Monthly Archives: August 2019

How To Stay Within Reach Of What You Want

Posted on by
4
Aren’t eagles majestic? In Alaska, where my wife took this picture, eagles are prevalent. But in the part of the country where I live they are seldom seen. So when I see one, I am overjoyed and celebrate the occasion… my wife says I am too easily entertained!

The church I pastor is in the outskirts of town where there are lots of trees and greenery. I’ve seen otters playing in our back pond (which we call ‘Lake Jordan’), owls on trees, hawks, and you can even spot an eagle every once in a while. 

One day I was tired of being in the office and decided to relax and gather my thoughts by taking a walk to the back of the church property. I leaned against a back wall of one of our buildings while admiring the pond, vegetation, and peaceful scenery before me.

I looked up and saw what seemed like eagles soaring in wind currents at great altitudes. They were so high up they looked tiny against the clear blue skies. I was so excited to see them, I wanted them to get closer so I could get a clear look. I didn’t have my binoculars so I did the next best thing, I cupped my hands around both sides of my mouth and as loud as I could I did my ‘eagle call.’

“CAW…CAW…” Of course I have no clue what eagles sound like. I probably sounded like a hurt crow, but I didn’t care. So I kept doing my loud calling. I’m sure whoever lives in the homes near the church property probably wondered what was making those horrible sounds and how to put it out of its misery.  

After a few attempts I waited to see if any of those eagles started flying my way. But there was no change to their flight pattern. I called again and watched and waited some more. Then I called yet again. My eyes were so completely fixed on those majestic creatures so far away that I didn’t see a huge hawk flying fast, low, wings spread wide open and coming straight at me.

I’m guessing he was somewhere in the tall trees on the other side of our property when he heard my ‘distressed’ eagle call.  

Hawks, like eagles, are impressive predators. They can travel at speeds of up to 40 mph. The hawk was coming at such speed… by the time I saw it he was too close for me to run or hide.

I froze with my back pressed against the building! Then, before reaching me, the bird elevated some and perched itself on low lying telephone wires just a few feet away from me. He stared at me for what seemed like the longest time. I called him a pretty bird and even had a 1-sided conversation with him about me being a human and not another species of animal. But I also threatened to defend myself with a mop next to me if the bird made a sudden move towards me.

Eventually, the hawk flew away and I returned to my office wondering about it all.

Moses once wrote in a prayer to God on behalf of the people,

“That we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

Thinking back, I almost missed the greatness of a beautiful hawk for the sake of the eagles I could barely see.

Maybe what you’re reaching for is unattainable at this particular moment. That’s alright, though. Keep pursuing what you want, but at the same time look around you because there might be something great at your fingertips (an opportunity, an interview, an invitation) that you won’t want to miss.  

Sometimes we can be so focused on tomorrow that we totally miss the good of today. There might be something of value now that complements and even reinforces what you’re in the process of seeking. Take it all in and let it become a part of the great life you’re in the process of pursuing.

Thanks for reading! Please leave me a message!!

How To Live Big Even When Life Seems Small

Posted on by
2
We were in the little town of Hoonah, Alaska, population 800, when we came across this behemoth totem pole. It’s over twenty foot tall and so heavy they are going to need a crane to transfer it and stand it in the center of town once it’s finished. One of the artists working on the project told me they’ve been working on it for months and it will take several more months to finish.

We were in absolute awe at the size of the thing and at the meticulous detail the artists were putting on it.

We learned that each totem pole tells a story. The images describe a set of qualities, ideals, and ideas that encourage and empower. For example, the figure of an eagle is associated with courage, risk-taking, freedom, and intelligence, among others. The carved figure of a frog stands for hidden beauty, rebirth, adaptability and other qualities. A beaver is related to dreaming great dreams and determination and building, etc.

I was so impressed by the totems that I bought one at a shop in a place called Ketchikan. This one is only 17 inches tall but its as special as the humongous one in Hoonah… even more so to me because the artist that created it, signed it. My prized possession is pictured below,
In our day, the thought is that bigger is better and that the more you have the happier you’ll be. But that may not necessarily be so. There are people who seem to have it all (wealth, fame) and yet misery follows them. Some wrestle with drug and alcohol addiction. Who hasn’t heard of a famous person going through a nasty divorce or dying of an overdose or committing suicide? Big doesn’t always mean better.

You may be reading this thinking, I hear you but I believe that if I had this/that I’d really be happy.

The wisest man that ever lived said this,

“I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV

It’s a promise not based on the conjunction ‘if’. Jesus was saying that following Him will result in enjoying a most satisfying life whether we have lots or little.

I want to challenge you to live ‘big’ even when life seems small.

Start by living out your story!

Just like every totem pole has a story, everyone has a unique story. Your biography may not include a rags to riches theme. And yours may not be an incredible come back story, but you have a story to tell that’s your own: who you are, where you came from, how you got to where you are today, and where you’re heading. No one can take that away from you. You’re an original! You’ve had to overcome painful difficulties and struggles like everyone else. Be proud of that!! Next,

Let your creative genius out!

