that it is filled with activities, which include many exciting and enjoyable times, most days are quite routine. Yes, we do enjoy life, but that is primarily by choice, as we have our share of challenging and difficult days.

What keeps us moving forward each day regardless of the obstacles that we may face is our consistent persistence. Certainly our faith is the foundation for our life, but it is perseverance in the face of disappointments and struggles that gives us the strength to take the next step. On our trek for today, the tool that we will explore from Gramps’ backpack is…

Perseverance

The tool of perseverance allows us to overcome disappointments and transcends failures. Hebrews 10:36 encourages in this way, “Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.”

You cannot persevere unless there is a trial in your life. There can be no victories without battles. There can be no mountain peaks without deep valleys. If you desire the blessing, you must be prepared to carry the burden and fight the battle. God has to balance privileges with responsibilities, blessings with burdens, or else you and I will become spoiled pampered children.If you’ve led a perfect life with absolutely no mess ups, blunders, mistakes, or failures, then today’s trek may not be for you. If you are like the rest of us, you know that disappointments and failures are an inevitable part of life. These setbacks are simply the price that must be paid for maturing as we gain wisdom and knowledge about life. Even when you experience bitter disappointments, which you will, you must not lose your faith.

When times and situations are difficult, the Bible teaches us that, “Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” These reassuring words remind us that when we persevere, we will eventually receive that which God has promised. Even when we fail, God is faithful. What God requires of us is perseverance, not perfection.

When we encounter the inevitable difficulties on our daily trek of life, God stands ready to protect us. While we are waiting for God’s Word to illuminate our way, we do not need to fear the darkness, and we can be comforted in the knowledge that our Creator can overcome any obstacle, even when we cannot. Psalms 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

All of us hike our own trail of life, or to put in into a sports analogy we are running a race as the Apostle Paul taught us the importance of perseverance in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.”

St. Augustine described perseverance in this way, “Keep adding, keep walking, and keep advancing. Do not stop, do not turn back, and do not turn from the straight road.” Perseverance is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with the absolute assurance and certainty that what we are looking for is going to happen.

When the Apostle Paul was instructing his protégé Timothy, in 1 Timothy 6:11-12 he told him, “But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.”

Perseverance is difficult, but it is imperative that we master this tool so that we can instruct our children, grandchildren, and others that we impact on how to persevere on their trek of life just as Paul instructed Timothy.

To gain this perseverance, we need to follow God’s precepts in His Word. We need to take Jesus’s yoke on us to persevere on our daily trek, then the burdens will be lighter, and we can help others. Matthew 11:29 Jesus tells us, “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today and close Gramps’ backpack. Before I do, I will pass the tool of perseverance onto you. Once you have this tool in your backpack, it is up to you to learn to persevere by taking on Jesus’s yoke while standing firm in the faith. It is then that you can teach perseverance to your children, grandchildren, or anyone else that you have the opportunity to impact.

Next Monday we will investigate the sixth tool in Gramps’ backpack which is Support. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 533 – The Need for Intelligent Activity – Activity (5)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 533 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Need for Intelligent Activity

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 533 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they impact us in creating our living legacy. Currently, we are on an extended multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This week’s client work has been extra busy. We help our clients with their tax processing and preparing their year-end financial statements. In addition to that, I am also utilized to conduct technical sales demos for the client that I provide remote technical support on their SaaS-based software program several times per month.

My workload requires that I plan my activities intelligently and carefully so that nothing is overlooked. This ties into the topic of our trek today on the Trail of Activity as we will explore why The Need for Intelligent Activity and why Activity Must Be Planned.

Proper planning of our daily activities allows us to maximize the return on our time invested in those activities. A good plan does not have to be overly complicated. In fact, it is best implemented when it is kept simple.

If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the third trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Activity Part 5

As a reminder, our overall extended trek covers these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

1. The Need for Intelligent Activity

Many of those in search of success and happiness are already working hard, but they just do not seem to be getting anywhere. The problem is that to produce the desired results, you must put intelligence as well as intensity into your activity. Action without intelligence can be destructive. You must not invest too much time in the process of acquiring intelligence. All things must be in their rightful ratio.

It is so easy to mistake motion for progress and movement for achievement. That is why activity must be deliberately planned, carefully refined and consistently executed.

2. Activity Must Be Planned

You must become wise enough to use today to plan tomorrow. You must design the future, not just dream about it. If you discipline yourself to put intelligence into your plans, you will put fortune into your future.

Your journey toward success cannot be like the long forgotten Sunday drive when you drive around aimlessly looking at the scenery. You need to select a specific destination. You also need to anticipate the obstacles and the risks and be prepared to respond to them whenever they appear.

Having well-defined goals is an essential part of any life plan. These goals should be recorded in writing and should reflect both short-term and long-range planning. Short-term goals serve as landmarks along the journey. They are the small stepping stones that lead to the achievement of your long-term fortune and help you to stay on track over a long period of time. (For guidance on life planning, download the free PDF version of Your Life Plan Blueprint on the free resources tab on Wisdom-Trek.com.)

Long-range goals serve as milestones. They are the points of achievement along the way that give you cause to celebrate the fruits of your efforts. The most important part of planning and goal-setting is to see in your “mind’s eye” the major objective that you are pursuing. This is the “magnificent obsession” that we explored in previous weeks. This is the very nerve center of your ambition. This is what drives you forward.

Major objectives are the unseen force that pulls you into the future. Through your daily activity and discipline, you provide the push to propel you toward success. It is the dream of the future achievement of your objectives that pulls you along day after day and pulls you through the major obstacles you will encounter along the way. The exciting thing about this process is that the more you push, the more the future begins to pull. As you demonstrate your unwavering determination to conquer your limitations, increase your intelligence, and achieve your objective, that still, small voice within you begins to speak its special and promising message adding to the pull of the future. As you listen carefully to this voice and respond instinctively to its urgings, the pull becomes stronger and your future more certain.

3. A Good Plan Is A Simple Plan

Your better future begins with a worthy objective and a simple plan. You must not allow your plan to become excessively burdened by complexities. Many of the answers take time to discover. It is virtually impossible to plan every detail or to anticipate every obstacle. As King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 11:6, “Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.”

You must also be careful not to allow the opinions of others to unduly influence the development of your plan for a rich and satisfying life. Others will have dozens of opinions about what you should do, but the final plan for progress must be your plan. You should listen to the voices of value, but you must remember that no one else will see your plan or sense your obsession quite the way you do. It must be a personally designed plan, and its creator and architect must remain at the helm of the ship throughout the entirety of the journey.

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we continue our hike on the Trail of Activity. Today we learned that our activity needs to be intelligent, planned, and simple to complete. It must be our plan, and although we may obtain advice from wise mentors, we must lead on our trek of life, even when few follow.

Next Philosophy Friday we will complete our third trail, which is the Trail of Activity. Our trek next week will focus on why it is so important that your activity is disciplined and allows you to reach the destination you planned. Join us next Friday for these additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek is on Monday, and we will continue our series called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack in which we equip you with the tools needed to impact the lives of others. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks or read the associated journals, they are all available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 532 – Knowledge and Wisdom – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 532 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Knowledge and Wisdom – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 532 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is a humorous one from Miles Kington, who said, “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is never putting it in a fruit salad.”

Knowledge and wisdom are often thought of as equivalent, but there is a very distinct and important difference. Knowledge is the accumulation of facts, information, and ideas about a wide variety of subject matters that we acquire through study, research, investigation, observation, or experience.

Wisdom is the ability to discern and judge which aspects of that knowledge are true, right, lasting, and applicable to your life. Wisdom is taking knowledge obtained and having the discipline to apply it in a common sense manner that will allow you to obtain success in various areas of life. The danger in just accumulating knowledge is that we all view life through our own paradigm of experiences and feelings so you can come to an incorrect conclusion about that knowledge.Ultimately all wisdom comes from God who is the only one that can give us the ability to take the knowledge that we obtain and apply it correctly to life. As Proverbs 2:6-7 tells us, “For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.”

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. Just as you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 531 – A Hard Worker Has Plenty of Food – Proverbs 28:15-28

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 531 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A Hard Worker Has Plenty of Food – Proverbs 28:15-28

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 531 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 2^nd half of Chapter 28.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. I invested last week in Arizona updating all of the financial transactions for our current construction project and organizing our filing center. We were able to discard much of the old paperwork in preparation of setting up the files for our current and future projects. Much of the current paperwork is being stored electronically now, and will become more so as we move forward. It was a week well invested.

It is good to be home for a week, but most of February we will be traveling which includes a podcasters cruise before heading back out to Arizona again later this month. We do invest much of our time working hard planting seeds in people and companies so that we can reap a harvest of blessings both now and in the future. This reminds me of verse 19 on our trek today, which tells us…

A Hard Worker Has Plenty of Food

Let’s start our trek as we explore verses 15-28.

More Proverbs of Solomon

¹⁵ A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor

as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.

When someone who is in a position of authority is wicked or lacks compassion, then those who are less fortunate will be in peril. The consequences to the poor will be as dangerous as if wild animals were released on them. – as dangerous as a lion or bear that is ready for attacking.

¹⁶A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people,

but one who hates corruption will have a long life.

You can discern the integrity and mind of a ruler by how they treat those who are less fortunate. If they oppress those who they are leading, then it shows they really don’t understand how best to rule others. A leader who hates the abuse of others will be granted a long and pleasant life.

¹⁷A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave.

Don’t protect him!

God is just, and He is the author of justice. The immutable law of planting and harvesting applies to every area of our lives. When someone takes an innocent life, his conscience will plague him continually. While we can show compassion for them, we should not make excuses for them, and we should allow them to reap the harvest of what they planted.

¹⁸The blameless will be rescued from harm,

but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed.

God’s justice also applies in every situation. If we live our life according to God’s precepts found in His Word, we will be protected. Those who practice a life of wicked habits will sooner or later suffer the consequences.

¹⁹A hard worker has plenty of food,

but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.

There is no substitute for consistent, persistent, and hard work. When we practice this continually, we will have all the resources that we need. Contrary to this is a person who chases fantasies and dreams but is not willing to work hard to see those dreams realized. They will be in continual poverty for their lack of responsibility.

²⁰The trustworthy person will get a rich reward,

but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.

A person who is worthy of trust is a person who is dependable. Their focused discipline will allow them to harvest from what they have planted. A person who is not willing to work planting the seeds of disciplined work but is looking to harvest without work will always be in financial trouble. There is no such thing as quick riches.

²¹Showing partiality is never good,

yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.

A person with a lack of principles and integrity will easily be bribed to do what is convenient, not what is right. They are easily swayed for the smallest of immediate gratification.

²²Greedy people try to get rich quick

but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.

A person who is chasing the fantasy of “get rich quick schemes” will never reach what they are chasing. Instead, they will be continually on the road of poverty always chasing their next fantasy.

²³In the end, people appreciate honest criticism

far more than flattery.

At times truth seems too rare in our postmodern world. I suspect it has always been the case throughout history. It seems like political correctness has consumed the majority of people. It is refreshing when we actually receive honest criticism from someone who really has our best interest at heart. They desire to see us become our best. This is much more beneficial than someone who tells us what they think we desire to hear.

²⁴Anyone who steals from his father and mother

and says, “What’s wrong with that?”

is no better than a murderer.

We need to respect and honor our parents. We should not take advantage of them, nor their willingness to assist us. We are responsible for our own lives, and if we steal from or take advantage of our parents, then our disregard for them is the same as taking their very life from them.

²⁵Greed causes fighting;

trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.

When we desire to have what is not ours, it will lead to problems and fighting between people. We should instead trust that God will provide for us, which will lead to a rich and satisfying life.

²⁶Those who trust their own insight are foolish,

but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.

None of us have all knowledge, and none of us have reached the point in our lives where there is nothing more to learn. This shows how foolish we are. When are walking in wisdom, then we will realize that we have so much more to learn and more wisdom to gain. It is then we will safely walk throughout each day of life.

²⁷Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,

but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.

Throughout the Bible, God continually shows His concern for those who are poor, especially if their condition is out of their control. If we are fortunate enough to have more resources than we need, then we should be willing to help those who are poor. In doing so, all of our needs will be continually provided for. If we are not willing to do so, then our lack of compassion will come back to us in our time of need.

²⁸When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.

When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish.

Regardless if you live in a country where you have many freedoms or few, all peoples fear rulers who are wicked. It is an oppression to them. When those rulers who are wicked come to their demise, it is an opportunity for those who follow God’s precepts to have a greater impact on their world.

That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 530 – How to Have Wisdom and Power – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 530 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

How to Have Wisdom and Power – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 530 of our trek, and it’s time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Lao-tzu, who said, “Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”Getting to know other people for who they really are without being judgmental requires that a person is honest, empathetic, caring, and smart. In other words, you must be someone with a keen intellect. However, it may be even more difficult to know ourselves without prejudice. We are masters in justifying and rationalizing our habits and behaviors. A truly wise person is someone who is able to honestly see who they are at their very core.

In the same manner, we can exert control over others when we have given or assumed the authority and strength. It is quite different to have sufficient self-discipline to the point of controlling ourselves. Many people are impotent to control their wants and desires over a long period of time.

An example of a life built on wisdom and power is given to us in 2 Peter 1:5-7, “In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.”That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. If you enjoy these quotes, I have created and published a searchable database of over 10,000 quotes that I have collected for many years. If you would like free access to my database of inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com.

Just as you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, please encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 529 – Be Courageous – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 529 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Be Courageous – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 529 of our trek, and we are hiking a series of trails called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio.

On our trek of life, we will have some days where everything seems to be going smoothly. Other days we will face steep uphill climbs, and the trail will become so rough that it is hard to navigate. It takes courage to continue on when it is difficult to see the path in front of you and your footing becomes unstable. This is why one of the most valuable tools in Gramps’ backpack is…

Courage

Courage is an important tool for building better days and better lives. King David in his instruction to his son Solomon told him in 1 Chronicles 28:20, “Then David continued, ‘Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly.'”

Every human life is a tapestry of events – some grand, some not-so-grand, and some downright disheartening. When we reach the mountaintops of life, praising God is easy. In our moments of triumph, we trust God’s plan. When the storm clouds form overhead, and we find ourselves in the dark valley of despair, our faith is stretched, sometimes to the breaking point. As Christ followers, we can be comforted. Whenever we find ourselves, whether at the top of the mountain or the depths of the valley, God is there, and because He cares for us, we can live courageously.

A.W. Tozer explained it like this, “The truth of Christ brings assurance, and so removes the former problem of fear and uncertainty.”

Believing Christians have every reason to be courageous. After all, the ultimate battle has already been fought and won on the cross at Calvary. Even dedicated followers of Christ may find their courage tested by the inevitable disappointments and tragedies that occur in the lives of believers and non-believers alike.

The next time you find your courage tested to the limit, remember that God is as near as your next breath, and remember that He offers salvation to His children. He is your shield and your strength; He is your protector and your deliverer. Call upon Him in your hour of need, and then be comforted. Whatever your challenge, whatever your trouble, God can handle it, and He will.

Jesus showed his deep concern for others at all times, as expressed in Luke 8:50, “But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed.'”

As Christ followers, we should be some of the most courageous people on earth. We may not know what the future holds for us individually, but we certainly know who holds the future. D.L. Moody put it this way, “Take courage. We walk in the wilderness today and in the Promised Land tomorrow.”

Chuck Swindoll gives us this word of exhortation, “Our Lord is searching for people who will make a difference. Christians dare not dissolve into the background or blend into the neutral scenery of the world.”

The Apostle Paul told Timothy in his 2^nd letter to him Chapter 1 verse 7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Faith is stronger than fear. In fact, our faith with destroy our fears.

As you teach your children, grandchildren, and anyone else that you impact, infuse into them the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the church in Corinth. 1 Corinthians 16:13 reminds us, “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.”

With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today and close Gramps’ backpack. Before I do, I will pass the tool of courage onto you. Once you have this tool in your backpack, it is up to you to be courageous by standing firm in the faith and then teaching courage to your children, grandchildren, or anyone else that you have the opportunity to impact. Next Monday we will investigate the fifth tool in Gramps’ backpack, which is Perseverance.

On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 528 – There Are No Shortcuts to Success – Activity (4)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 528 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

There Are No Shortcuts to Success – Activity

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 528 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently, we are on an extended multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. When this day originally airs, I should be wrapping up my week in Arizona. As I have the opportunity, I will share some of the highlights of our progress on the project.

On major construction projects, there are no shortcuts to success, and inevitably there will be issues and cost overruns that are not anticipated. With each issue that comes up we have a choice to do it quick or do it right. This ties into the topic of our trek today on the Trail of Activity, as we will explore why “The Danger in Seeking Shortcuts to Success” and why “Change Begins With Choice” as we choose our response to every issue and situation.

If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the Third trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Activity Part 4

As a reminder, our overall extended trek covers these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

1. The Danger in Seeking Shortcuts to Success

Some of your friends would have you believe that positive affirmation is more important than activity. Rather than doing something constructive to change your life they would have you repeating various slogans to yourself that affirm that all is well. You may have heard this one and told that you should repeat it. “Every day and in every way, I am getting better and better.” While I agree that self-talk is very important, talk without action is as useless as faith without works.

You must remember that discipline is a requirement for progress, and that affirmations without discipline is the beginning of delusion. There is nothing wrong with affirmations provided you remember two important rules. First, you should never allow an affirmation to replace action. Feeling better is no substitute for doing better. Second, whatever you affirm must be the truth.

If the truth of your circumstances is that you are broke, then the best affirmation would be to say, “I am broke.” That would start the thinking process. Spoken with conviction, these words would drive any reasonably prudent person from ease into action.

If your life is spinning out of control, then you must confront the harsh reality of the truth, and then discipline yourself to express that truth rather than disguising it in false and misleading pronouncements. By doing this, it will be the beginning of positive change that will inevitably result in action.

Reality is always the best beginning. Within reality is the possibility of your own personal miracle. The power of faith starts with reality. If you can bring yourself to state the truth about yourself and your circumstances, then the truth will set you free. Jesus stated in John 8:32 when referring to faith, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Once you finally understand and accept the truth, the promise of the future is then freed from the shackles of deception, which held it in bondage.

Sooner or later you must stop blaming your government, your pay schedule, your banks, your taxes, your neighbors, your boss, your company policy, high prices, and your co-workers. You must stop blaming your past, your parents, the traffic or the weather for your failure to capture your share of the joy that comes from progress. You must come to understand how you really got to be where and how you are. It is the subtleties of your repeated accumulated errors that are responsible. It is then the embarrassment of that final truth and your willingness to admit it that will start the process of going from pennies to fortune.

2. Change Begins With Choice

Any day you choose, you can discipline yourself to change it all. Any day you choose, you can open the book that will open your mind to new knowledge. Any day you choose, you can start a new activity. Any day you choose, you can start the process of life change. You can do it immediately, or next week, or next month, or next year.

You can also choose to do nothing. You can pretend rather than perform. If the idea of having to change yourself makes you uncomfortable, you can remain as you are. You can choose rest over labor, entertainment over education, delusion over truth, and doubt over confidence. The choices are yours to make. While you curse the effect, you continue to nourish the cause. As Shakespeare uniquely observed, “The fault…is not in the stars, but in ourselves.”

You created your circumstances by your past choices. You have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today. If you are in search of the good life, you do not need more answers or more time to think things over to reach better conclusions. You need the truth. You need the whole truth. You need nothing but the truth.

You cannot allow your errors in judgment, repeated every day, to lead you down the wrong path. You must keep coming back to those basics that make the biggest difference in how your life works out. Activity is one of those important basics that you cannot afford to neglect. As Proverbs 16:3 tells us, “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek, as we continue our hike on the Trail of Activity. Today we learned of the danger of seeking shortcuts to success and know there are none. We also learned that if we want our lives to be different, then ultimately it is our choice.

Next Philosophy Friday we will continue on the Trail of Activity and explore that we need more than just activity. We need intelligent activity that is planned. Join us next Friday for additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

On our next trek on Monday, we will continue our series called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack, where we will equip you with the tools you need to impact the lives of others. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks or read the associated journals, they are all available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 527 – Be Wise and Be Kind – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 527 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Be Wise and Be Kind – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 527 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Theodore Isaac Rubin, who said, “Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom.”Kindness is one of the most important character traits any person can have. It does not cost us anything, requires less emotional energy than unkindness, and has a very profound and far-reaching impact on others. Why then are we not always kind to everyone, in every situation?

It is because we become very selfish and self-centered. A person who is habitually selfish is acting in a foolish manner. A foolish person cannot be wise. Therefore a kind person is also a wise person. They fit together like a hand in a glove. Your hand is your wisdom, and your kindness is the glove that envelops that hand.

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians 4:31-32 instructed the Christ-followers in this manner, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Now that is a kind person.That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. Just as you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 526 – Better to be Poor and Honest – Proverbs 28:1-14

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 526 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Better to Be Poor and Honest – Proverbs 28:1-14

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 526 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 1^st half of Chapter 28.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Although life is not always easy and sometimes not everything turns out as we anticipated, if your life is driven by honesty and integrity, it will be rich and satisfying. This concept ties into verse 6 on today’s trek, which says…

Better To Be Poor and Honest

Let’s start our trek as we explore verses 1-14.

More Proverbs of Solomon

¹ The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,

but the godly are as bold as lions.

Unfounded fear seems to grip so many people and sadly even those who profess faith in God. It is understandable if someone is fearful when their actions are contrary to God’s precepts in His Word. Irrational fear is caused by irrational thinking and actions. As Christ followers, we should not be fearful, but bold as lions. When we are fearful, it is because our faith is weak. The opposite of faith is fear.

²When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.

But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.

This scenario has been seen of governments across time and throughout the world. When the people of a nation no longer follow God, then all of society will be filled with moral rot. The next step is a failure of the government. Wise leaders will govern based on moral precepts, which bring stability.

³A poor person who oppresses the poor

is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.

It is unimaginable that a person who is poor would treat another poor person badly. They of all people should have compassion on those that share the same plight. In the same manner, rain is good and necessary for crops to grow and prosper, but if rain comes too fast and hard, it will destroy the very crops that it is supposed to help.

⁴To reject the law is to praise the wicked;

to obey the law is to fight them.

When a person rejects law and order within a government and country, they are giving a stronghold to those who do not follow God. Every stable nation needs a set of laws and guidelines for people to follow. They will be the foundation for a stable government.

⁵Evil people don’t understand justice,

but those who follow the Lord understand completely.

We see this so often in our world today where justice is not only misunderstood, but perverted. I suspect this has been an issue since the fall of man. All of us are susceptible to falling into the trap of calling evil good and good evil when it fits our particular paradigm. It is when we allow God’s Word to filter everything that goes into our mind where we will then understand true justice.

⁶Better to be poor and honest

than to be dishonest and rich.

Such sound advice. No amount of riches is worth having if you become dishonest to obtain them. It certainly is better to be poor but have your integrity and reputation unspoiled.

⁷Young people who obey the law are wise;

those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.

A person young or old will show their wisdom when they obey the laws of the land. As a parent, it is heartbreaking and embarrassing when our children become friends with those who ignore the law and God’s precepts.

⁸Income from charging high interest rates

will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.

God is compassionate for those who are poor. If we become wealthy by taking advantage of the poor and charging high interest, then eventually we will lose it to someone who cares for the poor.

⁹God detests the prayers

of a person who ignores the law.

All too often we only turn to God when we are in trouble. Much of the time the trouble is because we have ignored God’s precepts. We then expect God to bail us out for our foolishness. This action is detestable to God.

¹⁰Those who lead good people along an evil path

will fall into their own trap,

but the honest will inherit good things.

It is a dangerous trek to lead others, who try to be good, down a path that is evil. If we make this a practice, don’t be surprised that it will come back on us. Those who practice honesty on a continual basis will see the good fruit from the good they planted.

¹¹Rich people may think they are wise,

but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.

Obtaining riches is not the same as obtaining wisdom. It is so easy to think that our earthly success is because of our wisdom. A person who is poor, but rich in wisdom will more easily discern the difference.

¹²When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.

When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.

A good person, who lives a life of integrity and is successful by doing so will make others glad and reflective. It is quite the opposite when the wicked rise up and take power. It is then we want to hide from their presence

¹³People who conceal their sins will not prosper,

but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

When we do that which is wrong, we may cover it up for a time, but eventually, it will be our downfall. The only way to have true prosperity is to turn from that which is wrong, confess it to those who are aware of it, and ask forgiveness of anyone that we may have hurt.

¹⁴Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,

but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.

It is good when you have a healthy fear of doing something that is wrong. If we refuse to admit that and continue on in our wrong ways, then it will eventually rise up and cause us significant issues.

Today on our Wisdom Trail we continue to explore a series of Solomon’s Proverbs that were assembled by King Hezekiah. These proverbs provide us with more wisdom, insight, and understanding on a myriad of relationship issues. Regardless of where you are in your faith walk, if the precepts in Proverbs are followed, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom. I would challenge you to take just one precept that we learn today in Proverbs and commit yourself to applying it to your life.

Tomorrow we will hike another short trail of Wisdom Unplugged as we discover an inspirational wisdom quote. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 525 – Faith That Endures – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 525 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Faith That Endures – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 525 of our trek, and time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Viktor E. Frankl, who said, “Just as a small fire is extinguished by the storm whereas a large fire is enhanced by it — likewise a weak faith is weakened by predicament and catastrophes whereas a strong faith is strengthened by them.”If you have ever been camping when it is windy or raining, you understand how difficult it is to keep a campfire going, especially a small one. Contrary to this, think of a major forest fire and how the winds will whip it into a fast-moving inferno that devours everything in site. Our faith in life and in God is very similar. If our faith is weak and based solely on our own strength, then the smallest of problems and setbacks will crush our spirit, our drive, and our ability to move forward.

The opposite is true of a person who has a strong and enduring faith in life and in God, who is the giver of life. When the strong winds of adversity blow, when the obstacles grow larger, when life becomes almost unbearable…if our faith is strong, it will grow even stronger because we know that God is ultimately in control of all situations. It is then that our faith grows larger because we know He will provide the strength and resources to persevere through the storms of life. This concept is summed up best in Romans 5:1-5, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. If you enjoy these quotes, I have created and published a searchable database of over 10,000 quotes that I have collected for many years. If you would like free access to my database of inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com.

As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 524 – Providing Guidance – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 524 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Providing Guidance – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 524 of our trek, and we are hiking a series of trails called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack. Each Monday for a total of 20 weeks we will explore a different tool that is needed to equip parents and grandparents to train their children and grandchildren to be successful on their trek of life. If you don’t have children or grandchildren of your own, use these tools to train others that you do influence. Today the third tool from Gramps’ Backpack is Guidance.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. When this episode originally airs, I will be working with our partners in Arizona on our construction project. I will be there the entire week as we finish the current project and start preparing for potential new projects this year. As we work together, we provide guidance to each other on the various parts of our projects, based on our individual knowledge and strengths.

In the same thought, as we head out on our trek for today, let’s open Gramps’ backpack again and explore our third tool, which every parent or grandparent should have available to them. This tool is helpful to anyone who has the opportunity to impact others. To effectively and positively impact the lives of others, the next tool that you must possess is the ability to provide guidance to those whom you influence. So our tool for today is…

Guidance

The third tool in Gramps’ backpack is providing guidance, which is an important tool for molding and shaping the lives of children, grandchildren, and others we influence. King Solomon did this when teaching his children as he wrote in Proverbs 1:5, “Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance.”

Let me ask you this question, “Are you a dedicated parent or grandparent who wants to share your wisdom with your children and grandchildren?” If so, you must continue to grow both spiritually and intellectually. When you do, you will be a wise role model and a worthy mentor for your children and grandchildren. You will be a parent or grandparent who by your words and your example can guide them along the paths of life they should travel.

You are not only a role model, but you also need role models. Even if you are a grandparent, it is always good to seek out friends and mentors yourself who are able to help you along your path. A mentor should be a person whose judgment you trust. Listen carefully to your mentor’s advice and be willing to accept that advice, even if accepting it requires a little pain, a lot of effort or both. Certainly, God through His Word and His Spirit can help to instruct. Also, if I can assist in any manner, please email me at guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.

Author John Eldredge said it this way, “Yes, the Spirit was sent to be our Counselor. Yes, Jesus speaks to us personally through God’s Word, but often He works through another human being.” As it says in Proverbs 16:16, “How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!”

In the same way that you are able to provide guidance to those you mentor, look for others who are wiser and more mature to mentor you. C. S. Lewis put it this way, “The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.” C.H. Spurgeon explains this truth well when he said, “The man who never reads will never be read; he who never quotes will never be quoted. He who will not use the thoughts of other man’s brains proves that he has no brains of his own.”

As you learn to mentor those on whom you have an impact, be prepared for the opportunities that God may bring your way. As James, the half-brother of Jesus explained in his letter Chapter 5:19-20, “My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.”

As you seek out opportunities in everyday life, events to provide guidance to your children, grandchildren, and others always be willing and ready to learn yourself so you can become even wiser. John Maxwell said it well, “You can’t light another’s path without casting light on your own.”

With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today and close Gramps’ backpack. Before I do, I will pass the tool of guidance onto you. Once you have this tool in your backpack, it is up to you to use it to provide guidance to your children, grandchildren, or anyone else that you have the opportunity to impact.

Next Monday we will investigate the fourth tool in Gramps’ backpack, which is Courage. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 523 – Enterprise Is Better Than Ease – Activity (3)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 523 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Enterprise Is Better Than Ease – Activity

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 523 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. Currently, we are on an extended multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale.

The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book called The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We are wrapping up a busy week of client work and podcast-related projects. Since I will be in Arizona all next week, I will be recording several episodes ahead of time, so I can focus on the financial aspect of our construction projects while I am on site.

The next five weeks will be a busy time of traveling, along with the extra tax work that we need to complete for our clients and our own companies. There are certain deadlines that have to be met, and we will need to stay very focused on the tasks that need to be completed. This ties into the topic of our trek today on the Trail of Activity, as we will explore why Enterprise Is Better than Ease, and why we need to plan The Ratio of Activity to Rest so we do not burn out on our quest and become unable to complete it.

If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the third trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Activity Part 3

As a reminder, our overall extended trek covers these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

1. Enterprise Is Better Than Ease

If you are involved in a project, how hard should you work at it? How much time should you invest? Your philosophy about activity and your attitude about hard work will affect the quality of your life.

What you decide about the correct ratio of labor to rest will establish a certain work ethic. That work ethic, which is your attitude about the amount of labor you are willing to commit to your potential future fortune, will determine how substantial or how meager that fortune turns out to be.

Enterprise (or it could be referred to as initiative) is always better than ease. Every time you choose to do less than you could, this error in judgment has an effect on your self-confidence. Repeated every day, you will soon find yourself not only doing less than you should, but also being less than you could. The accumulative effect of this error in judgment can be devastating.

Fortunately, it is easy to reverse the process. Any day you choose you can develop a new discipline of doing rather than neglecting. Every time you choose action over ease or labor over rest, you develop an increasing level of self-worth, self-respect, and self- confidence. In the final analysis, it is how you feel about yourself that provides the greatest reward from any activity. It is not what you get that makes you valuable, it is what you become in the process of doing which brings value to your life. It is activity that converts your dreams into your reality, and that conversion from idea into actuality gives you a personal value that can come from no other source.

Everything has its price, and everything has its pain, but the price and the pain become easy when the promise becomes strong. In order for your life to be filled with intense activity, you must be obsessed by the outcome or that is to say, by the promise of the future. The results will not merely support the activity. The inspiration you get from seeing the results clearly in your mind will enable you to produce the results.

2. The Ratio of Activity To Rest

With the understanding that enterprise is better than ease, you also have to understand that life cannot be a process of all work and no rest. It is important to set aside sufficient time to regain your strength. The key is to develop a reasonable ratio of rest to activity.

The Bible offers this philosophy about the ratio of labor to rest – six days of labor and one day of rest. Some people may feel that this seems somewhat heavy on the labor side. In fact, there are some people in our country and throughout the world who are at odds even with the current ratio of five days of labor and two days of rest. They would have us trim back even further on the labor side and increase the rest period to at least three days.

You must decide the ratio that best reflects the reward you are seeking, remembering that with diminished labor comes diminished rewards. If you rest too long, the weeds will surely take over your garden of life. The erosion of your values begins immediately whenever you are at rest. That is why you must make rest a necessity, not an objective. Rest should only be a necessary pause in the process of preparing for an assault on the next objective and the next discipline. The punishment for excessive rest is mediocrity.

The Bible gives us the best example of the proper ratio. Even from the creation of the world, God performed his creation activities in six days and then rested on the seventh. Genesis 2:2 says, “On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.”

God does not need the rest himself, but we do. So He gave us His pattern. We need to take advantage of the six days of focused work and then take a complete day for resting and re-energizing. Exodus 34:21 is one of the several verses that lays out the proper ratio of work and rest, “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day, you must stop working, even during the seasons of plowing and harvest.”

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we continue our hike on the Trail of Activity. Today we learned that Enterprise is Better Than Ease, but we must also establish the proper Ratio of Activity to Rest.

Next Philosophy Friday, we will continue on the Trail of Activity and explore the danger in seeking shortcuts to success, and that change begins with choice. Join us next Friday for additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek on Monday will continue our new series call The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack, where we will equip you with the tools you need to impact the lives of others. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 522 – Being a Lifelong Student – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 522 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Being a Lifelong Student – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 522 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Henry Doherty, who said, “It is the studying that you do after your school days that really counts. Otherwise, you know only that which everyone else knows.”Do you consider yourself a lifelong student? Your formal education only prepared you for the very basics of survival in this world. It should be viewed only as the foundation on which you build your entire life of learning. This is more important today than in any other time in history. With the rapid change in technology, the globalization of the workforce, and the world economy, it requires that we are continually learning and improving our skills.

Most of our jobs will be obsolete in a matter of a few years, and it is only when we adopt the philosophy of lifelong learning that we will ever be successful. No one who is successful has ever stopped learning. Most learning today will be self-taught, and it does require a significant investment of time and resources.

Are you willing to make that investment so that you will continually improve? This same concept for prosperity and success also applies to the most important book of instructions, the Bible, as it tells us in Joshua 1:8, “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. Just as you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 521 – As Iron Sharpens Iron – Proverbs 27:15-27

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 521 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

As Iron Sharpens Iron – Proverbs [27:15]-27

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 521 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails, we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 2^nd half of Chapter 27.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This past weekend we had our delayed Chamberlain Christmas celebration with our 5 kids, their spouses, and 6 grandkids. We had a blessed time sharing life and a few gifts. Paula made each couple a “picnic quilt” and neatly folded and placed it in a picnic basket. They all looked beautiful, and the kids really appreciated them.

Of course, the time we invested with all of our grandkids was extra special. This season of life where we are friends and mentors to our grown children is rewarding. We are always open to what they are learning and experiencing so that we can continue to grow in wisdom, insight, and understanding. This reminds me of verse 17 of our passage today, which says…

As Iron Sharpens Iron

Let’s start our trek, as we explore verses 15-27.

More Proverbs of Solomon

¹⁵ A quarrelsome wife is as annoying

as constant dripping on a rainy day.

¹⁶Stopping her complaints is like trying to stop the wind

or trying to hold something with greased hands.

It is difficult being around a person who enjoys arguing and complaining. This is especially true in a marriage situation where you cannot walk away from or avoid your spouse. If you have a spouse who is prone to complaining and arguing, gently over time encourage them to change their attitude for the benefit and preservation of your marriage. While you can encourage them to change, it must be their decision, since it is impossible for us to change someone else. If you attempt to change them, it is like a constant dripping or holding onto something with greased hands, no matter how much you try, the results are not effective. One note of caution, check yourself to make sure you are not a person who argues or complains.

¹⁷As iron sharpens iron,

so a friend sharpens a friend.

To sharpen a knife or ax, many times the tool used to sharpen the other tool is made of the same materials. In the same way, the best way to improve and grow is to be part of a peer group or mastermind where it is the intent to help each other grow, improve, and mature. This requires loving honesty with each other for your mutual benefit.

¹⁸As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit,

so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded.

A farmer who grows and takes care of the crops is rewarded by being able to consume part of what is grown. In the same manner, a good worker should be rewarded for helping the business owner to be profitable. This is why I personally favor compensation based on overall performance and tied to the profitability of the business.

¹⁹As a face is reflected in water,

so the heart reflects the real person.

Water or a mirror will show you what you really look like instead of what you may picture in your mind. In the same way, your talk and actions will reflect the person you truly are, regardless of what you attempt to show to others.

²⁰Just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied,

so human desire is never satisfied.

Death will come to us all eventually, there is no way to prevent it. A wildfire will continue its destruction as long as there is fuel to consume. In the same way, no earthly “things” will ever bring us lasting satisfaction. Our desires will continue to be fueled by more. It is only when we base our desire on spiritual nourishment that we will be satisfied with life.

²¹Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,

but a person is tested by being praised.

The only way that silver and gold can be made pure is with intense heat. The heat will bring all of the impurities to the surface where they can be skimmed off. One way to test a person and know what they are really like is to see how they respond to praise. If they respond humbly, they are on their way to being made pure. If praise drives their ego and fuels their need for power and accolades, then their lives are filled with impure thoughts and motives.

²²You cannot separate fools from their foolishness,

even though you grind them like grain with mortar and pestle.

A person who is a fool is one who has rejected the precepts of God. It is impossible to remove their foolishness from them because it is who they are. Even if their lives are full of hardships and their lives are a daily grind, they will not change or turn from their foolish ways.

²³Know the state of your flocks,

and put your heart into caring for your herds,

²⁴for riches don’t last forever,

and the crown might not be passed to the next generation.

²⁵After the hay is harvested and the new crop appears

and the mountain grasses are gathered in,

²⁶your sheep will provide wool for clothing,

and your goats will provide the price of a field.

²⁷And you will have enough goats’ milk for yourself,

your family, and your servant girls.

This is one of the best, and one of my favorite passages, to encourage us to be responsible with what God has given us as our calling. We are responsible for knowing the state of our finances at all times. We need to plan and be prepared for the inevitable downturns in our life and in our businesses. If you are smart and prudent with your finances, avoiding debt whenever possible, then you will always have enough to take care of yourself, your family, and everyone else that you are responsible for. In our world of instant gratification and feeling of entitlement, choose to be different by being responsible and willing to wait for what you really want long term.

Today on our Wisdom Trail, we continued to explore a series of Solomon’s Proverbs that were assembled by King Hezekiah. These proverbs provide us with more wisdom, insight, and understanding on a myriad of relationship issues. Regardless of where you are in your faith walk, if the precepts in Proverbs are followed, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom. I would challenge you to take just one precept that we learn today in Proverbs and commit yourself to applying it to your life.

That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 520 – Your Life Plan Requires Daily Steps – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 520 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Your Life Plan Requires Daily Steps – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 520 of our trek, and it’s time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who said, “It is not enough to take steps which may some day lead to a goal; each step must be itself a goal and a step likewise.”

In most of our western culture and especially in the US, we are obsessed with completing large and demanding long-term goals. While I strongly support long-term life planning, I feel that it should be tied to your overall purpose in life and long-term 7-year objectives.

To complete your long-term objectives, they must be broken down into yearly, monthly, and weekly goals and then into daily tasks. When you focus on your daily tasks your weekly, monthly, and yearly goals are completed automatically. As this process is maintained, then your 7-year objectives are also completed. It is only when we focus on the small daily steps will we experience the rich and satisfying life that we desire. I have the concept of setting up your life plan laid out in a free customizable workbook called Your Life Plan Blueprint, which can be downloaded from Wisdom-Trek.com/Resources.Our purpose for life is not fulfilled unless we plan and prepare long-term, but then it requires that we walk faithfully and with integrity on a daily basis toward our destination. In his 1^st letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul spoke of his own trek of life in Chapter 9:25-27, “All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”

Please encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 519 – Your Purpose for Life – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 519 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Your Purpose for Life – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 519 of our trek, and last week we are started a new series called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack.

Each Monday for a total of 20 weeks we will explore a different tool that is needed to equip parents and grandparents to train their children and grandchildren to be successful on their trek of life. If you don’t have children or grandchildren of your own, use these tools to train others that you do influence. Today the second tool from Gramps’ Backpack is Purpose.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Since I am recording this before our delayed Christmas celebration with our children and grandchildren, I will report back on how that went on Wednesday’s podcast. It is a blessing to share life with our family and remember joys of the past and share our hopes and dreams for the future.

If you were fortunate to have loving parents and grandparents when you were growing up, did you ever wonder what the purpose was for some of their tools or utensils that they used? There is a specific purpose for each tool, and if used properly, they can be very effective. In the same way, you have a very specific purpose in life, and you should fulfill your God-given purpose. As we explore each tool within Gramps’ backpack, let me know how these tools have helped you, and if you have anything that you would like to ask Gramps about your trek of life.

As we head out on our trek for today, let’s open Gramps’ backpack again and explore our second tool, which every parent or grandparent should have available to them. This tool is helpful to anyone who has the opportunity to impact others. To effectively and positively impact the lives of others, one tool that you must possess is a powerful sense of purpose.

Purpose

The second tool in Gramps’ backpack is an indispensable tool for building a rich and satisfying life. The tool that you must have is a clearly defined sense of purpose for your life. As the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians in Chapter 2:13, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” In other words, you do God’s purpose.

God has a plan for your life, a plan that is near to His heart. If you genuinely seek to fulfill God’s plan for your life, there is a prerequisite. The most important decision of your life is your commitment to accept God’s Son as your personal Lord and Savior. Once your eternal destiny is secured, the next question to ask yourself is, “What now, Lord?” If you earnestly seek God’s will, you will find it…in time. God is not in a hurry as He shapes us into His image and will reveal His purpose for the various seasons of our life.

Life is best lived on purpose. Purpose, like everything else in the universe, begins in the heart of God. Whether you realize it or not, God has a direction for your life, a divine calling, a path along which He intends to lead you. When you welcome God into your heart and establish a genuine relationship with Him, He will begin, and He will continue, to make His purposes known.

Life is best lived on purpose. Purpose, like everything else in the universe, begins in the heart of God.

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Sometimes, God’s intentions will be clear to you; other times, God’s plan will seem uncertain at best. Even on those difficult days when you are unsure which way to turn, you must never lose sight of these overriding facts. God created you for a reason. He has important work for you to do, and He’s waiting patiently for you to grow and mature. He’s waiting patiently for you to fulfill that purpose each day. So why not begin today? Fulfilling that purpose is what our daily trek consists of. It is hiking daily, demonstrating love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that brings true purpose to your life. You may learn your purpose through various channels.

Henry Blackaby said it this way, “When God speaks to you through the Bible, prayer, circumstance, the church, or in some other way, he has a purpose in mind for your life.”

Paul wrote in his letter Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Bill Hybels made it really clear when he expressed, “God custom-designed you with your unique combination of personality, temperament, talents, and background, and He wants to harness and use these in His mission to reach the messed-up world.”

God assures us in Psalm 32:8, “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.'”

When you have the tool of a clearly defined sense of purpose in your life, you will experience joy for your journey. This purpose needs to be aligned with God’s purpose for your life. Charles Stanley explained it this way, “Until your purpose lines up with God’s purpose, you will never be happy or fulfilled.”

Until your purpose lines up with God’s purpose, you will never be happy or fulfilled.

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You have been chosen with a purpose that no one else can fill in this world. You are important to God’s plan regardless of whether you impact a few people or millions in this world. As Chuck Swindoll put it, “We aren’t just thrown on this earth like dice tossed across a table. We are lovingly placed here for a purpose.”

God desires for us to know and be continually fulfilling our purpose for this life. Psalms 16:11 gives us confidence that God will direct us in this quest, “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.”

With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today and close Gramps’ backpack. Before I do, I will pass the tool of a clearly defined sense of purpose onto you. Once you have this tool in your backpack, it is up to you to use it to train your children, grandchildren, or anyone else that you have the opportunity to impact.

Next Monday we will investigate the third tool in Gramps’ backpack, which is Guidance. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 518 – Harnessing The Vision for Your Future – Activity (2)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 518 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Harnessing The Vision for Your Future – Activity

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week, wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 518 of our Trek and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life, and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. Currently, we are on an extended multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book called The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at ‘The Big House’ in Marietta, Ohio. Our five children, their spouses, and our six grandchildren will be in this weekend for our delayed Christmas celebration. Whenever possible, we like to get everyone together at the same time, and this works well for us. Having children that love each other and desire to be together is a real blessing. It should be a busy remainder of January which includes a trip for me back to our construction project in Arizona the last week of the month. If all goes as planned, and the project workload remains steady, I will be investing one week a month in Arizona during this year. Of course, as with the ebbs and flow of any business, it is subject to our workloadand the activities surrounding the projects. One thing that we don’t want to happen is to be stuck at the base of the mountain through inactivity, but proactively taking action towards success.As we consider the activities that we are engaged in, our trek today continues to be in sync with this philosophy. We continue on our third trail of this extended trek which is the Trail of Activity.

If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the Third trail of this extended trek as we cover:

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Activity Part 2

As a reminder, our overall extended trek will cover these five trails are:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

1. Stuck at the Base of the Mountain

If you have a sincere desire for progress, then you are compelled to find every possible means to implement all that you know and feel. You must find ways to demonstrate on the outside all of the value that you possess on the inside. Otherwise, your values will remain unappreciated and your talents unrewarded.

Why some people fail and others succeed can be baffling. Sometimes it may even seem unfair. We all know people who have a good education, the right attitude, and a sincere desire to make something of themselves. They are good parents, honest employees, and loyal friends. Yet despite their knowledge, feelings, and desires, they continue to lead lives of quiet desperation. They should have so much more than they do, but they seem to receive so little.

Then there are those who always seem to receive so much and yet merit so little. They have no education. They have a poor attitude about themselves and other people, and are often dishonest and unethical. The only thing they seem to share in common with those who should do well but do so poorly is a sincere desire to get ahead. Despite their lack of virtues, knowledge, and appreciation, these people often ‘seem’ to come out on top.

Why is it that some good people seem to have so little while the dishonest seem to have so much? Why is it that the drug dealers and the mob members and the criminal element in our society are driving Rolls Royce while many good people are struggling to make the payments on their inexpensive compacts? If your desire to succeed is as strong as theirs, and if you have the added virtues of philosophical refinement and emotional sophistication, why are you not doing better than they are?The answer might well be that you do not work at achieving your goals…and they do. You do not take all that you are to the marketplace and put it to work. They do. You do not stay up late at night developing new plans to achieve your dreams and work hard day after day to make those dreams a reality. They do. You do not learn all that you possibly can about your industry and your markets. They do. You do not make every effort to get around the right sources of influence, to associate with those people who can help you to achieve your goals. They do. While you are dreaming about the promise of the future, they are doing something about it.

Granted, they may be doing the wrong things, but they are doing it consistently and with an intensity and a level of commitment that would put many of us to shame.

Evil always rushes in to fill the void created by the absence of good. The only thing that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing, and unfortunately, that is what too many good people choose to do. It is our lack of intense, disciplined activity that has allowed evil to flourish and good men to flounder. If life does not seem fair sometimes, we have no one to blame but ourselves.

Evil always rushes in to fill the void created by the absence of good

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Imagine how different your world would be if you made a commitment right now to put into action all that you currently are, wherever you currently are, and with whatever you currently have. What if you gave 100 percent to your job, your family and your community? What if, starting right now, you began to read the books, replace errors with disciplines and associate with people who have stimulating ideas? What if, starting right now, you converted your dreams into plans and your plans into refined activities that would lead toward the achievement of your goals? What an incredible difference you could make! In no time at all you would have evil on the run and good would be rushing in to recapture its rightful place. What a life you could then share with your family. A life filled with challenge, excitement, and achievement. What an inheritance you could leave to the next generation. A wealth of virtue, integrity, and substance with which to build a whole new world, and all because you cared enough to do something with your life and to put your skills and talents to work.

2. Harnessing The Vision Of The Future

Niagara Falls is one of the most breathtaking spectacles in the world. Every hour thousands of tons of water flow along the Niagara River and cascade down several hundred feet of rock into the churning, raging waters below. Through man’s ingenuity, the powerful force of this falling water has been harnessed and now provides an important energy source to hundreds of thousands of people.

Your own dreams can be as breathtaking and powerful as this wonder of nature. But they must also be harnessed and converted into some form of energy if they are to have any value to yourself and to the world around you. Otherwise, they will remain only an exciting but untapped spectacle of the human imagination.

You say that we want to succeed, but sooner or later your level of activity must equal your level of intent. Talking about achievement is one thing; making it happen is something altogether different.Some people seem to take more joy in talking about success than they do in working to achieve it. It is as though their ritualistic chant about someday lulls them into a false sense of security, and all the things that they should be doing and could be doing on any given day never seem to get done.

The consequences of this self-delusion has its own inevitable price. Sooner or later the day will arrive when they will look back with regret at all those things they could have done, and meant to do, but left undone. That is why you must push yourself in the present and experience the milder pain of discipline. You will experience one pain or the other. The pain of discipline or the pain of regret but the difference is that the pain of discipline weighs only ounces while the pain of regret weighs tons.

Productive activity requires that you proactively take action. If you do not, you will find yourself stuck at the base of the mountain, looking at its glorious heights, but no closer to the summit. You must harness that activity and match it to your visions and dreams. Push the activity of evil aside and fill the chasm with good activity so that you can positively impact your world.

In the letter James, the half-brother of Jesus wrote, replace the word faith with visions and dreams as we apply this teaching from Chapter 2:14-17 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing,and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we continue our hike on the Trail of Activity. Today we learned that we must get unstuck at the base of the mountain and take action. If we do not, action taken by those who are evil will fill the void. We must put our visions into action through good activities. Next Philosophy Friday we continue on the Trail of Activity and explore why enterprise is better than ease and the proper balance between activity and rest. Join us next Friday for additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life. Our next trek on Monday we will continue our new series call The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack where we will equip you with the tools needed to impact the lives of others. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along on Monday for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.’If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks or read the associated journals, they are all available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor and most of all your friend as I serve you in through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this Trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to ’Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…every day’! See you on Monday!

Day 517 – You Are a Chosen Person – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 517 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

You Are a Chosen Person – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 517 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Thomas Kempis, who said, “It is no little wisdom for you to keep yourself in silence and in good peace when evil words are spoken to you, and to turn your heart to God and not to be troubled with the judgment of others.”None of us likes to be talked about in a negative or evil manner. It hurts us to the very core. When this happens, how do you react? When this happens, which it will, there are several things we need to take into consideration.

First, be honest with yourself and ask, is there some truth to what is being said about me? If so, don’t retaliate, but work toward overcoming those issues. If what is being said about you is not true, then don’t feel that you have to argue or combat what is said. Consider the source, and realize what others think or say about you does not change who you really are. The truth about you will be evident over time, and usually, when someone speaks ill of others, it is to cover up their own weaknesses and insecurities.

Be careful yourself not to judge others or retaliate, or you will fall victim to the same issue as those who speak ill of you. Do not allow what others say about or to you to impact who you really are and stop you from reaching your God-given potential. Most of all realize that God considers you a chosen person, a royal priest as 1 Peter 2:9 tells us, “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you in through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 516 – Don’t Brag About Tomorrow – Proverbs 27:1-14

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 516 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Don’t Brag About Tomorrow – Proverbs 27:1-14

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 516 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails, we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 1^st half of Chapter 27.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. The open house that we had this past Saturday turned out very nice. We had about 50 people in attendance over the three-hour window. We enjoyed talking with everyone and showing the house. Most of them had not been inside, and with the renovations that we completed over the past few years, it was fun giving tours, which Paula is very good at.

We are truly blessed to be stewards of the house, which my great-grandparents built. Few families have the rich history that we are part of. God has been gracious to us as a family. We do realize all that we have is just on loan to us for the few years that God grants us life, and it is up to us to be good stewards with what He has provided to us. We look forward to many years of continued renovations and enjoyment of the home, but realize that it is God who grants us the ability and life to carry on. Because of this, we are careful to follow the exhortation found in verse 1…

Don’t Brag About Tomorrow

Let’s start our trek as we explore verses 1-14.

More Proverbs of Solomon

¹ Don’t brag about tomorrow,

since you don’t know what the day will bring.

God is the one who controls every breath that we take. If we go through life with pride believing that our success and advancement is because of us, then we miss this point. While we should plan and prepare for the future, we must realize that God is ultimately the giver of life and all that we have.

²Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—

a stranger, not your own lips.

We should not be hasty in promoting and praising of ourselves. While it is crucial to have a healthy self-image, we do not need to publically proclaim it. We should remain quietly confident. It is far better for others to proclaim it, if we are worthy of any praise.

³A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty,

but the resentment caused by a fool is even heavier.

Stone and sand are among the heaviest of all materials known to humans. While we can physically be crushed by these elements, there is an even heavier emotional weight on us. We all desire to be loved and respected, and when we are resented by others, it will crush us emotionally because the resentment is heavy in our soul.

⁴Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood,

but jealousy is even more dangerous.

Anger is cruel to both the person who is dishing it out and to those that are on the receiving end. Anger and wrath will drown the recipient like a flood. There is one additional emotion that is even worse, and that is being the victim of jealousy. It can destroy you emotionally, and it will also destroy the person who is the initiator of that jealousy.

⁵An open rebuke

is better than hidden love!

A person who is truly concerned for your well-being is willing to correct and rebuke you when you go astray or are heading into danger. It is their love for you that compels them. This is much better than them not saying anything because they feel it may offend you. True love is honest love.

⁶Wounds from a sincere friend

are better than many kisses from an enemy.

In the same thought, a friend is willing to cause temporary pain to avert long-term destruction. This is much better than outward affection from someone that does not care if you are heading down the wrong trail.

⁷A person who is full refuses honey,

but even bitter food tastes sweet to the hungry.

When we have overeaten, even when there is additional delicious food before us, we will refuse it. Solomon refers to honey which is one of the sweetest foods on earth. If you are starving though, you are willing to eat undesirable food to help satisfy your cravings.

⁸A person who strays from home

is like a bird that strays from its nest.

When we are part of a family, we have certain moral responsibilities within that family. The most important one is to love our family. When we stray or abandon our responsibilities, then it is no different than a bird abandoning their God-given duties.

⁹The heartfelt counsel of a friend

is as sweet as perfume and incense.

It is good to have friends close enough who are willing to guide and mentor you. Although it may be challenging to hear, in the end, it is a sweet aroma.

¹⁰Never abandon a friend—

either yours or your father’s.

When disaster strikes, you won’t have to ask your brother for assistance.

It’s better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away.

It is good and proper to establish friends who are close both physically and spiritually. This safety net will provide protection and assistance when needed. This is crucial when serious issues and disasters come into your life. A close neighbor can be there immediately when it may take family much longer.

¹¹Be wise, my child, and make my heart glad.

Then I will be able to answer my critics.

Wisdom implanted into our children early in life will be a reward later on. It will be an example to others who are against you or critical of you.

¹²A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.

The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

A wise and prudent person will understand the dangers and obstacles that are part of everyone’s life and make sure they are prepared. A person who is simple will ignore this potential, and their life will be filled with problems and drama.

¹³Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt.

Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.

Once again Solomon warns about the dangers of debt. This is especially true when you co-sign or guarantee the debt for someone else. If you are loaning the money, then to make sure you are protected, you should seek out additional security on that loan. This is especially true if the person who is borrowing the money is a stranger or unknown to you.

¹⁴A loud and cheerful greeting early in the morning

will be taken as a curse!

We should be considerate of others at all times. Some people are able to get up early and be filled with energy, many others are not. If you are one of those early risers, be especially considerate of others who are not. This is especially true of your spouse, children, and close family members.

Today on our Wisdom Trail, we continue to explore a series of Solomon’s Proverbs that were assembled by King Hezekiah. These proverbs provide us with more wisdom, insight, and understanding on a myriad of relationship issues. Regardless of where you are in your faith walk, your life will be rich and satisfying if you follow the precepts in Proverbs. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom. I would challenge you to take just one precept that we learn today in Proverbs and commit yourself to applying it to your life.

That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 515 – Trust Your Ideas, Not Your Circumstance – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 515 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Trust Your Ideas, Not Your Circumstances – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 510 of our trek, and it’s time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson, who says, “It is a lesson which all history teaches the wise, to put trust in ideas, and not in circumstances.”This quote for me, at first, was a bit difficult to fully understand, so I dug into the background or situation that led Emerson to say it. It was penned after some difficult circumstances in his life that he had overcome.

We all face situations and circumstances throughout our trek of life. If we are not careful, we will allow those circumstances to control our future. What brought you to where you are today does not have to be the same vehicle that takes you to a more successful and prosperous future.

Allow your ideas, dreams, and desires to drive you forward. Strip off all of the old baggage and circumstances that are holding you back from achieving your God-given potential. Trust in the fact that you are uniquely qualified. That you have talents and abilities that no one else in the world has.

No one can take your place, so it is up to you to take your ideas and dreams and move forward with confidence. Learn the lessons taught by difficult circumstances and then boldly move forward with the certainty that God is guiding you through your purpose in life for this season.

Grasp hold of the truths that are found in Romans 5:3-5, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. If you enjoy these quotes, I have created and published a searchable database of over 10,000 quotes that I have collected for many years. If you would like free access to my database of inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com.

Please encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 514 – Knowing Jesus – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 514 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Knowing Jesus – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 514 of our trek, and today we are starting a new series called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack. Each Monday for 20 weeks we will explore a different tool that is needed to equip parents and grandparents to train their children and grandchildren to be successful on their trek of life. If you don’t have children or grandchildren of your own, use these tools to train others that you do influence. Today the first tool from Gramps’ Backpack is Knowing Jesus.

Maybe it’s a male perspective, but I love tools. When I go to Lowes or Home Depot, I enjoy seeing all the tools and have dreams about all that I could use them for. Tools help us to perform tasks that would otherwise be impossible. In the same way, the tools that we will explore over the next several weeks can help us to have a legacy impact on others that would be impossible otherwise. Email me at guthrie@wisdom-trek.com, and let me know how these tools have helped you and if you have anything that you would like to ask Gramps about our trek of life.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Since I am recording this before our open house, I will report back on how that went on Wednesday’s podcast. As I think about the open house, we have invited those people that we know and consider friends. This thought applies to the first tool we will explore today. To consider someone a friend, you must know them. So it is with…

Knowing Jesus

The first tool in Gramps’s backpack is a living, loving relationship with the Son of God, who is Jesus. John the Baptist understood this as recorded in John 1:29, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'”

He was the Son of God, but He wore a crown of thorns. He was the Savior of mankind, yet He was put to death on a rough-hewn cross. He offered His healing touch to an unsaved world, and yet the same hands that had healed the sick and raised the dead were pierced with nails.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born into humble circumstances. He walked this earth, not as a ruler of men, but as the Savior of mankind. His crucifixion, a torturous punishment that was intended to end His life and His reign, instead became the pivotal event in the history of all humanity. Christ sacrificed His life on the cross so that we might have eternal life. This gift, freely given by God’s only Son, is the priceless possession of everyone who accepts Him as Lord and Savior.

Why did Christ endure the humiliation and torture of the cross? He did it for you, His love is as near as your next breath, as personal as your next thought, more essential than your next heartbeat. What must you do in response to the Savior’s gifts? You must accept His love, praise His name, and share His message of salvation. For this tool to be effective on impacting the lives of others, you must conduct yourself in a manner that demonstrates to all the world that your acquaintance with the Master tool is not a passing fancy but that it is, instead, the cornerstone and the touchstone of your life. Indeed Christ is more than a tool. He is the Master tool of all the other tools, for He is required for the other tools to be effective.

Oswald Chambers put it this way, “The only source of Life is the Lord Jesus Christ.”

As for Jesus’s position, Hebrews 2:9 says, “What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone.”H. Spurgeon summed it up in this manner, “Infinite and an infant. Eternal, and yet born of a woman. Supporting a universe, and yet needing to be carried in a mother’s arms. King of angels, and yet the reputed son of Joseph. Heir of all things, and yet the carpenter’s despised son.”

John 1:14 in the Voice translation explains it so well, “The Voice took on flesh and became human and chose to live alongside us. We have seen Him, enveloped in undeniable splendor—the one true Son of the Father—evidenced in the perfect balance of grace and truth.”

With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today and close Gramps’ Backpack. Before I do, I will pass the tool that we explored onto you. It is up to you to use it to train your children, grandchildren, or anyone else that you have the opportunity to impact.

On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day.

Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 513 – The Parable of the Three Servants – Activity (1)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 513 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Parable of the Three Servants – Activity

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 513 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. Currently, we are in a multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. It has been cool, but not overly cold for the first week of January in Marietta. Paula and I have an open house at our home this Saturday for friends to see the renovations that we have completed over the past couple of years. We are expecting about 50 people to drop by. We are still decorated for Christmas, so we thought it would be a great time to host it.

The following weekend we will be celebrating Christmas with our five children, their spouses, and our six grandkids. We delayed it so everyone would be able to come at the same time. Plus it allows us to take advantage of after-Christmas specials. We have done this a couple of times in the past few years, and it seems to work out well for all. Sometimes it is best to work our activities around what is best for everyone instead of trying to fit everything into a schedule that is already busy.

As we consider the activities that we are engaged in, our trek today will be in sync with that as we start on our third trail of this extended trek which is the Trail of Activity.

If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the third trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Activity Part 1

As a reminder, our overall extended trek will cover these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

1. The Parable of the Three Servants

In the book of Matthew 25, Jesus tells a story known as the Parable of the Three Servants. A parable is a word story that illustrates a greater truth. According to the story, one day the master of the household gathered his three servants together and announced that he would soon be going away on a long journey. Before leaving, he gave each of his servants a certain number of bags of silver. Each bag of silver would be worth several years’ wages to the average laborer, so this represented a substantial sum of money. Let me read this story to you, so you will understand the lessons contained in it.

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.”

“The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.”

“After a long time, their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.'”

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!'”

“The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.'”

“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!'”

“Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.'”

“But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.'”

“Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'”

Many people are not very happy with the way this story ends. After all, it does not seem fair to take the little that the third servant had and give it to the servant who now had ten. Remember, life is not designed to give rewards in proportion to your level of need, it gives them in proportion to your level of ability. While there is a deeper Biblical lesson about the building the Kingdom of Heaven in this story, for our analogy let’s look at it as part of the trails on life’s trek.

The moral of this story for your lesson today is that whatever life has handed you, whether it is one bag of pennies or five bags of silver, it is your responsibility to do something with what you have been given! That is how you change pennies into fortunes and obstacles into opportunity. You must take all that you have and all that you are and put it to work.

Sooner or later you must convert knowledge and good feelings into activity. This parable also clearly demonstrates, the more you start with, the more you will receive for all of your disciplined work. That is why starting with a sound personal philosophy and the right attitude is so important. The more you know and the better you feel about yourself and your opportunities, the greater your chances of success will be.

A growing awareness and a positive attitude are not enough in and of themselves. What you know and how you feel merely determines your potential for achievement. Whether you actually achieve your goals is ultimately determined by your activity.

You can have a well-balanced philosophy, great depth of character, and a good attitude about life, but unless you put these valuable assets to work, you may find yourself making more excuses than progress. What you know and how you feel are important factors that affect the quality of your life, but remember, they are merely the foundation upon which to build a better future. Completing the rest of the picture requires action.

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we begin our hike on the Trail of Activity. Today we learned that any success requires activity and action. It was the two servants that took action based on their ability that were rewarded for their activity.

Next Philosophy Friday we will continue on the Trail of Activity and explore why we sometimes get stuck at the base of the mountain and why we must harness our vision for the future. Join us next Friday for additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

On our next trek on Monday we will begin a new series call The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack where we will equip you with the tools needed to impact the lives of others. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 512 – Investing Time Wisely – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 512 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Investing Time Wisely – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 512 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote comes from one of our Wisdom-Trek episodes, which says, “Investing time wisely will be the most important investment and provides the greatest return.”We are starting a brand new year and have the opportunity to invest or spend every hour of each day. Think about it in this manner…There are 168 hours each week, and if we assigned $10 value to each hour, then each week would be worth $1680.00. For every hour you must decide, will you invest this hour into something that will allow you to grow in value, or spend it on something that has no lasting value?

Investing your time can be in the form of additional training to stay ahead of the rapidly changing technology, exercising to stay physically fit, or preparing wholesome meals to stay healthy, or getting adequate sleep and beneficial relaxation. You can also invest time and resources in others, which will allow them to grow and further your positive impact on your world.

If you are not investing your time in the improvement of yourself or others, you will end up spending your time on non-important distractions and your resources on non-essential “stuff” or self-destructive behaviors. Make it a habit this year, at the beginning of each day, to choose to invest your time and resources for positive growth and impact instead of spending them on stuff or activities that have no redeeming value.

As the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Ephesians 5:15-17, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 511 – A Lying Tongue Hates Its Victims – Proverbs 26:15-28

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 511 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A Lying Tongue Hates Its Victims – Proverbs 26:15-28

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 511 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails, we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 2^nd half of Chapter 26.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. 2017 has begun. Paula and I invested several hours in planning, preparing, and setting goals for this New Year and are excited to see how God moves within our lives and for the opportunity to positively impact the lives of many people. Even with this planning, which is very important, we also realize that what we do on a daily basis, which most of the time is not exciting, will determine the success we have during this year.

Most days will be mundane and considered boring. We do not live extravagant lives and are fairly common people. We do understand, though, that success consists of doing the common things of life uncommonly well. Our prayer and hope is that when 2017 ends, we can look back with satisfaction and say each day was lived well. If we live each day well, then the entire year will be successful overall.

On our trek for today, we will explore several examples of how not to live. It is important to know this, so that we can avoid these situations and habits. One of those bad habits is lying to others. As verse 28 tells us…

A Lying Tongue Hates Its Victims

Let’s start our trek as we explore verses 15-28.

More Proverbs of Solomon

¹⁵ Lazy people take food in their hand

but don’t even lift it to their mouth.

A person who is habitually lazy feels a sense of entitlement. He feels that the world owes him something, or everything. To show the extreme of his laziness, this verse uses a word picture of a lazy person who took hold of something to eat, but was so lazy he would not lift the food to his mouth.

¹⁶Lazy people consider themselves smarter

than seven wise counselors.

Laziness and foolishness go hand in glove. A foolish, lazy person feels that he is so smart that he has no need of advice from others. Even if he meets the wisest people alive, he would refuse their wisdom, because he is too lazy to implement their suggestions for improvement.

¹⁷Interfering in someone else’s argument

is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.

When you observe someone else in a discussion or argument, it would be best to avoid getting involved. Even if you feel that you have a solution to their problems or an answer to their arguments. The analogy is how foolish it would be to yank the ears of a mad dog. The only thing that will happen is that you will get bitten physically or verbally when interfering in someone else’s argument.

¹⁸Just as damaging

as a madman shooting a deadly weapon

¹⁹is someone who lies to a friend

and then says, “I was only joking.”

Lying is never wise, especially to those you consider friends, even when said in jest. The result will be the killing of your friendship. The damage will be no less than if it was with physical weapons.

²⁰Fire goes out without wood,

and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.

Just like a fire needs a continual supply of wood to keep it going, quarrels will usually continue when there is a continual supply of gossip. The best way to end quarrels is to stop fueling them with lies, deceptions or gossip. Be kind and honest at all times.

²¹A quarrelsome person starts fights

as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.

You probably know a person or two who just seems to be always quarreling and fighting about something. His life is filled with drama. It seems to be his very nature and is a habitual part of his life. It is the same way as hot embers, or fire continues to fan the flames of a cooking pit or bonfire.

²²Rumors are dainty morsels

that sink deep into one’s heart.

²³Smooth words may hide a wicked heart,

just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot.

²⁴People may cover their hatred with pleasant words,

but they’re deceiving you.

²⁵They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them.

Their hearts are full of many evils.

²⁶While their hatred may be concealed by trickery,

their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.

People have not changed all that much since King Solomon penned these words over 3,000 years ago. Within his palace, rumors abounded, and he knew how dangerous it was. They are like a fine piece of chocolate that you can feel oozing down into your stomach. They are usually smooth and will cover for the gossiper as a fine glaze covers a piece of pottery.

Those that spread gossip cover themselves with what appears to be pleasant words, even as they know they are deceptive. They come across as if they care for those they are gossiping about, and yet their intent is to cause damage. They may deceive others for a period of time. Eventually, the habitual gossiper will be found out for who they truly are, a hater and a liar.

²⁷If you set a trap for others,

you will get caught in it yourself.

If you roll a boulder down on others,

it will crush you instead.

Be careful when you are attempting to entrap others for your own personal gain. It may work for a period of time, but eventually, it will catch up to you, and you will be the one who is ultimately damaged.

²⁸A lying tongue hates its victims,

and flattering words cause ruin.

When you lie to or about others, it is usually to protect yourself from embarrassment and shame. You may not realize that it is causing harm to the person you are lying to, but when you strip away all of the excuses for lying, the only thing that remains is that you hate the person you are lying to, or at least love yourself more than you love them. This is the reason you are trying to cover-up for your shortcomings. Honesty is not only the best policy, but it is also the only policy.

Today on our Wisdom Trail, we continue to explore a series of Solomon’s Proverbs that were assembled by King Hezekiah. These proverbs provide us with more wisdom, insight, and understanding especially in relationship to arguing, lying and gossip, which are all the same thing. Regardless of where you are in your faith walk, your life will be rich and satisfying if the precepts in Proverbs are followed. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom.

I would challenge you today to take just one precept that we learn today in Proverbs and commit yourself to applying it to your life. Tomorrow we will hike another short trail of Wisdom Unplugged where we will discover an inspirational wisdom quote. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 510 – The Difference Between Information, Knowledge, and Wisdom – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 510 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Difference Between Information, Knowledge, and Wisdom – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 510 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is one that I wrote when designing the format for Your Life Plan Blueprint, and the quote is, “Information is not knowledge, and knowledge is not wisdom, but the practical Biblical use of information results in knowledge and the Biblical application of knowledge results in wisdom.”Information, knowledge, and wisdom – many people think that these three words can be used interchangeably. Although they can be connected, built on, and related to each other, the words are vastly different. In today’s connected world we literally have exponentially more information at our fingertips instantaneously than all of humanity has had since the creation of the world. Although we have this vast bank of information, very few people absorb this information and use it as knowledge to further themselves to be more successful in any area of life. Of those individuals that apply information and convert it to knowledge to advance themselves, few of them use that knowledge fully.

The final step in this connected thread is taking all of the knowledge that we have, and through the use of Biblical filters, apply that knowledge as wisdom. Ultimately all wisdom comes from God, so to properly synthesize knowledge into practical wisdom requires that knowledge is converted to wisdom, which is in sync with Biblical precepts. Wisdom that violates Biblical precepts is not wisdom at all, but a misapplication of information and knowledge. Proverbs 2:9-11 sums the proper use of information as knowledge and the application of knowledge as wisdom,

⁹Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,

and you will find the right way to go.

¹⁰For wisdom will enter your heart,

and knowledge will fill you with joy.

¹¹Wise choices will watch over you.

Understanding will keep you safe.

Please encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 509 – A Fresh New Year

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 509 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A Fresh New Year

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 509 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we explore a quote that will encourage and motivate you to live a rich and satisfying life this week. Today let us hike the trail called A Fresh New Year.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. A brand new year is dawning for us all. For Paula and I on our trek of life, there are many areas that we would like to pursue, some of which are already planned while others are just ideas. I am sure there will be many unforeseen twists and turns, obstacles and ditches.

One thing that we can be sure of is the sun will always be shining, whether it is from a clear blue sky or above the clouds obstructed from our view. Our primary desire and focus is to positively impact the lives of others and encourage them to walk faithfully and successfully each day. Let us know how we can assist you.

A Fresh New Year

The quote we want to explore today is from William Arthur Ward, who said, “Another fresh new year is here…another year to live! To banish worry, doubt, and fear, to love and laugh and give! This bright New Year is given me to live each day with zest…to daily grow and try to be my highest and my best! I have the opportunity once more to right some wrongs, to pray for peace, to plant a tree, and sing more joyful songs.”

As we start a New Year, let me ask you to look forward and answer this question, “By the end of 2017 what do you desire to accomplish and where do you desire to be on your trek of life?” Take a clear mental picture of what you just answered, post it on the front page of your mind and review it every day upon rising. Next, write it down and post it near your bathroom mirror so that you see it every morning when you rise and again at night before sleep.

With this picture firmly planted in your mind, each day banish the fear, doubt, and worry. Live each day with gusto as you love, laugh, and give of yourself to others. Daily grow toward your highest and best potential. Above all, on your trek each day, keep moving forward and enjoy your journey.

A passage that I have used before, but is so applicable as we begin this new year is Philippians 3:13-14, “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today, but I exhort you to take action today and make 2017 your best year ever.

On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 508 – New and Better Sources of Influence – Attitude (8)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 508 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

New and Better Sources of Influence – Attitude

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 508 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently, we are in a multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This is the final podcast for 2016, and as we reflect on this past year, we realize that we have covered a lot of territory on our daily treks. The question is, did we trek well, and what areas do we need to improve as we start 2017? There are some uncertainties in what direction we will head in, both from a personal and business perspective, but we are confident that if we live each day well, then the weeks, months, and the entire year will also be lived well. Our Wisdom-Trek is about taking one step at a time and living our legacy well every day so that our life of legacy will be one that will impact the lives of others for generations to come.

As we ponder this concept today, we are completing our trek on the Trail of Attitude. We need to realize our need and continually seek out new and better sources of influence so that our attitude will determine our outcome. If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the second trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Attitude Part 8

As a reminder, our overall extended trek will cover these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

1. New and Better Sources of Influence

Sources of new information and ideas are within your reach and can have a dramatic impact on your attitude. The information that success requires can come from a variety of sources. The information is all around you if you will just begin the search.

Even if you cannot get around the right people in person, you can always have access to them through their spoken or written words. There is a wealth of information and inspiration available to you through audio books, printed books, podcasts, YouTube, online training courses, and other streaming media. These resources give you new insights into goal-setting, attitude development, time management, leadership skills, financial management and a multitude of important subjects.

By listening to these new voices of inspiration as you drive to and from work, exercise, and a myriad of other activities you can find that new seeds of progress will enter your mind causing you to think new and more constructive thoughts. The voices from these resources will bring value to your life and should replace the time you would usually spend listening to mindless chatter on TV or radio.

To be effective, these resources must repeatedly be used. These messages must be listened to again and again to give these new voices time to influence you. Repetition is the mother of skill.

Repetition is the mother of skill.

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Finding new voices to inspire you is not a matter of skill or luck, it is a question of attitude. It is the student who must seek out the teacher, for rarely does a good idea interrupt us. Success moves toward those who search for progress, not toward those who need or want its rewards.

2. Attitude Is Everything

The process of change begins within you. You have tremendous potential. I am convinced that you desire good results from your efforts. You must be willing to work hard and to invest the resources of time and money that success and happiness demand.

You have the ability to put your unique human potential into action and to acquire the desired result. The one thing that determines the level of your potential, which produces the intensity of your activity, and that predicts the quality of the result you receive, is your attitude.

Attitude determines how much of the future you are allowed to see. It decides the size of your dreams and influences your determination when you are faced with new challenges. No other person on earth has dominion over your attitude. People can affect your attitude by teaching you poor thinking habits or unintentionally misinforming you or providing you with negative sources of influence, but no one can control your attitude unless you voluntarily surrender that control.

No one else “makes you angry.” You make yourself angry when you surrender control of your attitude. What someone else may have done is irrelevant. You choose, not others. They merely put your attitude to the test. If you select a volatile attitude by becoming hostile, angry, jealous, or suspicious, then you have failed the test. If you condemn yourself by believing that you are unworthy, then again, you have failed the test.

If you care at all about yourself, then you must accept full responsibility for your own feelings. You must learn to guard against those feelings that have the capacity to lead your attitude down the wrong path and to strengthen those feelings that can lead you confidently into a better future.

If you want to receive the rewards the future holds in trust for you, then you must exercise the most important choice given to you by maintaining total dominion over your attitude. Your attitude is an asset, a treasure of great value, which must be protected accordingly. Beware of the vandals and thieves in your circle of influencers who would injure your positive attitude or seek to steal it away.

Your attitudes start with your thoughts. To maintain a proper attitude, you need to maintain proper thoughts. Philippians 4:8-9 tells us how we can do this, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

Having the right attitude is one of the basics that success requires. The combination of a sound personal philosophy and a positive attitude about yourself and the world around you gives you an inner strength and a firm resolve that influences all other areas of your existence, including the third piece of the life puzzle that we will examine starting next Friday.

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we finish our hike on the Trail of Attitude. Today we learned that we continually need new and better sources of influence and that our attitude determines our level of success.

Next Philosophy Friday we begin on the Trail of Activity and explore the truth that our level of our activity directly impacts our success. Join us next Friday for additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek will be Motivation Monday where we explore a motivation nugget that will bring value to your world. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks or read the associated journals, they are all available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 507 – Success in Life – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 507 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Success in Life – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 507 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote comes from Joseph Addison, who says, “If you wish success in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counselor, caution your elder brother and hope your guardian genius.”

I believe all of us desire to be successful, as I don’t know of anyone who desires to be a failure. If this premise is true, then the quote for today gives us a good recipe for success.

First, we need to have an unwavering persistence. Tenacity needs to become your closest friend so that you will continue on, even when everything seems to be against you. Second, the experiences that you have gained from past failures need to give you the wise counsel that you need so that you do not repeat the same mistakes. Third, with that experience will bring a measure of caution so that your decisions will be much wiser as if your older brother were giving you additional insight. Fourth and most of all, you need to embrace an unwavering hope to continue on, even when life looks bleak because it is the genius that fuels your desire to be a success in all of life.

As the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church of Rome in Chapter 5 verses 3 through 5, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. If you would like access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com.

As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 506 – As a Dog Returns to Its Vomit – Proverbs 26:1-14

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 506 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

As a Dog Returns to Its Vomit – Proverbs 26:1-14

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 506 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 1^st half of Chapter 26.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. As with most businesses, the week between Christmas and New Year’s is slower and less hectic, which is why Paula and I use this week for planning. Our goal for this week is to completely plan 2017 – for both our personal life and business. This involves planning our entire calendar for the next 12 months as well as our financial budgets for the year. There will be some changes during the year, but this gives us a very good foundation from which to work. We feel that it is very wise to plan as much as possible while realizing that God will ultimately direct our steps as we follow Him each day. The opposite of being wise is being foolish.

On today’s trek, we will explore several situations that a fool is caught up in. One of the ways to know if a person is a fool is that they continue their foolishness. This is equated to what a dog does, which is our title for today…

As a Dog Returns To Its Vomit

Let’s start our trek as we explore verses 1-14.

More Proverbs of Solomon

¹Honor is no more associated with fools

than snow with summer or rain with harvest.

Just like we would not expect snow during the summer and rain is rare in the fall, a foolish person should not receive honor for his foolish actions. In our overly sensitive environment of today, we are too quick to honor those who do not deserve it.

²Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,

an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.

If you have ever observed the flight of a sparrow or how a swallow darts back and forth, so it is with someone who is cursed without cause. That curse will not have an effect on the unintended person.

³Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle,

and a fool with a rod to his back!

Just as a whip or small bit in a horse’s mouth will guide the horse wherever it needs to go, the only way to direct a fool on the proper course is through discipline and correction because he is too foolish to correct himself.

⁴Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools,

or you will become as foolish as they are.

⁵Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools,

or they will become wise in their own estimation.

While these two verses appear to contradict each other, they have to be analyzed in their original intent. You never want to argue with a fool based on his foolish arguments, or you will just be a fool yourself. If a fool wants to argue, counter only with wisdom and truth. In doing so, you will squelch the fool’s argument because they will not know how to effectively refute it.

⁶Trusting a fool to convey a message

is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison!

A foolish person is not reliable and usually cannot be trusted. When you try to rely on them, the results will be ineffective. It is the same as handicapping yourself or drinking poison and expecting it to make someone else ill.

⁷A proverb in the mouth of a fool

is as useless as a paralyzed leg.

A proverb is a short wise saying, and when it comes from the mouth of a foolish person, it is of no use because it does not impact the person who is saying it. It would be as useless as someone attempting to walk on a paralyzed leg.

⁸Honoring a fool

is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot.

Here is another verse about giving honor to a foolish person. It is not valid and will not have any more impact than trying a stone in a slingshot. It will only come back to hurt the one who is giving it.

⁹A proverb in the mouth of a fool

is like a thorny branch brandished by a drunk.

Once again, a wise saying or proverb coming from a fool is of no use because he is dull or numb to the potential impact of the lesson. The analogy compares someone who is drunk and does not realize that he has grabbed onto a thorn bush that is puncturing his hand.

¹⁰An employer who hires a fool or a bystander

is like an archer who shoots at random.

