We must learn to operate in the realm of our own personal authority and not care what others think when we say no to their intrusions. If we do not, we are allowing others to take authority over our lives, and although they do not have the right to do so, they just will. These kind of people are everywhere and act like they know best for your life, but they have their own agenda, which usually means working you and your resources to their advantage. They drain your life, steel your time and waste the things you share with them; and chances are you know too many people like that! Right? 

The irony of an old saying is that, "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything..." and too many people today are doing exactly that and wonder why their lives are out of control. Who can be in control of your life but you? Stand up, dust yourself off and get back into the race of life. Study and learn what you need to know to make your life what you expect of it. Don't let other people rule your time, your resources or your life. Don't just give it away like that! You have value and you have an essential reason for living. FIND OUT what that is and don't let anyone get control over your life but you.

Search for a faith worth believing in to strengthen your resolve to win at the game of life. Take on the responsibility of holding your personal authority into account, to call the decisions you need to be making for what you do, where you go and the purpose that drives your motivation. All of that can only come from your own heart and it's in there, ready to be discovered, to be used and to bring fulfillment in your life.

You have permission to say NO to the demands of others around you and in your life. Remember, we all need to respect each other's personal authority, but no one but you are in control of your own personal authority.

Now, go for it...

Be blessed, help others and fight evil where you find it! 

I was walking into the post office the other day and a young lady and her friend, looked to be in their 20’s, sitting on the bench asked me if she could sing a song for me for a dollar. I was surprised at the request, but was in a hurry and said, I don’t carry cash on me, and hurried on into thebuilding – my pat answer to so many begging on the street these days. It had started to rain, and as I left the post office they were still sitting there getting soaked. I asked the one why she needed a dollar; she asked me if I knew some song by Janice Joplin and started to sing. I smiled and asked what was up. Both the girls blurted out that they were hungry.

Since they really seemed to want something to eat for the dollar they asked for, I offered to go buy them a burger. Then no sooner did I round the corner, there was an old scruffy, dirty looking man. Catching my eye, he asked for something to eat, just a hot dog, he said. I told him I’d be back with a burger and mentally added it to the list. I grabbed three double juniors from a nearby drive through and delivered these to the hungry folks hanging out by the post office.

I handed out the warm sandwiches and encouraged the young ladies to reach out to others who can help and avoid being out on the street like that. Moving on I handed the third sandwich to the old man. I learned that he was a Vietnam vet who was haunted by his buddy being shot down years ago; clearing the way for his escape… he cried as he shared his story and recited the bible’s 23rd Psalm.

Buddy is one of so many out on the street. Although he reeked of booze, he still needed something to eat, but more than that, someone to listen to him and remind him that his life has purpose and to reach out to others. He was eating his sandwich as I walked away, hoping that the little that was done was enough to keep at least these three going another day!

Let’s be encouraged to keep investing in the needs of others as they cross our path of life.

New ventures and past experiences are paving the way for sharing what I have come to learn while investing in my career at the United Way of Northern California. Working there for the past ten years has been a labor of love, but I realize that our local nonprofit programs and services need to be seen as our comminity's assets. And they who know their business best need to tell their story; they need a mic! Therefore, I am determined to provide that opportunity in a new venture called Anteparare Consulting, providing advisory and acvacacy services, especially, for local nonprofits.