Misc
Will You Conform Or Follow Your Dream?
I have been going through an interesting phase in my life lately, one where you feel the pressure to conform to what others think you should do, or they disapprove of what you do. I’ll state upfront, I’m not a conformist, that also tells you things most of the time, don’t go the way I would have them. If conforming will make those haters, or the opposition happy, the question that begs to be asked in my head is, why? What is it their afraid of, or disapprove of? It’s usually motivated by some deep need to control the world around them. I’m generalizing of course, but my experience tells me the motive is typically control, which normally comes from a lack in their life somewhere, something not understood, which leads to the fear of loss on some level.
These people typically, are those closest to you, the ones you thought you could trust, the ones you thought would support you, the ones you thought you could count on if things got tough. I’ll state here for clarity, I WAS WRONG! It turns out, everything is about them, and has very little to do with you. You….are merely a stimulant that triggers the fear of loss, that fear of KAOS, that fear of losing control.
I’m not complaining, I’m hurting, but not complaining. The world around us is not interested in building character, or change, it’s only interested comfort, getting more stuff. Most are only interested in being comfortable, but I’m convinced that state doesn’t do anything to make the world a better place. In my opinion, it is no different than doing nothing, and the price of doing nothing is much higher than failure.
Stepping out, not complying, has it’s price. It’s entirely possible you will have to find a new community of friends to be with, people that are more like-minded with your view of the world, and in my case business. It sounds harsh doesn’t it. This is the time where you find out how committed you are to what you are doing, do you believe it is important that you must do what you do. Only you can answer the question, will you conform or follow your dream?
Related articles
- The Future Of Business – We’ve All Got The Industrial Age Disease (owengreaves.com)
- Destabilizing the bullying power structure (sethgodin.typepad.com)
Merry Christmas 2012
Here we are once again, it’s Christmas. This year I don’t plan on setting any resolutions, but will think about desired goals for 2013, I’ll share them with you after the holidays. This year we are doing the minimalist thing, no big expenditures, just Lisa & our two boys, and we have a student from Mexico with us. Hoping for snow in the morning, and then it can go away : ) Until then….
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
A Tribute To The Loss Of A Dear Friend – Tucker Nelson
Tucker & Sandi Nelson
Many years ago, around 1997, I met a man, I mean a real man. His name is Tucker Nelson. Tucker was a real man for many reason’s, but mostly for his courage, strength, and zest for life. You see, back in 1981, Tucker was in a trucking accident, yep, he was a truck driver. Tucker was seriously injured, and was confined to a wheel chair for the rest of his life. But Tucker was the most able person I know, he wouldn’t let the accident and the chair beat him. Sure he had times of frustration and depression, that made him normal to me, but he lived regardless of his situation.
When I met Tucker, he was a broker for the company I worked for, I would call him and he would provide trucking / transportation for our products being shipped all over North America. After many years of calling him, he hired me to help him build his business, business development. A few short years later, Tucker sold the business, and we stayed close friends, and I continued to support his technology needs. I used to drive into Burnaby to fix his computer problems, it made for long days, but he was worth it, and I enjoyed being with Tucker.
Yesterday (Nov 30th, 2012), I got the news from one of his daughter’s, that he had died from a massive heart attack. I have to admit, I am devastated, I have lost my Father, I have lost my Father-In-Law, I’ve lost other close friends, but today I find myself struggling with losing Tucker. I’m not looking for sympathy, that’s not why I write this tribute. I want you to know about Tucker, he was my friend, he was an over comer, a warrior, and he also was very compassionate. I will miss him, I feel bad that I didn’t spend more time with him, but I do have the comfort of knowing one thing. When he called, I always went to him, I never said no…I always said, I’ll be there as quickly as I can, and that was usually immediately. I am truly sad right now.
The picture above was taken a few years ago, around 2002. His wife Sandi passed away to cancer just few short years ago, she looked after and loved Tucker like no one else could, or has in the past. We talked of her often, he was grateful for the years he had with Sandi, and that she no longer suffers.
Thank you for indulging me as I pay tribute to a dear friend, I will miss him.
We are not promised tomorrow, please spend time with those you love and care for, make the world a better place with your kindness and love.
Many Blessings to you all.
Today On My Birthday
Let’s see, I woke up at 8:30AM, that’s unusual by itself as I’m normally up much earlier. I obviously had to clean up because I was about to venture out among the people. I have to admit though, I was dang tired and I didn’t really want to go anywhere, but was very happy I did.
My first stop was at a great little coffee shop, Clayburn Gourmet Gallery, had a London Fog and a nice visit with Kimberly (she owns the business). I then paid a visit to my church, said Hi and visited a short while. From there I made my way to a local restaurant called the Greek Island, I met a long time friend for lunch, Richard Lindfield. He had the lamb and I had schnitzel, well something like it. I had to eat and run, I felt bad because I really wanted to spend more time with Richard, but a funeral was next on my agenda.
Here I am at Central Heights Church for a memorial service, or funeral, for Leslie Buhler. Leslie (a man) spend his youth in the mission fields of India, he was born in 1924. You’re asking yourself how I know him, a story then….
