Gettin' SMOKED...(and loving it)

I love early (okay middle and late too) Spring. Sure, the grass is green and the flowers are pretty and, well, that's nice. But what's even better is that I finally get to stop dressing like a Sherpa to go for runs. It's the time of year when the season has just the right balance of air to make any run, at any time of day, a good one.

For one reason or another though, I have been a big ole lazy tail this Spring (you're right, "big ole" might be a stretch...but still, you get the idea). But, over the last few weeks or so I have found myself getting back in the game. This is in large part due to the fact that my bride has been smokin' me for the last couple of months. No kidding...SMOKIN' me. She's been getting up, running her 4 to 6 miles and getting ready for her day all before I hit the snooze button for the first time. And trust me, her "normal" day of dealing with Ella and Will are far more physically demanding that my "saving the world one case at a time" job.

Truthfully, I love that she is running again. Why? 'Cuz she loves it. I am blown away by her dedication and discipline to wake up at 4:30 to "do something for herself" so that she doesn't have to take time away from doing everything that she does for us.


NEXT YEAR I'LL BE CARRYING THE PURSE AND SHE'LL BE DOING THE RUNNING!! :-)

--OUT

I'm always responsible sometimes

Question. Was it "practical" for us to jump in the car one Saturday morning, drive an hour or so, and pay money to rescue a dog? Mind you, we had no bed, blankets, toys, food or anything else to accommodate such an addition to our little family. Also, the info sheet on the dog's cage said that the cute little puppy you are holding could end up weighing around 80 to 90 pounds!! Wait, there's more. What if you throw in the fact that we have a 5 year old girl with more energy than the Sun and a toddler who was just beginning the get his legs underneath him? Sit! I'm not done. What if I said we had nowhere to keep the animal outside and the dude at the shelter said "now, just a furr warnin', he might like to chew on furniture and wood frames and what such"? These are just a few of the many reasons why the answer to the question first asked above is "NO!!"

Now, when that little puppy ran up to my little girl (4 at the time) and starting licking her face while she giggled and laughed I guess, I could've said this isn't "practical", "smart", "convenient", "a good idea" or "a good use of time or money". When Will pointed to the dog and looked at me and his Mommy and said "MOMMY-DADDY DOGGY!!! DOGGY!!! DOGGY!!!" I probably should've said something like "okay gang, this was a fun trip but we should get out of the way so someone can come look at these puppies and take them home" and headed for the door (probably could've bribed them with McDonald's and ice-cream for good measure). But...I didn't. For some reason, that day, in that moment, the practical/logical me stepped aside and a much cooler, more fun-loving, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants dude took the lead.

Listen, I am not Mr. Spotaneity that often. And, well, that's kinda the point. I should be. We all should be. If I had let the "everyday" me call the shots at the dog shelter, my family would missed out on the sweetness of having Dunkin' (the licking, chewing, forever eating everything, 4 month old, 30 pound, sack-o-sugar) around. Okay, yes, be responsible. But, don't be so responsible all the time.

it’s flattery...no really, it is!

I was recently told by a good friend and trusted advisor (though “trusted” may be a bit of a stretch for obvious reasons) that, in the event my legal career crashes, I could, and should, move to Branson, MO to become an impersonator. You know what? I’m not good at impersonating folks at all. But, I love, and am infatuated with, people. Constantly, I’m watching and listening to those small idiosyncrasies that make all of us so different. Now, before you get paranoid and think I may pick up on some annoying habit you have next time we are together, let me clarify.

The exercise of the gifts that so many of you have been given is what draws my (and others around you) attention. To watch someone doing what they are passionate about is captivating and we are immediately drawn in...our senses heightened. We become keenly aware of how you sound, stand, sit, gesture, react, smile, frown, laugh, cry, zone out, clue in and tons of other stuff.

Simply stated, we are really interesting creatures when we passionately pour ourselves into...whatever. I have buddies who preach, sing, sell, "practice" and work on the line. And, it's not just work. Some are most passionate when playing or spending free time. The ones I (and others) want to watch, or even imitate, are the ones who do it like they HAVE to. These people desire, in fact they insist on, doing whatever their passion is, even if that means giving it away for free.

Do you feel that way about anything?

Bear Hug...

Tonight, I BEAR-HUGGED one of my closest friends (yes, he's a he). Now, I'm a hugger, so this is not an unusual occurrence. But, what made this particular hug different than countless others is that my friend has just suffered the second of two very significant losses in his life. This brother was, for all practical purposes, at the end of himself physically, emotionally and mentally. What's crazy about this encounter however is that I left feeling encouraged, energized and challenged.

For quite some time now, I have been watching this son/brother/husband/daddy take care of his sick mother and stand strong for the balance of his family. This has been one of the most impressive displays of selflessness that I have ever witnessed. Sure, there were times when I wished he could "take a breather" or "call a timeout" but, life and circumstances didn't allow it. You know, truth is, I wouldn't have blamed him one bit for whining a little, complaining some or just flat out throwin' a fit over what he has had to deal with. But he didn't. The tough spots only caused him to lean in more and press harder to serve.

For me, I guess the point is this. I want to be like my friend Dave. I don't want to wait. I don't want to be caught by one of those terrible life situations before I start "leaning in" and "pressing harder". What I know is this, tomorrow I will be surrounded by opportunities to encourage, laugh, share, love and serve. And, tomorrow, it might be easier to do than it will be the next day.

Why would I blog anyway!?!?

I don't know! Isn't this for writers (or at least those who can write), or creative folks, or individuals trying to sell a product or people with a laser sharp message or idea they need to disburse? Maybe. For me, it'll be a bit more eclectic.

In my view, life is much more exciting when I'm not being a "grown up". So, there will undoubtedly be a fair share of childishness in my posts. On the other hand, life is real and it can get serious in a hurry. God uses people and circumstances to teach me things in some really neat ways. Some of those lessons, I believe in my heart, are ones that God has given to me with the intention of me passing them on. That said, this page will be one of the mediums I use to share thoughts, ideas and beliefs that mean something in my life.

Look, perhaps there is a hint of narcissism in anyone who writes with the intention, or hope, that others will choose to read. Will I write about me, my family, my friends, my God, my work, my hobbies, my...? Yep. But, please know that this is not about creating some sort of following. My intentions are (and hopefully my posts will be) humble and honest.

And remember, I'm new at this...gimmie a break every once in a while. Thanks. Talk to you soon.