YouTube and Earbuds: Leaning Into New Technology

I must admit that the availability of YouTube and my iPhone earbuds have been a new and pleasant surprise for me in my on going needs for learning and enjoyment.  My 22 year old son’s love for YouTube used to amaze me and caused me to reflect on his fixation of its use.  I would commonly think to myself, “He sure does use YouTube a lot” …. “I wonder why?”   It is now making more and more sense as I have begun to use YouTube for my continuing education and spiritual needs around the topics of spirituality, faith, psychology, music and personal growth.   My cell phone plan gives me unlimited access to YouTube and that includes music and whole albums from generations past.     

Technology is a lot like the unwrapped gift waiting for me to open it up and taking the first step to learn something new.  That includes using my earbuds, finally.  It also includes wading into the deep waters of YouTube and checking out its usefulness.  Yes, YouTube is amazingly useful and a goldmine and resource of free information.  It’s a gift of modern technology that is ready for the taking and use.  Tapping into YouTube has reminded me, once again, that learning and personal growth are up to me.    Opening myself to new technology, YouTube and earbuds, have paid surprisingly good learning dividends for me.    My next step is to dive into audio books, and I am eager to discover if audio books are good for me and my needs.  Feel free to send or post your thoughts on audio books and YouTube.  I welcome your opinions on both.  Thanks.

The Backup Quarterback: The Most Liked Guy on the Team

I am still pondering the feat and work and magic that happened on Sunday night in Houston.  New England should not have been able to come back and win after being down a huge 25 points going late into the third quarter.  Everyone loves the backup quarterback.  After all, when the team is down and the quarterback is not getting the job done, the backup looks and feels like the guy who could answer the bell and bring back some mojo and maybe get some points on the scoreboard.  Three points is not enough to win the Super Bowl and neither are 6^th round picks from college supposed to go on and win 5 Super Bowls.  And I am convinced that no one, hardly no one, could name the New England Patriot’s backup QB.  I know that I can’t name him and I consider myself an informed fan.  Yet, Tom Brady, who I like to call Captain America, lead his team to an unbelievable comeback win that is still hard to believe.  What’s ironic is the fact that Brady himself was the backup QB at Michigan in college.  Then, he barely got drafted and some say very late, in the 6^th round as the 199th overall pick.  Many 6^th rounders never make a pro team—never.  Yet, Brady, the underachiever turned overachiever was leading his TEAM to victory Sunday.

Some people say there is no “I” in the word “TEAM.”  I would beg to differ.  In fact without a strong “I” and a strong commitment to “TEAM,” there is no way Brady does what he does on Sunday.  I admire how he kept his head in the game, kept believing, kept pushing even after numerous sacks by Atlanta.  Brady never got down on his fellow TEAMmates.  He kept believing.  There were even times where he seemed to be focusing, meditating, praying, or whatever you want to call it.  There were times he was doing some serious soul-searching and some serious questioning, “Can we do this?”  He was looking in his own heart and challenging his own self and counting his own costs to push himself to a most improbable victory. 

So, who is the New England backup QB?   Just for fun I looked it up and his name is Jimmy Garoppolo.  He is a third year player out of Eastern Illinois.  To be honest I have not heard of him nor did I know that Eastern Illinois had a football team.    I am sure that Jimmy G is not the most liked guy on the team.  That is usually reserved for teams where the starter and backup are close in skill and talent and the one not playing is the one who fans think the backup can reignite or inspire a lackluster team.  What’s really amazing is the fact that Garoppolo has the blessing of watching and seeing one of the greatest QB’s do his work. 

Finally, I want to believe Tom Brady’s will to win is the engine that drives his success. He is determined and so fiercely competitive and has not done too bad for a backup QB in college and a 6^th round draft pick.  He sure knows how to be a positive “I” and positive force for a TEAM that truly believed in itself. 

Pecans and a Hopeful Future

Mr. and Mrs. Tommy and Carolyn Glover are some special friends. They are in their early 80’s and have lived productive and sacrificial lives as dedicated employees, caring family leaders, and faithful church members. Tommy and Carolyn live in Dallas, North Carolina in the heart of the Piedmont with rolling hills, farmland, hardwoods, muscadine grapes, and pecan trees. He even boasts that some of the same rock and stone from famous Stone Mountain Georgia actually traverses the land northeastward into his own yard. I have seen the rock projecting upward in the ground and yard and I will accept his declaration as fact.

Tommy shared with me that he has planted some pecan trees in his yard for future family generations to enjoy. I love pecans and Mrs. Carolyn can make a pecan pie like nobody else. Brother Tommy’s pecan trees will take somewhere between 7-15 years to bear fruit. You get the point. He is planting so that others would one day reap.

I am enjoying this time in my life. My kids are grown and they are continuing to exercise their independence, thereby giving me more freedom to invest my time and energy in some new ways. Now, more than ever, I think about how my work, my skills, my investments are helping others to build their future and reap a good harvest. Mr. and Mrs. Tommy and Carolyn Glover continue to show me how to invest, plant, and nurture our kids, our next generation, grand kids, and the faith communities. Even in the midst of a divided nation, I will continue to hope and live and help push forward the vision of creating a society where life, liberty and prosperity for all can become the present reality and norm. We can do it—one person and one action at a time.

How Much Education and Experience? Jump In Now.

If one is not careful, myself included, it would be easy to say “I’m not ready to do such and such until I have the right education, right experience, right boss, right job location, right office location, etc.”  I want to challenge that idea for me and for you.  Why not just jump in and do what you can with what you have and then worry about the next degree, the next training class, or getting the right job and location before challenging yourself to new tasks and new learning?  Maybe you are ready.  Maybe the time has come, like the musician Meatloaf sang, “Put me in coach, I’m ready to play…”  Now, don’t get me wrong because I do think we need minimal education levels and standards.  Yet, there are times when the clock is ticking and time is running out.  We only have today and we are not guaranteed tomorrow.  So, as you begin this New Year, I invite you to join me to “Jump in” and tackle some new work goals and some tasks that have learning curves, even big curves.  Maybe you and others and I are ready to move forward with challenging ourselves to try out some new things.  I think so and I am wishing everyone the courage to do so.  Time is short or at the least we are on the clock. 

Birmingham Bowl Reflection: A Fast 40 Hours

*I don’t think the South Florida fans were feeling as optimistic when South Carolina scored a very late touchdown and then made the 2 point conversion. It got rather quiet on that side of the field. Of course, that changed when USF threw for 7 in overtime. I really thought Carolina had a chance to win in OT. Until then it was a very lopsided game.

*The rivalry between Bama and Auburn is real. Just seeing the license plate battle (who had which team on their plate) says it all.

*The light poles of The Old Grey Lady (the nickname of Legion Field) had to be at least 50 years old. They had weather worn rust and looked all of their age. Kind of like some of us fans.

*The So. Florida fans were unfortunate having the shady side of the field. Most of the time that is an advantage, especially in the south and summertime. Not so much on December 29 with a gusty cold front blowing through the night before the game.

*Birmingham is surrounded by the most southern end of the Appalachian mountain chain and that part of Appalachia is a striking feature of the city and area. I must say rather beautiful.

*Uptown Birmingham is nice, albeit a bit new by all appearances. It’s in the heart of downtown and had some nice restaurants and entertainment. It is a nice feature for Birmingham to showcase.

*I-20 through Atlanta reminded me of NASCAR--again. Everyone does 70 mph and above—easy.

*I am convinced that car turn signals are outlawed in Alabama. It seems that very, very few people used them. (See note on NASCAR and I-20 above…)

*You know you are in the south when you have the option of buying “Dreamland Barbeque” from one of those mobile van hitch and go restaurants.

*Sometimes the best part of traveling is turning down and getting some much needed sleep.

*The next best thing sometimes is the wake up free breakfast at the hotel. It’s never good to overeat, but…

*How is that 18 hour bowl game trips feel like 7 days after the fact??

*Having 2 bowl game travelers made some things less complicated. For example when people car pooled and traveled with 8 or more it can make choosing the place to eat a bit more complicated.

*Columbia SC feels more southern than Birmingham AL. It’s an intuitive thing. Hard to say why but it just feels that way.

*The Vulcan statue is an impressive sight as it oversees the city of Birmingham and gives a nod to metalworking and production of steel in the city.  

*You know you are in the southern Appalachians when the warm up street party has a band with an electric ukulele and an electric banjo.

*Hotel coffee is never as good as the stuff at home. Never.

*Mid-level bowl games are less expensive in all ways compared to the major bowls. Cheap is good sometimes.

