"Beware of the barrenness of a busy life." Socrates 490 BC

      Abraham Lincoln said  "Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle."   Thomas Jefferson was quoted as saying “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.”  And even Shakespeare wrote "In delay there lies no plenty."   If procrastination was the plague 2^nd millennium, then busy-ness is the plague of the 3^rd.    The pendulum has swung.  
      We seem to have taken their advice to heart.  We put off nothing.  We take on more and more.  Saying ‘no’ is unacceptable, so we rise to the challenge of taking on the next assignment.  Full speed ahead we add more and more to our list of things to do.  We now need electronic day timers, we walk around with calendars in our phones, check the office blackberry and sync our many devices in the cloud all to see if we can manage to add one more thing to our busy life.  The industrial age released our hands and the inventions took over our jobs but we gained no extra time. In fact, we have less time, more things and little enjoyment.  We admire the overcommitted.  No -- we idealize the overcommitted. 
       The problem with overcommitted is that it lacks discernment.  Choosing what is good, better and best from among a few things is like checking a compass.  It gives direction and keeps us on the right track.  Choosing what is important from among hundreds of deadlines, calls and emails gives frustration not direction.  Chronic over-commitment reflects a lack of priorities.  We are finite beings with limited time and energy.  A busy life is overwhelming to the point of depressing.  Lack of vitality is the result of being too busy doing what doesn’t matter.  A life without stopping extinguishes everyone eventually.  The hardest choice isn’t deciding what to do, although that can be difficult.  The hardest choice is deciding what to stop.  Starting is easy.  Stopping takes wisdom, resolve and courage. 
       First you must get off center stage.  Being the center of attention is heady and feeds the ego.  Being the “go to” guy feels good until they go to you with all the assignments.  The more you do the more they expect you to do.  You will get the accolades and the applause.  You will be recognized you will be exhausted.  Instead make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. You should mind your own business and work with your hands.  In this way your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and you will not be dependent on anyone.*  You see, having attention does not equal having respect. 
       Decide what is important and narrow your focus.  Choose your priorities for yourself.  Use these priorities as the standard for investing your life.  If it does not meet your standard it goes away or at least to the back of the line. Stop wasting your time on a life that brings no joy.  Use common sense and sound judgment. They will help you live a long and beautiful life.  You will rest without worry and sleep soundly.*  Because you are focused on what truly matters decide to have no guilt over saying no.  Never let others guilt you into a commitment. Know yourself, choose for yourself.
       Finally, be you.  Hold firm to your faith. Have courage and be strong. Do everything in love.*  It takes courage to stop, courage to have less and do less.  It takes internal resolve to step off of the train everyone around you is riding.  We gain courage and confidence from Jesus Christ.* Courage to go against the tide.  Refuse to be swept out to the deep waters of a busy life. This life, while constantly giving you more to do, cannot fill you up.   Step out in confidence to be yourself as God created you.  You are not defined by your accomplishments. You are not defined by your title. You are not defined by others.  Your worth comes from God not from your income.  You have value because God values you.
       Narrow your focus, decide for yourself and step away with the courage that comes from God. Be still and know God. I pray we can find many days with nothing to do but exalt him over all the earth.

 

 

I Thessalonians 4:11,  Proverbs 3:21-24,  I Corinthians 16:13-14

  Ephesians 3:12,   Psalm 46:10

Jesus was a follower.

