I have had the pleasure (and I do truly mean that) of having my mother-in-law in for a visit for a bit. She is a sewer (read so-er, not sue-er). Every time she comes to visit, there is some sort of sewing project on the docket. Usually I will stash away a shirt in need of a button.
So,—or should I say sew—this evening she is hunkered deep into a project and makes the point that "Some day, when in heaven, do you think you'll say of me, "My don't you think she was anal about those drapes?"". To which I responded, "When we get to heaven, there probably is a lot we'll look back on and say that there really wasn't a need to be quite so anal."
When we are too exacting, do we lose out on mystery and excitement? Do we determine, or do we detriment our impact?
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Overthought Leadership
There has been a growing trend on the topic and focus of "Thought Leadership". Many in the social, digital, business, and church communities are searching for, or becoming "Thought Leaders".
Someone recently shared (can't recall where I noted it from) that we need to "Be careful of making leadership more complicated than God intended. Listen to God, do what he says, in the way He wants it done.". Though life and leadership can be complicated, I believe sometimes there is a focus away from the simplicity of things like:
I am all for deep, progressive thinking, as well as analytical study. Nothing wrong with it. But sometimes—at least I know its true of me—we can overthink and potentially paralyze ourselves from action. There can be overcaution, or the pursuit of perfection.
Additionally some give too much credence to those "Thought Leaders". We gotta be careful who we tag with that title. Some may not be as correctly leading as we think. The Ancient of Days can provide some pretty "leading thought". And there's a book about it.
Maybe I am just OVER "Thought Leadership"....
Someone recently shared (can't recall where I noted it from) that we need to "Be careful of making leadership more complicated than God intended. Listen to God, do what he says, in the way He wants it done.". Though life and leadership can be complicated, I believe sometimes there is a focus away from the simplicity of things like:
- Listening to one another
- Looking at history
- Meditating on relevant subject matter
- Utilizing each others gifts
- and Action
I am all for deep, progressive thinking, as well as analytical study. Nothing wrong with it. But sometimes—at least I know its true of me—we can overthink and potentially paralyze ourselves from action. There can be overcaution, or the pursuit of perfection.
Additionally some give too much credence to those "Thought Leaders". We gotta be careful who we tag with that title. Some may not be as correctly leading as we think. The Ancient of Days can provide some pretty "leading thought". And there's a book about it.
Maybe I am just OVER "Thought Leadership"....
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Public Awareness Campaign
Yesterday I was talking with a few guys about the subject of Reputation. Particularly looking at reputation as a goal or focus, and that of reputation as a result. The consensus was that when we look too closely at reputation as an end game we are not rightly focused. Our behavior determines our reputation.
So I got to thinking. What if we all made a top 10 list of what we believe people (friends, acquaintances, colleagues) think of us? What would it come out to be?
And what about God? What would His list look like? We are BEYOND fortunate that Jesus restored our relationship with God through His shed blood. Yet clearly the action of the cross does not erase the impact of our behavior choices, as Romans 6:2 states "How can we who died as far as sin is concerned go on living in it?". Therefore we need treat our behavior and choices seriously.
Our behavior speaks loudly. Perhaps more loudly that we even realize. Those of us who are parents have an incredible mirror towards our behavior in our children. But there are so many others affected by our behavioral choices. Moment by moment. Conversation by conversation. Email by email. Smile by smile.
So I got to thinking. What if we all made a top 10 list of what we believe people (friends, acquaintances, colleagues) think of us? What would it come out to be?
- Caring?
- Encouraging?
- Leading?
- Good Listening?
- Intuitive?
- Quiet?
- Etc.
- Giving?
- Nurturing?
- Fearless?
- Lying?
- Self-absorbed?
- Over indulgent?
- Etc.
And what about God? What would His list look like? We are BEYOND fortunate that Jesus restored our relationship with God through His shed blood. Yet clearly the action of the cross does not erase the impact of our behavior choices, as Romans 6:2 states "How can we who died as far as sin is concerned go on living in it?". Therefore we need treat our behavior and choices seriously.
Our behavior speaks loudly. Perhaps more loudly that we even realize. Those of us who are parents have an incredible mirror towards our behavior in our children. But there are so many others affected by our behavioral choices. Moment by moment. Conversation by conversation. Email by email. Smile by smile.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Other Shoes
I stole some time on Sunday to listen to a podcast of an interview with Chuck Swindoll. I've been a fan for a while—mostly due to a piece he wrote on "Attitude" wherein he describes life as 10% of what happens to us, and 90% how we react to it. Therefore, our attitudes, play a key role in how we are affected by, and can impact life. Anyway, in this interview, he is asked "How do we stay authentic?". Sort of a funny question if you think about it, but I understand the interviewers question. Sometimes our authenticity can become unauthentic—more presumed upon or egocentric.
Swindoll answers, "Stay teachable.", "I am not caught up in what I am. I try to put myself in the shoes of the other person.".
I know I can get bogged down in what I'd like to say in given situations that I can lose focus on what should be shared, and can easily lose sight of the state of affairs of my audience. A while back I wrote Consider Consider discussing how we don't take time to stay teachable, or imagine another pair of shoes.
