I just love that because it’s true! Life is always full of the things that we think are impossible at first glance. Yet, time and again I’ve found myself surprised when what I thought was impossible turns out to be completely probable. Turns out it’s all to do with perspective.

Getting a God’s Eye View on things definitely puts a different spin on the situations I’m in. Matthew 19:26 says “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Standing on the Platform of Prayer with a birdseye view over the cities I’m building shows a differet picture to the one I see standing in the midst of the towering skyscrapers and amongst the bustling streets of complications.

My praise soon flicks a switch and my posture and declaration take a 180 degree spin. When you’re taken away from the imediacy of something and create space for God to move, inspire or encourage you all of a sudden – a lot more becomes possible. 

As I hovered by the sofa, I watched the life of this individual I didn’t know unfold before my eyes and I realised what it was that had the nation hooked. Everyone loves a good story, a tale of triumph, a right old yarn.

It didn’t matter if the people performing were particularly talented or not – although that does help – but give them a great story of how they got over trials and struggles and they don’t always have to be so outstanding to do well.

Watching one video montage I noticed how this particular individual had seemingly journeyed through the strong holdings of the fallen mind and grabbed onto the positives lurking in his natural mind to try and overcome his situation. He’d chosen to rise above his struggles, to change the way he thought and saw the world.

As Mrs Mindmap and I watched him perform, I realised it was his decision to rise above his situation that meant he was on that stage, performing his heart out to David, Michael, Amanda and Simon and the British nation. The human spirit captures hearts – not what they do but why they have done it.

I’d been wondering how Mrs Mind Map and I were going to pay the giant pile of bills that were coming our way. Over and over in my head the little bills that I knew would be arriving mounted up and became an impossible financial mountain on the horizon of our bank balance.   Gas, electric, water, phone, Sky +, mortgage, car insurance… the list seemed to go on and on.

I was ready to give up and declare the mountain too big to conquer. I wondered if anyone would notice if we didn’t tithe this month?

But, the Bible says that we should bring the full tithe to the temple. Holding back is not being faithful. Holding back would give in to my old natural worrisome mind and not trust God to provide. In faith and with God I know it’s possible to conquer any mountain, even this financial one.

I re-programmed, ready to journey to the City of Faithfulness on this one. This mountain was merely a bump in the road. Nothing major. It was all about perspective. My God isn’t a mouse but an elephant. He’d see us through, even if it is a bit of a white-knuckle ride this month.

As I sat there singing their praises I was reminded of something I’d once heard someone say. “Leaders lead people’s thinking.”

This was their edge, their unique selling point. These fresh-faced relatively new colleagues of mine were ready to not just think right themselves, but they were determined to shift the thinking of the people they were leading and working with.

Their optimism and enthusiasm for new projects was infectious and I seen some of the company’s old hands tackle jobs with a renewed vigour and passion since we’d taken on these new guys and girls.

Apparently fresh blood does make people sniff up and notice. It’s like a shot of adrenalin or a reminder that things are advnacing. Some new thinking might just blow out your settled cobwebs.

The jaunt to Thankfulness and Peace came about one Saturday as I enjoyed a relaxing afternoon after a particularly challenging gym session. As I pottered about the house on my own, the TV news chattering away in the background, I began to realise how good I really had it. I’d been so caught up in work and financial worries I’d missed the great life I had around me.

I started to thank God for all he’d done and all he is doing in my and my family’s life. As I did so, a lightness came over me and all the stress and worry of work eased. Something settled within my heart and a spring found its way into my tired step.

Naturally I err to over think and over analyse life. When I’m tired it rises to get the better of me, hauling me down to Quitsville. But recently, as I’ve tried to concentrate more on the City of Thankfulness, even when I’m tired, I’ve noticed a calm and peace in me. Not only that, it’s set a great mood in the Mindmap household too!

Two days ago I drove to a town in England called Alfreton, I drove a friend to the airport before heading home. After a left turn I proceeded on the wrong side of the road before bevoming confused as to why a lorry was heading straight for me. I was thinking a drunk driver or sleepy driver had nodded off. Actual seconds passed before realising I was the one at fault.

Panic is an understatement.

Anaylsis ensued.

Was I losing my mind? Had left and right crossed over in my head? Maybe some hereditory mental tendancies had kicked up a gear or three? Panicked, I rang some of my staff, told my wife and recounted the story to a few others… the conclusion was that I could do with an early night and had probably forgotten which country I was in. It’s amazing that after living in the UK for 20 years and barely driving outside of the country during that time, that one week on mainland Europe would prompt my brain to switch sides.

I’ll be concentrating harder when driving in future.

Time flies when you’re busy doing life. I’ve tried persuading Mrs MindMap that another child is a brilliant idea but she’s persuaded me that child rearing is over for us until the grandkids come to stay over for sleepovers.

My son has made a massive decision to love cherish and care for another life. Someone precious to him that he loves regardless of a bad hair day, a clumsy spill of coffee of the carpet or a girly choice of TV programme. He’s going to pay bills and have a go at DIY to build place to call home for himself and his wife. He’s making his own decisions – good ones at that. He’s learnt to love instead of selfishly indulge his own wants, he’s learnt to be patient while she’s getting ready, and to choose peace over ill=placed pride.

I’m proud of him and thankful and humbly proud that as he’s observed how me and Mrs MindMap have learnt to do life he’s been spared our tough lessons.