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Plans

October 11, 2008

Well, tomorrow the staff will have an opportunity to share some of the ideas that they have for Lifepoint in 2009. For me, the idea of personal development is crucial. I can’t imagine being the point guy for personal development, but it is a concept that has connected with my very core. When I have talked with people over the past year, the one common thread has been a desire to understand their lives better and to make better decisions for it’s future.

In the past twelve months I have read more books than I have been able to post about. Most of those books have had to do with the idea of personal development. Now I’m not talking about Anthony Robbins – although he has made a good living doing his thing – I’m talking about the mechanics and psychological underpinnings of why we do the things we do. From Marcus Buckingham and his putting your strengths first approach, to Robert Torbert and his vision of action logics to Dee Hock and his view of chaordic organizations, I have read and digested and wanted to do something with the information. Now is the time.

In 2009, there will be many opportunities for people n the Middle Georgia area to come to events hosted by Lifepoint Church (that’s right, a church!) to help people in their personal development. From personal mission statements to strengths that will help you find the right job for you, Lifepoint will embark in a new era of facilitating personal growth for Middle Georgia and it’s citizens.

Needless to say, I can’t wait!

Categories: Context, Creativity, Cultural Ideas, Influence, Leadership, Life, Lifepoint, Me, People, Starting, Strengths, Vision

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Happy First Anniversary!

October 5, 2008

It has been one year since I began blogging. Last year we were in the middle of a series called “Whatever It Takes”, and this year finds me in much more of the same place, only more extreme goals and ideas for next year. The concept of “Whatever It Takes” was about catalizing people to volunteer in areas inside the church – BTW the people of Lifepoint have done great.

More is still to come and I’ll be getting down to brass tacks in the coming weeks, but once you make the decision to do “Whatever It Takes” there really isn’t any place for stepping back.

As with anything we do in life, I have learned a number of lessons concerning blogging:

1. You may think nobody’s reading, but they are

2. When you feel a need to rant…don’t

3. Use the platform to encourage people in the development of their lives.

4. Be prepared for the parodox of your opinion.

5. When you feel the need to open yourself up a little more…do

6. You’re not going to make a living at this

7. Check your spelling twice

8. Check your hyperlinks three times

9. You don’t have to be an expert to comment on something

and finally…

10. People that you never thought you would become connected with will turn out to be the greatest teachers

Here we go again!

Categories: Creativity, Life, Me, People

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UGA in Arizona

September 20, 2008

What can I say about the Dawgs this week? Although they started slow, the momentum built and Georgia continued their winning streak with game 11. One of the Most Likely to Be Seen in the Highlight Reel had to be Knowshon Moreno’s high flying touchdown. He must have had some Red Bull because he certainly had wings on that play.

Matthew Stafford continues to add to his portfolio. His arm strength is becoming legendary, and the way he connects with his receivers is magical and beautiful to watch. This game he threw for a career-high of 285 yards. Stafford wasn’t the only Dawg to show on Saturday. Freshman A. J. Green had an impressive evening as well. 159 yard on eight catches and a Touchdown is a great night. Aside from Knowshon’s early leaping Touchdown, he had another 100+ yard night. With 23 carries for 149 yards and 2 Touchdowns, Moreno is quickly becoming mythological in his playing.

Even though there are plenty of outstanding individual players, you have to give kudos to the Georgia Defense. ASU was only able to get only 4 rushing yards on 19 attempts, its second lowest since a negative 2 yards against Cal in 2002, and second lowest by an opponent for the Bulldogs in the Richt-era.

The Dawgs return to Stanford Stadium next week to meet No. 9 Alabama in what is sure to be another exciting game.

Categories: Georgia Bulldogs, Life, Me, Sports, Uncategorized

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Neighbors

September 19, 2008

I met our new neighbors today. Harry and Nancy are the newest residents in our quaint little subdivision somewhere in Middle Georgia. This morning I walked out to the car to hear the sound of Canadian Geese overhead. I would have shot, if I’d have had my gun, but then I would probably have a new assignment in a small cell.

Harry and Nancy are older that I am and have lived through some amazing world events. I was taken by how much we have to gain by investing into knowing the people who live next to us. In a world where, according to a new report, social networking is more popular now than on-line porn, out inter connectivity to actual humans in our vicinity is less and less.

Fred Rogers used to ask me every day if I would be his neighbor, and each day that I did, I learned new and interesting stuff. Take some time and get to know a neighbor. The wealth that it will bring to your own life will surprise you.

Categories: Awareness, Life, Me, People

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Grandad

September 8, 2008

About a week ago something great happened to me. I was in a funk and feeling particularly blah. Normally I would not resort to cleaning my office, but this time – I did. As I was sorting through papers and throwing things out, I came across the card pictured above. It has been several years since my Grandad passed. He and I had a distinct connection, and I could swear sometimes he is right in the room with me.

On this particular day, he was not only in the room, he wrote me a note. It had been written years earlier, but was right on time this day. Each day we are given opportunites to give tangible expressions of our true nature to others. When we send the card/email or make the phone call or go and visit face-to-face, we are being the hand of our Father stretched out to one of His children.

I know that my day was instantly better, but I also know that you are empowered to “instantly better” someone’s day today. Take a moment and make the call you’ve been meaning to make, write the note you’ve been wanting to write.

Make the connection because it just might outlive you!

Categories: Influence, Life, Me, People

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Georgia Football is Back!!!

August 30, 2008

Can’t say how good it is to have college football back. Can’t say how bad it is not to be able to see the first game -thank God for radio and Larry Munson! As expected the Dawgs beat Georgia Southern, but more than that is the expected ethos – the feeling – of college football. Saturdays now have even greater purpose and a place that felt so good last year is now back like an old friend gone on an extended vacation.

