The Void

When a person with money meets a person with experience, the one with experience ends up with the money and the one with money leaves with experience. – Warren Buffett

We all have blind spots, King Solomon called it a “void of understanding” in Proverbs 7. Whatever you want to call it, sometimes we just don’t know what we don’t know. We are all gonna take some falls, make some “bone-head” mistakes, and look very foolish from time to time.

Aside from sincere apologies, I have found one thing to help in almost every failure… HUMILITY. Humility opens a frequency of communication between us higher than the current situation. Humility opens the door to empathy, kindness and love.

Every failure is a fork in the road. The path marked “Humility Highway” leads to learning and growth. “EGO DRIVE” takes you right back to where you started.

Keep pressing toward the mark.
-T

September 7, 2023

Understanding

Vision + Explanation = Understanding

Great leadership and strong culture gives understanding to vision and growth. Conversely, vision without leadership creates questions, anxiety, and confusion.

The explanation is just as important as the vision.
If they can’t understand you, they won’t follow you.

So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
Nehemiah 8:8 KJV

March 31, 2021

Poop!

Ever stepped in a nice big fresh pile of cow poop?

The first time is not pleasant. Most likely you will be wearing sandals or your favorite pair of sneakers (the ones with super grip soles). Your friends will be laughing and you will be angry. If you were wearing sandals, maybe on the verge of tears. After this initial experience, when entering a pasture, you will either have the proper footwear or you will look for dark piles as if they were landmines.

Ever over-promised and under-delivered?
Ever failed a teammate or family member?
Ever fumbled on the 1 yard line?

Mistakes are coming.
Setbacks are inevitable.
Struggle is necessary.

Cows are going to poop.
Learn not to step in it.

Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
Proverbs 14:4 KJV

March 14, 2021

Examples

Our lives become a playbook for our family, our children, our community, and our world. An example of what to do, what not to do.

How to overcome problems.
How to wilt in the face of adversity.
How to believe anything.
How to study and search for truth.
How to stand up for what is right.
How to go along with the crowd.
How to persist.
How to quit.
How to encourage.
How to criticize.
How to work.
How to play.
How to love.
How to hate.
How to forgive.

Take some time to be thankful and grateful for the blessings and positive influences in your life. Then… go be one for someone else.

Your life is an example – a good one or a bad one. Your choice.

Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:
1 Kings 9:7 KJV

February 7, 2021

Dreams and Dirt

Would you rather be born into an upper class family, go to an Ivy League school, and graduate with honors OR be born into a poor immigrant family, do poorly in school, and work in a liquor store? Let me help you decide. Today, the poor immigrant is one of the wealthiest and most influential people in America.

WHY? Because he “worked his face off” and he was looking for opportunities.

You may see your brokenness, your physique, your pain, your financial situation, your family, your location, and your IQ as roadblocks. They ARE NOT. Somewhere between “your dreams” and “your face in the dirt” is where your opportunities lie.

My good friend, Pastor Mike, has a great quote. “Change the way you see things and the things you see will change.”

Can you see your opportunities?

Are you willing to go for it?

January 28, 2021

Humility and Position

From a position of strength; humility seems honorable.

From a position of weakness; humility seems cowardly.

The truth: REAL HUMILITY is holy, regardless of your position.

Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee:
1 Samuel 24:10a KJV

January 23, 2021