Sitting in Chili's

I'm away from home, sitting in Chili's restaurant by myself having dinner after a long, exhausting day. But the view is wonderful. To my right two young families with small children on a night out. Straight ahead a table of 16. Can't make out how they are related but they are sure having fun and enjoying each other's company. On my left a little boy, maybe age 3, sitting with his young parents who seem too young to have a 3-year-old. Behind me, obviously two sisters.  All around there's so much conversation, so much happiness, so much joy, so much love, so many families. Oh, did I mention I'm in south Texas where everyone speaks Spanish. I hear all these conversations but can't understand a word. Doesn't matter. Love transcends any language and is clearly visible on the faces of these wonderful people. They don't know it, but they are joy and comfort to me so far from home. There's nothing better than love. Whatever you do in life, be sure it's full of love.

Tyranny of the Urgent

Stephen Covey coined the term "Tyranny of the Urgent" when he spoke of the importance of doing first things first. There are important things. There are urgent things. Often, they are not the same things. We must never allow the urgent to usurp the position of the important. Life is too short to be bullied by urgency. When the important is also urgent, you've discovered a priority. But if we focus on doing the important in the first place, they will seldom become urgent. When we surrender to all things urgent, we are likely to be filled with regret over the opportunities sacrificed. Spending life on what matters leads to exhilarating pay-offs.

What day is it?

"What day is it?" asked Pooh. "It's today," squeaked Piglet. "My favorite day," said Pooh. It may be Monday or Thursday, but it's today that counts. Today is the only day we have to work, to play, to worship, to do good. We cannot do it yesterday; it's already over. We cannot count on doing it tomorrow; it may never come. It's today we must face and ponder. What will I do today? And you?

Experience the Best

If you believe what's touted in popular media, experiencing the "good life" is all about the best houses, cars, clothes, jewelry and such that money can buy. Maybe, just maybe, it's more about loving, sharing, giving, and living modestly so that we can do more loving, sharing, and giving. Experiencing the best in 2014 will center around the return we will receive when we invest the best of ourselves in those around us. That return-on-investment will undoubtedly include contentment, satisfaction, remarkable relationships, ample achievements and more of the best life has to offer. Yes, experience the best.

New Beginnings

New Year!  New beginnings? I'm reading Doug Sherman's book, More Than Ordinary: Enjoying Life with God. As be begin 2014, consider his words: "I lay awake at night wondering how my life had become so dull and gray. I thought I was doing the right thing by providing for my family, and on one level I was. But I had slowly become consumed with success and frustrations at work. I was spiritually sleepy, largely unaware of God's presence in the course of the day. . .It was not just that I was living a lesser life; I was thinking less of Jesus. . .I had slowly and subtly started navigating decisions and priorities on my own, and God had shifted from being my center to being an accessory. . .I had to ask for a new beginning after a season of drifting. How could He not be disgusted with me? But there was no sense of condemnation or anger, only His happiness at giving me a new beginning." Enough said!

Sherman, Douglas. (2011). More than ordinary: Enjoying life with God. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress,

What's next?

My blog will be quite eclectic, but the recurring theme will be about making the most of our time. Being with family and friends. Doing important work. Having fun. Finding satisfaction and meaning in life. Helping others. These things matter.

Now is all we have

If now is all we have, what we do with now is crucial. Time passes. It is relentless in its march. The past is the memory of previous nows. The future is yet to be, and if and when it comes, it will be a result of all the nows yet to come. Get to the point. Make your nows count. Invest your time in what really matters.