What Would Help Us All?

Too many words, when actions make the difference.

•        Kindness.
•        Caring.
•        Charity.
•        Love.

Make the world better.

Don’t just think about it. Take small steps. Fail, learn, and try again.

You are not alone. We grow together. It starts with faith.

Start today. Any try is better than nothing.

Faith and 20 years

On Good Friday it dawns on me it has been 20 years since returning to attending church regularly at 40. My life changed dramatically.

I usually write about business, careers or leadership. Something much easier to define than Faith. Truthfully is More Feelings than Logic. This is an engineer/scientist/businessman speaking. We all get only a little understanding of the world God created, and have to share it with others. We have to learn more from each other.

Joined fellowships, charismatic services, small groups, bible studies, healings, men’s retreats, made friends, and had small glimpses of God in action.

Met wonderful people every year who share their lives. Watched their babies become toddlers, become precious children, become preteens, becomes talented teenagers, become college students, and become wonderful adults.

Went from a shy introvert to a noisy one who networks. Became more open to others pain, and try to share understanding with compassion. Have volunteered and grown, not from being outstanding. Mostly washing dishes, serving coffee and putting away tables and folding chairs. So rewarding.

Just completed an Alpha Course where learned more about faith, and the mysteries in it like the Holy Spirit. Alpha is for people beginning to explore, doubters, those fallen away, people with struggles, even atheists trying to prove it is not true. Highly recommend you try it. 

I welcome anyone who would like to join me. The change in your life is really worth it. Blessing and Peace to all.

Gratitude

Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday and only a small part is the eating. What it is we count blessings and good people in our lives. Think about what went right and who supported you. Keep looking for it and you will find more. Family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and more.

Even after the year’s disasters, you can see all those who volunteer and give to help others. The US is often criticized for not doing enough, but the American people are the ones that give the most.

Gratitude is the way to stay happy despite traffic, food that doesn’t turn out, people who voted differently than you, and diets ruined for a day. Actually it puts you closer to your faith.

Happy Thanksgiving, and enjoy your day.

PS - really enjoy the eating and nap in front of the football game too J

What Brexit Means?

Unexpected social change. Britain voted to Leave the European Union. The stock markets dropped and gold went up as investors react with fear to the surprise. I am among the many who never thought this vote would happen.

The British people will go through changes. But Brussels is shocked because they thought no one wanted to upset years without war. Doesn’t everyone want our leadership and rules? No one wants overreaching rules telling us how little we can do.

The leaders of the EU do not realize their advice and interference is holding economies back. Iceland and Ireland both ignored EU edicts to follow austerity rules and raise taxes. They reorganized and their economies have recovered fairly quickly. How well are Greece and Spain doing? France’s economy is struggling, and Italy & Portugal economies are a real mess following EU advice. Germany cannot pay for all EU’s issues.

What may happen next? Britain is going to have tough negotiations. The EU leadership will want to prevent other countries from leaving. Some members may want to be more reasonable because their countries may want to leave. Netherlands is likely to have a referendum next.

Most countries will find a way to trade with Britain. Why would you not want to trade with the 5^th largest economy? Already heard proposals Britain be invited to join NAFTA.

Will there be a recession? Of course, recessions are a normal part of the economic cycle. Will it be as bad as 2008 crisis? No.

Change is a constant in life. Accept it, adjust to change, and keep enjoying life. Children still grow up and we grow a little wiser. Keep your faith. Life goes on.

Lift Off Donavan Livingston Ed M

Try to find inspiration to share and encourage everyone. We grow and stretch to become more the person God wants us to be.

Donavan Livingston exceeds that and his rousing graduation speech is well worth a listen.

http://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/16/05/lift

Thank you Donavan so much.

Please everyone Lift Off today.

Thankfulness and True Wealth

Reflective mood being Thanksgiving and a year older today.  Just want to share a thought.

The world struggles because the focus is wrong. The president, congress and the Federal Reserve have it wrong. They think wealth is created by adding liquidity to the economy.  QE has not made the economy grow or most people wealthier.

True wealth is created by helping other people. Washing machines improved people’s lives and freed up time to spend with family. Airplanes let us visit each other all over the world. Microwaves heat our food.

Bank’s being able to loan more debt? How has that improved the world? Finance is not as important as building something, no matter how small.

True wealth to most people is being able to share time with family and friends on a holiday. Charity, volunteering and doing good are the best examples of sharing real wealth.

So what am I thankful for today?

Being able to serve coffee and Danishes at church this morning. May even wash some dishes.

Friends and family who are fighting and beating cancer. Their struggles inspire and show the goodness of people/strangers helping them.

Being able to read inspiring thoughts from other writers encouraging us to be a little bit better every day. Not only the famous like Reverend’s Schuler & Olsteen, but friends like Reverend’s Steve Cuff and James Richards teaching faith.

The few words of peace, love and understanding I am able to share. Example my chapter redefining success not as money earned, bur raising good kids as more important. The words may be read by only a few people, but they will reach someone who needs them.

All the engineers I have been able to teach this year how to be better engineers. Always learn something when I teach.

It is not the gifts or possessions that make me thankful today. It is the life I get to share. Please share some of your blessing today and enjoy today. Lets build real wealth.