Crash Into Me

I’ve been so busy lately. It’s something that I’ve tried for years to avoid.

Some of you just read that I’m lazy and have avoided work for years.  Let me clarify.

I do not like being busy for the sake of busyness.  When a building is on fire and the Fire Department shows up, they get busy and they stay busy.  Their busyness has a reason.  Their busyness fulfills a need.  A young person finds joy in going to the mall and stays hour after hour declaring themselves “busy”.  Yet this type of busyness is busy simply for the joy of staying busy. 

I don’t do well with just staying “busy”.  I want my busyness to be useful.  I want it to have a lasting effect.  Even little tasks that build foundations that will last for years to come are significant. I’m just not always sure that what I’m doing has that sort of lasting effect.

It is my job that keeps me busy.  It’s consuming a lot of my time and energy.  Even while “relaxing” on the couch at home I find myself working on my email.  I do this because I don’t have time to do i tat work.  Ironic:  I have too much work to do at work.  Once upon a time I thought you went to work to do the work.  Who knew that work would one day take place in the electronic cloud? It begs the question why do I “go to” work anymore?

I digress.  As work demands more, I take it as a challenge and produce more.  The constantly hungry Goliath of business then demands even more work.  And so it goes.  Somehow I manage to come home,though later now.  I still interact with my family, but I’m worried about getting lost. The more I produce the more I am consumed with a) what I have already produced and b) how to produce more and produce it better.  It used to be much easier when I “went” to work and did the work there.  Even when I took my first management job I would come home and just hope my pager didn’t buzz.  As long as my pager remained silent, I stayed at home.  It was a clean break between work and home.   

Today the break is not so clean.

In fact, in reality there is no break.

The truth of the matter is that I don’t mind the work.  That is, I don’t mind the work load.  I don’t mind being called on to do big tasks.  But when I come home and look into the eyes of my children and realize that I have no idea what they did that day, I panic.  Will I one day be one of “those dad’s”?  When I am drifting off to sleep at night (aka passing out) and my wife says with a certain longing that she feels like she hasn’t talked to me in a long time, I sense a dull ache in my heart.  And when I shower in the morning and find myself focused intently on what will happen in the next few hours in the office, I remember a time when my quiet hours were spent in prayer and meditation.  Life now seems very much like a blur.  The days pass by so swiftly that I am shocked it is already February. Did I totally miss Christmas? 

My wife is a wonderful help to me, keeping me grounded in the reality of life.  Without her I am sure that I would grow lost and confused in an unforgiving world.  In her very insightful ways she keeps me heading in a good direction in terms of my relationships.  She shows me the path even when I start to lose my way.  Right now I’m relying on her more than ever because the real difficulty is losing sight of me…that is,the real me.

I started something new with 2012.  I’m not really one for resolutions, but it worked out this year to begin something new right at the beginning.  I began to put together a list of resolutions.   Now these were not your typical “need to lose weight in 2012” sort of resolutions.  I took a little different path.  These resolutions were designed to help me remember who I am.  They are things like Truthful, Christ Like, Honest, etc.  They started out to be a reflection of who I am, but it started to change.  The resolutions began to sound more like who I wanted to be, not really who I am.   I began to realize that it’s not really “me” I’m losing.  I’m actually losing control.

Don’t be scared.  I’m not dancing on a table or howling at the full moon like a dog.  At least not most days.  Just sometimes.

What I mean is that I’m losing control of an organized,departmentalized life.  Things move so fast that I don’t always have time to think about the right reaction.  When I realized this I understood that I am actually afraid of NOT doing or saying the right thing at the right time to the right people.  It was then that I realized that this might not be such a bad thing.  

Sometimes we work hard to keep the compartments of our lives from colliding with one another.  This can create a false persona.  So maybe it’s not a bad thing to watch as the compartments in my life head toward an intersection that will forevermore change the landscape I know as me.  In fact, I suspect it will be a time to “true up” who I am versus who I should be.  So I continue to work on my resolutions, not to reflect who I am, but rather to keep focused on who I want to be…who I should be.  And I watch for what is sure to be a painful and amazing collision of – me.

