“Just because nobody complains doesn’t mean all parachutes are perfect.” Benny Hill Sometimes leaders assume that the quietness behind them indicates solid support. Often the sound of silence represents other things: Followers who are stunned speechless at the direction the leader is taking. Followers who have been deeply wounded and are struggling to stay in [...]
Sunday, September 11, 2011
On this anniversary of September 11, 2001, I raised my United States flag to the bracket on the porch column. It was still early, but I knew that many of my neighbors would join me in this solemn act of remembrance of those dark hours a decade ago. As I stood there a moment and [...]
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The light on my phone began flashing while I was in an online conference. Voice mail. Voice mail is the ultimate game of office tag. I think that’s the reason that my stomach churns a bit when I see that light flashing. I know that the message waiting for me will, in all likelihood, obligate [...]
Friday, March 18, 2011
I was reminded several times this week about systems that have failed. That line of conversation would begin a lively discussion at the local coffee shop. We all have stories about our bad experiences at the hands of someone who blindly obeyed a process even though it was obviously flawed. The truth is that a [...]
Thursday, March 17, 2011
ABC News Correspondent Diane Sawyer flew to the northern regions of Japan to view the scenes of destruction from the earthquake and tsunami. As she, her interpreter, and her videographer walked through a village, they came upon a circle of local citizens. Their chairs were pulled together loosely as they sat and talked and passed [...]
Monday, March 29, 2010
Having recently posted something that drew the criticism of some of my readers — all of whom responded with great civility by reply and by private email, I might add — I recalled that some time late last year, I promised to share my thoughts on my faith. I had this recollection because I remembered [...]
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
I have watched closely over the past week as the final moments of legislative process led to the passing of a new health care bill. If you have hope that what I’m about to say will enlighten you whether or not this bill is a good one, I’m going to disappoint you. Instead, I want [...]
Thursday, December 31, 2009
I’ve been accused of not listening. Actually, I’ve been convicted of the charge. And my “not listening” is not confined to what the weatherman just said about the forecast or the announcement blared out over the plane intercom. Nor is it limited to those vital moments in a television show or football game when I [...]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
To realize the value I place on faith, I will acknowledge my complete dependence on God.
Monday, July 20, 2009
I’m spending time with a group of individuals who are asking questions. Not the demanding, investigative-type of questions. More of the shades of wonder-type questions. I’ve been in other groups (though not for very long) that have asked questions, too. Invariably, their questions center on the mistakes of the past. “Why didn’t we see that [...]
Hope seen . . . slowly softens the crust of worry. Hope celebrated . . . melts worry away. Melted worry is the compost that feeds faith and destiny.
An abundant life is not one free from worry, but one filled with hope.
Have you ever been in a really big hurry?
Have you ever been in a really big hurry . . . and everything seems to go wrong?
You drop your keys just as you get to the door. You leave your phone on the nightstand. You hit “reply to all” on the email that should have gone to one discreet individual. You can’t seem to hit the trash can with that one wad of paper. You find yourself face-to-face with the one person you don’t “really have time to deal with.”
Frustration builds inside. Anger, dismay, and depression grow like grass in a flower bed. What can you do? What is the most effective action step for the moment.
Slow down.
That’s it. Slow down. Take a breath. Whisper a prayer. Hum a song.
Slowing down allows tension to melt away. Slowing down allows your emotions to moderate. Slowing down allows you to gain control . . . by easing your grip.
So, slow down . . .
“Constantly Pleasant.”
That’s how she was described. Not a person attending the memorial service would have disagreed.
As I sat and listened to the accomplishments of this remarkable person, I was somewhat awestruck by the thought that I had been blessed to know an individual who touched so many and did so much . . . while being constantly pleasant.
What if I could become constantly pleasant? What would that change? How would I change?
Thanks, Colleen. For being constantly pleasant. It’s just one of many ways that God shone through you.
If you’ll just let go, your hands will be free to . . .
If you’ll let go . . . empty your hands of things and your heart of worries . . . you’ll be delighted with what you find in those sacred hollows.
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Tuesday, December 6, 2011
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