When you hire a fool, or someone that you do not know, to provide work, your results will be questionable at best. Just like when shooting arrows at random, you may hit a target, but it is unlikely that the results will be satisfactory.

¹¹As a dog returns to its vomit,

so a fool repeats his foolishness.

If you are familiar with dogs, you know that when they vomit, many times they will return to it and consume the vomit to clean it up. In the same way, a fool will vomit foolishness throughout each day and continue in his foolish practices.

¹²There is more hope for fools

than for people who think they are wise.

As frustrating and ineffective as a fool may be, there is something that is even worse. That is a person who thinks they are wise when they are not. A fool will usually fall into this category also. A truly wise person knows that they need to continually gain wisdom, insight, and understanding in many areas of life.

¹³The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion on the road!

Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!”

We now switch our context from a foolish person to a lazy person, although a person may be both lazy people and also foolish. The extremes that a lazy person will do to justify their laziness knows no ends. In this verse, this person is so lazy that he fears going outside. While most of us do not have to deal with actual lions being outside our house, many people come up with fears that are just as ridiculous.

¹⁴As a door swings back and forth on its hinges,

so the lazy person turns over in bed.

A lazy person is so predictable in his laziness that the analogy in this verse is that of a hinge on a door. The hinge allows the door to swing back and forth, but the door does not move beyond those bounds. The bed allows a lazy person to flop back and forth without making any progress.

Today on our Wisdom Trail we continue to explore a series of Solomon’s Proverbs that were assembled by King Hezekiah. These proverbs provide us with more wisdom, insight, and understanding. Regardless of where you are in your faith walk, if the precepts in Proverbs are followed, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom. I would challenge you today to take just one precept that we learn today in Proverbs and commit yourself to applying it to your life.

That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of our past treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 505 – God Knows Best – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 505 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

God Knows Best – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 505 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from J.M.L. Monsabre, who said, “If God would concede to me His omnipotence for twenty-four hours, you would see how many changes I would make in this world. But if He gave me His wisdom, too, I would leave things as they are.”I believe we all have in the back of our minds that if we were God, then we would certainly structure life differently both for ourselves and for the entire world. Many of us even have somewhat of a God complex where we think we know what would be best. What we are lacking is God’s wisdom, insight, and understanding of our lives and how they are integral to all eternity.

Since we are confined to space and time while we are alive, it is impossible to know or understand God’s purpose and plans for us as it fits into His eternal plans. As we come to the end of another year and are looking forward to 2017, let us do what we can to prepare and plan but ultimately realize that God is in control and trust Him to guide and direct us. We are certainly fortunate when it comes to our salvation through Christ, that God’s wise plans prevail as we are told in 1 Corinthians 1:24-26, “But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.”That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. If you enjoy these quotes, I have created and published a searchable database of over 10,000 quotes that I have collected for many years. If you would like free access to my database of inspirational quotes the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com.

Please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 504 – Finish Each Day Well

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 504 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Finish Each Day Well

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 504 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we explore a quote that will encourage and motivate you to live a rich and satisfying life this week. Today let us hike the trail called Finish Each Day Well.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. If all goes according to plan, we will finish up the leaf harvest this weekend, just in time to relax and celebrate Christmas. I have always enjoyed the celebration of Christmas and focusing on the fact that God, through Jesus Christ, became human so that we can be made right before God through Him.

Since this is the last week of 2016 and we are finishing up another year, let me ask you, how was your year? Are you looking forward to 2017? The way to guarantee that 2017 is better than this year is to…

Finish Each Day Well

The quote we want to explore today is from Ralph Waldo Emerson who said, “Finish each day and be done with it…you have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it well and serenely.”

The only way to make sure that each week, each year, and indeed, your entire life will be rich and satisfying is to live every hour of each day well. That means you must live life to the fullest. To live with integrity, with honor, with kindness, and most important with love both for God and for everyone that you have an impact on. Live in such a way that when you lay down to sleep at night, you can rest knowing that you have lived well for that day.

Realize also that at the end of each day, regardless of how you lived and how it turned out, that the day is finished and tomorrow is a new day, a blank slate to start over again even better. Begin each day well so that you will have an opportunity to finish each day well. Doing well in the small things of life will allow you to do well with more. As Matthew 25:21 tells us, “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’”

As we finish our trek for today, let me ask you, what can you do today to both start and finish well?

On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life.

Encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 503 – The Value of Associations – Attitude (7)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 503 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Value of Associations – Attitude

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 503 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday.

Every Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they impact us in creating our living legacy. Currently, we are in a multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book called The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. As we approach the Christmas weekend, let us choose to take some time to relax and reflect on the true meaning and purpose of this blessed celebration in remembrance when Christ our Savior, who is God’s Word or the voice sent to us. We read in John 1:14, “The Voice took on flesh and became human and chose to live alongside us. We have seen Him, enveloped in undeniable splendor—the one true Son of the Father—evidenced in the perfect balance of grace and truth.”

As we ponder this verse, let us consider those who we associate with on a daily basis. We will continue the theme from the past couple of Friday’s on today’s trek on the Attitude Trail. Let us explore both the value of limiting associations with some people and the value of expanding associations with others.

If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the second trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Attitude Part 7

As a reminder, our overall extended trek will cover these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

1. The Value of Limited Association

Another option for protecting your attitude is limiting your association with certain people. You cannot avoid talking to co-workers or refuse to visit with certain relatives for the rest of your life. You can limit the time you actually invest with these people, and in so doing, limit their ability to influence you.

There are some people with whom you can invest a few minutes, but not a few hours. There are some with whom you can invest a few hours, but not a few days. Not when your mindset and the achievement of your dreams is at stake.

Excessive influence is undue influence. You can sometimes avoid having to end a relationship with a friend whose negative influence is affecting you by carefully limiting the amount of time you invest with that individual. You must be very careful even with the limited association. Occasional influences are very subtle because they can have an accumulative effect that is difficult to see. You must always remember that failure is the slow and imperceptible accumulation of small errors in judgment repeated on a daily basis over a prolonged period of time.

In your personal and business worlds about 80 percent of the people with whom you associate, the vast majority, will account for only about 20 percent of the results you achieve. Conversely, about 20 percent, the clear minority, will produce 80 percent of the good results.

Here is a strange but valuable insight to go along with that interesting fact. It is the 80 percent group (who only produce 20 percent of the good results) that will try to capture 80 percent of your time. The 20 percent group (who produce 80 percent of the good results) will receive only 20 percent of your time.

The challenge here should be clear. You should discipline yourselves to invest 80 percent of your time with the 20 percent who are helping you to produce 80 percent of the results, and 20 percent of your time with the 80 percent who are producing only 20 percent of the results.

This is not an easy assignment. Often those in the larger group are masters at gaining access to those who are striving to do well. They have the capacity, if you are not careful, to steal away about 80 percent of your valuable time. If you allow it, they will be like the camel who pokes his nose under the tent. Left unchecked, the camel will slowly inch his way inside the tent, and you will soon find yourself on the outside.

If you desire a successful, rich, and satisfying life, you must become aware of how the 80 percent group operates. Most are good people, but they are caught up in the search for the how of success and have not yet captured the importance of the why. They do not know that reasons come first and that answers come second. They have not yet discovered that when the human mind locks on to a personal obsession, it does not need a book of instructions or a training class on how to take advantage of opportunity.

Most are good people, but they are caught up in the search for the how of success and have not yet captured the importance of the why.

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In this world of opportunity mixed with challenge, there are those who want to know so that they might see, and there are those who think they see even though they do not yet know.

There are those in the great multitude whose attention to progress and personal development has been greatly neglected. If you were fortunate enough to have discovered gold, and sought a few close friends with whom you wished to share your discovery, some would likely disappoint you.

If you asked for their assistance and their labor in exchange for part of your fortune, some would find fault with the terms of the offer. Some would complain about the splinters from the cheap shovels and the blisters brought about by their labors. Some would complain about the distance from the comfort of their homes and the location of the gold mine. Some would complain about how bad the tax bite will be after all the work is done and how unfair it all is. Still, others would complain because someone else was getting more than their fair share. Others would condemn you for showing favoritism to certain friends.

Personal growth is not always an easy matter, but the worst days experienced by those who choose to give attention to the affairs of self-development are better than the best days of those who do not.

You must not delay your commitment to finding your own personal “gold mine” in life simply because of the opinions of others whom you deem to be worthy and deserving friends, but whose impact on your attitude and your self-confidence steals away too much of your spirit and dampens too much of your desire. You are obligated to limit or remove the undue influences of those who are having the wrong effect on you. Otherwise, you risk losing your own vision due to the pessimism of those who do not share your desire to experience the rich and satisfying life.

2. The Value Of Expanded Association

Another choice you can make regarding your associations and their potential for impact on your feelings and connected attitude is expanded association. Very simply, this means finding people who have value and arranging your life to be able to invest more time with them.

Even a small amount of time can make a great deal of difference when it is invested with the right people. These people will educate, encourage, inspire, and assist you in moving in the right direction.

It is better to invest a little time with the right people than to spend a lot of time with the wrong people. By expanding your association to include more of the right people, and closing the doors to exclude or limit more of the wrong people, you expose ourselves to new and better sources of influence.

As 3 John 11 tells us, “Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.”

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we continue to hike on the Trail of Attitude. Today we learned how to limit our time with those who hold us back and invest more time with those who will help us succeed. Next Philosophy Friday, we will finish the Trail of Attitude as we explore new and better sources of influence and come to better understand that attitude is everything. Join us next Friday for additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek will be Motivation Monday as we explore more trails of how to get and stay motivated to bring value to your world. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 502 – A Wise Government – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 502 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A Wise Government – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 502 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote comes from Tao To Ching, which says, “If a country is governed wisely…people enjoy their food, take pleasure in being with their families, invest weekends working in their gardens, and delight in the doings of the neighborhood.”A government that is built on wisdom and integrity will provide a societal structure that is peaceful and allows for personal freedom for its people. When people are able to live in peace and have an opportunity for economic expansion, the outcome will be beneficial to the government overall. The people will then have adequate resources to take care of themselves, purchase food and other necessities, take care of their families, work hard, and take care of their personal properties as well as community property.

When the governmental environment is structured to allow people to flourish, most will thrive, work at self-improvement, and provide overall stability of the nation. Regardless of the government structure that you may live under, if you are a Christ follower, you have a higher calling yet as Titus 3:1-2 tells us, “Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.”That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 501 – Patience Can Persuade a Prince – Proverbs 25:15-28

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 501 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Patience Can Persuade a Prince – Proverbs 25:15-28

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 501 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 2^nd half of chapter 25.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We are still waiting for an opportunity to finish up the leaf harvest. We received a replacement engine for the leaf vacuum, but we were shipped the wrong one. The company was very good about shipping out the correct one promptly, and we shipped the incorrect one back.

The weather has been a bit uncooperative also with a lot of rain and cold temperatures. We will try and wrap up the process this weekend if possible. Life does not always go smoothly or as we would like it to, but we need to continue on each day with the reality of life as it is and not how we wish it to be. Wisdom, insight, and understanding helps us to see this and handle the unexpected events of life properly. Patience is one of those attributes that is a sign of Godly wisdom. One verse we will explore today tells us…

Patience Can Persuade a Prince

Let’s start our trek as we explore verses 15-28.

More Proverbs of Solomon

¹⁵Patience can persuade a prince,

and soft speech can break bones.

A patient person is truly wise and a person of strength. With that strength, leaders can be persuaded to take action. Through patience and controlled speech a person can break through the toughest of opponents without violence.

¹⁶Do you like honey?

Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!

¹⁷Don’t visit your neighbors too often,

or you will wear out your welcome.

Anything in excess is not good for you, even if it is enjoyable. The first example is honey, which both tastes good and has health benefits. When you eat too much of it all at once, it will make you sick. The second warning is not to visit someone too often, or they will become sick of seeing you.

¹⁸Telling lies about others

is as harmful as hitting them with an ax,

wounding them with a sword,

or shooting them with a sharp arrow.

When you tell lies about others, it is as bad as a physical injury. It can cause emotional damage or emotional death to those on the receiving end of your lies.

¹⁹Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble

is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.

We all know that person who we cannot rely on for keeping their word or being on time. It is painful to deal with, especially when you need them most, and is like having a physical injury that will impede the progress that would otherwise be expected.

²⁰Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart

is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather

or pouring vinegar in a wound.

When someone is grieving that is not the time to try and cheer them up. It is better to console them, to empathize with them, if possible. Otherwise, you will cause more pain than the grief that is already experienced.

²¹If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat.

If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.

²²You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads,

and the Lord will reward you.

We should treat all people with kindness, including those we may consider to be enemies. It will soften their hearts toward you and help them to realize the love that you have. God will reward those who show kindness to others.

²³As surely as a north wind brings rain,

so a gossiping tongue causes anger!

We are usually pretty good at interpreting the signs of weather. We know that winds coming from the north indicate bad weather. We should also realize that our actions such as gossiping will bring out anger in those we are gossiping about.

²⁴It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic

than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.

As we have read before in Proverbs, there is nothing quite as miserable as living with a complaining, arguing spouse. It is better to be all alone in a small space than to continually put up with this situation. We should take care that we are not the offending spouse, or the cause of the problem.

²⁵Good news from far away

is like cold water to the thirsty.

As refreshing as cold, clear water when you are experiencing thirst on a hot summer day is good news that you have been waiting for. It refreshes the soul and spirit as water refreshes the body.

²⁶If the godly give in to the wicked,

it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.

It is a travesty to see good, godly people fall prey to the influence of those that are wicked. It is the same as contaminating pure water with filth or mud. Once the water is contaminated, it is ruined and unsuitable for its intended purpose.

²⁷It’s not good to eat too much honey,

and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.

Just like eating too much honey will make you physically sick, if you are bragging about yourself to others it will make them sick of you.

²⁸A person without self-control

is like a city with broken-down walls.

Self-control is so vital to maintaining a godly and proper lifestyle. When you lose self-control, then you will easily be destroyed both from external influences and internal weaknesses.

Today on our Wisdom Trail, we are exploring a series of Solomon’s Proverbs that were assembled by King Hezekiah. These proverbs continue to provide us with more wisdom, insight, and understanding. Regardless of where you are in your faith walk, if you follow the precepts in Proverbs, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom.

That will finish our trek for today. Just as you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and inviting them to come along with us each day. I would also like to challenge you to take just one precept that we learned in Proverbs today and commit to applying it to your life from this day forward.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 500 – Be Thankful in All Circumstances – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 500 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Be Thankful in All Circumstances – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is a special milestone for Wisdom-Trek as it is our 500^th day of our trek. Thank you for coming along with us, whether you have been with us every day, or you have just joined us for a few days along life’s trail. I trust that our daily trek has been helpful in assisting your life’s journey some small way. If there is anything that I can help you with, please contact me at guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.

On today’s Wisdom Unplugged mini-trek I would like to focus on gratitude. I am so thankful to you that you have invested the time to trek along with me. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of gratitude for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Bob Dole, and he said, “I think one of life’s great milestones is when a person can look back and be almost as thankful for the setbacks as for the victories. Gradually, it dawns on us that success and failure are not polar opposites. They are parts of the same picture, the picture of a full life, where you have your ups and your downs.”

I think this quote is so applicable to the Wisdom-Trek concept and mantra. Life is full of steep uphill climbs to the top and precarious downhill slopes back into the valley. We do not actually invest much time on the flat plateaus of life where we can lie down in the soft grasses on a warm sunny day and rest. When you think about it, though, that is okay.

The thrill that results from overcoming obstacles and hardship is so much more rewarding. It makes the time of rest and leisure that much more precious. Be thankful for everything that comes your way. What may seem like a difficult time in life may also prove to be the most rewarding. A fully lived, rich and satisfying life, is one of both pleasure and pain. If we never know pain, then we will never understand the bliss of pleasure. As we read in I Thessalonians 5:18, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. Thank you once again for coming along with me on our Wisdom-Trek each day. If you enjoy these quotes, I have created and published a searchable database of over 10,000 quotes that I have collected for many years. If you would like access to my database of inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you in through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 499 – Staying Motivated Long Term

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 499 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Staying Motivated Long Term

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 499 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate us to live rich and satisfying lives this week. Today let us explore the trail called Staying Motivated Long Term.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We were finally able to get a replacement engine in for our lawn vacuum, but as of the time of creating this podcast, the weather does not look good for using it this weekend. Since all of the leaves have finally fallen from the trees, it is only a matter of time. By the looks of it, I have about two days of leaf harvest left before we are finished for this season. That does include blowing leaves off of the roofs and cleaning the gutters that need it. This is no big rush, as the leaves will remain until I get to them, but I am motivated to complete the project before Christmas, so that it will be finalized.

Thinking about motivation as we break camp and head out on our trek for today, let us invest time exploring the concept of…

Staying Motivated Long Term

During the past two Monday’s we have explored what motivation is, and that to be motivated sometimes it requires that we take action first. That may get us started, but the real question that we need to have an answer for is, “How do we stay motivated long term?”

1. Stay Motivated by Using the Goldilocks Rule

Imagine that you are playing tennis. If you try to play a serious match against a four-year-old, you will quickly become bored. The match is too easy. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you try to play a serious match against a professional tennis player like Roger Federer or Serena Williams, you will find yourself demotivated for a different reason. The match is too difficult.

Compare these experiences to playing tennis against someone who is your equal. As the game progresses, you win a few points, and you lose a few points. You have a chance of winning the match, but only if you really try. Your focus narrows, distractions fade away, and you find yourself fully invested in the task at hand. The challenge you are facing is “just manageable.” Victory is not guaranteed, but it is possible. Tasks like these, science has found, are the most likely to keep us motivated in the long term.

Human beings love challenges, but only if they are within the optimal zone of difficulty. Tasks that are significantly below your current abilities are boring. Tasks that are significantly beyond your current abilities are discouraging. Tasks that are right on the border of success and failure are incredibly motivating to your brain. In this zone, you want nothing more than to master a skill just beyond your current horizon.

This is referred to as The Goldilocks Rule. The Goldilocks Rule states that humans experience peak motivation when working on tasks that are right on the edge of their current abilities – not too hard, not too easy, but just right.

Working on tasks that adhere to the Goldilocks Rule is one of the keys to maintaining long-term motivation. If you find yourself feeling unmotivated to work on a task, it is often because it has drifted into an area of boredom or been shoved into an area of great difficulty. You need to find a way to pull your tasks back to the border of your abilities where you feel challenged, but capable.

2. How to Reach Peak Motivation

This wonderful blend of happiness and peak performance is sometimes referred to as flow. Flow is what athletes and performers experience when they are “in the zone.” Flow is the mental state you experience when you are so focused on the task at hand that the rest of the world fades away.

In many ways, we could describe flow as your state of peak motivation. You would be hard-pressed to find a state where you are more driven to continue the task you are working on.

One factor that researchers have found is linked to flow states is whether or not you are following The Goldilocks Rule we mentioned earlier. If you are working on challenges of optimal difficulty, then you will not only be motivated but also experience a boost in happiness. As psychologist Gilbert Brim put it, “One of the important sources of human happiness is working on tasks at a suitable level of difficulty, neither too hard nor too easy.”

To reach this state of peak performance, however, you not only need to work on challenges at the right degree of difficulty, but also measure your immediate progress. As psychologist Jonathan Haidt explains, one of the keys to reaching a flow state is that “You get immediate feedback about how you are doing at each step.”

Thus, we can say that measurement is a key factor in motivation. To put it more precisely, facing an optimal challenge and receiving immediate feedback about the progress you are making toward that challenge are two of the most critical components of peak motivation.

3. What to Do When Motivation Fades

Inevitably, your motivation to perform a task will dip at some point. What happens when motivation fades? I don’t claim to have all the answers, but here’s what I try to remind myself of when I feel like giving up.

Your Mind Is a Suggestion Engine

Consider every thought you have as a suggestion, not an order. When you have tasks to accomplish, you need to program your mind to suggest that you will feel very good about accomplishing the task once it is done. Your mind needs to suggest that you will respect yourself more when you stick to the schedule. It needs to suggest that you have the ability to finish this task, even when you don’t feel like it.

Remember, none of these suggestions are orders. They are merely options. You have the power to choose which options to follow.

Discomfort Is Temporary

Relative to the time in your normal day or week, nearly any habit you perform is over quickly. Your workout will be finished in an hour or two. Your report will be typed to completion by tomorrow morning.

Life is easier now than it has ever been. 300 years ago, if you didn’t kill your own food and build your own house, you would die. Today, we whine about forgetting our iPhone charger. Maintain perspective. Your life is good, and your discomfort is temporary. Step into this moment of discomfort, and let it strengthen you.

· You Will Never Regret Good Work Once It is Done

Theodore Roosevelt famously said, “Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” So often it seems that we want to work easily at work worth doing. We want our work to be helpful and respected, but we do not want to struggle through our work. We want our stomachs to be flat and our arms to be strong, but we do not want to grind through another workout. We want the final result, but not the failed attempts that precede it. We want the gold, but not the grind.

Anyone can want a gold medal. Few people want to train like an Olympian. Yet, despite our resistance to it, I have never found myself feeling worse after the hard work was done. There have been days when it was hard to start, but it was always worth finishing. Sometimes, the simple act of showing up and having the courage to do the work, even in an average manner, is a victory worth celebrating.

This Is Life

Life is a constant balance between giving into the ease of distraction or overcoming the pain of discipline. It is not an exaggeration to say that our lives and our identities are defined in this delicate balance. What is life, if not the sum of a hundred thousand daily battles and tiny decisions to either gut it out or give it up?

This moment when you don’t feel like doing the work? This is not a moment to be thrown away. This is not a dress rehearsal. This moment is your life as much as any other moment. Invest it in a way that will make you proud.

As a Christ follower, there is also a higher calling to maintain motivation and complete those tasks that are required of us as Colossians 3:23-24 says,“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”

As we finish our trek for today, let me ask you, “What practices and habits do you have in your life so that you can maintain your motivation long term?” Let me know if you need any assistance in this area.

Tomorrow’s short trek is part of our Wisdom Unplugged series, and we will also be celebrating 500 Days on our Wisdom-Trek. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise throughout the entire week.

Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Also, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 498 – The Influence of Others – Attitude (6)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 498 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Influence of Others – Attitude

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 498 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently, we are in a multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book called The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. It has been a rather cold week as winter weather begins to set in. We are thankful for a warm office with a beautiful view to work from.

On last Friday’s trek, we ended with three questions about how those you associate with impact your attitude and your life. Today’s trek on the Attitude Trail will explore those three questions in more detail. If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the second trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Attitude Part 6

As a reminder, our overall extended trek will cover these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

How You Feel Is Influenced By Your Associations

1. Who are you around?

It is good to invest some time once in a while analyzing the people who touch your lives on a daily basis and to mentally weigh the effect the members of your inner circle might be having on you. What reputation do they have with those who are productive, knowledgeable, and respected? What is the level of their own past accomplishments? What is the depth of their knowledge? Do they understand the value and importance of attitude, goals, and personal development? How many books have they read in the past year? Are they studying and developing new skills to refine their current abilities? How do they look upon the value of virtues such as integrity, commitment, persistence, fairness, patience, and diligent activity? What is it about them that makes their advice, opinions, and counsel valuable?

Hopefully, your inner circle does not consist of people whose strongest assets are an unlimited supply of jokes and a variety of distorted opinions. Those who can reach you and affect you on a daily basis should inspire you, not spread the seeds of doubt and dissent with their pessimism, complaining, and ridicule of others. Maintaining a positive attitude in the face of life’s challenges is difficult enough without this kind of influence in your lives.

2. What affect are they having?

That’s a legitimate question. Where do they have you going? How do they have you talking? What do they have you thinking, reading, and doing? What influence do they have on your ability to perform well and to grow? Do they inspire you to feel good about what you are doing? Most important of all, what do they have you becoming?

It is easy to let the wrong people slip into your lives. That is why you must take a close look at your circle of influence. You must frequently assure yourself that the wrong voices of influence have not invaded your garden of opportunity by sowing seeds of negativity and doubt.

Delicate as this subject may be, you have probably accumulated a few close friends whose attitudes and habits are damaging to your chances of success and happiness. They may be nice people, with the best intentions, but their affect is wrong. If so, then you may have to make some difficult choices. To protect yourself from the wrong influences, you may be forced to walk away from people you have known for many years to develop more positive and motivating friendships. This does not imply that you have to abandon them completely, but it is important to limit the time you invest in them, especially if they have a negative influence on you.

3. Is that acceptable?

Re-evaluating your associations can be a difficult issue. Progress is often painful, but so are the consequences of allowing other people to exercise undue influence upon you.

Sometimes it is helpful to remember that it is not just your attitude that you are attempting to protect and nurture, but the future well-being of others as well. If you are strong, you can help others to change and to improve their lives. If you are not, then the influence of certain people can make your own progress difficult, if not impossible.

To protect your better future, you must have the courage to disassociate whenever necessary. That may not be an easy choice, but it may be a necessary one. All of us become careless on occasion, and the wrong people, the wrong opportunity, or the wrong thoughts can find their way into your life. The key is to learn to recognize the effect and to take the necessary steps to minimize or eliminate the source.

Although we are to be kind and loving to all people, the amount of time that you allow them to influence you may need to be minimized. Why take such drastic action? Because the negative influence is too powerful and too threatening. Never underestimate the power of influence. The reason why influence is so powerful is that it has the capacity to change you, and change can be difficult to reverse, particularly if it is change for the worse.

Like failure, influence is subtle. You would never allow someone to deliberately push you off the course you have set for yourself. A word of caution, though, if you are not careful you might inadvertently permit someone to nudge you in the wrong direction a little each day. They may be so effective at these nudges that you don’t even notice what is happening…until it is too late and the damage is done. You might even think the person who is doing the nudging is a friend, and they may be. It is important to understand their influence on you and how that will impact your life long term.

A nudge here, a nudge there, and as time passes, we soon find ourselves looking around and saying, “What am doing here? This is not where I meant to be!” You wind up investing weeks or months or even years merely trying to return to the course you thought you were on before your nudging friend came by, subtly destroying your future with the power of undue influence.

Disassociation is not something to be treated lightly. It must be done carefully and thoughtfully. If you are sincere about changing yourself and designing a better future, you are obligated to distance yourself from those who are having the wrong effect on you. The price of not doing it is simply too enormous. If those you associate with are unwilling or unable to change with the positive influence you can have on them, then you cannot risk being impacted in a negative manner.

^{This reminds me of the Scripture passage in Ephesians [4:17]-24 where the Apostle Paul encourages us to live as children of the light when he wrote,}

With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we continue to hike on the Trail of Attitude. Today we learned how important it is to guard against the negative influences of others in our lives, even if they are related, or considered close friends.

Next Philosophy Friday we will continue to explore the value of who we associate with. Join us next Friday for additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek will be Motivation Monday when we explore more trails of how to get and stay motivated to bring value to your world. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are all available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 497 – The Gift of Today – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 497 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Gift of Today – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 497 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote comes from Ray Lammie, who says, “I was given a most precious gift this morning when I woke up. It’s a gift I never received before. It’s one I can’t keep, can’t return, can’t save, and don’t know how well it will really work. I do know it’s a most wonderful and beautiful gift. I hope I value and appreciate it enough to use it wisely. That gift is this day! Enjoy yours — make it a very special one.”When you wake every morning, how do you think and feel about each new day? Do you consider it a gift or a curse? Time is the only truly finite commodity, and it is the only equalizer among everyone.

Each day every person has 1,440 minutes to spend or invest. No material possessions that we accumulate while we live can be taken with us when we die. Even with that knowledge, so many of us strive relentlessly to gain more. At the beginning of each new day, accept your gift, enjoy each moment, and invest the time impacting the lives of others in a positive manner.

Your impact can be through your work, your play, and all of the seemingly non-important moments of life. It is those small moments of life that may have the greatest impact. The impact that you have on the lives of others is the only thing that will live on throughout eternity long after you are gone. Take time to enjoy the sunrises and sunsets. To stop and smell the roses and coffee. To watch a butterfly flit through the air on a warm summer day. To watch the snowflakes gently fall to the ground on a cold winter night. Invest the gift of each new day wisely, and the return on that investment will last through eternity.

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. Just as you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 496 – Timely Advice Is Lovely – Proverbs 25:1-14

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 496 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Timely Advice Is Lovely – Proverbs 25:1-14

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 496 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails, we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 1^st half of Chapter 25.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Our trip to Arizona was beneficial and productive. Our construction project there is coming fairly well, although inevitably there are many issues that come up that cause delays. We are hoping to have most of them resolved by the end of the year. The developers for the project desire to be able to place the townhomes on the market early in 2017.

Fortunately, the housing market in Phoenix is very strong at the moment and is projected to be one of the fastest growing housing markets in the entire US during 2017. It takes a lot of wisdom, insight, and understanding to complete a project of this size and being able to work closely with our partners in Mesa is very helpful for the success of the overall project.

Every day of life we should seek advice from those individuals who are wise. Advice provided on a timely basis is even more important. One of the nuggets that we will dig for today in verse 11 is…

Timely Advice Is Lovely

Let’s start our trek with verses 1-14.

More Proverbs of Solomon

¹ These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.

As indicated, this chapter contains more proverbs of Solomon, which were collected through the years and then published by King Hezekiah many years afterward. These proverbs were of particular interest to someone who was the King of Judah.

² It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them.

God is all knowing, but he does not share all he knows with us, that is His privilege. God does enable us, and especially those with wisdom, such as a king to discover this information.

³No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind!

Although we have made great strides and progress on discoveries of both the depths of the ocean and heights of space, there is much more that we do not know about both. In the same way, it is impossible to know the mind of a wise king, or any wise individual.

⁴ Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith. ⁵ Remove the wicked from the king’s court, and his reign will be made secure by justice.

Just as silver must be refined by fire to remove the impurities, leaders must remove individuals from their organization that is causing problems. For a king or world leader, it is important that the leader’s advisers are pure and are not corrupt.

⁶ Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. ⁷ It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace.

When we have the opportunity to associate with individuals of authority we should not assume that we are of the same status or try to position ourselves into a position of authority ourselves. It is better to be humble and not seek prominence. If it is due to us, then we will be recognized when it is appropriate

⁸Just because you’ve seen something, don’t be in a hurry to go to court. For what will you do in the end if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?

As an observer of life events, we should take precaution that we do not make rash assumptions before we fully understand the situation. If we make false accusations, then we will be the one that looks like a fool.

⁹ When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret. ¹⁰ Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation.

First, we need to be careful not to argue needlessly. If we have information about another person that is not for public consumption, then we should not repeat it regardless of the circumstance. If we do, it will lead to us becoming a gossip and ruining our reputation.

¹¹ Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.

Wise advice is important at any time, but when it is provided to us when it is most useful, then it is just like a beautiful table setting – very appropriate and valuable.

¹² To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.

In addition to receiving timely advice, if we listen to it, even if it may be critical, then it will adorn us like beautiful jewelry.

¹³ Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer.

A couple of weather metaphors are next. Just as refreshing as snow would be on a hot summer day, good news received from a trustworthy person is refreshing to the soul.

¹⁴ A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.

If you have ever experienced a severe drought, you understand how hopeful you become when you see clouds and feel the associated wind that should bring rain. When it does not come, and the clouds are blown past, the disappointment is huge. It is the same as knowing a person who has promised a gift which you need and anticipate, but they do not follow through.

Today on our Wisdom Trail we are exploring a series of Solomon’s Proverbs that were assembled by King Hezekiah. These proverbs continue to provide us with more wisdom, insight, and understanding. If you follow the precepts in Proverbs, regardless of where you are in your faith walk, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart, so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy these daily doses of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person when you meet with them and invite them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 495 – I Will Give You Rest – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 495 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

I Will Give You Rest – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 495 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from St. Augustine of Hippo, who said, “I have read Plato and Cicero sayings that are very wise and beautiful, but I never read in either of them: ‘Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give thee rest.'”There are many people in this world that will brag about themselves and how wonderful they are. I have found the most externally arrogant people are usually the most insecure people also. Bragging about oneself shows that you are not comfortable with who you are and need to reassure everyone, including yourself, of your worth. Those humble individuals are least likely to speak of themselves because they are also very comfortable with who they are and with their status in life.

The most humble person to live was Jesus Christ who is literally God and who chose to take on the form of His creation in order to redeem them to himself. He encourages us to rest in Him. If you are insecure, stressed and worn out with life, Jesus provides a secure resting place in Him. Mathew 1:28-29 tells us, “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.'”

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. If you enjoy these quotes, I have created and published a searchable database of over 10,000 quotes that I have collected for many years. If you would like access to my database of inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com.

So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 494 – Get Motivated by Taking Action

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 494 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Get Motivated by Taking Action

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 494 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate us to live rich and satisfying lives this week. Today let us explore the trail called Get Motivated by Taking Action.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. If all goes according to plan, we will have returned from our trip to Mesa, Arizona by now. I am recording a few episodes in advance while we are away from our office. We have several activities and goals planned for the remainder of this month, but we realize that to accomplish them, we must take action which will motivate us in the future to complete our tasks.

As we break camp and head out on our trek for today, let us invest time exploring the concept of…

Get Motivated by Taking Action

You may struggle to find the motivation you need to achieve the goals you want because you are wasting too much time and energy on other parts of the process. If you want to make it easy to find motivation and get started, then it helps to automate the early stages of your behavior.

1. Schedule Your Motivation

Many people never get around to starting tasks because they are always wondering what they are going to do next. You could apply this to working out, starting a business, writing a book, and building most habits. Here are some examples:

If your workout doesn’t have a time when it usually occurs, then each day you’ll wake up thinking, “I hope I feel motivated to exercise today.”
If your business doesn’t have a system for marketing, then you’ll show up at work crossing your fingers that you’ll find a way to get the word out (in addition to everything else you have to do).
If you don’t have a scheduled time when you write every week, then you’ll find yourself saying things like, “I just need to find the willpower to do it.”

In other words, if you waste resources trying to decide when or where to work, you’ll impede your capacity to do the work.

Setting a schedule for yourself seems simple, but it puts your decision-making on autopilot by giving your goals a time and a place to live. It makes it more likely that you will follow through regardless of your motivation level. There are plenty of research studies on willpower and motivation to back up that statement. A personal example is that I get up at 5:30am every weekday to exercise. I rarely feel motivated when I get up, but I take action knowing that it is part of my overall goal for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Stop waiting for motivation or inspiration to strike you and set a schedule for your habits. This is the difference between professionals and amateurs. Professionals set a schedule and stick to it. Amateurs wait until they feel inspired or motivated.

2. How to Get Motivated (Even When You Don’t Feel Like It)

The most successful creative people go beyond schedules to set up rituals that they stick to in order to accomplish what they desire.

In his popular book Daily Rituals: How Artists Work, author Mason Currey notes that many of the world’s great artists follow a consistent schedule.

Maya Angelou rented a local hotel room and went there to write. She arrived at [6:30] AM, wrote until 2 PM, and then went home to do some editing. She never slept at the hotel.
Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Chabon writes five nights per week from 10 PM to 3 AM.
Haruki Murakami wakes up at 4 AM, writes for five hours, and then goes for a run.

The work of top creatives isn’t dependent upon motivation or inspiration, but rather it follows a consistent pattern and routine. Here are some examples of how you can apply ritual and routine to get motivated:

Exercise more consistently. – Use the same warm up routine in the gym.
Become more creative. – Follow a creative ritual before you start writing or painting or singing.
Start each day stress-free. – Create a five-minute morning Scripture study or meditation ritual.
Sleep better. – Follow a similar “power down” routine every night before bed.

The power of a ritual is similar to a pregame routine. It provides a mindless (habitual) way to initiate your behavior. It makes starting your habits easier, and that means following through on a consistent basis is easier.

The key to any good ritual is that it removes the need to make a decision: What should I do first? When should I do this? How should I do this? Most people never get moving because they can’t decide how to get started. You want to start a behavior to be easy and automatic, so you have the strength to finish it when it becomes difficult and challenging.

3. How to Make Motivation a Habit

There are three simple steps you can take to build better rituals and make motivation a habit.

Step 1: A good pregame routine starts by being so easy that you can’t say no to it. You shouldn’t need motivation to start your pregame routine. For example, my exercise routine starts the night before by setting out my workout clothes. When I wake up at 5:30am, I immediately get dressed and then read through my list of gratitude statements.

The most important part of any task is starting. If you can’t get motivated in the beginning, then you’ll find that motivation often comes after starting. That’s why your pregame routine needs to be incredibly easy to start.

Step 2: Your routine should get you moving toward the end goal.

A lack of mental motivation is often linked to a lack of physical movement. Just imagine your physical state when you’re feeling depressed, bored, or unmotivated. You’re not moving very much. Maybe you’re slumped over like a blob, slowly melting into the couch.

The opposite is also true. If you’re physically moving and engaged, then it’s far more likely that you’ll feel mentally engaged and energized. For example, it’s almost impossible to not feel vibrant, awake, and energized when you’re dancing.

While your routine should be as easy as possible to start, it should gradually transition into more and more physical movement. Your mind and your motivation will follow your physical movement. It is worth noting that physical movement doesn’t have to mean exercise. For example, if your goal is to write, then your routine should bring you closer to the physical act of writing.

Step 3: You need to follow the same pattern every single time.

The primary purpose of your pregame routine is to create a series of events that you always perform before doing a specific task. Your pregame routine tells your mind, “This is what happens before I do ___.” Eventually, this routine becomes so tied to your performance that by simply doing the routine, you are pulled into a mental state that is primed to perform. You don’t need to know how to find motivation, you just need to start your routine.

This is important because when you don’t feel motivated, it’s often too much work to figure out what you should do next. When faced with another decision, you will often decide to just quit. However, the pregame routine solves that problem because you know exactly what to do next. There’s no debating or decision making. Lack of motivation doesn’t matter. You just follow the pattern.

A scripture passage that I have used before certainly applies here, which is Philippians 3:12-14, “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

As we finish our trek for today, let me ask you, “What ‘pregame routines’ can you set so you can take action and gain motivation?” Let me know if you need any assistance.

Next Motivation Monday we will explore how to stay motivated for the long-run. Tomorrow’s short trek is part of our Wisdom Unplugged series that we are now hiking on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These 3-minute wisdom supplements will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise throughout the entire week. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 493 – It is a Matter of Choice – Attitude (5)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 493 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

It is a Matter of Choice – Attitude

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 493 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently we are in a multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book called The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. When this episode originally airs, we will be in Mesa, Arizona, working with our partners on our construction projects there. We have some crucial decisions to make as we plan for 2017.

There is a needed balance between planning, analyzing logically and realistically, and remaining optimistic. Attitude plays a big factor in the choices and decisions that we make. While our attitude needs to be positive, we also must be realistic.

One crucial element that we often overlook is that how we feel about ourselves is a matter of choice. How we feel about ourselves is strongly influenced by who we invest time with. These are the areas we will explore today as we continue our trek on the Attitude Trail.

If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the second trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Attitude Part 5

As a reminder, our overall extended trek will cover these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

How You Feel about Yourself Is a Matter of Choice

How you see yourself is a matter of choice, not circumstances, and the major determining factor in how you feel about yourself lies in your personal philosophy.

If you were to ask some people why they feel the way they do about certain issues, you would probably discover that the reason why they feel the way they do is because they really don’t know a great deal about those issues. Lacking all of the information, they form conclusions based on the bits and pieces that have come their way. With their limited knowledge, they often make poor decisions about how things are. If they knew better, they would think better. In other words, they would reach better conclusions simply by increasing their knowledge.

Here is another part of the equation: If they knew better, they would feel better. Why would they feel better? Because they would begin to make better decisions, and from those better decisions they would start making better choices, which would produce better results.

Your attitude is shaped by decisions and choices you have made based on the knowledge you have acquired. Imagine the artist who wants to paint a masterpiece, but who has only a few colors on his palette. He may have the desire to create a masterpiece, but he lacks the variety of colors, which the painting of a true masterpiece requires. This is what happens to human beings with limited knowledge. They lack the “mental colors” with which to create a complete picture.

Your attitude is shaped by decisions and choices you have made based on the knowledge you have acquired.

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If there is one area in the knowledge department where you cannot afford to be lacking, it is knowledge and awareness of our own uniqueness. You do not feel better about yourself for the simple reason that you do not really know yourself. For if you truly knew yourself – your strengths, your abilities, your resources, your depth of feeling, your sense of humor, your unique accomplishments – then you would never again doubt your ability to create a better future.

Each of us is unique. There is no one else in the world quite like you. You are the only one who can do the special things you do. What you do is special. You may not win great awards or public acclaim for your deeds, but you make the world a better place because of the deeds you do. You make your family stronger, your offices more efficient, and your community more prosperous because you are who you are.

Changing how you feel about yourself begins with developing a new philosophy about the value of each human being, yourself included! Most of us are so busy living our lives that we never pause long enough to appreciate all that we do in a given day. You have no appreciation of yourself simply because you have no awareness of yourself. Self-knowledge is a critical part of the life puzzle. As you learn more about who you are, you begin to make better choices and decisions for yourself and about yourself. If you have joined us on our Wisdom-Trek previously, you know I personally gain significant knowledge from the book of Proverbs and in chapter 1:3-5 it instructs us on gaining wisdom and knowledge.

³Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,

to help them do what is right, just, and fair.

⁴These proverbs will give insight to the simple,

knowledge and discernment to the young.

⁵Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.

Let those with understanding receive guidance.

As I have already suggested, as your knowledge improves so do your choices, as your choices improve, so do your results, and as your results improve, so does your attitude. Another key area that you need to recognize is…

How You Feel Is Influenced By Your Associations

The people with whom you choose to associate are a major source of what you know and how you feel. There are three major questions that we will answer next week, which those in search of a better life must constantly ask themselves:

1. Who am I around?

2. What affect are they having?

3. Is that acceptable?

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we continue to hike on the Trail of Attitude. Today we learned that how we feel about ourselves is a matter of choice, and those choices are largely influenced by our knowledge in many areas of life.

Next Philosophy Friday we will explore how we feel is strongly influenced by that we associate with. Join us next Friday for additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek will be Motivation Monday when we explore more trails of how to get and stay motivated to bring value to your world. Encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 492 – I Asked For Strength – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 492 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

I Asked for Strength – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 492 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote comes from an unknown source, which says, “I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong. I asked for wisdom, and God gave me problems to solve. I asked for prosperity and God gave me brain and brawn to work. I asked for courage, and God gave me danger to overcome. I asked for love, and God gave me troubled people to help. I asked for favor and God gave me opportunities. I got nothing I wanted, but I received everything I needed.”Let’s be honest. We are all convinced we know what would be best for us and how God should provide for us. What we often fail to overlook with the majority of our choices and decisions is that there is already an answer in God’s Word either through a clear command, or at least a principle and precept. Many of the problems that we face in life are because we choose to ignore the precepts that are already addressed in His Word. It is after we make those choices when we go back to God and plead for His assistance.

The quote today reflects this dilemma that we have. Fortunately, God will still bring about His will for us through the circumstance of life. We truly do receive everything that we need, even when it seems that we got nothing that we wanted.

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 491 – Do Your Planning – Proverbs 24:17-34

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 491 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Do Your Planning – Proverbs 24:17-34

Thank you for joining me for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 491 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 2^nd half of chapter 24.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. On the day this podcast is released, Paula and I will be heading to Arizona to work with our partners on our construction projects in Mesa. Phase I of the project is winding down, and we are starting to plan Phase II. The beginning of the next phase is dependent on sales of the units that are currently built, so the actual start date is not known for sure. Since our company is the general contractor and not the actual developer, we do have some other projects that may fill the gap between the two phases.

Planning is so important in projects large and small, and King Solomon was considered one of the greatest builders of all time. He addresses this in the passage that we are exploring today when he tells us in verse 27…

Do your planning.

Let’s start our trek with verses 17 and 18…

¹⁷Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall;

don’t be happy when they stumble.

¹⁸For the Lord will be displeased with you

and will turn his anger away from them.

Our natural tendencies are to rejoice or gloat when something bad happens to those that have hurt us or are against us. We should do the opposite, though. We should love them, help them, and pray for them. God may be taking them through a time of testing to bring them to Him. If we rejoice and gloat, God will be displeased with our actions, and turn His trials away from them.

¹⁹Don’t fret because of evildoers;

don’t envy the wicked.

²⁰For evil people have no future;

the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.

It is so easy to get caught up in the lifestyle and habits of those who desire to do evil. We may even become attracted to it. We should not be fooled. Those who practice evil have no hope because their hope and faith is based on falsehood.

²¹My child, fear the Lord and the king.

Don’t associate with rebels,

²² for disaster will hit them suddenly.

Who knows what punishment will come

from the Lord and the king?

God has control of the leaders of every country. He allows certain leaders to be in power and others to be disposed. We should not rise up with those who rebel against the God permitted authorities. This is especially true in free countries where we have the opportunity to vote and even participate in the process. If we do associate with those who rebel, we should not be surprised if we also suffer the consequences of our actions.

²³Here are some further sayings of the wise:

It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.

²⁴A judge who says to the wicked, “You are innocent,”

will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations.

²⁵But it will go well for those who convict the guilty;

rich blessings will be showered on them.

Injustice in any setting is disliked by God. This is especially true when it happens in a legal system. God is justice, and we are created in His image so justice should also be very important to us. Justice should be important to us in all situations. When we take justice seriously and practice it, then we will be blessed in many ways throughout our lives.

²⁶An honest answer

is like a kiss of friendship.

As we have referred to previously, honesty is always the best policy. To be honest and compassionate is like having a close friend that you can depend on and trust.

²⁷Do your planning and prepare your fields

before building your house.

This is an interesting verse because common thinking would be to build shelter first. Solomon was the wisest person of all time, and he had a different thought. In planning, if you invest the time to first build a house, then you would miss the planting season and, therefore, not able to harvest in the right season. The logic is to prepare the fields, and while the crops are growing, then you would have time to build your house. Once the house is built, then it will be time to harvest. The logic is there when you think like a farmer and practice the law of planting and harvesting.

²⁸Don’t testify against your neighbors without cause;

don’t lie about them.

²⁹And don’t say, “Now I can pay them back for what they’ve done to me!

I’ll get even with them!”

We are not to be deceptive with family, friends, or anyone that we know. We should not create rumors or tell lies about anyone. We should never seek retribution against others, even if they have wronged us. Several passages in the Bible tell us that God will provide justice. We do not have to seek retribution ourselves.

³⁰I walked by the field of a lazy person,

the vineyard of one with no common sense.

³¹I saw that it was overgrown with nettles.

It was covered with weeds,

and its walls were broken down.

³²Then, as I looked and thought about it,

I learned this lesson:

³³A little extra sleep, a little more slumber,

a little folding of the hands to rest—

³⁴then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit;

scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.

This final section of Proverbs 24 speaks in depth about a person who is lazy. First, Solomon equates a lazy person as someone who does not have common sense. A lazy person will be easy to spot because their lives and their responsibilities will show evidence of their lazy lifestyle. The example given here is that their property will be overgrown and not taken care of. We can learn a lesson here. A person who is lazy will not fulfill their responsibilities, and as a result, they will be overtaken with poverty, as surely as a bandit or robber would steal from an un-expecting victim.

Today we explored eight more wise sayings, which leave us with much to consider. Next Wisdom Wednesday, we will continue on this trail with more Proverbs that were assembled by King Hezekiah. These proverbs continue to provide us with more wisdom, insight, and understanding.

Regardless of where you are in your faith walk, if you follow the precepts in Proverbs, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom.

Tomorrow we will hike another short trail of Wisdom Unplugged and discover an inspirational wisdom quote. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 490 – Be Honest, Be Wise – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 490 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Be Honest, Be Wise – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 490 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from one of our founding fathers in the United States, Thomas Jefferson, and he said, “Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.”

Wisdom goes hand in hand with honesty. It is impossible to be wise without honesty, for if you are not honest in all areas of your life, you will not display wisdom in any area of your life.

Integrity, trustworthiness, and honesty are the very foundations of a person who is wise. If you know someone who is not honest, then you can also be sure they are not wise. Never accept advice or direction from a person who is not honest, even in the smallest choices. If a person is not honest in the small areas and choices of life, they will never be honest in the larger choices and areas of life.

Honesty is truly the first and primary chapter in the book of wisdom. This concept is certainly supported in the Bible, and in a parable that Jesus told in Luke 16:10, “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” My encouragement to you is, be honest, and you will be well on your way to also being wise.

So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 489 – What Is Motivation?

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 489 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

What Is Motivation?

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 489 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate you to live a rich and satisfying life this week. Today let us explore the trail called What is Motivation?

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. On Wednesday of this week, we will be heading to Mesa, Arizona for five days to work with our partners on the construction project there. It is nearing completion of this phase, and we anticipate the first 12 townhome units to be ready to go on the market by the end of 2016.

We are certainly motivated to complete this phase and hopefully will be able to start on Phase II early in 2017. Motivation is one of those words that we think we understand, but many of us do not fully grasp the concept. Motivation is closely tied to both ability and attitude. As a famous football coach, Lou Holtz said, “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”

As we break camp and head out on our trek for today, let us invest time exploring the concept of…

What Is Motivation?

Motivation is a powerful, yet tricky beast. Sometimes it is really easy to get motivated, and you find yourself wrapped up in a whirlwind of excitement. Other times, it is nearly impossible to figure out how to motivate yourself, and you’re trapped in a death spiral of procrastination. Today and over the next two Mondays I want to share the best ideas and most useful research on how to get and stay motivated.

This isn’t going to be some rah-rah, pumped-up motivational speech. (That’s not my style.) Instead, we’re going to break down the science behind how to get motivated in the first place and how to stay motivated for the long-run. Whether you’re trying to figure out how to motivate yourself or how to motivate a team, this information should cover everything you need to know.

Scientists define motivation as your general willingness to do something. It is the set of psychological forces that compel you to take action. That’s nice and all, but I think we can come up with a more useful definition of motivation.

What Is Motivation?

So what is motivation, exactly? The author Steven Pressfield has a great line in his book, The War of Art, which I think gets at the core of motivation. To paraphrase Pressfield, “At some point, the pain of not doing it becomes greater than the pain of doing it.”

In other words, at some point, it is easier to change than to stay the same. It is easier to take action and feel insecure at the gym than to sit still and experience self-loathing on the couch. It is easier to feel awkward while making the sales call than to feel disappointed about your dwindling bank account.

This, I think, is the essence of motivation. Every choice has a price, but when we are motivated, it is easier to bear the inconvenience of action than the pain of remaining the same. Somehow we cross a mental threshold—usually after weeks of procrastination and in the face of an impending deadline—and it becomes more painful to not do the work than to actually do it.

Now for the important question. What can we do to make it more likely that we cross this mental threshold and feel motivated on a consistent basis?

Common Misconceptions About Motivation

One of the most surprising things about motivation is that it often comes after starting a new behavior, not before. We have this common misconception that motivation arrives as a result of passively consuming a motivational video or reading an inspirational book. However, active inspiration can be a far more powerful motivator.

Motivation is often the result of action, not the cause of it. Getting started, even in very small ways, is a form of active inspiration that naturally produces momentum.

Motivation is often the result of action, not the cause of it.

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I like to refer to this effect as the Physics of Productivity because this is basically Newton’s First Law applied to habit formation. – Objects in motion tend to stay in motion. Once a task has begun, it is easier to continue moving it forward.

You don’t need much motivation once you’ve started a behavior. Nearly all of the friction in a task is at the beginning. After you start, progress occurs more naturally. In other words, it is often easier to finish a task than it was to start it in the first place.

Thus, one of the keys to getting motivated is to make it easy to start. We should encourage and motivate others in many areas of life as we are taught in Hebrews 10:24, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.”

While it is important to motivate others, ultimately we must motivate ourselves. Next Monday we will explore getting motivated and taking action.

As we finish our trek for today, let me ask you, Are you taking action in the areas of life where you desire change? Let me know if I can motivate you to get beyond planning to take action.

Tomorrow’s short trek is part of our Wisdom Unplugged series that we are now hiking on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These 3-minute wisdom supplements will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise throughout the entire week. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on tomorrow!

Day 488 – We Cannot Succeed by Ourselves – Attitude (4)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 488 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

We Cannot Succeed by Ourselves – Attitude

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 488 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently, we are in a multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. As we head into the final month of 2016, it is time both to look back over this year to see what we accomplished and also start earnestly planning for 2017. As we continue through this month, let’s work together and be prepared so that we all can have a significant impact on the lives of others.

Today on our trek we will continue on the Attitude Trail. One crucial element that we often overlook is that any lasting impact we have on others is based on helping each other because we cannot succeed by ourselves. Another crucial character trait for success is appreciating your self-worth. We all have worth in abundance, and the sooner we realize this, the more successful in all areas of life we will be.

If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the second trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Attitude Part 4

As a reminder, our overall extended trek will cover these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

1. We Cannot Succeed by Ourselves

Everyone needs other people to help them in achieving their dreams. We all need each other. In the business world, you need markets and ideas from others. In the personal world, you need inspiration and cooperation from others. The attitude of other people affects you, and your attitude has the capacity to affect everyone you come in contact with.

As an example, the American Pledge of Allegiance and its thirty-one words that we often repeat as an expression of our loyalty to the United States begins with “I” and concludes with “all.” That is what America and many other free countries are all about – you and me working together to create greatness. You are uniquely influenced and affected by others in your pursuit of your dreams.

You become a powerful force when you understand how powerful working with others is and when you understand how valuable your individual contribution to a larger dream is.

What can all of us do when we work together? The most incredible things. We can go to the moon and beyond. We can solve the mysteries of disease, diminish famine and suffering, enhance the number and quality of opportunities available for everyone, and create that which does not yet exist which will improve the conditions of all mankind. We can bring peace where there was once war and friendship where animosity once prevailed. We can explore the heavens, examine the ocean depths, and investigate the unlimited creativity and capacity of the human mind. Nothing is beyond our imagination, and imagination is the starting point for all progress.

The contribution of all of us is so important to each of us. All of us are in a company, a church, a family, a community, and a classroom, and they are intricately connected to each of us. Our attitude about that interconnection of each of us to all of us and all of us to each of us has great influence on our future. As John Donne once wrote, “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”

2. Appreciating Self-Worth Is the Beginning of Progress

What would happen if you put your mind to work and read the books, took the classes, and discovered new ways to refine your philosophy? What would happen if you developed a new attitude about your past, your present, and your future? What would happen if you changed your feelings about others and the importance of each individual to our collective destiny? If you did all that, just imagine what an incredible effect this would have on your future!

The exciting thing is that each of us already has enough mental, spiritual, intellectual, and creative power to do all that we could ever dream of doing. Everyone has it! You just need to become more aware of all that you already have and invest more time refining all that you already are, and then put it to work for everyone.

What stops you from recognizing your inherent gifts and talents is a poor attitude about yourself. Why are we so quick to see the value in others and yet so reluctant to see it in ourselves? Why are we always ready to applaud someone else’s accomplishment and yet so shy about recognizing our own? The Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Ephesus in Chapter 2 verse 10, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

So let me ask you, What good thing are you doing today and each day God has given you? You are His Masterpiece!

On our next Philosophy Friday we will explore the concept that how we feel about ourselves is a matter of choice. We will also explore how important the impact of others is on our lives.

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we hike now on the Trail of Attitude. When we work together to positively impact others, we can have a much greater overall impact in the world.

Join us next Friday for additional insights. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life. Our next trek will be Motivation Monday when we will explore more trails of how to get and stay motivated to bring value to your world. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 487 – Wisdom for Eternity – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 487 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Wisdom for Eternity – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 487 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote comes from John Tillotson, and he tells us, “He who provides for this life but takes no care for eternity is wise for a moment but a fool forever.”All of us tend to focus on the here and now. We invest so much energy on what is expedient and pleasurable in the short term with little thought about how we will impact others and our own eternity. Short term thinking and our desire for instant gratification will ruin our lives in the long term.

We came into this world with nothing, and we will take no material possessions with us when we die. The only true way to impact eternity is through the lives of those that we teach and mentor. Our impact can be felt for many generations, and, yes, even into all eternity if our impact positively impacts those within our realm of influence. Jesus tells us in John 12:25, “Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.”

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com.

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 486 – A House Is Built by Wisdom – Proverbs 24:1-16

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 486 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A House Is Built by Wisdom- Proverbs 24:1-16

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 486 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 1^st half of chapter 24.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. The closing on our Charlotte home was delayed by a week, but we received final word that it was closed on this past Monday. We are very grateful for this, as it allows us to now focus on additional renovations to The Big House.

On our outside work, we were making good progress on the leaf harvest, but this past weekend, the engine on the large leaf vacuum broke down. I think it is the rod on the main crankshaft that moves the piston. We took it to our local service center for repairs, so that will delay us a bit on finishing gathering the leaves.

We do live in a world where not everything goes according to plan, but with divine guidance and wisdom, we can continue. Wisdom is so important in our lives each day. In fact, it is the very foundation of our lives. As Solomon states in Proverbs 24:3…

A House Is Built by Wisdom

Let’s start our trek with verses 1-2.

¹Don’t envy evil people

or desire their company.

²For their hearts plot violence,

and their words always stir up trouble.

Although reckless and wild lifestyles may seem appealing at times, it is a grand illusion. You should not envy or seek out those who live that way. Nor should you desire to be with them. Their words plan trouble which leads their hearts to violent actions

³A house is built by wisdom

and becomes strong through good sense.

⁴Through knowledge its rooms are filled

with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.

A strong home and family is one that is built with wisdom and good common sense. It is knowledge, especially of God’s precepts that will allow a strong home to be filled with riches that money cannot buy

⁵The wise are mightier than the strong,

and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.

⁶So don’t go to war without wise guidance;

victory depends on having many advisers.

Wisdom will always outdo pure physical strength. It is through wisdom and knowledge that true strength grow. Wisdom and victory in any area of life comes through the advice of wise counselors.

⁷Wisdom is too lofty for fools.

Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say.

Those who are foolish remain so because they do not realize their need for wisdom. They falsely believe they are wise. The proof though is when they are among those who are truly wise because their foolishness will silence them.

⁸A person who plans evil

will get a reputation as a troublemaker.

⁹The schemes of a fool are sinful;

everyone detests a mocker.

The axiom, “Your reputation precedes you,” can be used in both a positive or negative connotation. If a person is known for the evil they have in their lives, they will be considered a troublemaker. This type of person is a fool and is always scheming their next bout of trouble. They will have a bad reputation and others will detest them.

¹⁰If you fail under pressure,

your strength is too small.

The test of a strong person is how well they handle problems and hardships. All of us are faced with problems each day, and no one is exempt. If you falter during these times, your strength is small and is an indication of a lack of faith.

¹¹Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die;

save them as they stagger to their death.

¹²Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.”

For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.

He who guards your soul knows you knew.

He will repay all people as their actions deserve.

When you see someone who is in trouble and in need of assistance, you should welcome the opportunity to help. This passage could be taken literally, or it could mean when you see someone who is on a dangerous path in life and making poor decisions. It is tempting to ignore these situations and pretend they don’t exist, but God knows their situations. And He knows your heart. The old saying, “What goes around, comes around,” is appropriate here. If you are unwilling to help those in need, even if it is of their own doing, then why should you ever expect others to help you in your time of need?

¹³My child, eat honey, for it is good,

and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste.

¹⁴In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul.

If you find it, you will have a bright future,

and your hopes will not be cut short.

I do love honey; it is God’s truly natural sweetener. To chew on honeycomb full of honey is as sweet as it gets. God compares the sweetness of wisdom to that of honey. Wisdom will allow you to make prudent and good choices. With those good choices, your life will also be filled with goodness. Seek wisdom for your soul as you would honey for your body.

¹⁵Don’t wait in ambush at the home of the godly,

and don’t raid the house where the godly live.

¹⁶The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.

But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.

You are never to rise against those who live lives that are following God’s precepts. You are not to harm them or their household. God will give you strength to carry on when you follow Him. Those who choose not to follow God will not have the strength that is needed to persevere during the difficult times of life.

Today we explored nine more wise sayings, which leaves us with much to consider. Next Wisdom Wednesday, we will continue on this trail of the Sayings of the Wise. These proverbs continue to provide us with more wisdom, insight, and understanding.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 485 – Be Wise, Be Content – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 485 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Be Wise, Be Content – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 485 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Epictetus, who says, “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”All of life is made up of victories and defeats, of gains and losses, and we all experience them. It takes a wise person to realize and understand that we are caretakers of anything that we possess in life. We are stewards of what God has given to us. This includes material blessings and also relationships.

We should not grieve if we are no longer called to take care of certain possessions or people but rejoice for the opportunity that we had. We should not grieve that certain seasons of life are now coming to an end but rejoice that we were in that season of life for a time.

All of life is made up of cycles and seasons. They come and go just like the ocean ebbs and flows. Let us focus and rejoice, instead, on everything that we currently have the opportunity to care for.

Let us pray for strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. Let us rejoice in that which we do possess today. Let us take to heart the word the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11-13, “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. If you enjoy these quotes, I have created and published a searchable database of over 10,000 quotes that I have collected for many years. If you would like access to my database of inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 484 – The Habit Domino

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 484 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Habit Domino

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 484 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate us to live rich and satisfying lives this week. Today let us explore the trail called The Habit Domino.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This past extended Thanksgiving weekend was filled with activities and time with family. We had two Thanksgiving dinners, one at my brother’s home on Thursday and one at our home on Saturday. We were also able to harvest several more loads of leaves, so we are making progress on that front. There are still quite a few leaves still on the trees, so that will entail a couple more weekends of work to finish all the leaves.

As we head into December and the Christmas season this week, there are many activities yet to come. Much of the activities in our lives are made up of habits that we have acquired over the years. Habits can be either good or bad, but are usually linked to each other, which is why it is difficult to change them. As we break camp and head out on our trek for today, let us invest time exploring the concept of…

The Habit Domino

· The Habit Domino

The Habit Domino states that when you make a change to one behavior, it will activate a chain reaction and cause a shift in related behaviors as well.

For example, a 2012 study by researchers at Northwestern University found that when people decreased their amount of sedentary leisure time each day, they also reduced their daily fat intake. The participants were never specifically told to eat less fat, but their nutrition habits improved as a natural side effect because they invested less time on the couch watching television and mindlessly eating. One habit led to another. One domino knocked down the next.

You may notice similar patterns in your own life. As a personal example, if I stick with my habit of getting up early and exercising, then I naturally find myself more focused at work and sleeping more soundly at night even though I never made a plan to specifically improve either behavior.

The Habit Domino holds for negative habits as well. You may find that the habit of checking your phone leads to the habit of clicking social media notifications, which leads to the habit of browsing social media mindlessly and to another 20 minutes of procrastination.

In the words of Stanford professor BJ Fogg, “You can never change just one behavior. Our behaviors are interconnected, so when you change one behavior, other behaviors also shift.”

· Inside the Habit Domino

As best I can tell, the Habit Domino occurs for two reasons.

First, many of the habits and routines that make up our daily lives are related to one another. There is an astounding interconnectedness between the systems of life, and human behavior is no exception. The inherent relatedness of things is a core reason why choices in one area of life can lead to surprising results in other areas, regardless of the plans you make.

Second, the Habit Domino capitalizes on two of the core principles of human behavior – commitment and consistency. One habit influences another. The core idea is that if people commit to an idea or goal, even in a very small way, they are more likely to honor that commitment because they now see that idea or goal as being aligned with their self-image.

As an example, say you were not in the habit of making your bed in the morning, but then made the commitment to start doing so. Making your bed each day is making a small commitment to the idea of, “I am the type of person who maintains a clean and organized home.” After a few days, you will begin to commit to this new self-image in other areas of your home, such as picking up your clothes or keeping the room swept clean.

This is an interesting byproduct of the Habit Domino. It not only creates a cascade of new behaviors but also a shift in personal beliefs as well. As each tiny domino falls, you start believing new things about yourself and building identity-based habits.

· The Rules of the Habit Domino

The Habit Domino is not merely a phenomenon that happens to you but something you can create. It is within your power to spark a chain reaction of good habits by building new behaviors that naturally lead to the next successful action.

There are four keys to making this work in real life. Here are the four rules of the Habit Domino:

Start with the thing you are most motivated to do. Start with a small behavior and do it consistently. This will not only feel satisfying but also open your eyes to the type of person you can become. It does not matter which domino falls first, as long as one falls.
Maintain momentum and immediately move to the next task you are motivated to finish. Let the momentum of finishing one task carry you directly into the next behavior. With each repetition, you will become more committed to your new self-image.
When in doubt, break things down into smaller chunks. As you try new habits, focus on keeping them small and manageable. The Habit Domino is about progress, not results. Simply maintain the momentum. Let the process repeat as one domino automatically knocks down the next.
The Habit Domino is a compound effect. Start with small habits that you can easily complete and then move forward to ever larger habits that can be completed by the sheer momentum of the previous habit. Once a small habit falls, it sets into motion a cascade of accomplishments.

When one habit fails to lead to the next behavior, it is often because the behavior does not adhere to these four rules. There are many different paths to getting dominoes to fall. Focus on the behavior you are excited about, and let it cascade throughout your life. This cascading effect of knocking over increasingly larger dominos, or habits, reminds me of Jesus’s story in Matthew 25:21, “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’”

in your life? Let me know if I can help you in establishing this cascading effect in your life.

Tomorrow’s short trek is part of our Wisdom Unplugged series that we are now hiking on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These 3-minute wisdom supplements will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise throughout the entire week. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 483 – Designing a Better Future – Attitude (3)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 483 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Designing a Better Future – Attitude (3)

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 483 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently, we are in a multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book called The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Since we celebrated Thanksgiving in the United States yesterday, we had the opportunity to stop and reflect on all of God’s bountiful blessings throughout the year. We had Thanksgiving with my brother Jack, his family, and my dad. This Saturday we will have another Thanksgiving meal with two of our children and other family members, so it is a full few days.

We should pursue an abundant life for each day. That abundance is largely a factor of choices we have made in the past, and the choices that we make each day, which determines our future.

Today on our trek, we will continue on the Attitude Trail. Last Friday we explored how drastically the past and present does impact our future. Today we will focus on designing a better future and the investment that is required for an abundant future.

If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the second trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Attitude Part 3

As a reminder, our overall extended trek will cover these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

1. Designing a Better Future

There is a very special emotional magic that takes place when you design the future and set new goals with a specific purpose in mind. As you see the future clearly in your mind’s eye, you experience a level of excitement in anticipation of the day when all that you dream will become a reality. The more clearly you see the vision of the future, the more you are able to borrow from its inspiration. This borrowed inspiration finds its way into your conversations, your energy level, your relationships, and your attitude. The more excited you become by your future dreams, the easier it is to develop the necessary discipline and make refinements to your philosophy. In other words, your dreams inspire you to think, act, feel, and become exactly the kind of person you must be to realize your dreams.

If you are intelligent enough to invest your experiences of the past and wise enough to “borrow” the excitement and inspiration of the future by clearly seeing that future in the “mind’s eye,” then past experiences and future excitement become today’s servant. The finished product you foresee guides you in your present efforts, making the attainment of the better future an inevitable conclusion. You become pulled by the future and guided by the past because you have chosen to take intelligent action in the present.

The unique ability you have for investing your past experiences and borrowing inspiration from the future is an incredible force. The good news is — anyone can do it! You have the capacity for designing the future in advance so that when the new day arrives, it is more than it might have been simply because you used part of your past and your future to create it.

The power of the future is an awesome force. What can have the power to drive you to do all that you can do?

The power of the future is an awesome force.

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2. The Investment in Your Future

The promise of the future is not free. There is a price to be paid for any future reward. The price the future exacts from you involves discipline, labor, consistency, and a burning desire to make the future better than either the past or the present. Those are the price tags of progress, but the price becomes easier to bear when the promise becomes clear. When the end becomes attractive, you become keenly interested in the investment required. You must see and want the promise with an insatiable desire, or the investment it requires will overcome your wishes. And you will fall back to where you once were.

If you are sincere about wanting a rich and satisfying life, you must ask yourself what you see in your future that is fueling your fires of confidence and excitement. How much of that future do you actually see and believe, deep within your own soul, that you will achieve? Is it clear enough in your mind and heart to drive you out of bed each morning and keep you up late each night? Are you so locked in on the target you have selected that you can brush away any obstacle and disappointment? In your desire to change yourself and your current circumstances are you fully prepared to go over, under, around and through whatever challenge life throws at you?

You cannot move casually into a better future. You cannot casually pursue the goal you have set for yourself. A goal that is casually pursued is not a goal; at best it is a wish, and wishes are little more than self-delusion. Wishes are an anesthetic to be used by the unambitious, a narcotic that dulls their awareness of their own desperate condition.

It is possible to plan your future so carefully and so clearly that when the plan is complete, you can become so inspired by it, it will become your obsession.

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The challenge is to let this obsession fuel the fire that heats your talent and your skills to the boiling point so that you are propelled into a whole new future.

As you become serious about designing the future in advance, you derive an immediate emotional benefit. The future is exciting! The more clearly you see the future and the more keenly you sense its promise, the more positive your attitude becomes that you can and will achieve your dreams.

It is this new attitude that will provide you with renewed ambition for progress and the faith that you really can move mountains. Attitude is closely tied to the faith that you have in yourself and your future. In one of Jesus’s teachings about faith in Matthew 17:20 he says, “‘You don’t have enough faith,’ Jesus told them. ‘I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.'”

How is your faith in yourself and in God?

We are deliberately taking our trek on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek slowly as we hike now on the Trail of Attitude. Designing a better future for yourself requires that you invest in yourself. It requires not being held back by your past but using what you learned to invest your present and your future.

Next week on Philosophy Friday, we will continue on the Trail of Attitude and focus on the need to partner with others and how important a good self-image is to success. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 482 – Love, Forgiveness, Gratitude – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 482 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Love, Forgiveness, Gratitude – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 482 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States, so our quote will reflect that. This quote is one that has a three-prong focus that I wrote which is, “Unconditional love, absolute forgiveness, and total gratitude are the three elements that make up complete Thanksgiving. So as you reflect on this special day, focus on these three elements towards others and God, and you will realize that indeed you have much to be thankful for.”Unconditional love means that you will love others regardless of their actions or love towards you. Absolute forgiveness means that you will forgive others regardless of what they have done, and even if they do not ask for it. Total gratitude is being thankful for all situations in your life regardless of whether they appear to be good or bad, success or failure.

Since you can only see your situation from a finite point of view, you are incapable of understanding the full impact of your actions and situations from an eternal perspective. Therefore, practice the teachings of Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18, “See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 481 – Get the Truth and Never Sell It – Proverbs 23:17-35

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 481 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Get the Truth and Never Sell It – Proverbs [23:17]-35

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 481 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 2^nd half of Chapter 23.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Tomorrow in the United States we will be celebrating our Thanksgiving holiday. I would encourage you to pause and take the time to reflect with gratitude for all the blessings that you have experienced over this past year. Even if you happen to be in a difficult season of life, there is much to be thankful for.

With a heart of gratitude, let us break camp for today and head out on our trek to explore the nuggets of wisdom which are found in the second half of Proverbs 23. We are currently in the third section of Proverbs, which covers 30 sayings of the wise. We have explored thirteen so far, and today we will continue with five more. One of those sayings is…

Get the Truth and Never Sell It

Let’s start our trek with verse 17.

¹⁷ Don’t envy sinners,

but always continue to fear the Lord.

¹⁸You will be rewarded for this;

your hope will not be disappointed.

It is so easy to look at others that seem to be prospering and desire what they have. Most often though, you only see one small aspect of their lives, and you don’t see all that they struggle with. Regardless of others, you need to make wise and prudent choices in life and continue to follow God’s precepts. When you do this, you will eventually see a harvest from your good and faithful planting. This harvest will give you hope, which will minimize your disappointments in life.

¹⁹My child, listen and be wise:

Keep your heart on the right course.

²⁰Do not carouse with drunkards

or feast with gluttons,

²¹for they are on their way to poverty,

and too much sleep clothes them in rags.

As Solomon instructs his children, you can learn much from his exhortation. You are to be wise by keeping your minds and hearts on that that which is helpful. That is to hike the good trails of life. If you allow yourself to be influenced by people with questionable morals and ethics, you will soon end up like them. Some of their unseemly traits are laziness, poverty, gluttony, and drunkenness.

²²Listen to your father, who gave you life,

and don’t despise your mother when she is old.

²³Get the truth and never sell it;

also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.

²⁴The father of godly children has cause for joy.

What a pleasure to have children who are wise.^[^e^]

²⁵So give your father and mother joy!

May she who gave you birth be happy.

There are few joys as great in life for parents to groom our children into mature, responsible adults. To do so, your life must represent what you desire your children to become. That means that your life will show truthfulness, integrity, wisdom, discipline and good judgment at all cost. It is then that you will be able to take pleasure that your children follow your wise example, and it will bring you much joy.

²⁶O my son, give me your heart.

May your eyes take delight in following my ways.

²⁷A prostitute is a dangerous trap;

a promiscuous woman is as dangerous as falling into a narrow well.

²⁸She hides and waits like a robber,

eager to make more men unfaithful.

In this passage, Solomon once again visits a familiar subject for his son. His exhortation, which we can all apply to our lives, is to follow the ways of individuals that are Godly and wise. A person whose integrity has stood the test of time. Otherwise, you will fall prey to the temptations of life that will lead you down the trail of destruction. One of the most common is to fall prey to sexual sins. It is a trap that is nearly impossible to escape from. Like a narrow well with slick internal walls. Once you fall into this trap, your life will be destroyed.

²⁹Who has anguish? Who has sorrow?

Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining?

Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

³⁰It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns,

trying out new drinks.

³¹Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is,

how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down.

³²For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake;

it stings like a viper.

³³You will see hallucinations,

and you will say crazy things.

³⁴You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea,

clinging to a swaying mast.

³⁵And you will say, “They hit me, but I didn’t feel it.

I didn’t even know it when they beat me up.

When will I wake up

so I can look for another drink?”

Drinking alcoholic beverages has been the destruction of many masses of people. This passage describes it so well. While this is nothing in Scripture that forbids having an occasional alcoholic drink, it has been the downfall of many. Certainly, some people may have a genetic weakness to addictions, one thing to consider regardless is, if you don’t drink, you won’t get drunk and suffer the consequences that are described here. Ask yourself, “Is the pleasure of drinking worth the risk of anguish, sorrow, fighting, complaining, bruises from falling, bloodshot eyes, hallucinations, and an unbridled tongue?”

With the huge variety of non-alcoholic drinks that are available today, it would be wise to ask yourself if the rewards outweigh the potential risk. Certainly, as you make wise choices in your life, consider your choices when it comes to eating, drinking, or partaking in any other substance that could become addictive.

Today we explored five more wise sayings, which leaves us with much to consider. Next Wisdom Wednesday, we will continue on this trail of the Sayings of the Wise. These proverbs continue to provide us with more wisdom, insight, and understanding. Regardless of where you are in your faith walk, if you follow the precepts in Proverbs, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 480 – Failure Is the Best Teacher – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 480 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Failure is the Best Teacher – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 480 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from William Saroyan says, “Good people are good because they’ve come to wisdom through failure. We get very little wisdom from success, you know.”There is a purifying effect when you have to go through trials, tribulations, and failures. If you persevere through those times, you are able to gain a measure of goodness coupled with wisdom, insight, and understanding. Each season of trials and failures should work to make you even more resolute to continue on doing what is right, just, and fair.

Trials, tribulations, and failures are much better teachers than success if you are willing to learn the lessons that are being taught. You should never allow failure to permanently defeat you but allow it to teach you the lessons that are available. Remember to keep moving forward, learn the lessons, gain wisdom, and enjoy your journey. As Jesus’s half brother James told us in his letter in Chapter 1 verses 2-4, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. If you enjoy these quotes, I have created and published a searchable database of over 10,000 quotes that I have collected for many years. If you would like access to my database of inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 479 – Attitude Check!

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 479 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Attitude Check!

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 479 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate us to live rich and satisfying lives this week. Today let us explore the trail called “Attitude Check.”

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. With Thanksgiving quickly approaching in the US, we have much to be thankful for. Our attitude about life strongly influences our level of gratitude. We should always practice an “Attitude of Gratitude” each day. There is nothing more valuable or significant in determining our success in life than our attitude. As we break camp and head out on our trek for today, let us invest time exploring the concept of…

Attitude Check

Earlier in my life I obtained my private pilot’s license and went on to also become instrument rated. Obtaining my pilot’s license required a lot of time and expense, but I learned many lessons about life through the process. For instance, when learning to fly, a frequent term that is heard from the flight instructor is “Attitude check!” That might not mean much to you at first, or you might wonder why it would be used when flying. Why would the flight instructor care if my attitude is good?

When flying an airplane, small or large, the word “attitude” can be a life-or-death word for a pilot. It is a very important term when flying because a plane’s “attitude” is its position relative to the ground, to the horizon. After many hours of flying and also reading stories about pilots that have taken off and landed on aircraft carriers, the importance of a plane’s attitude can be summarized this way, “Right attitude, you keep flying. Wrong attitude, you stop flying.” And stopping in this way is not advisable.

When flying by the plane’s instruments, that is when conditions won’t let you fly visually, you adjust your attitude based on an instrument called your artificial horizon. It actually shows you where the real horizon is. But when you can’t see any points of reference, your senses start playing tricks on you. One veteran pilot said that even he has to sometimes fight his instincts and feelings that are telling him lies about whether he’s going up or down. The only thing that’s telling him the truth is his artificial horizon.

Life’s like that too. The attitude that was popularized a few years ago,“If it feels good, do it,” has had a disastrous effect on many an individual and on much of our society, which has become incredibly permissive. As such, we are on an ever-increasing slippery slope downward.

Feelings can be one of the most dangerous directives to follow when it comes to choosing between a right and a wrong course of action. The instrument God has given to us to keep our attitude right is His Word, the Bible. We go against His directives to our peril. As Christians, we are to do right—regardless of what our feelings tell us.

Right attitude, we keep “flying.” Wrong attitude, we “crash.” Learn to follow the instruments of life regardless of your feelings. The true instrument for our lives is the Bible. As Psalms 119:105 tells us, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” As my virtual mentor, Zig Ziglar said, “It’s your attitude and not your aptitude that determines your altitude.”

As we finish our trek for today, let me ask you, “Have you taken an attitude check recently?” When flying, you must constantly monitor the attitude of the plane. Should it be anything less with our own lives?

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 478 – Your Present Determines Your Future – Attitude (2)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 478 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Your Present Determines Your Future – Attitude (2)

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 478 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently, we are in a multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book called The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. During this month of Thanksgiving, take time each day to reflect on what you are thankful for. We are thankful that the transition of consolidating our Charlotte home to Marietta has gone relatively smooth. On the day this trek is released, Paula and I will be heading back to Charlotte to invest the weekend with our family there. On Monday we will be attending the closing for our home in Charlotte. Our home was under contract two days after it was listed. We are thankful that it sold so quickly, and that a portion of this season of life will be finalized. It was a great season, but every season passes on. Our trekking between the two locations will certainly be less frequent although we do plan to visit our family there quite often.

Today on our trek we will continue on the Attitude Trail. Last Friday we explored how our past affects our attitude, and today we will focus on how our present situation and future will impact our attitude and our life.

If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the first trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Attitude Part 2

As a reminder, our overall extended trek will cover these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

The primary and first trail we explored was the Philosophy Trail. Your personal philosophy is the filter through which all of your decisions and choices are made. This is a very crucial element that you must establish in your life. Now let’s explore how your present situation affects your attitude trek.

1. The Present

The current moment is where your better future begins. The past gave you a wealth of memories and experiences, and the present gives you a chance to use them wisely.

The present brings you an opportunity to create an exciting future. The promise of the future demands that you pay the price in the present. The opportunity of the current moment must be embraced, or the rewards of the future will be withheld.

Your goals and ambitions of the past are bringing to you present rewards. If your current rewards are small, then your past efforts were small. And if today’s effort is small, the future reward will be small as well.

Today brings each of us 1,440 minutes; 86,400 ticks of the clock. Both the poor and the wealthy have the same 24 hours of opportunity. Time favors no one. Today merely says, “Here I am. What are you going to do with me?” How well you use each day is largely a function of attitude. With the right attitude, you can seize this day and make it a point of new beginning. Today does not care about yesterday’s failures or tomorrow’s regrets. It merely offers the same precious gift — another 24 hours — and hopes that you will use it wisely.

With the right attitude, you can seize this day and make it a point of new beginning.

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The greatest opportunity today brings with it the opportunity to begin the process of change. Today — the present — is the moment when you can inaugurate your new voice coming into power. It can be a new “change of mind” — a new attitude adopted about who you are, what you are, what you want, and what you are going to do. Today can also be exactly like yesterday, and the day before, and the day before…It is all a question of attitude.

2. The Future

Your attitude about the future is also of great importance. In the classic book, Lessons of History, Will and Ariel Durant wrote,

“To endure what is, we must remember what was, and dream of things as they will one day be.”

