Category Archives: Uncategorized

Spirituality, Uncategorized

Backtracking

Most days I get outside and take a walk. Living in Texas I can usually depend upon agreeable weather. And I can walk much farther than I can run.

Yesterday I got temporarily lost in my neighborhood. My sense of curiosity took me down some streets I had never walked through before. The scenery was beautiful, but I realized my short attention span had taken over. Obviously I found my way home since I’m writing this!

I see people who are living their lives in the past. They long for the good old days” when life was much simpler. People use the phrase “back in the day” frequently. Life was just as challenging then as it is now. Our memories fade and distort the truth.

Keep the past where it belongs, in the past. Keep your focus on what lies ahead. We don’t know what is around the next corner, but I believe it’s gotta be something good…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Public Support

Have you ever been honored by your profession or made to feel like a VIP in some way? Perhaps you fly First Class and receive privileges set apart from the Coach passengers. Recognition is nice, but it’s not sustainable.

In 2019 I resigned my membership in Austin Country Club. It is a wonderful club and has an air of exclusivity to it. But what made the difference was the people who worked there. Austin Country Club did a remarkable job with their hiring practices. I have never been much of a country club guy, but I enjoyed getting to know the staff and learning their stories.

Everyone wants to belong, to be part of something bigger than themselves. It begins with our family. Why do you think kids join gangs? It’s due in part because they aren’t feeling accepted at home. Their fellow gang members give them something missing from their lives.

Many people I encounter are dealing with an emptiness inside. People try to fill the hole in their heart with drugs, affairs, gambling or sex. Those are not fulfilling in the long term.

God alone is the only one who accepts us unconditionally. He created us and He wants to see us live full lives on this side of eternity. You don’t have to become a religious nut to get it. Just believe. God will take care of the rest…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

They Called Him Stoneface

He was born in 1925 in the tiny town of Mission, Texas. His was a star athlete and went on to play football for The University of Texas. Included in his early adult experiences were 30 combat missions during World War II.

Tom Landry played defensive back for the New York Giants, eventually becoming a player/coach. It was this experience that shaped his relationship with his players when he became coach of the expansion team in Dallas in 1960.

Those first years were tough. The team finally had their first winning season in 1966. This started a remarkable 20 year run of winning seasons. Landry believed in his system. Players would tell you it was complicated, but it worked.

The players called Landry “Stoneface” behind his back. He had a serious demeanor, and didn’t allow himself to develop relationships with his players. In an interview Landry said it was because it would be too hard to let a player go if you had a friendship with him.

Someone once asked running back Walt Garrison if he ever saw Landry smile. Garrison thought for a moment and said, “no. But I’ve only been here 7 years!”

Tom Landry had character. He was the same man every day, on or off the field. His players respected him, even if he wasn’t one of the boys…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Run Away

Little children threaten to run away from home when they don’t get their way. It’s kinda funny when you think about it. The kid is five and he can’t drive. How far will those little legs get you?

When I was a child, my home life was one of stress, chaos and violence. My mind was in a constant state of “fight or flight.” I wanted to run away but was too scared to actually do it.

Confusion reigned in me. The television shows in those days were typically about family life. Seeing TV families and how they functioned together made me wonder why my family was so screwed up. I was naive, too, because I didn’t understand that the shows were scripted.

My choice as a young adult was to try to run away from myself. Drugs and alcohol numbed me from the pain I felt. But when I sobered up the life I was running from was still there. Einstein’s quote about insanity being doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results was my life.

Through psychotherapy I was able to jettison the doubts and insecurities I took into adulthood. It took work, but today I’m free of the need to run away from who I am and who God created me to be. There are still challenges in my life, but I face them rather than avoid them.

If you had a similar background, I encourage you to get professional help. Do the work. There is freedom on the other side of pain…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Experiential Knowledge

Education is important. No sane person would say differently. But being educated is vastly different from being proficient.

When Horace Mann created the first education curriculum in the United States, he focused on teaching the head, the heart and the hands. In other words, teach the students intellect, emotion and application. Today teachers are forced to teach to the test without true consideration of whether the students learned anything or not.

This isn’t the teachers fault. It’s not the administrators fault, either. To qualify for federal funding schools must show that their students are passing standardized tests.

Some schools have done things in a unique manner. They give students the opportunity to learn a trade. This is great because not every student will go to college. But they need to be able to make a living. Knowing a trade accomplishes this.

