Totem Pole--100 Words

Totem pole.

I often feel as if I don’t have a place on life’s totem pole.

What’s lower than being the lowest man on the totem pole?

Some days it feels as if I’ve fallen completely off the totem pole. And, honestly, I’m not always sure anyone notices.

“Suck it up” comes the reply.

“Get over it” is spoken.

Whether spoke in jest or seriously, what good do those words offer?

None that I can think of.

So, call it a pity party if you want.

Or, just call it honest.

I’m just trying to get back on the pole.

Crying--100 Words

Crying.

Do you remember the TV show titled “Friends.”

It was quite popular in the 1990s.

In one episode, the conversation turns to crying. The “friends” are watching a movie. At the end of the movie, the girls and all but one guy are in tears.

Chandler isn’t crying. Chandler says he can’t cry. He hasn’t been able to cry since childhood.

Joey, one of the friends, says to Chandler that the reason he can’t cry is because “he’s dead inside.”

Does a lack of tears represent deadness?

I hope not.

I’m not a big crier either. Never have been.

Patience--100 Words

Patience.

What a difficult concept.

At least for me. Maybe I’m the only one. I rather doubt it. But, still patience may be a virtue, but it’s not my virtue.

I don’t like waiting.

Not in the bank line.

Not at WalMart.

Not at a restaurant.

Not in traffic.

I do not like waiting. Not even at church.

I’m just not that patient.

Oh, I wish I were. I’ve longed for it. I’ve prayed for it. I’ve waited for it.

Still, patience is a struggle.

What’s your thought on patience?

Are you an expert? Novice? Or, have you given up?

Peace and Quiet--100 Words

Peace and quiet.

Almost two and one-half years ago, the Lord gave my wife and I a “little” surprise—Evan, our son.

Since that time, life hasn’t been the same.

The house is filled with screams and squeals.

Toys normally cover the floors.

We have endured skinned knees, teeth coming in, potty training, and even an eye being superglued shut.

I don’t think we would trade the last 2 ½ years for anything.

But, you might want to check back when he’s 16—when the squealing comes from tires leaving the driveway and the screams are to be left alone.

Respect--100 Words

Respect.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

You remember the old song? Aretha sang about it. Maybe better than anyone else. She reminded us that all people are due respect. Honor. Dignity.

All people.

Everywhere.

The up-and-in. The down-and-out.

The gorgeous. The not-so-gorgeous.

Baseball pioneer and great Jackie Robinson said, “I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me…All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.”

Why don’t you re-read what Jackie said.

I echo his words. That’s really all I ask from others.

You may or may not like me. That’s fine.

But, you can respect me as a person.

Inbox--100 Words

Inbox.

I wonder when that word came into existence.

Must have been with the advent of email.

I have a love/hate relationship with my inbox.

My personality doesn’t allow me to keep my inbox full.

I know. It is terrible. But, I have to read, respond to, and file my emails quickly.

It’s a curse.

I can’t let them sit there. In bold. Unread. Waiting for action.

It is a sickness.

Recently, I sat next to a person who had 1,700-something unread emails in his inbox.

It was all I could do to keep from helping him clean it out!

Questions--100 Words

Questions.

When did asking questions become a problem?

[Disclaimer: If you don’t like questions, just close out this post.]

We aren’t allowed to ask politicians questions any longer—that’s harassment or racism or sexism or some other ism.

We can’t ask questions at work—that becomes whining.

We can’t ask questions with family—we are prying.

People of my generation ask questions.

Tough questions. Deep questions. Important questions. We even question questions.

All we’d really like are some answers.

Honest answers.

It doesn’t matter if we like the answer or not. Just answer the question.

Is that asking too much?

Doormat--100 Words

Doormat.

An unknown writer said, “Value yourself. The only people who appreciate a doormat are people with dirty shoes.”

A Belizean proverb put it this way, “If you make yourself into a doormat, people will wipe their feet on you.”

Lately, I’ve felt like a doormat.

