David Rische

When we think of leaders, the first thoughts that usually come to mind are CEOs, government officials, civil servants, religious figures, etc.  Leadership expert John Maxwell simplifies the definition for us. “Leadership is influence. Nothing more, nothing less.”  So logically, if you influence another person, you are a leader.  All the way from the corporate executive to the stay-at-home mom (and everyone in-between).

I have always enjoyed quotations, that is one of my favorite features about Twitter. Here are two quotes that have inspired me in my leadership journey:

First, “The Principal sets the tone for the building.”
Todd Whitaker

The wording could easily be changed to fit your particular situation:

The manager sets the tone for the business.
The chef sets the tone for the kitchen.
The flight crew sets the tone for the flight.
The pastoral staff sets the tone for the church.
The teacher sets the tone for the classroom.
The parents set the tone for their household.
The fast food attendant sets the tone for the food chain (see Chick Fil-A for how to do it right).

And so on, and so forth. Our attitudes and actions have an impact that we can’t even measure or observe. People are watching whether we want them to or not. Just think of all the key people who have influenced your life – unless you specifically told them, they probably don’t realize the impact they had. And that is the great challenge – what kind of “tone” are we setting? For all of the great leaders that have crossed our paths – there are also those whose “tone” has had a negative impact on our lives.

Second, “Failure is success if we learn from it.”
Malcolm Forbes

Many of us are recovering Perfectionists.  We’ve lived with the false perception that if something isn’t perfect – it isn’t right.  We’ve wired our minds to think that all mistakes are bad, a reflection on who we are, and that people will probably lose confidence in us.  It is until we cross the chasm of seeing mistakes as learning opportunities, chances to think deeper, solve problems, build our character, and to grow as a person –  then we can catch a glimpse of the success Forbes was referring to.

Bonus quote:  “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life.  And that is why I succeed.”
Michael Jordan

Please comment below.  What is one your favorite quotes:

Since it is the month for Valentine’s Day, I thought we would take a look at its’ most popular symbol. No, not cupids – the heart! We all know the complete dependence we have on it in the physical realm for keeping us alive. It also has amazing capabilities that we are unaware of.

A study was done by the Institute for HeartMath.  Their conclusion revealed that the heart’s electromagnet energy is 5,000 times more powerful that the brain, and the heart’s power extends around you in a circle that is 8-10 feet in diameter. (Kristin Robertson, Finding the Calm, Society Life, 2010).
Think of the personal applications if our heart actually extends beyond ourselves.  The author of this finding goes on to explain:  “Because our hearts are so powerful, this practice not only blesses you, but it blesses those around you.  Remember your heart’s energy can be measured at 10 feet away, so imagine walking through your day surrounded by your heart-space bubble that extends in all directions for 10 feet.  How many people touched by your heart bubble and are either blessed by it or repelled by it?  Be conscious of what energy your heart is radiating.” (Kristen Robertson)

That makes sense why people say (before speaking with you):  “What are you so happy about?”  or  “What’s wrong – I can tell that something is bothering you?”

What is exactly “the heart” in the spiritual realm?
A key verse is found in Proverbs 4:23 – “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”  Whoa.  Wait a second.  Slow down.  “Above all else . . . .”  somehow this should take priority.  This must be really important while we exist here on planet earth.  Why?  The next phrase explains:  ” . . . because it is the wellspring of life” or as another translation says, “. . . all life flows from it.”

So beyond it being a physical organ that radiates energy and should be protected – what is a satisfying definition of “the heart”?  It is difficult, because the phrase can be used in so many ways:

Bless your little heart.

He broke her heart. 

You have a kind, brave, and noble heart.

That kid’s got heart to finish the race despite her injury. 

The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked  . . . . (Jeremiah 17:9)

I will give you a new heart. (Ezekiel 36:26)

And on and on it goes . . . . .

In the book, Waking the Dead, author John Eldredge gives this insightful perspective:

“The subject of the heart is addressed in the Bible more than any other topic – more than works or service, more than belief or obedience, more than money, and even more than worship. . . The heart is the deep center of our life . . . The heart is who we are.  The real self. . . . My heart is me.  The real me.  Your heart is you.  The deepest, truest you.  That is why the heart is central, for what shall we do if we dismiss our self?” (pg. 39, 50)

That explains why when Jesus was asked “What is the greatest commandment?”, He immediately replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22: 36,37)

It looks like the Tin Man was really on to something . . . . .

