Pushing On Through

There are times when I sit down at my computer to write a post and something inside says that I just don't want to do it today.  I don't feel inspired, or I am just tired.  It forces a choice upon me.  That choice is to "push on through" and write anyway, or to skip a day -- which usually leads to skipping 2 or 3 or even taking an extended break.  Such has happened to me a number of times since I started writing this blog in 2007, as can be seen if you look at the "Past Posts" section on the right-hand side near the bottom (you may have to scroll down to find it).

The thing that is "best" for me is to suck it up and write something anyway.  I recognize that we all need a break sometimes from what we do.  We call such a vacation.  I agree that time away is important, but it should be planned and executed as part of a plan, not just be a response to, "I feel lazy today so, I'm not going to do what I should."

It goes back to purpose.  I sometimes have to remind myself why I took on this endeavor of writing.  I choose to write daily in order to instill the discipline necessary to hone my "craft" in a way that hopefully, over time, will help me to improve as a writer.  Someday I may choose to "retire" from my day job and turn to writing as a post-career career.  If that is something I truly plan to do, then  I must prepare for it, much like we all, hopefully, set aside savings of some form or fashion for the eventuality of retirement.  My brief, daily exercise in writing keeps me in shape.

At some point I will choose to take a brief break from posting.  My intention is that it be planned -- disciplined -- just as the writing must be disciplined to be of value.  A runner trains, a musician practises and successful people of every kind devote time to bettering themselves in whatever they do.  Writing is no different.  Sometimes I have to remind myself of that.

I pray that each of you who reads this has something for which they are willing to put in the time on a daily basis to improve their craft -- whether it be mechanic, artist or businessperson.  Face the struggle with discipline and perseverance.  Above all, I pray the same for your faith.  The best words that describe the necessity to "push on through" when it seems hard are found in the book of Romans:

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."  -- Romans 5:1-5

Now, read those verses again more slowly, as though you are listening to Paul actually say them.  Too often, Christians who have been in the faith for a long time, due to their familiarity with the words, don't truly listen to God speaking through those words, but instead rattle them off in their head from memory.  Let these words soak into your very being and become a part of you.

Sometimes Silence Is Necessary

Are you ever asked a question which sends your mind spinning down multiple pathways so that it takes you a few seconds before you can respond?  Sometimes that happens to me.  I start drawing boxes around the question and opening doors and taking a look to see what's behind it and it sometimes takes a little time before I have mentally evaluated the multiple permutations to determine which direction I want to go with my response.  Sometimes it sends a weird message to the "asker" and of course, they can't stand the silence so they ask another question.

One of the most important things to learn in sales is that sometimes silence is necessary.  If you are doing your job properly, you should be asking questions and learning about your prospect.  Don't waste everyone's time detailing your product or service until you know best how it will "fit" for your prospect -- ask questions.  But, here's the crucial piece -- wait for their answer and listen deeply to their response.  If you are thinking about what you are going to say next, or are thrown off by a hesitation that causes silence, you will miss something critical.  Never interrupt your prospect -- and that includes their silence.  Wait for their response.

We don't normally think of sales people as being patient.  Some of the very best are extremely patient.  Not only are they patient, but they actually listen to what you are saying rather than scurrying down the path of their much practiced presentation.

Most of y'all who might read this aren't really interested in sales, but the same concept applies to conversation of any kind.  We all need to be more patient.  We should be comfortable with the occasional silence -- silence can move a conversation from "noise" to something meaningful.  We also need to learn to listen.  I do a better job of listening in sales than I do in normal conversation -- part of that is because in sales I am focused on taking my understanding to a deeper level -- in casual conversation I grow tired of inanities.  I am not good at just "noise" to fill the silence.  To me, silence is a sign of deeper connection.  It means a relationship is more than just acquaintance.

So, did you watch the big game last night?

Allergy Time

It's allergy time of year!
Pollen is in the air!
To most of you it's not a big deal
But, for some it doesn't seem fair
That the time when everything
Bursts into bloom
Can be so miserable.

Tiny leaves cover the trees,
Flowers bloom in the ditch,
My nose is constantly running
And my eyes always itch!
But, most of you just go on your way
Doing whatever you do
While I suffer in my solitude.

I get out the antihistamines
And try not to rub my eyes;
It seems I'm constantly clearing my throat
While cursing the pollen-filled skies!
And yet, it's a beautiful time of the year
When everything starts to turn green
But, for some of us it isn't much fun.

Bigger Picture

Life is full of twists and turns
That sometimes don't make sense.
The world just makes another round
In spite of our defense
Of things we do
That in the end are meaningless
To most.

That's why we need to think about our life
In the context of something bigger
Than just what we see here on this earth
That we can't figure
Because we are not
Just a useless lifeform passing through
The Universe;

We are special -- made in the image of God --
Who is over all and in all and who
Is Bigger than anything we can imagine
And whose Word is ALWAYS true
Because He cares
About what happens to us and all those things
That occur

And when we don't understand why things are
The way they are and why they happen
To some and not to others
We must know that then
Is when He is working
In our life for
Our good.

[Just thinking about friends who I know are going through struggles now....]

Dollars for Idiocy

This crazy world and the "nanny-state" attitude of governing authorities is more than a little disturbing.  The very same people who scream at the top of their lungs that their are too many people in the world are legislating confusion.  Some of the legislation appears to be designed to slow the growth of population -- such as the very liberal attitudes toward abortion.  At the same time, other legislation appears designed to protect people from their own stupidity.  Perhaps the best solution is the Darwinian approach to let nature take its course where only the most fit will survive.