Dirty feet. Muddy feet. Clean feet. All have taken a turn wiping themselves on me.

And, if you say anything about it, you are seen as whining or complaining.

Can’t you ask a question without being called a complainer?

Can’t you seek information without being called a whiner?

I don’t know. I really don’t.

Promises--100 Words

Promises.

Promises are made.

Promises are broken.

Promises are kept.

John Lennon sang, “Love is a promise, love is a souvenir, once given never forgotten, never let it disappear.”

The breaking of and keeping of promises are closely tied together.

I don’t think most people make promises to break them; but, if great care isn’t given, that’s exactly what we do.

And, when that happens, hearts are also broken; lives are changed; and, futures are rewritten.

“I will love you forever” quickly rings hallow when a promise isn’t kept.

Let’s focus not so much on making promises as keeping them.

Trust--100 Words

Trust.

What a struggle that is.

I think others struggle trusting people. Maybe I am the only one.

Either way, it is difficult to trust.

Too much water under the bridge to trust much.

Funny. Or is that ironic? People often say that I keep to myself too much. Or, I don’t speak up in meetings or share my soul with others.

Why should I? Experience tells me that as soon as I open my mouth, someone is taking detailed notes so that their gossip is accurate!

“Don’t worry. I won’t tell.” Only code for “Who can I tell first?”

Words--100 Words

Words.

Words are just words. Letters of the alphabet thrown together. Thoughts put into something more tangible.

Words will never hurt us. Or so the old rhyme goes.

I never believed that rhyme to be true.

Especially, when you are ambushed by someone’s words.

Those spoken in anger.

Hate.

Racially motivated.

You know the kind I mean. Those that jump out of nowhere to attack, accuse.

“I hate you.”

“You are stupid.”

“No one likes you.”

“You aren’t like us.”

Don’t tell me words don’t hurt.

Words can be vile.

Words always represent what’s in our heart.

Words often hurt.

The Call of God--100 Words

The call of God.

Somewhat a “churchy” term.

Also somewhat confusing. Especially difficult to understand.

I’ve struggled with the call of God since my teenage years.

I desire to follow God. I want to be obedient to Him.

I know true happiness comes in following God’s plan for life.

Mentally, I know that.

Spiritually, I believe that.

Physically, it is a struggle. A daily struggle.

I can’t focus on 10 years down the road. I have to focus on today. This moment in time.

Maybe that’s why Jesus talked about picking up His cross daily.

Even that can be tough.

Delay--100 Words

Delays.

I hate delays.

All kinds of delays.

I hate sitting in traffic and being delayed in arriving at work.

I hate being delayed when I travel by plane.

I hate being delayed because the person in the checkout lane has 30 items instead of the 20-item limit.

I hate delays.

Last week, delay came and hit me between the eyes.

It was not of my doing. I had no way to prevent it. And, to make it even worse, there’s nothing I can do about it.

Except accept it. Live with it. And, get over the frustration it brings.

Dreaming--100 Words

Dreams.

Some people dream vivid dreams at night.

Some people day dream instead of working.

Some children have night terrors, a form of dreams.

For some reason, I’ve never dreamt much. Or, at least I rarely remember what takes place as I sleep.

I don’t worry about not dreaming much.

I’d much rather have dreams about where I’m heading. What I plan to do. Where I plan to go.

Those are much more meaningful dreams to me. More so than dreaming about a missed school test or some green-eyed monster chasing me.

I’d rather focus on where God is leading.

Attitude--100 Words

Attitude.

There are many things I can’t change in the world.

I can’t change the direction of the wind.

I can’t change our nation’s economy.

I can’t change past actions.

I can’t change you.

However, I can change my attitude.

I can change from a negative “I can’t do this” to a positive “I will do my best…”

I can change from “this is impossible” to “I will try…”

The attitude I have is determined by me.

Oh, you can say things to irate me or hurt me or offend me.

But, I control my response to it.

Me alone.