The first thing a leader does is follow. Follow his vision, follow his mentor, follow his heart. You cannot lead if you do not follow. Jesus described himself as a follower. “I do not seek my own will, but the will of the One who sent me.” Jesus prayers were heard by God because of his reverent submission to Him. Jesus followed his Father to the point of obedience. “Not my will but yours be done.” He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death. Jesus recognized whom he followed and from where his authority originated. He was granted life and given authority by the one who sent him. Jesus was following the Father.
Authority may be given, appointed, earned or inherited. But leadership is not authority. Just because one has authority doesn’t make you follow him, quite the opposite. We judge those with authority more harshly and look upon them with distain when they falter as a leader. Leadership is derived from vision. Leaders see where they want to go. Leaders see what needs to happen or the way the world should be. They have a clear vision and they are willing to serve and sacrifice for it. Following that vision is what inspires others. The greater the vision the more compelling the call. Sadly, vision is often more important than character to leadership. People with low character can lead if they articulate a compelling vision. Hitler as a leader had vision but little character. Even liars can lead, at least for a while. Those with authority should be judged, leaders should be tested and visions clarified.
Finding character, vision and sacrifice all together is like finding gold. Jesus said “follow me” and they did.  When Jesus succeeded -- he healed the blind, fed the masses and raised the dead-- they followed him. When Jesus failed -- he was arrested, put on trial and executed-- they followed him. Jesus came back and left again and they still followed. His character was true, his vision was pure and his sacrifice was total. All authority was given to him yet he was never self-serving. Everything was placed at his feet yet he washed the feet of others. He existed in the form of God was equal with God yet humbled himself. He was the first to follow the vision. Jesus came among us as one who serves. The servant is in reality the master. The first to follow was the leader. He who loses all gets everything. The dead man lives forever. The leader who asks nothing of you except what he is willing to give, what he has already given, is the leader to whom you trust everything.
Jesus is following and he is leading simultaneously. His vision is clear.  His dedication complete. His motive is pure love. He follows the Father, we follow his lead.  It is all mixed together, blending like colors in a sunset. You can pick out all the different colors if you try but they all blend together so well that what you see is the beautiful vision of the sun setting. Catch his vision.

MOVE to improve your relationships.

Finding true love, finding true friendship, becoming apart of something bigger than yourself is a quest everyone finds themselves upon. The question is how many of us will fulfill this quest.  It is a journey the brave take and the courageous finish.  To develop, strengthen and maintain relationships  requires us to leave where we are and to move.

Move from “I” to “we.” Getting along begins “we” attitude. More important than I am is the team, the marriage, the family or the friendship. Look not to your own interest but to the interests of others.

Move from controlling people to aligning passions. No one enjoys being controlled. People stop struggling against you when you align passions with mission. The big picture makes sense. You encourage those around you to be their best and reach for their dreams. Whatever you do, do it with all your heart.

Move from complexity to simplicity. The courage to cut away at complexity until simplicity emerges is a rare gift. Most of us enjoy the feeling of importance that complexity creates. Our pride gets in the way and in front of the people in our lives. “If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.” (Albert Einstein)

Move from who is right to what is right. Opinions, passions, choices and mistakes happen all around us all the time. Step back and breath. See the issue as the issue not as personal. It doesn’t matter who messed up. It doesn’t matter who comes up with solutions. Give people the opportunity to make things right.  Bear with one another.

Move from talking “at” to talking “with.” The more you talk “at” others the farther away you push them. Conversations with you become guarded and distant. You will see that glazed over expression more and more. Ironically talking “with” other is mostly listening. Be quick to listen slow to speak.

Move from right and wrong to better and best. Not being black and white, most relationships have many shades. Look at all sides of a topic or issue and choose what is better and what is best. Then look again and choose the next best answer. Complex issues have more than one answer.

Move from symptoms to causes. Symptoms are painful and distracting. They often take up our time and energy. But addressing symptoms doesn’t move us forward or solve anything. The reason you’re always putting out fires is you haven’t addressed the root issue. Instead of always looking for the extinguisher look for what is causing the fire.

Move from feeling confused to pursuing clarity. Feelings get hurt when assumptions are made. Relationships become convoluted and confusing when we “think” we know.  How often are we wrong when filling in the blanks for another. It is much better to clarify, restate and ask if you got it right.

Move out of the way and let others in. Let them in close, close to your dreams, close to your mistakes. Scary? Yes. What if they don’t like what is there. They might not. But then again, they may. You only find true love, friendship and camaraderie when others see the real you.

Move from receiving praise to giving it. Let someone else shine. Give them the credit and God the glory. Look for opportunities to complement, encourage and praise. Live out in your daily life the ideal of “it’s not about me.” Because really, it isn't.  Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as yourself.
May you enjoy the journey.

