Compelling

Boys,

I recently read this piece by Lolly Daskal on "How to Become the Most Compelling Person You will Ever Know" - I found it - compelling.  Read Original

See what you think:

1. Be bold.

Dare to instigate! Take chances, create opportunities, make things happen. Risk greatness.

2. Find your unique self and wear it like a badge of honor.

Turn your back on conformity. Figure out what makes you different, and then embrace it. The world needs what you have.

3. Conquer the unknown.

Try something new, and don't cringe at fear. Leaving the safe and ordinary is the only way to get to the extraordinary.

4. Be inclusive.

The solitary hero is a myth; your allies are your greatest strength. Those who pride themselves on self-reliance have no safety net, and living a one-dimensional story is pretty limiting.

5. Be confident (but not arrogant).

Show your self-assurance. Confidence gives voice to your gifts.

6. Be generous with everyone you meet.

Generosity isn't just about money. Make introductions, teach what you know, reach out, send a text, share everything you can.

7. Never miss an opportunity to give a compliment.

A sincere compliment is among the greatest of gifts. If you admire someone, if someone does something extraordinary (or something ordinary very well), if something goes right, then say so--in public, if possible.

8. Say no so you can say yes.

Not everything that comes along is worthwhile, and not every opportunity is right for you. Say no to the things that drag you down to make room for what matters most to you.

9. Practice humility.

When you're sincerely humble in your heart and mind, the connections you make with others take on a different tone. Ask questions, listen, stay open, and remember you don't know everything.

10. Stand for something.

Leave no room for doubt about your passion for the people, places, and principles that are dear to you. A compelling purpose is a cause worth sharing.

Above all, to become the most compelling version of yourself, look within to find the heart of all that matters to you. Then go live it.
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I'd say that in addition to being compelling - this list would bring you a step closer to the person Christ would have you be as well.

Something to think about...

I love you,
Dad

Failure

Boys,

Last night, Kobe Bryant broke John Havlicek's long standing NBA record for the most missed shots in a career. A dubious honor to say the least. When asked to respond he replied; "You can't be held captive by the fear of failure or the fear of what people may say."

Kobe Bryant has 5 NBA Championships, 14 All Star appearances, several MVP awards and a sure seat in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Bret Favre holds the record for most interceptions in a career. He has won two Super Bowls, palyed in 16 All Pro seasons, has earned several MVP awards and a sure seat in the Football Hall of Fame.

Reggie Jackson holds the record for most strike outs for a hitter in a career. "Mr. October" actually has 13 more strikeouts than he does hits. He also wears 5 World Series rings, has earned several MVP trophies and owns a spot in the MLB Hall of Fame.

Martin Brodeur holds the record for most goals allowed in a career. He has hoisted the Stanley Cup three times, owns two Olympic Gold Medals, 10 All Star appearances and a future spot in the downtown Toronto where he is sure to be voted into the NHL Hall of Fame.

I share these little tidbits as encouragement to continue to do what you know is right, to keep working for His glory and to know that you are loved beyond a doubt. What you do matters - let nothing hold you back.

In God's perfect timing, I also received this verse this morning in confirmation:

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deut 31:6

Something to think about...

I love you,

Dad

Complacency

Boys,

This past week, Pastor Roland has started preaching on Revelation. This will be the second time I have gone through this book with him. He is pretty sold on the U Shaped Theory of the stories in Revelation. Begins in Heaven, swoops down to earth with a challenge, we respond, and if all goes well we end up back in heaven. That pretty much sums up the Theory.

The meat of the theory is in the "we get a challenge and we act on it" part. In each case, we are challenged to make some attempt at being something better than what we are. More loving, more caring, more supportive, more clean, more unselfish and more whatever else is good.

The word more is what struck me this weekend. We cannot be content which the status quo - we must be looking for another way to offer more. Complacency - the state of being ok with how things are and not too concerned with making them any different. Complacency does not equal more - it equals sit still.

