Achuckallen

Instigating Better

Leadership

It’s Monday – Let’s Kill It!

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Monday Motivation: How To Make Every Day A Little Better

Mondays can be challenging. The start of the week, coming off a fun weekend, can sometimes feel like a drag. But with the right motivation, it doesn’t have to be that way! Learn how to make every day great with these tips on Monday Motivation.

Monday starts a new week and a chance to reset your goals. For some people, this means setting aside time to work on their fitness or eating healthy. Others may use Monday to focus on their mental health or productivity. No matter your goals, there are ways to make every day a little better.

Here are some tips for making Monday (and every day) a little better:

1) Make time for yourself: Whether taking a few minutes to meditate, going for a walk, praying, reading your Bible, or favorite book, make sure to carve out some time for yourself each day. This is time you can use to recharge so that you can be your best self for the rest of the day. This is worth rising just 15 minutes earlier. The benefits far outweigh the extra time in bed.

2) Set realistic goals: It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the things you want to accomplish in a day (or week). To avoid this, set realistic goals for yourself and break them down into small steps that you can complete efficiently. This way, you’ll feel good about completing your goals and be less likely to get bogged down by them. Build a habit of creating your “top 3” things you need to accomplish on Sunday night. You will rest better and be better prepared when Monday comes. Keep your list short and bite-sized. The dopamine hit you get when checking off a part of the “big 3” is awesome!

3) Find something to look forward to. Having something positive to focus on can make even the most challenging days more bearable. Whether it’s looking forward to your favorite TV show at the end of the day or planning a fun weekend activity with friends, find something that you can look forward to. My favorite is to look forward to Monday night dinner out. Everybody goes out on Friday. Why not go eat out without the wait on Monday?

It’s Monday morning, and time to start the week off right! One of the best ways to do this is by setting weekly goals. ThIt’sill help you stay on track and motivated throughout the wit’s

  • Make sure your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
  • Write your goals down and refer to them often. Keep them in front of you!
  • Share your goals with a friend or family member to hold yourself accountable.
  • Give yourself small rewards along the way as you reach your goals.

It’s easy to let the weekdays become a blur of monotony, but it’s important to find the little things to make every day meaningful. Here are a few tips on how to do just that:

  1. Wake up with a positive attitude: Start your day off on the right foot by setting the intention for a great day. Give yourself a pep talk in the mirror or write affirmations to remind yourself of your extraordinary qualities. When you start with gratitude, everything changes. Science proves that written gratitude and affirmations are wildly more effective than just thinking about them.
  2. Do something nice for someone else: Make someone else’s day by performing a random act of kindness. Make it not so random, and give it some thought. It doesn’t have to be monetary, just thoughtful. Buy them coffee, hold the door open, or compliment them.
  3. Make time for your passions: Whether taking a cooking class, going for a hike, or reading your favorite book, make sure to schedule some activities that make you happy. Living in your desired zone each day will keep you from falling into the trap of staying in your drudgery zone. Make something happen to enjoy your day or at least part of it. My day always includes some music, reading, and sports.
  4. Connect with loved ones: Take some time each day to reach out to friends and family, whether it’s through text, social media, or good old-fashioned conversation. I use an app – Streaks – to capture the things that give me joy and make me better spiritually, physically, mentally, and socially. One of my “streaks” is connecting with one of my six daughters daily. That alone gives me great joy.

Here are a Few Practical Tips for a Better Everyday

  1. Get enough sleep: Most people need around eight hours per night. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day will help regulate your body’s natural sleep rhythm. Sleep affects every part of your mind and body. If you are one of those folks that think you are the exception to this, you are not!
  2. Move More: Walking is a great way to get your heart pumping and improve your fitness level. It has also been proven to make your emotional health greater. I use it to listen to books and sometimes to listen to music as I think about my week or day.
  3. Take a Nap: When feeling overwhelmed or stressed, take a few minutes (10-20) to relax and rejuvenate. A quick nap is often referred to as a power nap. I prefer to think of it as an efficiency nap. That’s because I stay far more efficient when I grab a nap rather than trying to power my way through the afternoon.

