ThE WoRld fROm YouR WinDOw - 5/8/18

Good morning, friends and family. 

It's hard to not be a little introspective when you look at all that is happening in our world. I want to start a new feature that I will be doing periodically on "Mirror Time". What I am hoping I can get your help with is the interaction. I want to open up dialogue on the issues that plague, upset, or confuse us in our world. As usual, there are certain types of behavior that will not be tolerated under any circumstances but I am hoping for thoughtful discussion, self-reflection, and perhaps some solutions. I don't claim to have any answers or an avenue to get your answers to others but I believe within our sphere of influence, there is opportunity to change our world, one person, one issue at a time.

So with that being said, I would like to present to you "The World From Your Window", a compilation of prevalent news stories and world issues that I hope we will be bold enough to speak to after we read these. Please fully utilize the comments section with your thoughts and opinions. I'd love to hear how you view things in your world and in our world. Before we're done, hopefully, you will see that sometimes there is a difference between the two.

So how does the world look from your window?

WHEN ANIMALS ATTACK

A man who stopped by the side of the road to take a selfie with an injured bear was then mauled to death by the same bear. Researchers have found that between march 2014 and September 2016, there were 127 deaths related to selfies. 76 occurred in India.

(Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/05/07/bear-mauls-death-indian-man-who-tried-take-selfie/585843002)

This is another tragic incident where nature and humanity collide. I'm still puzzled by the infatuation of selfies. The dangers of this are clearly in front of us but the practice seems to be on the rise despite said dangers. I know this is how we commemorate special events but some of this behavior is excessive, narcissistic, and flat out dangerous. Case in point. What do you think about the selfie craze? Where do you see us heading as a society because of this? Is this, in your opinion, harmless fun, or something more troubling? Are you a proud member of the "selfie generation"? Let's talk about it.

THIRD TIME IS A PATTERN

(Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/05/07/george-zimmerman-charged-stalking-private-investigator-florida/588526002)

Admittedly, there will be certain stories in this feature that will get to me personally. I think this will be one of them. Like many of you, we watch as guilty people get off on a technicality or a very slanted jury pool or we just see the guilty go unpunished for their crimes. I don't know if this situation is any or neither but this story should rub everyone the wrong way. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the original Trayvon Martin case for context or just this story on its own merits. I'm disturbed that Mr. Zimmerman seems to still exhibit certain tendencies that suggest something is not quite okay in how he views the world around him. Please share your thoughts with us. We'd love to hear your honest opinions. 

TITANIC MEMORIES

(Source: HLN video on Morning Express With Robin Meade: https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2018/05/07/cruise-ship-water-line-breaks-caribbean.hln)

Does this story scare you away from taking that family cruise every year? With the amount of money you pay for food and accommodations, what should you expect for your investment? I actually heard that the cruise officials had their house band playing the music from the scene in the movie Titanic as the waters billowed into the cruise ship. That's unsubstantiated at this time but that is a very unpleasant thought for a lot of reasons. Thoughts?

NOT MY CHURCH

(Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/05/07/609255051/southern-baptist-women-say-they-are-shocked-by-a-church-leader-s-comments)

This is one of those topics that I could opine on all day long because I have lived through some of this but the floor is yours. I caution you that no matter what side of the argument you find yourself on, this is not indicative of the church as intended. You will probably find the paragraph about the 2014 sermon detestable as well so I urge you to prepare yourself. I'll just leave you with a section to ponder but please read the entire article and comment here. 

"The uproar was prompted by the release about 10 days ago of the recording of an interview Patterson gave in 2000 in which he counseled women who have been physically abused by their husbands to pray for them. In that interview, Patterson recounted how he had given that advice to one woman who had been repeatedly assaulted by her husband. Returning some days later with two black eyes, the woman said, "I hope you're happy."

"I said, 'Yes, ma'am, I am happy,'" Patterson quoted himself as telling the woman. "What she didn't know when we sat in church that morning," he said, " was that her husband had come in and was standing in back, first time he ever came."


SILENT SCREAMS IN INDIA

(Source: https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/08/asia/india-women-rape-intl/index.html)

Are women safe in India? Why is there a need for them to be protected? What is the government doing or what should they do? This story has so many layers that I feel uncomfortable trying to speak to it in a few sentences. I would never want to marginalize the plight of the women in this region. This article offers more than one view on the discussion that I urge you to read thoroughly. Honestly, I heard some things that I had not even thought about. It was a fresh perspective, albeit, disturbing but I want to spark the discussion with all of our readers. 

Whether you are a woman or not, whether you have never experienced this kind of pain and fear or not, even if your experience base on all things global only goes as far as your local newspaper or news channel, I caution to read this particular piece with care and consideration. Don't speed through it. Don't give it a passing glance. Read it and listen. Hear what the people are saying and what they are not saying. Very profound. This is about rape. This is about fear. This is also about privilege. And this is also about ignorance. Thanks for reading and commenting on this very tragic issue.

