Tag: Gratitude

Difference

~ Tim Pritchett ~ Leave a comment

|Difference|
Don’t aspire to make a living, aspire to make a difference.
Denzel Washington

How is success best measured? The size of a paycheck? The new title? The brand you drive, wear, or carry? Have you ever stopped to wonder what people will remember about you—not for what you owned, but for what you gave to the world? We know that it’s none of these things, and what matters is the indelible mark we leave on others and the change we bring within our circle of influence. For sure, making a living is necessary, but real joy and satisfaction are found in using our work, time, and energy to create something meaningful. Something that can leave a legacy. Something that makes things better.

We all have a unique opportunity to contribute – to lift and encourage others, to solve problems, to bring your expertise and perspective to the discussion, and to pursue something greater than ourselves. To make a difference.

The beauty of making a difference is that it doesn’t require grand gestures. More often, you make a difference in the small, consistent actions you take, the way you make someone feel, reminding others (and ourselves) of how much we have to be grateful for. Gratitude is a powerful tool for making a difference, as it allows us to appreciate what we have and share that appreciation with others. Gratitude fuels generosity. When we understand and appreciate what we have, we instinctively share it—our time, kindness, and perspective—with others, creating ripples of encouragement.

When considering your next step – concerning the new job offer, how to proceed in the project, or the attitude you choose for the day – ask yourself: “How do I leave things better than I found them?” Acting on this answer can make a more significant difference in your life and the lives of others than you would probably guess.

So, don’t just aspire to make a living; aspire to live a life that leaves others richer in hope, joy, faith, and purpose. That’s the real difference you can make.

Be Encouraged.

Brand New Ending

~ Tim Pritchett ~ Leave a comment

|Brand New Ending|
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.
Carl Bard

It’s a new day. It’s filled with new opportunities. There’s new mercy. Grace is abundant, and gratitude is a choice available to you. Yesterday is just that… yesterday. You can’t change it or rewrite it. But we do have the capacity to shape what lies ahead. This moment – right now- provides the opportunity to grow, to learn, to encourage, and to move forward with purpose and optimism. But it is a choice to be made.

Too often, we can get stuck in a “should’a/could’a/would’a” mindset, which can cause regret and doubt and cloud our perspective. Instead of focusing on what was, we can shift our focus to what is in front of us. Each step forward is progress, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.

Gratitude is foundational to this shift. By spending more time recognizing the blessings we have, we cultivate a perspective of possibility and optimism. I’m going to go out on a “statistical branch” here… If you’re reading this, you’ve successfully made it through 100% of the challenges you’ve faced so far. Congratulations! Each challenge has taught you resilience – and probably more. Each success, no matter how small, has brought you to this place – to this moment.

Keep going. Look forward. The beauty of this life is that it’s never too late to begin again. You can write a brand new ending today.

Be Encouraged.

Reflect

~ Tim Pritchett ~ Leave a comment

|Reflect|
Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many – not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.
Charles Dickens

Don’t get stuck thinking, “…this is the best it will be.” Don’t get stuck on that setback, that breakup, that opportunity you missed, that hardship.  Instead, make the choice to shift your focus to the blessings and beauty that are in front of you right now. You have more than you think.

Plan ahead – when negative thoughts or the focus on “the misfortunes” presents itself, what do you want to replace that thought with? A good memory? A scripture or prayer? A relationship?

Wrap all of this in gratitude. Gratitude sustains us and can be the fuel that encourages us to keep going. My intent is not to make light of or dismiss hardships. We’ve all experienced them. Some are tragic. Others are heartbreaking. Some… seem to go on without end. I also know that we’ve experienced great blessings that we (I) can often overlook or take for granted. Gratitude sets our gaze beyond this moment.

Slow down today. Take a moment. Enjoy and appreciate the many ways you’ve been blessed. Don’t overlook the simple things: the place you get to call home, hearing someone special laughing in the other room, or a quiet night. Where do you find love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness? Set your mind on these things.

Broaden your perspective. When we limit our perspectives to a myopic focus, we miss the beauty of the masterpiece that is our life.

Be Encouraged.

Hope

~ Tim Pritchett ~ Leave a comment

|Hope|
Hope transforms every trial.
|Kris Langham|

You’ve probably seen the post or the sweatshirt that says, “Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be Kind.” I like that. It creates space for grace and empathy. However, it’s lacking… it’s the silence at the end that is deafening – especially if you’re the one fighting the battle.

If the statement ends there, there is someone just going through it, doing their best – sometimes just fighting to keep their head above water. Maybe it’s you? You’re fighting the battle. Doing your best, but it’s taking its toll. It’s causing you to be less patient than usual. Your short response brings a retaliatory reaction from the barista, the guy driving slow in the fast lane, “…if they only knew what I was going through…”

What if they did know what you’re going through? What would you want from them? Help? Sure. We’ve all had that friend, family member, and sometimes even a stranger who steps in to offer a helping hand to help lift the load, watch the kids, or run interference for you. It’s great, but likely, something more got you to that point that is still unresolved. Maybe that helping hand was just enough help for you to get your feet under you and keep going. Excellent. But often, there is still an ache, a gap that needs to be filled.

