Sunday, February 20, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
The Will to Win
Beat up and bloodied, promises unfulfilled, how would you feel?
What do you gun for in life? How hard are you willing to try?
Winning and losing. Losing and winning. Fast is slow and slow is fast.
What's waiting to be conquered?
How hard will you train, hang on to your dreams and put up a good fight?
Saturday, February 12, 2011
What does it take to complete a race?
A will to succeed. A resolve to improve. A humility to ground you.
Fitness and strength can be trained--it must be!
Knowing your self--your body, your limits and your personality.
Preparation is key, certainly. Mental, physical and not least, spiritual.
Friends cheering you on, keeping your own pace, running with the Divine...
Racing on. Pick your challenge and complete it to the best of your ability.
Fitness and strength can be trained--it must be!
Knowing your self--your body, your limits and your personality.
Preparation is key, certainly. Mental, physical and not least, spiritual.
Friends cheering you on, keeping your own pace, running with the Divine...
Racing on. Pick your challenge and complete it to the best of your ability.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Theater
Before the rain, a gusty wind.
Leaves, twigs, they dance and spin.
Sideways, upwards, rolling, floating.
The wind, the wind, our mighty fiend.
Commuters irked. Vendors dread.
Heaven's gift, fierce and free.
Mercy, mercy, let life live.
Wash the filth, but leave us be.
Leaves, twigs, they dance and spin.
Sideways, upwards, rolling, floating.
The wind, the wind, our mighty fiend.
Commuters irked. Vendors dread.
Heaven's gift, fierce and free.
Mercy, mercy, let life live.
Wash the filth, but leave us be.
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
The Will To Live
Recently I heard it said that we are given 25550 days to live--that's 70 years. Is that too short for you?
In 127 Hours, Aron Ralston, a lone adventurous climber who, as skilled as he is, gets pinned by a boulder in a steep ravine. He eventually expects to die but then discovers how he can free his arm by breaking it and cutting it off. Simply put, the will to live is powerful.
If I had only 24 hours left to live, what would I do?
What would you do?
Not perhaps but certainly it's time to change my view on living. To separate the things that bring happiness and the things that lasting joy. To live for the things, the people that really matter.
All of us have habits and preferences that shape how we live on a daily basis. Well, how important are they, really?
Living, the will to live... Make this life count.
In 127 Hours, Aron Ralston, a lone adventurous climber who, as skilled as he is, gets pinned by a boulder in a steep ravine. He eventually expects to die but then discovers how he can free his arm by breaking it and cutting it off. Simply put, the will to live is powerful.
If I had only 24 hours left to live, what would I do?
What would you do?
Not perhaps but certainly it's time to change my view on living. To separate the things that bring happiness and the things that lasting joy. To live for the things, the people that really matter.
All of us have habits and preferences that shape how we live on a daily basis. Well, how important are they, really?
Living, the will to live... Make this life count.
Friday, February 04, 2011
Good Grief
Completed Comfort by Ann Hood. She writes about how she coped or couldn't cope with the sudden loss of her 5yo daughter, Grace, Gracie, her Grace. Raw yet elegant, it affected me--the grieving, the pain, depression, trying to find hope again. Odd because I'm not mother or father who has lost a child. I believe many have found comfort in Comfort.
By Your Side
By Tenth Avenue North
Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away
Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run
And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life
(Chorus 2x)
Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go
(Chorus 2x)
Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away
Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run
And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life
(Chorus 2x)
Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go
(Chorus 2x)
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Self-Acceptance
Accepting love is accepting an other who accepts you for who you are. If you can't or don't accept yourself, then can you open your life to receive the other?
Watched Love and Other Drugs and other than lots of skin and sex shown, it's really about acceptance. A suave and successful man who feels the need to prove himself so as to earn his parents' approval--he can't state his strengths and good points when asked. A woman struggling with the onset of Parkinson's and the pain of being rejected by the ex. They struggle to accept themselves & eventually each other.
You know, the view from above is usually clear and unobstructed. You get to look across to other structures and recognise the activities of others from that vantage point. Can we see our own lives from above? Well, you know what I mean.
Without love, we are nothing. Seen the world? Real knowledgeable & well-spoken? Yet not doing what you feel should be done... So with love, what are we? Can we really build a life with no regrets? Read this quote recently: You find strength when you are loved, courage when you love someone.
Accept it. Accept self, accept love, accept the other.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Questions on leadership
Questions that occurred to me in the course of 2 weeks in camp. Questions to ponder answers to.
1) What makes officers assume positions of leadership and authority? How do you ensure they carry themselves with dignity and responsibility? By the weight of the authority and powers vested in them? Then what motivates exemplary, selfless behaviour? What about personal pride and concern for others, do they come from within? Is it high EQ and good character that make excellent officers?
