Life Design Newsletter

You Are Not Enough . . . And That’s OK!

Carlos Hidalgo — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 12:32:40 GMT

You’re Enough!

These are words that have been uttered by therapists, encouraging friends, teachers, authors, talk-show hosts, and many more. In 2019, Oprah Winfrey reflected on this idea on her “Super Soul Conversations” podcast, where the episode is described as follows (bold print is mine):

In a live appearance at UCLA’s Royce Hall, Oprah explains why it’s important for all of us to find our own truth. “What is the truth of me? Why am I here? And what do I have to offer?” Oprah asks. “The answer,” she says, “is yourself.” Oprah shares why you are enough, just as you are, and offers up the one question you need to ask whenever life throws you a curveball. She also shares what she wants everyone to stop doing right now.

The words sound so good and soothing, but the reality is they are misleading.

Why?

Because at the end of the day, I am not enough, and once I came to this understanding and embraced it, I was able to truly start living life to its fullest!

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Why I Am Not Enough

You may be thinking that I have a low view of myself or need a boost of self-esteem when you hear me say I am not enough. This is not at all the case; my not being enough pre-dates me by thousands of years.

In the first two chapters of Genesis, we read the account of God’s creation, including Adam and Eve, who had a perfect relationship with God and no shame in their marital relationship. However, in chapter 3, we read how this all unraveled due to the disobedience they both displayed in the Garden of Eden.

What was once a perfect relationship became one that was broken and caused Adam and Eve to hide and cover up and begin pointing the finger at God and each other.

In an instant, because of one decision, man, as a whole, was reckoned as dead to God.

And, with that, God pronounced the words that we often hear spoken at funerals, “...Till you return to the ground, because from it you were taken; for you are dust and to dust you will return.”

One man’s sin tainted all of us, and because God is holy in all facets of his being, I am incapable of being enough, no matter how hard I may toil or strive.

What Makes Me Enough

Despite you and me not being enough on our own, all hope is not lost.

God, in His mercy, provided a way for us to become enough and be restored to Him.

Paul lays this out in his epistle to the church at Ephesus when he writes the following-

“And you were dead (not enough) in your offenses and sins, in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.”

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household.

If I were to summarize this passage, I would say the following:

I was not enough because of my sin. But God loved me so much that in His grace, He gave me the free gift of His Son, who through His death, burial, and resurrection, made a way to become enough. I’ve done nothing and have nothing to give other than acceptance and faith, and because of that, I am now enough and part of God’s household. 🤯🤯

This, my friends, is the ONLY thing that will ever make me enough.

My prayer for all is that we will cease striving, that we will stop chasing those things that we believe will make us something or make us feel like we are enough.

I hope and pray that as you read these words, you realize that the only way to be enough is through the blood of Jesus.

Running the race with you,

Carlos

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Two Words That Can Change Everything

Carlos Hidalgo — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 13:12:46 GMT

On the inside of my upper left arm, I have a tattoo. The tattoo is Joel 2:25 (you will have to look it up 😃), and above the verse is this symbol that represents that Susanne and I are in our second marriage, to the same, but two different people.

It is not only a reminder to me of how fortunate I am, but also how good and gracious God is to me.

From time to time, I get asked about the meaning of the symbol, and each time I reply with the same answer above. Most who ask nod and we continue, but every so often I will get asked, “So what is so different?” I always enjoy that question because it gives me an opportunity to tell them what is different and how God has worked in our lives.

One Small But Big Change

Of all the things that are different in our marriage, there are a few key things that stick out as game changers, and one of those has been a thankful spirit. As much as I hate to admit it, in our first marriage, I took much of what I had and much of what Susanne did for granted.

I was not truly thankful for all the many blessings I had, starting with her, and while I may have spoken words of gratitude to her, my heart was not behind it, so as is always the case when one’s heart is not in it, the words fell flat.

This is quite different in our second marriage. One of the things we are committed to in our marriage is to speak words of thankfulness to each other and to let the other know how grateful we are for the things they do, no matter how small they may be. This is not done out of obligation; if it were, it would be meaningless. This is our recognition of each other that we see them and are thankful for how we seek to serve each other.

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They Can’t Coexist

One of the things I have realized since tuning my heart to one of gratitude is that when you lead with a thankful heart, it leaves little room for pride.

When someone does something for me, and I thank them, that is my recognition that it was nothing I did on my own and that I am receiving their act of kindness, no matter how big or small. A prideful heart is unable to humble itself to truly receive and therefore cannot live in a place of thanksgiving. Perhaps this is why God warned Israel in Deuteronomy 8 when he said the following:

“When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you. But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty, you do not forget the Lord and disobey His commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today.

Shortly thereafter, God, through Moses, tells Israel that in all of their abundance, to not become proud. Why?

Because pride stifles thankfulness.

If you are struggling today with enjoying life, in your marriage, or in any relationship, I encourage you to adopt a spirit of thanksgiving. Let those around you know you are thankful for all that they do, no matter how small. It will change your heart, and based on experience, I believe it will change theirs as well.

It is for this reason that I believe God tells us, “Give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will in Christ Jesus.”

Running the race with you,

Carlos

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Stop Trying

Carlos Hidalgo — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:37:37 GMT

2024 was my year!

After 20 years of recreational running with a few occasional races here and there, I finally decided to train for my first marathon. It had been a long-standing goal of mine that I kept postponing, but last spring, I decided it was time to make it happen.

Once the decision was made, I found my training plan, learned from runners who had run marathons, and created a plan to ensure I would not just run the race, but finish in a respectable time.

Once race day arrived, I was ready. I had worked hard to get to this point, and in four hours, I would have accomplished the goal. Or, so I thought.

The first half of the race was perfect. My splits were good, I still felt strong, I was well hydrated, and I knew that with a little luck and some wind at my back, I would beat my goal time.

All was well until mile 14; that’s when my knee locked up and I had shooting pain that made running virtually impossible. Undeterred, I ultimately did hobble across the finish line, but it took me over 5 hours to get there due to my body not cooperating.

No Quit

What surprised me most about the race was not the injury or my poor time. It was the number of people along the way asking me, “Why don’t you just quit?” Looking back, I get the question because of my injury, but in the moment, I was surprised to hear it from other runners who had worked equally as hard as I had.

But, to be honest, the idea of quitting never crossed my mind.

With all the training I had done and the anticipation and excitement leading up to the race, I felt I owed it to myself (and Susanne, who was an amazing support during the entire process) to finish, even if I finished after everyone went home. I did not want to look back and think, “I wish I had not given up; I should have finished”.

