Articles

Original is overrated!

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I was thinking back to one of the first coaching courses that I kind of enrolled on, and there was a lot of talk at the time about being a thought leader. And I just was thinking around that again today because it’s come up in a few different conversations. And at the time, Like, back in the day, there when I was on this particular course, I was certainly kind of very keen to be a thought leader in inverted marks, in quotation marks, just just thinking like that. That was something that I needed to aspire to.

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But can we really become Lee by just a matter of our will, a thought leader?

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And so the question that I asked myself over the past couple of days, actually, I’ve just been ruminating on whether I’m a thought leader or a thoughtful follower, and which of those two actually is probably maybe the better and less stressful I used to be enamoured by the idea of been a thought leader on this pioneering trailblazer, carving the way to new fields of revelation, bringing waves of thankful followers with me. But today, really, I find a great deal more contentment instead in being a thoughtful follower.

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And by that, I just want to explain kind of what I mean by that. Really, you know, most of the words I was thinking about, you know, I do a daily podcast. I write a daily blog, I write numerous different books and engage with several different communities.

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And to the best of my ability, try and bring value to those communities. But in thinking around this, I got to know most of the words that I speak of, the words that I write. I’ve always been inspired or prompted generally by something that I’ve previously seen or read or heard that they are observations on something that I’ve witnessed, not one original, uninitiated thought. Yeah, even the ones that seem to spring from some kind of unadulterated genius, generally the fruit of a conversation with God in prayer.

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Sometimes I’ll sit down and begin praying and journaling, and things will kind of spill onto the page or pop out of my mouth in that dialogue that even make my ears prick up and listen, you know, but, you know, and when I talk about conversation with God in prayer, I’m not talking about the heavens opening up and Angels delivering a world changing message type prayer.

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Just simple dialogue with God from my heart. Now where I give myself the rare privilege of shutting myself up for five minutes to let someone far more intelligent than me do the talking. And the purpose of sharing this with you today is more to slap an objection to the ground that many would be creative entrepreneurs pull out of there. Why not? Or why I can’t bag, you know, originality is an issue for some people are rather unoriginality.

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Sometimes we’ll come into the marketplace and we think we are all the best ideas, not already taken. And the simple answer is a resounding yes and a very certain. Now, even in the 9th century BC, we find Solomon pointing out this high tech 21st century truth. That which has been is what will be. That which is done is what will be done.

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And there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes one verse nine. You know, the reality is really humanity is wrestling with the same fundamental problems that they always have, seeking security, seeking significant and looking for a sense of purpose on the planet. You know, the means of answering those questions may have evolved and more over the centuries, but the itch that they scratch has never changed. As men and women of faith in the marketplace, we’re not looking for new or never before seen, problems to solve were simply coming with new eyes, informed by our history experience and learning to offer our own unique take on the answers we believe will help fellow travellers.

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That’s where that’s where the uniqueness comes into play. You are the magic ingredient that turns a plain old information pie into a deliciously original meal. You thoughtfully follow the desires that God is placed in your heart. Let your history inform your present. What are the threads that Lee through the fabric of your journey so far?

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What are the things that others come to you for advice and help on what others incessant promptings to move in a particular direction? Telling you, I’ve said this many times, but mine is an almost obsessive fascination with words not in a scholarly way, but in a very common, very ordinary. I love to dig into a subject and scratch below the surface way, a curious way that doesn’t want to just accept what’s already been said about a subject. But find out what my heart says about it. Now, the fact that you there will only ever be one of you in all of history and eternity takes care of this originality problem.

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You do not need to get caught up in trying desperately to be original because you are one there’s. Why you are one of a kind, you know, for sure, there’s gonna be a host of other folks doing similar things to the ones that you propose to do. And that is absolutely fine. Now, the fact that it’s you picking up that diamond and turning it in your hand is always gonna shine a new light on whatever facet of a subject you are tackling and bringing to the attention of other people.

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You know, while the billionaires Jose for their market share in the above the atmosphere right now, most folks would be more than happy to just figure out how to live their feet on the ground existence a great deal better, and we can help them with that.