Crop Diversity

I thought I'd pass on this very interesting article.  Remember the small family farm of yesteryear raised all the crops necessary to feed a family and then some.  Today our farms have been subsidized into a mono-crop corporate giant.  What are you doing to support crop diversity?


http://www.fastcoexist.com/1679067/as-farming-gets-more-efficient-we-need-it-to-do-the-opposite

Sweat Equity

You can’t live in America without noticing a change in industry.  It’s not secret that manufacturing has largely moved overseas.  Manufacturing, some time ago, replaced agriculture as the primary way to make a living.  Now that both of these powerhouses are disappearing, we are moving to a service society.  Again, no surprises there.  But one thing I’ve noticed is that the manual labor, or traditional blue collar jobs that are available are being taken by older adults. 

I watched the other day as a road crew was working on the side of the road.  I noted that many of them were older men.  In fact, I would guess 90% of them.  I started noticing that trend in most places where manual labor is done.  I’ve recently visited some manufacturing plants and airports where most of the manual labor is being done by older men. 

I want to be clear here.  There is nothing wrong with these men doing the labor.  They are strong, young enough to work, and experienced enough to work hard.  What concerns me are the young men.  I was recently in a restaurant where a young man waited on me.  While he wasn’t serving my table, he was at another table and talking with some other young men and young women.  Those who were seated were studying to become anesthesiologists.  They all agreed that they were looking for position where they don’t have to work outside, sweat, or in general get “icky”. 

That’s my word…and I am making fun of them.

I think we can learn something from this.  First, don’t have a casual conversation when I’m in earshot because I do eavesdrop.  Second, I think we can learn that the generation of today, my generation, in general has no intention of getting their hands dirty.

I am saddened by this.

I’m saddened by this because we have lost a valuable commodity that once was so rick in America.  America became a leading exporter of goods pre-19th century precisely because it was made up of farmers and land owners.  They fed the American people and kept them in work.  We could then, as a nation, focus on exports of our commodities because we were rich both in those commodities and in the sweat equity necessary to harvest those commodities.  When the Industrial Revolution hit, we became a world leader again because we were rich in commodities and in sweat equity.  Today, we are rich in commodities….and we don’t seem to know how to harvest them.

I’m not suggesting that there is anything inherently wrong with a white collar office job.  I have one myself and I’m thankful for that.  I am suggesting, however, that when we as a nation turn up our collective noses at good jobs because they are not clean and require sweat then we have failed.  We have failed because if we will not use our own hands to provide for ourselves and our families then we are at the mercy of those who will do the hard work.  We will choose slavery over freedom.

A Conditioned Environment

I recently made a trip out west.  Specifically, I went to Texas and Nevada...in June.  Why don't business trips get planned according to season?  Why do I end up in New York in January and Fort Lauderdale in July? 

The heat wasn't bad though.  No, I don't mean because it was a "dry heat".  106 degrees is hot whether it's wet or dry.  No, it wasn't bad because I went from one air conditioned building to another in the comfort of an air conditioned car.  To be honest, I hardly noticed the heat. 

But that got me to thinking of by gone centuries where people actually lived and worked in that heat without *gasp* conditioned air.  They lived, and they thrived.  One evening I was in a desert area and the wind was blowing hard.  It was a cool wind, almost too cool.  I think the generations that past must have really loved that wind.  They probably lived to feel a cool wind in their face.

Yet in that heat of yesteryear I wonder how many of those settlers worked indoors.  There had to be some of course, but my guess is that they worked outdoors as much as possible.  Although a roof would provide welcome shade the four walls would prevent air flow and possibly create a stifling environment.  This is conjecture on my part.

But my point is this;  modern industry can only be what it is today because because of our complex energy grid.  Think about it this way.  Would Las Vegas be the mecca it is today if tourists came from far and wide to play games in an enclosed building without air conditioning?  Would they come to see shows in the daytime because without electricity you can't see the dancers?  In reality we only have a thriving office culture world wide because of energy. 

And because of that cultural shift we have lost many practical skills of our forefathers.

I'm so thankful for electricity.  I really am.  I'm thankful for computers, lights, power tools, and air conditioning.  I'm thankful because I know what a benefit they are.  I'm thankful because I recognize that they are luxuries and not a God given right.  And I can only be thankful because I've camped in a tent in sweltering humidity and almost freezing temperatures.  I've spent time butchering livestock and chopping wood.  I've hunted and fished and eaten fresh bass for breakfast.  I've done these things because I enjoy them.  And because of these things I start to realize just how good I've got it.

