| Don't let the brevity of these comments fool you. They | | | | 3. COMPLETION |
| are a gold mine in terms of value in our lives. | | | | Defined: completion is power of follow-through. |
| These four disciplines -- when reflected and acted | | | | Related Affirmation: "I am being persistent and |
| upon --will continually propel us in the direction of living a | | | | enduring. I am finishing things." |
| life of excellence. | | | | 4. COMPASSION |
| And... | | | | Defined: compassion is the power of caring. |
| As we focus on the Person of Jesus Christ as our | | | | Related Affirmation: "I am caring and loving. The |
| model, motivation and strength while striving to put | | | | attitude of caring frames how I am living today." |
| these disciplines into practice, we can't help but grow in | | | | 5. CHRIST |
| the realization of what it means to be a person of | | | | Meaning: Christ is the power of true life in action. |
| excellence for Christ. | | | | Related Affirmation: "I am looking to Christ as my |
| How To Read The Following | | | | example of compassion, concentration, control and |
| Each main thought is followed by: | | | | completion. |
| (1) a definition; and | | | | He cared for people, concentrated on what mattered, |
| (2) a personal affirmation that can be made relative to | | | | controlled his life, and completed all he came to do." |
| the definition. | | | | A Question For You |
| Try to let each definition and personal affirmation | | | | If you were to pick the most important area to work |
| capture your imagination: how the basic truth of what | | | | on this week, which one of the disciplines would it be? |
| is being said could improve your life. | | | | Record it here: |
| In order to help you "see" the possibility, allow the two | | | | "The Personal Spiritual Growth area I choose to work |
| questions below to serve as examples of how | | | | on this week is: |
| focusing on one of the five pillars of excellence could | | | | Remember Two Key Words |
| enhance your personal spiritual growth. | | | | When creating your plan of action, please keep in mind |
| Regarding the area of *concentration,* you create a | | | | the following two words: |
| question like this: | | | | 1. Believable |
| "If I concentrated my efforts on improving in the area | | | | 2. Achievable |
| of personal time management, what could this mean | | | | Believable = small enough to be able to see yourself |
| for me?" | | | | actually doing what you desire to do. |
| Focusing on *personal control,* you might create a | | | | Achievable = Step-by-step success. |
| question similar to this one: | | | | Avoid steps of action only Jesus himself could do! |
| "What if I exercised more personal control concerning | | | | In other words, take into consideration: |
| what I say to others, what positive changes might I | | | | (1) your current stage in life; |
| see in my life?" | | | | (2) your current set of realities; and |
| Reading, thinking, and praying through these five pillars | | | | (3) the level of any skill set needed to accomplish your |
| more than once should prove very beneficial for you: | | | | goal. |
| at least that's the goal. | | | | The best to you and those you love, |
| 1. CONCENTRATION | | | | Lee |
| Defined: concentration is the power of focus. | | | | A Suggested Prayer... |
| Related Affirmation: "I am focusing and staying | | | | "Oh, Father, I come before You and ask you to bless |
| focused on the most important issues and tasks of life | | | | my life in these needed areas of discipline. Lord, which |
| today." | | | | one do You feel I should work on this week? |
| 2. CONTROL | | | | I ask you to guide me through the process, help me to |
| Defined: control is the power of self-discipline. | | | | be realistic in what I set out to do, and then help me to |
| Related Affirmation: "I am exercising daily control over | | | | look to Jesus as the example of how to live my life at |
| my emotions, energies and talents for the purpose of | | | | all times. |
| maximum involvement and achievement in life." | | | | I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen! |