Posted on Monday, June 12, 2023

Life lessons from a Westy

I’ve always felt that some of the most significant lessons to be learned in life often present themselves when you least expect it. Last week I decided to go on an early morning workout by powering through a 3.5 mile speed walk. As I gathered my water bottle in one hand and my iPod in the other, I noticed my furry little family West Highland White Terrier, otherwise known as Yoshi, looking at me as if I invited him to come along.

It wouldn’t take long before I also grabbed the leash and we set off to do business. As a new resident of the Dallas metropolitan area, I had to remind my nervous system that the humidity and heat at 7AM far exceeded temperatures from my former home in Southern California.

Roughly a mile into our speed walk, I noticed the grassy area where we were walking was filled with prickly thorny weeds and I wanted to protect Yoshi from walking on it because I knew he’d likely injury his paws with cuts and scrapes.

I began to transition into the street and speed up the pace when I noticed Yoshi attempt to do the same right alongside me. At just that moment, Yoshi ran out of the street and back into the prickly thorny weeds to maintain pace, so I attempted to pull him back into the street with me, but he refused.

I began to realize that the pavement where we were speed walking was already blazing hot, and Yoshi decided quickly he’d had enough of that, but I didn’t immediately notice due to the comfort of wearing running shoes. At this point, I had an epiphany about life.

My dog enjoyed the experience and process of exercising with me, yet when faced with what I perceived as a painful surface from which to journey through prickly thorny weeds, I wanted to make his journey easier by placing him on the smooth paved street with me where everyone else was walking or running.

In what appeared to be the easier, less resistent, and a more comfortable route, Yoshi determined that the road which appeared most painful and dangerous was in fact a worthy road that he’d rather endure than being on the road where everyone else was running, smiling, moving along swiftly, yet unaware of the fact they were burning.

Listen, there are many ways that seem right, sound right, and feel right in life; but they simply aren’t right. Many of those decisions, relationships, and so-called friends end in the same misery, disfunction, and pain. Everyone loves it when an ending concludes with “happily ever after”, yet the only true “happily ever after” is in knowing your purpose in life and the one who gave it to you. Until next time, Be encouraged.

I speak to hundreds of thousands of young adults, men, women, and couples annually on leadership, decision making, and relationships. Sometimes life has a way of being the antidote to life itself. If you’d like more information on this topic or how to bring me in as a speaker for your next event, please contact me. In the meantime, I encourage you to subscribe to my Tribe/Newsletter on my homepage. Post your comment below, Share my blogs with your friends on social media, and visit my website often for daily inspiration.

Egypt McKee

Speaker | Mentor | Podcaster | TV Host

Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2023

freedumb.

by egyptspeaks

egyptspeaks

Speaker. Mentor. Podcaster

It is said that the rarer something is, its value exponentially increases in contrast. Yet everywhere we look, a new stock of freshly distilled delusions of grandeur is offered up as revisionist history and emotional grandstanding by the professionals and their faithful followers.

The very thing that so many people scream by demonstrating their undying allegiance, inherently reveals the predictability of behavior lacking minimal understanding. That rare, elusive, and invaluable thing is all that matters until what matters is offered free of charge.

Free. Is anything free? That which costs someone else is now made available at no cost to another—how is this so? The idea that a rare and invaluable thing can somehow be acquired for the exchange of nothing in return is in fact dumb.

Something so rare and invaluable as freedom will always require a repeated valuation of its authenticity from time to time. To possess such a rare find will require an undeniable responsibility to experience the honor, teach others its benefits, and when required—sacrifice.

To know true freedom is to know Him who voluntarily surrendered His life so that you and I could have legitimate access to eternal life—Jesus Christ.

Salvation comes with a price tag labeled free because it is free to everyone who genuinely wants it. But make no mistake, it was made available at the highest possible price!

Jesus Christ said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” -John 14:7

And so it is, that invaluable thing which we seek is that of our own soul to be made whole with our Creator. To receive that is only a prayer away.

Did you find any of this topic encouraging, interesting, or thought provoking? Leave me a Comment if you’d like to discuss more. Until next time, Be encouraged.

