Killer Cats, Socrates & the Construction of Reputation

My four children have four cats (Sam, Sylvester, Tin Tin and Bo Bo). These cats love people, but they are ferocious–killers! Tiger, lion, panther and cheetah are better descriptions. These fur-filled kitty-cats are indefatigable hunters–resilient killers!

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How do I know? Because their collective body of work speaks loud and clear. Because they leave their “trophies” on our door mat–we have to see their work.

But, from a distance or a casual inspection, one might find our cats lounging lazily in the sun or reclining restfully on some high perch. Perhaps, you would come over and find all four of them wrapped up like baby dolls being pushed by our five year old daughter in a stroller. You would ask, “These social tabbies–killers? Never!”

There is always a closer inspection. This happens whether you chose to acknowledge it or not. You are always under the lens of someone else’s inspection.

Thus, THE QUESTION: “What do others (your mate, boss, children, parents, co-workers, strangers, friends, etc.) find when they examine your life?”

Examine closely our cats and you’ll find stone-cold killers, habitual hunters, and dedicated destroyers of all forms of fluttering and slithering vermin. What about you? Are you honest when you examine your life? Will others be honest with you if you ask them to examine your life?

“The unexamined life is not worth living” – Socrates

Try these inspection (examination) methods:

1. Examine your foundation (your heart, beliefs, and values). Does it match what you are leading others to believe about you?

2. Ask a trusted counselor for a “construction inspection”

A. What does it appear I am building in my life?

B. Am I building for success?

C. How do others view me?

D. Do you see any “cracks” in my construction that will cause foundation problems later?

 

“Even a child is known by his ways (deeds)” Proverbs 20:11

What are you know by? Answering this IS your reputation! 

Why Your Great Idea Died

Ever had an idea or thought you turned into a plan that didn’t produce the results you wanted? Chances are yes, and you are not alone.

Crystal Pepsi

Ideas are like children. They must be birthed, nurtured, corrected, and supported. Otherwise they will experience the epic fails of New Coke and Crystal Pepsi (Google these if you are under 30 years old). Ideas die painful deaths because they are extensions of you! Today’s great idea is tomorrow’s dinosaur. Continue reading →

What Picking Cucumbers Taught Me!

What Picking Cucumbers Taught Me!

I remember picking cucumbers as a boy in the fields of the Pee Dee region of South Carolina in the summer. It was hot. The kind of hot where the ground sweats and gives off steam. I have no pleasurable memories of this experience! Except, that a good memory doesn’t have to be a pleasurable memory. Infact, this singular experience of picking cucumbers with my two elder brothers taught me, perhaps, one of the most valuable lessons about work I have ever learned…

cucumbers

In fact, if memory serves correctly, my two elder brothers (Aaron and Elliott*) and I worked for over 8 hours and picked over 1100 lbs. of cucumbers—just the three of us. Black sap tar covers your hands, insects, humidity, sweat dripping in your eyes, dirt, rotting cucumbers, vermin, more insects, bending over all day, sorting under prickly leaves barely begins to describe how hard it is to pick cucumbers. However, that day probably marked my work ethic more than any other single day in my life.

Why?

Continue reading →

Work hard, rest well and worship God

 

 

Working hard only guarantees you will become tired. It does not guarantee that you will be successful, attractive, more well-liked or even get what you were working for.

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I have found that we should work hard. It is Biblical (in fact our punishment and a form of generational penance from Adam’s sin) and it is practical. More is said in the Bible about not working hard (sloth and laziness) than working hard.

There is a fulfillment that comes through hard work. Tiring yourself out physically demands that your body needs rest. Rest is needed to recover, rejuvenate and restore.

Continue reading →

Can’t Stay Motivated? Few Can, Here’s How…

It is easy in a world full of takers to “run out of gas” or get “burnt out.” The solution therefore lies not in the fuel, not in the fire, but in the…spark! What and where do you get this spark to maintain longer, sustain stronger, and finish well?

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Deeper than Energy

When you are unmotivated it is not your energy level, your enthusiasm or your passion that needs to be examined. It is something else, something deeper. Thus, to motivate by definition means “to provide (someone) with a motive for doing something,” therefore, that which is deeper is in fact your actual motive—your reason. It’s what I call your “why?”

Continue reading →

A Letter to a Brother on the Status of Stumbling Block or Chief Cornerstone

Introduction:  I sat down and wrote this the other day, not specifically about you, but to you as an outlet to address some thoughts I was having–a conversation with myself, but not to myself. The Lord has been blessing my study and I am seeking to grow deeper in my contemplation of Godly things. My contemplation is often stirred through writing. You were the logical choice in which to address my writings to.

Brother,

We indulge our appetites because we have not found something that truly satisfies. I am speaking in large part, first about the Christian. Continue reading →

The Risk of Commitment: Intention is not Commitment

The Risk of Commitment: Intending is not Committing

I have observed that many people can never break the cycle of failure. They start strong, they intend well, they may even plan to some extent, but in the end they end in absolute, abject failure and frustration.

“Roll your works…” (Prov. 16:3)

I have seen many people that begin well but implode or explode shortly into the journey.  I have seen people hover on the edge of success never touching or grasping it, but always hanging around—grasping vainly at something potentially tangible, but always invisible. I have seen others develop great intentions that would produce truly impactful results, but never get beyond the intending. I have observed a great idea that never launches because of a lack of great preparation or great patience. I have seen achievement become elusive like a white whale because the suitor grew weary, worn and complacent. Continue reading →

Possession and the Disciple

Possession and the Disciple

You have undoubtedly heard it said that possession is 9/10ths of the law. However, for the Christian possession is 10/10th’s or “all’ of the law.

What?

Jesus says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27). Continue reading →

Obstacles (Often Unseen) Leaders Must Overcome — Pt. 3: Admiration

Admiration — does admiration help the leader or the organization at all?

“…the flattering mouth brings ruin.”

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Don’t confuse admiration with encouragement. A true encourager is on par with a trusted adviser. An encourager is not a flatterer–their praise has everything to do with intent. The better the leader is at discerning true intent the more effective they will be at graciously detecting and deflecting flattery. Continue reading →

Obstacles (Often Unseen) Leaders Must Overcome – Pt. 2: Insulation

Insulation — the archaic definition of this word means to literally “make an island.” Insulation was a defensive technique that cities or castles used to keep enemies out, whereby they dug trenches to cut easy access off from others. The term has come to mean in the last century to keep warmth in, but it has not always been so. It is key to grasp that a leader who becomes insulated, creates a massive obstacle for their followers and ultimately their own ability to influence, communicate, and promote growth.

Therefore, if isolation is withdrawal, then insulation is the construction of barriers or obstacles that signify a full-blown retreat. Insulation is a by-product of isolation. It is, literally, entrenchment. Entrenched obstacles are permanent, lasting and more difficult to overcome. Continue reading →