A Reason to Act

Motivational speakers were the trend... A lot of people loved them...Then disdained them..because they soon realized, no person can give you your reason for long term living or acting in a particular way.. It is an internal, personal decision requiring commitment. So, they in turn rejected the brand and called themselves "Inspirational Speakers".. To inspire means to cause or produce a feeling, thought or idea or to quicken or animate. 
Listening to speakers may both motivate and inspire feelings, thoughts and ideas and get you all excited. And people should not disdain them because encouragement has its place. However, anything that endures require decisions and commitment on the part of the individual, after the thought or idea is triggered..which is a very personal action. So, don't turn on them in anger because your dreams never came to pass. Even prayer requires your responsible cooperation. I'd leave you with Proverbs 19:3- A man with his own hands spoils his chances..and blames it on God. Today, don't pray to God to do the things you ought to take responsibility for.. And don't blame others for your shortcomings either. Take responsible action.

Integrity Costs... But Pays.

Black is black..but some reason- it could be blue black, navy blue, a shade of grey if one looks closer. Not so with integrity. With integrity, there's no place for compromise or bending the rules. Black is black!
The shifty employee had no qualms about bribing the regulatory authority- "Everyone else is doing it sir, it has become part of the procedure". The employer thought hard. They had chased this contract for eight months. Austerity measures were biting hard. Doing this could make this so easy..and they'd be home and dry..yet..his principles nagged at his conscience. His father's legacy of forthrightness. His belief in the rewards of diligence. "No!" He blurted with finality to the disgruntled employee. A year later the bubble burst as investigations into financial crimes indicted firms involved in bribing regulatory officials. The employer lost no sleep over it and became the man to do business with.
That wrong doing is popular doesn't make it acceptable. Don't compromise...integrity does cost, but it ultimately pays.