For What it's Worth has moved

I switched my blog to HERE. I've moved all the goodies here there.

Please update any readers and such or book mark the new blog.

Exponential Progress

Technology: Remember where our society was just 10 years ago? There was no iPhones, no Tivo, no movies on demand, and I don't recall knowing what a text was. Social Networking?

Check this out ... mind boggling!

[ht: flowerdust]

What device of technology / or application would be life altering if you didn't have it?

Historic Election Thoughts

Here are a few of my thoughts after a long and historical election season.

:: Change is never something most humans embrace. Not sure what changes will take place with new Presidential administration but I do expect and will not be surprised by them.

:: "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." ~Victor Frankl

:: Sarah Palin is good for politics...I expect her to get a lot of experience over the next four years.

:: Barack Obama gave a great acceptance speech. Equally, John McCain's was gracious and sincere. I wanted them to remember this day, so I asked my boys to watch McCain's speech with us - They were asleep when Obama spoke.

:: Although Obama's ideology may be hard to embrace for some conservatives, booing and hissing (whining) via Facebook/Twitter about those points of difference is tactless [ht: Scott Harris]. If one feels passionate about a matter ... be an agent of change for that matter. Don't complain.

:: I understand taxes will probably raise. Not thrilled. I understand that there will be Democratic control of the big three (Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches) ... not thrilled - no party should have that much control.

:: I think conservatives should give the same support that they would want democrats to give, especially if the election turned out differently. Just thinking out loud here.

:: "Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment." - Ben Franklin

:: 2 Chronicles 7:14 - election or no election. If you are a Christ-follower, here is a good post to read.

What ONE thing will you remember most about this election?

Small Adjustment: Big Difference

Einstein once defined insanity as, "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." I have caught myself on more than one occasion recently doing just that - expecting a different result after doing same thing over and over.

I've realized that most of the great things that happen in our lives are not huge decisions. They are the small, seemingly insignificant, decisions we make day in day out! Stuff like ... eating the right foods. Moving regularly through some exercise. Watching the less TV. Reading more books. Spending time with the significant people in your life. Putting our trust and hope in a God who doesn't change and has given us the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life - everyday!

What is a small change for me may be a big one for you - and visa versa. The idea is that we start where we are.

It may be spending 10 minutes of focused attention with your child, asking the clerk how their day is going (and listening), or letting someone know what they mean to you.

What is the latest life lesson you've learned?

Hard on yourself / Hard on others

John Newton (author of the hymn "Amazing Grace") said, “When people are right with God, they are apt to be hard on themselves and easy on others. But when they are NOT right with God, they are easy on themselves and hard on others.”

I am not as bad as the person who is __________ (fill in the blank). At least I don't __________ (fill in the blank). I tend to feel better about myself when I compare myself with someone else's sin / problem whether it's my coworker or the latest celebrity in rehab.

My goal is to balance grace and truth in my life. I need to give both and receive both in my life. You need both. Scripture says Jesus was full of Grace and Truth (John 1:14). He's my standard not my neighbor.

This is easier said than done - Thoughts?

To here a message about "Feeling UnFit for the Task" click here.

Adversity

We've all gone through it. Some of us are in over our heads in it! Adversity is not biased. It can touch anyone in any area of life, at any time.

Maybe in school…

Maybe in a relationship…

Maybe as a single mom or dad…

Maybe in your job…

I've had my share. I've learned that adversity reinforces, strengthens. It also challenges who I am at the core. It's been said that adversity doesn't build character...it reveals it!

I have to ask myself: Do I avoid adversity and take that path of least resistance? OR will I get my hands dirty and push…conquer…learn…understand?

Maybe it’s having that challenging conversation that I have been avoiding. Maybe it's procrastinating on a project because I have hit a mental block, challenging circumstances, economic woes, or whatever!

In these times we face, let's find out what we are truly made of. It is in those times that we can see our strengths and opportunities for growth. I would suggest that in those times adversity could serve us well. If we don't like what it reveals, change it.

A comfort in adversity for me is Psalm 91:15 - God promises us that He will be with us in our times of trouble. Sometimes I may not feel that. . . but I trust and know it's truth.

What is our perspective on adversity? Maybe it's to provide wisdom, a teachable moment, or provide us opportunities for compassion and empathy. I am much more empathetic when I encounter others who are experiencing my past / current pain! Finding someone to talk to about the situation helps too!

What adversity have you been avoiding? What are some challenges that you need to face head on this week?
My suggestion: don’t avoid adversity…face it and live!

**Logged for my future use and reference.

In a funk

I hesitate to write this, but I feel a little funky! Not sure why - just a little out of control with stuff. There is a lot on my mind:

:: Work related stuff to juggle. Outside of maybe accounting (no offense to numbers people) do we ever get a handle on all we have to manage. Maybe it's just me!

:: Am I being the dad and husband my family need. I feel sometimes that I am distracted by what I didn't get done, I have trouble being present for the family.

:: I am not exercising like I should - regularly!

:: My back has been bugging me when I wake up.

:: I don't like my head shaved or fuzzy - Now I'm sounding like a girl.

:: I need to get better at planning our monthly spending (got great tools at my disposal from my FPU class)

:: I want to run another marathon but not sure I want to put in the time and energy!
ARRRGGGHHHH!

I am extremely grateful for so many blessing God's given . . . Man, I am thankful - just feeling funky!

Thanks for letting me get this out of my head. I'm going to eat a bowl of cereal.

What do you do when you are in a funk?

Take a moment ... it's worth the watch

Originally posted on Typepad - March 24
I watched this this morning and had a moment with God!

Testing One, Two, Three!

For my three readers, you may have been concerned about no recent posts. Well I've been looking for another blog home. Check out the possible new spot.

I am liking some it's features, but not liking others. I will be weighing it out and let you know what blog estate I plant roots.

Liquid Gauging

Originally posted on Typepad - March 3, 2008

Somebody call Al Gore. With gas prices on the rise (summer around the corner, and all the middle east conflict) it is conceivable that American's will pay $4.00 for a gallon of gas. This is common in Europe.

Besides that think of all the other liquids that we are paying too much for:

_ Milk - $3.50+ gal.
_ Coffee - Leave Starbucks with out paying $4.00!
_Water - $1.50 bottle

What else do we pay too much for?