Travelling Testimony

As alluded to in my previous post… my bags didn’t survive the flight switches. As the last few passengers rolled and pulled their luggage out the door I challenged my imagination to believe that my suitcase would plop down onto the carousel any minute. Finally I asked who I needed to speak with, and was calmly welcomed by a very capable and accommodating gentleman who was not handling his first lost bag. We forget that sometimes… I think that’s where any of you who are screamers come in.

Think about it… in some way, the person is glad your bag is lost, because it justifies their having a job. Then they are excited about taking it to the next level, of easing your discomfort and resolving the situation asap… justifying their having a job....

Your luggage cannot get there any faster as you rant and rave. I’m also pretty sure that, as fast as the attendant seems to be able to type, they can type faster if you’re not screaming in their ears about something they have absolutely no control over. They offer toiletries and whatever will get you through the night. I admit I declined the offer, so I can’t list the menu for you. I have traveled enough to have known to pack “change of clothes” stuff in my carry on. Make the adjustment in your packing, so that you can experience a bump in your plans rather than a crash.

In fact, we’ve all made some adjustments in travel and travel plans since 9/11. Care to list one? I’ll close out with my return trip testimony in a few days, because I’m working on another testimony as you read. ;-)

Travelling Testimony

Went to LA on Tuesday, April 20. Had a 4:00pm flight scheduled to connect in Atlanta and get to LA at 8:30pm. Flight was cancelled due to mechanical difficulties, so I softly spoke to the agent and was rebooked on 5:50pm flight, connecting in Detroit for same 8:30 arrival.

5:50 came up listed as late departure for 6:40… which would not make my connection. I calmly called reservations and patiently waited as she found me a 5:30 flight to connect through Minneapolis, with 11:30pm arrival. Even I knew my bags wouldn’t survive all those switches.

But let me digress… a woman was at her wits end on another phone trying to rebook to DC area, but having little luck. I touched her on the arm and told her that safety was more important. She explained her trauma and the fact that she felt drained empty… to which I quickly retorted that God emptied her out to refill her anew. Her mood changed, and she began laughing with the reservation agent on the other end. He obviously returned the spirit, because she then proclaimed that she had a wonderful man on the phone line, and a Pastor standing in front of her (that was me).

She did not get rebooked, but she did not stay rejected. I bet you’ve touched someone’s spirit this week as well. Think about it and share. I’ll tell you about my luggage and return trip testimony in a couple of days.

Learning in Economic Quicksand

P.E.E.R. Pressure

Parents Experiencing Excellence in Retrospect

Children can handle their friends. In fact, that’s why they follow them. Living up to your standards is a lot tougher. Especially if you weren’t such an angel when you were their age… and suddenly know all the signs and road blocks to ‘control’ them with. Remember wanting to be ‘free’ of your parents’ reign?

You’re doing great work at the hardest job in the world: being a parent. It is by far the toughest task to conquer… because you don’t conquer it, you can’t get out of it, and your “staff” has the same rule book you’re using (one with blank pages). Help your children stay creative by laughing with them about some of the mistakes you made. Help them believe they’re going to make it, while all else around them tells them they’re not.

These children of today ARE going to make it because, and sometimes in spite of the fact that they’re related to us children who weren’t supposed to make it….

Whose Heart is it About?

I don’t do relationship chats or blogs… however, a friend asked me a question about risking the chance to put one’s heart out to get hurt. Here’s how I responded:

Hearts get the best exercise when we exercise them. If you keep holding your heart back for someone, when they come along you'll have a hard time recognizing them and getting the right pace. Short relationships are just as fulfilling as long ones. Truth is that the long ones are just a bunch of short ones where you go through changes to get to the next.

Yeah, it's a little different when the sprints are with new partners... but comparison helps you get more in touch with yourself. And isn't that what it should be about?

Let me know what you think.
(feel free to let me know this is why I don't do relationship blogs)

For Us Who Celebrate Easter

Embrace and experience a double dose of JOY

Just
One
You

because

Jesus
Owns
You

L.O.V.E.
Let Ourselves Value Everyone

It is so important not to inherit other people’s relationships. If someone wrongs you, don’t dislike everyone of that race, gender, economic status, background, educational level, height, weight, hair color, model car (yes, it gets that bad)…. Everyone has value, no matter how deep you’re willing to dig to believe that.

More importantly, you are an important piece in every puzzle, as is each person. And sometimes life is about fitting into the many puzzles we belong to as a small, medium or large piece. No matter which size you are for each puzzle, that puzzle is incomplete without you. Understand that, and be willing to understand the same about others. Find the value, and get your personal relationship.

And if you're wondering why LOVE is in black... it's because love isn't red. It's simple: you love or you don't.

OK, I’ve moved the move-date to July 6.

As mentioned, I've wanted to move to Charlotte for a long time. Both of my relocations have been career moves through Wall Street Journal. I've never moved for "me," just because I wanted to. And doing what I want to do is important to my spirit and psyche. So I'm moving to Charlotte because I want to and because I can. I give everyone free reign to attach as many alternative reasons, good or bad, as they want to. But let me tell you what God has been doing….

Remember, he is the Planning Committee, while I am on the Implementation Crew. Enter one of my favorite acronyms: F.E.A.R. (Faith Eventually Attracts Resources). Since I announced this move I have reconnected with a friend I’ve known since 5th grade, who has let me know that I do have ‘family’ in Charlotte. She will help me find a place to live. Another friend whom I met through an annual speaking engagement with the National Black MBA Association has offered business connections. Following up on his lead, I have a meeting with the Urban League April 6, when I go down (April 3-6) to choose housing.

I mentioned to my Job/Life Skills Training class that I was going to stay in Chicago May and June, while living as “bill-free” as possible to have some starter cash. One of the students asked if I had friends like that. (Because I hadn’t thought about it in any detail) I told him that I didn’t know… but that my friends had a person willing to ask. :-) I asked my friend, whom I met my 2nd week after moving to Chicago, if I could stay at her place in June. She said yes, while adding that since I’ve been volunteering to count and sort her Taste of Chicago tickets for 3 years, I am not released until July 4.

Thus my July 6 move date.
Back up a step… and let’s put this puzzle together.

I’ll PICK a place to live in April… sign a lease that begins in June… drive my stuff down the first week of June… put it in my new place… drive back to Chicago and live out the last month. WOW, this relocation stuff is no joke. A lot of detail, and I can see why they have departments dedicated to it. I'm doing a great job of connecting the dots. And the vision is growing each day. Still adjusting and creating my time lines.

Too Much Information??? Not really.
Too Much Excitement!!!I appreciate you,