Rescue Mission Blog

Book Review: Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud

  

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Some time ago I saw Henry Cloud speak on the subject of necessary endings in business and life, and it was so engaging and powerful that I took note when he said he was turning it into a book.  

Well, the book came out a few months ago and I just got around to reading it...and I wish I hadn't waited so long.  Necessary Endings is a book about how there are seasons to life and work and sometimes we need to end one season to begin another.  The challenge, as the book points out, is that we don't like things to end.  Leaders don't want to fire someone, even when it's clear it's not working. People don't want to leave an unhappy workplace, even though it's making them miserable. We just don't like endings.  Yet, healthy people understand that endings are necessary.

This book give a great, easy to understand rational for why and how you can get ready for some endings.  In particular, Cloud uses the gardening analogy of pruning to help us understand that healthy things need to trimmed back for better and more efficient growth.  

There are so many little nuggets in this book that I can't begin to share them all, so I've decided to give away 10 copies to the first few folks who respond that they would like to read this book.

Here's how:  Simply leave a comment or send me a response on FB or Twitter and I'll be in touch to get your address or email.  (As in the past, I only respond to the first 10, so if you don't hear from me that's why.) 

David Curry

Ted Fortsman: Leadership as Creation

  

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Ted Fortsman passed away a few days ago and I ran across this great quote.  It reminds all leaders that as we strive to create organizations that add value, serve the community, or build exiting products, we are swimming against the stream.

"The (leader) as a creator of the new and destroyer of the old, is constantly in conflict with convention. He inhabits a world where belief precedes results, and where the best possibilities are usually invisible to others.

His world is dominated by denial, rejection, difficulty, and doubt. And although as the innovator, he is unceasingly imitated when successful, he always remains an outsider to the "establishment".    Ted  Fortsmann

Are you creating value or waiting to be served? Are you going along with the status quo, or creating a better future for those you serve?

David Curry

As a leader, what are you projecting?

  

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Most would agree that the way you feel affects the way you move and project to others.  Your affect is low and melancoly when you are feeling depressed and discouraged.  But is it possible that the way you move affects the way you feel?  

Amy Cuddy from Harvard gave a speech on how your body language affects your moods and vice versa.  Credit to Michael Hyatt for posting this on his blog, it's worth the time to watch it. 

Black Friday Shopping list for the homeless

  

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When you're out shopping for your Christmas presents today on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, you'll run across great deals on stuff that we could use at the Rescue Mission to make sure no one is cold this winter.  Put these on your list as you go throughout your day:

• Socks
• Warm hats
• Mens underwear
• Towels
• warm gloves
• coats
• Blankets
• children's coats
• diapers

All of these things are much needed every day at the Rescue Mission and we'll be sure to get them into the hands of people who desperately need them.

Drop off all donations at The Rescue Mission Downtown Tacoma Campus at 425 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA.  Or at our Adams St. Campus in Tacoma at 2911 S. Adams.  

Thank You

David Curry

Last minute ways to give at Christmas

  

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You meant to send in a turkey, or sign up to volunteer, but time just got away from you. Fortunately, there's still ways to give so that you know you are part of blessing the poor and hungry this Christmas.  

Donate online to buy food.  By donating online you are giving today, so that we can buy food to feed the hungry this Thanksgiving week.  We are feeding over 10,000 meals this week alone, so your help is needed.

Text to give.  For some people, texting is just so much easier.  You can text  "GIVEBACK" to 85944 to donate $10.  It's easy and a great way to help.  

Sign up to volunteer.  It's memorable to volunteer at Thanksgiving, but it's equally valuable other days as well.  sign up to volunteer and you'll be contacted by our volunteer coordinator to make sure you have a great experience feeding the hungry.  You won't be sorry you did it.

Merry Christmas and God bless.

David Curry

Thanksgiving rule: Happy people give

  

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Bunches of studies have been done on happiness and there are some common findings that we know for sure.  Happy people are busy, they keep active, they live in the present - enjoying the days and moments they have in front of them.  And...they are givers.

