You Never Know . . .

In less then 48 hours I will be on an airplane to the Philippines.  I have just a few minor things to purchase before I leave, but otherwise, I'm ready to go.

So this past few days I've been working for a temp agency that provides staffing to retail merchandisers.  I was  helping with the "reset" of an automotive supply store here in Albuquerque, essentially moving stuff from one part of the store to another.  Because I have worked in the retail environment before, the work was relatively simple -- the standing on a concrete floor for eight hours a day was not . . . just ask my feet.

Yesterday, I was busy stocking my assigned section.  There was another worker, a gentleman who was a full time employee of the auto parts store, who was restocking shelves next to me.  We began to chat with each other, and so I revealed to him my upcoming trip to the Philippines.  He stopped and immediately came over to me.  "Tell me more," he said.  And so I explained the trip, what I would be doing, and so on.  Then he revealed to me that he was the pastor of a local independent church, and that he would really like to have me come to his church to speak to his congregation when I return.  I accepted the offer, so when I return I will schedule a Sunday to visit his church.

You never know who you are talking to, and you never know what will come out of meeting someone.  I'm looking forward to the chance to speak to his congregation.  You never know whom else I might meet.  You just never know.

Mission To The Philippines Blog Goes Viral!!!

Yes, my "Mission To The Philippines" blog has gone viral . . . well, not really.  But I did have my 100th "hit" yesterday, so that was kind of nice.  No, my blog hasn't had on overwhelming impact on the world.  Maybe if I had some funny video of a dog wearing a collar-of-shame trying to play catch with a balloon or something . . . but I don't.  I don't even own a video camera.

I really don't have much else to add until I actually arrive in the Philippines . . . I'll be leaving this Sunday .  I've found some other part-time work to keep me busy until I leave, and it will also provide me with more work when I return.  It's not the most exciting work, but it will help pay some bills until something better comes along.  It is probably a good thing too, as I really haven't been doing much physical stuff for a long time, other then my hour-a-day on the treadmill.

If something exciting happens I will add a comment -- but until then . . . Pag-ayo-ayo!!!

Gesture Malfunction???

It doesn't sound like I missed much by not seeing yesterday's "big game".  I did see the highlights on the evening news.  I saw enough to know that I had made better use of my time and money by working on some freelance projects and my blog instead of watching the Super Bowl.  But I realize that my values may not mesh with the values of others.  I don't  think watching the Super Bowl will have any adverse affect on one's salvation.  But those half-time shows . . . really?

I try not to be too judgmental on Hollywood and the entertainment industry.  I do get a little annoyed, however, with some of the "oops's" that happen during live television.  A few years back there was the famous "wardrobe malfunction", and this year, I guess we should call it a "gesture malfunction".  I heard that the network had a broadcast delay that was supposed to help them avoid the public airing of any inappropriate images or language, but apparently it just wasn't quite enough time.

In spite of America's tarnished reputation with parts of the world, the world still looks at us with awe and admiration.  Much of the world's population wishes they had access to the affluence we have here in the States.  They watch everything we do.  And they judge us as well.  Does the entertainer who performs during the Super Bowl halftime show represent America?  They shouldn't, but they do . . . even if the entertain isn't an American.   When the world sees various "malfunctions" during major television broadcasts, they connect the two together: America and the "malfunction".  The networks "allow it", therefore we allow it.  Call it freedom of speech if you want, but those little  malfunctions represent not only the halftime entertainer, but also you and me.  I didn't "flip off" the world, but I become guilty through association.

So this blog is supposed to be about my trip to the Philippines, not some rant about the Super Bowl.  But I think it goes to show how the world sees us, and how I will be viewed when I am in a foreign country.  I am  not guilty of a making a lewd gesture in front of the world's media, but because I am an American and that the Super Bowl is symbolic of the culture of America, then my status within the world is diminished.  Now I don't make any claim to being perfect.  I've done some outright stupid things in the past.  But those were my own actions.  I shouldn't need to worry about what some entertainer does . . . someone I will never meet nor who even knows that I exist. Yet, it's something that affects me.

