As I was approaching fifty years old I sought the wisdom of my elders. I sought out men and women older than I was to learn lessons on life that they had been learning.

Last Monday I began a series entitled A Treasure Chest Of Wisdom, including:

1. Don’t Hold Grudges
2. Take Care Of Your Health.
3. Compassion Makes Sense and Giving Is Better Than Taking
4. Greed Gains Momentum
5. Gratitude Leads To Contentment
6. Contentment Leads To Generosity

Everyone Splashes.  Splash Blessings.

As I was approaching fifty years old I sought the wisdom of my elders. I sought out men and women older than I was to learn lessons on life that they had been learning.

Monday I began a series entitled A Treasure Chest Of Wisdom, including:

1. Don’t Hold Grudges
2. Take Care Of Your Health.
3. Compassion Makes Sense and Giving Is Better Than Taking
4. Greed Gains Momentum
5. Gratitude Leads To Contentment

Contentment Leads To Generosity

Note: This post in NOT intended to brag or boast.

As I was approaching fifty years old I sought the wisdom of my elders. I sought out men and women older than I was to learn lessons on life that they had been learning.

Monday I began a series entitled A Treasure Chest Of Wisdom, including:

1. Don’t Hold Grudges
2. Take Care Of Your Health.
3. Compassion Makes Sense and Giving Is Better Than Taking
4. Greed Gains Momentum

Instead of focusing on what we don’t have, it’s important to be grateful for the amazing gifts we already have.

Loving family
Faithful friends
Good health

As I was approaching fifty years old I sought the wisdom of my elders. I sought out men and women older than I was to learn lessons on life that they had been learning.

Monday I began a series entitled A Treasure Chest Of Wisdom, including:

1.  Don’t Hold Grudges 
2.  Take Care Of Your Health.
3.  Compassion Makes Sense and Giving Is Better Than Taking

Today is the day after Thanksgiving known as Black Friday.  A nationwide marketing “holiday” to trigger sales in anticipation of holiday gift-giving and gatherings.

I work at TreeHouse, and at TreeHouse we have four outcomes we track and are proud to explain.

Graduate High School

We are excited that TreeHouse teens are 24% more likely to graduate than their peers. That’s great news, but we want more for them.

Plan for After High School

93% of TreeHouse youth in grades 10-12 report they’ve begun making plans for after high school

Today is the TreeHouse Opportunity Fair.

Opportunity Fair is a night to get serious about the future. Tonight we will meet representatives from colleges, trade schools, the Armed Services, and future employers.

He’s so hot! 

She’s so hot!

I would do anything to keep him.

I would do anything to get her.

She doesn’t know what she’s getting into.

He doesn’t know what he’s tearing down.

Ladies – Stop settling. He wants what u have more than u want what he’s offering. Hold back. When he steps back & he will, STEP AWAY #wise

Guys – When you find out she’s got her V-card (virgin), she’s not a condom to use & toss. Listen 2 ur conscience! #choosewisely #notuse

Hold Onto Your Conscience

William Wilberforce — as mentioned yesterday — was a bold, but peculiar man, who changed the world.

William Wilberforce was also featured in the movie Amazing Grace. It’s a powerful film that reveals the tension that Wilberforce faced in his personal and public life.

People who step forward or step “out of line” face that tension. 

– Teens who stand up against bullies are often threatened themselves.
– Entrepreneurs who market boldly are often ostracized by their competition.
– Excited parents are glared at when they cheer for their daughter or son at sporting events.
– Weather forecasters are often derided when their forecasts are mistaken.
– Fans who cheer too loudly at sporting events can be shouted down.

Wait, Why Am I Talking?

As I wrote yesterday the acronym W.A.I.T. is a great reminder — as they say — it’s right on the button.

It’s a big red pause button to stop my panic and prevent me from causing additional pain to myself or others.

I’m talking. Am I trying to coach and counsel? Or, am I trying to control?

Wait, Why Am I Talking?

I think Wait, Why Am I Talking? is a wonderful self-check as I pray as well.

Sometimes people — myself included — complicate life needlessly.

Yesterday my friend Steve Wiens reminded me of an Anne Lamott’s acronym W.A.I.T.  I’ll explain what it means in a moment, but you’ll — pardon the pun — have to wait.

Wait

Lamott’s most recent book “Some Assembly Required: A Journal of My Son’s First Son” describes the challenge she faced, especially in the beginning, as she tried to find a balance between helping and hampering her teenage son who was suddenly faced with an unplanned pregnancy.

Dating difficulties drag us down.  Whether it’s crying our way through a painful breakup, dealing with being dumped, or coping with the obvious sense  that we’ve blundered, blown it and need to move on, they all drag us down.

Dragged Down

Maybe you don’t have dating drama.  Maybe you’re jealous of the cute girl in the next cubicle, the muscular guy in the seat next to you, or the smart girl who always has the right answer.

Maybe you’re an unemployed NFL referee whose mistakes were played over and over on national TV.