Love in Action

So much rich wisdom packed into a few days…still processing the talks, letting so much of it marinate and soak into my soul.

“The deepest injustice is the misuse of creativity.” –Andy Crouch

“There’s a deeper power than the power to command, it’s the power to create.”–Andy Crouch

Andy Crouch shared about Power in our culture.  How power shapes us, can warp us, and some thoughts on flourishing.

He talked about the purpose of power being that it flourish versus that it control.  He then asked, “Who is flourishing because of your power?”  He also talked about how toxic it can be for all of humanity to become known (potentially overnight in this internet era).  He encouraged two positive cultivations of power–both stewarding (or reinvesting privilege) and servanthood.

David Brooks of the New York Times reflected on Humility and how remarkably different the tone of “heroes” was during WWII times and today.  While traveling home, he recently heard a story on NPR about the WWII victory, and the tremendously humble and thoughtful response by commanding officers.  Minutes later, he was in his living room watching an over-the-top display of victory by a professional athlete scoring a touchdown.  He couldn’t help but connect the two to the overall tone and state of our culture now versus then.

“Humility is not low self-esteem, it’s low self-preoccupation.”–David Brooks

Sherry Turkle, MIT professor of Science, Technology and Memoir and author of Alone Together, shared her perspective on our constantly connected culture, and the holes its leaving in true relationship.  A student of hers remarked, “We are not as strong as technology’s pull.”

“We have forgotten the difference between conversation and connection.”–Sherry Turkle

Hans Hess, founder of Elevation Burger and EnviroCab, among many other impressive career adventures, represented Organic Entrepreneurship.  He lamented the painfully small percentage of sustainable agriculture in our country–only 2.5 %.  He linked food prices to oil prices, and highlighted a few of the many problems with the monocultural mentality of food production our industrialized food system has produced.

Hans was insistent about a shift back to polycultural growing practices.  He distinguished between food price and value, and urged consumers to demand better food and ultimately shift the market.  How ironic, he mused that our health care market is a $1 Trillion market, and yet sustainable agriculture is only a $30 Billion market.

“Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.”–Hans Hess

Gideon Strauss talked about Principled Pluralism advocating for Uncommon Decency and asked, “What might it look like if we were to marry conviction and civility?”  He reminded us that “the glory of God is the human person fully alive.”

Bryan Stevenson brought the heat as he championed Restoring the Justice System.  His passion, conviction, and longing for truth were inspiring.  I could have listened to him talk all day…A few stats that he left with us:

• in 1972 there were 300,000 people imprisoned in the US, today 2.3 Million
• in Alabama, 35% of blacks have permanently lost the right to vote
• 44 Million people are now living below the poverty level in the US
• 3000 children have been convicted for life in the criminal justice system
• the death penalty is 22x more likely if the defendant is black

“The opposite of poverty is not wealth, it’s justice.”–Bryan Stevenson

“We have to fight for the genuine freedom of all faiths.”–Os Guiness

“I think our central voice should be have no fear.”–Os Guiness

James K. A. Smith was a refreshing voice on restoring action within the church.  He reminded us that ideas for the common good will never be enough.

“We act toward what we love.”–James K. A. Smith

“The church has overvalued logic and undervalued aesthetic imagination.”–James K. A. Smith

“Everyone designs who devises courses of action aimed.”–James K. A. Smith

Thomas Hinson talked about Preserving Our Hearts.  He reminded us all that “there can be no cultural restoration without personal restoration.”  He also paralleled leadership to mountain climbing and reminded us that ”the higher you climb, the more inhospitable the climate becomes to life.”  He encouraged shelter and personal renewal for leaders in order to flourish.

A lot to chew on – and there was much more – but these are some of the things I keep coming back to.  Needing to spend more time digesting.  Love to hear your thoughts after reading and pondering.

What reflections do you have?

Even dandelions startle with beauty after the winter.

I was running earlier this week, reflecting on the winter we’ve had and the personal winter I’ve been through.  A fitting contemplation for Holy Week.  I found myself celebrating each and every illumination of the spring, hunting for yet another reason to delight as I rounded corners and enjoyed the sunshine on my face.

There were the obvious finds–bright daffodils opening their stance and thirsting for sun, the soft elegance of the crocuses, the dazzling forsythia, but the, gasp, dandelions?!

Brilliant dandelions.  Banding together, unabashedly showing their glory after the winter. Spring!  Hope!  Joy!

The perspective we come from so clearly affects how we view “pests” and “hindrances.” There is beauty in those things that eventually need to go–we can learn from them too.   There is power in seeing the beauty of all things–good or bad, wonderful or difficult, uncertain, ominous…Illuminating.

Even dandelions startle with beauty after the winter. 

What is surprising you this spring?

Watching baseball…moderately interesting (with tasty snacks and beverages).  Talking statistics…not always super interesting.  Watching a baseball film built upon statistics = fantastically interesting (at least to a dork like me)!  Who didn’t love Pete in this movie?

Moneyball has a lot to teach us all…here are just a few things I gleaned:

1.  Changing the game takes guts, and the bottom isn’t a terrible place to begin. When you’re desperate, no idea is a bad idea.  Venturing into unknown territory often means you lose allies.  And even if you’re on the right track, it might take a while to “see” the progress that is to come.  What if our organizations embraced a culture where no idea was a bad idea?  What if you mixed it up a bit, or a lot?

