How I might (or you might) act in some future extreme circumstance is very likely never to be known. But how we act today will be known, maybe to other people, but most definitely to myself and God. The displays of courage in our day to day lives will for most part not be dramatic or flashy --- not remarkable at all --- but these are choices of behavior that will determine whether or not we ultimately “get it,” or miss point.

And I’m pretty sure it ain’t about money and cars.

It takes a lot less effort to believe that I am due a windfall soon --- that God surely has some success waiting just around corner for me --- than it takes to invest in believing in myself in nitty-gritty real world. Don’t get me wrong. I know that “somebody has to win lottery,” and I see no harm in believing that it will be you. That is, I see no harm in expecting long shots as long as you are also investing your valuable energy in believing in yourself in course of your daily life.

If you identify with any of this, try this: Imagine that you are visited by a human-energy-efficiency expert who can evaluate how you invest your valuable daily allowance of energy. (This consultant is of course just a new member to your ever expanding inner-committee.) Like a good consultant, follow yourself around for a day or two, observing and making some notes. Then, from perspective of consultant, make a list of recommendations for how you might use your daily allowance of mental energy more efficiently and constructively.

In my experience, most people hire consultants, get their recommendations, then ignore them. I suggest that you listen to this one.