Footprints

Below is a short story/poem that I think of often as I go about my life. You have probably seen it before on a poster, it is called "Footsteps in the Sand".

Besides the obvious religious and spiritual aspects of this story, I always think there are important lessons learned for other relationships in our lives.

For the other relationships in our lives, there are two sides to the coin.

One side is remembering that at different points in your life others will pick you up when you are down. It could be as simple as a coworker taking a couple of tasks off your plate while you are out sick for a day or two. Or it could be as profound as a loved one sitting by your bedside as you go through major surgery or the death of a loved one.

We must count our blessings for the people in our lives that are willing to pick us up when we are down. We must guard these relationships closely and not let little things get in the way of the important relationships we have and should cherish.

The other side of the coin is being the person who lifts someone else up. Whether it is picking up a little extra work at the office because someone is sick or being at someone's bedside at a time of dire need, we need to be there for the loved ones in our lives.

The funny thing about being there for others is that it is usually the little things that really matter. It usually doesn't require some monumental sacrifice on our part. It is usually as simple as a kind word, a hug, even just a smile. We must be that positive force in the lives of those we encounter so that we can lift them up during those hard times.

Thank you to those of you who have picked me up over the years, it has not gone unnoticed.

Make it a great day.

Jake


One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?"
The Lord replied, "The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you."

Mary Stevenson, 1936

R-E-S-P-E-C-T (for the President)

Today's is Presidents Day. I had another email in mind and was going to just skip writing something about Presidents Day until I thought about it for a few minutes.

First, I thought about how for most people I know, Presidents Day is more of a nuisance holiday. The stores are pushing sales, the kids are out of school and parents still have to work, and the President is someone who gets made fun of on Saturday Night Llive.

But after those thoughts passed, I began thinking of all the great men that have served as President of the United States. Men who blazed trails and helped our country go from a third world country to the leader of the free world. Men who stood up to evil in many forms over the centuries. Men who made impossible decisions under dire circumstances. Men who made an entire nation believe in the good of people and our ability to help others.

I began thinking of FDR, Lincoln, JFK, George Washington, and all the others that immediately pop into your head when you hear President.

When I decided I wanted to write something was when I started thinking of all the rest of the Presidents. Regardless of your politics, you have to have a tremendous amount of respect for the President.

The amount of pressure that this person is under at any given point is almost mind boggling to think about. Just the decision about how many and where to deploy our troops would be enough to make any normal person crumble.

I have personally made a concerted effort to be less cynical about politics lately. Sure, it is an imperfect system of imperfect individuals and a lot of the actions taken are less than ideal (to say the least). Part of being less cynical about politics is a conscious decision to respect the office of President of the United States, regardless of who is in office.

Remember today to, at the very least, be thankful to live in such a great country with a President that is doing his best for all of us, every day.

Jake

Friday Morning Toe Tapper: TNT

This song came on the radio the other day and I thought of us:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR30knJs4Xk

No, I didn't think of us because we are dynamite (even though we are). Or even because we are rock stars (even though we are, well at least Erik is).

I thought of Mavidea because of something I learned through TruMethods. Gary's service rule was TNT.

Today. Not tomorrow. Never put today's work off until tomorrow.

Sounds like a great rule to live by.

Jake