Parable of the Mountain

It was not Everest, though at first glance it seemed an impossible feat.

He stared it down, contemplating the trajectory of the descent.

A trail was there, but being alone, he did not chance the injury.

Yet the elusive mountaintop called him still.

At first he was resigned to waiting:

“I will try it again this summer.”

“I went further than I did last time.”

“I do not have to do this--what am I trying to prove?”

Walking down to the base, he ventured left and right of the main trail,

hoping for an alternate route.

None presented itself; the paths abruptly ending in overgrown vegetation.

“Maybe it is the only way up,” he thought.

Finally, he decided to explore the main trail again,

looking for secret passages that were blazed by others more adventurous.

To the right, a small path surrounded by overgrown grass rose up; barely used but exposing a feeble trail in the distance.

Slowly curling around in the direction of the original path, this less-steep alternative showed promise.

To his amazement, it grudgingly connected to the original trail at the top.

Steep but passible, he traversed the crooked mountain passage to victory.

Looking down, he knew the original treacherous path could have had disastrous consequences,

but his persistence had paid off.

No one saw this achievement; his sense of accomplishment was silent yet profound.

Though alone, he had followed the way of those who were brave enough to not give up.

Whatever your mountain may be, do not deem it impossible, even though a thousand

glances have presented you with the same impossible conclusion.

There is a better way.

Follow the path of those who succeeded where many have stared and pondered their failure.

Rise on their shoulders and on their backs.

Find a way.

I am NOT Superman

“Live as one of them, Kal-El, to discover where your strength and your power are needed. Always hold in your heart the pride of your special heritage. They can be a great people, Kal-El, if they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you... my only son.” Jor-el’s last Message to His Son (Superman)

As all nerds do, I have contemplated which superhero I would be if given the choice.  Batman is tempting because of his darkness (introvert) and his ability to perform great feats with technology and an unlimited budget.  But my thoughts always drift back to Superman.  It could be his invincibility (except to Kryptonite) or his burden for doing good deeds or his sense of feeling like he never fits in.  To be so powerful and also so vulnerable is a feat of strength in and of itself.  But I have bad news kids (and a great many adults). Superheroes are not real.

This fact may come as a shock to many, especially since we place so much stock in police officers, firemen, and men and women in military service. But as we have seen in recent days, they are far from perfect people and can easily perish in the line of their duties.  This flesh and bone is not impervious to pain and bleeding and death. 

There is a scene in one of the Superman movies (Superman Returns), in which he is looking out over the Earth and listening.  He is listening to everything.  He hears it all.  Every cry and siren and those screaming out in pain.  It must be a great burden to literally feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.  But that is how many people feel.  They do not understand that we were never meant to be Superman or Superwoman.  Our time here is short, but we are commanded by our father to be a light to the world that is full of darkness.

Some of us feel the burden of our own insecurities.  We carry around our fears and imperfections and they are almost too much to bear.  Sometimes I feel like Superman; like I can take on the world. Then sometimes I feel like a little boy running around the back yard with a red cape on, pretending that I have to power to do great things. But inside, I feel the smallness of my limited power and size.

Yes, it is true, we will never be Superman.  We will never have superpowers.  But we are granted, during the few number of years we have on this planet, a chance to be heroes to a few.  We can show the people in OUR world, however small that might be, that there are still people who believe in goodness, mercy, and love.  We can do our best to give them the courage to face whatever comes their way. 

We all have our kryptonite.  We have that sin that keeps us from having faith in the future or that can lead us into darkness.  But luckily we remember that everyone has their own weakness; their own kryptonite. And hopefully it is not us!

So put on your cape or your Superman shirt.  Run around the back yard and spread out your arms to fly. Remember that you may be the only Superman someone will every meet. 

Make your father proud.

Winter's Prisoner

Reflected off of the sparkling light and glimmering promises, the icy landscape locks in our memories and freezes them into time and eternity.

Forever seems within our grasp; although we know the melting comes soon, unlocking reality and pushing us on to new adventures.

But for now, we are winter’s prisoner.

Selected memories occupy my thoughts…pictures in my mind…frozen and immovable, like laughter on a cold windy day.

Wherever I look the winter takes hold; a warm shelter keeps my thoughts at bay, but they powerfully swirl in my mind and soothe me...memories have a way of sustaining us…they must keep me content as each passing hour unfreezes the hands of time.

