Five Minute Friday — Pace

Posted on August 23, 2019 by wisdomfromafather

Happy Friday! Time for this week’s installment of Five Minute Friday.

I cherish this exercise. It gives me a chance to shut off the world and focus on a specific word prompt. It gives my mind a chance to ponder the word and send the thoughts cascading through my fingers onto the screen for all to see. But the best part is visiting Kate’s place on Facebook at fiveminutefriday.com by our special community of writers. It’s always exciting — and often informative — to see how my fellow FMF friends develop their thoughts in a variety of different genres. If you get a chance, stop by.

I’ve been sharing snippets taken from Five Minute Friday: A Collection of Stories Written in Five Minutes Flat. They are a testament to the value of the exercise. This week, I’ll share some perspective from an anonymous writer who I hope inspires you to check us out … and maybe join in?

“I love Five Minute Friday! It stretches me beyond my comfort zone … makes me think quickly and with great focus …  no daydreaming while writing for five minutes. It’s all out. Wide open. Challenging!”

This week’s challenge is PACE. The timer is set for five minutes so let’s GO …

You remember the story of the tortoise and the hare, right? Well, our rabbit exploded off the starting line, looked around and noticed he was so far ahead, he could just rest a little. Meanwhile, our turtle was pacing himself … methodically moving forward until he eventually caught up to the sleeping hare, passed him and crossed the finish line.

That’s what pace means … methodically moving forward.

I’m sure Mr. Tortoise had to go around a rock or two along the path, maybe make a decision or two when he came across a fork in the road. But he paced himself. He methodically moved forward.

There’s a lesson in the story for all of us. Unfortunately, often we enter our race with vim and vigor like the hare, be it a personal or spiritual journey. We explode out of the gate. But that exuberance wanes. We slow down. We look around and see we’ve left others in the dust. Eventually, we may even make the fatal mistake of getting too confident in our self and our abilities and make … STOP

… a rest stop. Once we stop, it’s hard to get started again. Next thing you know, we’ve lost our edge, our excitement, our drive.

I’ll try to take my cue from the tortoise. Put one foot in front of the other. Keep my eye on the goal. And methodically move forward.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Success is on the same road as failure; success is just a little further down the road. — Dr. Jack Hyles

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Planning

Posted on August 22, 2019 by wisdomfromafather

Wow. That’s a word you don’t often hear from me, but if I have any chance of pulling off a travelogue/writer share/book tour next year before I fade into the sunset, that’s exactly what I must do.

I am tentatively planning a live tour along the Route 1/Atlantic Coast from Key West, FL, to Fort Kent, ME. My thought is to spend a few days at select sites on the route, capturing the ambience of each locale and capping each visit with a live broadcast featuring fellow authors I am sure I’ll meet along the way. I don’t have a title for the tour yet {open to suggestions}, although I was thinking about Authors’ Journey; Taking the Fear Out of Writing; or Writing on the Road.

So, with the help of family and friends, I have {or at least I’m in the process of} started picking destinations, budgeting, making contacts and trying to figure a way to fund the adventure.

One of those plans included getting my reliable Subaru ready for the trip. I drove down to Massachusetts to have my son give it a once over. What started with a request for an oil change quickly deteriorated as my back brake decided to skip the pad and go directly metal on metal shortly after reaching my Massachusetts destination. Scott gave it a quick go over and decided old Sue might have lost her usefulness. He was kind enough to lend me his car to get back to Maine as he looks at Sue in more depth.

I am so thankful for family. Have I ever mentioned that?

Getting back to the project, the plan would be to spend three days at each destination. Day one would be for check in and check out. Day two would focus on visiting a few area highlights and post on it on a companion travel blog. I would tend to shy away from typical tourist destinations and look instead for local events — like festivals — and offbeat attractions. Finally, on day three, I would like to have a fellow author from each coastal destination spend some time  with me on camera as we reflect on the writing process, share helpful writing tips and ideas, and promote our books.

Of course, a lot depends on input from readers. For example, I would like natives to send in suggestions about what they would recommend to close friends and family when they come to visit. It could be a park, a beach, the arts, museums … whatever you recommend. The first few stops are being planned in Key West, Miami, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Fort Pierce, Melbourne and Cocoa, FL, in January. If you have any thoughts and/or suggestions, get in touch with me.