The current controversy over glyphosphate (think Roundup) is one of those things that is a mixed bag.  There is concern among some that it might be a carcinogen.  Well, news flash, almost anything is carcinogenic to certain people under certain conditions.  Some simply have a genetic disposition to being susceptible to develop cancer.  Doing away with glyphosphate as a weed control will change farming practises back to a less efficient time when it was difficult to produce the yields we do today.  With a population approaching 7.7 billion people on this planet, reducing crop yields seems a more likely way to cause deaths than the few who may contract cancer and die due to use of the chemical.  So, legislation is presented that causes deaths by supposedly preventing deaths.  Go figure.

I suppose one explanation would be that our legislators and therefore many of our laws are controlled by the insurance companies.  Think about it.  Death by cancer is a burden on the insurance companies.  Death by starvation in an underdeveloped country doesn't affect them.  Maybe it's simply about the money.

Think about the television commercials that are memorable.  Chances are there are at least 3 if not 4 or 5 of them that are insurance commercials.  What does that say?  It tells us there's a lot of money in insurance.

Thunderstorm Time of Year

Sunday night we were awakened by tornado sirens.  They started at 12:15 and continued for 30 minutes.  No tornado was ever sighted of which I am aware, but there apparently was rotation in the cloud that indicated the possibility.  We received about 1/2 inch of rain accompanied by 1/2 inch in diameter hail which knocked lots of tiny new leaves off of the trees.  It seemed to be soft hail so it didn't do much damage to the roof or to vehicles.

It is that time of year.  It seems to be starting off early and perhaps a little more violently than the average though.

Growing up on the southern edge of the Texas Panhandle, violent weather is nothing new.  What is different here in northeast Texas from the way it was there is the visibility.  Here we have trees that block your view.  On the High Plains you could see the storms coming for miles.

Being awakened in the middle of the night threw me off all day yesterday.  I had been scheduled to catch an early flight out of Love Field, but the trip was canceled just a short time before I was to leave -- not by the airline, but by one of the participants who was key.  He came down with an illness and was unable to attend so, we decided to reschedule.  Having my sleep cycle interrupted by the storm had my head nodding all day long.  It's probably a good thing the appointment was cancelled since I might have struggled to remain awake.

I miss being able to watch thunderstorms.  As a youngster I wanted to be a meteorologist.  I think "storm chaser" would have been more accurate.  There is something about a thunderstorm that draws me.  I've been caught in a few.  I've also had a few close brushes with a tornado.  Twice I have been in hailstorms that were bad enough I crawled into the floorboard and hunkered under the dash because of the pounding of baseball and larger sized hail.

I don't know what it is about the storms that draws me.  I suppose it is just the awesome violence of nature. 

Remembering the Wind

I sit within a darkened room
And listen to the wind
As it howls across the window panes;
Rattling them.
The slight smell of dust
Permeates the air and causes me to sneeze.
The gusts bring sounds of grit
Plastering the house
As if someone had thrown small gravel
Against the wall.
I should be sleeping
But, my mind is alert and my ears
Hear the moaning currents
Scouring,
Cleansing.
Something sounding like a wet mop
Hits the siding.
It is only a tumbleweed
Temporarily thwarted
In its mad dash across the plains.
I lay down
And cover my head with the sheet
To block the sighing,
Roaring,
Incessant noise of the wind.
By morning it will be replaced
By clean bright skies.

[A memory of childhood.]

Big Cities and People, People, People

Imagine for a moment any of the large cities of the world.  The skyscrapers reach to the sky in the city center, or if it is like Dallas, or Houston, in multiple centers of commerce scattered over miles and miles of the terrain.  Around these islands of high-rise buildings there are usually areas of slightly shorter and older buildings that still tower high above the streets and then further out you begin to encounter apartments and condominiums and eventually other urban and suburban residential areas interspersed with shopping and other types of businesses.  Often, there are also areas of distribution or, manufacturing located on the outskirts of these sprawling achievements of man.

Now, think about the number of people concentrated in those areas.  Think of the thousands upon thousands of individuals who daily make the commute from the residential areas to the centers of business.  Think of their families -- spouses and children -- who spend each day in their own job or, in school.  Think of the transportation infrastructure and the utilities such as electricity and water and garbage and sewage disposal.  Imagine for a moment how many gallons of fuel are required for a single day of commerce to occur in that one large city.

Now, multiply that by several hundred, or thousand to account for other cities of similar composition scattered across the globe.  As of this moment, the global population is estimated at 7.6 Billion people.

The average global consumption of food on a daily basis is 1,878 grams that's approximately 4.14 lbs. per person per day.  If you multiply that by the number of people on this planet it comes to 31.464 Billion lbs. of food per day or, 15.732 Million U.S. tons.  That's a lot of food.

When you look at solid waste per person, it is estimated by the World Bank to be .74 Kilograms, or 740 grams per person per day.  That equates to 1.63 lbs. per person daily, or 12.388 Billion lbs. of solid waste daily for the total global population.  It all goes somewhere.

When you start to really look at the numbers it is easy to see why some people have entered "panic mode" about the number of people on this planet and the impact they are having on it.  For those of us who live in rural areas it is less apparent.  I frankly don't see how we are able to feed all of those people that are currently on the planet, let alone the additional ones who will be added in coming years.  The transportation demands alone to get the food from where it is produced to where it is needed is mind-boggling.

Just my thoughts this morning....

Relaxing by a Campfire

This time of year I really enjoy being outside.  We decided last night it was time for a campfire, so we went out to our place north of town and built one and just enjoyed the evening.  The grass is green, the trees are budding and the weather was perfect.

Sometimes we all need the peace of a campfire.  There is something soothing -- mesmerizing -- about watching the flames dance among the pieces of wood.  It is easy to forget the "cares of the world" and to just "be" when you have a campfire to gaze into.