If I can take any lesson from this, it's that while I am in the Philippines, I represent the rest of America.  No, I won't be on public television, but I will be in full view of the people who live there in the communities I will be working in.  And to them, I AM AMERICA!  Everything . . . and I must emphasis EVERYTHING . . .I do will reflect directly on all Americans.  The way I dress, the way I talk, the way I walk, the things I do, all will be scrutinized.  Add to that the responsibility of representing Christians throughout the world.  I hold that as an even greater issue.  Because of the reputation and stereotypes that Americans have throughout the world, if  I make some error in behavior, it will likely just be chalked-up to being an American.  But the reputation of Christians around the world doesn't need to be tarnished by some foolish "gesture malfunction".  The damage there is much greater.  It can have an adverse affect on someones's salvation.

Bottom line: I will need to be constantly on guard for my own behaviors, my own verbal and non-verbal messages that I send out to those around me.  Even when I think no one is watching, I must be mindful of what I am doing and how it will be interpreted by those who might see it.  No matter how innocent my actions, if they are perceived as somehow inappropriate, then I will have put a smudge on my reputation and on those whom I represent.  It's a tough assignment, with no room for a "malfunction".

There's A Game???

I know, I know . . . 98 percent of the population of the United States is tuned in to the Super Bowl right now.  I'm not.  I gotta tell you . . . I don't even know who's playing.  It's not that I have anything against the Super Bowl, or pro football, or sports in general . . . but I just can't get excited about it all.  I mean, what if they took all the money spent on the Super Bowl -- and that includes all the hot wings being consumed by ravenous fans -- and put it to use to benefit some needy group of people, wouldn't our world be some how better?  Seriously, does one athletic event have the right to consume that much of the world's attention and money?  I don't think so.  I guess I think differently then most.

The pastor called me to the front of the auditorium at the end of church today.  He asked me to speak a little about my upcoming trip to the Philippines.  It was a little strange . . . I was holding back tears and I don't know why.  Well, yes I do know why . . . this is a big event for me.  This has the potential to be a "life-changer".  It's the most important thing on my mind at the moment.  Football? Whatever.

I guess I'm thinking about those kids that we're going to feed on Saturday the 18th . . . they're hungry and could probably use some new clothing . . . and enough supplies and school uniforms so they can go to school.  What are we talking?  $20 for one kid would probably set him or her up for an entire school year.  How much are they spending on the Super Bowl?

There's the church on the island province of Masbate.  These people are serving a needy community, where nearly everyone is poor.  It's the poor helping the poor.  They need some land and a building, as the current place they rent has a leaky roof and the dirt floor turns to mud when it rains.   This is the Philippines.  It rains there. A lot.  I think the land and building can be done for around $12,000.  How much are they spending on the Super Bowl?

Brother Jul would love to start a Christian school at his church in Tubigon.  He has enough students who would be interested.  He could find enough people who would teach.  He needs a larger building and the books and  materials to get a small school going.  But he says that they are barely keeping the church doors open -- the thoughts of outreach programs and schools are just not realistic for them.    I don't really know how  much it would cost, but compared to a school in the US . . . well, there's really no comparison.  It would be a fraction of the cost providing a 100-fold benefit.  How much are they spending on the Super Bowl?

I'm sure I could go on and on, finding needs there in the Philippines that could be wiped out rather quickly by just having a portion of the money spent on Super Bowl madness.  And I know, there will always be poor; it's a sad reality.  But that doesn't mean that we can't give it a try.

How much are you spending on the Super Bowl today?  Really?  That much?  Think about it. Seriously. Please.

I can't ask you to give money to me . . . I'm just a guy who is going to try to do some good things.  If you're interested in sending some money to my church which would be used to help these people in the Philippines, just send me a note; here's my email: sandz_enterprises@yahoo.com.  I will get you in touch with the appropriate people.  Seriously.  Think about it.

Would You Believe Part 3?

I'm  not really a morning person, but I admit, sometimes I like being up before the rest of the world begins to stir.  This morning is one of those times.  The house is quiet, no cars or trucks driving by the house, no kids out on their bikes . . . only the sound of my fingers on the keyboard and the gentle snoring of my son's dog laying here beside me on the sofa.  I leave for the Philippines one week from tomorrow.  I wonder what that morning will feel like?  Will it be quiet and peaceful?  I would sure hope that I've packed everything and don't have one of those "oh crap" moments when I realize I have forgotten something truly important!