No Shoulds Allowed

Unfortunately, there have been many other times in my life when the determination I showed during my marathon was lacking. Looking back, I see times when instead of steadfast commitment, I wavered. I substituted “I will” with “I’ll try.” I replaced “I am going to” with “I should.” And in each of these times, I inevitably failed.

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Determination, grit, and commitment are things I see all through scripture, and they have been especially noticeable to me as I read through the Psalms. Perhaps this is no more true than in Psalm 119, where numerous times, the author declares his intentions with unwavering devotion by writing the following:

“I will study your commandments

“I will delight in your decrees”

“I will meditate on your wonderful deeds”

“I have chosen to be faithful, I have determined to live by your regulations”

“I will pursue your commands”

“I will obey your instructions”

Our Best Defense

If we desire to live a life in accordance with God’s word (the only way to truly have a life worth living), then we need to remove the words try and should from our vocabulary.

What would it have looked like if David said, “I should go fight Goliath, and I am going to try and defeat him!”

If Joseph said, “I am going to try not to sleep with Potiphar’s wife,”

If Jesus said, “I should try and go to the cross to redeem mankind.”

Our best defense from going off course is a heart and mind that declares with no uncertainty, “I will!”

Whatever you are struggling with today, determine in your heart and mind what you WILL do, because it is in our commitment that God will work wonders.

Running the race with you,

Carlos

Monuments to Self

Carlos Hidalgo — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:07:13 GMT

In the mid-90s, I had the opportunity to live in Argentina for three months while completing an internship. It was an incredible experience of living in a different culture, trying to learn a new language, and it was the first time I had ever been that far away for that long from those I loved dearly, namely my financé at the time, who is now my wife.

One of the many experiences I had while there was going to a soccer match (yes, I know they call it fútbol) between Boca Juniors and River Plate. At the time, these two clubs were fierce rivals, and the atmosphere was intense! The fans were continuously chanting, police and their canines were everywhere, and fences had been erected to ensure the fan bases stayed apart.

Not long into the match, a section of Boca fans began to unfurl a giant flag that covered multiple rows across and down. The flag had the name Maradona (one of the all-time Argentine soccer greats) with words of affection and a heart for Maradona on the flag.

As the flag covered row after row, you could hear the fans cheering growing louder and them beginning to chant “Maradonna, Maradona, Maradona”. This was happening even though Maradona was not playing for them that year. As I watched, my friend who brought me to the game leaned over and said, “Maradona had that made for the fans. Some ego, huh?”

Just Like Saul

It has been years since I thought of that match, but recently it came back into my mind as I was reading the story of King Saul in I Samuel.

We know from the book of I Samuel that Israel no longer wanted God as their king; they wanted a king like all of the other nations. God relented and gave the people what they wanted, and their first king was King Saul.

It does not take long for us to see Saul falter in his role, as time and time again he spurns the words of the Lord delivered by the prophet Samuel. The most infamous of all of Saul’s disobediences is laid out for us in chapter 15. This is when God commanded Saul to completely destroy Amalek and all that is in it.

For those who know the story, we know that Saul did not follow these commands, and as a result, God rejected the line of Saul. While there are several verses that stand out in that chapter, there was one line that I had not noticed before, but clearly stood out to me. We see in the early parts of the passage that as Samuel is looking for Saul to confront his disobedience, Saul “had set up a monument to himself”.

To quote my friend, “Some ego, huh?”

I Am Saul

I’ll admit, when I first read the words “set up a monument to himself”, I thought of Saul’s pride, hubris, and ego. But then, I realized that I am just like Saul.

I may not go out and build a monument to myself for everyone to see, but there are certainly monuments in my life that I establish, if even just mentally, to show how important I am, how successful I am, and just what an all-around good person I am.

I can look at job title, my bank account, my material possessions, my social media posts, likes, impressions, and comments, my. . . and all of it serves as a monument to self, and just like Saul, all of it is driven by pride.

No Gray Areas

When it comes to pride, there are two choices: we can be prideful monument builders, or we can be humble and allow the Lord to lift us up as he says He will in Psalm 147; there is no in between.

As we head into the weekend, may we tear down whatever monuments we have built to ourselves and humbly seek the One who is the only One who is worthy of all of our praise.

It is when we do that we can be assured that He will supply us with His grace, while He opposes those who build monuments to self.

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Hi! I’m Carlos, and I love helping business leaders and entrepreneurs define success on their terms so they have businesses and lives they love. I do this through my writing, speaking, advising, and coaching.

I’ve started multiple companies, led global teams, given a TEDx, coached numerous executives, and delivered over 100 keynotes globally. In 2015, I crashed... hard!

Since then, I have made it my mission to use my experience to help others. Turns out, when you design your life, you really come alive!

All About The Heart

Carlos Hidalgo — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 12:34:16 GMT

Last year, my wife and I attended a Joss Stone concert. She has long been one of my wife’s favorite artists, and when we had the opportunity to score tickets, I pounced.

Our tickets had us very close to the stage, and she did not disappoint! Her part of the concert was incredibly entertaining, and I am convinced she possesses one of the most beautiful voices that we will ever hear this side of heaven.

During a segment of her performance, she spoke of love and relationships, and then, as if she was trying to convince the audience, stated, “We really are better together, and the world could certainly use a lot more love.”

This statement brought cheers and roars from the small crowd.

People stood and applauded; many were giving the I love you sign while others shouted out their affection for Joss. For a moment, you felt that all of the people who came to see this artist truly were united and together.

However, this collective feel-good vibe did not last long, at least not in our section.

As she continued to play, there were several people in the first few rows who stood (this was not the standing type of concert) only to block the view of the others behind them. Despite the requests to be seated from those who were blocked, those who chose to stand persisted, and with that, the tension rose.

Within minutes, there was shouting, arguing, shoving, middle fingers being displayed, and a call for security to escort one of the men, who just minutes before was full of love, out of the building as he spewed profanity.

It was a small blight on an otherwise wonderful evening, but it clearly got me thinking.

It Will Come Out

The Gospel of Luke records Jesus speaking to His disciples, whom he had just chosen. During his discourse, he says the following . . .

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

Jesus is clear in His statement to His 12; it is all about our heart.

It is the heart that keeps the score and eventually will be the thing that reveals what we are all about; there is no way we can keep it hidden.

Keeping It Clean

There are all kinds of things that we can indulge in that can invade and taint our hearts. Past hurts, evil thoughts, our circle of friends, what we listen to, what we watch, social media, etc. There are so many things that, if we allow them, can and will, over time, eat away at our hearts.

It may be why the Psalmist wrote these two prayers regarding his heart, which we would be wise to pray today.

