If you don’t listen to yourself, how can you expect anyone else to? If your body cannot be put under the discipline of your mind, how can you expect your home, your job, etc. to be put under the discipline of your mind? Please understand. The only competitor of any real substance in this life is yourself.

Who do you choose to be when you’re at your worst? When you’re sick, injured, depressed, etc., who are you? Please understand, this is a choice. Whoever that person is… …is who you really are.

Your demons do not die with you. Your children inherit them. Defeat them now so they don’t have to.

Have you ever heard someone say “success doesn’t bring you true happiness?” Have you ever watched a film where the wealthy man with the hot wife, influence, and power was depressed and didn’t feel fulfilled? I happen to believe that these sayings and depictions exist for a reason. I find immense value in questioning the motivation behind the things that people say and do. So, why would a rich person tell you that riches do not make you happy? Well, it seems to me that that would be a great way to dissuade others from reaching the same level as them. What better way to convince the masses to not be competitive then by convincing them that there is no real reward at the end of the competition? Now, don’t get me wrong. Riches alone are not fulfilling. And many people achieve riches by doing all the wrong things, or by getting lucky. What I am saying here applies to neither of those groups. However, it just so happens that every wealthy person I know who has integrity has found immense fulfillment, happiness, and ability to help others in their success. Reject the messaging that keeps you from being the best version of yourself. This is true of so many things. They are trying to convince us that fat people are just as good as fit people. They are trying to convince us that dumb people are just as good as smart people. They are trying to convince us that freedom is actually a dangerous thing for us. Please be conscious of the fact that every single one of these statements, if believed, will most assuredly keep you from reaching any of them. That’s their entire point.

Positions of leadership tend to invoke a cynical view in an individual. If you speak to an officer of the law, a pastor at a church, a business owner, etc. you will get a view of humanity that is likely more negative than the one you operate under. This is because they are exposed on a higher caliber to the worst of humanity. Being forced to endure this at a higher percentage than others creates a whole new reality in their minds, one where the majority of people are just looking to use others. When in a position of leadership, take careful note of how your view of others changes. It may help you be more realistic, but more likely it will threaten to subject you to trust issues. Guard your mind from the influence of the worst of humanity.