Think About It

Are we optimists or pessimists? (No, I will not allow you to substitute “realist” for “pessimist”.) Do we tend to look forward to what is possible or do we live in fear of the dangers and failures the future holds? I used to think of myself as an optimist, but if I were completely honest with myself I am probably leaning more towards the other end of the scale. Interestingly, neither optimism nor pessimism has anything to do with reality or fact. Since, by definition, they deal with something that hasn’t happened, they are based on perception so we get to choose how we will look at life. It’s not about “facts”, it is a manifestation of “faith”. There are a lot of elements that factor into our default perspective – including personality and past experiences – but in the end we get to decide our general attitude. So, if we get to choose optimism or pessimism, why should we choose to be negative? Wouldn’t it be more fun and more exciting to perceive the glass as half full? Imagi...

If there was a word for this winter it would be boring. Outside of a couple of chilly days, we haven’t had any real weather. We haven’t had measurable snow and there haven’t been any ice storms. I can probably count on one hand the number of times I have really needed a coat. We’ve had fog, clouds and rain – but that’s about it! To put it simply – boring! Now, if you are reading this in other parts of the country, you might be shaking your heads or repeatedly hitting the delete button. Those in California may be looking out their windows at flooding. There are people in the Plains states who are still nursing aching backs from moving all that snow. Our southern friends may be looking at the results of major storms or seeing the impact the sub-freezing temperatures had on their produce. While I was experiencing boredom – you had more excitement than you really wanted. The reason for this meteorological review is to remind us that while our world might be plugging along on s...

It is with great joy that I report that pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in less than a month. After years of COVID uncertainty and labor disputes it feels good to finally say that! There are a couple reasons I like Spring Training. First, because I spent so many years in cold climates watching ball players gathering in Florida and Arizona give me hope that winter wouldn’t last forever. The pictures of freshly mown green grass provide a wonderful contrast to the continuous white of months and months of snow. Yet, maybe the best thing about Spring Training was the perpetual hope that THIS will be the year. I have followed some pretty bad franchises throughout the years, but each February brings about the possibilities of what could happen. From now until the first week of April each club is at the top of their division and they all have an equal opportunity to be playing in October. I have even convinced myself that some teams with mediocre talent just might pull i...

If you were to read much of modern day’s commentary about the Civil Rights movement you would probably question why it had to be written in the first place.   From a historical perspective, it is easy to decry the influences that perpetuated what was happening, but living through them wasn’t as simple.   I grew up in the South – in Florida and Georgia – during the 1960s and 1970s.   In fact, my elementary school was integrated in 1969.   In retrospect, many of the people when and where I grew up didn’t necessarily grasp some of the philosophies and messages being presented by the Civil Rights movement.   As I look back on American life during the last sixty years (especially as I look into my life) I believe we have grown.   No, things are not perfect nor balanced; but I feel that we have matured in our thinking – at least I have.   Things that I felt in those early years have grown into the more mature beliefs I hold and the lifestyle I lead as an adu...

On January 13, 1982 an Air Florida 737 crashed into the chilly waters of the Potomac River in Washington D.C. The tragedy, which took the lives of over 70 people, played out on national television as news crews captured the events. While the loss of life was unimaginable, it is something else that sticks in my mind. When I think back on the day, the thing that stands out to me is the heroism that was shown that day. First responders, survivors and even bystanders braved the sub-freezing temperatures and did all they could to save lives. It is normal to focus on the loss of life, but it is the inspiring stories of those who risked their own personal safety for their fellow man that continue to endure decades later. Most people never think about becoming a hero and, really, there are few ways to prepare for heroism. About all we can do is to be willing to help. Being a hero starts by taking the time to look around at the needs and culminates in making effort to do what needs to be...

The other day I was watching a television show that used a rather common term applied to overcoming challenges. When organizations experience unexpected setbacks – especially when they lose key people – they rely upon the concept of “Next Man Up”. In essence, when our starters (or stars) go down, effective organizations rely upon their next levels to step into the vacancy. While this is an effective response, have we given much thought as to how we prepare to be the “next people up”? First, we must know our job. Even when we aren’t the primary players, we need to be preparing ourselves to be ready when we get the opportunity to shine. Second, we must do our best when we get the chance. Knowledge is important but what turns potential into talent is effort. Yet, maybe the most underappreciated aspect of this concept is a willingness avoid excuse-making and whining about the unfairness of our situation. When we complain about the circumstances that caused the need for replacements...

What makes a good Christian? I don’t have enough time or space to deal with this question in one sitting, but there are a few qualities that come to mind when I read that question. Among the answers that come to mind are a commitment to godly values, a willingness to stand up for spiritual principles and maybe even a willingness to endure persecution to promote evangelism. While these might be some defining concepts, there is something else that is important – a desire for Christian unity. The early churches were taught, “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3). The willingness to stand up for Christianity is important, but so is the desire to work together for the cause of Christ. Being strong in our faith is nece...