And I’m looking for writers along the route to spend some face time with me. Initially, I’m looking for writers from Key West, Miami, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Fort Pierce, Melbourne or Cocoa, FL. If interested, get in touch with me. Key West is home coincidentally of the late Ernest Hemingway. What a way to start!

More information will follow, but if you have any thoughts and/or suggestions, get in touch with me.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Some people are so poor all they have is money.

 

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Midweek Mirth

Posted on August 21, 2019 by wisdomfromafather

One of the misconceptions about being a Christian is non-Christians think we don’t know how to have fun or have a sense of humor. Trust me, if the Big Guy can have a sense of humor when it comes to dealing with us mere mortals, so can we.

The difference for Christians is we don’t have to debase ourselves or others to generate a smile. Laughter at life or ourselves is a gift from God.

So, let’s smile a little!

The Divorce

A judge was interviewing a woman regarding her pending divorce. He asked, “What are the grounds for your divorce?”

She replied, “About four acres and a nice little home in the middle of the property with a stream running by.”

“No,” he said, “I mean what is the foundation of this case?”

“It is made of concrete, brick and mortar,” she responded.

“I mean,” he continued, “what are your relations like?”

“I have an aunt and uncle living here in town, and so do my husband’s parents.”

He said, “Do you have a real grudge?”

“No,” she replied, “we have a two-car carport and have never really needed one.”

“Please,” he tried again, “is there any infidelity in your marriage?”

“Yes, both my son and daughter have stereo sets. We don’t necessarily like the music, but the answer to your question is yes.”

“Ma’am, does your husband ever beat you up?”

“Yes,” she responded, “about twice a week he gets up earlier than I do.”

Finally, in utter frustration, the judge asked, “Lady, why do you want a divorce?”

“Oh, I don’t want a divorce,” she replied. “I’ve never wanted a divorce. My husband does. He said he can’t communicate with me.”

And now for the bonus … just in time for back to school time

School Has Started …

Rushing to work, a teacher was driving too fast and as a result was pulled over by the highway patrol. The state trooper noticed her shirt had the name of a local high school on it. “I teach math there,” she explained.

The trooper smiled, and said, “Okay, here’s a problem. A teacher is speeding down the highway at 16 mph over the limit. At $12 for every mile, plus $40 court costs, plus the rise in her insurance, what’s her total cost?”

She replied, “Taking that total, subtracting the low salary I receive, multiplying by the number of kids who hate math, then adding to the fact none of us would be anywhere without teachers, I’d say zero.”

He handed her back her license. “Math was never my favorite subject,” he admitted. “Please slow down.”

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: We don’t laugh because we’re happy — we’re happy because we laugh. –William James

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Happy Birthday to Me

Posted on August 20, 2019 by wisdomfromafather

Yes, today is my birthday. Normally I approach the day with a ho hum attitude. It’s no big deal. It’s just another day.

And it is. I’m not sharing the “news” for affirmation, but because I have been in a retrospective mood as the days count down, I thought it would be appropriate to reflect on my life.

There haven’t been many milestone birthdays. My 17th was important because it was I got my driver’s license, freedom and love for the open road. My 18th was important because it meant I could be the designated beer buyer in neighboring New York while attending school. My 21st was a watershed year because I became eligible to vote, got married, and officially became an adult, a status I enjoyed until my 60s when I became a senior. Two years ago, I graduated to old … seven decades under my belt on this piece of rock. I’ve added a couple more since then — officially at 5:19 this morning.

That’s old like in a long time, not in decrepit or feeble. Just old.

I remember as I rewrote obituaries for the paper noting too many people were dying too young. When I reached my 60s, those people were my peers — including my wife. If I noticed someone in their 70s or 80s or beyond I looked at them as survivors and celebrated their long life.

No period held more significance to me than any other … although adulting isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. As I look back, I can honestly say I savored every breath I’ve been given … the good times, the bad times, the mountaintops and the valleys. I know it sounds hokey, but I knew I had a Sidekick with me all the way and He used people in my life to keep me grounded and focused. Of course, my wife was one who spent 40-plus years tempering my idealism with reality. Sonni was another who helped me heal after Karen’s death.

There is no one prodding me, pushing me, forcing me to move forward. Family and friends try but I spent a lifetime prodding, pushing, forcing them to be independent and flourish.

