I find myself in a confused and conflicted time of my life.  I am solid in my identity.  I am solid in the blessings of my amazing wife and family.  I am solid in these personal thoughts that I have decided to share.  Beyond this, I am wandering and seeking…

Your dream is not everyone else’s.  

I find it profoundly sad that most dreams go unfulfilled because of the factoring of fear.  

The unknown crushes too many ideas that could change the individual’s life and even possibly, have exponential impact on humankind.

How can you lose what you never had?

Recognize that everything beyond life and health has little meaning.

A new car loses its smell within months.  Its payment will stay with you long after the temporary euphoria.

Euphoria is temporary.  Joy lasts a lifetime.

Joy is a choice.  ‘Happiness’ is thrust upon us by emotions that deceive.

Keeping up with the Jones’s offers diminishing returns.

The hamster wheel will turn as fast as you can run and deliver you right where you started.

The miracle of Springtime blossoms is too marvelous to miss.  And best case scenario, you only get 100 + or -.

Use money as a tool or it will enslave you.

A 401K is an asset.  So is a shovel.  One you control.  The other will control you if you’re not careful.

A bigger house enables the loneliness you’re already feeling or provides a resource for outreach.  Share.

“They don’t grow up so fast.”  Every child that we’re blessed to raise and watch reach adulthood (by the World’s definition) is ours for 18 years, 216 months, 864 weeks (+ or -), 6,048 days, 145,152 hours and 8,709,120 seconds.

Choices we make determine how much time we spend with our kids.  

Cost/benefit analysis has no greater place than our families.

Our kids remember time.  They likely can’t tell you what they got as presents for Christmas but they can tell you about the time you chose them over the meeting.

A promotion at work may be at the detriment of your family and what is important.  Choose wisely.

The grass is not greener on the other side.  It’s just a reflection of where you are already standing.

The servant who buried their treasure because of fear was likely shocked that their Master was furious that they had not taken even a modicum of risk.  (Matthew 25)

The only thing more beautiful than a newborn baby is his or her grandparents holding hands as they walk and talk.

You are enough.  Just ask God.  He made you for marvelous purpose.

Contentment is not surrender.  It is fuel that calms the soul and reveals the beauty of color all around us.

Watching the sunrise reveals that hope never dies.  And when hope fades, it renews the next day if we allow it.

Eggs are amazing.  Bacon gave all.

Other than Easter and Christmas, I guess the most marvelous day is ‘New Tire Day’ for the car.

One day picking blackberries is much better than a year of therapy, if you listen.

Laughter really is the best medicine.  Laugh uncontrollably and be the aggravating envy to all around you.

The man lying in the gutter has more value to God than every material thing that you own.

You matter.  So does every person that crosses your life’s path.

Truth is immeasurably valuable.  True friends more valuable.

Have a friend who tells you the truth.  You lie to yourself enough for the both of you.

The mirror in front of you stops working when you angle it 45 degrees.

Envy is crippling.  Comparison defeating.

The only thing more powerful than optimism is pessimism.  (Just ask the 2.4-million Israelites who chose to believe the 10 pessimistic spies rather than the 2 optimists.)

A 40 year issue is often a 14 day walk where faith exists.  (Ask the Israelites who wandered in the Wilderness because they chose fear over faith.)

Life is precious.

You are precious.

What you have to offer is precious.

There is no there before Heaven (or Hell).  Only next.

Take another step.