Grind? Really.

The first day back after a long weekend is always a tough one. After few days away from the office—time with family and friends, and a good bit of rest—dialing back into the grind of work is not always an easy thing to do. My first born didn't even want me to mention the word "school" yesterday. And I don't think I am quite ready to think about marketing, retail communication, and design.

I have a friend that had a death in his family over the Thanksgiving weekend. May God be with him and his family, provide a new-found peace, and may they be surrounded with support and love.

Life is a lot more than we often consider. May I keep a good perspective on what a grind really is. And hold an awareness of a bigger picture than my own.

Whack Friday

So this morning after the meal (Thanksgiving that is), I am sufficiently still full. And frankly a little remorseful. What was started as some settlers thanking God for their bountiful harvest and sharing a time of peace with their new neighbors (my early AM understanding of it’s origin)—has turned into a glutenous celebration of food, family, and football. Nothing against the three “Fs”. I am a big fan. But you know what I mean.

I did enjoy a marvelous meal with my folks, some in-laws, my wife and kids. We did thank God for what we have and played a dinnertable game to offer additional thanks—and I am deeply thankful for a lot. But I gotta tell ya, this morning after the meal, as I sit in an Atlanta Bread Company, still belly full, watching the cars tear around and fill up the Kohl’s parking center for pre-dawn sales opportunities, I am quite in a contemplative mood.

First of all, why do we eat so much? I’ve heard that we get three days worth of our optimal caloric intake in the span of three hours. When do our appetites say “uncle”? And even when they do, why do we override that voice?

Secondly, when did we decide that we need to grab another day (all 24 hours of it) after this feast to shop? I don’t understand this experience. Perhaps its to simply save a few bucks—perhaps its simply the lunacy associated with it. However, it does seem a nauseatingly appropriate activity for our society and culture. Why not spend a day eating and sitting around, then go and buy a bunch of stuff for ourselves or those really close to us. Probably a lot of which is using credit (you know, the money that we don’t even have). You could argue that the gift is in the giving, but I really doubt the legitimacy of a lot of that speak. Its to get the stuff, y’all.

Then there is the stress. Some of which comes from our internal battle to rationalize or justify our glutenous behavior—after all, we’ve earned this money. Some of which comes from our self indulgent desire to have our kids have what other kids have. Or ourselves having what the Jones’ have. And not being perceived as less than, or unthankful in our gifting.

What if this Holiday Season we focused outside of ourselves. What if we took the money designated to our kids and told them that we were gonna use it to help a couple of children stay alive and eat for a year. Or that we were gonna help keep some young preteen girls from being sold into the sex slave market. Or that we were gonna help find a cure for childhood cancer. Or that we really don’t have the kind of money to buy all of the stuff.

What if this Holiday Season we focused on Jesus. The God/man who had ownership on true perspective. The One who could answer all of the “whys” that we ask. The One who provided the ultimate example of gift giving.

What if this became a season of appetite control, sacrifice and honor due. Clearly, I am no shining star in the battle to overcome appetite and don’t continually give sacrificially. I fall way short. But with God’s help, and and as I consider Him and His desires for me, and respond to that help and consideration, I can move further that way.

"Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” " 1 Peter 1:13-16


Of course there are exceptional folks who are exceptions to some generalizations above, but I think you know where I am coming from....

The Art of Art

There's a young guy at Quick Trip that has the early shift. Outside of the "thank you see you soon" type of communication that you receive at every quick trip, he wished me "Have a great Thanksgiving". This guy is consistent. I see him a good deal of mornings when I stop in for a knock-off Red Bull. He is always pleasant. And even memorable.

Seth Godin would call this art. How we do things. Not why or for what we do things, but simply how. Particularly the little things.

I believe this takes a simplification mentality, a self-awareness, and an honest desire to make the world a better place. Clearly there are things which influence our abilities to do this. Our beliefs, attitudes, and energy play key roles.

You could argue I was an artist by trade, but that is what I do. It's when we apply art to what we do—and perhaps more particularly, the moments we do—that makes it more meaningful, and arguably more impactful. I think I'd rather be known for my art. Might I create art today.

Thanksgiving

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15

I am thankful for:

• Each day being new
• Forgiveness
• A wife who loves me, listens to me and I get to love!
• Children to love and influence
• Friends of all styles, shapes and sizes
• A Savior
• Perspective
• A steady paycheck
• The little things
• A voice
• Gratitude
• The ability to change
• Joy in pain
• Example and influence
• The Word of God
• Good music and song
• Laughter
• Community
• Discovery
• The glory of nature
• Expression
• Giving
• Learning
  
• Course correction
• Folks who put up with me—warts and all
• A good book
• A nice India Pale Ale
  
• And more...

