Having a bad day?
Are you having a bad day today? Work causing you grief? Trouble at home? Bills higher than your bank balance?
Go for a walk. Preferably where there’s other people.
If you live in a large metropolitan area like I do (or even a small one), you’ll likely encounter one or more of these types of individuals:
Someone dealing with a mental illness
A blind person trying to navigate through a cross walk, across a road filled with potholes
A disabled person that is charging their scooter, so they can make it home
Someone with prosthetic limbs
Someone that’s going through a divorce, or the death of a loved one
Someone that’s just lost their job
Someone dealing with health issues; either themselves or a loved one
Someone that’s misunderstood
Are you still having that bad of a day?
If you can walk, talk, speak, hear, stand up, sit down without assistance, have a job, have people that love you, then my friend, every day is a good day.
Sometimes you have to be forced to learn or explore
History repeats itself. My 8th Grade teacher Mr. Moon (and many others) said that quote. It’s the only thing I remember from his class. Still received an A in the class 
As we see continued job losses, and people that have worked at (insert name of company here) for 20 years, losing their jobs with no marketable skills, we have an appetite for disaster in North America.
I saw the writing on the wall back in the early 1980s, when my Dad came really close to getting permanently laid off from Generous Motors. Thankfully, he had enough seniority and was able to retire early, avoiding the permanent layoff.
I made the decision in the early 80s that I would not follow in the steps of my father, grandfather and great-grandfather, by working in the auto sector.
There were times in the past 15 years where I explored going into that field. Thankfully, I never had an interview.
I have many family and friends that still work in the auto sector. Many more have been permanently let go, as the plants closed for good. Many of them took advantage of the second career training, and now have found new employment opportunities, albeit for much less than they were likely making before.
Good things end.
My challenge to you, no matter what industry or trade you call work, is to learn some new skills. Do it now, while you have a choice to learn, instead of being forced to learn, so you can find another gig.
I am extremely thankful for my employer and my employment, but I’m learning something new on the side, because I have the power of choice, and God-given gifts and skills.
Do it now.
You can’t please everyone
One of the rules of leadership, or at least it seems like a rule, is that you can’t please everyone.
Decisions are to be made for the best interest of the collective whole. You will always have those that disagree, or downright hate the decision that is made.
There is many a day that I want to please everyone. The chances of that happening are about as high as learning to fly without wings. When you are a leader, you have to learn that your decisions might tick off more than a couple of people.
How to minimize the guilt:
1. Be confident in your decision. Do the research, make sure your decision is based on as many facts as possible. If you don’t have all the necessary information, still launch (ode to Seth Godin.) If you wait until you have all the facts, you’ll never start.
2. Educate everyone on your decision. You need to share why you’ve made a particular decision to everyone involved. They still may not like it, but at least they won’t feel like they’re getting the mushroom treatment.
3. Be open to suggested ideas. Possibly, a slight variation of your decision will satisfy your detractors, while still accomplishing what your original decision offered. As a leader, you must be open to suggestions, but still act on what you feel is the best decision.
There’s a reason why you are a leader. Your actions and words are always under review, but be confident in doing the best you can, because that’s what you should do anyway.
Hope
Hope is defined by Webster’s: “to cherish a desire with anticipation”
Too often, our use of hope is more like wish. “I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow”, or “I hope I get that promotion.”
The Bible, depending on what translation you use, has over 120 mentions of the word hope. The Bible’s usage of hope is more of a strong anticipation of what will occur, and not the wishy-washy hope that we use today.
When I hear or read of hope, I have vivid memories of President Bill Clinton’s 1992 Presidential campaign, where he often closed his speeches with “I still believe in a place called Hope.” Too many of us have lost hope, due to the economic struggles, job losses, foreclosures, visits from the repo man, illnesses, and the like. We wish things were better, but we need to start hoping that things will get better.
I purposely have avoided the current U.S. Presidential campaign, because if I wanted to watch mud flying, I would visit a farm. The rhetoric is not going to solve anything. We the People have to stop wishing, and start hoping for the best.
I feel we have become prisoners of our lack of hope. We’re paralyzed by the evening newscasts, the doom and gloom of the markets (financial and jobs), and two income households still cannot meet the needs. Some say we are rapidly approaching a crisis situation. I say we’re already there. People are mortgaged to the hills, and a layoff away from losing all their worldly possessions. Healthcare costs continue (and will continue) to rise, so don’t even think about getting sick.
Divorce rates continue to climb, and what used to be taboo is now accepted publicly, and highlighted on your nightly entertainment shows. Bombastic presentation of court room dramas have taken over cable news channels, and the only word that comes to mind is nauseating.
If you watch this crap, I highly recommend you stop. You’re not doing anything but killing all of the hope genes in your head. Quit worshiping these fake Hollywoodesque people. Read a book. Go for a walk. Talk to your spouse / mate. Hang out with your children, your friends, your family. You’ll be a better person if you do.
Note: I’m not saying you should not enjoy well-made shows or movies. I am saying don’t make actor x your be all and end all.
Getting back to hope: do I have hope?
Yes, through the One that was sent, to provide salvation and hope for our souls.
