The Importance of Perspective

A single isolated act can be a dangerous trigger for change.

I know that personally.  An extended time of productive experience could potentially be undermined by a single act, a solitary decision.

If I let it.

I will not.  A reflective view of history reminds me of the multiple benefits and blessings I've received in this setting.  Kindness, love and support have been offered without solicitation.  I have been the recipient of much mercy and grace.

What is required is perspective.  What is the larger picture?  What has been the general modus operandi in my experience here?  Are there factors of which I may not be aware that could have been a catalyst for such a decision?

Singular events can make you feel like quitting.

Perspective--the broader picture--can save you from sudden change and concomitant bitterness.

Stay the course.  Don't pull the trigger.

The Fine Art of Relaxing

For some of us, relaxing is a guilt trip.  Motivated and compelled to work and be productive,m anything short of that feels wrong.

I am in the middle of a two week vacation in Arizona, watching my beloved San Francisco Giants in spring training and 80 degree weather.  This would seem like a perfect environment for relaxation.

And it is.  Except for my brain which remains in work mode.  I have to be intentional to and set boundaries for myself or I will be subconsciously swept into a labyrinth of work-related concerns.

Each morning to a relaxed time with my wife of visiting, doing our devotions together--we do this at home, but the pace here is much more subdued.  Each morning we take an hour hike--one morning we were out for two and a half hours climbing a mountain!--and this is a time for us to view the beauty of the desert, an acquired taste we have developed over the last 6-7 years,

I have my I-Phone with me at all times.  My world is carried on this small magical portable computer.  Sadly, I am a creature of habit and I find myself reaching for it throughout the day to catch up on news, contacts, sports scores, work-related concerns (my staff at home work to shield me from these), and family updates.  With eleven grandchildren, there is always something new to know about their personal worlds.

In the evenings my mind defaults to work mode, and so I have to "busy" myself with games, conversations (we are traveling with some very close friends), and an occasional television show like American idol (I know...it's crazy!)

We will be home in a week and the temptation is to begin to transition already into work mode, i.e. What do I have waiting for me?  What work projects need to be tackled?

Et cetera

But I am relaxing.  And loving it.

It is a fine art I want to learn to incorporate into my regular life.

I am open to advice on how to do that more effectively as the allure of semi-retirement awaits me!

Decompressing

I recently left on a  twenty-one day trip, focusing on Spring Training for the SF Giants in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Joined by our friends, Jerry and  Sue, we left Sunday after church and arrived here Tuesday evening.

Tired and up tight.

It takes me awhile to unwind and to decompress.  There us a interim period of time where I am putting all my work and worry aside--intentionally--and setting my mind on rest and relaxation.

Usually, arriving at that place requires a dismissal of pseudo guilt (I'm abandoning my work!), .a denial of my messianic complex (How will they survive without me?) and a detour from my penchant for being a workaholic (Where's my IPhone?).

Thankfully, my wife willingly assists me in this process!

So here's the deal.  I am going to five Giants' games in two weeks.

But, I am sleeping in, taking long hikes, relaxing with a book, sharing extended devotional time every morning with Beverly, playing an assortment of games with our friends,, sight-seeing...etc.

Decompressing!