It’s ironic, if I had to chose an anthem for my life it would be My Way ... I’ve lived a life that’s full … I’ve traveled each and every highway … But more, much more than this … I did it my way … Regrets, I’ve had a few … But then again, too few to mention … I did what I had to do … And saw it through without exemption …

Of course it helps when my way typically is in line with His way. And I have been blessed. I was privileged enough to get a good foundation that led to education and a fulfilling career, and repressed enough to value hard work and struggle.

Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew … When I bit off more than I could chew … But through it all, when there was doubt … I ate it up and spit it out … I faced it all and I stood tall … And did it my way … I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried … I’ve had my fill my share of losing … To think I did all that … I did it my way …

I don’t know how many ticks are left in the ticker — no one does. But I know as I move forward I will approach it with the same abandon — some would say reckless abandon — as the previous seasons. Despite the creaking bones and generally slowing down, I’m still looking forward to road trips, football games, visits with family and friends, new adventures. And when the time comes, I’ll meet my Sidekick. We’ll look at each other and say, We did it Our way.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: If you’re too busy to laugh, you are too busy.

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Socialism

Posted on August 19, 2019 by wisdomfromafather

The Words for the Week deal with socialism

An economics professor at Texas Tech said he had never failed a single student before but had once failed an entire class. That class had insisted socialism worked and no one would be poor and no one would be rich — a great equalizer.

The professor then said ok, we will have an experiment in this class on socialism. All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would xperimentfail and no one would receive an A.

After the first test the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy. But, as the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too; so they studied little. The second test average was a D! No one was happy. When the third test rolled around the average was an F.

The scores never increased as bickering, blame, and name calling all resulted in hard feelings, and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else. All failed.

To their great surprise, the professor told them socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great; but when government takes all the reward away; no one will try or want to succeed.

Could not be any simpler than that.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Nobody succeeds beyond his or her wildest expectations unless he or she begins with some wild expectations. — Ralph Charell

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Loving Others in the Race

Posted on August 18, 2019 by wisdomfromafather

This week’s reflection is from  Deborah Meister, courtesy of Living Faith, Daily Catholic devotions.

… let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus … Hebrews 12:1-2

In discerning how to persevere in this important “race,” we can be distracted by selfish motivations, false comforts and judgmental thoughts. Sin, as Paul says, weighs us down as we make daily decisions, big and small, interfering with the mission God has given us. How easily sin creeps in when I fool myself into thinking I know what I need or, worse, what will solve someone else’s problems. Self-absorption becomes the only reality, a burden that blinds me to the needs of others.

Jesus has shown us our relationship with God and loving others must be the primary focus of life. Free from the burden of our selfish desires, we can more easily follow Jesus, our constant companion in the race. We become, then, examples for others who will see Jesus clearly in our loving words and actions.

Meister holds graduate degrees in theology and literature, with pastoral ministry and director of religious education certifications. She is a former editor of Living Faith, and works as an author, editor and educator. Together with her husband, Deacon Bill, they have lived in eight dioceses. They have two adult daughters and three grandsons. Living Faith provides brief daily Catholic devotions based on one of the Mass readings of the day. Subscription and other information is available at livingfaith.com/

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Don’t be afraid to get back up to try again, to love again, to live again and to dream again. Don’t let a hard lesson harden your heart. Life’s best lessons are often learned at the worst times and from the worst mistakes.

 

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Today’s Conversation with God

Posted on August 17, 2019 by wisdomfromafather

As we build this community prayer platform, we ask the Lord to listen to our petitions with full confidence they not only are heard but acted upon by God according to His holy will. These requests are on my prayer list and I hope you consider putting them on yours as you place your petitions before the Lord Sunday.

Let’s remember to approach the throne room and respond with faith and not fear, knowing the promises of God and His mighty hand will hold us through any situation! Sometimes, all it takes is just one prayer to change everything. Something extraordinary happens when two or more agree together in prayer.

What is one of the most important things we should do as Christians? Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (Ephesians 6:18)

Pray for students and teachers as they begin preparations to start back to school.

Steve is experiencing some relentless chest congestion.

Please pray for Stacia, short of breath again.

Nick is recovering from a broken leg.