You can't be happy hoarding, withholding, and isolating.  You need others and you need to include others in what you're doing and enjoying.  

So this Thanksgiving, share, give, volunteer, and spend as much time as you can with people you love.

What can you give?

1.  Your time

2.  Your love

3.  Your attention

4.  Your words of encouragement

David Curry

What I'm Thankful for

  

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Gratitude isn't just counting your blessings, it has the capacity to multiply your appreciation and thankfulness.

It's certainly true in my case.  This year as I think of all I'm thankful for, the list is long.  Here are just a few highlights:

1. My family.  I'm so thankful for those around me who share life with me and make it fun.  My wife, my boys, and all the rest of my family are such a blessing.  Don't fail to appreciate those closest to you.

2. The team I work with at the Rescue Mission.  I'm blessed to work with great, dedicated people.  Our staff, board, and volunteers are some of the best people on earth and I'm glad to work along side of them.

3.  Friends.  I'm so blessed to have close friends.  I've seen recently that most adults don't have even one best friend.  How sad is that? I couldnt' do it without my group of best friends.  They keep it real and they great fun.

4. My church.  I'm fortunate to have a great church that refreshes and challenges me on a spiritual level.  I appreciate my church and all the great community it has brought to my life.

5.  Health.  I've had a few aches and pains, but basically I'm blessed to be healthy every day.  This is one not to be taken for granted.  

6. Community  I love living in the northwest and am so glad for beautiful fall days.  Living in Tacoma is great.  Our neighborhood has great restaurants, coffee shops, a little movie theater, it's a great place to live.

There's so much more I could list, but I wanted to just give you some highglights, not bore you to death.

What are you thankful for?

David Curry

Things to do before Thanksgiving

  

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You've got few precious days & hours before Thanksgiving.  You could wait until Thursday to enjoy Thanksgiving, or you could start right now.  Why wait?!?!

Here is a short list of things you could do before Thanksgiving to make this week great:

1.  Plan a blessing for your Thursday dinner guests.  Chances are that you will be sitting around the table with people you know well, but do they know what/why/how much you appreciate them?  Why not write some small notes to each person you are expecting to see this week with a simple statement:  I'm thankful for you because....

2.  Make a list of things for which you are thankful .  Every year you're stumped when it comes time to say something you are thankful for.  Make a list today of things, big and small, that you should and do appreciate.

3.  Do three nice things between Thursday and Monday.  Is it possible that Thanksgiving weekend could be more than just a turkey coma? How about doing one thing each day for someone else.  Could you visit a sick friend?  Could you make a long-overdue phone call?  Could you serve others?  Could you invite a friend over for a meal?  Could you meet an old friend for coffee?

4.  Back to the future.  Write some notes to people who have helped you along the way, someone you have lost track of over the years and would be blessed to hear from you.

5.  Determine to bless, not be blessed, this year.  Are you expecting that grumpy family member to make you feel good this year?  Not going to happen.  How about you making a plan to bless them?  This may be tough, depending on how difficult they are, but it can be done pretty simply.  Just find small ways to pay attention.  If you ask questions, look directly at people, listen to their stories, and show an interest, you will be a blessing to that difficult person.  Trust me, if they really are difficult, most people have turned them off, and your care will be noticed.

David Curry

How much gratitude is too much gratitude?

  

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As we near Thanksgiving we begin thinking about gratitude, or at least we should.  Gratitude is an absolute necessity, and a spiritual imperative, but is there such a thing as too much gratitude?

Gratitude is developed when you stop and consider all the small and large blessings that you have, some of which you may not have considered, and determine not to take them for granted.  So it's not possible to have too much gratitude.  