Collected in tiny frames of color, I smile as the memories warm my heart.

Although the cold winds try to push away our strongest emotions, the reality of change binds our feet to that promising future path.

I close my coat and feel the breeze on my face…its bitter cold reminds me of clearer times…when dreams of impossibility seemed within our grasp.

With the passing of winter comes the spring of eternal hope…the melting always produces growth and sustains new life.

                                                            2-28-15

The Power of Conviction

“You will be a failure, until you impress the subconscious with the conviction you are a success. This is done by making an affirmation which ‘clicks’.” ~ Florence Scovel Shinn

It is a vicious cycle. We make a commitment, be it getting in shape, creating a new habit of productivity at work, or finishing a project. Maybe it is a new year’s resolution (which I stopped doing years ago in favor of goals). After a while, our behavior tracks off or slows down or stops altogether.  Then comes the rationalization. “I will start back next month.” “That was an unrealistic goal.” “There is no way I could keep that up.” We all do it, including myself.

I want 2015 to be a year of convictions.  I want to stand behind the beliefs that I have and not back down.  I want to prove to myself that I can reach the goals that I have set, but not to impress anyone or make a name for myself. There are no record books for most worthwhile goals. It may not earn me a national spotlight, a Nobel Prize, or even first place in a race.  Then why should I even care? First, we have to believe that the goal is worthwhile.  We have to stand on a conviction that the issue or goal is important; important for the world, for my family, or for becoming a better version of myself. Second, we have to remember that we can only accomplish more than we have ever imagined if we push ourselves farther than we think we can go.

I also have a theory that you may or may not believe. It goes like this: Some people fear success more than they fear failure.  What I mean by this is that failure can always be compromised, rationalized, or explained away. You can always say “Ill just do better next time,” “I was so close,” “It is the thought that counts,” or “At least I tried.” I don’t know all the psychology behind why people fear success, but I know that they do. I have feared it in the past as well. I do not play the lottery, but it is funny to hear people say “What if I win? What will I do with all that money?” Interesting. So you are saying you don’t play the lottery because you are afraid of winning? Or are you afraid of the consequences of winning? A better question might be: Can you handle the success? We must not fear success, lest we fear the very nature of what it means to be human.

So what is the difference between a goal/resolution and a conviction? In my definition, a conviction is a strongly held belief for which you would be willing to fight, face ridicule or persecution, or even die. A more palatable version might be strongly held beliefs that you hold dear; ones that push you on to greater achievements, build your confidence, help others, or change the world. Everyone has different convictions, but you must be willing to face the consequences, either negative or positive, for the convictions you hold.

Having said all of the above, I am going to make conviction my Word of the Year for 2015.  As I go through the coming year, I have to ask myself the following questions daily:  (1) Am I conducting this activity with confidence and enthusiasm?  (2) Am I committed to the results of my activity, be it good or bad? (3) Am I pushing myself beyond the mediocre and not fearing the success that comes from this activity? (4) Am I being faithful to the knowledge, habits, and practices that make the larger activity possible? (5) Am I conducting an activity that helps someone, strengthens my confidence, or benefits the world?

If you are going to be a person of conviction there are a few things you need to consider.  Never believe that you have arrived and never take for granted the fact that you are never alone in your successes.  If you begin to take credit for every success, you will be all alone on your pinnacle at the end of your life. Be kind to those who have contributed to those successes and they will be there to share them with you.  The people you thank may also be a friend when you need one. If your convictions are of the religious sort, remember to thank God for the gift of life and the ability to have goals in the first place. Finally, use the success that comes with these convictions to help those around you, especially those who are different from yourself.

Being a person of conviction takes time, practice, and commitment. Begin the journey today.  I promise it will change your life.

The Greatest Hits / Volume I: 2012-2014

2014

“I choose to be an ally.  That does not mean I will believe everything they believe or live the same way they do.  Four undeniable aspects of my life (being White, male, heterosexual and Christian) will never change.  In respect to those qualities, I will never be anything more or less than the person I am right now.  But I will fight for those that don’t have a voice and prove to them that they have a friend.  This is my manifesto and this is the way I chose to live.” from What Does an Ally Look Like (11/3/14)

“Someday I will see that wandering road behind me; stretch for the past with one hand as I reach in vain for that future reward.

