Dr. Walter Sims Enterprises

you have been Motivated!

My heart is so heavy right now as probably everyone’s is as we heard this morning that another earthquake (i.e. an aftershock of the January 12th earthquake) has hit Haiti. It registered a 6.1 on the Richter Scale. It goes without saying that right now, the slightest quake will unsettled the remaining survivors in the land. To date, approximately 200,000 people have died at the hands of the worst catastrophe the Haitian community has witnessed. So many people have died until it has become a chore to find proper burial places. One thing that has warmed my heart in a big way is how much support across the globe has come to the aide of the Haitian community. It makes me feel good that in times of crises, humanity finds ways to come together as one.

I prayed just this morning that the Lord will extend a hand of mercy on the people of Haiti. It is not our place to speculate as to why this tradegy has landed at the feet of the Haitian community, rather take this time to rally our resources together and be a brother to our families that are in need right now.

Well, as I always ask, what is the point of this blog? Well, I am so glad you asked. I want to ask you a very pointed question. What will it take to shake you up this year? 2010 is 20 days old. Are you any closer to achieving the life of your dreams than you were on January 1, 2010? If you answer no, then, I want to challenge you with a follow up question. When will you begin to live the life you were designed to live? Aren’t you tired of living an average (at best) life?

So that I will not appear to be harsh, judgmental, or hypocritical, let’s look at where I am:

* I have my coaching certification (thanks TBI Institute via Tonoa Bond).
* My book, Living Motivated, is at the editor.
* I have created a twibbon to track the one million tweeps I want to make smile by 12/2010.
* I have created an SMS text (MOTIVATE) in order for me to send out weekly motivations.
* I am in the process of developing my marketing plan to clearly define WHO I AM!!!
* I have coaching clients that want to take their life to the next level!!

This is just a short list of where I am today. I do not list this to brag but to serve as a point of emphasis. If you do not have your life planned out, your year planned out, your month planned out, your day planned out, you need to shoot me an email @ drwaltersims@gmail.com because we have work to do !!!

you have been MOTIVATED

What did you do with the “talent” I gave you?, asked the Master. I buried it because I knew you were a hard taskmaster, replied the servant.

This exchange of words comes to us from a passage in Matthew where the Lord was comparing the Kingdom of Heaven with a master and his dispersement of talents. Two of the three servants had a return on investment in which they doubled the Master’s money. However, the third servant not only did not yield a return but he “buried” his talent in the dirt.

This passage really struck me as I was preparing for my sermon on last Sunday. The servants were not judged on what they “had” or did not “have” but rather what they did with their “talent”.

The only thing I want to ask you in this blog…did you do all you could do this past year or your entire life. I know it goes without saying, but I am going to say it anyway, time is not waiting on you if you are on the sideline of life and waiting to jump into the game. Whether you do something or not, time is moving on. If you keep putting off for tomorrow, you have allowed procrastination to be your master.

Talent? What is the analogy Dr. Sims? The talent represents your ability and that individual thing that only you possess. God has dispensed a certain ability in you that is part of your DNA. YOU ARE SPECIAL AND UNIQUE and you have something to offer. But what have you done with it.

Most of us are like that last servant that did not feel like his “talent” was worth doing anything with so he buried it. Have you buried your gift? If you have not yielded an increase with your “talent” your gift, you have buried it. This year, I have realized that I was not living up to my full potential…it was some dirt on my “talent” and I had to get a shovel and uncover my gift…my purpose.

Well, Dr. Sims, how do I “uncover”, unBURY my talent? How do I yield a return? I am glad you asked.

1. Recognize that YOU are special and unique. I know that this may be cliche’ but it is still true. When you realize how special YOU are, what you have to offer is special. Someone wants to be blessed by what you have. One of my favorite motivationalists says, There is greatness in you!! (@TheRealLesBrown)

2. Appreciate the “talent”, the gift you have. Do not let another moment go by that you do not appreciate what YOU have and what’s been given to you. Do not let another moment slip by that you are not grateful for what you have been blessed with. Remember, the servants were not judged on what they did not have. You have been given so much…be thankful for what you have. I do not want you to get the end of your journey and regret that you did not appreciate what has been bestowed upon you.

