Forever Young

I can still remember, like it was yesterday, the day we pulled our Honda Civic into the Emergency entrance to Piedmont Hospital. We got Debra into a wheelchair and began speaking with a maternity nurse about check in procedures. She had been experiencing a contraction when we came in so we began walking down the hall to the elevator. As we waited for the doors to open she began to have another contraction (in much less than the 5 minute duration they told us meant imminent birth). The nurse was so alarmed we turned and RAN down the hall on an alternate route to the next floor. Within a few hours Lauryn was born. I can still remember the overwhelming fear that engulfed me... "Will the baby be healthy?" "Will I be a good parent?" "Is Debra OK?" "Am I really ready to grow up?".

After the birth, and after making sure Debra was OK I moved over to the bassinet where they were doing the initial checkup on our new daughter. I looked down at her tiny body, at those tiny toes and fingers and reached my hand towards her. She quieted, turned her head, looked me straight in the eyes and reached out with her tiny hand, grasping my finger. At that moment I knew that whatever it took, I would be up to the task. Taking care of my daughter for those few years where her welfare was in my hands was a responsibility I was ready for. Somehow God knows us better than we know ourselves. It is an awesome feeling when he gently steps in and assures us.

Merry Christmas!!

I Hope You Dance...

The relationship between parent and child is not always a smooth path. In the end however there should always be a focus on trying to train your most precious creation in the ways of the world. The best possible outcome is to somehow meld the characteristics of friendship, adviser, coach, authority and fan in such a way that at that time when they step into the world they have the skill and the confidence to succeed... In whichever definition of that word they have chosen. The rest of the path is theirs to forge. Your love and confidence and advice will be the tools at their disposal to create the life they desire. Our gift will be in the watching, as those things play out over the years...

My Wish for You...

Over the next few days I will be sharing a few inspirational songs that express my hopes for a long and happy road for my daughter as she moves on. We have been blessed to have her with us for these fleeting years. As she begins to explore the larger world my wish is that she embrace the journey with the excitement and wonder that she has always embodied...

She's All Grown Up

My beautiful 21 year old daughter is moving out of state the day after Christmas. I am so proud of all that she has become, and am overjoyed at the opportunities she is about to embrace as she begins to write the story of her life... her life independent. As I look back over our time together I cherish all of the memories. This day comes for all parents eventually. I am truly blessed that it comes for us as a joyful celebration, a doorway into a bright and glorious life out there in the real world. I am so happy in the knowledge that Jesus will be with her wherever she goes.

Worth the Time...

As part of my job I am "blessed" to be tasked with upkeep on two company blogs. Part of that responsibility entails that I constantly research throughout my links, feeds, sources and other blogs for material... and upon not finding any, at least get some ideas that set me to writing in a somewhat interesting manner. (Sometimes I amuse myself with run-on sentences as well) Across the top of my browser are 12 folders that contain all of the most recent feeds from many of my chosen relevant sources. Beyond that I have several icons on my desktop, am subscribed to many, many e-mail blogs, and then use the website StumbleUpon.com which I have programmed with my interests, and it serves up unique content as fast as I can click the "Stumble" button. Going even further I have created several Paper.li web-feeds that compile some of these things into daily e-newspaper type publications using my Twitter accounts (of which I currently manage 4 with over 30,000 followers).

Wow... that was a lot of stuff, just describing a small part of my day. I guess the reason I shared all of that was to give a little weight to the testimonial I am about to give. I have found a website that shares profound articles about how to live life. I find each time I read one of their articles that I forward the link and a portion of the contents to people in my circle that might benefit from the wisdom. Believe me, there is a lot of crap out there (pardon the language but I think you will agree). So when I find a site with genuine help... well I promote it.

The site is marcandangel.com. If you have some time, click through and read a few posts. You will be better for it...

Is Jesus The Christ?

Aurora Borealis From Space

Two Faced

James 1:8 NIV
He is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

We all know people like this. They act one way while in your presence, but completely different around others. What I find interesting about this is that it is almost universally abhorred, yet it is also almost universally practiced. Why is it that we are so quick to judge others based on their actions, yet we demand to be accepted based solely on our own honorable intent?

Eppic Video...

If you like Toby Mac or DC Talk, you will love Eppic. Funny how this works... On a stressful day I found the beautiful cinematography of Devin Supertramp and then found Lindsey Stirling's beautiful and unique violin music on his YouTube channel which then led me to Eppic. The message ties in great with the title of my blog.

