Video

This is a follow-up to the last show. Good news!

We appreciate all the kindness, the thoughts and prayers. Thank you!

Fear will help you prioritize on the fly faster than anything I know. Fear of loss. Fear of suffering. Fear of watching a person you love endure hardship.

Fear can create instant focus. If you’re like me, Fear has his hand on a switch not available to most emotions. The switch that controls distraction and obsession. BAM! In a flash, Fear flips that switch and my life has a clarity that no amount of money could have provided mere seconds earlier.

I’m going to try to learn more from this experience.

The challenges are simple to list, but figuring them out, well…that’s gonna take a lot of work.

1. How can I better manage my own ability to focus? Can I gain greater command of it?

2. How can I be more appreciative, thankful and compassionate?

3. How can I better serve others who are suffering? What actions can I take, what words can I say, what steps can I take to soothe the suffering of others?

4. How can I be more mindful, more aware, of what other people may need – in that moment? What cues should I look for?

As with most challenges and trials, I suspect this one has the capacity to make me better. It’s up to me to use it wisely.

No podcasts, no videos, no posts, no Twitter, no Facebook, no Skype.

I’m going to be quiet for awhile. This post and this video explain why.

Ry Cooder is among my all-time favorite musicians. On a record called Bop Til You Drop he recorded this song.

Trouble you can't fool me I see you behind that tree
Trouble you can't fool me trying to get the ups on me
Trouble you can't fool me I see you behind that tree
You want to jump on me

We can all sing that song.

Life knocks us down, drags us out into the back alley and kicks our butt. Regularly.

Joys are offset with sorrow and sadness. Thankfully, sadness is then overcome with joy, laughter and good times.

Life is not a tranquil lake…always. Sometimes waves beat on us and fear grips us.

Who can deny that troubles make us better? Watch the Biography channel sometime and you’ll see a story of tough times, challenges and adversity. And you’ll be reminded that you’re watching the story of a famous name! Fame, wealth and prosperity often emerge from tragedy.

Our own success – measured however you choose to measure it – is often the result of muscles we strengthened during tough times.

If you’re suffering right now, press on! If you’re not, press on, but be prepared. Trouble is right behind that tree waiting to jump on you.

As another favorite musician sings, “We’re all just one phone call from our knees.” *

For a little more than a week I’ve been (more frequently and fervently) on my knees praying for the health of my wife of 34-1/2 years, Rhonda. I recorded this on Thursday, June 7th. As this post publishes on Tuesday, June 12th, we’re in a hospital where she’s having surgery at the hands of a doctor she’s worked for – for 15 years. That’s a whole ‘nother story.

As always, I owe you a big THANK YOU for giving me your time and attention. I know how valuable they both are.

Hold a good thought for Rhonda this week — please.

* When trouble comes I think we belong on our knees. And yes, I do have a man-crush on Mat Kearney. And he knows it. Even if he doesn’t acknowledge me.