It is however critical that you determine to not be false or fake.  Healthy people keep it real, or keep their mouth shut.  That means you don't have to be grateful for all the disappointments and problems you have faced.  You can say, "I'm not happy that this happened", that's not being ungrateful.  Being grateful is about saying, "I'm not happy that this bad thing happened, but I am so glad I learned this lesson."  

Last year I went through a challenging legal challenge when a commuter train determined to go by one of the Rescue Mission properties.  It was a long drawn out battle, with huge legal fees, a trial and lots of headaches.  If I had my wishes, it would have never happened, and very little about the process was good.  Having said that, I am grateful for the folks I met in the midst of the struggle who I now consider great friends and allies.  I am grateful for a fair result.  I am grateful for the lessons I learned, lessons I will never forget.  

It's not possible to be too grateful, but it possible to disingenuous.  Be genuine, be thankful, be grateful.

David Curry

What I'm Learning: books & etc.

  

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Occassionally I like to share a few things that I've read, watched or listened to that were outstanding or in some way remarkable.  Here's a list of some of those things.

Books

Steve Jobs. I have written a previous blog on this subject, but it bears repeating that Steve Jobs is a great book on an interesting character.  Totally unreasonable, innovatiing character. Read it.

Socrates. Another great, much shorter, biography is that of Socrates by Paul Johnson.  A concise and readable recap of how this father of modern philosophy thought and work.  Paul Johnson is the master of short biographies on interesting historical characters and I highly recommend this book, even if you thought you'd never have an interest in Socrates, Plato and that crew.

Fifteen Minutes with Q & A.  My friend John Pearson recommended this book on public speaking to a group I was wiht and I bought it on his recommendation. I wasn't disappointed.  A great little book on how to make a great business speech.  I've been a public speaker a long time, but like many, I still need to keep improving and this book was terrific.

Media

Nero Wolfe.  A few decades ago Rex Stout wrote a set of mysteries about an overweight, lazy, genius detective and his wise-cracking sidekick.  The books are terrific, and I've listened to a few on audiobook.  But A&E put out a video series that is available on Netflix that I have to recommend again and again. It's fun, interesting and true to the books. Watch the series.

Do you have anything you'd recommend to me? I love to get your favorite books, shows, etc.

David Curry

Beauty as a gift

  

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Somewhere along the line, society got the idea that beauty, art, great food and craftsmanship were burdens, extravagances and extras.

Challenge that assumption.  

Beauty inspires people. It refreshes and heals.

A good song, piece of art, great meal, comfortable chair, can often do great benefit to a persons emotional state.  

For this reason, let's not forget the power of beauty to lift others.  

They are not just the decorations of life, they help us live a more meaningful life.

What inspires you? What beauty do you most appreciate when you are tired, discouraged and needing a lift?

David Curry

Enjoying, not Enduring People

  

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Life is so much more fun when you enjoy the people you are surrounded by.  It brings laughter, learning, expands horizons, and off-sets strengths and weaknesses.  

Yet so many people have the attitude that they must endure others, not enjoy them.  

Here's a few simple ideas to help you enjoy others:

1. Stop trying to fix everyone. No pressure to feel the need to make everyone see things your way or do it the way you do it.  Just Let it be.

2. Look for the humor.  It's easy to find fault, how about trying to find the fun, the good, the eccentric in others and enjoy it?  

3. Drop embarrassment.  Often we don't enjoy different people because we feel embarrassed for them.  That is just foolishness, everyone stands on their own and there's no need for you to try to carry someone else's emotions.  Let them be a quirky as they want to be and deal with the fallout.

4.  Learn.  You can learn from just about anyone, even if it's from their mistakes and quirks.  Just be a student and try to learn all you can so that you can be a more loving, caring, interesting version of yourself.

All you can control is you, so just enjoy the ride.

What are the barriers to enjoying others? What keep us in judgement mode instead of accepting?

David Curry

Journaling through challenging days.