Last weekend we tried a quick "getaway" to Central Texas to view the wildflowers.  We were a little early for good viewing, but saw a few.  The trip was shortened and we had to come back earlier than planned.

It was a reminder that unexpected things can quickly change our direction in life.  We had stopped in Gatesville to stretch our legs and decided to take a few photos of the courthouse there which is very picturesque.  As we were aiming our iPhone cameras a pickup truck driven by someone in a hat passed in front of us.  It then circled around and came back to park right beside where we were standing.  The gentleman in the hat got out and walked around the pickup and it was then I recognized a good friend who also was just passing through town and noticed me on the sidewalk.

You'd better be careful what you do, because you never know who you might run into!

I guess the campfire was our way of getting away to make up for the shortened weekend the week before.  We weren't interrupted except for a handful of feral pigs that made a brief appearance.  It led to what I thought was a brief interlude of maybe 10 minutes while I stalked them, but was later informed it was more like 30 minutes.  The longer time is probably correct since my Fitbit informed me I had reached my steps for the day about midway through the hike.

Even the 30 minute hike was relaxing.

Choosing the Positive

Some days are harder than others to keep a positive attitude.  When you look around at all of the things going on in this world, it is easy to be depressed.  There are plenty of positives, but it seems sometimes the negatives are winning the battle.  Fortunately, I have found that my own attitude is mainly a decision.  I can decide to be positive, or I can let myself be pulled into the pool of negative.

Some people believe there is a cosmic balance between good and evil, positive and negative if you prefer, that equals out over time.  The net sum is zero, or equality between the two.  I can understand that view if you step back and look at it objectively from a human standpoint -- which is what we must do since we are all human.  I subscribe to the idea that it is a battle between good and evil.

The Biblical view, as I read it, is that evil was unleashed upon the world in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve chose to believe that they (based on advice from Satan) knew better than God and that it was better to eat from the tree in the midst of the garden than to obey God's command to not do so.  It was the first instance of disobeying God and setting man on a par with or, even higher than God.  It was a choice based on "I know what is best for me," rather than accepting God's will.

Ultimately, that is what allows evil into this world -- man's choice.  Any time we choose selfishly -- "I know what is best for me" -- we allow evil in.

Each and every day we must make choices.  In each choice we should seek God's will.  When our choices are driven by selfishness we allow just a little more evil (or, negative if you prefer) into our lives and therefore, into the world.  I pray that each and every day you will be motivated to seek God's will.  Focus on the positive and not on the negative.  Choose God's way rather than man's way.

In spite of what advertisers tell us, It's not "all about me."

Such Is Symbolic -- Tell Me Why?

It's that time of year when you don't know whether to set the central heating and cooling on AC or heater.  The last few days we have needed the AC in the afternoon, but when you wake up to a cool 64F temperature (in the house) in the morning, you either need to layer on the clothes, or turn the heater on for awhile.

I shouldn't complain.  I recall Dad telling of when he was a child in southwestern Oklahoma back during the Great Depression.  There were 7 kids in a small farm house.  The attic area had been converted to a sleeping room for the kids.  The house wasn't very tight or, insulated and so they would often wake to a light dusting of snow on their bed covers that had blown in through the cracks during the night.  Of course, they didn't know what air conditioning was in the summer.

Being married to a Realtor, I occasionally go with her to view a property for some reason or other.  Yesterday we looked at one in Rockwall that was about 4,000 square feet of living space with a 3-car garage attached.  It completely filled the lot on which it sat in a neighborhood where the houses were crowded together barely 10 feet apart.  This particular house was priced at something over $400,000 and it certainly wasn't the largest in the neighborhood.  I did some quick math and estimated there were probably around 300 houses in this particular area -- which by-the-way was adjacent to many more developments just like it -- and if we assume the $400K price to be average, that's $120,000,000 of houses in that one neighborhood which is merely a small part of a suburb of Dallas.  It's mind-boggling when you think of the amount of money flowing in our economy!

Many of those expensive houses are occupied by the grandchildren of folks who lived in conditions similar to what Dad described of growing up in the Depression.  They have no concept of the difficulties, or the conditions their ancestors faced.  They take for granted the wealth they enjoy in their decadence.  Such is symbolic of our country.

I'll just stop there.  If anyone is so inclined, your thoughts as to why I would make that last statement would be appreciated.  I'm curious to hear what others think.  Just leave a comment.

Facing Struggles

There are a number of people that I know who are going through struggles right now.  Challenges are a part of life and they are one of the ways in which our faith grows.  If everything was easy we would find it even more difficult to depend on God than it is anyway.  I think we are genetically wired to depend on our own strength and efforts for survival although that seems to have disappeared in many of the young people today.  Maybe allowing the proliferation of ignorance and stupidity is nature's way of correcting an imbalance of some kind -- such as overpopulation.

I suppose that being aware of more of the struggles of friends and acquaintances comes with awareness of my own aging.  I hope to have many years left and I intend for them to be productive years, but I also acknowledge that I am older and sometimes my mind and body aren't as "in tune" with each other as they once were.  I certainly can't do as much physically as I could at one time, but I do try to get exercise of some fashion almost every day -- usually in the form of some type of physical labor.  When you have livestock that's fairly easy.

Not all struggles are physical, or health-related; some are mental.  The mental struggles are often the ones that drive the greatest growth.  Realization of our limitations is a mental challenge.  Recognizing that we are not "the center of the world" is something most people go through at some point in their life.  It is an ego check that helps us to gain perspective.

One of my struggles has always been to be sensitive to other people's view of things.  Those who know me closest will argue the following is not true, but I tend to see in black and white -- something is or it isn't -- there is little, or no gray area.  Again, those who know me best would say that I often point out the "gray area" in my discussion of various things, but to me they are subtleties, not core to most situations.  I have learned to accept that my view is sometimes incorrect, but it requires facts -- hard data -- to convince me otherwise.  I usually will question the data and the sources, but with time, if my own investigation supports what was presented, I will change to accommodate the new information.  It doesn't mean I will come to the same conclusion.

