Today marks another new adventure for Bouncing Back. We’re participating in the One-Word-At-A-Time Blog Carnival. The idea is for a number of blogs to address the same word through writing, poetry, photography, or any other medium. I encourage you to click the link and check out some of the other carnival contributions. This week’s word is:
PATIENCE
Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish. John Quincy Adams
Do you ever get kicked in the pants by your own silliness?
I rolled up to the keyboard on Super Bowl Sunday. It was a few hours until kickoff—plenty of time to work on an article about “patience.”
This should be easy. A couple of pertinent quotes, a witty line or two about my own lack of patience, and some observations about occasions when patience has paid off—pretty straightforward stuff.
I leaned back to ponder a clever opening line and heard a sickening crack. The tube that supports the left side of my wheelchair back snapped in half. (more…)
Welcome to another Monday, which also means it’s word-of-the-week day at Bouncing Back. This week’s word:
PLAY
I don’t play enough. Too busy, too many important, serious, adult-type tasks waiting for my attention. Who has time for play?
That’s one of many things I like about having a dog. If I get too attached to the keyboard, suddenly a nose appears, pressing on my forearm and rendering typing impossible. He has some inner sense about the right time for a Frisbee or a slobbery old tennis ball. Even though I grumble about being interrupted, I’m refreshed after a few tosses and some minutes spent chuckling at his intense pursuit. It’s always time well spent.
My goofy-looking dog understands the importance of taking a break to play. I need to learn from him.
Join me this week in taking time to play.
This is also Word-of-Mouth Day, when I kindly encourage (or, from your perspective, pester) you to help spread the word about Bouncing Back. Forward the link to someone who might be interested. Subscribe below to receive blog updates via email. Link to a post on Twitter or Facebook. Sign up for my free semi-regular newsletter. Join theRelentless Grace Facebook fan page. You can click the link, become a fan, write a comment on the wall, and suggest that your Facebook buddies also become fans. Thanks for all of your help and support. Word of mouth is the BEST word of all.
Happy Saturday! I have a fun little video to share, guaranteed (money back if not satisfied!) to provoke a smile.
First, a bit of news
Relentless Grace is now available as an audio book. My friend Jim Thurston graciously offered his golden voice to record the entire book. If you’re interested, click here for additional details.
I’m betting you can’t watch this without laughing. Save it for a day when you need a little cheering up.
If you have trouble watching the video, click here.
In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty.
In all things, love.
Augustine
Yeah, but what are the “essentials”?
Yesterday I asked the question Who’s “They”? in the context of our propensity to draw lines and categorize ourselves in terms of we and they. Then I ran across this familiar Augustine quote.
It made me wonder why, as followers of Jesus, we’re so quick to point out distinctions and differences. (more…)
This is Black History Month, so my question’s motivated by thoughts of America’s struggle with civil rights for African-Americans. But it applies equally to questions of national sovereignty, disability issues, or gathering support for relief to earthquake victims in Haiti.
Is any cause so right, so just, so morally imperative that it justifies “whatever it takes” to advance its mission? (more…)
It’s Monday, which means word-of-the-week time here at Bouncing Back. Today’s word is:
Peace
We usually think of peace as the absence of war or conflict. But I’m thinking of something a bit more proactive. Jesus said:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. [John 14:27]
I’m seeking the sort of peace that involves intentional calm and contentment, an attitude that doesn’t depend on external circumstances.
In fact, this inner sense of peace is most essential is when the storm rages around us.
Where do you need to be especially conscious of peace as you begin this week?
This is also Word-of-Mouth Day, when I kindly encourage (or, from your perspective, pester) you to help spread the word about Bouncing Back.
Forward the link to someone who might be interested. Subscribe below to receive blog updates via email. Link to a post on Twitter or Facebook. Sign up for my free semi-regular newsletter. Join theRelentless Grace Facebook fan page. You can click the link, become a fan, write a comment on the wall, and suggest that your Facebook buddies also become fans.
Thanks for all of your help and support. Word of mouth is the BEST word of all.
I’d like to recommend a wonderful blog called 300 Words A Day.
I stumbled upon Jon Swanson’s writing by accident, and it’s become a must-read each morning before I begin work.
Jon is currently walking us through the Gospel of John, using precisely 300 words to offer beautifully crafted insights. I’m amazed by his ability to see the common, everyday detail I usually miss.
Also, here’s a fun, thought-provoking five-minute video: 5.75 Questions You’ve Been Avoiding. I wish I could create stuff like this.
If you can’t view the video, click here to watch in a new window.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. [1 John 1:9]
I’m sorry.