SUMMA CUM LOUD

(Source: https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/07/us/university-of-florida-black-graduates-rushed-off-stage-trnd/index.html)

Sigh. I feel as though we are re-circling the same wagon with stuff like this. But it highlights where we are as a nation, more so than where we proclaim ourselves to be. By now, you likely have already heard the story. Some of you may have already declared that you have heard enough. Some of you may think you have heard too much. Hmm. Imagine how some people may feel. Just for a moment. 

Two babies in the same crib crying loudly. Both of them are hungry. A parent brings some food for one, which immediately stops crying but not for the other, who cries even louder. Tell me the optics on that scenario. How about two families in a burning fire with twelve men rushing over to help. One family has five members, three of which are children. The other family has two grown adults. All twelve men rush over to help the two adults but no one helps the family of five which all perish in the fire. Sound about right? 

How does a story like the above make you feel? What would you like to see happen if you could have your way? What was wrong? What was done properly? What's your experience with this issue if any? How would honestly you feel if your son or daughter was on the receiving end of this incident? Why does that response change because it is not your son or daughter? Think it out. Share it with us. That's the first step in dealing with this harsh reality.

This is the first of many installments of "The World From Your Window". Can't wait to hear your thoughts and comments. Thank you again for subscribing.

(Note to our new subscribers: You will only get an email for a new blog post. Other than that, I won't be flooding your inbox with stuff. Promise.)

PrE-RamBLe

I, owner and originator of Mirror Time with Mr. Yu, and natural born citizen of the United States, in order to offer a more interesting read and perhaps make someone think rather than react to headline grabbing posts and titles, vow to keep it real and be thoughtful and not reactionary, and focus on the content and not the incendiary headlines, with the goal of encouraging, inspiring, and, perhaps, connecting with my fellow Human brothers and sisters, and help solidify my refusal to confirm to what blogs often become and continue to promote self-reflection and self examination, stand up for what's just and speak up for those that perhaps cannot. I aim to hopefully provoke thought, inspired action, and maybe a push for a little more love to a world that sorely needs it. I aim to remind us and myself that we can do and be better but it starts with us and the "person in the mirror" first. God bless the United States of America. May His grace and mercy be evident now more than ever.

Maybe what comes next is not rambling but I got a lot on my mind. I'll let you be the judges. 

Does anybody ever wonder if we are really being controlled by the media? I'm starting to really have some questions about this. When the Kanye West situation hit, it was the first thing that my wife told me about when I got home. We are not fans of his music and not super engulfed in popular culture but it was a hot topic in our home, for at least, twenty minutes. How did this madness get into my household? How is it possible that a news story can make the internet go wild and cause the message boards to be inflamed with hate, frenzy, and all manners of vitriol? How is it possible that everyone races to their keyboards when the President of the United States says something off the charts? I'm old enough to remember when something happened in the news, I would pick up the phone and call a family member and a friend. Now we post public messages to people we barely know. Hmm. Does the media really have that much control over us? I'm asking you.

If you have been paying attention, you know how much I love football. I believe I have my priorities in order since my wife and kids and grand-kids are higher on the priority list. There are quite a few things higher than football tbh. But I do love this sport and to see it become increasingly intertwined by social issues and politics is a bit unsettling. Truthfully, it was bound to happen. Research the landmark decision in 2015 and you might get a view of how much our beloved sport changed for the worse.

Maybe you do but most of us don't have an underground bunker. We might scoff at some of the recent news stories but are we really prepared for a nation to fire a missile into United States airspace? Not a laughing matter if you think about it.

Four years later, how we doing, Flint, Michigan? Yep.

Ever since I can remember, there was always a rumor that there are already cures for every major disease worldwide. They are just being "withheld" to test the rapid effects of sicknesses and diseases. Or maybe somebody just has a "Thanos" complex. *shrugs*

It used to be a definite no-no to make fun of the mentally and physically handicapped. But this is 2018. All good. 😒

Going back to more media thoughts. Were you aware that 100 people as well as innumerable livestock died in India due to dust storms and lightning today? The families of the dead will get about $6,000 (or 400,000 rupees).

Think you'll be alive to see an image of Harriet Tubman on the twenty dollar bill? Would you call that cultural progress or a concession?

Only the Oakland Raiders would be irresponsible enough to draft a player (even though he's BLUE) that could literally die on the field from a heart condition they were well aware of. SMH. #MauriceHurst #LifeAndFamilyTrumpsFootball

I know this busts many bubbles but just because one stands up for the anthem and sings every word, it doesn't automatically make you patriotic or more so than the next guy. I venture to say that many of those that claim to be patriotic do, say, and believe some things that are un-American and far from patriotic. Who am I talking about? Heck, they're not hard to find. They're right on your TV most every day. 

Hummus milkshakes are coming. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Thanks for listening. Keep talking. Keep thinking. And definitely keep listening.

DraFt DaY BluEs

It's that time again, ladies and gentlemen. 