If you haven’t already, please sign up for my email list.  I’m almost finished with a free eBook that I’m going to send to all subscribers 🙂

How often do we hear the above response?  In our crazy, busy lifestyles – we seem to have forgotten that one of the original Ten Commandments was to take a Sabbath Day (a day of rest) at least once a week.   I wanted to share a few quotes from a book I would strongly recommend to anyone who feels like they are running at full speed on a hamster wheel. It is called Addicted to Busy by Brady Boyd, and can be found at:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_13?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=addicted+to+busy+recovery+for+the+rushed+soul&sprefix=addicted+to+b%2Cstripbooks%2C221

See if any of these quotes resonate with you:

• “If we do not allow for a rhythm of rest in our overly busy lives, illness becomes our Sabbath – our pneumonia, our cancer, our heart attack, our accidents create Sabbath for us.”  (pg. 33)
• “Ultimately, every problem I see in every person I know is a problem of moving too fast for too long in too many aspects of life.”  (pg. 44)
• “God is not merely a peaceful person; God, in fact, is peace.  When we sit in God’s presence, we’re sitting in the presence of peace.” (pg. 56)
• “I have a theory on this, which is that busyness is our means to impress.  If I’m busy, then I’m important, and if I’m important, then you’ll be impressed.  Right?”  (pg. 70)
• “I’ve been to Jerusalem on several occasions, and each time I’m there over a Sabbath, I’m struck by how seriously the Jews take their day of rest.  In Jerusalem, you can’t get anything done on the Sabbath.  Nothing.  The whole town essentially shuts down. . . . I guarantee all Jewish shopkeepers are closed for the day.  They’re at home or at a synagogue with their families, enjoying a Sabbath meal, enjoying the pleasure of one another’s company, and enjoying the inner strength that comes when we rest.” (pg. 83-84)
• “‘Jesus obeyed a deeper rhythm,'” . . . . Absolutely, he does just that:  engage, engage, engage, withdraw . . . . engage, engage, engage, withdraw . . . . It’s how we’re invited to live too.”  (pg. 105)
• “Something always interrupts our rest, because real rest is always opposed.”  (pg. 164)

And in conclusion – my favorite part:

• ” . . . . we think if we don’t get every room vacuumed, every bookshelf dusted, every meal made by hand, every child’s homework folder initialed, every birthday party attended, every plant watered, every inch of grass mowed, every load of laundry folded, every lacrosse practice made, every book read, every app mastered, every televised sporting event watched, every everything done, we will somehow be lesser human beings. I myself had lived according to that philosophy for far too many years.  I’m here to tell you it’s bunk.  The whole philosophy is bunk.  The universe will keep on spinning, and you will keep on being a great person, even if a few things are left undone.
• “A New Zealand Prayer Book has a fantastic prayer in it called “Night Prayer,” and one of the stanzas reads,

“It is night after a long day.

What has been done has been done;

what has not been done has not been done;

let it be.”    (pg. 89)

Great advice “let it be.”  Or, as the psalmist once wrote:

“Be still and know that I am God.”  (Psalm 46:10)

Please comment below.  Besides napping, what are activities you do that bring you “rest”?   And if you haven’t already, please sign up for my email list 🙂

Will the movie industry as we know it now take on the same future as VCR tapes (once great, now almost obsolete, replaced by digitally enhanced home theaters)?

Words of warning come from Steven Spielberg and George Lucas during an interview in 2013:

“The two legendary filmmakers were speaking at the University of Southern California as part of the festivities surrounding the official opening of the Interactive Media Building, three stories high and part of the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

Steven Spielberg on Wednesday predicted an “implosion” in the film industry is inevitable, whereby a half dozen or so $250 million movies flop at the box office and alter the industry forever. What comes next — or even before then — will be price variances at movie theaters, where “you’re gonna have to pay $25 for the next Iron Man, you’re probably only going to have to pay $7 to see Lincoln.” He also said that Lincoln came “this close” to being an HBO movie instead of a theatrical release.