Don’t want to get too sappy so “Time out”. Check out your life and try to identify the different “ethos” you experience. What is the ethos of work, family, church, school, etc? If you like it, great, relish it and enjoy it. If you don’t, think of ways you can transform the ethos to be one that feels like a comfortable T-shirt. Don’t think that because you aren’t “the Boss” that you can’t change the feel of your workplace. Every time you change something about yourself, you change everything about your relationships with colleagues, friends and family.

GO DAWGS!

Categories: Awareness, Cultural Ideas, Life, Me, Sports

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When Balance isn’t really Balance

June 27, 2008

I’ve written quite a bit about the importance of being balanced. I feel that to find success in any area of life, balance must be a part of the equation. But what kind of balance? Sometimes I can sit outside or take a day off or go somewhere else and feel like I have found balance. I can begin to hear my internal dialogue and interior silence grow. I can even have the beginnings of an enraptured feeling where I think I have it “all figured out”.

Is what I’m feeling true or not? You’ve probably experienced this before and wondered the same thing. I think that the only way we know if we are in balance is to be in balance in the regular rhythms of life.

Moments of self-discovery are essential, but can actually be detrimental if we lead a life hopping from one of those moments to another. Everything in life is balanced on the pivot of “now”. I have no control over event in the recent or far past; neither do I have any control over things yet to happen. The only place that I have any ability to “do” anything is right here, right now.

If the only way I can feel “in balance” is to escape living life in community, I have become severely off balance in both perspective and execution of life.

John Maeda is becoming a mentor-at-large. He had a conversation with a colleague about insecurity. And I think it has great significance on the idea of real balance. He said, “The thing about insecurity, is that if you are too insecure, then you don’t grow – because you’re paralyzed by fear of failure. On the other hand, if you have no insecurity, then you don’t grow either – because your head is so big you can’t recognize your failures.” The colleague replied, “Balance in all.” John continued, “If you are in the middle, however, you have to shift towards the edges and oscillate a bit in order to know if you are centered.” He responded, “You can get lost in the middle. You need mentors to give you courage.”

To this John questioned, “But all your mentors tend to go away as you age.” The answer, “Yes, because you don’t need them anymore.”

The key is to embrace the oscillation around center/balance, always checking that the pendulum doesn’t swing too far in any direction.

Categories: Awareness, Belief, Context, Creativity, Cultural Ideas, Influence, Life, Me, religion, Strengths

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Father’s Day

June 15, 2008

How can I not write about Father’s Day. I am a father and it is the best thing in life to have two (I have two) charming princesses to love and help through the heights and depths of life. They teach me about myself and how to receive love, and hopefully I teach them what love is supposed to be about and give them the confidence to reach for the stars.

As I watch them grow and become young ladies I am amazed at the way the word “blossom” is not a cliche, it’s truth. They are becoming masters of subtlety both in observing and interacting. They see things in a different way and consistently astound me. Of course they are both different, but I see their mother in each one and know that because of that they will grow up to be women who know themselves and don’t cower to a set mold. They will be individual, independant and incredible.

As a father, how can I say more, but that each day I am thankful and grateful to be close enough to and aware enough of my girls to watch them transform from girls to women. What a beautiful mystery to see each day weave the intricate tapestry of my “two princesses of Georgia”.

Categories: Influence, Life, Me

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Insultants

June 14, 2008

Last week I read a book in which a key way to produce action and innovation within an organization is to activate “insultants”. I have to admit, at first I thought he was talking about having people who are free enough to tell you, the leader, the hard things and in fact, insult you. I was wrong.

The author used a different point of view on the idea of “consultants”. Typically consultants originate outside of an organization. They provide valuable insight because they are outsiders, however, that same reason – coming from the outside – blinds consultants from culture nuances and unsaid generally accepted protocols unique to different businesses.

The suggestion of “insultants” – consultants from within the business structure – is a great idea that has implications far beyond work environments. By giving some a responsibility to become aware and constructively question practices and actions, a wealth of information can be gleaned.

We can turn this practice to our own lives. If we do not have someone who knows our quirks and also has the freedom to tell us when we vear close to or cross the line, we should look at our relationship account and consider it lacking and in the red. The most valuable asset we can have are people who can constructively view our lives through the “who we are now” while looking toward the “who we want to be” and help us to get there.

If you don’t have a personal “insultant” hire one and you’ll be amazed at the difference a shift in perspective and a new voice can make.

Categories: Context, Creativity, Influence, Life, Me

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Rich Mullins

June 12, 2008

Do you ever find things on your iPod that surprise you? Apparently I had put Rich Mullins’ album A Liturgy, A Legacy & A Ragamuffin Bandin my playlist. So I decided to take a listen. Now the album is a number of years old and has a decidedly early 90’s Christian music folk sound, but…it floored me.

There I am sitting in the car and my eyes are welling up and emotions are bombarding me and the freshness of Rich’s delivery and lyrics has taken over. I heard “Hold Me Jesus” like it was the first time I had ever heard it.

Perhaps it was the first time I really heard what Rich was trying to say in those words. Whatever the case I had to pull into Barnes & Nobles and get out of the car to pull myself together. Emotions are such powerful things. They can be allies or adversaries.

I am thankful that my day was invaded by the late Rich Mullins. A liturgy is a path to God’s presence; a legacy is something that lives on after we are gone. I’d say Rich’s album title was prophetic and true – at least today, long after Rich’s too early passing, it brought me to God’s presence, and let me know Him just a little more.

Categories: Context, Influence, Me, Music, People

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