Your attitude about the future depends on your ability to see the future. You have the inherent ability to dream, design and experience the future through the power of an imaginative inner-eye. Whatever your mind has the capacity to imagine, it also has the ability to create.

Your attitude about the future depends on your ability to see the future.

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Just as the body instinctively knows how to perform the miracle of health and gradually healing itself, the mind instinctively knows how to perform the miracle of wealth through a gradual process of successful habits.

3. All Things Must Be Finished Before They Can Be Started

Everything in the world around you was finished in the mind of its creator before it was started. The house or apartment you live in, the car you drive, your clothing, your furnishings — all of these things began with an idea in someone’s mind. Each idea was then studied, refined and perfected, either mentally or in writing, before the first nail was driven or the first piece of cloth was cut. Long before the idea was converted into a physical reality, the mind had clearly envisioned the finished product.

You have the capacity to design your own future through much the same process. You begin with an idea about how the future will be. Over a period of time, you refine and perfect your vision. Before long, your every thought, decision and activity are all working in harmony to bring into existence what you have mentally determined about your future.

This is why having the right attitude about both past and present circumstances is so important. When you have a healthy attitude about the past and constructive feelings about yourself and your present opportunities, you subconsciously guide yourself toward the achievement of your dreams. However when you are filled with regrets about the past and concerns about the present, then you subconsciously lead yourself towards a future that is very much like the past you have just left behind.

The thoughts and feelings you allow yourself to have today are crucial, for they are contributing to your future. What that future holds will simply be a mirror image of your current philosophy and attitude about life. There are certain truths and principles about our life that if followed will have a significant impact on how our future turns out. This is why our thoughts are so important. As Ephesians 4:21-23 tells us, “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.”

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we hike now on the Trail of Attitude. Putting aside your old thoughts and habits is not easy. This trek of life is not an easy hike to make. It requires not being held back by your past, but using what you learned to change your present and your future.

Next week on Philosophy Friday, we will continue on the Trail of Attitude and focus on designing a better future, and the investment which that requires. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek will be Motivation Monday where we explore more trails of how to get and stay motivated to bring value to your world. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you Monday!

Day 477 – Bad Company Corrupts Good Character – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 477 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Bad Company Corrupts Good Character – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 477 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Arthur S. Adams, who says, “Good character is the quality which makes one dependable whether being watched or not. Which makes one truthful when it is to one’s advantage to be a little less than truthful. Which makes one courageous when faced with great obstacles. Which endows one with the firmness of wise self-discipline.”

What do you think of when you hear that a person has good character? As this quote stipulates, it is a person who is dependable, truthful, courageous, and self-disciplined. This is the type of person who has a moral backbone, one whose life is built on a foundation of integrity.

To have this solid foundation of integrity is the bedrock of a person with good character. A foundation that will withstand any temptation or obstacle regardless of how hard the winds of adversity may blow against them. We are reminded in the Bible that it is imperative to choose wisely who we invest time with. 1 Corinthians 15:33 states, “Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for ‘bad company corrupts good character.'”

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you in through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 476 – Don’t Wear Yourself Out Trying to Get Rich – Proverbs 23:1-16

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 476 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Don’t Wear Yourself Out Trying to Get Rich – Proverbs 23:1-16

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 476 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 1^st half of chapter 23.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. As Thanksgiving approaches during the month of November, it is a time to reflect on all the blessings we have in life. We do have much to be thankful for. While I think it is important that we have a day set aside in the US and many other countries focusing on being thankful, it should be part of our everyday life. If this is currently not a habit of yours, I encourage you to set a time aside each morning when you wake and again before you sleep to pause and reflect with gratitude on all the blessings that you have in your life. Even when life is difficult, and it is for all of us at times, there are still many things which we can be thankful for.

With a heart of gratitude, let us break camp for today and head out on our trek to explore the nuggets of wisdom which are found in the first half of Proverbs 23. We are currently in the third section of Proverbs, which covers 30 sayings of the wise. We explored five sayings last week, and today we will continue with eight more. One of those saying is:

Don’t Wear Yourself Out Trying To Get Rich.

Let’s start our trek with verse 1.

¹ While dining with a ruler,

pay attention to what is put before you.

²If you are a big eater,

put a knife to your throat;

³don’t desire all the delicacies,

for he might be trying to trick you.

While we may not have a lot of opportunities to dine with people who are in positions of authority, this applies to any formal social gathering where you may be a guest. If you enjoy eating, as many people do, be very careful with how and what you are eating. Don’t gorge yourself, or come off as gluttonous. Even if the food seems irresistible, show constraint and eat in moderation. This may be a test to see how you react to these more formal situations.

⁴Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich.

Be wise enough to know when to quit.

⁵In the blink of an eye wealth disappears,

for it will sprout wings

and fly away like an eagle.

This is one of those passages that hits a bit too close to home for me. I enjoy the work that I do and am driven to accomplishing as much as I can and then some. This does not give me permission to ignore the principles that are clearly presented in these verses. We all need to show restraint in our pursuit of wealth.

If you are driven to obtain riches, this is never an excuse to abuse yourself physically, emotionally, or spiritually to obtain wealth. Wealth is so fleeting. If you are persistent, you can obtain wealth, but realize that it is so easily lost, sometimes by situations completely out of your control. We all need to be wise enough to take time for the most important aspects of life, which is not riches but relationships.

⁶Don’t eat with people who are stingy;

don’t desire their delicacies.

⁷They are always thinking about how much it costs.

“Eat and drink,” they say, but they don’t mean it.

⁸You will throw up what little you’ve eaten,

and your compliments will be wasted.

Who we invest our time with is important. The lesson in this passage refers to eating with someone that does not really have a giving heart. A person may invite you to a dinner to be socially polite or to look good in the eyes of others. This is the type of person who really does not have the heart for hospitality because they consider it a cost instead of an investment in a relationship.

If you find yourself in this situation, it may be best to turn down the invitation if you know in advance. If you do not realize it in advance, once you are in the situation, you can be kind and polite and restrain yourself from eating too much. It would be better to eat less than to risk becoming ill from eating too much. The stingy person will just think of the money he or she wasted on you, and it will impact what friendship you may have established.

⁹Don’t waste your breath on fools,

for they will despise the wisest advice.

This verse also refers to relationship issues. Although we should be kind to everyone, there are some people that think they are wise when they are actually fools. These people do not desire to learn or gain wisdom. It is better to save your instructions for those who are willing and able to accept it.

¹⁰Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers;

don’t take the land of defenseless orphans.

¹¹For their Redeemer is strong;

he himself will bring their charges against you.

This is similar to a verse from last week. We are to have the integrity to honor agreements set up by others, which were passed on to us. We should also never take advantage of those who are unable to defend themselves. If we make a practice of taking advantage of others to advance ourselves, then we will suffer the consequences of our actions. God will redeem them for the injustices that are committed against them.

¹²Commit yourself to instruction;

listen carefully to words of knowledge.

Mentioned throughout the book of Proverbs is the need to seek instruction and wisdom. We are to seek for it with more fervor than we would seek for gold or silver. How much do you desire to obtain instruction and knowledge?

¹³Don’t fail to discipline your children.

The rod of punishment won’t kill them.

¹⁴Physical discipline

may well save them from death.

These verses in no way condone unjust or abusive punishment for children, but all children need to be disciplined throughout the years that you are responsible for them. Each child is uniquely different and so should the discipline that is administered to them be. Some will learn through words while others may need more firm discipline. Adults also need guidelines and laws to follow. Base all discipline on God’s Word. Realize that to raise disciples for Christ discipline is required.

¹⁵My child, if your heart is wise,

my own heart will rejoice!

¹⁶Everything in me will celebrate

when you speak what is right.

Tied to the previous verses, Solomon refers to the readers of this passage as his children, which includes us. As you disciple your children and they gain wisdom, your heart will rejoice. As they grow into mature, responsible adults, you can celebrate with them as they make wise choices for life. Remember, you are not raising children, you are molding them into responsible adults.

Today we explored eight wise sayings, which we can learn much from. Next Wisdom Wednesday we will continue on this trail of the Sayings of the Wise. These proverbs continue to provide us with more wisdom, insight, and understanding. Regardless of where you are in your faith walk, if you follow the precepts in Proverbs, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 475 – God Has Within Himself, All – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 470 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

God Has Within Himself, All – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 475 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Thomas Brooks who tells us, “God hath in Himself all power to defend you, all wisdom to direct you, all mercy to pardon you, all grace to enrich you, all righteousness to clothe you, all goodness to supply you, and all happiness to crown you.”We all become so consumed with trying to control everything in our lives that we experience much anxiety and stress. This is dangerous in two respects. First, we actually have very little control over circumstances and other people. Second, it is very difficult to control ourselves, so that is the first area we need to focus. If we focus on controlling ourselves and making changes within ourselves so that we can positively impact our world, then we will have more than enough to occupy our time.

Even considering these two situations, the reality that we need to face is that God is in control of everything. He has all power and will provide us with all that we need. We need to acknowledge and accept that God will provide us with all that we will ever need. We do not need to try and control life ourselves, but have faith that God will provide us with all that we need.

2 Peter 1:2-4 –May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 474 – 20 Truths About Life

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 474 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

20 Truths About Life

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 474 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate you to live a rich and satisfying life this week. Today let us explore the trail called “20 Truths About Life.”

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. It was a great weekend of outdoor work, indoor clean up, and most importantly, several hours with four of our grandchildren on Saturday. Any time we can invest time with our kids and grandkids is always a blessed time. We all need to realize that time is the only truly valuable asset in our lives. It is the only asset that is truly finite. How we invest our time determines the true impact that we have on our world. There is nothing more valuable. As we break camp and head out on our trek for today, let us invest time exploring the…

20 Truths About Life

It’s much easier to talk about the weather, sports, politics, and celebrities than your fear of mortality. Unfortunately, the more time you invest pretending that ultimate truths don’t exist, the more time you waste not being your authentic self and getting the most out of every precious second.

Time, not money, is your most valuable asset. Allow the list below to ignite the spark of motivation you need to make better use of the time you have impacting your world.

Sometimes we need to head into the storm to appreciate the light and have a renewed passion for the beauty of life.

Here are 20 truths about life that every person needs to hear.

You’re going to die, and you have no idea when.

Stop pretending that you’re invincible. Acknowledge the fact of your own mortality, and then start structuring your life in a more meaningful way.

Everyone you love is going to die, and you don’t know when.

This truth may be saddening at first, but it also gives you permission to make amends with past difficulties and re-establish meaningful relationships with important figures in your life.

Your material wealth won’t make you a better or happier person.

Even if you’re one of the lucky ones who achieves his or her materialistic dreams, money only amplifies that which was already present.

Your obsession with finding happiness is what prevents its attainment.

Happiness is always present in your life–it’s just a matter of connecting to it and allowing it to flow through you that’s challenging.

Donating money does less than donating time.

Giving your time is a way to change your perception and create a memory for yourself and others that will last forever.

You can’t make everyone happy, and if you try, you’ll lose yourself.

Stop trying to please, and start respecting your values, principles, and autonomy.

You can’t be perfect, and holding yourself to unrealistic standards creates suffering.

Many perfectionists have unrelenting inner critics that are full of so much rage and self-hate that it tears them apart inside. Fight back against that negative voice, amplify your intuition, and start challenging your unrealistic standards.

Your thoughts are less important than your feelings, and your feelings need acknowledgment.

Intellectually thinking through your problems isn’t as helpful as expressing the feelings that create your difficulties in the first place.

Your actions speak louder than your words, so you need to hold yourself accountable.

Be responsible and take actions that increase positivity and love.

Your achievements and successes won’t matter on your deathbed.

When your time has come to transition from this reality, you won’t be thinking about that raise; you’ll be thinking about the relationships you’ve made–so start acting accordingly.

Your talent means nothing without consistent effort and practice.

Some of the most talented people in the world never move out from their parent’s basement.

Now is the only time that matters, so stop wasting it by pondering on the past or planning the future.

You can’t control the past, and you can’t predict the future. And trying to do so only removes you from the one thing you can control–the present.

Nobody cares how difficult your life is, and you are the author of your life’s story.

Stop looking for people to give you sympathy and start creating the life story you want to read.

Your words are more important than your thoughts, so start inspiring people.

Words have the power to oppress, hurt, and shame, but they also have the power to liberate and inspire–start using them more wisely.

Investing in yourself isn’t selfish. It’s the most worthwhile thing you can do.

You have to put on your own gas mask to save the person sitting right next to you.

It’s not what happens, it’s how you react that matters.

Train yourself to respond in a way that leads to better outcomes.

You need to improve your relationships to have lasting happiness.

Relationships have a greater impact on your wellbeing and happiness than your income or your occupation, so make sure you give your relationship the attention and work it deserves.

Pleasure is temporary and fleeting, so stop chasing fireworks and start building a constellation.

Don’t settle for an ego boost right now when you can delay gratification and experience deeper fulfillment.

Your ambition means nothing without execution–it’s time to put in the work.

If you want to change the world, then go out there and do it!

Time is your most valuable asset–you need to prioritize how you invest it.

You have the power and responsibility to decide what you do with the time you have, so choose wisely.

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1 Timothy 4:7 – Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.

As we finish our trek for today, let me ask you, how are you investing your time? Is it impacting your world? Ponder these 20 truths and allow them to motivate you to live a rich and satisfying life.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 473 – Don’t Let Your Past Hold You Back – Attitude (1)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 473 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Don’t Let Your Past Destroy You – Attitude Part 1

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 473 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently, we are in a multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book called The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We are getting settled in well with consolidating our homes. There are still items that need to be stored and a few pieces of furniture that we are giving away, but overall it is settling down. It has been a smooth transition, and we are glad that we made this decision. With most decisions that each of us make, the success or failure of those decisions is impacted significantly on our attitude about that decision. Attitude is one of the largest factors in how our lives turn out.

Today on our trek we are switching trails from developing a powerful personal philosophy, which is the foundation for our lives, to another trail, which is our attitude. If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the first trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Attitude Part 1

As a reminder, our overall extended trek will cover these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

Last week we finished up our primary trail, which covered all the steps needed to develop a Powerful Personal Philosophy. This is the very foundation on which your life is built. Your personal philosophy is the filter through which all of your decisions and choices are made. This is a very crucial element that you must establish in your life. As we continue our trek today, we will focus on your attitude and how your past affects that attitude.

Your life is greatly affected by what you know since what you know determines the decisions you will make. Just as you are affected by what you know, you are also affected by how you feel.

While philosophy deals essentially with the logical side of your life, that is to say, your information and thinking habits, attitude focuses primarily on the emotional issues that affect your existence. What you know determines your philosophy. How you feel about what you know determines our attitude.

How you feel about what you know determines our attitude.

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It is your emotional nature that governs most of your daily conduct in your personal and business worlds. It is the emotional aspect of your experiences that determines your behavior. How you feel about life’s events is a powerful force that can either freeze you in your tracks or inspire you to take immediate action on any given day.

Like thoughts, emotions have the capacity to propel you toward future fortune or future disaster. The feelings you carry within you about people, your work, your home, your finances, and about the world around you collectively form your attitude. With the right attitude, you can move mountains. With the wrong attitude, you can be crushed by the smallest grain of sand.

With the right attitude, you can move mountains. With the wrong attitude, you can be crushed by the smallest grain of sand.

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Having the right attitude is an essential prerequisite for your success and happiness. The right attitude is one of the fundamentals of a rich and satisfying life. That is why you must constantly examine your feelings about your role in the world and about your possibilities for achieving your dreams. The feelings that you have affect your prevailing attitude, and it is your prevailing attitude that ultimately determines the quality of your lives.

Attitude is a major determining factor in how your life turns out. Since everything in life affects everything else, you must make a careful study of everything and everyone that might be having the wrong effect on your current attitude. With these thoughts in mind, this week we will learn from the past, and then next week we will focus on the present and future.

The Past

Having a healthy and mature attitude about the past can make a major difference in your life. One of the best ways to approach the past is to use it as positive training, not a negative weapon. You must not beat yourself up with past mistakes, faults, failures, and losses. The events of the past, both good and bad, are all part of the life experience. For some, the past may have been a harsh teacher. You must remember to let the past educate you and bring the value of its experience into your life. It is easy to allow the past to overwhelm you. The good news is that it is also easy to allow the past to instruct you and to increase your value.

Part of the miracle of your future lies in the past. Past lessons. Past errors. Past successes. The collective experiences of all that has happened to you can either be your master or your servant. That is why it is so important to gather up the lessons of the past and invest them in the future. If you can establish that kind of intelligent approach to the past, you can dramatically change the course of the next twelve months. You will be somewhere in the next twelve months; the question you must ask yourself is where will you be?

Developing a new philosophy about the past is the key to changing your current attitude. Until you have finally accepted the fact that there is nothing you can do to change the past, your feelings of regret, remorse, and bitterness will prevent you from designing a better future with the opportunity that is before you today.

How effectively you use the present is largely determined by your attitude about the past. Until you amend your philosophy, you cannot repair your attitude. If you cannot repair your attitude, your future is going to be filled with the same sense of regret, remorse, and bitterness that currently has you by the throat. You cannot move forward into a brighter future until you have closed the door on the darkness of the past.

You cannot move forward into a brighter future until you have closed the door on the darkness of the past.

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These concepts remind me of a familiar Bible passage that I have used before, which is found in Philippians 3:12-14, “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek as we hike now on the Trail of Attitude. This is not an easy hike to make. It requires not being held back by your past, but using what you learned to change your present and your future.

Next week on Philosophy Friday, we will continue on the Trail of Attitude and focus on your present and your future. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek will be Motivation Monday as we explore more trails of how to get and stay motivated to bring value to your world. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along on Monday for another day of Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 472 – Who Knows the Future? – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 472 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Who Knows the Future? – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 472 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Matthew Henry, who says, “God has wisely kept us in the dark concerning future events and reserved for himself the knowledge of them, that he may train us up in a dependence upon himself and a continued readiness for every event.”

We all think we would like to know what the future holds, and yet as we look back on our lives, many of us realize that it may have been best for us to not know. Our trail of life is full of unexpected twists, turns, and obstacles that we would never have anticipated nor desired. Yet the experiences of life have shaped and refined us into the person that we are today. Without both the good and bad situations we would not have known life in all of its fullness. Although we do not know what the future holds, if we have faith in God, we will know who knows the future, and it is set. As Romans 8:28-30 relates to us, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.”

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. If you would like access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. Just as you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 471 – Sayings of the Wise – Proverbs 22:17-29

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 471 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Sayings of the Wise – Proverbs [22:17]-29

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 471 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 2^nd half of chapter 22.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We continue to make good progress with both the outdoor fall cleanup and the indoor unpacking. It is good to have the time to accomplish all that needs to be done without being too rushed. Our client work requirements remain strong as we focus on the financial and technology work that keeps the back ends of their businesses running smoothly.

It is wise for every individual and business to make sure they have a solid financial foundation. As we break camp for our trek today, let us explore the nuggets of wisdom found in the second half of Proverbs 22. This section of Proverbs is referred to as…

Sayings of the Wise

Let’s start our trek with verses 17-21.

¹⁷Listen to the words of the wise;

apply your heart to my instruction.

¹⁸For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart

and always ready on your lips.

¹⁹I am teaching you today—yes, you—

so you will trust in the Lord.

²⁰I have written thirty sayings for you,

filled with advice and knowledge.

²¹In this way, you may know the truth

and take an accurate report to those who sent you.

A third major section of the Book of Proverbs begins with Proverbs [22:17]. This is clear from several indicators. The proverbs lengthen out again from the typical one-verse couplet that characterizes Proverbs 10:1 to Proverbs [22:16]. The emphasis changes somewhat in Proverbs [22:17] to Proverbs [24:34], which includes the fourth collection of proverbs and focuses on the importance of applying the instructions previously given.

²²Don’t rob the poor just because you can,

or exploit the needy in court.

²³For the Lord is their defender.

He will ruin anyone who ruins them.

These verses contain a strong warning about taking advantage of other people, just because you may have the power or resources to do so. This applies both to business as well as within our legal systems. God will ultimately be their defender, and anyone who takes advantage of others will eventually get their just punishment for doing so.

²⁴Don’t befriend angry people

or associate with hot-tempered people,

²⁵or you will learn to be like them

and endanger your soul.

The old axiom “Birds of a feather flock together” is certainly true. We become like those that we invest time with. My mom used to say “If you lie down with dogs, don’t be surprised when you get up with fleas.” We need to be very careful whom we invest time with because the return on our investment will reflect those choices.

²⁶Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt

or put up security for someone else.

²⁷If you can’t pay it,

even your bed will be snatched from under you.

Once again Solomon warns us about the danger of borrowing money, especially co-signing for another person’s debt. This is very unwise from every aspect. If the person you co-sign a loan for cannot pay, you will have to pay it. Or your credit will be ruined, and you will lose your personal property that is not even associated with what you co-signed for, so it will be a double loss.

²⁸Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers

set up by previous generations.

In order to keep our integrity intact, we should be willing to honor agreements that were set up by others whom we are now responsible. Even if you did not make the agreement, it is legally binding. Our integrity is more important than potential financial gain or personal benefits.

²⁹Do you see any truly competent workers?

They will serve kings

rather than working for ordinary people.

When you work hard with competence, your efforts will be noticed by those individuals who are in positions of authority. As a result, you will receive preferential treatment and benefits for your efforts instead of working for people who have little authority.

As we start a new section in Proverbs, we are hiking through a series of 30 wise sayings. Today we explored the first five of those. Next Wisdom Wednesday we will continue on this trail. These proverbs provide us with more wisdom, insight, and understanding.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 470 – Courage to Change – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 465 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Courage to Change – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 470 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Reinhold Niebuhr, who tells us, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know one from the other.”

This is a fairly well-known quote, but one that is so hard to put into practice on a daily basis. We would all like to effect change, but with most situations in life, we do not have the ability to impact change to any great extent. You cannot change others, you cannot change situations outside of your control. The great news is that you can change yourself. So that is the place to start.

We need to know the difference. We need to accept life for how it is, not how we wished it to be. Accept what you cannot change, but stand strong and have the courage to move forward to change what you can. Rely on God to provide you with the wisdom and the peace to accept the outcome regardless. Job 28:23 says, “God alone understands the way to wisdom; he knows where it can be found, for he looks throughout the whole earth and sees everything under the heavens.”

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 469 – Truth Matters

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 08:03:26 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 469 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Truth Matters

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 469 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate us to live rich and satisfying lives this week. Today let us explore the trail called “Truth Matters.”

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Our weekend of outdoor work with the leaves and fallen limbs continues as does the indoor unpacking of our Charlotte household. These tasks will certainly keep us busy for several weeks to come. To tell the truth, it is an enjoyable respite from my focused computer-based work. Being involved in difficult physical labor allows my mind to reenergize and focus on long-term life plans. Speaking of telling the truth, something seems not to matter during an election process. I firmly believe and am convinced that truth does matter. As we break camp and head out on our trek for today, keep these words in your mind…

Truth Matters

Do you think before you make a promise to someone? What if you can’t deliver on your word? Does it really matter? Well, actually no, but have you considered the actual consequences?

Many people are pretty casual about making promises. As a result, promises are frequently made at the drop of a hat with no real intention of keeping them. “Let’s do lunch,” “I’ll call you later,” and “I’ll be there in five minutes” are all examples of throwaway promises that are frequently made but seldom kept. However, this casual attitude can have real consequences.

Having a casual attitude about truth can have real negative consequences.

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When you break a promise, no matter how small it may seem to you, alarm bells aren’t going to go off, but it can damage a relationship or your reputation. Think about it. When someone else breaks a promise to you or you catch them in a lie, doesn’t that make you feel violated or cheated? You can’t help wondering whether you were wrong to ever trust that person.

Getting away with a lie can also be dangerous because it fools liars into believing they’re invincible and that they have little chance of getting caught. Before you know it, lying can become a habit, forcing liars to spend precious time and energy keeping their stories straight. Once others learn about the lies, some people may forgive, but they surely won’t forget.

· Promise to Tell the Whole Truth

A promise is a promise. Some folks apply a rating scale, believing that breaking a big promise is inexcusable while a small one is acceptable. That’s simply false. While breaking a big promise, such as failing to repay borrowed money, can torpedo a relationship, reneging on promises, such as being on time, casts doubt on future behavior.

Remember, trust is built through a series of experiences shared with others. When behavior is consistent, faith in the relationship develops. When promises are broken or people are misled, the bonds of trust are breached.

Broken promises imply that the offenders either didn’t think before making the promises or don’t care that they’ve let you down. They’re also implying that their needs are more important than yours. So, be careful about the promises that you make and with whom you make them. Here are some practical tips to consider.

Never promise the moon. If you can’t keep a promise, don’t make it. For example, you may not be able to guarantee someone a five percent investment return, but you can show them your track record and promise them that you’ll work hard on their behalf. Another simple example is you can’t guarantee that you’ll arrive in two hours, but you can promise that you’re going to leave at 10 am. In other words, you can’t promise anyone sunny weather, but you can promise to hold the umbrella open for them if it rains.

Some broken promises are excusable. If you can’t deliver something on time because of an uncontrollable event, such as a family illness, most people will understand that the lapse was unintentional. On the other hand, breaking a promise intentionally (such as choosing to oversleep) is different — you’ll have to face the consequences. When you distort the truth by exaggerating, spinning the truth, or withholding key facts, you also weaken your credibility for the future.

Half the truth is often a whole lie. Lying comes in many forms. Some people exaggerate or stretch the truth to make something look more attractive. Others “spin the truth” by presenting “selected” facts that support their position. Withholding key facts is also lying — it’s clearly meant to deceive. When you tell a lie, everything that you say in the future may be treated as suspect. As Friedrich Nietzsche said, “I’m not upset that you lied to me, I’m upset that from now on I can’t believe you.”

When people are dishonest, they send the message that they lied because either they don’t have a strong case or they have something to hide. Once they’re caught in the act, liars will find that others may start requesting everything in writing and may question their motives. Most importantly, after they lie, everything said from that point forward won’t carry the same credibility.

You’re judged by the company you keep. When people cover for the misdeeds of others, they’re as guilty as those who committed the “crimes.” If you’re tempted to cover for someone else, first consider whether it’s worthwhile to put your own reputation on the line for anyone who’s undeserving of your good name.

· Your Word Is Your Bond

There was a time when keeping your word held special significance. We took great pride in being of good character. Personal integrity was both expected and valued. That was a time when everyone knew each other’s family, and you wouldn’t do anything that would cast a shadow on your family’s good name. It was a time when integrity was instilled in children at a very early age and was viewed as instrumental in achieving success. The truth is, our world may have changed, but the importance of integrity has not. While we may not know everyone in our own town, the world is still smaller than you think. Create some bad news, and you’ll learn this for yourself.

Every time you give your word, you’re putting your honor on the line. You’re implying that others can place their trust in you because you value integrity and would never let them down. It goes without saying that if you don’t live up to your word, you may end up tarnishing your credibility, damaging your relationships, and defaming your reputation. Most importantly, you’ll be letting yourself down.

The good news is when you operate with complete integrity, what you say will be taken at face value, your intentions will be assumed honorable, and your handshake will be as good as a contract. Most importantly, you can take great pride in the standards that you’ve set for yourself and sleep well at night knowing that your conscience is clear. As for others…just when they think they’re fooling the world, they’ll realize that they’re only fooling themselves. A promise is a promise after all.

A promise is a promise after all.

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The truth is so important that it is addressed over 250 times in the Bible. One of the most familiar statements that Jesus proclaimed when he was addressing an important issue was “I tell you the truth…” Jesus is the epitome of truth. A few verses that we need to ponder are:

Proverbs 12:19 – Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.

Proverbs 12:22 – The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.

Proverbs 23:23 – Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.

John 8:32 – And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

As we end our trek for today, invest honestly on how truthful you are in all situations. Does truth really matter to you? Will your trails of life be paved with truth or with good intentions, lies, and deception? Make truthfulness part of the very fabric of your life, “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Tomorrow’s short trek is part of our Wisdom Unplugged series that we are now hiking on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These 3-minute wisdom supplements will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise throughout the entire week. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy these daily doses of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person when you meet with them and invite them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 468 – The Danger of Neglect – Philosophy (10)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 07:03:54 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 468 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Danger of Neglect – Philosophy Part 10

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 468 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently, we are in a multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. It has been a steady week of client work and continuing to make progress on unpacking our Charlotte boxes. I do need to get refocused on the podcast-related projects soon, as they were set aside for a bit as our extra time has been consumed with moving our Charlotte household items and consolidating everything in The Big House.

I would like to make much faster progress on these various project, but continually remind myself that life is a marathon, not a sprint. As with most of life, it is the simple disciplines practiced every day that will allow us to succeed at any project, no matter how large and overwhelming it may appear at times. This is why it is so important that we Develop a Powerful Personal Philosophy.

If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the first trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek–Philosophy, Part 10

As a reminder, our overall extended trek will cover these five trails:

Philosophy
Attitude
Activity
Results
Lifestyle

Last week on our hike we focused on the formula for success which is actually quite simple because success is made up of a few simple disciplines practiced every day. As we continue our trek today, we will focus on “The Danger of Neglect” and the importance of “Learning to Listen to the Right Voice”:

1. The Danger of Neglect

The things that are easy to do are also easy not to do. The primary reason most people are not doing as well as they could and should can be summed up in a single word – neglect.

The primary reason most people are not doing as well as they could and should can be summed up in a single word – neglect.

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It is not the lack of money. The banks are full of money, and the government continues to print more. It is not the lack of opportunity. America continues to offer the most unprecedented and abundant opportunities of any nation in the last six thousand plus years of recorded history, and these opportunities are spreading globally. It is not the lack of books. Libraries and online sources are full of books, and many of them are free! It is not the schools. While there are some issues in education, the classrooms are full of good teachers, and there is nothing stopping you or anyone else from learning on their own. There are also plenty of ministers, leaders, counselors, and advisors to help you in any area of life.

Everything you would ever need to become rich, powerful, sophisticated, and satisfied with life is within your reach. The major reason that so few take advantage of all that we have is simply neglect. Don’t let this be the case in your life. You have heard the expression, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” You may debate the validity of this familiar quotation, but what if it were true? Recent studies have shown that it is. If by performing that one simple act or that one simple discipline, you could be more healthy, alert and active throughout your life, then would it not make sense, and would it not be easy to eat that apple every day?

Assuming the quotation is true, why don’t you eat an apple a day, every day to maintain your health? If it is that easy and there is such a tremendous reward attached to this discipline, why don’t you do it? Maybe you do, and if so, well done. The reason most people do not, because the things that are easy to do are also easy not to do. That is how subtle failure is. Failure is largely a function of neglect. You fail to do the small things that you should do, and this seemingly insignificant license carries over to those things that are important to do. Small neglects have a way of becoming major oversights with the passage of enough time.

Neglect is like an infection. Left unchecked it will spread throughout your entire system of disciplines and eventually lead to a complete breakdown of a potentially joy-filled rich and satisfying life. The danger of neglect lies in not doing the simple things because it is easy to do.

The danger of neglect lies in not doing the simple things because it is easy to do.

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2. Learn To Listen To The Right Voice

Let me ask you this question. Why are you so frequently inclined to do the things that are least important but so reluctant to do the essential things that success and happiness demand? What is that voice that whispers to you, “Just let it all slide? Why worry about all that discipline nonsense?” It is the voice of negativity, a voice that has grown increasingly stronger over the years as a result of being around the wrong influences, thinking the wrong thoughts, developing the wrong philosophy, and making the wrong decisions.

Part of the solution to quieting the voice of negativity is learning to listen to the still, small voice of success that resides within you. The voice of success is constantly struggling to be heard above the loud promptings of the voice of failure. Your own free agency allows you to follow whichever voice you choose.

Every time you allow yourself to succumb to the voice of the dark side of life and are persuaded to repeat errors instead of mastering new disciplines, the voice of negativity grows stronger. Conversely, each time you listen to the urgings of the voice of success, you will be persuaded to turn off the television with its 24/7 spewing of propaganda on the right and the left. Instead, you will pick up a good book, open your journals and record your thoughts, or invest a quiet moment pondering where your current actions may be leading you. It is then that the voice of success responds to these new disciplines and grows in strength and volume as each day passes. Become a disciple of success because each new discipline is another step forward.

Become a disciple of success because each new discipline is another step forward.

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You can never totally eradicate the voice of failure from within you. It will always be there, urging you to think, feel, and act in a way that is contrary to your own best interests. Even with this realization, you can effectively silence this destructive influence by developing a sound philosophy and a positive attitude about life and your future.

Creating a new philosophy is actually easy to do. Making new and better decisions is easy to do. Developing a new attitude is easy to do. All of the worthwhile and rewarding topics that we have covered over the past few weeks are easy to do, but the major challenge, the one that could leave you with pennies instead of fortune and trinkets instead of treasures is that it is also easy not to do. The choice is ultimately yours, and it is your responsibility.

You must keep a watchful eye on the subtle differences between success and failure and be ever mindful of the inner urging that would have you repeating costly errors rather than developing new disciplines.

You must each make your own conscious decision to reach out for the good life through the refinement of your thoughts and the careful examination of the potential consequences of your accumulated errors. You must not allow yourself to think that the errors do not matter. They do. You must not allow yourself to assume that a lack of discipline in one small area of your life will not make a difference. It will. You must not allow yourself to believe that you can have all that you want to have and become all that you wish to be without making any changes in the way we think about life. You must.

The journey toward the rich and satisfying life begins with a serious commitment to changing any aspect of your current philosophy that has the capacity to come between you and your dreams. The remaining trails that you will hike on your trek of life can be of little value if you have not first made the firm resolve to hike the trail of developing a powerful personal philosophy completely.

Everything is within your reach if you will read the books, study the information that is available, use the journals, practice the disciplines, and wage a new and vigorous battle against neglect. These are some of the fundamental activities that lead not only to the development of a new philosophy but to a new life filled with joy and accomplishment. Each new and positive activity weakens the grip of failure and steers you ever closer to the destination of your choice. Each new, disciplined step taken toward success strengthens your philosophical posture and increases your chances of achieving a well-balanced life. The first step in realizing this worthy achievement lies in being willing to take on the The Five Trails of Life’s Trek by first developing a powerful personal philosophy.

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly as we learn How to Develop a Powerful Personal Philosophy on our continued hike up the Trail of Philosophy today. This is not an easy hike to make. It requires changing your thinking and changing your habits from failures to success. It requires a few simple disciplines practiced each day and not succumbing to neglect.

Next week on Philosophy Friday we will move onto our 2^nd trail, which is the Trail of Attitude. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life. Our next trek will be Motivation Monday as we explore more trails of how to get and stay motivated to bring value to your world. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 467 – Keep Moving Forward – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 07:03:17 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 467 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Keep Moving Foward – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 467 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Croft M. Pentz, who says, “Failure is merely the opportunity to start over again, wiser than before.”

We will all experience failure to various degrees in our lives. Practically every day we attempt tasks and actions where we fall short. This is to be expected and should be welcomed. We can learn so many great lessons and gain much wisdom as we strive to succeed in various areas of our lives. While none of us desire to fail, neither should we fear it. If our decisions and subsequent actions do not cause loss of life or limb, then we can overcome nearly every other outcome of failure.

One of my favorite animated movies is the Disney movie called Meet the Robinsons in which the entire overriding premise of the animated film is that we should rejoice when the projects we are working on fail because it allows us to gain wisdom and provides one more verifiable way we know does not work. The tagline of the animated movie, which I have adopted for myself, is to “Keep moving forward.” So, do not fear failure. Instead, embrace it, learn from it, and gain wisdom through it. Then learn to enjoy your journey, even with its detours and obstacles, as you “keep moving forward.” 2 Timothy 1:7 instructs us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. If you would like access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 466 – Choose a Good Reputation Over Great Riches – Proverbs 22:1-16

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 07:03:08 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 466 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Choose a Good Reputation Over Great Riches – Proverbs 22:1-16

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 466 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails, we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 1^st half of chapter 22.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This past weekend was very productive. We were able to make a pass of the entire lawn to clean up the leaves that have fallen so far. Most of the leaves have not fallen yet, but I still had 8 loads that I gathered up, and each load contains about 450 gallons of leaves. Paula gathered many loads of branches from a large limb that fell out of a tree on my brother’s property in last week’s storm. Inside the house, we unpacked several more boxes and setup the parlor with furniture. Taking care of the family homestead does require a lot of work, in addition to our consulting business, but it is rewarding and part of a much larger legacy that we are creating and living each day. We certainly enjoy thinking about, planning, and accomplishing our dreams.

What we think about and focus our time on is what we become. While most of us have heard the axiom “You are what you eat,” I believe a more true one is “You are what you think.” What you think about becomes your actions, and your actions become who you really are. It is part of your reputation. As we break camp for our trek today, let us explore the nuggets of wisdom found in the first half of Proverbs 22 where we will learn to…

Choose a Good Reputation Over Great Riches

Let’s start our trek with verse 1.

¹Choose a good reputation over great riches;
being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

There is no amount of money that can purchase a good reputation. Solomon’s wise advice instructs us to choose a good reputation and high esteem over any amount of riches. It is truly better than unlimited silver and gold. What would you prefer? It is evident today, as it has been throughout history, that many would choose riches.

²The rich and poor have this in common:
The Lord made them both.

Just as we come into the world naked and helpless, we leave the same way. It is important to realize that during the years in between, regardless of whether we are rich or poor, we have all been created in God’s image. We should love each other unconditionally, regardless of our economic status.

³A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

To be wise and prudent means that you make wise choices in life. It is the ability to anticipate the consequences of your choices and decide the best path to take. Otherwise, you are a simple person, or it may be said an unwise person. A simple person makes decisions and choices in life without understanding the consequence of those choices. This usually results in short-term thinking that causes long-term problems.

⁴True humility and fear of the Lord
lead to riches, honor, and long life.

When you are wise, you will also be humble and respect the Lord who created you. When you are, then the choices that you make in life will be good and will result in good outcomes such as wealth, respect, and longevity of life.

⁵Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road;
whoever values life will avoid it.

When a person’s mind is wicked, his or her entire life will reflect this. The individual’s trails of life are filled with problems, and the walk is dangerous. It is quite different for those with integrity who will avoid the same dangerous trails.

⁶Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not leave it.

As with all of the Proverbs, this verse is not meant to be guarantees of results but general guidelines. This certainly applies to our children. If we teach them God’s ways and His principles, when they are adults making their own decisions, they will be guided by those precepts.

⁷Just as the rich rule the poor,
so the borrower is servant to the lender.

This proverb is so true and relatable to most people throughout the world. When you are indebted to another person, especially monetarily, you must comply with the individual’s demands or suffer the consequences. If you become debt free, you have many more choices in life, and you are less apt to be controlled by others.

⁸Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,
and their reign of terror will come to an end.

The laws of planting and harvesting affect all areas of life, and we must know and learn this law well. If you plant injustice, it will produce a harvest of disaster. You always harvest what you plant in abundance. It is a law that will never change.

⁹Blessed are those who are generous,
because they feed the poor.

God encourages us to be generous and willing to give to those who are less fortunate or in distress. His blessings do reside to those who help others. One of those blessings is the lessons learned by those who are giving.

¹⁰Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.
Quarrels and insults will disappear.

When you get rid of a person who is constantly stirring up problems in any organization, then the fighting, quarrels, and insults will leave with that person. If at all possible, you should distance yourself from anyone who causes problems.

¹¹Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech
will have the king as a friend.

If you treat others with kindness and compassion, you will attract many friends even those who are in places of authority. There is never a good reason to treat others harshly, even if you are treated harshly at times.

¹²The Lord preserves those with knowledge,
but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.

Wisdom, insight, understanding and knowledge are gained by following God’s precepts. When we seek it earnestly, then God preserves us as we make wise choices. On the other hand, He will not preserve the plans of those who reject His precepts.

¹³The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there!
If I go outside, I might be killed!”

People who are lazy will come up with any excuse, regardless of how silly, to get out of their responsibility. This verse is an example of how far a lazy person may stretch his or her story.

¹⁴The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap;
those who make the Lord angry will fall into it.

Certainly, women with immoral intents know how to play simple men to achieve what they desire. A man who rejects God’s principles of love and marriage will fall into her trap. Men need to stand for what is good and right regardless.

¹⁵A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness,
but physical discipline will drive it far away.

Children, by their very nature, need to be taught what is wise and good. Otherwise, they will be filled with childish foolishness. Discipline is needed to train children to become wise. If they are not trained when they are young, they will become old fools.

¹⁶A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor
or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.

How prevalent we see this is in today’s world, but I suspect it has always been this way. The laws of planting and harvesting once again show us that if you oppress the less fortunate or curry favor with those who are rich by giving them gifts or bribes, eventually it will turn back on you.

The nuggets of wisdom that we gathered in verses 1-16 of Proverbs 22 provide more tasty morsels of wisdom, insight, and understanding. Regardless of your faith walk, if you apply the precepts in Proverbs, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of goodness.

Tomorrow we will hike another short trail of Wisdom Unplugged and will discover an inspirational wisdom quote. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 465 – Excellence Is the Result – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 07:03:02 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 465 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Excellence Is the Result – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 465 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So, let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Ronnie Oldham who tells us, “Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise; risking more than others think is safe; dreaming more than others think is practical and expecting more than others think is possible.”

Do you go above and beyond what is expected? Many people do not. If you desire to impact the lives of others positively, then it is required that you stretch yourself beyond what you or others may feel is necessary. Do not settle for being ordinary or average. Instead, strive to be extraordinary and excellent in all that you do. Care deeply for others, even though it will expose you to being hurt. Take the risk that may cause you some discomfort. Dream bigger dreams than you feel that you can ever accomplish. Expect more of yourself than others expect from you. In doing so, you will not only impact others greatly, you will achieve a level that you did not even think was possible.

Think in the way that the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:12-14, “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 464 – It’s Your Choice

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 07:03:40 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 464 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

It’s Your Choice

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 464 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate you to live a rich and satisfying life this week. Today let us explore the trailed called, “It’s Your Choice.”

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. The unpacking and cleaning continues indoors while wood cutting and leaf pickup goes on outside. The weekends do give us an opportunity to focus on non-client work. It is always great to be able to work outdoors and enjoy the cool fall weather. The choice to invest the time doing what we enjoy and what will help us to grow personally is important.

What you do in life is based on the small choices you make every day. How your life turns out is a direct result of these choices. There are consequences to every choice that you make, that will affect all of your tomorrows, both positively and negatively. As we break camp and head out on our trek for today keep these words in your mind…

It’s Your Choice

We’re all confronted with countless choices each day. Some have minimal consequences, such as whether to have our ice cream in a cup or cone while other decisions can be life changing. While some of these choices may impact our lives today, other choices may not affect us for years to come.

We are a product of the choices we make. Each decision helps to define who we are and how we’re different from everyone else.

Unfortunately, some people prefer to make their decisions in a haphazard fashion. They “shoot from the hip” or flip a coin rather than reviewing their options in a deliberate manner. Others make decisions in a vacuum without taking the time to collect the facts or consider the consequences. Still, others simply follow the crowd to avoid taking personal responsibility, or they base their decisions solely on the advice of another person, rather than on an idea’s true merits. Lastly, some individuals are more interested in checking an item off their to-do list than in making a sound choice. In this case, expediency trumps effectiveness.

Of course, not every decision requires in-depth analysis. Some should be practically “automatic,” like stepping on the brake pedal when the traffic ahead begins to slow down. Another choice is to apply the lessons learned from your past experiences to help make the decision process more automatic and less traumatic. Poor choices and good choices do have their consequences, and being fully engaged in the decision process is a good practice in itself.

· It’s Your Choice: Values Matter

Personal values should serve as your guiding star in making good choices. Values are like a pilot’s flight plan…without them, you’re flying blind. Unfortunately, some people don’t take the time to define them, so by default, their values may not be ethical. Take a moment and ponder the following questions. Each question is designed as a continuum, so your response doesn’t have to be limited to one extreme, or another.

Remember, there’s no right or wrong answer to each question. The answer that you provide should be the right one for YOU.

Work/Life Integration: Do you put more effort into building your career and becoming wealthy or investing time with friends and family?
Self-Satisfaction: Do you invest more time trying to please yourself or to satisfy others?
Willpower: Do you try to eliminate bad habits or simply give in?
Risk: Are you risk averse or would you gamble to win big?
Accepting Advice: Do you seek the advice of professionals (such as doctors, financial advisors, life coaches, and attorneys) or go it alone?
Integrity: Are you willing to turn a blind eye to your conscience to achieve personal gain?
Commitments: Are you more apt to make serious commitments or to live a happy-go-lucky life?
Wants/Needs: Do you invest more time enjoying what you have or upgrading your belongings?
Opportunity: Are you content with your existing situation or willing to explore exciting new opportunities?
Healthy Living: Are you more inclined to follow a healthy diet or to yield to temptation?
Trust: Do you put trust and faith in other people or rely mostly on yourself?
Work Ethic: Are you willing to pay your dues today by working hard as an investment in your future, or do you prefer to take it easy and possibly limit your opportunities?
Relationships: Do you put more effort into developing deep relationships or casual friendships?
Saving: Are you more inclined to save for a rainy day or to shop till you drop?
Personal Growth: Do you invest time in self-development, or are you comfortable where you are in life?
Purpose: Do you measure success by what you give to others or by how much you’ve personally gained?

The preceding list isn’t intended to be exhaustive. Its purpose is to get you thinking and to help you define who you are and what you stand for. One of the realities is that every choice you make in life has both a benefit and a cost. For example, saving versus spending. People who fail to save for a rainy day may enjoy the satisfaction that comes with their new acquisitions, but they wind up disappointed when unforeseen expenses blindside them. On the other hand, folks who save too much may be depriving themselves and their loved ones of things that they truly nee

· It’s Your Choice: Take Charge

Making good choices begins with taking charge of the decision-making process. Here are seven milestones to help you with your decision-making process.

Start by Managing the Big Stuff. It’s very easy to get sidetracked by insignificant issues in life. If you invest a lot of time on trivial stuff, you won’t have time to contemplate things that matter.
Values Matter. As we’ve noted, make decisions that are consistent with your core beliefs and values. The alternative invariably leads to regret.
Learn from the Past. Learn from your experiences and the experiences of others. Identify situations where you’ve had a similar choice in the past. How can you apply those lessons learned to the existing situation?
Know What You Know and What You Don’t Know. Don’t try to be an expert in everything. Seek input and advice when variables lie outside your comfort zone.
Keep the Right Perspective. View an issue from every vantage point. What do the facts say? What is your intuition telling you? Don’t overlook the obvious. Is your conscience trying to tell you something? Listen up.
Don’t Procrastinate. You’ll rarely have all the information that you need to make a “perfect” decision. So, don’t demand perfection. As Voltaire once said, “The perfect is the enemy of the good.”
Once You Make a Decision, Don’t Look Back, Make It Work. Don’t second-guess yourself. You can’t relive the past. It’s a waste of valuable time and energy.

· It’s Your Choice: Define Success in Your Own Terms

Life’s not about checking one more item off your to-do list or trying to impress others with how busy you are. Life is about finding joy and peace with where you’ve been, where you are now, and where you’re going. It’s about being proud of who you are, what you represent, and the impact that you’re having on others. This begins and ends with the choices that you make. So, give some serious thought to every choice you face. As Albert Camus once said, “Life is a sum of all your choices.” Are you happy with the path that you’re choosing for yourself? The choice is yours. Making good choices is your choice. Proverbs 22:1 gives us a good foundation to start from, “Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.”

As we end our trek for today, invest time reflecting on the choices that you have made on your trek in life up to this point. What new trails should you hike going forward, and what choices will you need to make to assure that you are on those trails?

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 463 – Success Disciplines on Life’s Trek – Philosophy (9)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 07:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 463 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Success Disciplines on Life’s Trek – Philosophy Part 9

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 463 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently, we are in a multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book called The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. It has been a steady week of client work, and we are making progress on unpacking all of the boxes from Charlotte.

This weekend we will be working with my brother Jack on cleaning up a couple of large limbs that came down in last week’s storm. Fortunately, neither one did any damage to our homes although Jack will need to replace a couple of sections of a small fence he has off his back porch.

The majority of the leaves continue to hang on as we enjoy the ever changing colors. Leaf harvest will occupy a good bit of our time over the next several weekends also. As with most of life, it is the simple discipline practices every day that will allow us to succeed at any task, no matter how large and overwhelming it may appear at times. This is why it is so important that we Develop a Powerful Personal Philosophy.

If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the first trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Philosophy Part 9

As a reminder, our overall extended trek will cover these five trails:

Philosophy
Attitude
Activity
Results
Lifestyle

Last week on our hike we focused on the failures in our lives which are caused by an accumulation of poor thinking and poor choices. Failure is nothing more than a few errors in judgment repeated every day. We also briefly glanced at the formula for success. As we continue our trek today, we will focus on success which is nothing more than…

1. Success Is a Few Simple Disciplines Practiced Every Day

One of the exciting things about the formula for success is that the results are almost immediate. As you voluntarily change daily errors into daily disciplines, you experience positive results in a very short period of time. When you change your diet, your health improves noticeably in just a few weeks. When you start exercising, you feel a new vitality almost immediately. When you begin reading, you experience a growing awareness and a new level of self-confidence. Whatever new discipline you begin to practice daily will produce exciting results that will drive you to become even better at developing new disciplines.

The real magic of new disciplines is that they cause you to amend your thinking. If you were to start to read books, keep a journal, attend classes, listen more, and observe more today, then today would be the first day of a new life leading to a better future. If you were to start to try harder today, and in every way make a conscious and consistent effort to change subtle and deadly errors into constructive and rewarding disciplines, you would never again settle for a life of existence, not once you have tasted the fruits of a life of substance!

There are those who would lead you to believe that you do not need discipline to change your lives, that all a person needs is a little motivation. But, it has been established that “motivation” is not how people change their lives. To change a life, you must first change your thinking habits. If a person is a fool and becomes motivated, he merely becomes a motivated fool.

If a person is a fool and becomes motivated, he merely becomes a motivated fool.

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To change yourself from how you are to how you want to be, you must begin with those few basics that affect the way you think. You can greatly change the course of your life by investing more time and making a greater conscious effort to refine your personal philosophy. The exciting thing is that you will not have to change all that much for the results to very quickly change for you.

Disciplines Tend To Multiply

All disciplines affect each other. Every new discipline affects not only the discipline that you have already begun to practice but also the disciplines you will soon adopt.

Everything affects everything else. Some things affect you more than others, but everything you do has an effect on everything else you do. Not to think so is naive. This is where those little subtle errors can come from, by not knowing and understanding the effect that your errors are having on your life over an extended period of time.

There is a tendency for each of us to give ourselves license to continue an undisciplined act. We tell ourselves, “This is the only area in which I allow myself to be weak.” This type of thinking is the beginning of delusion, for each undisciplined act tends to open the floodgates leading to other breakdowns in the chain of self-discipline. The license you give to yourself to wander even momentarily outside the boundaries of self-control establishes a subtle tendency, and the passing of time will eventually cause other self-imposed disciplines to erode.

Since every discipline affects every other discipline, you must be careful with all of them. You cannot allow yourself the luxury of indulging any error day in and day out. Remember, every liberty you give yourself to continue with an error has an effect on all of your other good habits, which in time has an effect on your future performance.

As with all aspects of life, there is the positive side. Every new discipline affects all of your other disciplines. Every new discipline that you impose on yourself will affect the rest of your personal performance in a positive way.

Every new discipline that you impose on yourself will affect the rest of your personal performance in a positive way.

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The key is to keep looking for every small discipline you can find that will cause you to refine your thinking, amend your errors and improve your results. You must continue looking for even the most insignificant of those errors in judgment that could be converted into a new discipline. Once the discipline cycle is started, your errors will begin to feel the effect, leaving tangible rewards in their wake as they make a hasty retreat.

· Success and Happiness Are Easy to Achieve

Taken one step at a time, all of the things that success and happiness require are actually quite easy to do. Changing from errors to disciplines is easy, as is going from failure to success. The reason why it is so easy is that you can do it, and anything you have the ability to do is always easy. Now, you may have to work hard at the daily discipline part of the equation, but reaching out with your talents to embrace success and its rewards is very easy to do.

You might be asking, “If it is so easy, why don’t more of us do it?” Because while it is easy to do the things that success and happiness require, it is also easy not to do them. This concept reminds me of a verse in Song of Solomon 2:15, “Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming!” This could very well be a parable for you to rid yourself of those little errors in judgment that happen each day before they ruin you and replace them with simple disciplines practiced each day.

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly as we ponder How to Develop a Powerful Personal Philosophy on our continued hike up the Trail of Philosophy today. This is not an easy hike to make. It requires changing your habits from failures to success. It requires a few simple disciplines practiced each day.

Next week on Philosophy Friday, we will continue our exploration of The Formula for Success and focus on the danger of neglect and listening to the right voices in your life. Make sure to join us for the continuation of our trek on the Trail of Philosophy next Friday. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek will be Motivation Monday when we explore more trails of how to get and stay motivated to bring value to your world. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and inviting them to come along with us each day. I would challenge you today to take just one precept that we learn today in Proverbs and commit yourself to applying it to your life.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 462 – Everybody Can Find Happiness – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 07:03:28 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 462 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Everybody Can Find Happiness – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 462 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Kurt W. DeNard, who says, “Everybody can find happiness. It is just a matter of choice to be compassionate, wise, generous, and loving.”

As we ponder this quote, I would like to ask you, What brings true happiness into your life? Contrary to what we think many times, it is not purchasing things that brings happiness because we may be content for a little while, but it will not be long before we desire something more or something different. As with most aspects of life, happiness is a choice that we make every day. The choices that bring lasting happiness in our own lives is when we choose to positively impact the lives of others. It is really up to you.

Do you desire to be happy? Then choose each day to be kind, be compassionate, be wise, be generous, be thoughtful, and be loving with an unconditional love toward others. It is then you will find the path to true happiness. Ephesians 4:32 instructs us, “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. If you would like access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com.

As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 461 – Watch Your Tongue – Proverbs 21:17-31

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 07:03:14 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 461 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Watch Your Tongue – Proverbs [21:17]-31

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 461 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 2^nd half of Chapter 21.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We are starting to settle into a routine here after consolidating households. Between the falling leaves, clearing fallen branches from a heavy storm from last week, unpacking of our household items, and completing our normal client work, we have plenty to keep us busy each day.

The leaves continue to change and then fall, as the temperatures cool down to a normal autumn range. The deer, woodpeckers, squirrels, and hawks that we see out our windows are all preparing for the coming of winter. In the same manner, we need to prepare for each changing season of our lives. In every season of life, we need to seek wisdom, insight, and understanding both from God’s Word and from other wise individuals. Let us not forget our own preparations as we break camp for our trek today, and let us explore the nuggets of wisdom found in the second half of Proverbs 21 where we will learn to…

Watch Your Tongue

Let’s start our trek with verse 17.

¹⁷Those who love pleasure become poor;
those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.

While there is nothing wrong with occasionally relaxing and enjoying the pleasures of life, if it becomes our focus, to the detriment of our work, then it will lead to poverty. In the same manner when we are consumed with vices and things instead of impacting the lives of others, then we will never become wealthy.

¹⁸The wicked are punished in place of the godly,
and traitors in place of the honest.

There are certain precepts and practices that we must adhere to that are in accordance with God’s Word. If we choose not to, then we will suffer the consequences of our choices. If we choose to live godly and honestly, then we will be rewarded for our choices.

¹⁹It’s better to live alone in the desert
than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.

While the context of this verse references a quarrelsome, complaining wife, it can be equally true of a husband. While I do not have personal experience with this issue, I have seen couples that are so negative and choose to argue all the time. I can only imagine that it would be easier to live alone than in a contentious marriage.

²⁰The wise have wealth and luxury,
but fools spend whatever they get.

The reason the wise have wealth and luxury is that they are frugal and prudent in their spending habits. When we honestly analyze our lives and our spending habits, it is evident that there are very few true needs in our lives. Most of what we have are wants. The difference is that fools will spend all that they earn and not invest or save. Many will even go into debt for that which is not a necessity. In doing so, they make themselves perpetually poor.

²¹Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love
will find life, righteousness, and honor.

What we think about we pursue. When what we pursue is in line with God’s precepts, such as living right and with unconditional love for others, we will live a rich and satisfying life.

²²The wise conquer the city of the strong
and level the fortress in which they trust.

A wise person understands that human strongholds will never fully protect or bring peace. The wise will live with victory in their lives and confound or thwart those who think that they are strong within themselves. The strong rely on their riches, which they think is their fortress.

²³Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut,
and you will stay out of trouble.

Many times within the book of Proverbs Solomon warns us about talking too much and when it is not appropriate. This is obviously a trait that many struggle with. Here we are encouraged to watch what we say and preferably not speak unless it is needed. If we do this, then we will stay out of trouble that we might otherwise experience.

²⁴Mockers are proud and haughty;
they act with boundless arrogance.

Those who mock God and others made in His image show their pride and arrogance. They are so wrapped up in themselves that it consumes them.

²⁵Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin,
for their hands refuse to work.

The laws of planting and harvesting once again are evident in this verse. Those who are poor desire to be wealthy, but they are so unmotivated and lazy that they ruin themselves. If a person chooses not to work, then he will never see his outlook change.

²⁶Some people are always greedy for more,
but the godly love to give!

You can tell what a person is truly like by his or her generosity to others. Some are stingy and selfish, and their lives are generally poor, both in wealth and attitude or outlook. On the other hand, when you see a person who loves to help others both materially and physically, his or her life reflects true riches in both areas also.

²⁷The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable,
especially when it is offered with wrong motives.

Tied somewhat to the previous verse, if a person’s heart is not loving for others, even when he shares his wealth, it is of no value because it is offered with wrong motives.

²⁸A false witness will be cut off,
but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.

In a proper hearing in a court of law or within a debate, a person who is speaking lies should not be allowed to continue. Contrary to this is a person who speaks the truth is allowed to continue with his or her testimony.

²⁹The wicked bluff their way through,
but the virtuous think before they act.

It is soon evident when a person does not really know what he or she is talking about. The individual is hasty in his or her decisions, often making mistakes and failing. An honorable person thinks and then plans before taking action so that the chances of success are greatly increased.

³⁰No human wisdom or understanding or plan
can stand against the Lord.

³¹The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the Lord.

These last two verses are connected in their message. God is in control, and no amount of human scheming, planning, or effort will stand if not permitted by God. Although we should plan and prepare, it should be done with wisdom, insight, and understanding. Even with our best efforts, God ultimately will control the outcome of our plans.

The nuggets of wisdom that we gathered in verses 17-31 of Proverbs 21 provide more tasty morsels of wisdom, insight, and understanding. Regardless of your faith walk, if the precepts in Proverbs are followed, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of goodness.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 460 – Be Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 07:03:59 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 460 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Be Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 460 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget…

Today’s quote is a well-known one from Benjamin Franklin who tells us, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”

Quotes such as this one are engrained in our minds, but are they factual? Although there was not as much medical evidence to support this quote when Ben Franklin originally said it, there is a magnitude of evidence in today’s medical journals and practices that prove this is factual.

Although there will always be exceptions to this saying, we now know that a person who gets adequate sleep by getting to bed at a reasonable time is generally healthier and wealthier. Because of this, they are also wiser. Proper sleep, along with exercise and proper nutrition, will truly give you an advantage when the opportunities of life are presented to you. Your body, mind, and soul all need adequate sleep to rebuild, reenergize, and recharge. If you rob yourself of proper sleep, you will not be able to make wise decisions, which will lead to poverty and poor health.

When a person’s priorities are out of wack, it is evident physically. When a person does not get adequate sleep, their eyes are the windows that tell the story. As Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:21-23, “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. ^‘Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!'”

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 459 – 10 Things Money Can’t Buy

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 459 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

10 Things That Money Can’t Buy

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 459 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate us to live rich and satisfying lives this week. Today let us explore “10 Things Money Can’t Buy.”

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Each evening as we are unpacking boxes, cleaning cupboards, and clearing closets, we continue to decide what we will keep and what we will give away. This moving project will certainly keep us occupied for several weeks to come. We are taking our time and doing our best to enjoy the process.

I am recording this before the weekend, but my plan for the weekend is to consolidate the items in our garage so that we can have another stall for our car. It is an open five stall garage fashioned after a carriage house, but we have lawn equipment, a small tractor, and other outdoor items stored in it. We will also be going to church with my Dad and celebrating his 86^th birthday on Sunday. God has been gracious to us as Dad is still in relatively good health and certainly good spirits. Being able to invest time with Dad is always a blessing. Time together with those that we love is one of the many things that no amount of money can buy. So the title of our trek for today is…

10 Things That Money Can’t Buy

Birthdays and holidays are excellent occasions to reflect on our priorities and to focus on what is truly valuable in our lives. On our trek today, we will explore unique opportunities and make an introspective analysis of our real values, principles, and beliefs. One of the best ways to gain wisdom is to take advice from those individuals who show wisdom in their lives. For each of the 10 things that money can’t buy, I will use a quote from a wise person to allow us to reflect appropriately.

# 1. Health

Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived. – Dalai Lama

# 2. Love

If you want to distinguish between those who love you unreservedly, and those who love your money, try losing all your money. – Jordi Alemany

# 3. Happiness

Money has never made man happy, nor will it, there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more of it one has, the more one wants. – Benjamin Franklin

# 4. Integrity

To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity. – Douglas Adams

# 5. Respect

Money is your means of survival. The verdict you pronounce upon the source of your livelihood is the verdict you pronounce upon your life. If the source is corrupt, you have damned your own existence. Did you get your money by fraud? By pandering to men’s vices or men’s stupidity? By catering to fools, in the hope of getting more than your ability deserves? By lowering your standards? By doing work you despise for purchasers you scorn? If so, then your money will not give you a moment’s or a penny’s worth of joy. Then all the things you buy will become, not a tribute to you, but a reproach; not an achievement, but a reminder of shame. Then you’ll scream that money is evil. Evil, because it would not pinch-hit for your self-respect? Evil, because it would not let you enjoy your depravity? Is this the root of your hatred of money? – Ayn Rand

# 6. Peace of Mind

Money cannot buy peace of mind. It cannot heal ruptured relationships, or build meaning into a life that has none. – Richard M. DeVos

# 7. Ethics

It’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy. – George Lorimer

# 8. Education

Humans aren’t as good as we should be in our capacity to empathize with feelings and thoughts of others, be they humans or other animals on Earth. So maybe part of our formal education should be training in empathy. Imagine how different the world would be if, in fact, that were ‘reading, writing, arithmetic, empathy.’ – Neil deGrasse Tyson

# 9. Intelligence

The bottom line is, I didn’t return to Apple to make a fortune. I’ve been very lucky in my life and already have one. When I was 25, my net worth was $100 million or so. I decided then that I wasn’t going to let it ruin my life. There’s no way you could ever spend it all, and I don’t view wealth as something that validates my intelligence. – Steve Jobs

# 10. Spiritual Enlightenment

Money can buy a house, but not a home. It can buy a bed, but not sleep. It can buy a clock, but not time. It can buy a book, but not knowledge. It can buy blood, but not health, so you see; money is not everything in life. – Unknown

1 Timothy 6:17 sums it up best, “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.”

As we end our trek for today, invest some time reflecting on all the wonderful and special things in life that you can’t buy with money. Focus on those items and then the amount of money that you need will always be available.

Tomorrow’s short trek is part of our Wisdom Unplugged series that we are now hiking on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These 3-minute wisdom supplements will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise throughout the entire week. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 458 – Failure or Success on Life’s Trek – Philosophy (8)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 458 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Failure or Success on Life’s Trek – Philosophy Part 8

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 458 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. Each Friday we are in a multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale.

The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Our client workload has been brisk this week, so the unpacking of what we brought from our Charlotte home will probably take several weeks.

The leaves are starting to turn colors in southeastern Ohio. The view from our 2^nd story office windows certainly provides a beautiful backdrop for working each day. As the actual seasons change, so do the seasons of our lives. This is why it is so important that we Develop a Powerful Personal Philosophy. If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the first trail of this extended trek as we cover.

Failure or Success on Life’s Trek – Philosophy Part 8

As a reminder, our overall extended trek will cover these five trails:

Philosophy
Attitude
Activity
Results
Lifestyle

Last week on our hike we focused on the importance of the decision-making process, which is so crucial for creating a powerful personal philosophy. When we want to improve our lives in any area, it is beneficial to learn from what causes both failures and successes in our lives. We will first look at:

1. The Formula for Failure

Failure is not a single, catastrophic event. You do not fail overnight. Failure is the inevitable result of an accumulation of poor thinking and poor choices. To put it more simply:

· Failure is nothing more than a few errors in judgment repeated every day.

Why would someone make an error in judgment and then be so foolish as to repeat it every day? The answer is because he or she does not think that it matters.

On their own, your daily acts do not seem that important. A minor oversight, a poor decision, or a wasted hour generally doesn’t result in an instant and measurable impact. More often than not, you will escape from any immediate consequences of your deeds.

As an example, if you have not bothered to read a single book in the past ninety days, this lack of discipline does not seem to have any immediate impact on your life. Since nothing drastic happened to you after the first ninety days, you repeat this error in judgment for another ninety days, and on and on, it goes. Why? Because it doesn’t seem to matter. This is a great danger. Far worse than not reading the books is not even realizing that it matters!

Far worse than not reading the books is not even realizing that it matters!

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If you eat too many of the wrong foods, you are contributing to a future health problem, but the seeming joy of the moment overshadows the consequence of the future. It does not seem to matter. If you smoke too much or drink too much, then you go on making these poor choices year after year after year because…it doesn’t seem to matter. The pain and regret of these errors in judgment have only been delayed for a future time. Consequences are seldom instant; instead, they accumulate until the inevitable day of reckoning finally arrives, and the price must be paid for your poor choices — choices that didn’t seem to matter.

Failure’s most dangerous attribute is its subtlety. In the short term, those little errors don’t seem to make any difference. You do not seem to be failing. In fact, sometimes these accumulated errors in judgment occur throughout a period of great joy and prosperity in your life. Since nothing terrible happens to you, since there are no instant consequences to capture your attention, you simply drift from one day to the next, repeating the errors, thinking the wrong thoughts, listening to the wrong voices, and making the wrong choices. The sky did not fall in on you yesterday. Therefore the act was probably harmless. Since it seemed to have no measurable consequence, it is probably safe to repeat.

You must gain a better understanding of the laws of planting and harvesting. If at the end of the day when you realized that you made your first error in judgment the sky had fallen in on you, you undoubtedly would have taken immediate steps to ensure that the act would never be repeated again. Like the child who places his hand on a hot burner despite his parents’ warnings, you would have had an instantaneous experience accompanying your error in judgment.

Unfortunately, failure does not shout out its warnings as your parents once did. This is why it is imperative to refine your philosophy in order to be able to make better choices. With a powerful, personal philosophy guiding your every step, you become more aware of your errors in judgment and more aware that each error really does matter. As Galatians 5:9 tells us, “This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough!”

2. The Formula For Success

We will just glance up the trail for the Formula for Success and then continue our hike next week. Like the formula for failure, the formula for success is easy to follow:

· Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines practiced every day.

Now here is an interesting question worth pondering over this next week: How can you change the errors in the formula for failure into the disciplines required in the formula for success? The answer is by making the future an important part of our current philosophy.

Both success and failure involve future consequences, namely the inevitable rewards or unavoidable regrets resulting from past activities. If this is true, why don’t more people take the time to ponder the future? The answer is simple. They are so caught up in the current moment that it doesn’t seem to matter. The problems and the rewards of today are so absorbing to most people that they never pause long enough to think about tomorrow.

day to look a little further down the road? You would then be able to foresee the impending consequences of your current conduct.

Armed with that valuable information, you would be able to take the necessary action to change your errors into new success oriented disciplines. In other words, by disciplining yourself to see the future in advance, you would be able to change your thinking, amend your errors, and develop new habits to replace the old. Invest some time this next week considering what minor errors in judgment repeated every day you can turn into simple disciplines practiced every day. As Proverbs 2:11 tells us, “Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.”

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly as we ponder How to Develop a Powerful Personal Philosophy on our continued hike up the Trail of Philosophy today. This is not an easy hike to make. It requires changing your habits from failures to success. It requires refining your decision-making ability so that you will build a strong foundation in your life.

Next week on Philosophy Friday we will continue our exploration of The Formula for Success. Make sure to join us for the continuation of our trek on the Trail of Philosophy next Friday. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and inviting them to come along with us each day. I would challenge you today to take just one precept that we learn today in Proverbs and commit yourself to applying it to your life.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 457 – Making Wise Decisions – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 457 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Making Wise Decisions – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 457 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Vonette Z. Bright, who says, “Decisions which are made in the light of God’s word are stable and show wisdom.”

As a person of faith, I am a Christ follower, and I consider the Bible as God’s letter of guidance to all mankind. With this world view, I also am convinced that all decisions that I make need to be in sync with the precepts found in God’s Word. As part of my decision-making process, I filter those decisions through God’s Word to make sure that they are not contrary to the truths that are found in His Word. This provides me with a firm foundation from which I can make decisions. When you are constructing a building, the most important part of the building is the foundation. When the foundation is solid, then the building will be stable and able to withstand adverse conditions. This is the same way with making decisions. If our decisions are based on the solid foundation of God’s Word, then they will be stable and wise. As Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 456– Good Planning and Hard Work Lead to Prosperity – Proverbs 21:1-16

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 456 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Good Planning and Hard Work Lead to Prosperity – Proverbs 21:1-16

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 456 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 1^st half of Chapter 21.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. On Monday we made a long day trip to Charlotte and back with our final possessions that we were unable to fit onto the truck previously. My brother Jack went with Paula and I, and we rented a smaller truck which barely fit the remaining items that we had stored in the garage. Since the house is under contract now, all we have to do is wait for the inspections and appraisal to be completed. If there are no delays, we should close on or before November 21^st, which will complete another chapter of our lives with many good memories from that past 7 years. Although we do have some mixed emotions about consolidating back to Marietta, I am reminded of the quote from Dr. Seuss who said, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

As we do adapt to the ever changing seasons of life, it certainly is beneficial to rely on the wisdom, insight, and understanding obtained through many years to help navigate the trails that we are hiking each day.

In every season of life, we need to seek wisdom, insight, and understanding both from God’s Word and from other wise individuals. We then need to put good plans in place, so as we break camp for our trek today let us explore the nuggets of wisdom found in the first half of Proverbs 21 where we will learn that…

Good Planning and Hard Work Lead to Prosperity

Let’s start our trek with verse 1.

¹The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord;

he guides it wherever he pleases.

This verse certainly brings some comfort in the midst of each election cycle within the USA, and I am sure it is probably the same if you live in other countries. I count it privilege to be able to live in a free country, and recognize it is important to exercise that privilege by voting. Regardless of the outcome of any particular election, God is sovereign and controls who is elected. He directs the hearts of world leaders in the same way that he directs the rivers and guides them to fulfill His will. While the world leaders attempt to build empires, God is interested in building His kingdom.

²People may be right in their own eyes,

but the Lord examines their heart.

As humans, we have the ability to justify and rationalize any type of behavior as acceptable or right behavior. We truly have a difficult time examining our own hearts, but God does not. He knows not only our actions, but more importantly our motives for the actions that we take.

³The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just

than when we offer him sacrifices.

This verse can be somewhat related to the previous verse. Our actions are not as important as our heart, attitude, and intentions. God desires for us to do that which is right and just. He does not desire that we just go through the motions of doing what is right if we have an incorrect attitude for doing so.

⁴Haughty eyes, a proud heart,

and evil actions are all sin.

Pride is the seed of nearly all sins because out of pride grows an abundance of wrong actions. When we are more concerned about ourselves that we are about others, then we think we are more important than we really are. Pride here can be seen in our eyes, our heart (or mind), and our actions. On the other hand, if we humble ourselves before God, He will lift us up.

⁵Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,

but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

Not all planning is created equal. We must learn good planning, and then work that plan hard. When we do these two items, then the natural outcome will be prosperity. Contrary to this is attempting to short-circuit the law of planting and harvesting. If you rush through your work and don’t dedicate the needed time to plan properly, then you will find yourself in perpetual poverty.

⁶Wealth created by a lying tongue

is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.

There is never a justification for lying to gain wealth. Some may be successful in doing so, but that wealth is never lasting. It also becomes a snare that will trap the person who practices lying. To continue to gain wealth, they will need to continue their deceitful practices. Wealth has no lasting value unless it is used to positively impact the lives of others.

⁷The violence of the wicked sweeps them away,

because they refuse to do what is just.

Individuals that are bent on being mean and violent will be consumed by their habits. Their lives become so obsessed with themselves that they are lost in their way of life and refuse to change and do what is right just and fair.

⁸The guilty walk a crooked path;

the innocent travel a straight road.

There is a distinct difference in the trails that the guilty and innocent travel. The guilty trail will be crooked, full of seemingly insurmountable obstructions and detours. The innocent will travel a trail that will take the straight to their destination. Even if they do run into obstacles, they will overcome them and continue on to their destination.

⁹It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic

than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.

Being in a martial relationship with a spouse who argues and likes to quarrel is a miserable existence. It would be easier to live in a tiny home in a marriage with peace and harmony than to live in a large and beautiful home where there are constant arguments.

¹⁰Evil people desire evil;

their neighbors get no mercy from them.

A person who makes it a habit of practicing evil their desire is to consume evil and then spread more evil to all they come into contact with. Those who are closest to them physically and emotionally will be impacted most.

¹¹If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise;

if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.

A mocker is someone who mocks God, His love, and His justice. They will not change their ways, even through the most difficult times. The simpleminded will change their ways from foolishness and begin to become wise because of their fear of punishment. The wise on the other hand seek to become wiser, so they welcome instruction with open arms and minds.

¹²The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked;

he will bring disaster on them.

God cannot be fooled or mocked. He knows all, and He understands our hearts. Those who practice wickedness may think they are they control their own destiny, but it is God who judges the thoughts and intents of our hearts.

¹³Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor

will be ignored in their own time of need.

God cares for those who are poor and less fortunate. We are to help those who are truly in need. They cry out, and we should not ignore them. If we do, others will ignore our cries if we are ever in the same situation.

¹⁴A secret gift calms anger;

a bribe under the table pacifies fury.

While God is not condoning bribes or “pay to play” scenarios, in many cultures it is a common practice. Solomon is pointing out that gifts and bribes do have an impact, especially if you have done something to offend another person. The key here is to live a life of integrity at all times, so you are never in a situation where it requires payoffs or bribes.

¹⁵Justice is a joy to the godly,

but it terrifies evildoers.

When you do what is right, then you can rejoice when justice is administered. When you do not, you will live a life of fear and anxiety at all times. Always do what is good and right.

¹⁶The person who strays from common sense

will end up in the company of the dead.

One reason that I emphasize wisdom is that there is such a lack of common sense with so many people today. It impacts all areas of our lives. A person without wisdom, or common sense, makes wrong decisions in relationships, finances, health, spiritually, and intellectually. When this happens, a person will live a life filled with constant drama. They will head down the path that leads to destruction.

The nuggets of wisdom that we gathered verses 1-16 of Proverbs 21 provide more tasty morsels of wisdom, insight, and understanding. Regardless of your faith walk, if the precepts in Proverbs are followed, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of goodness.

That will finish our trek for today. Just as you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and inviting them to come along with us each day. I would challenge you today to take just one precept that we learn today in Proverbs and commit yourself to applying it to your life.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 455 – Break Free of the Shackles – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 455 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Break Free of the Shackles – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 455 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget…

Today’s quote is from a Samuel Lover, who says, “Circumstances are the rulers of the weak; they are but the instruments of the wise.”

Life happens to us all. Sometimes good things happen, and sometimes not so good things occur. If you allow the circumstances of everyday life control you, then you will become a slave to the obstacles and detours of life. Those circumstances will cause you to make foolish choices and decisions that will only strengthen that shackles that bind you and prevent you from succeeding.

On the other hand, if you are wise and control those circumstances which face us all, regardless if they are good or bad, then they truly will be the instruments that will allow you to learn, to grow, to mature, and to succeed. You will be able to break free of the shackles of circumstances and live a life that is rich and satisfying. As Hebrews 12:1 instructs us, “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.”

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 454 – What’s the Rush?

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 454 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

What’s the Rush

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 454 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate you to live a rich and satisfying life this week. Today let us slow down a bit and ponder, “What’s the Rush?”

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. As I am writing today’s journal, 2 momma and 3 baby deer are sauntering past our house munching on grass and acorns. Our vantage point from the 2^nd story window allows us to watch unnoticed. The view of our lawn with its large trees and changing leaves is extra beautiful this time of year.

Last week was quite an exciting and busy week. After unloading a large truck of our furnishings from Charlotte on Monday, we began slowly working through the boxes unpacking and determining where we will place what we keep and what we will be giving away. The exciting news is that our Charlotte home was placed under contract two days after listing it. God has been gracious to us.

I am recording this before the weekend, but my plan for the weekend is to make a first pass of the lawn and pick up the few leaves that have fallen so far. We also have the blessing of celebrating our grandson Gideon’s birthday Saturday afternoon. On Monday, when this episode originally airs, my brother Jack, Paula, and I will be making a day trip to Charlotte and back to pick up the remaining furnishings that we were not able to fit in the truck on our first load. That should wrap up our home selling details until the closing of the deal in November.

These past three weeks have been even more rushed and hectic than normal for us. It is our hope that we are able to slow down and settle in a bit as fall moves into winter. This brings to my mind how rushed we are in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world. So the title of our trek for today is…

What’s the Rush?

As a Star Trek fan, the phrase warp speed is in reference to traveling at a speed that is faster than light. Do you ever feel like you’re living life at warp speed? If you do, you’re not alone. There are many of us who feel like we’re doing more than ever before but failing to enjoy the fruits of our labor. What’s the rush? We’re depriving ourselves of sleep to buy a few extra minutes and communicating in sound bites and bullet points, while riffling through volumes of information like never before. We all need to just stop, at least for a moment, and take a breath.

We exploit every millisecond in order to fit an additional activity into our day and then try to manage it all by what we think is multitasking. It is more like the proverbial plate spinners in the circus rushing from one plate to another hoping that they all don’t come crashing down at once. In the process, we have become a society with the attention span of a gnat. So please remind me again…why are we doing this?

Oh yes, we want to be more productive, to get ahead, to stay connected…Or is it simply out of fear that the other guy will pass us by, or the fear of missing out on something “important”? Regardless of the motivation, the risk is that what we gain in speed and quantity, we lose with shallow thinking, superficial relationships, and living only “for the moment.”

What do you consider the true meaning or purpose of life? Well, in John 10:10 Jesus gave us at least a glimpse of what it may be when He said, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

How rich and satisfying is your life? What are we missing? — Let’s explore six areas that may help us to regain a proper perspective.

1. Meaningful Conversations

Today, we define a “meaningful” conversation as texting a business associate at a traffic light, IMing a colleague while we’re waiting for someone to pick up the phone, and tweeting another while we’re in line to place our food order. We call it multitasking. These rapid-fire “conversations” are limited to a few hundred character Facebook status updates and 140-character tweets. This gives new meaning to the term “short and sweet,” never mind that our new definition of “friends” are our Facebook friends. While there are many positives to being able to keep connected with family and friends through social media, how do these “conversations” impact our ability to form meaningful relationships? Resolve conflicts? Create true empathy? Shape our children’s values? The answer? Not very well.

2. Quality Time

In the world in which we live, everything has to be done right away. Today, a take-out dinner or a quick stop at the drive-through window has replaced the home-cooked meal that we once enjoyed. Family meals around the kitchen table have been reduced to grabbing a bite with anyone who happens to be around. That’s the new definition of “quality time.”

Do you consider quality time with your family a priority? Are you achieving the integrated life that you desire? Do you consciously determine how to invest your personal time? Do you make time to determine your personal priorities? Do you prioritize your to-do list or merely check off items? Do you feel you’re so busy running around that you’re losing perspective? You’d think we’d learn something from watching a hamster run around on its wheel…but many of us fail to see we are doing the same. What happened to the “quality” in quality time? The answer? It’s been relegated to the free time available before the microwave beeps.

3. Staying Informed

though information touches every area of our lives, we opt for speed and simplicity over depth and understanding.

Unfortunately, because of our capitulation to time pressures, we place a premium on shortcuts, such as sensational headlines, captivating subheads, brief body copy, and executive summaries that spoon-feed us the bottom line. The principal medium of exchange in business has become the PowerPoint slide deck made up of a series of bullet points that masquerade for substance.

Rather than taking the time to think through issues in a discerning fashion, we often rush to judgment, make decisions emotionally, and view issues in polar extremes.

