A little while ago, I learned a valuable lesson. For several years, I've lived by a code principal of having and sticking to guidelines. I have guidelines in my marriage, guidelines for raising my children, guidelines for giving to charities and guidelines for receiving gifts. I have guidelines for counseling and guidelines for friendships. I have guidelines for my finances and for several other areas of life. Basically, I have guidelines for everything that's important to me and those guidelines are non-negotiable. Well, my lesson came by way of temptation to lean away from following the non-negotiable, outlined guidelines that governed my life for decades. Needless to say, although I did learn a valuable lesson, I also experienced hurt and caused hurt as a result of not sticking to the guidelines that were clearly in place to help me succeed. Guidelines are the voice of reason that speaks directly to our will and to the situation with clarity and integrity without emotional pulls. The advantage of having guidelines in place helps to eliminate pressure when the pressure is on. In the midst of a tug of war within your reason, you need a well outlined, decisive non-negotiable outlook that you’re committed to sticking with NO MATTER WHAT. That outlook should be in place and rehearsed in your heart and mind prior to needing it. This is an art of war. “When all else fails, stick to the guidelines. They will help you win and make all the difference in this strategic game we live called life”
