you're so smart.

Sure, it can be a nice compliment. But, we often save it as an excuse. 

You're so smart.
You're so talented. 
You're so beautiful. 
You're so lucky. 

You're so... and I'm not. You had a head start from the get-go. I'll never be you. Never could be. No reason to try. 

There's no denying some have an easier road than others. There's no denying that where and when we are born has a huge affect on our path, and, to some, it's entirely debilitating.

But, there's no denying there is a ton of work and effort, of risk and vulnerability in all of it, for all of us. 

They might not be so smart. They might have just put in more effort, worked harder, and risked more. They might have used what luck they had better than him. 

Or, worse, she might be just as talented. Will we ever know? And how will we all help the talent that is out there, believe in itself and have the ability to do something with it?

obedience.

I'm sure there is an exception somewhere, but, generally, nothing innovative, creative, award-winning, or exceptional has ever happened because someone followed the rules, the norms, the standards. 

Of course, we'd all agree, rules have value. They bring order. Some semblance of order is necessary for  innovation, creativity, awards, and the exceptional. Rules matter. 

But, the important thing is the expectations with the rules. Following the rules and expecting to find some kind of vibrancy with life ... spiritually, artistically, sociologically, scientifically... is pretty difficult. 

 If you're following the rules, at least know why. Don't confuse rules with great change. Rules are order and order is important, except when it's not. 

addicted to negative.

The negative is fun. To say that you don't agree is a rush. To criticize, produces adrenaline. 

But, be careful.

There are some that are so addicted to the negative that even when they win, they can't help but win poorly. When they have power, they can't help but complain that some people don't like that they have power. When they have the chance to change the world for good, they don't. They continue to consume instead of produce, they continue to critique instead of create, they continue to complain instead of inspire. 

You don't want to be that person, when your chance comes. Start practicing now. 

burnt cheese.

Starbucks was making money and growing but its founder Howard Schultz couldn't stand the smell that was taking over his stores: the smell of burnt cheese. 

Breakfast sandwiches were a big hit. Customers loved them. They were making money and drawing in customers. But, according to Schultz, they were ruining the experience that he was looking for, the experience at the heart of Starbucks. They were ruining the smell of coffee beans, the aura of the spaces. 

Very few people agreed with him. He kept fighting. They fought back. He insisted. 

Eventually, Starbucks stopped growing. Lots of reasons were given. Eventually, they started growing again. Lots of reasons. 

But, when was the last time you smelled burnt cheese in a Starbucks? 

What's your burnt cheese? You might be the only one who cares. Everyone might tell you how much they love what you're trying to get rid of and the numbers might support them.

For now. 

Maybe you need to keep insisting.  

factories vs fields.

They both produce. 

One produces goods, many of which are unnecessary for survival, many even detrimental. 
The other produces food, a requirement, at some level, for the survival of our species. 

One requires consistency, a lack of change, a routine. Sterility. 
The other requires sun, water, dirt, pollination (natural elements we do not control) growth, and adaptation. 

One pollutes. 
The other contributes. 

One produces a mindset - follow the rules with efficiency. Mastery of protocol. Don't think. 
The other produces a different mindset - see, feel, care. Be. Notice. React. 

Of course, we make our fields more like factories every day. 

And our religions, our educational systems, our emotions, and most other aspects of our lives. 

Sometimes there are storms, sometimes droughts, sometimes infestations. We lose control. 
Sometimes it's messy and muddy and frustrating... 

But have you ever experienced the taste of an apple or strawberry or peace fresh off the tree?   

what to do.

I was at a restaraunt and there was a clipboard filled with people's names and a number next to the name. I wrote "Miller 2", set the clipboard down, and waited. Some of the names and numbers were scratched out - I assumed they were the ones I could see eating where my wife and I would be eating too soon.

As more people arrived, we just watched. Some stared flummoxed. Others looked around. Some said "What do we do?" Others said "Are we just supposed to sign this?" Others "Is this how you get your name on the list?"

Guess what?

Sometimes it's just that simple and makes that much sense.  But we've been programmed differently and if it doesn't fit our programming we suddenly on't know what to do, even though what to do couldn't be more obvious.

iRuin the Mood.

In Hatha, we always end with Shavasana: on our back, focusing on the present, relaxing, being grateful, quiet... it's one of my favorite times of the day and we are encouraged to stay there for as long as it takes. 

I was there. Full relaxation and restoration. Then I heard the Apple Watch next to me. Ding. Ding. Ding! What the hell is it dinging? That the owner has exercised today? A text? 

Then, a phone started ringing with the familiar iTune diddy that reminds us that someone needs us. Someone yelled out "Well, Shavasana is done." There were some groans and laughter. 

And, as I got up, someone else was laying on their side, staring at their phone. 

The metaphors were endless. 

Can I just say it again? 

