Broomball has always been an equalizer sport. Unless you play on a club level or a national level like my friend Paul Thyren, most of us play broomball for fun.

Fun racing around on slippery hockey rink with street shoes or boots wielding awkward brooms; then in a moment of hope you swing the broom hoping to connect with the ball and send it into the opposition’s goal.

Broomball Buddies

Broomball is a great sport to enjoy wintery fun with friends. Here from the winter of 1996 is my dear friend the late Adam Bieringer. Adam passed away in April of 2010 much too young.

I’ve read a couple of Stephen Arterburn books. Since I believe that Healing is a Choice I chose to give tHealing is a Choice a read.

The author explores 10 choices that he believes we need to make if we are to experience genuine and lasting healing.

1. The Choice to Connect your life
Lie – All I need to heal is just God and me.

2. The Choice to Feel your life
Lie – Real Christians should have peace in all circumstances

3. The Choice to Investigate Your Life in Search of Truth
Lie – It does no good to look back or look inside

Christmas is over, but the new year is here.
You enjoy Christmas presents, it’s time to enjoy a New years gift.

I don’t believe on New Years resolutions I believe in doing. Yesterday I challenged you to give yourself the gift of ambition.

This year apply that renewed ambition to give yourself the gift of learning something new.

The Gift of Learning

Everyone I know wants to learn something.
Everyone I know pushes aside some of those dreams.

I know, you’re busy.
Fight off your excuses.

I know you’re tired.
Fight off your laziness.

Christmas is over, but the new year is here.
You enjoy Christmas presents, it’s time to enjoy a New years gift.

I don’t believe on New Years resolutions I believe in doing.

Give yourself the gift of ambition.

Dream.
Make plans.
Believe in yourself.
Go for what you want.
Find a way to do it.
Get someone to help you find a way.

What gets in the way?

Do you get distracted from your goal?
Find a reliable accountability partner.

Do you get lazy?
Find a goal with a benefit that is better than your excuses.

I sat down in a coffee shop today.  A young professional to my left.  Another man to my right.  One sat with a beverage, a laptop and fine clothes.  The man to my right sat wearing shabby, unkempt clothes, with nothing in front of him.

Those of you who know me well probably laughed: a) that I noticed; and b) that someone dressed less “casually” than I did.

I thought I’d be nice.  After setting down my stuff, I said to the man on my right, “You don’t have a beverage, can I buy you one?”  He said, “No, thank you.”  I walked to the counter.  Five minutes later he left. 

Welcome to all the new mysilentscream readers who joined us yesterday!

Here are a few holiday stress-busting suggestions:

Take a warm bath or a long relaxing shower.

Take a walk. Bundle up with a buddy and get your body moving.  Walk outside. Look around.

Take a five deep relaxing breaths. Exhale slowly.

Take a nap. Nap – not to hide from your responsibilities, but to retreat, recharge and recover.

On a cool summer day I drove to Wisconsin. I had a speaking engagement.  Along the road I saw signs for Turtle Lake Casino.  At that time I’d only been to a casino or two.

While driving home I realized that I was hungry.  I had seen a Subway restaurant along the road and that seemed like a good idea.  Then Turtle Lake Casino came to mind.  I knew I had just been paid, but I only had four dollars in cash.  It seemed kinda silly to walk into a casino with only four dollars, and food seemed like a much better idea.

This week my friend Adam took the time to sincerely, and publicly offer his thanks to people that have helped him through a rough stretch of life.  Almost fifty responses later I appreciate that Adam and those who responded to his gratitude have exposed something missing in society — a cultural shortcoming — sincerity.

Sincerity is missing in our society. 

Far too many people hide their motives in manipulation.

Adam is a caring, compassionate, courageous, but conflicted person whose worse battles in life have been with himself.

Yesterday I reminded all of us about 12 Times to Say “I’m Sorry.

It’s been three weeks since I “got a cold”. It’s a mighty cold. Relentlessly my cold has beaten off all attempts to find a remedy.

Despite such evident opposition I’ve had a great week. Food, family, friends and frivolity were plentiful.

As I recover from my week of self-discipline this week I’m diving into my journey to define values and how our values affect our lives.

As I begin, let me ask you a question:  What’s it take for you to have a great week?

5 Stop Signs

1. Stop believing the lie: Life isn’t always fair. Accept what you must, and change what you can.

2. Stop before you regret it: Think before you act. A moment today may cause pain for years.

3. Stop & notice:  See the beauty in people, in nature, and in yourself.

4. Stop to appreciate what you have: Family & friends, talents, opportunities & useful stuff.

5. Stop & have fun: Hanging out, talking, laughing and playing and makes some of the best memories.