Commonalities

There are basic elements of every single person on earth by which we can know the true measure of every man and woman. Even though every person on earth is different and people live in such different environments – there are things that are common to every man and woman. These things are commonalities that every man and woman on earth possesses and the measurement of us all.

The world is separated by education, technology, money, and opportunity. We cannot judge everyone on how smart they are – because not everyone has the same chance for education. We cannot measure people’s successes – because success is different for each and every person depending on where they live. We cannot measure a person based on family or children or marriage or things like that – because it is simply going to be different for each person. Who is to say if a child that is dying of AIDS in Africa is any different than a real estate agent in California? How can we measure people against each other when one person has every opportunity that North America provides and other people are offered no chance of any opportunities at all? We can only measure and judge ourselves upon all of the commonalities of man.

The first thing is attitude. Everyone in the entire world can control their own attitude. No matter if you live in America and have tons of money or if you live in Africa and have very little money or anything. Anyone can choose their own attitude. No one else can choose it for you. A bad attitude is a person’s own fault – regardless of situation. And a good attitude is a testament to the measure of that man or woman.

The second is effort. Everyone in the entire world can give all that they have for a cause or mission. Everyone in the entire world can work as hard as they can at something. Even if someone cannot work very hard due to handicap, injury, or sickness – they can still give all that they can. No matter if someone is rich or poor or wherever they are or in whatever situation they are in – everyone on the earth can give their best effort for things. No one can hold back your effort. It is entirely yours.

The final thing is love. Everyone has the ability to love. No matter what situation your life is currently in. No matter what environment you grew up in. No matter what, no matter what, no matter what – everyone in the world has the ability to love. No one can ever force you not to love. Who you love and how you love is totally up to you.

These three things are the commonalities of man. No one can force a person to do these things or not do these things. These are three things that are independent of any life situation. They are the three things that we all have in common. They are the three things that we all can control. And they are the only three things with which to universally measure a man: attitude, effort, and love.

So if these are the only three things that we all hold in common and that we all share –
how are you doing with these things?

Moments.

There are certain times in life that can only be classified as “moments”. These are things when it almost seems like God is smiling down upon you. It is an accumulation of a lot of hard work and effort that materializes itself in one well-deserved moment. It is a time when the best parts of you all come together in a moment that you will never forget.

These are the “moments” of life.

A friend recently had one of these moments. He was retiring from a job that he had dedicated himself to for the past 15 years. He might not have been fully appreciated during this time, but – as he was in his final days – people realized just how much he had done for this organization. All of his hard work, great successes, and wonderful relationships all came together in a retirement ceremony held in his honor. I watched as a throng of people stood in line to shake his hand and thank him. He had all of his family around him. He was playing with his grandchildren and having funny banter with his wife. He was enjoying the fruits of his labor, being blessed by the relationships he had developed, and humbly reveling in the work that he did exactly where God wanted him to do it. He was having a “moment”.

These moments are things to pursue in the future and things to hang onto from the past. They build a foundation of faithfulness from God, and they provide the motivation for service to the Lord, as well. Every life can be full of these moments. But, sadly, many lives do not have near enough. How can people make sure that their lives are full of these moments? Have you ever had one of these moments?

Work hard. Love people. Trust God. He will bless you in big and small ways. Your moment may be different than everybody else’s moment. It will be special for you. Work hard for it. Look for it. Live fully in the midst of it. And hang on to it afterwards. These moments are special things in life. They are some of the most special things in life. Praise that Lord.

How to Live Each Day... Part Two

So how should we aim to live our lives each day? Well, I believe I have the beginnings of an idea. Granted, it probably only makes sense in my head, and when I write it out on paper it will appear to be word-vomit... but I will give it a shot anyway.

We should live everyday like we would do it again the exact same way.

Yahh? Yahh? Awesome, right? Just kidding. It doesn't sound too exciting on the surface, but stay with me. I think it might have some potential - boring potential, but still potential nonetheless.

Think back upon your day today. Did you do anything today that you would do differently tomorrow? Anything you said wrong or did wrong or reacted wrong? Any choices that you would like to take back? Any decisions that you would like to make instead of something? Think about it. Consider if you would do anything differently then what you did today. Maybe you want to do something better. Maybe you want to stop doing something. Whatever it is, there are things in life that we want to improve...and then improve some more... and then add... and then tweak... and then refine... and then refine... and then....

