People today love to say, “People don’t really change.” Let me tell you something — this is not true! Everything is always changing: your body, your spirit, your thinking, your friends, and your job. We have the power to change, and we can do this by deciding on the kinds of thoughts we are going to have. We can absolutely change the way we think to lead a better life. For starters, take responsibility for yourself and stop blaming others. 

Imagine you’re in a swamp, feeling stuck in a rut. You’re finding it difficult to maintain harmonious relationships with your spouse, parents, co-workers or your children. There is a danger of feeling discouraged in the swamp because things aren’t working out how you expected. Blaming other people, your boss, or your circumstances is not the solution. Don’t blame the swamp, blame your thinking. I know that accepting responsibility can be difficult. Did you know your philosophy gets you where you’re going in life 90 percent of the time? It is your set of skills, your friends, the articles you read, the prayers you pray, and the things you do that make all the difference. 

Friend, we can’t change the past and we can’t change other people. But here is what can change — you. You have two options: You can allow circumstances to lead you into the swamp, or you can decide with the help of the Holy Spirit how things will be handled in the future. You are empowered to decide how life will change for the better by having a plan, thinking Christ-like and having positive thoughts!