Football players cleaning out their lockers feel it.
Presidential hopefuls reviewing the debates feel it.
American Idols wannabes and coulda-beens feel it.

What is “it”?  Self- pity.  Self-doubt.  The curse of “if only.”

Don’t let self-pity take you down!

You are lovable even when your flaws are exposed.
You are capable even when you make mistakes.
You are worthwhile even when you’re struggling to believe it.

Somewhere there is someone that values you abilities.
Somewhere there is someone that sees your talents.
Somewhere there is someone that needs your skills.

Broomball In A Blizzard

The snow fell relentlessly. By the end of the game the ice on the rink was covered by inches of snow.

My friend Matt Benson, pictured here, was playing goalie during this Spring storm. He lay in goal on a comfy layer of fresh snow.

He’s safe but more than once while playing broomball I’ve been bruised and bloodied, but on this particular day I felt nearly invincible.

Snow fell while we raced across the ice. The falling snow made falling on the ice a far safer venture than usual.

Breakaways & Broken Spirits

A beautiful February day filled with sunshine, laughter and friends.  It was a TreeHouse staff retreat and we had the morning and afternoon off.  A group of us headed to a local hockey rink for some broomball.

Since many players enjoying scoring goals more than stopping them I volunteered to play goalie for our team.  I also knew that most if not all the players were more athletic and better broomball players that I was. I also assumed that the differences in our abilities would be less evident with me in goal.

Taz, our dog, usually ran into his “dog run” to take care of “his business.” 1

In his last months, despite his best intentions he didn’t always make it. That’s inconvenient, but it’s not a problem when it’s outside, someone notices what’s going on and she or he responds promptly.

On-the-other-hand, it can become a big problem if:
– Inside, not outside, well, hopefully he made it into the kitchen.
– Someone fails to notice, and there is now an unforeseen minefield awaiting.
– Someone fails to respond, and now there the minefield is caused by neglect too.

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?

Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has been defeated.  MSNBC reported that his last words were: ‘Do you know right from wrong?’ I do not know whether he was treated as he should have been or not. I know that he deserved justice,  just like you and I do.

I don’t interact with world leaders, but in my sphere of influence I have to ask myself: ‘Do you know right from wrong?‘

I want to treat people, especially my loved ones, with the ultimate respect.  I try, but sometimes I get in my own way.

I am rhythmically challenged.

I am rhythm deprived, I know it, if you know me well, and you know it too.

Many of you have made fun of me to my face; probably as payback for some mischief I perpetuated.

What’s it look like to be rhythm deprived?

While everyone else rocks to the music, I’m hunting for the beat.
While everyone else is caught up in the groove, I’m wondering which way to move.

When I clap, I follow.
When I tap, I wonder; “How soon will I lose the beat?”
When I dance, I count and watch others.

Listening to our friend Kayla Berndt yesterday awed me.

Her passion for the children and families she served this summer in Louisville, KY humbled me.

She found within herself a deep well of love and compassion filled by God.

Her appreciation for the struggles and successes, challenges and conquests of those she met made me think, “Do I notice people?  Really notice people?“

I believe that if I cared more for others I think my self-respect and thus my self-esteem would swell as well.

Note: This is Part 2 of a two-part series.  If you have not read Part 1 you can find it here.

What kind of insurance do you value?
What kind of insurance would you like someone to invent?

I would invent foolproof self-esteem insurance. 

Self-esteem insurance would protects us against inevitable emotional pain and loss in case of an “accident”.

A self-esteem accident might include:
When we hurt someone’s feelings, or some else hurts us
When we use hurtful words; or others wound us with their words.
When we wound or are wounded with inconsiderate actions, intentional or not.

Intro: I am not a trained or educated expert regarding insurance.

Insurance transfers of the risk of a loss, from one to another, in exchange for payment.

For instance, I carry auto insurance.  Auto insurance protects us against financial loss in case one of the cars we own is involved in a car accident (or similar incident).  We chose an insurance company that we pay a fee in case we have an accident.

There are many kinds of insurance available for consumers.  

Six common types of insurance are:
– Auto insurance
– Health insurance
– Home insurance
– Life insurance
– Property insurance
– Unemployment insurance