Daily Remember What’s Important To You

Information overload is a common danger most of us face today. I recently had a conversation with a long-time friend about how much things have changed since our school days. We went to school before computers and the internet—back when typing involved using White-Out (look it up!).

In those days, we had to search hard for information. We relied on libraries, the radio, or actually going to hear someone speak—that is, if you could even find out where they were appearing. While I don’t miss the difficulties of those days, I now have to be highly intentional about controlling the flood of information coming my way. If I don’t, I will forget the few things that are truly important to me.

Here is the simple way I protect my focus and remember what matters: I review the same document every morning.

This document contains my deepest thoughts and the core concepts I want to live by. While the specific words and focuses sometimes change, these notes serve as constant reminders of my identity, my values, and my purpose. One of my favorite sayings in it is: “My life has authority from the autonomous monotony of the daily disciplines of life.”

There is immense power in the daily ordinary. This simple morning habit keeps me grounded. Every single day, I am reminded of who I am, what I believe, and what I am pursuing.

Your legacy is built daily.

It is your legacy. Leave a good one.

Noticed

Do you ever wonder if anyone notices you and the work you do?

I was part of a Fall Festival with games and food for families on Saturday. Many volunteers and staff worked hard. We were proud of our service and everyone enjoyed the event.

The next day, after church, someone gave me a note. It said, “… your behind the scenes works are such a great part … I just wanted to let you know how much you are appreciated.”

During my normal work I am noticed and encouraged. My tank is usually full. It is a great workplace.

Yet, we all wonder… does anyone know what I do? The note. It felt good and now sits on my home desk. It’s just a reminder… we are noticed.

You may not receive a note, but you are noticed.

You are leaving a legacy … leave a good legacy.

PS. Write someone a note … it may be the only encouragement they receive.

Talk it Out

Facing decisions can be confusing. Welcome to the club. What can you do?

Talking with a trusted friend or confidant allows you to express what you are thinking, feeling and wondering about for your life. Just saying things out loud helps bring clarity to your thoughts.

Give someone a call for coffee (or tea) and tell them you need someone to help bring clarity to what is swirling around in your head.

As individualistic as I am, the few that I bounce off what I am thinking help me move forward. They don’t give me answers, they simply help me have a better perspective.

Talk it out and leave a good legacy.

Don’t Compare Run Your Race

Comparison is dangerous.

Last weekend I went to a triathlon event with multiple races. I watched. Some took all day and others were less than an hour.

As participants finished a short race I noticed … tall, short, stout, skinny, young, old, moms and dads, some striving hard and others just surviving. A few had artificial limbs, most didn’t know anybody except for a friend or family member.

They just ran their race and they finished. Each one had their reason for running. If they had tried to copy someone else they would have been miserable and failed.

With over 500 participants I’m sure a few were disappointed in their outcome, but most have started telling the story of a completed race.

I can image the Monday morning stories of big waves and oppressive heat and the challenges they faced … but they lived to tell the story.

Leave a good legacy … run your race.

Roll Uphill

My friend had a Honda QA50 mini- bike. It was cool. I had a mini-bike, but it was an off brand … cheaper bike. I was thankful for it, though our neighbors were not.

His bike was faster on a flat surface and going downhill. He always beat me in a race … except when we raced uphill.

I don’t know why my bike went faster uphill than downhill, but it doesn’t matter. It seems like it’s a metaphor for my life. Persevere and keeping moving forward when life is uphill.

Roll Uphill

Leave a good legacy

Say Something

Many people are hesitant about speaking up and saying what they really think. If you are introverted and shy your default is to not speak up. There are many fears behind this, but ultimately you don’t want a negative reaction.

Yesterday, I spoke up two times. I had been thinking through strategies and solutions for each situation and the opportunity to say something unexpectedly presented itself ….. and I spoke up.

Both were well received and I acknowledge God’s timing, but a significant part was an ongoing preparation and pursuing of an outcome. I was confident in the process regardless of the response.

Be prepared about what is important to you …. And then respond when the timing seems right. Regardless of the outcome, keep moving forward.

Leave a good legacy.

Thankful

It is easy to find fault in others. There is a side of my family that is predisposed to being critical and judgmental. I can easily think and respond in those ways.

When I give the effort to be thankful … I am less critical. When I am thankful there is no room for judgment.

The older I get, the more I realize I only understood a part of the circumstances of my early years. My mom was a single parent from my mid teens. About 5 years ago the weight of her being single hit me. In all of my youthful gripes I had never realized how she provided a stable foundation for me to thrive.

In remembrance of my mom’s entrance into God’s presence, I am thankful.

I am thankful for the stable foundation my mom gave me to stand on … and so are her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Leave a stable foundation for the next generation.

Leave a good legacy.

Keep Pursuing

Some want to be a Guru on the mountain top where pilgrims go to seek wisdom.

Instead of sitting on the mountain top, why not keep pursuing your dreams and mission. More will want to learn from you as you are doing and living ….. than by sitting there waiting for others to seek you out.

Keep moving forward. Keep pursuing.

Leave a good legacy.

Make it Special

Your kids and grandkids will remember the “special” preparation to make something fun.

You can make things special, and it doesn’t cost much. My wife is the best.

Our table for a lunch yesterday had clippings from purple, red and golden bougainvilleas. It was beautiful.

Our grandkids loved a home made pistachio cake. They still talk about a scavenger hunt around our home just taking pictures with a phone.

The kids love looking at themselves in new photos printed monthly (just a few) on a bulletin board around my desk.

Simple, intention “things”, that little eyes remember. I hope for a lifetime.

Make it special and be present to enjoy it with them.

It is your legacy. Leave a good one.

Your Tone

What is the tone of your life….your parenting…your relationships?

During this week of Good Friday and Easter I am reading in the Bible. I noticed that the tone of Jesus was different from the religious leaders.

Jesus washed his followers feet, even the one who betrayed him. The greatest one in the room was a servant.

The religious leaders were angry and loud. They were trying to hold on to power and control. They were afraid of losing their authority.

So often we can find ourselves trying to lead others, and even our family, from power and fear instead of service.

Your family knows your tone….and they will remember it the rest of their lives. Make sure it is a tone of serving them.

It is your legacy. Leave a good one.