Category Archives: Life

Because it takes so much time…

Posted on by
2

I figured out the reason I haven’t been blogging as much (and why I don’t write e-mail messages to my friends very often) — because it take so much time.  Not that I don’t have a lot of extra time, and not that you all are not worth my time, but it’s exhausting for me.  Most of it is brought on by myself; my fear of writing something I didn’t mean or of exposing any heretical beliefs causes me to check, and re-check and then doubt and then check again.  The doubt that I have any idea about what I’m talking about continues until you reply to my e-mail or leave a comment.  You can only imagine the fear that runs through my mind when nobody comments or when an e-mail is not replied to.  Because of all that fear, I spend over an hour writing a blog post and some e-mail messages — especially if I’m talking about spiritual things.  I even have my computer read my post or e-mail out loud to me before I publish or send it, just to be sure it’s right.  Some of that fear is healthy I guess (helps reduce typos) but a lot of it probably isn’t (it’s called “fear of man” — fearing what others think to an extent that alters motives and actions.  The opposite of this is the “fear of God”, fyi).  Anyway, just thought I’d share where I’m coming from.  This post took me 30 minutes to write…  if you don’t comment, I’ll go a little crazy, but I’ll just assume you are trying to help me work through my fears ;-)

Reluctant

Posted on by
Reply

It’s 5pm, and I want nothing to do with a 3 mile run.  I try to psych myself into it by envisioning my run — bad idea.  All I can think about are the same boring turns, the same boring streets, the tired feeling I get towards the end.  Maybe I’ll run tomorrow.  No, I need to run today.

As I started the timer on my watch and took my first few steps it felt natural and effortless.  It just felt right.  When I started running again last April, those first few steps were painful and awkward and the only thing that kept me going was the thought “It won’t always be like this; it will only get better!”  What a difference a year makes, but that mantra still holds true;  I have not arrived — it only gets better.

“Discipline yourself to do the things you need to do when you need to do them, and the day will come when you will be able to do the things you want to do when you want to do them!” – Zig Ziglar

More simply put:

“Every damn day.  Just do it.” – Nike T-shirt

Since my last post…

Posted on by
Reply

Well, since I’ve been called out via comment for not posting, here is a new post.  First, no, I am not the same Paul James from Australia who was/is a model and personal trainer that is becoming a fatty so he can sympathize with his clients.  I get a few hits every day from Google (apparently this guy needs a website!)

So, what have I been up to?  Since my last post I’ve started leading the youth small groups at my church on Sunday nights.  This is my main role as “Student Ministries Leader” or Youth Director.  I get paid to study the Bible, and then teach it to youth every week; how cool is that?  Since it’s only part-time I’ve also been working on freelance design stuff (freelance is a creative way of saying “unemployed”).  Work has been slow which has given me more time to read and run.  I’m learning a lot about putting my time to good use — being productive as opposed to busy.  Oh and I’m preaching this Sunday!

Eventually I’ll get around to blogging about the Bataan Countdown over in the sidebar; I’ll probably start a new series, so be watching for that!   That’s all I got.

Ask for what you want.

Posted on by
2

Anyone who has ever played a gig with Todd Wright will agree that Todd is not afraid to ask for what he wants.  If he wants me to play louder, he’ll ask for it.  If he wants me to drop out, he’ll tell me.  He doesn’t do it as a power play nor is he rude about it, he just knows what he wants the song to sound like and asks us help make it happen.  As a musician, I love this because I don’t have to guess or try to figure out what is expected of me — it has already been clearly communicated.

There’s a saying that goes “expectations are just resentments waiting to happen.”  If things aren’t going as expected, ask yourself, “did I ask for what I wanted?”