Tag Archives: #faith

Granted by the gratuity of presence.

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Daily writing prompt
If you had to give one life-changing tip, what would it be?
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Giving a tip implies that I know what works. That my friends would be a very broad assumption on my part. Even dropping it down a few notches to “I know what works for me” is definitely a stretch.

But I can share one decision that has proven to be life changing for me. A common theme on this site of late when I seek to connect with each of you, whether prompt or “just because” driven.

Remaining present.

The past has served its purpose. And as the word suggests, it happened, it is over, and unless I somehow become H.G. Wells, and have that machine, there is no going back. Sapping my emotional, mental, physical and spiritual energy by focusing exclusively in that direction brings nothing but remorse, regret and isolation to me.

Thinking I am in control of what has yet to occur is another splendid avenue towards the same personally driven, intentional, downward spiral. I may think I have put every piece together that will eventually lead to that highly vaunted place, but things change. Others change. I change. An hour gone by has the potential to turn everything inside out.

And I am still not H.G.

So it is simply best for me to just remain right here.

Supplied with the wisdom earned from the past and the faith I am embracing that it will all work out, I can just be. Things can get hairy, or seem that way. But as a friend shared, “give it an hour and see where it has taken you.”

If that first one wasn’t enough, I give it sixty more minutes. Maybe another. I don’t try to convince myself that this is gonna be just like that time twenty years ago and slap my forehead because I should have seen it coming.

I just try my absolute best to remain.

Right here.

And be.

Talk about serenity wrapped up in the comforter of genuine peace.

Nothing quite like being in that place.

Truly changing my life.

Granted by the gratuity of presence.

Teachers.

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Daily writing prompt
Who are you most inspired by?
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Some days, following communion service or mass, I run into a man that is busy replacing all of the entrance mats in and around the church. For lack of a better term, he always has this air of “being totally into it” about him. We exchange “good mornings”, “looks like a great day” and “take care”. Who knows how many he does in the course of the day. That is not easy work. But he does. And he is into it. Making things just right for all those coming and going.

A young man I got to know through coaching football is starting a podcast. His mission is two fold. First, to invite athletes to discuss their personal side, what they are about, what they have had to overcome, who they truly are and what they intend to become. Through growing that audience, he hopes to generate the support that will help those that are less fortunate overcome, be who they truly are and begin the work to become all they were intended to be. When I watched him talk to this teammates on the field and in the locker room, you could literally see the passionate concern flow out and touch those all around. It was was never about him. Always them.

Those that I support via job development and coaching have their own burdens to overcome, and yet they show up for work, on time, do their best and look out for their teammates. One in particular simply leads by example. Parts of the establishment are now cleaner than ever before, he addresses stocking issues when he sees them, makes the aisles customer friendly and will help any customer that approaches him looking for the chrome go faster or the platimunm ectawhatsit. He knows where everything is and will take every lost soul where it can be found.

There are other folks in my life that simply put themselves out there for others. Most times small, Sometimes medium, and once in a while, in a big way. They all understand in a deep and genuine fashion that it really isn’t about them. It is all about those in their universe. Without accolades, a million or so clicks, likes or followers, they just go about life putting the other guy first. Because they can. Because that is how they are built. Mostly, just because.

So you want to discuss influencers?

These are three off the top of my noggin that change the world every day through their intention, their effort and genuine love for the other.

True inspiration.

Teachers.

Well said indeed.

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Daily writing prompt
What’s your top tip to be successful in life?
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For most of my life, I have been my harshest critic. Choosing to look back, dissect myself, my value worth, esteem. Yada yada. Also, becoming a cultist, so to speak, following the assessment of others about me as the gospel truth.

This would in turn lead to the development of a scathing personal critique, followed by a self absorbed Teams invite involving me, myself and I, in the proverbial, but sarcastic form of a “come to Jesus” meeting. The type ego driven micro managers inflict on those lesser than themselves.

Get all that?

Then, God forbid I look ahead, destined to set the stage for yet another poor performance where lines are forgot, entry is on the wrong side and cues are never recognized or followed. I was convinced I had to live in the past, but abhor the future because, hey, I couldn’t do anything right and it would simply end up like before. But this time, not just FUBAR. But now, SAPFU. (those sterling acronyms just happened to raise their hands in my cranium. So I called on them….)

I have since embarked on a different path. One not bound up in this type of toxicity. I respect thee past and how it brought me to this point in my life. And the future? Not in my hands.