Hope is often the real missing ingredient. The storm is raging. The night is dark, “… here’s an umbrella…” Thanks – but the storm is still there, and the night is still dark. But instead of an umbrella, what if there was the promise of warm shelter just around the bend, and there is a trustworthy guide to lead you there? Hope. Suddenly, you muster the strength to dig deep and take the final steps to get you to the sanctuary. The storm is still there. The night is still as dark, but suddenly, there is hope.

Trials seem to come at a constant rate. I have them. The people in the circles around me have them. A friend remembers his wife passing from cancer 10 years ago. A buddy wrestles with the weight and evil he sees daily as a detective. Another is looking for work.

My word for you…for them…for me: Hope. It’s there – I promise. If you’re having a hard time finding it, ask that friend or family member to help you find it. It’s there. Perhaps you’re in a place where you can be the one to offer hope. You can be the guide who knows about the shelter.

There is hope. Set your mind to find it.

Offer hope. Be intentional about sharing it with those around you.

When the storm calms, and it will… When the dawn breaks through, and it will… be grateful. Gratitude is good for the soul.

Be Encouraged.

Slow

~ Tim Pritchett ~ Leave a comment

|Slow|
Slowing down reminds you that the journey is supposed to be fun.
| Anne Bancroft|

The New Year often ushers in new year resolutions, new deadlines, new to-do lists, and new commitments. These aren’t necessarily bad, but they can distract us from what truly matters.

The turn of the calendar is a chance to slow down – a reminder that life is a journey to be savored, not just a series of boxes to be checked. In a culture of “rise and grind,” finding joy, choosing rest, and being still can be met with resistance (both internal and external) and criticism (both internal and external). But that act of slowing down… that decision to be intentional about rest are key ingredients to peace and joy.

Maybe you ended 2024 thinking that 2025 would start off differently (“…it certainly can’t get any worse…”), but hours, days, or weeks into the “new” year, it all seems like it’s more of the same – or, yes, even worse. This is why the reminder to slow down is so important. Slowing down lets you consider and focus on what matters – a coffee with a friend, enjoying deep laughter, or lounging on a quiet evening. It can also include finding the good in the hard or finding freedom in routine. Discovering that you’re stronger than you thought and more resilient than you previously believed.

Please rest. Please take care of yourself. Please slow down. But also, please know there is joy in the journey – even if things aren’t going as you’d hoped in this season. Look for the good. Focus on gratitude, even in the smallest things. And as always…

Be Encouraged.

Rejoice

~ Tim Pritchett ~ Leave a comment

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.
|Epictetus|

Christmas is in just a few days. Recently, in an all-company meeting, I began discussing many of our team’s activities that give back to our community and some of the real needs that exist. I mentioned that one of the critical clothing needs the Hearts With a Mission Youth Shelter has is packages of new underwear or socks. Underwear. Socks.

We were reminded and shared how much we have to be thankful for. As we talked about gratitude, I was overwhelmed—nearly brought to tears. We’re so blessed. You may have hardships and difficulties. I don’t make light of that. But if you’re reading this, you’re blessed. You have access to electricity and a computer, probably somewhere inside… We have much to be thankful for.

But the temptation to chase more – more gifts, more decorations, more perfection, more…more. But in this season, we have the opportunity to pause and embrace gratitude. I’ve heard it asked, what if you woke up tomorrow only with what you were thankful for today?

There are hardships, for sure, but please don’t fall into the trap of focusing on what you don’t have. Instead, celebrate what is already good in your life. Please meditate on and be grateful for the love of family and friends…the peace that can be found in quiet moments, the help and support of those around you. The ability to offer help and support to those around you. When our thoughts and perspectives are guided by gratitude, even the smallest things become great treasures.

This Christmas, put aside the focus on what you’re missing and choose to rejoice in what you have. Gratitude transforms what we have into enough.

Away in a manger No crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus Laid down His sweet head

Bless all the dear children In Your tender care
And fit us for heaven To live with You there

Merry Christmas. Be Encouraged.

Message | Heart | Gratitude

~ Tim Pritchett ~ Leave a comment

Photo by iStockphoto.com

I believe strongly in the power of a message told with heart and gratitude.

Tell a story (message) with real, genuine, sincere passion (heart) and humility (gratitude) – and everyone involved, staff, customers and/or you will be more likely to respond. Done well and your audience will become engaged (physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially) in the project.

Like a table, it requires, at a minimum, all three legs to stand. If we omit one, the project won’t stand. It won’t resonate, and it won’t have the value it could – to you or your customer.