Windy: How do you react?

Living in western Kansas means that you are going to experience some windy days. It is a prominent weather outcome whenever there is going to be a change in the weather. It is not odd at all to have a forecast of 15-25 mile per hour winds for a day. That might be our norm. To have a forecast of 35-45 would be less frequent, but not out of the ordinary. People still go on with their activities for the day. Is this complained about, yes. Is it accepted, yes.

Last week I was flying to Atlanta, Georgia and the captain alerted us that it was windy there. He was also warning us about our landing, as that may be a bit rough, due to the wind. Aside from the landing, I had to laugh to myself about the description of it being "windy." Living in Illinois for a few years, their windy was not the same as "western Kansas" windy. Descriptions are subjective, so to be told something is windy is relative upon their view.

How do you respond when you experience a day that is windy? That brings us to this week's quote...

The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails. ~ William Arthur Ward

If this quote accurately labeled people, then I've seen a lot of pessimists in my day! However, I think you can be pessimistic about "areas" in life, where you will be optimistic about other areas. Regardless, I found the quote interesting in a few ways.

For one, it may be talking about the wind, but really it seems to be pointing to life. Those that tend to have a life filled with complaints are going to look at life pessimistically. Those that are always looking on the "bright side" are going to see things optimistically. Those that see life as unpredictable and will encounter victories with celebrations and defeats as opportunities to learn seem to see things realistically.

The question is where are you in most cases? Are you to one extreme or another? How does life treat you when you see things a certain way?

May we lead more of our life "adjusting our sails" rather than the other two extremes.

Now it's your turn...What was your reaction to the quote?

Are You Small? By this measurement...

I grew up being one of the smallest in my class. There were about 3 or 4 of us that were usually around the same height, prior to our growth spurts. I finally grew a bit. I wasn't shorter than most of the girls anymore, but I was still one of shorter males. So being small has been in my history...can you relate?

Small is not always associated with height or body shape. It also describes a number of objects compared with the rest of the objects. It can mean a statistic in numbers. "There are a *small* number of people who can ____" represents a number. That brings us to this week's quote...

Small is the number of people who see with their eyes and think with their minds. ~ Albert Einstein

Do you see with your eyes or mind? I agree that few people see the possibilities and analyze the impossibilities. They look at something and think about all the negatives. "We/I can't do that, what if ____ happens?" "Our budget isn't that big!" "We're too small!"

"Mind-seeing" because we analyze it way too much. Ever taken a test and you can't help yourself but to analyze the question so much that you work yourself up? I have.

We are sometimes like that with the way life treats us. We analyze the "minor" things so much instead of trying things and seeing where things may take us.

Are you in the bigger category or the smaller one? If in the bigger, maybe you should thinking about trying out the smaller side once in a while..who knows where life will take you!

Now it's your turn...what do you think of Albert Einstein's quote and its relevance to your life...

Half Full or Half Empty?

Looking at a glass from one perspective or another has been a way of determining if someone is optimistic or pessimistic.  Because it is visual, this is determined by your outlook on the object.  How do you tend to look at the object to the right? 

I tend to look toward the pessimistic side. Maybe it is because once something goes past halfway, that means it is almost gone.  Neither of these may be the correct view of the object.  That brings us to this week's quote...

Stop asking if the glass is half full or half empty.  Instead ask, "What's in it?  How did it get there? What can I do with it?"  ~ David Kaufman

If you're like me you probably never thought about looking at it this way.  However, this doesn't judge the object but rather looks at the potential of the object and/or its contents.  


Maybe it can be a different way of viewing yourself and your potential.  What are you able to use with what you have been given?  How can you use your "contents" to make a difference in life?


May we gain a new perspective on an old saying by not looking at the determination of whether or not it is full or empty, but rather see the potential it has within it.

E-mail Encouragement: Try It, You May Like It

We tend to be more reserved than adventurous. Sometimes it may be because we have been “taught” that the things we want to do aren’t going to work. Other times we may simply doubt our own abilities. Whereas, still other times we are not in a place to follow through or there may not be the resources available to make it seem like it can happen. When this quote came into my “inbox” this week, I was so thankful because I knew it was what I was going to use for this week’s quote…

Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires...courage. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Let’s focus on critics, rather than resources. Just Tuesday, my wife and I watched a movie called “August Rush”. The movie deals with a boy who was raised in an orphanage and has a keen ear for sound. His mother was a cellist; father a guitar player and singer. He has music in his genes. The kids at the orphanage tease him because he tells them that he is going to find his parents and that “the music will lead him.” He is labeled a “freak”. Without giving away too much of the movie, he makes his way, despite being encountered by many critics and obstacles, to find his mom and dad. There were many points which he could have quit – after all he’s an eleven year old. Instead of quitting, the young man continues on – mapping out his course – in courage to make his way toward his destination/goal.

What are you seeing in your future? Where would you like to be/go? What does 2008 bring to you? Do you have plans to do something (short or long term) and have critics putting the idea down? Or is the Enemy himself telling you it won’t work? Someone out there will always have a difference of opinion to say “you’re wrong”, but don’t be tempted to believe that. Map out what steps it takes to get to your goal (don’t forget to start with prayer, bathe it in prayer, and end with prayer!) and GO FOR IT! Even if there are many stops between point A and B, enjoy the journey of knowing you are going toward your goal – despite the critics!

Ready for Christmas? Only a few days left!!!

Have a great rest of your week!

Merry Christmas!