When was the last time you played at work? Ponder this.
"By the time we enter the workplace, we have effectively relegated play to weekends and vacations. Worse still, competition and deadlines further stifle our ability to exercise many of the productive instincts that play stimulates, such as creativity and imagination. How sad that as adults we push play to the margins of our lives, forgetting that play is not frivolous at all, but highly productive."
In Kevin Carroll's new book, The Red Rubber Ball at Work, he takes his penchant for play as a catalyst into the workplace. The five chapters in this compact, playful book are on Innovation, Results, Teamwork, Leadership and Curiosity. Far from being a how to book, Kevin engages us with real-life examples of those who have taken the lessons learned from childhood play and translated them into workplace success. From authors and engineers to actors and surgeons, he encourages us to continue to play at work in order to increase our creativity and productivity.
One of my favorite features of the book is the end of each chapter. The chapters finish with sections called Look, Read and Do. Look has various websites to check out for further ideas or inspiration. Read lists additional books that may be helpful on the topic of the chapter. Do is about taking action and doing something with the information you have gathered.
I would highly recommend The Red Rubber Ball at Work for everyone. If you are a playful, creative person, you will love it. If you are a serious, no-nonsense person, you need it.
Peace.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Grateful
I'm grateful...
...for Rachel, Brady, Kendall and Declan. What would my life be without them?
...for parents who have prepared the path in more ways than they could know.
..for sisters who have become some of my greatest friends over the years.
...for friends. You know who you are.
...for health, a job, the good fortune to have been born in this country.
This could be a very long post, but it won't be. What it all comes down to is a thankfulness to God. Without Him, I have nothing in my life. It is through His grace in Christ that I do anything.
Peace.
...for Rachel, Brady, Kendall and Declan. What would my life be without them?
...for parents who have prepared the path in more ways than they could know.
..for sisters who have become some of my greatest friends over the years.
...for friends. You know who you are.
...for health, a job, the good fortune to have been born in this country.
This could be a very long post, but it won't be. What it all comes down to is a thankfulness to God. Without Him, I have nothing in my life. It is through His grace in Christ that I do anything.
Peace.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Moments
Life is made up of moments. How many of those moments can you clearly recall? I had a moment this weekend. When I tell you what it was, you may not think it was much of a thing to even register in one's mind. Stay with me.
My daughter, Kendall, age seven, was in a local production of "The Nutcracker" ballet. She was a polichinelle, which I think is some kind of a clown. (Actually, I think the term is "buffoon" but I can't write that about my princess!) Out of a nearly two hour performance, she is on stage for a total of about two minutes so I got a little added culture while waiting for her to appear. Anyway, she came out, did her thing and was exiting stage right. That's when she saw Rachel and me. We were in the third row and our eyes definitely met. Her stage smile got a little bigger and a little more real. After the show, she said "I saw you when I was walking off". I said "I thought you did". There was a connection that goes beyond words. It cannot be explained. It was a moment.
I recognize it makes me sound like I am prone to maudlin sentimentality, which I may be, but I think we miss too many small moments in our rush to get to the next big thing. We gloss over seemingly insignificant times because they don't affect the course of our life. I know that my moment with Kendall will not make me or break me, but if I can learn to see those moments and really be there, the moments will add up over time. Over time the moments become a life.
Do you look for the moments in your life? They may not be what you think.
Peace.
My daughter, Kendall, age seven, was in a local production of "The Nutcracker" ballet. She was a polichinelle, which I think is some kind of a clown. (Actually, I think the term is "buffoon" but I can't write that about my princess!) Out of a nearly two hour performance, she is on stage for a total of about two minutes so I got a little added culture while waiting for her to appear. Anyway, she came out, did her thing and was exiting stage right. That's when she saw Rachel and me. We were in the third row and our eyes definitely met. Her stage smile got a little bigger and a little more real. After the show, she said "I saw you when I was walking off". I said "I thought you did". There was a connection that goes beyond words. It cannot be explained. It was a moment.
I recognize it makes me sound like I am prone to maudlin sentimentality, which I may be, but I think we miss too many small moments in our rush to get to the next big thing. We gloss over seemingly insignificant times because they don't affect the course of our life. I know that my moment with Kendall will not make me or break me, but if I can learn to see those moments and really be there, the moments will add up over time. Over time the moments become a life.
Do you look for the moments in your life? They may not be what you think.
Peace.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Focus
How is this space going to best be used? That is the question that, at the moment, is worth about sixty-four cents. Is it going to be an outlet for writing? Maybe it will be a place for venting emotions? I know, it should be a place for friends everywhere to keep up with my life. It should be serious. It should be funny. Everything done here should have a point. Right? Um...sure.