The 2018 NFL Draft's coverage begins tonight at 7pm and continues until Saturday afternoon. 

I have to preface my posts for the new readers and subscribers by saying PLEASE never judge the content of the articles by the post title. There's always a greater point in play. So this article is for the sports AND non-sports fan as well. For the sake of this article, I'll venture to say this is a 70/30 split. 

Everyone who either rooted for last year's Super Bowl Champions or fell short are geared up for a hopeful run at a Championship. For many teams, they are hoping for their first. Many are hoping to be good and competitive enough to get back to the dance and fulfill the impossible. For every one of the 32 prospective teams, the future is indeed now. Every move and step taken could mean the rise or the eventual downfall of a chance to create a legacy and leave an indelible imprint in sports history. Fans, businesses, and economies rely on football among other sports to feed a growing financial and socio-economical need. Companies clamor to hock their product on banners, commercials during the Super Bowl, and countless online ads connected with fantasy football, football camps for children, and countless other opportunities to promote their products and brands. Clearly, it should be evident how big a business this is and how far its reach goes. Approximately $74.8B to be clear.

Last year was rife with protest, political debates, and controversy regarding major issues like domestic violence, racism, and drug abuse. All of that nestled in the greatest sport in our history: Football.

Just in the last few weeks alone, there have been multiple organizational meetings held to discuss the social issues of a specific player or two blackballed from playing in the league, what many consider collusion among NFL ownership. 

Add to that simmering undercurrent, a potential first round QB feeling the pressure to change positions because some NFL experts have deemed him "more suitable" in the league at a more physical position, like wide receiver. I can't even go to our lunch table at work and not hear about this one. It is clear when names like Michael Vick and Tim Tebow come up in the conversation, the tone becomes more serious and the scent of offense rises. 

Then add to that the rampant speculation of who will be picked and where, whether these young college players are worthy of a pick, and even deciding on what their future and "ceiling" is without them even taking an NFL snap. 

Message boards everywhere confirm what can happen when rabid football fans start talking about the sport, whether it be pre-season speculations, fantasy football, or this year's draft. Adding politics to this already volatile mix takes it to another level. There are people that hold the opinion that the only time the words "flag" and "football" should be together is when eight year old kids are the players. I'm not going to ask you (today) to choose a side. I won't be taking an opinion poll although my comments section is always available. I think you have access to enough information to make informed decisions. I just wanted you to get a glimpse of what this complex world looks like. 

So sports fans.......here are some questions for you:

If you have a team that you root for, what do you think they will do in the first round and why?

Is your team one of those that routinely get it wrong but you sense a turn for the better coming in this year's draft?

What is a "must" that your football team must do and  simply cannot afford to make a mistake in?

If your team needs a QB, is this crop of quarterbacks as good as advertised or are you unconvinced?

Has last year soured you on the NFL entirely?

What place do you think issues such as the flag, politics, and such have in the sport of football? 

If you understand the social issues involved, what would you suggest is the best way to make an impact on the problem?

Do you have a view that is different than these mentioned so far? Please share. Perspective is helpful in this moment. I think, if I can speak for myself, I learned a lot about myself during the height of these issues. Honestly, I am still learning more about myself as the intensity of the issues die down. I had certain leanings that stemmed from obligation rather than from viable information and experience. I think a lot of people are in the same boat, wouldn't you say?

Non sports fans.....here are some questions for you:

Do you believe you have the capacity to look at all sides of an issue and make a competent decision?

What place do you think issues such as the flag, politics, and such have in the sport of football? 

If you understand the social issues involved, what would you suggest is the best way to make an impact on the problem?

How well would you say (on a scale of 1 being worst to 10 being best) you understand the social issues of your fellow man?

Where do you derive your information when attempting to learn and understand such issues?

Do you view big business like the National Football League as socially conscious or morally corrupt?

If your child expressed a desire to play in the NFL, what would be your honest response and approach?

What is your view on sports in general?


That's just something to chew on. Thanks for reading and subscribing. 

ConGRatulATiOns tO MTWMY oN TheIr 100tH BloG pOSt

Congratulations to Mirror Time with Mista Yu on their 100th blog post. I had some adversity and challenge with putting out these blogs and I thought about quitting more times than I can count. But I didn't. Our faithful readers and subscribers have spoken and they're glad we stuck it out. 

Thank you to all the folks that have been so supportive and encouraging. Many of the comments and messages sent to me have been inspiring as well. This was made for you and we appreciate being a source of information and encouragement to you. Thank you again for everything!

HAPPY 100th!!!! 

As always, you may laugh. You might cry. But most of all, we hope you think. Keep reading, sharing, commenting, and subscribing. Let's make the ride to 200 a momentous one. Thank you all.

CoFfeE gRoUNdS

Personally, I can't stand coffee that tastes like dirt. I also can't stand paying nearly twice as much than other places for coffee that tastes like dirt, or in some cases, burnt dirt. Honestly what's the point of that? 

