Cutting Out Time for Others

On Wednesday I was sitting by myself at the Dallas airport as I wrote this. I couldn't help but watch all the people as they walked by and wondered what they were thinking and where they may be going.   Are they going on vacation?  Are they going somewhere for business? Or possibly going somewhere they do not wish to go?  I caught myself and realized one reason I was able to do this was because I had plenty of time to observe (long layover).  How many times are we out and about and we go into autopilot?  Sometimes our own personal thoughts are so powerful that we overlook the ones around us and instead keep too much focus on ourselves.

A perfect example of this is when my friends and I were preparing to out process in order to come back home these past few days.  I know I caught myself focused on what I had to do to be ready; focused on what was important to me and sometimes tuning out those around me who may or may not have been doing the same.  What good are powerful thoughts if they only serve our own purpose?  Thinking about it that way makes one selfish.  Sure, there are times when we need some "me" time; this goes along with the concept of putting your face mask on first before helping others (sorry, just received the standard "this is how to not die" safety briefing from American Airlines so I had to incorporate it :-).

However, our end goal needs to be how our thoughts will impact others.  I need to remember this when I run and train because my thoughts have the potential to positively affect a group of people that could really use it in Haiti.  What is on your to-do list today? Think about what is on the list and honestly ask yourself how that benefits someone else.  If it doesn't, why is it important?

Now, if you fell because you stumbled over my unintended guilt trip please take this moment to gather yourself and stand up.  Thinking with others in mind does not need to be super complicated.  A simple prayer when you see an ambulance speed by or taking a moment to hold a door open are all simple examples that show your intent of thinking of someone else.  Remember to take care of yourself along the way because it makes you more effective at the task at hand.  I am a history nerd and one of my favorite characters in history is Abraham Lincoln.  One story about this legendary President is that he was given 5 hours to cut down a large tree and was asked how he would approach the task at hand.  Before getting to work he took the first 2 hours to sharpen his axe.

Keep your axe sharp but remember it is no good if you don't go out and use it and cut some time out for others.  Get to it, chop chop J

Saying Goodbye is a Trip

When you go on a trip you tend to see a lot.  In fact some trips are for that fact alone; to sight see.  One might take the long way home to catch the sunset, or plan a weekend in the city and take in all the sights and sounds.  This is no different when you run; the views may be a bit more bouncy, but the point remains you cannot help but be impacted by it.  For myself, the most notable impact comes from the people I meet along the way.  For nearly four months I have had a great run from Portland, to San Antonio to Biloxi and have been positively impacted by some great people (and you thought a marathon was a long run).  However, just like every book has chapters, I make my way back to Portland next week and am forced to say goodbye as I turn another page in my life.

Turning the page is bittersweet.  On one hand you are leaving a time when you might have grown a lot, or had a lot of fun.  On the other hand you are moving on to life’s next adventure to experience new things.  I think back on some of my difficult goodbyes.  Heading to college realizing I was 4 hours from home and feeling like I was starting from scratch.  I think about leaving Seattle, a great job and promising opportunity.  Goodbyes like these were tough at the time, but each of them lead to something greater.  Being away from home in college allowed me to grow up and become an adult.  Moving to Portland from Seattle made me put my money where my mouth was if I really believed that family and relationships were values I prioritized.  Take a moment and think about a goodbye that was difficult for you and how it impacted you?

I know I am coming at this with a “cup is half full” optimism that not everyone will agree with.  I can see why because the bitter to the sweet is that goodbyes tend to plain suck to be blunt.  They are like eating a pudding cup and realizing it is almost all gone.  You were excited when it started, but are sad to see it come to an end.  However, there is a lot of pudding in life so don’t dwell when you finish one; grab another (TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS NOT A HEALTHY EATING TIP, IT IS AN ANALOGY! J).

On a more serious note I want to emphasize the point of this blog; thoughts are powerful.  The thought of saying goodbye is powerful in its’ weight on each of our lives because they are hard, but necessary.  My encouragement for everyone is this: a goodbye might be hard in the moment, but you don’t know how it will positively impact you in the long run (remember also God has a funny way of putting old friends back into your life later).  Life is not a sprint, it is a marathon so keep running and take in the view; I know I will.  