While there are things, opportunities, toys, and other things that I would like to have, I don’t hope to have them. I wish to have them, but my hope is that I will one day be face to face with my Lord and savior, and He will say “Well done.” My hope and understanding is not that the “well done” will be based on my efforts, works, holding doors open for others, tithes and offerings, donations to the red kettle, but for trusting Him for all the provisions I need, and for those acts of kindness and generosity that I have never shared with anyone.
In 2012 and beyond, our hope must be with the one who was sent.
My hope and prayers are for you to know your savior, and to let the guidance of the Holy Spirit be in you and with you all of your days.
Blessings!
Book Review: I Am A Follower by @LenSweet, compliments of @BookSneeze
What do you think of, when you hear the word leadership? My inbox receives a variety of leadership-based e-mails, and there are a ton of leadership writers, speakers, “experts”, etc. What’s ironic is that when the world needs leadership more than ever, there seems to be mass confusion, governments falling, financial stress everywhere, job losses, and so forth. Makes me wonder if anyone is actually listening and learning from the leadership folks.
When I first started reading I Am A Follower, I noticed how the leadership movement was being picked apart for its flaws. We all have flaws. Only one individual that’s ever walked on this planet is perfect.
Jesus.
We are called to follow Jesus. Not like a little child follows their parents (and then wanders off to check out some toy or shiny object), but to truly follow Christ. To learn what He was like, how He saw things, how He reacted to situations.
When I’ve faced struggles and challenges in my life, I thankfully sought His grace and presence. I sought guidance on how to deal with the situation. Yes, I’ve asked for help to “get out” of the situation, but I realize that He can use these challenges as a training ground, for me to become closer to Him, and to be more like Him.
“Follow me.” Two words, that have Kingdom impact.
Dr. Sweet’s book is a must have in your collection. I hope it blesses you as much as it has me.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Book Review: Real Marriage by @PastorMark, compliments of @GrafMartin
I’m not the first person to review Real Marriage, and likely won’t be the last. There have been a lot of interesting reviews of this book, and some concern over the “controversial” topics that Pastor Mark discusses in the book.
Marriage doesn’t come with an instruction manual. While I suppose you could look to your parents as a guide, you didn’t marry one of your parents. You married someone outside of your family circle (I hope!) Different DNA, different upbringing, differing values, different take on some things (or maybe everything.)
People fumble their way through the early years of marriage, and with society basically endorsing non-married couples, our world will only suffer as we proceed through this thing called life.
The Driscolls do a good job providing insight into their marriage, the rocky moments, and the continued lessons they have encountered.
I recommend this book for all couples, married, and yet-to-be married; not as a roadmap, but as for exposure into challenges you may face.
I’d rather you read it from a couple like the Driscolls, than from some magazine rack at the checkout counter.
“Advanced Reader’s Copy of the book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Thomas Nelson”.
Book Review: the voice New Testament, compliments of @GrafMartin
I have a lot of Bibles. From NIV, to KJV, to The Message, to NRSV, and probably a few other versions. When you’re a Seminary student, you tend to have different translations, just to help along your study path.
the voice New Testament version is an interesting read, in that it’s written like a play. Don’t worry, the Gospels are there, but they’re written much like a story book, than the traditional Bible format.
For those that are looking to read the New Testament for the first time, or for those of us that have had our noses in the Books for some time, this is a good addition to your collection.
“New Testament has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Thomas Nelson”.
Canadian readers: $5.00 off coupon for Courageous Movie, compliments of @GrafMartin
Hi there.
Here’s a coupon from my pals at Graf-Martin Publishing.
This is a great movie, and it belongs in your DVD collection.
Autopilot Customer Service? We’re to blame
“Hi, welcome to (insert restaurant name here) , how can I help you today?”
Ever hear that line? Probably a bazillion times, I’m guessing.
Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase (source: our pals at Wikipedia.)
It seems that we typically receive autopilot customer service, instead of genuine, real, with true feelings customer service. I have childhood memories of visiting a local Big Boy restaurant, and the manager/owner of that diner’s main purpose was to walk around the restaurant with a coffee pot, re-filling customer’s cups, and having real conversations with them.
Why doesn’t this happen anymore?
My guess based on observations over the years is that we treat customer service personnel like 4th class citizens, at best. We bark our orders to them, we don’t engage with them, we get ticked off if we have to wait more than a couple minutes for our # 3 with a Diet Coke.
So if you’re getting lousy customer service? Look in the mirror to make sure you’re not the one causing the bad service.
How to fix this?
Smile at the customer service person. Look them in the eye. If they have a name tag, use their name. People love hearing their name (unless they’re in trouble.) Be sympathetic with that person, if the person in front of you treats them unfairly.
We have the power to change the moods of people that serve us every day, and it won’t cost us a dime.
New Health Care education options…are they what we need?
Recently, I’ve noticed some new signage on the subway cars, introducing some new health care education options at some local colleges.
The new training offers Diagnostic Medical Sonography(Ultrasound), Respiratory Therapy and Cardiovascular Technology, as well as Diabetic care.
These new education options will (hopefully) meet the current needs of the public, but they are reactive in nature.
If society was more PROactive about taking better care of ourselves, with proper diets, exercise, stress management, etc.. we wouldn’t need to invest so much into respiratory and cardiovascular training.
Disclaimer: I’m a cardiac patient, so I should practice what I preach
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