Tag Archives: Encouragement

PLAYOFFS!!!!!

1 Reply

I know, I know. Yesterday I told you I would be writing every day for 31 straight days, but I wouldn’t be posting to the blog every day. Well, here we are on Day 2 and I’m posting again.

But this is important.

This is baseball.

Tigers cap with ball

Tonight the Detroit Tigers, MY Detroit Tigers, will begin play against the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Division Series (ALDS). The series is a best of 5. The first two games are in Baltimore, tonight and tomorrow afternoon. The 3rd game will be at Comerica Park in Detroit Sunday afternoon.

If all goes perfectly, which it seldom does, the Tigers will wrap up the ALDS with a win Sunday afternoon.

By now you’re probably wondering what this particular post has to do with my stated intent to Refresh/Encourage/Inspire. I’ll make it easy. Click this link below to the Official MLB site for the Kansas City Royals and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Check out the amazing stories of the long-suffering fans, and the stories of the coaches and players in the dugout during the American League Wildcard game played this past Tuesday. The Royals came back from a deficit to push the game to extra innings. And then, in the bottom of the 12th inning, down by one run, they came back again to win the game. This was the 1st Royals playoff game and playoff win since 1985.

I guarantee you the fans, players, coaches, owners, and employees of the Royals, are Refreshed/Encouraged/Inspired.

Link: Kansas City Royals – MLB 

What has Refreshed/Encouraged/Inspired you this week?

 

1st Day Of The Month

4 Replies

Today is October 1, 2014. It is a momentous day! So many good things have happened on October 1st and this year is no different.

Image credit: Kevin Buchanan

Image credit: Kevin Buchanan

Some October 1st history (in no particular order):

1908 – Henry Ford introduces the Model T. Price tag? $825

1970 – My friend Jeff Baar is born. I grew up with Jeff. Our houses were back-to-back. We were out in the back yard every day. Both of our parents still live in those houses.

1938 – Chicago Cubs clinch the pennant. (I know. I was shocked too.)

1880 – John Philip Sousa becomes Director of the Marine Corps Band. (This one is VERY high on my list of great October 1st events!)

1924 – Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States is born. Happy 90th Mr. President!!

1971 – Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida opens. (Shout out to my friend David Dollar.)

1948 – California Supreme Court voids state statute banning interracial marriages.

1653 – Russian parliament accepts annexation of Ukraine. (Seems to still be an issue.)

1864 – A cyclone strikes Calcutta killing 70,000 people.

And then we come to today. October 1, 2014.

I have two items to add to the list today. Both are important. Both are a bit scary for the people involved. But hey, if we haven’t learned anything else in the last 14+ plus months, we have learned to “Punch fear in the face.” Thank you Jon Acuff.

First (and most certainly not the more important of the two): I’ve committed to writing for 31 days in a row. I have a team of people in the wings to support me (kick me in the rear), and I intend to make this happen. Every. Single. Day. (Yikes) Some people in the group will be posting to their blogs every day. I’m not planning to do that. I will be posting every Wednesday, and I may post a few other random times. We’ll see what happens.

On the days I don’t post here on the blog, I’ll be sending my writing to my designated butt-kicker. Should we put an over/under on how many days I can go before she has to kick me? Most of my writing will be focused on my book. It needs a kick in the rear. Writing EVERY day for 31 days should do the trick.

Secondly, and BY FAR more important: My cousin, Larissa Theule, is releasing her 1st book!! Here’s the link! Click it! Do it! You know you want to. Go buy it and make her day!

Fat & Bones: And Other Stories (Fiction – Middle Grade)

Doing What I Want

5 Replies

The other day, Alli Worthington posted this tweet:

 

It got me thinking. Why wouldn’t I try to be the person I want to be? How did we ever get to the point of trying to meet the expectations of others?

 

So often in our lives we try to conform to expectations others have for us. Parents, teachers, pastors, friends, spouses, etc. Even if the expectations aren’t verbalized, somehow our fallen minds end up internalizing expectations we believe others have of us.

As a parent of two teenagers, I have to ask myself if I’m telling them what they “should” be. My oldest son is a senior in high school. He’s looking at college next year and majoring in physics. Did I tell him he should be go into physics? I’m pretty the answer is “NO”.

But, have I encouraged him to investigate other interests?

When he was younger, he was a prolific artist. And, quite good. He doesn’t draw anymore. Why? I’m pretty sure his mom and I haven’t discouraged him from it. Did someone else? Did society tell him he shouldn’t look to art as a career?

Don’t get me wrong. I love that he has a passion for math and science. He’s excited about physics! This is good. What if he changes his mind after the first year? I’m sure the dollar signs in my head would tell me to be upset, but hopefully the loving parent in me would encourage him to pursue his passion, whatever it may turn to.

The world tells us we should be many things.

I’ve been a salesman for over 17 years. Am I stuck with this identity? I hope not.

As I attempt to change this identity, I do find at times I’m being told to stay where I am. Why change?

This past weekend I was away from home at a retreat. I was introduced to a few people. One person asked me what I do? Of course the obvious came out of my mouth, “I’m a car salesman.” But!!! I hesitated. I ALMOST said something else.

“I’m a writer.”

Those are the words I wish I had the courage to say. Those are the words I SHOULD say.

Society tells me I “should” be a salesman. I’m ready to change my identity. Are you?

What are you told you “should” be? 
I’d love to hear from you in the comments!