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The Grass Over There is Greener

green grass

Over the past few weeks I have been doing some landscaping and overall yard maintenance. I’ve learned a thing or two about various types of turf grasses, how many cubic feet of mulch come in a bag, and the best ways to keep a nearly four year old involved without really giving her anything to do.

One of the larger projects is the installation of the lawn itself. I purchased a bunch of sheets of sod, carted them home in my trusty Suzuki, and laid them down on the already prepared soil. Done, right? Not by a long shot! You see, the first two weeks are critical. You gotta keep it watered daily and nurture it along until it really takes root. You basically have got to be all in on this deal otherwise you might as well use the cash as kindling.

We’re like that beautiful Empire Zoysia in my front yard. We need feeding, nurturing, and care so that we will grow. I’m focused on balance this year. A balanced life, like a balance lawn, produces something beautiful. Part of the balance in my life has to do with sticking with the vision that I feel God has really put before me. I had a call yesterday that had me in a tizzy all day questioning my vision. Finally, I realized that my balance is a little out of whack. My spokes are just a bit loose and by tightening them up I’m able to see clearly the path marked before me. I’m the type of person who will constantly need a reminder of the vision. It is really easy for me to get sidetracked an totally off point.

What about you? Do you need daily reminders about why you’re doing what you’re doing? Do you need to get a tune up so you’re back in balance? Maybe you just need a drink from the quenching spirit of God?!

Just remember: The grass over there might be greener, but it still has to be mowed. And the dog over there is meaner. And your water bill will double.

So You Wanna Be a Black Belt?

Tonight during a sermon at Church, the preacher was talking about his journey from being a white belt in karate to a black belt. He explained that between white belt and black belt, there are numerous other belt colors that one must transcend through in order to obtain that illustrious black belt. For each belt there is a test that the student must pass in order to attain the next level. To attain the black belt, one must kick break a board that held above a dude’s head. This got me thinking about the church world, and more specifically my journey of exploring ministry.

Moment of candor and uncomfortable-ness: I’m just a white belt trying to break the highest board. Not that I haven’t served in ministry roles at all levels, but just doing some of the moves of a black belt doesn’t automatically qualify me to wear that belt. What I need is to work through the ranks, now I’m just trying to figure out where to start. I haven’t been in one place long enough and haven’t studied under one Sensei (or Rabbi, if you prefer) long enough to break that board. Not really sure what that says about me, but I’m thinking on it.

Partially I have this thought that I have been chasing this entirely opposite dream for a couple of years. You know what attracts me to that other dream? You go through schooling and then you’re “on the job”. Of course there is on the job training, but really in under a year you’re doing the job. So really you’re starting out at a green belt, which is obviously better than white. In ministry it isn’t quite so easy, you see, it is not always a quick process. In fact, you’ll probably stay a white belt for awhile, unless you’ve got Bruce Lee skills. It is more about development of your person, character, and gifting. It is more important that you stay a white belt so you can learn even more about God’s work on Earth. Let me tell you a secret about me: I’m impatient. I’m a product of the microwave generation. I also don’t eat enough humble pie (RDA by the USDA is at least 2 servings a day).

I’m currently doing a Bible Boot Camp with some dudes from Church. We are reading through the entire New Testament in 30 days. This couldn’t have come up at a better time. You know New Year’s Resolutions? Yeah, I made one this year to read the Bible a whole bunch. That happened for about 43 days. Now, I’m spending about an hour a day on exercising my body. I decided to honor God even further with my time and mind by giving Him an hour a day in reading/prayer/silence/listening. This Bible Boot Camp is just what I needed to supplement this time and really draw near to God during that time. Really looking forward to the rest of March!

How about you? Are you trying to break boards that are beyond your reach?

Birds of a Feather

Birds of a Feather Flock Together, so Choose Who You Fly With and How High You Get

Yesterday morning, three time WCW Television Champion Marc Mero spoke to our church community at Real Life Clermont. Man, I’ll tell you what, dude can preach as well as put you in a figure four leg lock! His story is one of dreams, goals, success, heartache, failure, and then redemption and renewal! Such a powerful testimony and picture of the Kingdom of Heaven.

One of the things that really struck me during our time together was the idea of who you hang out with, you become. You probably have heard time and again, “Birds of a feather flock together.” So incredibly true. Marc told of his transition from being a boxing champion to beer guzzler and pothead. The people he was hanging with influenced him greatly in spite of his good intentions, goals, and vision. I had a CD back in the day (well, not that long ago) called Music 2 Ride 2. One of the jams on there had a line, “Birds of a feather flock together, so choose who you fly with and how high you get.” Pretty accurate!

You want to be a better disciple? Hang with those who are headed that direction. You want to be a better businessperson? Hang with people who are where you want to be. You want to be a better father? Hang with fathers who are getting it done, and then hang with your kids! You can’t get better at fathering by not doing it!

Personally, I’m surrounding myself with people who are where I want to be. They are pastors, authors, speakers, coaches, radio guys. It is pretty awesome. So encouraging to know that it can be done. So encouraging to have folks to stand with me as I move forward in this crazy journey!

What steps are you taking to become who you were created to be? Maybe you’re already well on your way…I’d love to hear your story!

Toil Radio: Creating Meaningful Work Episode #1

I’ve begun the latest leg in my journey: Podcasting a radio show!

While in it’s infancy, I aim to bring in questions/answers, guest speakers, and overall simply create a community that learns to create meaningful work.

Have a listen, let me know what you think!