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

and

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”

As people who have been born with a sin nature, our hearts are naturally inclined to the unacceptable things of God, which is why we need to meditate on His word and pray for Him to cleanse our hearts.

As we come to the end of the work week and enter the weekend, my prayer is that we may all focus on our hearts and that what comes out of our mouths reveals hearts that are clean and acceptable in His sight.

Running the Race With You,

Carlos

P.S. I will be facilitating another Life Design Cohort starting in mid-September. It includes 8 two-hour cohort sessions, 4 one-on-one coaching calls, unlimited sport coaching, a full curriculum, and forever access to video content. If you would like more information, you can send me a chat, email me at carlos@carloshialgo.co, or visit https://www.carloshidalgo.co/coaching

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Better Together

Carlos Hidalgo — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:42:55 GMT

When I was 17, I made a promise to myself.

I had just started my third high school in four years and once again found myself as the “new kid”. My family had moved quite a bit, and I was tired. I was tired of learning a new place, a new school, and finding new friends.

I was even more tired of forming new relationships only to have to leave and experience the hurt and pain of saying another goodbye.

So, at 17, I promised that I would protect my heart. I was determined to shield my heart from hurt, and I wrapped it in an iron-clad emotional solitude as a way to fend off any further deep relationships that, in my mind, would eventually end in sadness.

If I only knew then what I know now.

While I did form many new friendships and relationships after that time, my promise not to let anyone into the innermost depths of my heart backfired in the most epic of ways.

My commitment to being off limits kept me from enjoying all of the beauty of deep and vulnerable relationships and was an obstacle to being part of a trusting and loving community.

It Is What We Are Wired For

In Genesis 1 and 2, we read the creation account where God created the earth, sky, animals, seas, and man. However, in Genesis 2:18, we read God speaking about his own creation when he says, “It is not good for man to be alone . . .”

From there, we know that God created Eve to be Adam’s helper (there is so much on the word “helper”, but too much to delve into. Suffice to say Eve was not created to be Adam’s gopher).

This is our first indication that, as humans, we were not designed to be alone. As those created in the image of the Creator, we were designed to live in community, just as God the Father does with His Son and His Holy Spirit.

True Community Demands Vulnerability

At the point that God created Eve, we see our first “community,” and throughout Scripture we see it emphasized over and over.

In Acts 2, we read the account of the early church where Luke describes it with such phrases as “they had all things in common”, “they continued with one mind”, “they were sharing with them all as one had need”, “they were taking their meals together”.

The Apostle James takes this idea of community one step further when he commands us to “confess our sins one to another.”

What we see in these verses, and others, is that for us to contribute and get the most from our community, we must be vulnerable. This does not mean that you have to pour yourself out to everyone you meet, but it does mean you need to have those in your close circle who know all about you and can trust you to know all about them (if you’re married, this needs to begin with your spouse).

Don’t Go It Alone

The well-known African proverb states, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

This could not be more accurate. As I lived my life closed off from even my dearest relationships, I went fast and eventually, I crashed and crashed hard!

I crashed hard because it is in isolation that our enemy, the devil, and our sinful flesh will do their best work on us and slowly and methodically bring us to ruin.

What I have found since opening my heart and living vulnerably is that I do not have to face my battles alone. I have a wife who knows me intimately and, every day, helps me be more like Christ, and a close-knit group of friends who encourage me and, when needed, call me out on those things that I need to shed.

If you are feeling alone and isolated, there is a good chance that you have created that environment. The good news is that there is a way out, and it begins with opening your heart and revealing who God made you to be. It is the only way to get the most from this life we have been given.

Running the race with you,

Carlos

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Finding Purpose

Carlos Hidalgo — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:16:10 GMT

Why am I here?

We all have asked ourselves this question at one time or another. And, if you are like me, you have pondered it more than once throughout your life.

During the years I spent coaching, I had the opportunity to speak with many who struggled to identify their purpose. Most of those I had the pleasure to work with had done well in life. They had good jobs, good families, and were, by all measures, successful, yet for most, the question about purpose remained.

This week, I read an article in Fortune about Suzanne O’Brien, the author of The Good Death. Two decades ago, O’Brien, a registered nurse, chose to work in hospice care and, since then, has been at the bedside of over 1,000 people as they faced the end of their lives. As she tells it, one of the top regrets these people spoke of was “not living their purpose.”

We Have The Answer

The Westminster Catechism, which was written in 1646-1647, addresses our life’s purpose in the first line, which reads, “Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever.”

Far from just some thoughts from theologians who penned the Catechism, this truth emanates from what we also see in Scripture.

The prophet Isaiah tells us, “Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.”
The apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthian church wrote, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Jesus, in speaking with his disciples and recorded in Matthew’s gospel, said, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

These verses and others are clear and support the Westminster Assembly when they stated our whole reason for being is to bring God glory.

What amazes me in all of this is that God does not “need” us to bring Him glory; He is already glorified, but He created us for this special purpose and invites all of us to this incredible calling.

A Glimpse Of The End

In fact, when it is all said and done, we all, regardless of race, religion, social status, or economic strata, will glorify God. We know this from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, where he wrote, “and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

And there it is, our purpose... to bring glory to THE One who made us, and we will all give testimony to it.

If you are struggling to define your purpose, like many before you have, I hope and pray that you will read these words and take comfort. Know that there is nothing more worthy.

There is nothing more life-giving and nothing more pleasing than to bring glory to the Almighty in all that we say, do, and think. When we do this, we can be assured that we are living life to its fullest!

Running the race with you,

Carlos

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You Do Not Need to Forgive Yourself

Carlos Hidalgo — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:30:18 GMT

“How did you get to a place where you were able to forgive yourself?”

A close friend of mine asked me this question as we spoke on the phone recently. There were some things in their past that they were not proud of, and while they had reversed course in their lives, they were still holding onto the guilt and shame from those choices.

It turns out that forgiving yourself is a hot topic.

There is no shortage of books, articles, podcasts, and videos that exist all with the purpose of guiding us to a place of self-forgiveness. It is probably why my friend was surprised when I replied to the question with “I didn’t, and I don’t have to.”

You're Already Forgiven

It is clear in Scripture that we are commanded to forgive when we have been wronged. However, Scripture never speaks about the idea of forgiving ourselves.

Why?

Because our forgiveness has already been granted.

In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul states the following: “In Him (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.”

It is because of Christ’s redemptive and sacrificial work on the cross that I have already been forgiven, and there is nothing more that I can do to earn any more forgiveness, which underscores the richness of His grace.

Just Own It!

Yes, we have forgiveness, and this is a glorious truth. However, there is more to it.

In his epistle, John writes the following: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

What God really wants from us is ownership.