2) What do you do with people who don't work well with other people? If they don't take instructions well, how do you still bring them along and not leave them out? How do you bring them from "I" to "We" towards a common objective? Self-awareness is well, self-developed right, what about other-awareness and other-orientation? I guess it takes some other to come alongside to inspire this self to change.
3) Are you afraid of hard work, dirty work, dangerous work? Might we have a mantra where work and challenges are readily embraced? Rewards and recognition help to shape a culture that loves to work. Oh, not forgetting a revelation of the right perspective regarding self, others and the possibilities.
4) Do you lead by example and active involvement? When you do--or fail to do so--people remember it for years. A leader's presence--and absence--is tangibly felt, even on the ground. He sets the direction, the tempo and success markers. He engages positively and defines roles and expectations. A good leader is one who pulls and brings others up together with him. Realise this: one's solo efforts can bring success but with a leader's help, progress can certainly be spurred and hastened.
1) What makes officers assume positions of leadership and authority? How do you ensure they carry themselves with dignity and responsibility? By the weight of the authority and powers vested in them? Then what motivates exemplary, selfless behaviour? What about personal pride and concern for others, do they come from within? Is it high EQ and good character that make excellent officers?
2) What do you do with people who don't work well with other people? If they don't take instructions well, how do you still bring them along and not leave them out? How do you bring them from "I" to "We" towards a common objective? Self-awareness is well, self-developed right, what about other-awareness and other-orientation? I guess it takes some other to come alongside to inspire this self to change.
3) Are you afraid of hard work, dirty work, dangerous work? Might we have a mantra where work and challenges are readily embraced? Rewards and recognition help to shape a culture that loves to work. Oh, not forgetting a revelation of the right perspective regarding self, others and the possibilities.
4) Do you lead by example and active involvement? When you do--or fail to do so--people remember it for years. A leader's presence--and absence--is tangibly felt, even on the ground. He sets the direction, the tempo and success markers. He engages positively and defines roles and expectations. A good leader is one who pulls and brings others up together with him. Realise this: one's solo efforts can bring success but with a leader's help, progress can certainly be spurred and hastened.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Ready?
"New triggers momentum," says Andy Stanley in his leadership podcast.
Instinctively we resist change. Change is risky. Change is costly. Change is uncomfortable.
We know this yet we squirm when change comes to us.
Through the years, we learn methods, ways and mechanisms to cope and make things work. We learn from experiences to spot problems and then solve and pre-empt them. We adapt, improve and gun for mission completion.
Then a fundamental shift happens. The bigger the shift, the deeper we got to adapt. At the depress of a finger, off we go, ricocheting into a spiral of buzz and activity.
What do we want to change into? Deja vu, we've asked this before. How do we get there? How do we get others to come along? Are you given the authority to initiate change? Have you an action plan and a set of clear objectives?
So...what makes one, person or agency, embrace change while another fight against it?
(ponder)
There is a time for change. Epochs mark human history. Separated by pivotal moments, borne by persistent individuals, directed by the Divine, are you ready when change comes?
It's easy to point out the failings of others, of your organisation, of your government. Question is, what are you gonna do about it? Do you have the unction of conviction and boldness and the Solution to "do something about it"?
Forty-nine weeks of the year remain. Still unclear what you should pursue? Whatever you have, write it down, tell someone about it, imagine it--your greatest wish--coming to pass. Then kickstart something to kick yourself in the direction of your dreams.
You need it. More than you might know.
Instinctively we resist change. Change is risky. Change is costly. Change is uncomfortable.
We know this yet we squirm when change comes to us.
Through the years, we learn methods, ways and mechanisms to cope and make things work. We learn from experiences to spot problems and then solve and pre-empt them. We adapt, improve and gun for mission completion.
Then a fundamental shift happens. The bigger the shift, the deeper we got to adapt. At the depress of a finger, off we go, ricocheting into a spiral of buzz and activity.
What do we want to change into? Deja vu, we've asked this before. How do we get there? How do we get others to come along? Are you given the authority to initiate change? Have you an action plan and a set of clear objectives?
So...what makes one, person or agency, embrace change while another fight against it?
(ponder)
There is a time for change. Epochs mark human history. Separated by pivotal moments, borne by persistent individuals, directed by the Divine, are you ready when change comes?
It's easy to point out the failings of others, of your organisation, of your government. Question is, what are you gonna do about it? Do you have the unction of conviction and boldness and the Solution to "do something about it"?
Forty-nine weeks of the year remain. Still unclear what you should pursue? Whatever you have, write it down, tell someone about it, imagine it--your greatest wish--coming to pass. Then kickstart something to kick yourself in the direction of your dreams.