  

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Today my family is honoring the life of my grandmother, Frances Glassy, who died last week at 98 1/2 years of age after a great, long life. Going through the process of grieving, (even though we are so grateful for her peaceful passing and her reuniting in heaven), has reminded me of the importance of journaling and writing as a part of the healing process.

For many years I've respected people who were able, in times of national crisis and personal difficultly to write a great eulogy, or give a comforting speech. There have been some great eulogies, here is a link to a few. With that in mind I wrote a eulogy for my grandmother which I am reading today at the funeral. But it's not the giving of the speech that brings the healing, it's the journaling of the feelings that begins the process. It was a cathartic experience.

What difficulty are you going through? Often it's hard to identity, let alone deal with your emotions. I encourage you to journal, write them out and try to make sense of it all that way. I've found it very helpful.

David Curry

Bonus:

For those that are interested. Here is the eulogy I wrote for my grandmother. i took several hours, and it's quite personal, but it gives you an idea of how someone might journal their emotions and thoughts to help them cope with difficulty.

Eulogy for Frances May Glassy

Today we gather to honor and remember the long life of a truly great woman.

Greatest shouldn't be understood as fame. She certainly wasn't known to many people outside of her group of family and friends. Nor should greatness only be understood as power, a classical understanding, Frances couldn't be described as politically influential, by any means. Nor did she have outstanding financial resources that would somehow put her in the category of greatness.

Frances was great because she developed a significant list of personal qualities that make someone fit to be called great. Qualities that everyone of us here would love to have. She was loving, loyal, kind, fun, disciplined, giving, caring, thoughtful, responsible, a selfless person. Frances was a great listener - was more interested in trying to care for others, than to be care for herself. She experienced difficulty, pain and disappointment in her life, but she didn't dwell on it or live in that territory for too long. She had a great set of priorities. Putting people first, taking care of your own and your responsibilities, and then having a good time. Frances May Glassy was a great woman.

Born to Franz and Velma Hanson in Lisbon, North Dakota on May 4th, 1913. Frances and her soon-to-be-seven siblings, lived and grew up on a farm in Gwinner, North Dakota. On a cold day in the Northwest, maybe an inch or two of snow, she could be coaxed into telling stories of some truly freezing winters on the farm. She would also on occasion tell stories of cooking and baking with her mother on the farm. And looking after her brothers as they got into mischief. She loved her brothers and sisters very much and always looked forward to passing the time with them.

She was a North Dakota girl, from Swedish parents, and it showed all her life. Yet the majority of her life was lived here in Tacoma, where she moved with her parents in 1937. She had a series of jobs as a housekeeper and nanny for some wealthy families in North Tacoma. She did this sort of work until she met Frank Glassy at a dance. She feel in love and married Frank and they started a family.

Her daughters, Barbara and Sharon, were her pride and joy. They formed a strong unit through tough times, with husband Frank passing away when the girls were still young and in school. Sharon and Barbara remained her greatest accomplishment and biggest source of pride. She would always comment to me about my mother, Barbara. How hard she worked, what a great mom she was to us kids and how she always kept us clean. Cleanliness was a big measure of success to Frances in regards to motherhood.

She was equally proud of Sharon, for all that she accomplished and the way in which she was able to work her way up to such responsible positions at the City of Tacoma and Port of Tacoma. Frances would often comment about what a blessing Sharon was and how grateful she was for the manner in which Sharon cared for her, and everyone else.

Comments were all you would get from Frances, because among her many qualities talkative wasn't one of them. But, her comments were alway right on. And you come to treasure them.

Frances worked hard all her life. She had many families whose home she faithfully cleaned. She faithfully stayed in contact with many of those families after she retired. Think of all she accomplished - it is pretty significant. She raised a family, largely by herself. Paid for her house and property, and managed her apartments on 38th street.  She worked every weekday, waking up early and taking the bus to and from work. My brothers and sister will remember waiting for Grandma to get off the bus so we could go into her house to be with her.

