Close calls on the road

Last week as I was driving to work and from work I had close calls on the road.  One was at a sharp bend when a log truck was coming the other way.  We passed each other at the worst possible place.  The thought came to me that a thousand pound log could slip off the back of his rig and fly through my windshield to instantly kill me.  Then on the way home a car from the other way dipped into my lane but at the last second saw me and corrected itself.  We could have hit head on.

These instances, happening on the same day, made me think that I have some time left on the earth.  God protected me and graciously allowed me to live.  I am ready to go into eternity.  Jesus is my way to the Father.  In some ways I would welcome death because life can be such a drudgery.  Yet for God to have two perfect opportunities to take me, and not, makes me think I have a purpose to fulfill in my time remaining.

Shake my hand

When it comes to greetings, just shake my hand.  I am not into hugs.  I don't need creative hand gestures.  Take my hand in a firm grip and pump it a few times.  I have no problem with hand shakes.  Others do.  I don't.  I think it is a perfectly appropriate way to signify respect and acknowledge the other person and then begin a conversation.  Just shake my hand and let's move into the next stage of our interaction.

Wished for direction for Detroit

Recently the city of Detroit declared bankruptcy.  Anyone familiar with the once mighty city saw this coming.  After decades of Democrat mayors, high regulation, increasing taxes, and unions, the businesses that kept people flush with money moved on.  And who can blame them?  When the welcome mat gets shorter and courser, it becomes apparent that you are no longer welcome.  So they left for greener pastures.  I say, good for them.  Detroit is now the perfect example of what a liberal mentality can do to a place.  I would never want to go there or even visit there.

My hope is that the city starts to level the thousands of empty buildings they have on hand.  Personally, I like things orderly, neat, and trim.  A city full of run down shanties is not very appealing to the eye.  Nor is it safe.  I would recommend they bring in demolition crews, level the worst areas, and turn it into farm land.  Farm land is not the most exciting but there is an orderliness to it that does have a certain voice.  I think Detroit needs to work on its image.  Now is the perfect time.  Get rid of the old junk and turn those vacant lots into green space.

Sad on Sunday mornings

It has been my experience that I feel sad on Sunday mornings.  Sunday is a good day.  Don't get me wrong.  I enjoy gathering with other believers at church, worshiping in song, and hearing a message from the Word.  I enjoy having dinner, reading, and resting at home in the afternoon.  Usually I take in some TV too.  It isn't a big pressure day.  I don't have much on my agenda.

Stepping one day back I think is why I am sad on Sunday mornings.  Saturdays are my favorite day of the week.  It is so refreshing to work on my own things the first day of the weekend.  Usually there are a number of things that I want to get to that I have been delaying because I need focused blocks of time to get them accomplished.  I will pick up around the house, do domestic things, and take care of the yard.  All of these are nothing special but I like doing them for one simple reason:  they are mine.  I like my own work and I like to work on improving my life.

When it is Sunday, that favorite day of activity and work is behind me.  There had been such a great feeling of accomplishment and Sunday is not a big day for work and getting things done.  So I am sad on Sunday mornings.

OTA station from Wausau

An over-the-air station from Wausau has suddenly become available.  The station is WAOW, channel 9, an ABC affiliate.  It is not always available on my TV set.  It comes and goes.  Sometimes it comes in strong but other times it will not come in at all.  I have not adjusted or changed my TV antenna in anyway which makes me think this station has upped it's power.

I hope to add an outdoor antenna this year.  Just having an antenna outdoors and as high as possible makes me think I could receive channel 9 consistently.  It is out there.  I just need to have a better way to receive it.

Stop-Doing List

In the book "Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work" by Chip and Dan Heath, I was challenged to start a Stop-Doing List.  This was in apposed to my To-Do List.  I like lists and I have several lists going on at one time.  But I didn't have a Stop-Doing List.  Here are a few things on my newly created Stop-Doing List.

Stop spending time on the temporal and start investing in the eternal.
Stop complaining about what is wrong and be thankful for what is right.
Stop expecting others to pick up the tab and start being more giving.
Stop being impatient for the next thing and start being content.
Stop fearing other peoples opinions and do what God has called you to do.

Those are just some things on my Stop-Doing List.  I am reviewing it often.  I am sure I'll add things as they come to mind.  It is a good exercise.  I think it helps to expose some of my self-limitations.

You need something to sell

It is so basic but I fear it is overlooked.  Every business needs to have something to sell.  If people are not buying, their lack of buying should tell you something.  It means they don't want what you have. You haven't adjusted to their needs or demands.  Maybe you haven't been listening.  Maybe times have changed.  Maybe culture has shifted.  Expecting your customers to be the same as they were when you started the business fifty years ago is not very realistic.  It is a empty wish that really is kind of sad.

If you are looking to start a business you need to begin with having something to sell.  Maybe it is your expertise.  Or it is a service.  Or a product.  But you have to have something that people will exchange money for.  Start there but never forget that people need something to buy in order for you to stay in business.

Free & relaxed

Recently I posted on those things that make me cringe and tightened up.  This post is on what makes me feel free, relaxed and hopeful.

1.  Getting in the car and going somewhere to explore and discover some place new.
2.  Going outside to put the yard in order.  Enjoying the clear air.  Doing something physical like cutting, watering, cleaning.
3.  Having a bowl of ice cream.
4.  Acquiring something that fits the need perfectly.
5.  Discovering a great deal and pulling the trigger.
6.  Getting every email account, financial account, and document up-to-date and organized on my computer
7.  Seeing something good win.  Like creation over man's development or good character over bad character or a wise choice over a poor choice.

Taking a break

My hope for this blog is that I would come across a subject matter that I could get deeply into.  My hope for this blog is that I would share who I am and it would be very attractive to someone or someones out there who would invite me to journey beside them to our mutual success.  My hope for this blog is that it would grow in readership.  My hope for this blog is that I would get a more clear understanding of who I am.  My hope for this blog is that I could write something of lasting impact.

Right now, it doesn't seem like much of that is happening.  I am struggling most weeks to come up with a very minimal three posts.  Therefore, I am thinking of taking a break from this blog.  Perhaps I just need a week off.  Perhaps I need to shut this down and go in an entirely new direction.

If I come back next week with more to say, that is terrific.  If this is my last post, it has been a good exercise and a learning experience.