Why I want a Chameleon

I know what I want for my birthday.  My mom used to have one when she was young and it sounds like a cool possession … a Chameleon.  Here’s why I want one and what they remind me to do:

These are fascinating little creatures.  Their bodies adapt and change depending on their background.  I found out that they can change based on their mood, the temperature and even the breezes in the air.  Many think that they change their color to hide but research has found that they change their color to draw less attention to themselves as they hunt for food.   They make their prey feel at ease so that they can engage.  Their identity is always as a Chameleon, but they change to draw others close and to draw close to others.

What would it look like if we put away our pride and harsh judgments and became more like Mr. Chameleon?  What if we could be so confident in our convictions, values and morals yet be flexible in how we engage in conversation.  I believe more would be open to hearing about Hope in Christ and less would be turned off by the judgmental opinions of a few in our well-meaning denominations.

When you want to communicate a message, be Chameleon-like:  be firm on truth and flexible in presentation. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

Click for a great Chameleon Video.

Peace,

My new website:

Making the Impossible Possible

I can easily get overwhelmed with all of the ideas that pop into my head.  Without prioritizing and setting goals, accomplishing even a fraction of them would be impossible.

The habit of setting Goals is so important.  Earl Nightingale said, “People with goals succeed because they know where they’re going.” Do you know where you’re going?  Are there projects or milestones that you’d like to conquer this new year?  Knowing how to set goals can help 2012 be one of the best years of your life.

To review from last weeks post, here is a seven step way to set goals:
1 – Decide what you want.
2 – Write it down.
3 – Set a deadline.
4 – Brainstorm a list of everything you can think of that you could do to accomplish this.
5 – Organize the list by sequence and priority.
6 – Do something.
7 – Do something everyday.

Now, list 10 goals for this year and ask yourself, “If I could only achieve one goal, which one would have the greatest impact on my life?”  Once you’ve answered that, focus on that one with high intensity.  You can still work on the other goals, but keep the number one the number one.

For me, I have goals in 7 areas of life:  FINANCE, HEALTH, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, FAMILY, SPIRITUAL, SOCIAL, and CAREER. Not all of them are drastic.  Some of them are crucial.  Taking the above process, here’s how I’m working on one of my goals:

One of my important goals is to finish a long-awaited book project called, “Refined – Turning Pain into Purpose.” Using Brian Tracy’s 7 steps, here’s how it’s all working out:

1 – Decide what you want. – I want to complete “Refined – Turning Pain into Purpose.”
2 – Write it down. – I have a goal worksheet that I use on which this project is listed.
3 – Set a deadline. – Publishing date:  March 30.
4 – Brainstorm a list of everything you can think of that you could do to accomplish this. – Actually, I’ve brainstormed how to keep distractions at bay which frees me up to finish the project.
5 – Organize the list by sequence and priority. – I’m writing chapter by chapter and then editing.  Chapter completion dates: I have 5 chapters left to write so my dates are.  Jan 13, 20, 27, Feb 3, 10.  Editing process completed by Feb. 24. Pre-publishing completed by Mar. 24.
6 – Do something. – 5:30 – 7 am is my daily writing time with some late after noons if possible.
7 – Do something everyday.

Let me know if this is helpful!

Peace!

(BTW, If you’d like me to email you when “Refined” is available, email me here.)

A “Just Is” Day

I wanted to take my son, Nathan, to the Hobgoblin Music Store today in Red Wing MN.  The visit would have fed our appetites for seeing new and bizarre instruments.  However, our part of God’s country is blanketed in 12 inches of snow (and counting) and the wind is building drifts that have paralyzed any street movement.

I’m bummed.  I was looking forward toward to this.  I wanted to spend car-time with Nate but Mr. Winter chose today – of all days – to show off.

What do you do when your plans are interrupted?  How do you respond when you run late, the store is closed or your car won’t start?  Many of us fold, implode and let the event ruin our day.  I will not be one of those people because two words that a farmer friend of mine told me a long time ago are skipping over and over in my head:  JUST IS.

My friend, Scott, runs a very large dairy farm.  Thousands of cows and hundreds of workers produce an uncountable amount of milk.  With such a large operation, troubles, setbacks and problems occur on a daily, if not hourly, basis.  I asked him how he deals with all of the stresses that dance in the moments of his day.  He looked at me and utter those words, “Just Is.”

Scott went on to tell me that the events that occur at his dairy are rather neutral (or “just is). If the market price for milk goes up it most assuredly will be offset by harder work and longer hours.  If he looses workers or cows it will be balanced by a more streamlined operation.  “Events,” Scott said, “Just Is.  It is how you respond to the events that change  your world.”

Today is a “just is” day.  The wind howls and I choose to see the branches of the tree conducting a symphony in the air.  The snow dumps down and I no longer see the dirt from the street or the ‘gift’ from the neighbors dog.

Just Is.

Peace,