[audio:http://www.tonywheeler.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Toil-Radio-Episode-1.mp3|titles=Toil Radio Episode 1]

Toil: The Search for Meaning

[audio:http://www.tonywheeler.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Toil8102010.mp3|titles=Toil: The Search For Meaning]

“That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-this is the gift of God.” Ecclesiates 3:13

Toil is a word that isn’t used much anymore. For those of you (as I did) who think that toil is another four letter word for work, take a second to think about how the word used to be used. You see, in the good old days (think before electricity and English with thees and thous) toil meant something deeper. Toil was used, according to Miriam-Webster, to describe a battle or struggle. I find it very interesting that these words would be used to describe what we would now translate as ‘work’. Quite fitting, if you ask me! Moreover, toil can also be described in it’s verb form as, “to proceed laboriously; advance or move with painful effort or difficulty”. I don’t know about you, but just the thought of toiling makes me tired!

Seriously, though, how often do we (I) want the easy road when it comes to work? For me, I want a 40 hour work week with 8 hour days or to be self employed with the freedom to use my time as I see fit. I want to say that I would be happy then, but truth-be-told, I’d still find something to whine about. Toiling isn’t easy. It is often painful. It is work and takes work.

If we are supposed to find satisfaction in our toiling, as the wise author of Ecclesiastes suggests, then how is that accomplished in light of what toiling actually is? In all honesty, there have been very few times in my life where I have found satisfaction/meaning in my daily toil. I can vividly picture the places and people that I toiled alongside and served that brought that satisfaction. I believe, friends, that is called the sweet spot.

If you’re anything like me, you remember a time where you hit your sweet spot. You remember the sights, sounds, and smells of those moments. You remember the feeling of true satisfaction of a ‘job well done’. You remember truly feeling alive.In that moment, you found your meaning. Can you go back there? Can you work in that sweet spot? Why or why not?

That, my friends, is the meaning of toil. Now go find your sweet spot! I’d love to hear your story. Please feel free to chime in!

 

Organic Cube Farming With Dwight Schrute

dwight bobblehead

[audio:http://www.tonywheeler.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/OrganicCubeFarming0807.mp3|titles=Organic Cube Farming with Dwight Schrute]I’ve been consuming SO MUCH stuff lately regarding entrepreneurship, career, and all that surrounds those areas. It is kind of funny because a few years ago I was diving into this whole arena, but from a different angle with some different business opportunities (which I still pay for every month…Dave Ramsey calls this ‘Stupid Tax’), and I really had no idea what I was doing. One of the guys that I have been learning a ton from is Kevin Miller, who runs a community called Free Agent Underground. In one of his latest blog posts/podcasts he talks about the dichotomy that exists between the painful laughter caused by shows like The Office and comics like Dilbert and the valiance of the epic stories that portray the ‘above the law’ guy and ‘heroes’.

We are drawn to epic stories, filled with adventure, intrigue, and danger, but then on Monday morning we head back to the cube farm to live out our Dilbert fantasy.

Yesterday, as my wife and I were discussing life, love, and other mysteries, she kept going back to one point. She has a difficult time understanding if it is a man thing to have at least a portion of your identity tied to what you do to earn your living. When she worked outside the home, she said she was content to go to her job, earn her paycheck, then go home and do things that she wanted to do. My issue with that is that I can’t get back those 8 hours I just spent doing something that I don’t love.  As long as she has known me, and frankly for as long as I’ve known myself, I’ve struggled with this very issue. Currently, I’m a card carrying member of the Organic Cube Farming Association of America. Personality wise, I’m probably somewhere between a Jim Halpert and David Brent from The Office UK. But, I am not what I do for money. Far from it. Am I good at what I do? I’d say I’m good, but there is always room for improvement.

I’m not sure it is an identity issue. I’m a lot of things, but Organic Cube Farmer is far from what I’d identify myself as. For me, it is a values issue. I value my time, energy, and talents so much more than to simply give them away for a few silver coins. I want to do something with my time that adds value to the world, something that helps others in their 0wn journey.

What about you? What is holding you back from living the epic adventure that you dream of? Are you content, like my wife, to simply get money for your time so then later you can do whatever you want? I’d love to hear your thoughts..chime in!

Until next time…

Men are From Mars

[audio:http://www.tonywheeler.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/MenAreFromMars0806.mp3|titles=Men Are From Mars 08/06]Men are from Mars. There, I said it. To the ladies out there, this may seem like an obvious statement. Fact, even. The dudes aren’t so sure. You see, here is the issue. The dudes have no clue!

After our gourmet feast this afternoon, my wife and I were discussing some really serious things. Big things. Dreams, visions, goals. Life threatening things. I was attempting to convey all of the dreams, visions, and goals that I have inside me. She was attempting to understand and then draw more information out. I didn’t have it. In that moment, I sincerely felt like I was from Mars, attempting to win the fair maiden’s affection.

Here is the issue: We’re speaking a different language. I’m pretty cerebral. I visualize ideas, plans, goals. I have a very broad idea of which direction I’m headed and a general idea of how to get there. Map? I don’t need no stinkin’ map! My wife, while she is very creative and right brained, she is also very literal. She needs the actual picture or action plan before her so that she can understand what is going on.

At this stage in the game, I don’t have the total picture. I’m okay with that. I’m okay with the 30,000 foot view, whereas she needs/wants the minutiae. She wants to know how she can help and I literally have no idea other than to keep feeding me.

When mapping out the next stage of life, I’m finding that it is important to take some language lessons. Learning to speak in such a way that paints the picture for the fair maiden is important. If she can’t understand where I am headed, how can anyone else?

What language do you need to learn today? Whom do you need to communicate with to help YOU understand where YOU are going?

As always, I’m here for you. I’d be glad to chat, text, tweet, whatever…Just reach out!

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