Where did we lose our way? The answer? When we traded in critical thinking for “winging it.” We try to correct our focus on our Wisdom-Trek because we have an overload of information today, but very little wisdom on how to best apply it to our lives.

4. Sound Decisions

Being under the gun of so many time pressures affects the entire decision-making process. It impacts our ability to identify quality sources, test assumptions, create a compelling line of reasoning, and generate practical solutions. Today’s rapid-response culture pushes us to favor simplistic answers to problems, rather than opting for wisdom, which includes holistic thinking and deep analysis.

Although every answer need not be overly complex, we lose something very precious when we train our brains to search for quick answers rather than the “best” solution. We forget how important it is to view a situation “in context,” considering how each component relates to the total. When we fail to do this, we risk optimizing one area at the expense of the whole.

What’s wrong with the quick way around? The answer? If you don’t have the time to do it correctly the first time, what makes you think you will have the time to redo it?

5. Thinking Beyond Today

Living by the stopwatch encourages short-term thinking; we don’t have the time or the energy to think about today, much less plan for tomorrow. This too has implications.

In business, people maximize individual sales transactions rather than taking the time to build long-term customer relationships. People charge ahead with day-to-day activities rather than developing contingency plans as backup strategies, and employees are incentivized to hit quarterly performance targets to the exclusion of a strategy that supports long-term growth.

How can this be bad? The answer? When is the last time you checked the value of your stock portfolio or your 401k? Most individual investors are losing money on their investments. Maybe it’s time to press “Pause” and just stop…and think.

6. It’s Time to Wake Up and Smell the Coffee

We lose something very special in our mad dash through life. Although we logically understand that living via a stopwatch doesn’t make sense, we fail to take the time to ask ourselves why we live this way.

Are we passing our values on to our children or letting someone else fill the void? Are we creating meaningful relationships or settling for lots of acquaintances? Are we tackling key priorities or checking off to-do items? Are we solving root causes of problems or employing Band-Aid solutions? Are we achieving our goals in life or running on a treadmill to nowhere?

The first thing we have to do is establish priorities. When everything is a priority, nothing is a priority. When we try to take on too much, we end up doing everything equally poorly. Do you really think that everything on your plate requires equal emphasis? Do what matters most.

Downtime is also critical. Learn how to take a planned vacation every day. Try starting at 10 minutes and raising it to 30 by increasing your vacation time a minute each day. In the space of a month, you’ll emerge with a fresh new perspective. It’ll give you renewed confidence in your ability to succeed even though you’re not on call all of the time. It’ll help you reflect on your priorities, learn from past actions, connect some random dots, break out of a rut, ask “what if,” try something new, question the obvious, see the big picture, make a difference in someone’s life, or just RELAX.

Life is short enough to begin with. You’re limited in what you can do to lengthen your life, but there are no limits to what you can do to deepen it. What’s the rush? Jesus taught us in Matthew 11:28-30, “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.'”

As we end our trek for today, think about the areas of your life where you need to make changes. Learn to focus on what is truly a priority and start letting go of that which is not. Learn to relax and create a rich and satisfying life.

That will finish our trek for today. Just as you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and inviting them to come along with us each day. I would challenge you today to take just one precept that we learn today in Proverbs and commit yourself to applying it to your life.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 453 – Decision Making on Life’s Trek – Philosophy (7)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 453 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Decision Making on Life’s Trek – Philosophy Part 7

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 453 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently, we are in a multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We are slowly making progress on unpacking and setting up the additional furnishings from Charlotte and are trying to be practical on what we keep and what we choose to give away to others. While many of the furnishings have some family tie or sentimental value, we realize that holding onto stuff that is not going to be used is not wise or prudent.

Although we have accumulated several items passed down through the family for several generations, we do try to be rather minimalistic in our approach to life. We realize that we are just stewards of what we have to take care of while we are alive. This mindset is part of a powerful personal philosophy. As we consider our personal philosophy on our trek for today, we will continue on the first of five trails on life’s trek, which is the Philosophy Trail.

Specifically, we want to continue our exploration of How to Develop a Powerful Personal Philosophy. If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the first trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek –Philosophy Part 7

As a reminder, our overall extended trek will cover these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

Last week on our hike we focused on the importance of keeping a journal of your life experiences to use as a guide for future growth. Today we will examine the decision-making process, which is so crucial for creating a powerful personal philosophy.

Whenever a new idea comes your way, you subconsciously place this idea on your mental scales and weigh it to determine what level of action you need to take on the idea. Those ideas that measure high on our scale receive immediate attention; those that measure low on our scale receive only minimal or infrequent notice.

Whatever level of action you determine to be correct will ultimately be decided by your philosophy. If you have failed to gather adequate knowledge or if you have failed to refine or add to the knowledge you possess, then a significant number of your decisions may move you away from success rather than toward it. If you are inclined to invest major time on minor things or even major money on minor things, then it is essential for you to take a closer look at your decision-making process.

The world is filled with people whose decisions are destined to destroy their chances for success. A person who does not operate from a sound philosophy often does that which he should have left undone and leaves undone that which he should have done. He fails to set goals and establish priorities. He vacillates between one decision and another. He senses that he should be doing something but lacks the discipline to convert this awareness into action.

Every day is filled with dozens of personal crossroads — moments when you are called upon to make a decision regarding minor as well as major questions. It is important to remember that each choice you make during these moments of decision charts a path leading to some future destination. Just as the sum total of your past decisions has led you to your current circumstances, the decisions you make today will lead you to the rewards or the regrets of the future.

The decisions you make today will lead you to the rewards or the regrets of the future.

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Choices. Decisions. Selections. Each provides you with an opportunity to determine the quality of your future. Each demands that you prepare in advance for the decision that is to be made. In those moments of choice, it is the knowledge you have acquired and the philosophy you have developed from this knowledge that will either serve you or destroy you.

That is why you must constantly be found preparing for the unanticipated confrontation with important choices. Only through careful mental preparation can you consistently make wise choices. What you think determines what you believe; what you believe influences what you choose; what you choose defines what you are; and what you are, attracts what you have. If you are not happy with where your past decisions have led you, then the place to start is with your current thinking process. As you add new knowledge, you will begin to refine your philosophy. As your beliefs change, so too will your choices. From better choices come better results.

The development of a sound philosophy prepares you for making sound decisions. Like the architect, you must learn to see in your mind the result you wish to achieve, and then go to work on building a solid foundation to support this vision. Once the vision is clearly defined and the foundation has been firmly established, then the choices required to complete the structure are easily and wisely made.

A couple of verses to consider today as we conclude are:

Proverbs 22:1 – Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

Ecclesiastes 10:2 – A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one.

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly as we ponder How to Develop a Powerful Personal Philosophy on our continued hike up the Trail of Philosophy today. This is not an easy hike to make. It requires studying and absorbing new information that may challenge your current philosophy. It requires refining your decision-making ability so that you will build a strong foundation in your life.

Next week on Philosophy Friday, we will explore the trail of failure that you should avoid at all cost and the trail of success that you should take in your pursuit of a powerful personal philosophy. Make sure to join us for the continuation of our trek on the Trail of Philosophy next Friday. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek will be Motivation Monday as we explore more trails of how to get and stay motivated to bring value to your world. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. Just as you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and inviting them to come along with us each day. I would challenge you today to take just one precept that we learn today in Proverbs and commit yourself to applying it to your life.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 452 – Invest in Yourself – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 452 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Invest in Yourself – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 452 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So, let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Daniel J. Boorstin, who says, “Books are the main source of our knowledge, our reservoir of first faith, memory, wisdom, morality, poetry, philosophy, history, and science.”

Have you read a good book lately? If not you are missing out on the potential for self-development that could be yours. Books, in whatever format that you prefer, will open a universe of knowledge to you that you will otherwise miss. With the resources that we have available on the internet today, there are virtually no barriers and the investment is very low, other than the time that you invest in improving yourself. An investment in yourself will always have a significant return. There are no limits to what you can learn and what you can become except for the limits that you place on yourself. As God instructed Joshua, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. If you would like access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com.

As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 451– Plans Succeed through Good Counsel – Proverbs 20:16-30

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 451 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Plans Succeed Through Wise Counsel – Proverbs [20:16]-30

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 451 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 2^nd half of Chapter 20.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. All things considered, the packing and moving of all of our household furnishings from our Charlotte home to The Big House went fairly smooth. It was certainly one of the busiest and physically tiring weeks that we have had for a long time. With the help of three of our grown children and their spouses, we were able to get the 26’ U-Haul truck fully loaded on Friday, and then Paula and I invested a long day Saturday cleaning the house from top to bottom.

We pulled away from our home at 6:30pm and arrived in Marietta at 1:30am. After sleeping in a bit on Sunday, my brother Jack, his wife Ann, and their son Rob helped us unload. We are truly blessed to have willing and able family that is so supportive. We do have a few remaining furniture items stored in the garage that did not fit on the truck and will be making a return trip soon to retrieve them. It may take a few weeks for us to unpack all the boxes and determine where everything will go, but the most difficult tasks are behind us.

We are grateful to God for safety and the strength to accomplish all that we did in a week’s time. The home is on the market now, so we are praying that it sells quickly and for the price we desire. We would appreciate your prayers also.

As we do adapt to the ever-changing seasons of life, it certainly is beneficial to rely on the wisdom, insight, and understanding obtained through many years to help navigate the trails that we are hiking each day. Sharp turns, unexpected obstacles, and precarious ledges can come on us quickly. Being prepared for these unexpected situations will allow you to traverse the trails with the strength needed while maintaining your peace and joy.

In every season of life, we need to seek wisdom, insight, and understanding both from God’s Word and from other wise individuals. We then need to put plans in place, so as we break camp for our trek today, let us explore the nuggets of wisdom found in the second half of Proverbs 20 where we will learn that…

Plans Succeed Through Good Counsel

Let’s start our trek with verse 16.

¹⁶Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt.

Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.

Proverbs is full of advice and warnings about borrowing money or guaranteeing debt for someone else. The converse of this is true also. If you loan money to others, you need to make sure that you obtain collateral or some sort of security. This is especially true if it is someone that you do not know personally. Make sure a deposit is obtained to offset the risk.

¹⁷Stolen bread tastes sweet,

but it turns to gravel in the mouth.

When a person steals or takes advantage of someone, it may appear that it is beneficial and that they have obtained something for nothing, but in the end, it will be a destructive force within them.

¹⁸Plans succeed through good counsel;

don’t go to war without wise advice.

Before making any major decisions or plans, it is best to get advice and counsel from someone who is wise and has a track record of success. This is even more important if the outcome of the decision could be harmful physically, emotionally, or spiritually. The analogy is as if you are going to war and how important good counsel would be.

¹⁹A gossip goes around telling secrets,

so don’t hang around with chatterers.

It is never wise or beneficial to gossip and betrays others by telling secrets. The person who does a lot of talking, or as it is referred to here – a chatterer, is much more prone to gossip. Make a habit of only speaking when it is necessary, and only if it is beneficial to the listener.

²⁰If you insult your father or mother,

your light will be snuffed out in total darkness.

As an adult, mistreating your parents in any manner is very grievous. We should love and respect them. Not doing so can have a serious impact on your standing before God.

²¹An inheritance obtained too early in life

is not a blessing in the end.

We see this quite often with individuals who receive a large inheritance before they are mature enough to handle the unearned riches. Many time it corrupts the person who is receiving the inheritance. We see a similar pattern from most lottery winners. Within a matter of a few years, they are usually worse off than they were prior to winning.

²²Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.”

Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.

It is never good to seek revenge on another person who has mistreated you in any manner. The only one that will ultimately be hurt is you. We need to patiently allow God to handle the situation. It returns us to the laws of planting and harvesting. If someone plants harm in another person, he will harvest a 10-fold increase in harm to himself. Let it go, and let God take care of it.

²³The Lord detests double standards;

he is not pleased by dishonest scales.

Throughout Proverbs we are continually reminded that God is never pleased when we cheat and lie to others. This is especially true in business. Our pricing should be fair to everyone involved, and we should treat everyone the same.

²⁴The Lord directs our steps,

so why try to understand everything along the way?

It is crucial that we plan and prepare for our journey of life, but realize that it is God that will ultimately guide us if we follow His precepts. While we make plans, we also need to be prepared for the obstacles and detours on the trail. We can never see the end of the trail from the beginning, so it is okay to continue on even if we don’t have all the answers. When you are ready and prepared, then the answers will come at the appropriate time.

²⁵Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God

and only later counting the cost.

Always be very careful when making promises to anyone. This is especially true of promises made to God. Prepare first, and then you will be in a position to fulfill promises that are made.

²⁶A wise king scatters the wicked like wheat,

then runs his threshing wheel over them.

A wise person knows that having negative and bad people around them is not good for them. They will distance themselves from them or put safeguards into place so they are not harmed. If you are a person of authority, then you may also have the opportunity to take action against them.

²⁷The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit,

exposing every hidden motive.

We may think we can get away with doing wrong or harming others, but God knows all, and His light will penetrate to the deepest recesses of our minds and expose that which is not good. How much better it is to be filled with light to shine on others.

²⁸Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king;

his throne is made secure through love.

When a person who is in a leadership or authority position is loving and faithful they will form a strong bond with others. In doing so, their position will be safe and secure.

²⁹The glory of the young is their strength;

the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.

Young adults have the strength needed to accomplish the tasks that are required of them. This allows them to succeed in many things. If you live according to God’s precepts as a younger adult, then you will be able to enjoy life more fully when you are old. Those who are Godly and older will have the experiences in their lives that have matured them. Then they will be able to enjoy the splendor and blessings that come with old age.

³⁰Physical punishment cleanses away evil;^[^d^]

such discipline purifies the heart.

When a person does wrong, they should receive the punishment that is due and is commensurate with the wrong that was done. If the person who has done wrong accepts and learns from the punishment, then he will allow that discipline to cleanse him and mature him into the person he should be.

The nuggets of wisdom that we gathered in verses 16-30 of Proverbs 20 provide more tasty morsels of wisdom, insight, and understanding. Regardless of your faith walk, if you follow the precepts in Proverbs, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of goodness.

That will finish our trek for today. Just as you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and inviting them to come along with us each day. I would challenge you today to take just one precept that we learn today in Proverbs and commit yourself to applying it to your life.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 450 Eliminate the Non-Essentials – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 450 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Eliminate the Non-Essentials – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 450 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from a Lin Yutang, who says, “Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials.”

We all seem to be so busy in the relentless pursuit of fame and fortune that we sometimes miss the important aspect of life. I would conjecture that there are many activities and pursuits in life that are just not that essential to living a happy, joyful, and peaceful life, which is a life that is rich and satisfying. I am a driven and disciplined person and certainly fall prey to the trap of trying to get so many things done that I too miss the forest for the trees. Let us have the wisdom to diligently eliminate those activities and goals that are not helping us to fulfill our true purpose in life. As the Apostle Paul encouraged his apprentice Timothy in his first letter to him in 1 Timothy 6:11, “But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.”

Encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 449 – Responsibility Is the Key to Success

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 449 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Responsibility is the Key to Success

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 449 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate us to live a rich and satisfying life this week. Today we will explore how Responsibility is the Key to Success.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. If you were able to listen to last Friday’s podcast, then you know that this past weekend we moved permanently back to The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. I shared a few details on the reason for the seemingly abrupt decision although we have been planning and praying about it for several months. The final details came together much faster than we anticipated. I recorded this episode last Friday in the middle of our packing and preparation for the move. I will update you on the actual details that transpired over the weekend in Wednesday’s Wisdom-Trek.

The choice to move back to Marietta full time was a difficult one, but one which is responsible for us. And we are confident that it is a prudent choice. As with all choices that we make in life, we need to be responsible and take responsibility for those choices, regardless of the outcome. To be responsible, you need to be prepared for the challenges and obstacles of life so that you have the ability to respond properly. It could be said that Responsibility = Response Ability. Let me explain on today’s short trek what I mean as we look at…

Responsibility is the Key to Success

Today on our hike, let’s start with an applicable statement from a letter that the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:11, “Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.”

One of the great principles we need to emphasize to keep ourselves and our society healthy and productive is the principle of personal responsibility. It’s a principle that needs, through repetition, to be programmed into our core belief system or as we shared on Friday, our philosophy. It needs to be taught and demonstrated in the home and at every level of society—including among the highest business and political leaders in our communities and nation.

It seems that, especially in the western world, we have lost the sense of what responsibility really means. If people don’t believe they are responsible, they will not act responsibly. On the other hand, if we emphasize the principles properly and people believe and know they are responsible, most will consistently act responsibly.

Obviously, we weren’t responsible for much of our background and upbringing, but we are fully responsible for what we do about these and for what we become. The world doesn’t owe us a living. As the Apostle Paul wrote in his 2^nd letter to the church in Thessalonians 3:10, “Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: ‘Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.'”

When we repeatedly do anything for others that they can and need to do for themselves, we can make and keep them over-dependent, immature, and irresponsible. It is not the loving thing to do.

I remember reading about some seagulls in a fishing village that, for many years, fed on the scraps the fishermen left. When the fishing industry in this place closed, the seagulls had forgotten how to gather food for themselves. They died of starvation.

The same principle applies to people. When we do things to keep them over-dependent, we destroy their growth and maturity. It’s the same with God, He will bend the heavens to touch the earth to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves—such as giving His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross of Calvary to pay the just penalty for all our sins—but He won’t do for us what we can and need to do for ourselves. Think about it this way, “God feeds the sparrows, but He doesn’t throw the food into their nest.”

One effective way to program responsibility into your unconscious mind is by constantly saying to yourself, either silently or out loud, “I am responsible. I am responsible. I am responsible.” Say it with the feeling that you really mean it and believe it. Just mouthing the words is meaningless. Don’t stop there, actually become responsible in all areas of your life. To paraphrase James 2:14, “What good is it my friends if you say you are responsible but don’t show it by your actions?”

As we end our trek for today, think about the areas of your life where you can become more responsible. Prepare today, so that when the opportunity to act responsibly arrives, you will be able to show your intentions with action.

Tomorrow’s short trek is part of our Wisdom Unplugged series that we are now hiking on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These 3-minute wisdom supplements will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise throughout the entire week. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy these daily doses of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person when you meet with them and invite them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you in and through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 448 – The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Philosophy (6)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 448 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Philosophy Part 6

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 448 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life, and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. Currently, we are in a multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale.

The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book called The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Just as the seasons of the year are changing rapidly, sometimes the seasons of our lives do also.

As you know if you have journeyed with us on our Wisdom-Trek for any length of time we travel monthly between The Big House in Marietta, Ohio, and Home2 in Indian Trail, North Carolina. A couple of weeks ago Paula and I made the decision to consolidate back to The Big House full time and sell our North Carolina home. We knew that we would eventually make the move, but it came much sooner than we anticipated.

After analyzing the current housing market and looking at our longer-term financial goals, we feel that it is prudent for us to make the move now. Once the decision was made, the pace of the move accelerated. Based on our realtor’s advice, we have decided to move all of our household belongings and vacate the house this week. This will allow the home to be on the market and available immediately.

So, if all goes according to plan, we will be heading north on Saturday with a U-Haul truck full of furniture and other household items. We would appreciate your prayers as we make this move. We do know that it is God’s will for us, but it is difficult leaving family and friends in North Carolina. Of course, we also have family and friends in Marietta, Ohio, as well. This decision is certainly in line with our personal philosophy that we have for our lives.

As we consider our personal philosophy, on our trek for today, we will continue on the first of five trails on life’s trek, which is the Philosophy Trail. Specifically, we want to continue our exploration of How to Develop a Powerful Personal Philosophy.

If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the first trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek –Philosophy Part 6

As a reminder, our overall extended trek will cover these five trails are:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

Last week on our hike you discovered how important self-improvement which leads to self-mastery is to an overall successful life. If you do not improve yourself, you are doing a disservice to you and those you impact.

In your continuing search for knowledge and understanding, there is another major discipline that will help you to capture the information around you so that your future will be better than your past. That discipline is keeping a personal journal. A journal is a gathering place for all of your observations and discoveries about life. It is your own handwritten or application driven transcript, narrated in your own words, which capture the experiences, ideas, desires, and conclusions about the people and events that have touched your life.

A journal provides you with two remarkable benefits. First, it allows you to capture all aspects of the present moment for future review. The events that take place in your life, experiences that you live and learn from, should not just “happen.” They should be captured so that your lessons can be an investment in your future. The past, when properly documented, is one of the best guides for making good decisions today that will lead to a better tomorrow.

While it is true that every event is recorded in the brain, you cannot always access the specifics surrounding those events at will. Often, the details can become blurred or distorted over time. You may remember the outcome, but you may have forgotten the exact sequence of events or the decisions that were made. Without accurate information to enhance your recall of the past, you run the risk of repeating many of the same errors over and over again.

Without a journal those special moments and those milestones of emotion and experience will be blown by the winds of your own forgetfulness into a deep corner of your mind where their value will become lost forever. The emotion of that special moment, unless captured in a journal, will soon fade. You may recall the event, but you will have lost the emotion.

The second benefit of keeping a journal is that the very act of writing (either manually or electronically) about your life helps you to think more objectively about your actions. Writing tends to slow down the flow of information. As you pause to gather your thoughts about an event you are trying to capture on paper or within an application, you have time to ponder and to analyze the experience. You begin to see more clearly the sources of your information, the facts on which you based your decisions, and the action you are taking in response to your beliefs. In other words, it is not just the event but also your personal philosophy that comes under intense scrutiny in the process of capturing your life and recording it. It is this intense scrutiny that enables you to make refinements to your philosophy that are truly life-changing.

The discipline of keeping a journal also develops your ability to communicate more effectively. The more you practice capturing events and emotions with words, audio, pictures, and videos, the more clearly you are able to communicate not only your ideas but also the inherent value that exists within you.

Most men and women of accomplishment maintain and frequently review their personal journals. It is second nature to them. They seem to possess an inherent instinct that tells them that a life worth living is a life worth documenting. In fact, the process of making a deliberate and consistent habit of recording in journals may well be a major reason for their rise to above-average levels of achievement.

It is the small disciplines in life that lead to great accomplishments. When average people give care and attention to important matters, their own growth into greatness merely awaits the passage of time. Both small disciplines and minor mistakes in judgment tend to accumulate the former to your benefit and the latter to your detriment.

Neither success nor failure occurs in a single cataclysmic event. Both are the result of the accumulation of seemingly small and insignificant decisions whose collective weight over the period of a lifetime presents the individual with his or her proportionate reward. It goes back to the laws of planting and harvesting.

The use or the neglect of journals is not indispensable to the achievement of success, but the use of a journal is an important piece of the trail of life called philosophy. By neglecting the journal, life’s trails may lead you off course.

Surely your life is worth more than a birth certificate, a gravestone and a million dollars in consumed goods and services compressed between those major milestones in your life. Journals are the tools that enable you to document the details of the failure as well as the progress of your existence, and in the process, allows you to become more than you otherwise might have been.

In many places of the world we are rapidly becoming passive intellects. The continued neglect of your reading and your writing skills will lead to increasingly undisciplined thinking habits. How many of our citizens are involved in violent or white-collar crimes? How many of our children are dropping out of school? We are becoming a society of poor thinking habits, poor values, poor decisions, and a lack of personal responsibility.

Society as a whole cannot become stronger until our attention to the essentials of life begins to change. We need to infuse values and integrity that do not change with the current winds of political correctness into our society. The ability to establish more competent leadership in our government, our schools, our churches, our businesses, and our communities lies in the emerging value of the individual.

Before society at large can change, we must first change ourselves. That is why you must make a commitment to develop your full human potential, one discipline at a time, one book at a time, and one small entry in your journal at a time. By changing your personal philosophy, your life will change, which in turn, will change the lives of those you impact. If you don’t currently journal, I will encourage you to start. Check out the Wisdom-Trek Journals that are available in the Legacy Store at Wisdom-Trek.com.

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly as we ponder How to Develop a Powerful Personal Philosophy on our continued hike up the Trail of Philosophy today. This is not an easy hike to make. It requires studying and absorbing new information that may challenge your current philosophy. It requires the discipline to journal your activities and progress that will help to build a strong foundation in your life.

Next week during Philosophy Friday, we will explore the importance of the decision-making process in your pursuit of a powerful personal philosophy. Make sure to join us for the continuation of our trek on the Trail of Philosophy next Friday. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek will be Motivation Monday when we will explore more trails of how to get and stay motivated to bring value to your world. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy these daily doses of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter or in person and inviting them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 447 – The Bridge of Disappointment – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 447 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Bridge of Disappointment – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 447 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So, let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Nancy Ferrari, who says, “Believe it or not…there is a gift to be discovered from moments of disappointment when things don’t always turn out the way we want. The beauty of disappointment, though, is that it provides us a bridge to its other side where the acceptance of reality, wisdom, and the energy to begin again can be found!”

None of us like to be disappointed with anything in life, but disappointment is part of life. Disappointment can truly be a gift to us. It gives an opportunity to grow, to mature, and to gain wisdom. If it were not for sadness, our joy would not be as sweet. Disappointments are truly the bridges across the chasms of failure and defeat to the glorious land of victory. So, when you are feeling disappointment, remember Psalms 118:14, “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.”

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. If you would like access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com.

As you enjoy these daily doses of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter or in person and inviting them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 446 – Wise Words Are More Valuable Than Riches – Proverbs 20:1-15

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 446 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Wise Words are More Valuable Than Riches – Proverbs 20:1-15

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 446 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 1^st half of Chapter 20.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. This past couple of weeks has certainly been a whirlwind for us. Just as fall is quickly approaching and the seasons are changing, so are the seasons of our life. I won’t cover the details yet, but when God decides to stir the nest, sometimes it comes rapidly. And we have to adjust plans sooner than we had anticipated. I will share more as the details become available.

In every season of life, we need to seek wisdom, insight, and understanding, so as we break camp for our trek today, let us explore the nuggets of wisdom found in the first half of Proverbs 20 where we will learn that…

Wise Words Are More Valuable Than Riches

Let’s start our trek with verse 1.

¹Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls.

Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.

While Biblically there is nothing wrong with having an occasional drink that contains alcohol, I personally have chosen not to consume alcoholic beverages of any kind because I do not desire for any substance to alter my mental state or subdue my inhibitions. As this verse references, it is not wise to allow alcohol to lead you down the trails that may lead to actions and words that are not pleasing to God.

²The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar;

to rouse his anger is to risk your life.

Most of us don’t live under a monarchy today, but the same situation exists for anyone who works for or is under the supervision of another person. We should avoid causing those who lead us to become angry. It is not only humiliating, but it can also cause serious consequences within our work or other organizations where we serve.

³Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor;

only fools insist on quarreling.

It is never wise to fight with another person. If the communication is proper, then there is no need to quarrel or fight with others. Whether it is in a marriage, family, friendship, or work relationship, a wise person will avoid fighting.

⁴Those too lazy to plow in the right season

will have no food at the harvest.

The law of planting and harvesting is addressed again. If we are too lazy to plow, plant, and tend the crops in the proper season of life, then there will be no harvest. This concept is so simplistic, yet so profound. It applies to every area of life.

⁵Though good advice lies deep within the heart,

a person with understanding will draw it out.

A wise and thoughtful person keeps his advice to himself and will only share it when it is prudent and appropriate. A person with understanding is also wise because he will tap into the good advice of a person who is wiser.

⁶Many will say they are loyal friends,

but who can find one who is truly reliable?

It is easy to claim that you are loyal, but the proof is when another person is down and out. Can you be loyal and reliable then? We all need to work on being truly loyal in good and bad times.

⁷The godly walk with integrity;

blessed are their children who follow them.

A godly person is known for his/her good integrity. When his children see him walk the walk as well as talk the talk, their lives will be blessed as they follow in his footsteps.

⁸When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence,

distinguishing the bad from the good.

An honest and good leader will be fair and impartial when they need to make a decision. In any major decision that we make, we should consider all the factors before decided. This is wise and prudent. Let us be careful of jumping to conclusions.

⁹Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart;

I am pure and free from sin?”

It takes a truly righteous person to be able to say with a clear conscious that you are in right standing before God and man. Although this is difficult, it should be our desire.

¹⁰False weights and unequal measures,

the Lord detests double standards of every kind.

God desires that we are honest and transparent in all of our transactions. In our dealings with others, we need to make sure that we are fair, especially as we do business with others. We must make sure that all transactions are equitable to everyone involved. Anything less is a detestable act before God.

¹¹Even children are known by the way they act,

whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.

If you have ever raised children, you soon realize that even a baby as young as one has his own unique temperament and personality. There are some children that are pleasant and compliant, while others show an independent spirit that is hard to control. It is our role as parents and grandparents to help bend their uniqueness into a positive force for good.

¹²Ears to hear and eyes to see—

both are gifts from the Lord.

We have so many blessings that we take for granted each day. Most of us can see and hear well, and yet we pay no attention to the beauty that is all around us in both sight and sound. Let us always be grateful for all the gifts that God continually showers on us each day. There is none so blind as the person who chooses not to see his blessings.

¹³If you love sleep, you will end in poverty.

Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!

Solomon in his wisdom reminds us frequently that we are to work hard and stay productive. If we spend too much time resting and not enough time working, then we will always be in poverty. Contrary to this is if we are diligent each day and make hay while the sun shines we will have plenty.

¹⁴The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,”

then brags about getting a bargain!

In our western culture, we are not used to haggling over the price of what we purchase. It is much different in the eastern cultures where negotiating the price of nearly everything that you purchase is expected. Even while acting disappointed during the process, an astute buyer will continue to haggle until the transaction is complete. Once they are away from the seller, then they can brag about their purchase.

¹⁵Wise words are more valuable

than much gold and many rubies.

Throughout the book of Proverbs, we are continually reminded of how valuable wisdom is. Wise words from others are more valuable to us than any amount of gold, rubies, and other riches. To be rich in wisdom is to be truly wealthy.

The nuggets of wisdom that we gathered from verses 1-15 of Proverbs 20 provide more tasty morsels of wisdom, insight, and understanding. Regardless of your faith walk, if the precepts in Proverbs are followed, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of goodness.

Tomorrow we will hike another short trail of Wisdom Unplugged as we explore an inspirational wisdom quote. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 445 – Honesty Is Still the Best Policy – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 445 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Honesty is Still the Best Policy – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 445 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So, let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Napoleon Hill, who says, “Before us lie two paths — honesty and dishonesty. The shortsighted embark on the dishonest path; the wise on the honest. For the wise know the truth; in helping others, we help ourselves, and in hurting others, we hurt ourselves. Character overshadows money, and trust rises above fame. Honesty is still the best policy.”

This is the choice that we all have each morning as we begin our day…We can choose to be honest in all our interactions and transactions with others, or we can choose to be dishonest. We can choose the path of wisdom or the path of foolishness. You cannot travel two trails at once. You are either honest in all things, or you are dishonest in all. It is your integrity and your value system.

Whatever seeds we plant, we will always harvest an abundant crop of the same. Proverbs 11:3 tells us, “Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.” Yes, honesty is still the best and only policy if we would like to harvest an abundance of good for ourselves and those that we impact.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 444 – 9 Motivating Promises When You Feel Like a Failure

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 444 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

9 Motivating Promises When You Feel Like a Failure

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 444 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate us to live rich and satisfying lives this week. Today we will explore 9 Motivating Promises When You Feel Like a Failure.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. When this episode originally airs, we will be back in Charlotte for a couple of weeks. I was able to make one pass over the lawn on Saturday for one final grass cutting for the year and to pick up the few leaves that have fallen so far. If you live in an area with few mature trees, you may not consider what we have on the ground already as a few leaves, but compared to what we will see in the next six weeks, it is hardly anything.

Just as the seasons of the year are changing rapidly with cooling temperatures and the changing color of the leaves before they fall, it is the same for the seasons of our lives. Certain seasons of life may be disappointing, and if we are not careful, these disappointments will turn to feelings of failure. One truth that we must grasp hold of is that we cannot trust our feelings to always be correct. It is the truths found in God’s Word that we must cling to, and not how we may feel on a particular day or even season of life. God did not create us to be failures. We are created in His image. My mentor Zig Ziglar said, “Failure is an event, not a person. Yesterday ended last night and today is a brand new day.” As we break camp for today, let us head up our trail of motivation to explore the:

Failure is an event, not a person. Yesterday ended last night and today is a brand new day.

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9 Motivating Promises When You Feel Like a Failure

molehill. Regardless, the feeling of failure is acute. Disappointment in yourself is heartbreaking, and if you dwell on it, can be soul damaging. When you allow it to grow, the feeling of being a failure can paralyze you to the very core. Think about it a little differently with me today. Just like success, failure will not last forever, unless we choose to allow it. Winston Churchhill put it this way, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

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No matter how many times you have missed the mark or how great the fall is that you’ve made, failure is not your destination. It is only an event along your journey of life. So, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, conclude your pity party, and let these thoughts from Scripture get you back on the trail.

It happens to us all.

Proverbs 24:16 – The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.

Perfection would be nice, but it won’t happen this side of heaven. Even the most Godly of people fail. No one is immune to failure. Whether you tripped up 7 times or 77, shake it off and get up again.

The Lord holds your hand.

Psalm 37:23-24 – The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.

Deep in the depths of failure and self-loathing, it can be difficult to understand the heart of God. Why would He love me when I messed up so bad? When you fail, not only does God love you, but He loves you enough to hold your hand. Others may desert and disown you, but Jesus is by your side holding your hand. He is not embarrassed by your mess. Understand this truth, “God cannot love you more and will not love you less.”

The answer is Jesus.

Romans 7:21-25 –I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.

You promised yourself you wouldn’t lose your temper. You vowed to never smoke again. But in the heat of the moment, you gave in and did the very thing you hate. We do not have the strength within ourselves to overcome failures unless we allow God’s strength to flow through us.

You are forgiven.

1 John 1:9 – But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Your failure is forgiven, covered by the sacrificial death of Christ. You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. All that is left to do is forgive yourself.

There is no condemnation.

Romans 8:1-2 – So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

Where there are thoughts of failure, condemnation is not far behind. You are not condemned because you belong to Christ. Stop analyzing and dwelling on your shortcomings. The life-giving Spirit has freed you from thoughts of defeat.

His grace is all you need.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – 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.

God’s grace is all you need. Grace to cover your wrong, but also grace to overcome weakness and move forward in victory. His grace is there when you fall, but it also turns weakness into strength.

The Lord is your strength.

Psalm 73:26 – My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.

Your health may fail, your mind may wander, your spirit may be fragile, but the Lord is your strength – and that makes all the difference. Lean into Him and be reinvigorated with strength for your greatest weakness.

There is fresh mercy.

Lamentations 3:22-23 – The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

I like to recite this verse each morning. As your own harshest critic, you tend to give yourself very little mercy. Am I right? But the faithful love of God is bigger than your mistake. His mercy has no end. It is available fresh each day. If you find yourself waking to thoughts of failure and frustration, take some of that sweet mercy, and face the day focused on His faithfulness.

Forget the past.

Philippians 3:13-14 – No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

If the superstars of the Bible had not achieved it, why put such high expectations on yourself? The lesson to learn from saints like the Apostle Paul is captured here. Forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead. So take Paul’s advice and do this one thing – stop reliving the past. It’s over. Press on. Push against the resistance. Jesus is calling you onward.

Remember what Zig taught us, “Failure is an event, not a person. Yesterday ended last night and today is a brand new day.”

As we end our trek for today, if you have feelings of failure in certain areas of life, come back to these promises and hike this trail as many times as is needed until you break free of the shackles of failure and continue toward your summit.

Tomorrow’s short trek is part of our Wisdom Unplugged series that we are now hiking on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These 3 minute wisdom supplements will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise throughout the entire week. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 443 – The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Philosophy (5)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 443 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Philosophy Part 5

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 443 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. Currently, we are in a multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale each Friday.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. The client workload this week has proven to be extremely busy. The software company that I provide remote technical support for had a couple of glitches with the software on the computers their customers use, and it caused a huge spike in support sessions that I had to manage. While we were able to clear the backlog, it certainly impacted other project work that was planned for this week.

Although it was a bit stressful, I am thankful for the work that I have and my ability to perform the functions needed each day. We always need to deal with life as it actually is and not how we wish it to be. This is one of life’s philosophies that I have integrated into my life, and it allows me to logically and proactively make decisions on a timely basis. You need to give some thought to your own philosophies and see where they may need to be altered.

On our trek for today, we will continue on the first of five trails on life’s trek, which is the Philosophy Trail. Specifically, we want to continue our exploration of How to Develop a Powerful Personal Philosophy. If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the first trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek –Philosophy Part 5

As a reminder, our overall extended trek will cover these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

Last week on our hike, you discovered how to become a good observer and listener. These are two crucial traits in developing a powerful personal philosophy, or world view as it might be referred to. In addition to becoming a good observer and listener, you must also invest the time to study what others have discovered and recorded in books, blogs, audio programs, and videos. To simplify our dialog today, I will refer to this study information as books or reading, regardless of the actual medium that is being used.

All of the books that you will ever need to make you as wealthy, as healthy, as happy, as powerful, as sophisticated, and as successful as you want to be have already been written.

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People from all walks of life, people with some of the most incredible life experiences, people that have gone from pennies to fortune and from failure to success have taken time to write down their experiences so that you might share in their wealth of knowledge. They have offered their wisdom and experience so that you can be inspired and instructed by it and so that you can integrate it into your personal philosophy. Their contributions enable you to reset your sail based upon their experiences. They have handed you the gift of their insights so that you can change your plans, if need be, in order to avoid their errors. You can rearrange your life based on their wise advice.

All of the insights that you might ever need have already been captured by others in books. The important question is this…In the last ninety days, with this treasure of information that could change your life, your fortunes, your relationships, your health, your children, and your career for the better, how many books have you read?

Why do you neglect to read the books that can change your life? Why do you complain but remain the same? Why do you curse the effect but nourish the cause? How do you explain the fact that only a small percent of the entire world population self-study? With the technology you have today through the internet, smart phones, and other sources, there is no excuse for lack of self-study and self-improvement. Literally, at your fingertips, you have access to all of the answers to success and happiness you could ever want. If you desire a rich and satisfying life, you cannot permit yourself to miss the study materials that could have a major impact on how your life turns out. The books that you don’t read will not help you.

With today’s technology, the argument that books are too expensive is not a legitimate excuse. If you conclude that the price of buying the book is too great, wait until you must pay the price for not buying it. Wait until you receive the bill for continued and prolonged ignorance.

There is very little difference between someone who cannot read and someone who will not read. The result of either is ignorance. If you are a serious seeker of personal development, you must remove the self-imposed limitations you have placed on your reading skills and your reading habits. If you do not consider yourself a very good reader, the only way to improve is to read more. In addition to that, with so many books in audio format today, there are no excuses. You can listen to audio books and podcasts, like Wisdom-Trek, while doing a myriad of other tasks. There are also a multitude of classes being taught online on just about any topic. YouTube and other similar sites have training on every subject imaginable, and much of it is free. Reading and other forms of training are essential if you wish to rise above the ordinary. You must not permit anything to stand between you and the book that could change your life.

A little reading each day will result in a wealth of valuable information in a very short period of time. If you fail to set aside the time, if you fail to pick up the book, if you fail to exercise the discipline, then ignorance will quickly move in to fill the vacuum of your mind.

If you seek a better life, you must first become a better person. You must continually seek after self-mastery for the purpose of developing a balanced philosophy of life and then live by the dictates of that philosophy. The habit of reading or other study methods is a major stepping stone in the development of your sound philosophical foundation. It is one of the fundamentals required for the attainment of a rich and satisfying life.

God gave us a pattern for the study of His Word, which applies to all areas of self-development. God told Joshua right before leading the nation of Israel into the promise land in Joshua 1:8, “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly as we ponder How to Develop a Powerful Personal Philosophy on our continued hike up the Trail of Philosophy today. This is not an easy hike to make. It requires reading and absorbing new information that may challenge your current philosophy. It requires self-study that leads to self-mastery.

Next week on Philosophy Friday, we will explore the importance of keeping a personal journal in your pursuit of a powerful personal philosophy. Make sure to join us for the continuation of our trek on the Trail of Philosophy next Friday. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek will be Motivation Monday when we will explore more trails of how to get and stay motivated to bring value to your world. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. Just as you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter or in person inviting them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically. I would also appreciate it if you would rate and review us on iTunes or Google Play so that others will find out about Wisdom-Trek and join us.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 442 – A True Leader – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 442 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A True Leader – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 442 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Anne Bradstreet who said, “Authority without wisdom is like a heavy ax without an edge — fitter to bruise than polish.”

This quote highlights the unfortunate truth that we see in many leaders today. They may be political leaders, company leaders, and yes, sadly even church and other religious leaders. A person who has authority without wisdom may be dictatorial, abusive, or even spineless. This type of leadership truly is like a heavy ax without an edge. The person may be able to force through his agenda may even have many people may follow him, but he will leave carnage in his path in pursuit of his misguided dreams.

How much better it is to lead with wisdom. In fact, a person with wisdom, even if he does not have given authority, will become a natural leader who others will follow. A model of a good leader for any type of organization is found in Titus 1:7, “A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money.” Now that is an example of someone I would be willing to follow.

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. If you would like access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. Just as you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 441 – Loyalty Makes People Attractive – Proverbs 19:15-29

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 441 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Loyalty Makes People Attractive – Proverbs [19:15]-29

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 441 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails, we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 2^nd half of Chapter 19.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We had a blessed weekend with family celebrating the birthdays of our two youngest granddaughters Hazel and Grace. Our daughter Janet’s birthday was also on Saturday, which we celebrated last weekend since we were not in Charlotte this weekend. It is great to be able to celebrate life together. We have a fairly busy schedule for this week with an interview on “Starving the Doubts” podcast, working onsite with a client, and some additional work in our mix.

Although not many of the leaves have started falling from the trees at The Big House yet, the temperatures are starting to cool. So it won’t be too long before the leaf harvest begins. Just like the seasons of the year change significantly, there are times in our lives when the seasons change significantly. It is important to take advantage of the seasons while they are here so that we can be prepared for future seasons. With these thoughts in our mind if it works out, we plan on having our four Marietta grandkids for a sleepover on Friday night. The time we invest with them now when they are young is important.

In every season of life, we need to seek wisdom, insight, and understanding, so as we break camp for our trek today, let us explore the nuggets of wisdom found in Proverbs. A character trait that seems to be waning in today’s connected environment is that of loyalty. We should be loyal in all areas of life because loyalty is a commitment, which is tied to honesty. In addition to that, verse 22 tells us that…

Loyalty Makes People Attractive

Let’s start our trek with verse 15.

¹⁵Lazy people sleep soundly,

but idleness leaves them hungry.

It does seem like people who are lazy also enjoy an inordinate amount of sleep. They do not relate that their choice to be lazy also causes a lack of results in their life. If a person is unwilling to work and be productive when they should be, then their idleness will leave them in poverty and want.

¹⁶Keep the commandments and keep your life;

despising them leads to death.

God has set up certain unchangeable laws and precepts that apply to all people whether they acknowledge God or not. When we follow these precepts, then the result is very predictable. We will have the rich and satisfying life that God desires for us. If we choose not to follow His precepts, it will lead us down the road of destruction and eventually death.

¹⁷If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—

and he will repay you!

The concept of giving to others out of a pure heart is not understood by many. When we help those who are poor and less fortunate than we are, then it is allowing the resources that God has entrusted to us to flow through us. This will allow us to grow in compassion and mature as a person. We will gain wisdom, insight, and understanding. If that was not enough in itself, one of God’s precepts is that He will repay us many times over in both intangible and tangible ways.

¹⁸Discipline your children while there is hope.

Otherwise, you will ruin their lives.

We all need to be disciplined in life and receive discipline to help us to grow and mature. This is especially true of children when they are in their formative years. They are learning the values of right and wrong. Disciplining your children will help them to become wise and mature. Discipline can take many forms and should be tailored to the individual child.

¹⁹Hot-tempered people must pay the penalty.

If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again.

This verse ties in somewhat to the previous one. A hot-tempered person did not learn when he was young that an uncontrolled temper is not acceptable. A person who is habitually hot-tempered will fall into many troubles in life. Even if you do help them, it will be a recurring theme. They must learn that bad behavior is not acceptable.

²⁰Get all the advice and instruction you can,

so you will be wise the rest of your life.

A sign of a truly wise person is that they are always seeking advice and instruction. They are in a continual pursuit to learn and gain more wisdom. In doing so, wisdom will become part of their very nature.

²¹You can make many plans,

but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

We should all prepare and plan, but also realize that our plans need to be in line with God’s precepts found in His Word. When they are, our plans will align with God’s purpose for us. Sometimes we don’t understand what God has planned for us, so our plans may be set aside by God so that His purpose will prevail.

²²Loyalty makes a person attractive.

It is better to be poor than dishonest.

Loyalty, faithfulness, and honesty are all tied to the same character traits. If we compromise our integrity through a lack of loyalty whether in marriage, work, or business then it is the same as being dishonest. It would be much better to not have money if you have to be disloyal to gain it. Loyalty truly does make a person more attractive.

²³Fear of the Lord leads to life,

bringing security and protection from harm.

Respect and obedience to God lead to living the abundant life. One of the benefits of this is that God brings us security and protection.

²⁴Lazy people take food in their hand

but don’t even lift it to their mouth.

It is hard for me to imagine, but I do know that there are some people that are so lazy that they won’t even do enough work to take care of themselves. Subsidies from government organizations tend to foster this from those who are not ambitious. In this rather humorous analogy of verse 24, I picture a person who has a chicken leg in one hand and a loaf of bread in the other but just doesn’t want to exert the effort to lift it to his mouth because he is so lazy.

²⁵If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded will learn a lesson;

if you correct the wise, they will be all the wiser.

Those who are naïve or as they are referred to in this verse, the simpleminded, if receptive will learn when they see others who mock God are punished. They may not learn if they are corrected themselves. Contrary to this, if you correct a person who is already wise, he will gain more wisdom.

²⁶Children who mistreat their father or chase away their mother

are an embarrassment and a public disgrace.

While we should love and respect all people, this is especially true of how we are to treat our parents. Just as it is an abomination for parents to mistreat their children, grown children should honor, respect, and love their parents. It is a disgrace to treat them in any other manner.

²⁷If you stop listening to instruction, my child,

you will turn your back on knowledge.

We should always be willing and ready to learn. This applies to children of any age. If you turn away from continual learning, it is the same as turning your back on gaining knowledge, and by default, wisdom.

²⁸A corrupt witness makes a mockery of justice;

the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.

Those who lie in court or other legal battles make a joke of the justice system. A person who is wicked at heart not only enjoys it, he gulps it down like a desperate thirsty person in a desert.

²⁹Punishment is made for mockers,

and the backs of fools are made to be beaten.

Those who choose to mock God and His precepts will suffer punishment. They will suffer directly as a result of their foolishness.

The nuggets of wisdom that we gathered in verses 15-29 of Proverbs 19 provide more tasty morsels of wisdom, insight, and understanding. Regardless of your faith walk, if the precepts in Proverbs are followed, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of goodness.

Tomorrow we will hike another short trail of Wisdom Unplugged on which we will discover an inspirational wisdom quote. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. Just as you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and inviting them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 440 Choose Wisely – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 440 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Choose Wisely – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 440 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from a Wisdom-Trek episode, which says, “At the dawn of each new day you have a choice to use this day for good or waste it. Choose wisely.”

Each day is a time to begin anew. Even if all of your yesterdays turned out poorly, today and all of your tomorrows do not have to follow the same pattern. The results from your past were based, at least partially, on the choices that you made in the past. If you start making wise choices today, then your future can be much different and much better. Every choice that you make, every word that you speak, every action that you take is leading you down your trail of life. Use today and every day for good. Do not waste it. Choose wisely. It is your choice. God in His kindness allows us to begin fresh each day as Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us, “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.”

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 439 – 13 Life Lessons Learned From a Jigsaw Puzzle

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 439 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

13 Life Lessons Learned From a Jigsaw Puzzle

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 439 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate you to live a rich and satisfying life this week. Today we will explore 13 Life Lessons Learned from a Jigsaw Puzzle.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. When this episode originally airs, we will be back at The Big House for about 10 days. Over the weekend we are celebrating two granddaughters’ birthdays. Hazel is turning 2, and Grace is turning 1. It is such a blessing to be able to celebrate with our grandchildren.

Coordinating the scheduling of important events of life can be challenging at times since life is full of twists and turns with many detours and obstacles along the way. Sometimes it is worthwhile to simplify life’s challenges with a practical allegory that most of us can relate to.

Let’s break camp for today and conquer the…

13 Life Lessons Learned from a Jigsaw Puzzle

1. Don’t force a fit. If something is meant to be, it will come together naturally.

2. When things aren’t going so well, take a break. Everything will look different when you return.

3. Be sure to look at the big picture. Getting hung up on the little pieces only leads to frustration.

4. Perseverance pays off. Every important puzzle went together bit by bit, piece by piece.

5. When one spot stops working, move to another. But be sure to come back later.

6. The Creator of the puzzle gave you the picture as a guidebook. Refer to the Creator’s guidebook often.

7. Variety is the spice of life. It’s the different colors and patterns that make the puzzle interesting.

8. Working together with friends and family makes any task fun.

9. Establish the border first. Boundaries give a sense of security and order.

10. Don’t be afraid to try different combinations. Some matches are surprising.

11. Take time often to celebrate your successes—even little ones.

12. Anything worth doing takes time and effort. A great puzzle can’t be rushed.

13. When you finally reach the last piece, don’t be sad. Rejoice in the masterpiece you’ve made and enjoy a well-deserved rest.

Our trek of life can be puzzling. It is filled with rough terrain, obstacles, detours, deep valleys, level plateaus, and glorious summits from which we can see for miles. At each stage of life’s puzzle, keep putting the pieces that you have together one at a time. Within time you will see the picture much more clearly. Every piece is important. Even if it does not seem to add much to the overall picture, when the picture is complete, it will be very obvious that there is a missing piece, and your life picture will be incomplete.

At each stage of life’s puzzle, keep putting the pieces that you have together one at a time.

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Although you may not fully understand all the pieces that make up your life puzzle, we do have hope that our creator does. Ephesians 3:18-20 encourages us with these words, “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

What an enjoyable trek that we took today comparing life to a jigsaw puzzle. Keep this analogy in your mind throughout this week and let it motivate you each day to live the rich and satisfying life that you were destined to live.

Tomorrow’s short trek is part of our Wisdom Unplugged series that we are now hiking on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These 2-3 minute wisdom supplements will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise throughout the entire week. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person inviting them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek, so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically. I would also appreciate it if you would rate and review us on iTunes or Google Play so that others will find out about Wisdom-Trek and join us.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you in through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on tomorrow!

Day 438 – The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Philosophy (4)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 438 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Philosophy Part 4

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 438 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life, and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. Each Friday we are in a multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale.

The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book called The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tuesday evening we had my sister Rebecca over for dinner to continue our trek through old family pictures. The box that we are working on now was from when our parents were in their early 20s. My dad was in the Navy around Japan, and mom and their first of ten children, Christina, were living with Granny and Gramps, who were my dad’s parents. Some of the notes between Mom and Dad on the back of the pictures were great to read, and it gave us a better understanding of their life as a young married couple. The trails that they forged were part of the extended trail that we now continue on today.

On our trek for today, we will continue on the first of five trails on life’s trek, which is the Philosophy Trail. Specifically, we want to continue our exploration of How to Develop a Powerful Personal Philosophy. If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far.

We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the first trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek –Philosophy Part 4

As a reminder, our overall extended trek will cover these five trails are:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

Last week on our hike, you discovered how to learn from other people’s failures and successes as well as capitalizing on the power of positive influences in life. We continue on that same trail today by learning how to become a good observer and a good listener, so let’s look at how to:

· Become a Good Observer

You must never allow a day to pass without finding the answers to a list of important questions such as: What is going on in your field of vocation? What new challenges are currently facing your government, your community, your neighborhood? What are the new breakthroughs, the new opportunities, the new tools and techniques that have recently come to light? Who are the new personalities that are influencing your world and local opinion?

You must become a good observer and an astute evaluator of all that is going on around you. All events affect you, and what affects you leaves an imprint on what you will one day be and how you will one day live.

One of the major reasons why people are not doing well is because they keep trying to get through the day the same way they do every day. A more worthy challenge is to try to obtain as much insight as possible from the day. You must become sensitive enough to observe and ponder what is happening around you. Be alert. Be awake. Let life and all of its subtle messages touch you. Often, the most extraordinary opportunities are hidden among the seemingly insignificant events of life. If you do not pay attention to these events, you can easily miss the opportunities. To take advantage of every opportunity for success, you must constantly be observing the situations around you. King Solomon wrote about his observations during the latter years of his life in Ecclesiastes [9:11],

“I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.”

While I understand that Solomon was the wisest person to ever live, I also know that you can greatly influence your chance of success through an astute power of observation. Next, you need to:

· Become a Good Listener

It is challenging today to be a good listener. There are so many voices that cry out for your attention, each with its own special message and each with its own special appeal. One of the best ways to deal with this important challenge is to develop the skill of selective listening. You know, the type that your children have when they are growing up, and many maintain throughout adulthood.

It is challenging today to be a good listener.

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We have all sort of devices and opportunities shouting in our minds, so we need to learn the fine art of listening to only what is most important. I realize with streaming music, podcast, and video feeds of today, it is a bit different, but follow along with this example to grasp the concept. Selective listening is like tuning a radio or channel surfing on TV to find the station that most appeals to you. As you advance through the channels, you listen or watch for a few seconds and then either keep searching or stop on a particular station, depending on what you have just heard or seen. It is the same with many aspects of life. Whenever a voice calls out for your attention, you must pause for a few moments to ponder the message. If the message is shallow or ignorant and does not advance you toward your primary purpose in life, then you must discipline yourself to move on. You must touch the “scan” switch and move on to the next voice so that the ignorant and shallow messages do not affect you.

Everything you hear and see is being recorded in your mental computer and forming a new connection in the brain. You might listen to some voices for a time, out of curiosity, but if the voice is not leading toward the achievement of your goals, then you must exercise great caution in how long you listen to them. Only when you have found a source of valuable information should you allow the message to touch you so that it might add value to who and what you already are or are becoming.

We are all leaders in some aspect of life, and one of the greatest attributes of leadership is effective communication. Learning what to say and when to say it comes only when you have learned how to listen. The art of listening is an opportunity to add to your knowledge and to increase your value. The process of speaking, on the other hand, is the act of putting on display what you have learned. The more you learn, the less you need to say in order to teach others. You must first master the art of listening before your spoken words will have any great value to others. Jesus taught us in Mark 4:23-25, “‘Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.’ Then he added, ‘Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.'”

Here is a practical example for your life that can be applied to many areas. The best way to learn what to say to your children or grandchildren is to listen to them. You should read the books they are reading, listen to their songs, watch the videos they are watching, and become familiar with the messages they are receiving from a variety of sources. Listening to the information that is reaching your children or grandchildren will not only increase your awareness of their decision-making process, but it will also help you to talk more effectively with your children or grandchildren about what is valuable.

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly as we ponder How to Develop a Powerful Personal Philosophy on our continued hike up the Trail of Philosophy today. This is not an easy hike to make. It requires absorbing new information that may challenge your current philosophy. It will require becoming a good observer and a good listener.

Next week on Philosophy Friday, we will explore how to gain insight from what we read, what we write, and much more in our pursuit of a powerful personal philosophy. Make sure to join us for the continuation of our trek on the Trail of Philosophy next Friday. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Our next trek will be Motivation Monday when we explore more trails of how to get and stay motivated to bring value to your world. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you in through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 437 – Build Each Other Up – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 437 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Build Each Other Up – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 437 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Wisdom Unplugged – Build each other up.

Today’s quote is from Marian Anderson who says, “As long as you keep a person down, some part of you has to be down there to hold him down, so it means you cannot soar as you otherwise might.”

There are some individuals that feel they need to restrict others from moving forward so that they can excel themselves. This is based on a scarcity mentality where you feel there is a limited amount of resources. We need to turn this upside down with an abundance mentality. The only way to improve and advance yourself is by helping others to grow and prosper also. A kernel of corn will only produce an abundance of harvest when it is willing to give up its current life so that new life will grow as a result. The more kernels planted, the larger the harvest. Always be planting and helping others to plant so that together the harvest will be in great abundance. As we are reminded in 2 Thessalonians 5:11, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 436 – Sensible People Control Their Temper – Proverbs 19:1-14

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 436 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Sensible People Control Their Temper – Proverbs 19:1-14

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 436 of our Trek and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 1^st half of chapter 19.

We are broadcasting from our studio at ‘Home2’ in Charlotte, NC. We do have a busy workload this week filled with client work and podcast related projects. I find myself anxious about the work to be done, especially when my schedule and workload is not necessarily under my control. Since I tend to be structured and like a disciplined workflow I have to continually remind myself that if the work is important enough, that it will be accomplished in its own time. Although at times it is difficult, I try to emulate what the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Philippi 4:5-7 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

It is good to gain additional wisdom for life to handle those obstacles and detours that we all run into on a daily basis. For now, it’s time to break camp and head out on our trail in search of those golden nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. One sign of a mature and wise person is that they are also sensible and have self-control as verse 11 of this chapter tells us:

Sensible People Control Their Temper

Let’s start our trek with verse 1:

¹Better to be poor and honest

than to be dishonest and a fool.

Wealth holds such a sway over our world. While obtaining abundant resources can allow us to have a greater impact in our world for good, if it is obtained dishonestly then it is not worth having. It would be better, to be honest. Otherwise, you are just a rich fool.

²Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good;

haste makes mistakes.

We all know people who get excited over just about anything, but when you dig beneath the surface, you realize that the excitement many times is short lived and comes because of lack of knowledge. When we get excited without thinking through all of the consequences, we will tend to make mistakes. It is much better to logically think through our choices so that we can make choices that are wise. Then they are worth being enthusiastic about.

³People ruin their lives by their own foolishness

and then are angry at the Lord.

Some people always have drama or crises in their lives and as a result of continually making unwise choices. Their lives are in shambles, and then they are angry at God for the outcome. We need to take personal responsibility for every choice that we make. We all would do well to gain wisdom and make choices that are wise.

⁴Wealth makes many “friends”;

poverty drives them all away.

Friends that you make, because you have wealth, are fair weather friends at best. If your wealth is gone, so are those friends.

⁵A false witness will not go unpunished,

nor will a liar escape.

Although our justice system is not always fair, in the end, a false witness will be found out. There are consequences for our falsehood and lies. Make it a practice of always telling the truth. It is so liberating.

⁶Many seek favors from a ruler;

everyone is the friend of a person who gives gifts!

Regardless of who you are or how confident you are about yourself, we all like to gain favor with those that we perceive to be better in some manner than we are. We also tend to want to gain favor with those who we can benefit from. Let us be careful about these traps.

⁷The relatives of the poor despise them;

how much more will their friends avoid them!

Though the poor plead with them,

their friends are gone.

This is sad, but true. If you are poor, or have fallen on rough times, it seems like even you family members will stay away. It is even more evident with those who you consider being friends. Even when you beg for assistance when you are poor, you soon realize that your former friends are nowhere to be found when you need them most.

⁸To acquire wisdom is to love yourself;

people who cherish understanding will prosper.

With our perverted concept of true love in our modern world, we have a hard time even loving ourselves. We need to love ourselves unconditionally. One way is through obtaining wisdom, insight, and understanding. When we do this, we will have the proper love for ourselves which will, in turn, allow us to prosper.

⁹A false witness will not go unpunished,

and a liar will be destroyed.

This verse is almost identical to verse five and yet is expands on the gravity of being a false witness and liar. Clearly, if we make a habit of lying, our lives will end up in ruins.

¹⁰It isn’t right for a fool to live in luxury

or for a slave to rule over princes!

There are standards for what is fair and right that we all understand. When we see a foolish person having abundant resources, it is an injustice. In the same manner, as if a servant would usurp authority over their boss.

¹¹Sensible people control their temper;

they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.

Once again, the mark of a wise person is that they can and will have great self-control. They will not allow their tempers to flare, and they will think before they speak. When a higher level of wisdom is obtained, they will gain respect from others by being mature enough to overlook the weaknesses of others.

¹²The king’s anger is like a lion’s roar,

but his favor is like dew on the grass.

When a king, ruler or boss becomes angry, they have the authority to bring great punishment to those who they lead. On the flip side of this, they can also refresh those whom they lead when they show favor to them.

¹³A foolish child is a calamity to a father;

a quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping.

When a child, regardless of their age, makes foolish decisions it is a real blow to their father. As a father, we always desire for our children to make wise decisions. Another sad situation is being in a marriage with the wife (or husband) is always quarreling or arguing. It is such an annoyance that it is like the constant dripping of a faucet or leaky roof. It wears a person down to be in that environment.

¹⁴Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth,

but only the Lord can give an understanding wife.

Regardless of how wealthy a father may become, materials possessions will not satisfy the children when they are older. It is God alone that will provide a spouse that is loving and understanding. I feel truly blessed that God has provided such a wife for me with Paula. She is very understanding and a real blessing.

The nuggets of wisdom that we gathered verses 1-14 of Proverbs 19 provide more tasty morsels of wisdom, insight, and understanding. Regardless of your faith walk, if the precepts in Proverbs are followed, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of goodness. Tomorrow we will hike another short trail of Wisdom Unplugged where we will discover an inspirational wisdom quote. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.’

That will finish our trek for today. Just as you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter or in person when you meet with them and invite them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

The journal for today’s Trek is available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor and most of all your friend as I serve you in through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this Trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to ’Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…every day’! See you Tomorrow!

Day 435 Talk Less and Say More – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 435 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Talk Less and Say More – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 435 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget:

Today’s quote is from an unknown author who says, “As a man grows wiser, he talks less and says more.”

As a man grows wiser, he talks less and says more.

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I realize that this appears to be a recurring theme, but it is so true. The wiser a person becomes, the less he needs to speak when it is not necessary. Many times, excessive talking is a sign of insecurity and low self-esteem. This may take the form of someone who comes off as a know-it-all, but underneath that façade is usually a lack of confidence.

When you are confident and secure, there is no need to let everyone know. It will be evident to all because what you don’t say with words will shout through your confident demeanor and true self-assurance. In the same manner, those individuals that are excessively busy with activities because of a strong need to be around other people is usually a sign of insecurities. A wise and confident person is fine being by himself in quiet reflection. As King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 5:3, “Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool.”

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 434 – 3 Trails of Personal Development

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 434 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

3 Trails of Personal Development

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 434 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate us to live rich and satisfying lives this week. Today we will explore 3 Trails of Personal Development.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. We finally had an entire weekend at our home here without traveling, so that was a nice break. We did various projects around the house on Saturday. On Sunday we were able to worship at our church here and had some of our kids over for dinner. This certainly helps to set the tone for the coming week without being too worn out.

All of our lives seem overly busy in today’s world, regardless of who you talk to. We seem to fill our days with activities, and it would do us all well to take some time to relax, recharge, and refocus on what is most important in life. This includes setting time aside for personal development. This includes the three aspects that make us unique and different from any other life form on earth. Let’s break camp for today and conquer the…

3 Trails of Personal Development

If you desire to live the rich and satisfying life that we were all created for, then there are 3 basic areas of personal development that you need to continually work on. Even if you personally love to work as I do, you have to understand and put into practice that you need to learn to work harder on yourself than you do on your job. I must admit that this is a challenging assignment for me.

This business of personal development lasts a lifetime. What you become is far more important than what you obtain in life. There is an important question to ask yourself regardless of your occupation or duties in life. Most people will ask, “What can I obtain through this work?” or in other words, “What am I getting?” Instead, you should ask, “What am I becoming?” What you become directly influences the level that you obtain in life. Think of it this way. Most of what you have today, you have attracted by becoming the person you are today.

Most of what you have today, you have attracted by becoming the person you are today.

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It is a fact that income or status rarely exceeds personal development. Now that does not mean income and status should be the top priority, but it is a gauge measuring personal development. Sure, there are times when someone may excel without corresponding development, but unless you learn to handle the responsibilities that come with it, it will usually shrink back to the amount you can handle. It is difficult to maintain that which has not been obtained through personal development and wisdom.

So here’s the great proverb of life…

To have more than you currently have, you have to become more than you currently are.

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The world can be a demanding place. There are plenty of opportunities, but you have to get ready for it and prepare for it. Just as the farmer must plant in the spring and tend to the crops in the summer in order to expect a harvest in the fall, you have to invest a portion of this year getting ready for next year. You have to invest a portion of this decade getting ready for the next decade.

As the farmer must invest many long months of planting and tending to the crops for a few weeks of harvest, so a big share of your life must be invested in the developing of your skills in all areas of life.

Personal development is a push. It’s a struggle. It’s a challenge. There is no harvest without planting and tending. That is the basic law of life. It’s the struggle and the challenge to develop yourself and your skills to see what you can create in the way of value in the workplace and in any other area of life.

Life is all about creating skills and value and taking those skills and value to your work and indeed the world in order to realize what it will return for you.

There are three primary trails or paths in life that you must take to make continual improvements to living a life that is rich and satisfying. This is especially true in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing, technology-driven world. Those three trails are the body, mind, and soul or Physical, Mental, and Spiritual.

We all know that new habits don’t come easy, but they can be developed. Sometimes when you develop a lot of momentum in one direction, it’s not that easy to change, but it is possible. Thomas Edison once said that “Success is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration.” I have certainly found this to be true in my own life. You have to study the courses, learn the skills, put yourself through the grind, and do the mental push-ups to get yourself ready.

Inspiration is fine, but inspiration must lead to discipline. It’s one thing to be motivated, but it’s another thing to be motivated sufficiently to take the classes, do the reading, do the repetition, and go through it over and over until it becomes part of you. Those are the challenges. They’re not easy, but they’re challenges that if you take on, develop, and grow, they will determine your place, your return, your equity, and the worth you get from the marketplace and your world.

As mentioned, there are three trails of personal development, and the first one is…

1. Spiritual

There may be those who argue about the spiritual aspect of humans, but I have a singular belief that says humans are not just animals. Some people believe we’re just an extension and an advanced form of the animal species, but I believe God created humans to be unique, in that, He made us in His image. Spiritual qualities make us different from all other creations. I have been a devoted student of the Bible, and my faith is built on what I have studied. Regardless of your faith walk, I recommend you be a student of the spiritual side of your nature. I suggest that you invest time getting to know and understand your spiritual side and assimilate that as part of your worldview. In order to be a whole person, you must focus on all three aspects of your being.

2. Physical

The body, mind, and soul are integrated into a cohesive whole and make you who you are today. On the physical side, you have to understand that your body is a temple for God’s spirit. That is a dwelling place. If you don’t take care of your home or apartment, you will have inadequate housing. It is the same with your body. You should do all that you can to take good care of it by eating wholesome, nutritious foods and getting adequate exercise and a proper amount of sleep. Treat your body like a temple, not a woodshed.

The only house your soul and mind have to live in currently is the physical body, and it is a crucial aspect of living a rich and satisfying life. When you are in good physical condition, then your self-worth, self-confidence, and ability to succeed in life will be greatly enhanced. If you are not in good shape, it may take some time to reach that point, but once you are there, maintaining a healthy body is much easier than trying to patch up a sick body. It is worth all the time and effort that is required. In the long run, it is much less expensive to live healthy. There are no excuses today for poor health with all the resources that are available online.

When you feel well and look well, you will be amazed at the opportunities that come rushing towards you. How you appear to other people whether it is on the job, in your various communities, or elsewhere, your appearance and self-confidence will come shining through. You may think people shouldn’t judge you by your appearance, and that may be true. But let me tell you, they do. Don’t base your life on should and shouldn’t. Only base your life on realities. Sure, when people get to know you they’ll judge you by more than what they see, but at first, they’re going to take a look. So, physical appearance is part of the physical side of personal development.

Be conscious of self but not self-conscious. There’s a certain point that we need to be conscious of ourselves, take care of it, and then let it go. Some people worry about their appearance all day, and it detracts rather than adds. So take care of it, and then let it go. Do the best you can, and let that get the job done. Be conscious of yourself, but not to the point of being self-conscious.

3. Mental

The third part of personal development is the mind. Stretching your mind, developing good thinking and study habits, pursuing ideas, and trying to find ways to apply them to human behavior and in your world. All of that takes mind-stretch and mind-exercise. Part of stretching yourself is reading and studying. You can’t live on mental candy, so you’ve got to have the full range of mental food in order to grow. I call that mind-stretch.

Your willingness to tackle subjects that are difficult and that most people have decided to let slide gives you an extraordinary edge in your world. It takes mind-stretch. If you always back away from something that seems a little difficult at first, you leave yourself weak. You leave yourself unprepared to tackle the changes in your world. Guard your mind carefully and don’t take on the thinking patterns of the world. As Romans 12:2 tells us, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Another great quote from Zig Ziglar puts it so well, “You are what you are and where you are because of what has gone into your mind. You can change what you are and where you are by changing what goes into your mind.”

The 3 Trails of Personal Productivity are your body, mind, and soul. Take time today to hike these three trails of self-improvement. If you don’t take personal responsibility for yourself, then you will fall prey to someone else’s plan for your life, and they will not have your best interest in mind. Please let me know how I can assist you in getting on your trails to personal productivity by emailing me at guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you in through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 433 – The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Philosophy (3)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 433 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Philosophy Part 3

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 433 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently, we are in a multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book called The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. This evening we are having our daughter Janet and her husband Rowan over for dinner to assist them with tax planning for this year. What we have learned through the years as small business owners has given us the experience we need to be able to assist others with tax questions and planning.

This week has been a continuation of steady client work, and podcast related projects. It is sometimes hard to prioritize all the work that needs to be completed, which can lead to not being as effective as we would like. Our core values do help, but it is a struggle at times to make the progress that we plan on. Even when we do end up heading down a rabbit trail or become distracted from what our focus should be, our personal philosophy of life will help get us back on the trail and heading in the correct direction.

We all have a particular philosophy or worldview about life. It is what our integrity or value system is based on. This is why it is so important that we create a powerful personal philosophy that will drive us forward, even with the distractions and obstacles of life.

On our trek for today, we will continue on the first of five trails on life’s trek, which is the Philosophy Trail. Specifically, we want to continue our exploration of How to Develop a Powerful Personal Philosophy. If you have missed the past few Philosophy Friday treks, it would be good to go back and review them to get caught up on our progress so far. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s break camp and continue on the first trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek –Philosophy Part 3

As a reminder, our overall extended trek will cover The Five Trails on Life’s Trek. Those five trails are:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

Last week on our hike you learned that to create a Powerful Personal Philosophy you must learn from your own past experiences and then from those trusted mentors that can guide you where you do not have experience. You must be willing to expand your horizons and break free of the shackles of an incorrect mindset that is holding you back. Today we want to start out by realizing that you must also be willing to:

· Learn From Other People’s Experience With Failure

You don’t have to experience everything in life yourself. Other people and their personal experiences offer untold opportunities for learning. Through the experiences of others, there are two valuable sources of information available; two attitudes of mind; two categories of those with similar experiences but with remarkably different results. You are exposed on a daily basis to representatives of both groups. Each group seeks its own audience, and each has an effect on those who choose to listen. You must understand that both sources are important. One serves as an example to be followed, the other as an example to be avoided, as a warning to be studied but not emulated.

First, you should be a student of failure. It is part of the world experience and part of the life experience. Why would you want to study the failures? To learn what not to do.

All experiences can serve as your teachers provided you learn from the information and invest its value into your life. There are those who teach that associations with people who have not done well with their lives and their opportunities should be avoided at all cost for fear that you will learn their poor habits and as a consequence, repeat their unfortunate mistakes. However, think about it in this manner, “Those who do not learn from the mistakes of the past are condemned to repeat them.” If you ignore the lessons of the past, from whatever the source, then you may become a victim of the process of trial and error. By ignoring the lessons of history, your own trials will inevitably try you, and your own errors will ultimately destroy you.

All experiences can serve as your teachers provided you learn from the information and invest its value into your life.

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It is unfortunate, perhaps, that those who fail do not teach their experiences for all to hear. If you had more opportunity to learn from the negative experiences of others, you might well save your own life from certain disaster. Paula and I have had business and personal failures that we have had to learn from even though it would have been better to have learned them from others so we did not have to experience them ourselves.

As you learn from the failures of others you must also be willing to:

· Learn From Other People’s Success

It is worth whatever time you must take and whatever you must invest to make a study of people who do well. Gather the ideas and the information from all of the available sources. Read the books. Attend the seminars. Invest time gathering the knowledge that success requires. Study the habits, the language, the manner of dress, and the discipline of those who have succeeded. Proverbs 15:22 tells us, “Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.”

One of the great sources of wisdom from those who have done well can be found in the many quote books that are available in bookstores or online. Just by reading the words of what the greatest among us (past and present) have had to say, we can come to a better understanding of the thoughts that guided the lives of those who were great enough, persuasive enough, influential enough, and successful enough to be quoted. To assist you in your quest for success, I have created and published a searchable database of over 10,000 quotes that I have collected for many years. If you would like access to my database of inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. At this point, there is no charge for the use of this resource, but you do have to sign up online to access the quotes so we can assist you if you need it and to keep you informed of enhancements to the program. This quote database can be a treasure to help you along your trek. As Proverbs 1:3 mentions, “Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.”

Click on Picture to Access the WIsdom-Trek Quote Database

In addition to learning from other people’s failures and successes you also need to learn how to:

· Capitalize On The Power Of Positive Influence

You should be in constant search of people you can admire and respect. People after whom you can pattern part of your own behavior. Much of who and what you are at this very moment is a composite of the many people who have influenced you over the years. When you were younger, your idols were often superheroes, storybook characters, movie stars, sports players, and famous musicians. For a while, you may have even walked, dressed and even tried to talk like your heroes. As you grew older and your own unique personality began to develop, your emulation of others became less apparent. But the influence was there nonetheless.

Regardless of your age or circumstances, you are never beyond the reach of influence. The key is to find unique human beings whose personalities and achievements stimulate, fascinate, and inspire you, and then strive to assimilate their best qualities. Proverbs 18:15 encourages us to be continually learning, “Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.”

Great projects are always built from a pattern or blueprint. In this lifetime there is no greater project than the deliberate development of your own life. Therefore, you need a “blueprint,” something or someone to look at and pattern yourself after — if you want to make change and progress. Your Life Plan Blueprint which is on the resources page of Wisdom-Trek.com can assist you in this aspect.

You are continually being influenced by someone. Since this influence will determine to some extent the direction of your life, it is far better to deliberately choose the people you will permit to influence you than to allow the power of the wrong influence to weave its effect on you without your knowledge or conscious choice. Within time, as the student, you may even exceed your teachers. As Isaac Newton said, “If I have seen farther than others, it is because I was standing on the shoulders of giants.”

We are deliberately taking our trek slowly as we ponder How to Develop a Powerful Personal Philosophy on our continued hike up the Trail of Philosophy today. This is not an easy hike to make. It requires absorbing new information that may challenge your current philosophy. It will require learning from the failures and successes of others as well as capitalizing on the power of positive influence from those who are your heroes and mentors.

Next week on Philosophy Friday, we will explore how to become a good observer, a good listener, and much more in your pursuit of a powerful personal philosophy. Make sure to join us for the continuation of our trek on the Trail of Philosophy next Friday. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you in through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 432 – A Powerful Force for Good – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 432 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A Powerful Force for Good – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 432 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from one of my favorite virtual mentors Zig Ziglar who says, “Ambition, fueled by compassion, wisdom, and integrity, is a powerful force for good that will turn the wheels of industry and open the doors of opportunity for you and countless others.”

There is a strategic combination of good traits when coupled together form a cohesive bond that will guarantee success. Wisdom and integrity are the foundation for success, but they will not impact others unless they are powered by compassion. Even with those three powerful attributes, there will be no force for movement without ambition. It is then that the wheels start to turn, and as the momentum increases, this combination flings open the floodgate of opportunity allowing them to pour over you to such an extent that there will be plenty for you and the countless others that you impact. Plant wisdom, integrity, compassion, and ambition in your lives, and your harvest will be overflowing. As we are reminded in Romans 12:9, “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.”

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. If you would like access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page Wisdom-Trek.com. As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 431 – A Tongue Can Bring Life or Death – Proverbs 18:13-24

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 431 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A Tongue Can Bring Life or Death – Proverbs [18:13]-24

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 431 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 2^nd half of Chapter 18.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. On Sunday after church, we headed back to Indian Trail and arrived by late evening. Our plans to watch the fireworks display at Marietta’s Sternwheel Festival were canceled due to a line of severe thunderstorms that went through Marietta that evening. Although they ended up having the fireworks after the storms, we decided that we did not want to deal with the crowds and wet grass. There will be other years to enjoy it in the future.

We are back in the thick of work with many projects and client work on our schedule for this week, but for now, it’s time to break camp and head out on our trail in search of those golden nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. One nugget King Solomon continually emphasizes is how we speak. It is a continual theme on today’s trek also. How we speak to others is so important it can literally bring life or death as verse 21 starts out with is…

A Tongue Can Bring Life or Death

Let’s start our trek with verse 13.

¹³Spouting off before listening to the facts

is both shameful and foolish.

We all fall into this trap, don’t we? In many conversations, we are so busy preparing our reply we are not really listening to what is being said. This type of communication is shameful and makes us a fool. A truly wise person will speak little and listen much to hear what is really being said. There is much to learn from a conversation of what is not being said by others, but we can only hear it if we keep our own mouth shut.

¹⁴The human spirit can endure a sick body,

but who can bear a crushed spirit?

We can endure much physically and still survive, but once a person’s spirit is wounded or destroyed that person will be defeated. We need to be very careful not to abuse others physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. Words can cut a deeper wound than physical abuse.

¹⁵Intelligent people are always ready to learn.

Their ears are open for knowledge.

The key to becoming a truly intelligent person is to keep your mouth shut and ears open. I have yet to learn anything when I am speaking myself, other than to realize how foolish I sound at times. Let us make it a habit of listening and learning, then speak only when it is appropriate or to ask questions so we can learn more.

¹⁶Giving a gift can open doors;

it gives access to important people!

Within today’s political environment, we see how this is so true. Gifts for political favors seem to be an epidemic. It probably has always been the case, as it is mentioned a few times within the book of Proverbs. This does not always have to be a bad situation, but let me ask this question, “How willing are you to give gifts to others with no expectation of anything in return?” That is the truest form of love and compassion.

¹⁷The first to speak in court sounds right—

until the cross-examination begins.

We see this situation so often in court but also in regular dialog with others. When someone presents their case or argument, they may sound very convincing at least until the opposing counsel has the opportunity to present their case. It would serve us all well to remember that there are two sides to every story or conflict, and it would be best if we listen to all the information before making a decision.

¹⁸Flipping a coin can end arguments;

it settles disputes between powerful opponents.

Most of us probably feel that flipping a coin to make decisions is just a game of chance, but throughout scripture, we see that it is often used. If you have to make a choice between two equally good choices, it may be a very good tool to use to make a final decision. Even when there is a dispute that is not being settled, consider flipping a coin. It is fair for everyone involved.

¹⁹An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.

Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.

Arguments between friends should not happen if we truly have our friend’s best interest in mind, but the fact is that they do. Keep the question “Is it worth it?” in mind before saying or doing something that might cause a friend to be offended. Offending or arguing with a friend can cause damage that will take years to repair, if it is possible at all. Is it worth offending another or winning an argument? It would be much better to lose an argument and keep a friend.

²⁰Wise words satisfy like a good meal;

the right words bring satisfaction.

When you hear truly wise words from a wise person, they are like eating a deliciously prepared meal. They just “hit the spot.” The right words are satisfying to the soul as a great meal is to the body.

²¹The tongue can bring death or life;

those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

The tongue is one of the smallest organs of our body, and yet it has the capacity to cause more damage and harm than any other part. You can destroy a person with the words that you say, or you can encourage and breathe life into that same person. It is up to you. The problem with people that love to talk is that they will inevitably hurt someone with their many words. It is best to only speak when it is needed, helpful, and encouraging to others.

²²The man who finds a wife finds a treasure,

and he receives favor from the Lord.

I can only speak from my personal experience, but for me, Paula is a treasure in my life. I cannot imagine being in a marriage where there is strife and turmoil. A marriage built on God’s precepts with a mutual love for each other and for God is a blessing. I have received favor from the Lord in my marriage.

²³The poor plead for mercy;

the rich answer with insults.

God has compassion on those who are poor. If we have resources beyond our needs, we should not wait for the poor to plead for mercy before assisting them but rather be willing and ready to help others. If you do have wealth, you should not answer the poor with insults and no compassion. We should show our love for God through our love to other people, especially the less fortunate.

²⁴There are “friends” who destroy each other,

but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

A true friend will be there during good and bad times. They will even be more available than a physical brother, especially if they live close by. If you see those who are supposed to be friends, but they don’t care for or assist each other, then they are not true friends.