3. Invest in yourself. What are you doing to make sure YOU are the best YOU you can be. Are you eating right? Are you exercising? Do you read? Do you surround yourself with positive people? Do you smile? Do you project positivety? Do you read a book a month? Do you read your Bible once a day? Are you learning something new everyday? Have you hired a personal development coach to help you soar….cough cough.LOL? Invest in YOU!! If you do not, who else will?

Before you quit or give up on you, give you a chance!! Be the very best YOU that you can be!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

you have been Motivated!!

Is Tiger Woods Superman?

This fictitious character, superhero, was invincible…well almost. His only weakness was kryptonite. This substance was what his home was made of that had been destroyed when he was a child. When he entered earth’s atmosphere, he became a SUPER MAN; practically invincible. I love Superman even though my favorite superhero is Spiderman.

Tiger Woods, for the lack of a better word, is golf’s SUPER MAN. He can drive a golf ball 320 yards down a fairway that is the size of a 4 lane street. He can sink 30 yard putts to save par to go on and win a MAJOR tournament. He, again, leads the 2009 money list on the PGA Tour and will indubitably win Player of the Year again in his illustrious career. Or, will he?

What could sidetrack Tiger from becoming the best golfer of all times? Could another golfer take him down? Several have tried but to no avail: Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott, the list could go on for days. Some have even suggested that marriage and kids would derail the Tiger Train…but Elin and the kids are good!! Even injury could not stop Tigermania. He won the US Open in 2008 with a broken leg. Go Tiger Go!!

So, what could bring this Tiger machine to its knees except Tiger himself. The Bible says, Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18, KJV). Tiger suffers from what most, well all of us, especially men, struggle with and that is PRIDE. Everyone of us have a kryptonic weakness and it has three dimensions: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (I John 2:16). Notice, the devil is not part of the kryptonic equation. When we decide to do “wrong”, it is our decision to make to delve into “transgressions” (as Tiger stated).

Well, what led Tiger down his road of “transgressions”? I think it is really simple (keep pride (EGO) in front of you as I paint this picture). On the golf course, Tiger is the man. On the commercials, Tiger can bounce a golf ball off a sand wedge and swing at the ball and hit it 100 yards. Everywhere he goes people are screaming his name and begging for his autograph. I was at The Tour Championship in 2000 in Atlanta, and I got his autograph.

BUT, when he crosses the threshold of his home in Windermere, FL a transformation occurs, he turns into Tiger “Clark Kent” Woods to his wife and kids. To Elin and Sam and Lil Charlie, he is simply a husband and a daddy. Diapers still need changing, kids still need to be fed, chores still have to be done, and his wife still needs pampering and comforted and all that other stuff us hubbys do . No amount of money can take the place of the mechanics of being a good husband and a good father. IT IS DEMANDING!!!!

When he supposedly told one of his estranged lady friends that marriage is not what’s its crack up to be…he told a half truth. Marriage takes work. A lot of us do not want to put the work in it that it requires. And it can be overwhelming. I am a witness. I had to be recalibrated several years ago and be reminded that it takes work to keep a family together. I am glad I have my family. Tiger needs his father more now than he ever did. He needs a man in his life to remind him, Take care of your family! It’s all we got. Commercials will fade, the lure of screaming fans are just waiting for the next big thing to come along, the golf ball will not go far one day, and what will remain standing? A wife, and how ever many kids Elin wants you two to have..(chuckle).

So, do I stop loving Tiger. Oh, definitely not. I am praying that him and his family endure this storm and end up closer together. He will bounce back…that’s what Tigger’s do!!

you have been Motivated.

You going with mama..I lifted my head up and it’s 4:45 am. I guess.

Our first stop was Target. As I top the hill…me and my mother in law were like My goodness…it was a line I know a mile long! I dropped her off at the end so she could hop in line. To add to the adrenaline rush, it’s 32 degrees outside. Its 5 AM and Target lets us into the store. My first stop was Starbucks…thank you Jesus!

I ran to Electronics because she wanted a portable DVD player…I get it…we meet back and she had one…lol! IT WAS SO CROWDED…THE RUSH OF ALL THOSE PEOPLE..hehehe…we also get 3 comforters…pjs for me and the boyz. What made this so fun is that my mother-in-law had a list of stuff to get and we got it…yeaaa!!!!

We stand in the checkout line and I’m high fiving people cheering Roll Tide because this is Iron Bowl day (Alabama vs Auburn)..if you are not an Alabamian you do not understand the intensity of this game..USC VS UCLA…Michigan vs Michigan State…not even close…hehehehehe!