You need it. More than you might know.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Of Men and Leadership
If you had men to command, how would you lead them? 3 men? 10 men? 20 men? 100? 3000?
Structure, roles, expectations, planning, preparations, regulations, shared understanding, familiar faces, art of communication---ingredients for not just achieving objectives but building an enduring organisation of men to fulfil its mission.
Lessons along the way:
1) Separate planning from admin and define clear roles for each. Planning the direction forward and paving the way of advancement, while admin ensures the people are prepared and keeping in line. Different strengths and personalities serve the demands of each role. Can we expect one to be rotated to perform another?
2) Being decisive and involved is a function of risk-taking, focus and ownership. What makes someone step up to take the lead? What makes someone notice a need and resolve it? Is it independence of thought, innate sense of responsibility and the willingness to bite the bullet?
Be the change you want to see, it's said. Can a ripple of intent change effect progress in an established eco-system? Define your mental model first before you answer that. Transformation is kindled during pivotal moments, yet it takes persistence and progressive work to make it great.
Seek insight, wisdom and discernment of the season. Strength comes from clarity of purpose and commitment of hearts and minds. So build strength where it's needed.
Structure, roles, expectations, planning, preparations, regulations, shared understanding, familiar faces, art of communication---ingredients for not just achieving objectives but building an enduring organisation of men to fulfil its mission.
Lessons along the way:
1) Separate planning from admin and define clear roles for each. Planning the direction forward and paving the way of advancement, while admin ensures the people are prepared and keeping in line. Different strengths and personalities serve the demands of each role. Can we expect one to be rotated to perform another?
2) Being decisive and involved is a function of risk-taking, focus and ownership. What makes someone step up to take the lead? What makes someone notice a need and resolve it? Is it independence of thought, innate sense of responsibility and the willingness to bite the bullet?
Be the change you want to see, it's said. Can a ripple of intent change effect progress in an established eco-system? Define your mental model first before you answer that. Transformation is kindled during pivotal moments, yet it takes persistence and progressive work to make it great.
Seek insight, wisdom and discernment of the season. Strength comes from clarity of purpose and commitment of hearts and minds. So build strength where it's needed.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
I Exalt Thee
Composed by Pete Sanchez Jr.
For Thou, O Lord, art high above all the earth
Thou art exalted far above all gods
For Thou, O Lord, art high above all the earth
Thou art exalted far above all gods
I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee
I exalt Thee, O Lord
I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee
I exalt Thee, O Lord
For Thou, O Lord, art high above all the earth
Thou art exalted far above all gods
For Thou, O Lord, art high above all the earth
Thou art exalted far above all gods
I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee
I exalt Thee, O Lord
I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee
I exalt Thee, O Lord
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Getting Ready To Grow Up
What is growth?
Our physical bodies were programmed to grow into a shape, a structure, a system. What determines its growth pattern? Nourishment? The image set before it? The inner desire to grow? Sufficient space to grow in? Others who spur it to grow through their own growth?
What do we grow into? What do we want to grow into? What do you see yourself as? What do others see in you that you seem to underestimate? What triggers your growth?
What resonates with you? Bold, raw ideas? Comprehensive considerations? Words of piercing conviction? Encouragements and concern?
Having grown, we often forget how we used to be. Well the person we are is absolutely not the same as the person we were years ago.
That said, growth should be deliberate, focused and well...consistent. Don't be a two-headed monster or change for change's sake.
Keep looking forward. Keep growing.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Does he love me?
Do you wonder if God truly loves you?
If you do--that God wants only the best for you--then why do we struggle everyday?
Do you know His heart? What He feels towards you, what He thinks about you, what He's trying to tell you?
If someone wished you "God be with you", do you wonder, isn't He already with me, or do you think, sure, that's up to God?
Is God passive? Does He wait for us to fulfil certain conditions before moving us along? Or is He actively working in our lives? Then what part do we play?
Sunday, January 02, 2011
The heart longs ever so faithful
A deep hunger within stirs, lulls, moans for satisfaction. Neglected and unsated, the same wounds and issues go unhealed and remain unresolved. In circles you go till breakthrough is wrought.
Now the heart is a funny thing. It cries, it laughs, it weeps, it calls for attention, it gets bored, it gets tangled in woes and worries. Draw on Life and let dreams fill you. Draw on pain and it will prick you.
Fire breeds passion. Iron sharpens iron. Faith inspires purpose. Surely one heart can gel and connect many others! Loose your vision, be specific and call others to might! Winsome wins hands down!
Inspiration. Desperation. In transition. Transformation.
Let your dream be revived and revved to fruition.
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