John Harrell's Blog, page 6

Working People

Unless you were born into a family with great wealth, you know what it’s like to work. Working people make the economy go. We don’t see who produces our food, or drives the trucks to get it to us, or the people who control our traffic signals. But they are there and they are important well beyond just their work.

People are important. All people, not just the ones we like or admire. We tend to place people into categories: those who can do something for us and those who can’t. If someone can’t help us achieve our wants and needs, it doesn’t diminish their importance to God. He created them, too, and I don’t believe God has categorized us. I’m very grateful he doesn’t!

Take the time to get to know people. Find out where they are from, what makes them tick. See others the way God sees them, not through the limited vision of human eyes.

When we see humanity through God’s eyes, the lens of our vision grows larger, much larger…

The Blitz

In football, the blitz is used as a defensive move to create confusion for the opposing team. A zone blitz is when a defensive player who normally rushes the quarterback is dropped into coverage, thereby creating chaos for the quarterback. Blitzing is risky, but can produce turnovers and sacks which can change the momentum of the game.

Life can sometimes make us feel like we are getting blitzed. We like to think we can predict what will happen today, but as you know our best plans can go awry. Traffic throws us behind schedule, a child gets sick, or we have one of those days where nothing falls into place. We can bitch and moan, or we can adapt and move forward. Griping accomplishes nothing while adapting to the unexpected keeps us moving in the right direction.

The only thing we can control is our attitude. By maintaining an optimistic outlook while progressing toward our goals, we give ourselves an advantage.

Keep in mind that things always turn out the way they are supposed to. Even the biggest challenges won’t stop you if you refuse to give in to anger and quit. Just keep going…

Phones, Phones Everywhere!

Yesterday I flew back home. On the airplane and in the airport I couldn’t help but notice how many people had their heads down looking at their phones. I occupied my time with a book.

Since its introduction in 2007, Apple has sold over 3 billion iPhones. For several versions the company would introduce new features and capabilities. We met Siri, the voice recognition software. Every day I send or receive multiple text messages and emails on my phone. The handheld device is both a convenience and a nuisance at the same time.

With the rise in technology and instant “communication,” we are losing the art of conversation. Human interaction and connection is vital for us. We are meant to be in community with others. People aren’t robots. For us to fully function we need interaction with others.

There are eight billion people on the planet. Our phones allow us to communicate with almost anyone anywhere. Yet, we are living in the loneliest period ever.

Stay connected. Your well being depends on it…

Neurodivergence

Neurodivergence is a term that was coined in the 1990’s by sociologist Judy Singer. Singer was a neurodivergent person herself. Neurodivergence refers to differences in the way people’s brains work, process information, and behave.

All of us are neurodivergent in a way. We think differently, we believe different things and we don’t always behave. Even when our brains aren’t compromised, we remain uniquely different.

The longer we live, the more we learn about how the brain works. Neuroplasticity taught us that brain cells regenerate. We can create new, better ways of processing information. This includes how we interact with other people, too. We learn that not everyone deserves a response.

I encourage you to read about this fascinating subject. You might see the world differently…

Simply Said

Have you ever listened to someone who uses a lot of lesser known words to make themselves sound smarter than they are? Those types will drone on and on and all I can think is, no one speaks this way in everyday conversation.

I have had a good number of teachers who made learning interesting. Chemistry became a class I looked forward to because the professor was an excellent teacher. We were learning advanced chemical combinations but we were really learning them. It made sense.

A phrase I repeat often is, less is more. If something can be adequately explained in 20 seconds or less, then there is no reason to turn it into an hour. Speak clearly and precisely and you will become known as an excellent communicator.

Always remember, less is more. Actions matter. And I will finish with a quote from St. Francis: “Preach the Gospel often. Use words when necessary…”

Interesting Interactions

Yesterday I flew from Austin to New Orleans, Louisiana on Southwest Airlines. I don’t like to fly Southwest for a variety of reasons. The airline has open seating, the planes are packed, and the fleet is old. However, yesterday was a pleasant surprise!

