Think About It

I like thumbing through those “This Day In History” sites and periodically I will find something I’d like to share.  Interestingly, as I was doing that for December 11, I found two diverse events that happened on the same date.  On December 11, 1905 a temperature of 120 in Rivadavia, Argentina was recorded and is believed by some to have set the record high for all of South America.  On December 11, 1932 San Francisco experienced its coldest day on record with a temperature of 27 degrees (and snow).  I don’t know if these factoids are going to change the course of anyone’s life; but I did find it kind of neat that the two extremes happened on the same date.  Now, while these events are conceivable on their own, I believe that together they can lead us to an interesting observation about the nature of God … or maybe, more accurately, the God of nature.  You see, in God’s earthly creation, He spun into existence a planet that had two hemispheres.  The no...

What are we looking for in life?  For some, they are looking for the security found in a good job.  For others, they are searching for something that will make them famous.  Still others are seeking an adventure that will define their lives.  Yet, the other day I came across a quote that helped put things in perspective.  In his book, The Icarus Agenda, Robert Ludlum observed, “The most precious jewels are not made of stone, but of flesh.”.  In essence, the riches so many people are trying to find aren’t the true riches that are worth being found.  The genuine treasures of life are those that are found in relationships.  We can make money, we can travel the world, we can accomplish incredible things; but, in the end, the things that make life livable are the people we meet along the way.  Centuries ago, a wise man reflected on relationships and observed, “A friend loves as all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)....

          For people who spend so much time trying to communicate, there are times we don’t do a very good job of it.   Typically, when we don’t accomplish our goal, it has more to do with the reception than the execution.   I think that one of the challenges to communication is when we listen to the words, rather than the intent.   Now, you might be saying that that’s what we should be doing, right?   Well, not necessarily.   While we’d like to think that people do an effective job of saying what they mean, often times the words don’t accurately reflect what they are trying to explain.   Additionally, when it comes to us listening to the meaning we can be guilty of getting sidetracked by our own emotions.   It is easy to get so wrapped up in wondering “What did they mean by that?” or criticizing, “That isn’t exactly correct.” and miss the point of the conversation.           ...

Last Saturday several dozens of us did the St. Mary’s Splash.   Now, if you are not from Southern Maryland, the Splash is kind of a Mid-Atlantic version of a “polar plunge”.   While it doesn’t involve cutting ice off of a body of water, the air and water are a bit “fresh”.   With air temperatures in the upper 30s and the Potomac at 48 degrees, it does get your attention.   The reason I bring this up is because for 24 hours leading up to the event, what seemed like a good idea months before begins to lose its luster.   Walking out of a warm house and into a chilly State Park can make you a bit cranky.   Standing on the bank of the river staring at the water just adds to the angst.   You know what is coming and you remember that it’s going to hurt – but, as soon as the countdown is done, you head off into the water and 40 seconds later, it is done!   Oh, it’s chilly, but as you stand on the shore wrapped up in your nice comfy towel, the chill is r...

On this date in 1933 one of the most controversial times in the United States came to an end.   The 18 th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution prohibited the manufacture, sale, importation and transportation of alcoholic beverages within this country starting in 1920.   The experiment that lasted over a decade came to an end with the passage of the 21 st Amendment on December 5, 1933.   The value or detriment of legally prohibiting the consumption of alcohol is a topic I don’t have the time or the inclination to discuss here and now; however, the passage of the 1933 law placed the choice firmly back into laps of American businesses and its citizens.   I have my own personal thoughts about drinking, but whether we are for it or against it, I do believe there is value in respecting the impact drinking (and all intoxicating substances) can have on us.   While a case can be made for moderation in most things, the use of intoxicants must be carefully monitored. ...

One of the people who has had an incredible influence on modern America is Walt Disney.  Not only has he molded how we entertain ourselves, I also believe that he challenged modern people to test the limits of our imagination.  Sure, some of what he (and his companies) did was pure fantasy, but by encouraging people to dream about what is possible he reshaped society.  If you don’t believe me, just head down to central Florida in the middle of July on a hot, steamy day and look at how many people are willing to shell out hundreds of dollars to hang out in line with thousands of people for hours and be convinced that they are in the most magical place on earth! While there aren’t many people who can imagine like Walt, I think that is only part of what made his dreams come true.  Disney is quoted as saying “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”.  The truth of the matter is that a lot of people talk about doing something, but those who actuall...