Then Say It!

How often are we encouraged or inspired by someone and we never say anything about it?

I'm guilty of this and so are you.

Meanwhile, the person goes about their day not knowing they'd influenced someone's life.  And that's fine since that wasn't the point of whatever they did or said.  BUT!  How often do we put ourselves out there and in return, silence is the only response we receive?  It can be discouraging at times.

Here's an example from my own life.

I had once written a story and sent it to some friends.  The story was particularly special because, as distance had now separated us, it was written to connect us again.  The story was about us.  I was hoping we could somehow share one last moment together through it.  So I sent it out and heard very little in return like, "Good job," and things like that (or nothing at all).  I wasn't offended because I knew how busy life could be.  However, I was sure the story would've evoked more of a response from them.  But it just didn't.

Or so I thought!

As it turned out, for at least one person, it had.  They just never said it.  It was two years later that we talked about my story.  And he told me how it had added value to his life by helping him to get to know himself better (among other things).  And this totally blessed my day, encouraging me to write without worrying about the silence of others or the insecurity it can create.

I became a stronger person that day.

So friends, don't wait until tomorrow to let someone know if they've added value to your life!  Tell them today.  It'll be worth it, I promise.

If you are encouraged or inspired by another person, then say it!

 

And remember!  Just because someone doesn't respond to something you did or said, it doesn't mean that they weren't positively affected by it!

Mystery Post!

Note: A "Mystery Post" is a post selected totally at random.  There's a lot to explore on this blog & this is a fun way to do it!  Enjoy!

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What She Loves

My youngest sister, Chloe, is quite impressive on a horse.

I, myself, am afraid of the animal!  They're huge and they're strong and they never seem to do what I want them to do; I'm always worried I'll get hurt.  But for her?  There's no fear.  And she's even been bucked off before!  It just doesn't matter what happens... she continues to ride!

In fact, Chloe competes regularly and is always surpassing her "personal best" in timed events, winning awards and prize-money.  She even brought home $500.00 from a single event!  She rides the same horse each time but somehow keeps improving.  And that's the mark of a professional, if you ask me.  (New Horse Update: She now rides with Jagger.)

But what's really cool is that she found something she loves doing.  

And isn't that what we're all searching for?  To do what we love & to love what we do?  Well, friend, it is obtainable.  The fact is, we make choices everyday that will affect the outcome of our lives.  And for Chloe, she knows what she wants.  And that's inspiring!  If you're uncertain about what you like to do, click here.  I have some suggestions for you!

And finally, I want to congratulate Chloe on hitting 5,000 followers on Instagram!  And she did it while being in the Emergency Room. (Insta Update: 40,000 followers.)  There was even a fan-page made about her, which is pretty cool.  Keep doing what you love, Chloe!  You're making a difference in this world.

**If you'd like to read more about Chloe's Emergency Room experience, check this out!  It's definitely worth your time and involves a very mysterious event.**

And if you like stories, here's one I wrote just for Chloe!  You can find it here.  There's also an audio version available.  If you'd prefer that, Subscribe to this blog and I will send it to you!

(top, right-hand corner ;)

 

This is us at one of our favorite places!

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Eric Metaxas

On this blog, I often write about life stuff and the people I enjoy.  That said, I'd now like to tell you about a man named Eric Metaxas.

Eric graduated from Yale University, lives in New York City, and is the author of two biographies worth mentioning, Amazing Grace and Bonhoeffer.  Amazing Grace tells the story of William Wilberforce who fought to end the British slave trade and Bonhoeffer, the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer who fought to end Hitler's assault on the Jewish people.  The latter is a New York Times #1 bestselling book and he's written many others as well.

His latest book is called Miracles and while I'm only just getting into it, I'm quite happy with where it's headed.
 

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Birthday Candles

Well, it's my birthday today.

And I feel so selfish to say anything about it having missed the birthday of my blog this year.  He waited and waited and I gave him nothing ... which is especially hard for a 4-year old blog.  And what can I do now?  The moment has passed.  I've failed him.  You can't exactly take a blog to Disneyland or something.  I guess all I can do now is admit my wrongdoing and never do it again.  And maybe an apology poem will help (he really likes words).

So here it is.  My poem to you, blog...

Movements of the Candle

 

 Gentle, smooth; full of promise

With grace it moves; healing calmness

Dead of night, forever changed

Glowing whisper, eternal flame

Did you hear just what was said?

