tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79346649908690778432024-03-13T22:44:59.314-05:00Jason FountainTools for living an intentional life.Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-37213387151331111702011-09-30T05:00:00.000-05:002011-09-30T06:09:16.903-05:00TOP POSTS FOR SEPTEMBER<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Below are the top 5 posts for the month of September.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DibrI4B5OBQ/ToUscmVVS6I/AAAAAAAAAJw/RkxZA5TUHNk/s1600/September+Wordle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DibrI4B5OBQ/ToUscmVVS6I/AAAAAAAAAJw/RkxZA5TUHNk/s400/September+Wordle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<li><a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/09/this-is-your-life.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">THIS IS YOUR LIFE</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/09/embracing-your-story.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">EMBRACING YOUR STORY</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/09/miracle-of-life.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">THE MIRACLE OF LIFE</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/09/one-question-you-should-always-be-able.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">ONE QUESTION YOU SHOULD ALWAYS BE ABLE TO ANSWER</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/09/today.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">TODAY</span></a></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">If you don't blog, you should. There is power in committing your thoughts to paper. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As I approach this weekend and beginning a new month, a couple of thoughts come to mind:</span></div>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">If you have a Kindle and don't check out Amazon.com's Kindle Deal of the Day, you should. They offer one Kindle book a day at a deep discount. Most of the books are sold from $.99 to $1.99. I've bought several excellent books very cheaply. Click <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=pe_132230_20692090_pe_btn/?docId=1000677541">here</a></u> to visit the Kindle Deal of the Day.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I just finished <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moonwalking-Einstein-Remembering-Everything-ebook/dp/B004H4XI5O/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1317350609&sr=1-1">Moonwalking with Einstein</a></i> by Joshua Foer. This is probably my favorite book of 2011. If you are interested in memory, you should check it out. This is not a "dry" read at all.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The next book that I plan to read is Seth Godin's <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/We-Are-All-Weird-ebook/dp/B005G5DSLW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1317350962&sr=1-1">We Are All Weird</a></i>. This is another short manifesto from one of the influential thinkers of our time. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Many people from our church are going to see <i>Courageous</i> at the movies this weekend. If you've not seen the trailer, you can check it out <u><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9VT_NBIVfs">here</a></u>.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The weather is supposed to be beautiful this weekend in Baton Rouge. I hope it is wherever you are.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I hope you are doing something meaningful this weekend. Go out into the world and make a difference or stay at home and make a difference with your family. Either way...make a difference this weekend!</span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">QUESTION: If you blog, what was your favorite blog post of the month? If you don't blog, did you read a favorite blog post this month?</span></div>
</div>
Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-48930084948025003072011-09-28T05:00:00.000-05:002011-09-28T05:00:00.502-05:00THE ART OF STORYTELLING<div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Now you know the rest of the story."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">~Paul Harvey </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5qSYO5zp60/ToJ87QzYgKI/AAAAAAAAAJs/jO7ppLY7oE0/s1600/storycorps_480x360_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5qSYO5zp60/ToJ87QzYgKI/AAAAAAAAAJs/jO7ppLY7oE0/s320/storycorps_480x360_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I love stories. The most engaging
speakers and communicators are masters at teaching through the use of stories.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The same well-crafted story can
hold meaning simple enough for a child to understand or complex enough to
challenge adults. Jesus did this often with His use of parables.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://storycorps.org/">StoryCorps</a> is an interesting
website. Below is the description from their website:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> StoryCorps is an independent
nonprofit whose mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs
with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives.
Since 2003, StoryCorps has collected and archived more than 30,000 interviews
from more than 60,000 participants. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD
to share, and is preserved at the American Folklife Center at the Library of
Congress. StoryCorps is one of the largest oral history projects of its kind,
and millions listen to our weekly broadcasts on NPR’s <em>Morning Edition</em>
and on our <a href="http://storycorps.org/listen">Listen pages</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We do this to remind one another of
our shared humanity, strengthen and build the connections between people, teach
the value of listening, and weave into the fabric of our culture the
understanding that every life matters. At the same time, we will create an
invaluable archive of American voices and wisdom for future generations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In addition to loving stories, I
love kids. I have the great fortune of working each and every day with second
and third graders as the assistant principal at an elementary school. If you
want to fill your heart with joy, spend a day with elementary kids.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I ran across the video below on
StoryCorps a while back and wanted to share. As the notes on YouTube explain, ”Joshua
Littman, a 12-year-old boy with Asperger’s syndrome, interviews his mother,
Sarah. Joshua’s unique questions and Sarah’s loving, unguarded answers reveal a
beautiful relationship that reminds us of the best – and the most challenging –
parts of being a parent.”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is a touching
and uplifting 4-minute video.</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/eO7sKVKMO2s?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">QUESTION: What is one of your
favorite childhood stories? Please leave comments below.</span></b></div>
</div>
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Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-46247491500687546882011-09-26T05:00:00.000-05:002011-09-26T05:00:03.626-05:00ONE QUESTION YOU SHOULD ALWAYS BE ABLE TO ANSWER<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"If you have a goal in life that takes a lot of energy, that
requires a lot of work, that incurs a great deal of interest and that is a
challenge to you, you will always look forward to waking up to see what the new
day brings."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">~Susan Polis Schultz</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f1KdgwMlNFo/Tn_ray0DH3I/AAAAAAAAAJo/AUi_3VnHBhE/s1600/juggling-growth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f1KdgwMlNFo/Tn_ray0DH3I/AAAAAAAAAJo/AUi_3VnHBhE/s320/juggling-growth.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b>Seven Clubs by<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timailius/"> Tim Ellis</a></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">There is one question for which you should always have a
ready answer: What am I doing to grow?</span></div>
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One aspect of intentional living is personal development. This
is separate from setting family goals, career goals, financial goals, etc. We should
always be working on self-improvement.</div>
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The answer to this question should be a deeply personal one.
This is not about impressing others or striving to grow in an area that someone
else believes we should improve upon. </div>
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This is all about growing as a person. If you are confused
on personal development goals, below are some examples:</div>
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- learning to play the piano</div>
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- training to run a 5k</div>
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- writing a blog</div>
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- reading a specific book</div>
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- completing a project around the house</div>
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- starting an eBay business</div>
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I can’t define your personal development goal, because it
has to be something that grabs your heart.</div>
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As we begin a new week, my hope for you today is that you
can quickly and definitively answer the question: What am I doing to grow?</div>
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If you can answer that question, then go and make progress
today. The world is waiting on you.</div>
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If you can’t answer that question, you have some work to do.
