BARS OR STARS?

 “Two men looked out from prison bars,

One saw the mud, the other saw stars.”

― Dale Carnegie, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living

Have you ever run into an author? I don’t mean literally run your car into one, I mean someone recommended, or something you see on the Internet social media. Well, I’ve done that recently. I listen to podcasts and I came across a John O’Leary. He’s a motivational speaker who as a child of nine, was burned on 100% of his body.  I was attracted to that because as a young boy I got second and third-degree burns on my foot. It was one of those freak accidents. I went outside and saw a bunch of my friends all huddled around a brick grill. As I approached the group I couldn’t see what they were doing. Suddenly the group split in two, like Moses parting the Red Sea. They were putting plastic army men in fire and watching the army guys melt. Someone had a piece of that molten plastic on a stick and flipped it. As it came by the boys, they quickly moved out of the way so that I could catch the blob of hot plastic in my boot. I had cowboy boots on with no socks and I am telling you it really, really hurt. I started jumping around like a wild steer. I don’t know how many hops it took me to get home but I moved as fast as I could with tears running down my face. Unfortunately, when I kicked my boot off it took my skin and flesh with it. For months I had to have my wound cleaned and dressed every time they pulled off the gauze it hurt like crazy. It would take off part of the scab. I can identify with someone like John O’Leary. If you get a chance come by and I’ll show you my scar. (Full disclosure, I do charge $.50 to have a look. 😄

John's first book, ON FIRE, tells us about his experience. His new book is entitled IN AWE.  I thought about how we have lost our childlikeness. Kids have elements in their lives that helped them explore and try new things and look at things in different ways. On the other hand, we adults get crusty and live in the ruts we have created over time. I want to take this opportunity to share a small review of John’s book and recommend it. You'll see how timely it is.

Here is the Table of Contents:

Sense #1: Wonder: Asking Questions to Achieve the Impossible - "By wonder, I mean something we do. I’m talking about our ability to be curious, to inquire, to probe, challenge, and even doubt."

Sense # 2: Expectancy: Returning to the Powerful State of First-Time Living - "Children are connected to their sense of expectancy, and that sense is tuned to expect excitement and adventure."

Sense #3: Immersion: Cultivating Your Attention to Be Fully Engaged in Every Moment - "We were not made to be in a thousand places at once. We were made to be here, in this moment, right now. No one exemplifies this the way children do."

Sense #4: Belonging: Opening the Gift of Truly Letting People In - "In no other area can we learn more from our children than through their acceptance of others, and most important, of themselves."

Sense #5: Freedom: Stepping Off the Sideline and Getting Back in the Game - "Inherent within each of us is the ability to get back to that state: to dare greatly, go big, and run forward unhindered by expectations, judgment, and fear."

Do yourself a favor and get this book.  Enjoy the ride!

There are two types of people in this world, those who like Dr. Pepper and those who don't.

(c) Wally Johnston 2020

WHAT IS ON YOUR COVER?

 There are some really strange book titles, for example...

Here are a few more: 

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales 

How to Avoid Huge Ships

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake

He kids, don't try this one...How to Shave Grandma

Want to see some more? Simply do a search, "unusual book titles." Be prepared for what you are going to see!

Some years ago, at a church staff retreat, the pastor said, "If you were to give your spouse a book about her, what would their title be?"  Thinking about my wife I said, Love in Extra Innings.  She has endured a lot (by the way don't ask her what's she has endured, I paid her off in advance!).

What would your friends and loved ones say would be your title?  We are all mixed bags with some good and not so good terms. What would you like your title to be?  For me, one I hope one would be, He Shared the Heart of Jesus.  That epitaph on my gravestone would be better than, "I told her I was sick!"

Go out this week and share your title.  Our world needs your book.

(c) Wally Johnston 2020

"There are two kinds of people in this world, those who like Dr. Pepper and those who don't."

THE HEALING POWER OF COMPLIMENTS

 

It was my first youth retreat to lead. I thought I had packed enough supplies, but didn’t realize how much toilet paper girls use! On our way back down the mountain, we stopped at a McDonald’s. It looked like everyone for miles around was coming back from a retreat. It was extremely busy. So I got into what I thought was the fastest line only to discover it was the slowest. People in line were complaining about the girl taking the orders. It was awful what they were saying. I wasn’t happy myself but a little grace was needed. I looked at her and realized something; she wasn’t lazy or slow, she was just having a bad day. When it was my turn, she frantically looked up from the register and with a winded breath said, “How can I help you?” I looked her in the eye and said, “You know, for all the people in here I want you to know I think you are doing a great job.” Her face went from abusive worry to beautiful sunshine. With a huge smile, she said, “Thank you. What can I get you!”

Just think what our world would be like if we gave out more compliments and fewer complaints?

My compliment did something for that girl and to anyone who receives a genuine compliment:

• It gave her energy. She looked so tired but after receiving my compliment, she perked up.

• She received encouragement.

• It may have restored her faith in others

• She was probably encouraged to pay it forward

• It brought healing to her soul

Do you want to overcome this downtime? Go out of your way to pay compliments. In doing so, you will also be the beneficiary of the list above.

