Dare to be...

different. That's right I dare you to be different. It seems these days that people have lost their uniqueness. With the invention of social media, a towering wave of uniformity has come crashing down on society. If John does "x" then Joe must do "x" and if John and Joe do "x" then Jerry must do "x" too. You get the point. (Sorry if your name is John, Joe or Jerry! Haha!)

Really though sometimes I wander if people can think for themselves these days. Honestly though, at some point in time we have all been caught up in doing what other people are doing. BUT What's the fun in that? No one wants to see the same thing all of the time. So, today I dare you to be different in these five ways:

1.) Dare to be different in your accomplishments-We all have goals in life. We all have things we want to accomplish. Just think about what the world would be like if we all wished to accomplish the same thing. What if everyone's goal was to be a lawyer? Well, there would be no doctors or teachers or preachers. It takes all kind of people to make this beautiful world go around. Go out and do something different. Create a unique business. Establish a unique charity. Start a unique club. Spice things up a bit!

2.) Dare to be different in your pursuit of happiness- I firmly believe that happiness comes in all shapes and sizes...and all different ways. You see, the world says in order to be happy one must have monetary wealth, fancy things, big bank accounts. I dare you to find happiness in different locations. Find happiness in the company of those around you. Find happiness in your accomplishments. Find happiness in your faith.

3.) Speaking of faith...dare to be different in your faith- People go to many places in search of faith when faith can really only be found in one's own self. Finding your own individual faith is what sets you apart, makes you different from the rest. Find your faith, not in words on a page, but words from the page put into action. Find your faith not in the lyrics to a song, but in the lyrics put into action. Find your faith for yourself!

4.) Dare to be different in your dealings with other people- When I started my job, I always thought that I had to deal with people in the same way as my co-workers. Well, I quickly learned that their way of dealing with others was just not my way. The same is true in everyday society. Different people can effectively deal with others in different ways. Think of your own special talents. Are you a funny person? Make people laugh! Are you a gentle person? Be gentle! Are you someone who gives firm advice? Give firm advice. Be different.

And finally...

5.) Dare to be different in love- That's right! Love is one of the most unique feelings on the planet. It's really not something you can even describe. However, it is something that you can be different in. What do I mean, you ask? Well, everyone might say...give your wife flowers! Yes, flowers are good but...I say give her time! Everyone might say give your girlfriend jewelry. I say give her a golden heart! You see what I mean. Skip the movie date and lay on a blanket under the stars while you tell a crazy story. Skip the dinner date and make dinner together. Skip loving like the world and love like YOU!

Dare to be different!

Tonight, the measure of a man can sometimes be found in his ability to be different!

That, my friends is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man!

Time is what?

Time is money- have you ever heard that? Yes, most of us have. I've used that saying many times before myself. It is true that the correct use of our time can translate into some much needed income. Yet, time is something more than just a dollar in a paycheck.

Time is a valuable asset. What we do with our time is even more valuable and ever so life changing. You see I look at time as an investment-an investment in ourselves and others. Therefore, the question arises: How is our investment paying off?

Time is not a good investment until it is invested wisely in the right thing and that right thing is called love. Really, time is love. Josh Turner's song "Time is Love" is a good reminder of that. Here it is:

"Time Is Love"

I know I gotta put in the hours,
Make the money while the sunlight shines
But anything I gotta get done,
It can get done some other time

Time is love, gotta run,
Love to hang longer,
But I got someone who waits,
Waits for me and right now
She's where I need to be,
Time is love, gotta run

I only get so many minutes,
Don't wanna spend 'em all on the clock
In the time that we spent talkin',
How many kisses have I lost?

Time Is love, gotta run,
Love to hang longer,
But I got someone who waits,
Waits for me and right now
She's where I need to be,
Time is love, gotta run.

Gotta fly
Fly
Before one more moment
Gets by...

Time Is love, gotta run,
Love to hang longer,
But I got someone who waits,
Waits for me and right now
She's where I need to be

Time is love, gotta run,
Love to hang longer,
But I got someone who waits,
Waits for me and right now
She's where I need to be,
Time is love, gotta run.

Time is Love, gotta run...

The truth is, we all have someone out there waiting for our time- our time spent loving them. I tend to spend a lot of time with my family. I do that because my family has invested so much time in me and that time is definitely love. I like to return the favor.

Yet still, sometimes it's not just our family that needs that time-the time that is love. Look around you, someone needs your time. You may have a friend that is struggling. You may know someone from work who could benefit from just a few minutes of your time and a positive, encouraging word or two.

As the song says, we have to "fly before one more moment gets by." Moments of our time are valuable we can't let them get by because someone out there just might be waiting for you and that just might be right where you need to be.

When we invest our time in someone, that investment gives great returns. I'm a business major, we talked about ROI sometimes. ROI is the acronym for return on investment. Return on investment is a performance measure used to evaluate the efficiency of an investment. So, is our investment of time performing efficiently? The only way it will is if we invest our time in love! Things are nice. Words are nice. Time, well, it means more than many things. A minute of your time spent with someone in genuine love is worth more than all the money in the world. A minute of your time spent in genuine love with someone is worth more than words spoken without meaning. A minute of your time spent in genuine love with someone is the best investment there is. If you don't believe me, just calculate the ROI! 

Tonight the measure of a man can sometimes be found in where he invests his time and hopefully that investment of time is spent in love.

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man!

A difference and companions

A companion makes a difference-think about that for a moment. What is a companion? Well, according to one dictionary it means: one of a pair of things intended to complement or match each other. Socks match and they are companions, but we're not talking about socks. No, we're talking about more than that.

Think of your best friend. Would you consider your best friend a companion? I certainly would. Yet, what really makes a companion anyway?

