A legend for what we do or who we are?

Beloved, cherished, loved and admired.

When we use words to try to describe someone that is truly special or has had a phenomenal impact on our lives, sometimes words just don’t cut it.

Is a legend a legend only because of what they do or because of who they are at their core?

This week, a man I would consider a legend in the truest sense of the word passed away after a long battle with cancer.  Ernie Harwell was known best for his work as an announcer for the Detroit Tigers baseball team and his boundless energy.  But, the one trait for me that takes him to an even higher status is that he was a man of faith that, by all appearances, was not only a Christian in name only, but in practice as well.

Spend the Currency of Your Focus Wisely

We expend energy every day on so many things.  The energy to begin our day, the energy to exercise, the energy to problem solve.  Where we focus our energy is equivalent to a currency we can spend in creative ways every day.  How are you spending your energy on a daily basis?

If we are not careful, we can find ourselves focusing on the wrong things and the wrong thought patterns.  If we are going to be spending our energy anyway, why not spend it in constructive ways.  Spend it focusing on the blessings you have received.  You may not think you have anything to be thankful for, but if you are breathing, you have something to be thankful for.

What do you think?  How can you spend your focus in more creative and productive ways?

Honesty, Energy and Joy

Over the fourth of July holiday, my family came to town for a visit. I always love seeing my sister-in-law, brother-in-law and especially, my niece. You know how it is, we are all busy and we hardy get to see them as much as I would love. Contrary to tradition, I actually love and like my wife’s family a lot.

When they came to town this time, I was particularly blown away by my niece. She is still in her early single digits by age, but she taught me a great lesson I don’t think I could have learned from a room full of bearded, gray-haired professors.

There are three things she has that I found profound and humorous at the same time and after letting it percolate a bit, I had to put it to paper. In no particular order, the three things this young genius taught me were a new found appreciation for Honesty, Energy and Joy.