I've been thinking about my article yesterday.  My brother sent me a Facebook comment mentioning that he too has perfectionist syndrome.  It's not that we have a need to be fastidious about everything, but just that some things must be right or they will bug us until the wee hours of the morning. For instance, the article I wrote yesterday took several revisions before I "published" it.  And then I read through it a couple more times after it was "live", making some minor corrections.  If I hadn't re-read the article, I wouldn't have made any changes at all . . . it would likely have been fine as it was.  But I had to, just had to look at it one more time . . . just in case . . . you know . .  . in case something was amiss: an extra space between words, or a misplaced comma, or a word that just wasn't quite right. Ugh!  90% is better then 100%.  It's okay . . . let it go!

At the end of yesterday's article I mentioned that I needed to get my ideas out in front of other people.  I still believe that.  Here's the rub.  I'm operating under "assumptions" rather than fact.  Oh, I've had some input from people who are there and who have given some affirmation of my understanding of the needs there.  But I feel strongly that I need to experience the situation for my self, rather than relying on someone else's perception of it.  There is a difference between 90 and 100 percent perfect versus accurate and inaccurate.  I'm not withholding my ideas today because of a need to be perfect, but because of a need to be certain that I'm right!  There's a difference.  I don't want to go on record saying one thing, then coming back with a totally different message.  I may still come back saying something different than I already have.  I don't want to go off bragging about all the wonderful things I will do, only to come back with my tail between my legs saying that I didn't do anything I said I was going to do.

I do know this much . . . unless I break a leg or something, I'm going to the Philippines.  I have people to meet and, unless something unforeseen happens, I will help construct a church building.  I am supposed to meet with a bunch of kids one day, a public school teacher another day, and a whole private Christian school on yet another day.  I've also been asked to give the message on Sunday at the church in Tubigon.  Those are the reasonably "sure" things.  It's the outcome of those activities that I won't make predictions on.  I have some expectations, some assumptions . . . but they may be all wrong.  I can assure you that once I return, all will be revealed, at 90 percent (plus or minus).  Pag-ayo-ayo.

Doing What You Like To Do - Part 2

When I wrote about "doing what you like to do" a couple of days ago, I hadn't envisioned a second part to that article.  A couple of things happened over the past couple of days which changed that.  Now these weren't great epiphanies -- they were more like pieces to a puzzle.  The more pieces you have, the clearer the picture becomes, and so on.

I went to the gym this morning -- nothing new there.  I joined this gym after the first of the year -- mind you, it had nothing to do with a New Year's resolution, it's a new gym and that's when it opened it doors.  I just need to lose weight, lower blood pressure, and trim some fat.  A typical mid-50's kinda thing.  I spend most of my time on the treadmill, usually 50 to 60 minutes including warm-up and cool-down.  What I like most about doing the treadmill routine is that I also get the chance to do some reading.  I've had an e-reader for about a year now, and I really enjoy using it, especially in situations where a bound book would just not be practical.  During this morning's workout, I continued reading Jon Acuff's book Quitter.  I consider it a good read . . . an easy read . . . and for my situation, a practical read.

Part of the reason I like his book so much is that he and I have similar passions.  I think we probably also have similar personalities.  According to Jon, his mother called him a "procrastinating perfectionist" -- I have to tell you, that resonates with me very, very clearly!  My parents were both perfectionists.  When you're a kid growing up in a "perfectionist's world", perfection becomes a part of your daily life.  By osmosis, I have perfectionist traits.  (Not as severe as Hercule Poirot, however, but yet . . .).  There's nothing wrong with wanting to do a good job, but sometimes it  becomes a stumbling block to success.  For instance, I was a little frustrated by getting a "complaint" about my blog article "Preparing for Flight".  I am an excellent writer!  How dare anyone slam my carefully crafted prose!  I ignored the comment, making some flip remark about doing better the next time.  To anyone else, it would appear that the issue was done.  Au contraire!  It was stuck in the back of my mind all day . . . in fact, I didn't write anything at all the following day.