We all know that Monday mornings can be tricky. We all have challenging days. Some days are more complex than others, but we all face challenges that can make us feel overwhelmed or discouraged. When you’re having a difficult day, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Other people are facing their own challenges, and we all have bad days from time to time.

When your Monday seems insurmountable, take a deep breath and relax. This may seem impossible when you’re stressed, but it’s important to try to calm yourself down. Taking some deep breaths and focusing on relaxing your body can help reduce stress and make it easiwhat’sdeal with whatever is causing your difficult day. My friend, Julie Homrich taught me a valuable lesson, “don’t believe everything your brain thinks.” Things are rarely as bad as we make them in our mind.

Talk to someone who understands. Sometimes talking to someone who has been through similar experiences can be helpful. They can offer support and advice on how to deal with your situation. For many of us, seeking out a coach, counselor, or therapist can be so healthy. Don’t be afraid to do so.

Write down your thoughts and feelings. Putting your thoughts into words can help you process them and figure out what’s causing stress or anxiety. Writing can also be therapeutic and help you release some pent-up emotions that make your day difficult. Again, science has proven that brief journaling of your thoughts can significantly reduce your stress levels.

Also, take a break from technology. Disconnecting from electronics for a while can help you focus on other things and give your mind a break from the constant stimulation of screens. Spend some time away from social media. You’ll be happier and more satisfied without it.

Get your prayer life in order. Make having a conversation with the Divine an essential part your day. Of all the keys to a better Monday, prayer is the essential element. Don’t complicate it. Simply talk to God and then hush to “hear” His responses. If you are married, pray out loud with your spouse. It will radically improve your marriage and your joy.

Monday motivation is an important part of life. It helps us stay focused, organized, and energized throughout the week. We can make every day a little better by taking a few minutes to plan out what we want to accomplish and focus on the positive aspects of our lives. The key is finding what works best for you and embracing it as part of your daily routine. Make Monday Motivation work in your favor, and watch how much brighter your days become!

Go in Peace, Chuck

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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February 3, 2023 | by AChuckAllen

Week five of 2023 is almost in the books, and it has been a great week.
Here are your 4forFRIDAY reviews for February 3, 2023.

Four Lessons That I Learned This Week.

  1. I learned that you could strengthen your “peace” by instilling spiritual disciplines as a form of exercise, just like you can increase your physical strength by instilling weight lifting as a form of exercise for your body – scientifically proven and biblically supported.
  2. Regardless of which party controls the House or Senate, we’ve become a country led by whiners.
  3. Never underestimate the power of being kind to someone you do not know. It can change their day!
  4. When you commit to making a small positive change over 30 days, you will exponentially improve your life over 12 months.

This Week’s 4forFRIDAY

A Powerful Article: 10 Ways to Sabotage Your Marriage (Without Realizing It)

A GREAT Album from Brandon Lake: House of Miracles, Especially “Gratitude”

A GREAT Article from Inc. Magazine: Emotionally Intelligent People Use 2 Simple Words to Build Confidence and Work Better (and Get Others to Work Better Too)

Another GREAT Article: Need Bedtime Peace? 10 Verses to Help You Sleep

A POWERFUL PODCAST from Brené Brown: Leadership is a Relationship

A Quote from the Positive Talk Podcast:

Our brains were created to reflect what we focus on and who we spend time with. This is why some people say, “Want to see who you’ll become in 5 years?” Look at the 5 people you spend the most time with.  

Go in Peace, Chuck

America Is Dying: Why We Need To Change Our Political System Now

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Our nation is in a crisis. Political polarization has reached an all-time high, and Americans are increasingly divided, creating a dangerous dynamic for our society. But there is hope – in today’s article, we’ll explore why we need to change our political system before it’s too late.

Why is America Dying?

It’s no secret that America is in trouble. Our economy is struggling, our infrastructure is crumbling, and our political system is gridlocked. We’re facing a host of challenges, and we’re not doing a very good job of addressing them. Pride is at the heart of this, and fundamental and sweeping change is needed.

