BTR’s Post

Some good thoughts from Erin regarding the upcoming year and preparing oneself for it.

Create as many milestones as you can in your life. That is how you show you have lived. https://lnkd.in/gDPwGgA

Small circle, private life, simple pleasures, grateful heart, clear conscience, peaceful mind…Life well lived

The three key takeaways that stood out to me in today's sermon are: 1. Understanding is the key to unlocking outstanding success. This made me realize that knowledge is not enough; we must also apply it in our lives. It's not just about knowing what to do, but also understanding why and how. 2. Our mindset must shift for our circumstances to change. This hit home for me because I have been in situations where I felt stuck, but then I realized that my mindset was the barrier. When we change our perspective, we open ourselves up to new possibilities. 3. Celebrating God's faithfulness, even in challenging times, positions us for future blessings. This reminded me that gratitude is a powerful tool. When we focus on what we already have, rather than what we lack, we attract more positivity into our lives. These principles apply not just to our spiritual lives but also to our personal and professional journeys. In life, we face various challenges and situations that test our resolve, we should not only apply but embrace these takeaways. Happy Sunday❤️

The earliest recorded festivities in honor of a new year's arrival date back some 4,000 years to ancient Babylon. For the Babylonians, the first new moon following the vernal equinox—the day in late March with an equal amount of sunlight and darkness—heralded the start of a new year. The early Roman calendar consisted of 10 months and 304 days, with each new year beginning at the vernal equinox. According to tradition, it was created by Romulus, the founder of Rome in the eight-century B.C. In 46 B.C, Julius Caesar instituted January 1 as the first day of year, because over the centuries, the calendar fell out of sync with the sun, and to partly honor the month's namesake: Janus, the two-faced Roman god of beginnings. New Year's resolutions also date back to 2000 B.C., with the Babylonians celebrating the New Year with one common resolution of returning borrowed farm equipment to start farming season, which coincided with the vernal equinox. According to recent research, as many as 45% of Americans say they make New Year's resolutions, while only 8% are successful in achieving their goals. How long will your resolutions last? Happy New Year to you and yours and good luck with making your resolutions. May they last longer than then the time it takes to create them.

Independence Day: A Call for Freedom and Justice As we celebrate our nation’s independence today, let’s remember that true freedom goes beyond the boundaries of our country. It’s about the safety, dignity, and justice for every individual, especially those who are vulnerable. Recently, the horrific incident involving a doctor from RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata has shocked us all. This Independence Day, while we honor the sacrifices of those who fought for our nation’s freedom, let’s also stand up for those who are fighting for justice today. The freedom we cherish must extend to ensuring that every person, regardless of their profession, gender, or background, can live and work without fear. As we celebrate, let’s pledge to demand justice for the victims of such heinous acts and work towards a society where safety and respect are the rights of all. Let’s not just celebrate our independence; let’s commit to making our country truly free from violence, injustice, and fear. Justice for RG Kar victim. Justice for all. #IndependenceDay #endviolence #standforjustice #humanrights

Discipline, focus, and time management—these are the pillars upon which we build our professional lives. But have you ever considered applying these same principles to your spiritual journey? Fulfilling our God-given calling requires not just faith, but practicality. It calls for us to manage our time, talents, and resources effectively and purposefully. Imagine the lives we could touch, the difference we could make, the legacy we could leave behind. Chances are, someone's legacy has shaped your current position. Why not tag them to publicly express your gratitude? Let their legacy be your motivation to diligently pursue your faith.

A word on Time ⏳… Time may not be our friend but we can make time our ally. We have to honor time and convince time of the benefits from our partnership. We can award time daily with our small wins, with triumphs over and through obstacles. We can give time, timeless stories to tell from our lives. We can teach time how we heal and repair. We can bless time through or works, sacrifices, and service. We must build an alliance with time knowing still it will act like a “frenemy” At some points, time will slow down and wait, other moments time will dash away like a jaded lover with a broken heart. Time will bring harsh lessons you did not ask for and later you will learn the lessons are exactly what you need. Time may take away loved ones in unforgivable manners only to return them to you in a multitude of forms one could never imagine. When you hear “time is of the essence”, maybe you and we can use it as a cue to color, season, to express our most beautiful selves. Maybe that is it. It is us that make and give meaning to time. From this moment forward, deepen your alliance with time. All time is quality time as it was and never will be promised.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! - Skills are the seeds of innovation. Without them, ideas remain dreams. - Money is the fruit of those skills, fueling progress and personal growth. - A nation thrives when its citizens are skilled and innovative, using their talents to generate wealth. - Wealth, in turn, becomes the foundation for national stability, allowing for investment in infrastructure, education, and healthcare. - The cycle is virtuous: skills create opportunities, opportunities generate wealth, and wealth builds a stronger, more resilient nation. - The future of a nation lies in the continuous nurturing of its people's skills.

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