Opportunity

Sometimes, opportunity presents itself dramatically. It rears its majestic head and invites us to take hold. We relish the experience. We have no doubts and we move forward with confidence.

But most times, opportunity peeks out at us, wide-eyed and tentative, from just around the corner. And even when it steps out for a few seconds and signals its promise, it may suddenly duck down and run for cover.

And, when that happens, a lot of us shrug and think, “Well, that opportunity wasn’t meant to be.” We continue where we were. Perhaps just as well off, but never really knowing what the opportunity might have meant to our lives.

I’ve got an opportunity around the corner. I’ve exchanged a few greetings and it’s seemed pretty shy. Today, I’m walking around the corner to meet it.

I don’t think that we have the time to greet every opportunity that comes our way. Yet, I would hope that all of us would pause long enough to meet some and explore the possibilities.

Kate says

The weekly email from the American Bar Association popped up with news for the week. I usually find something of interest, but last week’s didn’t have much. I did see where a law firm had banned phones and other communication devices from firm meetings. Thought I’d take a look.

The story was short and to the point. A law firm had established rules regarding the use of cell phones and portable email devices in meetings. Seems that the lawyers had grown tired of having that type of interruption. That was it. The story was over. I thought there must be more, so I paged down below the advertisements.

I don’t suppose that I had done that before. But I discovered that there was a comment feature at the bottom of the page. I wasn’t really curious but for some unknown reason I started reading.

First comment commended the law firm. Second comment commended the law firm and went further, condemning anyone who talks on a cell phone in public. Third commenter told the second commenter to lighten up. That line of thought went back and forth for awhile.

And then someone noticed that the headline said “Firm Bans Blackberrys,” or something like that. So, of course, a heated debated arose over whether the plural of Blackberry is Blackberrys or Blackberries. Soon, commenters were blending the plurality issue with whether cell phones and emails by phone are from the devil — and possibly whether other commenters were demonic.

This is the tragedy of online news and blogs. In the cloak of anonymity, people act nasty to other people. Yes, it happens face to face, too. But people really think it’s okay and even admirable if they can make derogatory remarks about other people on the internet. It is true that some individuals are respectful and articulate. But many are not.

That’s why I was blessed by what Kate said, way down in the list of comments. Her words?

I have never taken the time to read comments responding to a posted article. Hilarious–thanks for the entertainment! I particularly love when one individual criticizes another, all the while making blatant typos, whether spelling, punctuation, or grammar. Another favorite: the witty remarks. Thanks for the laughs.

In her kind way, Kate assumed the best. That people were simply going out of their way to entertain her and other readers. And don’t you love the gentle way she pointed out that perhaps people should pay attention to what they type?

Seems to me that many of the earlier comments could have been made in Kate’s style. The same information would have been imparted. And we would have all been spared the nastiness. Who knows? Perhaps I’ve missed the point. Maybe online comments should only be viewed as entertainment.

Oh, and if you are wondering, the plural of Blackberry is “Blackberry Mobile Devices” according to one of the commentators who bothered to go and ask the company. Not much entertainment value in that, but the process is certainly refreshing.

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Day One

Day One of a new year. A time to start fresh. An opportunity for turning that new leaf.

Yet I carry over so much unfinished from last year. And I would just as soon leave much of it there. But as I turn in my chair, I can see it’s still with me . . . lurking just over my shoulder . . . waiting to see what I will do . . . if anything at all.

Even with a lot of baggage, I still feel great hope for what this next twelve months will bring. God has promised much. Maybe not riches and glory — despite what some of the TV evangelists tell us. But He has given us everything already. Our hope for the future — and the present — is what we have in this first day of the year and what we will have in the last day of this year.

May your year be filled with good things. And when tragedy comes, may you be surrounded by friends who are divinely connected. All will be well. We’ve got that promise.

Top News

When I travel, I like to watch the local news a little while just to get a feel for the local life. Most of my view of Toronto this past couple of days has been cloaked by darkness and rain.

So I’ve seen stories on hikes in train fares and a local stabbing that left one Torontonian dead. Then there was the local newswoman on location being taught to milk a goat. (The difference there is that in Abilene the newswomen would have already known how to milk a goat. Okay, I’m stretching it. Probably a cow and maybe a goat.)