The present is the only gift we have.

The future is not in our hands, but it is in our eyes.”

from The Waiting (11/1/14)

“May love be the last thought on our minds as we slip the bonds of earth and move toward our common destiny, knowing that love will show us the way there.” from A Human Being:  Being Human (8/26/14)

“I hope I can instill a wonder for nature and a love for the environment in my future teachers.  It is not a distraction, but a necessity if we hope to protect this wondrous world that we have been given, as we gently pass it to the next generation.” from For the Love of Nature Part II (5/17/2014)

“I am calling on men to stand up for women, show them respect, allow them to be leaders in society and the church, and help pass legislation to make prostitution, pornography, and the exploitation of women through human trafficking a thing of the past.  We need men strong and confident enough to call themselves feminists and willing to fight for the other half of our society.” from A Call for Equality and Action (Feminism is Not Just for Females Anymore) (4/23/14)

“Both sides clench tight to their ideologies, blinded by knowledge.  Both sides try to outscream the other.  Both sides snear and turn their heads, sticking their fingers in their ears and humming a tune like immature children on a playground.  Many people appear to meet in the middle, like boxers.  They shake hands, but then go back to their corners before proceeding to beat each other to a bloody pulp.” from Man in the Middle (3/31/14)

“..don’t define yourself by any one category. Change the definition of who you are constantly, like a moving target, so that no one define you or think they know everything about you. That is your gift to yourself.” from How Do You Know? (1/26/14)

2013

“The mark of a difference made is not changing the world, because so few of us will.  We may make a name for ourselves in our careers, add to a body of knowledge, and have our 15 minutes of fame, but that success may be short lived. The mark of a difference made is when we fold our hands to leave this world, can we put our regrets to rest and have we proved to our self and others that this life is worth the trouble?” from Change from the Inside Out (12/14/13)

“Maturity means looking in the mirror and smiling at the person you have become, while reflecting the hopes of the person you want to be.” from Growing Up: It’s Not What You Think (12/1/13)

“No matter what color or nation or ideology we share, all people have hopes of making ends meet, feeling the touch of a loved one, or smiling at the joke of a friend.  We all share the color of humanity.” from Colorblind: The Truth in Black and White (11/16/13)

“An abundant life is a series or ups and downs, of joys and sorrows. But every moment is to be experienced, both good and bad.  How can you take out the bad experiences and say you have lived a complete life? Without the bad, life would be a fairy tale and we all know those don’t exist. Life is a series of choices.  Those choices lead to situations that test us, try our patience, and show what we are made of to the world.  How we accept the challenges that come our way tells a lot about our character.” from Go With the Flow (10/13/13)

“I was there when my grandfather passed. I saw his spirit leave with his breath.  The energy and warmth of life left with him as well.  To where it passed is the mystery that we seek to understand.  But that spirit lives on in the living.  It lives on while we breathe and contemplate our existence.  It lives on in the soft embrace of the ones we love.  It lives on in the school children that laugh on playgrounds and in the smiles of proud parents as they rock their babies to sleep.” from The Breath of Life (10/26/13)

“Never lose hope, for the future, whether it is bright or not, is just around the corner and we must face it with all confidence if we are to finish victorious and without regret in this maze we call life.” from Hope: For the Best (9/20/13)

“Failure is always a possibility, but I will never know triumph unless I embrace the possibility of failure, which means accepting my own frail humanity.” from Embracing the Human Experience (8/3/14)

“We are not an accident--we are the legacy that we leave--the footprints and purpose of a life well-lived.” from Legacy (5/26/13) Originally written 3-28-10

“In the end, tears will be shed for me…tears of anger or regret or of love.  But my hope is that He will wipe all those tears away…for whatever reason they are shed.” from Who Do You Think I Am? (3/11/13)

“So should we not strive to be happy? That is definitely not what I am saying. I just think happiness is a moving target. Is the CEO of Walmart any happier than the greeter? Is the pastor of a mega-church any happier than the usher that welcomes guests each Sunday? Our goal in life should never be happiness, as strange as that sounds. There are other things much deeper and nobler: creating novel inventions, saving lives, pushing for social change, developing new ways of approaching a modern problem, encouraging others to keep fighting, feeding the poor, raising confident children, and never giving up in the face of adversity. If your only goal in life is your own happiness, you are missing the point of living.” from Is There Too Much Happiness in the World Today? (2/17/13)