First, we need to recognize our own sinfulness. This is an act of humility that is available to all of us, and when we resist, we are simply in a state of delusion.

Secondly, we need to confess our sins to the Lord; in essence, we need to own our stuff with no qualifiers or justifications. God, through John, tells us that He wants us to come to him and acknowledge our wrongdoing so He can apply the forgiveness that was made possible at the cross.”

I Don’t Remember

I understand that we will often feel guilt or regret for some of our past decisions. I believe this is healthy and a gift from the Lord because it will often be the thing that prevents us from repeating the same mistakes.

However, I do not have to dwell on my past actions or go through my own emotional and mental gymnastics in an attempt to forgive myself.

But here is the catch - the one who does not remember our transgressions; the one who does truly forget our sin once we confess, is none other than God Himself!

David knew this all too well. In the Psalms, David is writing about God’s “unfailing love for those who fear Him” when he wrote, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” This truth is also found in Isaiah when God says He “will not remember our sin.”

I understand the feeling that can come when we think about some of our wrongdoings and sinful actions. These are memories that will come storming back into our conscience, and if we are not careful, can quickly derail us and thrust us into an emotional spiral. However, if you really want to begin living, accept the full grace that is afforded by Christ and experience the beauty and freedom that He provides through His forgiveness.

Running The Race With You,

Carlos

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Joy In The What?

Carlos Hidalgo — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 13:19:12 GMT

According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, the word joy can be defined as -

“The emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.”

I really like this definition!

I cannot remember a time when I was not “joyful” over my well-being, success, or good fortune.

However, life, no matter what lengths we go to in our planning, does not play by our rules, and so often we experience the exact opposite of well-being, success, or good fortune. In fact, the older I get, the more I realize that life is full of trials, valleys, deserts, and struggles.

So how do we respond when life brings that our way and interrupts our plans and dashes our expectations?

It’s Not Me

A number of years ago, my wife and I had the opportunity to have dinner with one of my dear friends and his father. I had not seen my friend’s dad in over 30 years, but when I did, the hug and the smile from Ray were exactly what I remembered.

Over the course of his life, Ray had lost a wife and two sons, and as we caught up over dinner, I asked my friend and his dad how they could be so joyful despite the grief and loss they had experienced in their lives.

Without hesitation, Ray looked at me and smiled and said, “It’s not me, man, it’s Jesus! He is the reason for my joy.”

Even Then?

I think about that dinner and my friend often, as Ray passed away two years ago, yet his son is still one of the most joyful people I have ever known. It also makes me think of James and his exhortation to “count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” It is actually more of a command than an exhortation, but it begs the question, ARE YOU SERIOUS?!

I have spent a lot of time poring over that verse, and despite my best efforts, I have found no loophole. James explicitly tells us that when (not if) life deals us a blow, when we are in the valley, and when all we planned goes south, that we are to be joyful.

It’s About the Outcome

In the following verses, James tells us why we can be joyful (you can either trust me or look up James 1 for yourself), but I believe that we can find joy in the midst of our trials and suffering for one reason alone: it is in the suffering and pain that we often grow the most.

It is all about the outcome - I suffer, I grow, in my growth I am becoming more like Jesus, and as I become more like Jesus, I can find joy no matter what life throws my way.

Bring it On!

My wife and I have been on quite the roller coaster over the last few years and have walked through some deep valleys. As we were reflecting on some of these recently, we both agreed that we are much different people than we were a few years ago.

Knowing this not only brings me joy but has already prepared me for the next challenge that is sure to come my way.

If you are in a season of trial, may I repeat the words of James and choose joy. Choose joy because you know in the pain there will be growth, and that despite the testing, God is always close by refining you and making you more like His son as a result.

Running the race with you,

Carlos

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The Worst Advice I've Ever Been Given

Carlos Hidalgo — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 12:49:48 GMT

Life is full of decisions.

Every day we make decisions, some are pretty inconsequential and require little to no thought. Then there are decisions that are big. These are decisions that require a lot of thought and impact our lives.

We have all been faced with these kinds of choices in our lives. Do I ask her to marry me? Do I leave a job to take another? Do I move out of state? Do I . . .?

There have been a few times in my life where I have been faced with REALLY BIG decisions and knew that the choice I made would have a significant impact on mine and my family’s lives.

During one of these seasons, I was speaking to a colleague about some of the things I had been weighing and my thought process. Somewhere toward the end of the conversation, he said, “I can’t tell you what to do, but I would say follow your heart.”

Sounds like good advice and encouragement, right?

I do believe my friend meant well with his reply; however, it is undoubtedly the worst advice I have ever been given.

My Heart Problem

I don’t know about you, but I can be fickle.

I can get all amped up about one thing or another, make grand plans, and go all-in on something only to have it fizzle weeks later. The great idea or opportunity that I became enamored with seems to fade over time, and all the energy I generated around it is gone.

This up and down of emotions is often the outcome when I “lead with my heart”. It may also be why God tells us so much about our hearts, including His words from the prophet Jeremiah, who wrote, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?”

Not exactly a ringing endorsement, but I also believe that Solomon also knew that all of us have a heart sickness, and that is why he encourages us to “guard our hearts above all else”.

Where Do I Go?

So if our hearts are not a reliable source for decision-making, where does one go when faced with big decisions?

Here are a few things that we find in Scripture that will help us make better decisions when they come up in our lives.

Ask God for It - James, in His epistle, tells us that, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach”. My favorite word in that sentence is “generously”. I do not have to guess or follow a sick heart; I can ask God for wisdom, and He is more than happy to supply it in abundance.
Seek Godly Counsel - The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom, and multiple times throughout the book emphasizes the need for Godly advice and the victory that can be found with a multitude of sound counselors.
Get Out of Your Own Way - Proverbs 3: 5-6 tells us the following, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Rather than trusting my heart or my gut, I can fill my heart with trust in God.

It seems pretty simple, doesn’t it?

Yet, there are many times when I chase my tail trying to make a decision, only to find that the three steps God has given us above produce great outcomes and are for my own good.

Leave Your Heart Out of It

The next time you are faced with a big decision, I encourage you to leave your heart out of it unless you are going all in on trusting the Lord to guide and direct you through His wisdom and through the Godly friends whom you seek for advice.

When these things are embraced, we will experience a better life and have a far better model for making decisions than our unreliable, sick, and fickle hearts.

Running the race with you,

Carlos

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You Don't Need A Self Care Day

Carlos Hidalgo — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:29:45 GMT

Several weeks ago, I was lured into a LinkedIn post from someone who was speaking about their self-care days. Complete with a picture, they were making the case that, given the number of hours they worked and all of the other things they had going on in their lives, they would crash (also known as burnout) every once in a while.