The nuggets of wisdom that we gathered in verses 13-24 of Proverbs 18 provide more tasty morsels of wisdom, insight, and understanding. Regardless of your faith walk, if the precepts in Proverbs are followed, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of goodness.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy these daily doses of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and inviting them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek, so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 430 | Wait + Hope = Wisdom | Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 430 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Wait + Hope = Wisdom | Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 430 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget…

Today’s quote is from an Alexandre Dumas who says, “All human wisdom is summed up in two words; wait and hope.”

A truly wise person realizes that life is a long-term trek that must be hiked one day at at time. It requires management of expectations, perseverance, consistency, and endurance. There are no shortcuts in life, and all of our trails are filled with obstacles, detours, and disappointments, as well as excitement, joy, and peace. Life at times is a wearisome trek, so it is important that we take care of ourselves physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. A wise person understands this and knows that our wait and hope is found in God, as described in one of my favorite Bible passages Isaiah [40:28]-31:

²⁸Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

²⁹He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

³⁰Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

³¹but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 429 – What Will Happen If You Succeed?

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 429 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

What Will Happen if You Succeed?

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 429 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate us to live rich and satisfying lives this week. Today we will explore The Fear of Success.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. If all goes according to plan, when this episode originally airs, we will be back in Charlotte for a couple of weeks. Paula’s quilting retreat went well, and they all had a great time. Paula and her friends were able to accomplish a good bit on their projects.

We all have our areas of strengths and weaknesses, and the detail work of quilting and cross stitching that Paula does so well would not be an area where I would excel. I do enjoy helping pick out the materials, though, as I seem to have an eye for coordinating the colors and patterns, and then Paula makes them look great. It is the same for each of us. We have areas of strength where we should focus the majority of our time to maximize our efforts and bring the most impact to our world as we create our living legacy each day.

As I have had six decades so far to observe and help others, one phenomenon that I have noticed of those who have a limited impact on others is they have an excessive amount of fear in their lives. Many would assume that the lack of impact is the result of fear of failure, but think about it this way…Inactivity, procrastination, and perfectionism automatically produce failure, so if a person truly fears failure, then it would encourage them to be motivated. In most cases, that is not the case. The more I observe, the more evident it is that for most people that are stymied in life because of the fear of success. Success requires action, being uncomfortable, and taking personal responsibility for the outcome…These are traits that many people choose not to possess. As we break camp and head out on today’s trek, let me ask you this question that may spur you to be motivated…

What Will Happen if You Succeed?

Sometimes you find yourself with a goal you want to achieve, but you just don’t take the appropriate action to reach it. You aren’t really afraid of failure or rejection, and doing nothing will allow you to succeed at failure. The path to the goal seems clear enough and might even be an interesting challenge, and occasionally you’ll make some progress. When you think about moving forward, though, you can’t seem to motivate yourself, and you’re not sure why. This often happens with long-term goals that require intermittent action, like losing weight or transitioning to start a new business and eventually quit your job.

One question I’ve found helpful to ask in these situations is this, “What will happen if you succeed?” Forget about what you hope will happen or what you fear might happen, but realistically consider what probably will happen. So you achieve your goal. Then what? What else will change? What additional responsibilities will you have? How much of a greater impact will you have on others?

I’m not talking about giving a 5-second cursory answer, like “If I lose the weight, then I’ll be thin.” Set aside at least 15-30 minutes of uninterrupted time with no internet, TV, radio, or other distractions just to ponder about how your life will really change once you achieve a particular goal. There are often unexpected side effects that you may not be aware of consciously, but subconsciously they can be enough to prevent you from taking committed action.

As an example, if you lose a lot of weight, here are some possible side effects. People will notice and will comment about it. Other people will ask you for diet advice. You may feel you need to continue with a permanent lifestyle change to maintain your new weight. You may need to buy new clothes. You may become more attractive to others and thereby attract more social encounters (wanted or unwanted). Overweight friends might become jealous. Your family may resist your changes. You may feel stressed about whether you can keep the weight off. You may worry about the loss of certain favorite foods from your diet, and the list could go on and on.

Success requires change, and all change has both positive and negative consequences.

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It’s rare that a goal is all roses. Success requires change, and all change has both positive and negative consequences. Often while people claim to want to succeed at something, the reality is that the perceived negatives outweigh the positives for them. One way to overcome this problem is to consciously think about what those negatives are, and then uproot them one by one just as you would if you were weeding your flower or vegetable garden. Uprooting a negative side effect could mean figuring out how to eliminate it completely, or it could mean just accepting it and learning to live with it.

It’s certainly helpful to focus on the positive side of a goal. But don’t forget to take an occasional survey of the dark side and accept that you’re going to have to deal with that too. Just as inactivity and failure have consequences, so does success.

Unlike fear of failure and fear of rejection, fear of success can be far more insidious because it’s almost always unconscious. But it’s not fear of success itself that is the problem but rather fear of the side effects of success, many of which may be genuinely unwanted. Failure and success both require sacrifices, but you may not be consciously aware of them. Fears that are never evaluated consciously have a tendency to grow stronger. The reason is simple behavioral conditioning — when you avoid something you fear (either consciously or subconsciously), you automatically reinforce the avoidance behavior. So when you (even unknowingly) avoid working on your goal because of a hidden fear of success, you actually reinforce the habit of procrastination, so as time goes by, it becomes harder and harder to get yourself to take action. This is a very devious and many times unconscious deception.

Asking, “What will happen if I succeed?” can solve this problem because it focuses your conscious attention on those fears. Fear has a tendency to shrink under direct examination, making it easier for you to take action. When I say that fear shrinks, another way of stating this is that subconscious behavioral conditioning weakens under conscious scrutiny. I know some people dislike the word “fear” with respect to their own behavior. Realize, though, anytime you consciously or unconsciously choose not to take action, or act in such a way that you avoid succeeding, it is because of fear.

When you confront fear for what it is, an additional benefit is that you can also devise intelligent workarounds for those fears-made-conscious, some of which may indeed be valid signals of unsolved problems. Going back to the weight loss example, if you lose a lot of weight, you probably will need new clothes. If you don’t have the money to buy new clothes, then that may be a real problem you’ll need to address. You may see yourself as needing to wear oversized outfits, which may be necessary for a period of time. Left unacknowledged, even a simple problem like this can be enough to subconsciously sabotage you from achieving your goal. Once you examine the situation consciously and figure out a way to deal with it in advance, you’re sending a message to your subconscious that you needn’t fear this problem because you have a practical way to solve it. There are always ways to work through these excuses that may manifest themselves. In this example, you may need to purchase secondhand clothes for a while until you have adequate money to buy new.

Now let’s consider from a different perspective. Suppose you ask, “What will happen if I succeed?” Upon considering all the side effects, you realize that you don’t actually want to achieve the goal at all. The negatives outweigh the positives. At this point, you can dismiss it and alleviate the associated guilt and pressure. I encounter this at times when I look at the various options to expand our business offerings.

When I ask this magic question, I realize that the sacrifice of family time or health would not be congruent with my overall life purpose and goals. There are certain business ventures that while they may bring monetary success are not worth the sacrifices that would have to be made. After analyzing all issues, I realize it wouldn’t be the success I truly want and is most important. This, at times, is a difficult realization for me. When everything is taken into consideration, I recognize that my trail of success which I had plotted out is now taking me up the wrong mountain. When I reach these reflection points and have to understand the likely consequences of hiking that trail on my life’s treks. I may have to choose an alternative trail that keeps me on the path to my summit.

Even now as I plan future trails for our business and life, I attempt to factor in all the possible rabbit trails and obstacles that we may face. I simply have to realize that I don’t have the bandwidth during this season of life for certain endeavors to still be true to my life purpose. One of the more difficult decisions for me is letting go of the goals and dreams I have for certain aspects of our business. If they are worth pursuing, they may need to be set aside for a more appropriate season. There are many creative ideas and potential opportunities that are available in today’s connected environment. I have to realize though that God has called me to brighten my portion of the world with the light that I currently have and to do it well. I have grown to learn that we go through certain cycles and seasons of life, and sometimes we have to wait until it is planting season once again before we move forward with certain endeavors.

Many people do not succeed because of their fear of success, which is masked as fear of failure. Are you willing to push past those fears and ask the magic question? What will happen if I succeed? If I lose the weight? Get the date? Earn the promotion? Start the business? Get pregnant? Quit smoking? Become a millionaire? Stretch myself? With an open analysis of your life, you can move forward motivated to succeed without fear of success or failure. As Paul wrote in his 2^nd letter to his apprentice in Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

Today on our trek I asked you this question, “What would happen if you succeed?” What is your answer? Please let me know by posting a comment on today’s journal page, or emailing me at guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy these daily doses of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and inviting them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek, so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 428 – The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Philosophy (2)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 07:03:03 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 428 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Philosophy Part 2

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 428 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life, and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Currently, each Friday we are in a multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of our current trek is based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book called The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Paula has a couple of her Charlotte friends, which are part of her monthly quilting group, here this week for a retreat. They are busy working on some neat projects, and it is great to be able to share this time with friends. We love to have others share our home here, as it is our philosophy that we are just stewards of what we have.

This week has been a continuation of steady client work and podcast related projects. Even with a steady workload, my mind is constantly seeing new opportunities in so many areas of business and life. I have to continually remind myself, to maintain the lifestyle that we enjoy and is concurrent with our life’s philosophy that we need to focus on any new opportunities in order of importance for this season of life.

We all have a particular philosophy or worldview about life. It is what our integrity or value system is based on. It is also important that we continually refine that philosophy to be successful in any area of life. So far on this extended trek, we have explored what makes up our unique philosophy. On our trek for today, we will continue on the first of five trails on life’s trek, which is the Philosophy Trail. Specifically, we want to explore How to Develop a Powerful Personal Philosophy. So let’s break camp and continue on the first trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek –Philosophy Part 2

As a reminder, our overall extended trek will cover The Five Trails on Life’s Trek. Those five trails are:

Philosophy
Attitude
Activity
Results
Lifestyle

The greatest influence on what you decide to do with tomorrow’s opportunity is not going to be circumstance but rather what and how you think. What you think and the conclusions you reach regarding life’s challenges is the sum total of what you have learned until now.

The learning process plays a major role in determining your personal philosophy. Over the years you have managed to gather up considerable knowledge. You cannot live without the information that surrounds you making an impact on how you think. The human mind is continually taking pictures and recording the sights and sounds around us. Every experience is etched into the neurons of the brain. Every word, every song, every television program, every conversation, and every book has made an electrical or chemical imprint on your mental computers. Each emotion, each thought, each activity in which you have been engaged has created a new circuit in the brain, which is linked to all of the other circuits that already existed. All that has touched your life has been indelibly recorded in your mind. All that you are is the result of an accumulation of input, which is intricately connected by a delicate combination of chemical and electrical impulses stored in your three-pound brain. All that has ever happened in and around you is now this uniqueness you call self as an individual human being.

All that has touched your life has been indelibly recorded in your mind.

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How you use all of this information and the way in which you assemble the knowledge you have gathered forms your personal philosophy. The problem is that much of the information you have gathered has resulted in erroneous conclusions about life that can actually block the achievement of your goals. The only way to eliminate these mental barriers is to review, realign, and revise your personal philosophy.

The best way to establish a new and powerful personal philosophy is to begin with an objective review of the conclusions you have drawn about life. Any conclusion that is not working for you may actually be working against you. Suppose, for example, you decide that your current employer is not paying you enough. Your value system, based on several years of accumulated information and experiences says, “That’s not fair!” This value judgment causes you to take specific steps in retaliation. As a result, you reduce your efforts, and you do only those things you feel your current paycheck justifies. There is nothing wrong with this decision…provided your goal is to remain where you are, doing what you are currently doing, and getting paid what you are currently getting paid for the rest of your life.

All of your counter-productive beliefs and choices may be the result of years of accumulating misinformation. Perhaps you have simply been around the wrong sources and gathered up the wrong data. The decisions you are making are not wrong based on the information you have, but consider this…What if the information that you have is based on wrong information, which is causing you to make wrong decisions? Unfortunately, these wrong decisions could be leading you further away from rather than closer toward the achievement of your goals.

· The Importance Of New Information

Since it is virtually impossible to identify and erase all of the misleading information in your mental computers, the only way to change your thinking habits is to input new information. Unless you change what you know, you will continue to believe, decide, and act in a manner that is contrary to your best interests. The unfortunate aspect of this is that unless you proactively obtain new information, you may not even realize that your current thinking patterns are detrimental to your overall success. You need to be continually renewing your mind as the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Romans 12:2, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Getting the information that success and happiness require – and getting it accurately – is essential. Otherwise, you will inevitably drift into ignorance, becoming deluded by your power, your prestige, and your possessions.

The question you need to ask yourself is, “Where can I get new, accurate, and better ideas and information that will enable me to become more than I currently am?” Fortunately, there is a wealth of positive information all around you, just waiting to be used. This is especially true with a world of vast resources on the internet. The next portion of our hike will take us to those points along our trek where you can obtain this information. We will explore the first two points today and continue with more next week.

· Learn From Personal Experiences

The first area to consider is learning from your own personal experiences. One of the best ways to expand the dimensions of your knowledge is by conducting a serious review of your own past experiences. You have virtually a university of experience within you. The books lining the shelves of your minds were written and placed there by all that you have experienced since birth. These experiences continually suggest to you that there is a right way and a wrong way to everything you do, and to every decision that confronts you, as well as to every obstacle that challenges you.

One way to learn to do something right is to do something wrong. You can learn from failure as well as success. Failure must teach you, or surely success will not reward you. Past failures and errors must prompt you to amend current conduct, or the present and the future will be little more than a duplicate of your past.

Regardless of whether you can recall them all, you have recorded memories of past deeds and of the subsequent rewards or consequences of those deeds. The key is to make the memories of past events your servants otherwise the repetition of those events will make you their slave.

You must be diligent to make certain that your memories of past experiences, whether good or bad, are accurate if they are to serve you to make the future better than your past. You must reflect on your past, reliving the moments, pondering the lessons, and refining your current conduct based on the lessons of your personal history. If you have manipulated the truth of the past and if you have tended to blame others, rather than taking responsibility, then you are seeking an escape from reality, and you will be destined to repeat past errors and relive present difficulties.

· Learn From an Outside Voice

Once you have reviewed your lessons from your past, then you need to be open to learning from an outside voice. We could all use a little coaching. In a sense, that is the purpose of this podcast and journal. It brings a new and objective voice to those in search of insights and ideas. You are capable of correcting your own errors, but there is often great value in an outside voice – someone who can provide an objective appraisal of how you are, what you are doing, and the potential impact of your thoughts and actions on your better future.

An objective appraisal from someone whose opinion you respect (someone other than yourself) will enable you to see things that you do not see. In your personal world, you tend to see only the trees, while an objective and capable friend will more likely see the forest. If this information is objectivity brought to you in the form of wise counsel from one you trust and respect, it can lead you to early and accurate information about yourself and your decision-making process. It can prevent you from reaching faulty conclusions based on familiarity with your environment.

You are indeed wise if you discipline yourself to take counsel and suggestion from someone who cares, because the alternative to this is that circumstances will force you to take it from one who does not care.

In the world of business, successful executives often turn to consultants who bring the freshness of an outside voice. Company employees can become so familiar with the problem at hand that they have lost their ability to see the solution that sits on their shoulders.

You must make certain that you have access to your own select person or group of associates to whom you can turn for counsel especially during those times when the winds of life have changed so often that you are no longer certain if you are still on course. Others can help you to examine your actions objectively to ensure that you have not drifted too far away from the fundamentals – the basics.

Today we continued up the Trail of Philosophy, and we began constructing the framework of How to Develop a Powerful Personal Philosophy. This is not an easy hike to make. It requires absorbing new information that may challenge your current philosophy. It will require learning from you own personal experiences. It will also require that you learn from outside mentors that have your best interest in mind.

Next week on Philosophy Friday, we will explore how to learn from other people’s failures and successes. Make sure to join the continuation of our trek on the Trail of Philosophy next Friday. We will discover more information about your philosophy on The Five Trails on Life’s Trek. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically. I would also appreciate it if you would rate and review us on iTunes or Google Play so that others will find out about Wisdom-Trek and join us.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 427 – Affliction = Abundance – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 427 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Affliction = Abundance – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 427 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday and Thursday.

So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Henry Ward Beecher, a clergyman who lived in the late 1800s and was a strong force in the abolition of slavery. His said, “Affliction comes to the believer not to make him sad, but sober; not to make him sorry, but wise. Even as the plow enriches the field so that the seed is multiplied a thousandfold, so affliction should magnify our joy and increase our spiritual harvest.”

We will all face times of affliction during various seasons of our life. How we respond to that affliction is the key to living a life that is rich and satisfying. When affliction comes, and it will, do you become sad and sorry that it is in your life, or do you allow it to be a time of reflection so that you can gain wisdom? I like this quote because of its reference to planting and harvesting. Only when the soil is disrupted by a plow is it then prepared for the seed to be planted. Otherwise, the seed may never flourish or grow into an abundant crop for the harvest. In the same manner, affliction allows the seeds of our soul to grow in our lives to produce an abundance of life within us. It is through our abundance that we have a harvest to share with others.

That is a wrap for Wisdom Unplugged for today. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 426 – Rumors Are Dainty Morsels – Proverbs 18:1-12

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 426 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Rumors are Dainty Morsels – Proverbs 18:1-12

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 426 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the first half of Chapter 18.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. I drove back to Marietta by myself on Monday. Paula and her mom were planning on coming with me, but due to an unforeseen change of plans, they will join me Wednesday when this episode originally airs and will also bring with them a couple friends from Paula’s quilting guild. The group plans on investing the remainder of this week focused on quilting projects. On Saturday night, weather permitting we will all enjoy the fireworks display at Marietta’s Sternwheel Festival.

It is great to be able to share our home and invest time with friends. The relationships that we foster are the ones that will continue to flourish. Strong relationships are formed through trust and loyalty. The book of Proverbs has many verses that help us to understand these concepts so that we can apply them to our lives and our friendships. One verse in today’s passage speaks to a subject that can destroy a friendship, and that is spreading rumors about others. So the title of our trek today is taken from verse 8, and it starts out with…

Rumors are Dainty Morsels

Let’s start in with verse 1.

¹Unfriendly people care only about themselves;

they lash out at common sense.

We all know individuals that are so self-centered that they are hurtful to others. They lash out, even when it is not appropriate. Although there is no excuse for this type of behavior, it usually stems from the fact that these individuals really do not love themselves, so they compensate through selfish behavior that shows a lack of love for others.

²Fools have no interest in understanding;

they only want to air their own opinions.

Tied closely to the first verse, verse 2 describes a foolish and selfish person who does not care to be understanding of others. This individual is so bent on spewing his or her opinions about every topic that he or she ignores the damage he or she causes to others.

³Doing wrong leads to disgrace,

and scandalous behavior brings contempt.

Even in a culture or society where ethical values are not held in high regard, if a person continually does what is wrong or scandalous, it will eventually bring disgrace to that person and contempt from everyone who knows him or her.

⁴Wise words are like deep waters;

wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.

If you have ever seen or read about an artesian spring that bubbles up fresh cold water from deep within the earth, then you will have some understanding of the word picture that this verse paints. Words from a wise person are pure, sweet, and refreshing to everyone who hears them. Wise words flow from a wise person like the water from a spring flows into a refreshing brook.

⁵It is not right to acquit the guilty

or deny justice to the innocent.

In last week’s Wisdom Wednesday, I described a personal situation of a friend who was denied justice for 18 months although he was innocent. Just as wrong is when someone who is truly guilty is acquitted of their crimes. Both of these situations are detestable to God.

⁶Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels;

they are asking for a beating.

It is fairly easy to tell when a person is foolish. These people will have constant drama in their lives and quarrel with others, even about meaningless issues. These people will suffer the consequences of their foolishness.

⁷The mouths of fools are their ruin;

they trap themselves with their lips.

You have probably heard the saying that if you give a fool enough rope, he will hang himself. It is the same with their speech. They talk so much that they ruin their relationships with others. Their talk traps them in harmful situations.

⁸Rumors are dainty morsels

that sink deep into one’s heart.

Just like a tasty piece of rich milk chocolate is a morsel that melts in your mouth and then slides into your stomach, we all are just as prone to consume rumors about others. If we make this a habit, though, it will impact our hearts as it spoils our love for others. Rumors can become like overindulging on chocolate. It may taste good while it is in your mouth, but you will soon feel ill because of it.

⁹A lazy person is as bad as

someone who destroys things.

In most cultures, we think of a lazy person as someone who is not motivated. Solomon indicates that it is much worse. Being lazy is the same as destroying things. Through neglect lives are destroyed.

¹⁰The name of the Lord is a strong fortress;

the godly run to him and are safe.

God is our rock and our salvation. His protection and strength are poured out on us so the enemy cannot overtake us. All we have to do is to ensure we are residing within that fortress.

¹¹The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense;

they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.

In contrast to verse 10, if we rely on our wealth to be our strong fortress then we will be sadly mistaken. It will seem like a wall of safety, but it can crumble without warning.

¹²Haughtiness goes before destruction;

humility precedes honor.

This verse is similar to other verses in Proverbs. If we are full of pride, we will become careless in all of our dealings in life. It will soon catch up to us and destroy us. Opposite of this is remaining humble in all situations. Then God will lift us up in the proper time and setting.

The nuggets of wisdom that we gathered in verses 1-12 of Proverbs 18 provide more tasty morsels of wisdom, insight, and understanding. Regardless of your faith walk, if the precepts in Proverbs are followed, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of goodness.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person when you meet with them and invite them to come along with us each day.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 425 – The Winds of Adversity – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 425 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Winds of Adversity – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 425 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday & Thursday.

So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Arthur Golden who says, “Adversity is like a strong wind. I don’t mean just that it holds us back from places we might otherwise go. It also tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that afterward we see ourselves as we really are, and not merely as we might like to be.”

Adversity in life…None of us like it when we are going through it, but most of us realize when we look back on it that there is much that we can learn from those times of difficulties. The strongest trees are those that grow where the wind blows the hardest. It forces them to plunge their roots deep into the soil and cling to the bedrock that will allow them to stand strong.

In most cases, the taller the tree, the deeper the roots. So instead of resisting adversity when it comes along, and it will, learn from it, cherish the refining process, and send your roots deep into the foundation of your faith. As we are encouraged in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.”

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 424 – 15 Practical Guidelines to Live By

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 07:03:55 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 424 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

15 Practical Guidelines to Live By

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 24 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate you to live a rich and satisfying life this week. Today we will explore 15 Practical Guidelines to Live By.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The day this episode originally airs will be Labor Day in the United States, which is a day set aside to remember the working class laborer who has been an integral part of the building our country. We will also be heading back to Marietta today for a week. Paula is having a few of her Charlotte area friends up to The Big House for a quilting outing and to watch the fireworks at Marietta’s annual Sternwheel Festival. Since Marietta is built on the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers, sternwheelers and river traffic have been a big part of the town’s heritage. The fireworks display on Saturday night rivals the best displays anywhere. We usually try to make it to the festival when possible.

It is great to be able to get together with friends and family and share life together. This is usually fairly easy to do for most of us. What is not as easy is to treat other people well who may not like or who do not treat us well. As I was thinking about this, it brings to mind what the words that Jesus spoke that we refer to as “The Golden Rule,” and it motivated me to list some tips that may help all of us. As we break camp and head out on today’s trek let’s look at…

15 Practical Guidelines to Live By

As part of Jesus’s teaching one principle that is hard for all of us to grasp is to love those who do not love us, and yet as much as humanly possible we should endeavor to do so. In Luke 6:27-31 Jesus said, “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you.”

The last verse, “Do to others as you would like them to do to you,” is considered “The Golden Rule,” and all of us like to think we follow it. But do we follow the verses that precede it? I love the simplicity of the Golden Rule, and a closely related verse that sums up the entire Bible, which is Galatians 5:14, “For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”

Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

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It’s true. The rule of treating others as you would want to be treated in their place will ultimately lead to your own happiness. Let’s say that you apply the Golden Rule in all of your interactions with other people, and you help your neighbors, you treat your family with kindness, you go the extra mile for your co-workers, you help a stranger in need, you even help those who have not been kind to you.

Now, those actions will undoubtedly be good for the people you help and are kind to…but you’ll also notice an interesting result. People will treat you better. Beyond that, though, you will find a growing satisfaction in yourself, a belief in yourself, and knowledge that you love yourself properly and are making an impact on your world as you are creating a living legacy.

The truth is, on a day-to-day basis, living by the Golden Rule will make you a better person, will make those around you happier, and will make the community you live in a better place.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at 15 practical guidelines to live by each day.

1. Practice empathy. Make it a habit to try to see the world through the eyes and mind of others –any person, loved ones, co-workers, and people you meet on the street. Really try to understand to the extent that you can, what it is like to be them, what they are going through, and why they do what they do.
2. Practice compassion. Once you can understand another person and feel what they’re going through, then you can take even a small action to help them in some way.
3. How would you want to be treated? The Golden Rule doesn’t necessarily mean that you should treat someone else exactly as you’d want them to treat you. It means that you should try to imagine how they want to be treated and do that. So when you see through the eyes of others, ask yourself how you think they want to be treated. Ask yourself how you would want to be treated if you were in their situation.
4. Be kind. When in doubt, follow this guideline. It’s always good to be kind toward others. Of course, there may be times when others won’t react properly to your kindness, and you should be aware of that. You should also be friendly within the bounds of appropriateness. Who doesn’t like to be treated with kindness and feel welcomed and appreciated?
5. Be helpful. This is one of the weaknesses of our society. Sure, there are many people who go out of their way to be helpful, and that is great. But most of us have a tendency to keep to ourselves and to ignore the problems of others. Don’t be blind to the needs and troubles of others. Look to help even before you’re asked.
6. Be courteous in traffic. This is another weakness of our society. Think of the many times when we are selfish when we’re driving. We don’t want to give up the right of way, we cut people off, and we honk and curse. We feel that where we are going is more important than the other drivers. Perhaps it’s the isolation of the automobile. Most people don’t act that rude in person. So be courteous in traffic.
7. Listen to others. Another weakness is that most people love to talk, especially about themselves, but very few of us want to listen. We all want to be listened to, so turn that around and take the time to actually listen to another person, rather than just wait your turn to talk. It’ll also go a long way to helping you understand others.
8. Overcome prejudice. We all have our prejudices, whether it’s based on skin color, attractiveness, height, age, gender, ethnicity, or religion. Try to see each person as an individual human being made in the image of God with different backgrounds, needs, and dreams. Try to see the commonalities between you and that person, despite your differences.
9. Stop criticism. Most of us have a tendency to criticize others, whether it’s people we know or people we see on television. However, ask yourself if you would like to be criticized in that person’s situation. The answer is almost always “no.” So hold back your criticism, and instead, learn to interact with others in a positive way.
10. Don’t control others. It’s also rare that people want to be controlled. I know that I do not. So don’t do it with others. This is a difficult thing, especially if we are conditioned to control people. But when you get the urge to control, see yourself through their eyes. You would want freedom, autonomy, and trust, wouldn’t you? Give that to others then.
11. Be a child. The urge to control and criticize is especially strong when we are adults dealing with children. In some cases it’s necessary during the formative years. Disciple them with love. Remember what it was like to be a child and to be criticized and controlled. You probably didn’t like it. How would you want to be treated if you were that child?
12. Start each day right. Put a note on your mirror or refrigerator, or email yourself a daily reminder of “Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” Repeat it throughout the day and have a pop-up reminder so that it becomes part of the very fabric of your life.
13. Rise above retaliation. We have a tendency to strike back when we’re treated badly. This is natural. Resist that urge. The Golden Rule isn’t about retaliation, in fact, the verses preceding teach us the opposite. It’s about treating others well, despite how they treat you. Does that mean you should be a doormat or be physically or emotionally abused? No, you have to protect yourself from spiritual, emotional, and physical harm, but you can do so in a way where you still treat others properly and don’t strike back just because they treated you badly first. Remember Jesus’s wise (but difficult to follow) advice to turn the other cheek.
14. Be a change agent. Gandhi famously told us to be the change we want to see in the world. We often think of that quote as applying to grand changes, such as poverty, racism, and violence. Our changes may result in that, but it starts on a much smaller scale with all the small interactions between people. Do you want people to treat each other with more compassion and kindness? Then let it start with you. Even if the world doesn’t change, at least you have.
Notice how it makes you feel. Notice how your actions affect others, especially when you start to treat them with kindness, compassion, respect, trust, and love. But also notice the change in yourself. Do you feel better about yourself? Happier? More secure? Or more willing to trust others now that you trust yourself? These changes come slowly and in small increments, but if you pay attention, you’ll see them..

Today on our trek we explored 15 Practical Guidelines to Live By based on the Golden Rule. Take time to apply them to your life and see how it changes you and the impact that you have on your world.

Tomorrow’s short trek is part of our Wisdom Unplugged series that we are now hiking on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These 2-3 minute wisdom supplements will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise throughout the entire week. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person when you meet with them and invite them to come along with us each day.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 423 – The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Philosophy (1)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 07:03:48 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 423 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Philosophy Part 1

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 423 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life, and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Last Friday we began a multi-week trek as we began to explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. As mentioned last week, the core of this trek will be based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book called The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. After working onsite with one of our Marietta clients on Wednesday, we headed south again for just a few days. Paula’s mom has a doctor appointment and one of our nephews is getting married on Saturday in Atlanta, Georgia. On Monday, which is Labor Day in the United States, we will head back to The Big House for about a week before returning to Charlotte again.

As we trek back and forth between Ohio and North Carolina, we don’t want to ignore the practical application of these travels to life’s trek should not be lost. Most of life is made up of the daily grind of just being faithful to the small details. As we travel mile after mile, we can only make progress by repeating each mile 365 times, and so it is with life. You will make progress by living one day at a time and then connecting those days together while heading toward your intended destination. On our trek for today, we will take what we learned last Friday and begin on the first of five trails on life’s trek, which is the Philosophy Trail. So, let’s break camp and head out on the first trail of this extended trek as we cover…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek –Philosophy Part 1

Last week we invested time in camp preparing for hiking The Five Trails on Life’s Trek. Those five trails are:

Philosophy
Attitude
Activity
Results
Lifestyle

Although all of these trails are important, philosophy is the foundation or primary trail from which the other four trails branch from. Your philosophy can also be described as your worldview or paradigm from where your thought process originates. A major factor in determining how your life turns out is the way you choose to think. What you think about is a choice that you make every day. Everything that goes on inside your mind in the form of thoughts, ideas, and information forms your personal philosophy. Your philosophy then influences your habits and behavior, and this is really where it all begins.

Since we are on the Trail of Philosophy, let us examine how your personal philosophy is formed. Your personal philosophy comes from what you know and from the process of how you came to know all that you currently know. Throughout your life you receive input from a multitude of sources. What you know comes from school, friends, associates, media influences, home, and other places where you invest time. It also comes from books you are reading or listening to, and it comes from listening and observing throughout all aspects of your life. The sources of knowledge and information that have contributed to the formation of your current philosophy are virtually unlimited.

As an adult, all of the new information that comes your way is examined through the filter of your personal philosophy. Those concepts that seem to agree with the conclusions you have already reached are added to your storehouse of knowledge and serve to reinforce your current thinking. Those ideas that seem to contradict your beliefs are usually quickly rejected.

You are constantly in the process of checking your preexisting beliefs for accuracy or confirmation in the light of new information. As you blend the new with the old, the result is either the strengthening of your past beliefs or the broadening of your current philosophy in light of new and valuable information about life and people.

The same beliefs that form your personal philosophy also determine your value system. As a Christ follower, my philosophy has been strongly influenced by the truths and teachings in the Bible, which I believe to be God’s Word.

Your beliefs led you to make certain decisions about what is valuable to you as a person. Each day you choose to do whatever you think is valuable. If you decide to start your day at five o’clock each morning in order to take advantage of opportunities that will enable you to provide your family with more of the good things in life, then what are you really doing? You are doing what your philosophy has taught you is valuable. Conversely, if you choose to sleep until noon you are also doing what you consider to be valuable. But the result from the two different philosophies – from the decisions you make about what is valuable – will be drastically different.

We all have our own ideas about the things that affect our lives based on the information we have gathered over the years. Each of us has a personal view about government, education, the economy, our employer, and a host of other issues. What you think about these issues adds to your emerging philosophy (or worldview) and causes you to reach certain conclusions about life and how it operates. These conclusions then lead you to make specific value judgments, which determine how you will act on any given day and in any given circumstance.

You have made and will continue to make decisions based upon what you think is valuable. Whether the decisions you are making will lead you toward inevitable success or unavoidable failure depends on the information you have gathered over the years to form your personal philosophy. As an example, I believe in all areas of life your harvest is based on what you plant which I take from Galatians 6:7, “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.” Another example for me is taken from Galatians 4:14, “For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Based on this verse, if I do not love myself properly, then I am incapable of loving others properly.

Consider this analogy – Your personal philosophy is like the setting of the sail on a boat. In the process of living, the winds of circumstance blow on you in an unending flow that touches your life. We have all experienced the blowing winds of disappointment, despair, and heartbreak. Why then, would each of us, in our own individual ship of life, all beginning at the same point, with the same intended destination in mind, arrive at such different places at the end of the journey? Have we not all sailed on the same sea of life? Have we not all been blown by the same winds of circumstance and buffeted by the same turbulent storms of discontent?

What guides us to different destinations in life is determined by the way we have chosen to set our sail. The way that each of us thinks makes the major difference in where each of us arrives. The major difference is not circumstance. The major difference is the set of the sail. The same circumstances happen to us all. We all have those moments when, in spite of our best plans and efforts, life just seems to fall apart.

Challenging circumstances are not events reserved for the poor, the uneducated, or the destitute. The rich and the poor have children who get into trouble. The rich and the poor have marital problems. The rich and the poor have the same challenges that can lead to financial ruin and personal despair. In the final analysis, it is not what happens to us that determines the quality of our lives, it is what we choose to do when we have struggled to set the sail and then discover, after all of our efforts, that the wind has changed direction.

When the winds change, you must change. You must struggle to your feet once more and reset the sail in the manner that will steer you toward the destination of your own deliberate choosing. The set of your sail, how you think and how you respond has a far greater capacity to destroy your lives than any challenges you face. How quickly and responsibly you react to adversity is far more important than the adversity itself. Once you discipline yourself to understand this, you will finally and willingly conclude that the great challenge of life is to control the process of your own thinking.

What guides us to different destinations in life is determined by the way we have chosen to set our sail.

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Learning to reset the sail with the changing winds rather than permitting yourself to be blown in a direction you did not purposely choose requires the development of a whole new discipline. It involves going to work on establishing a powerful, personal philosophy that will help to influence in a positive way all that you do and all that you think and decide. If you can succeed in this worthy endeavor, the result will be a change in the course of your income, bank account, lifestyle and relationships, and feelings about the things of value as well as the times of challenge. If you can alter the way you perceive, judge and decide upon the main issues of life, then you can dramatically change your life.

If you can alter the way you perceive, judge and decide upon the main issues of life, then you can dramatically change your life.

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Today we have just started up the Trail of Philosophy, and we explored how important your thinking is in the creation of your personal philosophy. If you find that your personal philosophy is not as strong as you desire then you will want to join the continuation of our trek on the Trail of Philosophy next Friday as we discover How to Develop a Powerful Personal Philosophy as we hike The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life. Our next trek will be Motivation Monday where we explore more trails of how to get and stay motivated to bring value to your world. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person when you meet with them and invite them to come along with us each day.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 422 – Adversity = Opportunity – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 07:03:53 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 422 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Adversity = Opportunity – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 422 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom on Tuesday & Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Ara Parseghian, the famous coach of Notre Dame. His quote is “Adversity affords unique opportunities to elicit superior performance from hidden talent that would otherwise remain dormant.”

Adversity tends to become a refining fire in many people’s lives. When you are pushed and tested, your true resolve will become evident. Talents that you did not realize were part of the very fabric of your soul will come to the surface and will be your strength. This new found strength will take you to new heights so that you can boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Every biography that you will read about a person who has achieved any type of success or recognition shows a life filled with adversity, trials, and failures. We should not only welcome these times of adversity, but find joy in them. Jesus’s half-brother James put it well when he wrote in his letter in Chapter 1:2-4, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

That is a wrap for Wisdom Unplugged for today. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 421 – A Cheerful Heart is Good Medicine – Proverbs 17:15-28

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 07:03:54 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 421 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A Cheerful Heart is Good Medicine – Proverbs [17:15]-28

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 421 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 2^nd half of Chapter 17.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. As we wrap up another month today, it is amazing just how quickly time does pass by. While it is very important that we maximize our impact on our world each day, it is also very important to enjoy all that we do and to take the time to relax, recharge, and reenergize. It is then that we can be most effective.

It is imperative that we plan, prepare, and execute effectively each day but realize that ultimately our dependence is on God to give us the wisdom, insight, and understanding that we need to keep moving forward and succeed in our endeavors. As Jesus’s half-brother James wrote in his letter in Chapter 4:13-15, “Look here, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.’ How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.’”

Never stop your pursuit to learn, to laugh, to love – maximize your impact today so that your legacy will continue to live on through the lives of others into eternity. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

With this in mind, it is time to head out on our trail for today, as we discover more nuggets of wisdom in the book of Proverbs. We will dig through the verses 15-28 of Chapter 17, and the title of our trek for today is extracted from verse 22 and starts out with…

A Cheerful Heart is Good Medicine

Let’s start in with verse 15.

¹⁵ Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—
both are detestable to the Lord.

There are few things in life more difficult than to see justice perverted in the courts of law, and yet it is all too prevalent in the courts around the world. I personally experienced this situation when a friend was wrongly accused on two different issues near the same time and was placed in the county jail with no warning. He did not have money to post bail, so he remained there for 18 months while his case went through the process during which the prosecutor continually tried to force a plea bargain on him for something of which he was innocent. He persevered and finally had his “day(s) in court” and was completely exonerated by a jury of his peers. I visited him weekly during this time, so it became very real to me also. While justice was finally served, and my friend was freed, it was a trying 18 month period. I certainly understand better why this type of practice is detestable to God.

¹⁶It is senseless to pay to educate a fool,
since he has no heart for learning.

When a person has no obligation or responsibility, there is less of a reason to try. If a person does not have a real desire to learn, even if you remove the obstacle of cost, this person will not learn. It is far better to have the desire to learn and the responsibility to pay for that education, for it is then that true learning takes place.

¹⁷A friend is always loyal,
and a brother is born to help in time of need.

You will be able to tell who your true friends are when you are in times of struggle and hardship. They will not only be there to strengthen and encourage you but also to hold you accountable when you get off base. A true physical or spiritual brother/sister will be there when you need him or her most.

¹⁸It’s poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt
or put up security for a friend.

Debt is always a millstone around your neck and a weight to hold you down. Debt, in nearly all situations, is not wise. It causes you to become a slave to the lender. My advice is to be very careful to avoid any debt. There are very few true necessities in life, so do not borrow for non-essentials. It is very unwise to guarantee another person’s debt, especially if it is not an essential for them. Guaranteeing a debt for someone else is the same legal obligation as borrowing the money yourself, and you do not have any legal rights to what is purchased. If someone else can’t afford it, then they may need to wait until they can. Lenders will always attempt to get a co-signer for a loan even if it is not required.

¹⁹Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin;
anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.

If you are a person who loves to argue with others, it is an indication of a proud heart. You feel that your way is always right. This in itself is a sinful habit. If you are standing on the truth, it will speak for itself, there is no reason to argue your point. In a related thought, if you have to build high walls around who you are in an attempt to protect yourself, you are inviting others to breach those walls. This is human nature. Instead, stand for the truth, and high walls are not needed.

²⁰The crooked heart will not prosper;
the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.

The truth will always win out in the end. Although it does not appear to be the case at times, given time it will. Those with crooked hearts will suffer, and those who lie to get ahead will trip on the very lies they propagate.

²¹It is painful to be the parent of a fool;
there is no joy for the father of a rebel.

It does strike to your very heart when your children, whether physically or spiritually, make unwise and foolish decisions when you have taught them otherwise. It is difficult to remain joyful when they turn away from God’s Word. We have come to the position in our lives that we will not allow the unwise and foolish choices of others to rob us of our joy because the joy of the Lord is our strength.

²²A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

While I am not a doctor nor have I ever played one on TV, I was an EMT during college. Beyond that though, I have seen the proof in my own life, and in the lives of countless others that it is very true that if you choose a heart full of cheer each day regardless of your circumstance which is better than any medicine that can be prescribed, and there are no negative side effects. On the other hand, if you do not choose a cheerful heart, your spirit will become broken, and you will lose your strength to live the rich and satisfying life that we are meant to live.

²³The wicked take secret bribes
to pervert the course of justice.

This is all too familiar with companies and governments around the world today. Bribes are given and taken with little thought of recourse. We do see the perversion of justice on a daily basis. We can take heart that God’s justice will prevail in the end.

²⁴Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom,
but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

Gaining wisdom requires daily focus. To be a sensible person, you must have a passion and burning desire to gain wisdom. You will not allow the distractions of life to pull you away. Contrary to this is the fool who is always looking for something bigger and better. They will search everywhere but never find what they are seeking.

²⁵Foolish children bring grief to their father
and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.

Similar to other verses in Proverbs that we have studied, it does bring grief and bitterness to parents who have poured their hearts and souls into their children and then see them make unwise choices that will bring them harm. Your hope is in the fact that if you planted the seeds of God’s Word into their hearts that eventually those seeds will begin to grow once again.

²⁶It is wrong to punish the godly for being good
or to flog leaders for being honest.

This verse may seem obvious, but in many situation and cultures, the good and honest ones are being punished. This is not right. Let us always work toward the promotion and encouragement of those individuals that are being good and honest, especially if they are in the position of leadership.

²⁷A truly wise person uses few words;
a person with understanding is even-tempered.

²⁸Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent;
with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

Verses 27-28 are tied together and are a couple of my favorite verses. We do not have to go on pontificating about our opinions, wisdom, and insight. If we are truly wise, our lack of speaking will shout volumes. A wise and understanding person will also be an even-tempered person, not given to emotional highs and lows. To expand beyond this, in a rather comical banter, even if you are a foolish person, you can minimize others knowing it by keeping silent. You may even appear to be an intelligent person. This is so hard for the foolish and ignorant because they are usually spewing so much useless talk that it is obvious what they are like.

The nuggets of wisdom that we gathered in verses 15-28 of Proverbs 17 provide more tasty morsels of wisdom, insight, and understanding. Regardless of your faith walk, if the precepts in Proverbs are followed, your life will be rich and satisfying. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of goodness.

Tomorrow we will hike another short trail of Wisdom Unplugged where we will discover an inspirational wisdom quote. So, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and inviting them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 420 – Praise or Criticism – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 420 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Praise or Criticism – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week, wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 420 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday & Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from an unknown author and says, “Adverse criticism from a wise man does more good than the enthusiastic praise of a fool.”

We all like to receive praise and compliments from others. It is a basic human desire to be accepted by others. While there is nothing wrong with the desire to be praised by others, you do need to get to the point of accepting yourself enough that your need for acceptance by others is minimized. Anytime you are praised by someone, consider their true concern for you and for your improvement. It is far better to receive constructive criticism from a wise person who has your best interest at heart than a fool who is only placating you or desires something from you. This quote may have been taken from Ecclesiastes 7:5 which says, “Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool.” On the flip side of this, when you offer praise or compliments to others, what is your motive? You should always be kind, but have others best interest in mind. Be wise, praise when it is deserved, and disciple when it is needed. Be willing to accept the same from others.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 419 – 10 Practical Lessons for Life

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 419 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

10 Practical Lessons for Life

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 419 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate you to live a rich and satisfying life this week. Today we will explore the 10 Practical Lessons for Life on our trek and how to apply them.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. The weekend was full of activities and very fulfilling. On Friday evening we attended an open house at the small private school where our two oldest grandsons, Paul and Gideon will be attending this year. It is great to see and learn about the school and know that they will receive good instruction from a Christian worldview.

On Saturday, I was able to get the lawns mowed around The Big House and the two other homes my brother Jack owns on the property. I was also able to finish up painting a bit of exterior trim outside of the dining room. Saturday evening we attended our local volunteer fireman’s ice cream social in Devola. We like to support those who invest their time to provide us with fire and emergency services. It’s always a good time to catch up with some friends in the neighborhood. On Sunday we drove north to Cambridge to attend church with Dad and have lunch with him at The Cracker Barrel, which is always a blessed time.

The day this episode airs will be my 60^th birthday. This is a milestone, not that I feel, look, or act my age, but because it is a time of reflection on where my journey has brought me to this point in life. I reflect on the impact that I have had on the lives of others. Looking forward, I am very excited to see how much greater of an impact I can have during my next 60+ years based on the experience, knowledge, and wisdom that God has granted me so far.

God willing and with the rapid improvement in healthcare technologies, it is very possible that I could live another 60+ years. With this thought in mind, although my occupation and duties may change through the years, the potential to continue impacting my world is virtually unlimited. Most of all, I want to enjoy the journey, wherever that takes us, as we keep moving forward. These thoughts motivate and encourage me and bring to mind some lessons to motivate you. As we break camp and head out on today’s trek, let’s look at…

10 Practical Lessons for Life

As I reflect back on the past 60 years, I don’t dwell on the past or think about what might have been. I do use the experiences and lessons learned to help make wiser and more knowledgeable choices as I move forward. I cannot change anything in the past, but I can change how the future turns out by the choices that I make each day. The ability to think through a situation and make wise choices is imperative to living a rich and satisfying life. It would have served me well if I had learned some of life’s lessons earlier, but since that was not the case, it is vital that we take what we have learned and proactively seek wisdom, insight, and understanding each day.

One concept where we can assist our children, grandchildren, family, and others that we impact is to teach them the importance of learning how to think, not necessarily what to think. Critical thinking skills are so much more important than the memorization of content or concepts. As a Christ follower, I feel that it is very important to have morals and values as our foundation based on God’s Word because this will shape our critical thinking skills. With that said, here are 10 practical lessons for life.

1. Begin with the end in mind

When you use critical thinking skills, it allows you to think forward to the end outcome of any situation. If you are able to visualize the outcome of the choices that you are making when making choices in life, then it allows you to determine if the result of that choice is what you desire.

2. Live today as if it were your last

How would your decisions change if you knew today would be your last? None of us know for sure when God has determined our last breath. Would you live for yourself, or would you strive to make the biggest positive impact on the lives of those that you love? Yes, you do need to make long-term plans, but realize that you need to do what is important for today. Do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

3. Leave no regrets behind

Every decision and choice is important. Make decisions and choices each day that leave no room for regrets. Even if you live well over 100, live in such a way each day that you leave no regrets behind.

4. Think for yourself

This is the key element to obtaining and using critical thinking skills. Yes, you can learn a lot from others who have experience, knowledge, and wisdom, but your life is unique, and God made you for His special purpose. Do not become a lemming, instead learn how to think for yourself. It is okay to ask why and to question the premise of others. You alone are responsible for the decisions that you make.

5. Use the “Acid-Test”

Too many people are at a loss when it comes to making decisions, especially important ones. You may say, there is just too much stuff to consider. You may be thinking about all the “what-ifs,” worrying about the possible implications of your decision, scared to death because of the fear of failure. These factors influence your decision making. When making crucial decisions, honestly ask yourself, “What is the worst-case scenario that could result from this decision?” Next ask yourself, “What the best case scenario is?” Then determine whether you are willing to accept the risk of the worst-case scenario and if that risk is worth the potential benefit of the best case scenario. I like to look at it this way. If it does not result in the loss of life or limb, then you can recover from all other scenarioss.

6. Make the best choice based on your current knowledge

You can second guess yourself on all decisions and choices that you make large or small. Make your best choice based on your current knowledge considering the potential outcomes, and then go for it. In most decisions we make, the final outcome is not all that earth shattering. Learn to enjoy the journey while on route to whatever destination that you choose. Remember also, there may be many different routes to the same destination. If one is blocked, choose another.

7. Don’t be a perfectionist

Perfectionism will lead to procrastination or paralysis. If you have perfectionist tendencies, you have to realize that done is better than perfect. While I am not advocating doing less than you are capable of, you have to realize that no one is perfect, so instead strive for excellence. It is much better to complete a task, even if it is not perfect than delay even starting for fear that it will not be perfect.

8. Manage your expectations

Many of our disappointments in life are because we have not properly managed our expectations of people or situations. You have to realize that it is difficult to control and manage ourselves. It is impossible to control others and many situations on a long-term basis. We should set expectations of ourselves high enough to stretch us but realistically enough so that we can achieve them. When dealing with others, it is fine to set expectations, but realize that you cannot control them and manage your response.

9. Life is short so make it count

Regardless whether you live to be 20 or 120 life is relatively short, especially in light of eternity. Live each day as fully as possible so that you can have maximum impact on the lives of others. That is why it is so important to LIVE your legacy today! Don’t ignore death, but don’t be afraid of it either. Be afraid of a life you never lived because you were too afraid to take action. Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside you while you’re still alive. Be bold. Be courageous. Be scared to death of taking the next step, and then take the next step anyway. You need to make the most of today because in light of eternity, your life is but a mist. In a letter that Jesus’s half-brother James wrote he said in 4:14, “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.”

10. Take care of yourself

You will be no good to anyone if you don’t first take care of yourself. By this I mean physically, mentally, and spiritually. Take time each day to renew your mind with God’s Word and other good and wholesome information. Invest time each day in prayer and meditation. Invest time each day eating right and exercising. No one can take your place in this world. We all have 168 hours each week, no more, no less. You are never too busy to take care of yourself. If you think you think you are, then you are too busy with tasks that are not as important. It then boils down to priorities, so change the way you think. Romans 12:2 tells us, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Today on our trek we explored 10 Practical Lessons for Life, based on my first 60 years on this earth. Take time to apply them to your life, as I will as I look forward to the next 60 years. Feel free to share your comments or questions by emailing me at guthrie@wisdom-trek.com, and I will get back to you.

Tomorrow’s short trek is part of our Wisdom Unplugged series that we are now hiking on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These are 2-3 minute wisdom supplements will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise throughout the entire week. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and inviting them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically. I would also appreciate it if you would rate and review us on iTunes or Google Play so that others will find out about Wisdom-Trek and join us.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 418 – The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Introduction

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 418 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Introduction

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 418 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life, and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Today we will begin an extended multi-week trek as we explore the teachings from some of my virtual mentors, such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Earl Nightingale. The core of this trek will be based primarily on Jim Rohn’s book called The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I have learned a considerable amount from reading and re-reading this book on my own trek of life, and I trust that it will benefit you also. Keeping with the continuity of Wisdom-Trek, I will be adapting it to The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. It has proven to be a very busy work week with our clients. This included remote software technical support for a client that we primarily assist with financial work and a significant uptick in transactions for our construction projects in Arizona. This has not left much time for our podcasting related work although I did create a simple online program to store, search, and print the nearly 11,000 wisdom quotes that I have been curating for many years.

Yesterday, Paula and I celebrated our 37^th wedding anniversary. I have truly been blessed with a wonderful bride who has brought my joy and peace into life’s trek, which is full of unexpected obstacles and detours. When you have a trusted partner to trek with as well as a solid trail map or GPS, we can avoid getting lost along our trails of life. Today we will prepare for an extended trek with some basic ideas and thoughts before we begin to explore the five trails of life’s trek. So let’s take some time at camp today before we head out on…

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Introduction

If you have joined me for any length of time on our Wisdom-Trek, you know that in order to journey through life in a manner that is rich and satisfying, that you need to not only accept change but embrace it as good. Except for the triune God, everything else in life changes. Hebrews 13:8 tells us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” So for everything else, we must understand “the only constant in life is change.”

You may wonder how the process of change begins. Change comes from one of two sources. First, you may be driven to change out of desperation. Sometimes your circumstances can become so out-of-control that you almost abandon your search for answers because your life seems to be filled only with irresolvable questions. But it is this overwhelming sense of desperation that finally drives you to look for the solutions. Desperation is the final and inevitable result of months or years of accumulated neglect that brings you to that point in time where you find yourself driven by urgent necessity to find immediate answers to life’s accumulated challenges.

The second source that drives us to make changes in our lives is inspiration. Hopefully, that is where you find yourself right now – about to become sufficiently inspired to make major and dramatic changes in your life as a result of what we will share together on our trek each Friday.

Inspiration can come to you at any time and from many sources. A song can inspire you, a book can inspire you, as can an effective and moving speech. The story of someone who has succeeded in spite of difficulty can stir your emotions. Inspiration, from whatever the source, arouses feelings within you that rekindle hope, ambition, and determination. It is a momentary whisper of encouragement and reassurance that causes you to become aware of your potential. You sense a spark of desire, and your mind flashes from one possibility to another, each thought-laden with the promise of future success and happiness. In this fleeting moment when inspiration stirs your soul, you are either driven into action, or you do nothing – being content to enjoy the warm feeling that is within you until, at last, the warmth moves on, taking with it the promise and the possibilities.

Wherever life finds you at the moment, whether responding to desperation or seeking inspiration, I urge you to make sure that you hike our Wisdom-Trek each Philosophy Friday. In fact, I would encourage you to join us Monday through Friday to keep that fire of inspiration fueled to actually make the changes needed in your life. In the end, your life will be judged not by the things that you began, but by the things that your effort and resolve brought to a successful conclusion.

The inspiration that you will receive from these treks has the capacity to alter your circumstance. For these ideas and principles to make an impact in your life, you must take time in the weeks ahead to seriously contemplate the direction of your life, and to ponder the message and carefully apply the principles on our treks each day and week.

As we study our trail map in preparing for the trek, there are a few important and preliminary insights that can start you on your journey toward success and happiness.

There are always just a few important principles that account for most of the progress you make on life’s trek. It is these “basics” that have the greatest effect on your health, your happiness, and your bank accounts. This is not to suggest that there are only a few life-changing ideas that will affect you, for surely there are many. What I am suggesting, however, is that you begin your search by focusing on the five fundamental trails that we will take on this extended trek. It is these few among the many that will account for the biggest share of the results you will achieve.

You will never be able to master every aspect of life. To try to become the master of every detail of your life will only lead to frustration. Instead, why not go after the few among the many; the few that will make the most difference; the core trails that will have the greatest impact in determining the quality of your existence and reaching your destination?

As you hike the trails for answers to the rich and satisfying life, always be in search of those few major trails that make the most difference. If you master these basic trails, I can promise that you will not be disappointed with the results.

It is the basics – the fundamentals of life – that we all need to master. These are the same key trails for success and happiness that have existed for the last six thousand years of recorded history. There are no new fundamentals for human achievement. Basics are basics, and anything else is merely an activity designed to refine or expand upon those same principles. King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, wrote in Ecclesiastes 1:9, “History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.”

In any attempt to improve your current circumstances, never allow yourself to drift from those Bible-based, time-proven principles, which have flowed from generation to generation in a steady stream to serve as the fundamentals for finding, developing, and living the rich and satisfying life.

As we hike these trails on this extended trek, I would encourage you to develop your own list of the core principles that make the most difference in your life to maximize your impact.

It is important to understand that the five trails that we will explore on our trek may not be the only five to the exclusion of all others. I am neither so wise nor so arrogant as to suggest that I have all of the answers and that my answers are the only answers. The principles or trails that we will cover on our trek are five important trails of life and are as fundamental to your success now as they were for preceding generations. These are the trails that have been hiked before.

Through all my years of study and experience, through all my encounters with both success and failure, and through all the conversations and associations I have had the privilege to share, it is these five trails that I have seen as primary in their capacity to produce life-changing results.

As with any strenuous hike, endurance is often the best indicator if conquering a difficult trail will be successful. That is why I mapped out these five enduring principles or trails as the “fundamental basics” that have proven to be the trails of success in all areas of life. I will do my best to guide as we follow in the footsteps of the lives of those who have done well with life’s challenges and opportunities by taking these same trails. If you are wondering what these five trails are that we will hike, they are Philosophy, Attitude, Activity, Results, and Lifestyle.

As with any strenuous hike, endurance is often the best indicator if conquering a difficult trail will be successful.

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I do not have the final and unchallenged answers for finding the rich and satisfying life. I will leave that to God. As best as I can, I follow His Word as my trail map for life. There may be others who claim to know better trails to take, but there are certain laws and precepts of life that have stood the test of time. That is why my best advice has always been to stick to these five basics principles or trails of life. If you follow along with me on our trek by investing both time and careful attention, you will see why I consider these The Five Trails on Life’s Trek.

Today we have studied our trail map in preparation for hiking The Five Trails of Life’s Trek. It is important that we prepare properly. Next Philosophy Friday we will begin to explore the Trail of Your Philosophy. I know you will find these insights interesting and profitable in living a rich and satisfying life.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and inviting them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically. I would also appreciate it if you would rate and review us on iTunes or Google Play so that others will find out about Wisdom-Trek and join us.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 417 – Accept Yourself – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 417 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Accept Yourself – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 417 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday & Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Maxwell Maltz, the author of Phycho Cybernetics, which I listened to several years ago. His book is focused on how important it is to incorporate a healthy self-image into your life. His quote is “Accept yourself as you are. Otherwise, you will never see opportunity. You will not feel free to move toward it; you will feel you are not deserving.”

If you expect to have a significant positive impact on your world, you need to be able to accept yourself as worthy of success and impact. We all see the world through our own paradigm or viewpoint, and if we allow seeds of self-doubt and unworthiness to be planted into our minds. Then weeds will flourish and choke out any potential good fruit that might grow.

One saying that is a pet peeve of mine is when I hear someone say, “I can’t win for losing.“ This is such a destructive thought to plant into your mind. Even with a healthy self-image and self-acceptance, we must continually pluck the negative weeds of doubt and unworthiness so that the good fruit can grow. It is then we will be able to see the opportunities that are presented to us so that we can grasp them. Let us incorporate a new saying in our minds, “I can’t lose for winning.“ God made us in His image to be like Him. We are worthy because God is worthy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 416 – Love Prospers – Proverbs 17:1-14

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 416 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Love Prospers – Proverbs 17:1-14

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 416 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 1st half of chapter 17.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We had planned to drive up to Marietta on Sunday, but some medicine that we were waiting to be shipped to Paula’s mom did not arrive until Monday. So we delayed our plans by 1 day. Fortunately, we had nothing pressing on Monday, so we left after the mail arrived with her medicine. When we travel on a weekday, it does require that Paula drives so that I can continue to work providing remote software support for one of our clients. There is fairly good data coverage most of the trip, so I am able to stay connected and work as we travel.

After making a quick stop for a few groceries, we arrived home at about 8 pm. It looks like the lawn needs to be mowed, so I will have to work in that this week along with a little bit of exterior trim that I need to finish up while we are here this time. With a house of this size and age, there will always be some project that needs to be completed, but we will work them in when possible and enjoy the time.

It is time to head out on our trail for today as we discover more nuggets of wisdom in the book of Proverbs. We will dig through the first 14 verses, and the title of our trek for today is extracted from verse 9 and starts out with…

Love Prospers

Let’s start in with verse 1.

¹Better a dry crust eaten in peace

than a house filled with feasting—and conflict.

In this verse, Solomon reiterates a concept that he introduced previously. It is much better to have very little to eat and a house filled with love for each other, than a house filled with food, but conflict with family and friends. If you have ever eaten a scrap of dried crust, you know how tasteless and non-filling it is, but if you are sharing it with those you love and are at peace then it is special. Contrary to this, is having plenty to eat, but the meal times are not enjoyable because of the conflict.

²A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son

and will share the inheritance of the master’s children.

A faithful and wise servant or employee will gain favor with the master or business owner, even to the point that they could receive a share of the inheritance or company profits. This would certainly be considered if the children disgraced their parents or were wasteful of what the master/owner worked so hard to obtain.

³Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,

but the Lord tests the heart.

If you have ever observed how gold or silver are purified, it is by melting them at an extremely high temperature and then waiting for the impurities that are mixed in the gold and silver to come to the surface so that it can be skimmed off. These impurities are considered dross. In the same way, you may have to go through the fires of tribulation and hardship so God can purge that which is impure from your life. You should not shun this, but welcome it as part of your maturing process.

⁴Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip;

liars pay close attention to slander.

The person who enjoys and shares in the gossiping about others is doing wrong. We should minimize our exposure to this type of person. A person who enjoys, listens to, and then spreads gossip is a slanderer. We should not take advice from these people. The fact is, when you are not around, they are probably slandering you.

⁵Those who mock the poor insult their Maker;

those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.

God has a deep abiding love for all, and especially those who are poor because of their misfortune. We should never take advantage or insult those who are less fortunate than we are. We should never rejoice if someone falls on hard times, but instead always be looking for ways to help and assist those who are struggling. We really do not know what most people have and are going through.

⁶Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged;

parents are the pride of their children.

As a gramps of 6 grandchildren (so far), I can personally testify that they are indeed the crowning glory. It is such a blessing to be able to share with them and invest time with them. In the same way, we as parents should live in such a way that our children are proud of who we are and what we have accomplished, especially when it is in reference to how we raised them and how we love them unconditionally.

⁷Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool;

even less are lies fitting for a ruler.

When you think of someone that is foolish, you do not expect them to speak articulately or persuasively, since that would be very out of character. It is even a more serious situation of someone who is in a position of authority to be a person who lies. It appears that most politicians of today, don’t follow this advice.

⁸A bribe is like a lucky charm;

whoever gives one will prosper!

Solomon is not condoning bribery in this verse. He is just stating a fact. While we do not experience bribery as blatantly in the USA as we hear about in some other countries, as you think about all of the lobbyists that influence the making of our laws, it is evident that it does flourish. The person who accepts the bribe enriches himself, and the person giving the bribe received what they intended.

⁹Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,

but dwelling on it separates close friends.

It is so much better to forgive when someone does wrong to us. When we are willing to forgive and love, then the friendship will prosper. If we choose not to, we will separate and both be miserable. This is true in marriages and close friendships. Be willing to forgive the faults of others.

¹⁰A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding

than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.

A person who is willing and receptive to learning is a person of understanding. It does not take strong instruction for them to continue to learn because they know that is how they become wise and gain knowledge. Contrary to this is the fool who is not easily persuaded. They could be severely reprimanded but will feel it is someone else’s fault.

¹¹Evil people are eager for rebellion,

but they will be severely punished.

A person with wicked and evil intents also have a rebellious nature to them. They are more interested in themselves than others. If they continue on this path, selfishness and pride will eventually be their downfall.

¹²It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs

than to confront a fool caught in foolishness.

One of the most dangerous creatures that you can confront is a mother bear whose cubs have been taken from her. She is very protective and will fight off any humans or animals to preserve her cubs. Even in a situation that is so dangerous, Solomon tells us that a fool that is found out is worse than that mother bear.

¹³If you repay good with evil,

evil will never leave your house.

This verse once again goes back to the principle of planting and harvesting. If you plant evil, especially as a repayment for good, then you will harvest continual evil.

¹⁴Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate,

so stop before a dispute breaks out.

It is never wise to start a quarrel. There is just no good result that can come from it. It is like adding gasoline to a fire. It won’t put the fire out but will cause it to grow and spread. When you find yourself in a volatile situation, keep your mouth closed and listen to the other person. There are no winners in an argument. Everyone loses.

The nuggets of wisdom that we gathered in these 14 verses of Proverbs 17 provide more tasty morsels of wisdom, insight, and understanding. Take them and plant them in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of goodness.

That will finish our trek for today. Just as you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and inviting them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek, so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 415 – A Word to the Wise – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 03:03:00 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 415 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A Word to the Wise – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 415 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom on each Tuesday & Thursday. So, let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from an unknown author and says, “A word to the wise is sufficient. A word to the unwise is resented.”

It is interesting that those individuals who are receptive to learning and gaining wisdom are usually considered wise already. They realize that they need to continually gain knowledge, understanding, insight, and wisdom if they are going to continue to improve. A wise person has a continual thirst for knowledge and wisdom. They are willing to adapt and change as needed, regardless of their age. That is one of the reasons they are wise. As Proverbs 9:9 puts it, “Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.” Contrary to this are those who think they are wise and know it all. They resent being instructed by others because they are already full of themselves. All of us should examine ourselves to determine which category we are in. Seek wisdom each day, and then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 414 – 10 Obstacles That Destroy Motivation

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 07:03:22 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 414 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

10 Obstacles That Destroy Motivation

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 414 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate you to live a rich and satisfying life this week. Today we will explore the 10 obstacles that destroy motivation on life’s trek and how to avoid them.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. When this episode airs we will be back at The Big House for about 10 days. We have a good bit of traveling between Marietta and Charlotte through the remainder of this year, plus at least one more trip to Arizona planned. So, life does not appear to be slowing down much in the foreseeable future. Different seasons of life require different focus. We are thankful to be in good health and have the opportunities to continue to grow, learn, and enjoy life.

Enjoying life even with its trials and tribulations is a choice that we make each day. No one that I know of is immune to the challenges in life, and many of the people that appear to “have it all together” may just be dealing with their issues from a different perspective. Managing the challenges of life with the proper motivation and attitude makes all the difference. We are certainly not immune to economic upheavals, interpersonal issues, family trials, balancing life, and managing expectations. It boils down to consistent persistence and preserving when others would give up. We are quite ordinary folks and are proof that great things can happen to ordinary people if they work hard and never give up.

On our trek for today, let us explore how to overcome…

10 Obstacles That Destroy Motivation

As we go through our trek of life each day, we come across obstacles that can take the wind out of our sails, which can cause us to lose our motivation. Preparing for these obstacles ahead of time and knowing how to combat them can help us to keep moving forward. Here are the 10 common obstacles that you might face.

1. Worry

Worry is the most unproductive of all human activities. Although all of us have concerns about a variety of issues throughout each day, but when it crosses the line to worry, then it becomes troubling. Worry will stifle you. Most worry is unfounded and is about situations that we have no control over. Ask yourself this question when you find yourself beginning to worry. Do I have any control over this situation? If you do, then come up with a solution. If you do not, then there is nothing you can do about it, so stop worrying. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?”

2. Fear

Closely tied to worry is fear. I like the acronym for fear that helps to keep it in perspective, which is False Evidence Appearing Real. Unless it is a situation where we will lose life or limb, there is no reason to be fearful. Fear is a state of mind, and most of what we fear will never come to pass. Many times what we fear is based on ego and pride. Fear can shut you down from moving forward, and it can destroy a life of abundance. The Apostle Paul told his apprentice Timothy in his 2^nd letter to him, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” So do not fear, instead be motivated to move confidently forward with power, love, and self-discipline.

3. Crossing bridges that you have not come to

Although it is good to plan and prepare, your life is still fluid in this fast paced technology driven world. Don’t attempt to cross bridges that you have not come to yet. With the trails of life constantly changing, you really don’t know what bridges you will come upon in the future. When you do come to a bridge, you will have the appropriate wisdom and insight to cross it at that time. If not, then it is a learning experience for you, and you will gain the needed skills to cross the bridge at that time. After all, you can only cross one bridge at a time.

4. Handling multiple problems at once

No one has the capability to multi-task. It is impossible. Even computers can only handle one command at a time. You may be faster or slower than others in handling the tasks of life, but you still can only complete them one at a time. Don’t try to solve all of your problems at once, take them in a logical order, and continue forward, motivated that you will handle them all. The age old question of “How do you eat an elephant?” is always answered, “One bite at a time.” And so it is with issues in life. Take them one at a time without losing your forward motion.

5. Sleeping with your problems

Problems make poor bedfellows. At the end of each day, set any remaining problems aside. Never take them to bed with you. If they are important, they will still be there the next day. Problems have a way of shrinking during the night. So leave them alone, and if the problems are truly important, they will still be there the next day, and you can be motivated to handle them once you are well rested and full of energy. With your mind at rest, you may have the solution needed by the next day.

6. Borrowing other people’s problems

You likely have enough of your own issues to deal with, don’t take on the problems of others. They are best suited to handle their own issues. Too many times we take on the problems of others when we have not even dealt with our own. If another person attempts to put their monkeys on your back, don’t let them. You have your own circus to deal with. Once you have completed all of your pressing issues, then choose wisely on helping others. They may need to go through their own problems if they are going to grow and mature.

7. Bringing yesterday into today

Do not relive yesterday, for good or ill. It is forever gone. Concentrate on what is happening today. Live today to the fullest, and focus on making an impact today. You may not be where you want to be yet, but you are one-day closer. As the Apostle Paul told the Philippian church in Chapter 4:13-14, “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

8. Not listening

Only when you listen, do you hear ideas different than you own. It is hard to learn something new when you are talking, and some people do know more than you do. I am not sure about you, but I have learned very little when I am talking. Listening and learning from others can spur you on with new ideas and new action plans. Yes, make sure you are listening to wise and positive people, but be willing to listen and learn. As Proverbs 21:23 tells us, “Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.”

9. Frustration

Do not become “bogged down” by frustration, for 90% of it is rooted in self-pity and will only interfere with positive action. When you find yourself becoming frustrated, you have two choices. Either come up with a solution to overcome what is frustrating you and put the plan into action, or drop it and move on. If you have no control over the source of frustration, then there is no reason to allow it to continue to frustrate you. Move on and move forward.

10. Counting your blessings when life’s trails are rough

There are blessings in every situation you face, no matter how difficult it may appear. Never overlook even the smallest of blessings, for a lot of small blessings add up to big ones. We all have so much to be thankful for. Make it a habit of praying this simple prayer each morning, “Dear God, Today I woke up. I am alive. I am healthy. Can’t ask for more. Thank you.”

Today on our trek we explored 10 obstacles that we all face on life’s trek that can destroy our motivation. When you find your motivation for life waning, come back to this list and read through it again and set out on your trek with a new resolve. It is always worth it.

Tomorrow’s short trek is part of our Wisdom Unplugged series that we are now hiking on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These 2-3 minute wisdom supplements will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise throughout the entire week. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. Just as you enjoy these daily doses of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and inviting them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 413 – Practical Principles and Guidelines for Life

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 07:03:26 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 413 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Practical Principles and Guidelines for Life

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 413 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. Along our trek today, we will discover some practical guidelines that will assist you in preparing for and living each season of life to the fullest so that you will succeed even through the winters of life.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. It continues to be a warm summer here in the Charlotte area, and it has also been warmer than usual in Ohio and Arizona. So, it is nice to be able to work indoors most of the time. It has been a busy week of work activities, but this evening three of our children will be over for dinner. So, that should be a great time together. As we get together, it is a time for sharing and learning more about life’s lessons. On our trek for today we will explore some of those lessons on the trail called…

Practical Principles and Guidelines for Life

Here are a few practical principles and guidelines that will help you to maximize each season of life. They are not in any particular order, but are all gems that will make a huge difference in your seasons of life long-term:

Never spend more than you make. If you can’t afford to purchase something with cash, then don’t buy it. There are very few necessities in life. Learn to sacrifice some now so that you won’t be a slave to debt long-term. Proverbs 22:7 tells us plainly, “Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is a servant to the lender.” When you are debt free, it gives you options and freedom that you won’t have when you borrow.
Be willing to live a frugal lifestyle in all areas. This may include the way you dress, what you spend on entertainment, and where you go on vacations. You can have all of these without spending a lot of money doing so. You will have less stress, more joy, and more peace even if you do not have all the material things that you desire.
On a personal level, except for your home which should increase in value, do not borrow money. Even with a home, only purchase what you need and can afford including allowances for repair, maintenance, and yearly fees/taxes.
Never co-sign a loan for someone else, no matter how close you are to them. It is exactly the same principle as borrowing money yourself, except you don’t own the item that is being purchased. This is not wise.
The purpose of transportation is to get you to and from locations. If at all possible, pay cash for a vehicle. If not, only purchase basic transportation, not what the car dealer thinks you can afford. Their sole purpose is to sell cars and make a profit.
Be willing to give up habits that are not only costly but usually not good for you. These may include drinking, smoking, gambling (even lottery tickets), overeating, and making impulse purchases. These seemingly small purchases add up to thousands of dollars per year. Be willing to make the small sacrifices now so you will have options in the future.
Don’t use credit cards. The only exception to this that I feel is valid is if you have the discipline to use them as a cash card, and you get earning bonuses for using them. The rule here is that you have the money in the bank to cover all purchases, and you pay them off in full every month. No exceptions. If you currently have credit card debt, pay them off as soon as possible and don’t use them again. Throw them out so you will not be tempted.
Create a budget and stick to it. To be prepared for all seasons of life and to survive the winter seasons, you must plan ahead and stick to the plan.
If you are currently in debt, stop all non-essential spending until all debt is paid in full. Make sure you are honest with yourself on what is essential and what is not. Very few expenditures are truly essential. This may mean no cable, limited mobile phone plans, limited internet, no eating out, no costly entertainment, and purchasing second-hand clothes and household items. If you are unwilling to sacrifice now, when will you later? It’s your choice to be a slave for life or know the freedom of living without debt.
Change your vocabulary from spending to investing, and it will change how you view your purchases. Investing should bring a good return; spending never does.
Work hard, but take the time to relax and recharge in the appropriate seasons of life.
Learn to enjoy your work. It boils down to your choice, as do most decisions in your life. Ecclesiastes 5:19 says, “And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God.”
Don’t accumulate stuff. The more you own, the more you are owned by your possessions. Learn to live more minimalistic. It will save you money, and you will actually be happier than if you own a bunch of stuff that you rarely use. It is ridiculous to spend money on stuff and then have to spend more money to store the stuff you rarely use.
Learn to live on less, not more.
Don’t try to keep up with your neighbors. You don’t really know their situation, and they may be drowning in debt or have serious issues with their family. As King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 4:4, “Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.”
Eat healthy and wholesome foods. It is less expensive long term, especially when you consider the cost of healthcare. Minimize eating out. Take the time to cook at home, and control your portion sizes.
Exercise and stay active daily. A good brisk walk each day will work miracles physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Meditate/pray every day and read/study good books.
Take time to be grateful every day. Make it a habit of thanking others for even the smallest of tasks.
Integrate the attributes of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control into your life. Master them so they become part of who you are, and then everything else in life will be viewed in the proper perspective.
Love yourself unconditionally. There is only one you in the world and you have the capacity to change your world for the better. No one else can do what you can to make a positive impact on your world.
Celebrate life each day. It is a gift from God that will multiply the more you give it away.
Never stop learning, every obstacle or challenge is an opportunity to learn and improve.
Never stop dreaming – regardless of your age. I will be 60 at the end of this month, and have never been more excited about the potential of the future than I am now. Think about it from this perspective…With today’s medical advancements I could easily live to 125, which means that I am not even middle age yet. If I use my accumulated experience and knowledge from the first 60 years, just think about the impact potential that I can have during the next 60 years. With technological advancements, there are no practical limitations.
When you have your head in the clouds dreaming, make sure you keep your feet firmly planted on the ground.
Have faith that if you are honest and disciplined that your life will turn out just fine. Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”
No more excuses. It is never too late to become who you want to be.
Practice empathy and compassion, how else will you become good at them if you do not practice. Eventually, they will become a habit.
Practice the golden rule at all times.
Help others succeed, and in turn, you will succeed also.
Don’t criticize or become negative. Life is too short to live negatively.
Take time to laugh, to stop and smell the roses, and to enjoy the journey of life. You only have one life to live, so enjoy it each day. A simple plaque that Paula’s Aunt Pauline give to me many years ago when she noticed how much and hard I work hangs in my office. I have to read it occasionally to get me back on track. It says, “If you keep your nose to the grindstone rough, and keep it down there long enough, in time you will find there is no such thing, as brooks that babble and birds that sing, then these three things will your world compose, you, the stone, and your worn out nose.”

The older and wiser I become, the more this poem means to me. Yes, I still work hard and enjoy my work, but I do try to take the time to listen to the babbling brooks and the singing birds, to enjoy our grown children and grandchildren, to enjoy life and its journey regardless of how rough the trail is at times, and to be prepared for each season of life, the times of working hard, and the times of leisure.

Today we have discovered several guidelines that will help us to more effectively navigate the cycles and seasons of life. Next Philosophy Friday we will begin to explore some of the lessons from Jim Rohn’s book titled The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle. I think you will find his insights interesting.

Our next trek will be Motivation Monday where we explore more trails of how to get and stay motivated to bring value to your world. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and invite them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek, so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically. I would also appreciate it if you would rate and review us on iTunes or Google Play so that others will find out about Wisdom-Trek and join us.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 412 – Setting Your Goals – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 07:03:26 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 412 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Setting Your Goals – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 412 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom on Tuesday & Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from an unknown author, but it does have a Biblical inference to it, “A wise person sets his earthly goals on heavenly gains.”

My entire premise for focusing on creating a living legacy each day springs from this wisdom concept. We all have a limited time here on earth, whether that is a few years or over one hundred years. Our lives are like the morning fog. We are here for a little while, and then we are gone, especially when considering eternity. So, the only way we can extend our impact on earth is through the impact that we have on the lives of others each day. That impact is not just on the people that we directly affect but everyone they impact throughout their lives. It goes on and on through many generations.

Just like you have been impacted by the generations that preceded you, so will your impact be felt throughout all eternity in the generations to come. Accumulating material wealth will only be of value if it is used to positively impact the lives of others for the generations that follow. As Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:19-21, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Choose to create and live your legacy each day and have that lasting positive impact on eternity.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 411 – Better to be Patient than Powerful – Proverbs 16:17-33

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 07:03:47 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 411 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Better to be Patient Than Powerful – Proverbs [16:17:33]

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 411 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the 2nd half of Chapter 16.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. We returned from Arizona on the red eye flight very early Monday and then drove from Atlanta to Charlotte arriving back early afternoon. We had a productive and encouraging few days finalizing some needed company forms, reviewing the progress on the major construction project, and setting processes in place to move forward more efficiently. There is a lot of potential for good projects in the Phoenix area over the next few years. It will require a significant amount of patience, planning, and perseverance on our part as we plant the seeds and wait to see the harvest that God brings to fruition.

It also requires a lot of wisdom, insight, and understanding to handle the details of the various companies that we work with and incorporate our podcasting projects into the mix. I take comfort in going to the source of wisdom for business and life in God’s Word and specifically the book of Proverbs.

On our trek today, we will dig into verses 17-33 of Chapter 16. The title for today’s trek is taken from verse 32, and it is…

Better to be Patient Than Powerful

Let’s start in with verse 17…

¹⁷The path of the virtuous leads away from evil;
whoever follows that path is safe.

Your life is a trek, and you choose which paths that you will take. If you take the path of virtue and integrity, it will lead you away from that which is harmful or evil and provide a safe trail for your life. If you choose the opposite, you will find yourself on a path that is not good or safe.

¹⁸Pride goes before destruction,
and haughtiness before a fall.

Pride is at the heart of nearly all wrong choices that we make in life. It may be disguised as something else, but inherently pride is at the core. When you allow pride to take over your life, it will lead to your destruction and ultimate downfall. Each day all of us must work at becoming humbler and putting aside our pride.

¹⁹Better to live humbly with the poor
than to share plunder with the proud.

Somewhat connected to the previous verse, we see that Solomon proclaims that it is better to be humble, even if it does not provide you with financial prosperity. If you become wealthy but have a spirit of pride in obtaining that wealth, then it does not bring lasting value.

²⁰Those who listen to instruction will prosper;
those who trust the Lord will be joyful.

One of the best ways to gain financial freedom and prosper is by being open to the instruction of those who have already obtained wealth. Listening to the wise advice of others is not limited to financial gain, but also to being prosperous in all areas of life. Even if you are successful in obtaining wealth, realize that wealth will never provide joy in your life. The only way to obtain and have a growing joy in your life is to trust that God is in control, and He will provide for all of your needs.

²¹The wise are known for their understanding,
and pleasant words are persuasive.

If a person is wise, it will be evident to everyone they come in contact with because they will exude a spirit of understanding. This same person has learned and understands that pleasant words are much more persuasive than harsh and negative commands.

²²Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it,
but discipline is wasted on fools.

A person of discretion knows when to speak and when not to. They also know what to say and what not to say. This type of person is refreshing to be around. It is like a cold fountain in a hot and dry desert. The opposite of this is a person who is unwilling or unable to accept discipline or correction. Attempting to disciple a foolish person is a waste of time and energy.

²³From a wise mind comes wise speech;
the words of the wise are persuasive.

Similar to verse 21, a person who is wise based on a wise mind will also be wise in speech. This person’s words will radiate wisdom, and his speech will be very persuasive.

²⁴Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Kind words are easy to share with everyone, and they do not cost anything. It provides strength and health to those to who we are kind. The analogy is that kindness is as beneficial to the soul as God’s natural sweetener honey is to the body.

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

When we choose our own path for life, it may seem like the right path, but if it leads us in ways that are contrary to God’s precepts and commands, then it will ultimately lead to our destruction and death.

²⁶It is good for workers to have an appetite;
an empty stomach drives them on.