It's the only reason why I have largely avoided the franchise as much as possible. Some have done the same for different reasons. Everything from the target audience and a perceived elite class being aimed at to the overall price for a cup of java with all the perks (no pun intended). For me, it just boiled down to how the coffee tastes. I know plenty of folks that don't mind paying more for quality. Most of us have no problem doing that. However, when you reach into your wallet for that credit card or wad of cash, you are making an investment in the institution. 

If the abuse of chickens is an important concern for you, there are certain fried chicken purveyors that you may want to investigate a little further before making that investment. If you are not a supporter of certain hate groups, then there are certain well known household names you would do well to avoid. Now, if you don't like racism and racial profiling, you may need to look for another coffee grinder for your local non habit forming drug of choice: Your daily cup of coffee.

In a news story this past Thursday afternoon, "two black men were handcuffed and paraded out the door of a Philadelphia Starbucks for allegedly refusing to leave when asked by staffers and police in an incident captured in a video that went viral and prompted the chief executive officer of the coffee company to say that the "reprehensible outcome" should have never happened."

(courtesy of ABC News) The video posted by Melissa DePino can be found at this link: https://abcn.ws/2GXwMfp 

In an interview with ABC News, Melissa DePino, a 50 year old writer and mother of two, said a Starbucks barista shouted from behind the counter at the two men to make a purchase or leave. 

"They were sitting quietly minding their own business, and waiting for their friend to come," she said.

DePino said she was so appalled by the incident, she plans to not go anymore to Starbucks.

"Plenty of other local places to go," she said.

On Saturday evening, the mayor put out another statement saying he was "heartbroken" to witness what "appears to exemplify what racial discrimination looks like in 2018. For many, Starbucks is not just a place to buy a cup of coffee, but a place to meet up with friends or family members, or to get some work done," he said in the statement.   

If you have read any of my blogs, you know what I'm about. Just to be transparent, this is not how I wanted to cap off my 100th blog article (which is a milestone for me that I am proud of), however, I am not going to engage in a debate about if the two gentlemen were at fault, or if the police was, or if the barista and manager at Starbucks was, or if all parties contributed to this situation. You don't have to be a person of color to understand there are some problems in our world that require decisive action and definitive change. I'm assuming that you can make your own determinations on that without getting too high emotionally. 

What I would like to offer here is an opportunity for you to consider the line of thinking that I began earlier in this article. 

The situation you read about and watched the video regarding may not have happened to you personally but how does it make you feel? Does your heart burn when hearing this news? Are you indignant about investing your hard earned dollars in a franchise that directly or indirectly supports discriminatory practices? Is your cup of joe more important than this basic human principle? Companies don't tell you this directly but it is implied that they rely on your willingness to buy their product in order to be successful. If you don't buy what they sell consistently enough, they'll likely come to you faster than otherwise to find out why they don't have your business. You won't have to engage them. They'll engage you. Guaranteed. Who does it sound like has the power in this scenario? 

Now we have to realize that we indeed have influence in situations like these. There is not shortage of coffee shops in Philly, i.e. Grindcore, Greenstreet, and Elixr, just to name a few. That message speaks just as powerfully as the signs in the hand of a protestor. There are times in life where a stand has to be taken and, more often than not, our "voice" is best heard through retweets, You Tube videos, protests, but most notably,  the power of your money.

Kudos to Mrs. DePino who recorded this video that garnered more than 8 million hits and exposed a situation that could have remained isolated had it not been recorded. Kudos to the customers who stood up vocally for the two men in the face of law enforcement and the store's management. Kudos to the protestors who attempted to shine a light on this situation so that it does not go unnoticed or so quickly leaves the public's consciousness. Kudos to all of you who will share this article. Kudos to all of you that remember that what you choose to financially invest in is symbolic of your power and your heart. Use it wisely. 

Now that I give this further thought, this was the perfect article to commemorate my 100th blog post. I don't know who it's appropriate to thank. Hard to find a winner in this scenario. I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences if you have ever gone through or witnessed anything similar. Or just share what you would do if you have. We're just honored to hear from you. Thank you for supporting MTWMY. 

BuLLetPrOoF

Breaking point.
Tipping point.
Choking point.
Fancy words for the same boundary or limitation, depending on how you view it.
Everybody has one. Unique and similar all at the same time.
You have yours and I have mines.

But how much are you willing to take?

Ever since we were little kids, we learned (directly or indirectly) words like "enough", "no more", and "fed up".

If we offered a friend some of our newly opened bag of potato chips, and the friend gets a bit heavy handed and takes too much, we shout "that's enough" because they have gone past the limit of what we thought they should. However, we never told them how much they can take. We just expected that they would consider the giver of the salty snack would like to have some as well.

If we have a hard day managing the children at home with all the teen angst, attitudes, and the drama that normally ensues on a weekly basis, we declare publicly that we are fed up and we look for an escape wherever we can find one. A local library, the nearest watering hole, or just behind a closed and locked door for a short respite.