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We can help them both with their spirituality, and we can help them with their practicality, the practical things that we have been equipped to do that wins that we have made along the way that we can with others and help to equip others through. You know, whether it’s wealth, health, relationships or spirituality, they’ll never be a day when answers and leaders are not sort by the masses, you know, and you can be a leader in any one of those multifaceted spaces bringing great value to the table.

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You know, I really thank God that I don’t have to build a spaceship to discover myself or my destiny. And that extra to rest your life has already landed on the planet in a stable in Bethlehem just a little over 2000 years ago. And that man guarantees your success and he is shaping you for glory.

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You know he is. He is here right now by his spirit to help you step into your purpose on Earth and possibly down the line. If you become a billionaire and want to step into that ring, you know, maybe even conquer above the clouds as well. But let’s allow faith, not FOMO, not the fear of missing out to guide as step. And even if your ideas seem very ordinary and unoriginal, and even if your intellectual merchandise seems somewhat unremarkable compared to the other stallholders in Vanity Fair, do not fear.

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Keep carving your way to your core and you’ll discover that you are indeed a one of a kind original and then seek to just share sincerely, wholeheartedly and without such harsh self criticism. And you’ll be surprised how many seemingly never before seen or heard ideas spring from your heart. Well, thanks for listening. Hopefully, it’s been an encouragement to you today. If you want to connect any further, you can do say through my website at DavidLeMartin.com.

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Have a great day.

My passion and diamond subject is prayer and Christian Creativity, what’s yours?

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I try and make something every day and my main clay that I mold things from his words. Yours may be something different, but I found that having a daily discipline, I don’t even know discipline is the right word, but just building in a creative habit where I exercise and draw from that inner creative well is something that I just. It’s actually life giving, life affirming. And if I can unplug and remove myself from the desire for outcomes, if I can uncouple myself from outcomes, it frees me up to be far more free in my creativity.

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I’m not thinking if I write this book, will it sell and make money?

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If I create this blog article that I find worthy of expression that I feel carries some value for someone somewhere, but it may not make money. It may not have a thousand people coming or a million people reading it. It may not win any prizes for grammar and literature. Is that any reason not to do it? Of course not.

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We are creative beings, and our very essence demands that we make things that we share our value and our worth with others. However, that manifest itself. One of the things that I do each day, as some of, you know, is a blog and then create this podcast. But I was thinking today about a common fear that many creatives face and that’s that their well will somehow run dry. What happens when you run out of something worth saying?

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You know, the terror of empty pipes has been immortalised with the attribution writers block and doubtless. There’s also song block, brush block, product block, video block. Whatever your means of expression, whatever platform you choose to build your creative Kingdom on. Yet there’s a fear that, well, what happens if I run out? What happens if I find myself with nothing else to bring to the table?

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It’s a common fear that is one that, honestly, I choose not to buy into. Because see, I believe that there is a perpetual well of inspiration that flows from our inner man and that it just needs to be tapped and called upon to produce. You know, some days you’re going to produce more and better than others, but it will produce nevertheless, and not everything that we create, not everything we write, not every song we pen, not every video we create. Or again, whatever your means of expression is, they are not all necessarily to be made public, but we need to keep the water flowing.

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We need to allow our inner man to find expression in some way.

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And, you know, I don’t believe really, that it’s a lack of inspiration. I don’t believe that it’s a lack of something worth saying or singing that stops us. I really believe that the hair and slime that clogs the pipes is actually perfectionism. We want every work that our hands creates to be some magnificent opus, and that’s a sticking point because whether we like it or not. Some days are simply more open to the flow than others I wanted to call is actually I’ve called.

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This particular episode is cover your diamond subject and your creative well will never run dry. But I could equally have called it today. I have nothing to say. And in thinking about what to share here, I thought about starting with the creative encouragement to you with today, I have nothing to say. And like, honestly, some of you may have just breathed a sigh of relief.

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I can swallow that. But who am I to lie, even if I have nothing to say? I’ve said something worthy of exploration. So what do I mean by that? You know, sometimes you may want to dig in to the subject of not having any subject to share on or looking somehow to discover a deeper layer below the ones that you’ve already dug into.

