converging contrails

“Procrastination and inertia.” Thoughts from my CEBS...

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 06:10:06 -0600

“Procrastination and inertia.” Thoughts from my CEBS materials that apply to making changes.

Peaked. No, Pique!

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:32:05 -0600

I sent a business email a week ago to a potential partner who would be able to help us tie into a new demographic if an alliance was formed. Big stuff. As we own the business together, I copied my wife in on the email so she would be aware of the communication going back and forth. Later that day, she told me she liked the email, but I made an error. NO, I thought! I read and reread and edited that email until the message was carved perfectly! How could that be. So I put on my defensive gear and prepared to prove her wrong. This is what followed.

Alison - “You don’t peak someones interest. You PIQUE someones interest.”

Me - “What are you talking about?” Google, google, google.

Me - “See, peak someones interest is definitely…crap. I have never heard this before. I always thought it was peak!”

Now, my guess is I’m not the only chum who didn’t know this finer point of the English language. My hope is the person I wrote to isn’t aware of it either. But it brought to mind how there are areas in my life that I am ignorant in. Maybe the ignorance flows from a lack of study, focus, or not caring, or maybe it comes from a lack of opportunity, mentoring, or phase in life.

I listen to a lot of talk radio. Those who call in often are critical of a thought, stance, or idea that is being presented by the host. And many times the caller not only presents an opposing thought, but is critical if not downright nasty about the integrity of the person they disagree with. “That’s crazy. How can they see it that way? They are ridiculous. They are immoral.”

There are very few people that hold a belief for no reason. We are formed by our family, our history, our surroundings, our education, our class and numerous other influences. When we align a position with background, a real conversation can follow as judgment and criticism fades into a more grace filled view of the opposition. I’m learning to also consider my background when thinking about my views and beliefs, and realize that I have been formed by more then just personal study and natural knowledge. That maybe some of my views are slightly off, or not even close to what truth is. The conversation, understanding, and learning that occur when opposing sides take this stance is incredible. Whether in business, relationships, or faith a softening and deepening occurs, instead of division, dislike, and hatred.

So, what are you ignorant about?

I guess none of us really know the answer to that question.

Naps and Birthday Cake

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:58:53 -0600

The house is quiet. The kids are down for naps. That is until I hear Jack, the three year old mumbling in his room. “I don’t want to nap.”

He’s been asking to have leftover birthday cake from Grandma’s birthday celebration last night. And he’s been promised he can have a piece if his behavior warrants it. Now, I know he still needs a nap. Without it, the late afternoon and evening is a mess as he deals with the desire to play mixed with the reality of tiredness. So my reply to him was, “If you don’t take a nap, then you won’t get cake after dinner.” After emphasizing this point a few times, he lay back down.

Tomorrow is the traditional sabbath, the day of rest. God has commanded rest for purposes that I only partially understand. But every week, much of my stubbornness says, “I don’t want to rest. I have much to do. I’m busy. Whatever comes from rest can’t compete with productivity.” And God patiently tells me, “If you don’t rest, then you won’t get cake after dinner.”

I’m not exactly sure what the cake is. I know its different for all of us. But God commands it, and brings blessing from it. Maybe I should listen better. Tomorrow is Sunday. Let’s try again.

For now, it’s quiet in the kids room.

What is your cake?

The beauty of our sky…

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 09:42:36 -0600

The beauty of our sky…