We look at life, maybe with some entitlement, and openly declare how much we will take and how much we will stand. If someone pushes you past your daily tolerance and you haven't had your coffee, God help them all, right? A recent experience caused me to ask myself if I am the best person to determine these limitations and set these boundaries.

I'm a management professional, which essentially entails managing multiple employees and taking bullets for upper management. Recently, I had to issue corrective actions for an employee who was liberal with the attendance policy in a way that the company deemed excessive and irresponsible. I extended myself much to aid this employee and keep them informed every step of their learning curve with the company. But every good grace went out of the window when I had to have that conversation. Essentially, all I really did was act as the "messenger" for a directive that came from far above my station. Some could call me a tool or an errand boy but I was just a member of management following a directive and enforcing a company mandated rule. Well, in delivering that message that day, even though sprinkled with grace, I sustained heavy gunfire. I was slowed and endured a small amount of pain, largely because I had on my "bulletproof vest". That vest was my capacity to remain internally grounded, despite the external situation. My mind was racing and my emotions were rising but I kept the focus on the reason for the meeting, the intended message that needed to be sent, and the proposed direction going forward. I went into the discussion understanding my position but it was still difficult because all of the ire and rage was aimed at the messenger. The decisions were not mines but I did carry them out and I was placed on the line of fire. That's the job of a manager, I guess. What if I set the boundaries of what I would take and endure from an employee too rigidly? I probably would have lost my job right there in that room. What if I set the limitations with too much liberality? I could have been facing a two hour conversation and creating alibis and trying to keep the proverbial peace, resembling a toothless lion or a spineless jellyfish.

How much are you willing to take? We're not bulletproof. We are going to go through stuff in life and it will hurt us. It will slow us down on the path to destiny. It will make us rethink things and even perhaps make us want to chuck it all and run and hide. We would love to set the comfort levels to an acceptable range, wouldn't you? But can you guarantee you would grow to your necessary capacity? If we were in charge of our own growth, would we grow? Would we be effective? Would we learn anything about ourselves that would stimulate personal change? Did that very uncomfortable conversation make me stronger or did it further tear at an already frayed emotional fabric? I guess the bottom line for me is that we got to go through things. Emphasis on the phrase "go through". Speaking for myself personally, it was best for me that I learned how to endure no matter how long or how hard things might be. We're all faced with the possibility of being a "messenger". Keep your vest on at all times.

Breaking point.
Tipping point.
Choking point.
Everybody has one.
You have yours and I have mines.

ClaSS Is iN SeSsioN

I offer some thoughts to those of you, regardless of your spiritual or religious affiliation or if you hold no regard or association with any sort of organized religion. This could still be of some value to you and worthy of thought.

If I can ask you a question: Do you remember your first day of school?

I'm really asking about the nervousness and the anxiety and the wonder if you'll make a new friend or if anyone in your class will like you. I don't mean if you fear your teacher may be mean. Or if you could sit at your lunch table alone every day because you're not cool enough or pretty enough or rich enough or you just don't like yourself and figure why would anyone else. Those are real issues that affected all of us in some way, shape, or form. I'm just talking about preparation for your first day. How did you prepare? Why did you prepare? Why was this important?

A very likely scenario is that your parents took you to the store to buy school supplies in preparation for your first day. You probably also went school shopping for clothes, whether it was casual or a uniform mandated by the school. Either way, these were parts of your preparation for your education. Your parents likely had a truckload of paperwork to complete on your behalf that you never saw or noticed.

Preparation is a corner stone to any organization, hopefully successful plan, or movement. Benjamin Franklin said "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." This sentiment will be important a little later on in this article. But I really love a quote by Abraham Lincoln.

"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first hour sharpening the axe."

This takes us to the reason I wrote this post. I have a pet peeve that I have shared publicly and privately and lamented about in my personal private time in prayer and meditation. It's likely a small matter to most (who probably are guilty of this) but something that, to me, indicates a larger, more pressing issue. How is it possible to sit under the tutelage of a teacher completely unprepared to learn? Putting aside how the teacher may or should feel, what does it say about the student's willingness to learn?

That is very common and I learned that in one setting recently. I was in one of our corporate monthly meetings several months ago. These are normally anywhere from 1-2.5 hours once a month. In a hurry to get to the meeting, I left my notepad and found myself overwhelmed with the information that was being given and totally incapable us retaining most of it. That became a detriment to me later on the following week when I needed to utilize some of that information. I don't normally forget such things and I try hard to be prepared for most situations but I forgot that day and it cost me a little embarrassment and slowed some of the operation's progress because I was unprepared. It wasn't that I was disinterested or unwilling to learn. I simply neglected to prepare adequately. Small example I suppose.