I have strayed a bit from my topic -- struggles.  I went here simply because there was a series of verses that jumped into my head this morning as I was contemplating the day.  They are:

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you."  -- Philippians 4:4-9

I hope that whatever struggle you may be going through, you will remember these words and that they will bring you comfort.

Enslaved by "Needs"

I get tired of paying bills
That seem to never end;
When I get through a stack of them
They start right back again.

We bring them upon ourselves
Because of all our "needs"
Like Internet and mobile phones
To "connect" at such high speeds.

Others are quite basic --
Like water, gas and sewer --
But, things like cable television
Are paying for manure.

We work so hard to earn a check
They pay us for our time
So we can live the "good life"
That makes us feel sublime

But, really we're just working
For the electric company
And the bank that gives us credit cards
And charges us a fee

For having the convenience
Of living without cash
So, we can spend our money
In some mad life-long dash.

It's like we are just puppets
Dancing to a song
Played by distant pipers
For the growing throng

Consuming more
So all can see
We're one of them
In slavery.

Spring is Coming Quickly

Although it is technically a few days off, it is beginning to seem a lot like Spring around here.  Many of the trees have begun to bloom and we are seeing the early flowers such as Easter Lilies make their appearance.  The Robins are passing through in droves -- I don't think it is proper to say Robins are in droves, that would be more appropriate to cattle, but it does convey the idea that there are a lot of them.

Yesterday, in spite of muddy conditions, we spent a little time out in the sunshine and got in a good walk across our place.  The mud was full of the tracks of small animals and some larger ones such as deer and feral hogs.  The only wildlife we saw though, was birds.  There were lots and lots of birds out enjoying the sunshine.

Hopefully, we will be through with calving season soon.  (Apparently my reference to "droves" sent my mind to thinking about cattle -- or, maybe it was the other way around....)  It seems to have stretched a bit longer than it should.  Having young bulls can sometimes cause that.  We separate them (the bulls) from the cows once calving begins and then turn them out at a scheduled time in order to create a narrower calving window.  It always works in theory, but sometimes not as effectively as desired in practice.

It is a joyful time of year in the warm sunshine watching the baby bovines scampering around the pasture chasing each other.  They are curious critters.  If you stop and quietly observe, they will often walk up to you for a sniff.  Like most animals, their nose is the primary mechanism by which they detect and identify both the good things and the threats.

Today is expected to be another beautiful day.  I think I will try and get back out and spend some time enjoying it.

The Fragrance of Spring

Mephitis mephitis
Oh, how you excite us
Whenever you raise your tail!

We jump up and run
Far from the gun
Your weapon that never does fail!

With fur black and white
You give us a fright
Though small and quite calm you may seem.

When you turn away
And let fly your spray
We might even voice a scream!

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/skunk/

Oversleeping, Writing and Books

This morning I overslept.  For some reason, my internal alarm clock decided the arbitrary, self-imposed time that I always arise was irrelevant.  It isn't the time change.  I was adjusted to it before it even occurred.  It's just that now, when I wake up it is time to get up rather than an hour before the clock says it's time.

The thing about oversleeping is that it usually leaves me in a bit of a fog.  For some reason, my mind isn't as clear and it is more difficult to write so, once again I turn to the book of "300 Writing Prompts" for ideas.  The one this morning is easy.  Perhaps too easy, because the answer is simple and will require very few words.  The question is:  "You have been given $100 on the condition that you must spend it all on yourself.  What will you do with your money?"

I will buy books.

Books are my indulgence.

I have books everywhere.  Few are unread.  There are at least ten that have a bookmark in them where I am in the midst of reading them.  Most of the time I pick up a book and read it to the end before starting another, but occasionally, there is a book that I begin and then for some reason find myself needing to read something different for awhile.  I almost always go back to the book and read more in it until I eventually finish it, but sometimes it may take me a year or, more.

If I didn't enjoy the book on some level, I would either trash it, or give it away or put it on the shelf to gather dust.  I have done both -- trash one or give it away -- maybe a couple of times within memory.  Even books with which I disagree, or which include elements I find distasteful, I will read to completion.  I want to understand the strangeness of some minds just as I want to understand my own.

Some of the "classics" take me a long time to read.  I take them in small doses rather than trying to consume them all at once.  Sometimes I wonder why they are considered classics.  Others considered "classics" have stronger appeal to me and I read them as I would a modern military thriller such as a Tom Clancy novel.  Somewhat strangely, I enjoy Russian authors such as Tolstoy and Dostoevsky.  That's depressing.  Most Russian writing is ponderous and depressing.

Well, so much for what I would do with the money.  If it wasn't for the requirement that I must spend it on myself, I would probably do many other things with it.  Most likely I would just tuck it in my billfold and slowly use it over the course of time on small items here and there.  I still prefer the old way of paying cash for small purchases rather than using plastic.  Partly, that is because I pay the credit card bill.  We save every receipt and I check them off against the statement when we get it.  I hate seeing charges for $2 or $3 on there.

I do think this post has helped me to decide what I want to do today.  Maybe a trip into Dallas to a bookstore....

Introducing Innovation

Developing the business case for a new product, or service, can sometimes be difficult.  It can be a matter of "the chicken or the egg" when putting together the cost/benefit analysis.  By that I mean that in order to have data from which to develop and refine the benefits, one must first have enrollment in, or acceptance of, the service or product.