Sure, we all have obligations, but don’t forget that when you are learning and
at your best then you are better able to be “there” for those you love.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>QUESTION: What are YOU doing to grow? Please leave comments
below.</b></div>
</span>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-49066175112065186512011-09-23T05:00:00.000-05:002011-09-23T05:00:01.877-05:00TODAY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"To awaken each morning with a smile brightening my face; to greet the day with reverence for the opportunities it contains; to approach my work with a clean mind; to hold ever before me, even in the doing of little things, the ultimate purpose toward which I am working; to meet men and women with laughter on my lips and love in my heart; to be gentle, kind, and courteous through all the hours; to approach the night with weariness that ever woos sleep and the joy that comes from work well done - this is how I desire to waste wisely my days."</span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">~Thomas Dekker</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GN4WMtYTaEw/TnvcGzgygaI/AAAAAAAAAJk/ft3xPzoTlRY/s1600/sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GN4WMtYTaEw/TnvcGzgygaI/AAAAAAAAAJk/ft3xPzoTlRY/s320/sunrise.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Sunrise and the Boat by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bergie/">Henri Bergius</a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Late yesterday afternoon, I went for a walk in my neighborhood. My wife, Aimie, was at a school function so I was by myself. As I walked, this crazy sense of peace and excitement and joy and contentment (all at once) just washed over me.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The sky was blue with orange-tinted clouds. The air was slightly cool and the birds were chirping. I even saw the owl that I usually hear, but can never find.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I've talked about <u><a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/07/creating-and-recording-magical-days.html">magic moments</a></u> before, but that's what it was. It was just one of those moments that you hold onto and wish that it would not end.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Have you had a moment like that recently? It won't happen by sitting on the couch watching TV or reading Facebook or surfing the internet. It might happen when we open our heart to another person or go outside or take our mind off of ourself.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As you walk through today and the weekend, I want to challenge you to seek out those fleeting moments of joy that sometimes appear without a warning. Don't try to hold onto it too long - let it run its course. If we try to hold onto it too tightly, it will leave all the more quickly.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I recently came across the quote above. I need to write it down and keep it with me for a while. There is much truth about living each day contained in that quote.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Now...go, and live today fully. Embrace your story and live it for all it's worth.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">May you "waste wisely" today.</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">QUESTION: I love the changing of seasons - it's a renewal of sorts. What is your favorite season?</span></b>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-67061307075807318982011-09-21T05:00:00.000-05:002011-09-21T05:00:00.437-05:00THE CAPTAIN AND THE SEAMAN: A LESSON IN HUMILITY<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="body">"Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.</span>
"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span class="bodybold">
~Saint Augustine
</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FJUcR1P5fgs/TnZxZG6z9pI/AAAAAAAAAJg/TV1Gl27y7v4/s1600/lighthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FJUcR1P5fgs/TnZxZG6z9pI/AAAAAAAAAJg/TV1Gl27y7v4/s320/lighthouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hope by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/danslegrandbleu/">Jens Auer</a></div>
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<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I read and cut out the following story from Dr. James Dobson's <i>Focus on the Family</i> bulletin in December of 2000. This is a great story about humility and seeing things as they truly are.</span></div>
<blockquote>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In <i>Proceedings</i>, the official magazine of the Naval Institute, Frank Koch reported on a very unusual encounter at sea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A battleship had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy weather. Shortly after the sun went down, the lookout reported a light in the distance, so the captain had the signalman send a message: "We are on a collision course. Advise you change course 20 degrees."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Minutes later a signal came back: "Advisable for <i>you</i> to change course 20 degrees."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The captain angrily ordered that another signal be sent: "I'm a captain. Change course 20 degrees."</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Again came the reply: "I'm a seaman, second class. <i>You</i> had better change course 20 degrees."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Furious by this point, the captain barked a final threat. "I'm a battleship! Change course 20 degrees!"</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The signal came back: "I'm a lighthouse."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The captain changed his course.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't care how big and powerful a person may become; it's foolhardy to ignore the beacons that warn us of danger. They take various forms: symptoms of health problems, prolonged marital conflict, rebellious children, excessive debt, stress that ties us in knots. These are the warning signs of approaching danger. It matters not that we're successful, influential, and busy.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">When a seaman, second class, sits in a lighthouse somewhere and signals, "Change your course," the wise captain does so with haste.</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">QUESTION: Why do we miss so many of the "lighthouses" in our lives?</span></span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <b>Please post comments below.</b></span></span>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-16154617207588709152011-09-19T05:00:00.000-05:002011-09-19T05:00:06.377-05:00EMBRACING YOUR STORY<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the best-selling books in the 1980s was M. Scott
Peck’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743243153/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=jasofoun-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0743243153"><i>The Road Less Traveled</i></a>. In
this book, the first line reads: “Life is difficult.” </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">How do you like that for an opening sentence?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Beginning in the next sentence, the author further explains
the statement: </span></div>
<blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we
transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult – once we truly
understand and accept it – then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is
accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters."</span></div>
</blockquote>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kSA6cfs9cvM/TnZp6L9C_NI/AAAAAAAAAJc/LMYpRwFcv1g/s1600/STORY.jpb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kSA6cfs9cvM/TnZp6L9C_NI/AAAAAAAAAJc/LMYpRwFcv1g/s320/STORY.jpb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Window Frame by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmasters/">David Master</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">One key to living an intentional life is embracing our story
– whatever that story is. Although I know that life is difficult, I also know
that life is good. When we spend days, months, and years wishing for a
different story, we miss the life that is being written for us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">When I talk about embracing our story, I am referring to the
circumstances in our life that are out of our control. Many of the situations
that we face in our life are of our own choosing. Some are not. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Today I’m
talking about those circumstances that we wish we could change and, for whatever
reason, we cannot. Examples that come to mind are ones such as disease, loss of
a loved one, disabilities, infertility, and other circumstances that we just
can’t really explain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">As I reflect on embracing my story, four thoughts come to
mind:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. Consciously embrace your story daily.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">A while back, I wrote about Jim Collins’ book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0066620996/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=jasofoun-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0066620996"><i>Good to Great</i></a>. In this book he talks
about the Stockdale Paradox. The Stockdale Paradox is about facing the facts of
your current reality and believing that you will prevail in the end (read more
about this idea <a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/07/true-optimism.html"><u>here</u></a>). </span></blockquote>
</div>
<blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Our story is our story. We can deny it, try to suppress it,
or go into depression because of what it is. But whatever we choose to do, it
is still there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Our story is unique. To live fully, we must embrace our
story.</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. Realize there may not be an answer for why your story is
written the way it is – stop trying to figure it out.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">We must stop trying to figure out why we have been chosen
for our particular story. I remember hearing NBC news anchor John Chancellor
give this quote when he was faced with life-threatening cancer: “If you want to
make God laugh, just tell him your plans.”</span></blockquote>
</div>
<blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">That quote almost paints God as one who scoffs at our troubles
and I do not believe this is His response. But, as a Christian, I fully believe
that God has no obligation whatsoever to explain to me why I have been given a
particular story. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">When I listen to preachers or Christians who talk of the
prosperity Gospel, I just cringe. There are numerous stories in the Bible of
Christian men and women who faced incredible struggles and challenges. How do
we explain their story? I don’t think we do. I think we have to stop trying to
figure out WHY our story is happening and just do our best to embrace it. Part
of trusting God is believing that He will redeem our story – whether in this
lifetime or another.</span></div>
</blockquote>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. Stop looking at other people’s story.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is the most insidious temptation when living our story.
We look at others and think, “if only…” This is the quickest way to deny our story
and live a bitter, hurtful life. </span></blockquote>
</div>
<blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Every single person faces their own challenges – it’s a
human condition. The temptation is always available to look at other people and
desire what they have. But, we must fight this desire. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Daily thankfulness is the only way to battle this hunger to
look at other people’s story. When we are obsessing with other people’s
stories, we should take some time to list the things that we are thankful for
in our own lives. Maybe we aren’t exactly where we would desire to be; but,
again, we can live in a place of bitterness or we can <i>choose</i> to embrace our story and look at the blessings that we have.</span></div>
</blockquote>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. Add the next chapter to your story.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Embracing our story means that we know the last chapter has
not been written. Although we may not be able to control circumstances, we can
always choose our attitude and envision a compelling future.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you are a Christian, the Bible says that if we take our
struggles and challenges to the very end (even death), we <i>still</i> have a hope. Our life is not about what happens during this
lifetime. We will have an eternity to look into the face of God.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It hurts me to think that people exist in this world who do
not have the hope of Jesus Christ. I don’t believe that I could truly embrace
my story without this knowledge. Please remember that whatever our current
story, we do have a hope and a future in Christ.</span></blockquote>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Embrace your story today. Even when it hurts, even when it
makes you angry, even when it makes no sense – embrace your story.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I would like to point you to a new blogging friend who
inspires me to live my story. His name is Ryan Haack. You can read a blog that
he wrote about this idea <a href="http://www.ryanhaack.com/adventure-living-onehanded/"><u>here</u></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Life is difficult…but it is good. Embrace your story today...because
it is <i>yours</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>QUESTION: How do you embrace your life story? Please post
comments below.</b> NOTE: I have begun using <a href="http://disqus.com/"><u>DISQUS</u></a> for comments. If you do not
have a DISQUS account, please sign up for one. If you have a blog that you would like to link, sign up for your DISQUS account <a href="http://disqus.com/admin/register/"><u>here</u></a>. If you only want to make comments, sign up <a href="http://disqus.com/profile/signup/"><u>here</u></a>. NOTE: You do NOT have to create a DISQUS account to leave comments.</span></div>
</div>
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Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-36863255874604804692011-09-15T05:00:00.000-05:002011-09-15T05:00:08.791-05:0031 DAYS TO FINDING YOUR BLOGGING MOJO<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“As anyone who’s ever been mugged by their grandparents will
tell you,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the element of surprise can make all the difference.”<br />
~<b>Bryan Allain</b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGUFX4"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v4c0W6WEseU/TnFIbPdn6rI/AAAAAAAAAJY/OZWwqYNLwnM/s1600/31+DAYS.jpg" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you read the
<a href="http://bit.ly/qP28w6"><u>guest post</u></a> that I wrote for my friend Jon Stolpe over on his <a href="http://jonstolpe.wordpress.com/">blog</a> last month,
then you know that I believe everyone should have a blog. Writing a blog
teaches discipline, helps sift your beliefs, and produces a written legacy of
your thoughts.</span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Last week, I
received an advance copy of Bryan Allain’s (<a href="http://www.bryanallain.com/">www.bryanallain.com</a>)
awesome ebook, <i>31 Days to
Finding Your Blogging Mojo</i>. Besides being funny and an easy read, the book
is full of great advice for bloggers – whether you are beginning a blog or you are a veteran blogger.</span><i> </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>31 Days to Finding Your Blogging Mojo</i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> is a book that can be read in a couple of
days, but will have you thinking about every aspect of your blog. The book is
broken into three sections: 1) The 3 Core Elements; 2) The Reign of King
Content; and 3) Finding Visitors, Keeping Readers. These sections take you from
conception and vision of your blog to the specifics of creating content and
handling comments.</span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Some gems from the
book:</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<ul style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Day 5: The three
core elements [of your blog] are Audience, Perspective, and Content. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Day 8: Try picking
one person as your audience and write just for them. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Day 10: The more
you can narrow and define the scope of your blog, the better chance you have of
hooking new readers (the right readers) on the concept. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Day 12: So here’s
a trick I’ve learned to generate content ideas and blogging inspiration that
works almost every time: Go spend time in your archives. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Day 14: We’ve got
less than a minute to hook a new visitor on our site. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Day 16: I have
never, in all my 10 years of blogging, had a reader complain to me that a blog
post was too short. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Day 20: I call
them Cheater Posts because they are so easy to write, but honestly there’s
nothing ethically wrong with them…Here are 5 examples of cheater posts I use or
have seen used by others. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Day 24: As a
general rule, I think the fewer comments you get on your blog, the more you
should be interacting with your commenters. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Day 25: Take this
one action every day to watch the number of new visitors to your site rise a
little more each day.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>31 Days to Finding Your Blogging Mojo</i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> is available through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGUFX4"><u>Amazon in Kindle format</u></a>, as a <a href="http://31daystomojo.com/"><u>PDF download</u></a>, and will be available in the Nook store very soon.