I often wonder if some of her good health in later life wasn't due to the fact that she walked everywhere. She would walk to the store for groceries, walk to the bus stop. She walked.

She had a tremendous influence on her grandchildren. Rare was the weekend when there was not a grandchild asleep on her living room floor, in front of the tv. Many of us count some of the best nights of our life as those cuddled in a sleeping bag in her home. She cared about our jobs, families, and the every day going's on. Dean and I would make a point to call her from wherever we happened to be and fill her in on the details of our trips. Becky was her companion and friend and they spoke nearly every day. Stuart and his family were important to her and she loved to see him out at the camp. She loved Steven, and his family. At church, she faithfully slept through all of Dean's sermons.

Her great grandchildren all loved and cared for her, and she for them. Although her later years were obviously less active (she once commented to me that she missed being able to babysit), still her great grandchildren grew to know and appreciate her.

Food was her language to show her love and she spoke that language fluently. And she was so gifted at baking and cooking that every member of our family has a favorite dish, cookie, or baked good. Some of us have dozens of favorites. Every food was comfort food when she made it. She took time to serve what you liked, presented in a way that somehow made it taste better.

Francis May Glassy passed away on November 5th, 2011, alone for a few moments - napping while watching a cooking show. There is a theory in psychology, among those who study grief and dying, that some elderly people pass away when they are by themselves, alone, because in their spirit they don't want to burden their loved ones with watching them pass. That certainly sounds like Frances. She was alone for a bit, Sharon was outside doing yard work, Becky had just visited earlier in the day, Barbara had called and talked that morning. She was loved. She sat down and nodded off and didn't wake up.

Those closest to her - those in this room - didn't want her to go. We've shed tears over her passing.

But let's review this for just a moment: She lived in her own home until she passed. She was overwhelmingly loved. Frances was relatively healthy until the day she died and didn't spend a day in nursing home or hospital. She did use a walker...for just two days. On the day she passed away there wasn't one person who she was at odds with. Her faith and understanding of Jesus grew in the last years of her life and she went home to be with her savior after a long, life. 98 1/2 years.

So we will miss her. But what about that would you change? Nothing. There's nothing you would change, except...how about 99 years? How about 100? How about one more day?

During her life she saw a lot of change. There were no cell phones, or personal computers in 1913. Her home didn't even have indoor plumbing. Yet the last book she read was on a kindle. And she occasionally watched the church service streaming over the internet.

So many things changed during her lifetime. Yet the things she left behind were timeless. She was a loving, caring, giving person. And we loved her very much. She truly was a GREAT person, by every meaningful measure, and she will be missed. Amen

Before things can get better...

  

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So many people want to have a great life, a healthy family, and live in peace and prosperity. Even with those dreams, it's very common to see people sabotage themselves! Just as they are starting to make progress, they make obviously horrible decisions, returning to abuse, addiction, chaos and fear. Here's a little secret: Before things can get better, you've got to stop making them worse!

The idea that there is some conspiracy that is holding you down is not true. Most of the time, we are our own worst enemy. I speak from experience, because the biggest obstacle to meeting my goals is myself. The way we think, the way we act on a daily basis is what keeps us from achieving the goals and dreams we have. Of course, many people don't believe that. They believe they are controls by forces outside of themselves.

Challenge yourself every time you are tempted to blame others, or circumstances for your current situation. If you look closely you'll see in most cases you have the ability to create a new situation. It's time to get out of your own way.

Before things can get better, YOU have to stop making them worse.

I know this is challenging. What about this idea don't you believe? What makes this hard for us to grasp and accept?

David Curry

Living without regret

  

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Few of us think twice about revisiting past mistakes and revisiting painful experiences.  Certainly there are times when a healthy heart must look and examine all that has been said and done in order to know how to process pain and move forward. 

Unfortunately, most of us go well beyond that and begin to live in regret.  It's one thing to feel a sense of loss, or even remorse from some event in the past.  But living in regret is when you put down roots and decide to stay.  It's a conscious decision to never leave the place of your hurt.