The end goal is this: you can reach a point where you would live each day as if you would do it exactly the same if you had the chance to do it again. Maybe you are thinking, "Oh, but if I could do yesterday over again, I would do it totally different!" Well, then, good. Do it different. Whatever you are thinking, just do that today. If you want to live your life different, then do it. Do it today. And try to get to a point where you wouldn't have to say that. Get to a point where you would do yesterday exactly the same if you had the chance. You wouldn't change anything because you are so in tune with yourself, your relationship with God, and your relationship with others. The goal is to get to a point where you are doing, saying, thinking, acting, and being exactly what you want to be, what God wants you to be, and what others need you to be - so much that you wouldn't change yesterday at all. You would do it all again exactly the same.


So this is my encouragement and challenge to you: LIVE EACH DAY AS IF YOU WOULD DO IT AGAIN THE EXACT SAME WAY.

How to Live Each Day... Part One

Have you ever heard the saying “Live each day like it is your last”? It’s an inspiring thought. I can definitely see the direction it is going, and it is most assuredly something to think about. But, honestly, when you actually think about it, this concept doesn’t make any sense at all. No one should live every day like it is their last.

Think about this. If you knew – you absolutely knew – that today was your last day ever on earth – what would you do? What kind of things would you do if only had one more day to live? You would probably talk to your parents, wife, kids, loved ones and tell them how much they mean to you. You would enjoy any few minutes that you might have with them; there would be many tears and quiet moments of reminiscence. You might get your favorite food in the world to eat. You would probably make sure that you were prepared to go spiritually and have some good moments with God. In all, it would be a very emotional, reflective day that would be just as difficult as it would be meaningful.

More importantly (and these are the things that nobody thinks about), what would you not do? Well, if you knew this was your last day here are a few things that you for sure would not do. You wouldn’t save money for retirement. You wouldn’t care about going to work. You wouldn’t take a class to learn a little bit more about something. You wouldn’t care about life insurance, health insurance, dental, vision, or anything else. You wouldn’t do so many of the things that people need to do for a good, functioning life.

Seriously, it is a HORRIBLE idea to live each day like it is your last. Maybe I am being too literal, but I think that this euphemism just doesn’t work. It doesn’t work logistically, and it really doesn’t even work as a mindset, either. It is not a very good way to live your life because it just doesn’t make sense if you really think about it.

So how should people live their lives each day? Is there a mindset that actually makes sense? (Foreshadowing for Part Two…)

Michael Scott: A Depiction of an American Phenomenon

How many of you have seen The Office? In this television show there is a boss named Michael Scott. The more I watch The Office, the more I see that Michael Scott is the epitomy of so many Americans today: lonely, looking for any type of meaning, and completely absorbed by work by default.

Loneliness is an unspoken plague that has infiltrated every part of America from rich to poor, white to black, and young to old. It is amazing. And Michael Scott is a perfect portrayal of what this looks like. If you ever watch the show, it is evident in almost everything that he does. He is constantly looking for a friend - any friend, any friend at all. Weekends are killer for him. He is constantly asking for a friend to do stuff with him. He is constantly depressed when everyone else does things without him. He jumps at any chance to gain friendship in any form. Even though he hides it with jokes, shenanigans, and laughter – anyone can see that Michael Scott is terribly lonely.

Also, Michael Scott is looking for any type of meaning in his life. He is constantly trying to fit into any group that he can. He tries to be fulfilled through different events, projects, and programs. Michael searches and searches for anything that will give his life any meaning outside of the small influence he has at work. The mental picture that it leaves is like someone grasping at straws. Michael truly is grasping at straws as he pretends that he is involved in philanthropy, sports, and everything else. Any time anybody brings up any sort of group, Michael always pretends to be involved. But you can easily see that he would love to be involved with something – anything. Anything that can bring his life a little bit of meaning.

But since he does not have a ton of friends and no other places where he can find meaning, Michael has to completely absorb himself in his work by default. He loves his work. He loves the people at his work. He focuses all of his energy, interests, efforts, and life toward his work. Granted, I am sure he would love to find meaning in something else, as well. But all Michael had was his work. And that was the only place and the only opportunity where he could insert himself.

