Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Thu, Dec 29, 2011
Having a hard time kick-starting the creativity you need? Often just getting out of the rut of life and looking at things differently will help you to restart the creative part of your brain.
This year I ran across a great little book that will is full of creativity, fun and fascination. It's called Word as Image by Ji Lee, the former creative director at Google, and now a creative director at Facebook.
The book is really simple: take words, simple letters and create an image out of those letters. It's really a great book to start you thinking and will bring a smile to your face.
My recommendation: definitely buy this book. You won't be sorry, it's my most creatively inspiring book of 2011
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Wed, Dec 28, 2011
If you're like me, you love a good spy novel. Daniel Silva is one of my favorites and I read him every time he put out a new one. But what about someone who you've not read before? Isn't there anyone new on the scene with a fun writing style and a new take on spy genre?
Yup! Andrew Grant is a new writer that has put out a couple of great spy novels. They're new to me, and fairly new in general. Start with EVEN and go from there. I'm looking forward to reading many more.
Even by Andrew Grant
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Tue, Dec 27, 2011
People who grew up in weird, dysfunctional, unusual families need a good book every now and then that helps you laugh, consider, and analyze all the strange events that happened to you while you were a youngster.
While it's not a new book, this year I read The Glass Castle, and throughly loved it. It's the story of a successful writer and her journey through her childhood with two very quirky, but intelligent parents.
You will laugh, and some of you may cry, but I've never met anyone who has not enjoyed this book.
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Mon, Dec 26, 2011
So you say you're tired of typical business
and management books?
Ok, here's a book that doesn't give any typical advice, but it's terrific and an easy read. Brought to you by Derek Sivers, the founder of CD Baby, this book was my most enjoyable business book of 2011.
Buy it.
Anything You Want by Derek Sivers
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Fri, Dec 23, 2011
There is a time for everything, a time to speak and a time to be silent, the book of Ecclesiastes tells us. (chapter 3) The secret is in knowing which time it is.
With the stress of being with family and the fear of old disagreements and wounds being opened, many people are gearing up for battle.
This Christmas when faced with deciding if it's a time to speak or be silent, use silence and peace as your default position.
You could try to make your points again in those old arguments, or you could accept that disagreement exists and that you don't have to control others, and just move on emotionally.
There is only power in that disagreement if you allow it to bother you.
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Wed, Dec 21, 2011
Most people want, if only secretly, to be a positive, pivotal person in the lives of others. We want to be remembered, to be missed when we're gone, and to say and do things that will profoundly affect those around.
Here's how you can be the person you've always wanted to be:
Live with unusual passion. You may want to be an impact on others, but if you are sleep walking through life, it's never going to happen. Pour yourself into everything you do.
Speak candidly. Words have the power of life and death. Speak candidly. Most people won't and don't' speak the truth, so nothing they say is remembered. It all blends in. speak the truth in love.
Swing for the fences. Try something truly meaningful. It's not gonna make an impact if it's expected and normal. Do something that will alleviate pain, heal others, encourage the depressed and hopeless.
Show up every day. Some people want to be an impact on others, but they are waiting until they can hit the home run shot, and walk off. Not going to happen. Do little things every day and you'll wake up to find that people need you and rely on you.
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Tue, Dec 20, 2011
Is when you are blessing others
Is when you are communicating love
Is when you are sharing what little you have
Is when you never miss an opportunity to be grateful
Is when you are surrounded by loving people
Is when you are at peace with what you have
Is when you are filled with contentment
Is there more? add a few to this list...
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Mon, Dec 19, 2011
This weekend I did something that many people cannot do. I turned off my work email so that I wouldn't be distracted from my time with my family and friends.
I say that many people cannot do that, although I don't mean that most of us are prohibited from shutting off their email. What I mean is that apparently, like any addiction or compulsion, they are unable to turn it off.
Saturday, Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, evenings, early mornings, family dinners and during your child's basketball game; Email has become a leash that you are invisibly tied to and that keeps you from being fully engaged in reality and what is happening right in front of you.
Turn it off on occasion. Open up your phone or ipad device, go into the control panel and just click "off" next to "mail". (That way when you look at it you won't see all those emails sitting there screaming at you to answer)
It's important to note that my job requires me to be on call and available 24/7, yet this doesn't mean that I have to be responding at a moments notice to anything anyone anywhere things might need to be in my inbox.
It will add peace of mind, help you to be more engaged and a better spouse, parent, and friend. It will also help you be more engaged when you return to work. Ready to start your week and your day with energy.
What are the barriers to you turning off you email for the weekend? Are you planning on checking your email on Christmas weekend? If so, why?
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Fri, Dec 16, 2011
That all the people I love know it...
That the people I serve feel cared for...
That those I serve with feel appreciated...
That the people scorn me feel peace...
That the those that are hungry be fed...
That those that are cold receive warmth...
That no child would be without a home...
That my life shows God's love, if even imperfectly...
David Curry
12/16/11
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Thu, Dec 15, 2011
More information doesn't necessarily lead to more transformation.
That is because for people to change their habits, and ultimately change their lives, they have to make decisions that are in line with their goals and values.
