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.

I would ask: 

I know that you have spent your career with men and women older than yourself.
In that time you have listened and learned as they’ve talked about their lives and their values. You have gathered insights and wisdom from their successes and their failures.

This year I’m turning 50 and I’m starting to feel middle-aged.
I don’t know how old you are, but I know you’ve learned from those older than us.

Sometimes I feel like a failure.

Whether it’s feeling overwhelmed, “I don’t have enough money”, “there’s not enough time”, or just being lazy, a fear of failure or the fear of success, or the classic “I’ll get to it later”, sometimes things just don’t get done.

What else can go wrong?

So many things, including:
– Unexpected car repairs: ~$600
– Two computers that stopped working
– Late for work
– Misplaced paperwork
And, that’s just in the last three days

How Can We Fight Back?

Here’s a formula I’m using:

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.

Tuesday, yeah, that’s when things didn’t go so well!

I’ve led hundreds and hundreds of support groups. They’re a regular part of my schedule and one of the joys of my week. Most nights are great.

That night something was weird at TreeHouse!

It Started Bad

Several teens were mad at me. Why?  My responsibility was to create a safe, supportive atmosphere.  Support groups with eight teens are common.  That night teens split up into a group of eight, a group of twelve, and a group of five.  

I know that this has happened to you.  Today it happened to me.

The clock showed “10:41″,  I relaxed, settled in and took a deep breath.  I had time.  No need to rush.

I did a couple quick things that needed to get done, took a quick glance at the clock, “Wow, I’m really efficient today.”

Then.  Then!  THEN!  I thought to myself, that was too efficient.  I checked another clock, “11:16″!

Noooooo!  The clock had stopped!

Panic

My leisurely lunch deadline, now became my dead spring lunch deadline.

You learn from your parents, and your children, nieces and nephews will learn from you.  What will they learn?  Will they see success or will they see you slide? Will you reject accountability and let your pride slide you away from what really matters into an unseen hardships?

Continuing our series on freedom using quotes from the movie Braveheart, allow Princess Isabelle to lead the query, “The king will be dead in a month and his son is a weakling. Who do you think will rule this kingdom?”

That’s the question that faced David as he passed his kingship to his son Solomon. 

Why do people cut?  There are many reasons.  One reason is the fear of the unknown.  He cut because he is afraid.  She continues to cut because she knows the subtle benefits that prompted her to begin cutting initially.  She’s afraid to stop.  He fears that if he stops cutting he may make his life worse.

What they don’t know seems scarier than their present level of pain or anxiety.

People want to feel safe.  We want to feel secure.  We prefer control.  We resist change.

Why People Resist Change