Put down the damn phone! Leave the watch somewhere else! Yes, you may not get points for your workout and you may miss a critical text but you will start living. 

to lose.

We are not made to lose. We never like it. It never feels good. That's okay.  

You don't need to like losing. You just need to know what game you are playing.

screwed up.

It's generally not considered a good thing. Well, it's generally considered a bad thing.

Those words can mean a lot but whatever the definition... maybe we are supposed to be?

We are good. We were created good. We should be good. And screwed up. 

Not what. How.

It's not what you're doing, it's how. 

There are a lot of people spending a lot of time trying to figure out what to do and don't know how to do it when they get there. If that's the case, what may never show up. 

There are some who are trying to figure out how to do it, no matter what it is. If that's the case, what may be everywhere. 

these two will kill your chances.

Finding a partner, a job, finishing a project, or anything else in life. 

Infinite options and perfection will kill everything.

Neither exist, but we think they do. 

So, make your options smaller, more finite, and set your bar lower than perfection... at very good... and you'll be amazed at what starts to happen.  

it's catchy.

But so is the flu. 

The better question is probably does this make me more energized, inspired and excited or more tired, drained, and apathetic. 

... doesn't suck.

D.O. started a line of shirts/stickers/etc... with the line  "Spokane Doesn't Suck".  He's a great guy and I love what he's doing.   

It's true. Spokane doesn't suck...

...but if it's pretty bad and if it sure isn't awesome, well, who cares if it doesn't suck? That can't be our goal, right? 

Lots of things don't suck and I see more people thinking that not sucking is the line. 

My job doesn't suck. 
My friends don't suck. 
My art doesn't suck. 
My marriage doesn't suck. 
My life doesn't suck.

My faith doesn't suck. 

If you're shooting for not sucking... join the mediocre of the world. 

Or raise the damn bar. 

lazy.

Social media is lazy. You didn't build the platform or the audience. You are just supporting a corporation that has built the audience and platform for you, to make you feel like you did. They're making you lazy, so they make money. 

Don't buy what they are selling.

I realize it's tempting. I've given in many times. But, take the time, the energy, and the resources to build your own platform and audience. It's much more difficult and time consuming but, an audience of 3 that you have built, is worth more than an audience of 3,000 that doesn't care. 

read more.

If you want to change the world, read a book. 

If you haven't found a book you can't put down, keep looking. They are out there. 

If you have, find another one. 

If you need some suggestions, you can definitely start here. But, don't end there. 

If you don't think you need to read, you're right, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Netflix will entertain you forever. 

But, if you want to change the world, read a book. 

the martyr.

A martyr is someone who refuses to acknowledge something that an external force demands and is, therefore, punished for it. 

If you're going to give in to the demands of any external force, you can't blame the external force. You can only blame yourself. In the modern era, a martyr has become synonymous with someone who would actually rather blame someone else for their predicament. We call this playing the martyr. 

They blame the external force for making them do something. 

There are constant external forces. 
You're choosing to listen to some right now and disregard others. 
Why?
What are the external forces demanding from you? 
Why do they want that? 
Do you want that? 

everything is in front of you.

This is the year you stop waiting and start. 

I, for one, am already proud of you. 

a little advent.

A lot of people can do a little or a few can do a lot. 

There aren't many alternatives, unfortunately. 

One works and one doesn't. One shares the duty and one burns us out with the task at hand.

The Christmas Eve story is often one that people think is about a few people doing a lot - mainly God coming to Earth as a human. 

I would argue that the story is of a lot of people doing a little, the way that God always shows up. 

Someone let Mary and Joseph stay in their house. 
Someone served them dinner. 
Someone grew the crops and raised the animals that were the dinner. 
Someone built a manger for an animal. 
Someone grew hay. 
Someone built a house. 
Someone gave birth to and raised Mary. 
Someone gave brith to and raised Joseph. 

And that's just for one scene in the Advent story. 

On this Christmas Eve, do a little. You may not be a hero but you might be preparing someone for an encounter with the Divine. You might be a hidden character in a story that will be told for generations. Or, you might not. Either way, celebrate. 

snapchat. magazine.

I asked my daughter for two words. She got irritated but I insisted so she begrudgingly gave the words to the title of this post.  

Which end up being interesting words. Magazines used to be everything. We waited for them, read them, and cared what was in them. The gatekeeper was speaking. More restricted but more value.

Now we have Snapchat. Instant. We glance. We sometimes care. Everyone is speaking.  Less restricted but less value.

You can't have both. 

seth godin.

Today I'm going to see Seth Godin for 8 hours with some people from around the world.

If you've never heard of Seth Godin, you're missing out and you should google him right now and find a podcast to listen to (there are many), a book to read (there are many), or a video to watch (there are many). Or just start reading his blog - it's worth it.

I've got big expectations. I'll let you know if they are met.