Milestones

The ancient Romans were both inventive and practical. From them we received significant innovations in engineering and materials technology like public buildings, hydraulics, glass, cement and metal production. The Romans were expert road builders and they posted mile markers along the way, milestones.
    Today milestones are measures of progress. Developmental milestones are used as checklists for childhood growth. Such as taking a first step or smiling and waving. Milestones are markers of accomplishment, a goal to be measured. The U.S. stock market indexes have major market milestones. Within project management, a milestone is an event that receives special attention. It is often put at the end of a stage to mark the completion of a work package. A milestone is a sort of deadline inside of the project. Milestones can break up a large task making it more manageable. They help to keep you on course, focused and accountable.

    The concept of “going the second mile” also began during the Roman Empire. At the time, Roman soldiers had the right to force the people they had conquered to carry their equipment up to one mile. Consequently, people would make the one-mile journey as slaves to these conquerors. That raises the question of how one would know when a mile had passed. Would it be when you felt you had walked a mile, or when the soldier announced that a mile had passed?  One way to be sure was when you came across a milestone.
    But Jesus challenged the thinking of the time by encouraging the oppressed to go two miles instead of one. “But I tell you do not resist an evildoer. But whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him also the other. And the one wanting to take your shirt let him also have your coat. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to the one who asks of you and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:39-42)

Jesus always raises our standards. Whatever you think, think better. Whatever you do, do better.

What does that 2nd mile do?
    The 2nd mile places your focus on people instead of time or things. What was more important to Jesus, the Roman soldier or the distance traveled. People should always be valued above our convenience or our comfort.

    The 2nd mile places our priorities on God’s will not our own. Going the extra mile even when, especially when, I do not feel like going is all about obedience.
    The 2nd mile opens up an opportunity to communicate the Good News. Verbally or non-verbally, you can tell His story all along the way. How many Roman guards did Paul teach while he was imprisoned? Was he chained to an oppressor or did he have a readymade captive audience for the Gospel message? It is a matter of perspective.
    The 2nd mile removes our fear of being used. To avoid being taken, we have stopped being generous. Letting go of self is letting go of fear. You can’t enslave people who choose to serve. Choosing the 2nd mile empowers the oppressed and strengthens the weak.
    The 2nd mile transforms us into His likeness. Going above and beyond is exactly what God does for us. God loves us when we do not deserve it. How can we claim to know God but not love others enough to serve them when they least deserve it?

Milestones, a measure of developmental growth-- Are you changing into what God already sees inside of you?
Milestones, an event that receives special attention-- Are you concerned with what is truly important, more important than your own comfort?
Milestones, a measure of progress-- Are you being transformed into His likeness? Are you going above and beyond to serve others?
Where is the 2nd mile for you?

Look closer Nurses

What do you see, people, what do you see?

What are you thinking, when you look at me

A crabby old woman, not very wise. 

Uncertain of habit, with far-away eyes,

Who dribbles her food and makes no reply.

When you say in a loud voice "I do wish you'd try!

Who seems not to notice the things that you do. 

And forever is losing a stocking or shoe.

Who, unresisting or not; lets you do as you will. 

With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.

Is that what you're thinking, is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still!

As I rise at your bidding, as I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of 10 with a father and mother,

Brothers and sisters, who loved one another.

A young girl of 16 with wings on her feet,

Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.

A bride soon at 20 – my heart gives a leap,

Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.

At 25 now I have young of my own

Who need me to build a secure happy home.

A woman of 30, my young now grow fast,

Bound to each other with ties that should last.

At 40, my young sons have grown and are gone,

But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn.

At 50 once more babies play around my knee,

Again we know children, my loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead,

I look at the future, I shudder with dread.

For my young are all rearing young of their own.

And I think of the years and the love that I've known.

I'm an old woman now and nature is cruel,

'Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.

The body is crumbled, grace and vigor depart,

There is now a stone where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass, a young girl still dwells,

And now and again my battered heart swells.

I remember the joy, I remember the pain,

And I'm loving and living life over again.

I think of the years all too few – gone too fast,

And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.

So open your eyes, people, open and see,

Not a crabby old woman, LOOK CLOSER, SEE ME.

– Anonymous

My Father's Wishes

Written by my older, wiser brother. Thanks Mike. 

