It's another beautiful Friday. The past couple weeks have been both rewarding and challenging in new and different ways. I had the pleasure of spending a few days in Austin with my wife for my birthday. And we, at Over, continue the challenge of working across continents with each other. But in everything we experience in life there is wisdom to be gained and mistakes to learn from. These are a few of my own.
Things I'm learning
Don't believe the hype. The new car. The new gadget. The new (fill in the blank) all become outdated the moment we take them home. I remember as a child watching commercials and believing the emotions the advertising agencies were selling me. If I had "this product" then I would feel "that way" about myself. The "hype" of anything new, other than life in Christ, is overrated. So don't put your hope in the hype because it will only leave you empty when dust and scratches cover it.
Be the first to smile. When you're walking down the street or walk in to a restaurant always be the first one with a smile on your face. I'm convinced there's not a person on earth who won't respond to a warm, friendly smile. In my own experience I feel like I've always been the one responding to people's emotions with equal or lesser value. You never know what someone else is struggling with in that moment when you meet them (whether they're serving you drinks or passing you on the street)... so show them some teeth and smile.
Things I'm struggling with
Biting my tongue. It's hard to keep your thoughts to yourself in a day in age when we've all been given a platform to do just the opposite. Everywhere I turn it seems everyone has a comment. Negative or positive, we've all been given a voice. I have had a difficult time in the past keeping my tongue from slipping and saying something stupid, and it's something I'm still working on, but the more I see Jesus the more I see value in putting thought before my words.
Things I'm inspired by
Reading The Hobbit. I don't know why anyone never told me to read this book earlier. I literally wake up thinking about it and go to bed reading it. My wife can attest to the fact that I'm not a very avid reader, but this book is so captivating. To me it feels more like a piece of poetry, at times, rather than a narrative. I would highly encourage you to pick up a tangible copy, feel the pages between your fingers, and read it this summer.
The truth. We live in a world where so much of what we hear and see on a daily basis is founded in deception and self-gratification. But when the truth comes and shines its light, you can't help but smile. That's why I love when my friend Doug Roberts writes about the Church. It is not self-seeking or deceiving, but it is the simple truth that Jesus himself proclaimed and spoke about. Or in simple terms, it's like a cool spring on a hot summer day. Read it for yourself in three parts: Part 1 : Part 2 : Part 3