God wants more from us, He wants us to get up every morning and look for a new way to serve Him with more of ourselves. While what we do today may be all good and everything, tomorrow it will look and feel stale, old, used. He wants new every morning (catchy). He wants us to look for ways to add a bit more WOW in what we do today. In every aspect of our lives He wants us to give more. So little to ask in return for what He has given us.

Something to think about...

I love you,
Dad

Tim Minchin

Boys,

Not sure where I found this - in fact one of you may have sent it to me - so, it that is the case, please forgive me for re-cycling. When I first saw Tim Minchin give his graduation address I tried to listen to it but seemed to miss quite a bit. I did remember thinking that what he had to say was important and probably spot on (or barbie on since he is Australian). Anyway, I like his list and I think it helps us to lighten up and take life in a more relaxed and loving manner.

Here is a link both the video and the text - for the hard of hearing.

http://www.timminchin.com/2013/09/25/occasional-address/

Something to think about...

I love you,

Dad

Family

Boys,

Kit's wedding was a blast. It was marvelous to see so many people love up on Kit and Mary Courtney as they took their vows. And while I will always be blessed with the vision of the wedding party and pastor surrounding the bride and groom in prayer, the picture that I will cherish most from that weekend is our family photo taken at the rehearsal dinner.

This family is an amazing collection of individual zaniness. You are each as unique as it gets and while you all contain Southwick gene's most of them are mutated in a most humorous fashion.

I pity the photographer who says "can we get a shot of the Southwick's?" This is a good as it gets. We are not a formal, sit down, cross your arms, people with glasses tip your head down kind of family. We are wacky, spontaneous, a bit rebellious and just plain fun to be around. Just ask me! This picture captures a glimpse of each unique personality and tells countless stories - all perfectly enjoyable and funny.

The fact that Mary Courtney would jump right in the front row and flash the thumbs up is a pretty good indication that she "fits in" to a group that doesn't even have an "in."

Well done my family - you have made this grumpy, old man smile.

Something to think about...

I love you,
Dad

Andy Griffith

Boys,

Andy Griffith and Mayberry RFD were two of my favorite TV shows of all-time. Even lately, I have led a small group bible study using old episodes of Andy Griffith as the basis. Good stuff with a good set of values. So it is with that in mind that I share "7 Things I've Learned From Andy Griffith."

source: http://www.markmerrill.com/7-things-i-learned-from-andy-griffith/

1. Andy listened. He wasn’t one to lecture his son, Opie, or his friends. Instead, he helped them get to the right answer by asking questions, telling a brief story, and then just listening to them.
2. Andy spent time. He spent one-on-one time with his son, Opie. It wasn’t a big planned event or activity; they just did the ordinary things in life together. Opie was often seen in the Sheriff’s office while Andy was working. Andy was often seen carrying a pole and taking his son out fishing.
3. Andy treated people respectfully. As goofy and quirky as Barney, Floyd the barber, and Goober the mechanic were, he always treated them as equals and with respect. He even treated the town drunk, Otis, respectfully. And he never seemed to expect their respect in return, but he did earn it.
4. Andy took time to relax. Sometimes, Andy just sat on his front porch after dinner and gazed at the stars and reflected about life. Andy and the people of Mayberry also stopped work on Sunday to go to church, rest, sing, and make room for their neighbors at the supper table.
5. Andy was humble. Underneath that country, aw-shucks demeanor was a very wise man. And even though he may have been smarter than everyone else, he was never condescending or critical. Rather, he had a servant’s heart and always did what was best for others.
6. Andy was patient and kind. Andy could have easily lost his patience with emotionally-charged, Barney Fife. But he always kept his cool. And you never heard an unkind word uttered from Andy’s mouth. He was always building others up with his words.
7. Andy treated women with the utmost respect. Whether it was his Aunt Bee or girlfriend, Helen Crump, he always honored and respected the women in his life. He also had great manners. He opened their door, pulled out their chair at the table, and walked on the street side of the sidewalk.

Something to think about.

I love you,
Dad