There is a growing trend where students are purposely neglecting to learn. This is often encouraged by fellow students and, in some cases, by the teachers themselves. I have seen this behavior for more than two decades in religious circles. We are engaged in a culture where listening to the preacher or teacher is our only requirement. Almost as if we are doing the teacher a favor by just being present. I often wondered how long we would continue to view the elephant in the room and never address it. I wondered when personal responsibility and accountability would show up. Sadly, there is no mandate from leadership to bring their proper materials to the meetings or be prepared to take notes in order to retain the important information that may be provided. There is no preparation. I don't really know why that annoys me so much. I think I am afraid for those that think their growth is not important, especially those who have children that watch everything they do and follow their examples. On your first day in school (and likely every day after that going into your college and post graduate years), not having notes or the ability to document what you hear could cause you to fail your tests and be unable to progress to the next grade. You will essentially fail the course and be "left behind".

This shouldn't be difficult for any current student to understand. So let me ask those of you that participate in religious services: Are you a student?  If so, wouldn't the Sunday and/or a midweek service night be your classroom? Isn't that where you are getting refilled and encouraged to face the week ahead? Isn't that where you get some correction and where you may find some answers to your struggles? The teacher or preacher is sharing words with you presumably from a manual that you do not currently possess or are not able to say you have memorized in full. How then can you verify that the words are valid and not contrived by the teacher him or herself? How can you authenticate that the location of the scripture passages are the correct one and not an error? Having the words on the screen is not clear evidence, merely a presentation of information.

How do you think your first exam would go if you were advised to study from an assigned text but instead you just took notes from the teacher only and avoided studying the text as advised? There's no question about it. You would fail and perhaps in epic fashion. The teacher on a Sunday morning is not responsible for making sure you study from your "textbook". It is advised or, at least, should be. It should be encouraged, hopefully, so at the very least, the student's focus will be on the Word and not on the specific vessel teaching on that occasion. Any good school administrator worth their salt will tell you that every student is responsible for their own education. In other words, they have to study for themselves. The teacher can't make them do that, only hold the student accountable to do so.

I'm afraid that we are in a culture that encourages less and less use of the Bible. Even if you don't ascribe to the Bible as the infallible Word of God, you should still be able to see that no matter if you're preparing for a certification like I am, or if you are studying to complete a college course, or if you are preparing to make a verbal presentation at an annual function, you still need to be prepared using the manual or guide your organization views as critical to your successful growth. In addition, if it's your intention to properly represent said organization, school, or community group, you must be fully acquainted with the organization's belief system, values, statutes, or protocols. This is one time where reading truly is fundamental.

When I look around and see my peers in the classroom without their textbooks or any means to document what they are or may hear, I question what they will do during a test. I fear that they will face the unannounced wholly unprepared. That is not the time to ask the teacher. They will not be able to answer you. When the test begins, the teacher remains silent. All the student has at his or her disposal is what they heard, learned, and retained. That makes a culture where this kind of preparation is directly or indirectly discouraged very scary to witness. Where are we headed as a people? Where does your spiritual growth rank in your priority list? From my vantage point, the main textbook is fading farther and farther into the background and the years have shown that less and less are holding onto it as a guide for life. Now it appears to be becoming an appendage that people put in fancy embroidered cases to show their religion proudly. Almost like a t-shirt or a fish magnet on their back of their cars. If the Bible is truly basic and necessary instructions for life, what does one's life look like without that instruction and the capacity to navigate through life's tests?

It's not too late to change the culture around you. If you can't envision doing that, at least, change the culture within you. At the end of the day, the only one responsible for what you know and how you apply it is you. Class is in session. Are you listening? Are you prepared? Will you pass the test? Just something to think about before your next "Pop Quiz".

WhaT tHe HeARt wANts

Honestly, I have heard this more times than I can stand. 
God knows my heart.   

It's not that I disagree. I was actually sharing a similar concept with the children in our Sunday School just this past weekend.

If your Samsung television goes on the fritz while you're watching your favorite show, you don't call your Ford dealer to get assistance. The manufacturer is always the best source of information and wisdom since they are the actual makers of the product. Who knows your heart better than the heart's maker? He does know your heart. He knows every thought, intent, and machination inside of it. Let that sink in for a bit.   

I know there are plenty of folks that get their advice from Dear Abby, the local fortune teller, or their best friend who just seems to know a little something about everything. But at some point, we all come to realize during our investigation of life's little mysteries, we could find it necessary to go directly to the source. You won't have to go anywhere else once that happens. You won't be placed on hold and transferred to another department that doesn't understand or is not experienced with your kind of issue. You may not like or enjoy the answer but you will get the correct diagnosis of the issue.   

Ask your friends if they ever heard the phrase "The heart wants what the heart wants". This is not a sentiment that I agree with for a lot of reasons. I know of a lady that really wanted a man to be her husband and she did everything within her power and means to have that man. She was successful. It just so happened that this same man was already married for more than two decades with multiple children. The heart wants what it wants, right? We don't need to look too hard to validate what we want and justify why we should have it. We can be as mean and cold and devious as the situation may require. As long as we get what we want, I suppose? This is just a worst case scenario that is practically a staple in our world. But how does this look within organization?  