George Lucas agreed that massive changes are afoot, including film exhibition morphing somewhat into a Broadway play model, whereby fewer movies are released, they stay in theaters for a year and ticket prices are much higher. His prediction prompted Spielberg to recall that his 1982 film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial stayed in theaters for a year and four months.”
See more at: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/steven-spielberg-predicts-implosion-film-567604#sthash.Zon1Mj8I.dpuf

I love the movies.  But I hate the prices. Unless tickets are given to us, my family has already been priced out of going to a professional sporting event.  When you add up all the costs:  tickets, parking, food, drinks, souvenir bobble-head – that is a lot of groceries, or savings toward a future vacation.  So will the movies be next?

Let’s break down the cost of a movie.  Tickets are about $10 for an evening feature.  Popcorn is about $6.  Drinks are about $6.  And of course candy is around $3.  So basically $25 per person, close to 100 bucks for a family of four.  And then, what if it turns out being a bad movie???????

Movies hold such a nostalgic place in my heart.  As a kid, the classics would come on television once a year.  Or, we would eagerly anticipate what two features would be at the local theater.

The Wizard of Oz inspired me to believe in good over evil.

Brian’s Song was the first movie I teared up over (I made sure no one saw me).

The 10 Commandments gave me a visual connection to my faith.

Star Wars was the most amazing thing I’d ever seen on a screen (it was 1977 mind you).

Jaws absolutely terrified me (and I loved it), however, I was afraid to take a bath that night.

Anything from Disney studios sparked my creativity and imagination.

I could go on and on.  I frequently use movie clips in my teaching to further strengthen a point that words aren’t enough for.

Yes, there are ways around the prices with loyalty cups & loyalty t-shirts, no snacks, coupons, gift cards, matinees, student & senior discounts.  However, in the next few years, I am curious to see if Spielberg and Lucas are correct in their predictions.  Where do you think the movie industry is headed?  Please comment below.  Hope 2015 is your best year yet! 🙂

Forget Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Wacky Wednesday, etc.  Next time you go grocery shopping, try these basic techniques listed below.

1)  Take cash:  Dave Ramsey and all the other financial experts are correct –  we spend less when we discipline ourselves to use cash only.  I magically become Scrooge when I only have a certain amount of money in my wallet.

2) Use specialty coupons that come in the mail:  It took me about two years to realize that the computer systems were tracking my purchases.  I would get a packet of coupons based on all the things we consistently consume.  And yet, I would ponder,  “How does Kroger know I liked Super- Sized Nutella?”  I know, it is a pain to remember to bring them.  Maybe keep them stored under the seat of the car you usually grocery shop with???

3)  Go grocery shopping after a heavy meal:  Enough said, this one speaks for itself.

5)  If physically able, carry a basket instead of pushing a cart:  I did this the other day, and was amazed at how selective I was regarding what went into the basket.  Normally, I would mindlessly toss these items in a cart –

Keebler M&M Cookies @ $3.49

BBQ Rib Flavored Potato Chips @ $3.99

8 pack of little bottled Cokes @ $4.99

Blue Bell Ice Cream (not on sale) @ $7.99

I already had a gallon of milk in my other hand, so I had to say “no” to these items.  Add that up, and I saved a whopping $20.46!!!  We go to the grocery store at least 2-3 times a week.  Multiply that figure out and at the minimum we could be saving $163.68 a month!  With savings like that every month, new realms open up in the financial landscape of our lives.  Now additional funding is freed up for critical and prioritized items such as Lord of the Rings collectibles, Star Wars memorabilia, and Batman merchandise. 🙂

Give this a try, and please comment below with your results.  Or, please share any other money-saving tips you have had success with.  If you haven’t already, please sign up to receive this blog emailed directly to your inbox.  Blessings! 🙂

What is wrong with having the character quality of perseverance?
Absolutely nothing.  It is one of the most highly desirable qualities to possess.  However, getting things done or obtained quickly is becoming the norm. Two definitions reveal how perseverance can be classified as “dirty”.

