I mean, REALLY ready?
I ask for this reason: Yesterday a woman called my office and started a conversation about what she wanted to sell and had the unfortunate luck of getting the very person who might just buy on the phone. WELL, what happened next is probably best described as coming to a dance without the right shoes or maybe getting to the field without your shin guards--I dunno.
Anyway, it all went by in a blur; when told she had 30 seconds to make an impression, she balked. Big time. She started meandering through her past work history and other things that had nothing to do with what she wanted to sell. I felt bad for her, sight unseen. I really did. I pictured her working hard to keep the smile in her voice, probably using lots of hand gestures to pump the words out faster and faster to no avail. When she was given significantly MORE than 30 seconds ("You have my ear. Tell me why I should buy from you.You called me to sell, so sell"), it still didn't happen. Perhaps she really should be in the solitude of a chemistry lab or a C.P.A., cuz from what I heard, she couldn't sell steak to a starving man.
It kind of makes you wonder though: how many of us are so convinced that we won't get anywhere near our objective that we don't even make the most basic preparations in the event we do? In other words, how many of us are angling for that point right where average and mediocre meet up, happy maybe if we just make it? And for heaven's sake, why?
Given the choice between failure and mediocrity, the former is far more exciting. To fail, you have to at least tried, whereas mediocrity is the fruit of persistent do-nothingness. To not be ready when called, to not have your gear oiled, to not know what to say when asked for a 30-second summary, to grossly underestimate yourself and your competition.
This is not the day nor the hour for any of that, no matter what our field. It's time to be nothing but ready.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Appointment
So I heard a titillating message today that spoke of considering oneself appointed by God to accomplish a mission, and the resultant urgency and determination with which we would operate if we did. Exciting stuff and absolutely the kick in the pants I needed to put my beliefs into action.
In what do I have my belief? Well first of all, Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior. Secondly, that because I have accepted Jesus, He in turn has filled me with the Holy Spirit, who prompts us to live lives worthy of the calling we have received. I believe that in my case that calling is to build schools that create safe havens for children to learn, grow, THINK and meet Jesus Christ.
Because I have decided to put my faith in Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible, I am fully convinced of a few things. Here are some of them: first, that this world is dying and our only hope is Jesus Christ; secondly, while I still have breath it is my obligation to be as helpful and productive as humanly possible; and third, that NOT giving rising generations as much as we have to offer is sinful. I don't expect or demand that everyone I meet become followers of Jesus, but it is important that they have the opportunity.
As the comedic magician (and atheist) Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller put it, "How much do you have to hate someone to NOT proselytize? How much do you have to hate someone to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them?" Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCdCVto2MN8.
So I don't yet know how it will be done, or who will be involved, but I have resolved that I cannot not get about this any longer. If you are a praying person and believe our children need/deserve much more than what they currently receive from our schools, please join me in prayer.
In what do I have my belief? Well first of all, Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior. Secondly, that because I have accepted Jesus, He in turn has filled me with the Holy Spirit, who prompts us to live lives worthy of the calling we have received. I believe that in my case that calling is to build schools that create safe havens for children to learn, grow, THINK and meet Jesus Christ.
Because I have decided to put my faith in Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible, I am fully convinced of a few things. Here are some of them: first, that this world is dying and our only hope is Jesus Christ; secondly, while I still have breath it is my obligation to be as helpful and productive as humanly possible; and third, that NOT giving rising generations as much as we have to offer is sinful. I don't expect or demand that everyone I meet become followers of Jesus, but it is important that they have the opportunity.
As the comedic magician (and atheist) Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller put it, "How much do you have to hate someone to NOT proselytize? How much do you have to hate someone to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them?" Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCdCVto2MN8.
So I don't yet know how it will be done, or who will be involved, but I have resolved that I cannot not get about this any longer. If you are a praying person and believe our children need/deserve much more than what they currently receive from our schools, please join me in prayer.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Rekindling the Romance
So I'm breaking the silence--again.
A dear friend and fellow angst-sufferer asked me just a short while ago why I don't blog, particularly since I spent a lot of our talk complaining about how I don't write. Sad that I have to be reminded of such simple things, but anyway.
ANYWAY, about all I have to say right now is that schools still fascinate, frighten and shout at me every time I pass them by or get an update from one of my many parent friends experiencing untold frustration because their children are either being threatened by fellow students or ignored by teachers. I listen, shake my head and wonder why humans haven't gotten this right yet. Would it be so hard to upgrade the basics package to food, clothing, shelter and an education? Just why is quality schooling held aloft the heads of people who cannot pay tuition or are single parents or didn't speak English as their first language? Why has quality schooling been re-defined by so many as "whatever school my kid can be safe in"?
Say what?
OK. Among other things, I consider the conditions in which urban schools operate a personal affront, and not one I plan to take sitting down either. I'll be checking back in to try to figure out what that means, but if anyone has ideas, please let me know.
A dear friend and fellow angst-sufferer asked me just a short while ago why I don't blog, particularly since I spent a lot of our talk complaining about how I don't write. Sad that I have to be reminded of such simple things, but anyway.
ANYWAY, about all I have to say right now is that schools still fascinate, frighten and shout at me every time I pass them by or get an update from one of my many parent friends experiencing untold frustration because their children are either being threatened by fellow students or ignored by teachers. I listen, shake my head and wonder why humans haven't gotten this right yet. Would it be so hard to upgrade the basics package to food, clothing, shelter and an education? Just why is quality schooling held aloft the heads of people who cannot pay tuition or are single parents or didn't speak English as their first language? Why has quality schooling been re-defined by so many as "whatever school my kid can be safe in"?
Say what?
OK. Among other things, I consider the conditions in which urban schools operate a personal affront, and not one I plan to take sitting down either. I'll be checking back in to try to figure out what that means, but if anyone has ideas, please let me know.
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