Egypt McKee

Encourager | Speaker | Podcaster

Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2023

I Got This.

by egyptspeaks

egyptspeaks

Speaker. Mentor. Podcaster

Life is short. I’ve heard this phrase repeated numerous times throughout my life by those who are often times several years my senior. More often than not, I find myself nodding with affirmation or defaulting to express an acceptable smile, yet sooner or later, I’d find myself in a position of teaching this short yet profound statement to someone else. Recently, I met a young man in his late 20’s, and we began to discuss a series of business principles, which would significantly impact his professional career. His perspective on life and problem solving was radically different than mine. The longer he spoke, the more I was convinced that he was situationally unaware of the basics of decision-making principles—cause and effect. Soon afterwards, I offered wise counsel in opposition to his actions. Nevertheless, his response was undeniably pompous as he exclaimed, “I got this.”

By this point, I began to imagine where many disagreements go wrong. My mind began to explore all the unimaginable angles of communicating with others, particularly those in whom we simply do not agree. Perceptions become reality. Without question or reason, we subscribe to an untested “perceived truth” that our age and/or talent gives us a unique qualification to untapped wisdom, influence, and insight—this is a lie. Additionally, we fall into the trap that convincing others to think like us or be like us is the primary purpose of our existence, and we base this untested “perceived reality” on the age old idea that “he who yells the LOUDest, must be the RIGHTest.” This too is a lie. Ultimately, we fail to effectively communicate with others because we want to be heard far more than we desire to listen. What then shall we say about the character and motives of our hearts? If we believe ourselves to be teachable, how then do we give instruction to others—Listen. Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” NIV Listening doesn’t mean agreement, nor does it mean endorsement. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Sadly, there is a prevailing wisdom among many throughout the United States who believe that anything old is useless and therefore worthless. This idea is not only short sighted but rooted in selfishness, arrogance, and immaturity. Life truly is short. My grandfather modeled this life lesson to me many years ago, and instilled in me a desire to inspire this generation with truth. The right question is, “how far are you willing to go to know truth?” Listen, leadership without humility is just plain arrogant and stupid. No one wants to follow someone who believes he or she is so intelligent that everyone else merely exists to agree with their ideas and concepts. The true measure of leadership is influence—nothing more, nothing less. Until next time, Be encouraged.

I speak to thousands of young adults, men, women, and couples annually on leadership, relationships, and integrity. Sometimes thinking “you’ve got this” is the very thing that’s gotten you into trouble in the first place, and you need help from someone honorable with a right perspective to help guide your steps. If you’d like more information on this topic or how to bring me in as a speaker for your next event, please contact me. In the meantime, I encourage you to subscribe to my Tribe/Newsletter on my homepage. Post your comment below, Share my blogs with your friends on social media, and visit my website often for daily inspiration. Until next time, Be encouraged.

Egypt McKee

Speaker | Mentor | Podcaster

www.EgyptSpeaks.com | www.Facebook.com/EgyptSpeaks

Posted on Friday, January 25, 2019

Empty.

by egyptspeaks

egyptspeaks

Speaker. Mentor. Podcaster

Life is short, and there’s no debating this fact. Things come and go, perspectives come and go, and eventually people come and go faster than a blink in time. I’m convinced if it weren’t for difficult times, we might never pray. It’s been awhile since I last wrote, and as I reflect upon my life over the past several months, I’m hard pressed to respond to the simplicity of one of life’s most basic questions, “How are you?”

It’s in that moment where the trajectory of our maturity and character is once again tested on the stage of truth. The fact that multiple responses are considered before rendering a verdict is nothing short of a scandal in the making. Should I smile and say, “good?” Should I deploy reverse psychology and say, “great, how about you?” After all, it’s not about me even though it is about me because they asked. Transparency is easily masqueraded by good intentions, while the evidence of hopes and dreams lay just beyond arms reach.

I confess that over the past two decades, I’ve been honored to spend a great deal of time building and rebuilding the lives of others as a Christian Pastor, Counselor, and Life Coach. I’m blessed to have held a front row seat to miraculous turnarounds in many lives and marriages, and wouldn’t trade that for anything. Yet as we experience this holy weekend, I wonder if we share the proper perspective on what it truly means to be empty?

Many times, we master a skill that is counterproductive to our freedom and peace in life—our cover story. You know your cover story better than anyone, and sadly there are numerous versions of it. Sadly, the pain you’re experiencing today is real, valid, and will destroy you if you allow it. A predictable excuse might be to assign blame to someone other than yourself to distance yourself as the cause or contributor, or maybe pretending that you’ve got control over the issue is more convenient.