Living in regret keeps individuals and groups stuck in negativity.  It keeps you from living up to your potential. 

Here's a few ideas to help jar you out of living in regret:

1.  Forgive.  Sometimes it may just be forgiving yourself, other times you need to forgive someone who has hurt you.  I think it's helpful to forgive someone even if they're no longer with you, but have passed away.  This doesn't mean you accept or condone what has been done, but just that you are going to release them from their part in the pain.  Really, you are releasing yourself.  Bitterness is a poison that eats people from the inside out.  Many times the person you are holding a grudge about may not even be aware of it - it's only hurting you.  In my own life, I've had to forgive people for doing terrible things to me, and I'm glad that I have forgiven them.  It's allowed me to move on.

2.  Count your blessings.  Sometimes we get stuck in regret because it's easier.  Thinking of all the ways you are blessed - all that is right in your life, is harder.  It's harder because it is truly living in the present, and taking responsibility for your present circumstances.  Everyone who is reading this has something to be thankful for, even if it's just the ability to read!  But we all have more blessings than we know.  

3.  Give.  Living in regret makes a person constrict.  You hold too tightly to the past, to possessions and people because you don't want to go through pain ever again.  Don't live like that, that's not life.  Instead, practice regularly giving and doing for others.  The happiest people are those that are giving and serving.

What other ways can we get out of regret and into a more positive frame of mind?

David Curry

Staying healthy in uncertainty

  

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Life has lots of challenges and there are seasons where it seems like there are problems and obstacles everywhere.  Certainly for many people the past three years have been difficult, uncertain, and scary.

Reading the paper or watching the news won't get you any assurance that things are going to get better.  Hoping that the next election cycle will clear out the folks you dont' like and put in leaders with all the answers is a fools game.  

So if uncertainty is around us, how are we to stay healthy and sane? 

Don't focus on the negative, uncertainty, but count your blessings in the moment.

Having been in some of the most impoverished parts of this world, I know that you'll find happy people everywhere, even in desperate poverty.  When you focus on what you have, no matter how small, and build on that foundation you will be creating strength, showing gratitude, and working with the only thing you have to work with: this moment.  

Yet most people focus on the future, what they don't have, and where they'd like to be.  This makes us miserable and unfocused.  It also brings all the outside uncertainty into our lives and compounds the difficulties. 

Does it matter what Greece does? What if the stock market goes down? What if you get sick? What if business doesn't pick up? What if....STOP!!!!!!

Just focus on what you've got and start working to the best of your ability.  It's the only way to build a happy healthy life.

What do you think? Why is it hard to focus on the good and so easy to get drawn into "what if"?

David Curry

Needs for Thanksgiving

  

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Many people ask what sorts of things they can donate to help us prepare for serving thousands of homeless people during the Thanksgiving holiday. Here's a list of items that we could use:

• Turkeys (any size) - we need hundreds to feed so many.
• Hams
• potatoes
• Boxes of stuffing
• pumpkin/apple pies

Volunteer motives

  

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Volunteering to help feed the hungry, care for the homeless, tutor kids or whatever charitable service is close to your heart, is good for you.  It builds gratitude, selflessness, courage, discipline and many other important values and character traits.

But this leads to the question, "what if someone volunteers for themselves, in order to feel good?"

Motives matter, but actions make things happen.  I'd love to see more people who are depressed, discouraged, laid-off, in the midst of pity-parties, get off the couch and serve others just for the good it does themselves!

Too many people are waiting for the world to come to them, when nothing would make them feel better than serving others who need them.

So...even if you only serve others for your own good, serve.  Find a place to volunteer and make a difference.  

Volunteering is good for you, and that's ok.

David Curry

Does charitable giving matter?

  

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What difference does it make if you give a dollar or two to feed the hungry or care for the weak and infirmed?  How important is charitable giving?

