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.

Today I’ll spend a couple of hours in a junior high school. While watching, listening and learning from these young teens I will see young masters of communication.

I’m traveling in beautiful Colorado.

I’m blessed to be leading and teaching others. Some of the lessons are hard.

I’m also in a season of learning. Some of the lessons are hard too.

Fortunately, I have a loving and supportive family, faithful friends and wise people around me.

The following are a couple lessons I am learning. I hope that they shed some light into your darkness too.

“The sinner,” wrote Andrew Murray, “shall be justified by faith,” but too seldom we find a place for the truth, ‘The just shall live by faith.’ ”

Do you know someone who really works hard at being someone else?

We all do.
Maybe it’s me.
Maybe it’s you.

I have been that person.

When I was in high school I sometimes felt desperate for friends. When I was included – even for a moment – I would try to blend in.

One night I had a guy tell me, “you’re like a chameleon.”

It was true.
I tried to fit in.
I would even try to talk and act like others.

The truth is, I seldom was really accepted.
Not by them.
And not by me.

Almost every day someone asks me to help them with a relationship concern.
– What’s her problem?
– What can I do?
– What’s he thinking?
– How should I explain…

Most people are looking for a solution.

I’ve found one. I’ve found empathy improves all of my relationships.

What’s Empathy?

According to brittanica.com empathy is “the ability to imagine oneself in another’s place and understand the other’s feelings, desires, ideas, and actions.” 1

Today some friends and I will be addressing, printing, folding, stuffing, sealing and stamping letters and envelopes. As much as we might want the letter to arrive if one of those steps gets missed the letters will not likely reach their destination.

Of course we could be sincere, earnest, dependable and determined. but…
… if the address is wrong it won’t reach the intended readers
… if the print is illegible the readers can’t read it
… if the folds are in the wrong places the letters won’t fit
… if the letters are stuffed in a haphazard way they won’t seal
… if the “seal” on the envelope doesn’t seal the letter may fall out
… if the stamp is not affixed the letter will not be delivered

The other night my wife, my daughter and I watched the movie “The Help.” As the movie ended the tears continued. My heart was breaking for men, women and children entrenched in overt and covert human trafficking.

I remembered why I pray: Because I am desperate for a power greater than my own to do that which I cannot.

Josh Groban’s song The Prayer is one such prayer. He begins: 1

I pray you’ll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don’t know

All us us have to cope with the challenges of peer pressure. When we face peer pressure situations it helps to understand our motives.

Often we don’t let down the internal pressure because we feel that the expectations of others don’t let us — or at least that’s what we think.

We assume “making people happy” is a sign of being a good friend, when it really drives us to a dangerous place and perpetuates unreasonable expectations.

You have choices.
I have choices.

Choices

We have choices, more choices than we let ourselves see.

Prompted by my reading of Quiet by Susan Cain, this week we’ve explored introverts and extroverts their distinctive and their qualities. Including:

I Buy Coffee

An Introvert?!?

Introvert’s Confusion

And, Are YOU An Introvert or Extrovert?

Whether you’re a parent, a brother or sister, an aunt, uncle or neighbor, you know children. And, if you’re like me, quiet children can be a mystery.

Today, I’d like to let Susan Cain’s insights on introvert children speak for themselves. Oh, wait – let me say this first – my favorite quote from her about children is: “Don’t just accept your child for who she is; treasure her.”