Spend some time with your kids teaching them these lessons.  Don't keep them inside all day when it's really hot outside.  Turn off the lights one day and purpose not to use them...even in the evening.  take them to a farmers market or a working farm.  Teach them about what life is really like.  They will learn that they've got it good...at least for now.

Mystery Meat

Seriously? 

Have you read the article about the tests recently done on Taco Bell's "Taco Meat Filling" (I previously referred to it as beef)?  They reveal that only 36% of the mixture is actually beef.  This is frightening...and disgusting.

But here is the worst part.

Legally, it must contain 40% beef to be called Taco Meat Filling.

So before we bash Taco Bell for their atrocities against mankind, let's remember that they are only about 4% off the mark.  The disturbing thing in this story is that, simply put, we only expect that our "beef" should contain 40% actual beef.  What is wrong with us that we accept that? 

I have talked to some who say that, hey, it has food products in it and therefore it's not a big deal. And it tastes good (okay...can't deny that).  So why do I care if it's only 36% beef? 

Learn to care, my friends.  Today's it's oats, soy, yeast, corn starch, and preservatives. What will it be tomorrow?  If we never ask, we'll never know.  And if we don't demand better for ourselves and for our children by voting with our food dollars, then we secure for our children a future where real food is the privilege of the few.

Soylent Green anyone?

Entrusted with Arrows - A Movie Review

I recently had an opportunity to preview the film "Entrusted with Arrows".  My wife clued me in to their link on Facebook.  When I watched the trailer I knew this was a "must see" movie for me.  I wasn't disappointed.

The movie is a documentary that focuses on a few families that have something in common; the father of each family has "come home".

When I watch the movie, I get this tingle in the back my neck and it sort of flushes my face.  I think I feel that way because I know exactly why they did what they did.  In every case, they left a stable job with career potential to start a family business.  Some did it voluntarily...others did not.  But in any case, they all recognized that it was time to leave the workplace.

It was time to come home.

This wasn't so foreign a concept even 100 year ago.  In fact, it was the norm.  Families engaged in business together, whether it was operating the family farm, running the local mercantile or grain mill, or renting out rooms to weary passengers.  They had cottage business that arose; jams and jellies, candles, baked goods, and soaps.  They did what they had to do to survive.

And they did it together.

I realize that not every man from the previous centuries was home constantly, nor would I expect him to be. There are jobs that must be done away from home.   Yet the simple fact is that it's a man's God given responsibility to lead his family.  This cannot be done if he does not heavily invest in that family.  And how can he heavily invest in his family if the majority of his time is spent elsewhere?  The 20th Century, and the continued propagation of the Industrial Age, has embedded into the minds of men that we must leave home for at least 40 hours per week in order to "work".  Anything less is considered lazy.  But it's not so.  A man does not have to leave his homestead to be productive.  Having a job away from the home is no sin.  But have we given into the lie that says our corporation, our place of employment, is what defines our productivity?

Again I say it is not so.  With the advent of technology, it seems that we are learning.  Men are coming home, with home as their base of operations.  Whole families are able to work from home.  There are some who are heeding the call to transition from a decentralized family model to a centralized one.

I think that is what I was most impressed with as I watched Entrusted with Arrows.  This movie highlighted candid conversations about the transition and the fear involved.  Each man addresses the fact that he struggled, to one extent or other, with fear.  Yet each overcame that fear.  How joyous to the ears to hear that a man was indeed fearful, as all men will be, but trusted God.  In so doing a man becomes brave.  I need to hear that.  It's like a shot of courage in the arm.

I've heard of similar stories from men whose hearts have been turned toward home.  At times, the stories do not mention fear and I have been left to wonder if they did not struggle at all with this sort of transition.  This was not the case with Entrusted with Arrows.  The leading men were open about their fears and their conquests.

In all, I'd like to say thank you to the Movie Makers.  Like a fire on a winter's day, they brought cheer and inspiration to me, reminding me that with God, all things are possible.

For more information, check them out here.

Cloning Beef

Laudanum, Morphine, Cocaine, Saccharine, Tobacco, Lead, Mercury....

What do all of these have in common?  At one time in history they all had valid uses, some medicinal, and some practical.  During their heyday they were applauded by the leading citizens of society as necessary for a modern, civilized life.  Best of all, they were completely safe.

Nothing to worry about.

Yet as our science progressed, we determined that each one had some very negative properties.  So we made changes.

We found less addictive means of pain control.

We put warning labels on harmful substances.

We removed what we could from common household items.

