REASON #1 I'M EXCITED TO VISIT ISRAEL

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THIS IS A TEST VIDEO

This is a test blog post as an example of a post where I hope to record and use short 2 - 3 minute videos while I'm in Israel. This is a test blog post as an example of a post where I hope to record and use short 2 - 3 minute videos while I'm in Israel. This is a test blog post as an example of a post where I hope to record and use short 2 - 3 minute videos while I'm in Israel. This is a test blog post as an example of a post where I hope to record and use short 2 - 3 minute videos while I'm in Israel.




This is a test blog post as an example of a post where I hope to record and use short 2 - 3 minute videos while I'm in Israel. This is a test blog post as an example of a post where I hope to record and use short 2 - 3 minute videos while I'm in Israel. This is a test blog post as an example of a post where I hope to record and use short 2 - 3 minute videos while I'm in Israel. This is a test blog post as an example of a post where I hope to record and use short 2 - 3 minute videos while I'm in Israel.

This is a test blog post as an example of a post where I hope to record and use short 2 - 3 minute videos while I'm in Israel. This is a test blog post as an example of a post where I hope to record and use short 2 - 3 minute videos while I'm in Israel.

3 STEPS TO PERSONAL GROWTH

Sometimes it's hard to believe or see how we can grow or change. Often times, growth and change happens so subtly, we don't really notice it. And sometimes, if we don't see the growth and change then we get discouraged.

I was encouraged this week. I discovered that I am growing and changing in my physical strength and fitness. It was about 10 weeks ago when i started working out 2 - 3 times per week. I workout with a friend of mine, Chris Thompson (link). He's teaching me to exercise in a new, creative and powerfully effective way.

One of the exercises that is consistently apart of my workout routine is push ups. We are constantly working them into the routine somehow. Sometimes I perform a lot at once, sometimes only a few at once but many rounds of them. I have performed them in a variety of ways. Here is the results:

On 10/13/11, I did 50 push ups in 16:35

On 12/20/11, I did 50 push ups in 2:57 

Now that is a big difference! 

As I have reflected on this growth and strength gains, I have learned a valuable life lesson: You Can Change! 

You can grow by implementing these 3 factors: 

1. Ask someone to help you.

Don't try to go at it alone. We all need help. One of the biggest lies our culture has bought into and promotes today is that "You can do it alone" - the John Wayne mentality, that all we need is our own self will. Not true! The Bible says....we are made to do things in community. Grace, by definition, is someone else doing for you what you can't do on your own. You won't always be able to self-motivate and self-discipline your way to success. You need someone around you who can coach you, support you, encourage and hold you accountable. 

Are you trying to lose weight? Are you trying to get out of debt? Are you trying to start a new business? Are you learning a new hobby? Are you hoping to become a better spouse or parent?

2. Keep track of your performance

When you were a kid, did you measure your height by marking up a wall or door frame? Why did we do that? We wanted to help keep track of how much we were growing. By marking our height as we grew it brought a tangible sign to our attention that we were growing. We measure things of value in all areas of life. if it is important we get something right, we measure it. Whether it's baking a cake, building a house, or balancing our budget. We measure out the amount of change we get back at the grocery, we measure the length of the board we need to cut, we measure the time it takes to get from one location to the next. 

I may not have noticed the big difference I had I not been writing down my performance times. Performance means the way in which someone or something functions. 

Find a way to quantify your goal.  

3. Take the next small step

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. You've certainly heard that analogy used before in making the point big goals are achieved by accomplishing the next small goal. It takes approximately 2000 steps to walk or run a mile.