Categories
motivation

Hiding in the Balcony

Cartoon: Roosting in the balcony

The first time I saw a balcony, I was enamored. I was about seven. We were seeing a kids’ movie in an old theater. I thought of how cool it would be to be above everyone else and see not only the movie but what was going on in the audience. 

I figured you didn’t have to behave yourself up there. If the movie was boring, you could chat with your friends. You could even run between the seats… as long as you were quiet. I saw the balcony as a place with freedom and without commitment. I could be anonymous.

Cartoon: Roosting in the balcony

I now know that freedom comes with a price. If I have no commitment to what is going on in front of me,

  • I miss out
  • My attention is divided
  • I do not affect the outcome
  • That’s where the critters hang out

I can’t be a leader from the balcony. I am not really a participant. I have found it to be more fulfilling and I have a better time when I am in the front row. The balcony offers freedom. The front row is where life change happens.

Categories
motivation

The Weight of Worry

Two goldfish look worried as they see their bowl is cracked

I’m a professional worrier. I worry about my kids. I worry about the world my future grandkids may one day inherit. I worry too much about finances, climate, politics, and if we have enough of the vital things like popcorn in the cupboard and ice cream in the freezer. 

I come from a long line of worriers. I remember riding with my grandmother to pick up my grandfather from a trip. He was on a tour bus. The whole time, she was fretting that the bus could be in a fatal accident, that he possibly didn’t make the bus (it was long before cell phones), that she didn’t get the address to the pickup up site right. By the time she got all of her worries out, I was a nervous wreck and Grandpa was right there with group, waiting for us.

There have been times in my life when I’ve felt like the two goldfish in my illustration. I just know the bowl is going to burst any moment and I’ll be clinging for life. Can anybody relate?

Two goldfish look worried as they see their bowl is cracked

Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

Proverbs 12:25 (NLT)

This proverb reminds me of what a comfort it is to give a word of encouragement. It can be easy to get discouraged by all the bad news and the prophets of doom. But an encouraging word lightens my load. It lets me see how silly my worries can be. An encouraging word gives me hope and reminds me that the vast majority of things I worry about never happen.

This is why I have decided to blog daily. Tomorrow, I will have blogged daily for three months. I hope if you have followed along, you have been encouraged along the way.

So be encouraged, my friend! Things aren’t as bad as they seem. At the very least, you don’t live in a cracked fish bowl!

Categories
motivation

Know What to Change While Persisting

Cartoon of a boy in a magician's costume and a duck. The boy says, "I'm sorry, Sis! I didn't mean to change you into a duck. I meant to turn you into a dog!"

I’ve been listening to an audiobook entitled No More Dreaded Mondays by Dan Miller.

In it, he talks about firing yourself. That’s right! He talks about knowing when to stick with something and when to move on. He’s helped me realize that perseverance and resilience are far more nuanced. There is a time for change during certain points in our lives. Yet, change doesn’t mean I am giving up in general. Many times, businesses do not work. But an astute businessperson can modify, switch and start a new business that is more successful and profitable.

This week, my wife is winding down her current position as a children’s pastor. I am excited to see what is coming because this has been several months in the making. We don’t know what is ahead for her, but we know that her journey isn’t over. She felt led to step out of her current role and identity because she is being called to a new ministry. In effect, she fired herself so she could investigate that new, upcoming, unknown role.

Dan Miller’s book has been a confirmation for me that she is making a wise, discerning choice. We shall see in the new year what that brings to her and me.

Cartoon of a boy in a magician's costume and a duck. The boy says, "I'm sorry, Sis! I didn't mean to change you into a duck. I meant to turn you into a dog!"

One thing we do know, it doesn’t involve magic tricks and nobody is changing anyone into a duck or a dog. So be encouraged!

Categories
Christmas holiday

Merry Christmas! (Without the Bling)

Cartoon of two boys staring at a manger. On says, "You know something? The first Christmas didn't have much bling... except for the angel thing."

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

Cartoon of two boys staring at a manger. On says, "You know something? The first Christmas didn't have much bling... except for the angel thing."

There was no big, Griswold Family Christmas tree. There were no ugly Christmas sweaters. There was not fruitcake, mistletoe or tinsel. Until the angels made the announcement, no one knew or cared except for the cold, exhausted couple that had nowhere to place the baby except in an animal trough.

As you celebrate today, I hope you are able to take some time, reflect and be thankful for what you have. May you find an opportunity to share kind words, good food, and some joy. Merry Christmas!

Categories
Christmas holiday

Clearer Christmas Requests

Cartoon of a boy and a letter carrier at the post office. The boy says, "It's a letter to Santa. My hopes and fears of all the years are mailed with thee tonight."

It’s a foggy Christmas Eve morning in Ohio. Somebody better get Rudolph ready just in case Santa needs to make a last-minute stop at the Waffle House.

Foggy winter morning in Ohio

I sure hope you sent your letter to Santa before the fog set in. because time is running out! Wait a minute… do kids send text messages or email to Santa now? I guess that would buy a little more time. Who knows how long it takes to get a letter up there, or the cost of overnighting it!

How we get a message across is important. Sometimes, it can be easy to speak a request.

  • Santa, I want a pony.
  • Honey, please clean up this mess.
  • Please don’t bring your fruitcake.

Other messages are much more subtle and leave room for interpretation.

  • Mom, how much does a pony eat?
  • Wow! Look at this mess!
  • Are you bringing fruitcake again?

The second set of statements is much less clear. Family Christmas gatherings can be filled with nuanced conversations and foggy statements. I will resolve to make my point clear if I am wanting a specific outcome.

By the way, Mom and Dad, I don’t want a pony for Christmas anymore. If you get me one, it would only end up at your house.