The Greatest Generation

I read a quote recently that helps summarize my parent's generation...

"What really distinguishes this generation in all countries from earlier generations- is its determination to act, its joy in action, the assurance of being able to change things by one's own efforts." Hannah Arendt...1906-1975.

Hannah was a political philosopher, but her words have outlived her. Do we find "joy in our action" with what we do in our work and careers? Does our baby boomer generation or the next gens know how to find contentment?

Ecclesiastes 7:14 says "when times are good, be happy: but when times are bad consider: God has made the one as well as the other.
Think about it.

Lessons from a famous artist

A famous artist once commented- I believe I am nearer to God by being humble before this splendor (nature); by accepting the role I have been given to play in life; by honoring this majesty without self interests, and, above all, without asking for anything being confident that he has created everything has forgotten nothing. 

Wouldn't be interesting if today's celebrity took this same, humble approach without the built in self interest. Blog me with examples of such forthright leadership.

By the way...this was stated by a fav artist...Pierre Auguste Renoir

Recent Lessons

On a recent blogtalkradio show about lessons from marrying off your children, we learned valuable advice from our friend Kirk Blank. The formation of the triangulated relationship between the bride/groom, Christ and you is the underpinning for a long term foundation.
Ephesians is a must read to understand the heart of adoption from Christ's perspective.

Misstakes with Stimulus package

Tell me how we can make so many miss-takes as a government? It's hard to believe that almost every state got "ear mark" monies. And the best one....Iowa gets millions to study how to rid itself of odor coming from the pig farms.  

Don't miss your government's exploits....or your grandchildren will be paying the price mightily.

My miss-take of the week.....

During this weeks radio show, I asked a guest an invasive question that hit a sensitive nerve. Lesson learned for the 149th time....seek first to understand, be sensitive, think through the implication of a question.

Miss-takes remind us that we are very human. It's so important to remember our own fallibility.

This miss-take will strengthen the radio show as we tighten up the content and think about the personal growth that will be achieved by our listening audience (much less the talk show host).

Remember to hit your PAUSE button this week and consider how to act smarter, learn from your foibles and blunders and grow.......

Parenthood Lessons

On yesterday's radio show featuring Harlan Zeinstra, he pointed out a brilliant lesson that God does not give you "an instruction manual" for raising kids.

We would add that if you want to raise creative children, an innovative, creative home environment must be established. If you have the space, create a room for arts and crafts. Let your children paint the walls and express themselves.

Have an exceptionally high tolerance for miss-takes when it comes to art, music, writing and invention. We guarantee that your children will be "high octane", creative people when they decide to grow up.

Miss-takes quote

With the Oscars show coming up this weekend, here's an interesting quote on filmmaking. It hints of never being quite satisfied and the relentless pursuit of improvement.

"When the film is finished, it is never the film I said I wanted to make." Fedrico Fellini