Flicker, flicker to all the dead

 

Happy Birthday, blog!  And Happy Birthday to me.
"Movements of the Candle" is a poem written by Brandon Salisbury on February 16, 2016

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Planet Narnia

A few days ago, I came across a wonderful website called Socrates in the City, in which, Eric Metaxas (author and speaker) interviews various individuals about various topics.  Socrates said that "the unexamined life is not worth living" and the purpose of the forum is to discuss life's big questions with informed individuals who can challenge us to take a better look at them.

The first interview I watched was with Dr. Michael Ward, who made a fascinating discovery in C.S. Lewis's Narnia Chronicles.  Apparently, Lewis had hidden certain things in each story and never told a single soul!

Over the decades, many have felt that something was wrong with the Narnia stories... that something seemed out of place.  J.R.R. Tolkien didn't even finish reading them because he was too frustrated with what he found.  Well the truth is, without Ward's discovery - Lewis's secret - they had good reason to feel that way.  Something was missing and elements of the story simply didn't make sense without the missing key to the stories.

His book is called Planet Narnia (or The Narnia Code, which is a simplified version).  Here's what Walter Hooper, a personal friend of Lewis, had to say about it:  "I cannot contain my admiration. No other book on Lewis has ever shown such comprehensive knowledge of his works and such depth of insight. This will make Michael Ward's name."

So way to go, Lewis!  And thank you, Michael Ward.  All this and more in the interview below.
You can't not watch this! ;)

Click here to visit Michael Ward's website

And now, if you don't mind, I'd like to tell you about Walter Hooper.

Walter Hooper is the man responsible for publishing many of Lewis's previously unpublished work.  Towards the end of Lewis's life, he and Walter had become friends and Walter became his secretary.  Hooper is now the literary adviser of Clive's estate and has shared some truly great things with the world.

Because of Walter Hooper, you can now read 3 volumes of letters that Lewis had written, essays, poems, short stories, and more.  Interestingly enough, Hooper saved all of this from being burned at the hands of Lewis's brother, Warnie, after Lewis had passed away!

And wait!  There's more good news!  Eric Metaxas interviewed him as well at Socrates in the City.  This is definitely worth a watch if you have time!

The Life and Writings of C.S. Lewis

Noteworthy Works Published Because of Walter Hooper

Of Other Worlds, The Dark Towers and Other Stories, The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis (Volumes 1-3), Poems, and On Stories.  

(You may also enjoy Letters from Father Christmas & Tales from the Perilous Realm, both written by J.R.R. Tolkien, and As One Devil to Another by Richard Platt.)

In closing, I'd like to leave you with a poem from Jack himself...

"What the Bird Said Early in the Year"

I heard in Addison’s Walk a bird sing clear:

This year the summer will come true. This year. This year.

Winds will not strip the blossom from the apple trees

This year nor want of rain destroy the peas.

This year time’s nature will no more defeat you.

Nor all the promised moments in their passing cheat you.

This time they will not lead you round and back 
To Autumn, one year older, by the well worn track.

This year, this year, as all these flowers foretell,

We shall escape the circle and undo the spell.

Often deceived, yet open once again your heart,

Quick, quick, quick, quick! – the gates are drawn apart.

<About Eric Metaxas

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Is Life Really So Boring?

Why is it so easy for us to spend time doing things that aren't productive or meaningful?

We get lost in a television series and then we do it again (and then again); we search the internet for something (anything!) of interest; we play computer games; we go to the mall for no good reason.  And it doesn't end there, does it?

Over the years, I've spoken to many people that expressed a disinterest in life, telling me that there's "nothing to do."  "I'm bored," they say.  And more often that not, I've taken time to ask questions about their life and interests and we've discussed the options they have.  We don't need to be "bored" all the time because there's plenty to do!

Here Are Some Beneficial Ways To Spend Time

1. Spend quality time with the people you love

Enjoy your friends and family.  Have meaningful conversations and do meaningful things together.  This is vital because no matter how we spend our free time, life will always be a little colorless without them.  So drink lots of coffee together and tell lots of stories; become comfortable expressing your truest self and your hopes ... your deepest desires.  Be intentional and don't hide.

2. Read something that interests you

Read a book that you actually like.  Find articles that'll engage your mind and expand your horizon (news or otherwise).  Study poetry.  Go to the library.  And with whatever you read, do it thoughtfully and take your time.  Apply something new to your life and tell someone about it.  But there's a lot of garbage out there so be wise.  What we read can have a great impact on our lives.

