Britney Spears Needs Love and Happiness

Why won't they just leave the poor girl alone? I don't know about you but I'm tired of turning on my TV and firing up my computer and hearing about the latest drama with Britney Spears. I read the other day that paparazzi who catch her on the street can command upwards of $10,000 for a candid photo of her. Businesses are literally being built with her erratic behavior as their foundation. If there was no Britney there would be no TMZ, Entertainment Tonight wouldn't be as strong, and VH1 wouldn't have all these "talking head shows" like Best Week Ever.

As much as I blame the media for over-exposing her I would be remissed if I didn't take issue with Brit herself. Why go out in public where you know there are going to be 500 salivating photographers waiting to snap pictures of you? Why appear in court with another new boyfriend when you know the legal system is already questioning how stable you are? And yes, you're a grown woman who can pick your own friends, but why hang out with the poster-girl of recklessness, Paris Hilton?

It's true that people - even entire nations - feed off the collective energy and consciousness of others. As long as we continue to put out energy that drains us of our power, people like Spears, who are clearly unhappy, will stay in a state of distress. We must become more aware of what we say about people - whether they're in our presence or not. Our words serve as a conduit of either blessings or curses.

I one heard Dr. Wayne Dyer tell the story of a tribe in Africa that does something unusual when someone violates a tribal rule. Instead of shaming the person, they put them in the center of the village and the entire tribe gathers around that person in a circle.

For the next hour or two, everyone in the village shouts out all of the good things the offender has done; all of their character qualities; all of the things that are true and admirable about that person. By the end of this, the violator is usually in tears, which is when the village embraces the person and throws a party.

Imagine that: being reminded of who and what we really are after messing up. Think of how different this world would be if that happened more often. I'm not saying that Britney isn't responsible for her actions. But, shaming her into rehab doesn't help her or her kids. Spears is, like each of us, made in the image of God. She should be reminded that she is loved, valuable, and deserves to be happy.

It Ain't About Your Feelings!

Do you remember a few months ago when I told you about the rut I was in? I told you about how I didn't feel inspired and didn't want to do the things I was supposed to do. I didn't want to write my newsletter, and I didn't want to speak or train. All because I didn't "feel" it.


I recall telling you that I had a lack of inspiration and that kept me from sharing a positive word with you for a few weeks. It wasn't right for me to penalize you for my "feelings". I realize that you might look forward to these messages on Monday to help you get through your week and when you don't get them you say, "What's up with Derek?"


So, please accept my apology: I'm sorry. But, we're family and I know that you forgive your brother! The truth of the matter is when you're in a position of serving others it ain't about you.
It's about the people you are serving. It's about using your God-given talents to help and uplift others.


It's about you living your purpose. Carrying out the mission assigned to you. We're living in times where we don't have time for fickle people. Or what some back in Chicago might refer to as "sometimey".


We can't afford to straddle the fence anymore. Either I'm all the way in or I'm all the way out.
Your time is limited and there are lots of things (other emails) competing for your attention.
We need folks who are going to be committed.


I often ask you to re-commit to your dreams and to finding a way to bring them into being.
Well, I'm re-committing myself to you. I want to see you get everything that you want. I want to see you living to your greatest glory.


To help you get there I'm going to write more, speak more, and give more.
I'm going to put in the same kind of effort that a Freshman trying to make his varsity football team would.


In order for this to work, this is what I need from you: your continued prayers, well-wishes, and support. And please continue to pass these letters along to those you love and who you want to see be, do, and have more.


Remember that we serve God by serving others.


Derek

Thought of the Day - Show Someone Else Love

It's amazing how a compliment or an act of kindness will change your whole perspective. Statements like "You're doing a great job" or "You have so much potential" or "I believe in you" have so much power. Think about the smile it would put on your face if someone shared those words with you.

So here's my challenge to you. Share those words or something similar with your spouse, a friend, a co-worker, or a church member. It doesn't matter who it is, but say something encouraging to someone else today. Make it a point to do this often. Make it a habit.

Universal laws state that whatever we put out into the universe comes back to us. So make an effort to put sincerity and happiness into the world.

I've had so many people tell me how something I said or wrote touched them. They've shared with me how an optimistic or positive statement gave them the strength to get through bad days. A great thing happens when you show love to another person: acts of love and kindness find their way back to you.

With that said, take this compliment and "love it": I appreciate you. I know that goodness is coming to you and your family today. You deserve it. If you need more proof that good things are supposed to happen for you, download my ebook Brilliance is Your Birthright here.

Love and joy!

Derek