Where is the main source of your love? From whence do you find your light? What has become your Ebenezer? Ebenezer??? The question comes from the first line of the second stanza of the beloved Christian hymn, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” “Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I come…” The lyrics reference a passage in 1 Samuel 7:12 when the prophet Samuel “took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the…
When a crisis hits, it’s time for you to step into your confidence and lead. When all around seem to be clamoring like chickens with their heads chopped off, it’s for you to be the confident calm in the storm. When there are no visible solutions to the many surmounting problems, it’s time for you to find and/or create solutions you may not presently see. It’s Time For You To Lead! “But wait! It’s the Coronavirus,” you say. Yeah. I…
What is your adventure? What passions are you pursuing? How are you creating epic moments? As I have contemplated such thoughts, I recalled a poem I wrote sometime in the last three years, which was when the poetry bug bit me. Originally inspired by the outgoing adventures of Linda Perkes (that’s her climbing the icefall by the way!), “Create Epic Moments” is all about the choice to discover and pursue our own adventures — no matter our age, our limitations,…
Our weaknesses can easily overwhelm us and give us plentiful excuses to not step up to the plate. Or… We can choose to find a way to soar. Ty Bennett, a mentor and friend, inspired this little gem (link to his Monday Morning Mantra in the comments). I hope you enjoy! SOARING WEAKNESS By Les Patterson That which I find weak Stops me from soaring When I fail to see greatness Inside me is growing When I shift my perspective…
Analyze, if you would please, the leaf diagram pictured. What do you notice? Perhaps you are wondering, as I did, what tree each leaf comes from. Trees are generally classified (is the right scientific terms?) as either deciduous or coniferous. Or in the very rare case “deciduous conifers” that take “characteristics of both” (thanks Vanessa Richins Myers for the education!). The key thing I noticed is each leaf is uniquely different. Each leaf from each and every tree has unique…
Sometimes the very best we can do it simply breathe and soak up the beautiful moments… SOAK UP THE MOMENTS By Les Patterson Soak up the warmth Even if the day is cold Enjoy the energy of youth Even if you feel kinda old Soak up the culture Even if you’re in a camion Enjoy being one with them Even if you’re not Amsterdamian Soak up the weather Even if it’s fleeting Enjoy the soft rain Even…
What did you dream, when you were a kid, of becoming when you grew up? If you believed the stereotypical, boys dreamt of becoming firefighters, police officers, and astronauts. And girls dreamt of becoming teachers, hairstylists, and secretaries. Kinda funny how stereotypical the stereotypical actually is! When I was a young kid, I had three core dreams I wanted to be when I grew up… army guy, cowboy, and racehorse jockey. And, in one way or the other, I had…
The raging storms of life come in many ways, seemingly perfectly tailored specifically for the course we are navigating. Along our journey, we are often nurtured, served, and loved by others who make our journey just a little less difficult. In turn, we also often blessed with corresponding opportunities to love and serve others who are navigating their own journey the challenging waters of life. An additional blessing of striving to simply serve and love people just as they are,…
WE ONCE WERE By Les Patterson We once were strangers Yet we choose to say hello We created connection We created a friendship We once were each unknown Yet we changed the status We did something about it We choose to be open and share We once were good on our own Yet we knew much more awaited We discovered we knew the truth We are greater as friends than not We once were simply friends Yet we knew there…
What are the beacons in your life??? To start with, let’s simply understand a beacon is a “light or other visible object serving as a signal, warning, or guide.” The mighty lighthouses providing guidance for ships at sea are beacons. A buoy floating in water indicating the presence of underwater hazards is a beacon. Airport lights guiding pilots to a safe landing are beacons. There are also those people we would call “Life Beacons.” Life Beacons are those people we…