Who am I?

 

Who am I?

 

I lost my dad way too early,

Who am I to doubt it was part of God’s plan?

 

His mother lived to age 98, why couldn’t he?

Who am I to question God’s timing?

 

He loved my mom and all of us so dearly,

Who am I to ask God why we don’t have him anymore?

 

He was married for 50 years, had nine grandchildren and a great grandchild,

Who am I to not thank God for the time we did have?

 

He had wood to carve, golf to play and trips to take,

Who am I to ask God why not?

 

He was kind, loved and respected,

Who am I to ask God why him?

 

For his disease there were no more options,

Who am I to ask God why no cure?

 

There were things I had not done or said,

Who am I to ask God for more time with him?

 

I never heard a bad word spoken towards him,

Who am I to ask God why not someone else?

 

He deserved so much more,

Who am I to question that God knows what he truly deserved?

 

I lost my dad far too soon,

Who am I to question God’s plan?

           

Barry D. Blanton

In loving memory of Don Blanton

January 6, 1935 – June 23, 2007

 

This MMM was originally written in 2007. I will repeat it as long as I write MMM’s on a Monday near the anniversary of the passing of my father.

What are you known for?

 

What are you known for?

Certain cities are known for specific things, like food, culture, and architecture. Celebrities and politicians are often famous for specific good deeds, or maybe more often, certain indiscretions. Years in history are known for what happened during that year. What are you know for?

It is a question often discussed in real time about public figures, but for a lot of us it does not come up until someone leaves this earth. We tend to discuss legacies only once someone passes away. But we are known for who we are now, and what we do while we are alive! Our regular daily behavior leads us to have a certain reputation. Our legacy is being built daily as we speak and act. It can be changed before we die!

How will you be remembered for “the dash” of your life? What will you be known for during the years between your birth and death? If you don’t like the answer, get to work on how to change it while you still can!

Consistency

 

Consistency

I have long supported the concept of consistency. It is important in what I do for a living, but it is important in our personal lives and relationships as well. Don’t you know people whose lives seem to be a roller coaster of their own making? Consider this…

Intensity makes for a good story. Consistency makes for good results.

Word Power!

 

Word Power!

The spoken word is so much more powerful than we know. Words can both hurt and heal. They can destroy but also build up. What we say can educate or simply berate. Words can sting but they can also soothe. We can use our words to encourage or deflate. Our words can make someone’s day or…

The problem is that we are often too quick to spout something without thinking of its impact. As the saying goes, we speak before we think. This often results in our words coming out on the negative side of the above options. That means we can leave a trail of anger, disappointment, and hurt feelings around us.

Consider the power of your words. Choose them carefully. More to the point, consciously choose to be positive with what you say.