The first surprise was that the plane wasn’t full. Second, the jet was new. Finally, I struck up a conversation with a fascinating young woman and it made the flight very interesting. She is a writer who has created a great story for film which I got her to share with me.

I listened, fascinated by her ability to make me see the story come to life in my mind. Her characters had depth and her storytelling was well thought out. Making a film is challenging. My hope is that her film gets produced. Hollywood needs new, exciting creative ideas!

The final surprise was my own reflection on myself. When I arrived at the airport I was counting the minutes until the flight would be over. My attitude needed work. Had I kept the same mindset I would have missed this wonderful conversation.

You never know who you might meet. Be ready!

Reflecting

This morning I learned that a girl I used to know had passed away last night. While I haven’t seen her in decades, it still affects me. You see, she was a bright light in this world. Our world became a little darker without her in it.

We remember the people from our past. School friends, old girlfriends and even those who briefly passed through our lives are all in the mix. We hold them in our hearts. They have been a part of who we have become. I will always treasure the good people.

All of us are on the train to our final destination. The train ride began when we were born. It’s a great ride most of the time. There’s an occasional tunnel to pass through, but we come out of it. Then one day the conductor will say, “yours is the next stop.”

Life doesn’t end when we leave this world. We live on in eternity where there is peace and perfection. Make your difference on this side before the conductor stops by your seat.

Live with purpose…

Willful Blindness

James was the half-brother of Jesus. He didn’t believe Jesus was the Messiah until the resurrection. Could you imagine growing up having Jesus as your older brother? The kid never did anything wrong so you couldn’t blame him for anything!

The Book of James is one of my favorite books of the Bible. James has been referred to as the “in your face” Apostle because he talks straight. No ambiguity. The book is only five chapters but he packs a lot into it.

James 4:17 says “ If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” This is haunting. Lots of things can distract us from doing good.

Let’s face it, sin is fun. If it wasn’t everyone would be good all the time. Sinful desires will tug at us all our lives. Yet, we aren’t powerless over it. God promises us a way out. Since God cannot lie, I believe it.

We will face temptation all our life. Let’s try to replace it by doing what is good and right. Then we will have the satisfaction of knowing we are living in God’s will…

Armed and Dangerous

You and I are carrying a weapon of mass destruction. Did you know you are armed and dangerous? Very dangerous, actually.

The weapon I’m talking about is our tongue. The words we say to others, and ourselves, can be used to encourage others or they may be used for harm.

What we say can reverberate for generations. Consider the quotes from history that were offered by JFK, Abraham Lincoln, Churchill and countless others. They have inspired millions for good. Those great men and their legacies are countered by Nikita Khrushchev who vowed that the communists would “bury us, and they wouldn’t have to fire a shot.” They haven’t quit trying.

God gave us free will over our words and actions. He doesn’t want us to use them to hurt others. We should offer constructive criticism in private and leave the ridicule and name calling to the low thinkers. Aim higher.

In prisons, I have met so many people who are carrying pain from the words of others, oftentimes from family members. Sadly, they believe they are worthless and don’t matter. Nothing could be further from the truth. Everyone is important. Everyone matters.

My encouragement to you (and me) is to hold our tongues as best we can. Not everything needs a response. Not everyone deserves a response…

Before You Begin

New week, new you, right? People begin changing their lives at the beginning of the week. A large percentage will abandon their goals before they have accomplished what they set out to do. There is a way to place yourself in the minority who succeed.

Before you begin, you must recognize that the battle is in your mind. It doesn’t require physical willpower to effect change. The change you desire can be made when you win the fight over your old ways of thinking.

Your mind is powerful. Really powerful. How we think will determine our outcomes. If you want better health, become health conscious. Keep your thoughts focused on the healthiest version of yourself and put blinders on to anything else. This works with time management, finances, even spiritual growth.

After a while your mind will take over. If you start thinking about going back to old, bad habits, your mind will stop you. When this happens you know you have retrained your brain. Victory!

The fight for the life you want is fought between your ears, not in the physical world. Change your thoughts and change your life…