The Art of the March

While at Keesler I have the privilege to march flights (common word used for groups) of Airmen from as little as 4 to as large as 49.  I use the word privilege very deliberately because leading a flight puts a flight commander (the one leading the flight) in charge of how well the entire flight performs and most importantly their safety.  Little nuances develop when magnified by dozens of Airmen doing them at synchronized moments.  For instance, making a left turn and then making a sharper left turn can quickly make a fine looking flight look like a disaster (trust me, I know).  Additionally, things like all Airmen marching in step with limited to no movement from their waste up is a recipe for a well performing flight as is keeping in line with the Airmen to your side.  You might be reading this and be thinking “what is the big deal?”.  The big deal is that how we conduct ourselves during the “little things in life” reflects our integrity and discipline in how we will conduct ourselves when given more responsibility.  A lesson that is invaluable given the important responsibility that is granted to those who actively serve, have served and will serve in the U.S. military.    

One of the first things an Airman learns in basic training is how to march.  As far as the power of one thought it is pretty simple enough; moving groups of people from point A to point B in an orderly fashion.  During training we start out with the fundamentals and gradually piece them together as we become more proficient.  If you asked some you might get answers that it is a waste of time, or that it is pointless.  However, ask someone that understands it better and you will see why it is ingrained in the training process for thousands of trainees year after year.  My explanation simple: marching is a practical tool that instills discipline in those involved that crosses over in our daily lives.

Marching is not a new concept.  In the U.S. military it dates all the way back to revolutionary times with George Washington’s Army with the help of Prussian officer Baron von Steuben with the intent to quickly assemble troops in tactical formations and instill discipline.  This tradition has carried on today despite the modernization of the nations’ military.  From my point of view it is easy to see why.

Just as the flight must keep this lesson in mind so should the flight commander who sets the tone for the entire flight.  When a flight commander remembers he/she is there to put service before self and confidently lead their flight with discipline it translates into a group of men and women who are more likely to trust their leader and strive to do the little things right.  Each little critique and little correction in marching can be seen as the finely brushed strokes that make up the finishing touches to a fine piece of art.  As you go about your day remember the little things in life and the discipline that allows you to focus on them.  March on and paint your masterpiece. 

Two Wolves to Feed

Have you ever been so angry you can hardly stand it?  You know what I am talking about.  I’m talking about that “Monday afternoon stuck in rush hour, you just got cut off in traffic and you have a million things to get done at home and not enough time” feeling.  We all have different ways to handle this and personally I have found running helps.  This past week it was very therapeutic as I dealt with things here as the effects of home sickness started to get stronger.  As I ran I felt great as I broke out to a fast pace for the first couple miles of my run.  “BAM BAM BAM” as my feet slapped the pavement at a brisk pace.  The interesting thing is my overall pace was slower because I started out too fast.  This got me thinking of how different powerful feelings motivate us.

Anger is a powerful feeling that can be shown in outbursts, but how long can you sustain it?  I feel anger, even righteous anger, can only power you for so long before your tank runs out.  The days I have ran with anger as my true motivator I have ran the slowest in the long run (although it acts as a great venting method for anger).  What has motivated me during my best runs?  The answer to that is when I am focused on the children over in Haiti that I am raising money for.  I envision specific children that I saw when I visited and I link it with recent news of hurricane Isaac moving through Haiti and its’ disastrous impact.  I would summarize this feeling as a feeling of love, or more specifically compassion.  The word compassion defined as “to suffer with”, or to be moved to act for another.  Whereas anger is a flare that is bright and powerful that extinguishes over time, I argue that compassion is a fire within that burns steady and strong and will only go out if we fail in fueling it.

Which one will you choose: anger, or compassion?  As a member of the 336^th Red Wolves Training Squadron I find the following short story perfect for explaining how we all answer this question.

                                                        

A Cherokee elder sitting with his grandchildren told them, “In every life there is a terrible fight—a fight between two wolves. One is evil: he is fear, anger, envy, greed, arrogance, self-pity, resentment, and deceit. The other is good: joy, serenity, humility, confidence, generosity, truth, gentleness, and compassion.” A child asked, “Grandfather, which wolf will win?” The elder looked him in the eye. He answered“The one you feed.”

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend.