To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Expected

Melinda Gates, you know, Bill's wife, was given this tidbit of advice by her future mother-in-law before her wedding: To whom much is given, much is expected. By the way, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation donates $3 billion a year.

If you always do your very best, you will accomplish much and disappoint few. I would rather fail at something giving it my best shot than succeed at doing nothing.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness. Make sure that you do your best when you do it.

The Niceness of People

Did you ever notice how nice people are when things go wrong?

For example, during hurricane Katrina and hurricane Rita, people were helping people to safety that they did not know.

A decade or so ago, a little girl fell down a well and was trapped. Companies from all over the country sent equipment and people to get the little girl out.

On a much smaller scale, I broke my ankle and several people at work asked if I needed help doing things. Two of the biggest instances of assistance that I appreciated the most were Claudia bringing over the ottoman so I could elevate my foot and John getting me a cup of water. In the grand scheme of life, these are not real big "things," but they really made my day better by their acts of kindness.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness. It will show the person that the world is not void of nice people.

Vacations

Even a work-a-holic needs a vacation. Some time away from the office and reality can make a world of difference, even if you are only gone for a weekend.

I went camping with the men's group at church this past weekend. There was only one television on site and it was not readily accessible. There were no phones in the room - this was the big blessing. I consider myself a high-tech guy and I did not even miss the internet.

Monday arrived and I had a revived vigor for work because I was rested. Just a little time away makes a difference.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness. It might be the thing the person needs to revive their vigor.

What a difference a day makes

Yesterday was one of those days. I felt like I had been run over by a Mack truck. My head hurt and I had little to no energy. And to top things off, my computer at work decided that it wanted to crash and burn.

What a difference a day makes. As much as some bosses think that sleep is overrated, it is amazing how much better you feel after you've recharged your batteries.

Today the IT department got my computer back up and running.

My projects are still lined up, but the project managers are a lot easier to work with today. With a clearer head, things seem to fall in place and even when problems do arise, they are easier to handle.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness. They just might need it because they could need a day to make a difference.

Be Careful for What You Ask For ...

Be careful for what you ask for because you just might get it.

Let's use a puppy as an example. On one hand a puppy is going to bring you a lot of smiles. On the other hand, you have no idea how much energy a puppy has and how creative a puppy can be when it comes to making its gums feel better.

Let's start right here - there is no such thing as a free puppy. You might not have to pay the person giving you the puppy any money, but that puppy definitely is not free. The puppy requires shots which requires a vet visit, not to mention food, a collar, a leash, a bunch of chew toys, and endless supply of dog treats, the annual licensing and the very required pooper scooper. If you happen to forget about the chew toys, the puppy is going to make his own chew toys, such as your shoes.

If you are a child. You may ask for a puppy because you think you really want a puppy. Not only does the puppy need all the aforementioned tangibles, but he also needs lots of love and attention - no matter what kind of mood you are in at the time he wants it. The puppy is a living and breathing creature, so you can't just toss him in the corner when you are done playing with him. You are responsible for him pretty much all the time - even after he grows up and becomes a dog.

Sometimes the best thing that happen to you is being told that you can't have puppy because sometimes the worse thing that can happen to you is getting what you want.

So be careful for what you ask for, you just might get it.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness. However, I do not recommend giving them a puppy unless they really want it and have thought out the entire process.

Rainy Days and Mondays

There was a song done by the Carpenters with a line it that said "Rainy days and Mondays always get me down." In the Pacific Northwest, rainy days are just part of the norm, especially if you happen to live in Seattle, WA.

Someone commented to me early today that a lot of people were working from home today due to the weather. I responded that today is a good day to work from the office. Let me explain Lucy. We are computer "geeks" who work in an office with regulated temperature. If it is miserable outside, the only way we can tell is by either going outside or looking out the windows. Either way, if it is miserable outside, it is a good day to get paid for working inside.

I often joke about calling in well. No, I do not mean calling in sick. If the day is really nice outside with the sun shining and the ground is dry, those are the days that it is hard to come work inside.

If I were to call in well, I imagine the scenario going on something like this:

Me: Hello Boss, I am calling in well.
Boss: Are you sick?
Me: No, I feel just fine. It is just too nice of a day to be cooped up in the office, so I am calling in well to enjoy the nice day.
Boss: Ok, take the day off. Just make sure to get your work done this week.