We survived Target…we go back home because my wife wants to go to Jo-Anns and Michaels and Hobby Lobby (all craft stores). We head back out about 8:30AM. In the process, I stop by Office Max which is right next door to Michael’s and I got an HP wireless printer (woooo hooooo pictured above) for $39. I was going into Office Max just to look around while Stephanie and my mother-in-law shop in Michael’s!!!

Shopping all done, we stopped by Milo’s (a local hamburger joint) and refueled. We survived Black Friday.

Why the blurb on my shopping excursion on the biggest shopping day in America? There are some things in your life you need to advertise that are on the CLEARANCE rack:

* Complaining – must go!!
* Stress – must go!!
* Depression – must go!!
* Hatred – must go!!
* Jealousy – must go!!
* Strife – must go!!
* Unforgiveness – must go!!
* Pride
* Lust
* Laziness – must go!!
* Not motivated – GOT TO GO!!

But, you need to make sure you have stocked up on:

* Love
* Joy
* Peace
* Patience
* Goodness
* Meekness
* Faith
* Gentleness
* Self control

If you make sure the Clearance rack gets cleared, and you don’t run out of the sale items, not only will you be a hit for the holidays, you will live a life of contentment!!!

you have been Motivated!!

“You don’t know who you are”, exclaimed Rafiki!!  “Who am I?” asked Simba.

 Do you remember this exchange from the Lion King (1994)?  This by far is one of my favorite Disney cartoons.  For those who have kids, we have probably watched this video so much until we can probably spout lines without thinking about it.  But this particular scene finds Simba being confronted by Rafiki about who he is.  If you remember, Simba ran away because his player hater uncle (Scar), killed Mufasa (Simba’s dad) and blamed young Simba for his death.  Years passed, Simba befriends Timon and Pumbaa (a meercat and a warthog – which would be a nice meal for a lion…LOL).  But they teach Simba the concept of leaving your worries behind and living a carefree life; Hakuna Matata.  Simba meets up with his childhood sweetheart, Nala, and she informs him that he needs to reclaim his place as the King of Pride Rock.  He runs into Rafiki and Rafiki affirms what Simba’s sweetheart says.  He finally realizes he’s a king.

 Why the blurb about Lion King?  How many of us today are living beneath our potential because we do not know who we are?  You are a king…you are a queen.  Your kingdom is waiting for you to claim it.  Kingdom?  Yes, your kingdom is your destiny.  Have you determined what that is?  Are you doing that thing that brings you joy?  For whatever reason, we have opted to simply live in the forest and be comfortable but not totally happy. 

 After Rafiki’s hands on approach (i.e. hitting Simba on the head with his stick), Simba began to race toward Pride Rock to claim his kingdom.  What will it take to get you to realize who you are?  Haven’t you lived long enough beneath your potential?  Answer these two questions for me:

1. Am I doing what brings me joy?
2. Do I wake up every morning looking forward to do what I am doing?

If the answer to both of these questions is no, I would say, you have not found your destiny!!  My friend, I am here to say, your kingdom, your destiny is waiting on you!!!  Do not let it pass you by!!

 you have been Motivated

JUST DO IT!
Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Clyde Drexler, Moses Malone, Karl Malone, Darrly Dawkins, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, Dwight ‘Superman’ Howard, and my main man Michael Jordan…what do all these guys have in common..BASKETBALL. Hands down, in my opinion, Michael Jordan is the best NBA player to ever lace up a pair of basketball shoes. So much so, Nike’s entire basketball shoe line centers around his Airness. I get chills everytime I think about him dunking on someone and waving his finger!!

This blog is not about basketball, rather it’s about obedience and faith. Mary and Jesus (John 2:1-11), with His disciples, were at a wedding feast. It was the 3rd day of a 7 day celebration and guess what, they ran out of wine. Now, I don’t know how many of you that read this blog are married but to run out of anything at a wedding is a tad bit embarrassing to say the least. As I prepared for this message, I read that the wedding party could have even been sued for running out of wine.

Mary, bless her heart, knowing that her Son was no ordinary attendant at the wedding, presented him an opportunity, “Jesus, they have run out wine.” **Cough cough Mary, He already knew it!! May I chase a rabbit for a minute…whatever you are going through right now, the Lord already knows about it. This trouble you are in, has not caught Jesus by surprise, you, perhaps; but He knows. John’s gospel was written to show Jesus was divine and human at the same time!!

