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Friday, March 11, 2005

Got a simple answer?

When you face a challenge, do you look for the simplest possible answer?


When NASA first started sending up astronauts, they quickly discovered that ballpoint pens just wouldn’t work in zero gravity. To overcome this challenge, NASA scientists spent ten years and $12 billion developing a pen that writes in zero gravity, upside down, underwater, on almost any surface including glass and at temperatures ranging from freezing to over 300 degrees Celsius.
When the Russians first starting sending up cosmonauts, they used a pencil.
If not today, then some day very soon, you’ll face a challenge at work or home or somewhere. And you’ll scratch your head and wonder what the best solution is. And you’ll be tempted to think of the most complicated way of resolving it. But just remember—a Russian pencil may be the answer. Remind yourself that God already has the answer so simply ask God for help. Then listen to life and make a life, not just a living.

Thursday, March 10, 2005

How's your attitude?

I try to work-out at a gym about three times a week when I’m not out of town speaking to a group or doing a seminar. Well, I noticed in January that the gym had a lot more people than usual. In fact, I had to wait to use some of the machines which was unusual.

So I mentioned to a guy in the locker room, “Sure is crowded in here today.”

And he said, “Yea, I know it. Don’t worry. They’ll clear out in a couple of months. Their New Year’s resolutions won’t last.”

Well, just as he predicted, there are far fewer people working out now. Some of them did make it through though. I know I did. And that guy did. So what’s the difference?

The difference is attitude. When your attitude is such that you decide to do something and stick with it, you will. If you don’t choose to persevere, you won’t.

So how’s your attitude? Ask God to help you stick with it in life, as you listen to life and make a life, not just a living.

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

Do you give your flowers now?

Our older daughter leaves for college this fall. And I have to admit—we’re already missing her some. I know, she’s not even left yet, but it’s still lingering in the back of our minds—“This is the last ___ when she’s at home with us” and so on.

My wife and I have even started talking about what we’ll miss most—her zany sense of humor, her challenging intellect, her bouncy personality. And as my wife and I talked, I made a decision: instead of just talking with my wife about what I’ll miss, I’ll talk with our daughter. I’ll tell her what I appreciate most about her and how much I’ll miss that characteristic of her being around our home. (Of course, I’ll sprinkle in a comment or two about the things I won’t miss as well!)

I guess all of us know that we won’t be with each other forever here on earth, that one day we’ll be separated by time and space and won’t be able to be with each other. So today, let someone know how much you appreciate him, tell her what you specifically enjoy about having her around. Or, as a friend used to tell me, “Give your flowers now.”

Tuesday, March 08, 2005

"Is it worth the wait"

A month ago today, New York State Senator Nicholas Spano was re-elected. Yes, I know, it was three months after Election Day. No, someone didn’t get their dates confused. It just took three months to certify his election over Andrea Stewart-Cousins. You see, Spano won by only 18 votes.

In fact, the first ballot count gave the election to Stewart-Cousins. Then a recount of the machines gave it to Spano. Of course at that point, the courts got involved. Absentee ballots were counted again. And finally, after three months, Spano was officially re-elected.

Do you ever feel like it takes forever to get what you’re after? Like the day will never come when the matter is finally resolved? As if you may never see the results?

You know, there are some projects you may never see the results of. But waiting gives you an opportunity to reflect on all of those people who will reap the benefits of your efforts. After all, who are you doing it for in the first place—yourself or them? Listen to life and make a life today, okay?

Monday, March 07, 2005

Do you ask "Why"?

There’s something I don’t understand. Why is it that where I live on the East Coast, when there’s a forecast of snow, people rush to the grocery stores to buy bread and milk?

It’s not like we get snowed in for days at a time. If I’m rushing to the grocery store for anything when it snows, then it’s going to be something besides bread and milk. I can live without bread and milk. Toilet paper, now that’s a different matter. With a wife and two daughters, I am much more likely to run out of toilet paper than I am bread or milk. And what about batteries so in case the electricity goes out, I can see at night and won’t break a toe on the end table? And what about a can of beans or some good ole Spam—food that can be served cold?

I guess it’s just a matter of tradition. Snow is forecast. We buy bread and milk. Somebody thought it was a good idea somewhere along the way.

Sometimes it’s worth asking, “Why?” “Why do we do what we do?” So ask, “Why?” as you listen to life and make a life, not just a living today.