There are many reasons why America is dying, but one of the most important is our broken political system. Our government is designed to protect the interests of the powerful, not the majority of Americans. The result is a country that works better for those at the top than it does for everyone else. Don’t get me wrong, without the top 3%; many Americans wouldn’t be employed. This isn’t an article to attempt one more foolish effort toward socialism. If anything, I’m suggesting the opposite, with a heart change toward compassion, not simple-minded equity.

We need to change our political system if we want to save America. We must eliminate the influence of long-term, generational power in politics and ensure everyone has an equal say in our democracy. We need to start working together to solve our problems instead of constantly fighting each other. This continued bickering of my way or the highway has reached the end of the line.

If we don’t make these changes, America will continue to decline. We’ll become more unequal, divided, and unable to meet the challenges of the 21st century. It’s time for us to come together and fix our broken political system before it’s too late. Folks, full-time political careers are slowly destroying our republic.

The Problem with Our Political System

It is too easy for career politicians to get elected and stay in office. The average American doesn’t have the time or money to run for office, so we end up with a bunch of professional politicians who are more interested in keeping their jobs than in actually governing. This results in stagnation and gridlock, and very little gets done. Want proof? Look at our national debt.

Rather than fixing problems, we spend our energy fixing blame.

It’s also a problem that our political system is so polarized. There’s no middle ground anymore, and both sides dig in their heels and refuse to budge. Maybe that is because we only have two sides. This makes it even harder to get anything done because there’s always some issue that one side or the other is willing to shut down the government over. This isn’t a donkey thing or an elephant thing. This is a political death spiral!

We need to fix how we fix these problems, or else our country will continue to fall apart. We can’t keep doing things the way we’ve been doing them; we need fundamental change. And it starts with career politics ending, campaign finance overhaul, and finger-pointing to lessen.

The effects of partisan politics on Americans are far-reaching and profound. Partisan politics are dividing the country in tangible and intangible ways, and the consequences of this division are evident in every aspect of American life. You name it, and we have two desperate positions with few reasonable voices to address the real problem.

On a tangible level, partisan politics has led to an increase in political polarization. This polarization is evident in everything from the way people vote to the way they communicate with each other. It has also led to an increase in negative campaigning and name-calling. Should you be so bold as to offer a reasonable solution to a social issue, you will be slandered on social media.

On an intangible level, partisan politics has created a sense of mistrust and suspicion among Americans. It has also made it difficult for people to dialogue respectfully with those with different political views. I’ve had long-term friends walk out of my life from simple conversations about America’s many challenges. Come on, folks, are we not better than that?

The effects of partisan politics on Americans are damaging and destructive. We must find a way to come together as a country and start working towards solutions that will benefit everyone, not just one side or the other. That cannot occur when career politicians are making big money from the lobbyists making even more money to keep them all employed.

How Can We Fix Our Political System?

Some specific reforms could help fix it. For example, we need to eliminate gerrymandering and have independent commissions draw fair district lines. We also need to institute ranked-choice voting so people can vote for their preferred candidates without worrying about wasting their votes or splitting the vote.

Campaign finance reform is a crucial piece of the puzzle. We need to implement public financing of elections. This would level the playing field and allow more voices to be heard in our process. I am in the minority on this issue. Still, I firmly believe that some of the finest leaders in the country will never attempt to enter the political process, knowing it would ruin them financially and socially.

These are just a few ways we can fix our political system. It’s time for us to create significant change. Creating a viable third party might help, but we require radical change instead of adjustments or additions to an already broken system. The two-party system has created an environment of gridlock and inaction, while special interests have too much influence over our elected officials. The result is a government that is not working for the American people.

It’s time for some bold solutions to fix our broken system. Here are a few ideas:

  1. Implement term limits for members of Congress. This would help ensure fresh ideas and new blood are continuously injected into the system. It would also help to reduce the influence of special interests, who often bankroll long-serving incumbents.
  2. Get rid of gerrymandering. This process, whereby districts are drawn in a way that benefits one party or the other, results in a lack of competition and encourages partisanship. We would see more capable candidates and less extremism if we had more competitive districts.
  3. Reform campaign finance laws that are so sweeping that big money doesn’t have such an outsized role in our elections. We must get back to the days when candidates could not accept massive special-interest, super-pac monies that keep partisan, life-long politicians from a far too influential opportunity to keep America at each other’s throats.