There are many concepts which appear to have value which are never accepted by a particular industry because the purveyors of those concepts failed to generate adequate initial uptake to develop the necessary quantity of evidence to gain wider acceptance.  There are usually a few innovators that will try almost anything that sounds like a good idea.  It is their experience that, if quantified and analyzed correctly, can open the door to the early adapters who then lead the way to general acceptance.  They key is "quantified and analyzed correctly."

Business has become more sophisticated while becoming more insular.  Often, advanced tools are used incorrectly in evaluating opportunities simply because the opportunity being examined comes from outside the normal channels.  If you are not an insider and not utilizing the well-developed pattern of product introduction which is institutionalized in most industries, you have little chance of receiving a fair hearing.  Ideas may be rejected simply because you are not "one of us."

This attitude makes it difficult to achieve cross-pollination between industries -- or even between different segments within the same overall industry.  It adds to the "fortress" mentality of those who may be in desperate need of "trade" with the outside world -- or, more specifically, new ideas.  Nepotism, in the form of hiring from within rather than from without an accepted pool is part of the problem, but more importantly, it leads to an incestuous stagnation of the "thought pool" from which to draw innovation.  Industries stagnate because they fail to cross-pollinate.

How does one introduce a new idea into a stagnate industry?  The first key is to identify the innovators.  However, when approaching them, one must be prepared to share risk and must also have a solid plan for measuring and quantifying results that will produce meaningful information to approach the next level of adoption.

One of the best ways to do this is with a money-back guarantee.  This is an inexpensive way to gain meaningful data.  It should never be given without gaining something in return -- expressly, the data needed to develop the product or, service further.  It demonstrates "belief" in what you are selling while gaining the "trial data" needed at a relatively low cost.

I guess you can tell where my mind is this morning....

Negotiation and Compromise?

Life can often seem like one continuous negotiation.  There are things that we desire for which we must determine what we are willing to exchange.  We must continually weigh the "current value" of what we have against that which we want and decide whether we are willing to make the trade.  This is true of our time, our money or, sometimes, our lifestyle.

Work is a negotiation.  We trade our limited time for something that will provide an income which can then be used to purchase "things" that we desire.  Frequently work also requires growth.  This comes when we are asked to do things that take us beyond our comfort zone into the unknown depths of something we have never before attempted.  It may be in the form of expanded responsibility, or in developing and cultivating relationships such as with customers.

Typically, the amount of compensation is closely aligned with the level of discomfort one must experience.  One example is in travel.  Many jobs in today's economy require extensive travel which means time away from home and family.  Incentives to entice employees to endure that situation are usually necessary.

Negotiation, though, isn't limited to our work life, it is also relevant in family life.  One example is the classic conversation between husband and wife over the choice of restaurant.  Another might be related to the choice of vacation spot (for those who experience such things).  Hopefully, the trade is one which is conducted amicably and all parties are satisfied with the outcome.

In spite of the perceptions fostered by media and the political parties involved, what occurs in Washington in the halls of our government is also a negotiation.  It saddens me that it cannot be conducted amicably and that it is often an exercise in power rather than trade.  Heavy-handedness is never a good solution in the long term.  It fosters ill-will.  Negotiation should include compromise in order to achieve an acceptable solution to all.

Today, if we see either party depart from some hard-and-fast line which has been arbitrarily set -- typically by the more extreme factions -- it isn't seen as compromise, but rather as caving to the opposition.  I think we all need to remember that in a land as diverse as this one, we don't all think alike and we each have a unique perspective.  We must learn to compromise and more importantly, to accept compromise.  It can be done without losing our personal moral compass.

Hopefully, in the end, we all will grow through the experience of threading a pathway between various belief systems and views of how things should occur.  If we can do so, the result should be rewarding to all, not just the few who get their way.

Persistence

Persistence is the answer
To many things in life
That seem to block our way.
The ones who keep on trying
Different paths to reach their goal
Are often who we see as successful.
Many times their achievements are
Envied by those who fail
And attributed to luck or favor
Or other things except
What made them happen;
Persistence.

Techno-Slavery

Keeping track of passwords
Is a never ending task;
It's a problem that seems common
To anyone you ask.

We have become dependent
On computers everywhere
And all that different software
Has made a total nightmare

Of sorting out the ways
In which we sign in to each thing
That was designed to make life better
And to which we now do cling

Because we have become dependent
On what these machines can do
And if it's on the Internet
We know it must be true.

So, we download even more app's
To our laptop or our phone
That are there to make life easier
In areas once unknown.

They each require another password
Used to sign in to such things
And get notifications
With various dings and rings.

We've become slaves to the addiction
That demands this signing in
And then every month or two
We must change the password again.

We're like a bunch of puppets
With our lives tied to these things
That have us dancing to the tune
As if on the end of strings.

When you stop and really think of it
Something has become quite true;
Although machines are made by us
They're now controlling you.

Urgent vs. Important

Many years ago in a job interview I was told by a member of the Board of Directors of the company that he would rather hire someone who worked smart than just worked hard.  He said, "I can find plenty of hard workers, but it is hard to find workers who know how to effectively manage their time and who work on the right things."

Those words have stuck with me through the years.  I have always tried to work smart at whatever the task.

Don't misunderstand, I have always worked hard too, but I have found that if I invest the time to think through things and to identify those things that are most important -- i.e. to work smart -- I am not only more effective, but I get more done.  Age and experience have helped with that too.  Through the years I have tried and failed enough times that I can apply that "learned wisdom" to the tasks I face now.  Prioritizing is something of an art form because if done well, many tasks go away simply because they no longer are required.

Again, as I mentioned in a previous post about planning, I am thinking of the Franklin-Covey Time Management advice to identify what is "important" and what is "urgent."  I always thought about these two things differently prior to being introduced to their system.  These two definitions are key to being more effective.