It was because of this crash that every so often they would take a self-care day to recuperate and “catch-up” on all of those things they let slide during their marathon days of work and busyness.

Unfortunately, this person is not alone.

I have seen numerous posts on different platforms and spoken to others who follow this same pattern, and at different times throughout the year, they “reward” themselves with a self-care day.

Do You Really Need It?

I am a big believer in people taking care of themselves. I myself watch what I eat, I exercise regularly, and most days average 7-9 hours of sleep. However, it seems that many have instead opted to drive themselves to the point of exhaustion and then tap out when it inevitably catches up with them. This is evidenced by a recent report highlighted in Forbes that indicated that two-thirds of the workforce has experienced burnout.

But what if we could forgo the whole idea of a self-care day every so often and take advantage of a self-care day every week?

The reality is that we can.

It Started in the Beginning

When you look at the creation account in Genesis, it says the following:

“By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.”

This is the first record that we have of rest in all of Scripture, and it is this example of Godly rest that informed the fourth of the Ten Commandments . . . “Remember that sabbath and keep it holy.”

I am no theologian, and there are those far smarter than I who can unpack Sabbath and how that applies to us today, who are not under the law that God delivered in the Torah. However, in my rather simple approach, I read that God rested on the 7th day . . . and this was before he gave His law to Israel.

Follow The Leader

God, the Creator of our universe, rested and also made sure there was a record of it in His word. However, He did more than rest; He sanctified the day (set it apart) that He rested. Knowing this, how then should we approach rest?

A number of years ago, I was talking with several other business owners and executives about the pace of business and the time we were putting into our jobs. I did not realize it at that time, but what had started as an earnest conversation quickly evolved into a brag session.

Each of us began speaking about our 10-12-hour days, our relentless travel schedules, lack of sleep, and all of the other ways we were burning the candle at both ends.

I can only imagine how ridiculous we sounded to anyone who might have overheard our conversation. A bunch of stuffed shirts who used a lack of rest as a way to boost our egos.

Just absurd and not at all the pattern that our God has given us.

We Are Told To Remember

I find it interesting that of all of the Ten Commandments, the only one that starts with the word “remember” is the one about the Sabbath.

I believe this is because God knew how quickly we can get distracted, how we can make work our idol, and how easily we can get consumed with busyness. And, whether it is a conscious decision or just absent-mindedness, when we allow ourselves to get into these destructive cycles, we neglect our need for rest.

As with everything that God has laid out, when we follow His ways, we will find our lives are better; this includes our call to rest.

In His kindness, God gave us a pattern to find rest every week!

Whether we remember to do so is completely up to us.

Running the race with you,

Carlos

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The Value of Waiting

Carlos Hidalgo — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:03:56 GMT

One of my favorite memories with our kids as they were growing up was Christmas Morning. The anticipation of getting to open their stockings and presents under the tree was almost more than the four of them could handle.

They could not wait to see what gifts they had received, and no matter how early my wife and I would wake up, it was not uncommon for one of them to dramatically proclaim, “We have been waiting forever!”

The Agony of Waiting

Waiting is something that I am not very good at.

Whether it is standing in a line, getting caught in traffic, or being on hold, I do not enjoy the time I spend waiting. However, what I continue to realize is that a good part of life is spent waiting. Rarely do the things I want ever happen in the timeframe I have in my mind, and so, I am left to wait . . . and sometimes the waiting seems like “forever!”

Waiting is a part of life and is nothing new, but what happens when we are waiting on big things that will impact our lives? How do we respond in these circumstances?

I know many who are waiting on a diagnosis, a job offer, a business to turn around, or the improved health of a loved one.

These are big events, and waiting in these moments can be difficult, but for all of us at some point or another, they will be part of our lives. However, we have been given instructions on how we are to live during these periods of waiting.

Being Still, Patient, and Gaining Strength

In Psalm 37:7, God, through King David, tells us to “Be still in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; . . .”

If you are like me, patience is not the first thing that we exhibit when we are forced to wait. I often grow restless, irritable, and antsy.

Yet, we are told to be patient, and in order to accomplish this, we must first be still, or better translated, “be quiet”.

In my times of waiting, when I choose to be quiet and still, my patience grows.

My patience is able to grow because it is in the stillness of my heart and mind that God can speak to me; because even in the waiting, even when I do not see it, I know that God is working.

This waiting and patience can sound rather dreary, but there is more to it.

In Isaiah 40:31, we are given this assurance, “Those who wait on the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”

This brings a whole different perspective to waiting!

In the waiting and resting, I gain a new strength, I improve my endurance, and I have no chance of growing weary. Who doesn’t want that?!

Focus on the Outcomes

When I choose to focus on the glorious outcomes that are a result of my waiting patiently and quietly, it changes the way I look at it and how I act while I am waiting.

I also look back at the times when I have been waiting and see all that God has taught me and how it has made me more like Him, which is the ultimate goal.

If you find yourself in a period of waiting, may I encourage you to follow the words of King David - “to be still” and rest in the assurance of God’s continual work, which will bring a renewed strength and endurance.

On the Journey With You,

Carlos

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31 Years in the Making

Carlos Hidalgo — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:47:56 GMT

It was more than thirty years ago when I stood in front of our guests at the front of the church in California, held the hand of my amazing wife, and slid a ring on her finger as I vowed to “love, honor, and cherish her until death parted us.” When the pastor who officiated the ceremony asked if I would “take Susanne to be my lawfully wedded wife?” I gladly and enthusiastically said, “I do”.

That was an amazing day and one that neither of us will ever forget. However, when I look back at that 23-year-old young man who barely had to shave, there is so much I want him to know. There is so much that he has yet to learn about those vows, his wife, the commitment he made, and what God has called him to as a husband.

This wisdom that I want this young groom to acquire is wisdom I have learned over the years and through my many mistakes. Yet, it is wisdom that was as readily available then as it is now.

This wisdom is found in two of my favorite authors of scripture, Paul and Peter, and after 31 years, I know that when I heed their commands, my life is exponentially better, and my wife, if she co-authored this newsletter, would certainly say the same.

A Command to Love

In Ephesians 5, Paul gives this exhortation to husbands when he says, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”

That is some kind of love, and surely is more than just the feeling of butterflies that many mistake for love.

The kind of love that Paul calls us to is sacrificial, selfless, relentless, and unconditional. It is the kind of love that demands that within my marriage, my wife is ALWAYS first, and I joyfully and wholeheartedly serve her with everything that I have.

