http://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/averagejoe/I am a firm believer in the power of positive thinking. I believe that, by maintaining a positive outlook and relying on the power of God, there are no limits to the blessing that life will be for us and we can be for others.hourly12000-01-01T12:00+00:00http://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/averagejoe/636722It is natural to reflect on the things we are thankful for as we approach Thanksgiving. I have so many things to be thankful for I can't even keep track. One idea I've read about in several readings lately is the importance and benefit of being thankful. In fact, being thankful is a great way to...http://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/averagejoe/636580The above title is the name of a song from the not so popular duo of Wetton and Manzanera. It is in inspirational song encouraging us to realize our worth in this world. I remember this song well because of something that happened while I was at college. I was a disc jockey at my college radio...http://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/averagejoe/636344I heard a conversation the other day. A man was asked, "why are you so happy all the time?" As I discreetly but anxiously waited for the amazing answer, the man simply said..."because I choose to be". This wasn't the earth-shattering discovery I was listening for. However, as I thought about it I...http://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/averagejoe/636068Last night a speaker at my church gave an excellent talk based on a Bible story from Luke 12. It was about a man who gained a crop far greater than he expected. The problems was that his barns were not big enough to store the crop, so he stressed over how he had to build bigger barns to keep this...http://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/averagejoe/635862It's an exciting time in our modest city of Buffalo NY. The crew from Extreme Home Makeover is here, and I've heard many of my friends and co-workers talk of going to see them in action. This made me think of the process of a home being built. It starts with some simple plans and a blueprint of...http://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/averagejoe/635749In recent years I have learned to be a much better planner. I still have a long way to go, but I like to use my daily planner and write my plans for the day. Does it make a difference? In some ways it does. The good thing is I have a plan. The bad is that I often don't stick to the plan. Many...http://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/averagejoe/634826I have always been a fan of football player Brett Favre. You know, the one who always says he's going to retire but never does. I've always appreciated his competitiveness and love for the game. However, one moment stands out. I remember a play in the mid '90s where he threw a pass. Seconds later...http://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/averagejoe/633795Have you ever had goals and dreams so big that, even though you wanted it more than anything, you held back because of fear? I can relate to this. I had a conversation with a very good female friend of mine. For most of her life she has struggled with her weight. She lost it all at one point, but...http://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/averagejoe/633352I'm not a big country music fan, but some of my all-time favorite songs come from this genre. One such song is "Un-answered Prayers" by Garth Brooks. It's about a man who attends a football game from his old high school with his wife. He runs into an old girlfriend. He tells how he loved this...http://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/averagejoe/632314First, I must apologize to my regular readers for my recent absence. I am back, and hopefully for good: ) The other day I was driving. I was in an unfamiliar area and a bit distracted. I went to a left turning lane that I thought was on my side, but was actually on the side of the oncoming...