Stupid--100 Words

Stupid.

Terrible word. Really is.

So bad in fact that it was barred from our vocabulary when I was growing up.

Use the word, face the punishment.

Maybe the word should be barred today. Not only barred from speech but from action as well.

Harlan Ellison said, “I don’t mind you thinking I’m stupid, but don’t talk to me like I’m stupid.”

I have that posted on my office wall.

Thinking about also making it my electronic signature on email.

Think whatever you want about me. Just talk to me with respect.

Whether you believe it or not.

Try hard.

Offensive--100 Words

Offensive.

I hope I would never intentionally be offensive to anyone.

I don’t think it is my nature to offend or be cruel.

Yet, I am not naïve enough to believe that I never offend.

Sometimes, my sarcasm gets the best of me and I say something that offends.

Sometimes, my humor is over the top.

Sometimes, even with the best of intentions, I say something I shouldn’t say.

While I can’t guarantee that I won’t offend, I can take action when I realize that I have.

I can apologize. Seek forgiveness. And, work not to repeat the same mistake.

All Toes in the Water--100 Words

All toes in the water.

Frequently, someone will ask about my blog’s title.

The answer is simple.

Do you remember, as a child, playing in a creek, beach, or a swimming pool?

Often, we found ourselves testing the water by sticking a toe into the water to make sure it was warm enough to swim in.

As adults, we do the same thing with life. First one toe, then another, then another.

We’re almost afraid to jump totally in.

I’m not going to live life that way any longer!

All toes, knees, arms, and entire body go in at once!

Knowledge--100 Words

Knowledge.

Knowledge is a good thing.

Most of the time, that is.

Knowledge can also be dangerous.

Or, better yet, a little bit of knowledge can be dangerous.

Should a “Monday Morning Quarterback” be given the same attention as Drew Brees, for example?

I don’t think so.

Yet, so often, we give people a job or we think more highly of them based upon what they say, how they look, or even what they claim to know.

I have a real problem with that.

People should be rewarded for what they really know and not what they say they know.

No Regrets--100 Words

No regrets.

William Borden was the heir to the Borden family fortune. However, as a teenager, he felt called to missions. When someone told him he was throwing his life way, he wrote in his Bible: “No reserves.”

When Borden graduated from Yale, he wrote in his Bible, “No retreat.”

At the age of 25, on his way to China to work with Muslims, Borden stopped in Egypt to learn Arabic. Within a month, Borden contracted spinal meningitis and died.

In his Bible, were found these additional words: “No regrets.”

Oh Father, create in me the same spirit and desire.

Legacy--100 Words

Legacy.

I’ve been thinking about that lately.

I have a birthday approaching soon, way too soon. I suppose it’s a logical time to think about such matters.

I often wonder what legacy I’ll leave behind.

I hope it will be more than a job title or a line on my resume.

I hope my legacy will revolve around the life I tried to live for Jesus.

I hope my legacy will be that I was a good husband and father, despite my obvious flaws and failures along the way.

I hope it will be that I was a good friend.

Discussion--100 Words

Discussion.

A reasonable word.

Yet, a word that leads to so many problems.

A wife and husband discuss a financial purchase. If great care isn’t exercised, the discussion turns into debate which turns into anger which turns into resentment which turns into a sleepless night on the couch for one spouse.

The same could be said of business partners.

Or even Facebook friends!

While business partners and Facebook friends don’t wind up on the couch, resentment is often the result of discussion.

Why is that? Human nature? Maybe.

Our sinful state? Probably.

Stubbornness?

Need to win?

Most likely!

Your thoughts?

Recycling--100 Words

Recycling.

We recycle car tires.

We recycle printer cartridges.

We recycle aluminum.

Preachers recycle sermons—they call them “sugar sticks.”

Hollywood recycles movies and TV shows from the past—those are called “remakes.”

Newspapers, metal cans, soda cans. All get recycled.

What about us?

Do human beings get recycled?