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Really, I want to encourage you. You will never run dry. It’s not a crime to say the same thing again in a different way.

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There’s no shame in pulling an old word from the archives and sending it out for another spin. You know, call on your pet subjects the core messages that you carry and reiterate them for the, umpteenth time, because there are always going to be new eyes and ears that will be experiencing what you have to say for the first time. I’m sure as believers, you’ve often sat down and you’ve read the scriptures like maybe hundreds of times certain scriptures. You may have heard sermons on red in the scriptures pulled out of your promise box, you know, read the devotional on watch the TV, preacher talk about whatever else it may be.

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And then suddenly, one day that same scripture leaps off the page and comes alive to you.

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Well, I believe it’s the same with the subjects that God has put on your heart. You know, we often and most of us have just a few subjects that we tend to set on. And because every subject has many, many facets, you know, you don’t have to create something brand new. Every time you sit down to create you just turn that value diamond in your hand and highlight another facet of the beauty and Grace that relates to your subject of choice. You know what’s your diamond subject.

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I speak right and teach Christian prayer and creativity. And on the creativity side, I largely focus on digital delivery of your message and your value to the marketplace. You know, I bring prayer and productivity under one roof and honestly could talk the legs off a horse if I’m let loose on either of those subjects. You know, some may say I just harp on about it, and so be it. That’s my song.

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That’s what I play. That’s the instrument that God has placed in my heart. What’s yours, you know, to encourage others to recognise and realise their value in tangible ways that can impact lives and generate income is a message that I believe people need to hear. And again, I’m going to ask you, what’s your song? What’s your message?

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You know, if it’s heartfelt and sincere, it’s not just going to be a one time article nested on your somewhere. It’s going to be a diamond subject that fascinates your curiosity, much like a real diamond mine, and it inwardly calls to be communicated time and time again. You don’t just look at one facet. You can turn that diamond subject in your hand, and you can bring many, many beautiful new takes on the same subject matter, you know, and you’ll find your diamond subject will crop up in almost all of your communications in one way or another.

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There’s going to be a sparkle or a shadow of that subject in pretty much everything you create.

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You know, the gospel, the gospel, Jesus dying for being born of a verging, dying for our sins, going to the grave, being raised from the dead and soon to return is obviously the core message for every Christian. It’s the gold and thread that runs through all that we say and do. But there are many facets to Christ’s wisdom and many facets that God causes people to share with the world. It’s not just that one story, and not all of those subjects relate to heaven. They’re not all ethereal in nature.

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You know, God wants us to end well, absolutely. I mean, that’s the key thing, isn’t it? Like, get saved. You’ve never accepted Jesus as your saviour. Like, don’t wait until tomorrow.

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Right now, just press stop on this and get your heart right with Him today. Of course, God wants us to end well. But the journey to that end needs to also be taken in fellowship with the Creator on the Bible and the Holy Spirit Himself who wrote it and now lives with you and in you has so much to say about life, finances, diet, rest, wellness, anger, love, relationships, hope, faith, the word that we speak. Thoughts, business, ecology, creativity, parenting, cosmology. You name it.

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It’s in there. He doesn’t just that the Bible opens us up and God’s creative nature within us is meant to bring salt and light to a multitude of people and a multitude in a multitude of different places and in different ways. You name it. There’s a Facet of wise Council that can be shaped into a viable and worthy business and deliver present value to the marketplace in keeping with your Christian values and your passion for Christ. And that doesn’t just mean preaching sermons.

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It can be any number of wonderful, healthy, wholesome pursuits that just bring value and enjoyment to other people’s lives. You know, my passion and my diamond subject is Christian creativity. What’s yours now? Jump over to the blog at Davidleemartin.Com. Just click on this article.

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Discover your diamond subject. Yeah, and let me know in the comments there. I’d love to hear what it is that God has placed in your heart and the ideas and the subjects that burn in your bones. What’s your mission here and how can I help you to fulfil it? Hey, God.