It is a love that is not predicated on her actions, but on mine. It is a love that says, “for better or worse,” I will show up and love her as Christ does me, through the good, the bad, the ugly, and the ups and downs.

This is transformational love and one that, as a husband, I am called to live out daily. You could say that Paul was calling all husbands to make this one of the foundational pillars of their Life Design plan.

How Can I Love Like That?

Paul never said this love would be easy. I am human, and there are many times that I fail to love my wife the way Christ loves me. In these times, I am thankful for forgiveness and second chances, as it allows me to learn and try again.

However, I believe the Apostle Peter gave us men some insight into being able to love this way and continually grow in it. In his first letter, Peter says this, “Husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. “

Peter is by no means demeaning women by calling them weaker. What he is doing is calling all husbands to step up with his command, which, when applied, can change the course of our lives and our marriages for the better.

The word Peter uses for “understanding” is translated as seeking to know, as in an investigation, especially in the spiritual sense.

If he were writing today, Peter may well say, “If you want a great marriage, study your wife and learn all there is to know about her, what makes her tick, and what’s in her heart. And, understand she is a fellow heir to the riches you have in Christ!”

A Delightful Outcome

It took me far longer than I would like to admit to begin to live out these commands in my marriage. However, since I have lived this way, I can say that my marriage and my life have never been better!

This does not mean that my marriage is perfect; it will never be, given that we are both flawed individuals. However, what my wife and I have experienced is a joy, a trust, a playfulness, and a marriage of abundance, even through the hard times and even when we fail.

This outcome should come as no surprise; for when we follow the blueprint that God has laid out for us, especially in our marriages, we will find a life of immense beauty and happiness.

Running the race with you,

Carlos

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It's Not About Them

Carlos Hidalgo — Thu, 21 May 2026 13:04:17 GMT

“I will never forgive him!”

These were the words that left my mouth more than a decade ago as I sat red-faced with my arms folded in my counselor’s office. We had been discussing some unresolved hurt I had experienced, and when he mentioned the offender by name, he struck a nerve.

In his typical calm and soothing voice, he replied, “You know that anger and bitterness are like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die; when in reality the only person it is slowly killing is you.”

At that time, I did not want to hear his counsel. There was no way that I was going to let this person off the hook; they did not deserve my forgiveness!

My anger felt justified, my bitterness became a crutch, and man, did it feel good to verbally lash out, even if only in my head, and destroy the perpetrator who had done me wrong. I felt justified in not granting forgiveness, and I convinced myself that it was my right.

Looking back, my friend and counselor could not have been more accurate. My lack of forgiveness and my choice to embrace anger and bitterness led to a slow erosion of my spirit and soul; I was the one who was sipping the poison and slowly dying, even if I was not consciously aware of it.

And I am not alone.

I have met many who have had experiences similar to mine and still others who hold fast to their grudges and, as a result, find their anger seeps into every aspect of their lives, while their offenders are often oblivious.

Given the destruction and decay that occurs within a person who has an unforgiving heart, it is no wonder that the Bible has at least 125 verses that mention forgiveness and many other passages that allude to the topic.

My biggest issue with forgiveness was the belief that it was giving the other person a pass. That if I forgave them, that somehow I would be condoning their actions and minimizing my pain. At least this is the excuse I used to justify my stubbornness.

However, I later came to understand that my forgiveness was never about them; it was about me.

My granting forgiveness set me free from the bonds of anger. It set me free to live joyfully and wholeheartedly, and it set me free to begin to live a life that acknowledged the pain, but did not allow it to control me and slowly consume me.

In the days of Jesus, many rabbis taught that the acceptable limit for forgiveness was three times. Peter, the disciple, asked Jesus if he should forgive up to seven times, more than doubling the recommended dose.

But Jesus, as He often does, called Peter and us to something greater when He replied, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven”.

Unlimited forgiveness, this is how we are to live, and if we truly want to LIVE, it is something we need to put into practice.

Being the forgiver and the forgiven are two of the most beautiful experiences that I have ever had, and it can be the same for you.

My hope and prayer is that if you are holding on, that you will make the choice to let it go and do as Christ has done for us . . . granted forgiveness by His work on the cross.

Running the race with you,

Carlos

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The Desire For More

Carlos Hidalgo — Thu, 14 May 2026 12:42:25 GMT

In the 1987 movie Wall Street, Michael Douglas’s character, Gordon Gekko, delivered a speech to a group of shareholders of the fictional Teldar Paper in an attempt at a hostile takeover. In this gripping scene, Gekko declares the following:

“The point is, ladies and gentlemen, that greed -- for lack of a better word -- is good.

Greed is right.

Greed works.

Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit.

Greed, in all of its forms -- greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge -- has marked the upward surge of mankind.

And greed -- you mark my words -- will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA.”

It is not often that you hear the words good and right paired with greed. However, I have known many, and I myself at one time or another embraced the idea that greed was something that was good and was a motivation for my own personal upward surge.

However, what I learned is that greed is destructive, it is the antithesis of good, and there is nothing right about it. Jesus knew of man’s penchant for greed, and in Luke 12:15 we see him speaking to greed when he says, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has abundance does his life consist of his possessions”.

So if greed is something we need to guard against and beware of (I have never had to guard against something good and right). What is the alternative?

The Apostle Paul tells us quite plainly in Philippians 4 that the alternative to greed is one thing. . . contentment.

When Paul wrote his letter to the Philippian church, he was writing from a Roman prison while awaiting trial. Yet, we see him say the following in chapter 4 of this beautiful book -

“I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Christ, who gives me strength.”

🤯🤯🤯🤯

Imagine being in a prison cell and being able to write the words “I am not in need” and “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances”.

Thankfully, Paul shares with us how he was able to spurn greed and instead live a contented life. He knows that he can be content because he “can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”.

So simple, yet something we so often forget. Our secret to contentment is looking to the source of our strength and to the ONE who gives us everything. And, the very One who has given us everything is the same One who warned us about our insatiable desires to want more.

We live in a culture that embraces the desire for more, yearns for the next rung on the ladder, and applauds those who accumulate wealth. Achieving these things in and of themselves is not wrong, but if the desire for more quenches our ability to be content, then we will struggle to live a life we love.

I hope and pray that as we continue through 2026, we will tap into the secret Paul shares in Philippians and be content with Christ and Him alone, and in doing so, let Him determine if He wants to give us more.

Running the race with you,

Carlos

It Was Never Yours

Carlos Hidalgo — Thu, 07 May 2026 14:13:02 GMT

Among the many first words children learn as they grow is the word “mine.” I can still vividly see my kids as toddlers, clutching a toy or blanket and proclaiming to anyone who dared try taking it from them that . . . “this is mine!”