The first is that perseverance is dirty, and I want to stay away from it. Like trying to avoid getting scuff marks on my brand new pair of white Nike’s.
There is a challenge – my choices are easily avoidance, denial, and quitting.  Whatever I am desiring to obtain – it is simply not worth the effort. Or, I can go through life letting others or my electronic devices think for me in decision-making, finding out information, directions, preferences for what I like, and put together a research project with minimal effort beyond a few clicks on the computer.  The mantra of:  If at first you don’t succeed – quit!  I’ve been there, have you?  It took me almost three years to self publish my first book of about 50 pages.  And it isn’t because I’m slow on the keyboard.  I became close allies with Procrastination, Discouragement, Resignation, and Diminishment.  Fortunately, Perseverance beat up those false allies.

The second way that perseverance is dirty is a good thing.  It is associated with getting your hands filthy, messy, hard work, grit, thinking outside the box, facing pain,being stretched and challenged, forced out of your comfort zone, and embracing an indomitable spirit that won’t give up.

Three of my favorite stories of perseverance come from the entertainment world:

1) Sports:  QB Kurt Warner – he took two perennial losing teams to the Super Bowl (Rams and Cardinals) and was voted as the league MVP.  He had to overcome not being drafted by a team, playing in the Arena Football League, stocking shelves at a grocery store to pay the bills, and sit on the bench for years while less talented players were given the starting position.
2) Movies:  Sylvester Stallone – in the 1970s he had written a script about an underdog boxer named Rocky that Hollywood was not interested in.  United Artists took a chance on him, ultimately leading to an Academy Award for best picture.  Five decades later he is still making movies!
3) Music:  U2 – they initially broke up in their early beginnings out of frustration and lack of progress.  They were rejected twice by every recording company they attempted to get a contract with.  They had to eat humble pie and borrow money from their parents to support their first tour of London.  Now, they are frequently referred to as “The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World.”

Two things stand out with these and other stories of perseverance:

*The people involved had an unstoppable belief that they had something of value to offer, thereby making the world a better place.  They absolutely refused to quit until their was no other way humanly possible to accomplished what they envisioned.
*People who persevere have someone who believes in them.  They can see past the current circumstances and give an opportunity, continual encouragement, finances, a contract, public exposure, or whatever else is needed at that particular time.

How many of us were (or are) on the threshold of success only to give up inches away from a major breakthrough?

Thanks for reading – please share your favorite story of perseverance in the comments section.  Or, is there something you are working through right now needing perseverance?

This is the reason I haven’t posted a blog since July 18th 🙂  My first published book is called Five Prayers That Can Change History.  Count this as five blogs in one!  To order from the Amazon CreateSpace e-Store please click on this link:

https://www.createspace.com/4632454

Or, go directly to Amazon.com and search under the book section.  Also available on Kindle.  Thanks to everyone for your words of encouragement in person, on FB, and Twitter.  I’m already working on a sequel . .

🙂

I read a quote a few days ago that bothered me.

However, I agree with it 100%.

The quote comes from the book Essentialism by Greg McKeown:

“One leader at Twitter once asked me:  ‘Can you remember what it was like to be
bored?  It doesn’t happen anymore. . . . .by abolishing any chance of being bored
we have also lost the time we used to have to think and process.” (pg. 68)

If we’re honest – we can see ourselves (and definitely our kids) in the above description.  We get fidgety when we have down time:  in waiting rooms, in line anywhere, traffic, kid’s practices, games, performances, at work, at home, on vacation, during meals, during television shows, and so on . . . .

It is soothing to reach for our electronic devices to address our boredom.  Forget commercials, we can bypass them with TiVo and On Demand.  We can escape pain and problems by entering into virtual video worlds.  Being online replaces face to face contact.  Multitasking is the norm.  Feelings of guilt surface when we attempt to relax and do nothing.

The quote about boredom got me reflecting on my own childhood growing up in the seventies.  What did we do when we got bored?

*Some TV, but we only had 5 channels (one being UHF), so a lot of playing outside, sandlot sports, creating imaginary worlds with friends, and riding bikes at all hours.
*Board game tournaments with my brother (which usually led to a fight).
*Hours of air guitar and air drumming in hopes of being recruited to be the fifth member of the group Kiss.
*Drawing from memory:  cartoon characters, super heroes, movie and TV stars.
*Building larger than life card castles.
*I hunted for empty soda bottles that I could redeem at the convenience store for 5 cents.
*Bought, collected, and traded sports cards and Wacky Package stickers.
*Reading for hours (okay, it was mostly comic books – but that still counts)!