In 1993 Lisa & I moved our family to Abbotsford from Penticton, B.C, we were taken to a church by our Pastor at the time, the church is called Central Heights. One of the very first few people we met were the Buhler’s, Leslie’s oldest son Tim became my very first Bible Study leader. And with all good bible study groups, you get taken in, looked after, and cared for. We were immediately grafted into the Buhler family, we attend all the Buhler family functions, Leslie was a fun man to be around, his stories were amazing. I have met many great men in my life, Leslie I am proud to say is one of the greatest. He was a man if integrity, I can’t say that about many people, but if you look up the word in the dictionary, you’ll see his picture. Oh and he wrote a book of his life in India, can’t wait to read it.
That’s the short version of the story, of we came to know Leslie Buhler. Attending his memorial was more like a family reunion, we knew almost everyone there, the place was packed….it should be, it’s a big family now! The food was interesting, yep….India….everywhere you saw food from India. I’m not huge fan, but there was fruit : )
After visiting with the family and sharing stories, Lisa & I headed home. Once we got home, and it’s normal for us, she goes upstairs and I head to my office : ) After checking mail, voice mail, and so on….there were lots of Happy Birthday wishes for me on all the Social Networks, and I’m grateful. Lisa informed me there is a Birthday present for me on the kitchen table, I was curious and surprised actually. I went upstairs to find a bag filled with the usual stuffing, in it was season 1 & 2 of Downton Abby! First I laughed out loud, then I asked, are sure this is for me? You see, just the night before we were talking about the show and how we could never find on any channel, I suggested we should buy the DVD for Christmas. Obviously a last minute shopper : )
It’s 5PM now, Lisa is teaching piano to 5 or 6 kids, then at 7:30PM we’ll figure out what’s for supper…maybe after supper we’ll watch Downton Abbey : ) We are planning an evening out later in the week to celebrate in a more formal way, but good just lying low at home with my Lisa.
So that’s been my day, one I won’t forget because Leslie Buhler & I are celebrating a day of victory!
What I Believe
What I believe. Has anyone asked you that question before? Have you struggled to answer it? This blog post is my attempt at answering the question of what I believe. This is not an exhaustive list but here is my list anyway:
1.) I believe there is a God
2.) I believe Jesus is Lord & Saviour
3.) I believe the Bible is the inherit word of God
4.) I believe we all were created
5.) I believe we were designed for a purpose here on earth
6.) I believe you are special
7.) I believe you have something to offer…always
8.) I believe we are all sinners
9.) I believe its harder to do the right thing and it’s never convenient
10.) I believe human evil comes from humans
11.) I believe hunger can be a thing of the past
12.) I believe we don’t treat one another very well, we kill each other, come on!
13.) I believe marriage should be between a man & a woman
14.) I believe we give money too much power over our lives
15.) I believe that when you do what you were meant & designed to do, you make the world a better place
16.) I believe the future does not belong to us
17.) I believe we lie to protect ourselves from the truth
18.) I believe we are stewart’s of the planet, not owners of it
19.) I believe Baseball is the greatest sport in the world
20.) I believe chocolate is over rated 😉
21.) I believe we are to serve on another
22.) I believe we should treat each other the same way in which you wish to be treated
23.) I believe we should respect each other
24.) I believe we don’t have to like each other, but we should care enough to love each other
25.) I believe we should always help each other
26.) I believe in the 90/10 rule – give away 90% and charge for 10%
27.) I believe in the Open & Free Business Model
28.) I believe the Internet is the door way to the future of business
29.) I believe in honesty
30.) I believe in love
31.) I believe we should keep life simple, because simple is hard enough
32.) I believe life was never meant to be easy, it was meant to challenge us
33.) I believe we can always learn from each other
34.) I believe in the value of a human life
35.) I believe the world needs more and better leaders, so step up
36.) I believe technology is driving us indoors and away from each others face-to-face moments
37.) I believe technology is leading us to an unhealthy place
38.) I believe technology can also be used for good
39.) I believe swearing is rude and degrading
40.) I believe porn is a lie and unhealthy, it makes us believe that’s how sex should be…NOT!
41.) I believe the Cloud will only serve large corporations (those providing the Cloud)
42.) I believe Silicon Valley is a trap and does not live in the real world
43.) I believe failure is the best thing that can happen to you
44.) I believe a closed mind never learns anything
45.) I believe an open mind can change the world
46.) I believe I love my wife & two sons more than I love myself
47.) I believe I have yet to be used by God, I’m being prepared
48.) I believe the Church is over-rated
49.) I believe in YOU the people, you are awesome
50.) I believe in spending less than you earn
51.) I believe we will endure a global water shortage
52.) I believe you & I will give an accounting of our actions one day
53.) I believe in steak & potatoes : )
54.) I believe High Definition TV is the best
55.) I believe we spend too much money on shoes and clothes
56.) I believe if we didn’t have clothes to wear, and we were all naked, the crime rate would not exist
57.) I believe you are loved by God, all of you
58.) I believe we can all make the world a better place by simply loving each other
59.) I believe in WordPress & Headway Themes
60.) I believe we don’t value human life
61.) I believe this list is long enough, what does your list look like?
