Welcome today to our friends from Chris Spradlin’s insightful and practical EpicParent.

Chris was gracious enough to allow me to guest post on EpicParent today.  You can read “You’re Not Alone!!” here.

Let me catch you all up.

This week we took a look at fifteen year old Desean’s choice to come home drunk.

We took a look at his scenario from three perspectives:

What’s A Mom To Do?

What’s A Dad To Do?

What’s a Best Friend to Do?

Today we’ll consider what a neighbor should and should not do.

Tom Coughlin, head coach of the Super Bowl winning New York Giants, spoke about the importance of having a player like quarterback Eli Manning in a leadership role for the Giants.

The New York Times quoted Coughlin: “Eli stood up in the team meeting the other day and said a lot of things that were responded to not only by the young kids, but by the veterans as well…I think that the information gathering and sharing of information from someone who has been there and succeeded, that can be extremely valuable.”

The Pro Bowl is the NFL’s version of an all-star game. Pro Bowl players are selected by votes from the coaches, players and fans, each of which count for a third of the votes. 

Choosing the best possible players doesn’t guarantee success.  Each player still has the responsibility to perform at his highest level in concert with his fellow teammates.

Game Planning

If you could choose a roster of friends would you have chosen someone like yourself? If you could game plan how you relate to your friends would you make the same choices that you have? If you could game plan how your friends related to you would you make the same choices that they do?

It’s the 13th; the 13th of the month.

It’s FRIDAY the 13th. 

For some of you that conjures up images of Jason Voorhees, and others a superstitious fear of Friday the 13th. 

My Friday the 13ths are neither a horror story, nor unlucky.  Just the opposite! 

Amy & I started going out on Friday the 13th.   
We married on the 13th.
Amy’s birthday is on a 13th.

Today is the 313th 13th that Amy & I have been “going out.”

It’s been 1361 weeks.
It’s been 9527 days.
And, I’m still counting my blessings!

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.

9493 days ago I met this really cute blond girl in the lobby of her college dorm. A couple months later I was thrilled she agreed to go out with me.  You can read more about our relationship here.

As Amy and I started dating it became clear that she set a benchmark of kindness, humility and thoughtfulness that far exceeded my own.

Amy does not pursue unsolicited attention for her actions, but I watched and wondered, “Could I ever be like her?”

I’m about to speak at my 4th school this week.  Bethel U today.  All week long I’ve been thinking about relationships.  
I’ve seen wonderful, caring, supportive people connecting.  
I’ve seen cold, distant, wounded people avoid connecting.
I’ve seen people laugh, and people cry.

As I’m finishing up this very busy week I’d like to leave you with some relationships advice that I’ve received, believed and adopted into my own life.

This advice is changing me.  I’m grateful for the many of you who are patient with me when I have my “fail” days.

Reminder – Yesterday, I offered some tips about “happy friendships” you can find them here.

I’ve spent most of my adult life studying women — insert your joke here.  I’ve read books about femininity, anatomy and physiology, female health, historical Western women values, feminism, menstruation, and mood swings.  In fact, I’m reading a book right now by a woman for teen girls about teen guys. I’m reading it to understand how women view men.

In doing so, I have gained an incredible and valuable understanding that, frankly, many men don’t have.  

Hints For a Happy Friendship 1

Make friends even if you don’t think you need them.
Seek out quiet people. They have a lot to say, if you say something first.
Don’t establish a friendship based on mutual dislikes.
Call if you’re running late.
Look people in the eye when you talk to them.
Be one who says positive things about others.
Learn to tell a good story.
Ask other people about themselves.
Be happy for others in their good fortune.
Make sure your caring includes doing.
Know when to say good-bye.

When I thought about writing about me, and my life, for two weeks I couldn’t imagine what I would write.  As my last post has arrived I feel I’ve run out of time, not run out of things to say.

So I chose three pictures that tell a story about who I am and who I am becoming.

Bad-@ss

The first picture is my favorite picture of just me.  Really, I could not imagine a picture that better captures my love for fun and willingness to take on challenges.

I’m “butt-surfing” a waterfall, Big Smokey to be specific.