Frankly, we don't put ourselves in other's shoes... We are reactive, inconsiderate, vengeful, opinionated, and can so often just act the donkey. We must find pause to respond well—and through the appropriate vehicles. 1 Timothy 4:12 shares "...but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.". Let us do so. Let me do so.
Swindoll answers, "Stay teachable.", "I am not caught up in what I am. I try to put myself in the shoes of the other person.".
I know I can get bogged down in what I'd like to say in given situations that I can lose focus on what should be shared, and can easily lose sight of the state of affairs of my audience. A while back I wrote Consider Consider discussing how we don't take time to stay teachable, or imagine another pair of shoes.
Frankly, we don't put ourselves in other's shoes... We are reactive, inconsiderate, vengeful, opinionated, and can so often just act the donkey. We must find pause to respond well—and through the appropriate vehicles. 1 Timothy 4:12 shares "...but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.". Let us do so. Let me do so.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Experience Learning
I figured I need to write something about this snow, ice and wintry experience in Southtown. It truly has been unique. Schools closed. Businesses closed. Streets shutdown. Families shut in.
Some highlights:
When the hard drive went, I had the option of braving the icy roads of Atlanta and getting to my "Mac Guy's" house so he could take a peak. Or stay home and wonder if I would ever recover what I'd potentially lost (Yes, potentially, the Guy's a genius and was able to come to my data rescue). I decided to take the drive. On my way to the car, I slipped on the ice and twisted my knee. I felt like a complete dork. I felt old. I literally asked God "Okay, is this a sign of you wanting me to stay here and not risk the road? Or is it another thing that just sort of "happens"?"
I have a good friend who says (mostly about his kids) that we need to make sure we use things as a "learning experience". This holds true in SO much of what occurs. All too often, I don't think that way. Or, I refuse to learn anything from it, and therefore, don't change anything about it. I believe God continues to bring us‚ again and again, to certain places (literally and figuratively) in life. And won't stop bringing us there until He's accomplished, or we've learned, His intention. We just have to ask the question of Him when we find ourselves in certain places and situations. That and make time to hear His answer.
So what was I to learn from the whole knee thing? I dunno. Perhaps that I need to be more careful when walking on icy roads. Perhaps to remember that God is with me. Regardless of the the situation. Big or small. Or perhaps it was an opportunity for me to remember God.
Matthew 28:20 "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Some highlights:
- Shoveling my driveway with a wire shelf
- Sledding down the icy roads
- The flushed faces of boys coming in from playing in the snow
- The smell of wet "snow gear" and therefore the din of the clothes dryer
- The hard drive on my laptop crashing
- My ensuing drive downtown "braving the elements"to get it fixed
- Slipping on the ice and wrenching my knee (diagnosis TBD)
- Picking up a couple of great, hot pizzas on the way home
- The heightened Facebook interaction with a good bit of down time
- Moms and kids figuring out "what to do"
When the hard drive went, I had the option of braving the icy roads of Atlanta and getting to my "Mac Guy's" house so he could take a peak. Or stay home and wonder if I would ever recover what I'd potentially lost (Yes, potentially, the Guy's a genius and was able to come to my data rescue). I decided to take the drive. On my way to the car, I slipped on the ice and twisted my knee. I felt like a complete dork. I felt old. I literally asked God "Okay, is this a sign of you wanting me to stay here and not risk the road? Or is it another thing that just sort of "happens"?"
I have a good friend who says (mostly about his kids) that we need to make sure we use things as a "learning experience". This holds true in SO much of what occurs. All too often, I don't think that way. Or, I refuse to learn anything from it, and therefore, don't change anything about it. I believe God continues to bring us‚ again and again, to certain places (literally and figuratively) in life. And won't stop bringing us there until He's accomplished, or we've learned, His intention. We just have to ask the question of Him when we find ourselves in certain places and situations. That and make time to hear His answer.
So what was I to learn from the whole knee thing? I dunno. Perhaps that I need to be more careful when walking on icy roads. Perhaps to remember that God is with me. Regardless of the the situation. Big or small. Or perhaps it was an opportunity for me to remember God.
Matthew 28:20 "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Unlike Cynicism
As I've written in the past, I have sort of a love/hate relationship with social media. Facebook and Twitter specifically. I use both. Some might say that's hypocritical, but it is a love/hate.
The love side leans towards my output and some of what I believe is great, inspired, insightful input or direction. The hate side (gosh, hate seems pretty dramatic)—lets just say "not like" side, or "wonder why they say that" side—plays out in the seemingly monotonous moment-to-moment, "I am here", "I am there", "I did this", "I did that" update. But, who am I to play judge and jury. Simply because I find its use one way, and others another, why can I be such a cynic. Its only Facebook, Rick.
The reality is I can all to often be such a cynic. WAY too often. Freedefinition.com hit my nail right on the head with its definition: "An attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others". Certainly there are beliefs formed within me, and general knowledge of my "friends" which can correctly provide perspective on some of this (posts) from which I form an opinion. But I know that I frequently have knee-jerk condemnation.