I have great respect for educators. People teach because they want to make a difference in the lives of their students. They aren’t in it for fame or fortune.

Experience is a wonderful teacher. And where would we be without plumbers and electricians? We would be left to our own devices. Not a good idea…

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Uncategorized

When Life Gives You Lemons

You know the saying, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” It’s all about your perspective. Do you view your challenges as setbacks or opportunities?

The word “problem” is not in my vocabulary. Challenge is a more suitable word. That’s all problems are, simply challenges to overcome. Let’s not make them more than they are.

Were you born into poverty? Poverty is a mindset you can conquer with the right attitude. Control your thoughts and you will change your outcome. Was your family abusive? Stop the cycle. You can do it if you’re willing.

It really is up to you. You aren’t a victim and you aren’t powerless over your circumstances. And as you are changing your thoughts and beliefs, God will place people and opportunities along the way to help you. Have faith in this. But you must take the first step.

Have you decided to make lemonade today? Maybe throw a little tequila in there to make it taste even better. That’s your choice, too…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Living Large

If you live in the United States, you probably have a pretty good standard of living. Having a few dollars in your pocket makes you better off than over 90% of the world. But have you gotten comfortable?

There are many people who are struggling to get by. Mental health is at its worst. We are naturally selfish so if we give into our selfish ways we can easily ignore the problems of others. But that’s not how God intended us to be.

God cares for widows and orphans. The oppressed have a soft spot in His heart. He loves all of us the same. We are most like our Creator when we are using our talents to help mankind. Even a kind word makes a difference.

Scripture tells us that God wants the heart of man. He cares more about this than our offerings. We must prioritize justice and mercy, showing kindness and compassion even when we don’t feel like it.

I encourage you to look for opportunities to help others. Our actions are the best Gospel we can spread…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

How Good Are You?

It’s been said many times that if you feel the need to point out how great you are, you probably aren’t. That’s just insecurity on display. It’s like the people who post their first class airline seat on their social media platforms. No one ever brags about scoring a coach seat!

Lou Gehrig is a name from baseball. Gehrig was called “The Iron Horse” because he played in 2,130 consecutive games which was a record. He did his work quietly, never calling attention to his individual accomplishments. For Gehrig, it was all about the team.

Politicians are always looking for microphones. The next sound bite is something they will try to use to their advantage. Most of them are full of hot air, their words meaningless. Yet some people hold onto their words like it’s the gospel truth.

Humility is not overrated. We admire the people who do great things but don’t go out of their way to put the spotlight on themselves. There is an art to self promotion without going overboard.

Gehrig’s record stood for 56 years until Cal Ripken, Jr. broke it. Lou Gehrig was a class act. Ripken is, too…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Say What You Think

When you find someone who speaks their mind, with poise and eloquence, that person is a rare find. There are many out there who are quick to tell you what’s on their minds, but once they open their mouths you know there’s little substance behind their words.

Yes, the blowhards are everywhere. Even in the professional ranks. Groupthink is just as dangerous. Going along to get along is not using your brain. God gave us the greatest supercomputer ever built. It’s up to us to use it.

You have heard that “knowledge is power.” No, the truth is knowledge is potential power. Knowledge is meaningless if you sit idly by and never use it. And it’s usually a solid idea to verify your knowledge. It could be wrong.

Intellectual honesty is a dying art. Speaking the truth, with some gentleness and self control, is valued by your counter party.

Stay true to yourself and always being honest with people. You will piss some people off by having a different opinion or belief. That’s okay…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

The Evolution of the Ages

The Pony Express was created on April 3, 1860. It was a remarkably fast way to send mail in those days. Yet, the Pony Express only lasted about 18 months, ending on October 26, 1861. What killed it? That damn technology called the transcontinental telegraph which connected the country.

We are living in an age where you can send massive amounts of information to another person in an instant. And you don’t have to leave home to do it. In some ways the advances in technology have made us lazy. Why pick up the phone and call someone when you can send them a text or email?

We have exited the Information Age and entered the next phase, the era of Artificial Intelligence. This period doesn’t have an official name yet, but it will. And I wonder what will be next.

Technology makes our lives more efficient. There are trade offs that come along with it. The thing we cannot lose is human connection. We need to be in community with each other. Mental health is the worst it’s been in my lifetime, and I suspect replacing people with technology plays a big part in that.

Get outside. Call someone for lunch or Happy Hour. Find a reason to laugh every day. Check on people you haven’t heard from in a while. They will benefit but so will you. Stay connected…

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