Raise your hands if you're part of an organization. Everyone's hands should be up. We are all part of some kind of organization whether it be a school, a Fortune 500 company, a college or university, a biker club, or some sort of community based committee. We belong to something. Actually, it is important to many of us that we are involved in some kind of organization. It is good to be around like minded individuals who believe in something worthwhile and who think they can help make the world a better place. (I don't advocate extreme versions of any organization in that description. Just inching towards a larger overall point)

I am a part of several organizations and you know what I noticed? If the heart of the leader is not towards the people, it doesn't matter how many committee meetings you have, or how many events you plan, or how many teleconferences you have sit in on, you will not be able to convince the people who work hard and give their service diligently that the organization is going in the right direction. Many a great man have tried but you honestly can't delegate heart. You can give out tasks, duties, and assignment. Any good administrator can do that but you simply can't give somebody else something you don't have. You can't reproduce heart unless you actually possess some yourself. 

But that's exactly what many leaders of organization do. They say "get out there and show your stuff" but they cannot teach you. They say "I can't promote you until you meet criteria A, B, and C but your work duties and, largely, the work culture make meeting A, B, and C impossible. D and E might be available but they simply don't help you meet your goals. They tell you what you can do but, as leaders, they are ill equipped to help you get there. Still they retain the expectation that you should do so, just without their assistance and without infringing on their personal schedule. 

Do the cries of the people make you look up from your cell phone and acknowledge there's a problem? Do the outpouring of organizational voices compel you to adjust your rigid plan after years of failure have become your trademark? Does the needs of the community outweigh the personal aspirations and one dimensional views of one selfish man?

Have you ever had a leader that you have worked for or around for over a decade and he/she still doesn't know your name or find it profitable to look you into the eye and hold a 3 minute conversation with you? I have. Have you ever tried to connect with a leader in your organization and they won't look up from their Facebook page long enough to say hello? I have. How about a leader that believes their shack is a mansion and you are the hired help? I most definitely have. Working is not something that offends me. Having to use outdated, rusted tools to work when others are available offends me. This is symbolic of leaders without heart for the organization, the mission, and the people needed to carry it out.

The sad part is that the people are not as blind as these kind of leaders think they are. Just because they don't publicly voice their displeasure or speak through company surveys, they recognize that there is an empty space in the chest of the leaders where their hearts are supposed to be. It's only a matter of time before they decide to stop following. Anybody can give directives. Anyone can say what you need to do to be successful in only 5 easy steps.  Anybody can step back and blame the organization's lack of progress on your efforts and your failure to do more. In modern times, that's called a pyramid. What's really impressive is a leader willing to put his or her hands to the tough situations and grind until the situation is resolved. Those kind of leaders are obviously harder to find than ever. If you ever find yourself looking for competent and effective leadership in organization, don't look for the sound of a leader telling you what they are going to do or what you should do. Look for the leader that is actually putting their hands to the work and find their effort valuable and worthwhile enough that they will do it themselves if no one else will. That could be an example worth learning from. If you are a leader of people in any capacity, what does your heart want? Now ask if that answer is best for you or for others.

"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9 NIV)

TipPinG sCAleS

I don't know if this even moves the needle for you. You got a busy life and you got kids and the news is just a small appendage to the hectic lifestyle you lead. Occasionally you might hear about an event that tickles your fancy or you may hear about a tragedy that hits home for you. Maybe it makes you so uncomfortable that you change the channel to something funny or benign instead. You had a hard day at work. Who needs all that messy reality stuff, right? You might prefer the "other" reality TV instead. Oh by the way, did you hear that Becca is getting married again? Um hmm.

For the few of you that have a heart for community and humanity and fully recognize that any time and in any space in time, our lives could be irrevocably changed by a bullet fired on all grounds, a speeding car driven by a distracted teen, or turning on the kitchen faucet and seeing brown water, this might be just for you.

This isn't a discussion about whether there is equality in our world or not. That's a pointless argument. All you have to do is look around to get insights. All you have to do is converse with some of your city's citizens and actually listen to what they have to say to gain wisdom. 

There's no real surprises here except that so many just refuse to acknowledge what is clear, evident, and present in the every day. Some of us are privileged to get a free refill of coffee in places that's not normally allowed. Some are allowed to circumvent policies where others would be harshly rebuked, fined, or sanctioned. 

People have been fighting for equal rights since time began. Our history books are way late to the party. I can't even tell you that life is fair and in a level playing field, we'd all make the same decisions and ensure the same results or outcomes. I don't know. 

What I do know is that there is an elephant in the room and he stinks and he's messy. Ignoring the damage caused is a willful act. It's not neglect and it's not a case of being too busy. It's just two eyes that are uncomfortable with what they see and seeing means inherent responsibility and a simple human response to change that must be met. Most people just don't like accountability. If it can be free and easy without consequence, then it's much more desirable. 