2.  Often the best thought leadership comes from outside our “industry” realm of expertise.  Whether we’re in technology, education, the arts, media, social services or some other arena, so often we look to “industry experts” in our field to lead the way forward.  Maybe we need to recruit some outliers and outsiders who could revolutionize the way we “play” and suggest unexpected, perhaps outrageous, tactics and techniques to explore?

3.  There’s no fooling our kids.  As parents, so often we think we can hide things from our kids.  Smooth over the rough spots, protect them from the truth.  Isn’t it remarkable how intuitive our children really are?  The way they can sense fear or danger within us…I’m daily amazed by how much my children can see right through me.

4.  Getting close to your “players” may be dangerous, but critical if you want to start winning.  When you draw close to your team, leading and managing will inevitably invite drama, more emotions, and potentially more pain.  But having your heart involved isn’t enough – you have to also draw near to your team, listen, learn, walk, encourage, enjoy and celebrate.  You have to be willing to talk through the difficult things, build upon the sore spots, and know when to let go.

5.  You have to know what you want.  If you change the game, opportunities may come your way…but are they the opportunities you want?

If you watched Moneyball, what did you learn?

Generally, we’re a culture in a hurry.  We want fast food, fast internet connections, and fast friendships (“friend me!”).  We even tend to jump into “problem solving” mode as a family, team and culture before we stop to celebrate the success we’ve already had or what’s going well so far.

I like to start with WOW.

It’s how we start our CCG staff meetings (wins of the week)…a way to reflect back on what has gone well, and what we need to celebrate, before diving into the operational clean-up and crap that always needs addressed.

It’s how we start and end our days at home – we all share (kids too) three things we’re grateful for as we have breakfast together.  A simple way to “start with wow” at home.  It helps when Ty or Lucy is whining about something trivial to point back to that nugget of gratitude.

It’s been a great tool to lift spirits for us…try it if you like.  What do you do to cultivate a culture of gratitude at home, work, or elsewhere?

I was leaving town recently with my daughter, on the way to our special “girls weekend away,” and literally giddy about my time.  Desk cleared, computer left behind, and the car was filled with ski gear.  I was determined to enjoy every moment with my Lucy.

That is, until I got about an hour into the drive…I was so eager to “get there” that I literally kept speeding up, bit by bit.  Maybe I can go 5 miles over the speed limit without getting caught?  Next thing I knew, I was going 6-7 miles over…thinking surely I still wouldn’t get pulled over for speeding.  Eight miles?  Nine over?

Soon enough, rather than basking in the beauty of the setting sun and the peaceful ride with my Lucy, I was busy eyeing every car that passed wondering, was that a cop?  Will I get pulled over?  Somehow, my self-initiated “must get there faster” was ruining the trip.

I think our culture constantly pushes us to “get there faster.”  Work harder.  Get promoted faster.  Graduate early.  Grow your company more quickly.  Teach your kids to read sooner.  Excel at a sport even younger.

Why?

Can we still enjoy the journey if we’re so intently focused on faster?  Sooner.  Quicker. Harder.  HURRY.  HURRY.  HURRY.

Up until the point I decided I needed to drive faster, I was lost in the space of silence and beauty you feel when going away.  I was loving the freedom of leaving, the treasure of my sweet away time with just Lucy, and the glory shining all around me as the sun began to kiss the horizon.

And so I went right back to that happy place.  And began driving like my grandfather.

I couldn’t help but recognize how often I have done this in my life.  Wanting to get to the next stage, only at the cost of missing the beauty of the stage I was in.

So for all of us parents…Entrepreneurs…Spouses…children.  Today let yourself enjoy that special space you’re in.  Wherever it may be.  There is a sunset happening around you, you just have to look at the horizon to find it.  I did.

Lovingly stolen from a friend, Dave Blanchard, I am sharing this powerful diagram.  I think we all spend far too much time – both personally and organizationally – in the spaces outside the center overlap.

How energized would we all be if we could stay within that beautiful overlap space of doing what we WANT to do, that we do WELL, and that we can be PAID to do?

We all know the telltale signs…our stomachs growling, maybe a little fatigue, some distraction, and even irritability.  Hunger.  Eventually we lose focus because all we can think about is how hungry we are.  It consumes us.  We return home, open the fridge, and dive into whatever is easily accessible and staring us in the face.  We settle for less than best because we just need food.  Anything that might bring us back to life.

But what if there is a deeper hunger, a craving for something far more than food? What if our souls cry out for deeper ‘nourishment’ that comes from far more than food?  What if we are here on purpose, and we were intended to use our gifts and talents to leave a positive dent in the world?  And to enjoy life more fully day-to-day.

We ‘nibble’ at things that are convenient, to numb the hunger, but will they really satisfy?  More stuff.  More activities.  More people surrounding us.  More online posts.  More.  More.  More.

What if we could spend our days doing the things we dream about?  What if we could say no more often and feel peace that we’re saying yes to the things that matter the most.  A wise friend urged us at a wedding to “never let the good things take away from the best.”

What are the good things in your life stealing from the best?