Here is where my trip to the gym comes in.  One of the comments I came upon today in Mr. Acuff's book struck a real chord with me . . . "90 percent perfect and shared with the world always changes more lives than 100 percent perfect and stuck in your head"!  (Note: the exclamation  mark is outside of the quotation marks -- it's mine.)  Although it's important to produce good quality work, whether it's writing or giving a lecture or selling some product or whatever, being so concerned about being perfect is a trait that can prevent one from ever making a difference.  I also suppose that getting a critique once-in-a-while is a good thing -- having someone else "proofread" your work  can help by pointing out problems that you may not have caught on your own.

I know I've been hiding a few ideas in my head about how I want to proceed after I return from the Philippines.  I'm keeping them in my head until I actually go there and get some facts to backup the ideas.  After today's insight, I need to make sure that I avoid the perfectionist's trap and share my ideas with others, even if the project isn't quite the way I want it to be.  Better to get it in front of other people's eyes and listen to their comments than to wait until I have it perfectly crafted  . . . which may never happen.

So What Do You Like to Do?

I enjoy writing.  I enjoy reading.  The two go hand-in-hand.  Successful writers will tell you that they read more than they write.  It's just the nature of the beast.  One of the books I've been reading recently is Quitter by Jon Acuff.  I think it's a very appropriate book for  me to be reading now, as I'm facing the issue of future employment.  One of the comments Jon makes early in his book deals with trying to find out what it is that you really like to do.    There are all sorts of interest tests available on the internet that might give you some hints about what your strengths and interests are.  He makes the observation that most people have known for years what it is they love to do, but have forgotten what it is or have pushed it far into the background.  It's just a matter of becoming reacquainted with your passion.

I've taken some of those personal interest tests before.  The results are always the same; I should be a teacher or a writer.  Interestingly enough, I recently took a course on spiritual gifts.  This is not the first time I have studied spiritual gifts, but I felt that perhaps i needed to reacquaint myself with what the Bible had to say.  By the end of the course, the results were the same -- teaching topped the list.  No surprise, really.  If you're a teacher, you also spend a significant amount of time reading and writing . . . another "hand-in-hand" situation.

Back to Mr. Acuff's book -- he asks the question, "What are you willing to do for free?"  It's a rather straightforward question.  It's not really original -- school guidance counselors have been asking that question for years.  But sometimes we need to be reminded of things like that.  So . . . of all the things I've done in the past, of all the things I've dreamed of doing, which one(s) would I be willing to do for free?

Well, I'm writing this blog for free.  No one is paying me.  And in the process of writing this, I am providing "learning opportunities" to those who read it -- that is, I'm teaching -- for free.  When I started this blog, my motivation was mostly because I felt a need to express myself, to put my own thoughts down on paper, to create a personal journal about my experiences.  That I put in a blog format was secondary.  I wasn't really worried about having a wildly successful blog.   I was just doing it.  Writing for free.  The teaching aspect just came naturally.  In order to describe where I was going and what I was doing, I felt the need to provide some mini-courses about the Philippines.  I didn't think, "Hey, I should try to teach people."  I just did it.

I haven't finished Mr. Acuff's book yet -- I still have a long way to go.  The ultimate goal of the book, however, is to guide people into doing the kind of work they really want to do.  And yes, getting paid is one of the expected outcomes of doing that work.  The real question for me isn't "what" I will be doing, but under what conditions will I be doing it?  I've been doing some freelance work (please note the ad I placed on the right hand side of my blog), which has been okay, but so far it really hasn't produced a lot of significant work for me -- it's just been something to do to keep me busy.  I'm not working for free, but I'm not making the "big bucks" either.  It's not where I want to spend my energy when I come home from the Philippines.  It certainly doesn't involve much teaching.

Some closing notes:  I don't intend on "monetizing" my blog . . . that wasn't my purpose for starting it.  I added the "Freelancer.com" ad more to help others who might be looking for freelance work; however, it can generate a little income for me if people visit the Freelancer.com site.

Writing is work.  I didn't do a great job on yesterday's article -- I rushed it, and apparently it showed, as I had a comment from a reader regarding the quality of the writing.  My apologies, Leah . . . I will strive to do a better job.

I will get the chance to do a little teaching while I am in the Philippines . . . for free.  I'm looking forward to it.

Pag-ayo-ayo!

Scott