I've been reading a few pages each day from a positive attitude book for the last couple weeks. My Dad recommended this book awhile back, so I picked it up, read it, didn't apply it, and stuck it on the shelf. We had an email conversation a couple weeks back where we were discussing the author, Jeffrey Gitomer, so I pulled the book back off the shelf and began reading it again. As usual (at least with me), the second time through is providing gem after gem.
Today in my reading Gitomer was discussing the need to take action and apply the things we know. Rather than saying "I know that!" and feeling confirmed in what we think we know, we should ask "How good am I at that?" By moving from a declaration of achievement to a question of improvement, we will be able to continually grow in different areas of our lives.
This has a direct spiritual application as well. When we read the Bible (or other spiritual books), we are often confirmed in what we believe. But we need to challenge ourselves to go deeper. For example, when we read something in the Bible about forgiving others, rather than feeling justified that we know what we ought to do, we need to challenge ourselves in the area of forgiveness--who do we need to forgive and how will we accomplish this? In other words, "How good am I at forgiveness?"
By making this simple transition--from understanding and knowledge to action and application--we will find the growth in our lives that we want.
Today in my reading Gitomer was discussing the need to take action and apply the things we know. Rather than saying "I know that!" and feeling confirmed in what we think we know, we should ask "How good am I at that?" By moving from a declaration of achievement to a question of improvement, we will be able to continually grow in different areas of our lives.
This has a direct spiritual application as well. When we read the Bible (or other spiritual books), we are often confirmed in what we believe. But we need to challenge ourselves to go deeper. For example, when we read something in the Bible about forgiving others, rather than feeling justified that we know what we ought to do, we need to challenge ourselves in the area of forgiveness--who do we need to forgive and how will we accomplish this? In other words, "How good am I at forgiveness?"
By making this simple transition--from understanding and knowledge to action and application--we will find the growth in our lives that we want.