In most cases we have shunned these evils of mankind.

And yet....

I recently read of story from the Telegraph, a publication from the UK.  You may have heard of the uproar in the UK and Europe regarding the beef they are buying off the shelves.  It's from cloned animals.  And it's not labeled.

In other countries, it is illegal to sell cloned meat without the proper labeling.  In addition, the correct paperwork has to be filed indicating that cloned beef has been brought into the county.  Apparently this didn't happen the way it's supposed to.  Yet in America, we have no labels on our beef.  Conventionally grown hamburger can, and is, mixed in with hamburger from the offspring of cloned beef.  It seems that the American public at large is basically unaware that this happens.  Many who are aware have no problem with consuming the offspring of cloned beef.  So what's the big deal overseas?

Joanna Blythman reports, "Cloning can sound like a neat, useful science. What farmer wouldn't want to make Identikit copies of his best milker or his leanest, fastest-growing pig?  In reality, this technology is hopelessly hit-and-miss, generating a steady roll-call of deaths and defects.  First, the embryo has to be implanted into a surrogate mother using a potentially painful surgical procedure. If they do not miscarry, these mothers often don't give birth naturally and must instead undergo a caesarean."

The “big deal” in Europe is that the people recognize that there is not enough empirical data, hard evidence, that the cloned meat is exactly like it's natural counterpart.  While I appreciate science and the many benefits it has brought to the masses, I do not think it wise to accept the verdict that cloned beef is in every way exactly like it’s natural counterpart.  Like the list that started this post, could cloned beef go the way of the many things once deemed safe, but then condemned?

And one last thought.  Why is it that we try to improve on what God has already ordained only to find that His way was best after all?

Big Business

I've had opportunity at times in my life to study big corporations....mostly because I worked at them.  Taking it all in stride, I have found it much easier to work with smaller companies.  One family owned company I worked for a number of years ago now goes down in my history as the best place I've worked.  As I look at some of my other faves I see a line of similarity: the location or department I was in worked like a small business within a big business.

Now, to be fair, I want to own my own business so that colors my thoughts.  But recently it dawned on me why the functions in a big corporation (and I've worked for several) always seems disjointed.  It occurred to me that they are trying to function in a way that is unnatural.  Here's what I mean....

In every corporate environment everywhere (I think that's a politically correct thing to say) whether it's a church (that's probably not a politically correct thing to say), a fortune 500 company, or the little mom and pop shop down the street, the people working there know who can get the job done.  If you need this document typed out in a hurry, you talk to Jimmy.  If you need a good deal on supplies, you talk to Sue.  If you want this project on time, you give it to Ralph.  Whatever "it" is, you know who's gonna get it done.  The reality is that for things to get done in any size company, you have to deal with it relationally. 

Most big corporations, including mega churches and the like, adopt a process model that allows them to produce their widgets in the most efficient and concise manner.  I've been involved in and used those processes for many years now.  Looking at it objectively, it's obvious to me that these processes, developed by the intelligentsia of the age, are as solid as they can be.  Yet they all over look one thing; reality.  They expect humans to follow through with them.  That's really the laughable part of it all.  From what I've seen (and there may be exceptions) the process that has been adopted holds true...for a while.  But eventually, it's all gonna hit the fan and the person who has the most pressure on them will resort to that animal instinct that God placed within them to seek out another person.  They will seek out that person that will get it done, the person they feel the most safe with.  In the end, the process fails us because we need to deal with pressure and problems relationally to feel that we've actually accomplished something.

In an environment where that is not factored in, the process seems ludicrous.  The team tends to rebel against the process because "it doesn't work." Those people who were over burdened before the process came in become even more overburdened because they are expected to follow, loosely, the process for appearance sake while still accomplishing the work in the same old way.  Thus, the whole things seems, somehow, unnatural.

I have not seen an environment where this was not so in one degree or other.  However, some companies do better when they know that the human factor will kick in and they allow some leeway in the process that allows people to do what they do naturally....handle things relationally within the framework of a process.

And still I contend that work is most often done well in the case of a small, privately owned company.  They tend to live off the relationships they've built.  Take care of the people and they take care of you.  It's no panacea I know, but somehow it does seem more natural, doesn't it?

I'll have more to say about working in big corporations in the future.  For now, it is enough to know that no matter where you are and what job you do, relationships are vital.  Remember that and you will build a team around you that will get the job done.  Count on it.