America is in a crisis and needs to change its political system. We must reduce money’s power in politics and ensure every citizen has fair representation. Only then can we ensure that our government works for all Americans and that our nation continues to thrive in the 21st century. It’s time for us to take action now if we want America to continue being the world’s greatest country.

Go in Peace, Chuck

Unlocking The Power Of Prayer: How It Can Enhance Your Child’s Mental Health

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AChuckAllen.com

Prayer can be a powerful tool in helping improve children’s mental health. I want to explore how parents can use prayer to help children cope with life’s struggles and some of the benefits that come with it. Find out how you can unlock the power of prayer and use it to enhance your child’s mental health!

When you pray with and for your child, you open up a communication channel between you, your precious children, and the Creator of the Universe.

This connection can give your child (children) strength, hope, and greater inner peace. Having parented six daughters and now having seven grandchildren, I can confidently say that providing kids with a more profound sense of peace is a critical part of parenting!

Prayer can also help your kids develop a positive outlook on life. You teach them to rely on God for help and guidance as you pray for them. This dependency can lead to a greater sense of purpose and satisfaction in life. Every parent wants this for their kids. That is a great reason to become a prayer warrior! Children that see life through a half-full lens will have a far greater capacity to change the world as opposed to adapting to the world.

In addition, prayer can help reduce stress and anxiety in your kids. As you lift up your concerns to God, He will provide comfort and peace. This will allow your child to focus on the positive aspects of their life and find hope in difficult situations. Again, every kid needs this, and it is available to every parent!

What is the Power of Prayer?

Prayer is a powerful tool that can be used to enhance your
child’s mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

Prayer can also help to create a sense of community and support for your child. As you pray with and for your child, you invite others to do the same. This can create a loving support network to help your kids Children’sunded by love and care.

Prayer is also a way of connecting with your child on a deeper level. As you pray for your child, you send them love and light from the Divine. This can help to strengthen the bond between you and your family and promote healing in their life.

Benefits of Prayer for Children’s Mental Health

There are plenty of benefits of prayer for children’s mental health. Prayer can help children to develop a positive outlook on life, feel closer to God, and cope with difficult situations. Prayer can also help children to develop self-control and to be more patient. Additionally, prayer can help children to become more grateful and humble. One of the most extraordinary things you can give your child is the gift of gratitude. When we raise grateful children, we will see them develop into generous adults!

How to Introduce Prayer to Your Child

Like most parents, you want your child to grow up happy and healthy. And one of the best ways to help them do that is to introduce them to prayer. But it would help if you led the way. It all starts with YOUR MINDSET!

Here are some tips for introducing prayer to your child:

  1. Talk about why you pray. Explain to your child that prayer is a way to talk to God. Tell them it’s okay if they don’t understand everything about it, but that it’s important to you and something you enjoy doing. Don’t feel like you have to explain everything about God. Take the opposite approach and just be honest. Tell them that there are many things we will never be able to understand about God.
  2. Start slow. Don’t force your kids into long prayers or complicated concepts immediately. Keep it simple at first, and let them grow into prayer at their own pace.
  3. Encourage questions. Invite your child to ask you anything they want about prayer or faith. Be open and honest and encourage their curiosity. The key is to let them see you being curious and learning as well.
  4. Help them find their own way. There’s no one right way to pray, so encourage your child to find what works for them. Whether sitting quietly, kneeling, or using words or songs, let them explore and find what brings them comfort and peace. The Lord of all desires His kids to come to Him in honesty. Let your child’s vulnerability be present as they see yours.
  5. Pray together occasionally. You don’t have to pray together all the time. Don’t make prayer a rule, but rather a way of life.

Tips for Incorporating Prayer into Everyday Life

One of the best ways to incorporate prayer into your child’s life is to make it a part of your daily routine. For example, you can pray together before meals, bedtime, or even during the day when something special happens.