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Bless you. Hope this has been a helpful episode and I will look forward to speaking with you tomorrow. Well, thanks for listening. Hopefully, it’s been an encouragement to you today. If you want to connect any further, you can do so through my website at Davidleemartin.Com.

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Have a great day.

In a hyper-active world how do we live like Christ? Is Jesus wearing Nike trainers and sprinting around the globe desperately building His brand, fearful that some other pretender will take His market share?

I think not.

The pace of grace is not breakneck. The only neck spoken of in relation to the way of Jesus is the one on which He longs to place an easy yoke.

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In our hyperactive world. How are we to live like Christ? I don’t really picture Jesus where in Nike trainers sprinting around the globe, desperately building his brand, a fearful that some of the pretender will take his market share. I really don’t think that that’s happening. Now, when I look in the Scriptures, I Lee that the pace of Grace is not break neck speed, and that the only next spoken of in relation to the way of Jesus is the one that he wants to place on our ex.

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An easy yoke. Take my yoke upon you, he said, and learn from me, for I am Lee and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. I know certainly that I’ve so often fall into the trap of chasing after my ambitions, trying to become and trying to be someone or something that I think I don’t know what it is that keeps urging us and driving us to forget who we are and where we are and be present in the moment now.

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Vena Chuck ianism, if that’s such a thing, you know, may urge you to be everywhere all the time and become everything to everyone, all power to him and his disciples.

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But it’s really not for me, you know, Musk is that’s the latest thing may conquer the known universe, but I’m sure if I were to follow his way, I’d probably lose my own soul in the process. And I’m not saying that Gary Vaynerchuk or Elon Musk or whatever other names you want to drop here are wrong. They’re doing what they’re called to do and all power to them. It’s just knowing what’s wrong for you. Yeah, it’s knowing what’s right for you, what sits with you and what you can do and the pace you can live that gives you life.

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And in some ways I sometimes think that peaceful obscurity would be a much more life affirming option for someone of my my leaning, you know, and by that I don’t mean skulking in insecure shadows and never speaking up. It simply means focusing on what really matters, regardless of the noisy world outside my window or the screaming from the various screen Lee that I look at now, by nature, I’m an action taker and so passive resignation really, honestly is not a way of peace, you know, any more than rabid aspiration is it’s just that our actions must be tempered by truth and aligned with our values.

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Now, I spent a lot of my time encouraging Christians to stand up, stand out, and share their worth and message with the world. And I believe that that’s a worthy message to bring. You know, we as creative Christians are not consigned to the pews ad infinitum Till comes back.

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We all carry a message. We all have a calling. We all have something precious and worthy and valuable to bring to the world and God has seen fit to plant us in a generation where the means to do that are very much, quite literally, at our fingertips. The problem arises, I think when ambition steps in and begins to set the scoreboard, I’ve noticed like, it doesn’t really take a great deal of discernment to Lee this. But once we step into the online space, I really the watch words are more, bigger, faster, richer.

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And many of these metrics, I think, are very, very skilfully designed with cynical delight, aimed to enhance our sense of inadequacy. Because in a world in that world, more is never enough. Fast is too slow by far. And Rich really is a slippery scale. You never really reach the summit.

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But the truth is, the actual reality is that you are enough right now. Jesus didn’t die for you, for who you might become. One day he died and delighted to do so for the scruffy unfinished product that you already are. He wants to walk with you today, not just when you shape up, not just when everything is in place right now. You know, I think the devil always wants our eye on tomorrow.

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And tomorrow is always this tantalisingly out of reach. Tomorrow filled with all the things that we think we want a need. And then when we arrive and we hold those things in our hand, the goal posts inevitably move. I’ve seen it a thousand times in my life and decided it’s really time to sack my ambitions and follow the call of Christ more closely. I think my ambition will be to walk in his way of unhurried peace.

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And I really do wonder. And I wonder with kind of hopeful expectation where that path will lead me. Well, thanks for listening. Hopefully, it’s been an encouragement to you today. If you want to connect any further, you can do so through my website at Davidleemartin.com. Have a great day.