P.S. If you enjoy the violin you MUST check out the Lindsey Stirling link above...

Rules of a Gentleman

Or you can see a larger image at my "thefancy.com" profile here. Number 14 sounds familiar, huh?

Lindsey Stirling

HDR Photography

I must admit right up front that the bulk of this post is lifted directly from another blog of mine Autopartstomorrow...but I really love this type of photography that much!

Most of us are aware of how quickly the pixel count on cameras is increasing, but how many acknowledge the new techniques and after processing that are producing truly stunning results? One such improvement can be seen on the website of Trey Ratcliff, my new favorite photographer...

HDR photography uses a special technique that combines multiple exposures of the same image, taken at different settings, and then combines the very best elements of each (much like our natural brain and eyes do naturally). I think you will agree, the results are breathtaking. I don't believe I have seen a breakthrough of this magnitude since Ansel Adams secret black and white processing techniques. You may not agree it is that revolutionary, but I promise you will feel drawn to these photos unlike any you have seen recently.

Little by little the scales are falling from our eyes as the true glory of our Earth becomes revealed...

The Aurora

Sad But True...

Washington Enchantments - Devin Graham

How Do You Relax?

Matthew 6:26 NIV
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

It is that time of the year again when there begins to be a small break in the oppressive heat of Summer. It almost seems that I can "smell" Fall in the air, especially in the dim blue light of pre-dawn. I cannot wait for that first day when the thermometer breaks that magical threshold and shows 59 degrees.

Part of the reason I like Fall is that it harbors my favorite pastime, hunting. While in my younger days it was all about the harvest, these days it seems it is becoming more about the reconnection with the countryside. Just looking down this country road towards the treeline seems to ease me back from the precipice of self induced stress.

As I step into nature, and move away from the ever increasing speed of daily life, I begin to understand that God has everything under control. His plan just seems so much more complete and logical. Where we place importance these days is fleeting. Take some time to remove yourself from the hurry. Find a place deep in the woods, in the back forty of a pasture somewhere, or on top of a mountain... and just stop to listen to the deafening silence of the perfection He has created for us. Relax.

Billy Graham on Technology

Why I Write

In order to teach you must first learn. In order to lead you must first follow. - Brad

I can remember the very first time I felt inspired to write. I was in my College Freshman English class and we were offered the opportunity to write about anything we wanted. I had not even considered that in the past. Writing was done to complete an assignment as quickly and concisely as possible, and then padded to reach the minimum acceptable word or page count assigned. Why would I "want" to write about anything?

What I wrote about was my childhood frustration of being compared to the local (in the opinion of my mother) golden child of the neighborhood. As I began to compose my thoughts I found that they easily flowed to the page and quickly outstripped the required length, yet I could not stop. The story seemed to have control of my hand and was refusing to be edited to fit within defined boundaries. Somehow I was able to come skidding into a furious conclusion some five pages and 30 minutes later, just as our allocated time drew to a close. I can still remember the confounded feeling I had as I meekly asked the teacher if she had a stapler I might use before I dropped my paper onto the pile of single paged compositions already in her basket.

When I walked into class the following week the teacher pulled me aside and asked if she could read my paper to the class. She said I had a unique talent in sharing my feelings in an authentic and honest manner. To this day it is one of the watershed moments of my life. It is a point in time where I can honestly say that I moved from being a child, programmed for compliance, to an adult with something to share. We are talking about writing here, but in reality that moment was a paradigm shift in self confidence for me. To the teacher it was another discussion, on another day, just doing her job. To me the world changed. Remember that when you deal with young people. Your words of encouragement may be the ones that set them on the path towards fulfillment... or they could do permanent harm. Be careful, show grace and share optimism. You might be the difference in someones life, TODAY.


Shelia Mullican On Writing
Oz Hillman on getting started

If you were meant to cure cancer or write a symphony or crack cold fusion and you don’t do it, you not only hurt yourself, even destroy yourself. You hurt your children. You hurt me…Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It’s a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got. - Stephen Pressfield

Close, But No Cigar

Romans 5:3-4 ...we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Have you ever noticed how we tend to reward bad behavior these days? I don't know about you but that really bothers me, at least it has. This weekend at Church I was confronted with a realization that may be at least a small explanation. Many of the words we use to define a positive trait or behavior have corollaries that differ in some small degree of interpretation, but change the overall effect dramatically.

