Potential roadblocks
- At March 30, 2012
- By Nathan
- In Meeting Needs
- 0
Close to thirteen years ago, Jason Lang went for an early morning drive with his father in Tabor, a small town in western Canada. You see, he had recently purchased an older Camaro and was up early on the morning of April 28th learning how to drive a standard. His dad, Dale, gave him a quick driving lesson, and then he was off to high school. It was Wednesday. It was just another day. Or so it seemed.
It has been almost thirteen years since Jason was standing in a hallway at W.R. Meyers High School with a friend, when a troubled young man appeared with a gun. And it was loaded. Before they realized what was happening, and had time to react, shots rang out and they both fell. But Jason would never get up. An ambulance came quickly and he was rushed to the hospital, but he died later that day. It was his older brother’s birthday. Jason was only seventeen.
Read More»A quest for clarity
- At March 24, 2012
- By Nathan
- In Meeting Needs
- 0
At first glance, “Raise a Little Hell” by the Canadian band Trooper has to be one of my all-time least favorite songs. And for obvious reasons, I suppose. For I am much more into heaven-raising than hell-raising.
But more than that, part of the problem with this particular song is that it is crafted well enough to have a musical hook; it seems to be designed to draw people in. Usually this is a good thing. In this case, however, once you are in, listening, alert…there doesn’t immediately appear to be much of value to hear – except the same old line over and over and over again. Which could make for a dull, boring, song.
On the surface, it is also disappointing. There is a sense of wasted potential. It could have been good. Or considerably better, anyway. A celebration song. An energetic anthem, perhaps, to liven people up and rally the troops for a worthwhile cause, etc. Or at least an inspirational beach-walking song if nothing else (e.g. “Find a pretty shell. Find a pretty shell. Find a pretty shell. Hey!”). A little on the loud side for a peaceful beach setting, but a lyrical improvement nonetheless. Anything would be, you might think. Anything except maybe “Let Viterra Sell.”
Read More»Living with limits
- At March 16, 2012
- By Nathan
- In Career & Life Planning
- 0
Helen Keller experienced it. Mozart did too. The apostle Paul had to deal with it. And then there was Moses. They all had to live with significant, and even serious, problems and limitations.
They couldn’t hear or see or talk – or at least not very well. They had obvious problems. Limits. It must have been embarrassing and frustrating, difficult and depressing. No, they probably didn’t like it. Not one bit. It must have felt like more than they could manage; it was too much at times. But, they had to learn how to limp along and make do. They had to keep on trying and living just the same. And do you know what? So do you.
But be encouraged. Most everyone has to face something painful and difficult – that just will not go away. If it isn’t in the past it will be in the future. Weakness has a way of making itself known. And it isn’t just you. No, you are not alone. The “beautiful” people have issues to. The healthy aren’t whole in every way. Your friend or co-worker who appears to be popular and successful is limited somehow. Count on it. Learn to look beyond the surface. Nobody has it all together, or at least not for long. Everyone is messed-up and mixed-up and lacking to some extent. When Mr. Wonderful gets home and is all alone…the cracks begin to show.
Read More»Personality and problems galore
- At March 10, 2012
- By Nathan
- In Career & Life Planning
- 0
Your personality will make a big difference in terms of how you view life. Attitude is also important, to be sure. Early childhood influences count. Family relationships matter. Friends can shape your thinking. Lots of things can make a difference in your perspective. If, however, you find yourself naturally focusing on what is wrong with the world (and there is a lot to focus on) rather than on what is right with it…realize that this could be, in part, because of your personality.
Sanguines are often so focused on enjoying people that they hardly notice problems. Cholerics are just too busy running things and making stuff happen to care. Phlegmatics notice, but because of their easy-going nature problems are no big deal. Hakuna matata! But, some melancholics reading this and notice and notice – everything that is wrong everywhere – and your thinking is clouded by anxiety. Stress is your constant companion. Worry is your middle name. And something is going to snap someday.
Read More»Thanks for visiting
- At March 09, 2012
- By Nathan
- In Meeting Needs
- 0
This is a brief note to thank all who have taken the time to visit this website. This site is intended to be a resource that will help you, in some small way, to move ahead in your life. Whether you live in Canada or the USA or Europe or Africa or Asia, etc., I hope this online service has been an encouragement to you. May I encourage you to act on whatever significant insights you feel that you have gained from your time spent here so far. Reflection is all fine and good, but, in the end, action is what really matters.
God bless,
norwegiansoul
Relationships and the Trinity
- At March 07, 2012
- By Nathan
- In Career & Life Planning
- 0
If you happen to be looking for advice specifically about relationships, it wouldn’t hurt to begin by reflecting on the Trinity. That would be the three-in-one and one-in-three word used to describe God by most Christian people who speak English.
This suggestion, by the way, is nothing new and not at all original with me. Look into it, and you will find a small army of academics talking about it constantly. And it makes sense to reflect on such things; that is, if you have come to the realization that God is best described as a trinity. For here you will find an example of an ideal relationship.
Notice, that I didn’t say you should try to completely understand it. Even thinking about a little piece of this world, or part of reality, for too long will blow your mind. Don’t believe me? Give it a try. Very little that appears to be simple and self-evident actually is.
Read More»Getting advice while growing up
- At March 01, 2012
- By Nathan
- In Career & Life Planning
- 0
Thomas didn’t understand what was going on. Resistance, a feeling of resistance, was growing deep inside. But resistance to what? He didn’t know. Couldn’t seem to put his finger on it. It was almost as if a wall was being built around his identity; perhaps a boundary was being defined. Whatever it was, something had changed. As a teenager and now even more as a young adult there had been a shift in his thinking, in his feeling. Was this the beginning of a bad attitude or just part of growing up? He wasn’t sure.
Ellen felt the same way. She found herself pulling back as of late. Like a spring that was being compressed she was was getting ready. But ready for what? It was hard to say. One thing was clear though: her thoughts, her feelings, her preferences, her interests, here opinions, and her convictions were beginning to take shape. What had been presented or imposed from the outside, by others, was meeting with resistance on the inside now. Restless, she felt so restless and just wanted to get away. She needed some space to come alive, some room to breath. Why did she feel this way? Was this normal?
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