I know many people get caught up in having their family name carried forward by a child. But, that isn’t recycling.

Some people want their name engraved on buildings. Still not recycling.

I guess the only recycling we are good for is returning to the dust from which we were created!

Television--100 Words

Television.

A medium to communicate.

There’s news. Music. Sports. Entertainment.

There’s a lot of good on TV.

There’s also a lot of bad.

Language. Violence. Sexuality.

I’ve often heard people say, “There’s so many channels to have nothing worth watching.”

As a father of a two-year-old, I see truth in that statement.

I’ve read the average child watches more than 3 hours of TV a day.

I’ve also read that a child will watch over 40,000 murders or killings on TV before graduating from high school.

I have to do a better job of monitoring what’s on in my home.

Happy Mommy!

Happy Mommy!

There’s an old saying about mothers: “If Momma ain’t happy, nobody’s happy.”

Yesterday, being Mother’s Day and all, I thought it would be good for Evan, my two-year-old, to wish his mother a happy Mother’s Day.

So, bright and early Sunday morning, I got Evan out of bed. I whispered in his ear that it was Mother’s Day. I encouraged him to say, “Happy Mommy’s Day” as we went back to our room.

Evan got part of the saying right. From that time on, he kept saying, “Happy Mommy!”

As I think of it, he got it right!

You Win!--100 Words

You win!

Ever get to the point where you say, “You win!”

Some people have a real knack for having to win.

No matter the subject.

They’re not going to be satisfied until they have won the discussion—even when you didn’t realize a competition was at hand.

The other day, a friend asked for help. I thought it was a sincere request.

When I sent the requested information, the person said, “Thanks. But…”

I responded with clarification.

The reply, “Yes, but…”

That continued over several emails.

Finally, I said, “You win.”

Their reply? “No problem!”

You win! Got it!

Tolerant--100 Words

Tolerant.

I struggle with that word.

So often today, we are expected to be tolerant of everything. Every lifestyle. Every decision. Every philosophy.

If we aren’t, we are intolerant. And, just by shifting a few letters around, if we are intolerant we are also considered ignorant.

But, I don’t set the rules.

God does.

There are rules to follow. He chose those. Not me.

One such rule is this: “Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.”

Don’t like that rule? Take it up with the rule’s Creator.

Laughing--100 Words

Laughter.

“From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere” (Dr. Seuss).

Is laughter a gift from God?

I don’t know. I don’t think the Bible states it that way. Oh, I know what the Bible says about laughter being good medicine. And, I agree with that.

Laughter is certainly better medicine than castor oil. Or, some of the night-time-so-you-won’t-cough-and-feel-better-in-the-morning-medicines out there.

Laughter won’t kill you either. But then again, even if it did, at least you’d go out laughing.

Life could be worse.

So, today, can you find one thing to laugh about?

Other than me!

Paranoia--100 Words

Paranoia.

Okay. Who’s reading this?

Any one out there?

I know someone is!

I can just sense it. You know the feeling?

As if you’ve experienced something already.

Oh wait. That’s not right. That’s déjà vu.

Wrong ailment.

Maybe it’s more like agoraphobia.

That can’t be right. There aren’t that many loyal people who read my thoughts on here.

Hmmm…

Maybe I should be paranoid the other way!

No one is there. No one is reading my words.

If a word is typed and no one reads it, is it still a word?

It’s not easy putting paranoia into perspective.

Lawyers--100 Words

Lawyers.

Every profession has its share of jokes about their work.

For some reason (whether deserved or not), lawyers carry a bad rap with them.

We’ve all heard “good” lawyer jokes.

“What do you call 1,000 lawyers in the bottom of the ocean? A good start!”

Mark Twain told countless lawyer jokes.

Even lawyers tell lawyer jokes.

Now, lawyers are flocking to the Gulf Coast to prepare for lawsuits related to the oil spill.

A question: Aren’t there already enough lawyers along the gulf coast?

Why do we need more?

A word of advice. Stop making our joke-telling so easy!