*It’s ok to lose a bowl game. It is obvious that many mid-level bowls are very family friendly. I saw tons of younger fans. That’s a good thing. Again, cheaper is good especially with families with kids who went to the bowl.

*This was my second bowl game. First was the Liberty Bowl in 2006. Lots of fun. Highly recommend if one is willing to spend the money and time.

*Most of all, hanging out with my son, Austin, now that is priceless.  

*GO GAMECOCKS! Hoping to go bowling in 2017 in a bigger and better bowl.

Hello...

The world renowned musician Adele has one of the most powerful voices I have ever heard—ever.  It is deep, strong, and moves the listener to feel the music as much as hear it.  
 
Yet, the real strength in Adele’s music is the message sometimes.  Her song “Hello” is one which we need to hear more.  It is one that we need to act on too.  When is the last time you or I have said “Hello” to someone and sought to meet him or her and sought to know that person a more real, personal way?  Her song for me is a spiritually and emotionally moving invitation to connect with others and to open myself to the life of other human beings.   
 
Our lives are governed by the clock.  No one knows how much time he or she has on this earth.  Is there someone who you want to call, text, or email?  Maybe you will be the one who reaches out and makes the first step of communication.  Maybe your “hello” will be the start of something deeper.  
 
Working in a hospital has been a constant reminder to me that it is always dangerous to “read the book by judging the cover.”  Sometimes the content of the book is anything but what the cover is revealing or showing.  Instead, the cover is just that.  It’s a façade, a first impression, and superficial picture of what is deep down in the heart and soul of a person.    One of the most hurtful things that a person can experience are the bias and prejudgment based on looks, religion, race, ethnicity, gender and so on.  I would like to think that a simple “Hello...” can be the starting point of making deeper connection with others and with God.  I want to be a person who says “Hello” even more so now and I hope that it will lead to deep connections with new and old friends that touch on emotions, thinking, and spirituality.  
 
So, today, I share a heartfelt “HELLO” to you as you read this blog.  Feel free to say something back.  I am always interested knowing readers of this blog in a more deeper way.  Here’s a link to the song if you need it.
 
http://www.vevo.com/watch/adele/hello/GBH481500074

Where Spirituality and Illness Meet: The Middle Ground

Some people need to become more human.  Some people need to become more spiritual.  

Wholeness is found in the middle ground.  It’s the place where the coastal sea water from the Atlantic Ocean meets the black soil of the South Carolina coast.  It’s a rich and fertile place where marsh grass thrives, shrimp populate the grassy reeds, and redfish troll the high tides for dinner.  The meeting and convergence of water and land is much like the meeting of the physical and the spiritual.  It’s the place where one has to merge with the other and something magical and something important becomes reality. 

As a minister my growing edge is on the “becoming more human” side of the equation.  Just recently I read an excellent tweet from Twitter that was trying to “normalize” (eliminate shame) the fact that humans become physically ill, experience terrible disease processes, and eventually face difficult medical challenges.  For some that happens very early in life as a neonatal baby, and for others in their 20’s, and the much more fortunate, those in their the 50’s and 60’s when one has to carry more daily medications in his or her briefcase just to take care of themselves one more day.  Here’s the point of the tweet I mention and my point now:  Having illness is “normal” because it is reality and we have to find ways to talk about it more and to recognize our humanness, our fragile bodies that depend on equilibrium and homeostasis.  Yet, sometimes we are anything from feeling even-keeled or living in a good equilibrium.  A recent prescribed dose of antibiotics confirmed my disequilibrium as my stomach rumbled and tried to cope with the antibiotics.

Honoring our imperfect bodies is a way to honor our deep connection with God.  It means looking to God for grace so that one can “gracefully age.”  Sometimes prayers and reading and reflection can help one “accept one’s humanity which does eventually include illness.”   

I encourage you and me to find fellow strugglers who are able and want to live in the middle.  In my case, the goal is to accept my humanity, find true physical and spiritual wellness, and to live a balanced life.  Illness can send that balance out of orbit with one abnormal lab result for sure.    I think we need more ministers, more medical professionals, more people who can help others and themselves to “normalize” the experience of illness and give people space and time to make sense of it.  I venture that healing will happen as people balance medical challenges with an alive faith and in that find health and meaning and purpose for living.