Daily Power #303

Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. (Prov. 19:20)

Years ago I made friends with a guy at my gym named Bart who has helped me change my body physically in more ways than I can count. I had worked out for most of my life, exercising faithfully for more than twenty years. But I also ate whatever I wanted. And by whatever, I mean anything with sugar or salt (and especially sugar and salt): donuts, cinnamon rolls, cake, ice cream, and chips and whatever was within reach that I could dip them in.

But I was one friend away from changing my “physical” future. I noticed that Bart didn’t work out much harder than I did, but he looked very different from me. He was ripped! I always attributed that to genetics, but Bart helped me see that diet is actually more important than exercise. Little by little, he helped me make small changes. First I added protein. Then I cut carbs. Then I added vitamins. Then I cut down on desserts. And together we tweaked my workouts. Over time, I became stronger and leaner, and I felt better. But more important, I was healthy, probably healthier than I’d ever been.

One friend.

Too many changes to count.

Do you have a few friends that make you better, people who see your potential? Think about it. Do your buddies at the gym make you better? Or do the friends in your support group help you grow? Do the people you work with make you sharper? Do the moms you run with make you stronger?

If not, decide to connect with someone new—someone who makes you better.

Power Lift

Lead me to the right person, Lord, who can help motivate, inspire, and propel me forward. Help me to be that person in someone else’s life.