I’ve made 10% of my goal-it’s worth something. Hoping by the time I hit 20% I’m doing something worthwhile.
-DoD
Typos
Been at this new routine for a month now. I don’t quite qualify it as a habit yet. The level of commitment, I am finding myself unnerved when looking back at the previous day’s post. I find typos, missing words, and half thoughts. My Donald Trump post from last night was the second attempt. The first was longer, and better, but I hit something and deleted the original.
The original goal in my year of daily blogs was morning posts, but they have bled into the late evenings lately. My eyes and brain have been half shut, however there have been some interesting posts put down.
A blog can be something that you do when you are inspired. You may rarely feel inspired with this mindset. However, a blog can be something that you do every day, and you find that you are always contemplating something or another. This something may, or may not be of interest to anyone, but the act of putting it on record is an effort worthwhile, but only if you believe in it.
I took a moment tonight to review some early posts from the time this blog was started. The ideas that wisp through my mind regularly are caught, and put on “paper” for future inspiration, or simply to record something of interest.
Anyway, I’ll keep chugging and maybe get back into morning inspiration again. Gonna get some sleep now.
-DoD
The appeal of freedom
The phenomenon of Donald Trump. A true study in the first amendment. A walking “Ugly American” unbound by political correctness or political contributions. Like him or not he is popular.
Folks I’ve heard criticize his tact, I have heard much worse out of-
Trump enjoys more popularity than those much more politically correct. Why? Is it that we are sick of voting for the “least of two evils” who are politically correct, but abhorrently phony? Trump could be fooling us all.
Regardless, Trump ran the table at the first primary which happened to be in the Live Free or Die state.
If nothing else, it’s great reality television.
-DoD
Times like these
Nights like this make being Dad the sweetest job.
It was late already, and my nice lady did not have her cake done for the morning. She was fussing that the cake frosting would not stick, and had really worked herself up. Couldn’t help but look inward, and remember that I struggle with the same hard-headed tendancies when faced with a challenge. She was sent to take a shower and center herself.
I helped little man finish his project, and headed toward the kitchen. At this point, I was mostly concerned about not having time for a blog post. Considering I had missed the night before, 2 posts were going to be a tall order.
The frosting was not in perfect condition, but managed to spackle it on. Word quickly spread that Dear ol Dad was manageing the impossible task, and giddy delight was heard from the shower. Nice lady and I finished up the cake together, as joy filled both our hearts.
It’s hard to digest the praises of “Best Dad EVER” from the little ones. We tend to shy away from the title, looking back at mistakes and doubt of our competence. We find ways that we are not living up to the duties and role as a father that have been tasked from above. Tonight, I’ll take the title. It was a great night to be Dad, but I hope in the end, I’m the second greatest Dad they will ever know.
-DoD
The art of stalling
There is something to be said about delaying decision or commitment. Various successful tactics are executed during a stall.
The same goes for listening rather than talking. You learn more from others, than you do running your own mouth. It can be hard to commit to not committing. One has to have the patience to wait out the storm – this comes easier with time and age. It has taken me years to learn the hard lessons of putting my foot in my mouth.
As only experience will teach, “haste makes waste”. We often have very good gut instinct as situations arise, although our tactic may be off due to excitement. We get worked up and say something we don’t need to, or commit too soon to one side or another.
A great quote I heard today: “The difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say no to almost everything.” – Warren Buffet.
Good advise in this age of overachievement.
-DoD
All ’round cowboys
To preface my following comments – I’m not a Broncos fanatic. I don’t listen to sports talk. I don’t really invest much in my time off work to the game. But I do know a little about good football.
That said, today’s Super Bowl was not a great game. It was, however, an interesting game and a tremendous Team Effort by the boys from Denver. The Broncos played with solid and focused effort in all aspects of the game: Offence, Defence, and Special Teams. They played with a goal in mind. They played to the strengths of the Team. They played to win.
Denver’s Defence striped 1 of the football, and put up 6 points early in the game. A wonderful punt return effort set up a field goal. Peyton’s Offence pushed for six points in the forth plus a 2 point conversion to end with a 24point sum.
To give thanks for those who surround you. Your teamates, your family, and the God who put you here. Peyton did it all as the leader of his team. Thank you Mr. Manning, and may God bless your family and your future.
Congrats to the Home Team!
-DoD
Just a man
There is something transforming about power and status. Changes happen to the person inherenting such blessings, as well as those who surround him.
In professional life, those most interested in gaining greater status gravitate toward those individuals who most benefit their pursuit. They have little time for folks who do not add direct and calculated value to personal ends.
The CEO holds ultimate status for the aspiring overachiever. In the CEO, he sees all that is good, and near superhuman achievement and ability. He is in awe of the celebrity status, and functions in a childish way.
There are few who can perceivably benefit the overachiever more than the superstar CEO. The following and cult of personality can be deceiving just as it can be in other leadership positions in society. We ultimately find a person who is flawed, damaged, but worthy of God’s grace.
So treat each other well, regardless of the gain. Hold ultimate faith in God, not in men. Live, love, and laugh a lot.
-DoD
Stronger together
Strength and wisdom gained in Marriage covenant can be gained in no other way. These gifts, however, are far from a sure thing after committing to one another. The covenant of marriage can prove to be Heavenly means for personal growth and betterment. It can also, without certain commitment, be a means to exaggerate off-putting and offensive behaviors.
Marriage is work, and must be treated as such. If lax in our commitment to serve the other half, both parties can suffer. If fully available (as can be) there are lessons learned unavailable to those less dedicated.
If less than a full pledge is honored, selfishness can lead to isolation of the husband and wife. They can fall victim to blindness in inward and off-putting natural tendencies without the “centering” of honest council from our other half.
When eternal pledge is honored, a spouse must stretch the capacity for perceptions of truth and personal comfort. To serve with joy and thanksgiving is as simple, and difficult as it gets.
-DoD
Stumbling block
While reading a daily devotional in the restroom at work, it crossed my mind whether or not to leave the book on the toilet tank. The book could be an encouragement to others, leading them to pick it up and read. This small act could lead a coworker to be more curious about the Word, and ultimately lead them to Christ.
The action of leaving the book behind could also have a different effect. It could offend others, bring personal beliefs in the workplace into question, and lead to very divisive ends. I chose not to leave the book.
At what point do you risk a hard line and potentially offensive tact for good intentions, when more subtle but constant encouragement may be more in line with God’s grace and love? Good and honest work by believers speaks to the heart of those who witness. There can be no harm in this.
We are commanded to work hard, but not for things of this world. May our deeds at work and at home reflect the love, patience, and kindness that we so derelict cherish.
-DoD
Regressive advancement – post 1
So I’m still counting this post as 2/3/2016- getting forty winks and a post in before morning meetings. A good time to start some thoughts, and begin my first series.
Had a thought today – what about being a stumbling block? We do our darnedest not to offend, trip up, or cause strife in all different areas of a given day. This has to be done with wisdom and common sense. However – and these virtues seem to be out the window in our modern and “advancing” social climate. Are folks begining to stumble over us, while we are removing imaginary blocks?
I’ve been witnessing what appears to be the regression of social stigmas and tendencies. Imagined blocks seem to be everywhere. It has become a full time job for some, to run from one fictional block to another while causing 62-car pile ups in the freeway.
Moving to the south, I’ve had varying experiences at work, in public, in the news, etc. I’d like to share some observations from a personal perspective. Should be good. Risky, but good.
-DoD
Dear ol' Dad 