Items identified as "urgent" are those that seem to be "in your face," "deal-with-me-now" things that pop up during the day.  An example would be a flat tire.  It obviously must be handled immediately.  It is an "urgent" item.  On the other hand, an "important" item that might prevent the frequency of the "urgent" items occurring is to replace the worn out tires with new ones.

That is the difference between the two.  The "important" things are what you can do that helps everything to run more smoothly long-term.  They tend to eliminate many of the "urgent" things from popping up.

If you devote -- set aside -- some time every day to focus on the "important" things, over time, your life becomes less stressful and better manageable because many of the "urgent" items stop popping up to ruin your day.  It frees even more time to work on what is truly important.

This, at its heart, is the difference between "working smart" and "working hard."  You can work hard all day long, day-after-day on the "urgent" things that seem to continually be happening and never truly make progress, or you can spend time each day addressing the larger, systemic, "important" issues that can eliminate many of those problems from ever being an issue.  Work smart and work hard, but work hard on the things that will make the bigger difference.

Random Thoughts on Changing Time

It's that time of year when we "cut a piece off one end of the blanket and sew it back on the other."  Whoever invented daylight savings time must have had a town job.

I saw a funny meme yesterday in which an agricultural expert was asked by a television reporter about the impact of daylight savings time on plants....  Some of you may not get it.  Oh, well.

If I had a normal 8 to 5 job -- is that really normal anymore? -- daylight savings time might be useful.  It would give me more time to mow the lawn in the evening when I got off of work.  I suppose that is the reason for it.  If I recall, it was originally explained to me that it was designed to reduce energy usage.  I can't figure that one out since everyone is getting up and going to work or, to school in the dark.

Ben Franklin was the first to suggest the idea of daylight savings time in an essay written in 1874 as a method to reduce the cost of light.  It was first adopted by the U.S. to begin March 15, 1918.  It was met by a good deal of resistance.  In 1919 Congress decided to make it optional at each state's discretion.

Daylight savings time was again enforced during World War II, however, after the war it became discretionary once more.  Under the Uniform Time Act of 1966 (which is something I remember receiving much discussion at the time although I was very young) it was determined that it should be observed uniformly by all states -- if they participated.  Hawaii and Arizona chose not to participate with the exception of the Navajo Reservation which did.  I find that interesting considering the opening comment supposedly attributed to a native American of that persuasion.

I apologize that today's post is going out a little late.  Blame it on the time change.  If it had been yesterday, it would be going out early....my mind and body are still a little confused by this trying to arbitrarily adjust the natural rhythms of the photo-cycle by moving the hands on a clock -- oh, yeah, it's hard to find a clock with hands anymore -- by changing the digits on a clock.

The animals aren't confused except by the behavior of their human caretakers.  They are wondering why they are suddenly being fed at a different time.

Singing in the Rain

Birds up on the highline wire
Greet the breaking day;
They sing a cheerful song
To send me on my way.

No matter what they've been through
As the sun comes peeking out
They're back upon their perch
To give the day a shout.

When the storms roll overhead
They just hunker on their limb
But, when it's past they shake it off
Like it was no big deal to them.

We should learn to look at life
Just like a tiny bird;
No matter what is thrown at us
Let a cheerful song be heard.

Being Patient

Being patient can sometimes be the most difficult work one can do.  Our natural tendency is to want things to happen quickly once we see a course of action.  Allowing the time for things to take their natural path to conclusion can be stressful.  Stress is draining, just like physical labor.  It makes us tired and often, irritable.  Waiting is hard for most of us.

Many things through the years have forced me to be patient.  I suppose that is an interesting choice of words -- forced.  It seems the antithesis of patience.  Enforced waiting would be a better way to describe the situation.  The result is learning to accept that there are times when we must allow events to occur in the correct sequence in order to obtain the desired results.

Impatience is the opposite of faith.

Faith is believing that events will unfold according to a plan that is often beyond our comprehension while accepting that the result will be what is most desirable.  Face it, we are not omniscient, nor are we able to control everything that can affect events leading to a desired outcome.  Sometimes, our lack of knowledge obscures the fact that what we desire may not be truly desirable.  Things don't always turn out to our expectations.  Once again, it is the journey, not the destination.

I believe one of the most important areas of growth for a Christian is faith.  We must learn to accept that God is in control and knows what is best for each one of us.  We must also accept that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose."  That is the key -- His purpose.  In choosing to place our faith in Him we choose the position of adopted son, or daughter.  It is a subordinate position, yet a favored one.  He has our best interest in mind, just as we desire the best for our own children.

Patience is faith.

The passage of time is merely our arbitrary measurement of our lack of faith.

Automobiles, People and Politics

I believe we each are placed upon this earth for a purpose
That we are called to fulfill.

Sometimes we spend the majority of our life trying
To figure out what it is.

For those whose part to play is clear and obvious
Take comfort in your role.

Others, though their task is equally important, are forever
Trying to understand how they fit.

Observe a complex machine such as an automobile.
The function of some things is obvious.

The purpose of a wheel is easily seen just as it
Is easily seen on the car.

The purpose of a tiny screw that fastens a wire deep within
The recesses of the dash is also clear, but unseen.

The purpose of the wire which terminates in a plastic plug
That is connected to nothing is unclear but, seen.

That plastic plug is there because on some models
Another part would connect to it.

My purpose here is simply to say that all of us --
Every single one of us --

Plays an important part in life.  Sometimes our role
Is unseen and seemingly small -- like the tiny screw.

Others are placed in prominent roles that carry
Tremendous responsibility -- like the wheel.

Others are there in the event a change must be made
For the overall purpose to be fulfilled.

Everyone is indispensable and should be treated as such.
Each and every person is important.
All are different, yet needed to complete the "automobile."
We come in different shapes, sizes, colors and....political philosophies.
We need to learn to work together to meet the purpose of the whole.