The cost is only $4.99. I guarantee you will love this book.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">In fact, go to <a href="http://bryanallain.com/"><u>Bryan’s blog</u></a> and read
more about him and his book.</span><b> </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>QUESTION: Do you
have a book recommendation?</b></span></div>
Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-9819430679528811362011-09-14T05:00:00.000-05:002011-09-14T05:00:15.886-05:00LIVING FULLY TODAY<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Life is a great big canvas, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and you should throw all the
paint on it you can.”<br />
~<b>Danny Kaye</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhukXAyKCY0/TnAFNWnWxII/AAAAAAAAAJU/9SN96pW9jYw/s1600/canvas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhukXAyKCY0/TnAFNWnWxII/AAAAAAAAAJU/9SN96pW9jYw/s320/canvas.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> 2008-0217 (156) </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lotus Flower by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenniferphoon/">jenniferphoon</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you ever take time to think about the fact that each and
every morning is a brand new day – one that has never been and one that will
never be again?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Too often, we just coast through life, allowing one day to
fade into another. Before we realize it, days have become months and months
have become years and we lament lost time. The above quote by Danny Kaye is a
call to intentional living.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I once heard someone state that his memory was “painted with
colors that would never fade.” This quote resonated with me because that is the
kind of rich, memorable life that I seek. I want my life to be meaningful and full of
colorful experiences for me and my family.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A Challenge</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Below is one of my favorite pictures. I keep a copy of the
picture beside my desk at work as a reminder that each day is a blank canvas
waiting to be painted. What I choose to do with the blank canvas is, mostly, up
to me.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UWM4XI57kmA/Tm__nZZZouI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/OTy9Vd1ibS4/s1600/blank-canvas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UWM4XI57kmA/Tm__nZZZouI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/OTy9Vd1ibS4/s320/blank-canvas.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
<br />
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Below are ten suggestions for making today count. Choose one
and decide to intentionally do it today. These are very simple ideas, but as
you make a choice to intentionally “throw some color on the canvas,” you will
be creating memories and, more importantly, making today count. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Keep a journal.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Record your magic moments. (I wrote about this <a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/07/creating-and-recording-magical-days.html"><u>here</u></a> – it’s
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">worth reading)</span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></li>
<li style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Create a magic moment for someone else today. (suggestions:
buy four $5 McDonalds gift cards and hand them out, write an uplifting note to a
colleague at work, let someone cut in front of you in traffic)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></li>
<li style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Participate in <a href="http://content.photojojo.com/tutorials/project-365-take-a-photo-a-day/">Project 365</a>, where you take one picture a
day for a year. My wife has done this for the past two years and it provides a
great record of our lives.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Take 5 minutes and listen to a favorite piece of music.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Take a 5-minute walk outside and really pay attention to
your surroundings.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Memorize scripture – start with Psalm 118:24 – “This is
the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Set a goal - decide on something simple that you want to accomplish
and commit it to paper; then, decide the date by which you will accomplish your
goal.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> (For ideas read <a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/07/what-can-you-do-in-30-days.html"><u>here</u></a>, <a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/07/becoming-intentional-changer.html"><u>here</u></a>, and <a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-one-step-leads-to-another.html"><u>here</u></a>.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Drive a different route to or from work - you might be surprised at what you notice.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Turn off the TV tonight and do something intentional.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;">Remember…today really is all that we have. We can plan all
day long, but we can’t live tomorrow until tomorrow. Living fully in the moment
is a choice for today only.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, get going! Throw some colorful, vivid paints on today's blank canvas!</span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">QUESTION: What other suggestions do you have for making
TODAY count? Please leave comments below.</span></b><br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-26393953374679329412011-09-09T06:18:00.000-05:002011-09-09T09:49:55.453-05:00WHAT TEACHERS REALLY WANT TO TELL PARENTS<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Below is an article written by educator Ron Clark for CNN. This is a powerful article that you should read and share. Click <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/06/living/teachers-want-to-tell-parents/index.html">here</a> for the link to the original article.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfvHjSmmKv4/Tmn1Jt-g-_I/AAAAAAAAAJI/MyGwGAjhsfg/s1600/ronclarkacademy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfvHjSmmKv4/Tmn1Jt-g-_I/AAAAAAAAAJI/MyGwGAjhsfg/s320/ronclarkacademy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Editor's note:</b> <a href="http://www.ronclarkacademy.com/">Ron Clark</a>, author of <a href="http://endofmolassesclasses.com/">"The End of Molasses Classes: Getting Our Kids Unstuck -- 101 Extraordinary Solutions for Parents and Teachers,"</a> has been named "American Teacher of the Year" by Disney and was Oprah Winfrey's pick as her "Phenomenal Man." He founded <a href="http://www.ronclarkacademy.com/" target="_blank">The Ron Clark Academy</a>, which educators from around the world have visited to learn.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>(CNN)</b> -- This summer, I met a principal who was
recently named as the administrator of the year in her state. She was
loved and adored by all, but she told me she was leaving the profession.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I screamed, "You can't leave us," and she quite bluntly replied,
"Look, if I get an offer to lead a school system of orphans, I will be
all over it, but I just can't deal with parents anymore; they are
killing us."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, this sentiment seems to be becoming more and more
prevalent. Today, new teachers remain in our profession an average of
just 4.5 years, and many of them list "issues with parents" as one of
their reasons for throwing in the towel. Word is spreading, and the more
negativity teachers receive from parents, the harder it becomes to
recruit the best and the brightest out of colleges.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, what can we do to stem the tide? What do teachers really need parents to understand?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For starters, we are educators, not nannies. We are educated
professionals who work with kids every day and often see your child in a
different light than you do. If we give you advice, don't fight it.
Take it, and digest it in the same way you would consider advice from a
doctor or lawyer. I have become used to some parents who just don't want
to hear anything negative about their child, but sometimes if you're
willing to take early warning advice to heart, it can help you head off
an issue that could become much greater in the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Trust us. At times when I tell parents that their child has been a
behavior problem, I can almost see the hairs rise on their backs. They
are ready to fight and defend their child, and it is exhausting. One of
my biggest pet peeves is when I tell a mom something her son did and she
turns, looks at him and asks, "Is that true?" Well, of course it's
true. I just told you. And please don't ask whether a classmate can
confirm what happened or whether another teacher might have been
present. It only demeans teachers and weakens the partnership between
teacher and parent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Please quit with all the excuses</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And if you really want to help your children be successful, stop
making excuses for them. I was talking with a parent and her son about
his summer reading assignments. He told me he hadn't started, and I let
him know I was extremely disappointed because school starts in two
weeks.</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">His mother chimed in and told me that it had been a horrible summer
for them because of family issues they'd been through in July. I said I
was so sorry, but I couldn't help but point out that the assignments
were given in May. She quickly added that she was allowing her child
some "fun time" during the summer before getting back to work in July
and that it wasn't his fault the work wasn't complete.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Can you feel my pain?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some parents will make excuses regardless of the situation, and they
are raising children who will grow into adults who turn toward excuses
and do not create a strong work ethic. If you don't want your child to
end up 25 and jobless, sitting on your couch eating potato chips, then
stop making excuses for why they aren't succeeding. Instead, focus on
finding solutions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Parents, be a partner instead of a prosecutor</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And parents, you know, it's OK for your child to get in trouble
sometimes. It builds character and teaches life lessons. As teachers, we
are vexed by those parents who stand in the way of those lessons; we
call them helicopter parents because they want to swoop in and save
their child every time something goes wrong. If we give a child a 79 on a
project, then that is what the child deserves. Don't set up a time to
meet with me to negotiate extra credit for an 80. It's a 79, regardless
of whether you think it should be a B+.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This one may be hard to accept, but you shouldn't assume that because
your child makes straight A's that he/she is getting a good education.
The truth is, a lot of times it's the bad teachers who give the easiest
grades, because they know by giving good grades everyone will leave them
alone. Parents will say, "My child has a great teacher! He made all A's
this year!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wow. Come on now. In all honesty, it's usually the best teachers who
are giving the lowest grades, because they are raising expectations.