The emptiness in your heart is not easily explained, and I won’t pretend to know exactly how you feel today carrying the burden of losing a loved one, not being able to naturally birth children, struggling with the news that you have cancer, or having your life turned inside-out because your spouse wants an unexpected divorce. Some of you might be thinking, “you haven’t walked in my shoes!” and this is true—my feet won’t fit in your shoes, nor do yours fit mine, but we can still walk in pursuit of truth on this journey of life.

Not many years ago, I suffered an unexplained medical trauma, which left my equilibrium in disarray and excessive dry heaving over a 3-day period. Ultimately, I was rushed to the hospital to undergo extensive tests; one of which was a myelogram. Unfortunately, I experienced major complications to this medical procedure, and felt as if I were going to die. I remember lying on my bed in a completely dark room because light and sound exacerbated my pain. There was nothing more important to me than to be free from my pain.

To make a long story short, I had a miraculous personal experience with Jesus Christ that has forever changed my life. I begged The Lord Jesus Christ to end my pain, which was code for “end my life!” yet I remember Him distinctly saying to me, “you forgot to ask me one thing”, I replied, “What?”, and He said, “You forgot to invite me into your pain.”

Instantaneously, my eyes were opened with the understanding that The Lord desired to free me from my pain—not of my pain. There was no immediate magical ending to my experience, yet I continued to endure indescribable pain for another few days, but at least the Lord was there in my pit of pain with me. As we celebrate this Easter season, let’s not be distracted with bunny rabbits, chocolates, or an attitude of apathy.

Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While were still sinners, Christ died for us.” NIV

There’d be nothing special about Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on Friday if it weren’t for Sunday morning. There is hope for you today no matter how empty you are, and there’s an empty tomb as proof. Happy Ressurection Day, He is risen!

Until next time, be encouraged.

I speak to thousands of men, women, and young adults annually on leadership, relationships, life’s purpose, and decision making. Sometimes life has a way of being the antidote of life itself. If you’d like more information on this topic or how to invite me as a speaker for your next event, please contact me. Excerpts published from the book, “Life. The Struggle Within, by Egypt McKee”

Egypt McKee

Speaker | Author | TV Host | Life Coach

Posted on Friday, January 18, 2019

May I help you?

by egyptspeaks

egyptspeaks

Speaker. Mentor. Podcaster

Have you ever had one of those days when everything you intended to do simply wasn’t accomplished? That’s how my day started recently, so I decided to journey out to my local area Organic Foods Grocery Store to pick up some of my favorite foods. I can’t explain why I decided to turn toward the vitamin isle, but I did, and I asked a woman who was stocking shelves for assistance—clearly, as a man, you can see the irony here.

After leading me to a different isle, she began to explain that the vitamins I wanted were recently discontinued, but that there were several other reputable brands available. She then went on to explain the differences in products with such knowledge and passion. I remember thinking to myself, “People typically point you in the direction you’ve asked for help, then bail out as quickly as possible.”

Shortly thereafter, she mentioned something about vitamins, life, and her bible study group with such fluidity that I almost didn’t recognize the phrase “bible study group” in a public place, and while at work no less. I couldn’t help but immediately interrupt by asking her to tell me more about her bible study group, and she did.

Interestingly, our conversation began in the midst of the vitamin isle, which caused us to step aside periodically so other customers could go around us with their shopping carts. The more she shared her lifes testimony, the more I began to wonder who was helping whom at this point? Instantaneously, the thought ran across my mind that I am the one who is generally helping others, yet I found myself in the presence of someone who inspired me with a testimony about the importance of “waiting.”

At this point, I had heard enough, and proceeded to ask if I could pray for her right then—right there? She responded, “yes”, so I held her hand in the middle of the grocery store isle and prayed for her. My experience leads me to wonder—are you interruptable? Please don’t miss the message for sake of your perspective of the messenger. Boom.

Until next time, Be encouraged.

In the meantime, I encourage you to subscribe to my Tribe/Newsletter on my homepage. Post your comment below, Share my blogs with your friends on social media, and visit my website often for daily inspiration. Until next time, Be encouraged.

Egypt McKee

Evangelist | Speaker | Author | TV Host