Specific prayer requests for Jack:  positive reaction to chemo; decreased white blood cell count by a lot (need to go from 340,000 to 100,000 at least); and limited side effects from chemo.

Brody has been in a serious car accident and is seriously injured. He has been life flighted to a hospital in Wichita, KS.

Farrah has been battling a rare kidney disease for years. On Oct.  8, she will be having a renal kidney auto transplant.

Amanda has developed an allergic reaction to the adhesive that is part of the duo-derm patches she needs to help heal her wound.

100 year old Millie is blind and having trouble remembering people.  She is also having trouble getting around because she has diabetes.

A young couple pregnant with their first child has received news their unborn baby is showing possible developmental deficiencies. There is a wide range of possible outcomes – from slight vision problems to blindness and cognitive disabilities. They have asked for our prayers. Please pray God’s will be done … and for strength for the couple to handle the unknown.

Susan has been rushed to the hospital with gallbladder issues! Please pray for strength and for wisdom for the doctors and surgeons!

Andrew is tired from his fight with pancreatic cancer and is ready to go home. Pray for a peaceful journey.

There were a host of unspoken prayer requests and we heard of a number of deaths this week. Prayers for their families as they go through this earthly trial. We grieve … heaven rejoices.

We come to You, Lord, because prayer is the least yet the greatest thing we can do for each other. When two or more are gathered in Your name, we confidently know You are with us. What better company can we have? You reign and we trust You! We may be broken and battered but know You heal and quiet the soul. You are the source for all that happens in our lives. We thank You for the progress being made. We thank You for the many blessings we have received this week — some we unfortunately didn’t notice. Nonetheless, those blessings are ever-present in our lives. We thank You for healing. We thank You for slowing us down. We thank You for providing us our daily needs — no more and no less. We thank You for being with us, listening to us, walking with us on this journey. We thank You for the support of our family and friends … for seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary — sunrises, sunsets, flowers, kids laughing, adventures, good news amid the bad news. We thank you for the good news received by Bethany and Maryanne, but we also know we can come to You with our concerns and they will be heard. Through Christ all things are possible. We lift up those family members and friends who are battling various physical, emotional, financial, career or spiritual issues and ask not for Your guidance and healing (although that would be welcomed) but to keep reminding us we are not alone in our battles. Specifically we lift up students and teachers as they start the new school year, Steve, Stacia, Nick, Jack, Brody, Farrah, Amanda, Millie, the young family facing decisions, Susan, Andrew, and all those needing Your healing touch. We pray for the families of all those You have called home. We grieve … You celebrate. We pray for obedience to Your Will so Your “Son” Light shines through us through the power of the Spirit. And we come to You through the confidence of the words taught by Your Son Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Keep your joys and concerns coming. They have been and will be included during my prayer time and I trust they will be on your lips as well as you approach the altar. All it takes is a couple of keystrokes under the “Contact Me” button on the top bar {or to the right if you’re not a follower yet}. I hope it becomes your best friend as you navigate around the site so we can all be viable prayer warriors. You can also comment or reach me at wisdomfromafather@gmail.com.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Faith is like wi fi. It’s invisible but it has the power to connect you to what you need.

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Five Minute Friday — Hospitality

Posted on August 16, 2019 by wisdomfromafather

It’s Friday. It must be Five Minute Friday time!

We’ve been over the drill before. We receive a five minute write prompt at Thursday night’s #fmfparty get together — get our creative juices flowing — write for five unedited minutes {or so} just to enjoy the writing experience — post our contribution — join with others in the community at fiveminutefriday.com to share our work, be it a pearl or a sow’s ear, and to support and encourage others in the group.

I have been sharing experiences from other writers as collected in Susan Shipe’s compilation, Five Minute Friday: A Collection of Stories Written in Five Minutes Flat. This week’s contribution is from Deborah. May her words be the inspiration you need to join in the fun.

“I got into FMF with a selfish motive — to get exposure for my blog What I’ve found is a community of grace with a group of folks longing to lift up each other, to pray for and encourage others. To support and inspire, to laugh and to cry. It’s about much more than writing. I’m glad to have found this community of welcoming hearts.”

With that prelude, it’s time to set the timer for five minutes and GO!

A little fun fact. I was in the hospitality business.