It's time to tighten up a few loose screws in Washington
And perhaps paint some of the old rusty parts.
It might also be time to replace a few of the old ones.
The same applies to many of our attitudes....

People and Climate

Much of the country has been gripped in extreme bitter cold these last few days.  I know it is still winter, but it is time for spring to begin showing its face.  We are fortunate to live far enough south that, although it is the coldest spell we have experienced all winter, our temperatures are not too bad.  We have had to deal with frozen water tanks for the first time over the last few days.

It is amazing how people and animals adapt to the harsh temperatures.  If you are not a part of agriculture, you mostly cope by staying indoors rather than being out in it.  If you have livestock to feed and care for, it is a very different story.  Hopefully, there is adequate shelter for the stock to get out of the wind.  High quality feed helps also, because it provides the energy necessary for the animal to stay warm through biological mechanisms.  They should be carrying more fat and more hair during the cold months that help to sustain them when temperatures drop.

People bundle up in layer upon layer of clothing that holds the body heat.  Cold is the natural state of space and warmth only comes because of the input of energy which is trapped within the atmosphere.  Sunshine is an amazing "heater" only because of our atmosphere.  Otherwise the energy would pass right through and continue on its merry way through space, or be reflected back into the coldness never to return.  Instead, it bounces around between molecules of air and the water and other compounds suspended in it, exciting those molecules to a state of vibration which in turn releases more energy.  (I'm sure my description of the science here isn't perfect, but the gist of it is correct.)

The balance of heat capture versus release within the atmosphere is a delicate thing.  If too much heat/energy is trapped, we experience global warming of the atmosphere.  If not enough is trapped we experience cooling.  The earth tends to regulate itself thanks to the most important molecule to life -- water.  Evaporation due to heat adds water into the atmosphere which forms droplets around particulates suspended in the air -- such as carbon molecules -- which then precipitate back to earth carrying some of the heat from the atmosphere along with it.

It is fear of the long-term consequences that drive many to have an alarmist view of this action.  It is natural and cyclical.  Does human activity affect the cycle?  Probably.  Is it irreversible?  No.  Nature will correct the course.  The correction may be difficult for those who live through it because it will likely cause more and more extreme weather events.  Radical human-driven solutions will not change the natural cyclical nature other than to possibly affect the duration of the cycle in a very limited way.

Fortunately, mankind will adapt.  It has happened many times through the eons that mankind has been on this planet.  Just like the folks and their animals up north have adapted to the harsh conditions this winter, we will figure out ways to live through it.  We are amazing, yet sometimes foolish creatures.  Amazing in our adaptability yet, foolish in thinking we are in control. 

Words and More Words

I truly intended to get a post out yesterday, but sometimes the things we need to do out-demand the things we desire to do.  I won't write twice as much today in order to make up for the missing!

I did learn yesterday that there actually are a handful of people who read the things that I write.  Some of them are obvious, like family and a few good friends, but I am occasionally surprised at encountering those who have read my words and remembered them and make mention to me.  It is gratifying, yet intimidating, because it emphasizes the responsibility we have for our words.  What we say and what we write can have impact on others in ways we may not always be able to predict.

I do try to avoid being especially inflammatory here, although sometimes I will get political.  Politics can be polarizing -- just observe the current situation in Washington.  Even with political subjects, though, I try to keep my thoughts "gauged" and designed more to provoke conversation and thought, rather than vitriol.  Sometimes it even works!

I don't claim to be a teacher, yet each and every one of us is a teacher by the example we set for others and the words of our mouth and mind/hand.  Sometimes what we teach is imbued with wisdom and at other times, folly.  I pray that my words will convey wisdom -- often without my knowledge or, awareness, or even intent that they do so.  God works through the words of man just as He works through our actions.  I pray that my words be empowered with the Spirit of Truth.  Always.  I know I will fail at times, but He never does.

"Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people.  He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.  The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.  The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails -- given by one Shepherd.  Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.  Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.  Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:  Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.  For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."  -- Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

Serving a Layerd Cake

A number of my contemporaries have retired and a number more are contemplating such.  Although there are times the thought crosses my mind, I don't think it is something for which I am ready.  I can't envision myself in what most consider as retirement.

My career has consisted of a series of periods doing different things.  I won't go into details of the various segments, but suffice it to say that each stands somewhat alone in that they are all dissimilar in many ways -- almost as if they were each a separate career.  Usually a career is built as one continuous advancement after another that leads inevitably up some "ladder" of progressively greater responsibility, or higher function within a trade or industry.  Mine hasn't really looked like that, but each piece could stand alone as if it was a separate book rather than a chapter in a long story.

The consolidating factor between them is that in retrospect, each contributes to the next in the knowledge and experience gained being applicable in some subtle fashion.  It is as if it is a layer cake with clearly separate layers which build upon each other.  I can only hope that at the end there is a generous portion of frosting.

One of my "outside interests" is archeology.  I enjoy delving into the past and it intrigues me to find an object that is from some ancient period and speculate as to its use and those who used it.  I have never been involved in a professional archaeological dig, but it is something I have often thought would be enjoyable.  Perhaps there will be opportunity some day to do so on a volunteer basis.

My mind connects archeology to my career because it too is often a series of layers which build up over time to create a timeline of events.  Human habitations seem to be renewed over time even when cataclysmic events may erase them for a period.  Often, the renewal is located upon the rubble of the ruined.  It seems that certain locations remain attractive in spite of past occurrences that may have led to their demise.  When such a location is discovered, carefully conducted excavation using proper scientific techniques can reveal a history of the people who lived, worked and died on that particular piece of ground.  History is recorded in many ways.  The facts captured in the remains are unchanging even though our understanding is often obscured by the passage of time.

