September 28, 2009
His name is Peter Peters…really, no joke, that’s his real name.
He sat slightly slouched in front of me by his son at the college volleyball game this week. He was weathered from the years and sporting both hearing aids and cane. Though a senior member of the Geritol Generation, he was very attentive, engaged and conversant. Still, he is one that you could easily pass by without much notice.
Yet, his story transfixed me. I was humbled and awed.
The man lives with intention. At 97, he is still pressing ahead with goals and has a purpose statement each year that guides him. This year he wants to talk face to face with each of his grandchildren and great grandchildren to challenge them about life. Still trying to impact the lives of others. Amazing!!!
Most people never see the other side of 90 and if they make it that far they would be thrilled just to be breathing, eat soft foods and to think clearly let alone get around with some measure of health. But to set goals at 97 for what you want to accomplish that year? Extraordinary!
Then I felt it hit me…a strange mixture of being humbled and challenged. Would anything be a valid excuse for me not to be more intentional with my life? Wow, if anyone has an excuse for taking it easy, Pete would.
This is not about giving tribute to unusual man. It is about you and me and making the most of the days God gives us. It’s the challenge to make no more excuses, no more justifications, no more mere intentions. Instead, it’s about living intentional – believing you are here for a purpose and to make a difference with your life.
The good book has it pretty clear in when it states “The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty, if we have the strength; Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. “ (Psalm 90).
The heart of wisdom comes from realizing we have a limited number of times the monthly calendar will turn. We need to use our time wisely and with purpose.
Someone has said, “if you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.” What are your goals? What is your purpose for this year? What are you aiming at?
Remember this Peter Principle- make a decision to make a difference every year of your life.
Never let purpose die. Live with the perennial spirit of anticipation and accomplishment. If you have breath, you have life and opportunity. Believe you can make a difference. Give yourself away…care for somebody.
Live each day driven by a sense of your destiny. Do whatever our Creator has called you to do and do it with all you might!
Don’t Peter out…he isn’t! Make your life count!
Showing posts with label destiny. Show all posts
Showing posts with label destiny. Show all posts
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
When Tough Stuff Happens
September 2
When the “_______” hits the fan (and everything blows up in our face), I wonder sometimes if it’s the fertilizer needed for greater fruit in the next place we’ll work.
Adversity brings discomfort; so true. Set backs in our vocation just plain suck and bring a ton of hurt and all those “why” questions. Most of the time, I really try to avoid the tough stuff or at least get through it quickly.
But sometimes we get comfortable and complacent. At times there are seen and unseen complexities and pressures where we work that can consume us and thus hamper us. It’s like fighting an uphill battle at the very place where we are trying our best to fulfill our destiny. But it’s just not working and deep down we know it.
I have been there…recently. The fan felt so ominous and overwhelming and then the spray when the stuff hit…well, you got the picture and you likely know the feeling!
But is it possible that the fan and the excrement are a good thing?
Today, I feel like it may be a possibility but most of the time in the ups and downs of unforeseen set backs, its just plain crappy.
But what does beauty from ashes really mean and is it really true for you and me in life? I have been physically burnt in the past and it is really painful…scares are there to prove it. Yet, as tragic as the fires in California or BC are right now, we are told that out of the burned out areas comes a new refreshing, a cleansing, a starting over! Nature is less bothered by fires in the circle of life.
Maybe we shouldn’t be.
Gold is refined through the fire not “near” the fire. Gold actually breaks down before the dross is revealed and removed. Get the picture. For me, I don’t believe that God went for coffee when tough stuff hits the fan in my life. He has allowed it for a reason. Could it be His refining?
No, I don’t like it; I’m not some situational masochist. But I have seen and experienced much growth and good come through the ashes of set backs…even mine. And most of the time, my dross gets really clear. It can help me refocus on what is really important – and another level of refining is possible.
So join me right now in seeing where the dross may be in your destiny- what you are called to be doing, in your relationships- how you are affecting those in your world- in your authenticity- are you who you portray yourself to be and in your heart- are you chasing after what really matters.
And maybe next time, when you hear the fan winding up, think fertilizer…think growth and look for a real purpose in the tough stuff. That’s where I am at.
When the “_______” hits the fan (and everything blows up in our face), I wonder sometimes if it’s the fertilizer needed for greater fruit in the next place we’ll work.
Adversity brings discomfort; so true. Set backs in our vocation just plain suck and bring a ton of hurt and all those “why” questions. Most of the time, I really try to avoid the tough stuff or at least get through it quickly.
But sometimes we get comfortable and complacent. At times there are seen and unseen complexities and pressures where we work that can consume us and thus hamper us. It’s like fighting an uphill battle at the very place where we are trying our best to fulfill our destiny. But it’s just not working and deep down we know it.
I have been there…recently. The fan felt so ominous and overwhelming and then the spray when the stuff hit…well, you got the picture and you likely know the feeling!
But is it possible that the fan and the excrement are a good thing?
Today, I feel like it may be a possibility but most of the time in the ups and downs of unforeseen set backs, its just plain crappy.
