In The Dash- Thank You
There are so many people to thank if you think back over your life. From that teacher who told you, you can do it and believed in you. The coaches who pushed you beyond your limitations and helped you achieve large goals. Your parents who sacrificed in so many areas and so many ways. Your boss who took a chance on someone with no experience. A spouse who has lived with you through ups and downs.
No matter who you are there are those people who have invested in and supported you and at the end of the day have made you who you are today. Take the time to write a note and say thank you so they know their investment was not a waste. Thank you are powerful words and give meaning and strength to what sometimes feels like a lost cause.
Action Step:
Send a thank you note to everyone who had a major influence in your life.
In The Dash- Unconditional
There are two people who are related to me by blood who have loved me and accepted me unconditionally, my mom and my sister. They have invested so much and sacrificed so much for me in my life and so many times it has gone unnoticed or unacknowledged, but it was never unappreciated.
My mom and sister have been a strength for me in the worst time in my life. They have been an encouragement and a voice of wisdom. I am a difficult person to live with, as my wife would support. There are times when I have been selfish and not been the brother or son that I should have been or could have been.
Regardless they love me. So important to let those who have loved you unconditionally know how important they are. There is a chance they may not know.
Action Step:
◊ Thank your family for loving you unconditionally.
In The Dash- Digital Footprint
I love technology and consider myself a web 2.0 expert however there is a part of me that would admit I’m addicted to technology. Truth is I don’t need to be as connected as I am.
Technology has opened up doors that we did not have years ago. News travels at crazy speeds and social media has shaped what we value, find important, what we purchase and in some cases shapes our values based on others opinions.
However the amount of time I have wasted in leaving a digital footprint does not equal the amount of time I should have invested into my family.
With time running out there are very few things that I feel would be important enough to be online for rather than invest into my family. Technology has its value but as I’ve learned the hard way so does family.
Action Steps:
◊ Disconnect from all technology that is not necessary.
In The Dash- A Different Way
I can’t sit still very long. I have a hard time listening. Needless to say I struggle when it comes to listening to God and being still. Sometimes I try but I only hear what I want to hear.
There was the time when I was looking for my first youth pastor position and I was convinced that God wanted me to take it. However my wife who was still and silent heard something different. She heard wait and be patient because this was not the right opportunity for us.
I am so glad I listened to my wife and so glad I didn’t listen to the voice that I thought was god. Truth is I did not spend a whole lot of time seeking Gods will. When time is short we prioritize what is important. Listening to God and being still is important.
Action Step:
◊ Be still and listen.
In The Dash- Interruptions
I used to take eating together for granted or think it was no big deal, but I have learned more through failure than success the importance of that quality time. I used to dismiss that time and say things like, “I’ll be home tomorrow”, which I never was or “This is just a season”, which only led to the next season. Why is this important?
Because it allows for a time with no interruptions to stop and as a family hear where each other are. To hear what my kids have learned, what they think is important, and simply put, be a part of their lives. I’ve missed out on too many memory opportunities because of missed meals.
Every opportunity I get I take to enjoy that part of the day with my family. What I used to take for granted I now cherish.
Action Step:
◊ Eat as many meals with family as possible.
In The Dash- Why So Serious?
They say laughter is the best medicine. Not sure who they are or best medicine for what, but I do know we tend to take ourselves to seriously. There are times when I find myself having to remember to laugh or to have fun because I get caught up in the moment.
Truth is nobody wants to be around someone all the time if that person does not make you feel better about yourself or at the very least make the experiences enjoyable.
So I am trying to learn to laugh again and I am starting with myself. I am trying to take life and the circumstances in life lighter so I can enjoy life again.
Pressure, stress and worrying is not he way to enjoy life so stop, enjoy life, laugh at yourself and try to find joy where it may be hidden.
Action Step:
◊ Laugh as much as possible.
In The Dash- Don’t Let Go
A couple weeks ago my 2yr old grabbed me and held on and didn’t want to let go. I felt unbelievable joy knowing how content and safe he felt. I know there is a time where my boys will go from the hugs to the high fives, so I take every chance to steal a hug.
We get busy and we forget what is important. What’s important is holding my wife and letting my kids see me do it. They need to know how important their mom is to me.
I hear words but I feel a hug and for some of my family their love language is affection and touch. They will remember the times I just stopped what I was doing to hold them because that is personal and real to them. I don’t remember those moments with my dad growing up.
Action Step:
◊ Hold my family.
In The Dash- Till Death Do We Part
Everyone dies. In some cases we can choose how or when but in a healthy way of life God chooses for us. I’ve always said that I never want to die by fire or water, to be completely honest I would rather die peacefully in my bed or in a quick instant. I don’t do well with pain or suffering.
I believe everything happens for a reason whether I understand or accept it, so if I knew I had thirty days to live my prayer is that I would live with joy and passion till the very end. My prayer is that I would live as if it were a celebration, that I would not waste my time feeling sorry for myself or spend my time questioning why.
My prayer is that through my death others may find life, and God would be honored.
Action Step:
◊ Embrace the end and not fear it.
In The Dash- Life Experience
There are a lot of things that really matter in life like which way the toilet paper is put on the roll or when is the sink too full to put another dish in. In all seriousness there are a lot of things that I have learned that really do matter and sadly most of them I’ve learned the hard way.
There are things I have learned about careers, family and church that you don’t learn in a book but you learn through real life experiences through success and through failure. Every context is different but the core principle of each life experience is universal, to be able to share that wisdom with my kids is so important to me. They will make their own mistakes however if they can learn from mine it will save them pain and it will give me joy.
Action Step:
◊ A memoir of the things I’ve learned that really matter.
In The Dash- Life’s Moments
I remember the birth of my children, and I remember my kids learning to ride their bike and when they read their first book. I remember the joy on their face and I hope they know how proud of them I was.
I thought about dying and missing out on all of life’s moments, but also my kids missing out on my joy and words of encouragement. I would love to make a video time capsule where I celebrate the key moments in my kid’s lives. When they get their license, choose a college and graduate from it, marriage and the birth of their children.
Moments that I want to be alive to experience first hand but if I can’t I want them to be able to see my joy and hear my praise and know how very proud of them I truly am.
Action Steps:
◊ Create a time capsule of life moments.