“The season of doubt will pass. As you wait, don't stop doing what we know to be right.  Don't stop being an example of Christ to all those around you.  Do not lose hope, for the future is yours and whether or not you feel His presence, He is the wind at your back and the breeze on your face when the stress of life makes you weary. Be strong and hang on tight to His silent guiding hand.” from Is God Big Enough (1/28/13)

2012

“You think this battle is against everyone else?  You really think anyone cares who crosses the finish line first? This battle is against yourself. It always has been.  You run at your own speed.  You move at your own pace.  It doesn’t matter if you crawl across the finish line---arms bleeding, feet calloused and blistered.   You are your own personal trainer.  You are your own motivational speaker. You are your own cheerleader.  You are the one that makes it happen.  No one is going to run for you.  It is up to you.” from A Message to the Underdog (12/8/12)

“Who are the brave? The ones who get out of bed every morning, take a deep breath, and prepare for battle. They are the ones who throw stones into the water and make as many waves as possible during the time of their “dash”. They know the water will calm when they leave. They know it cannot last forever. But they have not given up on making a difference. They have not given up hope for humanity.” from Making Waves (10/27/13)

“I choose to fall on grace. That is my testimony of brokenness: a Christ-follower who is bumped and bruised and imperfect. Just like the rest of the world.” from Perfection and Other Lies (A Message to the Church) (8/5/12)

“So one person says they have changed. One person says they haven’t. The reality is this: they are both right, and they are both wrong. Change happens. Whether we believe it or not…and whether we see it or not.” from Change: Evolution or Revolution (7/12/12)

“I will always worry about the future. I just have to realize that I am not in control of the outcomes.  There are too many variables beyond our control. I can only take a deep breath and move on the next moment, and treasure each one. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the amazing....

So we CAN travel into the future: one second at a time just like the rest of the world. Make every second count.” from On (Not Back) to the Future (5/24/12)

“Sometimes when I watch a movie that demonstrates a battle between good and evil, I feel pity for the bad guy. It is not because I approve of his bad behavior, but because I know that we are one breath, one heartbeat, one bad choice away from being in their company.” from The Dark Side: The Fine Line Between Good and Evil (5/21/12)

“I guess, in the end maybe we are asking the wrong question. Maybe we need to ask: Are humans capable of great goodness? And for that question, I think the answer is a resounding Yes! If the answer to that question is “Yes”, then there may be hope for mankind after all. We must never stop believing in the potential for people to make good choices.” from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (4/1/12)

“So when peace comes does it stay forever? I would love to say that is the case, but that is not the way life works. When the rain is falling, all hope of sunshine is blurred by the rain. Peace is a mindset; a perspective that has to be renewed occasionally as we remind ourselves that all is well.  It is sometimes elusive and hides when we desire it the most. But it eventually appears when we least expect it, just like a ray of light as it peeks from behind the clouds after days of rain. The sun is shining. All is well.” from Peace, Be Still (3-23-12)

“When you a fill a cup to the rim and keep filling it, where does the excess go? I am not sure, but I know this: my heart overflows with love for my kids. They will always be my legacy and my greatest accomplishment. They were worth it all.....every minute...every second.” from A Pair of Blessings (1/12/12)

“So what is your mountain? What is your obstacle? What is something you have always wanted to do? Take a chance and set a goal to achieve what you never believed to be possible. Life is a series of challenges, and we may not reach every goal we set. But that's alright. Struggle and fight and never give up.” from The Power of a Goal (1/3/12)

“Since turning 40, I have lost weight and gotten in shape, went back to school to pursue my doctorate, and gone through a divorce. I have had humbling experiences and dipped into the lowest parts of my life, but in a sense I have grown stronger. I have learned that I have something to offer the world, and that I am worthy to be loved. The questions continue, and the quest for the person I seek to become. It may sound cliche, but I have learned that life is a journey and not a destination. I will never arrive, and that's alright too. But as Paul said, I "press on", which makes every day another adventure and another footprint in the sand.” from The Journey Begins (1/1/12 My First Blog)