Affirming this perspective and the health that it brings across all levels, this appeared towards the end of a reading at mass the other day. Witnessed and shared by St. Matthew:

“Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.”

Followed by a closing sentence, “Sufficient for a day is its own evil”, something to the effect that each day has with it trouble of its own.

Two things strike me with a poignance all its own about his witness of Jesus and what He taught.

First, Levi was a Hebrew tax collector. The worst of the worst in that world. Unethical, ego driven, lording over others in any way, shape or form to ensure Cesar gets what he is due.

But then, their paths cross. No such thing as coincidence. Just that He is present. Then two words shared changed everything.

“Follow me.”

No need for Levi o gather up and carry a long a past. Definitely no clue or promise of what was yet to come.

Simply “Follow me”.

Maybe I am wrong, but sure seems like he felt it before it was ever said. And he became an exemplar of what He did say. For he chose to become Matthew. Knowing that would simply take care of itself.

Top tip?

“Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.”

Well said Matthew.

Well said indeed.

Suspenders in style?

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Daily writing prompt
What is one way you have grown this year?
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I am not quite to the point of moving from a belt to a chain, but I will keep you posted.

But when I get on a scale these days, the digital read out urgently requests, “Hey, one at a time!” But I digress…

I really do not eat as much junk or as much as I have before of recent vintage. No sodas really that often or ever, and I said “bye, bye” to beer. Loving veggies, especially maters, cauliflower and broccoli, raw. Ok, you caught me, With a Greek yogurt dip. A Triscuit or three. And Wisconsin is wondering why the cheese supply is suddenly going up instead of down.

Some of it is most likely the result of less time working out at PF and such. But June has been a more active month, and it will only go up from here. Dramatically. Perhaps there is another aspect to this obvious swelling I am not used to nor yet comprehend.

Maybe it is my soul that is expanding.

I am much closer to and look forward to feeding off of my higher power. I have been consuming more of His wisdom, garnished with that freely offered from those around me. Talk about an extra value meal.

Dispensing with the junk as I mentioned has opened up more space within to taste and enjoy what is genuinely healthy, fortifying and wholesome. This stoic now craves intention, vulnerability and honesty. Not the overprocessed, prepackaged, baloney of external influences that hope to distract you towards living their way.

Sorry Mr. Mayer. That had nothing to do with your contribution to my favorite sammich growing up.

The temp is steadily moving up and the humidity is getting closer to where I like it; swamp ass%. Walks need to resume; perhaps I walk to PF? We’ll see. Time is of the essence. But I am confident that the food available for my soul is approaching banquet proportions. So I will just move my chair so I can remain at that table.

I discovered that it is always open.

And seconds are always encouraged.

Maybe I can just skip the chain. Now that I think of it, I sort of already freed myself of that way of thinking and living. With the help of a heavenly dietician.

Hey?

Suspenders in style?

Thank you Coach Strode.

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I attended a celebration of life this past weekend for my head football coach in high school, Gene Strode.

The stories shared by his children and friends still swells my heart. He was such a great father, husband, coach and man. He cast a living and lifelong impression on thousands.

It is fitting that he returned to farming upon his retirement.

I say that because he spent his entire career planting the seeds of potential, performance and passion within his players, assistants, kids, friends and community. He could see in others what they could not yet see in themselves, until they blossomed. And being the farmer that he was, he nurtured a continuing, healthy and prolific growth throughout the season of his life.

He was careful to eradicate the weeds we grew by acting out of character. Minimized the manure we told our ourselves and tried to sell others. Watered us just right with praise, affirmation and discipline.

He radiated genuine, fatherly guidance and love to all that came his way. That is what made us grow so upright and strong. To this day, and to a lasting extent, we are who we are because we were all raised the same way by Coach.

A farmer of men.

Even though it has been close to fifty years, I could still feel all of that and then some when me and some of my teammates huddled this past Sunday. We did some truly great things together. Cause he saw it in us.

Then cube that sensation when all of us huddled together, as one, for Coach.

Every fall, he grew us to be his bumper crop.

And every fall since, there hasn’t been a season gone by that I don’t feel his presence in my life. Whether it is the weeding, an awareness of an overabundance of fertilizer, or his way of watering us for growth, his radiance remains.

Now I get to walk those fields too.

For he taught me to be a farmer.

My true vocation.

Thank you Coach Strode.