You have more rights now than we've ever had in history. You have the right to pick up your remote control and turn the channel but incase you choose to keep it where it is, you might see what I saw on two local news broadcast in the city of Charleston, SC. 

Two children missing for a week with amber alerts. Only one has five minutes of coverage, and impassioned pleas of how much the parents love their children. 

Two families grieve the loss of family members gunned down in acts of random violence. Only one has eight minutes of coverage with eulogies, stories about how much the deceased means to the community from friends and family, testimonies from co-workers, politicians, and others, along with rewards and Go Fund Me accounts. 

Although this is about the news, it's not news. This is fairly standard operating procedure on many news broadcasts....in certain areas of the country. 

Is this a media issue, a financial issue, or something else altogether? What are you seeing in your city and the media's coverage of it? 

It's really beginning to appear that hearts of men and women are growing colder by the day. Close your eyes. Turn the channel. Look away. It's getting easier to insulate ourselves from truth. 

This isn't a rallying cry. I'm just asking some questions that I hope promote some dialogue and perhaps help us to understand and listen to one another. It doesn't affect you and maybe it never will but do we really want to wait until that impossibility becomes possible?  In the event I'm unclear, I'm saying there's a chance. Please share your thoughts, answers, and comments. Maybe we'll take a step up instead of a step back. 

"There are none so blind as those who will not see. The most deluded people are those who choose to ignore what they already know." ~ John Heywood

DeaTH of A sPoRTs FanATiC

There will be a ceremony.
But there will not be a body in the casket.

There will be an epitaph.
But there will not be any need for flowers. 

The day is swiftly approaching. I can feel the winds of change blowing. I can sense the tide is turning. Only those that suffer the same "affliction" are in a position to understand.

Has it ever occurred to you to ask how a "sports fanatic" is made?
Despite the popular boasts on message boards around the world, they are not born from the womb. They are indeed made.

They're made from geographical and familial expectations and traditions. They're made from within marriages and long standing friendships. They're forged out of respect and pride and unseen obligations. Most sports fanatics are hard pressed to trace where their intense fandom even started from. They simply follow. Or blindly do so.

If you have known me for even a brief time, you have heard me speak passionately about the New York Yankees, Mets, and Knicks and NY area college basketball, all of which have begun to wane in interest as the years go on. But I have always been able to wax poetic about the New York Football Giants and the Michigan Wolverines. Out of all of my sports loves, these two have been a constant. I have held onto these with a white knuckle grip....until now.

Many of my readers will speculate as to the "why" but it doesn't have anything to do with anthem protests, touchdown celebrations, my teams' win-loss record, or Papa John's. I don't believe what I am about to say this but I am not as excited about sports as I used to be. I don't think I am a "fanatic" anymore. 

What does that word mean anyway? "It is a person filled with excessive and single minded zeal, noted by militant or extreme devotion."

That's what you see played out on forums and message boards when you make a disparaging comment about someone's team or their favorite players. You could like get death threats or be firebombed with obscenities and racial slurs. That's extreme. I have been known to get into intense verbal altercations about my teams and "First Take" has got nothing on the kind of battles we used to and still often have at our break room lunch table. We are engaged in fiery debate almost daily.

Winston Churchill said, "A fanatic can't change his mind and won't change the subject."

Philosopher George Santayana said, "A fanatic is one who redoubles his effort when he has forgotten his aim."

But something in me has definitively changed. Any one that is a fanatic of football will calm in demeanor in the off-season. That is normal but what I am experiencing is not. It used to be top priority to know what games were being played on a given night. I arranged the rest of my life to accommodate the viewing of sporting events. The time spent in my man cave watching sports was extraordinary and inordinate. It wasn't that I was not conducting a busy lifestyle. This sports lifestyle just meant more to me but that has changed. 

I have missed games last year and never careened off the side of the road, grabbing my phone to feverishly check scores. I no longer stay up late at nights in a dark room, gazing into my laptop to do fantasy football research to get a leg up on my peers. Most of my conversation with friends and family do not revolve around sports. I actually endeavor to spend time with my family and enjoy my downtime. I take classes to better my professional life. I meet with friends at the local coffee shop to talk shop or just connect. I actually make it a discipline to spend time reading, studying, and meditating on my Bible. I'm learning how to feed my goals even during my "free" time. I am growing up in a tangible way.

Many of my friends that wouldn't dare call me on a Sunday afternoon now know that I am available for them. They can barely recognize me now. I can barely recognize myself. Why am I sharing all this you might ask?

It's simple, at least, to me. If we're ever to truly evolve and progress, we have to be open to death. What has been the norm or the standard has to be pruned away so that the new growth can bloom. A seed buried in the ground doesn't remain alive there. If it did, it would produce nothing of value. That seed must die so that the new growth can take place and the tree can become what it is meant to be. So here I am, dying to a part of myself that I have literally fed or have been fed for nearly 50 years. Today, I am openly admitting "that person" no longer resides here. I still love sports and that is not likely to change but the fanatical side of me is dead. And I am happy to bury him never to rise again.