I recognize that it should be narrowed down to something more focused than its current state. Right now, it reflects a little of how my brain is these days. I have so much pinging around inside my cranial cavity that some days it is all I can do to keep all of those super-bounce balls under wraps. Here is what I will attempt to do with all of that activity.
The title of this blog is "in over my head". I came up with that in a moment of clarity and I am going to stick with it. In so many ways, I am in over my head. I am way out of my depth in planting a church. My job has put me in a place where I am stretched every day. I am a husband and a father, need I say more?
Having said that, I am going to focus on three areas while I try to keep my head above water. The bulk of the posts will have to do with family, dreams and inspiration and our church plant. You may read some posts and wonder how a post may fit into one of those categories but let me say, I can be very creative when I need to be. I am not going to limit myself to only those three but the majority of posts will fall there.
Happy reading.
Peace.
I recognize that it should be narrowed down to something more focused than its current state. Right now, it reflects a little of how my brain is these days. I have so much pinging around inside my cranial cavity that some days it is all I can do to keep all of those super-bounce balls under wraps. Here is what I will attempt to do with all of that activity.
The title of this blog is "in over my head". I came up with that in a moment of clarity and I am going to stick with it. In so many ways, I am in over my head. I am way out of my depth in planting a church. My job has put me in a place where I am stretched every day. I am a husband and a father, need I say more?
Having said that, I am going to focus on three areas while I try to keep my head above water. The bulk of the posts will have to do with family, dreams and inspiration and our church plant. You may read some posts and wonder how a post may fit into one of those categories but let me say, I can be very creative when I need to be. I am not going to limit myself to only those three but the majority of posts will fall there.
Happy reading.
Peace.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Short post
Made a few changes to the look of the blog. Let me know what you think. Also added a few links of blogs that I follow. Check them out.
I am in the middle of a book called "The Red Rubber Ball at Work" by Kevin Carroll. I'll post a review soon.
Life is good. Kendall makes her debut in "The Nutcracker" ballet tomorrow. She is going to be brilliant. I can't wait to see her.
Peace.
I am in the middle of a book called "The Red Rubber Ball at Work" by Kevin Carroll. I'll post a review soon.
Life is good. Kendall makes her debut in "The Nutcracker" ballet tomorrow. She is going to be brilliant. I can't wait to see her.
Peace.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Church
Just a quick update on church.
We are now officially Wilmington Community Church. We got our articles of incorporation late last week. We have opened a checking account under the church name and we are working on at least a web presence if not a full scale web site. We have 11 adults coming regularly when we gather on Sunday nights. Not much, but more than what we have had.
It has been an incredible journey even to get to this point. To think that five years ago a seed of a thought was planted to start a church in a mid-size town on the coast of North Carolina is amazing. Here we are, not done yet by any stretch, witnessing the faithfulness of God and believing that He will finish what He started.
Peace.
We are now officially Wilmington Community Church. We got our articles of incorporation late last week. We have opened a checking account under the church name and we are working on at least a web presence if not a full scale web site. We have 11 adults coming regularly when we gather on Sunday nights. Not much, but more than what we have had.
It has been an incredible journey even to get to this point. To think that five years ago a seed of a thought was planted to start a church in a mid-size town on the coast of North Carolina is amazing. Here we are, not done yet by any stretch, witnessing the faithfulness of God and believing that He will finish what He started.
Peace.
More Fun
I run an after school program for middle school kids in downtown Wilmington, NC. We have a fairly strong academic focus and we hope to raise grades and End of Grade test scores. We also run other programs that teach dance, photography, science, fitness, golf and other things. We have about 30-35 kids that come consistently, so it isn't like we aren't doing anything.
We need to have more fun though. There needs to be more play. I had a crazy idea tonight that I am going to pursue and I will let you know how it goes. I have been reading and thinking about the idea of play lately. It is an important part of life and especially so for kids. I need to do everything that I can to make these programs educational but more fun at the same time.
Play more.
Peace.
We need to have more fun though. There needs to be more play. I had a crazy idea tonight that I am going to pursue and I will let you know how it goes. I have been reading and thinking about the idea of play lately. It is an important part of life and especially so for kids. I need to do everything that I can to make these programs educational but more fun at the same time.
Play more.
Peace.
Friday, November 14, 2008
writing
One of my reasons for starting this blog was for me to have an outlet to write. Not so very deep down inside of me, there is a writer trying to claw his way to the surface and take over my life. Now, with a wife, three kids, a new church, a demanding job and more, the writer will have a helluva time taking over when he escapes.