My father is in his mid-eighties, and remains in generally good health and high spirits. But inevitably, it would seem, it is starting to appear that he is running out of steam. This was punctuated recently when he sent me a note describing how he’d been thinking seriously about the time when he would take his final journey, and that he wanted to share with me his thoughts about what he calls, as a deeply spiritual man, that great occurrence. He reflected on the longstanding and loving relationship that we share, and that he didn’t want such thoughts to sadden me. He remarked that he is happy, has no regrets, and is excited about the journey that awaits him. And true to his caring and selfless nature, he emphasized that his goal was to complete as much of the necessary planning as he could beforehand, so that the family would not be burdened with it during a time of mourning.

He expressed to me his wishes regarding the memorial service. The details were simple, and his loving thoughts about the occasion and its significance to family and friends were tenderly bittersweet. He wants me to be the family spokesman and, along with one or two of his six grandsons, say a few words of remembrance reflective of the humor and faith that are fundamental to his life. He provided a list of his favorite gospel hymns to be sung – I know most of them by heart – and noted that he’d already coordinated with the ministers who would officiate.

He has always been organized, something I apparently didn’t inherit, and carefully tends to the details of pending events. Every year, he sends to my sister and me an itemized list of his modest financial interests, detailing the locations and contacts associated with each asset, just so we’ll know what to do when necessary. His will and trust are current, and he has made provisions to ensure that any obligation that outlives him is satisfied, and that his church and beloved charities are included. He has already purchased burial plots in the veterans section of the local cemetery, something that annoyed me at first, but on reflection I understand is completely in keeping with his need to plan. Only the personalization of the headstone remains to be completed, when the time is at hand. And although my heart breaks to think of his passing from this world, I understand that putting such practical organization around this sad and imminent occasion comes from a loving and unselfish place in his heart.

Reflecting on my father’s wishes, I better understand the need to cherish every moment with those we love, because the transition from this life to whatever lies beyond is a certainty for each of us. I believe that it is a good and noble thing to be prepared for the end of life; to have our personal and financial affairs in order so that when the time inescapably comes, our loved ones will be spared the business of death, and allowed to focus on grieving, healing, and fond remembrance.

You are the boulder

    Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun, like a stream that meets a boulder, half way through the wood…because I knew you – I have been changed for good. These words are in the song “For Good” from the Broadway musical Wicked. Usually we hear them and ponder how others have changed our lives, how we have been effected. Because our perspective us usually about us. Self-centered, self-absorbed, not necessarily selfish but self-oriented. We first see things from our eyes looking out. Turn the glasses around and see how you affect others. Consider that YOU are the sun pulling at the orbit of a passing comet. You are the boulder that changes the course of a stream. 

You change the lives of those around you. Sometimes for better sometimes for worse, you change people. A kind word, a friendly face, you make the difference between despair and hope to someone. Someone you may not even know. You lift people up and carry them through difficult times, or give them that much needed push to keep them swinging a little bit longer. You may intentionally help or unknowingly encourage or accidentally hinder. You are never neutral or benign. Just like all beings have a gravitational pull. You have influence and you affect those around you. Because I knew you I have been changed. It is not a question of do you? It is a question of what are you doing?
     “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his path straight, every valley will be filled, every mountain will be made low. The crooked will become straight, the rough made smooth. Everyone will see the salvation of God.” (Luke 3:4-6) You may see the same people though out a life time. Over and over people pass by you, family, friends, at the grocery checkout, at work, neighbors, at the drive through, in the doctor’s office. You spend time with others maybe unknowingly. You laugh together, cry and sweat together. Find love, get married, have children, begin and end careers side by side with other people. Someone you have never looked at is the someone you have pushed. Pushed away or pushed forward? Because I knew you, I have been changed. The valley was filled in and the mountain made low. Because I knew you, was the way to salvation easier to see? Is your life and language an obstacle in the path of another’s spiritual walk? Is the mountain to climb harder because of the debris you have piled on someone’s life? Or does your presence make it easier for them to see God? You have smoothed the way for another to reach salvation. Your life has straightened path. Because I knew you, I have been changed, for good.