3. Climb a mountain

It doesn't really matter what you do, actually ... just do something active.  Go for a walk, throw a ball with your dog, explore the city, see the sun rise, search for a new park, climb a tree, swim in a lake, find something beautiful to tell your friends about and then go tell them (in person).

And while you're at it, exercise.  We all know how good exercise is for us!

4. Get to know yourself

My guess is that you're really good at something and that, maybe, you don't know what that thing is.  If this is true for you, you're not alone.   There are countless people out there with talents that they don't know about.  For my friend, Sam, it was volleyball.  He started playing during his sophomore year in college and is now playing competitively.  And he's amazing!  And he genuinely loves it.

So get to know yourself and begin crafting something.  Learn how to do something new or rekindle your love for something you once treasured.  And then boldly pour yourself into it.  It's never too late or too early.  Learn an instrument or a language, write a story, draw a picture and then try painting one, try your hand at poetry or use it to build something, start a blog, teach a class, create a program on the computer, make a movie, fix a car engine.  There are countless things for us to explore!  

We just need to do it!

5. Help other people

Involve yourself in something that doesn't benefit you directly.  And not just so you can feel good about yourself, but because you love people and recognize the importance of their life. (Or maybe do it because you want to learn how to love people.)

Adopt a rescue mission and visit often, walk the streets and spend the day with someone less fortunate, raise money for a needy family, help a friend struggling in life, counsel a troubled teen, buy groceries for someone.  Begin thinking of creative ways to love people.  And don't be afraid (or, even better, do it afraid).  You got it!  You're going to do great.

6. Share what you like

Starting with the people you know personally, tell us about them!  I'm talking about the musicians, the bloggers, the artists, the poets, the innovators, the photographers, the builders, and anyone else exploring their talents and abilities in some way.  Let's encourage them, let's support them, let's tell other people about them.  

And let's do it often!

7. Enjoy your life

Go to a concert, laugh at something silly, say nice things to people, smile often, explore.  Do something dangerous and live a little.  Think deeply upon the things that matter.  Listen to the innovative thoughts of others (TED Talks, etc.).  Relax.  Talk about meaningful things.  Dream.  Become a visionary or take part in someone else's vision.  Cut out time to consider subjects and ideas that you normally wouldn't.

And then, share it with us ... the world.  We want to know what you're thinking about, creating, and looking towards.  Let us get to know YOU!

May we release ourselves - and others - into the fullness of life!

Happy Birthday, blog!

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So Close, It's Scary

If I can be honest with you, it's been a fight for me to be open in my relationships.  To know somebody and to be known by them hasn't been easy.  And love?  Giving and receiving love has been even more difficult.

Why do you think that is?  Why are so many of us afraid to be ourselves in public and to stop pretending to be what we're not?  Why do we cringe at the first sight of vulnerability?  Why are we so often left feeling embarrassed or alone or afraid or disillusioned?  Are we afraid that our truest selves are unlovable?  Do we fear rejection?  Something else?  And if so, why do we go on romanticizing this idea of perfect love?

Have we simply been tricked by Hollywood or is there something more to this?

I believe that human intimacy plays a vital role to our physical, mental, and spiritual health, and to the health of our relationships.  This involves being known by those around us.  It involves receiving love from others and the ability to give love as well.

If we're being honest with ourselves, this is one of the central realities of our existence!  And it would do us damage to avoid it (I know firsthand that this is true).  I've spent so much time running away from relationships and it's never gone well for me.  Isolation has never produced the quality of relationships that I'm truly searching for... aching for.

That said, I'd like to tell you about Scary Close, a book I'm reading on intimacy.  It was written by Donald Miller and explores the delicate subject in a very personal way.  It's been described as Miller's 'coming out of public isolation' and has already been helpful in my pursuit of wholeness, openness, and my desire for healthy relationships.

Please watch the video below (it's just so important that we understand this).  Or if you'd simply like some free music from the book... a soundtrack of sorts... click here.

And finally, since it's Valentine's Day, I want to encourage you to explore the reality of the human heart.  Take some time to consider what in the world we're all doing on this planet together.  I believe it's all about intimacy, my friend.  But it's a narrow road ahead and there's still more to learn.

Finding my way out of public isolation... 

<The Power of Vulnerability

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