In the spirit of trying to help that writer struggling to see the light of day, I will occasionally post a short writing exercise. I have come across multiple sources on "how to be creative" so I should be a genius in that area now. Alas, I am not. I will give it my best shot though and maybe someday the writer will manifest and take over. When that happens, I will send you an update from my secluded cabin located in the Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina. After a couple of bestsellers of course. Or maybe winning the lottery. We'll see.
Peace.
In the spirit of trying to help that writer struggling to see the light of day, I will occasionally post a short writing exercise. I have come across multiple sources on "how to be creative" so I should be a genius in that area now. Alas, I am not. I will give it my best shot though and maybe someday the writer will manifest and take over. When that happens, I will send you an update from my secluded cabin located in the Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina. After a couple of bestsellers of course. Or maybe winning the lottery. We'll see.
Peace.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Significance
I'm pretty sure that most people want to do something or be someone who is significant. It may be in different areas of life, maybe sports or medicine or education, but, in the words of the Counting Crows, "we all want to be big stars". I am not equating significant with famous. Those are two separate ideas. I am talking about really making a difference and doing what it takes to make this world a better place.
I am also pretty sure that a lot of those ideas of significance remain just that, ideas. They are never put into practice or they never make it out of our heads, even into spoken or written words. Why is that? I have only one guess. It is really, really hard.
The hard work and the dedication that is required to become significant is often overwhelming. It is easy to have a one time encounter and inspire someone. It is much harder to live out what you believe in front of people on an ongoing basis. To continue to give of yourself and not stumble or quit is very difficult. To truly be significant, we have to lay down our life in some ways.
What is that thing of significance that is lying dormant in your life? What is that idea that you had when you were young that never made it out into the open? What if you went back to that and did something with it?
Peace.
I am also pretty sure that a lot of those ideas of significance remain just that, ideas. They are never put into practice or they never make it out of our heads, even into spoken or written words. Why is that? I have only one guess. It is really, really hard.
The hard work and the dedication that is required to become significant is often overwhelming. It is easy to have a one time encounter and inspire someone. It is much harder to live out what you believe in front of people on an ongoing basis. To continue to give of yourself and not stumble or quit is very difficult. To truly be significant, we have to lay down our life in some ways.
What is that thing of significance that is lying dormant in your life? What is that idea that you had when you were young that never made it out into the open? What if you went back to that and did something with it?
Peace.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Random
Too much in my head to do anything too coherent. A bit of an ADD day for me. Here's a glimpse.
Thinking about a program for middle and high school students that will inspire them to dream, to discover the gifts they have been given and then use those gifts throughout their life. Just a thought.
Loving the group of people that God is shaping into a church here in Carolina.
Looking for people to come speak to our after school kids to keep them in school. Someone to give them something to strive for.
Looking forward to the Big 12 football championship game. Hoping that my Missouri Tigers can make it there and pound whoever they end up playing.
Happy to have a day off tomorrow.
Watching the Cardinals and the 49ers play on Monday Night Football. Two teams that I have no connection to, but it is sports so it is on.
Hoping that Rachel's business takes off. Have I mentioned http://graciegirlsboutique.com/ ?
Reading Under the Unpredictable Plant by Eugene Peterson. Read it before. It's still good.
Can't wait for Christmas. It will be on top of us soon you know.
Peace.
Thinking about a program for middle and high school students that will inspire them to dream, to discover the gifts they have been given and then use those gifts throughout their life. Just a thought.
Loving the group of people that God is shaping into a church here in Carolina.
Looking for people to come speak to our after school kids to keep them in school. Someone to give them something to strive for.
Looking forward to the Big 12 football championship game. Hoping that my Missouri Tigers can make it there and pound whoever they end up playing.
Happy to have a day off tomorrow.
Watching the Cardinals and the 49ers play on Monday Night Football. Two teams that I have no connection to, but it is sports so it is on.
Hoping that Rachel's business takes off. Have I mentioned http://graciegirlsboutique.com/ ?
Reading Under the Unpredictable Plant by Eugene Peterson. Read it before. It's still good.
Can't wait for Christmas. It will be on top of us soon you know.
Peace.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Soccer
Another day spent at the local soccer fields. I love it.
For the past three months, we have had three practices a week and three games every Saturday. All three kids, ages 9, 7, and 4, have experienced the beauty that is the game of soccer. Of course, they don't see it that way. They see it as spending time with friends, having fun playing a game and getting snacks after every match. Either way, we all win.