Not necessarily in that order :)

Another Angel

Well, another Rally Kid is now with her Creator. Hailey Trainer passed away on Sunday morning. She was the oldest living survivor of her form of solid brain tumor. Oldest at some 2.5 years. I wrote about her a few of months ago (Not Again). Once again the questions of "why" will plague many around Hailey. At this point, logic flees. Certainly you could put a clinical hat on and explain the effect of cancer, but many of us are not that clinical. But logic escapes. In any sort of place where logic resided it is replaced. Replaced with grief, anger, sorrow, faith, peace, frustration, clinging, support, escapism, compassion, sympathy, confusion and understanding.

We were discussing pain and suffering the other day in a class. We talked about how we can very easily throw a well intentioned Bible verse out with the hope to help provide some support and clarity. All too often, that doesn't help much for the recipient of said verse. I don't think we can ever fully understand the ways and means of God. Not here. Not now.

"Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." - John 21:25

Please pray for the Trainer family once again. Their perspective and receipt of God's grace has been amazing to experience.

Open Wide

Clearly there are many things which can influence our behavior. And additionally a link between our behavior and impulse reactions.

• What occupies our thoughts?
• What do we consider when we steal our heads away from the noise of society and media?
• What are the influences in our decision making?

If we answer these quickly and authentically, it can paint a snapshot of how we respond, converse, or behave.

We need to examine ourselves often. To be inward focused. I am not talking selfishness. But honestly looking at ourselves and and seeing what truly motivates us, and how those motivators express themselves and are lived out. Lived out in the things we say. The things we own. The things we do with our time. The things we do with our money. Perhaps self examination is an exercise we should all perform frequently. All too often we don't. It can be like going to the dentist.

I went through a long period of time during and post college where I'd neglected my dental visits. Needless to say, when I realized it had been far to long, I went in for a first of what turned out to be many visits to get things squared away from a teeth standpoint. There was a couple of visits for cleanings, a few for cavities and caps. I got the whole nine short of a root canal. Oddly, I enjoyed it. Not in a sadomasochistic way, but just that I knew it was a good thing to do for my mouth's future. There was discomfort, pain, and a monetary piece as well. It did change my behavior. Upon getting myself through this period of reclaiming my overall oral health, I find that I am flossing more and doing better things for my choppers.

We need to pay ourselves a visit often. Take the x-rays that reveal where we truly need a cleaning, a hole filled, or some overall replacing of things. I believe that if we do this, honestly, and on an ongoing basis, we can receive transformational change. And in turn have a big effect on the impulse of our thoughts, words, actions, and reactions.

Now I still visit the dentist on a regular basis, and have recently found that I have a couple of cavities. And during my self examination, the cleanings continue...

This Than or This

In raising two boys I have many times tried the reward system to encourage good behavior, decisions or choices. The if you do this than you can technique. This has proven effective in many cases, not so effective in others. Part of me really believes there should be no reward system as a lot of things simply are the right thing to do. And I want my boys to learn that we don't necessarily do something so we can get something, or gain permission to do something, or stave off any unwanted outcome.

I am fortunate enough to work with a team of folks who have spent the last two days reexamining how, what, and why we do what we do as a professional group. It has driven fruitful conversation about motivators. When thinking about professional environments, we typically look at a reward and goal system. If we do this than we will achieve High Sales, Profit, Recognition, Relationship, Promotion, Time Off, etc..

But what about us? How much of what we do is reward or result driven—solely reward or result driven. Or to stave off an unwanted outcome.

What if we took a this only approach? Not only in our professional lives, but more importantly in our personal lives.

• This is active
• This concentrates on how I do things
• This is rooted in why I do things
• This is grounded in belief, faith, compassion and restoration

Moreover, selfless. This is what I will do and this is how I will do it. I am not talking vocation or activity, but more energy and spirit.

What if we could all take this approach and not only blur any lines between the personal and professional, but decide we'd let outcomes rest out of our own hands. Trusting in God to deliver whatever outcome He deemed appropriate, or right. What sort of impact could we have?

Risky, yes. Exciting, definitely. Easy, no. Can I do this?

Psalm 37:5 states "Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and He will do this"