Take the tag line in my blog as an example. The word Confidence is a generally admirable description of a persons state of being. Without confidence it becomes almost impossible to reach any sort of achievement, or peace, or happiness. However, the evil step brother to confidence is arrogance. Arrogance is abusive, self centered and seeks to destroy others for the benefit of self. The two words I held in contrast this weekend were Perseverance and Defiance. Perseverance is the singlemindedness needed to achieve a desired result despite extreme resistance. It develops an inner strength that allows us to reach that seemingly impossible goal. And here is the AH HA! moment I realized... If you add self-centeredness to almost any positive word you can take it to the negative quite abruptly. The self-centered result of perseverance becomes defiance.

Seek every day to find those occasions where you can extract your need for attention, and dedicate yourself to the quiet, confident, persistent pursuit of truth and right and good. Be honorable and live with Grace. At the end of the day I believe you will find your reward to be more fulfilling happiness.

Word of the day... Selflessness.

Attitude

Have you ever heard the statement, "Police officers see everyone as criminals"? If we are not careful, each of us can fall victim to focusing on the minutia of our daily lives and fail to see the overarching success of our journey. I work with a group of very talented customer service associates whose job it is to assist customers who are struggling with some aspect of how we go to market. It may be a question about need, it may be a genuine complaint about a short coming, or maybe even a rare compliment about a job well done. The vast majority of the calls however require an overcoming of some obstacle, either real or perceived.

In this environment it becomes easy to believe that everything is falling down around us. If you believe the buzz on the phone and though our e-mail you might develop the perspective that we are inept at what we do. The reality however is that our company works in an industry with an abysmal failure rate of between 20 and 30 percent (when measured by return rates) and we continuously perform at around a 5% level. We are also empowered to overcome ALL of those failures with tools at our disposal (credits, replacement, returns, re-ship, etc.). At the end of the day we are able to satisfy almost everyone we have the privilege to serve.

But the battle can become wearying if we do not take the time to celebrate the victories. Around here the victories are those 95% of the customers who are served correctly, most of the time in an automated fashion, and love to do business with us. Like most other areas of life, the main thing that claws for our attention is the negative. If you allow it to, it will subdue your attitude and make it subservient to it's corrosive will. Negativity can begin to creep into other aspects of your life and even affect health. The good news is that we are able to choose our attitude. We can believe in the positive aspects of life. We can focus on being glad about our ability to elicit change... and we can rest in the quiet confidence that comes from a job well done.

Today choose to battle negative with positive, and work towards turning those you encounter towards the sunshine of a great attitude.

How Can You Look at the Sky and Not See God?

Timescapes: "Death is the Road to Awe" from Tom Lowe @ Timescapes on Vimeo.

If it is So Simple Why Do I Keep Making Mistakes?

Roughly 90% of Self Help books contain the same advice repeated over and over. Don't believe me? Stop by your local bookstore sometime and read the Table of Contents of a dozen or so Self Help books. The advice may be worded differently or geared toward a specific target audience (eg. men, women, various enthnic and social groups), but the underlying message is pretty much always the same. Here's a list of that advice:


You are not a victim. You are 100% responsible for the life you have right now. If you are unhappy, you have the power to change your attitude and actions to begin making your life better. Always remember, whether you think life sucks or you think life is great, either way, you're right.


Ever notice how some people are able to brush off insults, while others get furious and start throwing punches? Realize that nobody can "make" you feel anything. You are the one that "chooses" to feel good or bad about a particular event or action that occurs.


If you want to be more confident, happy, or positive, then "pretend" that you already are this way. Eventually, after practicing this long enough, you'll realize that you're no longer "pretending".


A purpose is what you enjoy doing that you never get tired of and you will do for the rest of your life. Is your purpose to write screenplays? Is it to help sick people? Write down on index cards a list of purposes and choose the one that speaks to you the most.


List out 5 to 10 goals that you want for your life. Break each goal up into smaller sub-goals and then break those sub-goals into individual tasks and action steps. Every night, plan the next day in advance. Create a daily "to-do list" with those tasks that you need to do to accomplish your goal.


Regret and shame come from dwelling in the past. Worrying and anxiety come from living in the future. True peace of mind comes from living in the present. The more you become aware of being in the present, the more it becomes a part of your daily life.


The power of attraction is a powerful mental tool. The process works by focusing on something that you want while visualizing that you already have it. You then have a heightened level of awareness for recognizing opportunities that occur around you. These opportunities will then assist in bringing what you want into your physical reality.


