Keeping an Open Mind

So, its been a little bit since I've had some time to share anything. The last few weeks have been absolutely crazy. With two trips out of state in the last month for a wedding and a music festival, starting a business, and trying to keep up with my normal routines, things have been a bit insane. Anyways, I just wanted to share some of my thoughts on a key thing I've learned over the past few years of my journey thus far, Keeping an Open Mind.

When I started this journey to Nashville a few years back, I had all these high hopes and expectations of success and grandeur. I had heard clearly from God about his plans for my life and naturally, I thought it was all about to happen in 3 days just like Jesus raising from the dead. What I didn't pay attention to or realize is that Jesus quick 3 day turnaround wasn't just that. It was the climax of a 30 year journey.

But, nonetheless, I needed to see and hear God's plan and perspective for my life because it was way bigger than anything I could possibly dream or imagine. In the year that immediately followed, I waited for God to do what he said he would do, and kept waiting. In the time of "waiting" I wasn't necessarily just doing nothing. I was going through the painful process of God exponentially expanding my understanding and my perspective. I believed wealth was there for me to obtain and call my own. I just had to really believe more than just a dream and let it become a part of me.

Coming up from humble upbringings, there was such a shift to be had in my mind. My parents did an amazing job with what they had, but things were tight. When things are tight, that's the perspective of life you have and if you believe there is only so much to go around, that is the reality you will live in. What God was trying to teach me (for myself and then hopefully so that others would one day understand) is that there is an abundance out there for anyone who wants to go get it. You just have to have the determination and the mindset to keep going.

Its easy to get a glimpse or a taste of an open mind when it brushes by you. But to hold onto it and let it become part of you is truly the challenge. Because when you go back to the circle of influence you came from where no one else has experienced financial freedom, they try to take away that glimpse of open mind you have. They don't do it out of jealousy or bad intentions toward you, they do it out of a false perspective of love. See, when people haven't experienced wealth or freedom, they have to justify a reason in their life why they haven't tasted it for themselves. Maybe its that rich people are greedy, or manipulative or whatever they might say. Because if good people succeeded, they would have succeeded right?

That was the hardest part for me. Having a dream and seeing a reality that I knew was coming for me and wanting everyone else to taste it but they didn't have or desire to have an Open Mind. They refused to think they might not have everything figured out. I know I don't! I'm constantly studying people and situations around to me see what I can learn from other people's habits, mistakes, and successes. But, I've chosen and contended for an Open Mind to constantly learn and grow.

Because of that, I've done super well since I've moved here to Nashville. Am I where I want to be yet? Of course not! But I've had great success at my corporate job in just a quick 6 months of being there. I just started a business on the side to bring in more growth and income. I'm driving the first brand new car I've ever owned and growing! That may not seem impressive to you, but when a little over 2 years ago I had nothing and was living homeless in a park, that's huge to me!

So you may not need to go on the extreme journey I went on to Open Your Mind, but you will have to go on a journey. Some people may mock you or tell  you that you're ruining your life. You just have believe that there is more for you than everything you've ever known. Opportunity is always all around us. The only way you will be able to recognize it is with an Open Mind. Hope you are encouraged today to open your mind and start the journey to becoming everything you were designed to be!

Recharge

So, I find myself hangin out by the dam this evening after work. It's been a long, busy week and the time of just stillness and reflection is much needed. There's just something about the water that calms me. It soothes me and let's my mind stop and not run 100 miles an hour.

It's 4th of July weekend and this place is crawling with families. People fishing, boating, or just chilling. It's a great sight to see and an awesome atmosphere to just feel and sit in. The weather is perfect. The stone I'm sitting on still warm from the heat of the day with a soft breeze blowing in off the lake. The sky is slightly overcast, which helps keep it cool, but not too cool. It's seriously perfect.

As I sit here and just breathe in the fresh air and take a few minutes to rest before I run off to another meeting tonight I'm reminded at just how important it is to take time to recharge. We do it throughout the day when we eat or at night when we sleep. But something our culture doesn't do well is let our minds and spirits rest. We're constantly running.

So on this busy weekend with campfires, drinks, barbecues, fireworks, parades, and celebrations, don't forget to take some of the extra time you have to let your mind and your spirit recharge. You can have the greatest diet and exercise and get the perfect amount of rest and still burn out.

As always, hope you're encouraged, inspired, and empowered to be the very best version of you.

Till next time,
Tony