In any occupation, the best workers are those that have a passion, need, and purpose for what they are doing. This appetite creates a great desire to do well because they are hungry for results.

²⁷Scoundrels create trouble;
their words are a destructive blaze.

Individuals who lack personal integrity and concern for others are proud and selfish. Because of this, they are always creating trouble for others. They leave a path of carnage wherever they go.

²⁸A troublemaker plants seeds of strife;
gossip separates the best of friends.

We have often referred to the law of planting and harvesting and in this verse, we see that it is the troublemaker who plants seeds of strife. One of the primary ways this occurs is through the spreading of gossip. Gossip will separate friendships and cause factions. This will result in broken relationships.

²⁹Violent people mislead their companions,
leading them down a harmful path.

Individuals who are selfish and prideful are also deceptive, and their actions are violent toward others. If you are a friend or companion of this type of person, you will easily be misled into activities that are harmful. We all need to be careful not to associate closely with this type of person.

³⁰With narrowed eyes, people plot evil;
with a smirk, they plan their mischief.

You can tell a lot about a person by observing him or her, even in facial expressions. There are certain character traits that are hard to hide from one’s facial expressions. This verse refers to two – the narrowed eyes and the smirk. Both are indications of plotting evil and planning mischief. If they are used together, it is a double indication of a person you need to be careful of.

³¹Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained by living a godly life.

While this verse is not implying that everyone with gray hair has lived a godly life, it does indicate that those who live long lives usually make wise and prudent choices in their lives. Gray hair is a sign of honor. It indicates that a person understands how important it is to take care of themselves physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. As a person grows older, he or she is more likely to realize that God is in control of all things. Unless God allows a person to die younger, those individuals that follow God’s Word throughout their lives will be more likely to grow older and also live a godly life.

³²Better to be patient than powerful;

better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

When we think of a patient person, most of us will not equate that person as also powerful. There is a direct correlation between how patient a person is and how truly powerful he or she is. It takes great self-control and power to show restraint and patience in life. Patience and self-control go hand-in-hand. A patient person will display a great deal of self-control. They realize that is where the seeds of true power reside. If you plant seeds of patience on a daily basis, you will reap a harvest of self-control which is truly powerful.

³³We may throw the dice,
but the Lord determines how they fall.

You can take chances in your life or make detailed and structured plans, but God will ultimately decide the fate for each of us according to His will and purpose for our lives. This verse doesn’t imply that we should not make plans or occasionally take chances as both have their place in certain situations. In fact, in many verses within God’s Word, we are encouraged to make plans and prepare. There are also times where we need to take chances without all of the details. Either way, we need to follow God’s precepts and instructions and trust God to determine and then show us the path to take.

The nuggets of wisdom that we gathered in these 17 verses of Proverbs 16 provide the stepping stones that we need on our daily trek to grow emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Making plans based on God’s guidelines while keeping the proper perspective on what is really important will allow us to grow wiser each day.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person when you meet with them and invite them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you Tomorrow!

Day 410 – Opportunities Explosion – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 07:03:18 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 410 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Opportunities Explosion

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 410 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom on Tuesday & Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Francis Bacon who says, “A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.”

Opportunities Found

There are people who see problems with every opportunity handed to them, while others see opportunities in every problem they face. It really does boil down to your mindset. You can perceive the world as one of scarcity where there is a finite amount of opportunities and resources, and the more people going after them, the less chance that you will have…or you can perceive the world from an abundance mindset where more opportunities and resources will be generated by those that are consuming them.

I firmly believe the old adage “a rising tide lifts all boats.” Think of the miracle of Christ when feeding the five thousand. The more times He broke the fish and the bread, the more there was for others to consume. By the end of the evening not only were all 5,000 fed completely, but there were 12 full baskets left over – a take home meal for each of his 12 disciples. As opportunities are presented to you, be wise and create more opportunities for others. Then not only will you be full and have all that you need, but there will be plenty of leftovers for others. Go out and feed your 5,000 today. Now that is a wisdom nugget that all of us can consume.

Opportunities Missed

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 409 – True Success Requires Humility

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 07:03:17 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 409 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

True Success Requires Humility

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 409 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate us to live rich and satisfying lives this week. Today we will explore how to find success through humility.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. When this daily trek airs, we should be driving back from Atlanta after investing several days with our construction project in Mesa, Arizona. I will have an update in our Wisdom Wednesday session this week since I should be creating that once we return.

Some people may look at our lives and think, “Wow! They have a lot, and they get to travel and do a lot of neat and exciting things.” While this season of life is busy for us, as I look back, every season of our life has been very busy. While we have had some success and do have some opportunities that others may not have, it also requires a lot of work, energy, time, and sacrifice in order for it to happen. As I grow older and hopefully wiser, it is much more important to move from success to significance and from income to impact.

We still struggle with life as much as anyone does, and the grass always appears greener on the other side – none of us are exempt from those thoughts. Through the seasons of life, though, I have come to discover that actually, the grass is greener when it is watered. So, water your grass where you are today, and who knows. Maybe your lawn will grow to be larger as a result. If that is the case, then an exhortation that I would like to extend is, “Don’t let success go to your head. Always remain humble, and be kind to others.”

On our trek for today, let us explore the trail of…

True Success Requires Humility

The stories are all too common. After years of hard work pursuing their life dreams, these self-motivated, high achievers reach the pinnacle of success that they feel is so richly deserved. But, what comes next? You guessed it. They let success go to their heads. Whatever happened to being humble?

Unfortunately many people that reach a level of what the world considers success start to think they’re special. They buy expensive “toys” to show how successful they’ve become, and they push aside colleagues who’ve helped them achieve success. They abandon the values and principles that have made them successful. Worse yet, because they’re successful in one area of their life, which is usually thought of as financial success, they come to think they’re experts in everything.

The sad fact is that many who have obtained financial success have done so at the expense of their families, friends, integrity, and health. I struggle with considering this success because the most important aspects of life are something that no amount of money or resources can purchase. I am not opposed to anyone obtaining financial success because the impact that you can have on your world grows exponentially when you have additional resources. An interesting aspect, though, is that if you are unwilling to help others when you have limited resources, it usually does not change when you have more.

If you are unwilling to help others when you have limited resources usually does not change when you have more.

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The simple truth is that not everyone treats success the same. Some people who achieve success remain humble, never forgetting who they are nor from where they came. The others? Well, we can learn from their mistakes. Unless you were born into wealth, you probably came from humble beginnings, so here are a few tips to assist on your journey to success in any aspect of life.

Success is temporary. Success is a journey, not a destination. When you become successful, don’t rest on your laurels. As soon as you take your eye off the ball, you risk losing your edge.
Stop feeding your ego. Don’t isolate yourself from reality by building relationships with people who stroke your ego. Surrounding yourself with “yes people” is just like talking to yourself.
Compete against yourself. When you compete against others, it’s easy to emphasize winning over self-improvement. However, when you compete against yourself, you both win.
Even experts have room to learn. Never stop learning and growing. Know your limitations and admit when you don’t know something. It’ll help to keep you grounded.
Listen up. Discover what others have to offer and ask for their opinions before opening your mouth. It shows that you value their opinions as well as their insight.
No one’s perfect. Don’t let success go to your head. Be quick to apologize for your mistakes. You’ll never learn anything or impress anyone by making excuses and diverting blame. And a little humility will remind you that you’re human.
Share your success. You may be successful, but there’s a good chance others helped you along the way. Find creative ways to share the credit and pull people up the ladder of success along with you.
Remember your roots. Remember where you came from and what you’ve learned along the way. Help others by mentoring them.
Get off your high horse. Treat everyone with dignity and respect. You may be successful, but that doesn’t make you better than anyone else.
Bragging is ugly. There’s a difference between excitement and bragging. We know you’re thrilled about your new “toy,” but others may be cutting back on even their basic needs — be sensitive. As John Wooden said, “Talent is God-given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.”
Trust me. Money and success can’t buy a person’s trust or guarantee a good reputation. You earn these through your words AND actions. There’s nothing more valuable in life than integrity. Trust me.

Many of us come from humble beginnings. I grew up in a family of 12 in an old farm house on an apple orchard. We were poor, but I didn’t realize it because our lives were full of love and hard work. I would not wish it any other way.

You can make something of yourself through the pursuit of knowledge, integrity, hard work, wisdom, following the principles of planting and harvesting, and by God’s grace. Yes, you can be thankful for the success that they’ve earned. But realize that ultimately it is by God’s grace, and that doesn’t give anyone the right to be rude or disrespectful to others.

The unfortunate reality is that some people get a big thrill from boasting about their accomplishments or showing off their possessions. They’ve convinced themselves that they’re better than others are. The fact is, some people let success go to their heads, and they gain a weird satisfaction from pushing people around. That’s wrong and should be avoided. On the other hand, just as it’s disgusting for the “haves” to look down on others, it’s equally disdainful for “have-nots” to resent those who’ve worked hard and have rightfully earned their success. For many humble people have become successful through much sacrifice, heartache, and struggle. You never know what others have had to go through in their pursuit of success, so be careful not to judge.

The truth is, all the money in the world doesn’t make you a better person. It simply means that you have more money. Real wealth is achieved by appreciating what you already have in life. After all, money can’t buy everything. It can’t buy a close-knit family, good friends, a clear conscience, work-life balance, a happy home, a second chance in life, or future success, among other things.

So, don’t let success go to your head. Be humble. Humility is a sign of strength, not weakness. People with humility possess an inner peace. They’re modest about their achievements, grounded in their values, and they have nothing to prove to others. They’re down to earth, comfortable in their own skin, and quietly proud. Humble people shift their focus from taking to giving, from talking about themselves to listening to others, from hoarding the credit to deflecting the praise, and from being a “know-it-all” to knowing there’s so much more in life worth learning. There’s no ego, no pretense, and certainly no gamesmanship. Humble people are authentic. As C.S. Lewis said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.”

Here are a few verses from Proverbs that teaches us a bit more about humility.

Proverbs 11:2 – Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 15:33 – Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.

Proverbs 18:12 – Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.

Proverbs 22:4 – True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.

Proverbs 29:23 – Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.

Today on our trek we hiked the trail of success and learned that it passes through the valley of humility. We should seek our success in all aspects of life. To do less would be to not fulfill your God-given calling. In doing so, though, remember that it is by God’s grace and “…in him we live and move and exist.”

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy these daily doses of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person when you meet with them and invite them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek, so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 408 – A Time for Everything

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 07:03:42 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 408 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A Time for Everything

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 408 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life, and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. Today we will review the concept of the cycles and seasons of life as we look at the concept of A Time for Everything.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. When this trek originally airs, we will be in Scottsdale and Mesa, Arizona working with our partners Charles and Alison Mecom and Tim Guernsey. The five of us are members of Arizona Development Company, and we are the General Contractor for a funding group that is building a combination of townhomes and retail space in Mesa, Arizona. We also provide repairs, remodeling, and maintenance for this same funding group who manages several multi-family housing units in the Phoenix area.

Our focus this trip will be to streamline some of the accounting processes and review the progress being made on our current major project. As we progress through the phases of the project, it is similar to life. There is a time for everything that goes into a construction project, and a time for everything that happens in our lives. Rarely does a construction project or our lives run as smoothly as planned or hoped for. With both, we need to make adjustments and changes for the various cycles and seasons. Sometimes events and situations happen that we did not anticipate, and we have to adapt. Sometimes we make mistakes and fail in some manner, and we have to learn the lessons and continue on. So on our trek for today, we will hike the trail called…

A Time For Everything

When you consider the entirety of life, we all pass through the four seasons, which most of us understand. What you may not grasp though is that you are constantly going through the cycles and seasons of life on a continual basis and in different areas of your life. The principles of planting and harvesting apply to everything that you do so that you have to be continually ready for each of the seasons. If you are prepared for the current season, you will come to understand that each season of life will have its joys and sorrows. The magnitude or intensity of those joys and sorrows will be based on how well you managed and took advantage of the opportunities of the previous season.

You cannot expect a time of harvesting in the spring or a time of planting in the fall. There is a proper time for everything, and if you are wise, you will understand that timing. The core focus on today’s trek is based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. This passage was also the basis for a popular song written by Peter Seeger in the late 1950s and then popularized by the Byrds in the mid-60s under the title Turn, Turn, Turn. The original motivation of the song was a plea for peace in the world during a very tumultuous time.

If you desire to gain wisdom and become wise, then you will come to realize that there is a time and season for everything that happens in your life. How joyful or sorrowful you are during each of those seasons will largely depend on your actions and attitudes of the previous season. It is not the season of life that you are in that matters but how prepared you are for that season that makes all the difference. Let us read through the first 8 verses of Ecclesiastes to learn the wisdom of King Solomon who penned this book.

¹For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
²A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
³A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
⁴A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
⁵A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
⁶A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
⁷A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
⁸A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.

Until you grasp and come to a full understanding of this passage, you will be continually plagued by the struggles and disappointments of every changing season of life. Preparation and faith are the two requirements to live the rich and satisfying life that Jesus promised us in John [10:10]. For everything, there is a season and a time for every activity under heaven.

While you will not be able to control every situation that happens to you in life, the more prepared you are and the closer you follow the basic principles found in God’s Word, the more joyful each season in life will be, regardless of the difficulties that you must face. You will never understand everything that happens to you, but to understand this concept more fully on our trek today, let us continue with this passage in Ecclesiastes 3 verses 9-13.

⁹What do people really get for all their hard work? ¹⁰I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. ¹¹Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. ¹²So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. ¹³And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.

You need to be astute and follow God’s principles so that each season of life will be an abundant season for you, even with its difficulties. Choose to be happy and to enjoy the fruit of your labor because these are truly gifts from God.

Today on our trek we have come to the understanding that there is a time for everything. We would do well not to rush through life and miss what is important because God does make everything beautiful in its own time. Let us be prepared in each season of life so that it is a joyful season even in the midst of difficulties. Let us take the time to enjoy the fruit of our labor but not miss the opportunities of preparation that we need for the next season.

On our next Philosophy Friday, we will trek through some practical principles and guidelines that can help you through all of life’s seasons. Our next trek will be Motivation Monday where we will explore how true success requires humility, which will allow you to stay motivated and bring value to your world. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek, so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically. I would also appreciate it if you would rate and review us on iTunes or Google Play so that others will find out about Wisdom-Trek and join us.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 407 – A Wise Person Seeks Counsel – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 07:03:16 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 407 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A Wise Person Seeks Counsel – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 407 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom on Tuesday & Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget…

Today’s quote is from Larry Burkett, who tells us, “A wise man seeks much counsel…a fool listens to all of it.”

A truly wise person will seek out the counsel of others, especially for the major decisions of life. This is an advisable practice. The wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon, agreed with this when he wrote, “Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.” Whenever possible you should have a trusted group of peers or associates within a small group or mastermind whom you can confer with about various areas of life, such as relationships, family issues, child rearing, business, health, and life planning. There is a wealth of wisdom and knowledge that you can gain through others that have more experience in certain areas of life. A word of caution though, not everyone you get advice from is qualified in all aspects that you seek guidance. Also, no one else on earth has the exact same circumstances that you do. What may have been good counsel a few years ago, may not be today, the world and times do change. So while you seek counsel from others, proceed with caution and apply only that which is applicable to you…and always compare it to the principles found in God’s Word. That’s a wrap of our Wisdom Unplugged for today.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 406 – How Much Better to Get Wisdom Than Gold – Proverbs 16:1-16

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 07:03:35 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 406 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

How Much Better to Get Wisdom Than Gold – Proverbs 16:1-16

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 406 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the first half of chapter 16.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The day this episode is released, Paula and I will be heading to Atlanta and then on to Scottsdale, Arizona to work for a few days with our partners on our construction project in Mesa. Even with the ability to do most of the financial work remotely for our Arizona project, it is always great to be onsite for a few days to catch up on the project details and plan for the next few months.

It does require a lot of wisdom, insight, and understanding to handle the details of the various companies that we work with, and there is no better source of wisdom for business and life than in the book of Proverbs. On our trek for today, we will dig into verses 1-16 of Chapter 16. The title for today’s trek is taken from verse 16, and it is…

How Much Better to Get Wisdom Than Gold

Let’s start in with verse 1.

¹We can make our own plans,
but the Lord gives the right answer.

You do need to be responsible and plan, but you also need to consider God’s precepts in all the plans that you make. God gives you the guidelines in His Word to make the correct plans if you are willing to study and apply those guidelines to your life.

²People may be pure in their own eyes,
but the Lord examines their motives.

We as humans have been given free will and have the capability to rationalize and justify just about any type of behavior, good or bad. The more you know, understand, and apply God’s Word to your life, the closer your motives will be in line with God’s principles. God knows your motives, even when it is difficult to discern them for yourself.

³Commit your actions to the Lord,
and your plans will succeed.

When you truly commit your plans and action steps to God, they will succeed. The caveat that many of us miss is that these plans and actions have to be in line with God’s precepts found in His Word. Too many times we want God to help us succeed when our plans do not follow those precepts. You must know His Word to understand His principles.

⁴The Lord has made everything for his own purposes,
even the wicked for a day of disaster.

It is hard for us to understand why a just and holy God would seemingly make something that is wicked. To understand it properly, you have to understand that God created everyone with a free will. We can choose to follow His Word, or not. Those who choose not to are choosing to be made into that which is wicked. The opposite is also true. If you choose to follow His Word, you are made right and just through His Son.

⁵The Lord detests the proud;
they will surely be punished.

Pride is one of the most grievous sins because when you are proud, you lose your dependency on God and desire to usurp what belongs to God. Because of this, if you do not humble yourself, then you will suffer the consequence of your pride.

⁶Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin.
By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.

This verse is two-fold. God’s love and faithfulness to you completely annul your sin, as if you do not have any. In the same way, when you unconditionally love others and are faithful to them, then you will overlook sin in their lives and be much more forgiving. Along with this thought, if you respect and love God, you will do all that you can to avoid acts that are contrary to His Word.

⁷When people’s lives please the Lord,
even their enemies are at peace with them.

One of the sure signs of a wise and understanding person who lives according to God’s principles is that they will not be contentious with others. They will not be pompous or self-righteous but live in such a manner that even those who don’t like them will be respectful of them.

⁸Better to have little, with godliness,
than to be rich and dishonest.

While we all desire to have wealth, money and possessions are not what makes us truly wealthy. There is nothing wrong with having wealth, but it is much better to have less and follow God’s principles than to violate those principles in order to gain money and possessions.

⁹We can make our plans,
but the Lord determines our steps.

This verse is very similar to the first verse of this chapter. You do need to be responsible and plan, but you also need to consider God’s precepts in all the plans that you make. When you do this, then God will ultimately guide you in the situation and circumstances that He desires for your lives.

¹⁰The king speaks with divine wisdom;
he must never judge unfairly.

A Godly leader will gain his wisdom from God. His advisers will also be wise people, providing the leader with sage advice. When doing so, all decisions will be fair, right, and just.

¹¹The Lord demands accurate scales and balances;
he sets the standards for fairness.

God is just in all ways. In business and in life, you need to make sure that all of your transactions and interactions with others are fair and balanced. God’s standards for fairness are true and always accurate

¹²A king detests wrongdoing,
for his rule is built on justice.

A good and Godly leader should abhor actions within the workplace, church, or family that are not good. Integrity woven with justice should be the priority of a leader.

¹³The king is pleased with words from righteous lips;
he loves those who speak honestly.

A good leader desires to have individuals and advisers around him/her that speak what is right and true, regardless if it is not what they necessarily want to hear. As a leader, to have people around you that are willing to speak the truth in love is of a great benefit.

¹⁴The anger of the king is a deadly threat;
the wise will try to appease it.

While few of us live in a monarchical society where we have to be concerned with death for lack of compliance, we should be respectful of those in leadership positions in our work and other situations. We should always do our best and be wise and prudent in our interactions with leaders.

¹⁵When the king smiles, there is life;
his favor refreshes like a spring rain.

There is an innate desire in all of us to please others, especially those in positions of authority over us. You should strive to do your best for those who you are responsible to and ultimately perform in such a way as if you were doing the tasks directly for God because ultimately you are. When we do please those who are in authority, it is refreshing to them and to us.

¹⁶How much better to get wisdom than gold,
and good judgment than silver!

We all, including myself, would love to have more money and resources. The older I get, the more I realize that money and material possessions are of little importance once you have your basic needs covered. How much more valuable are the close relationships with family and friends? We gain what is truly valuable in life by increasing our wisdom and good judgment. When we have that, then we will desire little else in life.

The nuggets of wisdom that we gather every Wisdom Wednesday provide the stepping stones that we need on our daily trek to grow emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Making plans based on God’s guidelines while keeping the proper perspective on what is really important and will allow us to grow wiser each day.

Tomorrow we will hike another short trail of Wisdom Unplugged where we will discover an inspirational wisdom quote. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 405 – Don’t Be Ignorant – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 07:03:02 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 405 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Don’t Be Ignorant – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week, wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 405 of our trek, and it is Tuesday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom each Tuesday & Thursday. So, let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is a Chinese Proverb which says, “A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.”

In our politically correct world, and especially in the midst of the election cycle within the United States, it is very evident that most politicians must lack wisdom and according to this proverb would be considered ignorant. If you desire to be wise, you must know, understand, and hold to your set of core values. A person who is wise is a person of integrity. Integrity is the quality of being honest, having strong moral principles, and possessing moral uprightness. In fact, in the letter that Jesus’s half-brother James wrote, he explains the double-minded, ignorant man quite well, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.” This certainly sounds like a person who is always following public opinion instead of standing on his or her integrity.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 404 – Finding Your Motivation

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 07:03:07 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 404 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Finding Your Motivation

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 404 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate you to live a rich and satisfying life this week. Today we will explore how to find your motivation each day.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. I am recording some episodes in advance of our trip to Arizona this week. We will be leaving late on Wednesday and will return very early on Monday the 15^th. We have decided to fly out of Atlanta so that Paula’s mom can visit her sister Gerri while we are gone. Aunt Gerri lives in an assisted living facility in Atlanta now, so it makes it convenient for all of us if we fly from there. If all goes according to plan, when this episode is released, I will have replaced the garbage disposal at Home2. The one that was installed when the house was built 6 years ago was a lower end unit, which was prone to clogging and now has cracks in the housing of it. We plan to install a significantly better unit in its place. Although I am not looking forward to the installation, I have the motivation to save money and sufficient ability to install it, so those two factors made our decision.

On our trek for today, let us explore the practical steps for…

Finding Your Motivation

While motivation is needed to complete tasks, it also requires the ability to complete tasks, and we need to understand that. As an example, I may have the motivation to become a quarterback for the NFL but since I am only 5’4” and 122 pounds, there is no way that would be physically possible. In most cases, though, if you are motivated to do something, you will also have sufficient ability to do so, or you will be motivated enough to learn how. As John Maxwell puts it, “You don’t overcome challenges by making them smaller but by making yourself bigger.”

· Motivation makes things happen.

Where there’s no will, there’s no way, even if you have the ability. One of the best ways to improve your personal effectiveness is to find the drive to master your motivation. If you can master motivation, you can deal with life’s setbacks through the various seasons of life. As with success in most of life, there are certain steps that can be followed to ensure the desired outcomes. Here are 15 steps along our trail for today that will help you to find your motivation each day.

1. Connect to your values.

This is the ultimate secret. If you can connect the work you do to your values, even in small ways, you will be motivated to succeed. One of my values is making a positive impact on everyone that I contact each day. This may be through this podcast, online, or in person.

If you can connect the work you do to your values, even in small ways, you will be motivated to succeed.

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2. Find your WHY.

Your WHY is your overriding purpose in life. You may have to drill down to find your true why, but keep asking yourself why until you find what really drives you.

3. Change your WHY.

As you continue to drill down on your why, you may find out that you are doing tasks for the wrong reason. Are you doing that task to get it done, or does it fulfill your purpose? Changing your why may be what you need to motivate yourself.

4. Change your HOW.

You may need to analyze how you complete your tasks. Is there a more enjoyable or efficient way? Are you doing the tasks correctly, or are you just trying to get through them? I like to think of it as mastering your craft. Sometimes slower is better. Other times, the key is to make it a game and actually speed it up. You can set time limits and race against the clock. Changing your how can get you out of ruts and find new ways to escape the mundane.

5. Remember the feeling.

When was the last time you felt good about completing particular tasks? How can you replicate that time? Tie your tasks completion to an individual reward system that will be fulfilling to you. Anticipate the outcome, and you will find the motivation for improvement.

6. Make a mind shift.

If you find yourself lacking the motivation to complete tasks because they were not pleasant in the past, make a mind shift to the future and how you will feel when it is completed. Choose your mindset before you begin, and your outcomes in the present will improve.

7. Find a meaningful metaphor.

Maybe you are the early bird that catches the worm, or a stitch in time saves nine. Place in your mind a catch phrase that will drive you on like, no tasks left behind. Yes, it does sound a bit corny, but what we feed our minds will become our reality. That is why I turn all of my projects into “epic adventures to be conquered.”

8. Take action.

Here’s a secret that once you know it can change your life. Action often comes before motivation. You simply start doing an activity, and then your motivation kicks in. Nike was right with the saying, “Just do it.” For example, I don’t always look forward to getting up at [5:30] each morning for my 70-minute workout, but once I start, I find my flow.

9. Link it to good feelings.

Find a way to link tasks to good feelings. I know that although I am tired after my workout, it is also a good tired and that I have reached my objectives. My workout time is also when I have my devotional time and listen to other uplifting podcasts which prepares my mind for the day. On days when I cannot get a workout in, I miss that feeling of accomplishment.

10. Impress yourself first.

Connect to your passion and set the bar for yourself. Don’t compare yourself to others, unless that is truly motivating. Instead, compare yourself to you yesterday. Let your internal benchmark be you.

11. It is your choice.

If you tell yourself you “HAVE” to do this or you “MUST” do that or you “SHOULD” do this, you can weaken your motivation. The power of choice and simply reframing your language to “CHOOSE” can be incredibly empowering and exactly the motivating language you need to hear. Choose your words carefully and make them work for you.

12. Partner with someone.

This is one of my favorite ways to make something fun. One person’s painful task is another’s pleasure. Partner with somebody who compliments your skill or who can mentor you and get you over the humps. As King Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes 4:9, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.”

13. Change your question.

Sometimes you need to change your focus. To change your focus, change the question. If you ask yourself what’s wrong with this situation, of course, you’ll find things to complain about. Ask yourself what’s right about the situation, and you can quickly find the positives and get your groove on.

14. Set a fixed schedule when possible.

Sometimes your body or emotions are working against you because you’re not giving them a break or fueling them the right way. One simple way to improve results here is to find a routine for eating, sleeping, and moving or working out that supports you. Many times this is the key to motivating you to succeed.

15. Play to your strengths.

Spending too much time in your weaknesses wears you down. Investing more time in your strengths helps you renew your energy and find your flow. It’s the place where you can grow your best. Success begets success, and this helps you build momentum. What goes into your mind is what will come out.

· Pain and Pleasure for Motivation

In most cases, we choose to move toward pleasure. When we do, we move away from pain. It’s that simple. We do more to avoid pain. Keep that in mind when you find it tough to change a habit. Change can often be temporary pain. Keep this in mind when you need to motivate yourself and make a conscious choice to endure temporary pain to ensure long term pleasure.

This is why sometimes you can’t think your way into something. For example, your mind wants one thing, but your body wants another. You tell yourself working out is good for you, but your body just doesn’t want the pain. Be willing to choose what is best long term. It is then that you will truly be motivated to make the most of every opportunity. As Colossians 4:5 tells us, “Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.”

Today on our trek we hiked through the 15 steps for finding your motivation. Make a conscious effort to apply these steps to your life so that you can create and live a positive legacy for all to see.

Tomorrow’s short trek is part of our Wisdom Unplugged series that we are now hiking on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These are 2-3 minute wisdom supplements that will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise throughout the entire week. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 403 – The Cycles and Seasons of Life (10) – Make Your Winter Seasons Count

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 07:03:58 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 403 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Cycles and Seasons of Life (10) – Make Your Winter Seasons Count

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 403 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. Today we will complete our trek covering the Cycles and Seasons of Life. We will continue the winter season that we started last Friday and then wrap up the trek with a recap

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Our workload has been steady this week, and we continue to make slow but sure progress on the various projects we are working on. This is not unlike the cycles that a farmer goes through during the various seasons of the year. The analogy comparing waiting for the Lord’s return to the farmer in James 5:7 explains life pretty well, “Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.”

To be successful in life, it is imperative that we fully understand the laws of planting and harvesting. Realize also that during your lifetime, there will be many different cycles of seasons. Just because particular cycles of seasons did not produce the harvest you expected, don’t let that control future seasons or the entirety of your life. Today on our trek, let us continue the winter season which must be a time for reflection and planning while each new spring season gives you an opportunity to start new again. Today’s trek is titled…

Make Your Winter Seasons Count

As we continue to contemplate the winter seasons of life, you need to grasp that throughout all the seasons of the year. Winter can touch your lives in many small ways, as if it were testing you and providing you with subtle reminders of the plight of those whose lives are surrounded by winter. Winter can be a lost opportunity or the loss of love. A winter is when a trusted friend gives you cause for disappointment when your children young or old make unwise decisions that will force them into a winter season, or even when expected business goes to a competitor. A frigid blast from the cold, harsh words of someone you love is winter, and so is the pessimism or cynicism from someone whose advice and counsel you seek.

The major challenge confronting those who seem to be in a perpetual winter is that they don’t prepare for the arrival of spring, and lack the ability to recognize that arrival. So that you don’t become like this yourself, you must be planning, learning, and preparing so that you become part of the solution rather than allowing yourself to remain part of the problem.

If you are currently without love, money, or employment, it is a winter, and its very appearance is because you’ve missed a springtime somewhere. Even if it was not your intention, neglect is always costly, and winter is merely a circumstance—an effect brought on by some earlier cause. Dwelling on the severity of your personal winter merely makes the winter more difficult to endure. You must search the inner confines of your mind and your soul for the purpose of discovering the real cause within you.

Adversity is seldom attributable to someone or something outside of ourselves. To blame outside influences for the circumstance of winter is a convenient excuse for misplacing your responsibility. It is the normal human tendency to place blame for a winter of life on someone else, which is why most humans harvest the result of mediocrity that accompanies such behavior.

For circumstances to change, your attitudes, opinions, and habits must change. Conversation on how circumstances ought to be or on why situations aren’t fair is just that conversation! Unproductive conversation is what the lazy and unambitious engage in during the winters of life, for there is a certain euphoria that such empty conversation produces which dulls the senses from the harsh reality of how circumstances really are. The same euphoria is found on television and the internet. It will get you all worked up but does not provide a solution to your winter seasons. It is so easy to use it as an attempt to escape from an empty life. Since this will not solve the issues, many turn to alcohol and other drugs seeking solutions in external means. Others turn to idle gossip, which allows those who engage in it to overlook their own weaknesses by attacking the weaknesses of others.

For circumstances to change, your attitudes, opinions, and habits must change.

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Instead, let winter find you planning for the arrival of spring, not contemplating the errors of commission and omission of last year. Let winter find you with a joyful countenance and a happy heart. Even if your winter is still dark and cold currently, share a good word for all those around you. Do it with confidence in the future, not apprehension; with an appreciation of the past, not regret; and finally, with gratitude for your achievements, adversities, and uncertainties of life, for each is a form of blessing which removes all limitations from the future possibilities of life.

Winter is a time for examining, pondering, and reflecting. It is a time for re-evaluating both purpose and procedure, for rediscovering an often misplaced sense of purpose. It is a time for finding new ways of solving old dilemmas and for devising unique plans for contributing to others less fortunate than yourself. It is a time for understanding and controlling anger, that frequent human emotion which causes us to pass judgment without fair deliberation. It is a time to analyze your fairness and to overcome your tendency to hastily spew out condemnation without a full investigation, which is the height of ignorance.

Winter is a time for being sincere with yourself and about yourself when the tendency is to fool yourself. It is a time for developing the skills that allow you to get along with imperfect people, for even a fool can get along with perfect people. It is also a time for becoming wise enough to know what to say, as well as to know what to overlook and what not to say.

The wisdom that comes with the careful use of winter teaches you also that evolution is merely revolution at a slower pace and that constant gradual change is the order of God’s universe. Only those worthy human attributes of honesty, loyalty, love, and trust in God and in your fellow humans are meant to remain constant. Winter is a time for being grateful for your achievements or for having endured your lack of achievement.

The physically inactive season of winter is a time for adding to your storehouse of knowledge through continued education, which in truth does not mean learning things that you do not know but in learning to behave as you do not now behave. The facts and things of life are automatically learned when you become inspired with the excitement of high expectation and belief in your own abilities.

With winter comes the opportunity to catch up on unkempt promises and on unanswered letters. It is a time also for encouraging the young, who with their inexperience are insecure, and for encouraging the old, whom because of their experience are apprehensive of the future. Let not a winter go by without investing much of your time in assuring, teaching, and encouraging others. For in so doing, your reward will be an uplifted confidence in yourself; the teacher is always the greatest recipient of the lessons he seeks to teach to others. Let winter find you thinking first of someone else, appreciating, being kind, and being gentle. And by all means, let winter find you laughing more, even though the winds blow cold and the snows cover the soil which will soon bring new life.

Someone once said, “Don’t pray for things to be easier, rather, pray for more obstacles and more challenges, for it is out of these that man’s character and will to succeed are formed.” Nearly every success story that I am aware of began when the person first lay flat on his mental and financial back. In this condition, people usually become sufficiently disgusted to reach deep down inside and pull out talent, ability, desire, and determination, which are the basic essentials required of anyone wishing to free themselves from the winters of life. It is in the face of adversity that circumstances begin to change, and the circumstances always change as a result of the personal change that takes place.

I have discovered that circumstances never change by themselves. It’s when a human with sufficient disgust, desire, and determination to change his life finally steps up and shouts for all the world to hear, “I have had it with defeat and humiliation, and I will tolerate it no longer.” That is when time, fate, and circumstances call a hasty conference, and all three wearily agree, “We had best step aside because we are powerless to stop that kind of resolve.” Unfortunately, the masses of people don’t change, they wait for circumstances to change, blaming others or blaming circumstances for their meager progress. They accept defeat as though it was God’s design for humanity to wallow in pools of defeat and self-pity.

It is in the face of adversity that circumstances begin to change

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The fact is, life is going to continue, even though you may now be defeated. The world will wake up tomorrow just as it did today, and events will continue to unfold with repeated regularity of God’s creation. Your role of present failure, or success, is a temporary condition. You can rebound from failure as surely as you gravitated into failure. The condition of any person who feels defeated and ashamed is being repeated by thousands of humans around the world at this same moment in time. You must bring to mind the phrase, “This too shall pass” each time you are tempted to think you have accepted all the negativity and failure that your life could tolerate.

For everyone who is mentally, spiritually, and financially exhausted, a few will grasp for a new beginning. When they find it, they will pull themselves to their feet and move back into the world. It is then that they will not only do well, but leave their mark indelibly impressed upon the spiritual, business, political, or social world. They will be written about, talked about, and examined by their peers in numerous ways. The world will then pass judgment upon them as being “lucky” in some way and will be unaware of the agony and loneliness that each one experienced before he or began his or her march upward toward accomplishment.

So, foolish as it may sound, thank God for your present limitations or failure if that should be the case, for you now occupy a status from which nearly all success stories originate. You can go where you want to go, do what you want to do, and become what you want to become, right from where you are today.

Over the time of recorded history, millions who were in abject poverty, had significant handicaps, or had failed many times chose through faith and hope that they would not remain in that circumstance. We can think of Longfellow, Michelangelo, Lincoln, George Washington Carver, Ford, Disney, and many others.

So be grateful for your adversity for it is the seed that you can now plant in the spring seasons of life for your own better future. The world will willingly stand by and let you feel sorry for yourself until you finally die, broke and alone, if that’s what you desire. It will also stand aside for you once you firmly decide that your present winter season is only temporary and that you will get back up and go on to make your impact on your world. The fact is, the world doesn’t really have time to care which choice you make, so for yourself at least, give a run at adventure with your eyes firmly set on achievement, not merely existence and self-pity.

From this moment on, and for what remains of the balance of your life, make your commitment to excellence, remembering that it is your challenge to succeed. After all, you only have one life! Do something remarkable!

We have now completed our series of the Cycles and Seasons of Life. Let us commit to living effectively during each season. Our next Philosophy Friday will begin a new series as we discover the truths and mysteries of life.

Our next trek will be Motivation Monday where we explore more trails of how to get and stay motivated to bring value to your world. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously

Day 402 – Invest in Time Alone – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 07:03:16 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 402 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Invest in Time Alone – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 402 of our trek, and it is Thursday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom on each Tuesday & Thursday. So, let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Jonathan Swift, who tells us, “A wise man is never less alone than when he is alone.”

A sign of a truly wise person is that he is very comfortable with being alone. He is able to use this time for reflection, meditation, and prayer. This is a time away from the noise and distractions of the world to enter a world of solitude. To gain true wisdom, you must become comfortable with who you are and that your life is uniquely valuable. Invest time each day in peaceful reflection and realize that God made you special, and you are valuable because you are unique. God loves you unconditionally so that you can love yourself and then others unconditionally. When you gain this realization, it is then you will have the wisdom and strength to have a significant and positive impact on the lives of others. Never underestimate your impact on others because your impact will ripple throughout eternity.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 401 – Good News Makes for Good Health – Proverbs 15:18-33

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 07:03:36 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 401 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Good News Makes for Good Health – Proverbs [15:18]-33

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 401 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails, we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the second half of Chapter 15.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. By the time this episode is released, we will be back in Charlotte, but I am recording a few days in advance so that when we travel to Arizona next week, I will have the days prepared ahead of time.

I have been able to get caught up with most of the client work and have been working on some of the longer term podcast related projects we have. We are making progress, but we are taking our time to learn, plan, and prepare to ensure everything is done as correctly as possible. I should be able to make some announcements on more definitive plans within the next couple of weeks. We depend on our years of experience and wisdom from God to guide us in the planning and execution.

As we relate back to the principles of planting and harvesting, the time we invest planting through learning and preparing gives us the harvest of both experience and wisdom. We are in continual learning mode with the study of the Book of Wisdom, which is Proverbs. On our trek for today, we will dig into the verses 18-33 of chapter 15. The title for today’s trek is taken from verse 30, and it is…

Good News Makes for Good Health

Let’s start in with verse 18.

¹⁸A hot-tempered person starts fights;
a cool-tempered person stops them.

A person who chooses not to control their temper is one who is always looking for a fight with someone. More often than not, this person is really upset with himself, is very selfish, and does not love himself properly. Because of this lack of self-worth, this individual is always trying to prove himself by fighting with others. This could be physical or emotional abuse to others. In contrast to this is a person who chooses to keep his emotions under control because he is comfortable and confident with who he is and will do the opposite and stop fighting when it does occur.

¹⁹A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers,
but the path of the upright is an open highway.

A person who lacks initiative and is generally lazy will not take the time to properly maintain his life so that he can be efficient and effective. This may result in a messy desk, messy home, or in our analogy from this verse, a trail that is blocked with the briers of life. This type of person seems to have more crises and drama in life because he does not tend to the minor issues. If you are effective and efficient with your life, then you take notice of and correct minor issues, such as the briers of life, before they grow out of hand. Because of this, your trails of life will be open so that you can make the progress needed.

²⁰Sensible children bring joy to their father;
foolish children despise their mother.

This verse is interesting from two aspects. Not to generalize the gender role, but I think it does play a part here. When a child is sensible, the father is joyful and will take credit for the child’s sensibility. On the other hand, when a child is foolish, the mother will usually take it much more personally and feel that the children despise her through their foolish actions. There should be a balance between the two, realizing that both the father and mother have some responsibility for training a child properly, but ultimately the child is responsible for the decisions that he or she makes.

²¹Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense;
a sensible person stays on the right path.

Somehow in his or her perverted mind, a person who is foolish will take joy in his or her foolish actions. This is a clear indication that the person has no sense. In contrast, a person who is truly sensible will stay on the path that is right and their actions will be right.

²²Plans go wrong for lack of advice;
many advisers bring success.

This is such an important and crucial aspect in all areas of life. We all have the capacity to be so wrapped up with our own plans that we cannot see the forest for the trees. This is why it is wise to seek wise and Godly counsel in all major decisions in our lives. The concept of mastermind groups is built on this. Other people, outside of our immediate sphere of influence can bring much insight that will help us to succeed.

²³Everyone enjoys a fitting reply;
it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

In a world of constant and immediate sound bites and news, it is so refreshing to be around a wise person who, when he or she does speak, has appropriate and timely advice. It is especially rewarding when you are able to speak only when it is needed and what is needed.

²⁴The path of life leads upward for the wise;
they leave the grave behind.

A wise person does what is good and godly in all areas of life, which brings everlasting life to his soul. This person is not plagued or scared of the grave because he knows his eternity is secure.

²⁵The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
but he protects the property of widows.

God will not allow the proud and arrogant person to continue on forever. The persons foolish decisions, based on pride will be his downfall. On the other hand, God will honor and protect the most vulnerable people, of which widows are one.

²⁶The Lord detests evil plans,
but he delights in pure words.

God is never pleased when we choose to go against His precepts and plan that which is not pleasing to Him. He will delight in us as we humbly follow His commands.

²⁷Greed brings grief to the whole family,
but those who hate bribes will live.

A family who is led by a person with a lack of integrity will all suffer because of the decisions that are made by those leading the family. In this case, it would indicate one whose integrity will change for self-benefit. If a family leader stands strong, with integrity, and does not bow to fleeting pleasures, the whole family will live at peace

²⁸The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking;
the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.

Once again Solomon is referencing our speech. A wise and godly person will think before opening his mouth to speak and will only speak if it is needed and helpful. An unwise and wicked person spews out verbal garbage most of the time. This person’s speech will overflow with evil.

²⁹The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayers of the righteous.

If a person chooses to ignore God and his commands, then he cannot expect Him to be around when crises hit. The opposite of that is a person who comes to God for guidance and follows His Word. God will be there listening to their petitions

³⁰A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
good news makes for good health.

It is a real joy to be around people who not only look cheerful but radiate cheerfulness in all that they do. A cheerful look coupled with good news truly is good for your health. Emotionally, physically, and spiritually, we will be strengthened through a cheerful person who brings us good news.

³¹If you listen to constructive criticism,
you will be at home among the wise.

Criticism in not bad if it is constructive and given so that we can improve ourselves. Be willing to listen and learn from those who genuinely care for you and desire what is best for you. When you have this kind of attitude, you will grow wise and find yourself being at home with the wise.

³²If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself;
but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.

A person who is too foolish to be disciplined by another person is only harming himself and limiting his God-given potential. On the other hand, if you are willing to listen to correction and discipline, then you will grow in wisdom, insight, and understanding.

³³Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom;
humility precedes honor.

Respect and admiration for God Himself and who He is will bring wisdom into our lives and help us to grow wise. As we gain this good and godly wisdom, we need to remain humble and respectful.

Today’s trail was once again filled with so many nuggets of wisdom. If we can grasp how important this wisdom is to our emotional, physical, and spiritual health, and how keeping a good attitude contributes to that, we will have learned a great amount of wisdom. We were also reminded to hold our speaking until it is appropriate and of value. Let’s work at incorporating these wise principles into our lives.

Tomorrow we will have another short segment of Wisdom Unplugged where we will uncover an inspirational wisdom quote. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 400 – A Wise Health Tip – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 07:03:18 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 400 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A Wise Health Tip – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today we reach another milestone with our 400^th day on our wisdom trek. Thank you for coming along with us each day. It is Tuesday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom on each Tuesday & Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Paul Dudely White, who tells us, “A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world.”

If you have followed along on our Wisdom-Trek for any length of time, you know that I strive to be very health conscious, and I do exercise extensively. For me personally, I can verify that even when I am feeling unhappy or out of energy, a good brisk walk will help me clear my mind and set my thoughts on what is most important in life. I am then re-energized to be much more productive, efficient, and happy. I would encourage you, even if you can’t walk five miles, to get outside and walk as briskly as you can for as far as you can. Just like you may take vitamins or medicine every day, take a brisk walk each day and see how much your life will change. There is no single thing that you can do with as much impact. Best of all, it is free. Now that is a wise investment with a great return.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 399 – The 8 Components of Healthy Relationships

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 07:03:11 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 399 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The 8 Components of Healthy Relationships

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 399 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate you to live a rich and satisfying life this week. Today we will explore the 8 components of healthy relationships.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. After a quick five day trip to Marietta and back to Charlotte, we have 10 days here before heading to Scottsdale and Mesa Arizona to work with our partners on our construction project there. We are nearing completion of the first 12 townhome units that are part of a much larger development.

Our company in Arizona is the general contractor for the funding group that actually owns the project. It is certainly our hope that the first units sell quickly, so the project will continue on a timely basis. We are motivated, and it is important that we maintain a healthy relationship with the funding group throughout the project.

This is very true in all areas of life. Any relationship whether it is in business, church, friends, or family is a personal relationship. We can only relate effectively when we relate personally. On our motivation trek today, we will hike the trail called…

The 8 Components of Healthy Relationships

While some relationships will be closer than others, all relationships, especially with your family and those you love deepest, must be cultivated like a garden. Time, effort, and imagination must be called on constantly to keep any relationship flourishing and growing. Nothing can bring more joy to life than beautifully fulfilling relationships. The depth of meaning, understanding, and appreciation that these kinds of relationships bring is almost immeasurable. Of course, as many people find out, nothing can bring so much pain as a broken relationship with someone dear to you.

Yes, relationships are what drives us as humans, for better or for worse. What you need to understand is that you can do much to increase your chances of having terrific relationships that are fulfilling and exciting, and rich with meaning, joy, and love. This will make you a truly wealthy person.

There are 8 basic components that govern most human relationships, and these basics make up our trek for today. So, let’s explore the trail for the eight components that I believe make up the basics of healthy relationships.

1. Love

It is not surprising that love it the first component, as we have discussed previously that love is the hub or core of all relationships. If you desire a healthy relationship, you must understand the real definition of love. Most people think that love is a feeling, but I would strongly debate that point. Actually, the concept of “like” is really about feelings. When you say you like someone, you are talking about how you feel. But when you say that you love someone, you are not necessarily talking about how you feel about them. Love is much deeper than a feeling. Love is a commitment and a daily choice that you make to people where you pledge to always treat that person right and honorably.

Yes, for those whom you become especially close to, you will also have feelings of love, but I believe it is time for you to re-examine what you mean by love. You must expand your definition of what love means by including the concept that love is a daily choice and commitment to love without conditions. For healthy relationships, you must choose to love everyone. You may not particularly like a person based on how you feel about them, but you should love them based on our definition of love, which in turn determines how you should act toward them – that is, treat them right and honorably. Unconditional love is the basis of all healthy relationships. Christ taught us about real love in John 15:13, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

2. Serving Heart

My virtual mentor Zig Ziglar frequently said that “You can have everything you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want out of life.”

The concept he is talking about is to have a heart and life that is focused on serving other people. Life is best lived in service to others. This does not mean that we do not strive for the best for ourselves. It does mean that in all things we serve other people, including our family, co-workers, and friends. We must learn to help those who deserve it, not just those who need it. Christ was our example when he was quoted in Matthew 20:28, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

3. Honest Communication

In any good relationship, you will find open and honest communication. Communication is so important because it is the vehicle that allows you to verbalize what is inside you and enables you to connect with another person.

Empathetic communication is a vital goal in good relationships. To communicate is to tell each other what you are thinking and what you are feeling. It enables you to make a connection. Sometimes you are the one speaking and other times you are listening. Either way, the central tenet is communication that enables building the relationship and making it stronger. Here is the goal…If you just communicate, you can get by, but if you communicate skillfully, you can work miracles!

Here is the goal…If you just communicate, you can get by, but if you communicate skillfully, you can work miracles!

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4. Kindness

Put simply, relationships just work better when you are kind to others. Being kind can cushion the bumpy ride you may sometimes experience in your relationships. Kindness and cheerfulness go a long way toward building lasting relationships. I mean, nobody wants to be around an unkind and grumpy person, do they? The fact is that the kinder you are, the more you are going to have people who want to pursue longer-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with you. So put on a smile, always have kind words to say to others, treat people with a great deal of kindness, and you will see your relationships improve. As Proverbs 3:3 tells us, “Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.”

5. Patience

Most of us need some practice in the area of patience. People are not perfect and will constantly fail us. Conversely, you will fail other people. So while you try to have more patience for others, you need their patience as well.

So often, relationships break down because people give up and lose patience. I am talking about all kinds of relationships – friendships, marriages, and business relationships to name a few. Even in the closeness of the bonds of marriage, if you go through major turmoil and you use that time to work on growing patience with each other, your marriage will grow even stronger. If you allow it, patience wins out. The lack of patience in almost all areas is a sign of selfishness on our part. We feel that what we desire is more important than the other person. Those who give up on relationships too early or because the other person isn’t perfect, often forget that their next friend, their next spouse, or business partner will not be perfect either!

Put selfishness aside so that you can cultivate this skill and learn to have more patience.

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6. Loyalty

Loyalty is a commitment to another person. Sadly, loyalty is often a missing element in many relationships today. Have you forgotten what it means to be loyal? Your consumer mentality may have affected this to some degree. People are no longer loyal to a company they work for or a particular brand of product they purchase. Unfortunately, it also goes both ways, many companies are not loyal to employees, vendors, clients, or patrons.

Regrettably, this has spilled over into our relationships. It is one thing to switch brands of shampoo, it is another thing altogether to switch friends or even spouses. Sometimes you just need to choose and commit to being loyal and let the relationship move forward. You may need a higher level of stick-to-it-iveness! This kind of loyalty will take your relationships to a much deeper level. What a powerful and secure feeling of knowing that you have a relationship with someone who is loyal to you and you to them. You know without a doubt that neither of you is going anywhere even when things get tough. What a powerful concept is in today’s throw-away, instant-everything world.

Remember, never let loyalty and kindness leave you.

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7. A Common Purpose

One of the basics of healthy relationships is to have a common purpose and set of values you hold dear. Often this is a component that is initially overlooked, but for a long-term, long-lasting relationship, it is vital. Think about how many friends you have met through the years while working for a common purpose. Maybe it was someone you met while participating in sports while working on a political campaign, attending church, at your office, or anything that brought you together to work on a common purpose.

You had that strong common bond of purpose and values that brought you together and held you together. Working together, building together, failing and succeeding together, all while pursuing a common purpose, is what lasting relationships are made of. Find people with whom you have common purposes and values. Plant these seeds to form great relationships, and then harvest the long-lasting benefits. The principle of planting and harvesting impact all of world life.

8. Fun

All good relationships have some element of fun. Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean loud, wild fun, though that is appropriate for some relationships. But even in business relationships, there should be some fun. It should be fun to do business with those who you are going to have a long-term business relationship with.

Fun brings enjoyment to the relationship, and that is important. Often this key element can be easily forgotten or neglected in our family and spousal relationships. The fun things you did initially in a new relationship after a while can be taken for granted or simply fall by the wayside, and you stop creating the fun and joy. So remember to consciously plan fun situations and moments, for fun is the glue that holds your memories together and makes your lives sweet.

All good relationships have some element of fun.

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There are so many key ingredients to making and maintaining great, long-lasting relationships. Each of the eight components we discussed brings unique dynamics and rewards to your relationships. So begin to focus on improving your relationships in these areas, and see what miracles occur!

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Colossians summed up the art of relationship-building quite well in Chapter 3:12-13, “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

If you follow these 8 components that we visited on today’s trek, your relationships will prosper and so will you. Let us apply them to our lives so that we can create and live a positive legacy for all to see.

Tomorrow’s short trek is part of our Wisdom Unplugged series that we are now hiking on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These 2-3 minute wisdom supplements will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise throughout the entire week. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to...

Day 398 – The Cycles and Seasons of Life (9) – Be Prepared for Winter

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 07:03:41 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 398 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Cycles and Seasons of Life (9) – Be Prepared for Winter

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 398 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. Today we are continuing our trek covering the Cycles and Seasons of Life. In particular, we are moving forward and focusing on the winter season of life. These concepts come from that which I have learned from Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar and of course the Bible.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. With our tight schedule and travel plans this week, I recorded the podcasts a little in advance. When this episode is released, we will be back at The Big House in Marietta until late Sunday when we will head back to Charlotte once again.

Weather permitting, my plans are to finish up a small amount of outside trim around the dining windows that we were unable to complete earlier this month. Depending on the growth of the lawn, I may be able to mow the yard also.

The seasons of the year are not unlike the seasons in our lives. Growing up on an apple orchard, we became very familiar with the various seasons and what each season had in store for us. If we did not complete our task during the proper season, then it directly impacted the next.

During summer there was mowing to do and gardens to weed. Near the end of August, the apple harvest season started, which lasted until late October. This was definitely our busiest season of the year. It was all hands busy picking, sorting, and storing apples. We also had a roadside stand that needed to be attended, as well as deliveries to health food stores across the state. We had to work very hard because even in good years, all income generated was barely enough to keep the 12 of us fed and clothed. In the bad years, it was slim pickings in every area of life. After working hard for an extended harvest time, we kept in mind that there would be some time for resting in the winter season. Growing up as a farmer, the cycles and seasons of life mean so much more.

Apple Harvest Season

You must also realize that during your entire lifetime, there will be many different cycles of seasons. Just because a particular season did not turn out as you expected, don’t let that control the entirety of your life. Each winter season is a time for reflection and planning while each new spring season gives you an opportunity to start new again.

This brings us to our trek for today as we consider moving from fall to winter within the Cycles and Seasons of Life and this section of our trek is titled…

Be Prepared for Winter

As certain as night will always follow day, every season of life will have a time of winter. There will never be an endless summer, nor a continual harvest in the fall. Winter can make its appearance during any season, as a brief reminder of its ultimate power. In mid-summer, while you are consciously tending your carefully growing crops, a winter-like storm in the form of hail and wind can momentarily descend upon you threatening to take away the fruits of your efforts.

Winter can make its threatening appearance during the season of planting and sprouting, the spring, and if you do not quickly respond to cancel its potentially devastating effect, the season of opportunity will be taken from you by one of the storms of life, leaving you with yet another full year of waiting. We certainly experienced this in several years when the apple blossoms were hit with a late frost. Winter can also prematurely appear during the season of harvest, the fall, just as you are about to reap the rewards of expended and extended human effort, and leave you with crops, or results in your work, which are of little value.

The first great lesson of life to learn is that winter will always come; not only during the time when the winter of cold, wind, ice, and snow are expected, but at other times also. Winter within your life can rear its cold winds and snow in the form of despair, loneliness, disappointment, or tragedy. It is winter when your prayers go unanswered or when the acts of your children young or old leave you shaken and stunned. It is winter of your life when the economy turns against you and when creditors come after you. It is winter when competition threatens or when a friend takes advantage of you. Winter comes in many forms, and at any time, both to the planter of crops as well as to the person in business or even to your personal lives.

The arrival of winter will find you in one of two categories. Either you are prepared, or you are unprepared.

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You will be prepared if you have planted abundantly in the spring, guarded your crops carefully during the summer, and harvested massively during the fall. It is then that winter can be yet another season of opportunity. It can be a time for reflection, a time for reading, a time for learning, a time for planning, a time for gathering your strength for the coming spring, and a time for taking the comfortable shelter of rest and relaxation. It can be a time of great enjoyment and a time to be shared with those you love and with those with whom you have labored. It is a time of thanksgiving and a time for the sharing of life’s bountiful gifts. Winter is a time for being grateful, both for what you have, as well as for what you can yet achieve. Winter is a time for rest but not excessive rest. It is a time to enjoy the fruits of your labors but not a time for gluttony. It is a time for warm conversations but not a time for gossip. It is a time of gratitude but not a time for complacency. It is a time to be proud but not a time to be egotistical.

Keep in mind though that what you do with your time, with yourself, with your friends, and with your attitudes during the season of winter determines what you will do with the coming spring. You are meant to constantly improve your conditions, your results, and yourself. During winter you either improve or you regress, for never do you remain the same. If you do not improve, it is because you do not use your intelligence, your reasoning, and your full potential. Finally, what you do not use, you lose. Through lack of use, you may lose your intelligence, reasoning, potential, and strength. When lack of use, or misuse, costs you these worthy human attributes, you predictably regress.

Again, it is one of God’s basic laws of life that demands either human progression or human regression.

You should always be reaching to fulfill your God-given potential.

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When you are prepared for winter’s arrival, you can use the season to properly prepare for your next season. Take advantage of the time to prepare in a relaxed and non-hurried environment. Make wise choices so that when spring arrives, your plan will already be in place.

If you have not properly prepared, the arrival of winter is a time for regret and a time for sorrow. Having lacked the willingness to pay the pain price of earlier discipline, you will now pay the heavier pain price of regret. The burdens and chains of discipline will now seem insignificant when compared to the massive weights and cumbersome restraints of regret. Regret is an empty storehouse or bank account and will result in an empty kitchen when the coming fall is yet a full year away. Even with the arrival of spring, your efforts will be expended with an empty stomach and an empty purse. If you are prepared, winter is springtime in yet another form, but if you are not prepared; winter’s arrival is full of horror and uncertainty. Love and harmony give way to accusations and anger.

Too many people live their lives in this manner. They live on other people’s money and resources until there is no more available. Without attempting to paint too negative of picture, think about your situation if you have not prepared in the previous seasons of your life. Coming to grips with the reality of a situation may be the catalyst you need for improvement in the next season.

The time to imagine the horrors of a winter for which you are unprepared is in the springtime, and in your mind. Let this picture illustrate for you the chilling winds, snow-blown fields, and ice covered trees. Imagine and then experience in your mind’s eye the wailing of a hungry child, and the disappointment showing in the eyes of the ones you love. Emotionally experience the fumbling for excuses and apologies for your past mistakes. The fear that comes with a knock on the door, the phone calls, or the delivery of the mail. Anticipating these scenes in advance can provide the shock that moves you into the massive effort in the spring. It is those massive efforts that will prevent your horrified imaginings from becoming reality.

Coming to grips with the reality of a situation may be the catalyst you need for improvement in the next season of life.

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There is still more to consider about the winter seasons of life, but that will have to wait as we ponder these thoughts until next week’s Philosophy Friday. At that point, we will conclude our series on The Cycles and Seasons of Life.

Planting, nurturing, harvesting and planning are all part of the cycles and seasons of life. It reminds me of Proverbs 24:27 where the wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon instructed us to, “Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house.”

You might think it would be wiser to build shelter first, but if you do that, then you will not have your planting done in time so that you can harvest in the fall. If you have a shelter, but no food, the winter nights will be long and cold, and you will be hungry. Plus there will be yet an entire cycle of the seasons to endure before the next food source arrives. There is a logical order to the seasons of life. As Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.”

All of us will face obstacles and hardships in life, but that does not change God’s immutable laws of planning, planting, nurturing, and harvestings. We will harvest what we plant. We cannot allow the obstacles and hardships to be an excuse for a meager harvest. We all know of those who have overcome massive mountains of opposition to produce a bountiful harvest in their lives.

When you grasp this concept, then you can achieve the rich and satisfying life that Jesus offers in John [10:10]. Next Friday we will finish the winter season of life and recap the series covering the cycles and seasons of life.

Our next trek will be Motivation Monday when we explore more trails of how to get and stay motivated so that you can bring value to your world. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 397 – Wiser Each Day – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 07:03:59 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 397 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Wiser Each Day – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 397 of our trek. It is Thursday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom will include an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom on each Tuesday & Thursday. So, let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Alexander Pope, who tells us, “A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong, which is but saying he is wiser today than he was yesterday.”

Taking personal responsibility for your failures and mistakes is the first sign of a mature and wise person. In addition to that, you should never be ashamed to admit when you have been wrong about something you have said or a decision or a choice that you have made. To do so is to be vulnerable and authentic, which allows others to know that you are not perfect. You are continually growing and learning. The key is to gain wisdom every time you have been wrong and then learn from that mistake so that you do not repeat the mistake. If you are willing to have this attitude, then indeed you will become wiser each day.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 396 – A Gentle Answer Deflects Anger – Proverbs 15:1-17

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 07:03:02 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 396 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A Gentle Answer Deflects Anger – Proverbs 15:1-17

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 396 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trail, we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the first half of Chapter 15.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. After a week in North Carolina, we are heading back to Marietta today and will be staying until Sunday evening to work with clients and celebrate our granddaughter Aurora’s 5^th birthday. Late Sunday we will return for about 10 days before heading out to Arizona to invest some time with our friends and partners the Mecoms on our construction project in Mesa.

This past Saturday we had a wonderful time with Josphat and Emily Yego, who are Chelimo’s parents. Sharing time and meals with them and discussing plans for their leadership institute in Kenya was very enjoyable. We hope to visit them in Kenya sometime within the next couple of years. Of course, the highlight for all of us is investing time in our mutual grandson Kiprono.

To navigate all of these future plans that God has for us will certainly take wisdom and insight, and there is no better place in the world than the Book of Wisdom, which is Proverbs, to gather that wisdom. On our trek for today, we will dig into the first 17 verses of chapter 15. The title for today’s trek is taken from verse 1, and it is…

A Gentle Answer Deflects Anger

¹A gentle answer deflects anger,
but harsh words make tempers flare.

There are many exhortations within Scripture about controlling your speech. One of the best ways to avoid or minimize a potentially volatile situation is to respond with gentleness. It is very difficult for an argument to last when it is one sided. The best way to respond is with a gentle answer, which will usually diffuse the situation. If you respond with harshness, then it will create an ugly situation where nothing is truly settled or accomplished.

One commitment I had made to Paula before we were married is that I would not argue with her and that if we had any differences of opinion, we would work through them rationally and with prayer. After nearly 37 years of marriage, I can testify that this practice has worked extremely well for us.

²The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing,
but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.

It is so refreshing to be in the presence of a wise person. When they speak, it is usually limited, but very insightful and powerful. Their speech is full of knowledge and without pretense. On the other hand, when you are in the company of a fool, it is evident that they are just spewing verbal garbage, and time spent with them has little redeeming value. Choose wisdom over foolishness.

³The Lord is watching everywhere,
keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.

God knows all things, and he even understands the thoughts and intents of our minds. A person who believes that he can hide or get away with that which is contrary to God’s precepts is only fooling himself. Be good and Godly.

⁴Gentle words are a tree of life;
a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

Similar to verse 1, our speech should always be gentle and helpful. When you are kind and helpful, then your words will bring healing and hope to those who listen to your wise and gentle words. If you are hurtful or deceptive in your speech, you will end up hurting those who hear it, and it will bring damage to them. Another unfortunate result is that it will also hurt the person who speaks in this manner.

⁵Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline;
whoever learns from correction is wise.

A person who ignores or hates the discipline, which means to disciple or teach, of their parents, or any wise mentors, is only hurting himself, and will continue to make foolish choices and decisions. Contrary to this is that a person who welcomes and learns from wise correction will, in turn, become wise.

⁶There is treasure in the house of the godly,
but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.

If you remain good and Godly, your home will be filled with riches and treasures that no money can buy. There will be an unlimited amount of love, kindness, and wisdom that will direct the course of your life. A person who chooses not to follow God’s precepts, even if they earn riches, will have a home full of problems and trouble.

⁷The lips of the wise give good advice;
the heart of a fool has none to give.

What comes out of our mouth is a by-product of what we allow to go into our minds. What we plant in our minds will produce the same kind of crop. This will be evidenced by what comes out of our mouth. If you plant wisdom, then you will harvest and speak wisdom and good advice. If you plant foolishness and evil, then you will produce the weeds of foolishness and will have no redeeming value to those who listen.

⁸The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
but he delights in the prayers of the upright.

God is not interested in our outward showing of being religious. He is only interested our heart and deeds of service based on the proper motives of our heart. God is a personal God and wants to communicate with us through His Word, and for us to communicate to Him through prayer. External religious trappings are not what God desires, but a heart that loves Him and others is.

⁹The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but he loves those who pursue godliness.

Continuing the thoughts from the previous verse, God desires all His children to pursue godliness which means knowing and following the precepts of His Word. Those who refuse to follow those precepts are an affront to God as He desires our fellowship with Him.

¹⁰Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined;
whoever hates correction will die.

It is not a trivial thing to choose a different path for your life than following God. Since God is the creator of all, He has set certain rules that we are to follow. These are for our own good because He loves us. When we choose a different path, we will fall outside of God’s guidelines and bring harm on ourselves in many different ways. If we choose to continue down this path, it will eventually result in death to us.

¹¹Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the Lord.
How much more does he know the human heart!

God knows the beginning to the end of all things in time and space. Death and destruction never surprise Him since it is permitted by Him as a result of mankind’s general disobedience. If He knows all things, He knows that thoughts and intents of our mind and heart in all that we do.

¹²Mockers hate to be corrected,
so they stay away from the wise.

A person who is foolish, and chooses not to follow God’s precepts does not want to hear that he is wrong. He is so adamant about this that he will avoid those who are wise so that he is not confronted with mockery.

¹³A glad heart makes a happy face;
a broken heart crushes the spirit.

You can tell when someone is glad and truly joyful internally because their face will reflect the person’s happy heart. The opposite of that is a person who is struggling with real hardships that permeate his very heart. Even if he puts on a smile, it will be evident that he is dealing with a crushed spirit.

¹⁴A wise person is hungry for knowledge,
while the fool feeds on trash.

This is such a recurring theme, not only in Proverbs but in all of life. Who we are or become is controlled primarily by two related factors. Who we invest time with and what we allow going into our minds. If you desire to be wise, you will invest time with wise people and absorb wise information. If you allow trash to fill your mind, then you become more and more foolish.

¹⁵For the despondent, every day brings trouble;
for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

I refer to this as the Eeyore effect taken from the Winnie the Pooh character. Unless there is a physical reason for it, most of the time despondency is controlled by what we allow entering into our minds. When you get sucked into that mindset, then every day finds hardships and problems because subconsciously you are looking for it and expecting life to be hard. If you change your mind through the reading of God’s Word on a daily basis, you will find that your heart begins to become joyful and happy. When this happens, then life will be much better because that is what you are anticipating.

¹⁶Better to have little, with fear for the Lord,
than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.

Wealth and material items will never bring happiness and joy. You can have everything that money can buy and still be full of turmoil. You will never have enough, and the pursuit of more brings more turmoil. If you find your contentment and peace in God, then you will have all that you need.

¹⁷A bowl of vegetables with someone you love
is better than steak with someone you hate.

Most everyone loves a good steak or some other great meal, but if you have to share it with someone that you don’t like or who doesn’t like you, it loses its enjoyment. It is much better to have a meager meal of just vegetables with someone you love. The enjoyment of the meal is largely dependent on who you are sharing it with.

Today’s trail was once again filled with so many nuggets of wisdom. We learned the importance of using gentle words when speaking to others. We also learned the importance of what we allow feeding our minds. These truths may take time to become habits in our lives but are so important. Make it a habit of incorporating these wise principles into your life.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 395 – A Loving Heart – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 07:03:11 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 395 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A Loving Heart – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 395 of our trek. It is Tuesday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom will include an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom on each Tuesday & Thursday. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from the beloved author Charles Dickens, who is famous for his book A Christmas Carol and many other great stories. His quote is, “A loving heart is the truest wisdom.”

This quote is so true. It takes a truly wise person to have a loving heart toward all people. We should not just love those who love us, but also those who are unlovely. Our world would be so much richer and wiser if each of us grew in our capacity to love others unconditionally. So many times our relationships are based on conditional love. That is to say, if a person acts in a way that I am in agreement with, then I will love them. Another conditional love is if they love me, then I will love them. The entirety of the Holy Bible is summed up in a single verse found in Galatians 5:14, “For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”

Here is the caveat. You can never unconditionally love others until you first unconditionally love yourself. So, as you trek through your life learn to love yourself, and then express that love by loving others unconditionally. It is then you will gain true wisdom.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 394 – Success Requires Self-Motivation

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 07:03:28 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 394 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Success Requires Self-Motivation

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 394 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate you to live a rich and satisfying life this week. Today we will explore the success trail of self-motivation.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is good to have a respite from the additional work at The Big House, and we are getting caught up with some of the backlogs of client work. We do have much to do on our podcast-related projects also, so hopefully we will be able to start focusing on those projects soon.

I am recording this podcast prior to the weekend, so I will have to update you with our weekend activities on Wisdom Wednesday. Our plans are to invest time with our daughter-in-law Chelimo’s parents Josphat and Emily Yego on Saturday. They are visiting from Kenya, and we are looking forward to discussing partnering with them as they establish a leadership institute in Kenya. If weather permits, we will also visit the Biltmore House and Gardens on Sunday after church.

We desire to invest in every opportunity that will assist us in daily creating our living legacy while we live a rich and satisfying life. This is what we consider being truly successful. We do realize that all success requires that we are motivated within to drive us forward to the success that we wish to achieve. On our trek today we will hike the trail called…

Success Requires Self-Motivation

Let’s start up our trail, and consider the following…A lot of very smart people end up as failures – failures in life, in work, and in relationships. A lot of very smart people are given plenty of opportunities for success and never take advantage of them. A lot of very smart people are born into privilege and yet turn into failures. And a lot of very smart people accumulate degrees and skills and still fail to achieve what we think they would. What is the common factor in all of these failures? It’s lack of self-motivation.

If you listened to Philosophy Friday, we focused on the universal law of planting and harvesting. When a person lacks self- motivation, they do not follow this law and, therefore, miss the opportunities that will lead to success.

All of the intelligence and all of the opportunity and all of the book learning is simply for nothing if there is no motivation to do anything with them. Let’s look at the 10 milestones that will teach us why self-motivation is the only trail to success.

· What is Self-Motivation?

A child may be motivated to pick up his toys if there is a reward for doing so (of if there is a punishment for not doing so). Someone outside of himself has created that motivation. If there were not an outside motivator, the child would probably not be so quick to pick up those toys. He has no self-motivation. As we mature, we should become self-directed individuals. We muster up the motivation to accomplish things – or not. If we don’t become self-directing, then we won’t meet with success. It relates back to the law mentioned previously, but here are 10 specific reasons.

1. With Self-Motivation, Goals Are Set

If you desire to be a successful person you must set goals and then go after them. Those goals must come from within, based on your passions. For the non-self-motivated person, if goals are set at all, they are only small temporary ones. Such goals may be to get a job that will pay the bills or to save enough money to take a vacation. They are small and short-term.

2. With Self-Motivation, Plans Are Made

Even if the unmotivated person is able to set a long-term goal, (s)he then fails to develop a plan to achieve that goal. The goal just becomes a dream for “someday.” As a self-motivated person, you will develop a very specific plan of action, you will constantly review that plan of action, make modifications when necessary, and stay on that trail toward your destination.

3. With Self-Motivation, There Is Risk-Taking

To be successful, you must take risks. In fact, you are driven to take risks, because you will stagnate otherwise. Unmotivated people find excuses not to take risks, and those excuses become a justification for their stagnation. It’s not the right time; others have tried that and failed; my friends say it’s a stupid idea; my family won’t support me.

4. With Self-Motivation, There Is Optimism

Optimism is that belief that the future holds promise. It provides you with energy and enthusiasm. When you are self-motivated, you are optimistic about your future. Unmotivated people have fear and insecurity about the future. They are therefore willing to stay in their comfort zones where they are safe and don’t have to fear an uncertain future. The fact is, fear actually grows larger every time they stay in their comfort zone.

5. With Self-Motivation, You Do Not Blame Others

Being self-motivated, you know that you alone are responsible for your successes and failures. When you meet failure, you are able to reflect on it, identify what you did wrong, and change your behaviors and circumstances so that success is ultimately achieved. The unmotivated person blames others and never looks within to see what should be changed.

6. With Self-Motivation, There Is Follow Through

Being a self-motivated person, once you set your path toward success, you will stop talking and start doing. You are a list-maker who gets up each day with actions in mind. The unmotivated individual develops his path perhaps but then spins his wheels talking about what he intends to do. No action follows all of that talk.

7. With Self-Motivation, There Is Self-Confidence

Being self-motivated, you take action and have met with some successes. Even if your successes are initially small, you have developed the self-confidence to keep moving forward and take on new and greater challenges. The unmotivated person has not taken action and, therefore, cannot muster up any self-confidence to take on a challenge.

8. With Self-Motivation, There Is Passion

Passion comes from your deep desire and a love for what you are undertaking and pursuing. Being self-motivated you are able to feel the passion, and that keeps you going through any rough patches and obstacles, even big ones. The unmotivated individual shuts down as soon as a rough patch is hit because he doesn’t have that inner passion that will push him through it.

9. With Self-Motivation, There Is Focus

When you are motivated, you are not easily distracted. When you begin a project, you never leave it half-finished. This applies to your entire life. You set a goal, begin planning and acting, and resist getting side-tracked by other events and circumstances. As a self-motivated individual you never take your “eye off the ball.” You resist distractions and move forward.

10. With Self-Motivation, There Are No Missed Opportunities

Being a self-motivated individual, you have a passion for what you are doing and you speak about the goals you have set whenever you have chance, even to strangers. You find opportunities to connect with other like-minded people; you surround yourself with other self-motivated individuals. All of this relationship-building brings opportunities for partnerships, for funding, and for all sorts of support. The unmotivated person doesn’t seek these connections and misses opportunities.

Passion, drive, planning, focus, and steady action – these are the hallmarks of a self-motivated individual. These are the very things that every successful person will tell you are the keys to success. All of them have their origin and their lives within that larger realm of self-motivation. When you are self-motivated, you realize that hard work will be the evidence of your drive. You fully understand the principles of planting and harvesting that we discussed in detail on the last Philosophy Friday trek. Here are three reminders of the results of our self-motivation and hard work.

Proverbs 10:4 – Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.

Proverbs 13:4 – Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.

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

On the trail of self-motivation that we have hiked today, we can clearly see the 10 milestones that will result when we follow this trail. Let us apply them to our lives so that we can create and live a positive legacy for all to see.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 393 – The Cycles and Seasons of Life (8) – The Celebration of Fall

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 07:03:40 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 393 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Cycles and Seasons of Life (8) – The Celebration of Fall

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 393 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. Today we are continuing our trek covering the Cycles and Seasons of Life. In particular, we are moving forward and focusing on the fall season of life.

We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. We drove back to Charlotte on Wednesday and will be here for a week before heading back to Marietta for a few days to assist clients and enjoy our granddaughter Aurora’s 5^th birthday celebration.

We do travel a good bit, but with each season of life, our focus and priorities will change. We need to be flexible and willing to make those changes. Life rarely turns out how we expected and is based on the accumulation of all the decisions we have made in our lives up till now. The key to living a rich and satisfying life is to make wise decisions and then choose to enjoy life even if it is different than we expected.

What you plant in the spring season of life and then nurture during the summer season of life is what you will harvest in the fall season of life. So plant and nurture wisely, so your harvest will be fruitful and in abundance. Realize also that during your lifetime, there will be many different cycles of seasons. Just because a particular season did not turn out as you expected, don’t let that control the entirety of your life. Each winter season is a time for reflection and planning while each new spring season gives you an opportunity to start new again.

This brings us to our trek for today as we consider moving from summer to fall within the Cycles and Seasons of Life, and this section of our trek is titled…

The Celebration of Fall

I would like to start off our trek today with a quote from Lin Yutang who explained the seasons of life in this way, “I like spring, but it is too young. I like summer, but it is too proud. So I like fall best of all, because its leaves are a little yellow, its tone mellower, its colors richer, and it is tinged a little with sorrow… Its golden riches speak not of the innocence of spring, nor of the power of summer, but of the mellowness and kingly wisdom of approaching age. It knows the limitations of life and is content.”

I have to admit that I am approaching my fall of life, and I find this quote to be so true. As I mature, it is easier to see the richness of life but also some of the limitations of life. With this knowledge, I can be content with life how it is, not necessarily how I expected it to be.

Fall is a time for celebration as well as a time for a searching of the conscience. If you planted abundantly in the spring and fought against the insects, weeds, and weather of summer, fall can bring rewards that will give you cause for rejoicing.

On the other hand, if you watched both the arrival and departure of spring and made little effort to take advantage of its almost momentary tenure, fall can be a time of turmoil, a time of anxiety, and a time of great regret.

It is in the fall when you discover how long or short the winter will be. The fall tells you if you have really done that which is required, or if you have fooled yourself through the temporary anesthetizing of conversation and pretense of telling yourself you have worked enough when you haven’t.

Although the following truths are difficult to accept at times, you must take the responsibility for your harvest during the fall. The soil and the arrival of fall together occupy the seat of judgment which presents the final truth of your effort. There can be no disputing its final verdict, for the evidence of your toil, care, and patience is indisputable. Either the crops are bountiful, or they are not. If not, you need to look no further than to the hands of those who were charged with responsibility last spring. The excuses of poor soil, poor seed, or bad weather are better left unsaid.

You as the sower selected the soil; selected the seed; and are held accountable for the harvest, not circumstance.

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Nothing is more exciting than a bountiful harvest and nothing more dreadful than a barren field in the fall. So it is as you are given the responsibility for planting the crops of your field, and so it is also when you are given the responsibilities of your life and success in every area. An unproductive and meager result in the season reserved for harvesting makes confession of your own past failures both difficult and necessary.

An empty bank account is a sign of a past ineffective effort. It is a sign of a missed opportunity. It is a sign of too much procrastination or laziness or spending on non-essential luxuries. The principles and laws found in God’s Word are faultless. This applies equally well to the farmer, to the business person, and to your personal life. Just like the law of gravity is a universal law, there is a law of God that is equally applied to all things and all people, regardless of personal belief. This law has endured since the creation of the world, and for that long, humans have sought to circumvent it, or argue with it, and even to ignore it. In the end, your results demonstrate if you have obeyed or disobeyed its orders. The law is simple and known to all. The law is found in Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” This law is universal in both the spiritual and natural worlds.

In all areas of the human existence, be aware that what you put into this world, you get back from it. It is God’s principle and has a way of leveling the field. Your thoughts and actions determine your results, your lifestyle, and your attitude. Lies, sooner or later, attract lies in return. Finding an easier way at the expense of quality will take its inevitable toll in decreased results whether that be in profits or in sleepless nights, or both. All effort, whether it is how you treat others personally or in the business world, be it service, marketing, recruiting, or products must bring good to all those who are involved, or the effort will not withstand the final test of time.

Corn planted in the spring will produce corn in the fall, as will wheat, barley, or melons produce after their own kind. You cannot plant one crop and expect to harvest another just because you change your mind during mid-summer.

While there may be temporary exceptions to this, it is a tendency of humans to look at those who enjoy success as having been, at some earlier time, either lucky or dishonest. Surely, the man driving the luxury car toward his expensive home on the hill could not deserve it through hard work and sacrifice. Such is the language of the poor. For the fortunate man with the car and the house on the hill, these are crops given to him in his fall of the business season, as just rewards for efforts expended during an earlier springtime of his life. This may be the same springtime during which those who now condemn the man possibly sat back and laughed, or fished, or told stories. This is the folly of humans.

Those who do not possess will always scorn the possessor.

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Those who condemn the successful man or woman for their apparent good fortune or dishonesty are unaware of the price often paid for success. They cannot see the massive disappointments, the shattered hopes, or the broken dreams. They do not understand the risks incurred in both raising and investing capital for an idea yet unproven. They do not see the legal involvements, the tax burdens, the challenges of labor, or the restraining governmental regulations. Nor do they appreciate the family dissent that seems to automatically accompany the pursuit of success. Those who condemn see and scorn the result, being unaware of the cost as well as the cause that produced the success.

For so long as the selfish of the world scorn the successful, that long will they continue to live as they now live.

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In the fall, we either enjoy, or we excuse. For those who failed to take full advantage of the spring, who failed to guard their crops carefully throughout the heat of summer, there can be no legitimate reasons, only excuses, and excuses are merely apologetic attempts to place blame on circumstances rather than on ourselves.

The difference between an inadequate apartment and a mansion on the hill is the same as the difference between average effort in the spring and massive effort in the spring. Nature always promises that a cup produces a bushel, that we will receive more than we plant. Knowing this, as all of us do, we forget that to reap many bushels, which is the measure of success, we still must plant many cups. Massive action in the spring of life is still the requirement for massive success in the fall. Forty hours a week invested in the fields of opportunity may not be enough, especially if it is invested in the wrong field. Sometimes, to improve your results, you must make the painful admission that your present field is too rocky, or thorny, or that the fertile soil is too shallow. And while there is great difficulty involved in changing one field for another more fertile field, that difficulty is insignificant compared to the ultimate difficulty that comes from not changing.

The truths of the fall season are difficult for us to accept. I also struggle with these concepts, even though they are universally true. I realize that there may be overriding exceptions, but we cannot allow that to be an excuse for a meager harvest.

We all know of those who have overcome massive mountains of opposition to produce a bountiful harvest in their lives. It is my prayer that all of us, including myself, will take to heart, consider, and understand these truths. The immutable laws of planting and harvesting are set by God and cannot be changed or violated any more than we can override the law of gravity. When you grasp this concept, then you can direct and achieve a rich and satisfying life that Jesus offers in John [10:10].