But what does beauty from ashes really mean and is it really true for you and me in life? I have been physically burnt in the past and it is really painful…scares are there to prove it. Yet, as tragic as the fires in California or BC are right now, we are told that out of the burned out areas comes a new refreshing, a cleansing, a starting over! Nature is less bothered by fires in the circle of life.
Maybe we shouldn’t be.
Gold is refined through the fire not “near” the fire. Gold actually breaks down before the dross is revealed and removed. Get the picture. For me, I don’t believe that God went for coffee when tough stuff hits the fan in my life. He has allowed it for a reason. Could it be His refining?
No, I don’t like it; I’m not some situational masochist. But I have seen and experienced much growth and good come through the ashes of set backs…even mine. And most of the time, my dross gets really clear. It can help me refocus on what is really important – and another level of refining is possible.
So join me right now in seeing where the dross may be in your destiny- what you are called to be doing, in your relationships- how you are affecting those in your world- in your authenticity- are you who you portray yourself to be and in your heart- are you chasing after what really matters.
And maybe next time, when you hear the fan winding up, think fertilizer…think growth and look for a real purpose in the tough stuff. That’s where I am at.
Running Your Race
September 1, 2009
I’ve been challenged for some time to “blog”, so welcome to my world. Your taking time to read this should not be a waste. Sure, I will weave in the stuff of my life but for me, at the core, my purpose is to journey about life and the matters that affect all of us. It’s a commentary about what is truly important. It will braid in my views about one’s destiny, one’s relationships, one’s authenticity and one’s heart. It will be propelled by my deep and personal desire to make my life count. After all, I only get one shot at this life. You too.
This week I will run another marathon, this time, only a half. And it will be fun. Running the Disneyland Marathon (that’s right the theme park…me and Mickey) with 4 other friends will be a blast especially when as part of it we get to cross home plate in Anaheim Stadium. The marathon on Sunday takes on another purpose beyond fun and fitness.
I had a surprise 180 in my career. At this transitional point of my vocational track, I had been challenged by a good friend to have something to focus on (running a marathon) so I don’t get too fried by inactivity (if you know me, you know I am a triple type A and sitting still is not a gift). Being “in between” places of work, I have lots of free time to evaluate what my life is all about. So I share with you the intersection of lessons from running my marathon to running the race of life.
You see, if all things run their normal course, I am about two thirds done my race. What am I doing with the final 10,000 days God could be giving me? There’s no doubt that my work is my destiny…at least a big part of it. It occupies a major percentage of my time. It defines me, shapes me, enriches me and motivates me. It empowers me, catapults me, invigorates me and gives me purpose and meaning.
But when it goes bad, the stress is significant; again because it occupies such a big part of your life. Then it controls me, depresses me, humbles me, and discourages me. It erodes me, blockades me, paralyzes me and humiliates me. Purpose and meaning are lost. Maybe you have been through a tough time in your vocation too.
But what if destiny is beyond, is far bigger than what I do, beyond my work? What if you are being asked to push through “the wall” in your marathon of life when it seems that taking the next step is not born out of strength but sheer will? You see, it is what you do when you get to the tough points of the race that define you. Why not join me in asking God to help you run your best race no matter what you find yourself doing?
I’ve been challenged for some time to “blog”, so welcome to my world. Your taking time to read this should not be a waste. Sure, I will weave in the stuff of my life but for me, at the core, my purpose is to journey about life and the matters that affect all of us. It’s a commentary about what is truly important. It will braid in my views about one’s destiny, one’s relationships, one’s authenticity and one’s heart. It will be propelled by my deep and personal desire to make my life count. After all, I only get one shot at this life. You too.
This week I will run another marathon, this time, only a half. And it will be fun. Running the Disneyland Marathon (that’s right the theme park…me and Mickey) with 4 other friends will be a blast especially when as part of it we get to cross home plate in Anaheim Stadium. The marathon on Sunday takes on another purpose beyond fun and fitness.
I had a surprise 180 in my career. At this transitional point of my vocational track, I had been challenged by a good friend to have something to focus on (running a marathon) so I don’t get too fried by inactivity (if you know me, you know I am a triple type A and sitting still is not a gift). Being “in between” places of work, I have lots of free time to evaluate what my life is all about. So I share with you the intersection of lessons from running my marathon to running the race of life.
You see, if all things run their normal course, I am about two thirds done my race. What am I doing with the final 10,000 days God could be giving me? There’s no doubt that my work is my destiny…at least a big part of it. It occupies a major percentage of my time. It defines me, shapes me, enriches me and motivates me. It empowers me, catapults me, invigorates me and gives me purpose and meaning.
But when it goes bad, the stress is significant; again because it occupies such a big part of your life. Then it controls me, depresses me, humbles me, and discourages me. It erodes me, blockades me, paralyzes me and humiliates me. Purpose and meaning are lost. Maybe you have been through a tough time in your vocation too.
But what if destiny is beyond, is far bigger than what I do, beyond my work? What if you are being asked to push through “the wall” in your marathon of life when it seems that taking the next step is not born out of strength but sheer will? You see, it is what you do when you get to the tough points of the race that define you. Why not join me in asking God to help you run your best race no matter what you find yourself doing?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