Someone had driven me towards Isaiah 1:17 via a tweet. Conveniently enough, I hopped on my Bible app, scrolled on my touchpad to the verse and read it. (This is when I love the media and technology of it all*. Something sparked me, and within and instant, I am in.) As I scrolled further down to verse 18 it states "Come, let's consider your options," says the LORD. "Though your sins have stained you like the color red, you can become white like snow;"**. The concept of God coming alongside us and asking us to Consider Our Options is quite a thought.
We need to ensure we are considering our options and checking our attitude as stuff comes our way. Be it a status update, a child's request, a friend's comment, a neighbor's dog, a stranger's glance, a task ordered, etc..
Too often I am not. Too often I am the cynic.
So if you are reading this blog, and have connected via Facebook or Twitter, please look beyond any hypocrisy you may feel, and understand that I am just a....well, a dude....trying to get better at being a husband, a dad, a friend, a counselor, a storyteller, a Child of God.
*Clearly there can be negatives to this sort of instant information, gratification, and reaction.
**Now, within Isaiah, this is not a kinder gentler God coming alongside someone. Moreover a life and death-weighing, mighty fear-inducing God. But for my purposes above, I have toned this down to something more attainable for the subject matter. Yet still retaining relevance as it was the source of inspiration.
The love side leans towards my output and some of what I believe is great, inspired, insightful input or direction. The hate side (gosh, hate seems pretty dramatic)—lets just say "not like" side, or "wonder why they say that" side—plays out in the seemingly monotonous moment-to-moment, "I am here", "I am there", "I did this", "I did that" update. But, who am I to play judge and jury. Simply because I find its use one way, and others another, why can I be such a cynic. Its only Facebook, Rick.
The reality is I can all to often be such a cynic. WAY too often. Freedefinition.com hit my nail right on the head with its definition: "An attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others". Certainly there are beliefs formed within me, and general knowledge of my "friends" which can correctly provide perspective on some of this (posts) from which I form an opinion. But I know that I frequently have knee-jerk condemnation.
Someone had driven me towards Isaiah 1:17 via a tweet. Conveniently enough, I hopped on my Bible app, scrolled on my touchpad to the verse and read it. (This is when I love the media and technology of it all*. Something sparked me, and within and instant, I am in.) As I scrolled further down to verse 18 it states "Come, let's consider your options," says the LORD. "Though your sins have stained you like the color red, you can become white like snow;"**. The concept of God coming alongside us and asking us to Consider Our Options is quite a thought.
We need to ensure we are considering our options and checking our attitude as stuff comes our way. Be it a status update, a child's request, a friend's comment, a neighbor's dog, a stranger's glance, a task ordered, etc..
Too often I am not. Too often I am the cynic.
So if you are reading this blog, and have connected via Facebook or Twitter, please look beyond any hypocrisy you may feel, and understand that I am just a....well, a dude....trying to get better at being a husband, a dad, a friend, a counselor, a storyteller, a Child of God.
*Clearly there can be negatives to this sort of instant information, gratification, and reaction.
**Now, within Isaiah, this is not a kinder gentler God coming alongside someone. Moreover a life and death-weighing, mighty fear-inducing God. But for my purposes above, I have toned this down to something more attainable for the subject matter. Yet still retaining relevance as it was the source of inspiration.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Ego Away
Proverbial New Year's resolutions come in the forms of weight loss, organization, fitness, etc.. I am not a big fan of resolutions as I often have trouble keeping any of them. I've even gone as far as setting an alternative "start date" to see if that'll help. But, I seem to always fall short. Or too long. Or whatever the alternative to my resolution may be. Nevertheless, I am giving it another whack. One I believe is attainable. Not on my own doing. But with the Grace of God. I want to become less. Not weigh less—although that would be great—but become egoless, selfless, othersmore, others-serving, unconditionally others-loving.
According to Merriam Webster, "ego" is defined as : the self especially as contrasted with another self or the world.
Ego as a default will rear its ugly head in the form of pride, self-indulgence, sarcasm, cynicism, etc.. However it all to often shows its uglier side with piety, sack cloth, closed ears, non-grace and holier than thouness.
Matthew 6:16-18 states "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
My intention (though my intentions sometimes go the way of my resolutions) is to examine some of these "self" words mentioned above. This I believe will be a good exercise for me—as lessening my Ego/Self is always a major struggle.
My prayer for this year is Less of me. More of Thee. As I state in my blog bio "May any words in here about me, never be about "me"." I hope this holds true. Let me know if you see otherwise.
According to Merriam Webster, "ego" is defined as : the self especially as contrasted with another self or the world.
Ego as a default will rear its ugly head in the form of pride, self-indulgence, sarcasm, cynicism, etc.. However it all to often shows its uglier side with piety, sack cloth, closed ears, non-grace and holier than thouness.
Matthew 6:16-18 states "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
My intention (though my intentions sometimes go the way of my resolutions) is to examine some of these "self" words mentioned above. This I believe will be a good exercise for me—as lessening my Ego/Self is always a major struggle.
My prayer for this year is Less of me. More of Thee. As I state in my blog bio "May any words in here about me, never be about "me"." I hope this holds true. Let me know if you see otherwise.
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