I’m turning 50 this week.

I’m not yet fifty — it’s just seven days away — but I thought I’d lead you through my journey, and maybe you’ll learn a thing or two that will help you on your journey.

I Love Science

As far back as I can remember I’ve loved science.

Scotty the Scientist they called me.  My curiosity has reigned big in my life since I was little. 

Excursus – Let me express my thanks to my sister Kristie for all the great digital pictures of me she’s providing this week.  Thanks Kristie!

I’m turning 50.  I’ve thought about it all year.

I’ve interviewed dozens of people over fifty to talk with them about their lives.  I’ve asked many questions, and sought many answers.  Mostly I’ve listened.  As I’ve listened I’ve heard some wonderful tales about remarkable people.

I’m not yet fifty — it’s just days away — but I thought I’d lead you through my journey, and maybe you’ll learn a thing or two that will help you on your journey.

I Wanna Be A Hero

Over and over again I daydreamed of being a hero.

When I was a teen I had a conversation with my dad about my future career choices.

Since I was a little boy I was known as “Scotty the Scientist”, so clearly a career in the sciences made sense for me. So it was a surprise to my dad when I mentioned that I thought about becoming a police officer.

That dream was more based on my fantasies about being a hero than understanding the what the job would entail.

Right Up Your Alley - What You Do Reveals Who You Are Becoming 

Yesterday my co-worker Ash and I spoke at Champlin Park High School. (If you’re from CPHS, thanks for joining us again today on mysilentscream!)

As we talked about self-esteem I told a story of a particularly painful dating heartbreak.

After the breakup, all night long that night I played Meat Loaf’s album Bat Out Of Hell. In particular, I played “For Crying Out Loud“ over, and over, and over again.

And crying I did. At the time I couldn’t help myself. What I didn’t know at the time is how beneficial crying can be.

There is never a shortage of drama.
There is always some fool who feels the need to “start something.”

Someone near you today filled with anger, impatience, and frustration from their weekend will probably spill it onto you. Avoid the obvious emotional reaction. Skip the “That was stupid” regret you’ll have later. Instead, duck the drama?

How?

Three Tips To Help You Duck The Drama

Lay Low – Don’t cause drama. It comes back to bite most people.
Take It Slow – Don’t jump to conclusions when people bring drama to you.
Say No! – Don’t repeat gossip.

This week I’m responding to Ken Davis’ call to be “fully alive.” Fully alive people are characterized by many things including meaningful friendships, courageously overcoming fear, and a determination to course corrections when they fail.

We all fail.  Failure is painful.

Pain is part of the price of living.
– Love is painful.
– Relationships are painful.
– Failing is painful.

If we choose to move forward in our quest to live fully alive, we will fall, it will hurt . . . and it will be worth it.

Be prepared to pay the price. Change costs.  Progress can be painful.

I had just thrown an interception. In my opinion, throwing an interception was letting my team down. I failed to complete the pass. I failed to help my teammate Madison. She could have caught a good pass, but I threw it where she couldn’t catch it. 

“Other Scott” happily grabbed it. 

“Other Scott” won the game’s MVP award, but I — this Scott — let my team down. I hate when I let my team down.

Fortunately, I was not alone.

“God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control.” 1

Yesterday I posted my review of Fully Alive by Ken Davis.

Davis’ book challenges us to step out of our comfort zones to build deep friendships.

Today is the first day of school for millions of children; it’s an ideal opportunity to build on old friendships or to start building new ones.

How Can I Build Friendships?

Davis explains, “Making friends is like exercise; it requires discipline and vigilance.”  1
– It takes time
– It takes patience
– It takes graciousness.

Graciousness?

Yesterday, I exposed a few reasons why we procrastinate including:

We feel overwhelmed.
We overestimate the amount of time needed.
We would rather be doing something else.
We think if we wait long, the task will go away.
We fear failure.
We fear success.
We enjoy the last-minute adrenaline rush.

What’s beneath those reasons?

There are many factors, here are a few:

Christopher procrastinates signing up for football because he’s afraid to have all the lies he’s told about his abilities exposed.

This week on mysilentscream is not just about How To Make Your School Year Easier, it’s how to make your life more enjoyable.

For instance,
– My office is covered with post-summer, unsorted remains that need to get put away.
– My study is still a mess, and I’m married to a great professional declutterer!! (It’s NOT her fault!)
– My book — Beyond Whatever — is well-past due for my self-imposed deadline.

But, I know that I’m not the only one who procrastinates out there.