I hope & trust this post finds you having a great day as a glorious new day is dawning on the Texas Gulf Coast.
I have a few things I want to share this morning, all are not really connected, just a burden on the heart and a couple of things I thought you might find useful.
Last Friday I had a business meeting in San Antonio. I had a flight out after 10:00 a.m. and I would return later that night, getting home around 8:30 p.m.
Right around 8:00 a.m., as I was heading towards the I45, my Beautiful Bride called to tell me there were reports of an active shooter at Santa Fe High School. As I pulled onto the interstate and drove the 13 miles north to the airport, 7 emergency vehicles - mostly patrol cars - went screaming down the I45 south. Your prayers are a lot different when you know where those incredibly brave first responders are headed.
What we would later learn was that 30 minutes before Kath called me evil reared its head at Santa Fe High School. 10 people would lose their lives, more than 10 others - including a police officer who had engaged the shooter within 3 minutes of his assault - were injured. A community is devastated and a nation mourns.
There is a phrase that I have heard over and over again this past week that just doesn't sit well with my heart. "That was too close to home" or "That hit close to home." I know that the people saying it do not mean anything bad by it however it just doesn't feel right to me.
If I plug Santa Fe High School into my cell phone it tells me it is exactly 9.8 miles from where I sit typing this Happy Friday. When I went to church last Sunday I learned that 3 victims of the shooting - I don't know if it is the deceased or injured - had ties to our church. The policeman who encountered the gunman right away? He lives in the neighborhood right next to my church. My son is to play on a summer American Legion baseball team with a boy who was shot through the neck and miraculously survived. No, it doesn't feel at all like it hit close to home, it feels like it hit home. No, it was not my child or parent that was shot however it was someone's child, it was someone's parent. While my pain is nowhere near their pain, I feel great pain for them.
What's my point? I really don't know, I just know I am not comfortable being callous to it, pretending like it didn't happen or that families where not greatly affected. Though the loss did not directly affect me or my family it does directly affect us all. So what do we do? Honestly, I don't know. I will simply share my post Facebook post from last Saturday:
Sometimes there really are no words...there is simply faith in God. Today I claim His promises.
Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Have a blessed day Friends!
Yes, even in tragedy, even with a broken heart, even with tears in your eyes, What Will YOUR Influence Be...?
As you & I determine what our influence will be I want to share the words of a Santa Fe minister from a service last Sunday.
"We have created a culture that does not value life, that does not honor God, that does not respect authority. We are reaping the consequences of those actions, and that's not going to be reversed by a security guard or a metal detector."
The minister also added:
"The long-term goal is to change hearts."
And,
"We're allowing the culture to raise our kids."
There is some great calls to action in the words of this minister. The other thing I want to share with you, a part of your influence I want to encourage you to consider; when I got home shortly after 8:00 p.m. last Friday night I backed my truck into the driveway. My 3 Tender Warriors and one of their friends from Arizona were playing basketball out front. I got out of the truck and walked up to each one of them and simply gave them a hug, including the sweet friend, without saying a word.
A couple of other things I want to share with you...
In the Haslam family we often use the expression, "speak life." By it we mean be positive, speak the outcomes we seek...speak life. This week I came across a quote that captures "speak life" perfectly, beautifully.
"Speak Life:
You are loved.
You have purpose.
You are a masterpiece.
You are wonderfully made.
God has a great plan for you." - Germany Kent
And I want to share another great tool from Jon Gordon.
"5 Ways to Think Like a Champion
1. Champions Expect to Win - When they walk on the court, on the field, into a meeting or in a classroom they expect to win. In fact they are surprised when they don't win. They expect success and their positive beliefs often lead to positive actions and outcomes. They win in their mind first and then they win in the hearts and minds of their customers, students or fans.
2. Champions Celebrate the Small Wins - By celebrating the small wins champions gain the confidence to go after the big wins. Big wins and big success happen through the accumulations of many small victories. This doesn't mean champions become complacent. Rather, with the right kind of celebration and reinforcement, champions work harder, practice more and believe they can do greater things.
3. Champions Don't Make Excuses When They Don't Win - They don't focus on the faults of others. They focus on what they can do better. They see their mistakes and defeats as opportunities for growth. As a result they become stronger, wiser and better.
4. Champions Focus on What they Get To Do, Not What They Have To Do - They see their life and work as a gift not an obligation. They know that if they want to achieve a certain outcome they must commit to and appreciate the process. They may not love every minute of their journey but their attitude and will helps them develop their skill.
5. Champions Believe They Will Experience More Wins in the Future - Their faith is greater than their fear. Their positive energy is greater than the chorus of negativity. Their certainty is greater than all the doubt. Their passion and purpose are greater than their challenges. In spite of their situation champions believe their best days are ahead of them, not behind them."
You, Sweet Friends, were created to be Champions!
Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your families. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.
Have a great day, a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend and please cherish your precious families.
Kev
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