On the surface this can seem a little odd. To be on time, we have to actually turn time back. The reason for turning our clocks back once a year is to have more daylight hours at the beginning of our day opposed to the darkness that the changing season brings. As the days get shorter, we use this trick to adjust our lives to have the beneficial use of the sun more than we would if we didn’t “fall back”.

Today, I am announcing my petition to have the practice of turning our clocks back greatly expanded. Instead of just turning our literal clocks and watches back, my petition will suggest that we also adjust the clocks for the following:

All of us who are teachers on this day will turn our clocks back to the time when we were very idealistic and believed that with sincerity and devotion we could truly make a difference in our student’s lives. That would be the time when we were not afraid to try new things and there were no feelings of drudgery and duty that could swallow the joy of seeing our students experience the magic of learning. The extra sunlight would do us good.

All of us who are leaders on this day will turn our clocks back to the time when we had fresh goals and noble ambitions and our characters mattered more than our politics. The exact time to turn the clock back to is when a man’s word was his bond and a handshake was as good as a notarized contract. We would move our clocks back to before the time we became battered by the ill effects of leadership without passion, roles without purpose and routines instead revelations.

For those of us who play support roles in any endeavor my petition will include turning back our clocks as well. The exact time to turn them back to is when we were excited to be a part of a community of commonly held beliefs and we were happy to help in anyway we could, regardless if there was any credit (or profit) given to us. This would be the time when we were satisfied with knowing that we used what we had to help where we could and we left the rest to God.

Another group my petition will cover is for all of us who have settled into existing instead of abundant living. The exact time to turn these clocks back to is when we were not afraid to dream big, crazy, unheard of dreams. We would move our clocks back to the time when we didn’t focus on the obstacles that confronted us instead of the dreams that awaited us. This would be the time when every day was an adventure and our hopes for a bright future were not jaded by the realities of our present.

My above petition is flexible enough to be expanded as the need arises. I am open to adding any group that can be benefited by going back to a time when life made more sense. Now, if any of you have a connection with our governing bodies to get this petition signed into law, please let me know.  In the meantime, we can just start a grassroots movement for turning the clocks of life back one by one.

Well, I have a lot of clock adjusting to do now. I can use more daylight in my life.

Sometimes it makes you want to scream!  I know you’ve been there.  You’re in a meeting or presentation and it seems like time has decided to stand still.  Your personal mental challenge is to be creative in staying alert and giving the impression of interest in the uninteresting.(I’ve tried pinching myself)

The enemy called boredom does not discriminate.  It attacks men and women.  It attacks worthy causes and noble goals.  It attacks sincere plans and well minded intentions.  It attacks the novice as well as the veteran.  It’s most valued trusty is complacency and mental laziness.  It thrives on low expectations.

Does it have to be this way?  Is there anything that can be done to make the boring interesting?  Of course, the answer is yes.  But to get from boring to interesting will take intentional efforts.  Relying on the importance of the message being conveyed without consideration of how it is being conveyed is a poor strategy for success.

B-O-R-I-N-G

Being Oblivious to Relevant Information Needed for Growth

Here are three ways to fight the enemy called boredom:

1) Be Relevant.  If you’re not meeting the current needs of those you minister to, whose needs are you meeting?  You must know your audience and what brings value to them.  The greater the relevant value you bring to your ministry the more likely you will be in defeating boredom.  There is no “one size fits all” in ministry.

2) Be Enthusiastic.  If you’re not excited can you really expect others to find excitement in what you offer?  You must project energy by being energetic and lively.  Push yourself to be a better self.  Start with a smile and you’re on your way.

3) Be Authentic.  Being authentic means that you are who you say you are and that you practice what you preach.  No one likes a phony, do they?  Your authenticity (or lack of) will shine through and give evidence of your sincerity.

Our example for fighting the enemy called boredom is a high one.  When the soldiers who were sent to arrest Jesus explained to their leaders why that had not arrested him, all they could give as an explanation was “No one ever spoke the way this man does” John 17:46 NIV.  That’s the direction we should all be headed in.

Please continue to do what you do but do it with relevance, enthusiasm and authenticity.  Let’s vow to fight this enemy called boring.

“She always makes things better. You know, just like your mom would.”  My friend and I were speaking about an awkward situation a group of us had recently experienced.  As we rehearsed the events and talked about how we wished things had unfolded in a different way, my friend remarked about her original plans to help improve an inevitably uncomfortable moment.