I see the same in my career.  Even though each segment stands alone, in retrospect there is connection that ties them into a cohesive whole -- an interconnected history.  As I look toward the future I can only speculate where the path will lead, but I know that the pieces will all fit together.  Perhaps someday retirement will seem a suitable place to be, but it isn't on my current horizon.

I have never discovered within the Bible any reference to retirement.  Instead, there are many references to serving others.  When you view your career -- your job -- as service to others, it changes your perspective.  It adds a higher level of purpose to your life.  It gives you reason to pursue, to improve, to build, to bring value, to enhance the lives of others.  It impels you to live. 

Retirement, on the other hand, seems to imply, "I have given all I plan to give, now I will take for me."  Maybe we need to redefine retirement as a change of direction -- a change of career.  Let it be the frosting between the layers of the cake which is our service to others.

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-9

Texas Independence Day

The opening lines of the Texas Declaration of Independence read as follows:

"When a government has ceased to protect the lives, liberty and property of the people, from whom its legitimate powers are derived, and for the advancement of whose happiness it was instituted, and so far from being a guarantee for the enjoyment of those inestimable and inalienable rights, becomes an instrument in the hands of evil rulers for their oppression...."

It was adopted by convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos on this date in 1836 and signed by 59 delegates, each representing one of the settlements in the colonies, on the following day.

The Texas Revolution was brief and seems to have been a result of Divine Intervention in many ways.  The circumstances of remoteness from the center of power and the arrogance of the Federal Government combined with the "brilliance" of a strategic retreat (some might say it was purely luck) allowed the Texians to capture Santa Anna, the self-declared emperor and leader of the Federal military forces and thus bring a swift end to the conflict.

Some might argue, just as is done regarding the U.S. Civil War (aka War of Northern Agression) that the Texas revolution was about slavery.  There is some validity to that argument, however, it is placing a simplistic reasoning on a complex issue.  While true that colonists resented the Mexican Government's ban on the importation and possession of slaves, there were many other issues that precipitated the revolt.  Those issues included suppression of religious freedom, denial of trial by peers, the confiscation of firearms and the capricious imprisonment for various alledged crimes.  Nowhere in the document is slavery mentioned.

When we view history, there is a tendency to place events within the context of current societal trends and thought.  It is a mistake to do so in retrospect, however, it is highly appropriate to place current trends and events within the context of historical occurences which have inevitably led to the present condition.  We tend to look at such things with a reversed hierarchy that places blame rather than creates understanding.

On this day of remembrance it is important to reflect on the struggles of our ancestors that have brought us to a point in the human endeavor where we have much to be thankful for regarding our current state of liberties.  We should remain vigilant, however, to guard those conditions. 

Organizing My Thoughts

One of the problems with the book "300 Writing Prompts" is that it changes the nature of how I spend my thinking time.  It sends my thoughts along the lines of the prompts rather than me allowing them to drift across current events, tasks ahead of me, or other things that are percolating within the murky recesses of the gray matter between my ears.  They lead me down someone else's paths even though I make those paths my own.

One of the best things about spending thinking time in the morning is that it allows me to organize my thoughts.  I am able to prioritize tasks, place new information into the context of previously conceived opinions (which sometimes modifies those opinions) and allow my mind to establish new connections between disparate pieces of information that may provide hints at opportunities ahead.

I probably began to establish the habit of "thinking time" sometime during the 90's.  It likely came out of the book which accompanied the Franklin Planner that I used at the time.  It was a fantastic tool.  The one that I carried was of the larger size and it was expensive, but with it, I established several habits that have served me well.

One was the making of a "rolling" task list.  The planner had an area to the left side of the page that was designed for making a list of daily tasks.  Symbols were used to prioritize those tasks and to denote their disposition.  Some were done, some delegated and some "rolled" forward that might be "in progress."  One of the keys was in the way you handled action items that stemmed from the tasks.  If a "next step" was delayed for several days, such as the follow-up on an item, you would simply turn to that day in your planner and enter the item in the task list for that day as an action item.

To the right of the task list was a daily schedule.  Appointments were entered as they were set -- whether on the current day, or one in the future.  If you needed a reminder about an important appointment coming up, such as a presentation that required preparation, you would enter the preparation time as a task on the task list in the days prior to it.

The back of each task list/calendar page was for taking notes.  That way, the right-hand page was always available for notes.  Additional notes pages could be added because it was in a 3-ring binder.  I learned to keep extensive notes.  Every telephone call, every meeting discussion, etc. was entered into the notes.  It created something like a diary of each day.  It was invaluable for going back and reviewing meeting notes.  It also became critical in one particular incident in which the company for which I worked was sued over an alleged breach of intellectual property.  My notes proved the sequence of events in our favor and the lawsuit was dropped without ever going to trial.  Our company attorneys were amazed by the detail.  It provided everything they needed to counter the suit.

I miss my planner.  I have never fully adapted to the electronic versions of it.  Most of the time the electronic tools are convenient, but for me, the electronic planners are not.  I don't like carrying a laptop into a meeting and it is sometimes a pain to enter events into an electronic calendar -- especially "ticklers" prior to something which requires planning.  It also is difficult to keep the task list coordinated closely with the calendar so that they are conveniently visual in a side-by-side fashion.  Then there is the issue of notes.  I now keep a yellow legal pad on my desk where I record notes of calls, meetings, etc.  I have boxes full of yellow legal pads.  They are not well organized.

I suppose I drifted a bit from the original commentary of this post regarding "thinking time" except that my thoughts definitely drifted along the paths of becoming better organized.  I guess I am organizing my thoughts on personal organization.  But, then there is organizational organization and inter-organization organization and oh, well....