...stand up and be remarkable. Be human. Contribute. Interact. Take the risk that you might make someone upset with your initiative, innovation, and insight - - it turns out that you'll probably delight them instead (29).
...art is the ability to change people with your work, to see things as they are and then create stories, images, and interactions that change the marketplace (91).
Don't let circumstances or habits rule your choices today. Become a master of yourself and use your willpower to choose...Nothing about becoming indispensable is easy. The only thing that separates great artists from mediocre ones is their ability to push through the dip. Some people decide that their art is important enough that they ought to overcome the resistance they face in doing their work. Those people become linchpins (206-207).
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My most enjoyable read was the confirmation that doing things at work is a CHOICE. I choose to be positive in the midst of frustrations, optimistic in the midst of challenges, and communicative in the midst of confusion.
God has certainly put me in a few opportunistic positions to choose good things throughout my days and continue to purposefully fulfill His ministry through my life.
We're in a sermon series at church about Daniel and today's message really spoke to my heart. Pastor Tom Moll explained it this way: in the midst of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, Daniel stayed faithful to God. He was focused on God's leading (instead of impressing others), motivated with kindess to others (not for personal gain), faithful to God (instead of comparing himself to others), God-empowered (not self-empowered), and purposed to glorify God (instead of advancing self).
Daniel was a servant in Nebuchadnezzar's courts, and yet he was placed in a high position, over the Babylonian people. Tom Moll's question still rings in my ears:
What stage has God allowed you to be on? Are you glorifying God?
...
God gave me [this stage] and I'm going to HONOR HIM every day.
My choice is to continue to choose God in all the responsibilities and opportunities He throws my way.
