When I think about the more and less of life, I realize that I need to submit more and control less. Maybe it’s my nature, disposition, personality or the result from the family I grew up in, but I can tend to be fairly controlling. Submission is a word that’s so misunderstood and the question I ask myself is, what do I really control anyway?

The answer:  not much.  We really don’t know what’s going to go on from day-to-day. In the Book of James it tells us instead of saying I’m going to go to a city, establish a business and make a lot of money, we should say, if it’s God’s will I’ll go and do these things.

One of the things I’m challenging to any who are on a journey to live deliberately is to ask yourself, What do I really control anyway?  When we fall into the trap of thinking we control anything, we’re in trouble. In Ephesians 5:21, we are told to submit to one another. I’m learning not to try to control all the pieces of the puzzle on the table, but instead to submit to God’s direction. When you strive to be deliberate in your marriage, your business, your home, and with your family, you may find, like I have, that I need to submit more and control less. 

How about you?  Do you find that things you are trying to control the most, are actually spinning you out of control?

Ultimately, life goes by in a blink. And too many people live the same year 80 times. To avoid getting to the end and feeling flooded regret over a life half-lived, read (and then apply) these tips:

41. Have a vision for your life.
42. Know your strengths.
43. Focus your mind on the good versus the lack.
44. Be patient.
45. Don’t give up.
46. Clean up your messes.
47. Use impeccable words.
48. Travel more.
49. Read “As You Think”.
50. Honor your parents.

Ultimately, life goes by in a blink. And too many people live the same year 80 times. To avoid getting to the end and feeling flooded regret over a life half-lived, read (and then apply) these tips:

31. Unplug your TV.
32. Sell your TV.
33. Read daily.
34. Avoid the news.
35. Be content with what you have.
36. Pursue your dreams.
37. Be authentic.
38. Be passionate.
39. Say sorry when you know you should.
40. Never miss a moment to celebrate another.

Ultimately, life goes by in a blink. And too many people live the same year 80 times. To avoid getting to the end and feeling flooded regret over a life half-lived, read (and then apply) these tips:

21. Savor life’s simplest pleasures.
22. Save 10% of your income each month.
23. Spend time at the ocean.
24. Walk in the woods.
25. Write thank you letters to those who’ve helped you.
26. Forgive those who’ve wronged you.
27. Remember that leadership is about influence and impact, not title and accolades.
28. Create unforgettable moments with those you love.
29. Have 5 great friends.
30. Become stunningly polite.

 Ultimately, life goes by in a blink. And too many people live the same year 80 times. To avoid getting to the end and feeling flooded regret over a life half-lived, read (and then apply) these tips:

11. Improve your work every single day.
12. Get a mentor.
13. Hire a coach.
14. Get up at 5 am each day.
15. Eat less food.
16. Find more heroes.
17. Be a hero to someone.
18. Smile at strangers.
19. Be the most ethical person you know.
20. Don’t settle for anything less than excellence.
21. Savor life’s simplest pleasures.