A commitment, backed up by action, will always move a person toward success.
However, many people have the misunderstanding that simply understanding and knowledge will bring about change. The rational is that if you understand the how and why, it brings success.
But whether it's in creating a happy life, fighting addiction, losing weight or other struggles, knowledge is little help without decisions and a commitment to change.
Decisions, even without understanding, will always bring transformation.
Psycologists will tell you that you need three things for transformation:
1. Vision. A picture of where you need to go and what you want your life to look life.
2. Intent. A strong commitment and decisions toward your intended goal
3. Methods/means. The practical tools to acheive your goal.
Don't be discouraged if you don't have all the information or education you think you need to succeed. You can act on the picture of success you have invisioned and see great things happen.
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Wed, Dec 14, 2011
"As a painter, I will never amount to anything.
I am absolutely sure of it. "
Vincent Van Gogh
When you're down,
remember that often we don't have the best perspective
on the impact of our work,
life and friendship.
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Tue, Dec 13, 2011
We're thankful for our community partners who help make the work at the Rescue Mission possible.
We have four drop off locations for those of you wishing to donate warm winter clothes, blankets, kids presents or more for the Rescue Mission. Here is a link to a list of things we could use during these cold winter months.
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Mon, Dec 12, 2011
Over the centuries people have lived in, for lack of a better word, kingdoms. A kingdom in the medieval ages was the world which was control by a particular King. Whatever that King proclaimed was the rule. Some kingdoms were better than others, depending on the wisdom of the ruler and the fairness and justice of his decisions.
Today, we still see people living in societies, but absolute rule is more rare than it used to be, for the good of mankind. However you still see kingdoms, just on a much smaller scale. Now kingdoms, the effective will of a ruler, is typically just about the world you create on a personal level. In other words, in your world, what you decide is law.
This begs the question: What kind of kingdom are you creating?
Most people protest and complain about the rule of leaders and kings, but when given control over a small kingdom, they themselves rule poorly.
Is your kingdom moving forward? Is it a kingdom built on your own personal comfort? Is it a kingdom that respects fairness and hard work? Is your personal kingdom making the world a better place for generations to come?
If you're a grown up, you have more control over your life than you'd perhaps like to admit. What kind of kingdom have you created?
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Fri, Dec 09, 2011
At some point this month, you may run out of money for gifts, but your Christmas list still has names on it. I know that feeling, and it doesn't feel good.
However, unless you are dealing with little children (or adults that act like one), giving a gift that you created yourself will be more meaningful than anything you could buy.
I credit my wife Kate with teaching me this. She has a creative spirit and loves to make gifts and create something really unique that her friends love. Whether it's a handmade card, a floral arrangement or a piece of art, there are many things you can do to show you care without breaking the bank.
Don't accept pressure to be the big spender when you can't afford it. Create something from things you have, with that someone special in mind, that will show you love and appreciate them. Often, it's just creating fun experiences together. Whatever it is, the most important thing is that your gift comes from the heart.
What are some creative, fun ways to give homemade gifts? If you have any ideas to share, please do.
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Thu, Dec 08, 2011
Not being overly sentimental, I don't always keep things to commemorate events and highlights. One thing that I do keep, however, is some of the handwritten notes, just a few, that people have sent me over the years. It means something that someone took the time to write a note of thanks or encouragement and sent it to me.
Over time our understanding of correspondence has changed. Writing a letter was once a cherished and important tradition. Intellectuals and noblemen took time to handle their correspondence with care. Anyone who has been to Monticello, the estate and home of Thomas Jefferson, will recall his unique and creative mechanism created to help him write his letters and have duplicates made. Writing notes and letters was part and parcel of his life, as it was with other great thinkers.
Somehow, writing letters became something of the past and we have moved onto emails, texting, and phone calls to do our daily business. The mail has become something we often dread, delivering bills and junk mail.
Now with mail becoming more expensive and apparently slower, using the mail to deliver correspondence will likely become even more rare. Processes like this change and morph and we move on.
However, this leaves an open opportunity for you to create a special habit. The habit of doing something extravagantly kind, thoughtful and loving. Taking the time to sit down, write out your thoughts, crafting a great note where each word is useful and powerful, and sending it through the mail to a friend. It's even better if you use great paper, with a nice pen.
You might say: "I can just send an email". Yes, you certainly could. But the fact that you could do something easier, faster and with no cost to you, and yet you still choose to take the time to write a note will say something about how much you care.
Are there five people in your life that you could bless with a handwritten note, to express your love and encouragment to?
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Wed, Dec 07, 2011
The book of Luke tells the story of the birth of John the Baptist, and the birth of Jesus. Many of us read that story at Christmas and marvel and celebrate. Within the story of the birth of John is the reaction of his father Zechariah. In Luke 1:11 it says that Zechariah saw a vision that he was to have a son in his old age and he would called John. No sooner had he saw the vision than he began to question the angel who had visited him. How? Why? What? He was full of questions and doubts. The story goes onto to say that he was struck mute until the birth of John, at which time he was able to speak, and was full of praise and good things to say.