Now, I don't call in well, but maybe one day it would be nice to do so.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness. It might be the sunshine they need to make their rainy day and Monday go away.

Friday the 13th

A lot of people are afraid of Friday the 13th. There have been numerous movies, ten or eleven of them depending on whether you count the Jason versus Freddy movie as part of the series.

Some people are afraid or superstitious of the number 13, which is better known as Triskaidekaphobia.

Before the 19th century, though the number 13 was considered unlucky, and Friday was considered unlucky, there was no link between them.

There are some stories that have gone on through the years about the number 13 and Friday, such as Judas being the 13th person in the room during the last supper and then Jesus being crucified on Friday.

Some athletes won't wear the number 13. There have been successful athletes who have worn the number 13 such as Wilt Chamberlin.

Today might be Friday the 13th, but it is Friday, the last day of the work week for the majority of us. It is a good day.

Make someone's day today and perform a random act of kindness. It could be what they need to take their mind off the scariness of Friday the 13th.

Growing Up

Growing up is never easy. Growing up does not necessarily mean growing old, but it does mean maturing.

One of my favorite verses from the bible is 1 Corinthians 13:11:
When I was a child, I talked like a child. I thought like a child. I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

Every day is a new day. You get the chance to start anew and leave yesterday's troubles and tribulations behind you. It does not mean you are not responsible for things you did yesterday and don't have to do something you did not complete. It does mean that you don't have to carry yesterday's baggage with you today. You will have enough to carry today without bringing any from yesterday. Part of growing up is acting grown up and learning what to take with you and what to leave behind you on your journey through life.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness. It could be just the help they need to make the next step in the growing up process.

Don't Ever Give Up

Jim Valvano, the former men's basketball coach of North Carolina State lost his battle against cancer several years ago, but during the battle he tried to inspire others to never give up, don't ever give up.

No matter how bad things look, it is not as bad as you think it is. There is light at the end of the tunnel and chances are it is not a train.

There is always a lesson that can be learned from any experience, no matter the outcome.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness. It might be the little something they need so they don't give up.

The Measure of a Man

The true measure of a man is not displayed when he knows people are watching, but when he thinks people are not watching.

Can you tell the true character of a person when things are going well? Like most things in life, the answer is sometimes. Would you treat people the same after good things happen to you, such as winning the lottery, as you would on any ordinary day?

Or is the true character of a person displayed when things are not going well? Again, the answer is sometimes. How do you treat people when your day plays like an old country song?

Hopefully, you live your life in such a manner that it does not matter whether your day is going your way or going down hill. Treat people with the utmost respect and trust that everyone is basically good. It is better to be disappointed once in awhile than not to give someone a chance. You can only control the things you do. You can't control others' actions. Let God deal with the things they do.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness, no matter how your day is going.

TGIF

Thank God It's Friday! Today is Good Friday. On this day in history, Jesus was crucified and died for our sins.

Sunday is Easter, the day that Jesus rose from the dead. If you are a Christian, Easter is the most important day of the year, even more so than Christmas because Jesus died and rose again we can have eternal life. Without Easter, Christmas is just another day.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness. Jesus did.

Akiane

My buddy and co-worker Brent turned me onto the artist prodigy Akiane. She is 12-years-old and paints from her heart and soul. Most of her art work is based on God and Jesus. For those of you who live in the Portland, Oregon area, her work is on display through Easter Sunday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM at

Tiffany Center Ballroom
1410 SW Morrison
Portland, Oregon

I plan to see it before it leaves.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness. Maybe you can bring them to see the Akiane art display.

Give Monday a Break ...

Most people look forward to Friday, no matter what day of the week Friday falls on - not all of us work Monday through Friday. Mondays have a bad reputation for being the toughest day of the week.

Monday is the first day of the week after a weekend, but it is not the toughest day. After the weekend, people are still trying to get their bearings and get their work life in order. So they generally don't get all their troubles rounded out until at least Tuesday. Also, there are more holidays that consistently fall on Monday than the other day of the week. Also, when a holiday falls on the weekend, it quite frequently is observed on the following Monday.

Give Mondays a break - they do have some advantages to them and they are not as bad as people make them out to be.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness - particularly on a Monday.