Those words don’t always come easily, and sometimes really meaning them is harder than saying them. But what happens once you’ve mustered the courage to apologize? (more…)
Do you have something you’re excited about? Perhaps it’s a hobby, a cause, a product, or an idea, but whatever it is really stirs you, gets your juices flowing. You want to spread the word.
I’ll use this blog as an example. I spend time on writing because I enjoy it. It’s a creative outlet, it stimulates my thinking, and I make a lot of great connections with really cool people like you. So I want to enrich the discussion, and meet more people.
Since expanding the circle is one of my three big goals for 2010, I’ve been thinking a lot about how it works. Maybe you can think of a circle you’d like to grow—maybe a business, a church, or a non-profit—and work through this with me.
THE CIRCLE
First, let’s be clear about what the circle represents. In my example, it’s Bouncing Back. Obviously, my first priority is remaining in the circle myself. That means I can’t violate my basic focus on valuing relationships simply to get people into circle.
Sometimes we get so excited about something that we’ll do almost anything to win converts. When that happens, we get violent activities in the name of peace or people who silence others with their demand for freedom to speak. It can present a real challenge, but I can’t leave the circle simply to get others inside.
The circle isn’t a place or a clique where we only hang out with those who are “like us.” Churches and organizations can be like that sometimes, but that’s not what I’m talking about. The circle represents folks who share a passion, an idea, a collection of common values or interests. You can’t share your passion by ignoring or de-valuing those who see things differently.
Here are some thoughts about growing your circle.
ENCOURAGE
Encouragement is for folks who are already inside the circle. They’re bought in to the basics, and so there’s some level of trust and understanding. You’re on some common ground, you speak the same basic language. You share some of the same interests and goals.
With people in the circle, you already have some permission to push a little, challenge ideas and actions. Have you ever watched a coach encourage players on a team? It’s often a mix of pat-on-the-back and kick-in-the-backside, but it works because they’ve already built a relationship.
It’s not okay to abuse or take people inside the circle for granted. This is the home crowd, the folks who have your back when things get tough. So you nurture these relationships carefully, always seeking deeper connections and more transparency.
After all, relationships are the whole point of the circle in the first place.
RECRUIT
Recruiting is for those close to the circle. They’re interested, they want to know more. Something in the circle attracts them, and they’re ready to at least consider joining. There’s something going on there that’s magnetic.
They made the choice to approach. You didn’t go out and round them up, because that would require you to leave the circle. So you’re in your circle doing your thing, and you and other people are having fun, growing, and talking about how great it is. They see something they like and offer an opening, an opportunity for someone inside the circle to tell them what’s going on.
Recruiting is personal, but potential recruits probably aren’t talking directly to you even though it’s your blog or cause or product. They’re most likely talking other folks in the circle with whom they already have some sort of connection. So they’re talking, and listening, to your friends, readers, or customers.
This doesn’t mean that recruiting is an accident. Growing the circle is a highly intentional process centered around clear communication and authentic human connections. People in that kind of circle become energized and excited, and they naturally want to share their passion with others in their networks. This is word-of-mouth growth; it’s exponential, and viral, and a lot of fun.
EVANGELISM
Evangelizing is for folks a long distance from the circle. They haven’t expressed an interest, so the first problem is that somebody has to leave the circle to fetch them.
Evangelism is often associated with religion, but it can happen with any circle. Evangelists call you at dinner time and send spam email. They fill your mailbox with junk mail and yell at you on street corners.
This is the aggressive sales pitch you didn’t request. It’s about convincing and converting. Evangelists play on your fears, your greed, or your vulnerability. They exploit weakness.
Evangelism works, as long as you don’t care who gets hurt. You might get a 2-3% response rate, and those who become irritated and alienated are just collateral damage, a cost of doing business.
Evangelism, in this context, is about coercion and manipulation.
The evangelist is that guy—you know, the one who never listens because his way, his product, his cause is all that matters.
I want to encourage, and I want to help with creating a circle that’s magnetic. I hope you find something here in the discussion and connection, that’s fun and energizing and challenging. And if the magnet attracts others who want to know more, I hope you’ll share.
I don’t ever want to be that guy. If I am, I hope someone hits me in the head with a shovel.
I am humbled by and grateful for your presence in this circle. It’s a lot of fun for me—because you’re here.
How about you? What are your thoughts about encouraging, recruiting and evangelizing in your circles?
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. Abraham Lincoln
Do you ever get kicked in the pants by your own silliness?
Welcome to another Monday, which also means it’s word-of-the-week day at Bouncing Back. This week’s word:
In essentials, unity.
Do you ever look at something really familiar and see something you’ve never seen before?
Does your cause justify “whatever it takes”?
It’s Monday, which means word-of-the-week time here at Bouncing Back. Today’s word is:
I’m sorry.
How do you share your passion?