Prayer can also be incorporated into other aspects of your child’s life, such as schoolwork or extracurricular activities. For example, you can help them remember to pray before taking a test or participating in a sporting event. Also, teaching your child how to say grace before meals is another great way to help them learn how to incorporate prayer into their everyday lives.

I am often asked about the prayers like “God is great, God is good…” There is nothing wrong with those prayers because prayer is a matter of the heart. There is something wrong with remaining in that prayer when your heart can convey more than rote memorization to the God we are speaking with.

Common Challenges When Teaching Prayer to Children

One of the most common challenges when teaching prayer to children is getting them to actually pray. This can be a difficult task, especially if they are not used to praying or if they are resistant to it. Keep prayer in front of your children, in your life!

Another challenge is getting children to understand the concept of prayer. They may not fully grasp what it means to pray or why it is important. Combat that by talking about God. Awareness is typically part of consistent learning and experiencing.

Finally, another challenge when teaching children prayer is helping them find the time and space to pray. With busy schedules and so many distractions, it can be challenging for kids to find the time and space to truly focus on prayer.

Prayer is a powerful tool for enhancing mental health, especially in children. It can help them build resilience, increase self-esteem, and learn ways to cope with stress. When used regularly as part of a support system, prayer can be an invaluable resource that gives your child the strength they need to face whatever life throws their way. So if you’re looking for ways to help your child develop emotional intelligence and resilience, consider unlocking the power of prayer today!

Go In Peace, Chuck

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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January 13, 2023

Week two of 2023 is almost in the books and it’s shaping up to be a great year. I trust your new year is off to a good start as well. Here is your 4forFRIDAY for January 13, 2023.

Four lessons that I learned this week.

1. I’m amazed at how we continue to elect men and women to to serve in our Congress that are still children. How in the world will we move forward with babies battling over toys forever?

2. New habits are tough to stick with, so break the habit into micro steps and see your progress. I use an app – STREAKS – to measure sustained progress.

3. Encouraging others somehow brings encouragement to you. Be an encourager.

4. If you are looking to discover greater degrees of happiness this year, follow these three steps, every single day. Pray, move more, serve others. It works every time.

This Week’s 4forFRIDAY

1. An article that I loved from Brian Dodd, “My Top Ten List of Priorities, and God is Not Number One”

2. A fun novel that I enjoyed from the Tom Clancy series, Jack Ryan; Red Winter. So many plots and so much suspense. If you enjoy a good spy novel, you’ll love this read.

3. A Breakfast that you will love, I promise! I’ve been a fan of El Taco Jalisco for years, but when I ate breakfast there earlier this week, well just yum! Be sure to order the “Huevos Mexicanos”

4. A Really Good Article from Bible Study Tools, “What Does the Bible Say About Overthinking “

A strong quote from Max Lucado, “Do this for someone. Ask someone to tell you his—or her—story. Resist the urge to interrupt or correct. Turn off the television. Log off from the internet. Close your laptop; silence your cell phone. Give the rarest of gifts: your full attention.”

Go in Peace, Chuck

PRAYING IN A WORLD GONE MAD

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JANUARY 11, 2023

It doesn’t take a Ph.D. to determine that this world has gone mad. From politics to race relations, the human race has become a blustering ball of hate. We use the harshest of words to frame someone different than us as a villain. We do that on social media as we hide behind keyboards and in social discourse on the ballfield, the courtroom, the classroom, and the church. We have become angry mobs of like-minded minions swayed like a palm tree in a tropical storm.

Then what is that God would have us do to make an impact on this mess? The answer is straightforward if you claim to be a Follower of Jesus. Jesus said we should “love one another as I have loved you.” Well, how about that? Chuck, if I act more like Jesus, do I have to love “those people?” There is the rub. It isn’t about what you have to do; it is all about what Jesus does in you. You see, He directed us to love Him and that if we did, we would follow His commands. Of those commands, the most important thing was that we love God and others as we love ourselves. He said everything else was small compared to that. He said every other rule didn’t matter unless you got that one right.

