I’m on a search.
A hunt.
I’m looking for an honest person.

I know…

I know I sound cynical, skeptical and maybe distrusting, but, well, I am. It’s one of the risks of the work I do. People, good people, trust me with the deep, dark parts of their lives.

Though I feel incredibly honored, respected and trusted, it also reminds me how often “honest people” can be various shades of dishonest depending in their circumstances.

I am…

I’m not very good at relaxing.

Like many of you I had some time off of work for the Thanksgiving weekend. Unfortunately, even while I was “relaxing” I was not particularly restful.
– I read for work.
– I studied health and nutrition.
– Felt frustrated with the Chicago Bears.
– I followed my fantasy football players.
I was not particularly “rest-full.”

Is Rest Possible?

I know I’m not “good” at resting, but I know that it’s possible.

Stressed? Shaking?
Angry? Frustrated?
Disappointed?

Millions of shoppers drive recklessly, hunt hopefully, relate rudely, and waiting impatiently. For shoppers, shop-owners and employees alike Black Friday is day we need recovery.

3 Black Friday Recovery Tips

Black Friday Recovery Tip #1 – Stop: Stop believing a gift will make you more lovable. Stop hoping. Stop trying. You are always a lovable person. Our Creator knows what we truly need, all efforts to define ourself that exclude our Creator are doomed to fail. Stop.

Dan Adler’s song All I Need is You is a wonderful reminder of what’s really going to bring us hope and satisfaction in life.

“A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness.” Those words attract me, but also make me ask, “Really?”

In his Introduction Dave Ramsey explains, “Over all these years, The Total Money Makeover has given HOPE to millions of families. This book has given them hope to win, and that hope has caused them to take action and claim ultimate victory over their financial struggles and worries—and to actually win!”

Michael Hyatt explains in the Introduction, “Whether you are a professional speaker, pastor, corporate executive, author—or are just passionate about a message—you can take your communication skills to the next level. Ken’s SCORRE system truly revolutionized my public presentations. The good news? What I learned from him sits right here, in this book. Within these pages, you’ll learn how to:
• dramatically reduce your prep time,
• communicate with more clarity and focus,
• increase your ability to connect with the audience, and
• craft speeches that leave an impact.”

If I see a movie in a theater, I almost never pay full price. Last night was different. Last night was special. We saw the Day of the Doctor.

I started watching the BBC program Doctor Who during the 1970s. I sat with a couple of friends more than thirty years ago watching my first Doctor Who episodes.

Last night I sat with those same old friends watching another “old friend.”

The Doctor traveled in his TARDIS. He used his favorite tool the Sonic Screwdriver. He faced his adversaries the Daleks and their fearsome threat, “Ex-ter-min-ate.” And as the audience expected, The Doctor saved the day with morality, wisdom and cleverness.

DO schedule your studying times.

Do NOT neglect some playtime.

DO schedule phone-free times.

Do NOT blow off your sleep-time.

DO ask people with good study skills what helps them.

Do NOT neglect some time with family and friends.

DO drink plenty of water.

Do NOT rely on caffeine and energy drinks for energy.

DO eat healthy foods.

Do NOT rely on cramming if you can choose not to. It’s unreliable.

Disclosure: I didn’t always follow these tips, but I’ve learned these lessons from my poor choices, my good choices and the wisdom of others.

Twenty-two year old Chris Walker, the main character, starts to doubt his faith during his senior year of college.

Chris is struggling with his faith in God, but Chris is also struggling with the complexity of his other relationships too.

“Had he really done it? Broken his engagement? Given up Ashley forever? The Ashley he’d had so many wonderful dates with and spent so many hours spilling out his heart to? The Ashley he’d pictured himself spending the rest of his life with?

For a moment, he thought of jumping up from the table to chase after her, begging her to forget what he’d said.

As a twelve-grader I was, I was a “survivor.“

I survived, not in a life-and-death manner that some do today, but as an endurance test.

Spanish class was my least favorite class, so it was there that I tested my endurance the most.

Since I was already watching the clock, I decided to see how long I could hold my breath. “Go!”
– More than 45 seconds
– A minute
– 75 … 90 … 100 seconds
I was silently feeling so proud when I finally made it to two minutes.
The best I ever did in high school was 2:04. I was so proud, and breathless.

It’s nearly Finals Week for many students. As Finals week approaches Seniors in high school typically have one of four responses. They might be Soakers, Succumbers, those who are Saddened and those who are Survivors.

Soakers – They soak it all in knowing that it can be a year of highlights they will enjoy for life

Succumbers – They succumb to “senioritis” and bide their time until graduation when they can take their next steps.

Saddened – They feel regret knowing that most of their classmates will graduate, but they will not– whether because circumstances within their control, or circumstances that they could not.