Your comfort zone (what you feel comfortable doing) is always in a state of either expanding or contracting. The more you get out in the world and do what you feel uncomfortable doing, the less inhibited you become, thereby allowing you to live a richer and fuller life.


Every morning before you start your day, give thanks and appreciation for what you have. It's only when we are thankful for what we have that life gives us more blessings and abundance to be thankful for.


Don't be afraid to ask for what you want. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. It's the reason that children ask their parents for the same thing over and over again, because they know mom and dad will eventually cave in. The same concept works in the real world. If there is something in the world you want, ask for it...or at least ask how to get it.


Find the successful people in your field and ask them for advice. Ask them what they do to be successful, take notes, and then copy them. A lot of people think that the pros don't want to share. The opposite is actually true. Most successful people are more that willing to share their knowledge if you ask them.


Trolls are people that will try to discourage you from your dreams. Don't listen to them. Realize that the only reason they are doing it is because by seeing you chase after your dreams, it's reminding them that they aren't chasing theirs. Misery loves company.

Thanks for this post copied in it's entirety from... http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1MwwmU/www.chopcow.com/self-help-books/index.php

I find that the book of Proverbs in the Bible has something to say about almost every situation you may find yourself in. While it may not speak to the specific, it will help with the underlying motivation in pretty direct language (if your ears are open to hear).

Are We There Yet?

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.

"Not very long," answered the Mexican.

"But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the American.

The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.

The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs. I have a full life."

The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat."

"And after that?" asked the Mexican.

"With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise."

"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican.

"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the American.

"And after that?"

"Afterwards? Well my friend, that's when it gets really interesting," answered the American, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start buying and selling stocks and make millions!"

"Millions? Really? And after that?" asked the Mexican.

"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends."

And the moral of this story is: ......... Know where you're going in life... you may already be there.

Which Do You See?

At first blush it is obvious that this picture is of a beautiful waterfall. Your eye draws you in and you imagine yourself at its foot, blanketed within the deafening roar of the waters, feeling the cool spray wash over your head and smiling at your friend as you both notice in unison the rainbow that has formed within the prismatic water droplets... spectacular.

I see all that as well, but can also see the long term erosive effects of the falls and all of the missing landscape that has fallen victim to it's relentless destruction, inches per year, but cumulative and overwhelming. The process is so slow that nature is able to regain a footing and hide some of the effects of the scar, but the area has been forever changed. Who knows the beauty that may have been within those slow rolling waters that will never again be experienced?

I see this as an example of how moral sin works on our lives. At first glance the fun being had seems to have a positive appearance. However, if you view it from a large enough perspective of time and space (Like God does) it is obvious that a large and foreboding wound is being opened that will develop into an insurmountable chasm between you and the incomparable life that He wishes for you.

Are you looking for the awesome waterfall of "in the moment" experience or the forever crescendo of the universe? Because He loves us He allows us to choose. I for one am grateful for that ability, and take it seriously.

Is Your Brain First World or Third World?

I was sitting on the football field at our local high school watching my son's band concert the other night. I looked over my right shoulder and saw a couple of women fanning themselves with ornate Japanese fans. I thought, "Those are cool, I wonder how much they cost?". I turned around to share the scene with my wife, and over my left shoulder were another group of women fanning themselves with the paper plates that had just been used for their picnic. At first I was struck by the difference in consumerist mentalities each represented, but then I remembered that disposable paper plates were definitely a first world luxury item. How far afield have we gone?

Have you ever found yourself caught in a sudden rain shower and become overwhelmed with thankfulness for the offered umbrella? Shelter is what we need, not 9,000 square foot McMansions with a built in pretend tropical swimming hole in the professionally lighted and landscaped back yard. We need transportation, not a 2 million dollar Bugatti Veyron that will max out north of 270 MPH. If we really look at it closely we really only need one or two outfits and one pair of shoes at a time. Food, Shelter, Transportation and Love... not necessarily in that order.

Don't get me wrong, I aspire as much as the next guy... I just sometimes wish things would be simpler. I think we have the answer right between our ears; set the expectation at the "need" level and don't let anyone hit your reset button. Excesses can be nice, but don't allow yourself to be ruled by the glorious standards of extreme consumerism. It will be (is) our downfall.

Genesis 3:4-5
4 "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

WHO AM I?

