Archives For change

THE ASH WEDNESDAY CHALLENGE

Ah, the infamous Ash Wednesday is today, a day observed by the religious that includes a quick stop by their local church for an ashy imprint on their forehead and the beginning of what is called “Lent“.  Those who observe this ritual (which I did growing up) will spend the next 40 days fasting a variety of things such as alcohol, chocolate, soda, and for the hardcore Catholic maybe margaritas are on the list. I’d go into more detail about my views on Lent, but you can read them in one of my older posts “Lent – A Ritual Worth Giving Up”.

Rather than point out the obvious about said ritual, I want to encourage everyone to do something different this year.  Rather than “give up” or “fast” a vice, which many go right back to on Easter Day, why not use your time more wisely and “give back”.  Do something good everyday for the next 40 days and see how much more of an impact you can make on the world around you, rather than kill yourself trying to fast cokes, coffee, or those damn tasty margaritas.

I will call this the ASH WEDNESDAY CHALLENGE and if you like the idea, share this with your friends and family and let the world know what you plan on doing for the next 40 days.  Here’s a list of ideas:

  • FOSTER A DOG
  • BUY GROCERIES FOR AN ENTIRE FAMILY
  • CUT SOMEONE’S LAWN
  • PAINT AN ELDERLY PERSON’S HOUSE
  • SURPRISE SOMEONE AND PAY FOR THEIR LUNCH AS THEY STAND IN LINE BEHIND YOU
  • PAY FOR SOMEONE’S COFFEE IN THE DRIVE THRU LANE
  • BABY SIT A FRIEND’S KIDS A FEW TIMES PER MONTH SO THAT THE PARENTS CAN ENJOY A NIGHT OUT
  • GIVE A GIFT CARD TO A FAMILY IN NEED TO ENJOY A NICE FAMILY DINNER NIGHT OUT
  • GET A GROUP TOGETHER AND BUY CLOTHES FOR SOME HOMELESS AND TAKE THEM TO GET HAIRCUTS
  • TAKE CARE OF HOUSE REPAIRS FOR A FAMILY IN NEED
  • GIVE A NEEDY KID A NEW BIKE
  • VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME TO A CHARITY
  • COME CUT MY GRASS AND PRESSURE WASH MY HOUSE.

This list could go on and on.  The idea is to stop what I refer to as “madness” and use your time and efforts more effectively, in a way that changes people’s lives, not just makes you feel better inside for a couple of months.  You would be surprised at how much more rewarding it is to do something good for others, rather than patting yourself on the back because you didn’t eat meat for the next several Fridays before Easter.

Change the world my friends.  Encourage your friends and family to do the same.  In turn, it’ll change your life.  Happy Ash Wednesday.

– @hectorgarcia

 

Posted on February 18, 2015 In Blog , , , , , , , ,
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The “Hero” Inside

April 13, 2009 — Leave a comment

superman

One of my favorite shows to watch is “Heroes“.  Before that it was “Smallville“, and before that I loved anything that had to do with “Xmen“.  Still love X-men of course, and Smallville, well it got kind of weird and went into some craziness so I lost interest.  My love for these shows / movies all have one theme in common; plain, simple human beings that either develop special powers or discover powers that were already inside of them.

This interest and intrigue with “super powers” goes as far back as 8,9, or 10 years old.  It hasn’t been a normal child hood “dream” to be Superman or Spiderman, but a true desire to have powers so that I could save and change the world.  I know, it’s crazy, but even at age 10 or 11, I remember walking down the street at night, talking to God and asking him to give me the ability to fly so that I could help people.  I would literally run and jump in the air with my arms stretched out, hoping that by some divine or freakish coincidence I’d begin moving through the air and begin my new job of “superhero”.

I grew up with rough surroundings and a lot of my desire to help people and see change take place in people’s lives is because of the “trouble” I’ve seen growing up.  I’ve never developed the ability to fly or break through steel (go figure), but the desire to “give back” and “save the world” is still there.  It was multiplied when I had a life changing encounter with God in college and its what drives me everyday to do something “big”.

No one will ever develop the “super powers ” that we see in movies and in comic books, but we do have the ability to help change at least one life around us and become a “hero” to him/her.  We all have unique gifts and talents and God wants to use you to change the world around you.  Your ability to “fly” may be your ability to “make things happen” or bring the right people together for a specific task.  Your ability to break through steel might be your gift of helping someone break through barriers in their life.  And someone’s “xray vision” could be their “vision” and contagious ability to “dream”.

Be a hero today. Change a life.  Impact your world.  And if you have time, go for  a quick little flight around the earth backwards as fast as you can.  I’d love to see if that works to rewind time (see Superman the Movie – 1978)

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Ride the Short Bus

February 3, 2009 — Leave a comment

Ever wonder why the “short bus” is so short?  You know what I’m talking about.  It’s that small yellow school bus that only seats about 15 people and comes equipped with a ramp for the handicapped.  Well, do you know why it’s that size?  It’s because the kind of people that the bus picks up are few per school and it just wouldn’t be necessary to use the standard 50 – 70 passenger size bus.

shortbusThat bus has been the butt of all jokes since its introduction to the world and I’m guilty, as many of you probably are, of teasing a friend as being someone who use to ride the “short bus”.  There’s always a perfect time for that joke and it never gets old.  Ha, I’m laughing right now just typing about it.

Continue Reading…

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“Change” – Not just a political catch phrase.

January 13, 2009 — 1 Comment

For the past 2 years there’s one word that we’ve heard repeatedly, whether we liked it or not and whether it meant anything or not.  That word is “change”, and it was promised to the whole world from now President Barack Obama.  Whether we see true change come out of this new administration is questionable, but one thing is for certain, change, whether good or bad, is going to take place.

Through SHIFT, I’ll provide anything and everything that has to do with helping us all with “real” change in our lives.  I’ll provide as many stories, tips, tricks, and resources that will push your life and ministry one step further.  The information provided through this blog will be raw and uncensored, with providing truth being my number one goal.

With that said, come by every day and get a good dose of whatever it is we have for you.  Sometimes it’ll be a light breakfast, and other times some good healthy meat.  Just come hungry.  And if your mom’s name is Kathy, then “Word to Kathy!” (whatever  your mom’s name is, insert it in place of Kathy)

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