In my opinion, loneliness is one of the biggest problems in America. Life being lived without meaning is also another one of the biggest problems. These things lead people to dedicate their lives to their work, and yet they still are not going to be satisified.

Where there are problems, there are opportunities. The Church can provide tangible help and authentic Hope to everyone suffering from loneliness and lack of meaning. There is a giant opportunity for good people of The Way to fill this void in people’s lives – to fill it with love, friendship, and the purpose that comes with Jesus Christ.

The Church needs to be able to recognize and assist the Michael Scott’s of the world. How? That’s a whole nother question…

Living in the Moment

I can’t tell you how many times I wish I did this better. Unlike other problems, this is one of those things that you cannot go back and fix. Regrettably (but humorously), I always say to myself right after going through a situation with which I should have been more involved and present, “Man, I should have been more into that moment. Crap.” Shoulda. Woulda. Coulda. We can’t get those times back. We can hope for more in the future, but they are not guaranteed – and we cannot spend our present hoping for the future. Truly, I can’t tell you how many times I wish I did this better.

And, yet, I distinctly remember when I have done this well. I think I remember it because I was truly in those moments. I lived them. I breathed them. I enjoyed them. My mind, my heart, and my spirit were in tune with those moments. Whether it was a rainstorm on a safari in Africa, river-swimming in a cave in Ecuador or simply golfing with my dad in Nampa, Idaho – I have lived in some moments… and I have loved it.

What does it mean to live in the moment? I hadn’t heard of the concept until a friend told me this story. My friend was in Taiwan listening to a teacher explain the exciting study abroad program that lay in front of the students for the next three months. In hopes of encouraging the students to get the full amount of the experience, the teacher told them about his favorite student of all time. “I have never seen another person be fully into every moment like he was,” the teacher stated. “It is the first thing you noticed about him, and it is the last thing you will remember – the way he could fully immerse his heart and soul into every moment of his life. He never went through the motions. He never sat out a play. No matter if it was studying for a test or trying to speak Spanish with his family – he was fully present in each and every moment. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen.”

When I heard this description, I wanted to be that guy. I mean, I want to remember the past and plan for the future – but, doggone it, I want to live in the present. I want to live in every moment.

Life is too short.

Life is too good (even when it’s bad).

Life is too…

You fill in the rest. And then live it. Live every moment of it. Heart, mind, soul, and spirit – with God, with friends, with family, with strangers – in love, in hope, in wonder, in adventure – let’s all live in every moment.

(So stop reading this blog, and GO!)

Time and Life...Hand in Hand

I am 23 already. Can you believe it? I hardly can sometimes. 23? 23. I bet in 30 more years, I will kill to be 23 again. But, also, I know when I was 15 I thought that I couldn't even fathom what it would be like to be 23. I am two years from 25. And 25 is half of 50. Weird. I am almost 30.

Really, I just write all of that to try to prove a point. Can you believe how much time impacts our lives? In some areas of the world, it is amazing to make it to 23. For some, 23 was the best time of their life, and now they are constantly living in the past. For others, they lived horrible lives when they were younger, and they would never go back to that age. To be 23 is young to some, and it old to others. It is desireable for some, and it is scary for others. And to think - some people on earth do not even know or care how old they are.

So what is my point? My point is this: time and life go hand in hand.

Do you want to make the most of your time on earth? Then live. Live such a life.

Do you want to have a great life on earth? Then value your time. Take advantage of time.

We are all given 24 hours each day. We can never get today back. We can never get our time back. It is the most precious commodity that we are all given in equal measure. Tomorrow is not promised. Yesterday is not revived. There is today. There is life in today. Or at least there should be life in today.

What are you doing with your time? What are you doing with today? If you are waiting for life - stop. If you are going through the motions today - stop. I would hate for anyone to be near the end of their life before they started to open their eyes. I would hate for anyone to be in regret over time wasted and lost. I would just hate for anyone not to experience life, and life to the full.

Therefore, I will end with two questions I have often asked myself and now I pose to you. So what are you doing with your time? What are you doing with your life? They probably go hand in hand...