Yet, when your children receive low scores you want to complain and head
to the principal's office.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please, take a step back and get a good look at the landscape. Before
you challenge those low grades you feel the teacher has "given" your
child, you might need to realize your child "earned" those grades and
that the teacher you are complaining about is actually the one that is
providing the best education.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And please, be a partner instead of a prosecutor. I had a child cheat
on a test, and his parents threatened to call a lawyer because I was
labeling him a criminal. I know that sounds crazy, but principals all
across the country are telling me that more and more lawyers are
accompanying parents for school meetings dealing with their children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Teachers walking on eggshells</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I feel so sorry for administrators and teachers these days whose
hands are completely tied. In many ways, we live in fear of what will
happen next. We walk on eggshells in a watered-down education system
where teachers lack the courage to be honest and speak their minds. If
they make a slight mistake, it can become a major disaster.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My mom just told me a child at a local school wrote on his face with a
permanent marker. The teacher tried to get it off with a wash cloth,
and it left a red mark on the side of his face. The parent called the
media, and the teacher lost her job. My mom, my very own mother, said,
"Can you believe that woman did that?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I felt hit in the gut. I honestly would have probably tried to get
the mark off as well. To think that we might lose our jobs over
something so minor is scary. Why would anyone want to enter our
profession? If our teachers continue to feel threatened and scared, you
will rob our schools of our best and handcuff our efforts to recruit
tomorrow's outstanding educators.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, deal with negative situations in a professional manner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If your child said something happened in the classroom that concerns
you, ask to meet with the teacher and approach the situation by saying,
"I wanted to let you know something my child said took place in your
class, because I know that children can exaggerate and that there are
always two sides to every story. I was hoping you could shed some light
for me." If you aren't happy with the result, then take your concerns to
the principal, but above all else, never talk negatively about a
teacher in front of your child. If he knows you don't respect her, he
won't either, and that will lead to a whole host of new problems.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We know you love your children. We love them, too. We just ask -- and
beg of you -- to trust us, support us and work with the system, not
against it. We need you to have our backs, and we need you to give us
the respect we deserve. Lift us up and make us feel appreciated, and we
will work even harder to give your child the best education possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's a teacher's promise, from me to you.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">QUESTION: Are you an educator or a parent or both? How does this article resonate with you? Please post comments below.</span></span></b>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-41889514268782443782011-09-07T05:00:00.000-05:002011-09-07T05:57:03.801-05:00THIS IS YOUR LIFE<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="body">"I arise in the morning torn between a desire to
improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to
plan the day.</span>
"<br />
<span class="bodybold">
~E. B. White</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ILg2taVU9DI/TmTr_hiMHNI/AAAAAAAAAJA/Cg--IDjKYi8/s1600/embrace+today.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ILg2taVU9DI/TmTr_hiMHNI/AAAAAAAAAJA/Cg--IDjKYi8/s320/embrace+today.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="bodybold"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-small;"> My new watch by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/artnow/">Artnow314</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold">Over the long holiday weekend, I was out shopping with my wife when I came across a print that I thought was worth sharing. The text is below.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold">Here's to a life worth living!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="bodybold">This is your life. Find a passion and pursue it. Fall in love. Dream Big. Eat great food and spend quality time with good friends. Laugh everyday. Believe in magic. Tell stories. Reminisce about the good old days but look with optimism to the future. Travel often. Learn more. Be creative. Spend time with people you admire. Seize opportunities when they reveal themselves. Love with all your heart. Never give up. Do what you love. Be true to who you are. Make time to enjoy the simple things in life. Spend time with family. Forgive even when it's hard. Smile often. Be grateful. Be the change you wish to see in the world. Follow your dreams. Try new things. Work hard. Don't count the minutes, count the laughs. Embrace change. Trust in yourself. Be thankful. Be nice to everyone. Be happy. Live for today. And above all...make every moment count.</span> </span></blockquote>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">QUESTION: What would you add to the list? Please post comments below. </span></span></b>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-24533644516470039102011-09-06T05:59:00.000-05:002011-09-06T05:59:13.998-05:00THE MIRACLE OF LIFE<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as
though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a
miracle." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">~Albert Einstein</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJTW6OzS7J4/TmToUYVx1FI/AAAAAAAAAI8/uxCO_nGgB84/s1600/miracles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJTW6OzS7J4/TmToUYVx1FI/AAAAAAAAAI8/uxCO_nGgB84/s320/miracles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pink vision by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/piotrzurek/">Piotr Zurek </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The quote above by Albert Einstein is one of my all-time
favorites.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When life becomes mundane, predictable and routine I am
drawn back to this thought.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Too often, we live a life of black and white – we wake up at
the same time, we follow the same morning routine, we drive the same route to
work, we do the same thing at work all day, we drive the same route home, we
watch the same TV shows, we go to bed only to wake up and repeat the process.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As the world presses down upon our lives, we must make an
intentional effort to see the beautiful and the miraculous in our everyday lives.
Do you realize the miracles that swirl around us each and every day?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It is too easy to just accept the miracle of our bodies (our
brains, eyesight, hearing), the miracles of nature (the fact that the earth
rotates every 24 hours and is right now hurtling through space), the miracle of
emotions, the miracle of birth and regeneration (creation of a child, seasons
of the earth), and a million other miracles that are present and available for
us to witness each and every day.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And yet…</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- We choose to sulk through life feeling sorry for our
circumstances.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- We choose to think life is boring.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- We choose to waste our days in front of the television.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- We choose to wake up with a sense of dread in our gut
about the impending day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- We choose to live in regret of past failures and lament
our lack of success.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A life of excitement, meaning, and purpose begins with a
focus on the miraculous.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Psalms 139: 14-15:
</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my
mother’s womb.</span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just for today, I challenge you to let this verse take hold
of your mind. Do you know Who created you and to Whom you belong? Choose to focus
on the miracle of birth and life and know that you are here for a reason.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When our lives become safe and predictable, it takes a focus
on the miraculous to jar us awake. Choose today to see the miraculous in every
circumstance of life.</span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">QUESTION: What miracles in your everyday life have you been
ignoring? Please leave comments below.</span></b></div>
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Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-63114856444776085212011-08-24T05:00:00.000-05:002011-08-24T05:00:10.329-05:00A TRUE HERO<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Sacrificing your happiness for the happiness of the one you love is, by far, the truest type of love.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1OTlmttzJk/TlRgJ78FXyI/AAAAAAAAAI0/R55yZxrKAus/s1600/frank_havens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1OTlmttzJk/TlRgJ78FXyI/AAAAAAAAAI0/R55yZxrKAus/s320/frank_havens.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Frank Havens</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
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</style> <![endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I read this story back in August 2001 in Dr. James Dobson’s <a href="http://www.focusonthefamily.com/"><i>Focus on the Family</i></a> bulletin. I believe that some of the best lessons about life can be learned from the experiences of others.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My question for you as you read this is: Was Bill crazy for passing up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in the Olympics? Would you or I have the courage to make the same decision?</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><blockquote style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the most powerful stories in the history of the Olympic Games involved a canoeing specialist named Bill Havens. He was a shoo-in, I’m told, to win a gold medal in the 1924 Olympics in Paris.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">But several months before the games were held, he learned that his wife would likely give birth to their first child while he was away. She told him that she could make it on her own, but this was a milestone Bill just didn’t want to miss. So he shocked everyone and stayed home. Bill greeted his son, Frank, on August 1, 1924. Though he always wondered what might have been, he said he never regretted his decision.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, he poured his life into that little lad and shared with him a love for the rapids. Twenty-eight years passed, and the Olympic Games were held in Helsinki, Finland. This time Frank Havens was chosen to compete in the canoeing event. The day after the competition, Bill received a telegram from his son that read: “Dear Dad, Thanks for waiting around for me to be born in 1924. I’m coming home with the gold medal that you should have won.” It was signed, “Your loving son, Frank.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Many would question Bill Havens’ decision to miss his big opportunity in Paris, but he wanted his family to know that they always came first, no matter what. And that made him a hero to a little boy named Frank.</span></div></blockquote><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Who or what are we living for today? Is it for the accolades given us by others or growing the relationships of those closest to us? </span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I challenge us today to make decisions based on relationships and becoming men and women of substance. Live today with purpose and intentionality and may all of our decisions in life come from a place of purity and love.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>QUESTION: Do you have a loved one who sacrificed for you? Please share in the comments below.</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-38739578532314835602011-08-23T05:00:00.000-05:002011-08-23T05:00:13.227-05:00PERSPECTIVE<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">“The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">the more energy you will have.”</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">~Norman Vincent Peale</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pXFFZmUSk00/TlGsfWIhfRI/AAAAAAAAAIw/EJTnfKqSyq0/s1600/Perspective.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pXFFZmUSk00/TlGsfWIhfRI/AAAAAAAAAIw/EJTnfKqSyq0/s320/Perspective.jpg" width="189" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Going Upstairs by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/valeriebb/">Valerie Everett</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Life is all about perspective. Why is it that a person riddled with cancer with only months to live can experience a peaceful life while a millionaire living in a high-rise New York apartment can commit suicide? I believe it can be reduced to one idea: future perspective.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Think through the following scenario.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You have two men who are going to work hard labor for one year. You tell one man that he will work 12-hour days, 6 days per week and at the end of the year, you will pay him $12,000. How do you think this man will work his job? It will almost certainly be reluctantly and with a bad attitude.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You tell the other man, however, that he will work 12-hour days, 6 days per week for one year, but at the end of the year he will receive $10 million. Do you think he will have a good attitude throughout the year?