Fear vs. Concern

An athletic department staff member at The University of Texas tells a story about his son sharing a fear with Darrell Royal some years ago.  Apparently the young man told Royal he was afraid of graduating and finding a job in the “real” world.  Royal replied “Never be afraid.  Be concerned.  There is a difference.”  He went on to explain “The difference is that fear is paralyzing.  Concern brings awareness.”

I have always thought that fear was a normal and even important part of life, and in fact I still believe that.   However, Royal’s perspective is good one.  When facing challenges we do not want to be paralyzed, we want to be concerned.  We should be cautious, aware and responsive, but not frozen in fear.  There is a place in life for fear.  Certainly we should fear consequences of our actions and ramifications of our decisions.  Our laws and authorities depend to some degree on fear, and that is appropriate.  But when facing change or obstacles in life fear should not dictate our lives.  Caution yes, fear no.

Unwritten

Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

                        ~ Lyrics from “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield

The past is useful.  We can learn from it, be proud of it and reminisce about it, but it is the past, and it cannot be changed.  Often we spend too much time in the past.  We cannot re-write the past; we can only author our future.  Like the lyrics from the song above, today is where your book begins.  In another part of the same song it refers to a “blank page before you”, each and every day is a blank page, an opportunity to write the future, an opportunity to impact what happens.  Those opportunities do not exist regarding past events. They do exist for today and tomorrow.  The days, minutes, and hours which are yet to happen are blank pages.  The rest is still unwritten...

New Perspective

Did you know that sticker burrs (yes like those you find in a field of weeds) were the inspiration for the fastener we now know as Velcro?  Makes sense, but I sure would not have thought of it.  When we look at the familiar with fresh eyes we really open our minds to creativity.  I am not the most creative guy around, but I try and look at business problems with an open mind.  It is very easy to get caught in a rut, to live with blinders on.  We tend to only see things within the parameters to which we are accustomed.  But wild ideas are often really very creative solutions.  “Thinking outside the box” is an overused phrase but it is a necessary way of thinking.  Unfortunately it does not come naturally for most of us.  We have to consciously force ourselves to see with fresh eyes and think outside of the box.

How will you see things this week?  

Kindness

It is so easy to be kind, yet we are so often not!  We are busy, late, frustrated, depressed and worried.  Why would we think about being kind?  Here are some great reminders about the importance of the simple art of heartfelt kindness…

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

-          Plato

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

-          Leo F. Buscaglia

"The measure of a truly great man is the courtesy with which he treats lesser men."

-          Anonymous

"If you can't feed a hundred people, just feed one.”

-          Mother Teresa