As she filled me in on her ideas she said “I wanted to ask her to say a few words. She always makes things better”.  My friend didn’t know what this person would say to help assuage the situation but she knew that whatever she would say and the manner she would say it in, would make things better.

Wow, what a testimony…to be known as a person who always makes things better.  In that instant she had just summarized our entire purpose of ministry…to make things better.  Nothing could be simpler and yet nothing could be more profound.  Her remark was so telling on one hand and so piercing on the other.

I guess I can say it gave me a moment of clarity.  It reminded me again about the choices we make in our brief time here on this earth.  It reminded me of the qualities in life that are worth emulating and modeling that give meaning to our lives and purpose to our existence.

I believe that when we embrace that our goal is to always make things better we are somehow better equipped to endure when things get rocky and the obstacles increase.  Embracing this truth helps us to find value in people when some would suggest our efforts are futile.  It will help us to find a reason to smile and exchange love and compassion when around us are countless excuses for us to do the opposite.

Wouldn’t it be terrific if all of us were known as people who always make things better?  People who don’t just make things better in our respective ministries but also on our jobs, in our places of group worship and in our homes.  To be known as people who don’t add to the problems and difficulties that may exist; but who always help make things better.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven”. Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

I’m going to try to hold onto this moment of clarity and use it to evaluate more closely what I do and how I do it.  I can’t change yesterday but I’m sure I’ll have a chance to make things better today.  How about for you?

Congratulations on reaching another milestone! Your anniversary is a special day to stop and reflect on the starting point of a significant event in your life. What sets anniversary days apart from others is that they remind you of major life-changing events that set a new course for your future.

Some anniversaries are easier to remember than others; such as, the beginning of your employment anniversaries, the launching of a new endeavor, relocation dates, a wedding anniversary (don’t ever forget this one! ), and even the one year anniversary of this blog.

Some anniversary start dates are hard to pinpoint. That does not make them less significant. It just might mean that the starting point had its origin in what might have appeared to be an insignificant moment in time.

I believe some of our most important days that are celebration-worthy are those days that moved us from viewing ourselves with limitations to a new view that, with the help of God in our life, we could reach any star He inspired us to reach.

I would like to be the first to say to you Happy Anniversary! For what you ask? How about for these reasons:

The day you said “No” to living a self-centered life, but “Yes” to realizing you had much to offer others and you set about to do just that.

The day you realized that your past mistakes did not have to dictate your future opportunities and you let it go and moved on.

The day you opened up your heart to love and forgiveness and moved past the limits of bitterness.

The day you said “I can do more with my life” and you did do more with your life.

The day you embraced the fact that excellence in your life and ministry was not optional but doable and enjoyable!

The day you accepted God’s promise of completeness “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” Philippians 1:6

Setting the beginning date of a new celebration-worthy anniversary can start this year, this month, this week, this day, this very minute. The starting point is yours to choose. Someone needs what you are uniquely qualified to give. Its time to celebrate!

Self-limitations are just that; limitations we place on ourselves. The idea of being excellent in our service, revolutionary in our approach and far-reaching in our aims, can sometimes seem unattainable. Many times we relegate ourselves to staying within our zones of comfort because of quiet fears that we do not have what it takes to do more.

As teachers and leaders, the evidence is conclusive that to be most effective we must be able to grab and hold the attention of others and have a vision of taking them to places they have never been before.

Some have never seen themselves able to conquer the personal demons they wrestle with daily. Do we, as teachers and leaders, have a vision to take them to a place of victory?

Some do not see themselves able to live a happy life with happy relationships that rise above mere existence. Do we, as teachers and leaders, have a vision to take them to a place of happiness and contentment?

Some do not see how they can find a purpose to their lives and anything more meaningful than surviving from day to day. Do we, as teachers and leaders, have a vision to take them to a place of discovering the significance of their uniqueness?

How are we going to do this?

Our first step in this process is to realize that we don’t naturally have the answers but we know where they are found. That place is none other than the Word of God. Within its pages we find God communicating His will for our lives as well as outlining the path that all must take to live lives of the greatest fulfillment and most lasting happiness. This must be our experience and not just our theory.

Our next step is to never allow average to be acceptable. To rise higher in our abilities to serve we must intentionally expand our capabilities. If you’re the smartest and the brightest in your circle of associates, you might need to add some new friends

You can do this but it will take a firm decision on your part to be your best. It won’t happen by accident.

“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 The Message

I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me!”

You can do this!