Next Friday we will change our season to the winter season of life, the length of which will be dependent on our results during fall. Our next trek will be Motivation Monday when we explore more trails of how to get and stay motivated to bring value to your world. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 392 – Let Your Deeds Speak for You – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 07:03:01 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 392 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Let Your Deeds Speak for You – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 392 of our trek. It is Thursday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom will include an inspirational quote with a little additional content for that day’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom Tuesday & Thursday. So, let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from an unknown author, but the wise tip is still great. This is it, “A fool tells you what he will do; a boaster what he has done. The wise man does it and says nothing.”

As I have mentioned on many of our Wisdom-Treks, we need to learn when it is wise and appropriate to speak. First, you probably know the type of person that is always talking about what they are going to do, but just never seems to get around to accomplishing much with his life. This type of person is foolish because the only one he is fooling is himself.

Next, the boaster loves to shout about the many wonderful things he does, but he is usually only wonderful to himself. Lastly, it is refreshing to come across a truly wise person. He does his work, and usually more, without the need to speak about it. His success is evident in his deeds.

Let us all aspire to be wise, do the work with all of our strength, and let our deeds speak for themselves. Always be satisfied with a job well done regardless of any praise or accolades. Knowing that we have done our best is sufficient.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 391 – Wealth Is a Crown for the Wise – Proverbs 14:18-35

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 07:03:47 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 391 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Wealth Is a Crown for the Wise – Proverbs [14:18]-35

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 391 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the second half of Chapter 14.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. After some meetings with our clients in Marietta on Tuesday, we are heading back to Charlotte today for a week. It will be good to take a break from the renovation work we have been completing on The Big House. We will return to Marietta next Wednesday to work with our clients here and for our granddaughter Aurora’s 5^th birthday celebration.

We are blessed that our work is somewhat location independent. Maintaining two homes was never something I would have imagined doing, but we do feel that is God’s plan for us in this season of our life. While we fully realize and understand there are no guarantees in life, real estate is usually a wise investment long term, so our hope is that it will remain to be so for many more years.

Making wise decisions to the best of our ability is important in life, and there is no better source for wisdom than God’s Word and in particular the book of Proverbs. As we head out on our trek for today, let’s dig for those nuggets of wisdom that fill the book of Proverbs. Today we will dig into the second half of Chapter 14. Today’s trek is…

Wealth Is a Crown for the Wise

¹⁸Simpletons are clothed with foolishness,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

Many times you can tell something about a person by the way they dress. In this verse, we can tell if a person is simple because they clothe themselves in foolishness. You may remember from past studies in Proverbs that a simple person is one who has the capacity to be wise but has not obtained it either through ignorance or choice. The default attire for this person is being foolish. A person who is truly a fool is someone who knows what wisdom is and how to obtain it but has deliberately chosen to ignore wisdom. In contrast to a simpleton, a prudent person can also be known by his attire. He will have wisdom, knowledge, and discernment that will be as evident and obvious as if he was wearing a crown.

¹⁹Evil people will bow before good people;
the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.

A person who chooses to ignore God’s precepts will eventually be subservient to people who have chosen to follow God’s precepts. The evil or wicked person will continue on the wrong trails of life. When they are in trouble because of their unwise decisions, they will have to bow before those who are in the positions of authority for assistance.

²⁰The poor are despised even by their neighbors,
while the rich have many “friends.”

An unfortunate fact of life is that most people will be friends with someone who can provide benefit to them. The poor person usually has little to offer, so most people will not like them or get to know them, even if they are close neighbors. A person who does have wealth will have many fair weathered friends who are looking to benefit themselves. These types of people will never be true friends.

²¹It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor;
blessed are those who help the poor.

As an extension of the previous verse, we see how God would want us to act. This is one of His basic precepts that we should follow. We should not look down on or make another person feel inferior for any reason, especially not for an economic reason. The way we will prosper in life, both spiritually and financially is to help those who are in need. Especially those who would have a difficult time correcting their financial situation on their own.

²²If you plan to do evil, you will be lost;
if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.

One of the many reasons that I love to study the book of Proverbs is that it is so practical. The precepts and principles of God are clear and easy to understand, just like it is easy to understand the law of gravity. If you do evil deeds, then you will lose your way in life and suffer the consequences of your decisions. In contrast to this, if you make it a habit and plan to do good, you will receive the same back to you in the form of love and faithfulness from others.

²³Work brings profit,
but mere talk leads to poverty!

The truth of this verse could not get much simpler. If you work and live within your means, then you will be profitable. You will slowly gain wealth in your life. If you only talk about working, but never get around to it, then don’t be surprised when you end up in poverty with nothing.

²⁴Wealth is a crown for the wise;
the effort of fools yields only foolishness.

A crown is the sign of honor, of status and of someone who has exerted the needed effort to succeed. In addition to royalty, a crown was often given to the winner of an athletic event. If you are wise in life and especially financially, your wealth will be your winner’s crown. On the other hand, if you are foolish, spend more than you earn, and do not make wise investments in life, you will end up harvesting the crop of foolishness

²⁵A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is a traitor.

There is little that is sadder than a miscarriage of justice, especially in a court of law. We know it does happen, but that does not make it noble or right. A person who is truthful in his testimony and in all areas of life will help those who are wrongly accused. A person who is not truthful in his testimony will be a traitor to justice and cause harm to others

²⁶Those who fear the Lord are secure;
he will be a refuge for their children.

If we trust in God that He will provide for us, then He will fulfill His promises. We will be secure in all areas of life and that security will also cover our families. A refuge is a place of safety and security.

²⁷Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain;
it offers escape from the snares of death.

Respect for God and his precepts for life will provide the strength and vitality that we need to live good and Godly. It will keep us safe because we will be wise in the decisions that we are making.

²⁸A growing population is a king’s glory;
a prince without subjects has nothing.

The results of our efforts are proof of whether they are good and honorable. For a king, this would be the number of people who were his subjects. For someone else, this would be that which they are responsible for. In contrast to this, even if you have a position of power or status, if you are not responsible for anything, then it is an empty shell.

²⁹People with understanding control their anger;
a hot temper shows great foolishness.

One sure sign of a wise and confident person is how they act when confronted with conflict and stress. If you are wise and understanding, then there is no reason to lash out at others. A person who loses his temper shows immaturity, selfishness, impatience, lack of confidence, and foolishness.

³⁰A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;
jealousy is like cancer in the bones.

All the advancements in medical science in the past few decades only confirms what King Solomon told us several thousand years ago. If you learn to control stress and remain at peace, then you will also maintain your health. Contrary to this, if you are jealous and stressed, then the likelihood of coming down with cancer and other stress-related illnesses will greatly increase.

³¹Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
but helping the poor honors him.

God cares for everyone, especially for those who are less fortunate. When we care for those who cannot care for themselves, then we are taking on the character of God in our lives. In doing this, we also bring honor to His name.

³²The wicked are crushed by disaster,
but the godly have a refuge when they die.

When we deliberately refuse to follow God’s ways, then we will become wicked in our lives. We will have no security or protection from that which can harm us. The wicked have no hope. On the other side of that are those who choose to live good and Godly lives. We know that God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Most of all we know that our eternity is secure.

³³Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart;
wisdom is not found among fools.

The person who has chosen to follow God and His Word will gain wisdom throughout their lifetime. Wisdom will become such an integral part of them that it is embedded in the very fabric of who they are. Contrary to that are those who have chosen to remain a fool. It will be evident because they will lack basic wisdom.

³⁴Godliness makes a nation great,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.

This is another basic principle from God, and one that many nations of this world would be wise to take note of. If the people of a nation choose to live Godly lives, then the nation will be strengthened. In contrast to this, if the people of a nation choose that which is contrary to God’s ways, then other nations will despise them.

³⁵A king rejoices in wise servants
but is angry with those who disgrace him.

Whether you are a king, a business owner, a manager, or a parent you will rejoice when those that you are responsible for make wise choices. On the flip side, there is nothing more heartbreaking than to see someone you are responsible for making foolish choices. It will make you angry and disgraced that they cannot see the wise way.

Today’s trail was once again filled with so many nuggets of wisdom. These truths are not hard to implement within our lives. We can easily consume and digest them which will strengthen us each day. Make it a habit of incorporating these wise principles into your life.

Tomorrow we will have another short segment of Wisdom Unplugged where we will uncover an inspirational wisdom quote. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy these daily doses of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person when you meet with them and invite them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek, so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 390 – The Wisdom of Age – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 07:03:06 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 390 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Wisdom of Age – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week, wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 390 of our trek. It is Tuesday and time for our 2-3 minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom will include an inspirational quote with a little additional content for that day’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom on those days. So, let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Harold Kushner, and his wisdom is, “We do ourselves and others a disservice when we make old age something to be feared. Life is not a resource to be used up, so that the older we get, the less life we have left. Life is the accumulation of wisdom, love, and experience of people encountered and obstacles overcome. The longer we live, the more life we possess.”

When we are young, many times we do not realize the treasures of wisdom that older and wiser people have. As I am approaching 60 shortly, I realize just how true this is. With today’s advancement in technology and medicine, it is possible that I am only reaching middle age.What excites me about that is that if God grants me a long life, I have the opportunity to both gain more wisdom and experiences and to share it to positively impact the lives of others much more effectively in the next half of my life. Regardless of your age, continue to learn, to love, to gain wisdom, to experience life to the fullest, and to live that rich and satisfying life each day that God gives to you.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 389 – The Three Trails of Motivation

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 07:03:51 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 389 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Three Trails of Motivation

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 389 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate you to live a rich and satisfying life this week. Today we will explore three short trails that will help you to remain motivated and focused throughout this week.

Motivation Monday

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. On Saturday of this week, we are headed north to Canton, Ohio for the annual Robb Reunion. Paula’s mom’s maiden name is Robb, and we always enjoy getting together with family who all share our common faith in God. We always attend the annual reunion, as getting together and sharing with family is an important aspect of our lives. It is just a day trip, so we will leave early in the morning and return Saturday evening.

I am also working on some of the renovation projects that I was unable to complete earlier. This past week I was able to apply roof coating to a small alcove roof outside the dining room. There is a small amount of wood trim around that same alcove that I have to finish painting also. This project will finish up the significant projects on the house itself that we had set for this summer.

I still plan to use the power washer on the cracks in the driveway to prepare them for crack filler. After these projects are completed, we will take a little break on renovations for now and begin to make plans for next year’s projects based on the time and resources available. I will need to maintain the lawn and flowers the remainder of this summer, and before we know it, the leaves will be falling again, which will keep me busy this fall.

So, it is now time to look forward to this week’s dose of motivation to help us along the trails of life. Today our trek will take us on…

The Three Trails of Motivation

The first of the three trails takes us up the mountain with the 21 Steps to a Happy Life. Listen to these steps as we come to them and allow them to motivate you to live an impactful life this week.

Compliment three people every day.
Watch a sunrise.
Be the first to say “Hello.”
Live beneath your means.
Treat everyone as you want to be treated.
Never give up on anybody; miracles happen.
Forget the Jones’s.
Remember someone’s name.
Pray not for things but for wisdom and courage.
Be tough-minded but tender-hearted.
Be kinder than you have to be.
Don’t forget that a person’s greatest emotional need is to feel loved and appreciated.
Keep your promises.
Learn to show cheerfulness even when you don’t feel it.
Remember that overnight success usually takes 15 years.
Leave everything better than you found it.
Remember that winners do what losers don’t want to do.
When you arrive at your job in the morning, let the first thing you say brighten everyone’s day.
Don’t rain on other people’s parades.
Don’t waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
Keep some things to yourself and don’t promote havoc by backstabbing people you love.

That brings us to a plateau where we will switch to our 2^nd trail for today. Along this plateau, we come across 11 milestones that will become our Creed to Live By this week. Think about each one and how you can apply it to your life, which will help you to make a greater impact on the lives of others.

Don’t undermine your worth by comparing yourself to others.
It is because we are different that each of us is special.
Don’t set your goals by what other people deem important.
Only you know what is best for you.
Don’t take for granted the things closest to your heart.
Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless.
Don’t let life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live up all the days of your life.
Don’t give up when you still have something left to give,
Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.
Don’t be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect.
It is this fragile thread that binds us together.
Don’t be afraid to encounter risks.
It is by taking chances that we learn to be brave.
Don’t shut love out of your life by saying it’s impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love is to give love;
the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly;
and the best way to keep love is to give it wings.
Don’t dismiss your dreams.
To be without dreams is to be without hope;
to be without hope is to be without purpose.
Don’t run through life so fast
that you forget not only where you’ve been,
but where you are going.
Life is not a race,
but a journey to be savored every step of the way.

Now we come to our third trail for our trek today, which is the Trail of Remembrance. As we continue upward to new heights, let us remember these 20 stops along our journey.

Remember that your presence is a present to the world.
Remember that you are a unique and unrepeatable creation.
Remember that your life can be what you want it to be.
Remember to take the days just one at a time.
Remember to count your blessings, not your troubles.
Remember that you’ll make it through whatever comes along.
Remember that most of the answers you need are within you.
Remember those dreams waiting to be realized.
Remember that decisions are too important to leave to chance.
Remember to always reach for the best that is within you.
Remember that nothing wastes more energy than worry.
Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
Remember that the longer you carry a grudge, the heavier it gets.
Remember not to take things too seriously.
Remember to laugh.
Remember that a little love goes a long way.
Remember that a lot of love goes forever.
Remember that happiness is more often found in giving than getting.
Remember that life’s treasures are people, not things.
Remember that miracles can still happen.

As we come to the end of today’s trek, let me motivate you with the words that the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Philippi Chapter 4 verses 4-9, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

On the three trails of motivation that we have hiked today, we have considered many encouraging words. Let us apply them to our lives so that we can create and live a positive legacy for all to see.

Tomorrow’s short trek is part of our Wisdom Unplugged series that we are now hiking on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These 2-3 minute wisdom supplements will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise throughout the entire week. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy these daily doses of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person when you meet with them and invite them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek, so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 388 – The Cycles and Seasons of Life (7) – The Growth of Summer

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 07:03:56 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 388 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Cycles and Seasons of Life (7) – The Growth of Summer

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week, wisdom and legacy podcast. This is Day 388 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. Today we are continuing our trek covering the Cycles and Seasons of Life. In particular, we are moving forward and focusing on the summer season of life.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. As we are settling back into a more normal routine, there is so much exciting client work and podcast-related projects to work on that staying focused on one area at a time is a challenge.

I am unsubscribing to many promotional emails that I receive in order to minimize the rabbit trail distractions that they cause. Although much of this information is good and I can learn from them, with a plate that is already overflowing, I need to focus on the most pressing projects that can be completed within the next few months. Since I love to learn and absorb new information, it is a challenge to minimize distractions but a habit that is required in order to maximize my output.

This reminds me of the summer season of life that we will explore today. Once your seeds of spring are planted and your plants are growing, you must be diligent to protect that growth by purging the weeds and insects of life that can easily destroy all the seeds that you planted earlier. You must also remember to keep the new plants sufficiently watered so that they will flourish and grow into healthy fruit-bearing plants for the harvest time during the fall season of your life.

Speaking of life and its seasons, let’s head out on our trek for today as we move from spring to summer within the Cycles and Seasons of Life within the section titled…

The Growth of Summer

Success in life is not an easy matter, nor is it an easy matter for the seed to push away the soil in its quest to find the light and airborne chemicals that give it health. Progress in any form and happiness or success in any form requires constant effort, for obstacles exist that might discourage you if you are weak or if you feel undeserving. Overcome one obstacle in life, and another appears to fill the void. Life is designed to be a story of achievement in spite of adversity, not in the absence of adversity, for without adversity achievement could not exist.

Do not blame the problems and challenges of life for your humbling circumstances. Does the seed complain because of the rocks it must grow over, under, around, or through? Would any worthy life exist on earth if all life were to surrender when first confronted by difficulty? The constant, unrelenting pull of life is downward—giving cause for disappointment, despair, and discouragement. There shall always be a reason to give up; there shall always be cause for complaint. But if you engage in complaining, you add to the downward pull of life. The only automatic thing in life is weeds and insects. They need not be planted, nor cared for. Their existence is assumed in that they feed and survive on the good efforts of the industrious.

The Growth of Summer

The summer of life is a time to protect; it is a time for the constant daily effort to guard against the busy insects and the harmful weeds. The spring is a time for the creation of things of value, and those things require the season of summer for growing and gaining strength so that you might yield your results in the coming fall. The end of spring cannot bring an end of your effort. Your spring effort ends, and your summer efforts remain yet to begin. If your effort ceases at the end of spring, your neglect will make its haunting appearance, and your growth will turn to stagnation and decay.

The insects and weeds of life exist to test your will to succeed, and your worthiness for life’s rich rewards.

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Develop an understanding and awareness of the fact that all good will be attacked. It is life’s way of qualifying those who are worthy and those who are not. The weeds of life are designed to turn confidence into doubt, trust into suspicion, patience into impatience, and effort into procrastination, worry, and eventual defeat. Do not invest valuable time arguing with how life is. The weeds, insects, rocks, and storms of life will all laugh at you if you take the time to viciously accuse them of being unfair. Are they unfair? Yes, but you cannot seek something for nothing or seek the rewards of life without paying the price of waging war against obstacles by increased activity and determination. Invest no time chasing the birds who seek to peck at your seeds or the insects who seek to devour your coming harvest. For if you make diligent efforts to plant, protect, and preserve, there are not enough birds, insects, or other obstacles to destroy all the efforts invested in the spring season of life.

Learn to accept the perpetual existence of negativity, and also learn that negativity always yields to your constant effort coupled with your constantly growing faith and positive attitude. As is written in Galatians 6:7, “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.”

This is one of the many basic principles or truths of life and arises only when you combine the efforts of planting with the mental effort of believing, and the physical effort of constant attention to those things of value. Smile at adversity, and take action quickly to eliminate it. Expect adversity, for it shall surely appear. Be grateful for adversity, for it forces your spirit to grow. Your character is formed not in the absence of difficulty but in your response to difficulty.

All things, even adversity, have their worthy purpose.

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Both of us, you and I live in a world of causes and consequences. The harvest, which is our life as we now live it, is the result of seeds planted at an earlier time. Some of the “seeds” we planted ourselves through unbreakable habits. Others were planted for us by parents, teachers, and other well-meaning, but often misguided, people whose own poor thinking habits were passed on to us. In either case, our current attitude, finances, environment, lifestyle, and view of our own future possibilities are called circumstances—and to change circumstances, we must change the cause of those circumstances, which is ourselves. We must change our habits, our attitudes, our opinions, and often our occupation, residence, and even friends if circumstances are ever to change.

Think about it in this analogy…A man visits the shop of a gardener and, without thinking or even inquiring, selects what appears to be an attractive plant, which he purchases, takes home, and plants in his yard. Months later he discovers that the plant has grown, matured, and now blossoms into a healthy poinsettia to which he is allergic. To wish now that the plant were a rose or a tulip, would be foolish. The circumstances will not change because he dislikes the result. He alone is the cause of his watery eyes and running nose.

And so it is if you are a person who lives amid mediocrity—whether the seeds which brought about that condition were placed into the soil of life by yourself or by someone else is unimportant. To accuse others, to feel sorry for yourself, or to continue rationalizing or making excuses is foolish. Only a massive, voluntary, and effective assault on changing causes is important. Direct your thought, conversation, and full attention to that if you wish to change circumstances.

Concentrate a good share of your idle hours upon self-development by planning more, reading more, and investing more. Invest your time in worthy projects; invest your thoughts toward a worthy purpose; invest your talents toward a worthy occupation; invest your affection toward a worthy recipient; and finally, reserve your greatest respect for yourself, for it is that image – what you perceive yourself to be – that determines your quality of life. Never forget that you are created in the very image of God as is written in Genesis 1:27, “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Let’s face it. People and events are going to continue to both hurt and disappoint you. Among those people will be those you most love as well as those you least know. Seldom is it their intent to purposely hurt you, but rather a variety of situations mostly beyond your control will cause them to act, speak, or think in ways that can hurt you, your present feelings, emotions, and the way your life unfolds. It has been this way through six thousand years of recorded history, and your hurt or grief is not the first time a human has been deeply hurt by the inappropriate actions of another.

The only way to avoid being touched by life, the good as well as the bad, is to withdraw from society. Even then you will disappoint yourself, and your imaginings about what is going on out in the world will haunt you and hurt you. Knowing this, there is but one solution that will support you when people and events hurt you—and that is to learn to work harder on your own personal growth than anything else. Since you cannot control the weather or the traffic or the ones you love or your neighbors or your boss, then you must learn to control yourself. It is only your response to the difficulties of life that really counts.

Do not doubt yourself, for where doubt resides confidence cannot. Do not neglect yourself, for with neglect comes loss. Do not imagine yourself to be less than you are nor more than you are, but seek always to become all of which you are capable. Do not allow yourself to become arrogant or discourteous, for both are characteristics adopted by those who seek to cover their weaknesses. Do not waste time regretting the past, but invest that time wisely by preparing a better future. You are a fertile seed of the creator of all things, destined not to lie dormant but to spring forth from the soil called life and grow upward toward the unlimited horizons— overcoming all obstacles in the process.

It is your destiny to tap your talents and to achieve all that of which you believe yourself to be worthy…to love more, anticipate more, overcome more, plan more, attract more, and to enjoy more than you ever dreamed possible. Such is the standard of life awaiting your mental decision and outstretched hand.

You are deserving of more, you are becoming more, and you shall succeed.

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This has been a rather lengthy trail on today’s trek, but one that we really need to take to heart, consider, and understand. The immutable laws of planting and harvesting are set by God and cannot be changed or violated any more than we can override the law of gravity. When you grasp this concept, then you can direct and achieve a rich and satisfying life that Jesus offers in John [10:10]. Next Friday we will change our season to fall which is a time for harvest.

Our next trek will be Motivation Monday where we explore three short trails to help motivate you and bring value to your world. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Make Your Summer Season Count

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and invite them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically. I would like to ask you to also rate and review us on iTunes or Google Play so that others will find out about Wisdom-Trek and join us.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Wednesday!

Day 387 – Do Not Fear – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 07:03:50 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 387 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Wisdom Unplugged – Do Not Fear

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week, wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 387 of our trek. We have started a new segment on Tuesday and Thursday of each week in which we will provide a short 2-3 minute trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom will be an inspirational quote with little or no additional content for that day’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom on those days. So, let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today’s quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson, and his wisdom is, “The wise man in the storm prays to God, not for safety from danger, but for deliverance from fear. It is the storm within which endangers him, not the storm without.”

Fear is so debilitating. We need to remember that most of the time our fear within us is more a creation of our mind than any real harmful situation. Unless the situation causes us bodily harm or death, then we can and should overcome the fear. Unfounded fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. It only appears real in our minds. So, commit today to putting fear aside and live life to the fullest. Don’t let anything hold you back from achieving your God-given potential.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Day 386 – Laughter Can Conceal a Heavy Heart – Proverbs 14:1-17

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 07:03:38 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 386 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Laughter Can Conceal a Heavy Heart – Proverbs 14:1-17

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 386 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails, we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the first half of chapter 14.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. It is good to get back to a normal schedule this week. For the past two months, I have invested my morning exercise and devotional time working on the renovation projects. While it still provided a good opportunity for physical activity, it is good to get back on the treadmill for my 5 mile run each morning. I am also able to work my other exercise routines in before the run. The morning schedule allows me to have my devotional and meditation time during my 70 minutes of exercise.

As we refocus on our client work and newer projects, I have some catching up to do to clear some of the backlogs. We will get there one day at a time. Since none of us are promised more than today, that will be sufficient.

In case you missed yesterday’s Wisdom-Trek, we have started a very short segment on Tuesday and Thursday of each week called Wisdom Unplugged. It is a short 1-3 minute wisdom nugget featuring a wisdom inspirational quote designed to be a supplement on those days. Let me know how you enjoy these mini-treks by leaving a comment on Wisdom-Trek or emailing me at guthrie@venturecg.com.

As we head out on our trek for today, let’s dig for those nuggets of wisdom that fill the book of Proverbs. Today we will dig into the first half of chapter 14. Today’s trek is…

Laughter Can Conceal a Heavy Heart

¹A wise woman builds her home,
but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

If you are wise, either as a woman or a man, you will take the necessary steps to follow Godly principles to create a home environment that is nurturing and helpful for the entire family. This requires selfless acts of love. If you are foolish, though, you will primarily think about what is best for yourself, and make decisions based on selfishness. This will result in the destruction of the home. Ideally, all members of the family should have concern for and look after each other to foster a proper home life.

²Those who follow the right path fear the Lord;
those who take the wrong path despise him.

It does not get much simpler than this verse. If you desire to be a good and Godly person, then you will learn, understand, and apply God’s precepts to your life. By doing so you will follow the trail that is best for your life. If you choose to ignore God’s precepts, then you will find yourself on the trail that leads to destruction in your life.

³A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him,
but the words of the wise keep them safe.

Words are so important every time you open your mouth to speak you should do so with caution. If you are proud and speak that which is foolish, it will come back to harm you in the same manner as getting beaten with a whip or rods. In contrast to this, if your words are wise, they will be a hedge of protection to you, protecting you from harm. When you speak the truth, you will not have to remember what you said because it will be the truth each time.

⁴Without oxen a stable stays clean,
but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.

When you work, life may get messy and be difficult at times, but that is okay because the fruit of your labor will be worth it. Yes, life may be easier in the short term if you are lazy or not productive, but you will soon be hungry. Work hard like a strong ox and you will produce a large return.

⁵An honest witness does not lie;
a false witness breathes lies.

If you are honest at your very core, then you will not lie regardless of the situation or cost to you. Situational ethics is so prevalent that you need to be very careful not to fall victim to that thinking. A person who practices lying will become habitual at it. Lying and breathing will become one to that person. This unfortunate person will get to the point in his life where he does not even realize he is lying.

⁶A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it,
but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.

If a person is proud and mocking of God’s precepts even if he seeks to become wise, he never will because true wisdom comes only from God. If you seek wisdom and understanding from God, then you will easily obtain knowledge, wisdom, and insight

⁷Stay away from fools,
for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.

We need to be very cautious who we invest time with because we will become like them. If you hang with fools, you will become a fool. You can tell if someone is a fool by the way he speaks and acts. His lips will show they lack basic knowledge and common sense

⁸The prudent understand where they are going,
but fools deceive themselves.

When you are prudent, then you will set goals and make decisions that are wise and attainable. You will clearly know your purpose and the direction you would like to pursue in your life. If you lack wisdom, then you may think you are setting direction for life, but without a clear purpose for life, you will deceive yourself and wander aimlessly.

⁹Fools make fun of guilt,
but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.

If you are foolish, you will not accept responsibility for your life and, therefore, not understand the reason to seek reconciliation when you do wrong. If you are good and Godly, then when you do make mistakes or cause harm to another person you will seek forgiveness and work toward reconciliation.

¹⁰Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can fully share its joy.

No one can fully share in sadness or bitterness that you may experience. Some people may be able to empathize with you to an extent, but it will not be to the depth that you may feel. In the same manner, when you are joyful and rejoicing about a positive situation, others may share that joy but not to the same extent.

¹¹The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the godly will flourish.

Eventually, if a person is wicked and does not follow God’s precepts, even if they have a grand house, it will not last. In contrast, a good and Godly person, even if they only have a tent to live in, will flourish with their family because their lives are not built on material possessions.

¹²There is a path before each person that seems right,
but it ends in death.

You may make plans for your life, but if it is not based on God’s Word and His precepts regardless of how grand of plan it is, the end result will be death and destruction.

¹³Laughter can conceal a heavy heart,
but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.

You need to consider and be sensitive to the needs and hurts of others. You never know for sure what another person may be going through at any point in time. Although they may appear happy and are jovial externally, it may be a mask covering deep and lasting grief. Get to know others on such an intimate level that you understand what their true heart is feeling.

¹⁴Backsliders get what they deserve;
good people receive their reward.

If a person chooses to ignore God’s Word and his laws for life, eventually they will harvest what they have planted in life. The converse is also true. If you live a good life according to God’s Word with consistent persistence, you will harvest an abundance of what you planted.

¹⁵Only simpletons believe everything they’re told!
The prudent carefully consider their steps.

It is good to trust others, but you must also verify what you are told as truth according to God’s Word. You need to be prudent and consider your trails in life.

¹⁶The wise are cautious and avoid danger;
fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.

It is certainly wise to show some restraint and caution in life so that you do not become involved in dangerous situations. Those who are foolish act before they think and will pay the price for their thoughtless actions.

¹⁷Short-tempered people do foolish things,
and schemers are hated.

Controlling your temper is always good. Losing your temper is always your choice. When you do lose your temper, you will fall prey to saying and doing things that are foolish. You will become known as someone who schemes and cannot be trusted. When this happens, others will avoid you and start to disdain you.

Today’s trail was once again filled with nuggets of wisdom that we can easily consume, digest, and allow to strengthen us each day. Don’t just listen to God’s Word. Allow these precepts to become habits in your life.

Tomorrow we will have another short segment of Wisdom Unplugged in which we will cover an inspirational wisdom quote. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Wednesday!

Day 385 – Your Life Matters – Wisdom Unplugged

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 07:03:24 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 385 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Wisdom Unplugged – Your Life Matters

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week, wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 385 of our trek, and today we are providing a new feature that will be available on Tuesday and Thursday of each week called Wisdom Unplugged. This will be a very short nugget of wisdom or an inspirational quote with little or no additional content for the day’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom on those days. So, let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

This is a quote from Ruth Barton which says, “As we begin to see the package God is putting together in our lives and discover his purposes for bringing us to our world, it will provide us with the framework we need to make wise choices. In addition, we will find that a sense of purpose gives hope in the midst of tragedy and difficulty, gives meaning to the mundane aspects of our lives, and helps us to make our lives count for God.”

As a recap of today’s quote remember that God has a specific purpose for your life because you matter to God. Go out today and fulfill that purpose and make a positive impact on someone else today.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Day 384 – The Realization of Happiness

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 07:03:24 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 384 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Realization of Happiness

Thank you for joining us for our 3 days per week, 12 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 384 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate you to live a rich and satisfying life this week. Today we are continuing our trek and will hike the trail called The Realization of Happiness.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We arrived back from the Podcast Movement 2016 conference, and I have to say it was worth every minute and dollar invested in it. I realize that the information learned and the connections made will return many times the investment.

The PMx talk I gave on Wednesday was not quite as polished as what I had desired. But, the feedback I received from the audience was good, and I learned some lessons for the next time. Although Wisdom-Trek was not chosen for the Academy of Podcasters Award, just to be nominated was such a privilege. We are honored. Andy Stanley’s Leadership Podcast won the award in the Religion and Spirituality category, which was well deserved. It is an excellent podcast.

While at the event, we were able to reconnect with existing friends and establish many new friendships. The bonds and connections made this past week will last a lifetime.

After all the renovations on The Big House, a very enjoyable and successful family reunion, and then a great Podcast Movement conference, it will be nice to relax a little and then get back into our normal routine of client work and podcasting. I do have a few projects left that I was unable to complete before the reunion but will be able to leisurely complete those over the remainder of the summer. I plan to make a video tour of The Big House renovations once I get settled back in this week. I will let you know when that is completed.

With a new week facing us now and after some intense and exciting events, it is easy to fall into a lull period where it is hard to stay motivated. We do not want to fall prey to this, so today let’s hike the trail called…

The Realization of Happiness

Clinical psychologists believe that happiness is a product of realization. You must allow yourself to go through a process to realize happiness. While we may not experience happiness all of the time, we can take steps to ensure that we are happier in all aspects of life. It all boils down to the choices that we make in the following 14 areas:

Accept the pains. You must realize and accept your situation for what it is. Sometimes people deny their hardships, thinking that if they don’t face them, they will be happier. But it’s the other way around. Allow yourself to go through the pains. Live life how it really is today, not what you hope it to be. Joy is an even greater sense of happiness because it defies circumstances. The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:4, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”
Choose not to stay in pain. This is self-choice or could be called “self-empowerment.” You can either be bitter about the pains and feel very powerless, or you can make a choice to do something and feel powerful enough to handle them. It’s your choice to live with or without pain.
Forgive yourself and other people. Before forgiveness comes in, think about how other people hurt. Then realize that you can see yourself for who you actually are and not how others want you to be. So finding happiness is never rooted outside, but it’s inside you—what you see, how you view things, what you want. Then it leads to your choice: to live your life with yourself. Learn to accept all of the apologies you never receive. It is then you will be able to free yourself from the control of others.
Take responsibility for your life. You sometimes allow yourself to let other people, circumstances, or pains in the past to rule your lives. So you become very unhappy and very bitter because you live blaming others for who you are, where you are, or how you should be. It’s an exhausting process because you’ll forever be blaming other people. Don’t be bothered by who others think you are or the standards they set. Take responsibility for your life. It is not other people’s responsibility to love you. It is yours.

Learn to let go and trust yourself. To be happy means learning to let go of expectations from yourself or from other people. You can’t always have your way. At work or at home, you can’t always be sure your strategies will work, or your plans will happen. But, before you let go, have a deeper trust in yourself.
Learn to receive blessings. Think of the little things that make you happy or the people that give you assurance where you’re good. This is called receiving. You have reasons to be happy. You just don’t see them, or you take them for granted. You need to have the eyes and heart to see and feel the little and simple things in life and realize that all things that make you happy have been there all along. Choose and enjoy the little and simple things in life.
Have somebody to turn to. Even if you’re in turmoil, there are people who will support you. Too often we stick with people who make us very unhappy. If you’re unhappy, seek people who will encourage and nurture you. You become like those that you invest most of your time with. Seek out others who will serve as a well-spring of inspiration, and don’t forget to be the same for them.
Be hopeful. Having true and lasting hope is better than being optimistic since it is whole, real, and established in faith. Sometimes your optimism can be a denial of hardship. It’s easy to be fake optimistic about things, but inside you, you’re anxious about them. Hoping is deeper. It’s something you look forward to even when you recognize the difficulties and pains. The more hopeful you are, the more you recognize even when the situation is bad and difficult to handle, it will bear good results in the end. You don’t deny difficulties. You’re touching ground instead. As Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”
Keep the faith alive. There’ll be points in your life when you can’t handle problems alone. Think about someone who’s wiser and stronger who loves you dearly enough to take care of you. Having faith in God will give you hope, and allowing others to minister into your life will keep your faith alive.
You can actually give intangible gifts even without your conscious effort. While it may not manifest itself immediately, people will tell you later that you’ve helped them, and gradually, you will feel you’re making a difference in their lives. That’s a deeper gift. When you help others, they affirm you by saying thank you and be blessed by your goodness. It is then that you realize that you’re a good person, and your goodness is not merely based on meeting deadlines, getting a raise, or some self-benefit. It’s more of proving your self-worth based on being loved for who you really are and not simply for the result you can deliver or the material contribution to a company or organization. This strengthens your positive attitude toward difficulties in life.
Be grateful. You have to develop in yourself the sense of gratitude. You should be thankful for what you have. But you should recognize that there are things you can do to improve your life. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
It’s all in the mind. We are unhappy because we think we are. Unhappy people are attached to their unhappiness. They refuse to change. When you think negatively, then you attract negative thoughts. If you think that a tragedy will fall on you, it becomes self-fulfilling prophecy. Unconsciously, you make it happen. Of course, the converse is true. It all boils down to happiness being a choice.

Money isn’t everything. People accumulate more and more money but the amount of happiness they can “buy” gets smaller and smaller. Although more money may bring a greater feeling of empowerment, studies show that personal relationships, spirituality, and feelings about yourself most directly influence well-being and happiness. Money should never be viewed as a source of happiness, but a source that will allow you to have options to make better choices in life and more opportunity to positively impact the lives of others.
Discover the best friend in you. We can all change for the better. You can be happy even with yourself by discovering the best friend in you. Get real. Don’t be hard on yourself with those high, unattainable goals. It’s time you don’t look for happiness outside you. Today, let someone love you just the way you are – as flawed as you might be, as unattractive as you sometimes feel, and as incomplete as you think you are. Yes, let someone love you despite all of this, and let that someone be YOU. To create a living legacy, you must learn to love others unconditionally. Here is the caveat, you can never unconditionally love others until you first unconditionally love yourself.

We have hiked the trail of The Realization of Happiness. To a large extent, we are in control and responsible for our own happiness. Also, we can experience a deep sense of abiding joy in our lives, regardless of our circumstances. Let us learn the lessons from today’s trail and apply them each day. Our next trek will be Wisdom Wednesday when we will explore for the nuggets of wisdom found in Proverbs 14. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Wednesday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Wednesday!

Day 383 – The Cycles and Seasons of Life (6) – Prepare During Spring

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 07:03:30 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 383 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Cycles and Seasons of Life (6) – Prepare During Spring

Thank you for joining us for our 3 days per week, 12 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 383 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. Today we are continuing our trek covering the Cycles and Seasons of Life. In particular, we are focusing on the life season of spring.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. I am recording this episode on Monday since we will be leaving for the Podcast Movement conference in Chicago tomorrow and will be away the remainder of this week.

The reunion weekend is winding down with the final clean up and family members gradually leaving. Our final count was 76 family members in attendance which included 7 out of 9 of my siblings, my dad, our children, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. The weather was nice, and everyone appeared to enjoy being back at The Big House for the weekend. We are blessed and humbled to be able to host it. Paula and I always enjoy being the hosts and the facilitators of family gatherings. This season of our lives allows us the opportunity to work on renovating the house and serving in this manner.

Speaking of life seasons, let’s head out on our trek for today as we continue on with the spring season within the Cycles and Seasons of Life within the section titled…

The Constant, Predictable, Pattern of Change

The essence of springtime is faith woven among the threads of massive human effort. Springtime is the fresh air of new opportunity, amid the dissipating clouds of winter. Spring is the time for you to enter the bleak, empty fields given to you as a new chance. When you enter those fields, you see in the adjoining fields the blossoming of nature’s flowers—the daisies, and other miracles of nature, which God planted, reminding you now that nature fulfills its promises. Already, the miracle of the seasons shows itself, for the same snows that gave you cause to huddle for warmth during the winter also covered nature’s crops, which exist now before your eyes.

Expend your effort now, without complaint, without doubt, without pessimism, and without self-pity over the severity of your winter of circumstance. Did the daisies complain because of the same cold and the same winds? No, they did not, yet they exist as either a reminder, a threat, or a promise. Do the lilies hide beneath the cover of earth, fearing an unexpected return of winter, or do they restrain themselves for fear of the coming bugs and weeds of summer? Do the daisies or the lilies of the field of nature make excuses or lie or linger? They are there because they endured circumstance and pushed aside the seasonal obstacles of rocks and hard-packed soil, and so must you if your life is to blossom.

The same God who gave life and meaning, and opportunity to the crops of nature now gives you the same blessings. Are you to say that you are less than a lily or a daisy? Do they have a brain or vision or choice? Do they converse one with another for the sharing of ideas? In His parable in Matthew 6:28-30, Jesus taught us,“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”

God does provide everything for you, but He does expect you to use your abilities as the tools to fulfill His plan. Springtime merely says, “Here I am!” Springtime sends its life and its warmth. It sends you constant messages of its arrival—the robin, the squirrels, the return of the swallows, and the berries of the field for those whose own storehouses are empty. Springtime gives a smile to those who respond to its arrival and a tear for those who sit or who make only half an effort.

Some will work only a little—enough to give to themselves excuses for the meager results come the fall. Some will fish or play or sleep or lie among the wildflowers. Some will plant foolishly or quickly and not take the time to perform to the level of their capability or intelligence. Some will trust only in the God who brought forth the wildflowers, forgetting the admonition that “faith without works is dead.”

God does provide everything for you, but He does expect you to use your abilities as the tools to fulfill His plan.

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The warmth, the sun, and the fertile fields of the spring are but part of the formula for achievement; the catalyst that produces the final result is intense, honest, and consistent human effort, and therein lies the problem. As a human, you are given freewill—the right to choose; the right to use discipline or not use it; the choice to act with courage or huddle in fear; the choice to think or respond out of habit.

When we are given a free choice, more often than not, we choose to rest, or we choose half an effort, or we choose a convenient excuse. Sometimes we choose to remain indoors because of its comfort or by a brook rather than in the field, knowing that the intelligence that lets us perform well will also let us lie well or excuse ourselves well or blame circumstances well. Above all, the gift of human intelligence and the freedom of choice that accompanies it is not a blessing but a curse, for it allows us to even fool and lie to ourselves, which is the height of ignorance.

Choose action, not rest. Choose truth, not fantasy. Choose a smile, not a frown. Choose love, not animosity. Choose the good in life in all things, and choose the opportunity as well as the chance to work when springtime smiles on your life.

Much of the effort and opportunity of springtime rests in the depth and degree of your faith. Life provides no assurances that the planting of seeds will provide the reaping of crops. We have only the demonstrated experiences of others to draw upon. The storms of life could cancel your efforts expended in the fields of opportunity. But to expend no effort during the spring will assure no results during the fall.

Choose action, not rest. Choose truth, not fantasy. Choose a smile, not a frown. Choose love, not animosity.

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Faith further provides to you an irrevocable law decreed in heaven which assures that for every disciplined human effort, you will receive multiple rewards…For each cup planted, a bushel reaped…For every good idea given to another, many shall be given to you in return…For every demonstrated act of faith, a multiplicity of the rewards…For every act of love given, a life of love in return…For each seed of encouragement given to another, a gathering of the honest effort expended during the spring and an hour of honest rest in the fall…For each act of patience and understanding rendered to another, a return of patience from another when your own acts give cause for disappointment.

It is the promise of spring that as you plant, so will you also harvest. If you plant lies, you will harvest lies; plant greed, harvest poverty; plant inactivity, harvest an empty storehouse; choose to procrastinate, and surely an infant giant will grow to become a monster rendering your future action ineffective.

The act of planting during the warm breezes of spring requires that you exert the pain of human discipline. Being unwilling to do so assures that in the coming fall, you shall surely experience the greater pain of regret—the difference is that the pain of discipline weighs ounces, and the pain of regret weighs tons. You must either plant during the springtime of life or beg from others during the fall.

A kernel of corn produces its own kind. A seed of doubt, or fear, or distrust placed in the mind also produces after its own kind. As certainly as the soil gives back the same kind that which you place into it, so also does your mind give back in the human circumstance that which you place into it by your choice of human thought. The price or effort of thinking thoughts of love, prosperity, or self-confidence is no greater than the price given to thoughts of hate, poverty, or self-doubt. Only the rewards are different.

Each day is given to you as a new season of spring. The thoughts, deeds, dreams, and efforts of today will provide tomorrow’s harvest. To neglect the opportunity given to you this day is to delay your better future. Do not use today to mentally re-live yesterday or to await the arrival of tomorrow, for tomorrow— when it arrives—will be called today. There will be no better day, no better opportunity, no better springtime, no better time to begin than the current moment. Seize the moments as you find them, and mold them into your own better future. Today’s procrastination will surely be tomorrow’s regret.

Today’s procrastination will surely be tomorrow’s regret.

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For some, the emergence of springtime is a time of great difficulty. Perhaps because of your own neglect or inactivity of past seasons, you find your storehouse and your stomachs empty. Your need for food or monies is not in the coming fall…but now. The voices of those you love echo their needs brought about by your lack of effort or results, and their eyes look away from you, lest you detect the shame and disappointment shown in them.

Under circumstances such as these, you are often given to forgetting that the seasons will neither speed up nor slow down because of your needs. The springtime will only appear, but it will not wait, nor will it transform seed into harvest. As always, the seed, as well as your needs, must await the changing seasons. You cannot ask nature for an advance. Talent, need, desire, and prayer are meaningless to those suffering the painful consequences of earlier neglect. With your empty stomachs, barren storehouse, and great regret you must enter the fields during this spring, for to neglect once again because of your demeaning circumstances is to assure a continuance of the current conditions.

Finally, become wise enough to recognize the faint glimmerings of the springtimes of life which manifest themselves each day. Take advantage of the opportunity to listen to the words of those wiser than yourself…The opportunity to lift a child upon your knee. The opportunity to walk a beach with someone you love. The opportunity to absorb the value of a good book. The opportunity to speak good things about someone when habit prompts you to find fault. The opportunity to watch the hummingbirds, or the flowers, or a butterfly perform its strange miracle.

Seize the infrequent opportunity to do nothing for a change or something for a change. Force yourself to turn off the television or computer, and embrace the opportunity for having family conversation—or even silence. Opportunity surrounds us all, appearing and disappearing just as fast, leaving behind fond memories to those who responded to its appearance, or regret to those who were then too busy to bother.

Life is truly a constant beginning, a constant opportunity, and a constant springtime. You need only to learn to look once again at life as you did as a child, letting fascination and curiosity give you a welcome cause for taking a second look, rather than taking for granted. Fortune, happiness, and peace of mind await those who learn to look for the miraculous hidden among the common. The unique blending of sun, soil, and seed at the springtime of seasons will provide predictable and miraculous results for those who will learn to take full and complete advantage of the spring.

Life is truly a constant beginning, a constant opportunity, and a constant springtime.

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This has been a rather lengthy trail on today’s trek, but it is one that we really need to take to heart and to consider and understand. The immutable laws of planting and harvesting are set by God and cannot be changed or violated any more than we can override the law of gravity. When you grasp this concept, then you can direct and achieve a rich and satisfying life.

Next Friday we will change our season to summer, but our next trek will be Motivation Monday where we explore how you can realize happiness in your life. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 382 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Walk With the Wise and Become Wise – Proverbs [13:13]-25

Thank you for joining us for our 3 days per week, 12 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 382 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday we will explore for the nuggets of wisdom that are found along the Proverb trail. Today we explore Proverbs [13:13]-25.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We had such a blessed time with the Chamberlain Reunion at The Big House this past weekend. Reconnecting with siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles was such an enjoyment. We are truly blessed to have the family and homestead that we do.

When this day’s trek is released, Paula and I will be in Chicago for the Podcast Movement annual conference. I am honored to have the privilege to speak during a PMx session, which is similar in format to the popular Ted Talks. These short 15-minute sessions are designed to inform and inspire the listeners with a topic that will be useful to help podcasters succeed in their podcasting journey. The talk that I will be giving is 10 Truths for Creating Your Living Legacy through Podcasting. My talk will be very similar to my Wisdom-Trek podcast. It is my hope and desire to provide the audience with practical tips to help them to live their legacy each day.

One way to ensure a living legacy is by obtaining wisdom, insight, and understanding. There is no better source for this than the book of Proverbs and today’s trek is titled…

Walk with the Wise and Become Wise

Let’s begin today Proverbs [13:13].

¹³People who despise advice are asking for trouble;
those who respect a command will succeed.

A person who does not seek advice from wise and tested people will end up making foolish decisions and will end up in trouble. In fact, that person is considered a fool. The fact is that to succeed you must be willing to take advice and learn from others that have proven themselves successful in various areas of life. We must respect and seek out those who are wise.

¹⁴The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain;
those who accept it avoid the snares of death.

We need to seek out the instruction of those individuals that have gained wisdom and insight through the years of their life journey. That wisdom will be like water in a desert providing us life and sustenance to carry on where otherwise we would perish.

¹⁵A person with good sense is respected;
a treacherous person is headed for destruction.

It is very refreshing to be in the presence of a person with a wealth of common sense. It seems so rare in today’s world. We can respect a person who has these traits. On the other hand, a person without good sense cannot be trusted because they are unreliable, unfaithful, and two-faced.

¹⁶Wise people think before they act;
fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.

A sign of a wise person is that they are not reactionary. They will take the proper time to think before taking action. This will prevent them from making decisions or taking action that would be harmful to themselves or others. In contrast to this is the fool who reacts instead of taking action and is only wise in his own eyes but whose decisions and actions prove otherwise.

¹⁷An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble,
but a reliable messenger brings healing.

A person who cannot be relied on for information or results will find themselves stumbling through life. He falls into trouble himself and brings trouble for those he impacts. A person who is reliable is like healing to those who are afflicted. A reliable person is dependable, which soothes the soul, much like medicine would heal the body.

¹⁸If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace;
if you accept correction, you will be honored.

No one likes to be criticized because it hurts our egos and often offends us. If you do not heed constructive criticism, you will be a poor person who continues down a path of disgrace. Criticism is necessary if we are to grow in wisdom. If we willingly accept correction, we will live a life of honor and respect from others.

¹⁹It is pleasant to see dreams come true,
but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.

All of us have dreams and ambitions, and when we are able to achieve them it is a pleasant occurrence. God’s Word is full of wisdom and precepts that should be congruent with our dreams. When our dreams are contrary to God’s guidelines and we refuse to change them, then we shouldn’t be surprised when our dreams turn to nightmares. When God’s precepts are adhered to, then there will be a predictable outcome. When they are not, then we cannot expect God to save us from our foolish decisions.

²⁰Walk with the wise and become wise;
associate with fools and get in trouble.

You become like those who you invest time with. If you invest time with wise people and listen to their wisdom, you will gain wisdom yourself. If you spend time with foolish and wicked people, you will become like them. Like my mom would say, “If you lie down with dogs, don’t be surprised when you wake up with fleas.”

²¹Trouble chases sinners,
while blessings reward the righteous.

Your thoughts will determine your actions, which will determine your outcomes in life. When you choose to do what is contrary to God’s precepts, then you will have troubles in your life. In contrast, those who practice being good and Godly will experience the reward of a peaceful and pleasant life that is free from fear and anxiety.

²²Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren,
but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.

A person who is good and Godly will make wise financial decisions and, as a result, will be able to accumulate wealth and Godly traditions that will be passed through the generations to come. Not so for those who make unwise financial decisions and become a slave to the lenders. They will not have wealth nor wisdom to pass on to future generations.

²³A poor person’s farm may produce much food,
but injustice sweeps it all away.

While there are situations that are completely out of our control where we lose our financial foundation, this loss, in most cases, is because of unwise financial decisions that we have made. This verse would indicate that even when a poor person has the opportunity to gain a solid footing financially because of their past unwise decisions any gain is swept away by the creditors that they are slaves to.

²⁴Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.
Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.

This verse has fallen into some controversy in today’s politically correct world view. While I certainly do not advocate any type of abuse to children at any age, there are times when children and adults need to be disciplined for unwise decisions. What we lose in the word discipline is the root word to disciple. When you disciple a person, you take him alongside you to train and teach him how to make proper decisions. This is what we need to do for our children and grandchildren, to bring them alongside us, to care for them enough that we are willing to pour ourselves into their lives.

²⁵The godly eat to their hearts’ content,
but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.

If you have the right mindset about contentment, then regardless if you are in plenty or in want, you will still be content with what you have. Those who are not content with what they currently have, certainly will not be content with more. This applies to food or anything else in life.

That brings us to the end of our trail for today as we complete Proverbs 13. Once again, the wealth of wisdom that we are able to dig up from the nuggets contained in these verses is amazing. It certainly is true that if we walk with the wise, we will become wise. Let’s walk on today.

Our next trek will be Philosophy Friday when we will continue to ponder and study the Cycles and Seasons of Life, and in particular the season of spring. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along on Friday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Wednesday!

Day 381 – Motivate Yourself

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 07:03:32 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 381 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Motivate Yourself

Thank you for joining us for our 3 days per week, 12 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 381 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we will provide you with your weekly dose of motivation that will set you on the trail of success. Today we will hike the six steps needed to motivate yourself.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. By the time this episode is released, the 5-year Chamberlain Reunion will be winding down. Since I am recording this ahead of time, I will have to provide details on future treks.

Paula and I have put in hundreds of hours in renovations and preparation over the past couple of years so that we could provide the best venue and experience possible for the family. We were motivated by a fixed deadline to work extra hours with a focused effort to accomplish all that we had planned. While we did not complete everything that we had hoped to due to time and resources, we were very pleased with the amount of work that we did accomplish. Creating an atmosphere of unity and peace where everyone feels that they have “come home” is important to us and is part of our living legacy for the family.

Although maintaining The Big House is a lot of work and responsibility, we feel that it is part of our God-given mission for life. As Jesus spoke in Luke 12:48, “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” With that awareness, we carry on with the joy of being able to serve in this manner.

Because of the deadline of the reunion we were highly motivated to complete our tasks, which is a basic principle with any motivation. Today let us hike the trail that contains the six steps to…

Motivate Yourself

Let’s get started on our trek for today with a quote from Andrew Carnegie, “People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents.”

If you want to excel in life, self-motivation is essential. You must know how to motivate yourself. You must be able to keep your spirit high no matter how discouraging a situation is. That’s the only way to get the power you need to overcome difficulties. Those who are discouraged in difficult times are certain to lose even before the battle is over.

The question is: How do you motivate yourself? We will climb the six steps that will allow you to effectively build and maintain self-motivation.

1. Have a cause.

I can’t think of a more powerful source of motivation than a cause you care about. This was the Chamberlain Reunion for Paula and me. Such causes can inspire you to give your best even in the face of difficulties. It can make you do the seemingly impossible things.

While other causes could inspire you temporarily, a cause that matters to you can inspire you indefinitely. It’s like a mountain spring of motivation that will never dry. Whenever you think that you run out of motivation, you can always come to your cause to get a fresh dose of motivation.

2. Have a dream – a big dream.

Karen Ravn put it this way:

Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.

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Your cause is a powerful source of motivation, but it’s still abstract in nature. You need to make it concrete in the form of a dream. For us, it was imagining how The Big House would look with the renovations completed. That image drove us on when we felt like quitting.

Having a dream is important because it’s difficult to be motivated if you don’t have anything to shoot for. Being able to host the family for the weekend and allowing them to see the Family Homestead restored to its original state is our overriding dream. While we are not completely finished, we have made good progress. We will continue with our dream in subsequent years. That is our goal which drives our ambition. Just having a dream is insufficient.

Your dream must be big enough to inspire you. It must be realistic but challenging. It must stretch your ability beyond your comfort zone.

3. Be passionate.

Les Brown said, “Wanting something is not enough. You must have a passion for it. Your motivation must be absolutely compelling in order to overcome the obstacles that will invariably come your way.”

To be truly motivated, you need to have passion and not just desire. Having mere desire won’t take you through difficult times since you don’t want things badly enough. In many cases, passion makes the difference between the best performers and the mediocre ones.

How can you have passion? Your cause and your dream play a big role here. If you have a cause you care about and a big dream related to it, you should have the passion inside of you. If you think that you are losing passion, all you need to do is to connect again to your cause and dream. Let them inspire you and bring the passion back.

4. Run your own race.

Mikhail Baryshnikov put it this way, “I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.”

Comparing yourself with others is an effective way to demotivate yourself. Even if you start with enthusiasm, you will soon lose your energy when you compare yourself with others.

Don’t let that happen to you. You have your own race so how other people perform is irrelevant. Comparing yourself to others is like comparing the performance of a swimmer with a runner using the same time standard. They are different so how can you compare one with the other?

The only competitor you have is yourself. The only one you need to beat is you. Let me ask you this question…Have you become the best you can be?

The only competitor you have is yourself.

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5. Take one more step.

Winston Churchill once said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

When you meet obstacles along the way, there could be the tendency to quit. You may think that it’s too difficult to move on. You may think that your dream is impossible to achieve. But this is where you can see the difference between winners and losers. Though both of them face the same difficulties, there is one thing that makes the winners different – the courage to continue.

In difficult situations, just focus on taking one more step forward. Don’t think about how to complete the race. Don’t think about how many more obstacles are waiting for you. Just focus on taking the next step. Through the many early mornings and late nights working on refinishing the woodwork and floors, I had to continually remind myself to keep moving forward, just a little bit at a time. In doing so, I was able to complete the tasks that we had planned for now.

6. Let go of the past.

This next quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson certainly summed up my feelings most days, “Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could.”

Believe it or not, one of the best de-motivators is your past. Your past can drag you down before you realize it. Your past can give you a heavy burden on your shoulders.

The good news is it’s a burden you don’t have to carry. Take it off your shoulder and leave it. You might make mistakes in the past. You might disappoint others with what you did. But it’s over. It’s already in the past, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Today is a new day, and you have the chance to start again. No matter how bad your past might be, you still have a bright future ahead waiting for you. Just don’t let the burden of the past stop you.

We are nearing the end of today’s trek. These six steps, if followed, will provide you with the tools needed to motivate yourself. Don’t settle for mediocrity. Let your self-motivation take you to excellence. Go forward this week with a new sense of self-motivation to do you very best. Don’t wait for someone else to motivate you. External motivation is never lasting. Take responsibility for yourself.

Our next trek will be Wisdom Wednesday, and we will dig for more nuggets of wisdom in the 2^nd half of Proverbs 13. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Wednesday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Wednesday!

Day 380 – The Cycles and Seasons of Life (5) – The Awakening of Spring

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 07:03:53 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 380 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Cycles and Seasons of Life (5) – The Awakening of Spring

Thank you for joining us for our 3 days per week, 12 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 380 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder the truths about life and creating your living legacy. Today we will consider The Constant, Predictable Pattern of Change within the Cycles and Seasons of Life.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. On Wednesday, we invested the day with our local client assisting with the monthly billings and other back office duties. After we had finished with the client, we went shopping for all the food and supplies for the Chamberlain reunion that starts Friday evening and runs through Monday morning. Some of our family will only be in for a day, but overall we are anticipating 75 -100 family members in attendance. While we did not complete all of the projects we had planned, the most important ones were finished, and we are ready for family to arrive. My sister Rebecca and sister-in-law Ann helped Paula prepare the meals on Thursday. Our nephew Adam came up with Rebecca and helped me with some remaining projects that I worked on.

While change is a constant part of our lives, being able to renovate The Big House also gives us a realization how important a solid foundation in life really is. With the house being over 110 years old, it is still as grand and beautiful as ever. With all of the fast pace changes in our lives, a strong, solid, lasting foundation is an important part of the living legacy that each of us should work toward.

As part of the Cycles and Seasons of Life, today on our trek we will explore change through…

The Constant, Predictable, Pattern of Change

The tide comes in and then recedes; the sun rises, giving light, and then sets, bringing darkness. Drought plagues the farm fields of the world, followed by rain in abundance. On this day, we swelter under the intense heat of the July sun, and soon we clothe ourselves against the penetrating cold of the mid-winter storm. Prosperity brings her abundant opportunity and rewards, but will withdraw at a future time when confronted by a receding business climate. The smile gives way to the tear, as does the joy to the sorrow and the jubilation to the tragedy. Close friends become hated enemies. The guns and bloodshed of war are followed by the stillness of a temporary peace.

For each of us existing on this spinning blue-white sphere called earth, confidence is replaced with the passage of time, by doubt; patience is replaced by stress; expectancy by boredom; and achievement by disillusionment.

As the wheel of life continues its constant turn, all human emotions appear, disappear, and appear once again. We sit in amazement in the role of spectators, as a generation living in morality becomes an immoral generation. This gives us cause to predict the end of the world, as did our forefathers when confronted by the same dilemma generations before.

The confrontations, disappointments, and challenges of life are treated by each generation as though they are the first to experience such events, when in fact, the pre-Christian years saw the same occurrences both appear and dissolve.

In Ecclesiastes 1:4-11 Solomon describes it this way,

“Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes. The sun rises and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again. The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles. Rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full. Then the water returns again to the rivers and flows out again to the sea. Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content. History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. Sometimes people say, ‘Here is something new!’ But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new. We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.”

For all of us, the only constant factor in life is our feelings and attitudes toward life. A major challenge faced by us all is that we learn to experience the changing of life’s cycles without being changed by them. To make a constant and conscious effort to improve ourselves in the face of changing circumstance is to assure a tolerance for the winters of life’s events, and to permit ourselves the full enjoyment of the blessings of life’s harvest come the autumn.

Let us now hike through each season of life as it corresponds to the seasons of each year. We will begin exploring the beginning of spring today, and on subsequent Fridays, we will travel through all four seasons taking our time to ponder what each season has in store for us.

Spring

Following the turbulence of winter comes the season of activity and opportunity called springtime. It is the season for entering the fertile fields of life with seed, knowledge, commitment, and determined effort. It is not a time to linger, nor to ponder the possibility of failure. Foolish is the one who would allow springtime to pass while dwelling upon the memory of the successful crop of last fall, or the failure to reap last fall in spite of the massive efforts of last spring.

It is a natural characteristic of springtime to present itself ever so briefly, or to lull us into inactivity with its bounteous beauty. Do not pause too long to soak in the aroma of the blossoming flowers, lest you awaken to find springtime gone with your seed still in your sack. Spring does not care if you sow or sleep, nor does it care if you plant abundantly or meagerly. It does not care if you plant the fertile kernel of wheat or useless weed-seeds. Neither spring, the soil, sun, nor other elements, care if you plant at all. It will merely present itself as the time to take advantage. Springtime will not admonish you to plant, nor will it warn of the consequences of not planting. For the tiller of the soil, springtime is without emotion.

It is God who gave you the wisdom to rise from your comfortable chair and enter the fields at the right season.

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For the husband, father, wife, mother, or businessperson, springtime comes in the form of opportunity to enroll in a class, or to have a conversation with someone at the proper moment, to have the courage to change either occupation or residence, or perhaps even to change your mind about something or someone. The springtime of life manifests itself infrequently. Do not allow springtime to pass while you sit idly, contemplating the severity of the past winter of life.

With the intelligence, wisdom, and freedom of choice given to us as humans, exercise the discipline to plant in spite of the rocks, weeds, or other obstacles before us. The rocks, weeds, and thorns of the world cannot destroy all your seeds if you plant massively and intelligently enough.

To take full advantage of the spring, rid your soil of the weeds and rocks disguised as the opinions of those around you in the form of worry, doubt, or pessimism. It is the fertilizer of faith and enthusiasm that will overcome the worst forms of bugs and weeds. Listen not to the bearers of discouraging words—those who would have you rest with them during the work season of spring. They will find themselves starving come the fall and winter, or begging from those who recognize spring as a brief opportunity to work, and to leave play for another season.

There is much more to share about spring as a Season of Life, but we have come to the end of today’s trail, and we will have to wait until Philosophy Friday next week. Understanding the Cycles and Seasons of Life may be difficult for you, but these truths are immutable laws no different than the Law of Gravity. You cannot defy that law, nor can you change the basic concepts that control the seasons of life. Once we acknowledge this, then we can create and live our legacy each day.

Our next trek will be Motivation Monday when we will discover the 6 steps to motivate yourself. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Wednesday!

Day 379 – Hope Deferred Makes the Heart Sick – Proverbs 13:1-12

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 07:03:51 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 379 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Hope Deferred Make the Heart Sick – Proverbs 13:1-12

Thank you for joining us for our 3 days per week, 12 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 379 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday we will explore for nuggets of wisdom to help you to grow in wisdom, insight, and understanding. Today we will dig for these treasures in Proverbs 13.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. By the time this day’s trek is completed, we should have the exterior trim and front porch painted. We also need to paint the gas lamps in the yard and a table for the front porch. The details for the reunion are coming together although we were not able to complete everything in our plans. Over the subsequent weeks and months, we will continue to complete the projects on our renovation list.

Much to our surprise and enjoyment after being away for nearly a week, the two young hawks have returned. Although we do not see them frequent the nest, they appear to be practicing their calls, flying, and hunting. It has been very interesting to watch.

Another subject that I find very interesting and useful are the nuggets of wisdom from Proverbs 13. Today on our trek, we will explore the first 12 verses in what I am calling…

Hope Deferred Makes The Heart Sick

¹A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline;
a mocker refuses to listen to correction.

Parents who instruct their children well are those who disciple them. To be able to disciple properly, you must also live a life where lessons can be caught, as well as taught. Yes, instructing children does require various forms of discipline through the process, but a child who is gaining wisdom will accept that discipline as part of their training for life. On the other hand, a child who is unwise rejects the discipline from a parent. He will mock and ridicule that instruction.

²Wise words will win you a good meal,
but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.

When you are wise, your words will be full of wisdom. This will satisfy the soul like a good meal satisfies hunger. In contrast, the unwise and unfaithful person is one who is always seeking to be satisfied, but their hunger is never filled because they seek that which is wrong and cannot bring any lasting satisfaction

³Those who control their tongue will have a long life;
opening your mouth can ruin everything.

As Solomon points out many times in Proverbs, speaking too much is not wise. If we can learn to speak only when it is appropriate, and we have something worthwhile to say, then it will spare us much sorrow and lead to a full and long life. The opposite of this is someone who speaks without thinking or wisdom. They also speak too often, and as a result, their lives will be full of hardship, both for themselves and those around them.

⁴Lazy people want much but get little,
but those who work hard will prosper.

A person who is lazy does not understand the basic principle and direct correlation between work and prosperity. They desire to have much, but end up with little. Those who are willing to work hard and not chase fantasies or get rich quick schemes will have an abundance of all that they need. One aspect of this concept that many do not understand is that you cannot spend more than you earn. The reason so many people feel that they work hard and still do not prosper is that they are living beyond their means. We can get by in life with so much less than we realize. If we are disciplined, frugal and work hard, we will see prosperity follow. It is a basic principle of life.

⁵The godly hate lies;
the wicked cause shame and disgrace.

As you grow in your faith and become good and Godly, you will learn to hate that which God hates. One of those items are lies. Although lying seems so prevalent throughout all of history, we should not lie nor accept lies from others. Those who do not care to live according to God’s precepts have no scruples about lying. This will bring shame and disgrace both to them and those who they impact.

⁶Godliness guards the path of the blameless,
but the evil are misled by sin.

As you become wiser and adopt qualities in your life that are good and Godly, those attributes will become a guardrail on your path of life to prevent you from slipping, which will allow you to remain blameless. The unwise and ungodly do not have those guardrails in place, and can easily be led down the wrong path that will lead to sin, destruction, and eventual death.

⁷Some who are poor pretend to be rich;
others who are rich pretend to be poor.

This is an interesting aspect of human nature. In many cases, those that do not have an abundance of wealth like to give the impression that they are wealthy. They are willing to go into debt to buy those things that they do not need to impress people who do not care. It is never wise to live beyond your means. In contrast to this, there are many that are truly wealthy, but you would never know it by their lifestyles. They live frugal, modest lives that do not reflect their actual status. In many of these cases, it is because of their lifestyles that they are able to gain wealth.

⁸The rich can pay a ransom for their lives,
but the poor won’t even get threatened.

There are many advantages to being wealthy, especially if wealth is used to impact others. On the flip side of that when you are wealthy, the responsibility that comes with being wealthy can also become a trap or a burden. Rich people may feel that it is a ransom on their lives. This is one burden that the poor don’t feel because they have little to give. Keep in mind, though, this verse does not give anyone an excuse to remain poor.

⁹The life of the godly is full of light and joy,
but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.

When we are walking in the light of God’s Word and following His precepts, our lives should be filled with that light, and we should be overflowing with joy as a natural outgrowth of that light. In contrast, those who live without acknowledging God in their lives will increasingly live in darkness, and their lives will be without joy.

¹⁰Pride leads to conflict;
those who take advice are wise.

Nearly all conflicts and problems in our lives can be boiled down to our pride. One sure sign of pride is the inability to take advice from others. On the other hand, a person with a humble spirit will be willing to take advice and correction which will lead to additional wisdom.

¹¹Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears;
wealth from hard work grows over time.

We see this problem every day, and we all fall prey to it. We want something for nothing. We desire to gain wealth for our own consumption but are unwilling to invest the time and energy needed. There never will be a get rich quick scheme that works. True wealth is only gained through working hard over an extended period of time. It goes back to the basic analogy of planting and harvesting. There are certain immutable laws that must be followed.

¹²Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.

There are few things more crushing to our spirits than to have hope for something and yet not be able to obtain it. It can literally make us ill. We must have the proper hope in the only one who can give us true and lasting joy. As Isaiah 40:31, “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” It is when our true and lasting dreams are fulfilled that we will have the joy and strength to carry on in all circumstances.

We have dug up some great nuggets of wisdom in the first 12 verses of Proverbs 13. Let’s consider these truths and then apply them to our lives so that we can live a life that is rich and satisfying. In doing so we will create and live our legacy each day. Our next trek will be Philosophy Friday where we will ponder The Constant, Predictable Pattern of Change within the Cycles and Seasons of Life. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Friday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Wednesday!

Day 378 – A Guide to Motivation (2)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 07:03:33 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 378 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A Guide to Motivation (2)

Thank you for joining us for our 3 days per week, 12 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 378 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we will provide a shot of motivation to encourage and inspire you to make it a great week. Today we will finish up a two-part exploration of A Guide to Motivation.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We had an extremely busy weekend of restoration work. All of the woodwork and floors that we had planned to refinish at this time are completed. We also are making progress on the exterior painting and hope to finish it up by Wednesday. There are some other miscellaneous projects that we desire to complete this week, but they may have to wait until later. Before the start of the reunion, I hope to get a video capture of the renovations that we have completed so far.

Some of the Wisdom-Trek and client projects have been delayed until the middle of July when we return from the Podcast Movement conference. Our focus on the renovations, Chamberlain reunion, and conference where I will be speaking, has consumed most of our time this month. Since the conference is focused on podcasting, I am sure we will be highly motivated to make good progress when we return from Chicago on July 9^th.

As we think about motivation, let us head out on the 2^nd segment of our trek today to explore 20 ways to sustain motivation when you are struggling…

A Guide to Motivation (2)

The second half of our guide to motivation explores how to keep yourself going when you don’t feel the same excitement as you did in the beginning. Perhaps something new has come into your life, and your old goal isn’t as much of a priority anymore. Perhaps you skipped a day or two, and now you can’t get back into it. Perhaps you screwed up and got discouraged.

If you can get yourself excited again and keep going, you’ll get there eventually. But if you give up, you won’t. It’s your choice — accomplish the goal or quit. Here are 20 tips to assist you in reaching your goal:

Hold yourself back. When you start a new exercise program, or any new goal really, you are full of excitement, and your enthusiasm knows no boundaries. You may think you can do anything. It’s not long before you learn that you do have limitations, and your enthusiasm begins to wane. One lesson to learn and sustain motivation, even if you have a lot of energy at the beginning of a program and want to go all out — hold back slightly. Remember that any goal worth achieving will best be accomplished over an extended period of time. Don’t let yourself do everything you want to do immediately. Plan out a sensible course of action where you slowly increase over time. For example, if you want to go running, you might think you can run 3 miles at first. But instead of letting yourself do that, start by only running a mile. When you’re running that mile, you may tell yourself that you can do more, but don’t. After that workout, you will be looking forward to the next workout, when you will run 1.5 miles. Keep that energy reined in, harness it so that you can run even further long term.
Just start. There are some days when you don’t feel like heading out the door for a run, or figuring out your budget, or whatever it is you’re supposed to do that day for your goal. Instead of thinking about how hard it is and how long it will take, tell yourself that you just have to start. I have a practice where I lay my exercise clothes out the night before, so they are ready when I get up. It is starting that is the most difficult time. Once you start, it is never as hard as you thought it would be. This tip works for me every time.
Stay accountable. Commit yourself publicly, through an online forum, on a blog, in an email, or in person…Stay accountable to that group of people. Report back to them daily or weekly, and stick to it! That accountability will help because you don’t want to report that you’ve failed.
Squash negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones. This is one of the most important motivation skills, and I suggest you practice it daily. It’s important to start monitoring your thoughts and to recognize negative self-talk. Invest a few days in becoming aware of every negative thought. Then squash those negative thoughts like you would a bug, and replace them with a corresponding positive thought. This step is imperative.
Think about the benefits. Over-emphasizing how difficult a task is needs to be replaced by the benefits of completing it. For example, instead of thinking about how difficult it is to wake early, focus on how good you’ll feel when you’re done exercising and how your day will be so much better. The benefits of something will help energize you.
Get excited again! Think about why you lost your excitement…Then think about why you were excited in the first place. Can you get that back? What made you want to do the goal? What made you passionate about it? Try to build that up again, refocus yourself, and get energized.
Read about it. When you lose motivation, read a book or blog about your goal. This will help to inspire and reinvigorate you. Reading helps to motivate and focus you on whatever you’re reading about. So read about your goal every day, if you can, especially when you’re not feeling motivated.
Find like-minded friends. Staying motivated on your own is tough. But if you find someone with similar goals (such as running, dieting, or finances), and see if they’d like to partner with you. Or partner with your spouse, sibling, or best friend on whatever goals they’re trying to achieve. You don’t have to be going after the same goals — as long as you are both pushing and encouraging each other to succeed. Other good options are groups in your area, like a running club or online forum where you can find people to talk to about your goals.
Read inspiring stories. Inspiration, for me, comes from others who have achieved what I want to achieve, or who are currently doing it. Stories are just one place for inspiration, not only from me but from many people who have achieved amazing things. Read success stories of others to inspire you.
Build on your successes. Every little step along the way is a success. Celebrate every milestone. Then take that successful feeling and build on it with another baby step. With each step (and each step should last about a week), you will feel even more successful. Make each step small, and you won’t fail. After a couple of months, your small steps will add up to a lot of progress and a lot of success.
Just get through the low points. Motivation is not a constant thing that is always there for you. It comes and goes, and comes and goes again, like the tide. But realize that while it may go away, it doesn’t do so permanently. It will come back. Just stick it out and wait for that motivation to come back. In the meantime, read about your goal, ask for help, and do some of the other things listed here until your motivation comes back.
Get help. It’s hard to accomplish something alone. Find someone who has already completed the goal that you desire, and asked them to help you. Find your support network, either in the real world or online, or both.
Chart your progress. This can be as simple as marking an X on your calendar, creating a simple spreadsheet, or logging your progress using Your Life Plan Blueprint. It can be vastly rewarding to look back on your progress and see how far you’ve come, and it can help you keep going. You should be able to check off your progress nearly every day. Don’t let a few missed days stop you from continuing. Strive instead to complete it the next day.
Reward yourself often. For every milestone along the way, celebrate your success, and give yourself a reward. Create appropriate rewards for the size of the milestone.
Go for mini-goals. Sometimes large or longer-term goals can be overwhelming. After a couple weeks, we may lose motivation because we still have several months or a year or more left to accomplish the goal. It’s hard to maintain motivation for a single goal for such a long time. Your Life Plan Blueprint breaks everything down into weekly tasks and daily to-dos.
Get a coach or take a class. These will motivate you to at least show up and to take action. It can be applied to any goal. This might be one of the more expensive ways of motivating yourself, but it works. It is proven that we are more likely to stick with something if we invest money in it.
Never skip two days in a row. This rule takes into account our natural tendency to miss days now and then. We are not perfect. So, you missed one day…Now the second day is upon you, and you are feeling lazy…Tell yourself NO! You will not miss two days in a row!
Use visualization. Visualize your successful outcome in great detail. Close your eyes, and think about exactly how your successful outcome will look, feel, smell, taste, and sound like. Where are you when you become successful? How do you look? What are you wearing? Form as clear a mental picture as possible. Now here’s the next key. Do it every day. For at least a few minutes each day. This is the only way to keep that motivation going over a long period of time.
Be aware of your urges to quit, and overcome them. We all have urges to stop, but they are mostly unconscious. One of the most powerful things you can do is to start being more conscious of those urges. A good exercise is to go through the day with a little piece of paper and put a tally mark for each time you get an urge to quit. Preplan how you will respond so that you can overcome the urge to quit with a strong reason to continue.
Find pleasure again. It is difficult to continue on if you find tasks unpleasant. Choose to enjoy the tasks, to have fun, and to find joy in the journey. Think of the long term benefits and how they outweigh the short-term desire to quit.

We are encouraged to continue on in the book of Hebrews 12:11 12:11-13, “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward, there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 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.”

We have come to the end of this two-part trek on A Guide to Motivation. Let us learn and apply these instructions to our daily lives. Our next trek will be Wisdom Wednesday when we will dig for the nuggets of wisdom found in Proverbs 13. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along on Wednesday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and invite them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically. I would like to ask you to also rate and review us on iTunes or Google Play so that others will find out about Wisdom-Trek and join us.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Wednesday!

Day 377 – The Cycles and Seasons of Life (4) – The Value of Attitude

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 07:03:24 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 377 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Cycles and Seasons of Life (4) – The Value of Attitude

Thank you for joining us for our 3 days per week, 12 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 377 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday we will ponder on an aspect of life that will help us to create and grow our living legacy. Currently, we are in a multi-part series of exploring the Cycles and Seasons of Life. Today we will hike the Value of Attitude Trail.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. By this weekend, I should have all the upstairs woodwork, floors, and the front stairway coated with polyurethane. This has been quite a feat with a total of 11 doorways upstairs. Even after living here for nearly 30 years, I had not thought about the number of doorways. With applying polyurethane to that many doors and trim, it became painfully obvious that there were a lot. They do look nice, and the time invested now will bring pleasure to many for generations to come. We do consider this our passion project for the extended family and part of our living legacy.

This weekend and the first part of next week, I should be able to finish up the back stairway, and the downstairs hallway and foyer. There is much to complete before July 1^st when the Chamberlain reunion starts. We will accomplish as much as we can, leave the rest in God’s hands, and realize that we can continue on as we have opportunity in the months ahead. We are blessed that in this season of life we have time and opportunity to gradually work on the restoration of The Big House.

As we think about life, let us head out on the 4^th segment of our trek today to explore The Value of Attitudes within:

The Cycles and Seasons of Life (4)

Regardless of your own religious or intellectual inclinations, it is difficult to believe that humans somehow came about by random chance and circumstances. For all of us, what we believe about the origin of life, and particularly humans, is based purely on faith. Scientific proof requires observation and testing. No one is alive to verify what really happened in the ages past. Recorded human history is only from the past few thousand years. For me, it is more logical to have faith in a divine creator opposed to random chance and circumstances. I am personally convinced that the entire universe, including the earth and everything living on it, were created by God. Humans are a special creation since we are created in God’s image as describe in Genesis 1:26-27, “Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.’ So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Based on this belief, you were created to grow in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of God and His precepts. In light of your eternal purpose and existence, even if you live beyond 100, your life is just a speck in time. As it says in James 4:14, “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.”

Your life on earth is but a mere stepping stone within your eternal existence. How your earthly trek finishes is based on the choices and decisions that you make each day. The impact of those choices will remain throughout eternity.

How your earthly trek finishes is based on the choices and decisions that you make each day.

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The more that I study, read, ponder, and speculate about people, their deeds, and their destiny, I become more deeply convinced that it is by God’s design that our natural destiny is to grow, to succeed, to prosper, and to find happiness while here on earth. True happiness is the joy that we can only experience when we accept and follow God’s provisions for us through His Son Jesus. It is then we will be able to experience God’s purpose based on what Jesus told us in John 10:10, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

In most of the world today, opportunity abounds, and it is within your reach to find within your own life a personal realization of the very best of all that exists, which very well may include personal wealth. Contrary to the teaching of some religious circles, wealth is not bad; poverty is bad. Poverty, in most situations, is self-inflicted and represses individuals or groups of individuals who have chosen not to use their God-given talents and abilities to grow. They choose, rather, to allow those who have discovered and used their talents to take care of them.

I realize in the Beatitudes it states that God blesses those who are truly poor if they recognize their need for Him. The problem that appears to be most prevalent today with those who are poor is they are poor because of unwise financial decisions or lack of motivation. When Jesus recited the Beatitudes, it was a time when many of his listeners were slaves or indentured servants. They had a limited opportunity to advance themselves. That is not the case in most of the world today. I realize there are specific situations where being in poverty may be out of a person’s control, but to remain poor, especially in the western cultures is one of choice. Even in the face of difficulty, even severe difficulty; a person must make a total commitment to their cause, calling, or occupation in order to rectify their poverty. This situation is sad because many never even try to advance their lot in life through effort.

Imagine George Washington deciding not to try during the Revolutionary War because it looked bad across the Delaware. Imagine Abraham Lincoln giving up because he was embarrassed as a soldier, failed as a businessman, or was soundly defeated at the polls by his peers. Imagine George Washington Carver, born into slavery if he had remained a slave in his mind instead of becoming one of the foremost crop researchers and scientists of all time. Imagine John Kennedy deciding not to go to the moon—to make America first, both in our own eyes as well as in the eyes of the rest of the world. I could go on with hundreds of people who overcame severe difficulties and went on to make a huge impact on the world. Imagine, if you will, the world without the contributions of these, and other great people who overcame adversity with talent, desire, and total determination to leave behind the world slightly better than they found it.

Adversity is never an excuse to stop you from advancing your position in life.

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If I have failed to make my point, let it be known that God, did not intend for you to fail or wallow in poverty, self-pity, self-martyrdom, or mediocrity in any form. Such is not the grand design for you. God made you in His Image to be like Him. You are blessed with all those raw materials necessary for progress, such as imagination, ideas, inspiration, and undeveloped intellectual capacity…and that capacity is without limitation. The only limitation placed on your abilities is your inability to easily recognize your unlimited nature.