Who am I? They often tell me
I would step from my cell's confinement
calmly, cheerfully, firmly,
like a squire from his country-house.
Who am I? They also tell me
I would talk to my warders
freely and friendly and clearly,
as though it were mine to command.
Who am I? They also tell me
I would bear the days of misfortune
equably, smilingly, proudly,
like one accustomed to win.

Am I then really all that which other men tell of?
Or am I only what I myself know of myself,
restless and longing and sick, like a bird in a cage,
struggling for breath, as though hands were compressing my throat,
yearning for colors, for flowers, for the voices of birds,
thirsting for words of kindness, for neighborliness,
trembling with anger at despotisms and petty humiliation,
tossing in expectation of great events,
powerlessly trembling for friends at an infinite distance,
weary and empty at praying, at thinking, at making,
faint, and ready to say farewell to it all?

Who am I? This or the other?
Am I one person today, and tomorrow another?
Am I both at once? A hypocrite before others,
and before myself a contemptibly woebegone weakling?
Or is something within me still like a beaten army,
fleeing in disorder from victory already achieved?

Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.
Whoever I am, thou knowest, O God, I am thine.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

What are you doing today?

Every day that you do not take a step towards bettering yourself is a step down from the summit your life could have become.

1. The overall success of your life will be determined when you are done.
2. You are not the one who will set the grade.
3. The quality of your decisions will be greatly influenced by who you ask for help along the way.
4. If you do not ask for help you will not meet your full potential.
5. Who you ask for help is the most important decision you will ever make.

Do it Anyway...

More and more these days we are all being called to do more with less, for less and in spite of rising tensions in all areas of our life. I believe it breaks across all industries and walks of life. We all just got ahead of ourselves and sometimes adjustment is needed. I was thinking of this allegory last weekend as I was trimming bushes and cutting back the Crepe Myrtles in our front yard. It seems counter-intuitive to cut back almost all of last years growth during the last throes of Winter, just before Spring begins. But if you know anything about plants, if you don't continually prune, the growth will not be nearly as robust in the coming growing season.

All that being said, it brings me back around to one of the major tenets of my life. I found these "rules" several years ago when on a plane trip back from my mother's funeral in Pennsylvania. I was obviously at a low point and came across the following long quote...

The Paradoxical Commandments
by Dr. Kent M. Keith


People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

© Copyright Kent M. Keith 1968, renewed 2001

I hope you are able to make the same leap of understanding about life that I was. It is not about the forces from without. True happiness and fulfillment comes from working towards what you know to be "right", despite what others may try to burden you with. Persevere, continue on and thrive into what you are called to be. You will be happier for it.

Conscious and Purposeful Victim

Genesis 3:4-5
4 "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

Most of us recognize the setting this verse comes from. I believe we overlook the implication of the original sin it justifies in our every day life. If we try to simplify it into modern terms I believe we can use one word with universal application... Pride. The subtle implications of this one moment in time are the root of almost everything we experience today. Whether we admit it or not, this is the verse that describes that process by which each of us justifies everything we do.

Pause and reflect on that thought for a moment. Hold up each and every thought and action of your day. Is there anything in that day that is genuinely selfless? Or are you like me and if really honest can trace some level of personal gain in it all? I am certainly not pointing a finger here because I am as guilty as everyone else. I just want to pull back the curtain of hypocrisy that many Christians hide behind. The life that we are called to encompasses two extremes that seem to be mutually exclusive. In all things follow the example of Christ and hold yourself personally accountable to what is right and true as written in the Bible...AND...Treat others, regardless of there imperfections, as you would want to be treated.

What I see is a world where people trying to live up to the first example feel empowered to become God's Judge here on earth. That is wrong. I also see people who feel that treating other people well, the second example, makes them immune to the requirements of personal accountability within the first. What our enemy would love to happen, and seems to be very successful in bringing about, is for all of us to focus on those differences and wrestle with our own personal subjective truths.

It is not your job or mine to personally work to change others. We have this undeniably strong urge to enforce our interpretation of what is right (refer back to the above scripture here) and as such lose sight of what God wants us to do. If we closely follow Jesus example, we see a man who chose to focus solely on God's purpose. He was completely aware that his actions would cause his death. He did it anyway.

Pursue and love God. Do what the Bible says and love others as yourself. Do right even if it will cause you pain and maybe lead to failure, possibly death. From that type of life flows blessing. It is not a logical and mathematical progression but it does seem to work.

Psalms 1:1-3
1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.