What’s been unique, really, is hearing world news from a perspective other than the United States. I’ve heard very little about what the White House did today. Fishing for Buffalo stations, I’ve discovered that NBC News has determined there is global warming. That follows groundbreaking work by CNN a couple of weeks ago.

I’m being sarcastic, of course. I mean I’m pleased that the top news organizations are shedding light on this very serious problem. I’m just shaking my head at all of the “official” — and often political — statements that have been made throughout my life that everything was as it should be. No, we were told, there’s no reason to change the way that we do things. No reason to curtail our extravagant ways.

Well this post isn’t about global warming, really. No, it’s more about what occupies our attention. The Buffalo station just reported the top 5 news stories for today. The top 2 were sports stories. Two seemed to have local merit. Number five? The Hollywood writers strike. Indeed, the late night talk shows are teetering on the edge of extinction.

I get caught up in what other people tell me is important. I’m thinking perhaps I should spend some concentrated effort on discovering what the top news in my world truly is.

On Claustrophobia

As I continue my thinking about “a dreadful inconvenience,” I’ve been given additional opportunities to explore such situations.

Last week, Dr. John decided that it would be a good thing for me to experience an MRI on my head. The reasons for that are another part of this whole journey. But suffice it to say that I’ve been dreading that MRI for a week. In fact, I started thinking back about two previous MRIs I had suffered through that were focused on parts of my body below my waist. And I started tying those events to a recent revelation — or apparent revelation. I’m claustrophobic.

The dictionary says that claustrophobia is an “abnormal dread of being in a closed or narrow space.” My everyday guide to the universe says that having an MRI is “being in a closed and narrow space while loud noises occur.” The footnote to that entry indicates that “many people have an abnormal dread of this.”

There you go. Another “dreadful inconvenience” — a subset of a much larger dreadful inconvenience.

Having thought about my upcoming time in the tube, I decided to appeal to Dr. John for help. I called and left a voice mail for Nurse Carol last Tuesday morning. Having faith that some sort of medication would be forthcoming to soothe my fears, I was standing in line about 6 p.m. that night at the pharmacy. My phone rang and Nurse Carol told me that the prescription had been called in.

I think. It was kind of loud in CVS that night. Regardless, the pharmacist had no record of a call. And the next day was July 4. The doctor’s office was closed.

Thus, I found myself in the outpatient waiting room on July 5 armed only with my copy of the orders for the MRI and an abnormal dread of what was to come. Yet, as I sat there, observing the other patients, a great calm washed over me. These other people were really suffering. And they were bravely facing whatever was scheduled for them.

Within the hour, I was lying on my back with my head encased in a cage that the MRI technician referred to as a “football helmet.” I think that she thought the metaphor linking a common object to this contraption would be calming. My initial thought was, “Football players wear helmets because of the overwhelming potential of brain injury.” But, remembering the brave people I had seen just a few moments earlier, I shook it off.

The moment came. I shut my eyes. I could feel the sides of the tube brushing my arms as I was rolled into the belly of the beast. I gritted my teeth and waited for the abnormal dread to become outright panic.

It didn’t happen. There was nothing here to fear. Loud noises. Narrow space. I’m thinking I’m really not claustrophobic. Could it be that if we look beyond our own worries and view the plights of others — and have compassion — that we can be lifted above the pain and fears of our own lives?

A dreadful inconvenience is transformed into simply an inconvenience. And inconvenience merges quietly into the stream of life.

I’m a Big Fan

I consider myself fairly docile. I don’t foist my opinion on everybody I see.

Yet more and more, I find myself really liking something and really promoting it. For example, I just bought a new hybrid car and you don’t have to say much to me to provoke an hour long infomercial. More about that in future posts.

I really like cherry slushes from Sonic. And there are at least three sales points I could make about them.

I like people who call me about work-related issues (including my law practice) during office hours. (On the other side, I really groan when someone begins with “I had a legal question for you and I really didn’t want to bother you at work.” Perhaps when I follow the lead of my fellow attorneys and institute a higher, at-home billing rate, this will stop.)

I like having lunch with Nancy. And I really don’t mind having others along most the time. But let me reframe — I love having lunch with Nancy. I also like to talk to her. And go on long car trips — even when she reads or sleeps. I even like sitting on the bench with the rest of the old guys at a shopping mall while I’m waiting for her. Okay, I pretty much like anything that involves Nancy.

