Angus Nelson

The World Series is on right now, the Phillies and Yankees trying to capture the title.  It’s also football season and I’m playing Fantasy Football, 6-1 is my record.  In addition to that, I live in Alabama now so I’ve been learning a lot about college football and the SEC.  In and amongst all of this, I’m wondering how it is that we spend so much time and money on these mere recreational activities.  There are MILLIONS of dollars spent on the sports entertainment empire, NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, tennis, soccer, golf, etc.  How much money could we raise if every these activities were suspended for one year and instead, the money was given to help meet the needs of others around the globe?

I know, it’s not going to happen.  But here’s another scenario: Every touchdown, home run or goal is worth $X from fans, players or teams.  Could we create a website that tracked all of this and then people gave out of celebration and gratitude for this success?

I just wonder if our privilege to enjoy these activities couldn’t be monetized somehow to help a world in need.  Hmmm… what do you think?

Intentional, deliberate, forethought, preplanning… these are all words that have eluded me through the years.  I’ve always been kind of “wing it” kind of guy.  In fact, I couldn’t tell you what I’m eating for dinner much less how I’m going to accomplish the goals in my life.

However, as I progress down this road of maturity and wisdom, I find myself more and more fond of a plan.  Not too detailed, mind you.  But enough to see the dots connecting in a timely and reasonable manner.  Somehow, I always end up accomplishing significantly more in my day when there’s a goal.  I don’t know why this is, it just is.

As Andy Andrew says, “there’s no lottery ticket” for those that succeed.  If I am to accomplish something significant in my life, I’m going to have to position myself in such a way that I am best able to achieve it.  Perhaps I need more education, coaching, counseling, a network, or a skill.  All of these serve to prepare us for the next step in our journey.  What steps do you need to take towards your successes?

I’ve been home with my daughter now for two and a half months.  It’s been an interesting transition exchanging my driven, work-o-holic ways for a life of constant care and domestic responsibility.  Sure, I do laundry, dishes, change diapers and cook.  But I also teach sign language, show “baby can read” dvd’s and play with an incredible creation of neurons, emotions and learning capacities.  In such a role, I don’t know which is learning more.

The other day, I was feeding my daughter, Scarlett is her name, when I accidentally caught her eye with the rubber coated spoon.  I’ve learned that she reacts as I react.  So I stayed the course and said with a whimsical tone, “did daddy just bop you with the spoon?”  She hesitated and then looked at me as if to say, “that didn’t feel good, but I know you didn’t mean to and I already forgive you.”  Her eye winked at me several times as she tried to work out whatever blurriness I may have caused her.

What occurred to me was this: Scarlett feels safe around me and is quick to forgive.

Whether I drop something, make a loud noise or accidentally cause her discomfort, she first observes giving me the benefit of the doubt (I’m not trying to hurt her), then trusts.  What would that look like in workplace, a relationship, a marriage?  What if I viewed life a little more like that?