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What’s the difference? Of course, it’s perspective. It will be easy for the 10 million dollar man to wake up with a smile each day and work as hard as possible. He knows what lies at the end of the journey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Such is our walk with Christ.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we keep a future perspective (eternity with Christ), we are better able to endure the hardships, setbacks, and challenges of our day-to-day life. And, make no mistake, whether you are a Christian or not, you will experience deep hurts, challenges, and trials as you walk through life on earth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Life has a way of wearing us down and causing us to lose focus. Have you ever experienced a financial challenge and run this scenario through your head: this unplanned event has caused us to experience a financial setback, we’ll go into debt and never be able to catch up, they’ll foreclose on our house and then we’ll have to move in with the in-laws.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you’re like me, you tend to run the worst-case scenario through your mind. Do you know that it doesn’t have to be like that? This is a choice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">God’s word says that we can have a future perspective. This is not an empty hope – it is a hope built on the truth of God’s word. He is in control of every single area of our lives. Does this mean that life on earth is easy? Of course not. Anyone who argues that Christians should always be happy and blessed are not reading the same Bible that I read.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Life is hard whether you are a Christian or not. The difference is that a Christian has a solid foundation and a future perspective that <i>should</i> shape our current challenges. This future perspective does not magically happen; rather, it is a result of prayer, Bible study, and spending time with God.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You do not trust someone that you do not know. This is true with our relationship with God as well. The more we allow ourselves to spend time with God and know Him, the more we will trust Him and keep this future perspective.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today, live with this future perspective. It is not easy and takes a daily recalibration. But, it is possible when we know our Creator.<b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>QUESTION: How do you maintain your future perspective?</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-57547210544310076922011-08-22T05:00:00.007-05:002011-09-05T09:04:43.110-05:00I'M TIRED...<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Simply be who you are, do what you do best, be where you are called by joy, and let life work its magic on your behalf."<br />
~Alan Cohen</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EIm3VN_0fOU/TlFa0pJyz-I/AAAAAAAAAIs/2Xh4EJVxHrk/s1600/I%2527m+tired.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EIm3VN_0fOU/TlFa0pJyz-I/AAAAAAAAAIs/2Xh4EJVxHrk/s320/I%2527m+tired.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Rays of Hope by </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zoomion/" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Zoomion</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I’ve been thinking a lot about my blog and the direction of my blog. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve teetered on the edge of ending my blog or at least greatly reducing my number of posts. I must say that I was nudged by two recent blog posts that I read. One was by Dave Hearn (<a href="http://bit.ly/p3EOCB" target="new">http://bit.ly/p3EOCB</a>) and the other by Tony J. Alicea (<a href="http://bit.ly/q5UxYE" target="new">http://bit.ly/q5UxYE</a>).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The reason? I’m tired.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I’m tired of stealing time away from my wife at night when I’m writing a blog. I waited 37 years to get married and I’m not willing to let a blog steal time from Aimie.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I’m tired of stealing time away from my relationship with God. Since I began blogging in April, I’ve spent every morning reading and commenting on blog posts. Before blogging, I had a fairly rich devotional time with God each morning. I’m tired of putting God second to a blog.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I’m tired of acting like I know what I’m talking about. I realize that most of the things that I write about I struggle with myself (although I believe they are true). Sometimes I feel so hypocritical to write about intentional living when I feel, at times, that I lack direction for myself.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I’m tired of opening my Google Reader each morning and seeing 38 unread posts. It’s too much.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I’m tired of feeling the pressure to comment on other people’s blogs to drive people to my blog.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I’m tired of reading all the blogs that tell you how to grow your blog and monetize it. Do these sound familiar?</span></div>
<ul style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Give a list of 3-5 things (i.e. 3 ways to become a better listener). When I read other blogs and they give a list of things, even if they make sense, I don’t remember them.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Use the right words in your blog title that optimizes your blog for search engines.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Give away free content.</span> </li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I know these things are all true, but I’m tired of worrying about doing what everyone else tells me to do to grow my blog.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, my plan going forward is to narrow my focus. I’m eliminating most of the blogs that I’ve been reading from my Google Reader. Below are the exceptions. These people have become blogging friends and I will continue to support their blog and hope they will continue to support mine. One of the greatest rewards from writing a blog has been the other bloggers that I have met. These are genuine, honest, Godly men who have a heart for God and others. You should be reading these blogs:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Arny’s Blog – The Analogous Truth - <a href="http://arnyslight.wordpress.com/" target="new">http://arnyslight.wordpress.com/</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Brandon’s Blog – Big B - <a href="http://bigb94.wordpress.com/" target="new">http://bigb94.wordpress.com/</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Randy Cantrell – Bula Network - <a href="http://bulanetwork.com/" target="new">http://bulanetwork.com/</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Cathy Family Blog - <a href="http://www.cathyfamily.com/" target="new">http://www.cathyfamily.com/</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">David Santistevan - <a href="http://www.davidsantistevan.com/" target="new">http://www.davidsantistevan.com/</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jeff Goins - <a href="http://goinswriter.com/" target="new">http://goinswriter.com/</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jon Stolpe – Stretched - <a href="http://jonstolpe.wordpress.com/" target="new">http://jonstolpe.wordpress.com/</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ryan Haack - <a href="http://www.ryanhaack.com/" target="new">http://www.ryanhaack.com/</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tony J. Alicea - <a href="http://www.tonyjalicea.com/" target="new">http://www.tonyjalicea.com/</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Dave Hearn - Warrior Shepard - <a href="http://warriorshepherd.com/blog/" target="new">http://warriorshepherd.com/blog/</a> </span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Other good blogs:</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Don Miller - <a href="http://donmilleris.com/" target="new">http://donmilleris.com/</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jon Acuff - <a href="http://www.jonacuff.com/blog/" target="new">http://www.jonacuff.com/blog/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Michael Hyatt - <a href="http://michaelhyatt.com/" target="new">http://michaelhyatt.com/</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I thank those of you who read my blog regularly. There are days when I’m surprised by the number of page hits that I have. Other days, of course, I’m disappointed by the lack of readers.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As I’ve previously stated, the main beneficiary of the blog has been myself. I want to record my thoughts for my future self and a blog is a great way to do so.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, moving forward, I will likely blog a bit less and I will definitely try to write more about what I know. I still want my blog to surround the idea of intentional living, but maybe I’ll write more about <i>my</i> <i>attempts</i> at intentional living.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I want to be genuine and sincere and if my readership and “tribe” grows, then great. If it doesn’t, then I just know to move in a different direction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the meantime, I look forward to more interactions with my blogging friends and meeting new people along the journey.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">QUESTION: What are you tired of? Please post comments below.</span></b></div>
Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-80168323004022275442011-08-18T05:00:00.001-05:002011-08-18T06:06:22.718-05:00OUTSIDE ASSESSMENTS<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Life isn't about finding yourself.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Life is about creating yourself."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> - George Bernard Shaw </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JlZVvp7QxdA/Tkzx2lvzO8I/AAAAAAAAAIo/-Os90YkXLCs/s1600/friends+assessment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JlZVvp7QxdA/Tkzx2lvzO8I/AAAAAAAAAIo/-Os90YkXLCs/s320/friends+assessment.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Girona Puente Eiffel by </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/reinante/" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jose Louis Mieza</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zenera/"><br />
</a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The story goes that there were two friends hiking in the woods when they came across a huge grizzly bear. The bear reared up on its hind legs and let out a loud roar when it saw the men approaching. One of the men casually sat down, took off his hiking boots and put on his running shoes. His friend looked at him and said, "Are you crazy? You can't outrun that bear."</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I don't have to outrun the bear," his friend replied. "I only have to outrun you!"</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This week, we have been learning about becoming a <a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/08/are-you-bucket-filler.html"><u>bucket-filler</u></a>, <a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/08/focus-on-your-strengths.html"><u>focusing on our strengths</u></a>, and <a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/08/reaching-back-to-move-forward.html"><u>assessing our strengths</u></a>. Today, I want to share with you one of the most fun assessment activities that I have ever participated in - having others assess your strengths.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are usually pretty good assessors of our own strengths. We know in what circumstances we feel most comfortable and excel. But, perhaps you have some strengths that you don't see in yourself. This activity will help you find out.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Below are ten questions that I am going to ask you to email or copy and distribute to at least 3 friends. These should be true friends and not the type denoted in the story above. These need to be friends who will be tender with your feelings and are interested in your growth.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some of these questions are similar to what you answered about yourself yesterday, but with a twist. See what you think of the questions. Again, I adapted these from Dr. Phil's great book, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Self-Matters-Creating-Your-Inside/dp/0743227255?ie=UTF8&tag=jasofoun-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Self Matters: Creating Your Life from the Inside Out</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=jasofoun-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0743227255" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></i>.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. Please describe something that I consistently do well.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. Please name one thing you have seen me do well.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. Please tell me the best thing about how I look.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. In as much detail as possible, can you remember any time that I seemed to be happiest?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. Tell me what you think my strongest traits are.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">6. If you were going to describe my best strengths with three words, what would they be?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">7. If you were in a situation in which you thought I could help you in some way, what would that situation be?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">8. Can you tell me any aspect you respect about me?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">9. If you had to describe me as a car, what kind of car would I be? Why?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">10. If you had to describe me as an animal, what kind of animal would I be? Why?</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I completed this exercise back in 2003, I sent this to my mother, one of my siblings, and two close friends. In some ways I was surprised by the responses and in other ways I was not surprised as all. I did receive some confirmations of the strengths that I knew I possessed.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">However, I was surprised at a couple of the responses that I received. Others saw something in me that I didn't even see in myself. This was an important moment for me when I realized that maybe there was more to me than what my own self-assessments rendered.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you will send this to 2 or 3 friends and ask for their honest feedback. I think it will be eye-opening. I would love for you to email me at jasfountain@gmail.com and let me know if this activity proved meaningful or not.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I close out this mini-series, I hope that your take-away from this week is the story of the bucket filler. That simple story is a great metaphor for how to live a happy and successful life.<b> </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">QUESTION: Does it make you nervous to ask others to assess your strengths? Please leave comments below.</b></span></div><br />
Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-18885236972864318062011-08-17T05:00:00.002-05:002011-08-17T05:00:09.182-05:00REACHING BACK TO MOVE FORWARD<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aDtAjYd11sA/TknLq_eyRlI/AAAAAAAAAIg/spr2Nqho2pA/s1600/reflection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aDtAjYd11sA/TknLq_eyRlI/AAAAAAAAAIg/spr2Nqho2pA/s320/reflection.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Feather 1 by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/treehouse1977/">Jim Champion </a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This week we have been talking about being a <a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/08/are-you-bucket-filler.html"><u>bucket-filler</u></a> and <a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/08/focus-on-your-strengths.html"><u>focusing on our strengths</u></a>. Today, we take a step toward identifying more of our strengths.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have recently read Jon Acuff’s inspiring book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Quitter-Jon-Acuff/dp/0982986270?ie=UTF8&tag=jasofoun-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Quitter</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=jasofoun-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0982986270" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />. In his book, he says that finding our dreams in life is oftentimes an act of recovery – we have to go <i>back</i> to our younger version to re-discover our true passions and dreams.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I believe this is also the case to fully discover our strengths. As we grow older, it is like this wall gets built up around our “true” self – the self that once dreamed big dreams and had incredible hopes. By thinking back to our childhood we can rekindle those strengths and remember who we truly are.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As we work through this process of defining our strengths, we will take a 2-fold approach: 1) Rediscovering our younger selves; and 2) Defining who we are today. I am adapting these questions from Dr. Phil McGraw’s book, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Self-Matters-Creating-Your-Inside/dp/0743227255?ie=UTF8&tag=jasofoun-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Self-Matters: Creating Your Life from the Inside Out</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=jasofoun-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0743227255" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></i>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Before we begin, I must make a confession. Most often, when I read books and the author asks me to write answers to questions or write out my reflections on a particular idea, I usually just think through the answers. However, the times that I have truly made progress and breakthroughs in my thinking have been those times when I’ve written out responses. There is just something magical about writing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In reality, I know that most of you will probably not record the answers to these questions. So, please at least think through each of the questions in relation to your strengths. Even if you think you know your strengths, this activity might bring to mind some long-hidden virtues that could serve you as you move forward.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here we go.<b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Good Ole Days</b> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1. I remember a particular time when I was especially happy, and it was…</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. One time that I felt really excited was when…</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. I remember times when a person said something to me or treated me in such a way that it made a positive difference in my life, and one of those times was when…</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. A time when I felt really special to someone was when I…</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. When I was younger, I always wanted to be…</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. I used to dream about myself as a …<b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Who I Am Today</b> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1. I am very good when …</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. I think of myself as being …</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. I think my body is …</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. I am happiest when …</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. My greatest strengths are …</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. I am best in situations that …</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">7. I think I could be …</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">8. I fear …</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">9. What keeps me from being what I really want is …</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">10. In the future, I …</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">11. What keeps me going is …</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">12. If I described myself as a car, I would be …</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">13. If I described myself as an animal, I would be …</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, did you find any meaning in this exercise? Sometimes I think we grow through reflection and that is mainly what this piece is about.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I hope that you have gained some insight into your life through these questions. As I’ve related before, the right questions can give the right answers.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow, we will turn the tables on this exercise and find out how others assess your strengths.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In the meantime, live today as a <a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/08/are-you-bucket-filler.html">bucket-filler</a>. Remember that each individual that we interact with today provides the opportunity for us to serve and uplift and make a difference! What greater opportunity could we ask for?</span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">QUESTION: Why is self-reflection such difficult work? Please post comments below.</span></b></div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-83691855814499102612011-08-16T05:00:00.007-05:002011-08-16T06:03:00.803-05:00FOCUS ON YOUR STRENGTHS<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Success is achieved by developing our strengths, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">not by eliminating our weaknesses”</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">~Marilyn vos Savant</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FTky38gwa84/TkiFcrk8OwI/AAAAAAAAAIc/EFYPr85ac6Y/s1600/strengths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FTky38gwa84/TkiFcrk8OwI/AAAAAAAAAIc/EFYPr85ac6Y/s320/strengths.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Perfect Blue by </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iainalexander/" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lain Alexander</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As shared in the introduction to the book <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Full-Your-Bucket-Positive-Strategies/dp/1595620036?ie=UTF8&tag=jasofoun-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">How Full Is Your Bucket?</a></i><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=jasofoun-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1595620036" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />, a Gallup poll conducted a randomized survey with more than a thousand employees. In this study, they asked the employees where their manager focused the most time and attention:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">a. On employees’ strengths</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">b. On employees’ weaknesses</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">c. Neither of the above; the manager ignored employees</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The surprising results of the survey were that “one person, specifically the manager in this context, can eliminate almost <i>all</i> of the active disengagement in a workplace if he or she primarily focuses on an employee’s strengths.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When people reported that their manager <i>ignored</i> employees (neither focusing on strengths or weaknesses) there was a 40% chance of them being actively disengaged on the job.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If their manager focused on <i>weaknesses</i> (demonstrating that they were at least paying attention) there was only a 22% chance of them being disengaged.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But, when the manager focused on an employee’s <i>strengths</i>, there was just a 1% chance of that employee being very negative or actively disengaged on the job.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Does this surprise you? I mean, shouldn’t a leader help employees find their weaknesses and improve them? This feels counterintuitive to me and has caused me to reflect on this thought for several days.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As often happens, just as I began thinking on this idea, a serendipitous moment occurred. <a href="http://michaelhyatt.com/">Michael Hyatt</a> posted a short 3-minute video by Andy Stanley relating to this exact topic. Watch it below before we continue.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/SBC7P9OvpUA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My take-aways from Andy’s talk:</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<ol style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><li><span style="font-size: large;">Your fully exploited strengths are of far greater value to your current organization than your marginally improved weaknesses.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Your weaknesses will always be weaknesses in comparison to your strengths.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">The way for you to develop an incredible organization is to create space for the members in your organization to fully exploit their strengths and help them delegate their weaknesses to people for whom those weaknesses are actually strengths.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></li>
</ol><span style="font-size: large;">When I look at my own life, I know that I possess certain strengths which are just natural strengths for me. I also know that my areas of weakness will never reach the heights of my strengths no matter how much I work on them.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">By the way, I don’t think that we should ignore our weaknesses and make excuses for them. I want to do better with my weaknesses. But, I know that the majority of my focus should be on utilizing those strengths with which I have been blessed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In an effort to embrace this idea of focusing on my strengths, I am going to help you and me focus on our strengths for the next two days. Tomorrow, we will assess our strengths and the next day we will allow others to assess our strengths.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">These exercises can prove valuable in helping us to become more effective leaders and managers of others and of ourselves.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">QUESTION: What kind of boss do you have? Does he/she focus on your strengths, weaknesses, or just ignore you altogether? Please post comments below.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-85590198535343863912011-08-15T05:00:00.000-05:002011-08-15T05:00:04.337-05:00ARE YOU A BUCKET FILLER?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="quotation">“Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve.... You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. ”</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="quotation">~Martin Luther King, Jr.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t6cbd7p03CI/Tkh-1ZKitcI/AAAAAAAAAIY/HkhCBjwSHUY/s1600/bucket+filler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t6cbd7p03CI/Tkh-1ZKitcI/AAAAAAAAAIY/HkhCBjwSHUY/s320/bucket+filler.jpg" width="274" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="quotation"> bucket by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rubyblossom/">rubyblossom</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="quotation"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you follow my blog, you know that last week was the most non-productive week of blogging that I have had since I began blogging in April. There is always an excuse, but with school starting back in my district this past week, I have been working insane hours and was unable to write. I’m okay with that.