This desire to cling to what is ours seems hard-wired into our DNA, and I don’t believe we ever grow out of this idea of ownership. For some, the more we own, the better we feel about ourselves and believe that it shows how important we are.

But what if we never really own anything?

What if all that we have accumulated isn’t ours to begin with?

A few years ago, these were questions that I wrestled with, and I was not too sure of the answers. However, after many conversations, reflection, and prayer, I believe that we live our best lives when we realize that nothing we “own” is really mine.

I am simply a steward of all that has been put in my possession.

When I discussed this belief with a friend, he told me the story of his dad, Ray. Ray was one of the most joy-filled individuals I ever knew, and I believe he understood the concept of being a steward better than most.

One day, Ray was filling up his SUV when he overheard a man speaking on the phone to his wife. He was telling his wife he would be home as soon as he could, but he did not know how that was going to happen; once he had a plan, he would call back with the details.

After he hung up, Ray approached and told the man he could not help but overhear the phone call. The man was in the military and had just come off a deployment and needed to get from Maryland to Ohio to be with his family.

Knowing this, Ray held out his car keys and told the man, “Take my car.” As any of us would be, the man was shocked. How could he take his car? What would Ray do? How would he get home? What if the man stole it? How would the truck get back to Ray?

All great questions that Ray answered. However, the thing that Ray said that stood out to me was, “It’s not my SUV, it’s God’s, so how can I not let you use it? And, if you do steal it, you won’t have to answer to me; you will have to take that up with the owner.”

A great perspective and a freeing one at that. All that I have is God’s, and according to James, all that is good and perfect comes from Him.

But there is more!

Matthew 25: 14-28 details a parable Jesus shared with His disciples about a wealthy man who was preparing for a trip and entrusted three servants or stewards with his wealth. Each of the stewards was given a portion of the wealth based on their abilities.

Upon his return, the man found that two of the stewards had multiplied what was left in their care. However, the last steward reported that he hid the portion he had been given because he was afraid of his master and his accomplishments and did not want to risk losing his master’s money. When the master heard this, he told the steward he was wicked and lazy and had him removed.

To be honest, I have struggled with this parable . . . until recently.

My struggle was with the harsh penalty toward the one steward who did not multiply what he had been given. However, what I have realized is that the steward had no right to hide the master’s wealth because it was not his to begin with. He should have followed the master’s example and made the most of it with the resources and abilities he had.

We are no different than those stewards. The only question is, will we steward what has been put in our care wisely, or will we bury it and be deemed wicked and lazy by The Master?

Running the race with you,

Carlos

A Blueprint for a Great Life

Carlos Hidalgo — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:52:54 GMT

One of my favorite music genres is country music. There is something about it that brings out my inner country boy, and I have been known to put on quite the show when I am driving by myself, belting out lyrics.

One of my favorites is a song by Travis Tritt that was released in 2000 called “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive.” It’s a song that speaks to the little things in life that make him realize that life is pretty darn good, even in the midst of some trouble. The chorus always brings a smile to my face. . .

“And it’s a great day to be alive, I know the sun’s still shining when I close my eyes. There’s some hard times in the neighborhood, but why can’t every day be just this good?”

Who wouldn’t want to be able to live a song like this? As one of my friends used to say, “If I stack up enough good days, it makes for a pretty good life!” I don’t think he was necessarily wrong, but how do you string together enough good days to make a good life?

I believe the answer is found in one word, “wisdom”.

The book of Proverbs is a book about wisdom; its pages are filled with it. In the first few chapters, Solomon (the author of most of the book) delivers the truth about wisdom in the context of a father speaking to his son.

In chapter 4, the father lovingly gives the son a blueprint for living a good life when he gives his son the following exhortation in verses 4-6, 8 & 10. (NLT)

“Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live. Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you. She will present a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown. My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life.”

And there it is, our blueprint to living a long, good life.

Taking the words of the book to heart.
Getting wisdom, which Proverbs tells us, begins with a fear of the Lord.
Develop good judgment.
Don’t forget or turn away from the words of wisdom and wise instruction.
Prize wisdom.
Embrace wisdom.
Listen to wise instruction.

It is so simple, and this is something that we can do every day.

When we do, we can be sure that we are stacking up far more good days than bad ones, which will produce a good life.

Looking at my own life, I know that the good days, weeks, months, and years have come when I have applied the father’s advice to his son.

When life is good, I see that I have embraced, listened, and prized wisdom. When I turned my back on it, well, let’s just say that there was little good to be found.

I hope that today you follow the advice of the father in Proverbs and choose wisdom, it is the key to designing a good life, and who doesn’t want that?

Running the race with you,

Carlos

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The Science of Gratitude

Carlos Hidalgo — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:44:49 GMT

I turned 50 in 2021. As many of us do when we hit an age milestone, I went back and forth from not caring about 50 to asking, “What have I done with my life?” and “What am I going to do with the time I have left that will leave an impact?”

These are questions I continue to ask as part of my Life Design plan.

These thoughts had me thinking about dear friends of ours who, after spending 27 years in our small town, moved away to a new place and a new job. Our friend Cathy may have known every single person in our town and clearly left an indelible mark on them.

Before she left, my wife attended a brunch in her honor and listened to story after story of all the lives Cathy had touched during her time here. After the brunch, Cathy confessed to Susanne that she really hadn’t known she had impacted anyone.

I genuinely could not believe she felt that way for a second, given how loved she is in our community. But she is married to a man who was also well known and had an important job with a non-profit in our town, and this was one of the reasons that made her feel she had faded into the background.

Except she hadn’t.

The Disconnect

So where was the disconnect? The science of gratitude.

Scripture is clear about the importance of gratitude. In his first letter to the Thessalonian church, Paul commands, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Yes, we are commanded to give thanks, and living with thankful hearts will certainly impact our day-to-day lives for the better.

But there’s another dimension to gratitude that we often miss.

Dr. Andrew Huberman, a Stanford neuroscientist, had a fascinating podcast episode entitled “The Science of Gratitude”, which got me thinking much differently about gratitude and how we think about it.

Huberman says that the most potent form of gratitude is not a “gratitude practice” where you express gratitude, but where you receive gratitude.

He says we can all practice gratitude through storytelling. In fact, the positive impact on our brains is greater by hearing a story about how someone else was helped versus sitting down and writing a list of things you’re thankful for.

This aligns beautifully with what we see in Scripture. Psalm 107:2 says, “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story, those he redeemed from the hand of the foe.”

Telling our stories of gratitude isn’t just for our benefit; it’s also for the benefit of those who hear them.

