Monday, January 31, 2005

During a momentous battle, a Japanese general decided to attack even though his army was greatly outnumbered. He was confident they would win, but his men were filled with doubt.

On the way to the battle, they stopped at a religious shrine. After praying with the men, the general took out a coin and said, "I shall now toss this coin. If it is heads, we shall win. If it is tails we shall lose."

"Destiny will now reveal itself."

He threw the coin into the air and all watched intently as it landed. It was heads. The soldiers were so overjoyed and filled with confidence that they vigorously attacked the enemy and were victorious.

After the battle, a lieutenant remarked to the general, "No one can change destiny."

"Quite right," the general replied as he showed the lieutenant the coin, which had heads on both sides.

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Self-fulfilling prophecy. Your greatest curse or blessing. It all depends on what side of the bed you wake up on...

If you don't mind me asking in all candidness, how do you really see yourself, my friend?

Do you truly see yourself as a person who attempts to take advantage of the curves that come at you in life? Are you one that attempts to minimize the hazards and maximize the opportunities of each day?

Or are you a person who sees him/herself who makes the curves in his/her life? Are you one that sees all of Life's happenings as opportunities?

Be honest. In a situation that tries your abilities and confidence, do you see yourself as victor or victim? In a situation where it is obvious that you have made a mistake, do you see yourself as a student or failure?

Self-fulfilling prophecy; that special looking glass that doesn't reflect what is objectively there, but one that presents you with what you feel inside.

All the looking glasses, tarot cards, flips of a coin, rolls of the die or reading of horoscopes cannot and will not change what is already evident: You are a child and creation of a gracious and loving God. The rest of the predictions and prophecies don't matter. The question is, do you personally believe it? That remains the best predictor and prophecy of your unfolding days, my friend.

Knowing that, your destiny will now reveal itself...