You know what attracted me to my totem memorabilia? The eagle on top. From the dozens of totem poles that artist had carved, only that one had the standing eagle with spread wings.

I’ve heard people say sometimes that they don’t have a creative bone in their body. That may be so to some extent, but everyone is gifted at doing something or at being a certain way.

The Bible says that God made you and me in His image and you know that God don’t make no junk! He has gifted you with a sharp mind, personality, talent, smile, a love and passion for something, and many other traits and talents.

Develop those.
Milk those.
Exploit those.

One more thing about living big even when life seems small,

Add color to your life!

Avoid the pitfall of getting into dull routines.

I had lunch with a guy one time. He took a bite of the burger, grabbed two fries, dipped them in ketchup, eat them, and then took a slurp of soda. He methodically did each step in sequence until the food was gone. Madness! I said, “Are you for real?” He answered, “What?” I said, “The way you eat. One bite of burger, two fries dipped in ketchup, and a drink of soda.” He was like, “So?” Had he swallowed soda before munching on fries his world would have ended. Needless to say, I never had lunch with that dude again!

Life is too good to waste on dull routines. Engage in something stimulating and refreshing. Do something different! Maybe take a new route to work or eat something you’ve never tried before at your favorite restaurant (better yet, try cooking something), or learn a second language or be spontaneous a go somewhere.

Life was meant to be enjoyed… big or small! Live it to the hilt!!

Thanks for reading! Please leave me a comment.


How To Find The Best Speed For Your Life Right Now

Posted on by
4
I learned something from pelicans the other day. There they were, early one morning, chillin’ over the Slow Speed sign. My first thought was, Lazy birds. But there I was, sitting in my air conditioned SUV, sipping on some iced coffee, and eating a warm, buttered biscuit.

I was sitting there, watching them sit there.

My brain was ‘in neutral’ when a thought crossed my mind, Man, the life of a bird…doing nothing all day long. Slow speed. I wonder what that’s like?

At one time or another we all question where we are, where we’ve been, where we are headed, what we’re doing. Then, we throw in a few ‘what ifs’ about what could be, life at a different speed than what it currently is, and we ponder.

I have a friend that couldn’t wait to retire at a relatively young age. When he finally did it, he couldn’t stand the slow change of pace so he went back to work full time. Another friend told me recently that he had retired 3 times before finally withdrawing from the rigors of an everyday job.

So, I sat there in front of those birds thinking about all of this when another pelican came into view.

This one pelican was circling and diving into the water right by where the other pelicans were comfortably sitting. I had seen small fish kicking up water here and there and the flying pelican was targeting them. I quickly got out of the car and was able to catch the picture below,
That was one kamikaze bird doing a ‘perfect 10’ dive!

Of course, who knows why birds behave the way they do and I don’t know a Pelican Whisperer to ask, so I figured that the one bird was hungry while the others weren’t. Maybe the sitting birds thought that diving for fish at that time of the day was too much work. Or, maybe that lunging bird was young and energetic while the others were not… by now you may be saying to yourself, “Get to the point, will ya?” Ok, here we go,

Question: Which pelican speed do you identify yourself with at the present? Are you in a go-getter, full throttle mode? Or, are you the slow as you go kind of person? Maybe your approach to life depends on what’s demanded from you.

The Bible tells us that when David was on the run from king Saul, men from various places joined him and pledged allegiance to him. A sharp thinking group of those guys is described as follows,

“The sons of Issachar…understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do” 1Chronicles 12:32 NASB

In other words, they were wise and knew how to live in light of what was happening at the time.

Here are a few ideas to help you understand the ideal speed for your life right now.

First, recognize which season of life you’re in. Young and energetic people are willing to take risks while those at a different age bracket may choose to play it safe. Be honest with yourself about your life-stage.

Please understand, youthfulness doesn’t not mean more productivity. I read recently that the 50’s are the most productive years of life. Take notice of where you are and proceed accordingly.

Second, regardless of age, pace yourself!

Michael Hyatt wrote a blog recently called, How To Master the Essential Discipline of Stillness, where he described the value of taking 15 minutes a day to do absolutely nothing (talk about slowing down). He described those 15 minutes of nothing as one of the most transformational things he’s ever done, moments when you get to reconnect with yourself and gain perspective about life as you know it.

Sounds like 15 minutes of doing absolutely nothing could mean absolutely everything!

Third, think, What am I really passionate about? The answer to that question can determine your aim and strategy in pursuing what drives you. Eating fish was that diving pelican’s motivation.

Finally, make inventory of the positives you have going for you and what you can do with them. These could include a number of things we tend to take for granted: time, health, opportunities, resources, talents, etc. You may want to write them down because we tend to remember what’s bad in our lives rather than what’s good.

I’m sure that diving pelican joined the gang of sitting pelicans after a while. But for those moments that I was there that long nosed bird knew one speed, forward!

What’s your speed?

Thanks for reading. Please leave me a comment.