That would mean we should focus on getting the love of God and others right in our lives.

But how? Thanks for asking!

  1. Don’t overthink this. Spend time with Jesus. Jesus loves us with an everlasting love. As a result, you can come to Him anytime you want because He first loved us! So, start talking to Him right now. “Hi Jesus, it’s me. It’s been a while, but I need some direction…” Just talk to him like you would a friend. He can’t wait to hear from you.
  2. Thank Him for breath, life, food, shelter, and whatever you are grateful for. When we place ourselves in a posture of gratitude, we can see how desperate we are for Him and how small we are in comparison. We also grow contented with gratitude as an awareness that what we have is enough when we are grateful.
  3. Ask Jesus for wisdom, good decisions, healthy relationships, and moment-by-moment direction for the day.
  4. Ask Him to reveal any poor attitudes, bitterness, resentment, sin, or anger in your life that you need to let go of. If you ask, He will answer. Often we need Him to get in the nooks and crannies of our souls and point out every way that we are not in sync with Him or others. Then ask Him to forgive and remove those. He is always faithful to do so.
  5. Pray for other people in your life. Everybody has needs, and every person on the planet needs people to pray for them.
  6. Bring your requests and needs to Him. He loves it when His kids come to Him for answers first.
  7. Pray it all in Jesus’ name, which is to say, Jesus, I trust you to take these prayers and do with them what is best for me and brings you glory.
  8. Keep this channel of conversation open all day. Talk with Jesus about everything. He can handle it.

    Better politics, education, or wealth cannot redeem the world that has gone mad. But Jesus can! All things were made by Him, for Him, and through Him. That makes Him the linchpin that all of the universe is in need of. From India to Indiana, Latvia to Los Angeles, a world gone mad has one hope – growing to know, love, and trust Jesus. Why not pray for that to happen? That is as it is supposed to be. Followers of Jesus trusting that Jesus can and will change the world.

    Here are five great reasons for you to pray without ceasing:

    First, prayer is necessary. We are never too busy to pray. Most of us, much of the time, feel as if we are too busy to pray. We have to sleep, after all. We have to work. We have to take care of the kids. We have to have some downtime, don’t we? And when all those things we have to do are done, there is hardly any time for prayer! At least, that’s what we tell ourselves. And yet, the truth is that we need prayer as surely as sleep, food, and rest. Each of us relies on God, and we demonstrate this reliance by praying. Jesus had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and yet he prayed. How much more should we?

    Second, prayer demands solitude. It is a powerful lesson – Jesus got away from the crowd to pray. He sought a place of quiet. Scripture does not command us to pray in solitude, but we should take the model of Jesus to heart. We should make it a personal discipline to unplug from the world before speaking to the One who made it.

    Third, prayer will often be strenuous. Scripture says that “Jesus continued to pray all night.” He once rebuked his disciples for failing to stay awake to pray. Jesus felt the need to sleep and rest. Yet he believed it was more important for him to stay alert and pray. What makes us think that our prayer life should be easy? Persistence ought to be the hallmark of every believer’s prayers.

    Fourth, prayer has a purpose. When we pray, we ought to know what needs to be accomplished. I like the well-worn acronym A.C.T.S. We pray to adore the Father because he is worthy of all adoration. We pray to confess our sins because we are to be daily aware of our need for forgiveness. We pray to thank God because an attitude of thanksgiving is a mark of every true believer. Finally, we pray supplication, asking God to provide because we know he cares about what we need. This is what it looks like for us to pray with a purpose.

    Fifth, prayer is effective. Having stayed up all night talking to his heavenly Father, Jesus was ready to pick twelve men to serve him on earth. Jesus prayed, the Father answered, and Jesus chose the twelve. Jesus prayed because he knew no decision was outside the will of the Lord. But having prayed, Jesus acted. We pray because we know that God is sovereign. And then we act, trusting that God will guide our steps.                      

    Yes, the world has gone mad, but Jesus can and will recover, heal and redeem this rotten world if His people choose to pray.

    2 Chronicles 7:14
    Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

    Go in Peace, Chuck