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The beginning of school went very well. One of the aspects of this school year that I am most proud of is the fact that we are implementing <a href="http://www.theleaderinme.org/">The Leader in Me</a>. I’ve written about this program on my blog before (<a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/04/leader-in-me.html"><u>here</u></a> and <a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/06/living-intentional-life.html"><u>here</u></a>), but we teach our 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> graders the 7 habits of highly effective people by Stephen Covey. Additionally, every other school in the district is also implementing this program. I believe that this process will change our entire community over the next 5-10 years.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We typically have a theme for our school year. Last year, it was <a href="http://www.givemore.com/212-The-Extra-Degree-C1.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=text_212-The-Extra-Degree&utm_campaign=212-Brand"><u>212 degrees</u></a> – one degree can make all the difference. This year our theme is “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?” We are basing this theme on the children’s book: <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Have-You-Filled-Bucket-Today/dp/0978507517?ie=UTF8&tag=jasofoun-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Have You Filled a Bucket Today? - A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids</a></i><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=jasofoun-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0978507517" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />.” It made me very happy to walk into classrooms last week and witness this concept being explained to children.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The adult version of this concept is entitled <i><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Full-Your-Bucket-Positive-Strategies/dp/1595620036?ie=UTF8&tag=jasofoun-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">How Full Is Your Bucket?</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=jasofoun-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1595620036" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></u></i> by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton. Early in the book the authors explain the concept:</span><br />
<blockquote><span style="font-size: large;">“Each of us has an invisible bucket. It is constantly emptied or filled, depending on what others say or do to us. When our bucket is full, we feel great. When it's empty, we feel awful.</span></blockquote></div><blockquote style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Each of us also has an invisible dipper. When we use that dipper to fill other people's buckets -- by saying or doing things to increase their positive emotions -- we also fill our own bucket. But when we use that dipper to dip from others' buckets -- by saying or doing things that decrease their positive emotions -- we diminish ourselves.</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Like the cup that runneth over, a full bucket gives us a positive outlook and renewed energy. Every drop in that bucket makes us stronger and more optimistic.</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">But an empty bucket poisons our outlook, saps our energy, and undermines our will. That's why every time someone dips from our bucket, it hurts us.</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">So we face a choice every moment of every day: We can fill one another's buckets, or we can dip from them. It's an important choice -- one that profoundly influences our relationships, productivity, health, and happiness.”</span></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is such a simple concept that is so applicable to life. I fully believe if we would walk around each day thinking about this simple concept that the world would be a better place in which to live.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Think about the “bucket fillers” in your life. What makes them special and unique?</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For the remainder of this week, I am going to take a concept from “How Full is Your Bucket?” and expound upon it. This idea is focusing on your strengths.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today I challenge you to be a “bucket filler.” Consciously choose to fill other people’s buckets this week and determine if it truly does make you feel more positive, optimistic and happy.<b> </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>QUESTION: Do you know a “bucket filler?” What makes them special? Please post comments below.</b></span></div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-62099481882338798002011-08-10T06:23:00.000-05:002011-08-10T06:23:03.332-05:00REFLECT MORE, RISK MORE, LEAVE A LEGACY<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I mentioned in Monday's post, my district has started the new school year. So, this week I have been incredibly busy and have not written as I normally do. I plan to be back on my regular schedule next week.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the meantime, please visit Jon Stolpe's great blog (entitled "Stretched") by clicking <a href="http://jonstolpe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/reflect-more-risk-more-leave-a-legacy-start-blogging/"><u>here</u></a> to read my guest post about what has stretched me recently.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Below is the introduction to the guest post:</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">John Maxwell relates a story shared by sociologist Anthony Campolo. Campolo tells about a group of 50 people over the age of 90 years old who were asked one question: If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently?</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The question was open-ended and the people’s answers were varied. However, three ideas consistently emerged.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>1. If I had it to do over again, I would reflect more. </strong><br />
<strong>2. If I had it to do over again, I would risk more. </strong></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong>3. If I had it to do over again, I would do more things that would live on after I am dead.</strong></span> </div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I want to share with you an idea that can help you begin to accomplish all three of these goals TODAY.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**************************** </span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Click </span><a href="http://jonstolpe.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/reflect-more-risk-more-leave-a-legacy-start-blogging/" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u>here</u></a><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> to continue reading the guest post over on Jon's blog. </span></span>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-32313715610533712932011-08-08T05:00:00.000-05:002011-08-08T05:00:11.590-05:00THE BRIDGE BUILDER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-avwl4oXbRTo/Tj9dIZvV7PI/AAAAAAAAAIU/kS8WTISpYRo/s1600/bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-avwl4oXbRTo/Tj9dIZvV7PI/AAAAAAAAAIU/kS8WTISpYRo/s320/bridge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Bridge Grambin by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mtischendorf/">Michael Tischendorf</a></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today, my district starts the new school year. A new school year holds much promise, anxiety, and hope. I can imagine that many of the young children that will flood our school doors will feel this same mix of trepidation and excitement.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We can talk about curriculum and technology and 21st century skills; but, I think the job of all educators comes down to one task: preparing young people to become successful adults.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My second year of teaching (1996), I attended one of my first educational conferences. At the end of one particular session, the speaker recited a poem from memory. At the end of the poem he became choked up with emotion. I can't remember the speaker, but I've never forgotten the poem.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The poem is called THE BRIDGE BUILDER by William Allen Dromgoole. The longer I am in education, the more this poem resonates with me.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's to all the teachers who are building bridges.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>THE BRIDGE BUILDER</i></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-size: large;">An old man, going a lone highway,<br />
Came at the evening cold and gray,<br />
To a chasm, vast and deep and wide,<br />
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.<br />
The old man crossed in the twilight dim-<br />
That sullen stream held no fears for him;<br />
But he turned, when safe on the other side,<br />
And built a bridge to span the tide.<br />
<br />
"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near,<br />
"You are wasting strength with your building here.<br />
Your journey will end with the ending day;<br />
You never again must pass this way.<br />
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide,<br />
Why build you this bridge at eventide?"<br />
<br />
The builder lifted his old gray head.<br />
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,<br />
"There followeth after me today<br />
A youth whose feet must pass this way.<br />
This chasm that has been naught to me<br />
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.<br />
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;<br />
Good friend, I am building this bridge for <i>him." <b><br />
</b> </i></span> <span style="font-size: large;"> <b><br />
-WILL ALLEN DROMGOOLE</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>QUESTION: What memories come to your mind when you think about beginning a new year in school?</b></span></div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-75340697311556820662011-08-05T06:34:00.001-05:002011-08-06T08:00:37.695-05:00DID THIS GUY TEACH YOU?<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next week, our district begins the new school year. I am planning on writing posts next week that will provide practicality and inspiration for beginning another year in one of the greatest professions on earth. </span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you realize the impact that you, as a teacher, have on kids? Do you really reflect on how you can absolutely change the course of a life? </span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">YOU can change a family tree. YOU can provide hope. YOU can offer a ray of hope in an otherwise dark life.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please don't discount your impact as a teacher.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As a precursor to next week, I wanted to share a funny Target commercial that I recently saw.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Who can't remember those crazy PE teachers of yesteryear who seemed to live to humiliate the non-athletic kids?</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Take a look and have an awesome weekend!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/6rZespirbsM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">QUESTION: If you teach, what are you excited about as the new year begins? If you don't teach, please share a brief description of one of your favorite teachers.</span></span></b></div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-73952326129868470092011-08-04T05:00:00.000-05:002011-08-04T05:00:18.338-05:00MATT DAMON: SPOKESPERSON FOR EDUCATION?<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was surprised to learn that Matt Damon spoke at the <a href="http://www.saveourschoolsmarch.org/">"Save Our Schools" March</a> last weekend. His mom is a teacher and she introduced him before his speech. I have posted the 5-minute video below and would be interested to hear your feedback.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you are an educator or not, what is your opinion of Mr. Damon's comments?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/k7Jh3Z52KV0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-22112294282965850392011-08-03T05:00:00.000-05:002011-08-03T05:00:09.576-05:00JOSEPH #2: TEMPTATION<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">*My favorite Old Testament hero is Joseph. Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian in New York City preached a 4-part series in 2003 entitled “The Gospel According to Joseph.” Yesterday and today, I will share the valuable lessons that Keller drew from the life of Joseph. You can purchase the series as an mp3 from the Redeemer website (<a href="http://bit.ly/nL6lnU">http://bit.ly/nL6lnU</a>) If you want to develop true PERSEVERANCE in life, you need to study JOSEPH.**</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pR3D8x0h2mk/TjX1ElzBEZI/AAAAAAAAAH8/1z-FXmfKUkM/s1600/joseph-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pR3D8x0h2mk/TjX1ElzBEZI/AAAAAAAAAH8/1z-FXmfKUkM/s320/joseph-2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> cemetery gate - calico ghost town by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsd/">Craig</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">“The Lord was with Joseph…” ~Genesis 39:2</span></div><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">“…the Lord was with him…” ~Genesis 39:21</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Yesterday, we talked about the <a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/08/joseph-1-hiddenness-of-god.html"><u>hiddenness of God</u></a>. Today we talk about two temptations that Joseph faced once in Egypt.</span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Today’s text: Genesis 39: 1-23</span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"> (click <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+39%3A1-23&version=NIV"><u>here </u></a>to read)</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Temptation #1: Sexual Temptation</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">In this passage, we learn that Joseph was bought by Potiphar from the Ishmaelites who had brought him to Egypt. Once in Potiphar’s house, Potiphar saw that the Lord was with Joseph and blessed all that he did. So, Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his whole house.