Take Action...try to compliment someone next week and reply here to let us know how things went.

(c) 2020 Wally Johnston

"Remember...there are only two kinds of people in this world.  Those who like Dr. Pepper and those who don't." 

COMFORT FOOD

 

Okay, let’s be honest. We all have those special snack foods we’ve been eating during these times. In my house I am known by many things, Snack Master is one of them. To add some balance here, I have a small appetite and my meal portions are small (except for pizza). Truth be told, that leaves room for snacks later. You just can’t watch a movie without a snack! I used to snack on my fingernails but they are gone now.

My great-grandfather used to carry a snack in his backpack. It was called “hardtack."

I would call it “survival food.” He was in the American Civil War. Sometimes the supply lines would be interrupted so they had to live off of hardtack. It was made of baked flour and salt. It was too had to bite, so they would often dunk it into coffee to soften it up and sometimes let the weevils out so they could be scraped out of the coffee. I suppose if you did drink a weevil it would add protein.

I have some of this hardtack at home but I don’t touch it. Instead, I go for cookies, ice cream, cheese crackers, Dr. Pepper, and other fine examples of healthy food.

So, what is your comfort food? Send it in a reply and we’ll come up with a list of “Comfort Survival Snacks.” Bon appetite.

"There are two kinds of people in this world, those who like Dr. Pepper and those who don't"

(c) 2020 Wally Johnston

IT'S ABOUT THE JOURNEY NOT THE FIND

 

As kids, we would enjoy creating new adventures. We had the usual forts and treehouses. We would play “Native American” and make our own wardrobe. We did some crazy things because we were young and stupid. One time the alley behind our house had small tunnels under the pavement. Sooo, we played “miner” by crawling under on our backs to the next pothole. Never mind that it could have caved in on us. I did get a little scared halfway through and told God if he would get me through this, I would NEVER do that again. You are only enjoying this wonderful story because I obviously made it.

We had a little wooded area near us we affectionately called, “Dead Man’s Creek.” It had no creek or dead men but it made for good copy. We drew up a treasure map, took an old wooden box, filled it with junk, and buried it there. Then we marked and “X” on the map for future discoverers. It didn’t take long for someone to dig it up and take the booty without a map. It took us some time to get over our financial loss.

I have started a new tradition with my granddaughter. We also look for hidden treasure. We go geocaching. In case you are not aware, geocaching is finding special hidden containers by using a GPS app that helps you find them. We haven’t landed any great treasure, but we have enjoyed going around to make a “find.” Besides, it’s more about the journey than the find.

If you want to try out geocaching, here is a link: https://www.geocaching.com/play

What about you? What crazy, fun, stupid things did you do as kids. Please reply and share with us so we all can smile :).

(c) 2020 Wally Johnston

"Remember, there are two kinds of people in this world, those who like Dr. Pepper and  those who don't."

What Is Your Favorite Season?

https://www.facebook.com/dianereighardphotography

We all have our favorite season. For some, it's baseball season👍.  Oh, that's a different kind of season.  Let's return to our regular program.

I love the Fall.  I grew up in the midwest, so the colors are gorgeous! We once lived in Santa Monica, CA. There wasn't much of a season change. The average temperature was 75 degrees.  During a visit, my father-in-law was by the outside thermometer. "What are you doing?" I asked.  "I'm flipping the thermometer to see if it is broken.  It doesn't move off of 75 degrees."

There have been studies about how we are affected by temperature change related to the seasons and our personalities.  It is pretty interesting.  Click here to read it.

So let's have some fun.  Go here to take a quiz to see which season best suits your personality. When completed, please send a reply as to what you found and what you think about this subject.  Was the quiz accurate?  

We are all waiting for your reply.

(C) 2020 Wally Johnston

There are two kinds of people in this world, those who like Dr. Pepper and those who don't.

 

Donations For Weeds

 

https://www.facebook.com/dianereighardphotography

There are so many places to put our money. Needs are all around us. Often our Facebook friends are setting up a donation page for something. I’ve done it myself and you may have too.

When I was a teenager, I went to answer a knock on our door. In front of me were two young entrepreneurial girls holding a jar with some weeds in it. “Hi girls,” I said.

“Would you like to donate?” they asked.

“I’m not sure,” I replied. “Donate to what?”

They looked at each other, then back at me with a puzzled look and said, “To us.” I guess if I gave them money they would give me a weed? It would be interesting knowing what they are doing this day. Something tells me they would be running a successful business.

We usually think of donations as giving money. But there are so many more things we can give. Our time, talents, abilities, knowledge, etc. When we consider life in a pandemic, what can we give to help others?

What to give? We might consider our talents and hobbies. Keeping social distancing in mind, how can we pass on the knowledge and experience we have to benefit others?

Why give? Because we also receive so much. We can feel appreciated. We can find a purpose during this difficult phase of life.

You can’t find anything to do? Let me know. I have a job for you selling weeds door-to-door.

“Remember...there are only two kinds of people in this world, those who like Dr. Pepper and those who don’t.”

(c) 2020 Wally Johnston

PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND IDEAS WITH US BY HITTING “REPLY.”