Some time ago I did a funeral for a man named John who had been a prisoner of war during WWII.  At the time he was a young boy, from Poland, and was separated from his family and sent to a camp by himself.  Afraid and alone, winter set in and many in the concentration camp began to die of exposure.  He survived due to the kindness of one man, a man he didn't know and who didn't know him.  In the concentration camp there was only one barrel that had fire burning in it to keep the prisoners warm, and those that were young, weak and infirmed didn't' have the strength to push through the crowd to warm themselves for the precious few moments necessary to stay alive.  It was a matter of life of death for everyone.  

John, then only 9 years old, survived because each day an unnamed man would come to the back of the crowd, and help him come to the front to stand by the fire for a few moments.  

John credited that man with saving his life.

In much the same way, when you are giving to feed the poor, or any act of service to someone you never know and will never see, you are providing a way for them to survive - so that one day they might thrive. 

Never underestimate the importance of one small act of kindness.

David Curry

What you can't control

  

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A big part of being content and happy, whether at work or in life, is knowing the things you can't control, and trying to let those things take care of themselves, and pouring yourself into the things you can control

Turns out there is a lot you can control, but not nearly as much as you think.

You can't control the economy, but you can control you investment in your work

You can't control others, but you can control how you interact

You can't control others reaction, but you can control your input.

You can't control everything you hear, but you can control everything you say.

You can't control who your family is, but you can pick your friends.

You can't control if people will appreciate your work, but you can pour your heart into it.

You can't control everything you see, but you can choose to look for beauty.

You can't control what others think of you, but you can control your self-talk.

It's easy to see there's more to add to this list.  Remember to concentrate on the things you can control, and never be passive in those areas.  Yet remain open handed towards the things that are outside your reach.

What would you add to this list?

David Curry.

Why work makes you happier.

  

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There is a philosophical thread that runs through the minds of some that goes like this: If you want to have a long, happy life, engage in a life of leisure.  Find easy jobs, take lots of vacations, get rich and retire early.  Nevermind that these ideas are contrary (easy job doesn't equal getting rich), people are looking for jobs that give them lots of vacation, summers off, and more.

Sounds great, except it doesn't work like that.  In fact, it works just the opposite.  

Life gets more interesting when you engage with it.  Work is a primary part of that process.  People who are engaged in solving problems, in serving others, in doing good, in creating and producing, are happier healthier people.

Sitting around, seeking pleasure for it's own sake, leads to stagnation and boredom.  

There is some old, home spun wisdom that says, "Pants wear out faster sitting down than moving around", that probably sums it up better than I ever could.

Do you disagree? If so let me know how this isn't correct.  Love to hear you thoughts.

David Curry

The value of being thankful

  

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If memory serves me correctly, I bought my first cell phone in 1992.  It was a motorola, and I thought it was the coolest thing I'd ever seen.  I don't remember exactly what I paid for it, but I think it was about $250.  

At that point I paid by the minute, and those minutes were precious. Making a phone call was a big committment, and a sign that any/all of a these things were true: 

1. I was dying by the side of the road

2.  I really needed to talk to you for 30 seconds, but no more than 30 seconds.

3. I wanted to illustrate how very cool I was.

Making a phone call isn't what it used to be.  It doesn't cost me more to call across country and I i have unlimited minutes.  No big deal.

Value can be very situational.  It changes over time, with geography and with your values.

Don't take things for granted because you're young, healthy, because you're rich (by world standards), or because you have plenty of whatever you want.  You never know how long it will last, and when you'll be regretting you didn't value it more carefully.

This is true whether we are talking about water, the ability to walk, clean air to breath, having your loved ones with you, having a home or being employed.  

You may not think of yourself as having it all, but maybe you have lost perspective. Do you have a place to sleep at night?  Do you have food to eat each day? Do you have people who love you?  Do you have meaningful labor? Do you have clothes on your back? Do you have water to drink?

Take it all in and be thankful.

David Curry