I got in my car. My intuition told me to go to the Pearl Cup. The one downtown. I've never been there. Downtown has no parking. I begrudged to my intuition, "There won't be parking. I don't want to." I drove to the Downtown Pearl Cup. I figured I was supposed to meet someone. A mysterious crossing of paths. I arrived. I circled the block. Then peered in. There was nobody inside. I came to a stop when my wife called. My intuition chimed in when I was on the phone. "Drive … [Read more...]
Who do you relate to?
August 23, 2011 by
The word relationship is built on the root: relate. So a relationship is based up how we relate to others. When you build relationships do you relate to the other person or do you relate to yourself while talking to another person? You can't meet someone where they are when you don't relate to them for who they are. How do expect to sell them, support them, lead them or love them when you aren't even talking to them? Stop talking to yourself. Build a relationship instead. It will … [Read more...]
You can have an impact. Will you?
August 11, 2011 by
I met Marshall last week. I was working behind the coffee bar at church. Out of the busyness of barista-ing, I heard Marshall say, "Excuse me, sir. I had an accident." I stopped what I was doing. I came out from the bar. Marshall spilled some coffee. It wasn't a big deal. Not much of a mess. He wanted to clean up his own mess. I saw embarrassment on his face. We cleaned up his mess together. I sat Marshall in a chair in our common area. He sat with me in a half sweated through … [Read more...]
Life is beautiful
August 10, 2011 by
My friend Mike invited me to play bocce ball. It was a blast. It was relaxing. It was fun. It was competitive. After we played we were emailing about how enjoyable it was. He had this to say. "Playing bocce with the Italians is pretty symbolic of life to me. You spend your life trying to get as close to a goal as you can… sometimes you get close and other times something in life comes along and knocks you away from your target and you have to refocus and find a new strategy… or … [Read more...]
Where do you belong?
August 9, 2011 by
I played bocce ball for the first time last week. It's hosted by the Italian Club of Dallas (Yes, there is one!). It was a blast. I learned a lot about life that night. We played at a country club. Somehow someone convinced a country club in Texas to convert their clay tennis courts to bocce ball courts. That's influence! We were playing with one of the members of the club. At some point, he asked if I was a member. I said no. He said, "We need to change that." So often we ask … [Read more...]
Remembering a friend
August 6, 2011 by
I lost a friend today. I walked in to the gym this afternoon. A placard was standing there. It had his picture in it. It was him. He lost a battle with cancer. He'd fought for 3 years. I met him once, 3 years ago. He came to my wedding. I don't remember saying more than 5 words to him. I remember his face. It shone with joy and kindness. I was planning on writing about the frustration, anger and disappointment we create for ourselves when we live in … [Read more...]
Redefine accountability
August 3, 2011 by
Early in our marriage, Jen told me that she wanted the truth about everything. I'd give her the truth. She'd get angry and react. I'd stop giving the truth. She'd get angry and react. I told her that if she wanted me to be committed to revealing the truth, I needed her to be committed to not giving a negative reaction. I'm human. I will take the path of least resistance. My wife being pissed at me is not that path. Lying is. An account is defined as a report or description of an … [Read more...]
Live for what’s at stake
August 2, 2011 by
I love steak. I wouldn't know I loved it if I hadn't ever smelled or tasted a steak. I wouldn't love steak because I wouldn't know steak. Jen was telling me about a girl she's friendly with. The friend comes off as aloof and distant. Jen's learning that the girl thinks that people won't want to talk to her if she talks. So she doesn't talk. People think she's aloof and distant. They don't talk to her. She gets what she expects. She doesn't get what she wants or needs. I'm that … [Read more...]