They have learned that the game is about more than just their own desires. They have learned that the best way to accomplish something is to work together. They have learned that you don't always win. They have learned that you can come back and win the next one. They have learned that it isn't over until the final whistle blows. They have learned that there are people who know more than they do and that sometimes, they should listen. They won't tell you that this is what they learned, but it is true. And the process was fun.
How much of what my kids learned playing a game can you use everyday?
Peace.
For the past three months, we have had three practices a week and three games every Saturday. All three kids, ages 9, 7, and 4, have experienced the beauty that is the game of soccer. Of course, they don't see it that way. They see it as spending time with friends, having fun playing a game and getting snacks after every match. Either way, we all win.
They have learned that the game is about more than just their own desires. They have learned that the best way to accomplish something is to work together. They have learned that you don't always win. They have learned that you can come back and win the next one. They have learned that it isn't over until the final whistle blows. They have learned that there are people who know more than they do and that sometimes, they should listen. They won't tell you that this is what they learned, but it is true. And the process was fun.
How much of what my kids learned playing a game can you use everyday?
Peace.
Friday, November 7, 2008
What if...?
Yeah, soooo...It's been a little while. Let's try this again.
I am sitting in my living room, the kids are in bed (mostly), the wife is out getting ready for her first day of business tomorrow (check out http://graciegirlsboutique.com/), Delirious is on the CD player (can you say "old school"?) and I am putting off doing small domestic-type chores to help out a bit. I know, you are thinking to yourself that I am livin' the life. Don't let that little green eyed monster of jealousy overtake you.
I have been thinking lately (seriously!) about what the role of play is in our lives. Research tells us that, in children, play is some serious business. It is how they learn how things work, how to solve problems, how to develop relationships, how to get along in life and so much more. As we grow up, play stays in the realm of childhood. We have to become serious, focused and responsible. A lot of times, growing up sucks the life right out of us.
What if we didn't lose that bit of play that seems to be innately in us? I understand that we do need to grow up and there are things in life that do demand our serious attention. I fully agree that we need to step into responsibility that life sends our way. But what if we approached all of life with a sense of play?
What if we enjoyed our work? What if we got down on the floor and played with our kids? What if our marriages retained the life of our dating era? What if we joined a kickball league? What if we splashed in the puddles in the rain? What if...?
I have been reading the blog of Kevin Carroll for a couple of years now and I love what he has to say about play. He has taken play to the place of not only being serious business in the lives of children, but being serious business in the lives of adults. Play can be used in the corporate world to enhance creativity and teamwork as well as to bring social change to third world countries. Play is an amazing opportunity to see the world around us a little differently and open up the possibilities of life and what we can do with it. Check out Kevin's blog at http://www.kevincarrollkatalyst.com/ .
Play a little tomorrow and the next day and the day after that. Let me know how it works out for you.
Peace.
I am sitting in my living room, the kids are in bed (mostly), the wife is out getting ready for her first day of business tomorrow (check out http://graciegirlsboutique.com/), Delirious is on the CD player (can you say "old school"?) and I am putting off doing small domestic-type chores to help out a bit. I know, you are thinking to yourself that I am livin' the life. Don't let that little green eyed monster of jealousy overtake you.
I have been thinking lately (seriously!) about what the role of play is in our lives. Research tells us that, in children, play is some serious business. It is how they learn how things work, how to solve problems, how to develop relationships, how to get along in life and so much more. As we grow up, play stays in the realm of childhood. We have to become serious, focused and responsible. A lot of times, growing up sucks the life right out of us.
What if we didn't lose that bit of play that seems to be innately in us? I understand that we do need to grow up and there are things in life that do demand our serious attention. I fully agree that we need to step into responsibility that life sends our way. But what if we approached all of life with a sense of play?
What if we enjoyed our work? What if we got down on the floor and played with our kids? What if our marriages retained the life of our dating era? What if we joined a kickball league? What if we splashed in the puddles in the rain? What if...?
I have been reading the blog of Kevin Carroll for a couple of years now and I love what he has to say about play. He has taken play to the place of not only being serious business in the lives of children, but being serious business in the lives of adults. Play can be used in the corporate world to enhance creativity and teamwork as well as to bring social change to third world countries. Play is an amazing opportunity to see the world around us a little differently and open up the possibilities of life and what we can do with it. Check out Kevin's blog at http://www.kevincarrollkatalyst.com/ .
Play a little tomorrow and the next day and the day after that. Let me know how it works out for you.
Peace.
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