The Gift of Gratitude

Back to our friend. Before the move, her daughter-in-law had people in our community write letters to her about how she impacted them and what they were thankful for.

What an amazing gift, to read how her existence, selflessness, and kind spirit impacted others in big and small ways. This is gratitude in action!

It reminds me of what Paul wrote in Philemon when he says, “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all His people and your faith in the Lord Jesus... Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.”

Paul didn’t just feel grateful for Philemon, he told him. He let him know the specific impact he had made. That expression of gratitude encouraged Philemon and brought joy to Paul.

Your Gratitude Story

What gratitude stories do you play in your mind?

Who has impacted you that needs to hear it? Whose kindness, encouragement, or investment in your life has made a difference?

I have my gratitude stories and enjoy going back to them in my head frequently. But Dr. Huberman’s research, and the truth of Scripture, suggest that these stories are meant to be shared because they have an enormous, positive impact on our lives.

When we tell someone specifically how they’ve impacted us, we give them a gift. We let them know their life matters and show them that they haven’t faded into the background.

If you are bold enough, share your gratitude story with someone and see the impact it makes on you and them. Don’t wait for a going-away party or a milestone birthday. Do it today!

Running the race with you,

Carlos

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When The Fix Becomes The Problem

Carlos Hidalgo — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:47:10 GMT

A few years ago, my wife and I were away for a long weekend in Boston. ON that Saturday, I received a text from a friend that read: “Sorry to bug you, but when convenient, can you call Keith? He had an issue with your heat and house, but we are on it, no worries...”

Keith and Liz are more than dear friends; they are family. Keith often checks in on things when we’re gone and cares for us as if we were his own kids.

On this particular weekend, we had sub-zero temperatures, and when you know you are having sub-zero temperatures and then get a text that says “had an issue with your heat and house,” you do not take much comfort in the part that says “no worries.”

I called Keith, and he explained that one of the pipes running along an outside wall and into our cellar had frozen. When he tried to get to the pipe to thaw it, he couldn’t because the spray foam insulation we had was actually “working too well.”

He told me that at one point, he brought the temperature of our cellar up to 130 degrees, and still no luck; the pipe was so packed into the insulation that he couldn’t get to it, and it remained frozen.

The good news was that there was a fix and it wasn’t going to burst, but we would have to wait until that Monday to address it fully. Tragedy averted!

When Protection Becomes Prison

As I pondered this issue and the fact that the insulation was working too well, I couldn’t help but think that this is not so different than what many of us do.

We put insulation around ourselves, our hearts, and our minds. We pack it around us to the point where there is very little that can penetrate or get to us, and we end up in isolation; alone, void of community, and living a life that is far less than wholehearted.

Solomon, the writer of Proverbs, warns us, “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.” When we insulate ourselves from others, we’re not protecting ourselves; we are actually hurting ourselves and cutting ourselves off from the very things that bring life.

This insulation can take many forms: social media doom scrolling that keeps us from real connection, our reluctance to be vulnerable, fear of rejection, our obsession with work, addictions, perfectionism, and any number of things.

And the more we insulate, the further we get from the truest form of ourselves, the person God created us to be.

Created for Connection

God never intended us to live in isolation. From the very beginning, He said in “It is not good for the man to be alone.”

We were created for connection, for community, for vulnerability.

We see this plainly in the book of Ecclesiastes, where it states, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”

When we’re so insulated that no one can get to us, we fall alone. We stay frozen.

The writer of Hebrews understood this when he wrote in chapter “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.”

We need each other!

We need people who can get to us, who can bring warmth when we’re frozen, who can help us thaw and help us in our lives, including the highs and the lows

The Thawing Process

Take some time this weekend to evaluate where you may be insulating and, more importantly, why.

What are you protecting yourself from? What are you afraid will happen if you let people get close?

Try to identify those things you use as insulation, then take one small step to allow some thawing to occur and begin the process of getting back to who God created you to be.

The pipe eventually thawed. The heat got through. And the system worked the way it was designed to work. The same can be true for you.

Running the race with you,

Carlos

P.S. If you want to begin your own Life Design Journey, you can access the full Life Design Curriculum here.

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Thankfulness In A Jar

Carlos Hidalgo — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:11:40 GMT

It is hard to believe that not that long ago, we were ringing in a New Year and having to hit backspace as we mistakenly typed out 2025 instead of 2026. By now, we are settled into 2026, a few New Year’s resolutions still stand, and we have most likely settled back into the routines that seem to take over our lives.

I have never been one for resolutions, but a few years ago, I started to instead focus on a word for the year. My choice of words in years past includes understanding; for me, it was trying to understand things rather than make snap judgments, which I am sometimes prone to do. One year, one of my words was curious. I wanted this word to be with me as an encouragement to keep on exploring and learning.

I am still not one for resolutions; however, my wife mentioned something to me at the beginning of this year that I adopted, and while we are only in our third month of the year, we are doing pretty well at sticking to it.

A Jar of Blessings

She had read something online that said this: “This January, start the year with an empty jar. Each week, add a note with a good thing that happened. On New Year’s Eve, empty the jar and read about the amazing year you had.”

We have been filling our jar with every good thing we can think of, big and small. It is our way of showing gratitude, of being thankful for all of the goodness we have in our lives.

This practice aligns beautifully with what Paul commands in his first letter to the Thessalonians, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Give thanks in all circumstances, not just the easy ones, but all of them.

The psalmist also understood this when he wrote, “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Don’t forget. Remember. Write it down. Our jar is a practical way of not forgetting all that God has done.

Shaping Our Perspective

This small act continues to shape the outlook we have on our lives and those things that do not go our way. We are learning that even in times of struggle, we have the choice to find something good.

Paul, in his letter to the Philippian church, instructs us this way, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.”

What we focus on matters. What we record matters. What we remember matters.

When we intentionally look for the good, we train our minds to see God’s faithfulness even in difficult seasons. It’s a practical reminder that we are blessed far beyond what we deserve. And, James reminds us of this in his epistle when he writes, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Every good thing in that jar, every single one, comes from Him. There is no manifesting or formula that I can use; it is all from a gracious and merciful Heavenly Father.

Start Today

If your New Year’s resolution has gone by the wayside, I would encourage you to start a new one today by recording all of the good that is in your life. Find time each day to write at least one thing good, big or small, that has happened to you, and then take notice of the impact it makes on your mindset.

Get a jar and start writing.

Watch what happens when you actively, intentionally, regularly acknowledge the goodness of God in your life. You might be surprised by just how blessed you actually are and how your perception of life changes.

Running the race with you,

Carlos

P.S. If you are looking to start your Life Design Journey, you can grab your self-paced curriculum here for $47 for a limited time.

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