So often we forget that our words are a gift, or if you let it be, a curse. When faced with opportunities and interactions this Christmas will your words bring doubt, confusion, and pain? Or will you be intentional, and make sure your words are a gift?
When I read the story of the birth of John the Baptist I wonder what lessons God was trying to teach us in silencing the doubts and fears of Zechariah. Would his words have been too depressing and discouraging for his wife Elizabeth? Would his words have been poisonous and fearful, creating an atmosphere that would have made the house a tough place for a woman to go through labor?
Whatever the reason, clearly we know that sometimes it's just better to keep quiet than to add doubt, discouragement and fear to someone's life. Instead, make your words like a wonderfully wrapped gift. A compliment or encouragement, even a lesson, wrapped in authenticity and kindness.
How much better would Christmas be if that were the case for all of us?
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Tue, Dec 06, 2011
Recently I was driving by my local bicycle shop and noticed that it had closed down. Was I surprised? Not at all. Every time my kids and I went into the bike store the owner/manager would come out and ask "What do you want?" When I would take my bike in to get fixed they would almost try to talk me out of getting it fixed there. "We're really busy right now", "We might not get to it for a while," and so forth. You've never seen someone so put out to have customers in their store.
As we drove by the store my son asked me why I thought they had to close.
My answer: They thought they were in the bike business, but they were really in the people business and they didn't know it.
It's not just bikes stores. Rescue Mission, churches, restaurants, boutiques, non-profits and every other kind of organization tends to think that they are in a certain product or business category.
Don't be fooled, you're in the people business. You forget it at your peril.
What task are you so busy doing that you are tempted to forget about the people around you? The customers, clients and guests that you exist to serve?
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Mon, Dec 05, 2011
Who you are is more than the just the words you say or write, it's also the attitudes, moods, and perspectives that are conveyed.
The other day I told a friend to send a silly text to his wife. When she received the text she responded, "Is David sending this? That sounds like David"
Was it just the words on the screen? No, it's that we all project who we are, what we believe, in what we say.
Whether on Facebook, Twitter, in a letter, speech or facial expression, we are sending people messages, but what messages are we sending?
For many, if you follow Facebook or twitter, the message seems to be, "I'm afraid", "I'm easily offended", "I'm a victim", "I like mocking people", "I love mocking politicians", and so on.
Is this new? Not in the least. But what is new is that we have the ability to create a personalized commentary on the world at large, a ticker of observations in real-time. For many people, that ticker is increasingly negative, pessimistic, snarky and depressing.
Be aware of the messages you send and communicate, and feel free to edit the negative messages people want to send you. I know I do.
What are you doing to send positive, reinforcing, life-giving messages to others?
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Fri, Dec 02, 2011
Which strategy is right? Should you be customer focused or employee focused? Should you go for government contracts, or be privately funded? Should you go left or should go right?
Often what matters most is not what your strategy, or your business philosophy, actually is, but whether you have a philsophy/strategy at all. Most often organizations fail when they're jut wandering and drifting. Organizations, like people, are more interesting and compelling when they have a point of view.
When Apple announced that they were launching a new device to fit between the laptop market and the smart phone, they were roundly criticized and called crazy. Just google it up and you'll see there are hundreds of articles with the theme of "it'll never happen", "it just won't work", "Apple is gonna lose big". A year and a half on now, it looks like such a slam dunk that everybody else in high tech is trying to put our their own tablet, based on Apple's concept. All of them have pretty much tanked on the market level. But Apple succeeded. Apple has a perspective, a point of view that they are passionately pursuing.
Now along comes Kindle Fire which, according to the Wall Street Journal, is going to be a success this Christmas season.
The thing is, Amazon's Kindle Fire is a different kind of tablet, they're headed in a different direction. They aren't making a computer device to compete with your laptop, they're making something that you can use to watch/read content that you've bought from Amazon and off the internet. They've pushed all the heavy storage to their cloud and decided you can't save much on the machine. It's different. Amazon has a point of view. In fact, they've always had their own unique perspective and business philosophy.
What do Amazon and Apple have in common? A unqiue point of view.
Most of the world will tell you to take the edges off to fit into the market, to fit into the denomination, association, etc. But a unique point of view, perspective on your work will be a big help to you.
What do you believe? What is your strategy? What are you doing that is different?
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org
Posted by Rescue Mission Team on Thu, Dec 01, 2011
A few days ago when a crew of interior designers was decorating the tree at the Rescue Mission Adams St. Family Campus, a young child came up and looked at the Christmas decorations with wide-eyed enthusiasm. Then he said, "Are you Mary Christmas?" It melted the hearts of the folks there, but it's also a great lesson for us.
What are you doing to be a blessing to others? Are you bringing joy, peace, and love to others or are you waiting for others to be a blessing to you?
You can be the embodiment of Christmas to some young (or old) person. All you need to do is look for opportunities to give, serve and love.
Don't wait for December 25th to be Mary Christmas for someone.
David Curry
Read all of David Curry's blogs at
http://blog.rescue-mission.org or visit the Rescue Mission at
http://www.rescue-mission.org