I like the feeling that comes when you’re really working with someone. Mutual contributions are being made. Synergy is generated. And, even with the challenges that sometimes come with work projects, fun is had by all. Or at least a sense of accomplishment.

I like talking to my sons and my daughter-in-laws like adults.

I love talking to my granddaughter like a grampa. And even though I complain, riding around in the back seat with her as Nancy chauffeurs us to Chuck E. Cheese. And yes, I really like Chuck E. Cheese.

I like being around friends. I like being helped by store clerks and service personnel who don’t seem to mind that I don’t really know what I’m looking for or what it is I really want to accomplish.

I love the fact that there are family, friends, the occasional stranger, and, of course, a loving God who accept me where I am and root for me to do better.

I’m a big fan of all these things — and more! Someday, when we have a little time, I’ll tell you all about it.

The Extraordinary Life

He came through the door of the conference facility and wandered in a question-mark pattern up to me. As he drew closer, I’m guessing that the flash of recognition struck him about the same time it did me.

“I know you,” I said.

“Yes, you do,” he said.

And thus began a short reminiscence that would review the past 30 years or so — not only of our lives but of all of our high school classmates.

Since I seemed to be a little more plugged into reunion information, he eventually asked me, “So did anyone in our class do anything extraordinary?”

I struggled at first. Probably the most famous of our friends is a university professor and author who has also touched thousands of lives through his leadership of a non-profit association of private schools. Then there’s the one who went to work with an international company and has done very well. And the middle school principal. And the teachers. And the truck driver. And the barber. And the housewife. And those who have struggled with illness. And those who have lost that physical struggle. And those who have weathered divorce and estrangement from family. And those who experience joy in every day. And those who are bent over with sadness and depression and loss.

All of those classmates didn’t come up in that conversation. But I began to think about them during the long drive home that Saturday night.

By Sunday morning, I was feeling a bit blue. When Preacher Mike pulled us to scripture, my spirit was lifted as he began to talk about the honored placed that each of us holds in the body.

Being a part of the body is extraordinary. To see the way that my high school classmates have dealt with daily life is an extraordinary journey in itself. To see children born or adopted and raised. To see sickness and death taken on headfirst. To see people who have been beaten down by life stand and laugh at the Tormentor. To see individuals who truly believe in God and trust in Him.

This is to live extraordinarily.

And so, after further thought, my answer is, “They have all lived extraordinary lives.”

Suspicion

I had a blind date yesterday.

No, it wasn’t the typical blind date. Nancy, my wife, would really frown on that. This was a get-to-know you meeting that held some potential for our work in conflict resolution.

I traveled several hours to meet with an individual I did not know. And the meeting was arranged by a very recent acquaintance. And I don’t know him very well. As I drove through big-town traffic, I wondered if this was a good use of my time.

Just a few miles before the freeway exit that would take me to the rendezvous, it occurred to me that the man I was meeting with might be asking the same questions about why he had been talked into this appointment.

The meeting was very productive. My new friend was extremely cordial and his explanation of his life’s work was fascinating. I was delighted to be in his company. And, the best I could tell, he found benefit in the meeting, as well.

As I drove home, I couldn’t help but think about my earlier doubts and thank God that He leads me — sometimes over my suspicions — into moments of tremendous opportunity.

The first impression should be a distinct one . . .

For a number of years, I have shared little insights. Some people have even been heard to say that about me.  They say things like, “He shares little insight.” 

Over 200 of those little insights are out there.  A number of them are residing on the web, some are resting peacefully on my computer.  The first fifty or so made it into print — thanks to my good friend, Jim.

I was never sure how many people actually read my Distinct Impressions.  I suppose blogging was my next step.  We’ll try it a couple of days and see where it goes.

Words have been my life.  Since I was young, I have read words, listened to words, spelled words, invented words, and searched for ways to arrange words to bring delight.  Occasionally, I delight someone else.  More often than not, I delight myself.  Not because anything I’ve written is delightful.  But simply because I’ve been privileged to use the words.  I understand there are places in the world you can’t do that.

In the days to come, I’ll do my best to use words to delight anyone who reads.  If you choose, share some words with me.  I’ll be delighted.