what being there looks like

If there's one thing that I've learned, it's that there are certain people who are truly one of a kind.

These are the rare breed who have an unmistakeable allure about them. Never quite pretentious but always quite genuine there is an undeniable attractiveness that comes with the package.
It's not a learned attitude either. It's really quite the opposite; nonchalance dilly dallying and doing whatever seems like a good idea is often a trademark of these people as well.

One item of note, however, is that there is something common that they do that the vast majority of people simply do not. Everyone recognizes that one great friend is more precious than ten average friends but no one ever considers what makes a person "great."

I am completely convinced that part of the makeup of the greatness is the willingness to spend time with another person.

You see, spending time with someone is one of the dearest ways you can shower intimacy on that person. It communicates, whether voluntary or involuntary, that your life is worth something so huge to them that they're willing to carve time for you.

That's radical!

This is why I'm being more intentional about meeting with people. I want to foster rich relationships so that I can cut all the pretense from my life. Hopefully the seeds that get planted because of these meetings will pay a huge dividend somewhere.

Perhaps.

The Joy of Reconnecting

I had a fabulous lunch with a [lost] old friend yesterday.

It always helps when the lunch is at one of my favorite places to eat (Chow Baby). And it also helps that it was Friday so things were already a great start.

That said, we got our food, sat down, and just started talking about life. It was so great.

You see, I'm the type of person who becomes quite polarizing quite quickly. One of my greatest strengths is that I have a very vivid/colorful personality (at least that's what I get told). Yet this ends up rubbing people the wrong way quite often. Either they won't get my humor or perhaps I'll be perceived as being insensitive or some people end up being just straight up haters. And while I truly wish I could build rich, authentic relationships with everyone I encounter, I have come to receive the fact that not only is it not possible, but it would devalue the relationships I most cherish now.

Yesterday was a great example of one relationship I do value very very much.

For me, one of the greatest measure of someone's authenticity is how comfortable they are talking about very deep subjects. Everyone talks about sports, the weather, facebook, whatever; and it's really healthy to talk about all those things. But eventually everyone is faced with the issues in life that truly matter. All your actions are driven by your faith and your values and they eventually manifest themselves through actions and words. That's why, when I'm able to speak with anyone who dives deep into those things, it communicates that in one way or another they are shifting their focus from the present to the everlasting.

All that in mind, what I really can't stand is how awesome some people can be. When you talk about humble, extraordinary character people only a handful of people will ever cross your life.

I had the joy of eating lunch with one yesterday.

What would my life look like if..

- I truly believed God was with me?
- I truly prayed like it meant something special to me?
- I read my bible like a cherished love letter?
- I invested time with people like it was my last day on earth?
- I was thankful for EVERY blessing?
- I leveraged my talents for something incredible?
- I tried my hardest to reconcile all past broken bridges?
- I loved more?


Wow.

losing can be winning

One thing that I'm really happy about is the truly competitive drive that has been instilled into me.

I absolutely cannot stand losing.
At all.

Since picking up on this whole tennis thing, my competitive attitude has transferred to the tennis courts as well. My overall win-loss record is very high. I think I've maybe lost 4 matches total (2 from doubles and 2 from singles).

Tonight was another tally for the loss column.

I was frustrated and angry. You see I was forced to retire from the match because I ended up cramping in the middle of the game. It was as if any opportunity I had was just taken from me. Hours after the match it's what I kept thinking about. And now, several hours still later, it continues to haunt me.

But why?

The only solace I can think of is the fact that there's still so much I have left to learn about being humble. Not once this season did I thank God immediately after the match for a win (I had been undefeated until tonight). In fact, the thought didn't even come to me that he had kept me injury free for basically 2 years up to tonight.

That said, I don't think God is like some sort of scientific formula in that He's punishing me for not choosing to thank Him or whatever. But, I do think that it's an encouraging sign to realize that instead of just sulking and accomplishing nothing, I can choose to focus on everything that I do have (instead of the win that I don't have). These things, just recently, include the following:

- a new job at Radiant.
- a new car that's really nice.
- a new computer.
- a newer playstation 3.
- a new digital camera SLR.
- a new pair of season tickets for the falcons.
- a new stringing machine.
- a new tennis racquet.
- a new radio for my car.
- lots of new clothes.
-probably more that I'm not thinking about.

Putting this in context of my loss, all I have left to say is that it reinforces a principle I've already learned. When it comes to adversity, the response to the stimulant is everything. I still can't stand that I lost, but it's not going to be something that I will allow to slow me down.

I guess counting your blessings really does help shape your perspective.

exhausted

but I'm committed to writing in this.

In no order..

- played tennis today.

- twice.

- Miss Terri and Phuong big time.

- Even porcupine too.

- Won injured.

- Really should be playing at a higher level.

- Where does my life need total renovation?

- Where does my character need total reconstruction?

- The analogy could also be used in the fitness world. Who cares if you have a treadmill. The value is in the execution.

- I'm such a nerd that I'm starting to watch Starcraft II videos.

- Doing really well at work.

- Got to hear from Allison today. What a girl.

- Got to hang out with Esther today. What a girl in a different way.

- Got to hang out with Erskeen today. What a guy.

- Got to help Steven out with his dilemma. What a mess.

- Got to think about God today and how much grace He provides. What a God.




And I'm gone.

what I'm contemplating tonight

"Unapplied truth is just like unapplied paint. It doesn't do anyone any good when it's just sitting there. The value is entirely in the application."

walking the walk

There's nothing more lethal to a person's creditability than hypocrisy.

This is why it's especially intense in the church world.
This is also why I have so much respect for my pastor.

Given the amount of fame he has and the number of different commitments he can make, it's really refreshing to see him come to church and not do anything. Not be obligated to do announcements or speak the message but to just be a regular attender.


And when you have my vantage point on stage, it's especially powerful seeing him pray and sing just like one of the hundreds in the room.