It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
Last week I shared some thoughts about "sharpening one another". I received some great comments.
Here is one that stood out from Chuck:
"I grew up with a father born in 1900. All the years I lived with him and around him he used a straight razor and sharpened it on a razor strap which had two straps. One was leather and the other was like a rough piece of cloth, kind of like a fire hose. He also had various stones on which to sharpen other tools and implements, sometimes using oil or water in the process. We had a small farm and he would always sharpen his knives before he would butcher a pig or calf. When he had something special to do, he sharpened the appropriate blades"
The lesson here is to be constantly "sharpening the saw". Stephen Covey talks about this with his 7th Habit as he challenges us to develop habits that continuously renew us and make us better.
We talked about the value of "sharpening each other" through relationship.
We're you able to "sharpen" yourself or a relationship this week?
This morning I woke up thinking about CELEBRATION.
Today my good friends, Joshua and Anne, celebrate 25 years of marriage! Congratulations to them today!
As I looked through pictures of their celebration, besides wishing that I could have been with them, I rejoice in this huge milestone, and I am overjoyed with the number of pictures that are posted honoring them in social media. Messages came from all over the world, and people "celebrating".
We don't celebrate enough.
I don't know if it's because we're too busy, because we're too unhappy, or because we don't want to focus on some people and leave others out. There are probably lot's of reasons why we don't celebrate.
We need to celebrate more!
There's a classic illustration found in the Bible from Luke 15. It's the story of the lost son who took his inheritance and squandered it. Eventually he came back to his father in shame, and his father responded in celebration: "...And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to celebrate."
What a great response to a really difficult situation. They partied!
As a leader, I find it easy to respond first with criticism or with a negative perspective instead of celebration.
Here are some things that help me remember to celebrate:
• Keep My Eyes Open! Sometimes my head is down, my eyes are focused on myself and my task, and I simply miss what's going on.
• Move Around! I miss things if I'm stuck in my office, or am glued to my phone or computer. I need to be with people in order to know what's happening.
• Celebrate Big Things and Little Things. To create a culture of celebration, we have to celebrate everything! Small wins are just as important as big wins.
• Be Contagious and Obnoxious. I need to go overboard in my celebration. Make a big deal. "Kill the fattened calf!"
• Be Consistent. As a leader, this will define me. It's not a one-time thing. It becomes a part of my job, my role, my position and my person.
Think of things you can celebrate today. Share some of those with us.
As for me, I've got a lot to celebrate...
- Gina and I are celebrating 32 years of marriage next week
- Our son, Riley, will get married to Abby this weekend.
- Our friends and family are coming in, beginning tomorrow, to celebrate with us
There is so much more, but for today, I choose to celebrate.
Join me!
"Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let's not be afraid to receive each day's surprise whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy it will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity." Henri Nouwen
"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in in."
Psalm 118:24