Of course, that needs a back story. And, full disclosure, I did not choose to be in the hospitality sector.

When Karen and I bought our house in rural New York, it came with an assortment of outbuildings — including an old, small, three unit motel. I, of course, had dreams of using it as my office. Then it was re-purposed as my mother-in-law’s apartment. Then my wife went to work on her vision.

She saw a 50s motel in a room-starved area of upstate New York. But she added a twist. Instead of just a bed, she included breakfast … and thus the Seneca Sunset Motel came to be.

My role in this scheme was primarily behind the scenes … you know, fetching what she needed when she needed it. I was also the guinea pig for her breakfast recipes before they hit the table … and a willing clean up complete with getting the extras. … STOP

… But the experience did thrust me into the hospitality side of things — greeting guests, making sure their breakfast needs were met, chit chatting as needed.

As I thought of this chapter in my life, I was reminded we are all in the hospitality business. Our lives should be all about hospitality — reaching out, interacting, assuring our fellow travelers’ needs are met.

Wouldn’t that be wonderful!

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse. — Jim Rohn

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West Side Story

Posted on August 15, 2019 by wisdomfromafather

I don’t like musicals. I like the music in many of them, but I just can’t appreciate singing and dancing through a visual medium. West Side Story included.

My wife, however, loved musicals. She went to see West Side Story a number of times when it first hit the big screen in 1961. I skipped the show. When VCRs came to be, one of her first acquisitions was West Side Story and, of course, I was stuck on the couch watching it — or at least pretending to. As VCRs gave way to DVRs, it was again a quick buy and another attempt to get me to watch it with her. I think I fell asleep during the first finger-snapping introduction of the Jets and the Sharks.

In my defense, I do like some musicals, especially Damn Yankees and Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. I think it’s because there was more live action between the singing and choreography.

So, I never really watched West Side Story. I knew the plot — an inner city 1950s Romeo and Juliet story. I knew the songs — Maria, Tonight, I Feel Pretty, Somewhere. I knew  there was lots of dancing to go along with the singing.

For some unknown reason, however, I decided to tape a Turner Movie Classics replay of West Side Story. The other day — I emphasize day as opposed to evening — I watched the flick in its entirety. I found myself singing along with some of the songs. I found myself laughing at how ridiculous the actors looked as they slithered around the set “fighting” in the rumbles. I found myself following the storyline and comparing how the gang mentality of the 50s compared and contrasted to this millennium.

As I concentrated on the plot, the film made sense. Cultural biases. The irrationality of violence. Gang mentality. It wasn’t half bad — especially if you could tune out the singing and dancing. It would have been a good drama.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: We don’t need to focus on changing the world; we need to change ourselves; for in changing ourselves, we will, to a degree, be changing the world!

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Midweek Mirth

Posted on August 14, 2019 by wisdomfromafather

One of the misconceptions about being a Christian is non-Christians think we don’t know how to have fun or have a sense of humor. Trust me, if the Big Guy can have a sense of humor when it comes to dealing with us mere mortals, so can we.

The difference for Christians is we don’t have to debase ourselves or others to generate a smile. Laughter at life or ourselves is a gift from God.

So, let’s smile a little!

Delayed Flight

A passenger on a Southwest flight says he once faced a flight delay just before they boarded. A flight attendant picked up the microphone and announced: “We’re sorry for the delay. The machine that normally rips the handles off your luggage is broken, so we’re having to do it by hand. We should be finished and on our way shortly.”

And now for the bonus …

Divine Assistance

Two men were stranded on an island. One man just sat down under a tree and did nothing. The other man looked all over the island. When he came back, he said, “There is nothing here — no food, no shelter, no nothing. We’re going to die.”

The first man said, “I make $10,000 a week,” and continued to sit.

The other man again looked all over the island and came back dejected. “We’re going to die,” he said.

The first one again replied, “I make $10,000 per week.” And he sat.

The other man took one more look all over, returned, and said, “There’s no way we will ever get off this island. We’re going to die.”

Once again the first man replied, “I make $10,000 per week, and I tithe. My pastor will find me.”

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: What you say affects not only you, but it affects others as well. The words that come out of your mouth go into your ears as well as other people’s, and then they drop into your soul where they give you either joy or sadness, peace or upset, depending on the type of words you have spoken. — Joyce Meyer.

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