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">If I put myself in Joseph’s shoes at this point, I would be thinking: “Ohhhhh. I get it now, Lord. You had to sell me into slavery to bring me to Egypt. I get it – thanks for teaching me this lesson!” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Have you ever done this? Felt like you “understood” God’s lesson in your life and now He will order everything as it should be? We know it most often is not this simple.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">If you keep reading the text, you see that Potiphar’s wife noticed Joseph. She said to Joseph: “Come to bed with me!” (v. 7)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">How did Joseph resist? Keller makes an incredible point about Joseph’s resistance. He said that Joseph’s resistance was not self-control – rather, he was looking outside of himself. Joseph answers her request: “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Keller makes the point that self-control is not suppressing – it is re-ordering the priorities of the heart (the loves of the heart) to one over-arching love that overpowers all others. Jesus’ over-arching love was for us – that is why He endured the cross. To the degree that I let this truth sink into my heart, Jesus will become my over-arching love. Read this statement a couple of times because it holds powerful truth.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">We have to think and think and mull over the true wonder of what Jesus did for us. And as we do this, our heart will grow more in love with Jesus. This is the power to overcome temptation. No one can do it by will-power alone. It takes this deep love for Jesus.</span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Temptation #2: Temptation to despair when I’m doing everything right, but God allows things to happen to me</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">This time (unlike previously), Joseph did everything right by deflecting Potiphar’s wife’s advances toward him. And, yet, Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph and “Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.” (v. 20)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">The advantage to reading stories, as opposed to living them, is that we know the ending. We know that if Joseph had not been thrown into prison that he would not have become the Prince of Egypt. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Think about this truth: Come what may, nothing can derail God’s plan for my life.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">As you read the story of Joseph, you will notice time and again that the Word says, “…and God was with Joseph…” This is an important lesson:</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">God helped Joseph <i>through</i> the tragedy.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">What are you facing today that you just don’t understand? God never promised that we will understand why things happen. He does promise that He will never leave us or forsake us. This is a powerful truth. Although we may not understand, God will be with us <b><i>through</i></b> the challenge.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Remember…to the degree that we can sink into our hearts Jesus’ love for us, we will be able to face temptations and withstand with joy those circumstances that we all face. The challenge to you and me today is to walk in complete reliance on Christ knowing that He has a plan for us.</span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">QUESTION: Who is your favorite Old Testament hero and why?</span></div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-30293343850155941242011-08-02T05:00:00.003-05:002011-08-02T05:51:54.576-05:00JOSEPH #1: THE HIDDENNESS OF GOD<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">**My favorite Old Testament hero is Joseph. Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian in New York City preached a 4-part series in 2003 entitled “The Gospel According to Joseph.” Today and tomorrow, I will share the valuable lessons that Keller drew from the life of Joseph. You can purchase the series as an mp3 from the Redeemer website (<a href="http://bit.ly/nL6lnU">http://bit.ly/nL6lnU</a>). If you want to develop true PERSEVERANCE in life, you need to study JOSEPH.**</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ktnzZeMNi8k/TjXfJ-HCyUI/AAAAAAAAAH4/3iY_qp4IxlQ/s1600/Joseph-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ktnzZeMNi8k/TjXfJ-HCyUI/AAAAAAAAAH4/3iY_qp4IxlQ/s320/Joseph-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Marocco #7 - </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/oudeschool/" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Peter Voerman</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">“So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">~Genesis 37: 28</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you read my blog regularly, you probably sense an underlying reliance on Jesus Christ. My blog is all about intentional living and the greatest and most intentional choice that one can ever make is to surrender his/her life to Christ.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am not a proponent of the “prosperity” gospel. When I hear a preacher talking about what God will do for us if we just pray or tithe or serve, it makes me shudder. Maybe God will do these things…or maybe He won’t. That is not for me to decide.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Gospel is about surrendering our life, our will, our everything to Christ. We don’t do this for what God will do for us…we do this because of what God has ALREADY done for us. Jesus lived the life that we should have lived and died the death that we should have died. It is finished – we have nothing to do to prove our love to God but accept his Son. Period. Any other preaching is not Biblical.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I’ve always been hesitant to overtly talk about Christ in my blog posts because I know that it will turn some people off. And while my blog will never be solely focused on my Walk, at times I feel compelled to share the difference that Christ has made in my own life. Most importantly, I’m recording my thoughts for my future self and my future kids.<b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s text: Genesis 37: 2-13; 23-34</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you read the text, you realize that Joseph’s family was a mess.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Joseph had become the idol of Jacob’s life. Jacob adored Joseph because he was born to Jacob late in life and Joseph’s mother was Rachel, who Jacob adored. Jacob was so blatant in his preference for Joseph that he provided Joseph with a special “coat” as a demonstration of his love.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Joseph had his own issues as well. He was insensitive and becoming arrogant as he shared his dreams with his family. In that society, the young always bowed to their elders. Joseph’s dreams were in stark contrast to this. Joseph did not appear to be discerning in sharing the dreams God had given him. There was much hidden brokenness in this family.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When Jacob sent Joseph to visit the brothers, many events happened to arrange the circumstances in exactly the way that God designed them. Joseph, who would eventually become the prince of Egypt, was violently thrown into a well and then sold to the Midianites.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Did you notice that God is not even mentioned in this passage? He was arranging - every single detail of Joseph’s life had to happen just the way it did in order for God’s will to occur.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There are a couple of important lessons from this text.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><br />
<ol><li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>God’s wise, redeeming love is completely compatible with terrible things in my life (v. 23, 24). </b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Nobody ever learned about their faults by being told. We have to learn it. </b></span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Joseph had to be lost to be saved.</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></li>
</ol><span style="font-size: large;">When I am struggling with my circumstances, my first instinct is to ask God, “Why?” As Keller states, “We don’t need God’s answers as much as we need to know that He is with us and the Cross gives us this.”</span><br />
<ol><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></ol></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Bible does not mention Joseph’s thoughts throughout this process with his brothers and being sold. If I were Joseph, my thought process would probably go something along these lines: “God, you really don’t need my brothers to sell me into slavery. I get it now! I'll stop being so arrogant and just leave it to you. After all, you’ve already shown me the future that you have for me in my dreams. Why don’t we just skip this part of the story and let me ascend to my destiny?”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The point of Joseph’s story is that he was not ready for God’s calling yet. He needed to be sifted and sorted and made into the man that God needed to lead Egypt. This was not something that Joseph could do on his own – it took circumstances in his life to prepare him.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There is a lesson in Joseph’s life for all of us. Oftentimes, we want answers to our circumstances. Sometimes I just wish God would tell me why certain things are happening. I can’t speak for God, but I think many times He is simply preparing us for our future purpose.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">God has such a different perspective and vision for our life that we may never understand our circumstances. Keller compares what it would be like for God to explain his purpose to us with us trying to explain to a three year-old what all they will have to do to be accepted into college one day. And as difficult as that conversation would be, it is a weak comparison. The omnipotent God sees everything that was and everything that will be. We cannot “see” as God sees.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Keller provided a final lesson from this passage for us all to remember as we walk through life:<b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Know and not know what God is doing (know He is working, but don’t try to figure out what He’s doing)</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The point of Joseph’s story is this:</span><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>God’s silence is not absence.</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div></div><pre style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow, we will look at the temptation that Joseph faced once in Egypt.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></pre><pre style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></pre><pre style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">QUESTION: How do you handle trying circumstances in your life?</span></pre><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7934664990869077843.post-80508274243694868742011-08-01T05:00:00.000-05:002011-08-01T05:00:19.888-05:00TOP POSTS FOR JULY<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Below are the top 10 posts for the month of July.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qldQvN5QS3U/TjXI8cO380I/AAAAAAAAAH0/M33aiZVVuPQ/s1600/Wordle-July2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qldQvN5QS3U/TjXI8cO380I/AAAAAAAAAH0/M33aiZVVuPQ/s400/Wordle-July2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-size: small;">Words used in Top 10 posts</span></span></span></div><ol style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><li><a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/07/shift-monkey.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>SHIFT THE MONKEY </span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/07/what-can-you-do-in-30-days.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>WHAT CAN YOU DO IN 30 DAYS?</span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/07/fdr-d-day-powerful-prayer.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>FDR, D-DAY, & A POWERFUL PRAYER</span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/07/no-excuses.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>NO EXCUSES</span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/07/becoming-intentional-changer.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>BECOMING AN INTENTIONAL "CHANGER"</span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/07/why-not.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>WHY NOT?</span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/07/communicate-like-bobby-bowden.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>COMMUNICATE LIKE BOBBY BOWDEN</span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/07/4-free-digital-tools.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>4 FREE DIGITAL TOOLS</span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/07/problems-in-education.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>THE PROBLEMS IN EDUCATION...</span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://jasonfountain.blogspot.com/2011/07/true-optimism.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>TRUE OPTIMISM</span></span></a></li>
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</div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>As I’ve mentioned to several people, the real purpose for me writing a blog is to chronicle my thoughts and remember the lessons that I’ve learned in life. While it is scary to put my thoughts out for others to read, it is also liberating and fills me with gratitude for the life that God has given me.</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Thank you for faithfully supporting my little blog. If you don’t blog, you should think about doing so. It might be the greatest challenge you’ve ever undertaken.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">QUESTION: If you blog, what was your top post for the month of July?</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"> </div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092832840558934262noreply@blogger.com5