The great thing about boredom is that it can lead to creativity, think time, rest, socialization, innovations, playfulness, and reflection.

Thousands of years ago, the prophet Isaiah penned this timeless message:

“In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength.
But you were not willing.”         Isaiah 30: 15b

It is incredibly difficult being still.  Try sitting quietly for just 3-5 minutes and discover how uneasy you feel.  Try going somewhere without your phone and panic hits.  Try journaling your thoughts and ideas – and see how quickly you get distracted.

Next time you feel bored, welcome it as a friend.  Attempt being still and being in the moment.  Reject always having to be busy.  Take a long walk or bike ride. Try reconnecting with people socially.  Call someone on a rotary dial phone (now I’m really dating myself) 🙂

Please comment below:  What is your favorite childhood memory of what you did when you got bored?

The title seems to contradict itself – aren’t “active” and “busy” the same thing?

Unfortunately no.

Many of us are so busy doing “stuff” – that a sedentary lifestyle has slowly crept in. The online site Fast Company recently featured an article with the quote “sitting has become the new smoking.”   Think about how much time we sit every day in vehicles, at our jobs, in meetings, at our kid’s practices, working or playing on the computer, watching TV or movies, reading, studying, writing, crafting, etc.

The challenge is that the items listed above are a critical part of our day-to-day lives.

Probably like you – I want to live a healthier lifestyle. Only 3 small things are preventing me from achieving that goal:

1) No time
2) No energy
3) No gym membership

When Roger Bannister broke the world record for running the mile under 4 minutes – sports enthusiasts were shocked to discover his simple training regime – 10 sets of 1- minute sprints, split by a couple of minutes of recovery.  As a medical student back in the 1950’s, he was incredibly busy and didn’t have time to spare for extensive training sessions.  His entire workout usually took less than 35 minutes.

The book Fast Exercise by Dr. Michael Mosley talks about HIT – High Intensity Training.  His proposal is that 10-20 minutes of intense exercise three times a week is more beneficial than five or more days a week for several hours. The book explains how the HIT method basically puts our muscles and aerobic systems in a semi state of “shock” – and they are forced to adapt building strength, burning calories, and enhancing endurance.  The overall theme of the book is that something is better than nothing, and about being intentional regarding staying active.

Here is a summary of ideas from the book or other resources that I have read through the years:

1) Drink a ton of water to curb your appetite and stay hydrated.
2) Stand while talking on the phone. You’ll burn calories and sound more assertive.
3) If you work at a desk for long periods of time, consider removing your chair and standing for an hour or two. (Reposition your computer so you’re not straining your back.)
4) Go and see a colleague instead of sending an email.
5) Walk to work if feasible, if not, park at the far end of the lot or several blocks away.
6) Organise a lunchtime or after work walking/exercising group.  This will help strengthen encouragement and accountability.
7) If you’re stuck in the airport, don’t sit down.  Grab your bags and go look around the shops.
8) Take a lap around your place of work for a brain break once or twice a day.
9) Add variety to your workout.  If you walk, try a completely different route.  If you jog, try biking.  If you lift heavy weights for strength, switch to light weights for cardio, etc., etc.
10) If your building allows – use the stairs instead of elevators.  Go up and down multiple times before you go to your destination.
11) Having only healthy snacks, nuts, or fruit available at home and at work for when you get the munchies.
12) Exercise while watching TV – push ups, jog in place, stomach crunches, leg lifts, jumping jacks and planking can all be beneficial.

From pg. 154 of Fast Exercise: “Guess how many hours a day you spend sitting? Less than 8?  More than 10? Some experts claim that many of us spend up to 12 hours a day sitting on our well-padded bottoms looking at computers or watching television.  If you throw in the 8 hours we spend sleeping, then that adds up to a remarkable 20 hours a day being sedentary. Ouch.”

The time to start a lifestyle change is yesterday.  Try one technique or a variety of them from the list above.  In conclusion, pg. 165 of Fast Exercise gives us these practical and encouraging words: “Simply by standing more, pacing around a bit more, taking the stairs and walking when you can, you should burn at least an extra 350 calories a day. Over a year this adds up to the calorie equivalent of running about 1000 miles.”

Please comment below on how you balance exercise with your busy lifestyle.  Thanks for reading 🙂

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