To me a person who is a companion is one who makes a difference in the life of someone else by complementing the other person's strengths and helping them with their weakness. A companion is someone who listens and doesn't pass judgement. A companion is someone who is reliable and faithful. A companion is simply, someone who makes a difference.

Ronnie Milsap's  song "What a Difference You've Made" illustrates well what a companion is and what they do. Just take a look at the words:

What - a - difference you've made in my life
What a difference you've made in my life
You're my sunshine day-ay and ni-ight
Oh what a difference you've ma-a-ade in my li-iiife

What a change you have made in my heart
What a change you have made in my heart
You replaced all the bro-oken par-ar-arts
Oh what a change you have ma-a-ade in my hear-eart

Love to me was just a word in a song
That had been way over-used
But now I've joined in the singin'
'Cause you've shown me love's true meanin'
That's why I want to sprea-ead the new-ews

What a difference you've made in my life
What a difference you've made in my life
You're my sunshine day-ay and ni-ight
Oh what a difference you've ma-a-ade in my li-iiife

What a difference you've made in my life (listen to it)
What a difference you've made in my life
You're my sunshine day-ay and ni-i-i-ight
Oh what a difference you've ma-a-ade, yeah-eah

What a difference you've made in my li-ife
Difference you've made in my li-ife
What a difference you've made in my li-ife
You're my sunshine day-ay and ni-ight
Oh what a difference you've ma-a-ade

Go ahead and sing it

What a difference you've made in my life
What a difference you've made in my life, yeah-heah-eah-eah-heah
You're my sunshine day-ay and ni-ight
Oh yeah, sing it to me
What a difference you've ma-a-ade

What a difference you've made in my life, woh-oh-oh-oh
What a difference you've made in my-y-y-y life
You're my sunshine day-ay and ni-ight
Oh what a difference you've ma-a-ade
What a difference you've ma-a-ade, in my li-i-i-iiife-iiiiiii-hi-ife

A change you have made in my heart...you replaced all the broken parts- now that is a companion-a companion for life. Companionship to me, is not temporary. It's long-lasting. As the song says- it's day and night. Do you have someone who fixes the broken parts to your heart and is your sunshine day and night? I know I do!

Tonight, the measure of a man can sometimes be found in his ability to be a true companion-a parts fixer and a ray of sunshine! 

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man!

Dysfunctional by choice

I'm long overdue for a blog, but I have been a little occupied. This past week was spent preparing for the arrival of cousins and spending time with them while they were here with the rest of the family. My time was also spent thinking about what family really is. I think family is closely tied with two words-time and involvement. Different families have different ways that they spend time with each other and are involved in one another's lives. Yet so many families don't spend time together and aren't involved with each other's lives. Sometimes those families are called "dysfunctional" families. The term "dysfunctional family" has become so commonplace these days. In fact, I've used it a time or two myself, until my dad adamantly opposed to my use of the term. At first, I thought: "What's the big deal?" Then, however, he took the time to explain his thoughts. He believes that there is no such thing as a "dysfunctional family." So, there lies the question: Is there such a thing as a "dysfunctional family?" Well, In my humble opinion the answer is: It depends on one thing-choice. Allow me to explain:

The outcome of things in life often depends on choices that we make. Families are no different. I'm so very happy with those in my family and the part they play in my life. I can happily say that we are not dysfunctional at all, because we choose not to me. The only way a dysfunctional family exists is if someone chooses for it to be dysfunctional. We choose for our families to be dysfunctional when we neglect to spend time with one another, when we neglect to be involved with one another, when we argue more than we agree, when fight more that we have fun, when we are jealous more than we are just plain happy for one another. You see, the best families on this planet are those who choose to be the best.

My words may seem harsh, but I stand firmly by them. I honestly believe that every family can be great if they choose to be. A dysfunctional family is only that way by choice. Therefore, they don't exist unless we allow them to.

So, the question remains. What is the secret to a great family? Well, I will revert back to what I said earlier. A great family is one who is involved in the lives of and spends time with one another. Buddy Jewell has a song called, "Times Like These" that illustrates this point well. Here it is:

"Times Like These"

He's three-feet tall and four years old,
An' still believes I can do no wrong.
When I get home at five o'clock,
He's waitin with that Cowboys jersey on.
I laugh 'cause he's just like his Dad.
He'll miss the ball an' he'll get mad:
Thinks when he grows up, he'll catch 'em all.
Then I get down on my knees an' tell him:
"Sometimes, even Daddies drop the ball."

It's times like these that I realise they don't stay little long.
You blink your eyes an' turn around,
Before you know it, they're grown up an' gone.
I've been takin' time for granted,
Now I'm gonna take advantage,
Of every golden opportunity.
Make the most of every moment,
While we still have times like these.

I could go to work this Saturday,
Lord knows, that I could use the overtime.
But I'll be sittin' there, behind home plate,
Cheerin' on that little man of mine.
Yeah, the extra pay would sure be nice,
But it's worth any sacrifice,
To see my little slugger's first at bat.
An' when he looks up in the stands an' sees me:
Man, you can't put a price on that.

It's times like these that I realise they don't stay little long.
You blink your eyes an' turn around,
Before you know it, they're grown up an' gone.
I been takin' time for granted,
Now I'm gonna take advantage,
Of every golden opportunity.
Make the most of every moment,
While we still have times like these.

I've been takin' time for granted,
Now I'm gonna take advantage,
Of every golden opportunity.
Make the most of every moment,
While we still have times like these.


Thank God for times like these. 

I certainly do need to thank God for the "times like these." For the times my family has helped me and cheered me-for the times they have taken time with me and chosen to be involved in my life. That's really it folks-great families are great because they choose to be!

Tonight, the measure of a man can sometimes be found in the choice he makes to be a part of and make a decision to make his family great!

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man! (that are a little overdue...lol)