It does take effort to become aware of your staggering and limitless abilities. It takes effort to become enthusiastic over your life purpose, a cause, or an occupation. It takes effort to continue when your results—as well as your friends—tell you to give up trying. It takes effort to feel right about everything that happens, the joys as well as the sorrows of life. And it also takes effort to learn to love yourself above all others, especially when you are so consciously aware of your failures, doubts, and tragedies. Your capacity to love others is dependent on your capacity to love yourself. The Apostle Paul quoted Jesus in Galatians 5:14 telling us, “For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”

It does not, however, take effort to fail. It requires little else than a slowly deteriorating attitude about your present, your future, and about yourself. It is ironic that one of the few things in this life over which you have total control is your own attitude, and yet most of us live our entire life behaving as though we have no control whatsoever. By your attitude, you can decide to read or not to read. By your attitude, you can decide to try or give up. By your attitude, you blame yourself for your failure, or you foolishly blame others. Your attitude determines whether you love or hate, tell the truth or lie, take action or procrastinate, advance or recede, and by your own attitude you and you alone actually decide whether to succeed or fail.

How incredibly unique that a God, who would create the complex and immense universe, would create the human race and give to those humans the free choice that would permit them to select their own achievement or their own destruction.

This strange but all-knowing God gave to us a delicately balanced sphere called earth, and on it, he placed the intelligent human who would either develop it or destroy it. How terribly fascinating that God would leave both projects—earth as well as humans—unfinished! Across the rivers and streams, God built no bridges; He left the pictures unpainted, the songs unsung, the books unwritten, and space unexplored. For the accomplishment of those things, God created the unfinished human who, within his heart and mind, has the capacity to do all these things and more, depending upon his own choice. Attitude determines choice, and choice determines results. All that we are and all that we can become, for the most part, has indeed been left to us.

Attitude determines choice, and choice determines results.

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At this very moment in time, as you listen to or read these words, your attitude has determined what you are. Your enthusiasms, intensity, faith in yourself, patience with yourself and others, and childish excitement about your boundless future is a result of that single word—attitude. On the seventh day, the work of God was finished, and He rested from all his creative work. The work of creating your better future has just begun. For as long as you continue to draw breath, you have the chance to finish that work, and in so doing, complete the work in and for the earth and for yourself that God has left for you to accomplish.

In the cycles and seasons of life, attitude is everything!

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We have come to the end of The Value of Attitude trail on today’s trek. We have much to consider and ponder for today. On our next Philosophy Friday, we will hike the trail of The Constant, Predictable, Pattern of Change as we continue on our trek of exploring the Cycles and Seasons of Life.

Our next trek will be Motivation Monday as we continue with A Guide to Motivation. So encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter or in person and invite them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on iTunes, Spreaker, Stitcher, Soundcloud, iHeart Radio, and Google Play so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 376 – Truthful Words Stand the Test of Time – Proverbs 12:17-28

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 07:03:08 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 376 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Truthful Words Stand the Test of Time – Proverbs [12:17]-28

Thank you for joining us for our 3 days per week, 12 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 376 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday we will explore for the nuggets of wisdom found in the book of Proverbs. Today we will continue with chapter [12:17]-28.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. On the renovation front, we were able to finish painting the swingset/fort, and we are working on painting the exterior trim on the sun porch and front porch. Both areas are quite large, so we hope to finish that painting by the end of this next week. Inside, I am continuing to apply polyurethane to the woodwork and both stairways with the hope to also finish the floors before the start of next week so they will have adequate time to dry solid. Our renovation contractor was in this week and able to finish up the small amount of crown molding that had to be custom made for three curved areas on the walls. It turned out really nice.

It appears that both the parents and young hawks have left for their summer home. We will miss watching them and hope that they will return again next year.

It is now time to go exploring for those precious nuggets of wisdom that are found in Proverbs. Today our title is…

Truthful Words Stand the Test of Time

¹⁷An honest witness tells the truth;
a false witness tells lies.

On the surface, this verse appears very obvious, but if you have ever been in the courtroom during a major trial, you know that there are many times where lies are made to appear as truth. I had a friend that went through a very long drawn out legal battle where the prosecutor pushed very hard for a plea bargain. This would have required him to confess to a lesser crime when he committed no crime at all. Although he had to suffer through the process of 18 months, he finally had his day in court and was vindicated of the charges because he was steadfast with the truth. In the same way, God desires us to always be honest in our testimony and cling to the truth. Regardless of the circumstances, we need to stand on the truth. Justice will prevail because a false witness will be known for his lies.

¹⁸Some people make cutting remarks,
but the words of the wise bring healing.

Cruel words can cut to the very soul of a person, and those who speak them are not wise. You can know if a person is wise by how they talk to and about others. In contrast, a wise person will heal instead of cut. They are willing and ready to heal the wounds of those who have been cut down by the unwise. It is our responsibility to be kind and compassionate at all times and in every situation.

¹⁹Truthful words stand the test of time,
but lies are soon exposed.

There is no substitute for always telling the truth. Although it may be difficult, there is never a reason to lie. When you practice telling the truth all the time, you never have to be concerned about what you told to whom because it is the truth and the truth does not change. Our society has become so accustomed to situational ethics, that it has become the norm in both personal and business life. Our ethics, which are driven by our integrity, should never change based on the situation that we happen to be in from one day to another. Truth lasts forever, but those who practice telling lies will be exposed for what they truly are – liars.

²⁰Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil;
joy fills hearts that are planning peace!

You can tell a lot about a person just by their demeanor. A person who is contentious and not at peace is a person whose heart is filled with deceit. That person is never satisfied with himself or others so he is always plotting and scheming to take advantage of another person. In contrast, a person who is at peace with himself and others is a person whose heart is filled with joy. The joy promotes peace.

²¹No harm comes to the godly,
but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

A person who is good and godly will be wise enough to not put himself in situations that may cause him harm. He dwells in God as his shelter. On the other hand, those who practice evil will end up in situations that are not good and have the potential of continual trouble.

²²The Lord detests lying lips,
but he delights in those who tell the truth.

As with verses 19 & 20, lying is never wise, and God is opposed to individuals who have chosen a lifestyle that is not truthful. A person who is a habitual liar shows evidence of this every time he opens his mouth. Many times this type of person does not even realize that he is lying. The opposite is someone who always tells the truth. God takes pleasure in such individuals.

²³The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge,
but fools broadcast their foolishness.

If you are wise and have insight, understanding, and knowledge, there is no reason to flaunt it or to tell others about it. It will be evident in all areas of your life. In the same manner, those who are foolish have a strong desire to proclaim their knowledge to everyone. It will not take long for everyone to understand how foolish they are based on their continual self-proclamation.

²⁴Work hard and become a leader;
be lazy and become a slave.

There is no substitute for working hard. When you do, others will see your consistent persistence, ethics, and abilities and will desire to follow your example. The opposite of this is someone who refuses to work or only works the minimum amount required. When this happens, they will end up being enslaved by a person who does work hard.

²⁵Worry weighs a person down;
an encouraging word cheers a person up.

Worry and stress are harmful and become a burden to anyone who chooses to allow them to control his life. It becomes a heavy weight that restricts the person from living the rich and satisfying life. In contrast to this, when we are free from fear, worry, and stress, then we will have the energy and capacity to proactively encourage others. When we make a habit of encouraging others, we will be refreshed and filled with encouraging cheer also.

²⁶The godly give good advice to their friends;
the wicked lead them astray.

A good and Godly person always wants what is best for the other person. He is ready and willing to share advice and instruction when it is needed. The wicked may act as if they desire to assist others, but they selfishly lead others down the wrong path for their own purposes.

²⁷Lazy people don’t even cook the game they catch,
but the diligent make use of everything they find.

Lazy people waste the resources that they have earned or have been given to them. They are not willing to work hard or do what is necessary to enjoy life and assist others. In contrast to the lazy person, the diligent person works hard and wisely utilizes everything that he has.

²⁸The way of the godly leads to life;
that path does not lead to death.

There are two primary paths in life. If you follow the way of the godly, then the trail leads you to a rich and satisfying life. When choosing this path, you do not have to be concerned about the outcome because it always leads to life. The path of the wicked is a downhill path of a life of destruction and eventual spiritual death.

That completes our exploration for the nuggets of wisdom found in the 2^nd half of Proverbs 12. There are so many that we can apply to our everyday life so that we will become wiser. The key to this section is to be truthful in all that you do because the truth will stand the test of time.

Our next trek is Philosophy Friday when we will forge the trail of attitude within the Cycles and Seasons of Life. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Friday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and inviting them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on iTunes, Spreaker, Stitcher, Soundcloud, iHeart Radio, and Google Play, so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

The journal for today’s trek is available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Friday!

Day 375 – A Guide to Motivation (1)

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 07:03:54 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 375 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A Guide to Motivation (1)

Thank you for joining us for our 3 days per week, 12 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 375 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday on our trek, we will assist you to motivate yourself so that you can maximize your week in creating and living your legacy, which will positively impact your world.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. During this past week as I have been looking out our office windows, I have made two noteworthy observations. First, our two young hawks are now out of their nest and testing their wings. While they are a little unsteady, they are flying pretty well. They continue to preen the fluffy white down from their bodies, as the new dark feathers are now covering them quite well.

The second observation is the damage to the trees from the cicadas laying their eggs is starting to manifest itself. Most of the time the cicadas will pierce the bark on the tips of the new growth at the end of the tree limbs. As the eggs grow into grubs, it kills the tips of the limbs, which eventually fall to the ground. While it does not impact the large oak trees on our properly in a significant way, I did experience the major damage that the 17-year locust caused to the trees in our apple orchard while growing up. It had a major impact on the trees that took several years to recover from.

This past weekend we had the blessing of having four of our grandkids stay with us Friday night and Saturday while Elizabeth and Nat went to see the musical Oklahoma at the newly renovated Peoples Bank Theater here in Marietta. During high school, I played the part of Little Jake in Oklahoma, thanks to my small stature.

We also had the privilege of attending church with Dad on Father’s Day and also treat him to lunch at his favorite restaurant Cracker Barrel. It is motivating to me to invest time with Dad with his simplistic love for life. He has taught me so many lessons as part of his living legacy to me.

It is now time to head out on our trek for today as we consider some guidelines for motivation so that motivation becomes a habit that is integrated into your daily life. Today and next Monday we will explore…

A Guide to Motivation (1)

Although it may not be obvious at first, the lack of motivation many times stems from fear. Fear that we will fail. Fear of not knowing how to proceed. Fear of looking foolish. Fear that we are not as good as someone else. We start to see all of the obstacles that on our trail, and we are fearful to move forward because we are not sure how to overcome those obstacles. I still suffer from some of these thoughts, and I consider myself both optimistic and motivated most of the time. Some have called this the imposter syndrome, where we lack the motivation to move forward because we lack confidence.

Although it may not be obvious at first, the lack of motivation many times stems from fear.

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To stay motivated, you need to have a burning passion and desire to succeed and reach your goals regardless of the obstacles on your trail of life. Henry Ford put it this way, “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” You also need to have a plan in place to continue on as Proverbs 21:5 tells us, “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”

One of the biggest challenges in meeting any goal, whether it be related to productivity, waking early, changing a habit, exercising, or just becoming happier, is finding the motivation to stick with it. If you can stick with a goal for long enough, then there is a chance that it will become a habit. Once a habit is formed, then it becomes part of your normal routine of life. It just takes patience and persistence. Habitual motivation is the key, but creating motivation as a habit is not easy. As I have learned over the years, very few things in life are worth having if they are easily obtained.

What follows is a guide to motivation using what I’ve learned over the last few years in a series of successful accomplishments, goals, and habit changes. I’ve had many failures but also many successes, and I’ve learned a lot from all of them. Motivation has been a particularly important topic of exploration for me.

What Motivation Can Achieve

Keep in mind as I mentioned two weeks ago, motivation is always an inside job. In other words, you must motivate yourself through an internal drive. All external motivation is temporary at best and usually completely non-effective.

Through this internal motivation, Paula and I have been able to achieve significant accomplishments over the past 37 years from raising and homeschooling our five children to starting and running our own businesses for 31 years to being very active in church and completing major renovations to The Big House. I do not say this to brag at all because we do not have special talents or abilities. We are quite ordinary, but we have set goals and objectives in our lives that were stronger than the obstacles that have fallen into our paths. Yes, we have failed in some areas, but we just climbed over the boulders that blocked the trail and kept on going. With the proper internal motivation, you can also achieve what may seem impossible to others.

How Does Motivation Work?

Before we get into specific methods, it’s useful to examine what motivation is, what it does, and how it works. Motivation is what drives you toward a goal, what keeps you going when things get tough, the reason you get up early to exercise, or work late to finish a project. There are all kinds of motivations, of course, from positive to negative. Having a boss threaten to fire you is motivation — you’ll likely work harder to complete a project with that kind of pressure. That type of motivation will only work until that threat has passed. I find that positive internal motivation works much better and lasts longer. If it’s something you really want to do, you’ll do a much better job than to avoid something you don’t want (such as being fired).

Internal motivation provides the catalyst to drive you on even when you don’t necessarily want to. There may be times, for example, when you don’t feel like getting up early to exercise, and in those times, you may seriously just want to sleep in. I find myself with those same feelings almost every morning. If you have a reason to want to get up early, something you desire strong enough, you will get up and pay the price now, so that you don’t have to pay a much larger price later.

You may be thinking, how do I instill this internal drive so that I can accomplish meaningful and significant goals and objectives? Here are some tips to help you.

8 Tips to Motivate Yourself Internally

I’ve found that it’s important to start out with the right motivation because a good start can build momentum that you can sustain for a long time. If you start out with the correct mindset, you have a much better chance of building that internal drive. Here are some tips if you are just starting out.

Start small. I’ve said this before, but that’s because it’s one of the most important tips in motivating yourself toward a goal. Don’t start out big! Start out with a ridiculously easy goal, and then grow from there. If you want to exercise, for example, you may be thinking that you have to do intense workouts 5 days a week. No — instead, do small, tiny, baby steps. Just do 5 minutes of exercise. I know, that sounds wimpy. But it works. Commit to 5 minutes of exercise for one week. You may want to do more but just stick to 5 minutes. It’s so easy, you can’t fail. Do it at the same time every day. Just something – 2 crunches, 2 pushups, and some jogging in place. Once you’ve done 5 minutes a day for a week, increase it to 10, and stick with that for a week. In a month, you’ll be doing 20-30 minutes. Want to wake up early? Don’t think about waking at 5 a.m. Instead, think about waking 10 minutes earlier for a week. That’s all. Once you’ve done that, wake 10 minutes earlier than that. Baby steps.
One goal. Too many people start with too many goals at once and try to do too much. And it saps their energy and motivation. It’s probably the most common mistake that people make. You cannot maintain energy and focus (the two most important things in accomplishing a goal) if you are trying to do two or more goals at once. It may not be possible if you struggle to stay you have to choose one goal, for now, and focus on it completely. I know, that’s hard, as I have observed many false starts with others. You can always do your other goals when you’ve accomplished your one goal.
Examine your motivation. Know your reasons or as I like to say, know your why(s). Give them some thought…and write them down. Sometimes being motivated for those you love is more powerful than just doing it for yourself, but ultimately you have to do it because you are internally convinced and for really good reasons.
You must have a strong desire. This is essentially the same as the above tip, but I want to emphasize it. It’s not enough to think it would be cool to achieve something in order to impress others. It has to be something you’re passionate about, something that drives you on, something you desire deeply. Make sure that your goal meets these criteria, or you won’t stick with it for long.
Commit publicly. None of us likes to look bad in front of others. We will go the extra mile to do something we’ve said publicly. Form an accountability group and commit to your goal with family, friends, and associates and then hold yourself accountable to them. Give progress updates to your accountability group every week. This will drive you on even when your motivation ebbs and flows.
Get excited. Setting up an accountability group will start the excitement, but you will need to continue to stoke that fire. Learn about the benefits of completing this goal. Visualize the outcome. Create positive energy within yourself. Set up a reward for completing milestones and the overall goal. Continue the momentum going through each phase.
Build anticipation. This will sound hard, and many people will skip this tip. But it really works. Plan a definite start date and projected end date. Mark it on the calendar. Get excited about that date. Make it the most important date on your short term plan. If you are just starting this journey of motivation, you can still use the Your Life Plan Blueprint program, but just choose one area of your life to start with. Complete that segment of the plan so that it becomes concrete in your mind. Build anticipation during the planning process by increasing your focus and energy for your goal.
Print it out, post it up. Print out your daily and weekly goals and tasks. Reduce your daily and weekly goal to just a few words long, like a mantra (“Exercise 15 minutes daily.”), and post it up on your wall or refrigerator. Post it at home and work. Put it on your computer desktop. You want to have big reminders about your goal, to keep your focus and keep your excitement going.

That completes this segment of the Guide to Motivation Trail for today. Next Monday we will continue on this trail as we explore ways to sustain motivation when you struggle. Our next trek will be Wisdom Wednesday, and we will dig for more nuggets of wisdom found in Proverbs 12. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Wednesday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. Just as you enjoy your dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person when you meet with them and invite them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on iTunes, Spreaker, Stitcher, Soundcloud, iHeart Radio, and Google Play, so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Wednesday!

Day 374 – The Cycles and Seasons of Life (3) – Choose Friends Wisely

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 07:03:06 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 374 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Cycles and Seasons of Life (3) – Choose Friends Wisely

Thank you for joining us for our 3 days per week, 12 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 374 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Every Friday on our trek we ponder life, consider our purpose within life, and how we can make the greatest impact on the world around us.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Paula should be heading back to Marietta on Friday and will be dropping Mom Jarvis off at her sister’s as we are making our final preparations for the reunion and will be traveling the week after that. Our daughter Elizabeth and Nat are celebrating their 11^th wedding anniversary, so we have the blessing of watching four of our grandkids on Friday night and Saturday.

We also continue to prepare for the Chamberlain reunion, which starts in two weeks. The following week Paula and I will be driving to Chicago for the Podcast Movement Conference. At the conference, I have the privilege of speaking at one of the sessions about creating and living your legacy. We are also honored that Wisdom-Trek has been nominated for the Academy of Podcasters Award in the Religion and Spirituality category. In addition to that, our client work has been steady but not overwhelming this week, so it has allowed us a bit more time to focus on some of our longer term projects.

It is now time to head out on the third trail of our trek for Philosophy Friday as we consider and ponder The Cycles and Seasons of Life.

The Cycles and Seasons of Life (3)

This is the third Philosophy Friday trek within this series as we consider how others impact our lives and legacy either positively or negatively and how we must consciously choose who we invest a significant amount of time with. Today we will continue along that same trail.

Life is a delicate maneuver of selection, rejection, review, and change. Each person entering your world brings either a contribution or destruction. Trying to accommodate everyone is to invite certain disaster. Those with poisonous attitudes, strange opinions, and caustic conversations love to look for someone accommodating or nice who will listen to them. They love to dump their verbal garbage into the mental factory of anyone willing to listen. A major challenge in life is that you must learn the art of standing guard at the doorway of your mind. Carefully examine the credentials and authority of those seeking to enter within that place where your attitudes are formed.

Each person entering your world brings either a contribution or destruction and you have the same impact on their lives.

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The words, opinions, and comments of others are constantly shaping your mind and life. You must be careful who you invest time with because subtly, the conversations of fear, gloom, despair, complaining, condemning, and criticizing are forming your temporary moods and your permanent personality and character. Remember that

“A sour face does not come as an accident. It is the result of sour thoughts.”

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Children are often told by well-intentioned but misguided parents that they are bad, naughty, selfish, or shy. Teachers by their actions or their expressions sometimes report to the parents that their child is slow, uncooperative, or poor as a student.

Throughout your early years, you may have been subjected to impulsive remarks of those who were unaware that it was those very words that were forming your character. As we become adults, we then seem to choose to associate with those most like you. The weak attract the weak; the poor are most comfortable with the poor; the successful are drawn toward those who are successful; those of optimistic views and attitudes select those of their own kind. The old proverb “Birds of a feather flock together” is certainly true.

Fortunately, once you recognize this, you can change your flock if needed. What you have become as an adult largely determines the kind of people, events, books, TV programs, and lifestyle that you select to invest your time.

If you are ever going to change your personal and financial circumstances from one level up to another, you must accept the fact that such progress consists of “doing” as well as “un-doing.” Many of the events and people who currently influence you must be sacrificed. Those sources of doubt, worry, negativity, greed, and selfishness must be cut free, for as long as that influence remains, change will not likely occur.

If you attempt to change yourself or your circumstances without severing the “mental anchors,” which you have attached to yourself then change is nearly impossible. “Undoing” the past is difficult enough by itself even without the constant influence of those who, by their conversation, remarks, or attitudes keep pulling you back toward that which you are trying to leave behind.

Does the following scenario sound like you? You are constantly trying to make ends meet and are paying only a portion of your debts, you’re buying the bargain-priced clothes, shopping to save a few pennies on a can of beans, and the countless other things because you are unable to earn enough money. If so, the day needs to come when you combine the right mixture of anger, frustration, humiliation, confidence, determination, and courage to say — “Never again!” Your resolve to change yourself, and your situation needs to be unshakeable. You will need to thrust yourselves into reading the right books, dressing the right way, thinking the right thoughts, and going to the right places. Your life must be committed toward changing your life for the better.

After your new found commitment and new excitement, determination, and effort, imagine for a moment, what are your chances of success if you return and continue to be influenced by those whose voices ring with discouragement, ridicule, fear, and exaggerated doubt. There will always be the negative family member or friend who is there to say “For someone who’s always been broke, you’re sure putting on quite a show. Yeah, good luck with your changed life!”

If you make the commitment to changing your life, you must be very careful of the situation in this story. If you don’t change your environment, you will be subjected to and conflicted by both your “new determination to succeed” as well as to those close to you whose words remind you of an unproductive past. It is like being on a mental elevator ride; you move upward with your thoughts and actions, but some thoughtless person keeps pushing the “down button,” bringing you back to where you mentally began.

Your new confidence quickly gives way to old doubt; your new actions are overcome by old fears; and finally, you may return once more to that kind of thinking which puts you on your mental and financial knees. Having brought you back from your world of dreams, ambition, and accomplishments with their well-meant but destructive opinions, your friends celebrate by inviting you to their Friday night party where once again you become active participants in the jokes, sarcasm, and gossip of those content with their own mediocrity. Having exchanged your dreams of a new life for the acceptance of old things, you make the quiet transition to never again try, plan, dream, explore, or achieve.

The value of surrounding yourself with the right friends is immeasurably awesome. The danger of surrounding yourself with the wrong friends can be devastating. Perhaps a good theme might be— “Friendship in proportion to the right personal growth from that friendship.”

The value of surrounding yourself with the right friends is immeasurably awesome.

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Be very aware that the “right” friends should not be equated to those who seem to have the “most” money. It is the attitudes, awareness, and other positive human virtues of the friends you select that are of importance. Not all poor people make poor friends, nor do all rich friends have an enriching effect on your lives. Carefully examine the “friends” you have…not their assets or accomplishments. By examining your friends from both ends of the financial spectrum, you may discover there are several rich as well as poor “friends” whom you can no longer afford to associate.

As my mentor Jim Rohn is quoted as saying, “You are the average of the five people that you spend the most time with.” If this is, in fact, the case, then you need to analyze who you invest the most time with and how they are influencing you in any or all areas of life. If you do not like what you discover, then you need to begin the process of change. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you can change other people to be what you want them to be. It is difficult enough to change yourself and impossible to change others.

You may be able to positively impact others to change their mindset. But beware that it is a slow process, and they have to choose to change. You must be very careful if you choose to associate with those who may negatively impact you in any manner. As 1 Corinthians 10:12 reminds us, “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.”

I feel strongly that this also applies to our mindset. You become what you dwell on in your minds. All of our minds are impacted significantly by those that we invest a lot of time with. Although it may be hard to distance yourself from negative influences, it is imperative. This does not mean you shun or alienate others, but realizing that anything that impacts you negatively should be minimized. It is your responsibility to maximize your God-given potential as Ephesians 5:15 tells us, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.”

That is the end of the trail for today as we pondered the Cycles and Seasons of Life once again. On our trek, we learned the huge impact and influence our family, friends, and associates really have on our mindset and our lives.

Next Friday we will expand this concept as we hike the Trail of Attitude. We need to make sure what we allow in our minds will help us to grow and succeed. As mentioned in Philippians 4:8, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Carefully choose those individuals that you invest time with. The life you live will be impacted by those choices.

So make wise choices, and one of the best ways to gain wisdom is to participate in the Proverbs 31-day challenge. For each day of June, read the chapter in Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. In less than five minutes per day, you can take your daily wisdom supplements, which if repeated each day, will make you healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Our next trek will be Motivation Monday, and for the next couple of Monday’s, we will explore a Guide to Motivation. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on iTunes, Spreaker, Stitcher, Soundcloud, iHeart Radio, and Google Play, so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Friday!

Day 373 – Don’t Be Stupid – Proverbs 12:1-16

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 07:03:04 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 373 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Don’t Be Stupid – Proverbs 12:1-16

Thank you for joining us for our 3 days per week, 12 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 373 of our trek, and today is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday on our trek, we will dig for the nuggets of wisdom found in the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore the first part of chapter 12.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. As I continue to work in and around The Big House, Paula headed south to Charlotte for a few days to collect the mail, meet with her quilting group, and take her mom to a doctor’s appointment. She should head back to Marietta on Friday if all goes according to plan. I have finished sanding the upstairs and downstairs hallways and both flights of stairs. I am working on cleaning up the dust and getting ready to start applying polyurethane to the woodwork and floors. We continue on our trek of life, one day at a time.

As we head up Wisdom’s trail today, let’s start digging for those nuggets that, if applied to your life, will truly make you healthy, wealthy, and wise. We will explore Proverbs 12:1-16 today, and the title of this trek is:

Don’t Be Stupid

One thing that I really like about the wisdom nuggets in Proverbs is the compare and contrast element of most verses. Solomon does not mince words in most of the passages, so it is easy to understand and apply to our lives. So let’s start right in with verse 1.

¹To learn, you must love discipline;
it is stupid to hate correction.

One area that I don’t think is taught well at home or in school is that if you desire to learn, it is required that we integrate discipline into our daily lives. In fact, we should love that discipline. Most of us would not describe discipline as something that we love, but just as love for another person is a choice, we must choose to love discipline if we desire to learn. If we instead hate discipline and correction, then we will be considered stupid. There is little difference between someone who cannot learn and someone who will not learn.

²The Lord approves of those who are good,
but he condemns those who plan wickedness.

We all like approval of others, and it is even more crucial that we are approved by God. If we live according to His Word and precepts, then we will have that approval. In contrast, those who habitually plan wicked deeds will not have the same approval from God.

³Wickedness never brings stability,
but the godly have deep roots.

A life that that is lived contrary to God’s Word will be shallow and have no substance to it. This is a foolish person who builds his house on sand. A life that is grounded in God’s Word will have deep roots and a solid foundation, just like a person who builds his house on solid rock.

⁴A worthy wife is a crown for her husband,
but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.

Speaking from my own experience of having a worthy wife, I can certainly agree with this proverb. Paula is a shining crown in my life. On the other hand, I have seen marriages where a nagging and complaining wife eats at the core of her husband. Of course, an unloving husband will also be cancer to his wife.

⁵The plans of the godly are just;
the advice of the wicked is treacherous.

When you are able to obtain counsel from those who have high moral integrity you will know that their advice and plans will be fair, both to you and the person giving advice. This is not true of a selfish, proud, and wicked person. Beware of accepting their advice, or you will be tricked by their schemes.

⁶The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush,
but the words of the godly save lives.

Wicked people cannot be trusted. When you least expect it, their words of advice will turn on you, your plans, and cause you harm. On the other hand, you know when someone has your interest in mind because it will be life giving.

⁷The wicked die and disappear,
but the family of the godly stands firm.

This verse is at the very heart of creating and living a legacy each day. If you lack integrity and moral goodness, then you leave nothing positive for future generations to carry forward. Contrast that to a person who has integrity and moral goodness, and those traits will be integrated into their family and will stand the test of time throughout eternity through the generations that follow.

⁸A sensible person wins admiration,
but a warped mind is despised.

If you desire to be respected and appreciated, then it is also required that you be kind and sensible when dealing with others. You cannot demand or force people to admire you, it is something that you earn over time by how you treat them. On the other side of that is a person who demands respect and admiration. That person will be despised.

⁹Better to be an ordinary person with a servant
than to be self-important but have no food.

This situation was true in Solomon’s day and probably more so in our western cultures. We see those who spend borrowed money on things to make them look better in the eyes of people who really don’t care or matter. In the end, they end up in debt, barely able to take care of their basic needs. It would be much better to live the modest life of an ordinary person and yet have the ability to obtain those things that have true value in life.

¹⁰The godly care for their animals,
but the wicked are always cruel.

Those who honor God will treat all living creatures with care and respect. Those who do not honor God will not only be cruel to their own animals but also to their family and friends.

¹¹A hard worker has plenty of food,
but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.

There is no substitute or tradeoff for working hard. If we consistently work hard over a long period of time, do not spend money foolishly, or borrow money for that which is not a necessity, then we will always have the ability to pay for those items that are life’s necessities. When you really analyze your spending, you will realize that very few things we spend money on are really necessities. If a person chases every get rich scheme on the market, he is not only senseless but also poor in so many ways.

¹²Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot,
but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.

When you attempt to obtain wealth through illegal or unethical means, then you will always be jealous of someone else who has slightly more. The good and godly person remains on solid ground, realizing that the only lasting wealth is obtained by planting and harvesting during the correct seasons of life.

¹³The wicked are trapped by their own words,
but the godly escape such trouble.

A common trait of those who practice evil is that they talk too much. In doing so, their evil intents will be found out, and they will be trapped by what they said. A wise and godly person only speaks when they have something worthwhile to say. They also speak the truth, so they are not trapped by lies.

¹⁴Wise words bring many benefits,
and hard work brings rewards.

A wise person will speak few, but wise words. They will benefit both themselves and others through this discipline. The same wise person realizes that there is a direct correlation between working hard and the rewards that can be obtained by doing so.

¹⁵Fools think their own way is right,
but the wise listen to others.

Foolish people are usually talking so much that the only one that they really convince is themselves. A truly wise person will spend most of his time listening and analyzing what is being said and will only speak when it is appropriate to do so.

¹⁶A fool is quick-tempered,
but a wise person stays calm when insulted.

A foolish person is immature and impatient. He will get angry because he does not get his own way. In contrast, a wise person will listen, consider the source, and remain calm. The person has enough confidence in who he is that he doesn’t need to express anger when insulted by foolish people.

The nuggets on today’s trail are plentiful indeed. If we will take the time to listen to them, have the discipline to learn their lessons, and speak only when appropriate, then indeed we will be on the trail to gaining more wisdom. What do you struggle with in what we learned on today’s trek? Take some time to apply these truths to your life.

One great way to do this is to remember to be faithful in the Proverbs 31-day challenge. For each day of June, read the chapter in Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. In less than five minutes per day, you can take your daily wisdom supplements, which if repeated each day, will make you healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Our next trek will be Philosophy Friday where we will continue on the trails of the Cycles and Seasons of Life. I have some great information to share, you won’t want to miss. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Friday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on iTunes, Spreaker, Stitcher, Soundcloud, iHeart Radio, and Google Play, so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Friday!

Day 372 – How to Achieve Anything You Desire

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 07:03:23 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 372 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

How to Achieve Anything You Desire

Thank you for joining us for our 3 days per week, 12 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 372 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Each Monday our trek is designed to motivate and encourage you to make a significant positive impact on the lives of others. Today our trek will take us to the land where we can achieve anything that we set our minds to.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. As we continue inside and out on our renovation projects, I power washed the fences around “The Cabbage Patch” house my brother Jack owns, the children’s play fort, and the trim and front porch of The Big House. The temperatures over the weekend were in the 90s, so it was great to be working with and getting soaked by using the power-washer. We were also able to use the walk behind weed trimmer around the house, the trees, and the path through the woods.

Between our client work and the renovation projects, we do work hard and are able to accomplish a significant amount, but it is not because we have any special abilities or talents. We have a drive and motivation to accomplish certain goals and tasks. We also have a belief that we can achieve anything if our desire is greater than the work and risk involved.

As we head out on our trek today on the Trail of Motivation, let us travel to that Promised Land where we can achieve anything that we desire, as I title today’s trek…

How to Achieve Anything You Desire

Is there a goal you want to accomplish but just cannot find the time or desire to start it? It might be something trivial like reducing your amount of TV watching or time spent browsing the Internet. You may desire to become an early riser or to quit drinking alcohol or to start a home business. Whatever it is, what is keeping you where you are instead of reaching your desired destination?

While I consider myself a pretty disciplined and motivated person, I too struggle at times with staying focused on my highest payoff activities that will bring the most value to my life. Overcoming these mental blocks and actually taking action towards our most important activities needs to be our focus on a daily basis.

Setting routines which form habits, even in the small mundane tasks of life, is an important element in actually achieving your dreams and desires. If you can continue these smaller tasks for a couple of weeks consistently, then push for continuing for a full month. If you can consistently do it for a month, you will have habituated the activity into your daily rhythm and be able to keep it up for a very long period of time. Even when you run into obstacles, if it is a habit, you will be able to continue forward.

The point of this podcast and journal is to extract the lessons needed for achieving a goal successfully and then applying those lessons to other areas of your life. In doing so, you will also have to analyze why you have failed to achieve your dreams and desires. Many mistakes are unavoidable. Learn to forgive yourself. It’s not a problem to make them. It’s only a problem if you never learn from them.

If you’re too afraid of failure, you can’t possibly do what needs to be done to be successful. The solution to this problem is making friends with failure.

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Bottom line: Just because you have not achieved the level of success you desire yet, doesn’t mean you never will. Sometimes things have to go very wrong before they can be right. That is how you gain experience, which is how you grow in wisdom, which allows you to live a legacy that will positively impact others. So, let’s analyze some of the reasons for failure.

1. You use the excuse, “I don’t have enough time.”

All of us fall into this trap. You have to realize that the excuse “I don’t have the time” is the biggest lie you can tell yourself to justify your lack of action toward your goals and desires. You have to change your mindset, and even your talk from “I don’t have the time” to “I choose not to allocate the time.” The fact is if we added all the time we spend on unimportant and not urgent things – like web browsing or TV watching – we would have the time.

It may be that you have over-committed yourself. You need to say no to commitments and distractions unless they are your highest payoff activities, which are the trails that lead you to fulfill your life objectives and purpose.

We all have 168 hours each week, so it is not about having enough time. It is all about allocating the time to what is most important. It’s a matter of finding the compelling reasons why something is important enough to us to drive us to make lasting change.

2. You focus on the pain instead of the results.

The more you focus on the uncomfortable or negative factors associated with the goals and objectives that you desire to achieve, the less motivated you will be and the more excuses you will make until you end up abandoning it altogether. The “WHY” of achieving your objectives must be stronger than the pain you will have to endure to achieve it.

3. You lack motives to take action.

You must be fully clear on why you desire to achieve a goal or objective. What is your underlying incentive to complete it? It has been scientifically determined that you will do more to avoid pain than you will to gain pleasure. The perceived long-term effects of not completing your goals must be more painful than the pain that you will endure on the short term of not completing your goals. As an example, let’s say you are overweight and borderline diabetic. The perceived pain of life using insulin must be greater than the pain of changing your eating habits, even if that is painful short term.

4. Your language, focus, and priority is wrong.

This is best explained by using an example. Say you are out of shape but desire to become a long distance runner. You must change your language, focus, and priority from “I should go jogging”, to “I must go jogging to gain the energy and strength needed to reach my objective.”

When something is a “should,” it is wishful thinking, and you won’t accomplish the tasks consistently. When something is a “must,” it becomes a priority and even a requirement that deserves your attention. When you change your self-talk from “should” to “must,” your focused attention will bring about lasting change and meeting your objectives will become a reality.

5. The Art of Change: You move from desire to result.

The decision to make a lasting change can happen in an instant, and then the change process is immediately put in motion. Instead of thinking about it and silently beating yourself up for not doing it, with a changed mindset you just do it. It is no longer an option!

Unfortunately for many people, the best motivators are the ones you find when you hit a personal low point. As an example, you don’t want to wait to be lying in the hospital with a heart attack before making lasting changes to your diet and exercise routines. Your desire to be healthy must drive the result. You must be very clear on why you desire to achieve this goal and objective

Motivational speaker Tony Robbins has a system that he curated called OPA which stands for:

Outcome (O) – Having a clear vision.
Purpose (P) – Focus on results and purpose.
Action (A) – Create a massive action plan for meaningful results.

Let’s expand on these so they apply to your life.

· O – Outcome

You may have vague ideas on what you desire. You roughly know which trail you want to trek, but because you aren’t clear on what is your true destination, you get buffeted by whichever direction the wind is blowing. Without a clear vision, you will obsess over “the how” and often overanalyze and fail to take action or take ineffective action. What is the ultimate vision for what you want? Be specific in describing the outcome you desire.

· P – Purpose

Knowing what you want isn’t enough to give you the push toward massive action. You must know why you want it. Why is it important that you achieve your desired result? When you achieve this outcome, what will it bring you? Without strong enough reasons, you simply will not be moved into action. Ask yourself these questions: Why do you desire to achieve the target outcome? What are the reasons most important to you? What does achieving the outcome look like for you?

· A – Action

Armed with your clear vision of the outcome and with the burning reasons why it is important to you, come up with an action plan for achieving the results you seek. Once you have your action plan, take one small action immediately. Then commit yourself to taking some action regularly (every day if possible) toward your target. Regardless of how small the action may seem, it will move you one step closer to your outcome, and – more importantly – help build the momentum you will need to reach your destination.

Within the Wisdom-Trek Your Life Plan Blueprint, we have created the structure and tools needed to achieve anything that you desire in life. The free manual/workbook is still available for a limited time on the left-hand sidebar of any page on our website at Wisdom-Trek.com. If you have not done so already, I encourage you to download it today.

· Parting Words

You are the ultimate author of your life story. Within yourself, you hold the power to change anything in your lives, and in doing so, experience the rich and satisfying life that Jesus promised you. Lasting change starts with a change in the way you think – a clear vision for your desired results, meaningful reasons why you desire them, and building momentum toward massive action to make your visions a reality.

We have reached our destination on our trek today, which is the land that allows you to achieve anything you desire. I will conclude today’s trek with an encouraging word from Hebrews 12:1-3,

“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.”

Remember to be faithful in the Proverbs 31-day challenge. For each day of June, read the chapter in Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. In less than five minutes per day, you can take your daily wisdom supplements, which if repeated each day, will make you healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Our next trek will be Wisdom Wednesday where we will hike the Wisdom Trail in search of the nuggets of wisdom found in Proverbs 12. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Wednesday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and invite them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on iTunes, Spreaker, Stitcher, Soundcloud, iHeart Radio, and Google Play, so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Wednesday!

Day 371 – The Cycles and Seasons of Life (2) – Guard Your Mind

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 07:03:57 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 371 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Cycles and Seasons of Life (2) – Guard Your Mind

Thank you for joining us for our 3 days per week, 12 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 371 of our trek, and today is Philosophy Friday. Each Friday our trek will be philosophical in nature, and this is the 2^nd week of the trek that is focused on The Cycles and Seasons of Life. This information is a combination of my own life experiences and learning from one of my virtual mentors Jim Rohn as well as others.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. During the past month, we removed and refinished the name and address signs that hung at the entrance of our driveway. We finally hung them back out, and we are pleased with the results.

I am continuing to work on sanding the stairs and the downstairs hallway and foyer. Hopefully, I will be able to start applying polyurethane to the woodwork and floors next week. There is also a small amount of crown molding trim that needs to be finished by our contractor, so hopefully, he will be able to work that into his schedule this next week. Renovations on a large old home are never ending, but we do enjoy the process.

This is true of every aspect of our lives. There are different phases and seasons that we go through. If we live wisely, we will have much to be thankful for and enjoy the journey each day. This does not mean that we will hike a smooth trail every day but it does mean that we will be prepared for the rocks, limbs, washouts, and other obstacles that we encounter on our trek of life. If we are adequately prepared, then we will navigate life successfully.

It is now time to set out on our trek for today as we continue to consider how our environment affects our circumstances within the:

Cycles and Seasons of Life (2)

One of the most important aspects of how successful you are in all areas of life is who and what you allow to influence you, especially what you allow permeating your mind.

You sometimes can accumulate a mixture of the people and situations of life, which, if not altered in some way, will assure that your future, will be just about like your past. That could be either a positive or negative aspect of your future. Moving positively forward within your life does have its price, for each positive gain you make automatically produces a loss or a sacrifice in some other area of life.

With that understanding, even if you try to avoid it, you will be affected in a negative way by something each day. One of the great challenges of life is to have both the wisdom to recognize those sources of negativity, and the courage to cast them aside, if necessary. None of us would voluntarily drink a glass of deadly poison if we knew what it was, and yet each of us has friends, relatives, or business associates whose effect on us is just as deadly as the glass of poison.

The difference is that one form of poison kills instantly. Once consumed, the body recoils, weakens, and then all bodily functions cease. The other “poisons” that we receive from those we associate with kill hopes, ambitions, enthusiasm, and the thirst for achievement. The methods are different, but the ultimate result is the same. There is very little difference between one who has given up his life and one who has given up his hope.

There are those who will laugh if you read useful books, and yet there is little difference between those who cannot read and those who will not read—the result of both is ignorance.

There is little difference between those who cannot read and those who will not read—the result of both is ignorance.

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There are those who will discourage you when you search for a better occupation or focus, and yet it is essential that you find your calling and purpose in life if true happiness is to be found. The interesting point here to note is that a calling and purpose do not have to be some grand or magnificent feat that changes the world. It can be small seemingly insignificant daily faithfulness that will change the life of someone in your world, maybe even your own.

There are those who will frown upon you if you set ambitious goals, and yet without goals there can be no achievement. And without achievement, life will continue to be as it has been.

Without goals there can be no achievement, and without achievement life will continue to be as it has been.

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There are those who will gossip about you if you are doing well, and yet there can be no cause for rejoicing among those who are doing poorly.

There are those who will whine, cry, and try to guilt you if you take another trail in search of a better life, and yet you must sometimes turn away from those whose effect limits you—in spite of the tears and false guilt.

There are those who will hate you when you achieve an improved life, and yet there can be little happiness in poverty nor love between those who choose to endure it.

One of the disappointments of life is that friends will abandon you when you begin to change your life for the better, and yet those who remain behind will say, “You have forgotten us now that your life is improved.” You must flip this thinking upside down. It is those who accept their mediocrity who choose to “remain behind.”

When you do achieve a successful life in any or all aspects, it should be your desire to return to your earlier friends and embrace them in friendship and love, even if they did not treat you the same. It may be surprising, though, because of the jealousy among those who remain behind they will not be accepting of you. As harsh as it may sound, you have to realize their mindset is their choice, and you must keep moving forward, even when they choose not to.

As I am approaching 60, I have come to realize that which you may also experience. It is often difficult to pause in the middle of your life for the purpose of sifting out the debris that you have collected throughout your years. If you are like most of us, you tend to accumulate and cling to ideas that limit your progress. You cherish friendships even though the friendships impede your personal growth. You allow yourself acquaintances whose conversation affects or destroys your attitude about life and people. Sometimes you maintain business associates although those associates teach you immoral, illegal, or unethical practices. In the workplace, you may learn shortcuts for increasing profits while decreasing quality. In countless ways, you wander through life allowing people, their attitudes, and ideas to mold your character—people whose attitudes and ideas have brought themselves little progress, productivity, or happiness in life.

Unpopular as it may seem, you may be accumulating people, customs, attitudes, habits, opinions, and philosophies, which you very simply cannot afford to keep—if you seek honestly after an improved life. Friendships are indeed valuable, but so is the human life. And, it is foolish to fall short of your potential because you fear alienating a friend that may not be good for your long-term growth. I am in no way encouraging not treating others with kindness and love, but you have to be very careful of how much time you invest with those that are toxic to your life. The return on your investment may be devastating.

Here is an example of what I mean. You gather with a few business friends for lunch, which may be a common, everyday occurrence. If you are not careful, in one hour you satisfy your hunger for food, gossip, ridicule, and condemnation of those not present. You then repeat half-truths brought to you through hearsay. You find yourself complaining about government, politicians, management, coworkers, traffic, taxes, weather, and the “system,” while doing nothing to produce solutions and change for any of these situations. Even if the conversation does reveal solutions, you make no effort to communicate them to those who can possibly implement them, accepting things for the way they are.

If your attitudes, results, or happiness is to ever improve, you must exercise the painful discipline required for “weeding out” the garden of your life. Eating alone is better than mingling with those whose conversation is negative. Canceling the appointment is better than keeping the appointment with those whom will simply waste your time.

Changing the conversation is better than prolonging a conversation designed to degrade someone. Telling the whole, painful truth is better than a half-truth distorted to make yourself look or sound good. Saying “no” is better than saying “yes” to something you don’t want to do, or to someone you don’t want to be with. Being firm is better than being courteous to those whose caustic personality does not justify courtesy. The improvement of your personal circumstances means that you must learn to do what those who fail are simply not willing to do.

Better than many of the wrong friends are a few of the right friends. Better than a few of the wrong friends are no friends at all! Be careful of who you allow influencing your life. In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church, he wrote in Chapter 15:33, “Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” A better way to design a successful life is to always encourage others as mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

On the trail of The Cycles and Seasons of Life today, we have uncovered some basic truths about how easily others can affect our mindset and life direction. Let us not drink their poison any longer but take the shackles of wrong relationships off and be set free to pursue a friendship with those that are hiking on the same trail with us toward a common destination.

Remember to be faithful in the Proverbs 31-day challenge. For each day of June read the chapter in Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. In less than five minutes per day, you can take your daily wisdom supplements, which if repeated each day, will make you healthy, wealthy, and wise. Our next trek will be Motivation Monday when we will hike the trail to a land where we can achieve anything. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. Just as you enjoy your dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and invite them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on iTunes, Spreaker, Stitcher, Soundcloud, iHeart Radio, and Google Play, so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Day 370 – The Generous Will Prosper – Proverbs 11:17-31

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 07:03:50 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 370 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Generous Will Prosper

As we begin our 2^nd year of Wisdom-Trek, we are shifting from a daily podcast and creating three themed treks per week, which will be Motivation Monday, Wisdom Wednesday, and Philosophy Friday. Thank you for joining us for our 3 days per week, 12 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 370 of our trek, and today will be our Wisdom Wednesday trek. Each Wednesday our trek will focus on digging for those nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We have been keeping very busy with our activities in and around The Big House this week. I am sanding the floors in the upstairs and downstairs hallway/foyer and the front and back stairways. The dust certainly makes a mess, but the results are well worth the temporary inconvenience. We have the Crescent Rose Garden replanted with pink and red Knock-Out Roses and Rhododendrons. It is looking really nice.

We are continuing to work on our client and podcasting projects in many different areas, and I keep reminding myself to take it one day at a time. That is what makes for a successful life.

Now it is time to set out on our trek for today as we head up the Wisdom Trail and dig for those nuggets of wisdom that are buried within the 2^nd half of Proverbs 11.

The Generous Will Prosper – Proverbs [11:17]-31

¹⁷Your kindness will reward you,
but your cruelty will destroy you.

It is imperative that we are kind to all people at all times. Although this is difficult with some people, we never know what another person is going through. In the same thought, you desire others to be kind to you. Kindness has its reward built within it. If you are not kind to others, then rarely will others be kind to you.

¹⁸Evil people get rich for the moment,
but the reward of the godly will last.

A person with evil intentions may be able to gain temporary riches, but eventually, it will catch up with them, and they will suffer the consequences. If you are honest in your dealings and transactions in life even if you do not gain large amounts of monetary riches, your reward will be a life well lived.

¹⁹Godly people find life;
evil people find death.

Those that practice being good and godly will find a life that is worth living because they will see the goodness in others. Their outlook on life will be one that is positive. In contrast, those that are evil will see evil everywhere they look, and their lives will be dead, difficult to live.

²⁰The Lord detests people with crooked hearts,
but he delights in those with integrity.

God is a god of justice, so He does not look favorably on those that have evil intentions in their lives and make it a practice of living life without morality. Since God is justice, He delights if our hearts, lives, and actions are filled with doing what is right and good. This is the description of a person with integrity.

²¹Evil people will surely be punished,
but the children of the godly will go free.

Although it is difficult to see it sometimes in our world, evil will be punished. It is a punishment in and of itself. Those that are evil see the world as evil, which is not a pleasant place to live. They will be in bondage to their evil practices. As we live our legacy for good each day, not only will we be free to live a rich and satisfying life, but it will also allow our children and grandchildren to live a life of freedom.

²²A beautiful woman who lacks discretion
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.

Solomon uses a humorous analogy in this verse, but one that is so true. If a woman, or man, no matter how beautiful they are, lack discretion, then it’s just like trying to make a pig beautiful. No matter whether you put a gold ring in its snout or lipstick on its lips, it is still a pig. This is especially meaningful in the Hebrew culture, as a pig is considered a filthy and despised animal and was forbidden to be eaten under their dietary laws.

²³The godly can look forward to a reward,
while the wicked can expect only judgment.

It is always right to do right. When you live honestly, you never have to be concerned about what you say or do to another. This gives a peace of mind and internal freedom that will enable you to live your best, which is indeed a reward. Wicked people judge others by their own lifestyles. They expect others to be evil, so that is what they see in others. Life itself becomes their punishment.

²⁴Give freely and become more wealthy;
be stingy and lose everything.

²⁵The generous will prosper;
those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

²⁶People curse those who hoard their grain,
but they bless the one who sells in time of need.

Verses 24-26 are all on the same topic, which is being generous to others. It is a basic principle of life. If you are wise with what you obtain through hard work and perseverance, then you will have more than enough for yourself and should be willing and able to give to others. It is part of our living legacy to allow the resources that we have obtained to flow through us to the benefit of others. It is the abundance mindset to realize there is more than enough for everyone. It is the law of giving and receiving. The realization that we will truly be blessed and refreshed only to the measure that we are willing to bless and refresh others is a powerful one.

²⁷If you search for good, you will find favor;
but if you search for evil, it will find you!

Another basic principle of life is that how we see others and the world at large is what our world will be. If we see good and abundance in the world, then we will find goodness and abundance and be able to live the rich and satisfying life. If we see the world as an evil and scary place and think that everyone is out to get us, then that is exactly how our world will be. It is up to us what our world is like.

²⁸Trust in your money and down you go!
But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.

There is no security in money or any earthly wealth. It is fleeting as a summer rain in the desert, that soaks the ground for a few minutes, and then the ground is dried and cracked. If we instead place our trust in God for our wealth, then we will have abundant real growth in our lives that will last.

²⁹Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind.
The fool will be a servant to the wise.

Throughout the scriptures, the family unit is very important. If we do not take care of our family properly from a financial, spiritual, and emotional basis, their inheritance will be fleeting as the wind. Also, if we are foolish in the matter of our families, we will be forever be servants to those who are making wise choices.

³⁰The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life;
a wise person wins friends.

What we plant in this world will be what we harvest. It is another basic principle of life. Our small seeds of kindness and goodness will produce a bountiful return and will bring life to all those that we impact. Through this principle, we will be wise, and others will seek us out to be our friends.

³¹If the righteous are rewarded here on earth,
what will happen to wicked sinners?

One of the basic principles of life is that our lives will be strongly influenced by how we view the world. If we are living right, good and godly lives, we will have the rich and satisfying life that is possible. This will be the opposite for those who view the world as evil and live a life in manner. Their “reward” will be one of problems and evil in this life.

On the Trail of Wisdom today, we have uncovered many nuggets of wisdom that we can apply to our lives immediately. We will experience life as we perceive it. A wise person will see a life of abundance, and in doing so will also be generous in all ways to others. So much of our life is influenced by our mindset. While some days it is harder to control than others, it is still our responsibility to live a life positively and with an abundance mindset. This will ensure that our living legacy will positively impact generations throughout eternity.

Our next trek will be Philosophy Friday where we will continue on our trail learning about the cycles and seasons of life. You won’t want to miss it, so encourage your friends and family to join us. Then come along on Friday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. Just as you enjoy your dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and invite them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on iTunes, Spreaker, Stitcher, Soundcloud, iHeart Radio, and Google Play, so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 369 – Let’s Get Motivated

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 07:03:29 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 369 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Let’s Get Motivated

With the beginning of our 2^nd year of Wisdom-Trek as of June 1^st, we have made some changes to the frequency and format of Wisdom-Trek. We are creating three themed treks per week, which will be Motivation Monday, Wisdom Wednesday, and Philosophy Friday. Each daily trek will be approximately 12 minutes in length, so slightly longer than previously but still easy to listen to in one session.

Thank you for joining us for our 3 days per week, 12 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 369 of our trek, and today will be our Motivation Monday episode. Each Monday our trek will focus on motivating and inspiring you for the week.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Our renovations and outside work at The Big House continues as we incrementally make progress. We mowed the lawn again, and I was able to apply a coat of polyurethane to the 2-foot gliders. I am ready to sand the upstairs hallway and stairs this week.

We had the privilege of watching four of our grandkids on Friday evening, which is always enjoyable. Of course, Gramps is transformed into a monster while they are visiting, and we all get great exercise as I chase them through the various rooms in pursuit of their capture. I am motivated to invest time with the grandkids so that I can be a living legacy to them that they will carry on into future generations.

Now it is time to set out on our trek for today as we head up the Trail of Motivation as we consider what motivation is and how to stay motivated positively each day. While some people may say that motivation does not last as my virtual mentor, Zig Ziglar said, “I’ve heard it, too: ‘Motivation is temporary,’ and I agree. But then, so is bathing and eating, but if you do both of them on a daily basis, you will live longer and smell better in the process.”

Let’s Get Motivated

Motivation and enthusiasm is manifested through your desire and interest and becomes a driving force that pushes you to take action and pursue goals. However, it often happens that you have the desire and interest, but you lack the motivation. This is a frustrating situation since you have goals and objectives that you would like to accomplish but cannot get enough inner strength and motivation to act.

Motivation and enthusiasm is manifested through your desire and interest and becomes a driving force that pushes you to take action and pursue goals.

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There are many reasons for the lack of motivation. It could be due to a weak desire, laziness, or shyness, and it could be due to lack of self-esteem and self-confidence. In some cases, the reason is a physical or mental problem, which may require professional help.

Lack of motivation and lack of enthusiasm are two of the main reasons for failure and of living a mediocre life. You cannot blame other people if you lack the enthusiasm to take action to follow your goals and desires. Motivation is always an inside job. In other words, you must motivate yourself through an internal drive. All external motivation is temporary at best and usually completely non-effective.

Lack of motivation and enthusiasm can show up everywhere, at home, at work, in relationships, in pursuing goals and in everything else. This often creates indifference, unhappiness, and dissatisfaction. On our trek today, let’s explore the signposts that will help us to navigate this area of your life.

1. Reasons for lack of motivation and enthusiasm.

Lack of faith in your abilities
Fear of failure due to failure in the past
Fear of what others might say
Fear of success – Yes, this is a real fear that many struggle with which stems from a feeling of unworthiness.
The habit of procrastination
Laziness
The feeling or belief that there are other more important things to do
Being too stressed or nervous
The absence of enough internal and/or external stimuli or incentives

The reasons mentioned above stifle motivation and enthusiasm and are only excuses for not acting. You must learn to overcome and disregard them by becoming aware of them, acknowledging them, and understanding that you can change the programming of your mind by changing the way you think.

Changing the way you think comes from changing what you allow through the filters of your mind.

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Sometimes, you may have short bursts of motivation or enthusiasm. You start acting enthusiastically, but lose interest and motivation after a while, because you find it hard to sustain motivation or enthusiasm. We all struggle with this at times, but you cannot let it control you.

If you wish to improve in any area of your life, you need to wake up the sleeping giants of motivation and enthusiasm. They are powerful and effective, but only you can rouse them from their slumber. Your internal desire to accomplish goals and dreams must be greater than the consequence of not achieving what you desire. Continually remind yourself how much you lose if you allow them to sleep and how much you gain by forcing them to assist you.

The best way to accomplish your dreams, especially those that are large is to break them down into small manageable pieces that can easily be accomplished. This can be done, no matter how large your dreams are. Remember that the only way to move your mountains is by carry away one stone at a time. Otherwise, laziness, absence of energy, and procrastination will set in. Think about how small an ant is, and yet in comparison to their size they are true mountain movers. As Proverbs 6:6-9 reminds us,

Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones.
    Learn from their ways and become wise!
Though they have no prince
    or governor or ruler to make them work,
they labor hard all summer,
    gathering food for the winter.
But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep?
    When will you wake up?

Instead of suffering and feeling uncomfortable and passive, it would be much better to wake up the motivation inside you to take action and do things. This will make you feel much better, happier and more satisfied. As an example, it is similar to what I experience nearly every morning. I would rather stay in my warm bed covered with blankets than force myself up to exercise and run for 70 minutes. So, why do I do it? My internal motivation is to remain healthy and fit physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, so I get up to make that happen. That desire is greater than my desire for a few more minutes of sleep.

Procrastination, laziness, indifference, and passivity cause unhappiness, weakness and lack of satisfaction. Being enthusiastic, motivated, and active brings a sense of joy, strength, and power. By getting motivated, you take action, do things, take your mind off problems and difficulties, and focus on finding solutions and achieving success.

2. Find out where you really need motivation.

This means finding out what really matters to you and what actions would bring benefits and improvement into your life and into the life of the people around you.

Think deeply, and discover what is your real purpose and related goals in life, but also don’t forget to focus your attention on the little things of life, where just a little motivation is needed to keep you going.

If you need additional skills, get the skills you need to take you to the finish line in whatever you do! Get the extra push, energy, and perseverance to accomplish any task and to reach any goal. The next two sign post provide us with simple methods anyone can use.

3. Start to overcome lack of motivation in the little, everyday affairs of life.

Start by doing small or not so important tasks, which you usually avoid doing. This can help you increase your inner strength and wake up the motivation giant. When your inner strength grows, you will be able to push yourself to accomplish greater tasks, even if you are not motivated enough to do them now.

When this happens, you will possess the ability to focus on what you want to do and awaken the energy you need. Here are a few examples of some small tasks:

Wash the dishes now, instead of later.
Take out the garbage now, instead of later.
Turn off the TV and take a short walk.
Clean and arrange the contents of one of your drawers.
Decide on a book to read and start reading even if you want to do other things.

4. Tips to keep moving forward with enthusiasm and motivation.

Short spurts of enthusiasm or motivation are not enough to accomplish anything of value. You need to keep your desire and inner flame alive and focused on your goal. So what can you do about it?

Devote 10 minutes a day to reading and thinking about the benefits of what you want to do or accomplish.
Every day read about people who achieved success by being consistent and persistent.
Every day, find a quiet place and for several minutes visualize yourself acting with enthusiasm and motivation.
Every success requires dedication, time, perseverance, and tenacity. Do not give up quickly.
Keep repeating affirmations that empower you and inflame your enthusiasm and motivation.
Never consider what you are doing as drudgery. Choose a mindset and attitude that you will enjoy the tasks at hand. If need be, tweak the process a little and make a few changes, and you can turn it into a pleasurable activity.
Once you decide about anything, go on with it, even after you lose enthusiasm and desire. Don’t give up even if what you are doing seems to be a burden and drudgery. Don’t give up even if you feel bored.

Keep focused on the finish line. Keep telling yourself about the benefits of what you are doing and keep thinking and visualizing what it will be like after accomplishing what you have set to do.

Remember, this is your own life, and you are responsible for it. Don’t allow yourself to succumb to laziness and negative programming. Life is not always easy, and there are obstacles on your trail. Expect that, and manage your expectations. Keep thinking about how satisfied you will be after achieving success. Visualize how your life will change if you overcome laziness, negative thoughts, and negative programming. Plant with the harvest in mind.

Don’t rely on spurts of enthusiasm to carry you to your destination. You need to stand up, not give up, and then wake up those sleeping giants that reside in your mind. Never give up even when you want to quit. Keep going on, even when the trail is rough and strewn with rocks and debris. If you keep going, soon your desire and enthusiasm will grow, and the progress will become easier.

The Trail of Motivation will not always be easy, but with consistent persistence, you can achieve your objectives and reach your summits of life. On each of Monday’s treks, we will hike the Twin Trails of Motivation and Inspiration that will provide you with the right start to each week. Our next trek will be Wisdom Wednesday where we will dig for the nuggets of wisdom found in Proverbs 11.

Remember to join me in the Proverbs 30-day challenge. For each day of June, read the chapter in Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. On day 30, read the final two chapters. It’s not too late to catch up. In less than five minutes per day, you can take your daily wisdom supplements, which if repeated each day, will make you healthy, wealthy, and wise. It has certainly worked for me, and it will work for you also. Let me know if you accept my challenge at guthrie@venturecg.com

The three themed podcasts each week will motivate you, give you wisdom, and allow you to philosophize about life, so encourage your friends and family to join us. Then come along on Wednesday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. Just as you enjoy your dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and invite them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on iTunes, Spreaker, Stitcher, Soundcloud, iHeart Radio, and Google Play, so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Wednesday!

Day 368 – The Cycles and Seasons of Life (1) – Take Responsibility

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 07:03:45 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 368 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Cycles and Seasons of Life (1)- Take Responsibility

As we begin our 2^nd year of Wisdom-Trek as of June 1^st, we have made some changes to the frequency and format of Wisdom-Trek. We are creating three themed treks per week, which will be Motivation Monday, Wisdom Wednesday, and Philosophy Friday. Each daily trek will be approximately 12 minutes in length, so slightly longer than previously but still easy to listen to in one session.

Thank you for joining us for our 3 days a week, 12 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 368 of our trek, and today will be our Philosophy Friday episode. We are beginning a series that will run for the next few Friday’s as we hike the trail that will cover the Seasons of Life. This information is based on my own experiences in life and some lessons that I have learned through one of my virtual mentors, Jim Rohn.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. As I am creating this podcast, it is interesting and amazing watching the number of cicadas that seem to be flying everywhere. The noise that they make is truly mesmerizing. This is the year when the 17-year locust come out in Southern Ohio.

Their life cycle is very interesting as they occupy nearly all of the 17 years as grubs that burrow deep into the ground just waiting for the time to emerge. When they emerge from their rest, they break out of their shells, unfurl their wings, and are on the hunt for a mate. The females lay their eggs in soft branches of the trees, and when they hatch the grubs fall to the ground burrow deep in the earth and wait for another 17 years. Many do not make it due to birds, weather, and numerous other perils. That is their life-cycle, and each stage is a season of life for them.

Although our lives should last much longer and have more apparent significance than the cicada, we also experience distinct seasons in our lives. God has designed a purpose for the cicada, even if we may not understand it. God has a much greater purpose for our lives since we are made in His image. Let us philosophize a bit today and explore some of the seasons of life that we go through and how our decisions impact those seasons.

The Cycles and Seasons of Life – Part 1

John Kennedy once remarked that Winston Churchill “mobilized the English language and sent it into battle.” Past generations have heard the stirring words of Cicero, Daniel Webster, Disraeli, Churchill, and Kennedy. These men were touched by their Creator with the gift of changing the course of human history and the quality of the individual life through their well-spoken words. It is with the words in today’s podcast and journal, if applied, your life will transform to living on purpose and with purpose.

For six thousand years of recorded history, humans have entered this world. They received parental instruction, classroom instruction, and gathered the experience of life. Many have set ambitious goals for themselves and dreamed lofty dreams, but upon the day that they draw their last breath have left little behind as evidence of their existence other than a birth certificate, grave marker, and nearly a million dollars in goods and services consumed between their humble beginnings and uneventful end.

Books have been written on the subject of human achievement, seminars and webinars are conducted on how to find success, and those who have met with and embraced success willingly share their ideas and insights with all those who will listen.

For some, worldly riches are gained at the price of lost friends and broken families. For others, fortune remains forever elusive while families remain precariously intact. For most, we remain forever in one of two categories—either poor, seeking to become wealthy or wealthy, always seeking to rediscover the happiness we had while we were poor. This is certainly not a new phenomenon as King Solomon wrote in the book of Ecclesiastes 1:9-11, “History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. Sometimes people say, ‘Here is something new!’ But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new. We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.”

This series of podcasts and the corresponding journals are a condensation of ideas and observations gained over a period of four decades – both mine and what I learned from Jim Rohn and others. I will attempt to place life, its events, purpose, opportunities, and challenges into perspective. It is not intended to be an instructional treatise on either how to achieve success or how to avoid failure. If life were to hold such precise answers to age-old questions, surely their discovery would be history and each of us would now be living to enjoy our success. In truth, what is the formula for success for one will lead to the self-destruction of another. As certainly as our Creator made us individually unique, He also preserves for each of us individually unique answers to the challenges of life.

It is the purpose of this Philosophy Friday podcast and journal series over the next few weeks to awaken within each of us the storehouse of inspiration and answers that lie dormant, where they have been since being placed there at conception by our Creator and now reside within the hearts and minds of each of us. On our trek through life, let us seek to discover our own individual answers to our own individual challenges by exploring the cycles and seasons of life.

The Effect of Environment on Circumstances

All of us, whether rich or poor, young or old, educated or not so educated, are the sum total of all of those people and events that have touched and nurtured us since first entering this world, or as we now know, even since our conception. Every thought that we have allowed to permeate our minds has had its impact on what we now are. Every person that we have met has had their impact on us. Every movie we’ve watched had its impact. Every book or magazine we’ve read had its impact. Every TV show has had its impact. Every podcast that we listen to has an impact. Every disappointment, triumph, doubt, dream, and love for someone each had its impact. What we are and what we have is a result of what we slowly brought upon ourselves. It is the human tendency to blame someone or something else for our lack of progress or seeming failure — we blame family members, government, competitors, managers, economic conditions, pay schedules, some malady or condition, and even the traffic and weather for our circumstances.

Each person, circumstance, and event which have left their mark — whether favorable or unfavorable — is now behind you. What happened even as recently as yesterday is no longer of any consequence unless you choose to allow it to be. What is of great importance is who and what it is that leaves its mark today and each day after that. What you have been in the past is an established and unchangeable fact. What you can be in the future is an unlimited, boundless opportunity. Therefore, do not allow your awareness of past difficulty or failures to adversely affect your current and future possibilities. The greatest value of the past is how wisely you invest it in the future. You are free from the past, not a slave to it. Let the past be your servant for making the future both more rich and satisfying.

If you seriously accept that you deserve and will one day achieve financial freedom, then break off the “rearview mirror” of your life and concentrate on what lies ahead. Begin your quest for achievement by taking a close inventory of the people and circumstances that today touch your life, for it is their impact that will determine what lies ahead for you. To draw on my farming background I will use this analogy…The people, circumstances, and other influences that are in your life now will determine the size of your crop when harvest time comes next fall.

We have only traveled a few paces on our journey today, and there is much to consider. We will continue this trail next Friday, so don’t miss it. Our next trek will be Motivation Monday where our trail will motivate and inspire you for the next week.

As a follow up to our Wisdom Wednesday trail, I want to remind you of the challenge that I extended to you. Since we are still early in the month, I challenge you to take the Proverbs 30-day challenge with me. For each day of June read the chapter in Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. On day 30, read the final two chapters.

I have made this practice a habit that I have repeated every month for most of my adult life. I can say without hesitation that this single habit has done more for me in gaining wisdom, insight, and understanding in life than any other single habit.

In less than five minutes per day, you can take your daily wisdom supplements, which if repeated each day will make you healthy, wealthy, and wise. It has certainly worked for me, and it will work for you also. Let me know if you accept my challenge at guthrie@venturecg.com

The three themed podcasts each week will motivate you, give you, wisdom and allow you to philosophize about life, so encourage your friends and family to join us. Then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and invite them to come along with us each day. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on iTunes, Spreaker, Stitcher, Soundcloud, iHeart Radio, and Google Play, so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 367 – Honesty is the Best Policy – Proverbs 11:1-16

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 07:03:31 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 367 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Honesty is the Best Policy

Starting today, we begin our 2^nd year of Wisdom-Trek and will be making some changes to the frequency and format of Wisdom-Trek. First, we have decided to create three themed treks per week which will be Motivation Monday, Wisdom Wednesday, and Philosophy Friday. Each daily trek will be approximately 12 minutes in length, so slightly longer but still easy to listen to in one session. So, let’s get started and thank you for joining us for our 3 days a week, 12 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 367 of our trek, and today will be our Wisdom Wednesday episode as we continue with our study of Proverbs with Chapter 11.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. I continue working on cleaning the woodwork and just finished the upstairs hallways. I will work my way down both stairwells and then begin on the downstairs foyer and hallway. I was able to stain the two 2-foot gliders on Monday and plan on putting a coat of polyurethane on them this week as the weather permits. We are also in the process of moving the furniture back into the parlor now that we have allowed the floor to dry for a couple of weeks.

The hawks that we have the joy of watching each day continue to shuttle food to the nest to keep up with the voracious appetites of the growing chicks. From what we can tell, there are two chicks, and they are growing rapidly but will still be awhile before they take flight.

Speaking of that, it is now time to head out on our trek for today, we will hike up the wisdom trail in search of the nuggets of wisdom found in the first half of the 11^th chapter of Proverbs.

Honesty is Always the Best Policy

¹The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales,
but he delights in accurate weights.

Any type of dishonesty should not be part of our lives, even in the smallest of areas. This is especially true in the business world, where less scrupulous vendors would alter the scales or weights to weigh heavier so as to cheat the customer.

²Pride leads to disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.

Pride is such a nasty character trait, and yet all of us fall prey to it in some area of our lives. As we become comfortable with who we truly are while remaining humble, we will gain wisdom, insight, and understanding.

³Honesty guides good people;
dishonesty destroys treacherous people.

Honesty is always the best policy, and it will guide our lives on a trail that is true and solid just like a compass or GPS can guide us. Those who practice dishonesty will be destroyed by those habits because they will be wrapped up in the treacherous cycle of one lie upon another.

⁴Riches won’t help on the day of judgment,
but right living can save you from death.

We would do well to understand that material things, including money, are tools to impact our world positively. We will not take any of it with us when we die. On the other hand, as we do use resources to impact others, then even once we die, our impact will live through the lives of others.

⁵The godly are directed by honesty;
the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.

If we choose to live according to God’s precepts, then honesty will be our trail map taking us to higher summits. In contrast to that, dishonesty and other weakness are like a huge millstone around our necks, always dragging us down.

⁶The godliness of good people rescues them;
the ambition of treacherous people traps them.

When you choose to do what is good, then you will have no fear of harm, and you will be rescued from or spared negative consequence. A treacherous person cannot be trusted because they are unfaithful and are prone to double-crossing those they are around.

⁷When the wicked die, their hopes die with them,
for they rely on their own feeble strength.

Those who do not create and live a positive, impactful legacy will not have the hope of future generations carrying their legacy. The wicked feel their success will carry on, but no one has any strength when they die. It is only through the lives of others that our lives remain once we die.

⁸The godly are rescued from trouble,
and it falls on the wicked instead.

Because the godly are also wise, the choices that they make each day are wise choices, and it prevents them from making choices that are harmful. The wicked are unwise, and the choices they make are foolish and cause them trouble.

⁹With their words, the godless destroy their friends,
but knowledge will rescue the righteous.

The power of life and death are in our tongue, and those who do not have a regard for God will choose to say things that wound others. Contrasting that, as you gain the right knowledge, you will learn to filter words that may be harmful to others.

¹⁰The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed;
they shout for joy when the wicked die.

All of us like and support those who treat us and others with kindness and respect, and we celebrate those individuals when they succeed. There is a different type of celebration when the wicked die. It is joyous, but it is because there is no longer a threat by the wicked.

¹¹Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper,
but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.

Citizens who have integrity will make sure that everyone benefits in their pursuit of success. All boats rise with the tide. Contrary to that are those who try to succeed by the demise of others. It will harm everyone that is involved.

¹²It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor;
a sensible person keeps quiet.

As is mentioned in several of the Proverbs, people who are foolish show their foolishness by talking too much. In doing so, they inevitably end up hurting others with their dismissive talk. A person who is wise and sensible will refrain from talking, especially when it is not necessary.

¹³A gossip goes around telling secrets,
but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.

A person who loves to talk will also be a person who gossips about others. In doing so, they do not have the discernment of when not to share the secrets of others, even their friends. Someone who is worthy of trust can be counted on not to break the confidence of anyone else.

¹⁴Without wise leadership, a nation falls;
there is safety in having many advisers.

Regardless of whether it is a family, business, or an entire country, if the leaders are not wise, then it will be destroyed from within. That is why it is good in all situations to take the advice of those who are wise and discerning.

¹⁵There’s danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt;
it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt.

Borrowing for yourself is usually not a good idea. We justify it for all sorts of reasons, but it would be best if we do not borrow money and live within our means. It is completely risky and unwise to put up collateral or guarantee a debt for anyone else. If they cannot afford to borrow money themselves, then you should not put yourself at risk. They need to wait until they can afford it.

¹⁶A gracious woman gains respect,
but ruthless men gain only wealth.

It is always best to be kind and have grace toward others. When you do, others will respect you. If you are not kind to others, then even if you are able to gain wealth, you will be missing out on the blessing of also gaining respect.

We have found so many nuggets on our trail today. Take the time to savor them, chew them slowly, and allow them to permeate your life.

I would challenge you as we are starting a new month to take the Proverbs 30-day challenge with me. For each day of June, read the chapter in Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. On day 30 read the final two chapters.

I have made this practice a habit, which I have repeated every month for most of my adult life. I can say without hesitation that this single habit has done more for me in gaining wisdom, insight, and understanding in life that any other single habit.

Let me know if you accept my challenge at guthrie@venturecg.com Our next trek will be Philosophy Friday where I will begin a series on the seasons of life, so encourage your friends and family to join us. Then come along on Friday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and invite them to come along with us each day. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on iTunes, Spreaker, Stitcher, Soundcloud, iHeart Radio, and Google Play, so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Day 366 – Finishing Well – Year 1 is Complete

H. Guthrie Chamberlain — Tue, 31 May 2016 07:03:22 -0500

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 366 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Finishing Well – Year 1 is Complete

Thank you for joining us for our 7 days a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 366 of our trek. Today we complete one full year of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for coming along with me each day of our trek. I really appreciate it. Today on our trek, let’s explore what it means to finish well.

Before we get started on today’s trek, this will be the last day, at least for a while, that I will remind you that the initial release of our 100 page Your Life Plan Blueprint manual/workbook is available for download at Wisdom-Trek.com on the left-hand sidebar of any page. Or, if you are listening on your smartphone, you can text the word LifePlan (with no spaces) to 44222, and Your Life Plan Blueprint will be delivered to you in an email. The manual/workbook is free during the month of May, so I would encourage you to become one of our early adopters so that all updates will be available to you for free also. By the end of 2016, we will have a complete web/mobile version available of Your Life Plan Blueprint.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. With Memorial Day being honored in the United States this week, it provided an extra day of cleaning and preparation work in and around The Big House. I was able to finish cleaning the garage and applying polyurethane to the 2 4-foot gliders. Overall, it was a very productive weekend.

Starting tomorrow, June 1^st,the second season of Wisdom-Trek begins, and we are changing up the format. We will be releasing new Wisdom-Trek themed episodes three days a week, which will be Motivation Mondays, Wisdom Wednesdays, and Philosophy Fridays. The episodes may be slightly longer and less scripted than in the past but will still be short enough to consume easily in one session. Making this adjustment will allow us to invest the time needed to release the Wisdom-Trek monthly journals, create the online version of Your Life Plan Blueprint, and roll out our new platform Christian Podcasting Network. We also have additional exciting projects in the planning stages that I will announce later.

For today, it is time to head out on our last day of season 1 of Wisdom-Trek as we reflect on the trail of:

Finishing Well – Year 1 is Complete

There are times in life when we reach reflection points that give us an opportunity to pause, to ponder, and to reflect. As we have now completed the first full year of Wisdom-Trek and as I approach a milestone birthday of 60 this August, I feel that I am reaching one of those reflection points in life. It gives me an opportunity to philosophize a bit. With today’s advancements in health care, life sciences, and nutritional information, it is possible to live well beyond the century mark. I have stated many times, God willing, that I would like to live to 125. If God does permit this, then I am just approaching the half-time of my Super Bowl of life.

As I approach this half-time, I am certainly compelled to finish the first half well, but more importantly, I desire to be prepared to succeed in the second half of life with a far greater impact. I am compelled to build on the legacy that I have started and live a legacy far beyond that in the second half of life.

Although it is important to rest, relax, and reenergize during half-time, what is more important is to review the first half, to strategize, to plan, and then be prepared to execute well in the second half. That is one of the reasons that I have created and will be focusing a significant amount of time building out the online web/mobile version of Your Life Plan Blueprint. This

is not only so that I can have a solid life plan for my second half of life but to assist as many people as I possibly can to prepare for their entirety of life. It is also why I am choosing to invest much time and energy into building online communities where I can multiply my impact through the lives of others on a much greater scale throughout the world.

I am more excited today about the opportunities that are before me than at any other time of life. With the advancements of technologies already and the advancements that are on the horizons, the opportunities for all of us in this game of life will be nearly limitless. Sure the second half will be difficult. Sure we will have to work hard and play hard. Sure there will be times of defeat and disappointment. Sure there will be times of blood, sweat, and tears. When these times of adversity come, and they will, let us not throw in the towel and give up. Instead, let us take to heart the words the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians in Chapter 6:9, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

So, let us seize this opportunity to create and live a legacy that will impact the lives of others for eternity. No possessions gained and no wealth accumulated will last when our game of life is over unless they are resources used positively to have an impact on those individuals who will send a ripple effect through all of eternity.

Regardless of whether you are in your first second half of this game of life, play well. To switch our analogy slightly, let us run the race of life well at all times as was the encouragement to the first century Hebrew Christians in Hebrews 12:1-4, “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. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.”

It is my prayer and desire that I play my second half of life well. If God does grant me a very long life and I am permitted to live well beyond the century mark, may I use every single day to impact others and to bring honor and glory to His name. Regardless of how long my second half is, when the clock runs out, may I be able to repeat the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”

Thank you for coming along with me during this first year of Wisdom-Trek. It has been a blessing and encouragement to me. My hope is that it has been for you also. As we shift slightly in format and style to three days per week, please continue to trek with me as we continue on this marvelous journey called life.

Tomorrow we will begin Wisdom-Trek 2.0 with Wisdom Wednesday as we begin to explore Proverbs chapter 11, so encourage your friends and family to join us. Then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and invite them to come along with us each day. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on iTunes, Spreaker, Stitcher, Soundcloud, iHeart Radio, and Google Play, so each day’s trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)
Love Unconditionally
Listen Intentionally
Learn Continuously
Lend to others Generously
Lead with Integrity
Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Wisdom-Trek © - Archive 2

Day 596 – A Father’s Plea – Proverbs 7

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 596 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

A Father’s Plea – Proverbs 7

A Father’s Plea

· 10th Speech from Father to Son

Day 595 – Calmness of Mind – Wisdom Unplugged

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 595 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Calmness of Mind – Wisdom Unplugged

Day 594 – Love – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 594 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Love – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Love

Day 593 – Lifestyle Is Not an Automatic Reward – Lifestyle (3)

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 593 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Lifestyle Is Not an Automatic Reward

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Lifestyle Part (3)

1. Lifestyle is Not an Automatic Reward

2. Lifestyle Must Be Studied As Well As Practiced

Day 592 – Never of Two Minds – Wisdom Unplugged

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 592 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Never of Two Minds – Wisdom Unplugged

Day 591 – Don’t Be a Fool! – Proverbs 6

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 591 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Don’t Be a Fool! – Proverbs 6

Don’t Be a Fool!

· 9th Speech from Father to Son

· Beware of:

Debt (verses 1-5)

Laziness (verses 6-11)

Gossip (verses 12-19)

Lust (verse 20-35)

Day 590 – The Mark of Wisdom – Wisdom Unplugged

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 590 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Mark of Wisdom – Wisdom Unplugged

Day 589 – Renewal – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 589 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Renewal- The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Renewal

Day 588 – Lifestyle Is Not Determined by Money – Lifestyle (2)

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 588 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Lifestyle Is Not Determined by Money

The Five Trails on Life’s Trek – Lifestyle Part (2)

As a reminder, our overall extended trek covers these five trails:

Philosophy

Attitude

Activity

Results

Lifestyle

1. Lifestyle Is Not an Amount

2. Lifestyle Is a Reflection of Who and What We Are

Day 587 – The Good News Is Simple, But Rich – Wisdom Unplugged

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 587 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Good News Is Simple But Rich– Wisdom Unplugged

Day 586 – Rejecting Lady Folly – Proverbs 5

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 586 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Rejecting Lady Folly – Proverbs 5

Rejecting Lady Folly