Jesus simply replied, “Woman, it is not time for me to shine yet .” (I am speaking in our lingo..hehehe) Mary turned to the servants and said whatever He tells you to do, Just do it. Since Jesus takes care of all needs (large or small), he told the servants to fill the six waterpots (used for washing hands and feet) with water. The servants simply did not half fill the waterpots, three quarters fill the pots, rather, they filled them to the brim. He then told them to draw out and take it to the governor of the wedding who in turn gave a taste to the bridegroom. They both were shocked that the best wine was saved till the end of the feast. It was usually the other way around. The wedding ceremony went on without a hitch. No one really knew what just happened but the servants, Mary, and the disciples. So, Jesus was able to stay within the framework of His perfect “timing” and bless a wedding party…just like the Lord to work out the details!!

When did the water turn into wine? Where is the miracle? I truly believe the water turned the moment the servants OBEYED Jesus. He did not jump up and down…say some magic words…sprinkle fairy dust…He just gave a command. THIS IS HUGE - Your faith is as big as your willingness to obey the Lord. IT IS NOT MAGIC. I have a mathematical equation (since I am an engineer), FAITH IS DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO OBEDIENCE. So many skeptics think that faith is some abstract, pie in the sky concept. It is very tangible, if you can obey, you can have faith. If you have faith, you can obey!!

Are you struggling in your life? Have you run out of “wine”? Is your tank low? Are you just at the end of your rope and just do not know what to do? I have the remedy. TRY JESUS. Do what He has prescribed for restoration and re-filling. He tells us, Cast your care upon me for I careth for you. Psalm 55:22. There are so many commands and promises in the Bible (see my blog PINKY PROMISE). Psalm 37:4 states, Delight thyself in the Lord and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart!! I dare you to delight in the Lord….take your mind off YOU AND YOUR SITUATION….GLORY!!

When you do what the Lord says, you will see that your waterpot will get filled to the brim!!!

you have been Motivated!!

“You Pinky Promise”, said Jonathan.
“Pinky promise”, replied Jordan.

My kids at an early age, learned what this meant. Whenever they or their friends would make a promise to each other, they would pinky promise. I looked up how this tradition started and has had so much staying power.

Traditionally, the pinky swear is considered binding and tantamount to a handshake in terms of sealing a deal. The pinky swear originally indicated that the person who breaks the promise must cut off their pinky finger. I don’t think the kids know this part of the tradition-lol. In modern times, pinky swearing is a more informal way of sealing a promise. It is most common among school-age children and close friends.

I can even remember there were times when they were little that if I made them a promise they would say, Pinky promise daddy. I would chuckle. But to them, a pinky promise meant that come hell or high water, this promise would not be broken.

Again, I ask what I ask every blog, why this discourse about the origination of the pinky promise. Well, in my 18 plus years in the ministry and life coaching, people of all walks of life struggle from time to time. In recent months, it seems now more than ever, people are stressing over so many things. Housing – a lady came to my church a few weeks ago needing help with rent. We have a twitter friend who is homeless in Chicago. Countless of people do not have jobs. People are going to bed hungry. People are having health issues. …the list could go on and on. What is your point Dr. Sims?

I would like to just jump up and shout it as loud as I can …GOD HAS YOUR BACK!!!!!! He does not have to pinky promise to guarantee us He will not break a promise. If you claim to be a believer, a Christian, a #jesustweeter (hehehehe), what is that best selling book that has 66 books, several hundred chapters, and 1000s of verses called – The Bible. And in that Bible, there are hundreds of promises. Awww…you want me to name a few:

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want – Psalm 23:1

I will lift up mine unto the hills from whence cometh my help, all my help cometh from the Lord – Psalm 121:1-2

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee – Hebrews 13:5

…by His stripes we are healed! Isa 53:5

But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory – Phillippians 4:19

Whosoever calleth upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved!! Romans 10:13

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD – Isaiah 54:17

GLORYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!

Ooppps this is a blog not a podium..hehehehehehe…I think you get my point!!

Let not your heart be troubled my friends. It is going to be ok. We have two bodyguards: goodness and mercy (Psalms 23:6). They follow us everyday. Whatever your struggle is right now, it is going to be alright!!!

Pinky Promise; God will not fail us!!

YOU have been Motivated!!